JPH0814415B2 - Remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls a temperature of hot water poured into a bath according to a set temperature and a set water level set by the remote controller based on an automatic hot water filling command from the remote controller. A remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system that has a combustion control device that can automatically refill the tub up to the water level and reheat the hot water that has been stretched. The present invention relates to an improved system that informs the user of the time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent automatic hot water supply systems have not only the function of pouring hot water in a bathtub, but also the function of reheating cold water as a normal function. In addition, it has already become common sense to use a microcomputer for various controls, and its programming flexibility, speedup of the microcomputer itself, large capacity, and above all, cost reduction are accelerated. In order to exert a more comfortable and satisfying feeling on the user by acting in a directional manner, various value-added devices have been proposed from various viewpoints. Since the present invention also constitutes such a part, first, a hot water supply system itself using such a recent automatic water heater will be described with reference to FIG. However, to describe in advance, in FIG. 3, a remote controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as a remote controller) 40 provided in the bathroom 30 is shown.
The operation start instructing means 41, the individual designating means 42, the bathing start / end instructing means 45, and the memory learning unit 24 provided in the control device 21, which are attached to, are proposed by the applicant separately from the present application. The present invention relates to the invention, and can be used together with the automatic hot water supply system according to the present invention in an independent relationship, but is not provided in the previous automatic hot water supply system. Further, the temperature sensor 20 for measuring the temperature in the bathroom is added for use in the embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention, as described later. Therefore, excluding these parts, a conventional example that is generally applicable to any existing hot water supply system of this type will be described.

The illustrated automatic hot water supply system or automatic hot water supply device has two heat exchangers 4 and 12, one of which is for tapping hot water from a hot water tap 1 such as an ordinary faucet or shower or a bathtub 19 as required. A heat exchanger 4 for hot water supply for automatically pouring hot water inside, and the other one is when the hot water in the bathtub 19 does not reach a set temperature or when it cools down with time. It is a heat exchanger 12 for additional heating. Water from the water pipe is passed through the hot-water supply heat exchanger 4 as indicated by the arrow "water" in the figure, and this water is the hot-water supply heat exchanger 4
Is heated by the burner 5 to raise the temperature. Naturally, the burner 5 is supplied with fuel for combustion, but in the illustrated water heater, the most common gas is used as the fuel, as indicated by the arrow "gas". However, kerosene and other fuels may have almost the same structure as the hot water supply system, and if gas is read as such other fuels, the following description in this document can be applied as it is.

After passing through the original solenoid valve 13, the gas from the gas pipe passes through the solenoid valve 10 dedicated to the hot water supply side, and further to the burner 5 through the solenoid valve (so-called gas proportional valve) 9 for adjusting the gas flow rate. To be However, in some cases, the solenoid valve 10 dedicated to the hot water supply side may be omitted and the gas proportional valve 9 may be substituted. The burner 5 is also fed by the fan 6 with an appropriate amount of air at any given time. On the other hand, the flow rate of water passing through the heat exchanger 4 is detected by the flow rate sensor 8, and the temperature of the water before entering the heat exchanger 4 is detected by the feed water temperature sensor 7 and the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 4. Hot water temperature sensor 3
Respectively detected by. In addition, although not shown, a flame detection sensor such as a flame rod that detects whether or not the burner 5 is ignited in a predetermined manner for safety, or whether or not the burner 5 is burning, A high limit switch or the like may be provided to detect when the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger 4 becomes abnormally high. Further, in order to further improve the controllability, the fan 6 is actually installed. A sensor or the like for detecting the flow rate of the output air or the actual rotation number of the fan motor and performing feedback control is also incorporated.

Next, the system including the heat exchanger 12 for additional heating will be described. The hot water in the bathtub 19 is guided from the inlet to the circulation passage, and this circulation passage is used for the heat exchanger 12 for additional heating.
After passing through the inside, it is connected to the outlet that opened again toward the bathtub 19. The heat exchanger 12 for additional heating is also selectively heated by the burner 16 similarly to the heat exchanger 12 for hot water supply described above.
3, the gas as fuel is selectively supplied to the reheating side through the dedicated solenoid valve 14, and the dedicated fan 17 also sends the air controlled to the optimum flow rate at that time. To be In addition, when heating the heat exchanger 12 for additional heating, the circulation pump 11 works, and the hot water in the bathtub 19 is circulated through the heat exchanger 12 while circulating. Further, the temperature K _n of the hot water in the bathtub to be reheated is detected by the bath hot water temperature sensor 18 provided in the circulation flow path, and the water level in the bathtub 19 is generally a pressure sensor, as will be described later. Is detected by the water level sensor 15 in the form of. of course,
Although not shown, whether or not the burner 16 for additional heating has been ignited as specified, or the burner 1
6 is provided with a flame detection sensor such as a flame rod for detecting whether or not the combustion is currently being performed. Similarly, if necessary, the temperature of the reheating heat exchanger 12 also becomes abnormal. A high limit switch or the like for detecting this when the height becomes high is provided.

As described above, in the recent automatic hot water supply system of this type, a microcomputer (see FIG.
Medium, abbreviated as microcomputer; this abbreviation will be used below) 2
The control device 21 including 3 can operate various operation switches attached to the detection signals from the various sensors described above and a remote controller (hereinafter, simply referred to as a remote controller) provided separately from the main body of the control device 21. Corresponding control is performed according to the signal based. Further, in FIG. 3, the bathroom 30
Although only the bathroom remote controller 40 provided at an appropriate place inside is shown, it is usually installed at each of a plurality of places such as outside, a kitchen, a living room and the like. The remote controller used in this type of conventional automatic hot water supply system is provided with a temperature setting means capable of setting at least the temperature (set temperature K _S ) at which the user wants hot water to be supplied, such as in the living room or kitchen. An operation switch or the like is also provided on any one remote controller installed at a predetermined location or on all remote controllers. In addition, there is also one that has a priority mechanism, in which the operation of the remote controller with a higher priority with respect to specific command information has priority over other remote controllers and is commanded by the other remote controller. In addition, it refers to the one in which the preset information related to the same contents and the information newly ordered are invalidated. Generally, each remote controller is also often provided with a microcomputer, and is connected to the control device 21 or the microcomputer 23 therein by a two-wire data transmission line for sending a signal by superimposing a signal on a power supply line. It is normal.

