JP6986412B2 - Hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

The technique disclosed herein relates to a hot water supply system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water supply system including a heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air, a tank that stores hot water heated by the heat pump, a supply means that supplies hot water in the tank to a hot water utilization location, and a control device. There is. The control device stores time information indicating the time when the hot water supply ends within a predetermined period in the past, and based on the stored time information, the last hot water supply in a unit time of 24 hours is performed. The hot water supply end time to be terminated is specified, and the heat pump is stopped at the heat pump stop time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply end time. This is intended to prevent excessive heat from being stored in the tank at the end time of hot water supply, which is unlikely to require hot water after that.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-224762

However, depending on the actual usage of hot water, the actual time when the last hot water supply within the unit time ends (hereinafter referred to as the actual end time) is the end of hot water supply specified by the control device based on the time information. There may be situations where the time is significantly earlier than the time. Under such circumstances, the heat pump will run after the actual end time and until the heat pump stop time arrives, even though the hot water supply within a unit time has already ended and no hot water is needed thereafter. A situation occurs in which the operation is unnecessarily continued. As a result, when the heat pump is stopped, heat that is not planned to be used thereafter is stored in the tank. Most of such heat is dissipated without being used, which causes wasteful energy consumption.

The present specification provides a technique capable of suppressing unnecessary operation of a heat pump and suppressing wasteful storage of unused heat in a tank.

The hot water supply system disclosed in the present specification includes a heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air, a tank that stores hot water heated by the heat pump, a supply means that supplies hot water in the tank to a hot water utilization location in a building, and a control device. , Equipped with. The control device stores time information indicating a time when the supply of hot water ends within a predetermined period in the past, and based on the stored time information, the last hot water in a unit time of 24 hours is used. The hot water supply end time at which the supply should be terminated is determined, and the heat pump is stopped when the heat pump stop time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply end time, arrives. The control device further acquires operation data related to the operation status of the electrical equipment arranged in the building, and based on the acquired operation data, a person in the building in the current unit time It monitors that the bedtime behavior indicating that the person has fallen asleep is performed, and if it is determined that the bedtime behavior was performed before the heat pump stop time has arrived, the heat pump is stopped before the heat pump stop time has arrived. Let me.

Normally, it is unlikely that hot water will be needed in a building after it has gone to bed (ie, a person in the building has gone to bed). According to the above configuration, the control device can stop the heat pump even before the heat pump stop time arrives when it is determined that the sleeping behavior has been performed in the current unit time. Therefore, in situations where sleeping behavior is performed and it is unlikely that hot water will be required after that, the heat pump can be stopped until the heat pump stop time arrives by stopping the heat pump early without waiting for the heat pump stop time. It is possible to prevent the situation of unnecessary operation. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress unnecessary operation of the heat pump and to prevent wasteful storage of unused heat in the tank.

The control device further stores usage record information indicating the usage amount of hot water used for each unit time within the predetermined period in the past, and the current unit before the heat pump stop time arrives. when the usage of the hot water at the time exceeds the threshold usage amount is specified based on the usage record information, Ru said heat pump is stopped before the heat pump stop time comes.

Usually, the usage amount of hot water in the current unit time is approximately approximate to the threshold usage amount specified based on the usage record information indicating the usage amount of hot water used in each unit time in the past predetermined period. If the amount of hot water used in the current unit time exceeds the threshold amount, it is unlikely that more hot water will be needed within the unit time. According to the above configuration, the control device can stop the heat pump before the heat pump stop time arrives when the usage amount of the hot water used in the current unit time exceeds the threshold usage amount. Therefore, in situations where hot water that exceeds the threshold value has already been used and it is unlikely that hot water will be required thereafter, the heat pump stop time can be set by stopping the heat pump early without waiting for the heat pump stop time to arrive. It is possible to prevent the heat pump from operating unnecessarily until it arrives. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress unnecessary operation of the heat pump and to prevent wasteful storage of unused heat in the tank.

In the control device, the acquired operation data indicates that the power consumption of the electric device arranged in the building is a reference value of the power consumption of the electric device when a person in the building is sleeping. When it is shown that the power consumption at bedtime is equal to or less than the amount of power consumed at bedtime, it may be determined that the bedtime action has been performed.

While a person is sleeping in a building, most of the electrical equipment is usually turned off, and the power consumption of the entire electrical equipment in the building (that is, the power consumption at bedtime) stabilizes at a relatively low value. .. That is, when the power consumption of the electric device is equal to or less than the power consumption at bedtime, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the bedtime behavior has been performed. According to the above configuration, the control device determines that the bedtime behavior has been performed when the operation data indicates that the power consumption of the electric device is equal to or less than the power consumption at bedtime. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the sleep behavior has been performed and stop the heat pump.

Other hot water supply systems disclosed herein include a heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air, a tank that stores hot water heated by the heat pump, and a supply means that supplies hot water in the tank to hot water utilization points in a building. The control device includes a device, and the control device stores time information indicating a time when the supply of hot water is finished within a predetermined period in the past, and based on the stored time information, a unit in units of 24 hours. When the heat pump stop time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply end time, is reached, the heat pump is stopped, and the control device determines the hot water supply end time at which the last hot water supply should be finished. Further, operation data related to the operation status of the electric equipment arranged in the building is acquired, and based on the acquired operation data, a bedtime action indicating that the person in the building has fallen asleep is performed. If it is determined that the bedtime behavior was performed before the heat pump stop time has arrived, the heat pump is stopped before the heat pump stop time has arrived, and the electric equipment includes air conditioning equipment. seen, the control device, the operation data acquired is to indicate that a timer for stopping the operation of the air-conditioning equipment after a predetermined period of time has been set, it is determined that the sleep behavior has been performed.

