JPH0587403A - Hot water feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable proper grasping of an amount of water used at a hot water feeding device and to save gas and water by a method wherein a water amount detecting means to detect an inflow water amount and an outflow hot water amount is provided, a detecting water amount is integrated, and an integrated water amount is displayed. CONSTITUTION:A hot water feeding device 1 is provided with a body part 2 having a gas flow rate regulating valve 23 to regulate an amount of gas fed to a burner 22 to heat a heat-exchanger 21 and a combustion control part 24 to control the opening of the valve 23. In this case, a signal 31a for a gas amount detected by a gas amount detecting means 31 is integrated by a gas amount integrating means 32, and a gas amount integrating and display part 3 to display an integrated gas amount by means of an integrated gas amount display means 33. Further, a water amount integrating and displaying part 4 is provided, a water amount detected by a water amount detecting means 41 is integrated by a water amount integrating means 42, and an integrated water amount is displayed at an integrated water amount display means 43. The water amount detecting means 41 is located in a water feed pipe 29 or a hot water feed pipe 26 so as to detect an inflow water amount to the heat-exchanger 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater capable of displaying the amount of water or gas used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Instantaneous gas water heaters for supplying hot water of a desired temperature are widely used.

[0003]

Although water and gas are saved in order to save resources, the conventional hot water supply device does not have a function of displaying the amount of water or gas used. Although it is possible to know the amount of water used in the entire household with a water meter or gas meter installed in each household, it is not possible to directly determine how much water or gas is being used by the water heater, so it is effective or It is difficult to achieve quantitative water and gas savings.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hot water supply device capable of displaying the amounts of water and gas used.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a hot water supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water per unit time of the amount of incoming water or the amount of outgoing hot water, and the amount of water for integrating the detected amount of water. It is characterized in that it comprises an integrating means and a displaying means for displaying the integrated water amount.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a gas amount detecting means for detecting a gas amount per unit time, a means for integrating the detected gas amount, and a display means for displaying the integrated gas amount. Is characterized by.

In the hot water supply device according to the third aspect, the water temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of water entering the heat exchanger, the water amount sensor for detecting the amount of water entering the heat exchanger, and the hot water temperature setting device are set. A required heat quantity calculating means for calculating a required heat quantity by multiplying a difference between the outlet hot water temperature and the incoming water temperature by the incoming water quantity is provided, and a gas heat quantity setting means for setting a heat quantity per unit quantity of the gas species to be used, and a required heat quantity calculating means. The gas usage amount calculation means for calculating the usage amount of gas based on the required heat quantity calculated in step 1 and the gas heat quantity set by the gas heat quantity setting means, and the usage amount of gas calculated by this gas usage amount calculation means It is characterized in that it is configured to integrate by the gas amount integrating means and displayed by the integrated gas amount displaying means.

A hot water supply device according to a fourth aspect of the invention is provided with a timekeeping means having a calendar function, and stores the cumulative result of the water amount or the gas amount for each preset period in association with the cumulative period in the storage means. In addition, it is characterized by further comprising period-based integration management means for resetting the integrated value of the integration means for the water amount or the gas amount and starting a new integration.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a fifth aspect displays a unit for setting a unit charge of water or gas, a unit for calculating a unit charge based on the unit price set, and a unit for calculating a unit charge. It is characterized in that the display means is provided.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a means for setting a target usage amount or target amount of water or gas for a preset period, a set target usage amount or target charge, and an integration result or integration thereof. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a use progress calculation means for calculating a ratio with the use charge obtained from the result and a display means for displaying the calculated use progress.

A hot water supply apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises means for setting a value or ratio for displaying an alarm with respect to a target usage amount or target amount, and means for determining that the value or ratio for displaying an alarm has been reached. And alarm display means for displaying the determination result.

[0012]

In the hot water supply apparatus according to the first aspect, the water amount detected by the water amount detecting means is integrated by the water amount integrating means, and the integrated water amount is displayed by the display means.

In the hot water supply device according to the second aspect, the gas amount detected by the gas amount detecting means is integrated by the integrating means, and the integrated gas amount is displayed by the display means.

The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3 calculates the amount of gas used based on the required amount of heat obtained by multiplying the difference between the incoming water temperature and the set temperature by the amount of incoming water, and the amount of heat of the gas being used. Is integrated and displayed, it is possible to integrate the amount of gas used without providing a gas amount detector such as a gas flow meter.

