JP6990123B2 - Bath water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bath water heater, and more particularly to a bath water heater that grasps and informs the situation of a person in the bathroom.

Conventionally, there is known a bath hot water supply device that displays a warning on a second remote controller provided at a place different from the bath remote controller when the bathing time of a bather reaches the upper limit time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-107767

Today, the number of bathing accidents among bathers, especially the elderly, is increasing. The above-mentioned bath water heater can prevent bathing accidents by, for example, monitoring a bather from bathing to bathing by a cohabitant.

However, since there is a favorite bathing time depending on the bather, it is not preferable to set the upper limit time against the will of the bather and display a warning when the upper limit time is reached. On the other hand, a function to stop monitoring of bathing time is required, but when a plurality of people use the bathroom, it is necessary to change the stop and start of monitoring each time, which causes trouble. In addition, after stopping, it will remain stopped unless it is restarted, and the monitoring function will not work sufficiently.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bath water heater capable of appropriately grasping the situation of a person in a bathroom according to the intention of a bather.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the bath hot water supply device according to the present invention has an entry / exit detection unit that detects bathing in and out of a bathtub in a bathroom, and an entry / exit detection unit that detects entering and exiting the bathroom. The detection unit, the timer that counts the time from a predetermined time after the bathing detection unit detects the bath, and the timer that counts the notification time, the notification that the notification time has elapsed is notified. When the notification unit, the instruction receiving unit that receives the instruction to stop the counting by the timer, and the instruction receiving unit receive the instruction, the counting by the timer is stopped and the entry / exit detection unit enters or leaves the room. When the above is detected, a control unit for restarting the counting by the timer is provided.
Further, the bath hot water supply device according to the present invention has an entry / exit detection unit for detecting bathing and exiting in a bathtub in a bathroom, an entry / exit detection unit for detecting entry / exit from the bathroom, and the entry / exit detection unit. A timer that counts the time from a predetermined time after the bath detection unit detects the bath, a notification unit that notifies that the notification time has elapsed when the count of the timer has elapsed, and the notification unit. When the instruction receiving unit that receives the instruction to stop the notification by the notification unit and the instruction receiving unit receive the instruction, the notification by the notification unit is stopped and the entry / exit detection unit detects that the room has entered or left the room. A control unit for resuming notification by the notification unit is provided.

In the bath water heater according to the present invention, the situation of a person in the bathroom can be suitably grasped according to the intention of the bather.

Schematic system configuration diagram of the hot water storage type bath water heater in this embodiment. Functional block diagram of a hot water storage type bath water heater. The flowchart explaining the bathing / leaving notification processing executed by the hot water supply device in this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the snooze notification processing executed by the hot water supply device in this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the timer function stop post-processing executed by the hot water supply device in this embodiment. A time chart for explaining the operation of a person in the bathroom, a charcoal sensor, a water level sensor, a timer, a bath remote controller, and a kitchen remote controller when notifying the elapse of the initial notification time in the process of FIG. A time chart for explaining the operation of a person in the bathroom, a charcoal sensor, a water level sensor, a timer, a bath remote controller, and a kitchen remote controller when the elapse of the initial notification time is not notified in the process of FIG. The flowchart explaining the timer function return process executed by the hot water supply device in this embodiment.

An embodiment of the hot water supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of the hot water storage type bath water heater 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the hot water storage type bath water heater 1.

The hot water storage type bath hot water supply device (hot water supply device) 1 mainly includes a hot water storage tank unit 3, a heat pump unit 4, a bath remote controller 5, and a kitchen remote controller 10. Further, the hot water supply device 1 is connected to the bathtub 7 in the bathroom 6, the shower 8, and the faucet 9.

The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a hot water storage tank 11 for storing hot water. The hot water storage tank 11 has a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 12 for detecting the hot water storage temperature in the hot water storage tank 11 in the vertical direction of the side surface. A water supply pipe 13 for supplying city water to the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 11. The water supply pipe 13 has a pressure reducing valve 14 that reduces the water supply pressure of city water to a constant pressure. Further, an overpressure relief valve 16 for releasing the overpressure in the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 11.