When a person goes to bed, a timer (so-called off timer) may be set so that the operation of the air conditioner (so-called air conditioner) in the building is automatically stopped after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. That is, when the off timer of the air conditioner is set, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the sleeping behavior has been performed. According to the above configuration, the control device determines that the sleeping action has been performed when the operation data indicates that the timer for turning off the power of the air conditioner after the lapse of a predetermined period has been set. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the sleep behavior has been performed and stop the heat pump.

The hot water supply system may further include a heat source machine that heats hot water using heat generated by burning fuel.

According to this configuration, even if the control device determines that the sleeping behavior has been performed, the hot water in the tank is used when the hot water is requested to be supplied to the hot water usage point after the heat pump is stopped. Even if it is not possible to prepare the required temperature and amount of hot water at the hot water usage location, it is possible to supply the required temperature and amount of hot water to the hot water utilization location by heating the hot water with a heat source machine. can.

The figure which shows the structure of the hot water supply system 2 schematically. The figure which shows typically the time zone when hot water supply is performed in a specific building. The flowchart which shows the 1st heat pump operation process. The flowchart which shows the 2nd heat pump operation process. A flowchart showing the hot water filling process. The flowchart which shows the heat pump stop process.

(Example)
As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 2 according to the present embodiment includes a tank 10, a tank water circulation path 20, a tap water introduction path 30, a supply path 40, a heat pump 50, a burner heating device 60, and a hot water supply. It includes a controller 100, an electric device 200, and a HEMS controller 300. The hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment is a system used to supply hot water to hot water utilization points inside and outside a building (not shown) such as a general house.

The heat pump 50 is a heat source that absorbs heat from the outside air and heats the water in the tank water circulation path 20. Although not shown, the heat pump 50 includes a heat medium circulation path that circulates a heat medium (alternative freon, for example, R410A), an evaporator that exchanges heat between the outside air and the heat medium, and a high temperature that compresses the heat medium. A compressor for high pressure, a heat exchanger for heat exchange between the water in the tank water circulation path 20 and a high temperature and high pressure heat medium, and a heat medium after heat exchange is decompressed to a low temperature and low pressure. It is equipped with an expansion valve. Further, the heat pump 50 is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 52 for measuring the outside air temperature.

The tank 10 stores hot water heated by the heat pump 50. The tank 10 is a closed type, and the outside is covered with a heat insulating material. Water is stored in the tank 10 until it is full. In this embodiment, the capacity of the tank 10 is 100 L. Thermistors 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19 are attached to the tank 10 at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the tank 10. Each thermistor 12, 14, 16, 18, 19 measures the temperature of the water at its mounting position. For example, each thermistor 12, 14, 16, 18, 19 measures the temperature of water at positions 6L, 12L, 30L, 50L, 70L from the top of the tank 10, respectively.

The tank water circulation path 20 has an upstream end connected to the lower part of the tank 10 and a downstream end connected to the upper part of the tank 10. A circulation pump 22 is interposed in the tank water circulation path 20. The circulation pump 22 sends out the water in the tank water circulation path 20 from the upstream side to the downstream side. Further, the tank water circulation path 20 passes through a heat exchanger (not shown) of the heat pump 50. Therefore, when the heat pump 50 is operated, the water in the tank water circulation path 20 is heated by the heat exchanger of the heat pump 50. Therefore, when the circulation pump 22 and the heat pump 50 are operated, the water in the lower part of the tank 10 is heated by the heat pump 50, and the heated water is returned to the upper part of the tank 10. That is, the tank water circulation channel 20 is a water channel for storing heat in the tank 10. Further, a thermistor 24 is interposed on the upstream side of the heat pump 50 of the tank water circulation path 20. The thermistor 24 is derived from the lower part of the tank 10 and measures the temperature of water before passing through the heat pump 50.

The upstream end of the tap water introduction path 30 is connected to the tap water supply source 31. A thermistor 32 is interposed in the tap water introduction path 30. The thermistor 32 measures the temperature of tap water. The downstream side of the tap water introduction path 30 is branched into a first introduction path 30a and a second introduction path 30b. The downstream end of the first introduction path 30a is connected to the lower part of the tank 10. The downstream end of the second introduction path 30b is connected in the middle of the supply path 40 described later. A mixing valve 42 is provided at a connection portion between the downstream end of the second introduction path 30b and the supply path 40. The mixing valve 42 adjusts the amount of water in the second introduction path 30b to be mixed with the hot water flowing in the supply path 40.

The upstream end of the supply path 40 is connected to the upper part of the tank 10. As described above, the second introduction passage 30b of the tap water introduction passage 30 is connected in the middle of the supply passage 40, and the mixing valve 42 is provided at the connection portion. A burner heating device 60 is interposed in the supply path 40 on the downstream side of the connection portion with the second introduction path 30b.

The burner heating device 60 is an auxiliary heat source device that heats hot water passing through the supply path 40 by the heat of burning fuel (for example, fuel gas). Further, a thermistor 44 is interposed in the supply path 40 on the downstream side of the burner heating device 60. The thermistor 44 measures the temperature of the hot water supplied. The burner heating device 60 heats the water in the supply path 40 so that the temperature of the hot water measured by the thermistor 44 matches the hot water supply set temperature. The downstream end of the supply path 40 is connected to a hot water utilization point (for example, a kitchen, a bathtub, etc.).

