JPH08178328A - Hot water feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To rapidly and surely seuse a troubled state in a flowing water-sensing device in a hot water-feeding device by a method wherein whether or not a water flowing is started within a water pipe is detected in reference to a reapid variation in a temperature of the flowing water and a value after the variation. CONSTITUTION: There are provided a water pipe 6 for feeding water from a tap water system into a hot water feeding device 1, heating it and feeding hot water; a heat exchanger 16 arranged at the midway part of the water pipe 6; a burner 17 for heating the heat exchanger 16 with gas combustion; and a gas supplying pipe 7 for supplying gas to the burner 17. Then, there is provided a surrounding air temperature sensor 4 for use in sensing a temperature of the surrounding air, and the water pipe 6 is provided with a flowing water temperature sensor 3 for monitoring a water temperature. The flowing water temperature sensed by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 is stored, and when the flowing water temperature stored in a memory means 24 is rapidly cnanged and a flowing water temperature after variation is continued for a specified period of time or when the flowing water temperature is less than the desired temperature after variation, if the flowing water sensing signal is not outputted within the specified period of time after and before it, it is judged that the flowing water sensing device 2 is troubled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply device, and more particularly, to start or stop heating of running water by detecting a change in water flow or water pressure caused by opening and closing a faucet provided on the downstream side of the hot water supply device. The present invention relates to detection of a failure of a flowing water detection device in a home water heater of the type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Home water heaters can be roughly divided into single-function machines dedicated to hot water supply or bath heating, and multi-function machines having both hot water supply and bath heating functions. Multi-function machines that have the function of reheating a bath are becoming mainstream, and by incorporating a microprocessor, one that electrically controls hot water temperature by starting and stopping heating and controlling the heating amount and water flow rate is available. It is the mainstream.

For example, as an example of hot water supply temperature control in a domestic gas hot water supply apparatus, a sensor monitors the incoming water temperature and the outgoing hot water temperature with respect to the hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply amount set by the user, and C
Control is performed such that the PU automatically controls the water flow rate, the gas flow rate, and the air volume sent by the fan based on the information.

Regarding the on / off of gas combustion,
A signal that the running water sensing device detects a change in water flow or water pressure caused by opening a faucet connected by a pipe downstream of the hot water supply device and transmits it to the CPU, and based on that, the CPU opens the valve of the gas supply path. By supplying the gas, the main burner is ignited, the combustion is started and the running water is heated, and when the faucet is closed, the running water sensing device senses a change in the water flow or water pressure and transmits the signal to the CPU, Based on this, the CPU sends a signal to close the valve of the gas supply path to control the gas combustion to be extinguished.

[0005]

By the way, since this kind of hot water supply apparatus has been rapidly spread in the last 10 years, it tends to be a little behind in terms of maintenance. In some cases, the failed part cannot be identified, or an unnecessary part cannot be accurately identified, and unnecessary parts may be replaced. Therefore, in the case of a part of the hot water supply device that constantly sends a feedback signal to the CPU, such as a sensor that monitors the inlet water temperature or the hot water outlet temperature or a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the fan, the signal from the sensor If the value is an outlier that cannot be
There is also a model in which the PU judges that the relevant part is out of order and displays it on the remote control device.

However, while the running water detection device sends a running water detection signal to the CPU when it detects a change in water flow or water pressure due to opening / closing of the faucet, the CPU opens the faucet even if the CPU can receive the running water detection signal. Since the information that the water has flowed cannot be obtained, the CPU cannot check whether or not the water flow sensing device is operating normally. Therefore, even if the water flow sensing device fails, it is not possible to immediately judge the failure and display it on the remote control device.

Further, even when an abnormal phenomenon which is considered to be caused by the failure of the water flow sensing device occurs, it cannot be immediately identified as the cause of the failure of the water flow sensing device. That is, when the water flow detection device does not operate even though the water starts to flow, the signal is not transmitted to the CPU, so that the gas combustion does not start, and the user may wait until the user opens the faucet. There is a phenomenon that hot water does not come out only with water, but various causes can be considered for the phenomenon that hot water does not come out. For example, if the gas mains valve is closed or the valve in the gas supply path fails and gas is not supplied, or if a bird nests in the exhaust port of the water heater or if the user hangs a hood, etc. The cause may be that the safety device worked because the mouth was blocked.

