JP7013812B2 - Hot water storage type hot water supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water storage type hot water supply device.

A hot water storage type hot water supply device that performs boiling operation using electric power during the night time is widely used. In addition, in houses, facilities, etc. equipped with a photovoltaic power generation device, in order to self-consume the surplus electricity generated by the photovoltaic power generation device, a hot water storage type hot water supply device is operated by boiling and stored in a hot water storage tank as heat energy. Is being done.

The heat pump system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below acquires the generated power generated by the power generation device, the load power consumed by the power load, and the surplus power which is the difference between the generated power and the load power for each unit time. Power to be consumed by the heat pump to generate heat when the information acquisition unit and the first condition that the surplus power is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value continue for a predetermined time until now are satisfied. Is provided with an operation control unit that increases or decreases the surplus power according to the increase or decrease of the surplus power for each unit time.

International Publication No. 2012/169118

In the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to acquire the generated power generated by the power generation device, the load power consumed by the power load, and the surplus power which is the difference between the generated power and the load power every unit time. , The system configuration becomes complicated, and the equipment cost tends to increase.

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 storage type hot water supply device which is advantageous in utilizing surplus electric power in the daytime with a simple configuration.

The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the present invention includes a hot water storage tank, a heating means for heating water by consuming electric power, and a control means for controlling a boiling operation for heating the water in the hot water storage tank by the heating means. The first mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by the night boiling operation, which is the boiling operation in the night time, the night boiling operation, and the boiling operation in the daytime time zone other than the night time zone. It is possible to switch between the second mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by both the daytime boiling operation and the time zone in which at least one of the user and the control means performs the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. It is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that can set a certain daytime boiling time zone and the upper limit boiling power which is the upper limit of the power consumption per unit time in the daytime boiling operation of the second mode. The heating means can be operated by the surplus electric power of the electric power generated by the power generation device using the possible energy, and the power generation capacity value of the power generation device can be input to the control means by using the user interface. The upper limit of boiling power can be set based on the power generation capacity value.
Further, the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the present invention includes a hot water storage tank, a heating means for heating water by consuming electric power, and a control means for controlling a boiling operation for heating the water in the hot water storage tank by the heating means. In preparation, the first mode, which stores the required amount of heat in the hot water storage tank by the night boiling operation, which is the boiling operation during the night time, the night boiling operation, and the boiling during the daytime, which is a time other than the night time. It is possible to switch between the second mode in which the required heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by both the daytime boiling operation, which is the upper operation, and the time for at least one of the user and the control means to perform the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. It is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that can set the daytime boiling time zone, which is a band, and the boiling upper limit power, which is the upper limit of the power consumption per unit time during the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. , The daytime boiling time zone is divided into the first time zone, the second time zone following the first time zone, and the third time zone following the second time zone, and the first time zone and the second time zone. The boiling upper limit power can be set separately for the first time zone and the third time zone, and the control means sets the boiling upper limit power of at least one of the first time zone and the third time zone to the boiling upper limit power of the second time zone. It is lower than.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water storage type hot water supply device which is advantageous in utilizing surplus electric power in the daytime with a simple configuration.

It is a figure which shows the hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which showed the example of the flow of the process which concerns on the 2nd mode in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the 1st mode and the 2nd mode of the boiling operation by 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.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to the first embodiment includes a hot water storage tank unit 100 having a built-in hot water storage tank 1 and a heat pump unit 101 as a heating means for heating water. The heat pump unit 101 heats water by consuming electric power and operating the heat pump cycle. The heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101 is the amount of heat given to water per unit time, and the unit is watts. The heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101 is adjustable. The power consumption of the heat pump unit 101 can be adjusted by changing the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101.

The hot water storage tank unit 100 and the heat pump unit 101 are connected to each other via an inlet pipe 24, an outlet pipe 25, and electrical wiring (not shown). Further, the hot water storage tank unit 100 has a built-in control unit 11 as a control means. The operation of various valves, pumps, etc. included in the hot water storage tank unit 100 and the heat pump unit 101 is controlled by the control unit 11 electrically connected to these.