The hot water supply controller 100 is electrically connected to each component such as the heat pump 50, the circulation pump 22, the mixing valve 42, and the burner heating device 60 described above, and controls the operation of each component. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the HEMS controller 300. As a result, the hot water supply controller 100 can continuously acquire the operation data described later from the HEMS controller 300. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 can also acquire information indicating the amount of power consumption at bedtime, which will be described later, from the HEMS controller 300 every 24 hours. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 stores operation data acquired from the HEMS controller 300 and information indicating the amount of power consumption at bedtime.

The electric device 200 is a home appliance arranged in the above-mentioned building. The electric device 200 includes, for example, an air conditioner 202, a microwave oven 204, a refrigerator 206, a television 208, a lighting device 210, and the like.

The HEMS controller 300 is a control device for managing the above-mentioned electric device 200. The HEMS controller 300 is electrically connected to each of the devices 202 to 210 included in the above-mentioned electric device 200, and continuously acquires operation data indicating the operating state of the device from each of the devices 202 to 210. Here, for the operation data, for example, the power of the TV 208 is turned on (or off), and the off timer of the air conditioner 202 (that is, the timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner 202 after a predetermined period of time) is set. It includes information indicating various behaviors of each device 202 to 210, and information indicating the power consumption of the device at each time point. Further, as described above, the HEMS controller 300 is provided so as to be able to communicate with the hot water supply controller 100. The HEMS controller 300 supplies the operation data acquired from the devices 202 to 210 to the hot water supply controller 100 at any time.

Further, the HEMS controller 300 calculates and stores the total power consumption for each of the past 7 days of a specific household based on the operation data acquired from the electric device 200 every 24 hours. Further, the HEMS controller 300 is a bedtime consumption which is a reference value of the power consumption when a person in the building is sleeping based on the total power consumption for each time zone for the past 7 days of a specific household. Calculate and store the amount of power. Specifically, the HEMS controller 300 calculates the power consumption at bedtime based on the power consumption during the bedtime zone (for example, 0:00 to 6:00) in a specific household. Then, the HEMS controller 300 supplies the calculated information indicating the bedtime power consumption to the hot water supply controller 100. The bedtime power consumption is used as a reference value when determining whether or not to stop the heat pump 50 in the heat pump stop processing (see S80 in FIG. 6) described later.

Next, the operation of the hot water supply system 2 of this embodiment will be described. The hot water supply system 2 can execute the heat storage operation and the hot water supply operation. Hereinafter, each operation will be described.

(Heat storage operation)
The heat storage operation is an operation in which the water in the tank 10 is heated by the heat generated by the heat pump 50. When the hot water supply controller 100 instructs the execution of the heat storage operation, the heat pump 50 operates and the circulation pump 22 rotates. When the circulation pump 22 rotates, the water in the tank 10 circulates in the tank water circulation path 20. That is, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 10 is introduced into the tank water circulation path 20, and when the introduced water passes through the heat exchanger in the heat pump 50, it is heated by the heat of the heat medium and heated. Is returned to the top of the tank 10. As a result, hot water is stored in the tank 10. A layer of hot water is formed in the upper part of the tank 10, and a layer of cold water is formed in the lower part.

(Hot water supply operation)
The hot water supply operation is an operation of supplying the water in the tank 10 to the hot water utilization point. Further, in particular, the hot water supply operation when the hot water usage point is a bathtub is referred to as "hot water filling operation" below. The hot water supply operation can also be executed during the above heat storage operation. When the hot water tap at the hot water utilization point is opened, tap water flows from the tap water introduction path 30 (first introduction path 30a) to the lower part of the tank 10 due to the water pressure from the tap water supply source 31. At the same time, the hot water in the upper part of the tank 10 is supplied to the hot water utilization point via the supply path 40.

When the temperature of the water supplied from the tank 10 to the supply path 40 (that is, the measured temperature of the thermistor 12) is higher than the hot water supply set temperature, the hot water supply controller 100 opens the mixing valve 42 and starts from the second introduction path 30b. Tap water is introduced into the supply channel 40. Therefore, the water supplied from the tank 10 and the tap water supplied from the second introduction path 30b are mixed in the supply path 40. The hot water supply controller 100 adjusts the opening degree of the mixing valve 42 so that the temperature of the water supplied to the hot water utilization location matches the hot water supply set temperature. On the other hand, the hot water supply controller 100 operates the burner heating device 60 when the temperature of the water supplied from the tank 10 to the supply path 40 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature. Therefore, the water passing through the supply path 40 is heated by the burner heating device 60. The hot water supply controller 100 controls the output of the burner heating device 60 so that the temperature of the water supplied to the hot water utilization location matches the hot water supply set temperature.

(Tendency of hot water supply in a specific household)
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 2, the tendency of hot water supply in a specific household when the life cycle of a specific household is viewed in units of 24 hours (1 day) will be described. The "specific household" in this embodiment is a household living in a building (general house) in which the hot water supply system 2 of this embodiment is installed. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a time zone in which hot water is supplied to a specific household during a certain day. In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 uses 24 hours starting from 2:00 as a unit time for specifying one day.

In a specific household, for example, hot water is first supplied from 6:00 to 7:00 (6:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The first hot water supply is, for example, hot water supply for preparing breakfast or washing the washbasin. In the first hot water supply, about 5 L to 20 L of hot water is supplied. In a specific household, for example, a second hot water supply is performed from 11:00 to 12:00 (11:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The second hot water supply is, for example, hot water supply for preparing lunch. Even in the second hot water supply, about 5 L to 20 L of hot water is supplied. In a specific household, for example, a third hot water supply is performed at 20:00 (20:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The third hot water supply is a hot water filling operation to the bathtub. In this embodiment, a specific household is preset to start the hot water filling operation at 20:00 every day. In the hot water filling operation, hot water of about 150 L to 180 L is supplied. In a particular household, for example, the last hot water supply is performed from 23:00 to 0:00 (approximately 23:00 in the example of FIG. 2). The last hot water supply is, for example, hot water supply for brushing teeth and the like. In the final hot water supply, about 5 L to 10 L of hot water is supplied. The last hot water supply ends around 0:00.

