JPH0968346A - Hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly perform appropriate treatment by surely and rapidly recognizing abnormal condition by a user when an abnormality such as clogging of an air filter during the operation cause of which can be easily solved by the user is generated. SOLUTION: When abnormal clogging of an air filter 29 is generated, the abnormal condition is indicated on an indicator 32 for the set temperature, and the combustion of a gas burner 4 is stopped, the abnormal condition is continuously indicated and the combustion of the gas burner 4 is prohibited irrespective of the stopping of water in a hot water supply passage 3 until the prescribed period is elapsed after the abnormal condition is indicated by the indicator 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a gas hot water supply device, the presence or absence of water flow in a hot water supply pipe is detected by using a water flow switch or a water amount sensor, and the heat provided by the hot water supply pipe is linked to the detection of the presence or absence of water flow. It is generally known to start or stop the combustion of a gas burner that heats an exchanger.

In this type of gas hot water supply apparatus, various abnormalities such as misfire and misfire of the gas burner and failure of the hot water temperature sensor are detected, and the combustion of the gas burner is stopped according to the detection of the abnormalities. It has been known that the abnormality content is switched and displayed on a display for displaying the set temperature of the hot water temperature, for example. Furthermore, in recent years, when a clogging abnormality is detected in the air filter provided in the air passage (for example, the intake port of the combustion fan) for supplying combustion air to the gas burner by the combustion fan, when the clogging abnormality is detected. In the same manner as described above, the applicant of the present application has developed a method of prompting the user to clean the air filter by stopping the combustion of the gas burner and displaying the details of the abnormality.

Incidentally, for example, in the case of an abnormality such as misfire or non-ignition of the gas burner, the abnormality is generally temporary, and in such an abnormality, the combustion operation of the gas burner is performed after the occurrence of the abnormality. There is a high possibility that it can be restarted without any trouble. Further, in the case where the contents of the abnormality are switched and displayed on the display of the set temperature when an abnormality occurs, it is preferable to display the original set temperature at least in a state where combustion of the gas burner can be performed.

For this reason, in the conventional hot water supply apparatus, the display of the abnormality content at the time of occurrence of an abnormality is performed until the water supply in the hot water supply passage is stopped after the occurrence of the abnormality, and in response to the stop of the water supply. I was trying to clear the display of the error content. Then, when the water flow was restarted, the normal set temperature was displayed immediately. In this case, even if the water flow is restarted, the combustion operation of the gas burner is stopped again and the content of the abnormality is displayed unless the cause of the abnormality is eliminated.

[0006] However, in such a case, there is the following inconvenience especially when an abnormality such as clogging abnormality of the air filter occurs that the user can easily eliminate the cause of the abnormality. It was found by the study of the inventors of the present application.

That is, for example, in the case of the clogging abnormality of the air filter, the cause of the abnormality can be eliminated only by the user himself / herself cleaning the air filter. It is preferable to promptly inform the user of the details of the abnormality.

However, in the prior art, since the content of the abnormality at the time of occurrence of an abnormality is displayed as described above until the passage of water through the hot water supply passage is stopped, the user immediately stops the passage of water after the occurrence of the abnormality. Then, the display of the abnormality content disappears, and the user can easily overlook the abnormality content. In addition, such an oversight is likely to occur when, for example, a display is provided in the remote control unit of the hot water supply device, and the faucet for performing the water supply operation of the hot water supply passage is separated from the display. In this case, if water continues through the hot water supply passage, the content of the abnormality is continuously displayed on the display unit, so it is possible to recognize the content of the abnormality. In many cases, the user does not know well, and generally, when an abnormality occurs and the combustion of the gas burner is stopped, the user immediately stops the water flow.

For this reason, the user must stop and restart water flow several times before he / she understands the abnormality, or if he / she decides that the hot water supply device is out of order without knowing the abnormality, he / she asks the dealer. There is an inconvenience that it requires an extra effort and time because the repair is requested.

If the abnormality that has occurred is, for example, a temporary misfire or non-ignition of the gas burner, restarting the hot water supply passage allows the combustion operation of the gas burner to resume without any problems. There is no problem even if a person overlooks the abnormality.