In the illustrated case, the bathroom remote controller 40 is not provided with an operation switch, or even if it is provided, it is not a dedicated switch but other than a specific switch such as a cancel switch or a call switch as described later. It is assumed that the operation mode will be entered from the rest mode when the switch is operated. This operation switch is not a power switch in so-called various household electric appliances. Usually, in this type of automatic hot water supply system, at the beginning of installation, the power supply of the control device 21 is turned on by inserting the power plug of the system into a commercial AC power outlet, and thereafter, the power plug is intentionally used for repair or removal. Until is removed
Power continues to be supplied. The operation switch is used by the user to instruct whether or not combustion in the hot water supply burner 4 or the reheating burner 16 is permitted depending on the conditions, assuming that the system is powered on. As long as the user does not put the operation switch in the operation position (combustion position), the control device 21 causes the original solenoid valve 1 to operate via the operation control unit 22.
3, the dedicated solenoid valves 10 and 14 for hot water supply and reheating are kept closed to prevent ignition operation in the first place. However, in view of the feeling of use by a general user, the operation switch is often described as a "power supply" switch. In other words, when the user has the operating switch (not shown) in the operating position, the combustion for hot water supply starts automatically each time the hot water tap 1 such as the faucet or shower is opened. That is, the hot water tap 1
Is opened and a water flow passing through the heat exchanger 4 is generated, the flow rate sensor 8 which has been issuing a water flow stop signal (zero flow rate signal) until then, first shows a signal indicating that water has started to flow (hence the flow rate). The signal can also serve as an on / off detection signal of the water flow) is sent to the microcomputer 23. In response to this, the microcomputer 23 sends a signal that gives the gas proportional valve 9 a predetermined valve opening (before that, of course, each solenoid valve 10,
13 and 14 are open), and a corresponding amount of gas is supplied to the burner 5, and an air amount control signal (rotation speed control signal) is sent to the fan 6 to supply an appropriate amount of air for combustion. While operating the ignition mechanism (not shown), the ignition mechanism is operated. When the combustion in the burner 5 starts in this way, the heat exchanger 4 is heated, and the heat exchanger 4 is heated.
The water passing through is heated and supplied as hot water from the hot water tap 1 such as a faucet. This actual hot water supply temperature is also detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3, and if there is an error between this hot water supply temperature sensor 3 and the set temperature K _S set by the user, the microcomputer 23 is in a direction to eliminate such an error. Then, the valve opening of the proportional valve 9 and the rotation speed of the fan 6 are adjusted to control the combustion energy in the burner 5.

When the user closes the faucet or the like that was supplying hot water and stops the hot water, the flow rate sensor 8 sends a water flow stop signal (zero flow rate signal) to the microcomputer 23, and the microcomputer 2 receives this signal.
In No. 3, a function of transmitting a fully closed signal to the gas proportional valve 9 via the operation control unit 22 to promptly extinguish the burner 5 is provided.
However, in some cases, in addition to the flow rate sensor 8 that outputs the actual flow rate in real time, a water flow switch that simply detects whether or not a water flow has occurred may be provided.
Even if the flow rate is not completely zero, when the flow rate drops below a predetermined flow rate, combustion may be stopped to prevent abnormal heating of the hot water temperature. For further safety, when the heat exchanger 4 is provided with a high limit switch, when it detects an overheated state up to an abnormal temperature and sends an overheat signal to the microcomputer 23, the microcomputer 23 controls the operation. When the burner 5 is immediately forced into the fire extinguishing operation or the combustion amount is limited, similarly, although not shown, an appropriate combustion detection element such as a flame rod detects a mid-fire in the burner 5. Also,
The microcomputer 23 causes the operation control unit 22 to send a forced closing signal to the gas proportional valve 9, and depending on the system, the original solenoid valve 1
A compulsory closing signal is also sent to 3 to prevent the risk of raw fuel leaking out of the machine.

A water filling command switch (not shown)
When the automatic filling of the inside of the bathtub 19 is selected by operating the, the filling request signal is sent to the microcomputer 23 built in the control device 21, and the microcomputer 23 operates the operation control unit 22 accordingly. The switching solenoid valve 2 is opened via this so that the hot water from the heat exchanger 4 can be directly introduced into the bathtub 19. Hereinafter, the automatic filling operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (A) which will be used later in the description of the present invention. However, in FIG.
In (A), for convenience, it is shown as "ON" when the automatic filling operation is performed and "OFF" when it is not so. This also applies to the reheating operation described later.

Regarding this automatic filling, the microcomputer 23
However, set water level data is also given in advance. The set water level data is data that specifies the height position of the bathtub 19 to which hot water should be added according to the user's preference by operating the water level setting means 44 provided on the bathroom remote controller 40 or the like. However, in practice, this is often represented by the total amount of hot water required from the start of pouring hot water into the empty bath to the set water level H _S. This is because, if the set water level H _S is simply expressed by the geometrical height in the bathtub, it is not possible to deal with the change in the bathtub shape. If you use a classical float type liquid level detector that floats in a bathtub, you can simply know the water level by the geometrical liquid level of the hot water in the bathtub, which is preferred in recent markets. Absent. Therefore, also in the system shown in FIG. 3, the switching solenoid valve 2 is switched to the bathtub 19 side by the start of the automatic filling operation, and the actual amount of hot water stretched in the bathtub 19 after pouring is started is Is calculated using the pressure value (water pressure value in the bathtub) detected by the water level sensor 15 provided in the circulation path that goes around the reheating heat exchanger 12. That is,
In FIG. 2 (A), after a lapse of time T ₁ from the start of the water filling,
When this calculated value reaches the pressure value corresponding to the set water level H _S set by the user, the operation control unit 22 switches the switching solenoid valve 2 to the original side under the command of the microcomputer 23. In addition,
With such pressure value detection, if there is hot water remaining in the bathtub, the amount of hot water can be known. Therefore, the hot water can be automatically filled up again from the state where the hot water remains to the set water level. It is easy to know the required total amount of hot water to be supplied even when adding, and when a person actually enters or leaves the bathtub 19, it can be detected by the change in the pressure value.
The latter is particularly advantageously used in a control method which is further disclosed by the applicant and which has been further automated, but since it has no direct relation to the present application, its description is omitted.