A hot water discharge pipe 18 for discharging hot water from the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 11. The hot water outlet pipe 18 is connected to the water supply bypass pipe 20 branched from the water supply pipe 13 via the hot water supply mixing valve 19. The water supply bypass pipe 20 has a water supply temperature sensor 25 that detects the water supply temperature.

The hot water supply mixing valve 19 mixes the hot water from the water supply bypass pipe 20 and the hot water from the hot water outlet pipe 18 so as to reach the hot water supply set temperature. The hot water supply mixing valve 19 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 24, and the hot water mixed by the hot water supply mixing valve 19 is guided to the shower 8 and the curan 9 by the hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply pipe 24 has a hot water supply flow rate sensor 26, a hot water supply temperature sensor 27, and a flow rate adjusting valve 28. The hot water supply flow rate sensor 26 and the hot water supply temperature sensor 27 detect the flow rate and temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 24, respectively. The flow rate adjusting valve 28 adjusts (limits) the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 24 by adjusting the opening degree.

The hot water supply pipe 24 is connected to a hot water beam pipe 32 that supplies hot water to the bath circulation circuit 40. The hot water beam pipe 32 has a hot water beam flow rate sensor 33, a hot water beam temperature sensor 34, and a hot water beam on-off valve 35. The hot water beam flow rate sensor 33 and the hot water beam temperature sensor 34 detect the flow rate and temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water beam pipe 32, respectively. The hot water beam on-off valve 35 is a solenoid valve that opens and closes the hot water beam pipe 32.

The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a bath circulation circuit 40 that circulates the hot water (bath water) of the bathtub 7 between the bathtub 7 and the bath heat exchanger 41. The bath circulation circuit 40 mainly includes a return pipe 42, a bath heat exchanger 41, and an outgoing pipe 43. The return pipe 42 and the forward pipe 43 are connected to the bathtub 7 to circulate hot water from the bathtub 7. The return pipe 42 returns the bath water to the bath heat exchanger 41. The bath heat exchanger 41 is provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 and heats the bath water with the heat of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11. The going pipe 43 supplies the hot water heated by the bath heat exchanger 41 to the bathtub 7 side.

The bath circulation circuit 40 has a heat exchange bypass pipe 46 that bypasses the return pipe 42 and the outgoing pipe 43 via the bath three-way valve 45. The bath three-way valve 45 switches between circulating the hot water from the return pipe 42 to the bath heat exchanger 41 and bypassing it to the outbound pipe 43.

Further, the return pipe 42 has a water level sensor 48, a bath temperature sensor 49, and a bath circulation pump 50. The water level sensor 48 detects the water level in the bathtub 7 by detecting the pressure from the bathtub 7. In the present embodiment, the water level sensor 48 (and the hot water storage control unit 55) functions as an in / out bath detection unit that detects bathing and bathing in the bathtub 7 in the bathroom 6. The bath temperature sensor 49 detects the temperature of the circulating hot water. The bath circulation pump 50 circulates hot water in the bath circulation circuit 40. The going pipe 43 has a flowing water switch 51 for detecting the presence or absence of circulation of hot water in the bath circulation circuit 40.

The hot water storage tank unit 3 has a hot water storage control unit 55 that electrically controls each part of the hot water storage tank unit 3. The hot water storage control unit 55 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and controls each part of the hot water storage tank unit 3 according to a program stored in advance while referring to the memory. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 includes a hot water storage temperature sensor 12, a water supply temperature sensor 25, a hot water supply flow rate sensor 26, a hot water supply temperature sensor 27, a hot water beam flow rate sensor 33, a hot water beam temperature sensor 34, a water level sensor 48, a bath temperature sensor 49, and The detection value of the flowing water switch 51 is acquired, and the operation of various valves of the hot water storage tank unit 3 is controlled based on the detection value.

Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 receives a user's instruction via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10, controls each unit, and executes the instruction. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 executes hot water supply operation, automatic bath operation, bath follow-up operation, and the like based on the hot water supply set temperature, the bath set temperature, the set hot water amount, and the like instructed by the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. The hot water storage control unit 55 has a first timer that counts (counts up) the elapsed time, a second timer, and a third timer. The first timer counts from the detection of bathing to the elapse of the first notification time (described later). The second timer repeatedly counts the passage of the snooze notification time (described later) from the passage of the initial notification time. The third timer counts from the detection of bathing to the detection of bathing, or up to the upper limit time of counting (timer upper limit time) when bathing is not detected. In the present embodiment, the first to third timers function as timers that count the time from a predetermined time point after the bathing detection unit detects bathing. The "predetermined time point" is the time when bathing is detected for the first and third timers, and the time when the first notification time has elapsed for the second timer.