Further, in the case of an abnormality such as a failure of the thermistor, it is not possible for the abnormality of the user to eliminate the cause of the abnormality, so the user must confirm that the abnormality requires repair. It suffices to be able to make a judgment, and therefore, there is no problem even if the user does not recognize the abnormality content.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, the present invention allows a user to reliably and quickly recognize the contents of an abnormality when an abnormality occurs during operation, and in particular, an air filter clogging abnormality. Provided is a hot water supply device that allows the user to reliably and promptly recognize the details of the abnormality and take appropriate measures when an abnormality occurs that allows the user to easily eliminate the cause of the abnormality. The purpose is to do.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a heating means for operating water flowing through the hot water supply passage to heat water flowing through the hot water supply passage. When a predetermined abnormality occurs during the operation of the heating means, an abnormality detection means for detecting the abnormality, and when the abnormality detection means detects the abnormality, the operation of the heating means is stopped and the abnormality is detected. In a hot water supply device including an abnormality processing unit for notifying the content, the abnormality processing unit continuously notifies the abnormality content until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the abnormality content was notified. It is characterized by performing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the hot water supply passage is stopped immediately after the occurrence of the predetermined abnormality, the content of the abnormality is notified until the predetermined time elapses. Will continue without interruption. As a result, the user can quickly recognize the details of the abnormality and can take appropriate measures according to the content of the abnormality.

In the second aspect of the present invention, a heating means for operating water flowing through the hot water supply passage to heat water flowing through the hot water supply passage, and a predetermined abnormality during the operation of the heating means. Hot water supply provided with abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormality when it occurs, and abnormality processing means for stopping the operation of the heating means and notifying the content of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means. In the device, the abnormality processing means, after the notification of the content of the abnormality, until a predetermined time that has been determined in advance from the time when the water flow in the hot water supply passage is stopped,
It is characterized in that the content of the abnormality is continuously notified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, not only when the water flow in the hot water supply passage is stopped immediately after the occurrence of the predetermined abnormality, but also when the user does not notice the occurrence of the abnormality, the hot water supply is performed. Even when the passage of water through the passage is continued for a relatively long time, the abnormality content is continuously notified until the predetermined time elapses after the passage of water through the hot water supply passage. Accordingly, the user can immediately recognize the details of the abnormality after stopping the water flow according to the occurrence of the abnormality, and can take appropriate measures according to the details of the abnormality.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention as described above, while the abnormality processing means is informing of the content of the abnormality, the heating means is irrespective of restart of water flow in the hot water supply passage. Operation is prohibited. According to this, even if the user does not notice the notification of the content of the abnormality and restarts the water flow to restart the operation of the hot water supply device while the notification is being made, the operation of the heating means is activated. Is not done. With this, the user can surely recognize that the content of the abnormality is notified and immediately confirm the content of the abnormality.
Appropriate measures can be taken promptly according to the details of the abnormality.

Further, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, the notification of the content of the abnormality by the abnormality processing means is
The display of the display unit for displaying the set temperature of hot water supply is switched from the display of the set temperature to the display of the abnormality content.
According to this, after the elapse of the period for notifying the user of the abnormality content to notify the abnormality content, the display automatically returns to the normal set temperature display. After performing the treatment corresponding to, the hot water supply operation of the hot water supply device can be performed without any trouble while confirming the set temperature, which is convenient for the user.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention,
The predetermined abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means is an abnormality that can be resolved by the user of the hot water supply device, and when the heating means is a heating means including a combustor, the predetermined abnormality is detected. The abnormality is preferably a clogging abnormality of an air filter provided in the air passage of the combustor.

That is, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prompt the user to promptly recognize the details of the abnormality as described above. Therefore, in particular, the abnormality such as the clogging abnormality of the air filter or the like. When an abnormality occurs that can be resolved by the user, the user can promptly recognize the content of the abnormality as described above, and the user can take appropriate measures to eliminate the cause of the abnormality promptly. Therefore, the normal operation of the water heater can be promptly restarted.

In this case, when the abnormality detecting means can detect a plurality of types of abnormality including the clogging abnormality of the air filter, the abnormality processing means causes the abnormality detecting means to detect other than the clogging of the air filter. When an abnormality is detected, the content of the abnormality is notified until the water supply to the hot water supply passage is stopped, and after the water supply to the hot water supply passage is stopped, the notification of the abnormality content is stopped and the hot water supply is performed. When the passage of water through the passage is restarted, the heating means becomes operable.

