JP7507483B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water heater.

Conventionally, there is known a battery-powered water heater that can flash an LED when an abnormality is detected to notify the user of the abnormality (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-103428 A

The water heater described in Patent Document 1 had the problem that if the LED flashing notification continued, the battery would be consumed more than necessary. If the battery voltage dropped due to battery consumption, the LED flashing notification would stop, making it difficult to detect the abnormality.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a water heater that can continue to report an abnormality without consuming power when an abnormality is detected.

The water heater of claim 1 is a battery-powered water heater that is composed of electronic paper that can retain display content and can be electrically updated, and is equipped with a display unit capable of displaying various information , a display control unit that displays and updates the various information on the display unit, a voltage measurement unit that measures the output voltage of the battery, an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities, and a warning information table that stores warning information to be displayed on the display unit depending on the content of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, the warning information includes a first pattern that notifies abnormality content information that indicates the content of the abnormality, and a second pattern that notifies contact information that is information of a contact to be contacted by the user in the event of the abnormality occurring in addition to the abnormality content information, the warning information table stores either the first pattern or the second pattern in correspondence with the content of the abnormality, and when the abnormality detection unit does not detect the abnormality, the display control unit displays the remaining battery level on the display unit based on the output voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit, and when the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality , it refers to the warning information table and displays the first pattern or the second pattern on the display unit depending on the content of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit .

According to the water heater of claim 1, since the display unit is made of electronic paper, after the warning information is displayed on the display unit, it can continue to display without consuming power. This prevents the warning information displayed on the display unit from disappearing due to a drop in battery voltage or when the power is turned off. Therefore, the water heater can reliably notify the user of the warning information, so the user can deal with the water heater abnormality appropriately. Note that "abnormality" refers to a state that is different from the normal state, and includes abnormalities that can be detected by the water heater (for example, a state in which the incomplete combustion prevention device has been activated, a state in which various safety devices such as the re-ignition prevention device have been activated), as well as a state that requires inspection due to an increase in the number of times the water heater is used, for example.

Furthermore , when an abnormality is detected, the contact information can be continuously displayed on the display without consuming power. The contact information is, for example, the contact information of a repair company or manufacturer of the water heater, and may be information such as a telephone number, a fax number, and an email address. By promptly contacting the displayed contact information, the user can receive appropriate advice from the repair company on how to deal with the water heater that has developed an abnormality. Thus, the user can appropriately deal with the abnormality detected in the water heater.

Furthermore , the user can grasp the details of the abnormality by checking the abnormality details information displayed on the display unit, and can therefore deal with the detected abnormality appropriately.

The present invention may also be a battery-powered water heater that is made of electronic paper that can hold and electrically update display content, and that includes a display unit capable of displaying various information, a display control unit that displays and updates the various information on the display unit, a voltage measurement unit that measures the battery voltage, and a remaining battery charge calculation unit that calculates the remaining battery charge based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit, and the display control unit may include a remaining battery charge display unit that displays the remaining battery charge calculated by the remaining battery charge calculation unit on the display unit. In this case, the remaining battery charge of the battery can be displayed on the display unit in a power-saving manner.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the water heater 1. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water heater 1. FIG. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a warning information table 741. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing two modes (1) and (2) in which a battery icon 95 is displayed on a display unit 91. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing five display modes (1) to (5) of a battery icon 95 corresponding to five levels of remaining battery power. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing four modes (1) to (4) in which warning information is displayed on a display unit 92. 13 is a flowchart of a first display control process. 13 is a flowchart of a second display control process. 13 is a flowchart of a reset control process.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The external configuration, electrical configuration, and control processing of the device described below are merely illustrative examples, and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. The drawings are used to explain the technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the water heater 1, and the positions and orientations of the various components may differ from the actual positions and orientations.

The structure of the water heater 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The water heater 1 shown in Figure 1 is attached to, for example, a kitchen sink. The water heater 1 has a metal main body 2. A shower 4 is connected to the bottom of the main body 2 via a vinyl hose 3. An operation button 5 is provided in the center of the lower front part of the main body 2. Pressing the operation button 5 causes hot water to flow from the shower 4 and ignites the main burner 14 (see Figure 2), which will be described later. Pressing the operation button again stops hot water from flowing from the shower 4 and turns off the main burner 14. The temperature of the hot water that is discharged can be adjusted by rotating the operation button 5. A window 6 for checking the ignition of the main burner 14 is provided above the operation button 5.