In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 determines the time information indicating the time when the hot water supply is started and the time when the hot water supply is finished, and the amount of hot water supplied each time the hot water supply is performed in a specific household. The supply amount information to be shown is stored. The hot water supply controller 100 stores the time information and the supply amount information for one day as the operation history for one day of a specific household. In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 stores the operation history of a specific household for the past 7 days.

(Processing performed by the hot water supply controller 100 every 24 hours)
Subsequently, the process executed by the hot water supply controller 100 every 24 hours (every time the time becomes 2:00) will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 stores the operation history of the specific household for the past 7 days. Therefore, the hot water supply controller 100 erases the operation history of 8 days ago and newly stores the operation history of the previous day every 24 hours.

Next, the hot water supply controller 100 identifies the earliest time among the times when the first hot water supply is started in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply start time S1”. For example, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies 6:00 as the hot water supply start time S1 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 identifies the earliest time among the times when the hot water filling operation is started in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water filling start time B1”. As described above, in this embodiment, the specific household is preset to start the hot water filling operation at 20:00 every day. For example, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies 20:00 as the hot water filling start time B1 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 identifies the latest time among the times when the last hot water supply is completed in the past 7 days from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Hereinafter, this time is referred to as “hot water supply end time G1”. For example, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies 0:00 as the hot water supply end time G1 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies a first predetermined time α, a second predetermined time β, and a third predetermined time γ based on the temperature TW (that is, the water temperature of tap water) measured by the thermistor 32. do.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature TW is 21 ° C. or higher, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "20 minutes" as the first predetermined time α. When the temperature TW is 13 ° C. or higher and lower than 21 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "30 minutes" as the first predetermined time α. When the temperature TW is less than 13 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "45 minutes" as the first predetermined time α. The hot water supply controller 100 specifies a shorter time as the first predetermined time α as the temperature TW is higher.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature TW is 21 ° C. or higher, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "40 minutes" as the second predetermined time β. When the temperature TW is 13 ° C. or higher and lower than 21 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "50 minutes" as the second predetermined time β. When the temperature TW is less than 13 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "60 minutes" as the second predetermined time β. The hot water supply controller 100 specifies a shorter time as the second predetermined time β as the temperature TW is higher.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature TW is 21 ° C. or higher, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "80 minutes" as the third predetermined time γ. When the temperature TW is 13 ° C. or higher and lower than 21 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "50 minutes" as the third predetermined time γ. When the temperature TW is less than 13 ° C., the hot water supply controller 100 specifies "40 minutes" as the third predetermined time γ. The hot water supply controller 100 specifies a longer time as a third predetermined time γ as the temperature TW is higher.

Next, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies the first heat pump operation time S0, which is a time before the specified first predetermined time α from the hot water supply start time S1. In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the first heat pump operation process (see FIG. 3) described later when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives.

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies a second heat pump operation time B0, which is a time before the specified second predetermined time β from the hot water filling start time B1. In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the second heat pump operation process (see FIG. 4) described later when the second heat pump operation time B0 arrives.

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies the heat pump stop time G0, which is a time before the specified third predetermined time γ from the hot water supply end time G1. In this embodiment, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the heat pump stop process (see FIG. 6) described later when the second heat pump operation process and the hot water filling process (see FIGS. 4 and 5) described later are completed.

Further, the hot water supply controller 100 calculates the average total amount of hot water used in one day in the specific household from the operation history of the specific household for the past seven days. Then, the hot water supply controller 100 calculates and stores the threshold value utilization amount which is an amount obtained by adding 10% to the calculated average total utilization amount (that is, the average total utilization amount + 10%). In another example, the threshold value utilization amount may be any amount as long as it is an amount equal to or more than the average total utilization amount. The threshold value utilization amount is used as a reference value when determining whether or not to stop the heat pump 50 in the heat pump stop processing (see S84 in FIG. 6) described later.

(First heat pump operation process)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the first heat pump operation process executed by the hot water supply controller 100. As described above, when the first heat pump operation time S0 arrives, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the process of FIG. First, in S10, the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the heat pump 50 is operating. When the heat pump 50 is operating, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S10, skips S12, and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when the heat pump 50 is not operating, the hot water supply controller 100 determines NO in S10 and proceeds to S12.

In S12, the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the temperature measured by the thermistor 16 (that is, the water temperature at the position 30 L from the upper part of the tank 10) is higher than the predetermined threshold value TA.

In this embodiment, the predetermined threshold value TA is “boiling set temperature −10 ° C.”. The boiling set temperature is, for example, 47 ° C. Therefore, the predetermined threshold value TA is, for example, 37 ° C. If YES is determined in S12, the water temperature at least 30 L from the top of the tank 10 is higher than the threshold TA (for example, 37 ° C.). As described above, a layer of hot water is formed in the upper part of the tank 10, and a layer of cold water is formed in the lower part. Therefore, when it is determined to be YES in S12, hot water having a high temperature close to the boiling set temperature (for example, 47 ° C.) is stored between the position of 30 L of the tank 10 and the upper part of the tank. That is, if YES is determined in S12, the amount of hot water (about 5L to 20L) required for the first hot water supply scheduled to be performed at a time near the hot water supply start time S1 is stored in the tank 10. It means that. If YES is determined in S12, the process proceeds to S18. On the other hand, if NO is determined in S12, the process proceeds to S14.