In the present embodiment, when the hot water storage control unit 55 stops the bathing and bathing detection by the bathing / exiting detection unit when the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, and detects that the room entry / exit detecting unit has left the room, the hot water storage control unit 55 stops the bathing and bathing detection. It functions as a control unit that restarts bathing and bathing detection by the bathing / exiting detection unit.

The hot water storage tank unit 3 is connected to the heat pump unit 4 via a heating forward pipe 65 and a heating return pipe 66. The heat pump unit 4 boils the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 mainly at midnight. The heat pump unit 4 includes a heating going pipe 65, a heating return pipe 66, a refrigerant circuit 61, a heating control unit 62, and an outside air temperature sensor 63.

The heating going pipe 65 has a heating circulation pump 64 and a water entry temperature sensor 69. The heating circulation pump 64 circulates hot water taken out from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 11 in the refrigerant circuit 61. The water entry temperature sensor 69 detects the temperature of the hot water flowing into the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 from the heating going pipe 65. The heating return pipe 66 returns the hot water heated by the heat pump unit 4 to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11. The heating return pipe 66 has a boiling temperature sensor 70 that detects the temperature of the hot water flowing out of the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68.

The refrigerant circuit 61 is a circuit in which a compressor 71, a refrigerant water heat exchanger 68, an expansion valve 72, and an evaporator 73 are connected in an annular shape by a refrigerant cycle pipe 74. The compressor 71 compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature refrigerant. The refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 exchanges heat between the high temperature refrigerant and the hot water from the hot water storage tank 11. The expansion valve 72 decompresses the refrigerant radiated by the refrigerant water heat exchanger 68 to obtain a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant. The evaporator 73 evaporates the low temperature and low pressure refrigerant. Further, the outside air, which is a heat source, is blown to the evaporator 73 by the blower 75.

The outside air temperature sensor 63 detects the outdoor outside air temperature in which the heat pump unit 4 is installed. The heating control unit 62 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the heat pump unit 4 according to a program stored in advance while referring to a memory. That is, the heating control unit 62 acquires the detection values of the incoming water temperature sensor 69, the boiling temperature sensor 70, and the outside air temperature sensor 63, and controls the operation of the refrigerant circuit 61 and the like.

The bathroom 6 is provided with a bathtub 7, a shower 8, a faucet 9, and a bath remote controller 5. The bath remote controller 5 has a display unit 91, a speaker 92 (FIG. 2), switches 93, a call unit 94 (FIG. 2), a pyroelectric sensor 98, and a bath remote controller control unit 97. ..

The display unit 91 displays various information regarding the hot water supply device 1 (hot water supply set temperature, bath set temperature, bath set hot water amount, residual hot water amount, operating state of the hot water supply device 1 and the like).

The switches 93 include a setting switch, an automatic bath operation switch, a repelling switch, a hot water switch, a menu switch, and the like. In the present embodiment, the switches 93 function as an instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to stop bathing and bathing detection.

The setting switch accepts instructions for setting the hot water supply set temperature, the bath set temperature, and the bath set hot water amount. The automatic bath operation switch receives an instruction to start or stop the automatic bath operation. The eviction switch receives an instruction to start or stop the eviction operation. The tasting hot water switch receives an instruction to start or stop the tasting hot water operation. The menu switch calls up a hierarchical menu setting screen for making detailed settings for the hot water supply device 1.

In the automatic bath operation, the hot water in the bathtub 7 is automatically filled with the set water level and temperature based on the set temperature and the amount of hot water, and after the hot water is filled, the heat retention time elapses to maintain the set water level and temperature. It means to keep warm automatically until it is done. The chasing operation means that the hot water in the bathtub 7 is circulated between the bathtub heat exchanger 41 and heated. The hot water operation means that a set amount of hot water or water is poured into the bathtub 7. Each operation is executed based on the control of the pouring control unit 55.