In the hot water storage tank 1, a temperature stratification can be formed in which the upper side is high temperature and the lower side is low temperature due to the difference in water density depending on the temperature. The water supply pipe 21 is connected to a water source such as water supply. The water from the water supply pipe 21 flows into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1, so that the inside of the hot water storage tank 1 is maintained in a full state.

The inlet pipe 24 connects the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 and the water inlet of the heat pump unit 101. The outlet pipe 25 connects the hot water outlet of the heat pump unit 101 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1.

The hot water storage type hot water supply device can carry out boiling operation. The boiling operation is an operation in which the water in the hot water storage tank 1 is heated by the heat pump unit 101. At the time of boiling operation, it becomes as follows. A circulation pump (not shown) arranged in the middle of the inlet pipe 24 and a heat pump unit 101 are operated. The low temperature water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 flows into the heat pump unit 101 through the inlet pipe 24. The low temperature water is heated in the heat pump unit 101 to become hot water, that is, high temperature water. This high temperature water flows into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the outlet pipe 25. High-temperature water is gradually stored in the hot water storage tank 1 from top to bottom.

A hot water supply mixing valve 31 is provided in the hot water storage tank unit 100. The hot water supply mixing valve 31 has a water side inlet, a hot water side inlet, and an outlet. A water supply pipe branched from the water supply pipe 21 is connected to the water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 31. The tank hot water outlet pipe 22 connects the upper part of the hot water storage tank unit 100 and the hot water side inlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 31. The hot water supply pipe 23 is connected to the outlet of the hot water supply mixing valve 31. The hot water that has passed through the hot water supply pipe 23 is supplied to a hot water supply terminal such as a bathtub, a shower, a sink, and a wash basin. When hot water is supplied to the hot water supply terminal, hot water is supplied by mixing low-temperature water supplied from the water supply pipe 21 and high-temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 1 through the tank hot water pipe 22 through the hot water supply mixing valve 31. It flows into the pipe 23. The control unit 11 controls the operation of the hot water supply mixing valve 31 so that the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the hot water supply pipe 23 becomes equal to the preset temperature.

Bidirectional communication is possible between the control unit 11 and the remote control device 102 by wired communication or wireless communication. The control unit 11 and the remote control device 102 may be able to communicate with each other via a network. The remote control device 102 is an example of a user interface. In the present embodiment, the remote control device 102 may be installed on a wall such as a kitchen, a living room, or a bathroom. Alternatively, for example, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone may be configured to have a function as a user interface such as the remote control device 102. A plurality of remote control devices 102 may be able to communicate with the control unit 11.

The remote control device 102 includes a display unit that displays information such as the state of the hot water storage type hot water supply device, an operation unit having a switch or the like operated by the user, and a speaker. By operating the remote control device 102, the user can remotely control the hot water storage type hot water supply device and make various settings. The display unit of the remote control device 102 has a function as a notification means for notifying information. The remote control device 102 in the present embodiment includes a display unit as a notification means, but as a modification, another notification means such as a voice guidance device may be provided.

Further, the control unit 11 is connected to the communication control device 200 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The communication control device 200 may be, for example, a home gateway that can be connected to a network system capable of communicating with other devices other than the hot water storage type hot water supply device and the Internet via a network in the house. The control unit 11 can receive information from the outside via the communication control device 200.

In the present embodiment, the house or facility in which the hot water storage type hot water supply device is used (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “house”) is provided with a photovoltaic power generation device (not shown). A photovoltaic power generation device corresponds to a power generation device that uses renewable energy. The hot water storage type hot water supply device and other electric devices in the house can be operated by the electric power generated by the solar power generation device. In the following description, the amount of electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device, excluding the electric power consumed by other electric devices other than the hot water storage type hot water supply device, is referred to as "surplus electric power". The heat pump unit 101 can be operated by the surplus electric power.

