JP7000841B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply device.

A hot water supply device having a function of controlling a hot water supply temperature by adjusting a mixing ratio of a mixing valve that mixes hot water and water is widely used. The conventional hot water supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is used as a mode for confirming in maintenance whether the mixing valve is operating normally when hot water is not supplied properly, such as when the hot water supply temperature is different from the set temperature. It has a mode of displaying the values of the opening degree of the mixing valve, the temperature sensor at the top of the tank, the temperature sensor at the bottom of the tank, the hot water supply temperature sensor, and the hot water supply flow rate sensor on the display unit of the remote control.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-47967

The maintenance mode in Patent Document 1 is not intended to be used by the user. Further, the reason why the hot water supply temperature becomes lower than the set temperature may be a factor other than the failure of the hot water supply device. The conventional water heater has a problem that the user cannot easily check the hot water supply state when the hot water supply temperature is lower than the set temperature.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply device capable of notifying a user of a hot water supply state in an easy-to-understand manner.

The hot water supply device according to the present invention has a hot water side inlet, a water side inlet, and an outlet, and outlets a mixed hot water in which a first hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and a second hot water flowing in from the water side inlet are mixed. The control means includes a mixing valve for flowing out from the water heater, a hot water supply flow sensor for detecting the hot water supply flow rate which is the flow rate of the mixed hot water, a hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting the hot water supply temperature which is the temperature of the mixed hot water, and a control means. The mixing valve is operated so that the hot water supply temperature becomes equal to the target temperature, the control means sends hot water supply information which is information about the current hot water supply state to the user interface, and the user interface provides a display means capable of displaying the hot water supply information. If the fluctuation amount of the hot water supply temperature per hour or the fluctuation amount of the mixing ratio of the mixing valve per hour is within the standard range, the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor is included. When the first display is displayed on the display means as hot water supply information and the fluctuation amount is out of the standard range, the second display including information other than the information on the current hot water supply temperature is displayed on the display means as hot water supply information. It is a thing.
Further, the hot water supply device according to the present invention has a hot water side inlet, a water side inlet, and an outlet, and is a mixture of a first hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and a second hot water flowing in from the water side inlet. A control means including a mixing valve for flowing out the hot water from the outlet, a hot water supply flow sensor for detecting the hot water supply flow rate which is the flow rate of the mixed hot water, a hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting the hot water supply temperature which is the temperature of the mixed hot water, and a control means. Operates the mixing valve so that the hot water supply temperature is equal to the target temperature, the control means sends hot water supply information, which is information about the current hot water supply state, to the user interface, and the user interface can display the hot water supply information. If the temperature difference between the current hot water supply temperature and the target temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor is within the standard range, the first display including information on the current hot water supply temperature is displayed as hot water supply information. When it is displayed on the means and the temperature difference is out of the standard range, a second display including information other than the information on the current hot water supply temperature is displayed on the display means as hot water supply information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to inform the user of the hot water supply state in an easy-to-understand manner.

It is a figure which shows the hot water supply apparatus by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display example of the display part of the remote control in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the hot water supply information on the display part of the remote controller in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the hot water supply information on the display part of the remote controller in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the control operation in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the hot water supply information on the display part of the remote controller in Embodiment 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify or omit duplicate descriptions.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a water heater according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 of the present embodiment includes an HP unit 7 using a heat pump cycle, a tank unit 33 having a hot water storage tank 8, and a remote controller 44. In the present embodiment, the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 will be described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a hot water supply device other than the hot water storage type.

The tank unit 33 is provided with a control unit 36 corresponding to the control means. The control unit 36 and the remote controller 44 can communicate in both directions by wired communication or wireless communication. The control unit 36 and the remote controller 44 may be able to communicate with each other via a network. The remote controller 44 is an example of a user interface. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 44 may be installed on a wall such as a kitchen, a living room, or a bathroom. Alternatively, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone may be configured to have a function as a user interface of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35. A plurality of remote controllers 44 may be able to communicate with the control unit 36.

The remote controller 44 includes a display unit 44a and an operation unit 44b. The display unit 44a may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 44a can display, for example, information on the state of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35, information on the setting contents of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35, and the like. The display unit 44a corresponds to a display means. The operation unit 44b may include buttons, dials, keys and the like for the user to operate. The display unit 44a may be a touch screen having the function of an operation unit. The remote controller 44 may further include a speaker, a microphone, and the like.

The HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected to each other via an HP going pipe 14, an HP return pipe 15, and an electrical wiring (not shown). The operation of various actuators such as valves and pumps included in the tank unit 33 and the HP unit 7 is controlled by a control unit 36 electrically connected to these actuators.

The HP unit 7 is an example of a heating means for heating the water led from the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 constitutes a heat pump cycle by connecting a compressor 2, a water refrigerant heat exchanger 3, an expansion valve 4, and an air heat exchanger 6 in an annular shape by a refrigerant pipe 5. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 is for exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 5 and the water guided from the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 is driven by electric power. The operation of heating water by the HP unit 7 is referred to as a boiling operation.

The tank unit 33 contains the following various parts, pipes, and the like. The hot water storage tank 8 is for storing hot water. Due to the difference in water density depending on the temperature, a temperature stratification with a high temperature on the upper side and a low temperature on the lower side can be formed in the hot water storage tank 8. A third water supply pipe 9c is connected to the water introduction port 8a provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8. The water supplied from a water source such as tap water is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the pressure reducing valve 31 and then flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the third water supply pipe 9c. A hot water supply pipe 21 for taking out hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 and a hot water supply pipe 13 are connected to the hot water introduction outlet 8d provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8. In the boiling operation, the hot water heated by the HP unit 7 flows into the hot water storage tank 8 from the hot water introduction outlet 8d, and the hot water is gradually accumulated in the hot water storage tank 8 from top to bottom. .. A plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 42, 43 are attached to the surface of the hot water storage tank 8 at different heights. The control unit 36 can detect the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 8 by detecting the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 with the hot water storage temperature sensors 42 and 43. The control unit 36 may control the start and stop of the boiling operation according to the detected amount of residual hot water or heat storage in the hot water storage tank 8.

A circulation pump 12 and a bath heat exchanger 20 are built in the tank unit 33. The circulation pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot water to various pipes described later in the tank unit 33, and is provided on the HP going pipe 14. The bath heat exchanger 20 is a heat exchanger for heating the water to be heated (bathtub water, heating water, etc.) on the secondary side by using the high temperature hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 or the HP unit 7. be. In the present embodiment, as a configuration on the secondary side of the bath heat exchanger 20, a bath going pipe 27 and a bath return pipe 28 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 30 will be illustrated and described. The bath heat exchanger 20 is installed in the middle of the bath going pipe 27 and the bath return pipe 28. Further, in the middle of the bathtub 27 and the bathtub return pipe 28, a bathtub circulation pump 29 for circulating bathtub water, a bathtub return temperature sensor 38 for detecting the temperature of the bathtub water discharged from the bathtub 30, and a bathtub return temperature sensor 38. A bathtub temperature sensor 37 for detecting the temperature of hot water after heat exchange from the bathtub heat exchanger 20 is installed.

The three-way valve 11 is a flow path switching means having an a port and a b port into which hot water flows in and a c port in which hot water flows out. The four-way valve 18 is a flow path switching means having a b port and a c port into which hot water flows in and an a port and a d port in which hot water flows out, and has four routes, ab, ac, and bd. , Cd is configured so that the flow path can be switched. Further, the tank unit 33 has a water outlet pipe 10, a hot water introduction pipe 20a, a first bypass pipe 16, a hot water outlet pipe 20b, and a second bypass pipe 17. The water outlet pipe 10 connects the water outlet 8b provided at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 8 to the a port of the three-way valve 11. The HP going pipe 14 connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 to the inlet side of the HP unit 7. The HP return pipe 15 connects the outlet side of the HP unit 7 and the c port of the four-way valve 18. The hot water supply pipe 13 connects the d port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water introduction outlet 8d on the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8. The first bypass pipe 16 connects the a port of the four-way valve 18 and the hot water introduction port 8c provided between the central portion and the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 8. The hot water introduction pipe 20a branches from the middle of the hot water supply pipe 13 and is connected to the primary side inlet of the bath heat exchanger 20. The hot water outlet pipe 20b connects the primary side outlet of the bath heat exchanger 20 and the b port of the three-way valve 11. The second bypass pipe 17 branches from between the circulation pump 12 in the HP outbound pipe 14 and the inlet side of the HP unit 7, and is connected to the b port of the four-way valve 18.