The calling unit 94 (intercom) communicates with the kitchen remote controller 10 to make a call between a person in the bathroom 6 and a person in the kitchen.

The pyroelectric sensor 98 is provided as a motion sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom 6. In the present embodiment, the pyroelectric sensor 98 (and the hot water storage control unit 55) functions as an entry / exit detection unit that detects that a person has entered or exited the room from the bathroom 6. The pyroelectric sensor 98 detects the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom 6 by detecting the amount of temperature change of the heat source in the detection area. Specifically, the pyroelectric sensor 98 detects whether or not there is a person in the bathroom 6 (whether or not it is moving) by detecting a temperature change in the detection area when a person moves or by moving a limb or the like. To detect.

The bath remote controller control unit 97 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the bath remote controller 5 according to a program stored in advance while referring to a memory. For example, the bath remote controller control unit 97 receives an instruction signal of the switches 93 and a signal from the hot water storage control unit 55, and causes the display unit 91 to display necessary information predetermined.

The shower 8 and the faucet 9 are provided in the bathroom 6 or in the kitchen or washroom outside the bathroom 6. The hot water supply pipe 24 is branched on the downstream side of the flow control valve 28, and supplies hot water to the shower 8 and the faucet 9 provided in the bathroom 6 and the shower 8 and the faucet 9 in various places outside the bathroom 6 in parallel.

The kitchen remote controller 10 is a remote controller installed in a place other than the bathroom, for example, in the kitchen. The kitchen remote controller 10 has a display unit 101, a speaker 102 (FIG. 2), switches 103, a telephone unit 104 (FIG. 2), a kitchen remote controller control unit 107, and the like, which have almost the same functions as the bath remote controller 5. have. The kitchen remote controller control unit 107 has a logic circuit such as an MPU, and electrically controls each unit of the kitchen remote controller 10 according to a program stored in advance while referring to a memory. For example, the kitchen remote controller control unit 107 receives an instruction signal of the switches 103 and a signal from the hot water storage control unit 55, and causes the display unit 101 to display necessary information predetermined.

In the present embodiment, the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10 function as a notification unit for notifying that the notification time has elapsed when the timer count has elapsed. The notification time is the initial notification time, the snooze notification time, and the timer upper limit time.

The hot water storage control unit 55, the heating control unit 62, the bath remote controller control unit 97, and the kitchen remote controller control unit 107 are connected to each other so that necessary information can be transmitted and received.

The hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment can grasp the situation of a person (bath person) in the bathroom 6 and notify a person outside the bathroom 6 such as a bather and a cohabitant to that effect. Specifically, the hot water supply device 1 notifies (displays) the status of entering / exiting the room and entering / exiting the room via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Further, the hot water supply device 1 monitors the time from bathing in the bathtub 7 to bathing, and if bathing is not detected even after the preset time has elapsed, the hot water supply device 1 is used via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. It has a function to notify (hereinafter, simply referred to as "timer function"). Hereinafter, monitoring of entry / exit to the bathroom 6 and entry / exit to the bathtub 7 and accompanying notification (timer function) will be specifically described as entry / exit notification processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the bath entry / exit notification process executed by the hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the snooze notification process executed by the hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating post-processing after the timer function is stopped, which is executed by the hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a person in the bathroom 6 when notifying the elapse of the initial notification time in the process of FIG. 3, a pyroelectric sensor 98, a water level sensor 48, a first timer, a bath remote controller 5, and a kitchen remote controller 10. It is a time chart for explaining the operation of.

FIG. 7 shows a person in the bathroom 6 when the first notification time elapse is not notified in the process of FIG. 3, a pyroelectric sensor 98, a water level sensor 48, a first timer, a bath remote controller 5, and a kitchen remote controller 10. It is a time chart for explaining the operation of.

The parentheses after each operation description in FIGS. 6 and 7 are the description of each step name in FIG. 3 corresponding to each operation.

In step S1 of FIG. 3, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a person has entered (is present) in the bathroom 6. The hot water storage control unit 55 determines based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 of the bath remote controller 5. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has not been entered (No in step S1), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until the room is detected. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has been entered (Yes in step S1), in step S2, the fact that a person has entered the bathroom 6 is notified in the bathroom 6 and in the bathroom 6 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Notify outsiders.