Of course, the user can also set the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 19 during the automatic filling of the hot water over the time T ₁ described above. Reference numeral 23 is an operation control unit 22 for optimally controlling the opening of the proportional valve 9 and the rotation speed of the fan 6 based on each information obtained from the flow rate sensor 8, the water supply temperature sensor 7, and the hot water supply temperature sensor 3. The temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3 is always maintained at the set temperature K _S set by the user.

However, it should be noted that the set temperature K _S that can be set by the user is the same as when hot water is supplied from the normal hot water tap 1 even during this automatic water filling. The hot water temperature is designated at the portion detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3 at the exit of the vessel 4. for that reason,
After the start of the automatic hot water filling, the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3 is always set to the set temperature K _S during the time T ₁ in FIG. 2 (A).
Even if stable pouring succeeds in order to maintain, the actual hot water temperature in the bathtub 19 (the hot water temperature in the bath) K _n at the time when the automatic filling operation is completed is generally lower than the set temperature K _S. It will be noticeable. This is the amount of heat that is dissipated directly from the surface of the hot water, the amount of heat that is dissipated along the wall of the bathtub, and thus from the heat exchanger 4 arranged outside the bathroom 30 (generally outdoors) to the bathtub. This is because there is unavoidable existence of heat radiation or the like through the pipe wall of the pipe part. Figure 2
To explain this a little more based on (A), for example, if first, a certain amount of hot water is poured into the bathtub 19 and left as it is for the time T ₁ , it goes without saying that, Even if the initial pouring temperature is the set temperature K _S , the temperature will decrease according to the temperature decrease characteristic f _k . Therefore, in order to bring this temperature up to the set temperature K _S again, after the automatic filling time T ₁ has elapsed, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to operate the above-described combustion mechanism related to additional heating for a time T ₂ to give the temperature rise characteristic f _k ′ and reboil the predetermined volume of hot water. Replacing this with a change in the total temperature K _n of the hot water in the bathtub in which the amount of hot water itself increases from the time of starting the automatic hot water filling, depending on each case and various external conditions, Although a simple and unambiguous expression is difficult, as a schematic example,
It can be represented by a change curve K _n as shown by a virtual line. That is, initially, the hot water poured into the empty bathtub 19 is rapidly cooled as a result of being in direct contact with the bottom of the cold bathtub even if the pouring temperature is the set temperature K _S. In the bathtub 19, the temperature is considerably lower than the set temperature K _S. However, after that,
When the pouring while maintaining the set temperature K _S under the above-mentioned combustion control is continued, the actual hot water temperature K _n in the bathtub 19 also rises due to the increase in the total thermal energy with the increase in the hot water amount. At the end of the automatic filling when the set water level H _S is reached (the time T ₁ has elapsed), the bath hot water temperature K _n also rises to a position quite close to the set temperature K _S. However, even then, the temperature remains low by a degree with respect to the set temperature K _S.

Therefore, in the prior art, it has been considered that auxiliary reheating is performed immediately after the completion of automatic filling. Explaining this, with the completion of pouring to the set water level H _S , the microcomputer 23 terminates the automatic filling operation described above, while issuing a command to the operation control unit 22 to start rotating the circulation pump 11. This is because the hot water in the bathtub 19 is appropriately stirred so as to have a uniform temperature, and then the hot water temperature K _n in the bath is taken into itself through the hot water temperature sensor 18 in the bath. Temperature difference a between the set temperature K _S and the bath temperature K _{n in} this tank
Is greater than a predetermined value, the microcomputer 23 then causes the operation control unit 22 to ignite the burner 16 for additional heating, and the heat exchanger 12 for additional heating adds the hot water in the bathtub 19. Get warm. After the start of the reheating, the microcomputer 23 repeats the bath temperature K _n repeatedly and continues to compare it with the set temperature K _S, and eventually the bath temperature K _n reaches or exceeds the set temperature K _S. In this case, the operation controller 22 is used to stop the combustion in the burner 16 and also stop the operation of the circulation pump 11.
The time required up to this point is shown as the time T ₂ during which the reheating is “on” in FIG.

[0014] Incidentally, although not shown, if also complete the auxiliary reheating, to the user, the notification means for notifying that the hot water set water level H _S was boiled until the set temperature K _S running There are many things like this. Further, it has an automatic heat retention mode, for example, at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes, while periodically rotating the circulation pump 11, the bath hot water temperature K _n is monitored, which is a predetermined temperature with respect to the set temperature K _S. It has been proposed to automatically start reheating again when the difference is lower than the difference. Although not shown, of course, it is also possible to reheat by a compulsory command from the user by operating a reheating command switch provided on the bathroom remote controller 40 or the like.

[0015]

As described above, in the conventional automatic hot water supply system, the temperature K _{n of} the hot water in the bath tub is set when the pouring to the set water level H _s is completed over the time T _1.
When the temperature is lower than the set temperature K _s desired by the user, various types of automation excellent in function itself have been studied and developed, such as supplementary reheating over the time T ₂ . . However, for example, the time required from the start to the completion of automatic filling is determined by the set water level, set temperature, seasonal fluctuation ,
Although these parameters vary considerably depending on various parameters such as the amount of heat radiation according to the total amount of hot water in the bath,
There has been no means or method for giving advance notice to the user of how long it will take while making highly accurate corrections for meter fluctuations . Therefore, the user must predict the time by himself, and even if it is not, the time should not be expected, so that the user often had to waste his / her life time. In view of this point, the present invention has been made to construct a system capable of providing a user with time information required for automatic filling.

