JP7293573B2 - water heater - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hot water apparatus having a hot water filling function for a bathtub and a pipe cleaning function for washing the inside of the pipe used for hot water filling.

The present applicant has previously proposed the one described in Patent Document 1 as an example of the water heater.
In the hot water apparatus described in the document, the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water and the operation of cleaning the piping by supplying hot water to the bath hot water supply piping used for the hot water filling operation are controlled by the control unit. considered executable. However, when the automatic bath switch is operated, the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is started. determined by As a result of this determination, if the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time and there is a high possibility that the bath hot water supply pipe is in an unsanitary state, the pipe cleaning operation is first executed, and then the bathtub is filled with hot water. Action is started. Otherwise, the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is started without executing the pipe cleaning operation.
According to such a configuration, when filling the bathtub with hot water, if a long time has passed since the previous pipe cleaning operation and there is a high possibility that the bath hot water supply pipe is in an unsanitary state, the pipe cleaning operation is performed. is performed. Therefore, after that, it is possible to make the hot water filled in the bathtub hygienic.

However, the prior art still has room for improvement as described below.

That is, the pipe cleaning operation described above is performed when the pipe cleaning operation is not performed for a predetermined period or longer, but is performed when the hot water filling operation is performed in the bathtub. Therefore, when the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is not performed for a long period of time, the pipe cleaning operation is also not performed. In this case, there is a possibility that the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe will be in a considerably unsanitary condition, such as the generation of biofilm in the bath hot water supply pipe. It is difficult to properly solve such a situation by performing only one pipe cleaning operation before filling the bathtub with hot water.

JP 2007-155251 A

The present invention was conceived under the circumstances as described above, and even if the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is not performed for a long period of time, biofilms are generated in the hot water supply pipe of the bath. An object of the present invention is to provide a water heater capable of maintaining a bath hot water supply piping part and the like in a sanitary condition by preventing such unsanitary conditions from occurring.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

The water heater provided by the first aspect of the present invention performs an operation of filling the bathtub with hot water to supply hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe. and a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation, wherein the control unit performs the pipe cleaning operation When it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, and when it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, the hot water supply unit is triggered to perform the pipe cleaning operation. When the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is performed before the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation reaches the predetermined period, the pipe cleaning operation is not performed. is considered to have been resolved, and then the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is newly started.

According to such a configuration, the following effects are obtained.
That is, when the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation reaches a predetermined period or longer, the pipe cleaning operation of the bath hot water supply pipe is executed with this as a trigger, so that the pipe cleaning operation is not executed for a long period of time. To keep the inside of a bath hot water supply pipe in a hygienic condition by properly preventing the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe from becoming considerably unsanitary such as the generation of biofilm in the bath hot water supply pipe. Is possible.
In particular, in the present invention, unlike the prior art, filling the bathtub with hot water does not trigger the washing operation of the bath hot water supply pipe, and filling the bathtub with hot water cannot be performed for a long period of time. Even in some cases, it is possible to cause the pipe cleaning operation to be performed periodically. Therefore, the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe can be kept in a more hygienic condition than the conventional technology.

According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, in the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water, clean hot water flows through the bath hot water supply pipe, so this operation of filling with hot water can be regarded as a kind of pipe cleaning operation. According to the above configuration, when such an operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is performed, it is considered that the continuous state of non-execution of the pipe cleaning operation is canceled, and thereafter the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is newly set. Since it is started, it is possible to reduce the number of times the pipe cleaning operation is performed, thereby saving water and power.

In the present invention, preferably, when the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, the control unit determines whether or not the drain plug of the bathtub is in an open state, or whether or not the bathtub is filled with hot water. If it is determined that the drain valve is open or the bathtub is empty, the pipe cleaning operation is executed. is configured to set the pipe cleaning operation to a standby state or not to execute it.

According to this configuration, when the pipe cleaning operation is not performed for a predetermined period of time or more, the drain plug of the bathtub may be in a closed state, or hot water may remain in the bathtub. However, execution of the pipe cleaning operation in such a state is appropriately avoided.

The water heater provided by the second aspect of the present invention performs an operation of filling the bathtub with hot water to supply hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe. and a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation, wherein the control unit performs the pipe cleaning operation When it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, and when it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, the hot water supply unit is triggered to perform the pipe cleaning operation. The control unit has a calendar clock function, and according to the current season or month and day determined using the calendar clock function, and the length of the predetermined period is changed.

According to such a configuration, the following effects are obtained.
That is, one of the factors that causes germs and the like to proliferate in the bath hot water supply pipe and make it unsanitary is the temperature. On the other hand, if the length of the predetermined period is changed according to the season or month and day, such circumstances can be dealt with appropriately.