In S14, the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 (that is, the water temperature of the water derived from the lower part of the tank 10 and before passing through the heat pump 50) is higher than the predetermined threshold TB.

In this embodiment, the predetermined threshold value TB is “boiling set temperature −5 ° C.”. The boiling set temperature is, for example, 47 ° C. Therefore, the predetermined threshold TB is, for example, 42 ° C. If YES is determined in S14, hot water having a temperature higher than the threshold TB (for example, 42 ° C.) is stored in the lower part of the tank 10. That is, hot water having a high temperature close to the set boiling temperature is stored in substantially the entire tank 10. Hereinafter, such a state of the tank 10 may be referred to as a “full state”. If YES is determined in S14, the process proceeds to S18. On the other hand, if NO is determined in S14, the process proceeds to S16.

In S16, the hot water supply controller 100 operates the heat pump 50. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 rotates the circulation pump 22. That is, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the above-mentioned heat storage operation. As a result, the water existing in the lower part of the tank 10 is introduced into the tank water circulation path 20, the introduced water is heated by the heat pump 50, and the heated water is returned to the upper part of the tank 10. As a result, hot water is stored in the tank 10. If the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 are already operating at the time of S16, the hot water supply controller 100 continuously operates the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22. After finishing S16, the process returns to S10, and the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the heat pump 50 is in operation. In this case, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S14. That is, after the heat pump 50 is operated in S16, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 becomes higher than the predetermined threshold TB (that is, the tank 10 is in a full state). If the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 is higher than the predetermined threshold TB (YES in S14), the process proceeds to S18.

In S18, the hot water supply controller 100 stops the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22. As described above, when it is determined to be YES in S12, it is because the tank 10 already stores the amount of hot water required for the first hot water supply (about 5 L to 20 L). If YES is determined in S14, the tank 10 is in a fully stored state, and naturally, the amount of hot water required for the first hot water supply (about 5 L to 20 L) is stored in the tank 10. Because. After finishing S18, the hot water supply controller 100 ends the process of FIG.

When the first hot water supply operation is executed at a time near the hot water supply start time S1 after starting the first heat pump operation process of FIG. 3, the hot water in the upper part of the tank 10 is used at the hot water utilization point via the supply path 40. Is supplied to. As described above, in the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, at the hot water supply start time S1, the amount of hot water required for hot water supply can be stored in the tank 10. That is, during the first predetermined time α, by operating the heat pump 50 only during that time, it is possible to store the amount of hot water required for hot water supply in the tank 10 at the time of the hot water supply start time S1. It's time.

In this embodiment, after the end of the first heat pump operation process (FIG. 3), until the second heat pump operation time B0 arrives, the hot water supply controller 100 is in a state of decreasing the amount of hot water in the tank 10 (that is,). , The heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 are operated as needed while monitoring the detection temperature of the thermistas 12 to 19, and the heat storage operation and the hot water supply operation are performed.

(Second heat pump operation process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the second heat pump operation process executed by the hot water supply controller 100. As described above, when the second heat pump operation time B0 arrives, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the process of FIG. First, in S30, whether or not the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 (that is, the water temperature of the water derived from the lower part of the tank 10 and before passing through the heat pump 50) of the hot water supply controller 100 is higher than the predetermined threshold TB (that is, whether or not the temperature is higher than the predetermined threshold TB. That is, whether or not the tank 10 is in a full state) is determined. If YES is determined in S30, the process proceeds to S38. On the other hand, if NO is determined in S30, the process proceeds to S32.

In S32, the hot water supply controller 100 operates the heat pump 50. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 rotates the circulation pump 22. That is, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the above-mentioned heat storage operation. If the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 are already operating at the time of S32, the hot water supply controller 100 continuously operates the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22. After finishing S32, the process proceeds to S34.

On the other hand, in S38, the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 are stopped. As described above, if YES is determined in S30, the tank 10 is in a full state. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 any more. After finishing S38, the process proceeds to S34.

In S34, the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the hot water filling start time B1 has arrived. If YES is determined in S34, the process proceeds to S36 to start the hot water filling process (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, if NO in S34, the process returns to S30.

In this embodiment, when the hot water of the boiling set temperature is not sufficiently stored in the tank 10 at the time when the second heat pump operation process of FIG. 4 is started (for example, the measured temperature of the thermistor 12 is set to the hot water supply). (When the temperature is lower than the temperature), the hot water filling start time B1 arrives after the heat pump 50 is operated in S32 and before the tank 10 is fully stored (YES in S34). That is, in this embodiment, when the hot water supply controller 100 operates the heat pump 50 at the second heat pump operation time B0 (S32), the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 at the hot water filling start time B1 is less than a predetermined threshold TB. The second predetermined time β is specified so as to be.

(Hot water filling process)
As described above, when the hot water filling start time B1 arrives, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the hot water filling process in S36. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hot water filling process. In this embodiment, an example in which the hot water filling process is automatically started when the hot water filling start time B1 arrives will be described, but in the modified example, when a predetermined hot water filling start operation is performed by the user, the hot water filling start operation is performed. The hot water filling process may be started.