According to this, when an abnormality other than the clogging of the air filter, for example, a temporary abnormality such as a misfire of the gas burner occurs, the user immediately restarts the hot water supply passage to restart the operation. Without the heating means, the hot water supply operation can be restarted. Further, for example, when an abnormality that requires repair by a trader occurs, the user stops the water flow, so that the notification of the content of the abnormality is stopped and it becomes easy to overlook the content of the abnormality. Even if the passage of water through the passage is restarted, the abnormality is generated and the heating means is stopped each time, so that the user can recognize that the abnormality that needs to be repaired occurs. It is possible to accurately request a repair from a contractor.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of the hot water supply apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hot water supply apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the hot water supply device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hot water supply apparatus of this embodiment includes a water heater main body 1 and a remote controller 2 connected thereto.

The water heater main body 1 includes a hot water supply passage 3, a gas burner 4 serving as a combustor, and a combustion chamber 5 accommodating the gas burner 4.
And a combustion fan 6 for supplying combustion air into the combustion chamber 5.
A control unit 7 and a fuel supply passage 8 for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 4. A heat exchanger 10 that constitutes heating means 9 together with the gas burner 4 is arranged above the gas burner 4, and the hot water supply passage 3 is piped through the heat exchanger 10.

The hot water supply passage 3 is composed of a main water supply pipe 11, a heat exchanger pipe 12 and a hot water discharge pipe 13 which are sequentially connected in series from the upstream side to the downstream side. The heat exchanger pipe 12 includes a bypass pipe. 14 are connected in parallel. At the branch point from the main water supply pipe 11 to the heat exchanger pipe 12 and the bypass pipe 14, an electric water flow controller 15 that adjusts the ratio of the amount of water flowing to the heat exchanger pipe 12 and the bypass pipe 14 according to an instruction from the control unit 7. It is provided.

The upstream side of the main water supply pipe 11 is connected to the water supply, and the downstream side is connected to the inlet of the electric water flow controller 15. A water filter / drainage tap 16, a water amount sensor 17, and a water supply thermistor 18 are arranged on the original water supply pipe 11 from the upstream side. The water amount sensor 17 is an impeller type, and sends a pulse according to the amount of water passing through the hot water supply passage 3 to the control unit 7. The water supply thermistor 18 detects the water supply temperature and sends the detection signal to the control unit 7.

The heat exchanger tube 12 has its upstream side connected to one of the two outlets of the electric water amount control device 15, its intermediate portion passing through the heat exchanger 10, and its downstream side connected to the hot water outlet tube 13. . The heat exchanger 10 transfers the heat of combustion of the gas burner 4 to the heat exchanger tube 12 and heats the water flowing through the heat exchanger tube 12. Further, an overheat prevention device 19 for detecting the overheat state is arranged on the outer wall of the heat exchanger 10, and the outlet temperature of the water passing through the heat exchanger 10 is detected on the downstream outlet side of the heat exchanger pipe 12. A heat exchange hot water thermistor 20 is provided. The detection signals of the overheat prevention device 19 and the heat exchange hot water thermistor 20 are output to the control unit 7.

An upstream inlet side of the bypass pipe 14 is connected to the other outlet side of the electric water flow controller 15 to be branched from the main water supply pipe 11, and a downstream end thereof is upstream of the hot water discharge pipe 13 (a downstream end of the heat exchanger pipe 10). Side).

The hot water outlet pipe 13 has a freeze prevention heater 21 for preventing freezing, and a hot water thermistor 2 for detecting the hot water temperature.
2, overpressure safety valve and water drain plug 23, hot water tap 2 for tapping hot water
4 are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side. The hot water outlet thermistor 22 detects the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water outlet pipe 13 of the hot water supply passage 3 at the downstream side of the confluence of the heat exchanger pipe 12 and the bypass pipe 14, and outputs the detection signal to the control unit 7. The hot water tap 24 is a hot water tap that adjusts the amount of hot water discharged from a faucet (not shown) arranged in a kitchen or a bathroom.