Therefore, it is desired to have a method in which when a water flow detecting device fails, a repair worker can immediately judge the failure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for quickly and accurately detecting a failure of a flowing water detecting device in a hot water supply apparatus, and a hot water supply provided with such failure detection means. It is to provide a device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the water supply is large, a water tap downstream of the water heater is opened to start running water in the water pipe. Focusing on the fact that the flowing water temperature in the pipe changes abruptly, a flowing water temperature detecting means for detecting the flowing water temperature in the water pipe and a storage means for storing the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature detecting means in time series are provided. When the flowing water temperature stored in the storage means changes abruptly and the changed flowing water temperature continues for a certain period of time or when the changed flowing water temperature is below a predetermined value, the flowing water detection is performed within a certain period before and after that. If no signal is output, it is determined that the water flow sensing device is out of order.

[0011]

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 6, it is possible to detect whether or not running water is started in the water pipe by observing a rapid change in the running water temperature and the value after the change. If there is a running water sensing signal, it can be immediately determined that the running water sensing device is out of order. Further, in the invention described in claim 3, since the failure data is readablely stored when the above failure is determined, the failure data can be read out at any time to specify the failure part. Since the failure data is displayed when the above failure is judged, it is possible to immediately know the failure and the failure portion. In the invention according to claim 5, when the difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply is small, It can be raised by heating the running water temperature at rest in advance, and the difference between the water temperature of the water supply can be automatically increased.After that, as in the case where the difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply is large, the water flow sensing device It becomes possible to detect the failure.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention. The hot water supply apparatus 1 has a water pipe 6 for introducing water into the hot water supply apparatus 1 from tap water and discharging hot water, and a water pipe 6 in the middle thereof. The heat exchanger 16 is provided, a burner 17 for heating the heat exchanger 16 by gas combustion, and a gas supply pipe 7 for supplying gas to the burner 17. The water heater 1 is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 4 for detecting the outside air temperature, the water pipe 6 is provided with a flowing water temperature sensor 3 for monitoring the water temperature in the pipe, and the water pipe 6 is heated according to a change in the outside air temperature. A heater 8 for controlling the flow of water, a flowing water detecting device 2 for detecting flowing water due to opening of the faucet 23 provided on the downstream side of the hot water supply device, and a water amount control valve 10 are provided.

Further, the gas supply pipe 7 is provided with a source gas solenoid valve 12 and switching solenoid valves 13a ...
13c and a gas proportional valve 11 for adjusting the amount of gas supplied are provided. Further, the burner 17 is provided with a spark plug 18 and a frame rod 19 for detecting an abnormality in gas combustion, and a combustion fan 15 for sending air to accelerate a gas combustion reaction is provided below the burner 17. Has been.

The CPU 20 receives a signal indicating a change in water amount or water pressure from the water flow sensing device 2, controls the opening and closing of the original gas solenoid valve 12 and the switching solenoid valves 13a to 13c through the control device 21, and the running water temperature. Upon receiving a running water temperature signal indicating the water temperature detected by the sensor 3 (hereinafter referred to as "running water temperature"), the rotation of the combustion fan 15, the gas proportional valve 11, and the water amount control valve are controlled so that the hot water supply temperature becomes the hot water temperature set by the user. 10
And the switching solenoid valves 13a to 13c are controlled via the control device 21. On the other hand, the CPU 20 receives the signal from the running water temperature sensor 3 and receives the signal from the memory 20a in the CPU 20.
The temperature change in the water pipe 6 is stored in time series, and the operation of the heater 8 is controlled via the control device 21 by receiving the signal from the outside air temperature sensor 4. An external memory 24 is connected to the CPU 20, and a remote control device 22 with a display unit for the user to set the hot water temperature and the water amount is provided outside the hot water supply device 1 and is connected to the CPU 20.

Next, the operation of the water heater 1 will be described. When the faucet 23 is closed, the inside of the water pipe 6 is stationary with the water pressure of the tap water filling the mouth of the faucet 23. Here, when the faucet 23 is opened, the water in the water pipe 6 flows out toward the faucet 23 due to the water pressure, and as a result, the flowing water sensing device 2 operates to send a flowing water sensing signal to the CPU 2
Transmit to 0. Here, the flowing water detection device 2 is, for example, equipped with an impeller, and when the water flows out, the impeller is rotated to detect the start of flowing water, and the amount of water can be detected from the number of rotations. To be

When the CPU 20 receives the running water detection signal from the running water sensing device 2, the CPU 20 first receives the combustion fan 1 via the control device 21.
Start rotation of 5. Next, the spark of the ignition plug 18 is started, and the original gas solenoid valve 12 and the switching solenoid valve 13
Send a signal to open a. As a result, when gas is supplied to the burner 17, it is ignited by the spark plug 18 and gas combustion is started, which heats the heat exchanger 16,
The running water in the water pipe 6 is heated. When further increasing the gas supply amount, the CPU 20 causes the switching solenoid valves 13b and 1
Send a signal to open 3c.