In step S3, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a person has bathed in the bathtub 7 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 48. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 acquires the detection result of the water level sensor 48 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 500 ms), and the moving average value of the detection result for the obtained predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) (hereinafter, simply ". "Current water level") is calculated and stored. The hot water storage control unit 55 compares the newly obtained current water level with the current water level before a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds before) (hereinafter, simply referred to as “comparative water level”). The hot water storage control unit 55 determines that a person has bathed in the bathtub 7 when the current water level ≥ the comparative water level + a predetermined value (for example, 3 cm) is established. The predetermined value is determined in consideration of the water level that increases with the volume of a person.

When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the bath is not bathed (No in step S3), the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the bath has been taken in the bathing determination step S3 (Yes in step S3), the fact that a person has taken a bath in step S4 is in the bathroom 6 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. And notify the person outside the bathroom 6. In step S5, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the first timer for detecting the passage of the initial notification time. Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the third timer for detecting the passage of the timer upper limit time. The hot water storage control unit 55 displays the count value of the third timer on the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote controller 10) as the elapsed time from the detection of bathing.

In step S6, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a person has taken a bath from the bathtub 7 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 48. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that a person has taken a bath from the bathtub 7 when the current water level ≤ comparative water level − predetermined value is satisfied. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the bath has been taken (Yes in step S6), the person in and outside the bathroom 6 is notified in step S7 that the person has taken a bath via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Notify to. Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 resets the counts of the first and third timers.

In step S8, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the snooze notification process (FIG. 4) is being executed. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the snooze notification process is being executed (Yes in step S8), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the snooze notification process in step S9. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the snooze notification process is not being executed (No in step S8), and after step S9, the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bathing determination step S3 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, when the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing again, the first timer newly starts counting and monitors the bathing time.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 is not taking a bath (No in step S6), in step S10, it is determined whether or not the count of the first timer has elapsed the initial notification time. The initial notification time is an arbitrary time set in consideration of the time required from bathing to bathing when the bather normally takes a bath, and is, for example, 10 minutes. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the count has not elapsed the initial notification time (No in step S10), the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bathing determination step S6.

When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the initial notification time has elapsed (Yes in step S10), the bather in step S11 indicates that the initial notification time has elapsed via the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote controller 10). Notify to. In step S12, the hot water storage control unit 55 resets the count of the first timer. In step S13, the hot water storage control unit 55 executes the snooze notification process (FIG. 4). The details of the snooze notification process will be described later.

In step S14, the hot water storage control unit 55 displays a screen of the bath remote controller 5 on a screen for prompting a person in the bathroom 6 to give an instruction to extend the timer function (count of the first timer) or an instruction to stop the timer function. Display on. The "extension" is, for example, to count the bathing time again by the reset first timer, and notify when the same time (for example, 10 minutes) as the initial notification time has elapsed. For example, if the bather continues to take a bath after 10 minutes of the initial notification time has elapsed and wants to be notified when the same time as the initial notification time has elapsed, the extension instruction is accepted. "Stop" is, for example, to end the subsequent monitoring of bathing in and out of the bathtub 7 and the accompanying notification (notification of initial notification time, snooze notification time, and timer upper limit time), and is a stop of the timer function (stop). Details will be described later as post-processing after the timer function is stopped).

The hot water storage control unit 55 receives instructions via the switches 93 of the bath remote controller 5. For example, the switches 93 have a switch that accepts extension and stop of the first timer, and receives an instruction by this switch. The hot water storage control unit 55 may accept, for example, an extension instruction by causing the pyroelectric sensor 98 to detect the operation of holding the hand over the bath remote controller 5. Further, in step S14, the bather may be urged to select (instruct) only by the sound notifying the passage of the initial notification time without displaying the selection screen.

Further, in step S14, the hot water storage control unit 55 also displays on the display unit 91 of the bath remote controller 5 that the bath is urged to take a bath.