A main solenoid valve 25 and a governor proportional solenoid valve 26 are arranged in this order from the upstream side of the fuel supply passage 8, and the downstream end portion thereof is introduced into the combustion chamber 5 to supply the fuel gas to the gas burner 4. ing. The governor proportional solenoid valve 26 is energized and controlled by the control unit 7, and continuously changes the fuel gas supply amount according to the energization amount. The original solenoid valve 25 is opened and closed under the control of the control unit 7, thereby performing fuel supply to the gas burner 4 and cutoff of the fuel supply.

The combustion chamber 5 accommodating the gas burner 2 has an exhaust portion 2 for collecting the combustion exhaust gas 27a and discharging it to the outside.
7 is provided, and a ventilation path 28 provided with the combustion fan 6 is communicated. The air passage 28 is connected to the combustion fan 6
The suction side of the water heater is opened to the outside of the water heater body 1, and an air filter 29 is detachably attached to the opening. A duct (not shown) is connected to the exhaust unit 27 as needed. The combustion fan 6 is provided with a rotation speed sensor 6a composed of a Hall element or the like, and the rotation speed sensor 6a outputs a detection signal of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 to the control unit 7.

The remote controller 2 is provided with a temperature setting switch 30 for setting the hot water temperature, an operation switch 31, and a liquid crystal display 32 for displaying the temperature set by the temperature setting switch 30. The display 32 of the remote controller 2 can display the content of the abnormality by an error code or the like when an abnormality described later occurs.

In FIG. 1, 33 is an ignition electrode of the gas burner 2, 34 is an igniter that causes a spark discharge in the ignition electrode 33 under the control of the control unit 7, and 35 is a frame rod for detecting the combustion flame of the gas burner 2. The frame rod 35 outputs the detection signal to the control unit 7. Further, 36 is an overheat preventing fuse for making the control unit 7 recognize the overheated state of the gas burner 2, and 37
Is a low temperature detection switch for operating the antifreezing heater 21, and the signal of the low temperature detection switch 37 is output to the control unit 7.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the control unit 7
Is equipped with a microcomputer (not shown),
As its functional configuration, an operation control unit 38 that controls the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 and the like, an abnormality detection unit 39 (abnormality detection means) that detects the presence or absence of various abnormalities during operation, and processing when an abnormality occurs The abnormality processing unit 40 (abnormality processing means) for performing the processing is provided.

The operation control unit 38 controls the combustion operation of the gas burner 2, and a required combustion amount calculation unit 41 for calculating the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 and energization of a fan motor (not shown) of the combustion fan 6. Fan control unit 42 for controlling
And a proportional valve control unit 43 that controls energization of the governor proportional solenoid valve 26, and a solenoid valve control unit 44 that controls opening and closing of the original solenoid valve 25.

The required combustion amount calculating unit 41 sets the hot water temperature to the temperature of the remote controller 2 based on the detection signals of the hot water temperature, the water flow rate, and the hot water temperature provided from the hot water thermistor 18, the water amount sensor 17, and the hot water thermistor 22, respectively. Switch 3
The required combustion amount of the gas burner 4 to match the set temperature set by 0 is obtained every moment according to a predetermined arithmetic expression or the like.

The fan control unit 42 basically supplies the combustion air in an amount corresponding to the required combustion amount calculated by the required combustion amount calculation unit 41 to the combustion chamber 5 by the combustion fan 6. The target number of revolutions is calculated from the required combustion amount according to a predetermined data table,
The amount of electricity supplied to the fan motor of the combustion fan 6 is set so that the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 6a of the combustion fan 6 matches the target rotation speed. Then, by energizing the fan motor of the combustion fan 6 with the set energization amount, the rotational speed of the combustion fan 6 is feedback-controlled to the target rotational speed.

In this case, in the hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, the fan control unit 42 has a proper amount corresponding to the required combustion amount even if the ventilation passage 28 is blocked to some extent due to clogging of the air filter 29. The rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 is controlled while appropriately correcting the target rotation speed determined according to the required combustion amount as described above so that the combustion air can be supplied. Such correction control of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 is disclosed in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-58860 by the applicant of the present application, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here, but its outline is as follows. Is the street.