Further, the tank unit 33 has a first water supply pipe 9a, a second water supply pipe 9b, a hot water supply mixing valve 22, a bath mixing valve 23, a first hot water supply pipe 24, and a second hot water supply pipe 25. The upstream portion of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as water supply. A second water supply pipe 9b and a third water supply pipe 9c are connected to the downstream side of the first water supply pipe 9a via a pressure reducing valve 31.

The hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 have similar configurations to each other. The hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 have a hot water side inlet, a water side inlet, and an outlet, respectively, and have a first hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and a second hot water flowing in from the water side inlet. The mixed hot water mixed with the above is discharged from the outlet. The temperature of the second hot water is lower than that of the first hot water.

The downstream portion of the hot water supply pipe 21 communicates with each of the hot water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the hot water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 23. In the present embodiment, the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 8 to the hot water supply pipe 21 is supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 as the first hot water.

The downstream portion of the second water supply pipe 9b communicates with the water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the water side inlet of the bath mixing valve 23, respectively. In the present embodiment, the low temperature water from the second water supply pipe 9b is supplied as the second hot water to the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23.

The hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23 are provided with, for example, a valve body rotated by a stepping motor, and the ratio of the opening degree of the hot water side inlet to the opening degree of the water side inlet is changed by the rotation of the valve body. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the first hot water and the second hot water can be adjusted. In this case, since the mixing ratio changes according to the rotation amount of the stepping motor, the control unit 36 can hold the information of the mixing ratio corresponding to the information of the rotation amount of the stepping motor. In the following explanation, the state where the mixing ratio of the first hot water from the hot water side inlet is maximized is called "hot water side fully open", and the state where the mixing ratio of the second hot water from the water side inlet is maximized is called "water side". Sometimes called "fully open". For full opening on the hot water side, the opening may be such that the mixing ratio of the first hot water from the hot water side inlet is 100% and the mixing ratio of the second hot water from the water side inlet is 0%. For full opening on the water side, the opening may be such that the mixing ratio of the second hot water from the water side inlet is 100% and the mixing ratio of the first hot water from the hot water side inlet is 0%.

The first hot water supply pipe 24 connects the outlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the hot water supply tap 34. The second hot water supply pipe 25 connects the outlet of the bath mixing valve 23 with the bath going pipe 27 and the bath return pipe 28.

The hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 and the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 are installed in the first hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 detects the hot water supply flow rate, which is the flow rate of the mixed hot water passing through the first hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water supply temperature sensor 47 detects the hot water supply temperature, which is the temperature of the mixed hot water passing through the first hot water supply pipe 24.

In the middle of the second hot water supply pipe 25, a bath solenoid valve 26 for opening and closing the second hot water supply pipe 25 and a bath flow rate sensor 45 for detecting the flow rate of hot water passing through the second hot water supply pipe 25 are provided.

By operating the remote controller 44, the user can change the set temperature of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the set temperature of the bath mixing valve 23, respectively. In the following description, the set temperature of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is referred to as "hot water supply set temperature", and the set temperature of the bath mixing valve 23 is referred to as "hot water beam set temperature".

When the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 detects the water flow, the control unit 36 adjusts the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 becomes equal to the hot water supply set temperature which is the target temperature. Perform feedback control.

The external mixing faucet 90 is provided outside the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35. The external mixing faucet 90 is used, for example, as a curan or a shower provided in a bathroom, a sink, a wash basin, or the like. The external mixing faucet 90 includes a hot water side inlet 90a, a water side inlet 90b, an outlet 90c, and a temperature control knob 90d. The hot water side inlet 90a is connected to the hot water supply plug 34 via an external hot water supply pipe 91. The mixed hot water, that is, hot water whose temperature is controlled by the hot water supply mixing valve 22, flows into the hot water side inlet 90a through the first hot water supply pipe 24, the hot water supply tap 34, and the external hot water supply pipe 91. Low temperature water from a water source such as tap water flows into the water side inlet 90b through the external water supply pipe 92. The hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet 90a and the water flowing in from the water side inlet 90b are mixed and flow out from the outlet 90c. When the user turns the temperature control knob 90d, the mixing ratio of the external mixing faucet 90 can be adjusted.

