JPH08178423A - Hot water supplying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable detecting of a trouble of a running water sensing device quickly and accurately by determining the running water sensor to break down if a running water sensing signal is not outputted within a fixed time before or after an operation in which individual temperatures of running water stored are changed sequentially from the side closer to an intake port to let the temperatures after the change thereof continue for a fixed time. CONSTITUTION: The temperature of running water is detected with temperature sensors 3a and 3b at more than one points in a water pipe 6 and the individual temperatures of the running water detected are stored in time series into a memory 20a of a CPU 20. The temperatures of the running water stored in the memory 20a are changed sequentially from the side closer to an intake port to let the temperatures after the change thereof continue for a fixed time and if no running water sensing signal is outputted within a fixed time before or after the operation, a running water sensing device 2 is determined to break down. The results are displayed on a remote controller 22. This enables detecting of any trouble of the running water sensing device 2 quickly and accurately.

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,
The flowing water sensing device senses a change in water flow or water pressure caused by opening a faucet provided downstream of the hot water supply device, and C
The signal is transmitted to the PU and the CPU sends a signal to open the valve of the gas supply path based on the signal to supply the gas, ignite the main burner, start combustion, and heat running water.
When the faucet is closed, the water flow sensing device senses a change in water flow or water pressure and transmits the signal to the CPU.
Control is performed such that the gas combustion is extinguished by the PU sending a signal to close the valve of the gas supply path.

[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 the water flow or water pressure due to opening / closing of the faucet, the CPU opens the faucet even if it 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 flushing 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, according to the present invention, when the water tap in the water pipe is started by opening the faucet downstream from the water heater, the water temperature in the water pipe starts from the side close to the inlet. Focusing on the fact that it changes sequentially, a flowing water temperature detecting means for detecting flowing water temperatures at two or more locations in the water pipe and a storage means for storing each flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature detecting means in time series are provided. , When each flowing water temperature stored in the storage means sequentially changes from the side close to the water inlet, and when the changed flowing water temperature continues for a certain period of time or when the changed flowing water temperature is below a predetermined value, If the running water detection signal is not output within a certain time before and after, it is determined that the running water sensing device is out of order.

[0011]

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 6, since it is possible to detect that the running water is started in the water pipe by sequentially changing the running water temperature detected at two or more places from the water inlet. If the running water sensing signal is not output when such a change occurs, it can be determined that the running water sensing device is out of order. Further, in the invention described in claim 3, since the failure data is stored so as to be readable when the above failure is determined, the failure data can be read out at any time to specify the failure portion. In the invention described in claim 4, 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, the running water can be treated in the same way as when the difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply is large. It becomes possible to detect the failure of the knowledge device.

[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 hot water supply device 1 is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 4 for detecting the outside air temperature, and the water pipe 6 is provided with running water temperature sensors 3a and 3b sequentially provided from the water inlet for monitoring the water temperature in the pipe, and to detect changes in the outside air temperature. A heater 8 for heating the water pipe 6 accordingly
Further, there are provided a water flow detection device 2 for detecting water flow due to opening of a water faucet 23 provided downstream of the hot water supply device, and a water amount control valve 10.

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. Receiving the running water temperature signal indicating the water temperature (hereinafter referred to as "running water temperature") detected by the sensors 3a and 3b, the rotation of the combustion fan 15, the gas proportional valve 11, and the water amount so that the hot water supply temperature becomes the hot water temperature set by the user. The operation of the control valve 10, the operations of the switching solenoid valves 13 a to 13 c, etc. are controlled via the control device 21. On the other hand, the CPU 20
Receives signals from the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b, and C
The temperature change in the water pipe 6 is chronologically stored in the memory 20a in the PU 20, 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 a user to set the hot water temperature and the water amount is provided outside the hot water supply device 1.
It 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 flowing water notification signal from the flowing water detection 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 sensors 3a and 3b when the faucet 23 is opened will be described.