In step S15, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the instruction to stop the timer function has been received. When the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction to stop the timer function from a person in the bathroom 6 (Yes in step S15), the hot water storage control unit 55 proceeds to step S16. Since steps S16 and S17 are the same as the snooze execution determination step S8 and the snooze end step S9, the description thereof will be omitted. In step S18, the hot water storage control unit 55 executes post-processing (FIG. 5) after the timer function is stopped. The details of the post-processing after the timer function is stopped will be described later. It should be noted that the stop instruction is not limited to when the selection screen is displayed after displaying that the initial notification time has elapsed (selection screen display step S14), and the switches 93 are pressed while the bathing / exit notification process is being executed. It can always be accepted through.

On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 has not received the selection to stop counting from the person in the bathroom 6 (No in step S15), the hot water storage control unit 55 determines in step S19 whether or not the instruction to extend the timer function has been received. .. When the hot water storage control unit 55 has not received the extension instruction from the person in the bathroom 6 (No in step S19), the process returns to the stop determination step S15 and repeats the process until the stop or extension instruction is received.

On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction to extend from a person in the bathroom 6 (Yes in step S19), the hot water storage control unit 55 proceeds to step S20. Since steps S20 and S21 are the same as the snooze execution determination step S8 and the snooze end step S9, the description thereof will be omitted. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the snooze notification process is not being executed (No in step S20), and after step S21, the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the bathing notification step S4 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 switches the notification of the lapse of the initial notification time displayed on the bath remote controller 5 (and the kitchen remote controller 10) to the notification that a person has taken a bath.

When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines in the bathing determination step S3 that a person is not taking a bath (No in step S3), has the person left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 in step S22? Judge whether or not. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S22), the process returns to the bathing determination step S3. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has left (Yes in step S22), in step S23, the fact that the bather has left the bathroom 6 is notified in the bathroom 6 and in the bathroom via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. 6 Notify people outside. The hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the room entry detection step S1 and repeats the subsequent processing. That is, the next bather waits until he / she enters the bathroom 6, and when the next bather enters the bathroom 6 (Yes in step S1), the processes after step S2 are repeated.

Next, the snooze notification process will be described with reference to FIG. The snooze notification process is either an instruction to extend the timer function or an instruction to stop the timer function in the bath entry / exit notification process from the time when the first notification time in FIG. 3 elapses until the bath is detected or until the timer upper limit time elapses. Is also executed if it is not accepted. The snooze notification process is intended to repeatedly notify bathers and people outside the bathroom 6 that they have not taken a bath even though the initial notification time has elapsed, every snooze notification time (for example, 5 minutes). ing.

In step S31, the hot water storage control unit 55 starts counting the second timer. In step S32, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the count of the second timer has elapsed the snooze notification time. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the count has not elapsed the snooze notification time (No in step S32), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until the snooze notification time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the snooze notification time has elapsed (Yes in step S32), the bather in step S33 indicates that the snooze notification time has elapsed via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. And notify the person outside the bathroom 6.

In step S34, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the count of the third timer has reached the upper limit time and the timer upper limit time has elapsed. The hot water storage control unit 55 conveniently sets the upper limit time (for example, 99 minutes from the bathing detection (step S3)) for executing the snooze notification process as the count expiration time of the timer function. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the timer upper limit time has not elapsed (No in step S34), the hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the progress determination step S32 and repeats the subsequent processing. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 notifies each time the snooze notification time elapses until the count of the third timer reaches the upper limit time.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer upper limit time has elapsed (Yes in step S34), the hot water storage control unit 55 notifies in step S35 that the timer upper limit time has elapsed, and ends the process.

Here, the display units 91 and 101 have, for example, a liquid crystal display screen and a gauge composed of a plurality of segments arranged in the horizontal direction. In the in / out bath notification process (FIG. 3) and the snooze notification process (FIG. 4), the bath remote controller control unit 97 and the kitchen remote controller control unit 107 show the notification contents on the liquid crystal display screen based on the instructions of the hot water storage control unit 55. And can be displayed in characters. In addition, the bath remote controller control unit 97 and the kitchen remote controller control unit 107 can be used to change the color of each segment, combine lighting, extinguishing, and blinking, and change the length of the gauge to start bathing time. The situation in the bathroom 6 can be displayed.