In the hot water supply device according to the fourth aspect, since it is possible to perform the integration for each preset period such as monthly, it becomes easy to manage the usage amount for each predetermined period.

Since the hot water supply apparatus according to claim 5 is provided with the unit charge setting means and the use charge calculating means, the use charge calculating means sets the unit charge by setting the unit charge of water or gas by the unit charge setting means. Calculate the usage fee of water or gas based on the unit fee set by the fee setting means,
The calculated usage fee is displayed on the display means.

In the hot water supply device according to claim 6, the means for setting the target usage amount or the target amount of money and the ratio of the set target usage amount or the target charge to the integration result or the usage charge obtained from the integration result. Since the use progress calculating means for calculating is provided, the use progress with respect to the target value can be displayed.

In the hot water supply device according to the seventh aspect, by setting the value or ratio relating to the management target, an alarm is displayed after the actual usage amount or usage charge reaches the management target.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of a hot water supply device according to claims 1 and 2. A hot water supply device 1 according to claims 1 and 2 includes a main body 2, a gas amount integration / display unit 3, and a water amount integration / display unit 4.

The main body 2 includes a gas flow rate control valve 23 for controlling the amount of gas supplied to the burner 22 for heating the heat exchanger 21, and a combustion control section 24 for controlling the opening of the gas flow rate control valve 23. Equipped with. The combustion control unit 24 uses the tapping temperature command TS set by the tapping temperature setting device 25 and the tapping pipe 26.
A signal TH related to the hot water temperature detected by the temperature detector 27 provided at the temperature detector 27 is compared, and a valve opening command signal 24a is output so that hot water at a set temperature can be obtained. Reference numeral 28 is a gas valve. Although the feedback type temperature control is shown here, the configuration of the main body 2 is arbitrary.

The gas amount integrating / display unit 3 includes a gas amount detecting means 31 such as a gas flow meter and a signal 31 relating to the detected gas amount.
Gas amount integrating means 32 for integrating a and integrated data 32a
The integrated gas amount display means 33 for visually displaying the integrated gas amount based on In this embodiment, the gas amount detecting means 31 is provided between the gas main closing valve 28 and the gas flow rate adjusting valve 23, but the gas amount detecting means 31 is, for example, on the upstream side of the gas main closing valve 28 or the gas flow rate adjusting means. It may be on the downstream side of the valve 31 and may be provided at a position where the supply amount to the burner 22 can be detected.

When the gas amount detecting means 31 that generates a pulse signal for each predetermined gas amount is used, the gas amount integrating means 32 is composed of a counter or the like for counting the pulse signals related to the flow rate. When the gas amount detecting means 31 outputs a voltage or current signal proportional to the gas flow rate per unit time, the gas amount integrating means 32 samples the voltage or current signal at a predetermined cycle and converts it into a corresponding digital signal. A D / A converter, an arithmetic means for integrating digital signals, a storage means for storing the integrated result, and the like.

The integrated gas amount display means 33 is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal or LED numerical display or a dot matrix type display, and a display driver such as a display driver.

The water amount integrating / display unit 4 includes a water amount detecting means 41 such as a flow meter, a water amount integrating means 42 for integrating a signal 41a relating to the detected water amount, and an integrated water amount displaying means 43 for visually displaying the integrated data 42a. Equipped with.

The water amount detecting means 41 is provided on the water supply pipe 29 side so as to detect the amount of water entering the heat exchanger 21, but the water amount detecting means 41 may be provided on the hot water outlet pipe 26 side.

When the water amount detecting means 41 generates a pulse signal for each predetermined amount of water, the water amount integrating means 42 is composed of a counter or the like for counting pulse signals related to the flow rate.
In the case where the water amount detecting means 41 outputs a voltage or current signal proportional to the flow rate per unit time, the water amount integrating means 42 samples the voltage or current signal in a predetermined cycle and converts it into a corresponding digital signal D / A converter,
An arithmetic means for accumulating digital signals, a storage means for storing an integration result, and the like are provided.

The construction of the cumulative water amount display means 43 is the same as that of the cumulative gas quantity display means 33. In addition, each display means 33,
The display content switching means may be provided without individually providing 43, and the display of the integrated gas amount and the integrated water amount may be switched by one display means, or the gas amount may be displayed over two lines by one display means, for example. May display the amount of water.

With the above structure, the hot water supply device 1 according to the first and second aspects can integrate and display the usage amounts of gas and water.