A display unit 91 made of electronic paper and shaped like a horizontally long rectangle when viewed from the front is provided above the operation button 5. The remaining battery level, described below, is displayed on the display unit 91. To the right of the operation button 5 is a display unit 92 made of electronic paper and shaped like a rectangle when viewed from the front, which is larger than the display unit 91. The display unit 92 displays warning information, described below, when an abnormality is detected in the water heater 1. An air intake 7 is provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the main body 2. The air intake 7 takes in air for combustion into the main body 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main burner 14 for burning gas is provided slightly above the middle section in the main body 2. The main burner 14 is provided with an ignition electrode 44. The ignition electrode 44 ignites the main burner 14 with continuous sparks. An igniter 43 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the ignition electrode 44. A flame rod 45 is provided next to the ignition electrode 44. The flame rod 45 detects the flame of the main burner 14. A heat exchanger 12 is provided above the main burner 14. The heat exchanger 12 includes a heat transfer tube 12A and fins 12B. The combustion exhaust gas from the main burner 14 flows along the fins 12B, and the heat from the combustion exhaust heats the water passing through the heat transfer tube 12A.

The main body 2 is provided with a gas inlet 21 through which gas flows in, a water inlet 25 through which water flows in, and a hot water outlet 28 through which hot water flows out. A gas pipe 22 is connected between the gas inlet 21 and the main burner 14. A water supply pipe 16 is connected between the water inlet 25 and the inlet of the heat exchanger 12. A hot water outlet pipe 18 is connected between the hot water outlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger 12. A water supply stop valve 20 is provided at the base of the water supply pipe 16. A water faucet pilot valve 26 is provided on the water supply stop valve 20. Interlocking levers 30, 32 that are moved by operating the operation button 5 are interposed between the water faucet pilot valve 26 and the operation button 5. When the operation button 5 is pressed, the interlocking levers 30, 32 act to open the water faucet pilot valve 26. This allows water to flow through the water supply pipe 16.

A gas supply valve 24 is provided at the base of the gas pipe 22. A water pressure responsive valve 34, a gas solenoid valve 36, a magnetic valve opening mechanism 37, and an appliance valve 38 are provided at the gas supply valve 24. The water pressure responsive valve 34 opens in conjunction with water flowing through the water supply pipe 16. The gas solenoid valve 36 is of a magnetic type, and prevents ignition troubles and the like. The magnetic valve opening mechanism 37 opens and closes the gas solenoid valve 36. The appliance valve 38 opens and closes the gas supply flow path in the gas supply valve 24 by operating the operation button 5. The water faucet pilot valve 26 and the water pressure responsive valve 34 are connected to each other via a thrust rod 40. Water pressure switches 50, 51 are provided on the thrust rod 40. The water pressure switches 50, 51 output on/off signals in accordance with the movement of the thrust rod 40. A gas governor 29 is provided downstream of the gas supply valve 24. The gas governor 29 adjusts for fluctuations in the supply gas pressure.

The main burner 14 is provided with a primary thermocouple 58. The primary thermocouple 58 detects the main burner 14 going out or being oxygen deficient. A sensing burner 53 is provided alongside the primary thermocouple 58. The flame of the sensing burner 53 directly heats the primary thermocouple 58. The heat exchanger 12 is provided with a secondary thermocouple 60. The secondary thermocouple 60 is positioned facing an opening 12C provided in the side wall of the heat exchanger 12, and detects clogging of the fins 12B.

The operation of the water heater 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2. When the operation button 5 is pressed by the user, the water faucet pilot valve 26 is opened via the interlocking levers 30 and 32. Then, water flows into the water supply pipe 16, and the thrust rod 40 is pushed by the water pressure, opening the water pressure responsive valve 34. Furthermore, the gas solenoid valve 36 is opened by the magnet valve opening mechanism 37 engaged with the thrust rod 40. At the same time, the water pressure switch 50 is turned on, and the magnet holding current flows and the gas solenoid valve 36 is excited to be held in the open state. On the other hand, the appliance valve 38 is opened by pressing the operation button 5. As a result, the supply gas flow path in the gas supply valve 24 is completely opened, and gas is supplied to the main burner 14. At the same time that the thrust rod 40 is pressed, the water pressure switch 51 is turned on. Then, the igniter 43 is driven, and the ignition electrode 44 is sparked, igniting the main burner 14 and the sensing burner 53. This starts the hot water discharge from the shower 4.

The electrical configuration of the water heater 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The water heater 1 includes a control board 70. The control board 70 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, an EEPROM 74, a transmitter 75, a thermocouple circuit 78, an igniter circuit 79, a magnet drive circuit 80, a safety circuit 81, a flame rod circuit 82, display control circuits 83 and 84, and the like. The CPU 71 controls the overall operation of the water heater 1. The ROM 72 stores various control programs and initial values of various data. The RAM 73 temporarily stores data generated during the calculation processing of the CPU 71. The EEPROM 74 is a non-volatile memory element that stores counters, parameters, and the like. The transmitter 75 supplies a clock to drive the CPU 71.