That is, when the air passage 28 is blocked due to clogging of the air filter 29, the combustion fan 6
Is controlled to an arbitrary target rotation speed, the supply amount of combustion air by the combustion fan 6 is reduced as compared with the case where the air passage 28 is normal, and therefore the load on the combustion fan 6 is reduced. Thus, the amount of electricity supplied to the fan motor of the combustion fan 6 becomes lower than that in the case where the air passage 28 is normal. The degree of decrease in the amount of energization depends on the degree of blockage of the air passage 28, and the degree of decrease in the amount of energization increases as the blockage progresses. Therefore, the fan control unit 42 stores in advance a memory or the like (not shown) for standard energization amount data at each target rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 when the air filter 29 is clean and the air passage 28 is normal. Therefore, the degree to which the actual energization amount when the revolution speed of the combustion fan 6 is controlled to each target revolution speed during the combustion of the gas burner 4 is lower than the standard energization amount is monitored. Then, based on the degree of decrease in the energization amount, the air filter 2
The degree of blockage of the air passage 28 due to clogging of 9 is grasped, and the correction coefficient of the target rotational speed is obtained by a predetermined arithmetic expression. Then, the target rotation speed determined by corresponding to the required combustion amount is multiplied by the obtained correction coefficient to correct the target rotation speed, and the combustion fan 6 is fed back according to the corrected target rotation speed. Control.

The correction coefficient of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 obtained as described above becomes a value as shown in FIG. 3 according to the degree of blockage of the air passage 28, in other words, the clogging state of the air filter 29, The value indicates the degree of blockage of the ventilation path 28.

In the correction of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 as described above, for example, an actual air supply amount is detected by using an air flow sensor, and the detected air supply amount corresponds to the required combustion amount. The number of revolutions of the combustion fan 6 may be corrected so that the air volume becomes appropriate. Also, with the air supply amount detected by the air flow sensor,
It is also possible to grasp the degree of blockage of the ventilation passage 28 from the correlation with the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6.

The proportional valve control unit 43 of the gas burner 4 is based on the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 6a of the combustion fan 6 and the correction coefficient of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 obtained by the fan control unit 42 as described above. The supply amount of the combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount is grasped, and the governor proportional solenoid valve 26 is energized and controlled so that the gas burner 4 is supplied with fuel gas in an amount proportional to the supply amount. The energization control of the governor proportional solenoid valve 26 is based on the required combustion amount calculated by the required combustion amount calculation unit 41, and is proportional to the governor so as to supply the gas burner 4 with an amount of fuel gas corresponding to the required combustion amount. The solenoid valve 26 may be energized and controlled.

When the combustion of the gas burner 4 is started, the solenoid valve control unit 44 energizes the original solenoid valve 25 to open it.
When the combustion of the gas burner 4 is stopped, the power supply to the original solenoid valve 25 is stopped and the original solenoid valve 25 is closed.

Although not shown or described in detail, the operation control unit 38 also includes a drive unit for the igniter 34, a control unit for the electric water flow controller 15, and the like.

The abnormality detector 39 includes a water supply thermistor 18
And the detection signal of the hot water discharge thermistor 22, the heat exchange hot water discharge thermistor 20, the overheat prevention device 19, the fuse 36, the frame rod 35, the rotation speed sensor 6a, and the energization signal of the solenoid valve control unit 44 are input. . Further, the correction coefficient obtained by the fan control unit 42 is given as a signal indicating the clogging state of the air filter 29. Then, the abnormality detection unit 39, based on these input signals,
Detects various abnormalities that occur in the water heater.

Specifically, for example, each thermistor 18, 2
Each thermistor 18, 22, 2 based on the signals of 2, 20
Abnormality such as disconnection or short circuit of 0 is detected. In addition, based on the detection signals of the heat exchange hot water thermistor 20 and the overheat prevention device 19, and the fusing signal of the fuse 36, the excessive temperature rise state of the water overheated in the heat exchanger 10, the overheat state of the heat exchanger 10, and the combustion An abnormal state such as an excessively high temperature state of the chamber 5 is detected. Also,
Based on the detection signal of the frame rod 35, the gas burner 4
Detects abnormalities such as misfire and misfire. Further, the rotation abnormality of the combustion fan 6 is detected based on the detection signal of the rotation speed sensor 6a. Further, the circuit abnormality of the solenoid valve control unit 44 is detected based on the energization signal of the solenoid valve control unit 44. Further, an excessive clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 (for example, a state in which the degree of blockage in FIG. 3 is 80% or more) is detected based on the correction coefficient provided from the fan control unit 42.