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses hot water pouring into a bath according to a set temperature and a set water level set by the remote controller based on an automatic water filling command issued from the remote controller. along with performing automatic water filling into the tub set up level while controlling the temperature, in remote controlled automatic hot water supply system having a reheating possible combustion control apparatus of stretched water, first, from the remote control of the a time calculation circuit for calculating the estimated time to completion with automatic water filling instruction is issued from the start of its own Doyu tension, the predicted time calculated by the time calculation circuit in this <br/> visually displayed as In addition, the remote controller is provided with a time display unit that displays a countdown of the predicted time with the lapse of time from the start of filling . On top of that, since the upper Symbol estimated time accurate Starring <br/> calculation of further adding the following construction. Sanawa
Chi, combustion control circuit described above, detects the bath molten steel temperature, which is the hot water in the bathtub after automatic water filling of each time to set the water level has been completed, to the bath indoor bath temperature is the set temperature, allowable temperature If there is a temperature difference equal to or more than the difference, the discharge according to the product of the temperature difference between the pouring temperature and the bath temperature at that time and the total amount of hot water required for pouring up to the set water level at that time is released. Calculate the amount of heat . That
Then, update and store the previous amount of heat dissipation with the amount of heat dissipation,
At the next automatic filling, calculate the expected amount of heat radiation based on the stored amount of heat radiation, regarding the total amount of hot water up to the set water level at the next time, and supplement this estimated amount of heat radiation to the set temperature. Pouring is performed with the temperature to which the corrected temperature is added as the new pouring temperature . On the other hand, the time calculation circuit described above, when the next automatic water filling, the above set temperature, not only the set water level, also note the hot water temperature A New and expected heat radiation amount that has been updated as described above calculating a prediction time based.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system constructed according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As a premise, combustion control as hardware to which the present invention can be applied. The system is assumed to have already been described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in this section, re-explanation of the entire system will be omitted, and what is necessary for realizing the present invention will be appropriately extracted and incorporated from the already-described contents. The same applies to the reference numerals in FIG. However, in other words,
As long as it has a normal function as an automatic hot water supply system of recent years, it is possible to perform a software process on the microcomputer 23 (including a microcomputer (not shown) if the remote controller has a microcomputer), as long as it has a normal function. The present invention can be realized.

First, consider the beginning when the automatic hot water supply system shown in FIG. 3 has just been installed in a home or the like. As already described, when the power plug (not shown) is inserted into the commercial AC power supply (not shown), the system of FIG. 3 enters the operating state. Therefore, after this, the user starts bathtub 1
Suppose that the automatic filling of water inside 9 is ordered. The command for automatic filling is an operation of a filling command switch (not shown) in an existing and normal automatic hot water supply system, but, as mentioned earlier, in the invention separately disclosed by the applicant, it is also shown in FIG. It is the operation of the operation start instruction means 41 shown.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a bathroom remote control 40 suitable for use in the embodiment of the invention described herein.
Is shown, and in particular, an example of arrangement of various switches on the operation panel surface is shown. In the following, description will be given mainly while following the operation of these switches. First, on the operation panel surface of the bathroom remote controller 40 shown in FIG.
In the remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system of this type, the display section 61 for the current time, which is now normally provided, is provided.
There is. It is generally configured to allow four digit display. Although not shown, the initial setting or change setting of the time can be performed by operating the switches attached to the main remote controller arranged in the kitchen or the like. Then, in this embodiment of the present invention, the present time display unit 61 is also used as a time display unit of a scheduled time (predicted time) relating to an automatic water filling operation or an automatic reheating operation, which will be described later.
Therefore, in the vicinity of the display unit 61, the notation “until the heat retention ends” and the notation “until boiling up” are preferably selectively displayed by a suitable visible display means such as a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal. Or at least both are pre-printed.

The number of switches on the operation panel surface of the bathroom remote controller 40 is designed to be as small as possible in consideration of the operability of the user. In practice, the bathroom remote controller 40 used in this embodiment includes a selection switch 52, a data or number up switch 53 and a down switch 5.
4, an execution switch 55, a cancel switch 56, and a call switch 57. The main remote controller (not shown) is also provided with only the same switch in this embodiment of the present invention, but the switch corresponding to the calling switch 57 is not provided in this main remote controller.
When the call switch 57 is operated, a sound generation and notification means such as a buzzer provided on the main remote controller is activated.
This is designed so that a bather in the bathroom can suddenly inform his family by operating this switch when he or she feels sick.

First, when the user operates (in this case, presses) a switch other than the cancel switch 56 and the call switch 57, the hot water supply system of FIG. 2 enters the above-described operation mode or on mode. That is, in the case of the automatic hot water supply system shown in the figure, there is no dedicated operation switch, and other switches can be used in common. Conversely, when the system is in the run or on mode, actuation of the cancel switch 56 places the system in the dormant or off mode. The cancel switch 56 is also a dual-purpose switch because it can be used for other purposes such as returning to the previous stage of the operation being performed when the cancel switch 56 is operated. This is because the various operation means 42, 43, 44, 4 shown in FIG.
As for 5 as well, they are not dedicated switches,
This is equivalent to providing a dedicated switch equivalently by the combined operation of the switches provided in the remote controller 40 shown in FIG. However, the operation start instruction means 41 substantially corresponds to the execution switch 55. It should be noted that in the prototype example of the present applicant, even if the system is in the ON mode, if the device operation such as hot water supply or reheating is not performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes or more), the OFF mode is automatically set. A program is programmed for the microcomputer so that it can enter.

Immediately after the system enters the ON mode,
Command menu section 58 that forms part of the display 51
Only the "bath fully automatic" display and the "bath temperature setting" display are displayed by, for example, a liquid crystal display or a transillumination display.
When the up switch 53 or the down switch 54 is operated in this state, a number display 64 for "personal setting", which is a part of the display 51, particularly a part of the bath display unit 60, changes to select a specific number. By pressing the execution switch 56 at a different place, control is performed according to each bathing type that is learned and memorized for the individual specified by the numeral. However, this is not directly related to the invention of the present application, and hence the following description is omitted.