For example, when the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply mixing valve 22 to the hot water side inlet 90a is 50 ° C. and the temperature of the low temperature water supplied to the water side inlet 90b is 10 ° C., the mixing ratio of the external mixing faucet 90 is set. By adjusting the above, hot water at a temperature desired by the user (for example, 42 ° C.) can be discharged from the outlet 90c.

The illustrated external mixing faucet 90 is a thermostat type mixing faucet, but is not limited thereto. The external mixing faucet 90 may be, for example, a single lever type or a two-valve type.

When the bath flow sensor 45 detects the water flow, the control unit 36 controls the bath so that the temperature detected by the bath temperature sensor 37 or the bath return temperature sensor 38 becomes equal to the hot water beam set temperature which is the target temperature. Feedback control is performed to adjust the mixing ratio of the mixing valve 23. The hot water adjusted to the set temperature by the bath mixing valve 23 is supplied from the second hot water supply pipe 25 to the bathtub 30 via the bath solenoid valve 26, the bath flow sensor 45, the bath going pipe 27, and the bath return pipe 28. ..

The three-way valve 11 has two flow path forms, one in which the water outlet pipe 10 and the HP outbound pipe 14 communicate with each other, and the other in which the hot water outlet pipe 20b and the HP outbound pipe 14 communicate with each other. Use by switching the flow path of hot water. The four-way valve 18 has a form in which the HP return pipe 15 and the hot water supply pipe 13 communicate with each other, a form in which the HP return pipe 15 and the first bypass pipe 16 communicate with each other, and the first bypass pipe 16 and the second bypass pipe 17 communicate with each other. The hot water flow path in the tank unit 33 is switched and used in four flow path forms, that is, a form in which the hot water supply pipe 13 and the second bypass pipe 17 communicate with each other.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 44a of the remote controller 44 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a display example corresponding to a standby screen when hot water is not supplied. In the example of FIG. 2, on the display unit 44a, "hot water supply temperature 50 ° C." is displayed as information on the hot water supply set temperature set by the user, and "12:00" is displayed as information on the current time.

When hot water is being supplied from the hot water supply mixing valve 22, the control unit 36 can transmit hot water supply information, which is information on the current hot water supply state, to the remote controller 44. The remote controller 44 can display the hot water supply information received from the control unit 36 on the display unit 44a.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which hot water supply information is displayed on the display unit 44a of the remote controller 44 according to the first embodiment. When the user operates the operation unit 44b of the remote controller 44, the "confirm hot water supply" function is activated, the item "confirmation of hot water supply" is added to the standby screen as shown in FIG. 2, and the hot water supply information is displayed on the display unit 44a. Is displayed in. In the example of FIG. 3, a hot water supply confirmation button 44c, which is a dedicated button for activating the "hot water supply confirmation" function, is provided on the remote controller 44 as one of the operation units 44b, and the user can use the hot water supply confirmation button 44c. Press to display hot water supply information. Not limited to such a configuration, for example, the function of "confirmation of hot water supply" may be activated by selecting from the menu using the selection button and the determination button (not shown) in the operation unit 44b.

When the user wants to check the current hot water supply state, for example, when he / she feels that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 such as a shower or a faucet is lower than the hot water supply set temperature, he / she presses the hot water supply confirmation button 44c. Activate the "Confirm hot water supply" function. As a result, the hot water supply information is displayed on the display unit 44a, and the user can confirm the hot water supply state.

In the example of FIG. 3, "current hot water supply temperature 50 ° C." is displayed as "confirmation of hot water supply". This display corresponds to the information of the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47. In the following description, a display including information on the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 as in this example is referred to as a “first display”. When the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 36 transmits information on the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 to the remote controller 44. In this case, when the hot water supply confirmation button 44c is pressed, the display unit 44a displays the first display.

The above-mentioned threshold value of the hot water supply flow rate may be, for example, a value corresponding to the minimum flow rate that can be detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46, or a value corresponding to the minimum flow rate that can normally execute the hot water supply temperature control by the hot water supply mixing valve 22. But it may be. When the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 36 performs hot water supply so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 becomes equal to the hot water supply set temperature which is the target temperature. An operation of adjusting the mixing ratio of the mixing valve 22 is performed. On the other hand, when the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 is lower than the threshold value, the control unit 36 does not perform the operation of adjusting the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22. Therefore, when the hot water supply flow rate is lower than the threshold value, the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply mixing valve 22 to the hot water side inlet 90a of the external mixing faucet 90 may be lower than the hot water supply set temperature. , The temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 may be lower than the temperature expected by the user. In the following description, the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is lower than the hot water supply set temperature, which is referred to as "low temperature hot water supply".

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which hot water supply information is displayed on the display unit 44a of the remote controller 44 according to the first embodiment. The example of FIG. 4 corresponds to the hot water supply information displayed when the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 is lower than the threshold value. When the hot water supply flow rate is lower than the threshold value, a second display different from the first display is displayed on the display unit 44a as hot water supply information. The second display is a display including information other than the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47. In the example of FIG. 4, "no flow rate" is displayed as information other than the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature. The display of "no flow rate" corresponds to information for notifying the user that the hot water supply flow rate is low.

As described above, when the hot water supply flow rate is lower than the threshold value, low temperature hot water supply may occur. At that time, when the user activates the "confirm hot water supply" function, "no flow rate" is displayed as "confirmation of hot water supply" as shown in Fig. 4, so the cause of low temperature hot water supply is that the hot water supply flow rate is too low. It is possible to inform the user that it is. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from misunderstanding that the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 has failed.

The second display tells the user that the hot water supply flow rate is low by including a display such as "The flow rate is too low" or "Please increase the flow rate" instead of the display "No flow rate". It may be notified. Further, the second display may further include information on the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47. That is, even at the time of the second display, "current hot water supply temperature XX ° C." may be displayed on the display unit 44a.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control operation in the present embodiment. As step S1 of FIG. 5, when the user presses the hot water supply confirmation button 44c, the function of "confirmation of hot water supply" is activated, and the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the control unit 36 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the sensor related to the function of “confirming hot water supply”. The hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 and the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 correspond to the sensors related to the function of "confirmation of hot water supply". The control unit 36 can determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 and the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 based on the signals. For example, when an abnormal voltage is input from the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 or the hot water supply temperature sensor 47, the control unit 36 determines that the sensor has an abnormality.

If there is an abnormality in the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 or the hot water supply temperature sensor 47, the control unit 36 proceeds to step S8 and displays "sensor abnormality" instead of "current hot water supply temperature" as a result of "confirmation of hot water supply". It is displayed in the unit 44a, and the process proceeds to step S11. In this way, when the control unit 36 detects an abnormality in at least one of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 and the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46, the information for notifying the abnormality of the sensor is displayed on the display unit 44a, so that the sensor is abnormal. It is possible to surely inform the user that it is.

If there is no abnormality in either the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 or the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 in step S2, the control unit 36 sets the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 46 as a threshold value (for example, 1 L / min) as step S3. ). If the hot water supply flow rate is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 36 determines that there is a flow rate, and the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 so that the detection temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 becomes equal to the hot water supply set temperature which is the target temperature. Perform the operation to adjust.

On the other hand, when the hot water supply flow rate is lower than the threshold value in step S3, the control unit 36 either does not open the external mixing faucet 90 or sets the temperature of the low flow rate hot water with the hot water supply mixing valve 22. Even if an attempt is made to control the temperature, the fluctuation of the hot water supply temperature becomes large, and it is determined that the region cannot be controlled to a desired temperature, and it is determined that there is no flow rate. At this time, the control unit 36 does not control the hot water supply mixing valve 22.

When the control unit 36 determines that "there is a flow rate", the control unit 36 can control the hot water supply mixing valve 22, and therefore proceeds to step S4. If the control unit 36 determines that there is no flow rate, the process proceeds to step S7, and as a result of the "confirmation of hot water supply", the display unit 44a displays a second display different from the "current hot water supply temperature". For example, as shown in FIG. 4, "no flow rate" is displayed. Alternatively, "current hot water supply temperature" and "no flow rate" may be displayed together. Then, the process proceeds to step S11. As a result, the user can control the hot water supply mixing valve 22 by the hot water storage type hot water supply device 35 because the temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 is low or the flow rate discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 is low or low. It turns out that this is because they have not done so, and they will be able to take measures such as opening the faucet wide.