The water heater provided by the third aspect of the present invention performs an operation of filling the bathtub with hot water to supply hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe. and a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation, wherein the control unit performs the pipe cleaning operation When it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, and when it is determined that the non-execution period has reached a predetermined period or longer, the hot water supply unit is triggered to perform the pipe cleaning operation. It is configured to execute the control to start, further comprising an outside temperature detection means, and when the outside temperature detected using the outside temperature detection means is higher than when it is low, the above It is characterized in that the predetermined period is configured to be shortened.

According to such a configuration, the predetermined period is shortened as the outside air temperature is high and the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe is likely to become unsanitary in a short period of time, and the pipe cleaning operation is performed in a short period. Become. Therefore, it is preferable to maintain the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe in a sanitary condition. In addition, when the outside temperature is low and the inside of the hot water supply pipe for bathing is unlikely to become unsanitary in a short period of time, the pipe cleaning operation is performed in a long period of time. can be prevented, and water and electricity can be saved appropriately.

In the present invention, preferably, when the pipe cleaning operation is executed based on the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation being equal to or longer than a predetermined period, that effect can be communicated with the control unit. It is configured to be notified using a remote controller and/or a communication terminal.

According to such a configuration, when the pipe cleaning operation is executed based on the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation being equal to or longer than the predetermined period, the user can appropriately grasp that fact. ,preferable.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the hot water apparatus which concerns on this invention. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of operation control executed in the water heater shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another example of operation control executed in the water heater shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

The water heater WH shown in FIG. 1 is configured as an instantaneous gas water heater, and has a general hot water supply function capable of supplying hot water to a hot water supply terminal 60 such as a callan, a hot water filling function to the bathtub 1, a bath reheating function, and a hot water supply function. It has a pipe cleaning function for cleaning the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe 5, which will be described later. In terms of hardware configuration, a hot water supply unit A capable of supplying heated hot water to the bathtub 1, a general hot water supply piping unit 6, a hot water heating unit 3B for bath reheating, a control unit 7, and remote controllers 70A and 70B for the kitchen and bathroom. It has Reference numeral 90 is an exterior case.

Specifically, the hot water supply unit A includes a hot water heating unit 3A for heating hot water supplied from the outside to the water inlet 20 and flowing into the water inlet 2, and a hot water heating unit 3A for heating the hot water heated in the hot water heating unit 3A. It is configured with a bath hot water supply piping part 5 that can be supplied to.
The hot water heating unit 3A includes a heat exchanger 30 whose inlet side is connected to the water inlet 2, a burner 31 for heating the hot water in the heat exchanger 30, and a fan 32 attached thereto. An outside air temperature sensor Sa for detecting the temperature of the air (outside air) supplied to the fan 32 is separately provided inside the exterior case 90 .
The hot water heated by the hot water heating unit 3A flows through the distribution valve 4 and the bypass flow path 21 in the hot water mixing unit 40 when flowing through the hot water outlet passage 22 connected to the outlet side of the heat exchanger 30. It is mixed with hot and cold water to adjust the temperature. The temperature-adjusted hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1 through the bath hot water supply pipe portion 5, or is supplied to the hot water supply terminal 60 or the like through the general hot water supply pipe portion 6.

The bath hot water supply pipe unit 5 includes an auxiliary flow path 50 branched and connected to the hot water outlet 22 and a circulation flow path 51 for bath reheating. The bath reheating circulation flow path 51 includes external flow paths 51a and 51b and internal flow paths 51c and 51d located outside and inside the exterior case 90, respectively, and is heated by the burner 34 of the hot water heating section 3B. The heat exchanger 33 and the circulation adapter 10 of the bathtub 1 are interconnected.
The bath reheating operation is performed by operating the circulating pump P1, sending the hot water in the bathtub 1 to the heat exchanger 33, heating it, and then returning it to the bathtub 1. FIG.

The bath reheating circulation flow path 51 and the auxiliary flow path 50 are connected, and the auxiliary flow path 50 is provided with an on-off valve V1 such as an electromagnetic on-off valve. By opening the on-off valve V1, it is possible to perform a hot water filling operation for the bathtub 1 and a pipe cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe portion 5. FIG. More specifically, when the on-off valve V1 is opened, the heated hot water flows from the hot water discharge passage 22 to the auxiliary flow passage 50, and further flows through the bath reheating circulation flow passage 51 in a so-called double-conveyance state to the bathtub 1. supplied.

A drain plug 11 provided at the bottom of the bathtub 1 can be opened and closed by control of the control unit 7 and predetermined switch operations using the remote controllers 70A and 70B. The difference is that the hot water filling operation for the bathtub 1 is performed with the drain plug 11 closed, whereas the pipe cleaning operation for the bath hot water supply pipe 5 is performed with the drain plug 11 open. However, the path through which hot water flows is the same in both these operations.