In S50 of FIG. 5, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the hot water filling operation. That is, the hot water supply controller 100 opens the hot water tap of the bathtub and starts supplying hot water to the bathtub. Next, in S52, the hot water supply controller 100 determines whether or not the heat pump 50 is in operation. As described above, if the tank 10 is not in the full state at the time when the hot water filling start time B1 arrives, the heat pump 50 is continuously operating. In that case, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S52 and proceeds to S58. On the other hand, if the tank 10 is in a full state when the hot water filling start time B1 arrives, the heat pump 50 is stopped. In that case, the hot water supply controller 100 determines NO in S52 and proceeds to S54.

In S54, the hot water supply controller 100 is derived from the temperature measured by the thermistor 19 (that is, the temperature of water at a position 70 L from the upper part of the tank 10) and the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 (that is, the lower part of the tank 10) and is a heat pump. (Temperature of water before passing through 50) and one of them are monitored to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold TA. If YES in S54, the process proceeds to S56. In S56, the hot water supply controller 100 operates the heat pump 50 and rotates the circulation pump 22.

In the following S58, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the temperature measured by the thermistor 12 (that is, the water temperature at the position 6 L from the upper part of the tank 10) becomes equal to or lower than the hot water supply set temperature. If YES is determined in S58, it means that the amount of hot water (hot water having a temperature higher than the hot water supply set temperature) stored in the tank 10 has decreased to 6 L or less remaining. In the following, this state may be referred to as a "out of hot water state". In this embodiment, 150 L to 180 L of hot water is required for the hot water filling operation. As described above, in this embodiment, since the capacity of the tank 10 is 100 L, a hot water shortage state (YES in S58) always occurs during the hot water filling operation. If YES is determined in S58 (that is, in the case of running out of hot water), the process proceeds to S60.

In S60, the hot water supply controller 100 operates the burner heating device 60. Also in this case, the hot water supply controller 100 continuously operates the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22. As a result, hot water heated by the heat pump 50 and the burner heating device 60 is supplied to the bathtub.

Next, in S62, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the hot water filling operation is completed. When the predetermined amount (for example, 150 L) of hot water has been supplied to the bathtub, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S62 and proceeds to S64.

In S64, the hot water supply controller 100 stops the burner heating device 60 operated in S60. Also in this case, the hot water supply controller 100 continuously operates the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 for a predetermined time. When S64 is completed, the hot water filling process of FIG. 5 is completed. At the same time, the process of FIG. 4 is also completed. As described above, in the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, at the hot water filling start time B1, a part of the hot water required for hot water filling can be stored in the tank 10. That is, the second predetermined time β is the time during which the required amount of hot water can be stored in the tank 10 at the time of the hot water filling start time B1 by operating the heat pump 50 only during that time. Is.

Further, as described above, when the hot water supply controller 100 operates the heat pump 50 at the second heat pump operation time B0 (S32), the temperature measured by the thermistor 24 at the hot water filling start time B1 becomes less than a predetermined threshold TB. The second predetermined time β is specified so as to be. Therefore, if the tank 10 is not fully stored when the hot water filling start time B1 arrives, the heat pump 50 is continuously operated even after the hot water supply to the bathtub is started (S50 in FIG. 5) (S50 in FIG. 5). YES in S52 of FIG. 5). In this case, hot water can be supplied to the bathtub while the water is heated by the heat pump 50 and stored in the tank 10. On the other hand, when the heat pump 50 is stopped at the hot water filling start time B1 (NO in S52 in FIG. 5), it is necessary to operate the heat pump 50 again later, which takes time (S56 in FIG. 5). Further, when the heat pump 50 is continuously operating at the hot water filling start time B1 (YES in S52 in FIG. 5), the heat pump 50 is stopped at the hot water filling start time B1 (FIG. 5). Compared with NO) in S52, it is possible to prevent the heat pump 50 from being stopped and restarted more frequently. That is, it is possible to reduce the loss due to the stoppage and restart of the heat pump 50 to increase the energy efficiency, and further, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the durability of the heat pump 50.

(Heat pump stop processing)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the heat pump stop process executed by the hot water supply controller 100. As described above, when the second heat pump operation process and the hot water filling process (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are completed, the hot water supply controller 100 starts the process of FIG. When the heat pump stop process of FIG. 6 is started, the hot water supply controller 100 executes each monitoring of S80 to S86.

In S80, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the value of the power consumption of the electrical equipment 200 of the building at this time is equal to or less than the value of the power consumption at bedtime based on the operation data acquired from the HEMS controller 300. .. As described above, the power consumption at bedtime is a reference value of the power consumption when a person in the building is sleeping. The hot water supply controller 100 acquires and stores information indicating the amount of power consumption at bedtime from the HEMS controller 300 in advance. When the value of the power consumption amount at this time is a value equal to or less than the stored bedtime power consumption amount, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S80. If YES is determined in S80, it means that a sleeping action indicating that a person in the building has gone to bed has been performed. That is, if it is determined to be YES in S80, there is a high possibility that hot water will not be used thereafter in a specific household. If the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S80, the process proceeds to S88.

In S82, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the off timer of the air conditioner 202 in the building is set based on the operation data acquired from the HEMS controller 300. The off timer of the air conditioner 202 is a timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner 202 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. At this point, if the off timer of the air conditioner 202 is set, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S82. If YES is determined in S82, it also means that the sleeping behavior was performed in the building. That is, even in this case, there is a high possibility that hot water will not be used thereafter in a specific household. If the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S82, the process proceeds to S88.

In S84, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors that the cumulative hot water usage amount on the day exceeds a predetermined threshold usage amount. As described above, the threshold usage amount is an amount obtained by adding 10% to the average total usage amount of hot water per day in a specific household (that is, the average total usage amount + 10%). The threshold value utilization amount is calculated and stored in advance by the hot water supply controller 100. When the accumulated hot water usage amount on the day exceeds the threshold usage amount, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S84. Usually, the amount of hot water used per day in a particular household roughly approximates the threshold amount. If the accumulated hot water usage on the day exceeds the threshold usage (YES in S84), it is unlikely that more hot water will be needed on that day. If the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S84, the hot water supply controller 100 proceeds to S88.

