JPH01309106A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize the variable supply of hot water in a convenient and pleasant way by controlling a variable width setting means with the signals of a temperature setter and a variation setter and also controlling an electric drive means based on the signal of a variable time setting means. CONSTITUTION:A hot water/cool water mixing valve 21 which is driven by an electric drive means 22 is prepared together with a temperature setter 39, a variation setter 46 which supplies the hot water with variation of the mixed hot water temperature, a temperature variable width setting means 47, a variable time setting means 48, and a controller 26 which controls the means 22 to perform the variable supply of hot water. In such a constitution, the hot water is supplied with the variance applied to the mixed hot water temperature via both means 47 and 48 in addition to the supply of hot water at a fixed temperature. Thus it is possible to obtain a hot water supply device that ensures the pleasant feeling to the human bodies.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater that mixes water and supplies the mixture at a uniform temperature while varying the temperature.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a water heater of this type as shown in FIG. (For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-59223) In FIG. A side valve body 6 is provided. The hot water side valve body 5 and the water side valve body 6 are connected to the shaft 7
The motor 10 is driven by a motor 10 via an external linear motion converter groove 8 and a gear 9. Near the mixed water outlet 3, there is a mixed water temperature detector 1 that detects the mixed water temperature.
1 is provided, and a controller 13 compares the mixed hot water temperature value set by the mixing weak part setting device 12 and the hot water temperature value detected by the mixed hot water temperature detector 11, and controls the motor 10. A faucet 14 for supplying mixed hot water is provided at the terminal. and faucet 14
When the engine is opened and the mixed water temperature is set by manually operating the mixing water temperature setting device 12, the value of the mixing water temperature detector 11 and the value of the mixing water temperature setting device 12 are compared in the controller 13, and the value of the mixing water temperature setting device 12 is compared. The drive of the motor 10 is controlled to eliminate temperature deviation.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the configuration as described above, the mixing water temperature setting device 1
Hot water is only supplied at the water temperature set in step 2, and if it is exposed to the human body, it will not produce the pine surge effect that moderately stimulates the skin and promotes blood circulation, and the advantages of an electrically driven mixing valve are lost. It wasn't showing its full potential.

The present invention solves these conventional problems,
The purpose is to provide a hot water supply device that is comfortable for the human body by supplying mixed hot water at a varying temperature.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the water heater of the present invention includes a hot water mixing valve driven by an electric drive means, a temperature setting device, and a system for supplying mixed hot water while varying the temperature. The apparatus is constructed by providing a variation setting device for setting, a temperature variation width setting means, a variation time setting means, and a controller for controlling the electric drive means and performing variable hot water supply.

Operation With the above-described configuration, the present invention not only supplies hot water at a set constant temperature, but also performs variable hot water supply in which the mixed hot water temperature is varied according to the settings of the variable range setting means and the variable time setting means, thereby improving the health of the human body. The aim is to realize a comfortable hot water supply system.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, water is supplied from the hot water side path 15 and the water side path 16 through a filter provided in the valve body 17.
The water is introduced into the hot water mixing valve 21 through check valves 18 and 19 and a pressure balance valve 2o that balances the pressures of hot water and water. The hot water mixing valve 21 is driven by a stepping motor 22, which is an externally provided electric drive means, via a gear box 23, and is controlled by a microswitch 24 provided as a valve position detection means to switch between the station side full open point and the water side full open point. A point is detected. The mixture 4ar is detected by the thermistor 25, transmitted to the controller 26, and compared with the mixed water temperature and fluctuation range set by the setting device 27, and the stepping motor 22 is feedback-controlled. The flow rate of the mixed hot water is detected by a flow rate sensor 28,
The information is transmitted to the controller 26 and compared with a preset value of the mixing flow rate or integrated value of the mixing flow rate set with a remote setting device 28 installed in the kitchen or the like, or with a modified value of the mixing flow rate set with the setting device. The flow rate is controlled by two control valves that serve as a flow control valve and a water discharge valve, and is stopped when the cumulative flow value is reached. The switching valve 29 is driven by an externally provided stepping motor 30, and a microswitch 31 detects the fully open point and water stop point of the valve position. The supply destination is selected by the switching valve 29, and the mixed hot water is supplied through the run path 32 and the shower path 33, but on the way to the shower path 33, it is heated at a predetermined temperature (for example, 48 degrees Celsius) in case of a failure. A temperature safety valve 34 is provided which shuts off the above mixed hot water.

FIG. 2 shows an installation example of this embodiment. Hot water is supplied from a water heater 35, and the mixing valve 21 and controller 26 are installed near the apron 37 of the bathroom 36. The so-called electrical components, such as the stepping motor 22 of the mixing valve 21 and the stepping motor 23 of the switching valve 29, are covered in a sealed box 38, and are housed together with the controller 26 on the back in a waterproof and moisture-proof manner.