The control section 7 executes operation control of each section of the water heater WH and various data processing, is constructed using a microcomputer, and has a calendar/clock function section 7a. Remote controllers 70A and 70B for the kitchen and bathroom are connected to the controller 7 for communication. These remote controllers 70A and 70B include a plurality of operation switches 72, a voice message output device (not shown), and the like, in addition to a display unit 71 for displaying various data. The plurality of operation switches 72 include an operation switch (automatic hot water filling switch) for starting the operation of filling hot water into the bathtub 1, and, for example, an operation for immediately washing the bath hot water supply piping unit 5 in response to the user's request. An operation switch or the like for starting is also provided. Preferably, one of the control unit 7 and the remote controllers 70A and 70B is provided with a communication unit capable of data communication with a predetermined communication terminal 8 such as a smartphone using a communication network. When accessed, an operation command (remote operation command) from the communication terminal 8 can be executed.

The control unit 7 performs operation control based on the operation of the operation switch 72 and the program stored in the control unit 7. As will be described later, the control unit 7 monitors the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation and monitors the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation. A temporary pipe cleaning operation is performed when the execution period is equal to or longer than a predetermined period.

Next, the operation of the water heater WH will be described. In addition, an example of operation control by the control unit 7 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

First, the pipe cleaning operation (ordinary pipe cleaning operation) in the water heater WH is executed under the control of the control unit 7 in a manner linked to the filling of the bathtub 1 with hot water and the subsequent draining of the hot water from the bathtub 1 . More specifically, when a switch is operated on either remote control 70A or 70B to indicate that the bathtub 1 should be filled with hot water, the bathtub 1 is filled with hot water (S1: YES, S2). After that, when the bathing of the user is finished and the hot water in the bathtub 1 is drained by opening the drain plug 11, a normal pipe cleaning operation is executed using this as a trigger, and the bath hot water supply pipe 5 is properly cleaned. (S3, S4). Further, when the pipe cleaning operation is executed, the date and time data of the execution is stored in the control unit 7 (S5). This data is used to determine the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation.

On the other hand, the control unit 7 checks the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation constantly or at regular or irregular intervals, and determines whether the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation has reached a predetermined period. .
Here, the predetermined period is, for example, about one month. This predetermined period may be constant, but is variable in this embodiment. Specifically, the control section 7 grasps the current season or month and day based on the calendar/clock function section 7a, and sets the predetermined period accordingly. For example, the predetermined period is shortened in the order of "winter", "spring/autumn", and "summer". Alternatively or in addition, the predetermined period is configured to be shorter when the outside temperature is higher than when the outside temperature is low, corresponding to the outside temperature detected by using the outside temperature sensor Sa. You can also Such a setting is preferable in terms of responding to the fact that the higher the temperature of the bath hot water supply pipe 5, the faster the growth rate of various germs and the like inside it. When the predetermined period is set based on the outside air temperature, the predetermined period may be further changed according to subsequent changes in the outside air temperature. The setting of the predetermined period is controlled by a program stored in the control section 7. In addition, the predetermined period can be arbitrarily changed and set by the user's switch operation.

Methods for determining whether or not the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation has reached the predetermined period include, for example, the following methods. The first method is to compare the execution date and time of the previous pipe cleaning operation with the current date and time, and determine whether or not the difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined period. The second method is to determine the date and time when a predetermined period of time has passed since the execution date and time of the previous pipe cleaning operation, and determine whether or not the current time has reached this date and time. A third method is to set a timer for measuring a predetermined period of time when the previous pipe cleaning operation is executed. Any of these techniques may be employed, or techniques other than these may be employed.

As a result of the above determination, when the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation reaches the predetermined period, at that time, it is determined whether or not the drain plug 11 of the bathtub 1 is open. , the pipe cleaning operation (temporary pipe cleaning operation) is immediately executed (S11: YES, S12: YES, S13). On the other hand, when the drain plug 11 of the bathtub 1 is not in the open state, it enters a temporary standby state, and after switching the drain plug 11 to the open state, the control unit 7 executes a temporary pipe cleaning operation. (S12: NO, S18, S13). In addition, when the drain plug 11 cannot be switched from the closed state to the open state by the control of the control unit 7, it is possible to disable the temporary pipe cleaning operation.
In the present invention, instead of determining whether or not the drain plug 11 is open, for example, it is determined whether or not the bathtub 1 is in an empty state. For example, the temporary pipe cleaning operation can be performed, and otherwise, the temporary pipe cleaning operation can be set to a standby state or not performed.

The temporary pipe cleaning operation described above may have the same operation contents as the normal pipe cleaning operation, but the amount of hot water and the temperature of the hot water may be different from those of the normal pipe cleaning operation. For example, while a normal pipe cleaning operation uses heated hot water (for example, hot water of about 48° C.), an extraordinary pipe cleaning operation may use non-heated hot water.