In S86, the hot water supply controller 100 monitors the arrival of the heat pump stop time G0. If the heat pump stop time G0 arrives before the determination is YES in any of S80 to S84, the hot water supply controller 100 determines YES in S86 and proceeds to S88.

The hot water supply controller 100 repeatedly executes each monitoring of S80 to S86 until it is determined to be YES in any of S80 to S86.

In S88, the hot water supply controller 100 stops the heat pump 50 and the circulation pump 22 when the heat pump 50 is operating at this time. If the heat pump 50 has already stopped at the time of S88, the hot water supply controller 100 stops the heat pump 50 as it is. When the heat pump 50 is stopped in S88, the hot water supply controller 100 does not operate the heat pump 50 until the next day. Therefore, in the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, even if YES is determined in any of S80 to S86, excess hot water cannot be stored in the tank 10 at the specified hot water supply end time G1. Can be done. Further, in the above-mentioned third predetermined time γ, by not operating the heat pump 50 during that time, it is possible to prevent excessive hot water from being stored in the tank 10 at the time of the hot water supply end time G1. It is time to become.

The configuration and operation of the hot water supply system 2 of this embodiment have been described above. In this embodiment, in the heat pump stop process of FIG. 6, when it is determined that the hot water supply controller 100 has performed a sleeping action in the building (that is, when YES in S80 or S82), the heat pump stop time G0 arrives. The heat pump 50 can be stopped even before (S88). Normally, it is unlikely that hot water will be needed in a building after it has gone to bed (ie, a person in the building has gone to bed). Therefore, in a situation where there is a high possibility that the sleep behavior was performed in the building and it is unlikely that hot water will be required after that, the heat pump 50 can be stopped early without waiting for the arrival of the heat pump stop time G0. It is possible to prevent the heat pump 50 from operating unnecessarily until the heat pump stop time G0 arrives. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary operation of the heat pump 50 and to prevent unnecessary heat from being stored in the tank 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the heat pump stop process of FIG. 6, when the hot water supply controller 100 determines that the accumulated hot water usage amount on the day exceeds the threshold usage amount (YES in S84), the heat pump stop time G0 arrives. The heat pump 50 can be stopped even before this is done (S88). Normally, the daily usage of hot water in a specific household is approximately close to the threshold usage calculated based on past performance. Therefore, if the cumulative hot water usage on the day exceeds the threshold usage, it is unlikely that more hot water will be needed on that day. Therefore, in a situation where hot water exceeding the threshold value has already been used and it is unlikely that hot water will be required thereafter, the heat pump is stopped by stopping the heat pump 50 at an early stage without waiting for the arrival of the heat pump stop time G0. It is possible to prevent the heat pump 50 from operating unnecessarily until the time G0 arrives. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary operation of the heat pump 50 and to prevent unnecessary heat from being stored in the tank 10.

In particular, in this embodiment, in S80 of FIG. 6, the hot water supply controller 100 performs a bedtime action when the power consumption at this time is equal to or less than the stored bedtime power consumption (YES in S80). It is determined that the heat pump 50 has been damaged, and the heat pump 50 is stopped (S88). While a person is sleeping in the building, most of the electric equipment 200 is turned off, and the power consumption of the entire electric equipment 200 of the building (that is, the power consumption at bedtime) is stable at a relatively low value. .. That is, in the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the sleeping behavior has been performed and stop the heat pump 50.

Further, in this embodiment, in S82 of FIG. 6, when the off timer of the air conditioner 202 is set (YES in S82), the hot water supply controller 100 determines that the sleeping action has been performed and stops the heat pump 50. (S88). When a person goes to bed, an off timer may be set so that the operation of the air conditioner 202 in the building is automatically stopped after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. That is, when the off timer of the air conditioner 202 is set, it can be said that there is a high possibility that the sleeping behavior has been performed. That is, in the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the sleeping behavior has been performed and stop the heat pump 50.

Further, the hot water supply system 2 of the present embodiment includes a burner heating device 60 that heats hot water that is led out from the tank 10 and passes through the supply path 40 by using the heat obtained by burning the fuel. Therefore, even if the hot water in the tank 10 is used but the temperature and amount of hot water required at the hot water use location cannot be prepared (see the case of YES in S58 of FIG. 5), the burner heating device 60 can be used. By heating the hot water, the required temperature and amount of hot water can be supplied to the hot water utilization point (see S60). Further, even if a situation occurs in which hot water must be supplied to a hot water utilization location after the heat pump 50 is stopped (S88 in FIG. 6), the hot water can be heated by the burner heating device 60. , Hot water can be supplied to hot water utilization points.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the description of the claims will be described. The hot water supply controller 100 and the HEMS controller 300 are examples of the “control device”. The operation history is an example of "usage record information". The burner heating device 60 is an example of a “heat source machine”.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the burner heating device 60 is interposed in the supply path 40. Not limited to this, the burner heating device 60 may be provided at a position where hot water in the tank 10 can be heated. For example, the tank 10 is provided with a circulation path for a burner whose upstream end is connected to the vicinity of the center in the height direction of the tank 10 and whose downstream end is connected to the upper part of the tank 10, and the burner heating device 60 is used for the burner. It may be provided by interposing it in the circulation path.