The thermocouple circuit 78 detects the electromotive forces of the primary thermocouple 58 and the secondary thermocouple 60. The igniter circuit 79 controls the igniter 43 based on a control signal from the CPU 71. The magnet drive circuit 80 drives the magnet valve opening mechanism 37 and controls the gas solenoid valve 36 based on a control signal from the CPU 71. The frame rod circuit 82 detects the output signal from the frame rod 45 based on a control signal from the CPU 71. The safety circuit 81 is driven by the detection signals output from the thermocouple circuit 78 and the frame rod circuit 82. The display control circuit 83 controls the drive of the display unit 91 based on a control signal from the CPU 71. The display control circuit 84 controls the drive of the display unit 92 based on a control signal from the CPU 71.

The reset button 93 is provided in the main body 2 and is pressed, for example, by a repairman. The reset button 93 is connected to the CPU 71. When the reset button 93 is pressed, the CPU 71 erases the warning information displayed on the display unit 92. The water pressure switches 50, 51 are connected to the CPU 71. Power is supplied to the control board 70 from a battery 76. The battery 76 supplies power to the above-mentioned circuits of the control board 70 as well as to the various electronic components of the water heater 1. A voltage measurement unit 77 is connected to the CPU 71 of the control board 70. The voltage measurement unit 77 measures the voltage of the battery 76 and outputs it to the CPU 71.

The warning information table 741 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The warning information table 741 stores warning information to be displayed on the display unit 92 according to the contents of various abnormalities detected by various safety devices of the water heater 1. The various safety devices are, for example, an incomplete combustion prevention device, a re-ignition prevention device (interlock), a forget-to-turn-off prevention device, an inspection timing monitoring device, etc. The incomplete combustion prevention device corresponds to the CPU 71 that extinguishes the main burner 14 midway when it detects incomplete combustion of the main burner 14. The re-ignition prevention device corresponds to the CPU 71 that limits the use of the water heater 1 when the incomplete combustion prevention device is repeatedly activated. The forget-to-turn-off prevention device corresponds to the CPU 71 that stops the operation of the water heater 1 when the water heater 1 is used continuously for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes). The inspection timing monitoring device corresponds to the CPU 71 that determines that it is time for inspection when the number of times the water heater 1 is used exceeds a specified number of times (e.g., 100,000 times or more).

When the failure prevention device is activated, the warning information displayed is pattern 1. When the re-ignition prevention device is activated, the warning information is pattern 2. When the forget-to-turn-off prevention device is activated, the warning information is pattern 3. When the inspection timing monitoring device is activated, the warning information is pattern 4. The specific contents of patterns 1 to 4 will be described later.

The manner in which the remaining battery level is displayed on the display unit 91 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 5 (1), a battery icon 95 is displayed on the display unit 91. The battery icon 95 includes a data bar 96, and the length of the data bar 96 indicates the remaining battery level of the battery 76 in five stages (see Figures 6 (1) to (5)). The data bar 96 extends in the left-right direction and is divided into four blocks. The contents of the four blocks that make up the data bar 96 are displayed in black according to the remaining battery level, so that the remaining battery level can be displayed as the length of the data bar 96.

The battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6(1) indicates that the battery level is 80% or more, and displays "FULL" on the right side. The battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6(2) indicates that the battery level is between 75% and 80%, and displays the number "75%" on the right side. The battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6(3) indicates that the battery level is between 50% and 75%, and displays the number "50%" on the right side. The battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6(4) indicates that the battery level is between 25% and 50%, and displays the number "25%" on the right side. The battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6(5) indicates that the battery level is less than 25%, and displays "LOW" on the right side.

As shown in FIG. 5 (2), when the remaining battery charge is less than 25% and is "LOW," the battery 76 needs to be replaced with a new one. To prompt the user to replace the battery, the water heater 1 displays a battery warning mark 97 to the right of the battery icon 95 on the display unit 91. This prompts the user to replace the battery.