The control unit 11 can receive information regarding the operating state of the photovoltaic power generation device via the communication control device 200. Further, the control unit 11 can receive information from, for example, a controller of a home energy management system (hereinafter referred to as “HEMS controller”) that integrates and manages electrical equipment in the house via the communication control device 200. ..

Of the boiling operations, the boiling operation performed during the night time is hereinafter referred to as "night boiling operation". The daytime time zone is a time zone other than the nighttime time zone. The night time zone may be, for example, a time zone from 22:00 pm to 6:00 am the next morning. In this case, the daytime time zone is the time zone from 6:00 am to 22:00 pm. Further, the night time zone may be, for example, a time zone from 23:00 pm to 7:00 am the next morning. In this case, the daytime time zone is the time zone from 7:00 am to 23:00 pm. The unit price of electricity purchased from an electric power company may be cheaper during the night time than during the daytime. Of the boiling operations, the boiling operation performed during the daytime hours is hereinafter referred to as "daytime boiling operation".

By operating the remote controller 102, the setting of the disclosure time and the end time of the night time zone may be changed. Further, the control unit 11 may automatically set the disclosure time and the end time of the night time zone by receiving the electric power contract information from the electric power company or the like via the communication control device 200.

The control unit 11 can detect the amount of remaining hot water and the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 1 by detecting the hot water storage temperature distribution in the vertical direction by a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors (not shown) provided in the hot water storage tank 1. Further, the control unit 11 can calculate the required amount of heat to be generated in the night boiling operation. The control unit 11 may calculate the required heat amount according to, for example, the data obtained by learning the amount of hot water used in the past, the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 before the night boiling operation, and the like. Further, the control unit 11 can calculate the required operating time for the boiling operation based on the required amount of heat and the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 can switch between the first mode and the second mode as the boiling operation mode. The first mode is a mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank 1 only by the night boiling operation. When the first mode is set, the control unit 11 controls the night boiling operation so that the required amount of heat is generated and stored in the hot water storage tank 1 by the end time of the night time zone.

On the other hand, the second mode is a mode in which a required amount of heat is generated by performing both a night boiling operation and a daytime boiling operation and stored in the hot water storage tank 1. That is, in the second mode, the control unit 11 controls the night boiling operation so that a part of the required heat is generated by the end time of the night time zone and stored in the hot water storage tank 1, and the required heat is stored. It is controlled so that the insufficient amount of heat is generated by the daytime boiling operation and stored in the hot water storage tank 1.

When the daytime boiling operation is performed by the surplus power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device, the surplus power can be stored in the hot water storage tank 1 as heat energy, so that the surplus power can be effectively used. Whether or not surplus power is generated depends on weather conditions and other factors. For example, when it is expected that surplus power will be generated the next day, such as when the next day is expected to be fine, it is preferable to select the second mode because the surplus power can be effectively utilized. On the other hand, if surplus power cannot be expected to be generated the next day, such as when it is expected to rain the next day, select the second mode to obtain commercial power from the power company during the daytime hours when the unit price is high. It is not preferable because the power will be purchased and the boiling operation will be performed. In this case, it is preferable to select the first mode because the boiling operation can be performed using only the commercial power in the night time zone when the unit price is cheap.

By operating the remote controller 102, the user can select whether to set the first mode or the second mode as the boiling operation mode. The first mode may be set as the default boiling operation mode, and the second mode may be set when the user operates the remote control device 102. Further, the control unit 11 may automatically select either the first mode or the second mode.

If the daytime boiling operation is performed during the time when the surplus power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is not generated, the power during the daytime when the unit price is high will be purchased from the electric power company and the hot water storage type hot water supply device will be operated. Therefore, it is not preferable. Therefore, it is desirable to perform the daytime boiling operation during the time when the surplus power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is generated. Further, in the daytime boiling operation, if the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply device exceeds the surplus power, the insufficient power will be purchased from the electric power company, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is desirable that the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply device is less than the surplus power during the daytime boiling operation.