Next, the temperature change of the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 provided downstream of the heat exchanger when the faucet 23 is opened will be described with reference to FIG.

2 (a) and 2 (c) show the temperature change of the flowing water temperature when the flowing water sensing device 2 operates normally.

FIG. 2A shows, for example, in summer (outside air temperature 30 ° C.,
This is a temperature change in an environment where the water temperature of the water supply is 25 ° C and the hot water temperature set by the user is 40 ° C. If the water heater is not used for a while, the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 is almost equal to the outside air temperature. Although the temperature is 30 ° C., when the faucet 23 is opened (at the time T1 in FIG. 2), the water in the water supply suddenly becomes the water pipe 6.
Although the detected temperature rapidly drops from 30 ° C. to 25 ° C. because it flows into the inside, the flowing water detection device 2 operates to send a flowing water detection signal to the CPU 20, gas combustion is started, and the heat exchanger 16 causes Since the running water is heated, the running water temperature changes to 25 ° C. for a certain period of time (for example, about 5 seconds), then starts to rise and reaches the user set temperature of 40 ° C. at T2.

Further, FIG. 2C shows, for example, in winter (outside air temperature 5
℃, water temperature of water supply 10 ℃, hot water temperature 40 set by the user
Temperature change in the environment of (° C.), and the running water temperature detected by the running water temperature sensor 3 is 5 ° C. which is almost equal to the outside air temperature when the water heater is not used for a while, but when the faucet 23 is opened ( At time T1 in FIG. 2), since the water in the waterworks suddenly flows into the water pipe 6, the detected temperature rapidly rises from 5 ° C to 10 ° C.
As the flowing water sensing device 2 operates to send a flowing water sensing signal to the CPU, gas combustion is started and the flowing water is heated by the heat exchanger 16, the flowing water temperature is kept constant for a certain time (for example, about 5 seconds). ) After changing at 10 ° C., it starts to rise and reaches the user's set temperature of 40 ° C. at time T2.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. 2 (d)
Shows a temperature change when the water flow sensing device 2 does not operate even though the water faucet 23 is opened and water flow is started in the water pipe 6.

FIG. 2B shows, for example, in summer (outside air temperature 30 ° C.,
This is a temperature change in an environment where the water temperature of the water supply is 25 ° C and the hot water temperature set by the user is 40 ° C. If the water heater is not used for a while, the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 is almost equal to the outside air temperature. Although the temperature is 30 ° C., when the faucet 23 is opened (at the time T1 in FIG. 2), the water in the water supply suddenly becomes the water pipe 6.
Since it flows into the inside, the detected temperature sharply drops from 30 ° C. until then to 25 ° C. However, since the CPU 20 does not receive the water flow detection signal, the temperature is still 25 ° C. even when the gas combustion is not started and the time T2 is reached.

FIG. 2 (d) shows a temperature change in an environment such as winter (outside air temperature: 5 ° C., water temperature of water supply: 10 ° C., hot water temperature: 40 ° C. set by the user), and the water heater must be used for a while. For example, the running water temperature detected by the running water temperature sensor 3 is 5 ° C., which is almost equal to the outside air temperature, but when the faucet 23 is opened (at the time T1 in FIG. 2), the water in the tap water suddenly flows into the water pipe 6. Therefore, the detected temperature rapidly increases from 5 ℃ until then to 10 ℃.
To ℃. However, since the CPU 20 does not receive the running water detection signal, the temperature is still 10 ° C. even when the gas combustion is not started and the time T2 is reached.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the outside air temperature is significantly different from the water temperature of the water supply, that is, in summer or winter,
If the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 stored in time-series in the memory of the CPU 20 changes abruptly and then the temperature after the change continues for a certain time (for example, about 5 seconds), the inside of the water pipe 6 It can be determined that the water that had been stationary had flowed out. In addition, when the flowing water temperature suddenly drops, it can only be considered that the flowing water starts.However, when the flowing water temperature suddenly rises, it is possible that the temperature rises due to the heating of the heat exchanger. If it is lower than the minimum temperature (for example, 36 ° C.) of the hot water temperature that can be set by the person, it can be determined that the change is caused by opening the faucet 23.