With reference to FIG. 7, the display mode of warning information on the display unit 92 will be described. FIG. 7 (1) shows the display unit 92 when the incomplete combustion prevention device has been activated. The display unit 92 displays warning information of pattern 1. In pattern 1, a message is displayed stating that the incomplete combustion prevention device has been activated, that use should be stopped and a contact number specified by the manufacturer should be contacted, etc., with the contact information also displayed below. FIG. 7 (2) shows the display unit 92 when the re-ignition prevention device has been activated. The display unit 92 displays warning information of pattern 2. In pattern 2, a message is displayed stating that the incomplete combustion prevention device has been activated repeatedly, that use should be stopped and a contact number specified by the manufacturer should be contacted, etc., with the contact information also displayed below.

Figure 7 (3) shows the display unit 92 when the inspection timing monitoring device has been activated. The display unit 92 displays warning information of pattern 3. In pattern 3, a message is displayed indicating that operation has been stopped due to 10 minutes of continuous use. Figure 7 (4) shows the display unit 92 when the forget-to-turn-off prevention device has been activated. The display unit 92 displays warning information of pattern 4. In pattern 4, a message is displayed indicating that the number of uses has exceeded a specified number (e.g. 100,000 times) and that it is time for inspection, and that the contact information specified by the manufacturer should be contacted, with the contact information displayed below.

The first display control process will be described with reference to Figure 8. This process controls the display unit 91. When the user presses the operation button 5 to use the water heater 1, the power to the water heater 1 is turned on. This triggers the CPU 71 to read the first display control program from the ROM 72 and execute this process. In the water heater 1, the main burner 14 is ignited as described above, and hot water begins to flow from the shower 4.

The CPU 71 measures the voltage of the battery 76 using the voltage measurement unit 77 (S11). The CPU 71 calculates the remaining battery charge of the battery 76 based on the measured voltage (S12), and displays or updates the battery icon 95 based on the calculated remaining battery charge (S13). For example, if the remaining battery charge of the battery 76 is 52%, the CPU 71 displays the battery icon 95 shown in FIG. 6 (3). This allows the water heater 1 to inform the user that the remaining battery charge is at least 50%. The battery icon 95 displays the remaining battery charge with the length of the data bar 96, so the user can intuitively recognize the remaining battery charge. Furthermore, the number "50%" is displayed to the right of the data bar 96, so the remaining battery charge can be easily recognized. Furthermore, since the display unit 91 is electronic paper, the display of the battery icon 95 can be maintained without consuming power.

The CPU 71 determines whether the operation button 5 has been pressed again and the main burner 14 has been extinguished (S14). If the main burner 14 has not been extinguished (S14: NO), the CPU 71 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 3 minutes) has elapsed since the battery voltage was measured in S11 (S15). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S15: NO), the CPU 71 returns to S14 and monitors the extinguishing of the main burner 14. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the voltage was measured (S15: YES), the CPU 71 returns to S11, measures the voltage of the battery 76 again, and repeats the above process to periodically update the display of the battery icon 95 according to changes in the remaining battery power. Then, if the main burner 14 has been extinguished (S14: YES), the CPU 71 ends this process.

In the water heater 1, after the main burner 14 is turned off and hot water stops being dispensed, the power to the water heater 1 is turned off. However, since the display unit 91 is electronic paper, the display content of the last updated battery icon 95 can be retained, so that the user can continue to be informed of the remaining battery level even if the power to the water heater 1 is turned off.

The second display control process will be described with reference to Figure 9. This process is the control of the display unit 92. Triggered by the water heater 1 being powered on, the CPU 71 periodically interrupts to read the second display control program from the ROM 72 and executes this process.

The CPU 71 determines whether the incomplete combustion prevention device has been activated (S21), whether the re-ignition prevention device has been activated (S22), whether the inspection timing monitoring device has been activated (S23), or whether the forget-to-turn-off prevention device has been activated (S24) in the water heater 1. If none of these devices have been activated (S21: NO, S22: NO, S23: NO, S24: NO), the water heater 1 is operating normally and it is not time for inspection, so the CPU 71 ends this process.

When the incomplete combustion prevention device is activated (S21: YES), the CPU 71 displays the warning information of the above pattern 1 (see FIG. 7(1)) on the display unit 92 (S25).
When the reignition prevention device is activated (S21: NO, S22: YES), the CPU 71 displays the above-mentioned pattern 2 warning information (see FIG. 7 (2)) on the display unit 92 (S26). When the forget-to-turn-off prevention device is activated (S21: NO, S22: NO, S23: YES), the CPU 71 displays the above-mentioned pattern 3 warning information (see FIG. 7 (3)) on the display unit 92 (S27). When the inspection timing monitoring device is activated (S21: NO, S22: NO, S23: NO, S24: YES), the CPU 71 displays the above-mentioned pattern 4 warning information (see FIG. 7 (4)) on the display unit 92 (S28). In this way, the user can quickly and appropriately respond to an abnormality occurring in the water heater 1 by checking the warning information displayed on the display unit 92. After displaying the warning information on the display unit 92, the CPU 71 ends this process.