In the following explanation, the time zone during the daytime boiling operation in the second mode is referred to as the "daytime boiling time zone", and the power consumption of the hot water storage type hot water supply device per unit time during the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. The upper limit of the amount is referred to as "boiling upper limit power". The boiling upper limit power may be set in units of, for example, watts, or may be set in units of electric energy for 30 minutes.

In the present embodiment, the user can set the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power. For example, the user can input the start time and end time of the daytime boiling time zone and the value of the boiling upper limit power by using the remote control device 102. When the second mode is selected, the control unit 11 controls to start the daytime boiling operation at the set start time and end the daytime boiling operation at the set end time. Further, the control unit 11 controls the heating capacity, power consumption, etc. of the heat pump unit 101 so that the power consumption per unit time during the daytime boiling operation is equal to or less than the set boiling upper limit power.

The user can determine whether or not there is surplus power on the next day by referring to, for example, the weather forecast. When it is determined that there is surplus power on the next day and it is determined that the daytime boiling operation is performed using the surplus power, the user uses the remote control device 102 to switch to the second mode instead of the first mode. Set. In addition, the user can predict the time zone in which the surplus power will be generated the next day and the amount of surplus power generated by referring to, for example, the actual data of the surplus power in the past and the power generation capacity value of the photovoltaic power generation device. .. The user may set the daytime boiling time zone based on the generation time of the surplus power predicted in this way, and set the boiling upper limit power based on the predicted generation amount of the surplus power.

In the following description, the amount of heat generated by the daytime boiling operation in the second mode is referred to as "daytime boiling heat amount". When the second mode is set, the control unit 11 performs as follows. Since the control unit 11 can calculate the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101 during the daytime boiling operation based on the set value of the boiling upper limit power, the heating upper limit power and the operating time of the daytime boiling operation ( That is, the amount of heat during daytime boiling can be calculated in advance based on the length of the daytime boiling time zone). Based on the value of the daytime boiling heat amount predicted in this way, the control unit 11 controls the nighttime boiling operation so that the amount of heat generated by the nighttime boiling operation is smaller than the required heat amount. For example, the control unit 11 controls the night boiling operation so as to generate a calorific value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling calorific value from the required calorific value. As a result, the amount of electric power consumed in the night boiling operation can be reduced. Further, it is possible to surely leave a room for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 for the daytime boiling operation by the surplus electric power. In the following description, the amount of heat generated by the night boiling operation is referred to as "night boiling heat amount".

In the present embodiment, the user sets the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power, so that the daytime boiling operation is performed in the time zone when no surplus power is generated, or the daytime boiling operation is performed. It is possible to surely suppress that the power consumption at this time exceeds the surplus power. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to surely suppress the purchase of electric power having a high unit price from the electric power company during the daytime boiling operation. Further, in the present embodiment, the surplus power can be effectively utilized even when the control unit 11 does not have a means for acquiring the surplus power information of the photovoltaic power generation device in real time.

The amount of surplus power generated and the time of generation vary depending on factors such as the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation device, region, and season. In the present embodiment, the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power can be set individually according to those factors, so that the daytime boiling operation can be performed in the time zone when no surplus power is generated. , It is possible to surely suppress that the power consumption during the daytime boiling operation exceeds the surplus power.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing relating to the second mode in the first embodiment. In step S1 of FIG. 2, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the second mode is set. For example, when the user has set the second mode by using the remote controller 102, the control unit 11 determines that the second mode is set.

If the second mode is set, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the user sets the daytime boiling time zone by using the remote control device 102. The control unit 11 stores information on the daytime boiling time zone.

Next, in step S3, the user sets the boiling upper limit power by using the remote control device 102. The control unit 11 stores information on the boiling upper limit power.

Next, as step S4, the control unit 11 determines the daytime boiling heat amount as described above based on the information of the daytime boiling time zone set in step S2 and the boiling upper limit power set in step S3. calculate.