Among the various abnormalities as described above, for example, an abnormality such as a disconnection or a short circuit of each thermistor 18, 22, 20 or a circuit abnormality of the solenoid valve control unit 44 is to eliminate the cause of the abnormality. Requires repair by a vendor. Further, an abnormality such as misfire or non-ignition of the gas burner 4 is generally temporary due to a gust of wind or the like, and the cause of the abnormality is resolved naturally. Further, the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 is an abnormality that can be eliminated if the user cleans the air filter 29 regardless of the trader.

When the abnormality detecting section 39 detects an abnormality, the abnormality processing section 40 instructs the operation control section 38 to stop the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 or detects the abnormality on the display 32 of the remote controller 2 when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting section 39. The error details are displayed.
Details of the abnormality processing by the abnormality processing unit 40 will be described later.

Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

When the user starts passing water through the hot water supply passage 3, this is based on the detection signal of the water amount sensor 17 and the operation control unit 38.
At this time, the operation control unit 38 operates the combustion fan 6 at a predetermined rotation speed by the fan control unit 42 to pre-purge the combustion chamber 5, and then performs the ignition process of the gas burner 4. In this ignition process, the solenoid valve control unit 44 opens the original solenoid valve 25 while rotating the combustion fan 6 at a predetermined rotation speed by the fan control unit 42, and in this state, the igniter 34 is driven to drive the ignition electrode 33. The gas burner 4 is ignited by producing a spark discharge. When the combustion of the gas burner 4 is started in this way, the required combustion amount calculation unit 41 of the operation control unit 38 obtains the required combustion amount of the gas burner 4 moment by moment as described above. Further, the fan control unit 42 feedback-controls the rotation speed of the combustion fan 6 so as to supply the combustion air to the gas burner 4 with the supply air amount corresponding to the required combustion amount as described above, and further, the proportional valve control unit 43. Controls the governor proportional solenoid valve 26 so that the gas burner 4 is burned with an amount of fuel gas corresponding to the amount of air supplied by the combustion fan 6. As a result, the gas burner 4 burns with the required combustion amount calculated by the required combustion amount calculation unit 41, and heats the water flowing through the heat exchanger pipe 12 of the hot water supply passage 3 via the heat exchanger 10. At this time, since the required combustion amount is obtained so that the hot water outlet temperature of the hot water supply passage 3 matches the set temperature set by the temperature setting switch 30 of the remote controller 2, the hot water is supplied at the set temperature.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 4, the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 as described above (including the ignition process of the gas burner 4)
At this time, the abnormality detection unit 39 of the control unit 7 monitors the occurrence of the above-mentioned abnormality (STEP 1), and when the abnormality detection unit 39 detects the occurrence of the abnormality, the abnormality processing unit 40 causes the remote controller to operate. The display of the set temperature displayed on the second display 32 is switched to the display of the abnormality content detected by the abnormality detection unit 39, and the operation control unit 38 is instructed to stop the combustion operation (STEP 2). At this time,
The operation control unit 38 uses the solenoid valve control unit 44 to control the original solenoid valve 2
5 is closed to stop the fuel supply to the gas burner 4, and the fan control unit 42 also stops the operation of the combustion fan 6, thereby stopping the combustion operation of the gas burner 4.

Subsequently, the abnormality processing section 40 is connected to the abnormality detecting section 4
It is determined whether the abnormality detected by 0 is the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 (STEP 3).