FIG. 3 shows details of the setting device 27. A high switch 39, a low switch 40, and a temperature display section 41, which are temperature setting devices for changing the mixed water temperature from a preset value set by the remote setting device 28, are provided at the bottom. When the shower switch 42 and the click switch 43 are pressed - times, mixed hot water is supplied from the hot water supply port on the pressed side, and when they are pressed another - time, hot water supply is stopped. The flow rate can be switched in three stages using the flow rate switch 44, and the flow rate value can also be preset using the remote setting device 28, and the value can be set here to further increase or decrease the value. The selector switch 45 is provided so as to be able to select a fixed cycle supply of temperature variation, a fixed cycle supply of flow rate, and a 115 fluctuation supply of temperature and flow rate. By pressing the shower switch 42 and then pressing the variable switch 46, which is a variable setting device, hot water is supplied in these variable supply modes. When the fluctuation switch 46 is pressed again, the water supply returns to the original constant temperature.

The time width of the fluctuation can be changed with a time width switch 47, and further can be changed with a fluctuation width switch 48 during the temperature fluctuation.

FIG. 4 shows a control block diagram centered on the temperature control section of this embodiment. When hot water is supplied at a constant temperature, when the start of hot water supply is instructed by the shower switch 42, the hot water supply is started according to a signal from a preset section 49 provided in the remote setting device 28, and compared with the value of the thermistor 25, the control section 5o
The stepping motor 22 is driven via the mixing valve 21 to adjust the temperature of the mixed water. Variation switch 46
When variable hot water supply is instructed by
The signal from the variable width switch 48 enters the setting interlocking section 51,
When the time span is short, the temperature fluctuation range is increased, and when the time range is long, the temperature fluctuation range is corrected to be smaller. for example,
The center value of the fluctuation width is 10d@g, "Large j is 15deg,"
Small J is 5 degrees, center value of time width is 6 seconds, "long"
is 10 seconds, and "short" is 2 seconds. 6 with “medium” time span
If it is set in seconds, the temperature fluctuation width will be set as above, but if "short" is selected, the temperature fluctuation width will be added in increments of 2 deg for "Large", "Medium", and "Small" modes. However, if "long" is selected, 2 deg is subtracted.

This compensates for the fact that when the time change is fast, the temperature fluctuation range is felt to be small due to the heat capacity of the skin, and when the time change is slow, the range of temperature fluctuation is felt to be large, so that the user can use the shower with the same feeling. We are working on this.

The temperature changing means 52 corrects the preset temperature of the shower (for example, 40"C) to 42"C or 38°C, for example.
This is to change the upper limit of temperature when the temperature is automatically varied and supplied to C or the like.

The main purpose of this is to make corrections to suit the human body's different sensations depending on summer and winter and physical conditions. For example, in the summer, the constant temperature of 40"Q is increased to 38"C, and in the winter, it is adjusted to 42°C. It is a means of splintering. The temperature changing means 52 also serves to correct the characteristics of the mixing valve 21.

If the time span is shortened, it becomes necessary to move the mixing valve 21 at high speed, which may cause delays in the thermistor 25 and the drive system.
Although the temperature may overshoot or undershoot from the set temperature, it is possible to correct this phenomenon. Specifically, the temperature changing means 52 is adjusted by a method written in a microcomputer that performs control or by a setting volume provided in the controller 26.

The start setting unit 53 is a means for gradually shifting from a value smaller than the values set by the variable width switch 48 and the time width switch 47 to the set value at the start of variable hot water supply. This is because the human body is not used to changes at first, so changes are made gradually to avoid sudden shocks. Specifically, the correction coefficient is applied to the time width switch 47 and the variable width switch 48 over time. Note that this correction may be performed by correcting only the temperature.

The time limiter 54 limits the maximum time of variable hot water supply, and automatically returns to constant temperature hot water supply or stops hot water supply after 10 minutes have elapsed, for example. this is,
This prevents excessive stimulation from being applied to the human body, which could actually be harmful.

In addition to the time-based method, this means also includes the flow rate sensor 28
Another possible method is to integrate the signals and limit the amount of integration.

Furthermore, the set temperature signal during variable hot water supply enters the fluctuation control section 55 and is compared with the signal from the thermistor 25 to perform control, but if the thermistor 25 is not used due to the formation of the mixing valve 21, this comparison is omitted. be done. That is, this is a case where pure open-loop control is relied upon, such as driving a motor to change only the temperature setting of a mixing valve driven by a wax thermometer.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In FIG. 5, the shower switch 4 at point (a)
When you press 2 to start hot water supply, the shower will supply warm mixed hot water at the preset mixed water temperature (40″C).

When the fluctuation switch 46 is pressed at point (b), unless the time width switch 47 and the fluctuation width switch 48 are operated, variable supply of mixed hot water starts at "medium" both in time and temperature. . From the start to point (C), the time span and temperature gradually change, and the state shifts to a state of constant fluctuation without giving excessive stimulation to the human body.

As is clear from the figure, the upper limit temperature of the fluctuation is supplied at a temperature 2 degrees lower than that during steady supply. When the time span is set to "short" at point (d), the upper and lower temperature limits are shifted up and down by 2 degrees. If the time span is set to "Long" at point (e), the temperature limit and lower limit will be 1 degree less than the "Medium" state.These are because the human body sensation remains constant regardless of the time span. It is.