Next, in step S5, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of reduction in the amount of heat for boiling at night according to the amount of heat for boiling during the day calculated in step S4. For example, the control unit 11 calculates the amount of heat obtained by subtracting the amount of heat for boiling during the day from the required amount of heat as the amount of heat for boiling at night in the second mode.

Based on the nighttime boiling heat amount and the daytime boiling heat amount calculated as described above, the control unit 11 controls the nighttime boiling operation and the daytime boiling operation in the second mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first mode and the second mode of the boiling operation according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the power consumption of boiling operation may be referred to as "boiling power". The upper graph in FIG. 3 shows an example of boiling power when the first mode is set. In this example, the night time zone is from 22:00 to 6:00, and the night boiling operation is performed from 22:00 to 6:00. In this example, the night boiling operation is performed using all the night time zones, but the night boiling operation may be performed using only a part of the night time zones.

The middle graph in FIG. 3 shows an example of the predicted surplus power of the photovoltaic power generation device. In this example, surplus power starts to be generated around 6 o'clock, the surplus power gradually increases, and the surplus power reaches its peak around 12:00 to 13:00. After that, the surplus power gradually decreases, and the surplus power disappears around 18:00. This example is an example in which it is predicted that the surplus power will be insufficient with respect to the boiling power because the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device decreases due to the deterioration of the weather from around 15:00, for example.

The lower graph in FIG. 3 shows an example of boiling power when the second mode is set. This example is an example of the boiling power of the second mode corresponding to the predicted surplus power in the middle graph in FIG. As described above, in this example, since it is predicted that the surplus power will be insufficient for the boiling power from around 15:00, 3 hours from 11:00 to 14:00 is set as the daytime boiling time zone. In the daytime boiling time zone, the upper limit power for 1 hour from 11:00 to 12:00 is β, and the upper limit power for 1 hour from 12:00 to 13:00 is α, and 13:00 to 14 The upper limit power for boiling for 1 hour until time is β. However, α> β. By setting the upper limit power for boiling in this way, the boiling power can be changed according to the change in the surplus power. Therefore, the amount of heat for boiling during the day while keeping the boiling power below the surplus power. Can be increased as much as possible.

In the example of FIG. 3, the control unit 11 sets the boiling power of the night boiling operation in the second mode lower than the boiling power of the night boiling operation in the first mode. As a result, the amount of heat of night boiling in the second mode can be made smaller than the amount of heat of night boiling in the first mode. In the example of FIG. 3, the control unit 11 performs the night boiling operation in the second mode using all the night time zones, but uses only a part of the night time zones in the second mode. The night boiling operation may be performed. The control unit 11 makes the boiling power of the night boiling operation of the second mode equal to the boiling power of the night boiling operation of the first mode, and sets the operating time of the night boiling operation of the second mode to the first mode. The amount of nighttime boiling heat in the second mode may be smaller than that in the first mode.

On behalf of the user, the control unit 11 may automatically set the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power of the second mode. For example, the control unit 11 receives the prediction information regarding the surplus power of the next day from an external device such as a HEMS controller, and the control unit 11 receives at least the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power based on the received information. One may be set automatically. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to input at least one of the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power. The remote control device 102 allows the user to set in advance whether the control unit 11 automatically sets the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power, or the user himself sets the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power. It may be configured so that it can be selected from.

The power generation capacity value of the photovoltaic power generation device may be input to the control unit 11 by the user or the like using the remote control device 102. The power generation capacity value of the photovoltaic power generation device can be calculated based on, for example, the number of installed solar cell modules of the photovoltaic power generation device, the nominal maximum output of each solar cell module, the conversion efficiency, and the like. The unit of the power generation capacity value of the photovoltaic power generation device is watts. The power generation capacity value of the photovoltaic power generation device is a value that can be regarded as the maximum value of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device. The control unit 11 may set the boiling upper limit power based on the power generation capacity value. Considering the power generation efficiency or the power consumption of other electric devices, the surplus power is considered to be smaller than the power generation capacity value. Therefore, the control unit 11 may set a value obtained by multiplying the power generation capacity value by a predetermined coefficient smaller than 1 as the boiling upper limit power. By doing the above, even if the user cannot calculate the surplus power, the boiling upper limit power can be set. In addition, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to input the upper limit power for boiling. The control unit 11 stores the power generation capacity value input by the user or the like using the remote controller 102. Since the power generation capacity value is rarely changed after the installation of the photovoltaic power generation device, the control unit 11 can save the time and effort for inputting the power generation capacity value each time.