"Bath fully automatic" in command menu section 58
When the selection switch 52 is operated once while only the display and the "bath temperature setting" display are displayed, the control auxiliary mode is entered, and by operating the up switch 53 or the down switch 54, for example, the set temperature is made hot or lukewarm. You can specify the water level to be higher or lower, or to set the water level higher or lower, and there is also a watering mode, etc., and you can also select a temperature, hot water volume, etc. that is suitable for watering, and then press the execution switch 55. By the operation, the filling control according to the set information is performed. In particular, when the watering mode is selected, the corresponding "watering" display is displayed in the command menu section 58. In addition, in the bath display unit 60 of the display 51, in addition to a pictorial display or a graph display unit 66 (which may be a numerical display) showing the water filling state, the set water level, etc., a numerical display unit for the set temperature is displayed. 62 is also provided, and the set water level and the set temperature designated by the user at that time are displayed on these. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set water level and the set temperature display portions 66, 62 are the actual water level in the bathtub 19 at that time, and the tank water level, The actual bath temperature, which is the bath temperature, may also be displayed. Therefore, in the vicinity of the set temperature display portion 62, the notation “current set temperature” and the notation “current temperature” are
Preferably, it is selectively displayed by a suitable visible display means such as a light emitting diode or liquid crystal, or at least both are preprinted.

When the selection switch 52 is operated once again, the automatic mode is exited, and first, the "hot water temperature setting" display is displayed in the command menu section 58, and thereafter, each time the selection switch 52 is pressed, "water level" is displayed. Settings "," Heat retention settings "
It changes in order. When the up switch 53 and the down switch 54 are operated while the respective displays are displayed, numerical data regarding the temperature, the water level, the time for which the heat retention should be continued, etc. can be set. After the setting, the execution switch 55 is set. By operating, the microcomputer can be instructed to start control according to the information. The hot water supply temperature is numerically displayed on the third numeric display portion 63 of the hot water supply display portion 59 of the display 51.

In either case, whether the automatic filling mode is set or the setting mode is set, when the user issues an automatic filling operation based on the operation of the execution switch 55, the automatic filling function described above is activated. Then, the heat exchange operation in the heat exchanger 4 for hot water supply starts. However, in the case of the automatic hot water filling at the first time after the automatic hot water supply system is installed and the power is turned on for the first time, for the time being, regarding the hot water filling up to the set water level H _S set by the user, the heat exchange for hot water supply is performed. The temperature of the hot water discharged from the vessel 4, that is, the pouring temperature is set to the set temperature K _S set by the user. In other words, with regard to this very first automatic hot water filling, also in this embodiment of the present invention, as in the conventional case,
The pouring is performed such that the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3 at the outlet of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 always maintains the set temperature K _S. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2 (A), which is marked "after power-on, first time",
At the time when the time T ₁ has elapsed and the filling of water to the set water level H _S is completed, the bath temperature K that is the actual temperature in the bathtub 19 is reached.
_n is generally lower than the set temperature K _S desired by the user by the temperature a. The reason for this is as described above. Therefore, also in this embodiment of the present invention, in order to bring the temperature up to the set temperature K _S again, after the automatic filling time T ₁ , the reheating is indicated as “ON” in FIG. 2 (A). As described above, the combustion mechanism related to the additional heating described above is operated for a certain time T ₂ .

That is, when it is detected that the intake water level through the water level detection sensor 15 has reached the set water level H _S , the microcomputer 23 in the automatic hot water supply system shown in FIG.
In response to a command from the operation control unit 22, the switching solenoid valve 2
Is switched to the hot water tap 1 side, and the hot water heat exchanger 4
The heating burner 5 is extinguished, and the pouring operation associated with the automatic filling operation is finished, while the circulation pump 11 is rotated for the time being. This is because the hot water in the bathtub 19 is appropriately stirred to obtain a uniform temperature, and then the hot water temperature K in the bath.
_When the temperature difference a between the set temperature K _S and this bath temperature K _n is _equal to or more than the allowable temperature difference because _n is taken into itself through the bath temperature sensor 18 in the bath. Has
Next, the microcomputer 23 causes the operation control unit 22 to ignite the additional heating burner 16 and causes the additional heating heat exchanger 12 to
The hot water in the bathtub 19 is heated.

The above allowable temperature difference can be determined by any design, for example, 1 degree, 2 degrees, etc., and the temperature difference a
If (= K _s −K _n ) is larger than these values, such as 1 or more or 2 or more, the above-described reheating operation can be started, and in principle, To the extent possible, the allowable temperature difference may be defined as 0 degrees (although it is not very realistic) .

In any case, when the reheating operation is started, the microcomputer 23 repeats the bath temperature K _n repeatedly and continuously compares it with the set temperature K _S, and eventually the bath temperature K _n.
When the temperature reaches or exceeds the set temperature K _S , the operation control unit 22 is caused to stop the combustion in the burner 16 and also the operation of the circulation pump 11. The time required up to this point corresponds to the time T ₂ during which the reheating is “on” in FIG. Incidentally, upon completion of the auxiliary reheating, to inform by sound the user that the hot water set water level H _S was boiled until the set temperature K _S, supplied with the remote control shown in FIG. 1 The sound generation notification means such as the buzzer 65 operates.

However, when the user once draws the hot water that has been stretched by the first operation after the power is turned on, and then commands the second automatic hot water filling again, the command of the microcomputer 23 is given in the same manner as described above. Based on this, the operation control unit 22 switches the switching solenoid valve 2 to the bathtub side and ignites the burner 5 to start the heat exchange operation in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4. However, the pouring temperature at this time, that is, the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water supply temperature sensor 3 at the outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the temperature K set by the user
_A temperature higher than the temperature _s by the correction temperature α is maintained. Then, In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the corresponding alpha,
As I will explain in detail later, it took pouring water up to the set water level.
Calculate the total amount of hot water by taking into consideration the amount of heat that can be dissipated.
Can be And if this temperature compensation works perfectly,
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the hot water filling operation for the set water level H _s for the time T ₁ is completed, even if the hot water temperature decrease characteristic f _k with respect to the unit capacity is expected. The actual in-tank hot water temperature K _n at the total hot water amount up to the set water level H _s may be the set temperature K _s at the completion of the filling, or at least within the allowable temperature difference range. Of course, if this is the case, the auxiliary heating that has been conventionally required is completely unnecessary and the time T _{2 for that} is shortened.

On the other hand, even if the correction temperature α is added to the set temperature K _s and pouring is performed, the bath temperature K _n in the tank at the time when the filling of water to the set water level H _s is completed is still set. It is possible that the temperature is lower than the allowable temperature difference with respect to the temperature K _s . In this case, the combustion control circuit is used in the present real施例is no similar auxiliary reheating operation as previously described, until the set temperature K _s, that raised boil water in the tank. However, as is apparent, the time required for this auxiliary reheating can be made sufficiently shorter than in the case where the pouring is always performed at the set temperature K _{s as} in the conventional case. This is because the degree of temperature decrease of the bath temperature K _{n with} respect to the set temperature K _s is surely small.

In addition, if such auxiliary reheating is necessary even after the completion of the second automatic hot-water filling, this also
By the heat radiation amount update process described below, the next time automatic filling is performed.
Since the correction temperature α the re-asked, three times onwards work is a kind of learning function, the difference a between the set temperature K _s and bath indoor bath temperature K _n at the time of completion of the pouring may benefit people go smaller, eventually The desirable state described above can be implemented as shown in FIG.

[0032]

When the combustion control as described above is adopted,
The time required to prepare hot water at the set temperature K _s up to the set water level H _s desired by the user can be greatly shortened, and it can follow the seasonal changes or the changes in the water supply temperature well, even in summer or winter. The boiling time can be almost the same. Not only that, but it is also important to use the temperature data and water level data (hot water amount data) that were used for correction in the above combustion control, and the heat release amount data described below to start automatic hot water filling. The time required from completion to completion can be predicted fairly accurately by calculation.

The present invention is based on such knowledge, and proposes that the above-mentioned remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system is further provided with a predicted time calculation circuit for calculating the above time. Of course, the calculation of this predicted time takes into account various empirically required parameters such as the data from various sensors and the amount of heat radiated through the piping, in addition to the basically required data described above. Can be done
From the disclosure of the present invention, a person skilled in the art can set a suitable calculation formula in any arbitrary design. That is, regarding the above-described automatic water filling at least the second time after the power is turned on, the preset temperature, the preset water level, and the expected heat radiation amount described later are calculated.
Outside, if necessary , the amount of hot water in the tank (if there is a remaining amount, it can be known by the water level sensor 15 shown in FIG. 3), the temperature of the hot water in the tank, and the temperature of the hot water in the tank with respect to the set temperature before the previous auxiliary reheating. the difference a or time scheduled by pouring temperature, and predicted in advance empirically, and in view also heat radiation amount of the at pouring pipe section Okeru stored in the attached memory area of the microcomputer, the beginning and the end of the automatic water filling Since it is possible to calculate the estimated time until, every time after the second automatic filling is commanded through the remote control, by performing such calculation promptly, the automatic filling up to that time is completed. The estimated time can be obtained. Therefore, the calculated time
For example, by switching the display of the display unit 61 displaying the current time and displaying it there, the user can visually and fairly accurately display the estimated time until the bath, and the effective time can be displayed during that time. Can be used. At the time of this display, it is preferable to display the notation “until boiling up” written near the display unit 61 in a conspicuous manner by lighting such as a light emitting diode, and the time display itself is the same as the usual present time. If the time display is a continuous lighting display, it may be replaced with a blinking display.

Further, the display of the time display section 61, which has become the display section of the estimated time, is made to be a countdown display in units of, for example, one minute at the start of the automatic filling, and when it becomes zero, FIG. Buzzer 6 shown in
The sound generation notifying means 65 such as 5 is used to notify the user of the boil even with a sound.

In addition to this, desirably, during the automatic filling, the display of the set temperature display section 62, which has displayed the set temperature set by the user until then, is changed to the actual hot water temperature in the bathtub 19. It is recommended to switch to the in-tank hot water temperature display, and the water level display of the set water level display unit 66 to the current actual in-tank water level display (of course, it continues to rise). Therefore, like the above-described time display, it is preferable that both the bath temperature and the bath display are blinking. By doing this, it is possible to give a criterion for the user to decide that he / she can take a bath around here without waiting for boiling, and basically the estimated time until boiling is displayed. In addition to the convenience of doing
Further, it enables the user to effectively use his / her life time.

[0037] For example, in this case, also display such as that the number of minutes left until Wakiagari, consisting of new added to the temperature difference between the before times bath indoor bath temperature of when the automatic water filling has been completed and the set temperature for the next set temperature that the pouring temperature, the kind of learning function
There is no doubt that just using a simple correction
In some cases, it can only serve as a guide. Certainly, it can also display the Wakiagari time in as eye depreciation, but it is very convenient for the user, go further, even more this error, if small, and increased confidence as a product, even better.

Therefore, in the present invention, the water level in the tank (which may be zero, may be detected by the water level detection sensor 15 as a significant water level) instead of the data of the mere temperature difference between the set temperature and the hot water temperature in the tank. relates the total quantity of water required for pouring to the set water level from also), we use the expected heat radiation amount to it as one of the leading data for the prediction time calculation. That is, the set water level H _s set by the user during the second and subsequent automatic filling of water after the power is turned on.
It relates the total quantity of water up, determined on the basis of the heat radiation amount that has been stored for the first turn the heat radiation amount expected, set temperature K _s
On the other hand, the temperature obtained by adding the correction temperature α that can compensate for this predicted heat radiation amount is poured as a new pouring temperature.
Therefore, in this case, the correction temperature α shown in FIG. 2 (B) does not simply become the same value as the temperature decrease amount a shown in FIG. 2 (A).

Explaining this, the microcomputer 23 firstly, the temperature difference a between the in-tank hot water temperature K _n and the set temperature K _S detected after the completion of the automatic hot water filling up to the previous set water level H _S.
Then, the amount of heat radiation according to the product of the total amount of molten metal required up to the previous set water level H _S is calculated, and this value is stored in the attached memory area. Based on such a heat radiation amount, the set temperature K _S is set as the pouring temperature, and a predetermined capacity (for example, unit capacity) is set.
After the hot water is poured into the bathtub 19, the temperature K _n is decreased according to the temperature decrease characteristic f _k shown in FIG. 2 (A). As a result, the set temperature K is reached when the time T ₁ has passed. Assuming that the temperature difference b is placed between _S and _S , it means that the heat radiation amount for the predetermined capacity can be calculated or predicted,
Consequently, it means that the value of the temperature difference b can be calculated or predicted. Therefore, conversely, even if the set water level H _S is changed by calculating or predicting the heat release amount for this predetermined capacity, the total hot water amount up to the set water level H _S will be radiated. The expected heat dissipation can be calculated.

That is, with respect to the automatic filling of water each time, generally speaking, in the case of the control according to this method, the temperature of hot water in the tank K _n after the automatic filling of water up to the set water level is completed for each time.
Detects, with respect to the tank molten steel temperature K _n is the set temperature K _S, if it had at a temperature difference of more than the allowable temperature difference, the temperature difference between the pouring temperature and bath indoor bath temperature K _n of times , The amount of heat radiation according to the product with the total amount of hot water up to the set water level H _S at that time is calculated, the previous amount of heat radiation is updated and stored with this amount of heat radiation, and the next time the above automatic filling is performed, Regarding the total amount of hot water up to the set water level at, the expected heat dissipation amount is obtained based on the stored heat dissipation amount, and the temperature obtained by adding the correction temperature α to the set temperature K _S to compensate for this expected heat dissipation amount. Is performed with a new pouring temperature.

As is apparent, according to the control method for obtaining such an estimated heat radiation amount, the pouring temperature control can shorten the time even further when the auxiliary heating is required, and further shorten the time. Not only it becomes unnecessary but also the change of the set water level H _S (required pouring amount) set for each time can be dealt with well. As a result, the present invention is applied to the automatic water filling for each time. Even when the predicted time from the start to the completion is obtained, the accuracy thereof is considerably improved, and the user can be notified of the more accurate predicted time.

Further, even when the bath temperature K _{n in} the tank is higher than the allowable temperature difference with respect to the set temperature K _S at the time of completion of automatic pouring for a certain number of times, the pouring temperature of the pouring temperature is Since the amount of heat radiation that causes a decrease is taken into consideration, the value of the correction temperature α can be automatically reduced at the next automatic filling, and in the end, regardless of such height error, when the automatic filling is completed. It can be expected that the bath temperature K _n in the tank will approach the set temperature K _S , and similarly, it is possible to more accurately calculate the predicted time from the start to the completion regarding the automatic hot water filling at that time. Become. However, when the bath hot water temperature K _n is higher than the allowable temperature difference with respect to the set temperature K _S , the stored heat radiation amount is not updated and the next automatic hot water filling is performed. Regarding the calculation of the expected heat radiation amount, the heat radiation amount can be used as it is, but this is a design problem adopted as necessary. Similarly, in consideration of fluctuation factors during calculation (for example, fluctuations due to disturbances of various information to be captured, accompanying calculation errors), regarding the previous heat radiation amount used in the calculation of the expected heat radiation amount, the value is set to some percentage in order to allow for safety. It is possible to further increase / decrease correction within the range of, but this correction is also an expression problem. Should be considered, and it is not always necessary to correct the stored amount of heat radiation itself. Of course, the calculation related to the predicted heat radiation amount also affects the calculation of the predicted time according to the present invention.

Considering the introduction of the data of the expected heat radiation amount as described above, the water level in the bathtub is divided into a plurality of stages,
It becomes easy to change the value of the estimated heat radiation amount for each stage. For example, with respect to the water level from the portion close to the bottom of the bathtub to a certain height portion, it is possible to set the expected heat radiation amount to a large value, etc., and more delicate control can be realized. By pouring the bath at the bottom of the bath at a higher pouring temperature and warming it earlier, the boiling time is further shortened. Of course, when following such a method, the time calculation circuit provided in the present invention calculates the predicted time based on the changed and set predicted heat radiation amount in addition to the above-mentioned other necessary data.

Further, in the trial production example of the applicant, as described above, not only the correction temperature for compensating the predicted heat radiation amount is added, but also the correction amount based on the temperature outside the bath at that time is taken into consideration. To determine a new pouring temperature. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the temperature inside the bathroom 30 is taken in from the temperature sensor 20 provided inside the bathroom 30, and the degree of heat radiation is known accordingly.
Naturally, the lower the temperature in the bathroom, the faster the water will cool. In such a case, as a matter of course, the time calculation circuit provided in the present invention is based on the new pouring temperature in consideration of the correction amount based on the temperature outside the bathtub (in this case, the temperature inside the bathroom). To calculate the estimated time.
However, instead of providing the temperature sensor 20 in the bathroom, a temperature sensor is provided outside the house to obtain detection data corresponding to detecting the season, and the pouring temperature is determined based on this data. It may be corrected, and in addition to such a temperature outside the bathtub, a new pouring is performed in consideration of a correction amount based on the temperature of the supplied water obtained from the water supply temperature sensor 7 (FIG. 3). In some cases the temperature is determined. Even in such a case, the time calculation circuit of the present invention uses the pouring temperature determined by such correction as data for the prediction time calculation.

As one of the automatic water filling functions, the combustion control device 21 is such that when the automatic water filling command is issued from the remote controller, the water level in the tank, which is the water level in the bathtub, is within the allowable range with respect to the set water level. In some cases, only additional heating up to the set temperature may be performed without new pouring, but in this case as well, from the data already described, starting such additional heating The time calculation circuit can calculate the additional heating prediction time from time to completion as the prediction time from the start to the completion of automatic hot water filling.