If the above-described temporary pipe cleaning operation is executed, the inside of the bath hot water supply pipe 5 will be properly cleaned at an appropriate timing, and the generation of biofilm caused by leaving the bath hot water supply pipe 5 as it is. is prevented. Further, if the condition for executing the temporary pipe cleaning operation is that the drain plug 11 is in an open state, for example, under the condition that the user is trying to take a bath and the bathtub 1 is filled with hot water, It is also possible to avoid the possibility that the bath hot water supply pipe 5 is improperly washed. In addition, it is possible to avoid the possibility that unsanitary hot water used for the pipe cleaning operation is accumulated in the bathtub 1 .

When the above-described temporary pipe cleaning operation is executed, the effect is notified by being displayed on the display unit 71 of the remote controllers 70A and 70B, and the data is transmitted to the communication terminal 8 to display the effect. (S14). This allows the user to accurately perceive the current state of the water heater WH. When the temporary pipe cleaning operation is executed, the execution date and time data is stored in the control unit 7 (S15) and used to determine a new non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation.

Unlike the above, if there is a pipe cleaning operation or a hot water filling operation in the bathtub 1 before the pipe cleaning operation non-execution period reaches the predetermined period, the pipe cleaning operation non-execution period is reset to zero, and the pipe A non-execution period of the cleaning operation is newly started (S11: NO, S16: YES, S17). In the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 1, sanitary hot water is flowed through the bath hot water supply pipe 5, so this hot water filling operation can be regarded as a kind of pipe cleaning operation. Therefore, as described above, even if the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is reset to zero in the same manner as when the pipe cleaning operation is performed when the bathtub 1 is filled with hot water, there is a problem in terms of hygiene. In addition to this, it is possible to reduce the number of times the temporary pipe cleaning operation is performed, thereby saving water and power .

The invention is not limited to the content of the embodiments described above. The specific configuration of each part of the water heater according to the present invention can be changed in various ways within the intended scope of the present invention.

The water heater according to the present invention is not limited to the instantaneous type. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a hot water storage tank type water heater in which hot water heated by a heat pump is stored in a hot water storage tank and hot water is supplied from this hot water storage tank to a bathtub.

WH Water heater A Hot water supply unit Sa Outside temperature sensor (outside temperature detection means)
1 Bathtub 5 Bath hot water supply piping part 50 Auxiliary flow path (bath hot water supply piping part)
51 Bath reheating circulation flow path (bath hot water supply piping part)
7 control unit 7a calendar/clock function unit 8 communication terminal

Claims (5)

a hot water supply unit capable of executing each of an operation of filling hot water into the bathtub for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe;
a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation;
A water heater comprising
The control unit determines whether or not the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is longer than or equal to a predetermined period, and when it is determined that the non-execution period is longer than or equal to the predetermined period, taking this as a trigger, configured to execute control for causing the hot water supply unit to start the pipe cleaning operation ,
When the operation of filling the bathtub with hot water is performed before the period of non-execution of the pipe cleaning operation reaches the predetermined period, it is considered that the continuous state of non-execution of the pipe cleaning operation has been resolved, and thereafter. A water heater, characterized in that the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation starts anew at the beginning of the period . a hot water supply unit capable of executing each of an operation of filling hot water into the bathtub for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe;
a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation;
A water heater comprising
The control unit determines whether or not the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is longer than or equal to a predetermined period, and when it is determined that the non-execution period is longer than or equal to the predetermined period, taking this as a trigger, configured to execute control for causing the hot water supply unit to start the pipe cleaning operation,
The control unit has a calendar/clock function unit,
The water heater is characterized in that the length of the predetermined period is changed according to the current season or month and day determined by using the calendar/clock function unit. a hot water supply unit capable of executing each of an operation of filling hot water into the bathtub for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the bath hot water supply pipe and an operation of cleaning the bath hot water supply pipe;
a control unit capable of controlling the hot water supply unit to perform the hot water filling operation and the pipe cleaning operation;
A water heater comprising
The control unit determines whether or not the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is longer than or equal to a predetermined period, and when it is determined that the non-execution period is longer than or equal to the predetermined period, taking this as a trigger, configured to execute control for causing the hot water supply unit to start the pipe cleaning operation,
An outside air temperature detection means is further provided,
The water heater is characterized in that the predetermined period is shortened when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means is higher than when the outside air temperature is low. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, the control unit determines whether the drain plug of the bathtub is in an open state or whether the bathtub is in an empty state with no stored hot water. If it is determined that the drain plug is in an open state or the bathtub is in an empty state, the pipe cleaning operation is executed, and if not, the pipe cleaning operation is performed. A water heater that is configured to stand by or not run . The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the pipe cleaning operation is executed based on the non-execution period of the pipe cleaning operation being equal to or longer than a predetermined period, a remote controller and/or a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control unit to that effect. A water heater configured to be alerted using a

Images