Therefore, when a sudden change in the flowing water temperature is detected and the flowing water temperature after the rapid change continues for a certain period of time or when the flowing water temperature after the rapid change is below a certain temperature, the CPU 20 causes the flowing water to flow within a predetermined time before and after that. If the sensing signal is not received, it can be determined that the water flow sensing device 2 is out of order. It should be noted that the flow water temperature sensor 3 may be installed at any position of the water pipe 6 (that is, not at the downstream side of the heat exchanger as shown in FIG. 2), as long as it is possible to catch a rapid change in the flow water temperature.

On the other hand, when there is a small difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply such as spring and autumn, the difference between the water temperature detected by the running water temperature sensor 3 and the water temperature of the water supply when stationary is artificially set in advance. If it is made large, the flowing water temperature sensor 3 can detect a rapid change in temperature when the faucet 23 is opened, so that the failure of the flowing water sensing device 2 can be determined in the same manner as in summer or winter. For that purpose, when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 4 is within a predetermined range (for example, 15 ° C. to 25 ° C.), the heater 8 is operated to heat the water pipe 6 so that the running water is preliminarily stopped when the water is stationary. The difference between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3 and the water temperature of the water supply may be increased.

Since the heater 8 is only required to be able to heat the water pipe 6, it is possible to use, for example, the antifreezing heater usually provided in this type of apparatus. The flowing water temperature sensor 3 may be any one that can detect the water temperature in the water pipe 6, and therefore, an incoming water temperature sensor, an outgoing hot water temperature sensor or the like normally provided in this kind of hot water supply device may be used.

Although a thermistor is usually used as the temperature sensor used in this embodiment, other temperature sensors may be used.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 1, C
A flow of operation of detecting a failure of the water flow sensing device 2 in the PU 20 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for detecting a failure of the water flow detecting device according to the present invention. The running water temperature sensor 3 may be provided at any position of the water pipe 6.

The outside air temperature sensor 4 of the hot water supply device 1 always detects the outside air temperature t2 and outputs an outside air temperature signal indicating the value to the CPU2.
0 (F-1). The CPU 20 monitors whether or not t2 detected based on the received outside air temperature signal is within a predetermined temperature range (for example, 15 ° C. to 25 ° C.) stored in advance (F-2). If t2 is within the predetermined temperature range, it is checked whether or not the heater 8 is operating (F-3), and if not, the heater 8 is operated (F-4), and after the heater 8 is operating. Wait until the flowing water temperature t1 of above becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) and becomes sufficiently different from the water temperature of the water supply (F-5) (F-6). Note that t
When 2 is not within the predetermined range, the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply is large, so if the heater 8 is operating, stop it (F-7) (F-8). Wait until it is sufficiently close to t2 (F-9) (F-10), and move to the next step (F-11).

Next, in the CPU 20, the change in the value of t1 detected based on the received flowing water temperature signal is chronologically stored in the memory 2.
0a is stored (F-11), and it is monitored whether or not a rapid increase or decrease in the value of t1 is detected (F-12). t
When a rapid rise or fall of 1 is detected, it is determined whether the value of t1 after the rapid rise or fall has continued for a fixed time (for example, 5 seconds) (F-13). Here, in step (F-13), it may be determined whether or not the value of t1 after the change is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 35 ° C.). If the value of t1 after the rapid rise or fall continues for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds), or if the value of t1 after the rise or fall is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it means that the faucet 23 is opened. If there is, a judgment is made as to whether or not a running water detection signal has been received from the running water sensing device 2 (F-14). If the water flow detection signal is received, the water flow detection device is operating normally, so the data of t1 stored in time series is temporarily cleared (F-
15) and returns to step (F-1). If the water flow detection signal is not received, it is determined that the water flow detection device 2 has failed because the water flow detection device did not operate despite the flow of water (F-16), and the failure data can be read. It is stored in the memory 24 (F-17).

Further, if the malfunction of the water flow sensing device 2 is displayed on the remote control device 22 to warn the user, it is convenient because the user can immediately inform the repair worker of the need for repair and the repaired portion.

Even if such a display is not made, when the repair worker comes to the repair, if the portable terminal device with a display unit is connected to the CPU 20 and the failure data stored in the memory 24 is read out. It is possible to immediately identify the faulty part and quickly repair it. Further, in the present embodiment, the means for judging the failure of the flowing water detecting apparatus is provided inside the hot water supply apparatus, but such a failure judging means is provided on the side of the portable terminal device having the built-in CPU carried by the repair worker. Then, when performing the repair work, the terminal device may be connected to the CPU 20 in the hot water supply device to determine the failure.

In the flow chart of FIG. 3, steps (F-1) to (F-10) are not indispensable steps for detecting a failure of the water flow sensing device according to the present invention, and the operation of the heater 8 is performed by the user. You may switch manually. You may control by a separate flow. Further, the hot water supply device 1 in FIG. 1 is a single-function device dedicated to hot water supply. However, even in a multi-function device having a bath reheating function as well, gas combustion ignition for hot water supply has the same mechanism, so that the present invention Can be implemented.

Further, although the gas hot water supply device is described in the present embodiment, the failure detecting method and means of the running water detection device of the hot water supply device according to the present invention is not limited to gas combustion, but for example running electricity or petroleum combustion. It can also be implemented in a water heater having a heating means for raising the temperature.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the water supply is large, when the water tap in the water pipe starts by opening the faucet downstream from the water heater, the water temperature in the water pipe suddenly increases. Focusing on the change of the flowing water, the flowing water temperature detecting means for detecting the flowing water temperature in the water pipe, the storing means for storing the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature detecting means in time series, and the flowing water sensing from the flowing water sensing device. A flowing water detection signal receiving means for receiving a signal is provided, and the flowing water temperature stored in the storage means changes abruptly, and the flowing water temperature after the change continues for a certain time or the flowing water temperature after the change is below a predetermined value. When the water flow detection signal receiving means does not receive the water flow detection signal within a certain time before and after the operation, it is determined that the water flow detection device is out of order. Can be identified quickly Can cope with disabilities, it is not necessary to identify the faulty behavior shell failure area as in the prior art.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a hot water supply device according to the present invention.

2 (a) to 2 (d) are views showing changes in flowing water temperature when the faucet is opened.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of detecting a failure of the flowing water detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hot Water Supply Device 2 Flow Water Detection Device 3 Flow Water Temperature Sensor 4 Outside Air Temperature Sensor 6 Water Pipe 7 Gas Supply Pipe 8 Heater 16 Heat Exchanger 17 Burner 20 CPU 21 Control Device 22 Remote Control Device 23 Water Tap 24 Memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A water pipe for introducing water from water supply to heat the water to supply hot water, and a heat exchanger provided in the middle of the water pipe.
It has a first heating means for heating the heat exchanger, and a running water sensing device for sensing the start of running water in the water pipe and outputting a running water sensing signal. When the running water sensing signal is output, the heating is performed. In a hot water supply apparatus in which heating by means is started, flowing water temperature detecting means for detecting flowing water temperature in the water pipe, first storage means for storing flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature detecting means in time series, When the flowing water temperature stored in the first storage means changes abruptly and the changed flowing water temperature continues for a fixed time or when the changed flowing water temperature is below a predetermined value, within a fixed time before and after that. A hot water supply device comprising: a determination unit that determines that the flowing water detection device is out of order if the flowing water detection signal is not output. 2. The first heating means comprises a burner for heating the heat exchanger and a gas supply pipe for supplying gas to the burner, and when the running water detection signal is output, gas combustion is performed. The water heater according to claim 1, which starts. 3. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit that readably stores the failure data when the determination unit determines that the running water detection device is out of order. 4. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the failure data when the determination unit determines that the running water detection device is out of order. 5. An outside air temperature detecting means and a second heating means for heating the water pipe are provided, and when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means is within a predetermined range, the second heating means is used. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a malfunction of the flowing water sensing device is determined after the water pipe is heated and the flowing water temperature reaches a predetermined value. 6. A water pipe for introducing water from water supply to heat the water to supply hot water, and a heat exchanger provided in the middle of the water pipe.
The heating means includes a heating means for heating the heat exchanger, and a running water sensing device for sensing the start of running water in the water pipe and outputting a running water sensing signal. When the running water sensing signal is output from the running water sensing device, In a failure detection method for a flowing water sensing device of a hot water supply device in which heating by a heating means starts, the flowing water temperature in the water pipe is detected, the detected flowing water temperature changes abruptly, and the flowing water temperature after the change continues for a certain period of time. When the flowing water temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined value at or after the change, if the flowing water sensing device does not output a flowing water sensing signal within a certain time before and after that, it is determined that the flowing water sensing device is out of order. Detection method for water flow detector.