The control unit 11 automatically sets the boiling upper limit power based on the power generation capacity value, and the user inputs and sets the daytime boiling time zone by himself / herself, and the boiling upper limit power set in this way. And, the control unit 11 may execute the daytime boiling operation of the second mode according to the daytime boiling time zone. Since the appropriate daytime boiling time zone changes depending on the weather conditions, the lifestyle pattern of the user, and the like, the daytime boiling time zone can be set more appropriately by performing the above.

The control unit 11 may be able to acquire information on seasonal fluctuations in the average sunshine hours per day (hereinafter referred to as "sunshine duration information"). For example, the sunshine duration information may be stored in advance in the control unit 11 in association with the calendar information, or the sunshine duration information may be received by the control unit 11 from an external device such as a HEMS controller. Based on the sunshine duration information, the control unit 11 may set the boiling upper limit power to be lower when the sunshine duration is relatively short than when the sunshine duration is relatively long. For example, when the sunshine duration is relatively short, a value obtained by multiplying the power generation capacity value by a coefficient smaller than that when the sunshine duration is relatively long may be set as the boiling upper limit power. By doing the above, in the summer when the sunshine hours are long and a large amount of surplus power is expected, the surplus power can be used more effectively by increasing the upper limit power for boiling, and the sunshine hours are relatively short. By setting the upper limit power for boiling in winter, which is expected to reduce the amount of surplus power, to be small, it is possible to more reliably suppress the boiling power from exceeding the surplus power.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, the daytime boiling time zone is the first time zone (from 11:00 to 12:00 in the example of FIG. 3) and the second time zone following the first time zone (FIG. 3). In the example, the boiling upper limit power can be set separately for the third time zone (from 13:00 to 14:00 in the example of FIG. 3) following the second time zone (from 12:00 to 13:00). The boiling upper limit power of at least one of the one time zone and the third time zone may be made lower than the boiling upper limit power of the second time zone. By doing so, the boiling power can be changed according to the change in the surplus power, so it is possible to increase the amount of heat during the daytime as much as possible while keeping the boiling power below the surplus power. It will be possible.

Further, the morning time zone may be set as the first time zone, the evening time zone may be set as the third time zone, and the daytime time zone between the first time zone and the third time zone may be set as the second time zone. .. Since the position of the sun is low in the morning and evening hours, the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is relatively small, and the number of people in the house is large, so the power consumption of electrical equipment other than the hot water storage type hot water supply device is high. Since it is relatively large, the surplus power tends to be relatively small. On the other hand, during the daytime, the position of the sun is high, so the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation equipment is large, and many people are absent from work or school, consuming electrical equipment other than hot water storage type hot water supply equipment. Since the power is relatively small, the surplus power tends to be relatively large. Therefore, by making the boiling upper limit power in at least one of the morning and evening time zones lower than the boiling upper limit power in the daytime time zone, the boiling power is changed according to the change in the surplus power. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of heat for boiling during the day as much as possible while keeping the boiling power below the surplus power.

The user may input and set the boiling upper limit power of the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone described above, or the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone may be set. The control unit 11 may automatically set at least one boiling upper limit power in the time zone. For example, the upper limit power for boiling in the daytime time zone (second time zone) is input and set by the user himself, and the control unit 11 controls the morning and evening time zones (first) based on the input value. The upper limit power for boiling in the time zone and the third time zone) may be calculated automatically.

When the boiling operation is performed with the heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101 maximized, the power consumption per unit time of the hot water storage type hot water supply device becomes maximum. The maximum value is hereinafter referred to as "maximum boiling power". Since the user may not know the value of the maximum boiling power, there is a possibility that a value exceeding the maximum boiling power is input as the upper limit heating power. When the upper limit boiling power input by the user exceeds the maximum boiling power, the control unit 11 performs as follows. The control unit 11 calculates the daytime boiling heat amount of the second mode based on the maximum boiling power and the length of the daytime boiling time zone, and based on the daytime boiling heat amount, the nighttime boiling of the second mode. The amount of heat generated is less than the required amount of heat. As a result, even when the upper limit boiling power input by the user exceeds the maximum boiling power, it is possible to prevent the reduction amount of the nighttime boiling heat amount in the second mode from becoming too large. Further, since the user does not need to be aware of the value of the maximum boiling power or the maximum heating capacity of the heat pump unit 101, the value of the surplus power amount can be input as it is as the boiling upper limit power.

The control unit 11 may set the nighttime heating heat amount in the second mode to be smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling heat amount from the required heat amount. In general, the amount of hot water used in a house is highest from the evening to the night when dinner is prepared, tidied up, and bathed. Therefore, at least a part of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 by the night boiling operation is kept warm in the hot water storage tank 1 for a long time during the day, and then used from the evening to the night. .. As a result, a part of the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 1 by the night boiling operation is lost due to the natural heat dissipation from the hot water storage tank 1. On the other hand, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 by the daytime boiling operation has a short heat retention time from the evening to the night, so that the amount of heat lost due to natural heat dissipation is small. Therefore, the amount of heat lost by natural heat dissipation in the second mode (for example, 20 KJ) is smaller than the amount of heat lost by natural heat dissipation in the first mode (50 KJ). Therefore, the total amount of heat generated in the second mode may be less than the total amount of heat generated in the first mode, that is, the required amount of heat. Therefore, by making the nighttime heating heat amount in the second mode less than the value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling heat amount from the required heat amount, the amount of electric power consumed by the nighttime boiling heat amount in the second mode can be further reduced, and the electricity charge. Can be further reduced.

Information about whether the first boiling time zone or the second boiling time zone is set is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 102 or voice guidance is given from the speaker to notify the user. You may. As a result, it is possible to surely prevent the mode from being set unintentionally by the user, and it is possible to surely prevent forgetting to set or canceling the setting.

Further, when the second mode is set, the remote controller can provide information about the time zone in which the daytime boiling operation of the second mode is scheduled to be performed, that is, information about the start time and end time of the daytime boiling operation. The user may be notified by displaying the information on the display unit of the device 102 or by providing voice guidance from the speaker. This makes it possible for the user to easily determine whether or not to change the current setting, for example, when the weather forecast is changed.

In the above-described embodiment, the solar power generation device is exemplified as a power generation device that utilizes renewable energy, but other renewable energy such as a wind power generation device, a hydroelectric power generation device, and a geothermal power generation device is used. The present invention can also be applied to a hot water storage type hot water supply device capable of boiling operation by surplus power of the power generation device. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the heat pump unit 101 is exemplified as a heating means for heating water by consuming electric power. For example, in a hot water storage type hot water supply device using an electric heater provided inside a hot water storage tank as a heating means. Needless to say, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

1 Hot water storage tank, 11 Control unit, 21 Water supply pipe, 22 Tank hot water outlet pipe, 23 Hot water supply pipe, 24 Inlet pipe, 25 Outlet pipe, 31 Hot water supply mixing valve, 100 Hot water storage tank unit, 101 Heat pump unit, 102 Remote control device, 200 Communication control Device

Claims (10)

With a hot water storage tank
A heating means that consumes electricity to heat water,
A control means for controlling the boiling operation of heating the water in the hot water storage tank by the heating means, and
Equipped with
The first mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by the night boiling operation, which is the boiling operation in the night time zone,
A second mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by both the nighttime boiling operation and the daytime boiling operation which is the boiling operation in the daytime time zone other than the nighttime time zone. Switchable,
Per unit time of the daytime boiling time zone in which the user and at least one of the control means perform the daytime boiling operation in the second mode and the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. It is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that can set the upper limit power for boiling, which is the upper limit of the power consumption of.
The heating means can be operated by the surplus electric power of the electric power generated by the power generation device using renewable energy.
The power generation capacity value of the power generation device can be input to the control means using the user interface.
The control means is a hot water storage type hot water supply device capable of setting the boiling upper limit power based on the power generation capacity value. The control means can acquire information on seasonal fluctuations in the daylight hours.
The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the control means is set so that the boiling upper limit power is lower when the sunshine duration is relatively short than when the sunshine duration is relatively long. .. The control means can execute the daytime boiling operation of the second mode according to the boiling upper limit power set based on the power generation capacity value and the daytime boiling time zone set by the user. The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2 . With a hot water storage tank
A heating means that consumes electricity to heat water,
A control means for controlling the boiling operation of heating the water in the hot water storage tank by the heating means, and
Equipped with
The first mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by the night boiling operation, which is the boiling operation in the night time zone,
A second mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by both the nighttime boiling operation and the daytime boiling operation which is the boiling operation in the daytime time zone other than the nighttime time zone. Switchable,
Per unit time of the daytime boiling time zone in which the user and at least one of the control means perform the daytime boiling operation in the second mode and the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. It is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that can set the upper limit power for boiling, which is the upper limit of the power consumption of.
The daytime boiling time zone is divided into a first time zone, a second time zone following the first time zone, and a third time zone following the second time zone.
The boiling upper limit power can be set separately for the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone.
The control means is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that lowers the boiling upper limit power of at least one of the first time zone and the third time zone to be lower than the boiling upper limit power of the second time zone. The control means calculates the daytime boiling heat amount, which is the amount of heat generated by the daytime boiling operation in the second mode, based on the daytime boiling time zone and the boiling upper limit power, and the daytime boiling. The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the amount of heat generated by the nighttime boiling operation in the second mode is smaller than the required amount of heat based on the amount of heat. With a hot water storage tank
A heating means that consumes electricity to heat water,
A control means for controlling the boiling operation of heating the water in the hot water storage tank by the heating means, and
Equipped with
The first mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by the night boiling operation, which is the boiling operation in the night time zone,
A second mode in which the required amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank by both the nighttime boiling operation and the daytime boiling operation which is the boiling operation in the daytime time zone other than the nighttime time zone. Switchable,
Per unit time of the daytime boiling time zone in which the user and at least one of the control means perform the daytime boiling operation in the second mode and the daytime boiling operation in the second mode. It is a hot water storage type hot water supply device that can set the upper limit power for boiling, which is the upper limit of the power consumption of.
When the boiling upper limit power input by the user exceeds the maximum power consumption per unit time of the hot water storage type hot water supply device, the control means has the maximum power consumption per unit time and the daytime boiling. The daytime boiling heat amount, which is the amount of heat generated by the daytime boiling operation in the second mode, is calculated based on the upper time zone, and the nighttime boiling amount in the second mode is calculated based on the daytime boiling heat amount. A hot water storage type hot water supply device that reduces the amount of heat generated by the upper operation to be less than the required amount of heat. The hot water storage type according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the control means reduces the amount of heat generated by the nighttime boiling operation in the second mode to be smaller than the value obtained by subtracting the daytime boiling heat amount from the required heat amount. Hot water supply device. The heating means can be operated by the surplus electric power of the electric power generated by the power generation device using renewable energy.
The control means can receive the prediction information about the surplus power on the next day from the outside.
The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the control means can set at least one of the boiling upper limit power and the daytime boiling time zone based on the prediction information. .. The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a notification means for notifying information about which of the first mode and the second mode is set. Any one of claims 1 to 9 provided with a notification means for notifying information about a time zone in which the daytime boiling operation of the second mode is scheduled to be performed when the second mode is set. The hot water storage type hot water supply device described in the section.

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