In the case of a remote control operation unit (not shown) provided at a place distant from the main body unit 2 to remotely operate the water heater 1, the display units 33 and 43 are provided on the remote control operation unit side. In addition to providing, each integrating means 32, 42
It is desirable to transmit the integration results 32a and 42a of (1) to the remote controller operating unit side via a data transmitting means (not shown), and display the integration result on the remote controller operating unit side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the essential parts of a hot water supply apparatus according to claim 3. The hot water supply apparatus 51 according to claim 3 calculates and integrates the amount of gas used based on the amount of heat required for hot water supply without using a gas flow meter.

This hot water supply device 51 has a combustion control section 54 having a required heat amount calculation means 52 and a valve opening control means 53 in order to calculate and integrate a gas amount, and a unit amount of a gas type used. Gas heat quantity setting means 55 for setting the heat quantity F of
And the gas usage calculation means 56 for calculating the usage of gas based on the required heat quantity Q calculated by the required heat quantity calculation means 52 and the data F relating to the heat quantity per unit quantity set by the gas heat quantity setting means 55. And a gas amount accumulating means 32 for accumulating the calculated gas usage amount S, and data 3 concerning the accumulated gas amount.
And an integrated gas amount display means 33 for displaying the integrated gas amount based on 2a.

The required heat amount calculation means 52 is provided with the water amount sensor 6
Signal 61a relating to the flow rate detected in 1 and the incoming water temperature sensor 6
Based on the signal 62a relating to the incoming water temperature detected in 2 and the signal TS relating to the outgoing hot water temperature command set by the outgoing hot water temperature setting device 25, the required amount of heat is calculated by multiplying the amount of incoming water by the difference between the outgoing hot water temperature and the incoming water temperature. It is configured to calculate Q.

The valve opening control means 53 outputs a valve opening command signal 53a of the gas flow rate adjusting valve 23 based on the required heat quantity Q to adjust the amount of gas supplied to the burner 22. Although FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the hot water supply apparatus corresponding to a specific gas type, the data F relating to the unit heat quantity set by the gas heat quantity setting means 55 is supplied to the valve opening control means 53 to change the gas kind. The valve opening may be controlled according to the above.

The gas heat quantity setting means 55 is provided with a setting device such as a numerical value input key or a digital switch for setting the heat quantity per unit.

Because of the above structure, this hot water supply device 51
By setting the heat quantity F per unit quantity of the applied gas, the gas usage quantity S can be calculated from the required heat quantity Q, and this can be integrated and displayed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the gas or water usage period management of the hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4. As an example, a case of performing monthly sum management will be described.

The integration period setting means 71 is provided with a numerical value input key for setting a reference date for integration, a digital switch for setting the reference date, or the like. If 31st is set, it will be managed at the end of the month.

The clocking means 72 is composed of a clock circuit having a calendar function, and the period-by-period integration managing means 73 is provided with a month, day,
Timekeeping data 72a such as hours and minutes is supplied.

Gas amount integrating means 74 and water amount integrating means 7
5 performs integration based on the gas amount and the water amount detected by the gas amount detecting means 31 and 56 and the water amount detecting means 41 described above, and based on the reset signals 73a and 73b supplied from the period-by-period management means 73. It is configured to clear the accumulated value and restart the accumulation from zero. The accumulated data 74a and 75a of the respective accumulating means 74.75 are supplied to the display means 76 via the period-specific accumulation managing means 73, and the accumulation results are displayed.

The period-by-period integration management means 73 compares the reference date data 71a set by the integration period setting means 71 with the time measurement data 72a supplied from the time measurement means 72 and compares each of the integration means 74, The storage unit 77 correlates the integrated result of 75 with the types of gas and water and the date and time data.
After that, the reset signals 73a and 73b are generated.

When the display switching means 78 designates a year and month and a display request of past integration results is made, the period-by-period integration management means 73 reads the corresponding data from the storage means 78 and displays it. It is configured to be supplied to and displayed.

With the above configuration, the amount of water or gas used is accumulated for each preset period, and the accumulated result is stored, so that the amount of water used can be managed for each predetermined period.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of essential parts of a hot water supply apparatus according to a fifth aspect. Gas amount and water amount integrating means 81, 8
2 performs integration based on the gas amount and the water amount detected by the gas amount detecting means 31 and 56 and the water amount detecting means 41 described above, and the integrated data 81a and 82a are used as the gas charge calculating means 8
3 and the water charge calculation means 84, respectively.