For example, when the hot water storage control unit 55 detects entry into the room (during entry detection, after detection of bathing), the central one segment is lit in white. When the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing, all segments are turned off (by turning off the lights, the bath is notified). When the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing, the leftmost segment blinks in green. Further, during bathing detection, the hot water storage control unit 55 lights up a number of segments according to the bathing time in green in order from the left end. Since it is less necessary to display the display according to the bathing time to a person outside the bathroom 6, it is preferable to display it only on the bath remote controller 5. For example, the hot water storage control unit 55 maintains a state in which a predetermined number of segments of the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote controller 10 are lit in green during bathing detection.

When the count of the first timer has elapsed the first notification time and the count of the second timer has elapsed the snooze notification time, the hot water storage control unit 55 displays all the segments of the display unit 101 of the bath remote controller 5 for a predetermined time. Flashes green. Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 blinks a predetermined number of segments of the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote controller 10 in green for a predetermined time. The hot water storage control unit 55 may notify the elapse of the initial notification time and the elapse of the snooze notification time by sound via the speakers 92 and 102.

The hot water storage control unit 55 may notify the elapse of the initial notification time (notification step S11) only on the display unit 91 of the bath remote controller 5. The notification of the elapsed time of the first notification (for example, 10 minutes after the detection of bathing), which is the first notification of the elapsed time of bathing, is suitable as a notification of the guideline of the bathing time of the bather, and the snooze notification time. This is because it is sufficient to notify the person outside the bathroom 6 from the progress.

Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 may display the display unit 101 of the kitchen remote controller 10 to prompt confirmation of the safety status of the bather after the initial notification time or the snooze notification time has elapsed. Further, the bath remote controller control unit 97 and the kitchen remote controller control unit 107 may control the call units 94 and 104 so that the bathroom 6 and the kitchen can automatically make a call. As a result, the person outside the bathroom 6 can communicate with the bather to confirm his / her safety, and if there is no response, he / she can immediately recognize the occurrence of a bathing accident.

The above is an example of the display mode, and the display mode is not limited to this.

Next, the post-processing after the timer function is stopped will be described with reference to FIG. The post-timer function stop processing is executed when an instruction to stop the timer function is received (Yes in the stop determination step S15).

In step S41, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not the release instruction for canceling the stop of the timer function has been received. The release instruction is received, for example, via a switch of the switches 93 of the bath remote controller 5 that receives an instruction to release the stop. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the release instruction has been accepted (Yes in step S41), the process after the timer function is stopped is terminated, and the process proceeds to the bathing determination step S3 of the bathing / exit notification process (FIG. 3).

On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the release instruction is not accepted (No in step S41), in step S42, it is determined whether or not a person has left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98. judge. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S42), the process returns to the release determination step S41. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has left (Yes in step S42), in step S43, the fact that the bather has left the bathroom 6 is notified in the bathroom 6 and in the bathroom via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. 6 Notify people outside.

In step S44, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a person has entered the bathroom 6. The hot water storage control unit 55 determines based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98 of the bath remote controller 5. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has not been entered (No in step S44), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until the room is detected. On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the room has been entered (Yes in step S44), in step S45, the fact that a person has entered the bathroom 6 is notified in the bathroom 6 and in the bathroom 6 via the bath remote controller 5 and the kitchen remote controller 10. Notify outsiders. The hot water storage control unit 55 returns to the release determination step S41 and repeats the subsequent processing.

Here, the post-processing after the timer function is stopped is executed when an instruction is received from a bather or the like who does not intend to monitor and notify the bathing / exiting (Yes in the stop determination step S15). Since the hot water supply device 1 can stop the monitoring and notification when the bather does not need the monitoring and notification by the hot water supply device 1, the intention of the bather can be reflected. It is valid.

Such a hot water supply device 1 has the following problems. When the hot water storage control unit 55 receives the stop instruction, the hot water storage control unit 55 receives an instruction from the switch that receives the instruction to cancel the stop of the timer function (restart the timer function) of the switches 93, thereby receiving the timer function (bathing / bath notification processing). ) Is to be restarted. That is, the timer function remains stopped unless a person in the bathroom 6 gives an instruction to restart the timer function. Therefore, even if the next bather enters the bathroom 6, the timer function remains stopped, and the function of the hot water supply device 1 is not fully exhibited.