(Modification 2) In the heat pump stop process of FIG. 6, one of the monitoring processes of S80 and S82 may be omitted. Further, the monitoring process of S84 may be omitted.

(Modification 3) The method for the hot water supply controller 100 to determine that the sleeping behavior has been performed in the building is not limited to the method by monitoring S80 and S82 in FIG. good. For example, the electrical equipment 200 may include monitoring equipment such as sensors and cameras provided in the building, and the operation data supplied from the HEMS controller 300 to the hot water supply controller 100 may include various data acquired from the monitoring equipment. In that case, the hot water supply controller 100 determines that the person in the building has taken an action that seems to have fallen asleep based on the acquired operation data (that is, various data acquired from the monitoring device), the heat pump. The heat pump 50 may be stopped even before the stop time G0.

(Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the HEMS controller 300 calculates the bedtime power consumption every 24 hours, and supplies the calculated bedtime power consumption to the hot water supply controller 100. Not limited to this, the hot water supply controller 100 may calculate the power consumption at bedtime every 24 hours.

(Modification 5) The hot water supply controller 100 may specify the average time of the time when hot water supply is first started in the past 7 days as the hot water supply start time S1 from the operation history of the past 7 days of a specific household. .. Similarly, the hot water supply controller 100 may specify the average time of the time when hot water filling is started in the past 7 days as the hot water filling start time B1 from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 may specify the average time of the last time when the hot water supply operation is completed in the past 7 days as the hot water supply end time G1 from the operation history of the past 7 days of the specific household.

(Modification 6) The hot water supply controller 100 may specify the first predetermined time α by any method, not limited to the above method, as long as the shorter time is specified as the temperature TW becomes higher. Therefore, for example, the hot water supply controller 100 may perform a predetermined calculation using the temperature TW to calculate the first predetermined time α. Similarly, the hot water supply controller 100 may specify the second predetermined time β by any method as long as the shorter time is specified as the temperature TW becomes higher. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 may specify the third predetermined time γ by any method as long as it specifies a longer time as the temperature TW becomes higher.

(Modification 7) The hot water supply controller 100 has a first predetermined time α and a second predetermined time β based on the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 52 instead of the temperature TW (water temperature) measured by the thermistor 32. , A third predetermined time γ may be specified. Further, the hot water supply controller 100 specifies a first predetermined time α, a second predetermined time β, and a third predetermined time γ based on the water temperature measured by the thermistor 32 and the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor 52. You may.

2 Hot water supply system 10 Tank 12 Thermistor 14 Thermistor 16 Thermistor 18 Thermistor 19 Thermistor 20 Tank water circulation path 22 Circulation pump 24 Thermistor 30 Tap water introduction path 30a First introduction path 30b Second introduction path 31 Tap water supply source 32 Thermistor 40 Supply channel 42 Mixing valve 44 Thermistor 50 Heat pump 52 Outside temperature sensor 60 Burner heating device 100 Hot water supply controller 200 Electrical equipment 202 Air conditioner 204 Microwave 206 Refrigerator 208 TV 210 Lighting equipment 300 HEMS controller

Claims (4)

It ’s a hot water supply system.
A heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air,
A tank for storing hot water heated by the heat pump,
A supply means for supplying the hot water in the tank to the hot water utilization point of the building,
Equipped with a control device,
The control device is
Stores time information indicating the time when the hot water supply ended within a predetermined period in the past.
Based on the stored time information, the hot water supply end time at which the last hot water supply should be terminated in the unit time of 24 hours is determined.
When the heat pump stop time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply end time, arrives, the heat pump is stopped.
The control device further
Acquire operation data related to the operation status of the electrical equipment installed in the building,
The usage record information indicating the usage amount of the hot water used for each unit time within the predetermined period in the past is stored.
Based on the acquired operation data, it is monitored that a sleeping behavior indicating that a person in the building has fallen asleep is performed.
When it is determined that the sleeping behavior was performed before the heat pump stop time has arrived, the heat pump is stopped before the heat pump stop time has arrived .
If the amount of hot water used in the current unit time exceeds the threshold value specified based on the usage record information before the heat pump stop time arrives, the heat pump said before the heat pump stop time arrives. To stop
Hot water supply system. It ’s a hot water supply system.
A heat pump that absorbs heat from the outside air,
A tank for storing hot water heated by the heat pump,
A supply means for supplying the hot water in the tank to the hot water utilization point of the building,
Equipped with a control device,
The control device is
Stores time information indicating the time when the hot water supply ended within a predetermined period in the past.
Based on the stored time information, the hot water supply end time at which the last hot water supply should be terminated in the unit time of 24 hours is determined.
When the heat pump stop time, which is a specific time before the hot water supply end time, arrives, the heat pump is stopped.
The control device further
Acquire operation data related to the operation status of the electrical equipment installed in the building,
Based on the acquired operation data, it is monitored that a sleeping behavior indicating that a person in the building has fallen asleep is performed.
When it is determined that the sleeping behavior was performed before the heat pump stop time has arrived, the heat pump is stopped before the heat pump stop time has arrived .
The electrical equipment includes air conditioning equipment.
The control device determines that the sleeping action has been performed when the acquired operation data indicates that a timer for stopping the operation of the air conditioner after a predetermined period has been set.
Hot water supply system. In the control device, the acquired operation data is based on the power consumption of the electric equipment arranged in the building, which is the reference of the power consumption of the electric equipment when a person in the building is sleeping. When it is shown that it is equal to or less than the value of the power consumption at bedtime, it is determined that the above-mentioned bedtime action has been performed.
The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2. Further equipped with a heat source machine that heats hot water using the heat generated by burning fuel.
The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images