Since the display unit 92 is also electronic paper, even if the power supply of the water heater 1 is turned off after the warning information is displayed on the display unit 92, the display unit 92 can retain the display contents of the last displayed warning information, just like the display unit 91. Therefore, the warning information can continue to be notified to the user even after the power supply of the water heater 1 is turned off. Since the warning information includes the contents of the detected abnormality, the user can understand the contents of the detected abnormality and can promptly deal with the detected abnormality. Furthermore, since the warning information of patterns 1 to 3 also includes contact information, the user can appropriately deal with the detected abnormality by contacting the designated contact when an abnormality occurs in the water heater 1.

The reset control process will be described with reference to FIG. 10. For example, if the incomplete combustion prevention device is activated and warning information of pattern 1 is displayed on the display unit 92, the user follows the warning information, stops using the water heater 1, and calls the designated repair company or other contact number to inform them of the content of the warning information displayed on the display unit 92. The repair company receives the user's contact and repairs the water heater 1. After the repair, the repair company presses the reset button 93 provided in the main body 2 to erase the warning information displayed on the display unit 92. The CPU 71 then reads out the reset control program from the ROM 72 and executes this process. The CPU 71 resets the state of the activated safety device (S31). The CPU 71 erases the warning information displayed on the display unit 92 (S32), and ends this process.

As described above, the water heater 1 of this embodiment is battery-powered. The water heater 1 has a display unit 92 at the bottom front of the main body 2. The display unit 92 is made of electronic paper, and can hold the displayed contents and can be updated electrically. The CPU 71 of the water heater 1 displays and updates various information on the display unit 92. The water heater 1 is equipped with various safety devices such as an incomplete combustion prevention device, a re-ignition prevention device, a forget-to-turn-off prevention device, and an ignition timing prevention device. When any of the safety devices is activated, the CPU 71 determines that an abnormality has occurred and displays warning information on the display unit 92 to warn the user of the contents. Since the display unit 92 is made of electronic paper, the CPU 71 can continue to display the warning information on the display unit 92 without consuming power after displaying it. This prevents the water heater 1 from losing the displayed warning information due to a drop in battery voltage. Therefore, the water heater 1 can reliably notify the user of the warning information.

In the above description, the CPU 71 that functions as the incomplete combustion prevention device, re-ignition prevention device, forget-to-turn-off prevention device, and ignition timing prevention device mounted on the water heater 1 is an example of the "abnormality detection unit" of the present invention. The CPU 71 that executes the processes of S25 to S28 in FIG. 9 is an example of the "display control unit" of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, two display units 91, 92 are provided on the front of the main body 2, and the remaining battery level is displayed on the display unit 91, and warning information is displayed on the display unit 92, but for example, the remaining battery level and warning information may be displayed on one display unit. Warning information may be displayed on the display unit 91, and the remaining battery level may be displayed on the display unit 92. The above embodiment is provided with two display units 91, 92, but the number of display units may be one or two or more. The shape and location of each of the display units 91, 92 may also be freely modified.

In the above embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the water heater 1, warning information is displayed on the display unit 92 to notify the user. However, for example, when the warning information is displayed on the display unit 92, a buzzer sound may be output from the speaker.

In the above embodiment, after displaying the warning information on the display unit 92, pressing the reset button 93 causes the CPU 71 to reset the safety device and erase the warning information displayed on the display unit 92, but the reset operation method may be other than this. For example, the reset may be triggered by inserting and removing the battery 76.

1 Water heater 71 CPU
91, 92 Display unit

Claims (1)

A battery-powered water heater,
A display unit that is configured of electronic paper that can hold and electrically update display content and can display various information ;
A display control unit that displays and updates the various information on the display unit;
A voltage measuring unit for measuring an output voltage of the battery;
an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality;
a warning information table that stores warning information to be displayed on the display unit according to the type of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit;
Equipped with
The warning information includes:
A first pattern for notifying abnormality content information indicating the content of the abnormality;
a second pattern of notifying contact information, which is information on a contact to be contacted by the user when the abnormality occurs, in addition to the abnormality content information;
Equipped with
the warning information table stores the first pattern or the second pattern in association with the content of the abnormality,
The water heater is characterized in that, when the abnormality detection unit does not detect the abnormality, the display control unit displays the remaining battery level on the display unit based on the output voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit, and, when the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality , the display control unit refers to the warning information table and displays the first pattern or the second pattern on the display unit depending on the content of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit.

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