For example, in summer (outside air temperature 30 ° C., water temperature of water supply 25 ° C.), if the water heater 1 is not used for a while, the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b is substantially equal to the outside air temperature. Although the temperature is 30 ° C., when the faucet 23 is opened, the water in the tap water suddenly flows into the water pipe 6, so that the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 a first rises from 30 ° C. to 25 ° C. Then, the running water temperature detected by the running water temperature sensor 3b also drops sharply from 30 ° C to 25 ° C. On the other hand, if the running water sensing device 2 operates normally, a running water sensing signal is sent to the CPU 20, gas combustion is started, and the running water is heated by the heat exchanger 16. Therefore, the running water temperature is kept constant for 25 seconds (for example, about 5 seconds).
If the running water temperature sensor 3a or 3b is located downstream of the heat exchanger 16 after the temperature changes at 0 ° C., the running water temperature will start rising and reach the set temperature of the user, but if the running water sensing device 2 does not operate, the running water temperature will change. It remains at 25 ° C for a while.

In a winter environment (outside air temperature: 5 ° C., water temperature of water supply: 10 ° C.), if the water heater is not used for a while, the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b is almost the outside air temperature. Although the temperature is equal to 5 ° C., when the faucet 23 is opened, the water flowing from the tap water suddenly flows into the water pipe 6, so that the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3 a is 5 ° C.
The temperature rises rapidly from 10 ° C to 10 ° C, and then the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensor 3b also rises rapidly from 5 ° C to 10 ° C. On the other hand, if the running water sensing device 2 operates normally, a running water sensing signal is sent to the CPU 20, gas combustion is started, and the running water is heated by the heat exchanger 16. Therefore, the running water temperature sensor 3a or 3b is operated by the heat exchanger 16. If it is in the downstream, the temperature of the flowing water changes to 10 ° C for a certain period of time (for example, about 5 seconds) and then starts to rise to reach the temperature set by the user. Transition to.

Therefore, when the outside air temperature is significantly different from the water temperature of the water supply, that is, in summer or winter, there is the flowing water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b stored in the memory of the CPU 20 in time series. Suddenly 3a, 3b
If the temperature after the change continues for a certain period of time (for example, 5 seconds) after that, it can be determined that the still water has flowed into the water pipe 6.

Further, when the temperature of the flowing water suddenly drops, it cannot be considered that it is due to the start of the flowing water, but when the temperature rises rapidly, it is possible that the temperature rises due to heating of the heat exchanger.
If the flowing water temperature after the abrupt change is lower than the minimum temperature of the hot water that can be set by the user (for example, 36 ° C.), it is determined that the change is caused by opening the faucet 23, not by heating the heat exchanger. it can.

On the other hand, at a time when the difference between the outside air temperature and the water temperature of the water supply is small, such as in spring or autumn, the difference between the water temperature detected by the running water temperature sensors 3a and 3b and the water temperature of the water supply is 0 or at rest. Since it becomes smaller, faucet 23
Sometimes it is difficult to catch the changes when opening.
Therefore, if the difference between the stationary water temperature detected by the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b and the water temperature of the water supply is made large beforehand, the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b can be used when the faucet 23 is opened. Since a rapid change in temperature can be detected, it is possible to determine the failure of the water flow sensing device 2 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. Temperature sensor 3a
The difference between the flowing water temperature detected in 3 and 3b 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 device. 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 each of the temperature sensors used in this embodiment, other temperature sensors may be used.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 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. 2 is a flow chart for detecting a failure of the water flow detecting device according to the present invention. Running water temperature sensor 3a
And 3b may be provided at any position of the water pipe 6. However, in this embodiment, the flowing water temperature sensor 3a is provided at a position closer to the water inlet than the flowing water temperature sensor 3b.

The outside air temperature sensor 4 of the hot water supply device 1 always detects the outside air temperature t3 and outputs an outside air temperature signal indicating the value to the CPU 2
0 (F-1). The CPU 20 monitors whether t3 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 the temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range, the flowing water temperatures t1 and t2 detected by the flowing water temperature sensors 3a and 3b are stored in the memory 20a in time series (F
-7) The process moves to (F-8) and step (F-9).

If t3 is within the predetermined temperature range, it is checked whether the heater 8 is in operation (F-3). If it is not in operation, the heater 8 is operated (F-4). If so, the process proceeds to step (F-5) and the running water temperature t after the heater 8 is actuated, which is detected by the running water temperature sensors 3a and 3b.
Wait until 1 and t2 become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C) and the difference with the water temperature of the water supply becomes sufficient (F-5) (F
-6). The running water temperatures t1t and t2 are predetermined temperatures (for example, 30
C.), the CPU 20 stores the changes in the values of t1 and t2 detected based on the received flowing water temperature signal in the memory 20a in time series (F-8), and the step (F-
Go to 9).