On the other hand, the hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment can solve the above problem by restarting the timer function at an appropriate timing. Hereinafter, the restoration process of the timer function executed by the hot water supply device 1 will be specifically described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a timer function return process executed by the hot water supply device 1 in the present embodiment.

In step S51, the hot water storage control unit 55 determines whether or not a person has left the bathroom 6 based on the detection result of the pyroelectric sensor 98. When it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has not left the room (No in step S51), the hot water storage control unit 55 waits until it is determined that the room has left. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hot water storage control unit 55 has left the room (Yes in step S51), in step S52, it is determined whether or not the post-timer function stop processing is being executed. When the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the processing after the timer function is stopped is not being executed (No in step S52), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the processing.

On the other hand, when the hot water storage control unit 55 determines that the post-timer function stop processing is being executed (Yes in step S52), the hot water storage control unit 55 ends the post-timer function stop processing in FIG. 5 in step S53.

In step S51, the entry may be detected instead of the exit detection, and the process may proceed to step S52 when the entry is detected when there is no person in the bathroom. That is, the hot water storage control unit 55 may restart the timer function when it detects entering the room.

As a result, the hot water supply device 1 can stop the timer function according to the intention of the bather, and in a situation where the bathing / exit notification process is required, the hot water supply device 1 preferably performs monitoring and notification. Can be done.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

For example, the return process after receiving the instruction to stop the timer function has been described, but the target of the stop is not limited to this as long as the intention of the bather (stop of notification) is feasible. That is, in the post-processing after the timer function is stopped in FIG. 5, the hot water storage control unit 55 detects bathing in and out, and counts the first to third timers (and the elapsed initial notification time, the elapsed snooze notification time, and the elapsed timer upper limit time). Notification) may be stopped. Further, the hot water storage control unit 55 may count the first to third timers and stop the notification such as the lapse of the initial notification time.

The motion sensor described by taking the pyroelectric sensor 98 as an example may be a door open / close sensor, a CCD image sensor, an area sensor, or a thermography provided on the door of the bathroom 6.

The bathing / exiting sensor described using the water level sensor 48 as an example may be a weight sensor arranged in the lower part of the bathtub 7, a CCD image sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a person in the bathroom 6 by image processing, an area sensor, a thermography, or the like. ..

The remote controller outside the bathroom described by taking the kitchen remote controller 10 as an example may be a remote controller installed in a place other than the kitchen such as a living room.

Further, the hot water supply device 1 has an electric heater type heating means in the hot water storage tank 11 instead of the heat pump unit 4, and has an instantaneous heat exchanger (bath heat exchanger) for heating with a gas burner or an oil burner. Alternatively, it may have a waste heat recovery device for a cogeneration system.

1 Hot water storage type bath hot water supply device (hot water supply device)
3 Hot water storage tank unit 4 Heat pump unit 5 Bath remote control 6 Bathroom 7 Bathtub 10 Kitchen remote control 48 Water level sensor 55 Hot water storage control unit 91, 101 Display unit 92, 102 Speaker 93, 103 Switches 94, 104 Call unit 97 Bath remote control control unit 98 Focus Electric sensor 107 Kitchen remote control unit

Claims (2)

Bathing detection unit that detects bathing and bathing in the bathtub in the bathroom,
An entry / exit detection unit that detects entering and leaving the bathroom, and an entry / exit detection unit.
After the bathing detection unit detects the bathing, a timer that counts the time from a predetermined time point and
When the count of the timer has elapsed the notification time, the notification unit for notifying that the notification time has elapsed, and the notification unit.
An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to stop counting by the timer,
When the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, the counting by the timer is stopped, and when the entry / exit detecting unit detects that the room has entered or left the room, the control unit for restarting the counting by the timer is provided. Bath water heater. Bathing detection unit that detects bathing and bathing in the bathtub in the bathroom,
An entry / exit detection unit that detects entering and leaving the bathroom, and an entry / exit detection unit.
After the bathing detection unit detects the bathing, a timer that counts the time from a predetermined time point and
When the count of the timer has elapsed the notification time, the notification unit for notifying that the notification time has elapsed, and the notification unit.
An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to stop the notification by the notification unit, and
When the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, the notification unit stops the notification, and when the entry / exit detection unit detects that the room has entered or left the room, the control unit restarts the notification by the notification unit. Equipped bath water heater.

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