In step S4, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the hot water supply temperature control is stable. The control unit 36 controls so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 approaches the target temperature while repeatedly changing and correcting the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22. During this hot water supply temperature correction, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the external mixing faucet 90 is not yet equal to the target temperature, so that the user may feel that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 is low. There is sex. When the hot water supply temperature correction progresses and the detected temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 approaches the target temperature, the correction of the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 becomes small and the hot water supply temperature becomes stable.

In step S4, the control unit 36 determines that the temperature is "stable" when the change width of the detection temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 within a predetermined time (for example, the past 5 seconds) is within the predetermined width (for example, 2 deg). Then, the process proceeds to step S5, and the detection temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 is displayed as "current hot water supply temperature 50 ° C." as a result of "confirmation of hot water supply" as in the example of FIG.

If it is determined in step S4 that the hot water supply temperature is not yet stable, the control unit 36 proceeds to step S6 and displays a second display different from the "current hot water supply temperature" on the display unit 44a. For example, "Temperature adjustment in progress" is displayed. Alternatively, "current hot water supply temperature" and "temperature adjustment in progress" may be displayed together. Then, the process proceeds to step S11. As a result, the user finds that the reason why the temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 is low is that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted by the hot water supply mixing valve 22, and the user takes measures such as waiting until the temperature adjustment is completed. You will be able to do.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the fluctuation amount of the hot water supply temperature per hour is within the standard range, it is determined that the hot water supply temperature is stable, and the current hot water supply is detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47. The first display including the temperature information is displayed on the display unit 44a as hot water supply information (step S5). On the other hand, when the fluctuation amount is out of the standard range, it is determined that the hot water supply temperature is not stable yet, and the second display including information other than the information on the current hot water supply temperature is displayed as hot water supply information. It is displayed in 44a (step S6). Then, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained by including the information notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted in the second display.

As a modification, when the fluctuation amount of the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 per hour is within the standard range, the first display including the information on the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 is the hot water supply. It is displayed as information on the display unit 44a, and when the fluctuation amount is out of the standard range, a second display including information other than the information on the current hot water supply temperature is displayed on the display unit 44a as hot water supply information. You may. The control unit 36 holds, for example, information on the mixing ratio corresponding to the rotation amount of the stepping motor of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 as a digital value. Therefore, by determining the stable state of the hot water supply temperature based on the fluctuation amount of the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22, the determination can be made without waiting for the response of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47, and the determination can be made more quickly. Is possible.

When the current hot water supply temperature is displayed in step S5, the control unit 36 then determines in step S9 whether the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 is sufficiently higher than the hot water supply set temperature. .. One of the factors that the hot water supply temperature is low is that the hot water storage temperature is low. For example, when the hot water supply set temperature is 50 ° C. and the detection temperature of the hot water storage temperature sensor 42 at the top of the hot water storage tank 8 is 45 ° C., even if the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is fully open on the hot water side, the detection temperature of the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 is It becomes stable at about 45 ° C., and hot water at the temperature desired by the user cannot be supplied. Therefore, when the detected temperature of the hot water storage temperature sensor 42 is lower than the temperature obtained by adding the predetermined value β ° C. (for example, β = 5) to the hot water supply set temperature, the control unit 36 proceeds to step S10 and proceeds to FIG. The text "The temperature inside the tank is low, please wait for it to rise" is displayed on the display unit 44a. As a result, the user finds that the reason why the temperature of the hot water discharged from the external mixing faucet 90 is low is that the hot water storage temperature is low, and waits until the boiling operation of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 by the HP unit 7 is completed. You will be able to take measures such as. In step S10, as information regarding the low hot water storage temperature, information on the detection temperature of the hot water storage temperature sensor 42 may be displayed on the display unit 44a in place of or in addition to the above sentence. After step S10, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the control unit 36 determines whether or not to terminate the function of "confirming hot water supply". The user may issue an end instruction by, for example, pressing the hot water supply confirmation button 44c again, or the control unit 36 or the control unit of the remote controller 44 automatically counts a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes). The function of "confirmation of hot water supply" may be terminated. When it is determined that the function of "confirmation of hot water supply" is terminated, the display of the item "confirmation of hot water supply" is terminated on the display unit 44a, and the item is not displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the function of "confirming hot water supply" has not been completed yet, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the display update time for updating the display result of the "confirmation of hot water supply" function has elapsed. Each judgment such as step S3 changes with time. Therefore, by updating the display result of the "hot water supply confirmation" function every predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the user does not have to operate the hot water supply confirmation button 44c each time, so that the latest hot water supply temperature can be easily obtained. , You can check the judgment result of the hot water supply status.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the second display includes information for notifying the cause of the low hot water supply temperature, so that the hot water supply flow rate is low even if there is no failure in the hot water supply device. The user can understand that the hot water supply temperature is low due to factors such as the hot water supply device not controlling the temperature, the temperature being controlled in the middle, or the hot water storage temperature being low. Therefore, when the hot water supply temperature is low, the user can easily determine whether the cause is a failure of the hot water supply device or a factor other than the failure.

Further, when the temperature difference between the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 and the target temperature in step S4 is within the reference range, the control unit 36 determines that the hot water supply temperature is stable. The first display including information on the current hot water supply temperature may be displayed on the display unit 44a as hot water supply information. On the other hand, when the temperature difference is out of the standard range, the control unit 36 determines that the hot water supply temperature is not stable yet, and the second display includes information other than the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature. May be displayed on the display unit 44a as hot water supply information. Even in this case, an effect similar to the above-mentioned effect can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the following may be used as a modification. When the temperature difference between the current hot water supply temperature and the target temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 47 in step S4 is out of the standard range (for example, the current hot water supply temperature is (target temperature -2 ° C.)) If the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is in the predetermined intermediate mixing ratio region, the process proceeds to step S6, and the second step includes information notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted. The display is displayed on the display unit 44a. On the other hand, when the temperature difference between the current hot water supply temperature and the target temperature is outside the above standard range and the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is outside the above "intermediate mixing ratio region", The control unit 36 causes the display unit 44a to display a second display that does not include information notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted.

The above-mentioned "intermediate mixture ratio region" is a partial region between the hot water side fully open and the water side fully open. For example, the range from the opening degree where the mixing ratio is 90% on the hot water side: 10% on the water side to the opening degree where the mixing ratio is 10% on the hot water side: 90% on the water side may be set as the intermediate mixing ratio region. When the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is in the intermediate mixing ratio region, there is still room for correcting the mixing ratio, and it can be expected that the hot water supply temperature approaches the target temperature. For example, when the target temperature is 40 ° C., the current hot water supply temperature is 35 ° C., and the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is in the intermediate mixing ratio region, the hot water supply temperature can be further increased by further increasing the opening degree on the hot water side. Can be expected to approach the target temperature. In this case, it is desirable that the display unit 44a display a second display including information for notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted, for example, "during temperature adjustment".

On the other hand, when the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is outside the intermediate mixing ratio region, there is no room for further correction of the mixing ratio, and it may not be expected that the hot water supply temperature approaches the target temperature. For example, when the target temperature is 40 ° C., the current hot water supply temperature is 35 ° C., and the mixing ratio of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is fully open on the hot water side or close to it, the hot water supply temperature cannot be expected to approach the target temperature. In such a case, it is considered that the cause of the low temperature hot water supply is a reason other than that the temperature of the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is being adjusted. For example, a hot water supply flow rate lower than the threshold value or a hot water storage temperature in the hot water storage tank 8 may be the cause of the low temperature hot water supply. Therefore, in this case, the display unit 44a is made to display a second display that does not include information notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted. In this case, for example, even if the display unit 44a displays a second display including at least one of the information "Is the flow rate too low?" And "Is the temperature in the tank low?" good. By doing so, it is possible to notify the user of more appropriate hot water supply information.

The user may be configured to disable the function of "confirmation of hot water supply", that is, the function of displaying hot water supply information on the display unit 44a, from the remote controller 44 in advance. As a result, the user who does not need the "confirmation of hot water supply" function can surely prevent unnecessary information from being displayed on the display unit 44a by setting to disable the function. You can avoid feeling annoyed.

2 Compressor, 3 Water refrigerant heat exchanger, 4 Expansion valve, 5 Refrigerator pipe, 6 Air heat exchanger, 7 HP unit, 8 Hot water storage tank, 9a 1st water supply pipe, 9b 2nd water supply pipe, 9c 3rd water supply pipe , 10 Water outlet pipe, 11 Three-way valve, 12 Circulation pump, 13 Hot water supply pipe, 14 HP outbound pipe, 15 HP return pipe, 18 Four-way valve, 20 Heat exchanger for bath, 21 Hot water supply pipe, 22 Mixing valve for hot water supply , 23 Mixing valve for bath, 24 1st hot water supply pipe, 25 2nd hot water supply pipe, 26 Electromagnetic valve for bath, 27 Bath going pipe, 28 Bath return pipe, 29 Bath circulation pump, 30 Bath, 33 Tank unit, 34 Hot water tap , 35 hot water storage type hot water supply device, 36 control unit, 37 bath return temperature sensor, 38 bath return temperature sensor, 42, 43 hot water storage temperature sensor, 44 remote control, 44a display unit, 44b operation unit, 44c hot water supply confirmation button, 45 flow rate for bath Sensor, 46 Hot water flow sensor, 47 Hot water temperature sensor, 90 External mixing faucet, 90a Hot water side inlet, 90b Water side inlet, 90c outlet, 90d Temperature control knob, 91 External hot water supply pipe, 92 External water supply pipe

Claims (8)

A mixing valve that has a hot water side inlet, a water side inlet, and an outlet, and allows mixed hot water that is a mixture of a first hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and a second hot water flowing in from the water side inlet to flow out from the outlet. When,
A hot water supply flow rate sensor that detects the hot water supply flow rate, which is the flow rate of the mixed hot water,
A hot water supply temperature sensor that detects the hot water supply temperature, which is the temperature of the mixed hot water,
Control means and
Equipped with
The control means operates the mixing valve so that the hot water supply temperature becomes equal to the target temperature.
The control means transmits hot water supply information, which is information on the current hot water supply state, to the user interface.
The user interface has a display means capable of displaying the hot water supply information.
When the fluctuation amount of the hot water supply temperature per hour or the fluctuation amount of the mixing ratio of the mixing valve per hour is within the standard range, the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor is provided. When the first display including is displayed on the display means as the hot water supply information and the fluctuation amount is outside the range of the reference, the second display including information other than the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature is the hot water supply. A water heater displayed on the display means as information. A mixing valve that has a hot water side inlet, a water side inlet, and an outlet, and allows mixed hot water that is a mixture of a first hot water flowing in from the hot water side inlet and a second hot water flowing in from the water side inlet to flow out from the outlet. When,
A hot water supply flow rate sensor that detects the hot water supply flow rate, which is the flow rate of the mixed hot water,
A hot water supply temperature sensor that detects the hot water supply temperature, which is the temperature of the mixed hot water,
Control means and
Equipped with
The control means operates the mixing valve so that the hot water supply temperature becomes equal to the target temperature.
The control means transmits hot water supply information, which is information on the current hot water supply state, to the user interface.
The user interface has a display means capable of displaying the hot water supply information.
When the temperature difference between the current hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor and the target temperature is within the reference range, the first display including the information on the current hot water supply temperature is the hot water supply information. When the temperature difference is displayed on the display means and the temperature difference is out of the reference range, a second display including information other than the information regarding the current hot water supply temperature is displayed on the display means as the hot water supply information. Water heater. The hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second display includes information notifying that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted. When the temperature difference is out of the reference range and the mixing ratio of the mixing valve is in the predetermined intermediate mixing ratio region, the second display informs that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted. Including information to do
When the temperature difference is out of the reference range and the mixing ratio of the mixing valve is outside the intermediate mixing ratio region, the second indication indicates that the hot water supply temperature is being adjusted. The hot water supply device according to claim 2 , which does not include the information to be notified. With a hot water storage tank
A hot water storage temperature sensor that detects the hot water storage temperature, which is the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank and supplied to the hot water side inlet of the mixing valve, and
Further prepare
When the hot water storage temperature is lower than the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the target temperature, the information regarding the low hot water storage temperature is displayed in the display means according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The hot water supply device described. Any one of claims 1 to 5 in which information for notifying the abnormality of the sensor is displayed on the display means when the control means detects an abnormality of at least one of the hot water supply temperature sensor and the hot water supply flow rate sensor. The hot water supply device according to item 1. The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the user can set to disable the function of displaying the hot water supply information on the display means. The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the second display includes information for notifying the cause of the low hot water supply temperature.

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