In step (F-9), it is first monitored whether or not a rapid increase or decrease in the value of t1 is detected, and t
If a sharp rise or fall of 1 is detected, then t
It is determined whether or not a rapid change similar to t1 is detected for the value of 2 (F-10). When there is no rapid change in t1 and when there is no change in t2 even if t1 changes, the process returns to step (F-8) to continue monitoring. On the other hand, when similar rapid changes are shown in the order of t1 and t2, it is judged whether or not the changed running water temperatures t1 and t2 have continued for a fixed time (F-12), and if they continue for a fixed time, the faucet 23
Is determined to be a change due to the opening, and it is determined whether or not a running water sensing signal is received from the running water sensing device 2 (F-
12). If the water flow detection signal is received, the water flow detection device is operating normally, so t1 stored in time series,
The data of t2 is once cleared (F-13), and the process returns to step (F-1). When 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 does not operate despite the flow of water (F
-14), The failure data indicating the details of the failure is readably stored in the memory 24 (F-15).

Furthermore, if the failure 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 repair location.

Even if such a display is not made, when the repair worker visits for 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 step (F-11), it may be judged whether or not the changed values of t1 and t2 are equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 35 ° C.).

In the present embodiment, two sensors 3a and 3b are provided as the flowing water temperature sensors, but three or more sensors may be provided, and the more sensors are provided, the finer the determination can be made. However, providing many sensors may increase the manufacturing cost.

In the flow chart of FIG. 2, steps (F-1) to (F-4) are not indispensable steps for detecting the failure of the water flow detecting 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 apparatus is described in the present embodiment, the method and means for detecting a failure of the flowing water detecting apparatus of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to gas combustion but flowing electricity such as electricity or petroleum combustion. It can also be implemented in a water heater having a heating means for raising the temperature.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the faucet provided downstream of the hot water supply device is opened to start flowing water in the water pipe, the flowing water temperature in the water pipe changes in order from the side closer to the water inlet. Paying attention to, the running water temperature detecting means for detecting the running water temperature at two or more locations in the water pipe, and the storage means for storing each running water temperature detected by the running water temperature detecting means in time series are provided.
When each flowing water temperature stored in the storage means changes sequentially from the side close to the water inlet, and when the changed flowing water temperature continues for a certain period of time or when the changed flowing water temperature is below a predetermined value, it is constant before and after that. If the water flow detection signal is not output within the time, it is determined that the water flow detection device is out of order, so that a repair worker can quickly and accurately identify the failure site and quickly respond to the failure. It is not necessary to identify the failure part from the failure phenomenon as in the past.

[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.

FIG. 2 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 3a, 3b 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

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.
A first heating means for heating the heat exchanger; and a running water sensing device for sensing a start of running water in the water pipe and outputting a running water sensing signal. When the running water sensing signal is output. In a hot water supply apparatus in which heating of the heat exchanger is started, running water temperature detecting means for detecting running water temperature at two or more locations in the water pipe, and each running water temperature detected by the running water temperature detecting means in time series. First storage means for storing, and the flowing water temperatures stored in the first storing means sequentially change from the side close to the water inlet, and when the changed flowing water temperatures continue for a certain time or after the changing When the running water temperature is below a predetermined value, and if the running water sensing signal is not output within a certain time before and after that, there is provided a judging means for judging that the running water sensing device is out of order. . 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, and when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means is within a predetermined range, the second heating means. 2. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water pipe is heated by the method to determine the failure of the flowing water detecting device after 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.
It has 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, the gas is supplied. In a method of detecting a failure of a flowing water detecting device of a hot water supply device in which combustion starts, flowing water temperatures are detected at two or more locations in the water pipe, and each detected flowing water temperature changes in the order closer to the water inlet. If the running water temperature does not output a running water sensing signal within a certain time before and after the temperature continues for a certain time or after the change and the running water temperature is below a predetermined value, the running water sensing device is out of order. A fault detection method for a water flow sensing device, characterized by: