JPH0749133A - Indicator for life-limit of hot water supplying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent trouble from being caused by the damage of main components, by a method wherein a hot water supplying apparatus has a function of indicating a life limit thereof. CONSTITUTION:An indicator for a life limit of a hot water supplying apparatus has an integration and storage part 3 for integrating storing frequencies of the usage of the apparatus and/or hours of the usage thereof and/or an elapsed time from the start of the usage thereof, a comparator 5 for comparing an integrated value of the frequencies of the usage and so on with a definite value of the life limit, and an indicator 7 for indicating an excess of the life limit when the integrated value exceeds the definite value of the life limit. Furthermore, a capacity lowering control part 9 for lowering the capacity of the apparatus such as the flow rate of water can also be provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for indicating that a water heater has reached the end of its useful life. When a household water heater is used for business such as in a cafeteria, the water heater may reach its service life limit unexpectedly and an unexpected failure may occur. The present invention relates to a technique for preventing such a situation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional water heater, if a gas solenoid valve fails (for example, a coil is broken) during operation, it is notified to that effect.
It is displayed on the D or liquid crystal display. However, when the domestic water heater is used for business purposes, the cumulative usage frequency (the number of ignitions) becomes high and the cumulative usage time becomes long in a relatively short period of time. When the equipment is used beyond its service limit, each component is also prone to failure. For this reason,
The sudden failure made the user inconvenient.

[0003]

However, the main parts (eg, heat exchangers) other than the parts that actually cause a failure are also deteriorated, and an unexpected failure may occur. In the conventional water heater, a device for indicating a failure of each component was provided, but there was no device for indicating that the entire water heater reached the service limit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water heater having a function of displaying the service limit in order to prevent a failure due to breakage of main parts when the water heater is used beyond the service limit.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a water heater life limit display device of the present invention: An operation for accumulating and storing the number of times and / or the usage time of a water heater and / or the elapsed time from the start of use. It is characterized by comprising a storage unit, a comparison unit for comparing an integrated value such as the number of times of use with a predetermined service limit, and a display unit for displaying a message when the integrated value exceeds the service limit.

[0005]

The number of times the water heater is used is cumulatively stored by using a microcomputer or the like, and when it reaches a predetermined service limit, the fact is displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like to inform the user. The user can take an action such as calling a service person to judge the deterioration state of the water heater.

It is preferable that the water heater life limit display device of the present invention further comprises a hot water discharge capacity control unit for decreasing the hot water discharge capacity when the integrated value exceeds the life limit, for example, to reduce the load on the hot water heater. As a method of reducing the hot water discharge capacity, a gas flow rate control device may be used to lower the upper limit of the gas flow rate. Simply displaying that the water heater has reached the end of its service life may cause the user to ignore this display and continue using the water heater. If the tapping ability is lowered to make it difficult to use intentionally, the user is forced to take some action (call a service person, etc.). By providing such an action, the load of the water heater is reduced to prevent a failure, and the user is not completely unusable. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the apparatus with sufficient margin before the failure.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A description will be given below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water heater life limit display device which concerns on one Example of this invention. Main burner ignition sensor 1
The ignition signal of is sent to the cumulative storage unit 3. Accumulation storage unit 3
Then, the number of times the hot water heater is used is integrated by counting the number of rises of the ignition ON signal. In addition, the usage time is integrated by accumulating the time when the ignition signal is ON. In addition, the usage period is integrated by accumulating the calendar time from the first ignition signal ON.

These integrated values of the number of times of use and the like are sent to the comparison section 5 and compared with a service limit stored in the same section in advance. When the number of times of use reaches the end of life, the display unit 7 displays a message to that effect. At the same time, a signal indicating that the service life limit has been reached is also sent to the capacity deterioration control unit 9, which causes the gas flow control valve 1 to operate.
Send a signal to 1 to lower the upper limit of the gas flow rate.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing how the comparison unit 5 makes a comparison judgment. First, it is checked whether the number of times of use has reached 100,000 times. If reached (YES), the service life limit is displayed. Next, it is checked whether or not the cumulative usage time has reached 3,000 hours. Finally, it is checked whether the usage period has reached 10 years. When all the checks have not been reached, the user can continue to use the water heater without displaying or lowering the ability.

[0010]

As is apparent from the above description, the water heater life limit display device of the present invention exhibits the following effects. Since the service life limit of a water heater that is extremely harsh, such as when using a domestic water heater for business purposes, can be displayed, the user should call a service person to take a look at the water heater. As a result, it is possible to prevent malfunctions such as damage to main parts of the water heater. If the ability of the water heater is reduced in addition to the display, the user cannot use the water heater fully, and the user can be urged to take the same treatment as described above. However, it doesn't mean that you can't use it at all, so you can afford the treatment. Due to the reduced capacity of the water heater, the load on the water heater is reduced, and failure can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water heater life limit display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing how to make a comparison determination in a comparison unit 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main burner ignition sensor 3 Accumulation storage unit 5 Comparison unit 7 Display unit 9 Degradation control unit 11 Gas flow control valve

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 13, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display area F24H 1/10 301 D

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A comparison for comparing an accumulated storage unit for accumulating and storing the number of times of use and / or the time of use and / or the elapsed time from the start of use of a water heater, and a comparison for comparing an integrated value such as the number of times of use with a predetermined service limit. A water heater service life limit display device, comprising: a display unit and a display unit that displays that fact when the integrated value exceeds the service life limit. 2. The water heater life limit display device according to claim 1, further comprising a hot water discharge capacity control unit that reduces the hot water discharge capacity when the integrated value exceeds the life limit.