In the above embodiment, when the estimated time calculated by the time calculation circuit is counted down after the automatic filling is started, the display is made on the display unit 61 for displaying the present time. However, this is not essential. A dedicated estimated time display unit may be separately provided. Even if shared, the display changeover switch (not shown) dedicated to the remote controller 40 is operated during the countdown, or as described above, the hot water supply temperature setting mode of the command menu section 58 is used. Or by performing a special operation such as pressing the up switch 53 and the down switch 54 at the same time, the current time display can be returned at any time and vice versa. It is good to

The same applies to the display of the bath water temperature and the bath water level during the countdown. In addition to the dedicated display unit, the set temperature display unit 62 and the set water level display unit 66 are switched and used. Also in this case, it is convenient to be able to switch to the display of the set temperature and the set water level and vice versa at any time by the user's operation with the remote controller, as described above. Of course, display 5
The shape and configuration of 1 itself is also a matter of arbitrary design.
Further, in the above description, only the remote controller 40 provided in the bathroom 30 is described, but as described above, generally, in this type of remote control type automatic hot water supply system, the main remote controller is used in the kitchen or the living room. Therefore, similarly to the above, the estimated time display unit according to the present invention and, in some embodiments, an in-tank hot water temperature in the countdown of the estimated time and an in-tank water level display unit may be provided. good.

As a matter of course, the time operation circuit provided by the present invention does not prevent the time operation circuit from being constructed as hardware separate from the microcomputer.
Generally, by software processing for the microcomputer,
It is possible to obtain the same result as the case where it is separately provided as hardware.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, regarding the automatic filling of water using the automatic hot water supply system, the predicted time until boiling is set.
It can inform the user fairly accurately . Therefore, the user, Wakiagari it is reduced that spend a half-hearted time while in care, contributes to the use of the life time. From the above, the automatic hot water supply system of the present invention is
Installations, substitute to have a high reliability and market competitiveness as a commodity
Can be.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel surface of a remote controller that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a combustion control method effective when used together with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hardware portion of an automatic water heater or an automatic water heater system applicable to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hot Water Tap 2 Switching Solenoid Valve 3 Hot Water Temperature Sensor 4 Hot Water Heat Exchanger 5 Burner 6 Fan 7 Water Supply Temperature Sensor 8 Flow Rate Sensor 9 Proportional Valve 10 Solenoid Valve for Hot Water Supply Side 11 Pump 12 Heat Exchanger for Reheating 13 Original Electromagnetic Valve 14 Solenoid valve for reheating side 15 Water level sensor or pressure sensor 16 Burner 17 Fan 18 Bath water temperature sensor 19 Bathtub 20 Bathroom temperature sensor 21 Controller 22 Operation control unit 23 Microcomputer 30 Bathroom 40 Prepared in bathroom Remote controller 51 Bathroom remote controller display 52 Selection switch 53 Up switch 54 Down switch 55 Execution switch 56 Cancel switch 57 Call switch 58 Command menu section 59 Hot water supply display section 60 Bath display section 61 Predicted time that is also the current time display section Radical 113 62 Set Tank water level display section, which is also the buzzer 66 set water level display part of the tank indoor bath temperature display section 65 sound generation notification unit, which is also the temperature display unit

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-1-163552 (JP, A) JP-A-2-169954 (JP, A) JP-A 63-6336 (JP, A) JP-A 61-147051 (JP , A) Actual development Sho 61-63645 (JP, U)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A bathtub up to the set water level while controlling the temperature of hot water poured into the bathtub according to a set temperature and a set water level set by the remote controller based on an automatic filling command from the remote controller. automatic hot water filling performs to, a remote controlled automatic hot water supply system having a reheating possible combustion control apparatus of stretched water; the automatic with the above the automatic water filling command from the remote controller is issued A time calculation circuit for calculating a predicted time from the start to the completion of the filling, and a visual display of the calculated predicted time provided in the remote controller, and with the passage of time from the start of the filling. , and a time display unit that performs a countdown display of the estimated time; the combustion control system, on the each time to the set water level
The bath where the hot water temperature in the bath is after the automatic filling is completed.
The bath temperature is detected and the bath temperature is above the set temperature.
If there is a temperature difference more than the capacity temperature difference,
The temperature difference between the pouring temperature and the bath temperature above, and the set water level above
For the amount of heat dissipation according to the product of the total amount of hot water required for pouring in
The previous amount of heat radiation is updated and stored with this amount of heat radiation, and the next time
When performing the automatic water filling, set the water level at that time.
For the total amount of hot water in
Calculated based on the amount of heat dissipation
A new temperature is added with the correction temperature for the amount of heat
The pouring is performed as the temperature of the hot water; the time calculation circuit causes the above-mentioned setting at the time of the next automatic hot water filling.
Constant temperature and set water level, updated expected heat dissipation, and above
Note: Calculate the predicted time based on the new pouring temperature.
Remote controlled automatic hot water supply system for the the feature; it. 2. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller is further provided with sound generation notification means for generating sound when the estimated time has elapsed due to the countdown. System; 3. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combustion control device sets the water level in the bath to a plurality of stages.
Divide and set the value of the estimated heat dissipation above each step.
The above-mentioned time calculation circuit is based on the estimated heat radiation amount changed and set.
Calculating the predicted time based on the above . 4. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the combustion control device sets the predicted discharge to the preset temperature.
In addition to adding the correction temperature for the amount of heat,
In addition to the correction based on the temperature outside the bathtub,
The pouring temperature is determined according to the temperature outside the bath.
Based on the new pouring temperature with
A system characterized by: computing . 5. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 4, wherein the combustion control device supplies the temperature instead of the temperature outside the bath.
The above-mentioned new
Determining the pouring temperature; 6. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the remote controller has the countdown.
Inside, equipped with display means for displaying bath temperature and bath water level
A system characterized by being: 7. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 6 , wherein the hot water temperature in the bath is displayed when the countdown is not being performed.
The section displays the set temperature, and the water level in the tank is the set water level.
A system characterized by: displaying . 8. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 7, wherein the remote control system is used even during the countdown.
The switching operation of the switches provided in the roller, the
The display of the bath temperature displays the set temperature, and the bath water
The system is capable of displaying the set water level; 9. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or
Is a remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to 8; the time display unit counts down the predicted time.
You can display the current time except when
And a system characterized by ;