When the selector switch 45 is operated to select the "fluctuation" mode at point (f), a mixed hot water temperature varying in the 115 fluctuation time width "medium" and the fluctuation width "medium" is supplied. At point (9), after variable hot water supply with fluctuating hot water temperature is started,
After a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed, the hot water supply mode returns to constant hot water supply with no fluctuations. In addition to this method, there is also a method that automatically shuts off the hot water supply. In addition to the time-based method of limiting these limits, there is also a method of imposing integrated flow rate on the pond. By placing limits on fluctuating hot water supply, it is possible to prevent exposure to fluctuating fields for long periods of time that are harmful to the human body, and it also reduces the durability of drive systems such as the stepping motor 22 and gears 23 and the shaft seals. It will be effective in maintenance.

The effects described in the examples are summarized as follows.

(1) Temperature changing means 5 that makes the temperature at the time of variable supply of mixed hot water different from the set temperature set by the preset unit 49 or high switch 39 or low switch 40 which is a temperature setting device
2, the mixing valve 21 can be corrected in accordance with the sensations of the human body, which vary depending on the season and the user's physical condition, and it is also possible to correct the valve characteristics of the mixing valve 21.

(2) Since the setting values of the variable width switch 48, which is the variable width setting means, and the time width switch 47, which is the time width setting means, are set in a certain relationship by the setting interlocking unit 51, which is the setting interlocking means, By changing the time span, there is no need for the human body to feel any changes in temperature.

(3) A start setting section which is a start setting means that automatically corrects to a value smaller than the value set by the variable width switch 48 or the time width switch 47 when variable supply of mixed hot water is started by operating the variable switch 46 which is a variable setting device. Since the changes are made gradually, there are no sudden changes to the human body, and the changes in the drive system gradually increase, so there is no increase in the load on the drive system. , malfunctions can also be prevented.

(4) The variable width switch 48 and the time width switch 48 are both provided facing the surface of the setting device 27 so that the user can change them, so they can accommodate the needs of variable hot water supply, which differ greatly depending on the user. Can respond widely.

(5) Since the time limiter 54 limits the variable supply time of mixed hot water, it is possible to prevent excessive stimulation of the human body and cause harm, and the stepping motor 22 and mixing valve 21, which are electrical drive means, It is also effective in maintaining the durability of Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the restriction is performed in an equal amount to the integrated value of the flow rate.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the electric drive means is controlled based on the signal from the temperature setting device, the fluctuation range setting means based on the signal from the fluctuation setting device, and the signal from the fluctuation time setting means. , it is possible to select whether or not to perform fluctuating hot water supply with mixed hot water temperature, and the fluctuating temperature and fluctuating time can be set using the fluctuating width setting means and fluctuating time setting means, so that it can be applied to the skin in a state that is effective for the human body. Since pine surge can be performed, variable hot water supply can be performed conveniently and comfortably, and the true value of an electrically driven hot water mixing valve can be demonstrated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

@ Figure 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a hot water mixing valve of a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a system configuration diagram of the equipment, and Figure 3 is a front view of a setting device used in the equipment. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the device, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the device, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water heater. 21...Hot water mixing valve, 22...Stepping motor (electric drive means), 26...Controller, 39...High switch (temperature setting means) ),
40...Low switch (temperature setting means), 46.
...Variation switch (variation setting device), 47...
...Variable width switch (variable width setting means), 48...
・・Time width switch (time width setting means), 49...
...Preset section (temperature setting means). Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshi Nakao (only one person) 7
- Around the end of the construction finger in Figure 3

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A hot water mixing valve that mixes hot water and water to obtain an appropriate temperature, an electric drive means that drives the hot water mixing valve, a temperature setting device that sets the mixed hot water temperature, and a supply that varies the mixed hot water temperature. a fluctuation range setting device for setting a fluctuation width, a fluctuation width setting means for setting a fluctuation width, a fluctuation time setting means for setting a fluctuation time, a fluctuation width setting means using a signal from the temperature setting device, a fluctuation width setting means for setting a fluctuation width, and a fluctuation width setting means for setting a fluctuation width. a controller for controlling the electric drive means based on a signal from a time setting means. (2) The hot water supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature changing means for making a difference between the set temperature of the temperature setting device and the mixed hot water temperature when the mixed hot water temperature is supplied at a variable temperature. (3) The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting interlocking means that establishes a certain relationship between the set values of the fluctuation width setting means and the fluctuation time setting means. (4) A start setting means for automatically setting a value smaller than the set values of the fluctuation width setting means and the fluctuation time setting means at the time of starting the variable supply of mixed hot water by the fluctuation setting device. Water heater. (5) The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the settings of both the variable range setting means and the variable time setting means are configured to be changeable by the user. (6) The water heater according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting means for temporally or quantitatively limiting the varying supply of mixed hot water temperature.