The gas unit charge setting means 85 and the water supply unit charge setting means 86 are provided with numerical input keys for setting a charge for a unit usage amount of gas and water, or a digital switch or the like.

The respective charge calculation means 83, 84 have the unit charge data 85 set by the respective unit charge setting means 85, 86.
The integrated data 81a and 82a are converted into usage charge data 83a and 84a based on a and 86a, and are supplied to the gas charge display means 87 and the water charge display means 88, respectively.

With the above-mentioned configuration, by setting the unit charges for the gas and water used, the charges for the gas and water used in this hot water supply device can be displayed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of essential parts of a hot water supply apparatus according to claim 6. Although FIG. 5 shows only the processing unit related to the gas amount, the processing related to the water amount can be realized with the same configuration.

The structure of the period-by-period integration management unit 70 is basically the same as that shown in FIG.
The configuration of the gas unit charge setting means 85 is also the same as that shown in FIG.

The gas amount integrated data 74 and the gas charge data 83a are supplied to the gas usage progress calculation means 91 and the display control means 92.

The gas target amount / charge setting means 93 is provided with numerical value input keys such as a numeric keypad for setting them.
The setting / display item selecting means 94 uses a key for setting a target usage amount, a key for setting a target usage charge, a key for selecting whether to display the usage amount or the usage charge, and a usage progress display. Various function keys such as a selection key for selecting whether to perform based on the quantity or based on the usage fee are provided.

Upon receiving the setting input 94a from the setting / display item selecting means 94, the state control means 95 changes the numerical data 93a such as the target usage amount or the target charge input from the gas target charge setting means 93 to the gas target. Stored in the quantity / charge storage means 96.

The target gas amount / charge storage means 96 is provided with a latch circuit or the like for storing the data supplied from the state control means 95, and the stored target gas usage amount data 96a and the stored target gas charge 96b are used as the gas utilization rate. Calculation means 9
Supply to 1.

The gas usage progress calculating means 91 calculates the usage progress at preset time intervals based on the gas amount integrated data 74a and the target usage data 96a, and temporarily stores the progress data 91a for the calculated usage amount. And supply it to the display control means 92. Further, the gas usage progress calculation means 91 calculates the usage progress at each preset time interval based on the gas usage charge data 83a and the target charge data 96b, and the progress data 91b for the calculated usage charge is displayed on the display control means 92. Supply to. The calculation for obtaining the usage progress may be performed at the time when the gas integrated data 74a or the gas usage amount data 83a changes.

The display control means 92 selects the data 74a, 83a, 91a, 91b designated on the basis of the display data designation command signal 95a supplied from the state control means 95, and supplies it to the display means 97.

With the above structure, the hot water supply device according to claim 6 displays the progress of the actual usage amount or usage fee with respect to, for example, the monthly target usage amount or target usage fee. can do.

The display of the progress of use may be a numerical value display corresponding to a percentage, or a graph creating means may be provided in the display control means 92 to display it using a bar graph or a pie chart. In this embodiment, the target value can be set for both the usage amount and the charge,
The configuration may be such that only one of them is set.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the alarm display function according to the seventh aspect. The alarm determination means 101 uses the progress data 1 output from the gas usage progress calculation means 102.
02a and the alarm progress data 103a set by the alarm display progress setting means 103 are compared, and the use progress 1
When 02a exceeds the alarm progress 103a, the alarm command 101a is supplied to the display means 104 to display the alarm by reversing the progress display or blinking the display at a predetermined cycle.

Although FIG. 6 shows the case where the alarm is displayed based on the progress of use, the used amount for which the alarm is displayed is set, the accumulated used amount is compared with the alarm set amount, or the alarm is displayed. The alarm display may be performed by comparing the calculated charge with the calculated charge.

The integrating means, calculating means, setting means, storage means and the like shown in each embodiment may be realized by stored program control using a microcomputer.

[0060]

As described above, since the hot water supply device according to the first and second aspects is configured to integrate and display the usage amount of gas or water, the usage amount of the hot water supply device can be accurately grasped. It can be used for saving gas and water.

Since the hot water supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured to calculate the amount of heat required to discharge hot water at a desired temperature, calculate the amount of gas used from the amount of heat per unit amount of gas, and integrate and display it. The device can be miniaturized without the need for a flow meter or the like. Further, in the hot water supply device that performs the combustion control based on the required heat amount, the required heat amount calculating means can be commonly used, so that the integrated display of the gas amount can be realized at low cost.

Since the hot water supply device according to the fourth aspect is configured to accumulate and store the amount of gas or water used for each predetermined period, it is possible to manage each predetermined period.

Since the hot water supply device according to claim 5 has means for setting the unit price of gas and water and means for converting the integrated amount of gas and water into a charge, the usage charge of gas and water is displayed. be able to.

Since the hot water supply device according to claim 6 is configured to display the progress of the actual usage amount with respect to the target usage amount or the target usage charge, it becomes easy to manage the target usage amount of gas or water. ..

Since the hot water supply device according to the seventh aspect is configured to display an alarm when the set progress is reached, a great effect can be expected by saving gas and water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a hot water supply device according to claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the hot water supply device according to claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a gas or water consumption amount management of a hot water supply device according to claim 4 according to a period.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part of the hot water supply device according to claim 5;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a main part of the hot water supply device according to claim 6;

FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of an alarm display function according to claim 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 51 ... Hot water supply device, 2 ... Main body part, 3 ... Gas amount integration / display part, 4 ... Water amount integration / display part, 25 ... Hot water temperature setting device,
31 ... Gas amount detecting means, 32, 74, 81 ... Gas amount integrating means, 33 ... Integrated gas amount displaying means, 41 ... Water amount detecting means, 42, 75, 82 ... Water amount integrating means, 43 ... Integrated water amount displaying means, 52 ... Requested heat quantity calculation means, 55 ... Gas heat quantity setting means, 56 ... Gas usage quantity calculation means, 57 ... Gas quantity integration means, 58 ... Cumulative gas quantity display means, 61 ... Incoming water quantity sensor, 62 ... Incoming water temperature sensor, 71 ... Integration period setting means, 7
2 ... Time measuring means, 73 ... Period integration management means, 76 ... Display means, 77 ... Storage means, 83 ... Gas charge calculation means, 84
... Water charge calculation means, 87 ... Gas charge display means, 88 ...
Water charge display means, 91 ... Gas usage progress calculation means, 92
Display control means 93 Gas target amount / charge setting means 9
4 ... Setting / display item selection means, 96 ... Alarm determination means, 98 ... Alarm display progress setting means, 99 ... Alarm display means.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hisashi Nakamura 43-1, Uozakihama-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi Japan Yupuro Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigefumi Yasunaga 43-1, Uozakihama-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe In Pro Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nagata 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City Totoki Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A hot water supply apparatus comprising: a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water entering or the amount of hot water discharged; a water amount integrating means for integrating the detected water amount; and a display means for displaying the integrated water amount. 2. A hot water supply apparatus comprising: a gas amount detecting means for detecting the gas amount; a means for integrating the detected gas amount; and a display means for displaying the integrated gas amount. 3. An incoming water temperature sensor for detecting an incoming water temperature to a heat exchanger, an incoming water amount sensor for detecting an incoming water amount to the heat exchanger, an outgoing hot water temperature set by an outgoing hot water temperature setting device, and the incoming water. A required heat amount calculating means for calculating a required heat amount by multiplying the difference with temperature by the water input amount, a gas heat amount setting means for setting a heat amount per unit amount of a gas species to be used, and a required heat amount calculating means are calculated. And a gas usage amount calculating means for calculating the usage amount of the gas based on the gas heat quantity set by the gas heat quantity setting means and the gas usage amount calculated by the gas usage quantity calculating means. A hot water supply device characterized in that the amount is integrated by an amount integration unit and is displayed by an integrated gas amount display unit. 4. A clocking means having a calendar function is provided,
The accumulated result of the water amount or gas amount is stored in the storage means in association with the accumulated period for each preset period, and the accumulated value of the water amount or gas amount accumulation means is reset to start a new accumulation. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising period-dependent integration management means. 5. A unit for setting a unit charge of water or gas, a charge calculating unit for calculating a charge based on the set unit charge based on the set unit charge, and a display for displaying the calculated charge. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. A means for setting a target usage amount or a target amount of water or gas for the preset period, and a set target usage amount or a target charge and an integration result or a result obtained from the integration result. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising: a use progress calculation means for calculating a ratio to a use charge; and a display means for displaying the calculated use progress. 7. A means for setting a value or ratio for displaying an alarm with respect to the target usage amount or target amount, a means for judging that the value or ratio for displaying an alarm has been reached, and a result of the judgment is displayed. 7. The hot water supply device according to claim 6, further comprising: an alarm display unit that operates.