At this time, when the clogging of the air filter 29 is abnormal, the abnormality processing unit 40 starts a timer (not shown) for measuring a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes in this embodiment) ( In STEP 4), it is determined based on the detection signal of the water amount sensor 17 whether or not the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped (STEP 5). In this case, if the user does not notice the occurrence of an abnormality and the hot water supply passage 3 continues to pass water, the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 is stopped and the content of the abnormality displayed by the display 32 of the remote controller 2 (air If the user notices the occurrence of an abnormality and stops the water flow through the hot water supply passage 3, the abnormality processing unit 40 determines whether the timer has expired next time. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed from the time when the combustion operation was stopped or the content of the abnormality was displayed (STEP 6). In this case, the predetermined time (3
Even if the user notices the occurrence of an abnormality before the passage of (minutes) and stops the water flow through the hot water supply passage 3, the predetermined time (3
Until (minute) has elapsed, the content of the abnormality (abnormal clogging of the air filter 29) is continuously displayed on the display 32 of the remote controller 2 while the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 is stopped. While the content of the abnormality is displayed, the operation control unit 38 does not operate the abnormality processing unit 40 even if the user restarts water flow.
According to the instruction, the combustion operation as described above is not performed.

Therefore, even if the user immediately stops the flow of water after the occurrence of the abnormality, the user can check the display 32 of the remote controller 2 until the predetermined time (3 minutes) elapses. The fact that the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 has occurred can be promptly recognized. If the user temporarily determines that the abnormality has occurred, the predetermined time (3
Even if the water flow in the hot water supply passage 3 is restarted without checking the display on the display 32 before the time), the combustion operation including the ignition process of the gas burner 4 is not performed, so that the user can By checking 32, the fact that the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 has occurred is surely recognized.

As a result, the user can grasp the necessity of cleaning the air filter 29 and quickly clean the air filter 29 to eliminate the cause of the abnormality.

By the processing of STEP 5, as long as the water supply in the hot water supply passage 3 continues after the occurrence of the abnormality, the display of the remote controller 2 is displayed regardless of whether or not the predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed. Since the display of the abnormality content (abnormal clogging of the air filter 29) by the device 32 continues, the user can recognize the abnormality content by the display of the display device 32 while continuing the water flow.

When the predetermined time (3 minutes) has passed in STEP 6, the abnormality processing section 40 clears the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 of the remote controller 2 and returns to the normal set temperature display ( STEP 7). At this time, the abnormality processing unit 40 releases the prohibition instruction of the combustion operation to the operation control unit 38, and brings the combustion operation into a possible state.

Next, the water flow through the hot water supply passage 3 is restarted (S
When TEP8 is YES), the operation control unit 38 restarts the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 (STEP 9). In this case, if the air filter 29 has not been cleaned, the above-described processing by the abnormality processing unit 40 is again performed to stop the combustion operation or display the content of the abnormality. Is. Then, when the user restarts the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 after cleaning the air filter 29 based on the grasp of the abnormality content as described above, an abnormality other than the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 occurs. As long as you do not,
The combustion operation of the gas burner 4 can be restarted and hot water can be supplied without any trouble. Further, since the display of the display 32 of the remote controller 2 is returned to the display of the normal set temperature, the user can confirm the set temperature when restarting the operation and can change the set temperature without any trouble. be able to.

On the other hand, in STEP 3, an abnormality other than the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29, for example, an abnormality such as misfire or misfire of the gas burner 4, or the thermistors 18, 22, 20 being broken or short-circuited, for example. If there is an abnormality such as the above, the abnormality processing unit 40 determines whether or not the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped based on the detection signal of the water amount sensor 17 (STEP 10), and the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 continues. While the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 is stopped, the content of the abnormality is continuously displayed on the display 32 of the remote controller 2. Then, when the water flow is stopped, in STEP 7, the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 of the remote controller 2 is cleared and the display of the normal set temperature is restored. After that, when the user restarts water flow in STEP 8, STE
At P9, the operation control unit 38 tries to restart the combustion operation of the gas burner 4.

In this case, when the user stops the water flow through the hot water supply passage 3 after the occurrence of the abnormality, the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 is cleared, so that the user may not be able to recognize the abnormality content. .

However, the abnormality other than the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 is a temporary abnormality such as misfire or non-ignition of the gas burner 4 due to a gust of wind, or, for example, disconnection or short circuit of each thermistor 18, 22, 20. The user cannot solve the cause of the abnormality.

If the gas burner 4 has a temporary abnormality such as a misfire or a non-ignition, the user can restart the water flow without knowing the details of the abnormality (STEP).
8) Since the operation control unit 38 performs the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 without any trouble and the display of the display 32 of the remote controller 2 is returned to the display of the normal set temperature, it is possible to confirm the set temperature. Changes can be made without any hindrance.

The abnormality such as disconnection or short circuit of each thermistor 18, 22, 20 is not such that the user himself / herself can eliminate the cause of the abnormality even if the user grasps the content of the abnormality. Even if the person restarts the water flow, the abnormality detection unit 39 detects the abnormality again and the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 is stopped. Therefore, the user immediately determines that the abnormality is in need of repair and the operator You can ask for repair.
In this case, the user or the trader can also grasp the abnormality content by displaying the display 32 of the remote controller 2 by continuously passing water through the hot water supply passage 3.

As described above, according to the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment, in particular, when an abnormality such that the air filter 29 is clogged, which can be easily eliminated by the user himself, the abnormality content is promptly determined. Therefore, the cause of the abnormality can be eliminated (the air filter 29 is cleaned) promptly, and the operation can be restarted without any trouble. In addition, even when an abnormality requiring repair occurs, the user can promptly request the repair from the dealer without knowing the details of the abnormality.

Next, one embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the hot water supply device of the present embodiment. The configuration of the hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIGS. 1 and 2, and only the processing by the abnormality processing unit 40 is different from that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The description will be omitted, and the operation will be described using the reference numerals of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the hot water supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, the abnormality processing unit 40 has an abnormality detecting unit when an abnormality occurs during the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 as in the case of the first embodiment. When the abnormality is detected by 39 (ST
(YES in EP1), the content of the abnormality is displayed on the display 32 of the remote controller 2, the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 is stopped via the operation control unit 38 (STEP 2), and then the detected abnormality is detected in the air filter 29. It is determined whether or not the clogging is abnormal (STEP 3).

At this time, the processing when the detected abnormality is not the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 is exactly the same as that of the embodiment of the first aspect (STEPs 10 and 7-).
9) After displaying the content of the abnormality on the display unit 32 until the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped, the display of the content of the abnormality is cleared by the stop of the water supply and the display of the normal set temperature is restored. Then, when the water flow is restarted, the gas burner 4 by the operation control unit 38
Combustion operation resumes. At this time, it goes without saying that the combustion operation is stopped again unless the cause of the abnormality has been resolved.

On the other hand, in STEP 3, when the detected abnormality is the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29, the abnormality processing unit 40 first determines whether or not the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped ( STEP 11). At this time, while the water flow continues, the abnormality processing unit 40 causes the display device 32 to continue to display the content of the abnormality (abnormal clogging of the air filter 29). The timer (not shown) for measuring a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes in the present embodiment) is continuously started while the display of (1) is started (STEP).
12). Then, until the timer expires, that is, until the predetermined time (3 minutes) elapses after the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped, the abnormality content displayed by the display 32 (the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29). ) Is continued to be displayed (STEP 13). In this case, while the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 continues, even if the water flow in the hot water supply passage 3 is temporarily stopped and then restarted, the combustion control of the gas burner 4 by the operation control unit 38 is prohibited. .

By displaying such abnormal contents,
As with the first peer embodiment, the user
Even if the water flow is stopped immediately after the occurrence of the abnormality, the contents of the abnormality, that is, the air filter 29 of the air filter 29 is confirmed by checking the display 32 of the remote controller 2 until the predetermined time (3 minutes) elapses thereafter. It is possible to quickly recognize that a clogging abnormality has occurred. In addition, before the predetermined time (3 minutes) elapses after the user temporarily determines that the abnormality has occurred,
Even if the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is restarted without checking the display of the display 32, the combustion operation including the ignition process of the gas burner 4 is not performed, so the user checks the display 32. , It is surely recognized that the air filter 29 is clogged abnormally. Furthermore, even if the user continues to pass water for a long time without noticing the occurrence of abnormality,
After that, since the content of the abnormality is displayed until the above-mentioned predetermined time (3 minutes) has elapsed after the water flow was stopped, the display informs the user that the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 has occurred. Can be recognized.

As a result, the user can grasp the necessity of cleaning the air filter 29, quickly clean the air filter 29, and eliminate the cause of the abnormality.

In STEP 13, the predetermined time (3 minutes)
After the passage of, the completely same processing as the embodiment of the first aspect described above is performed (STEPs 7 to 9), and the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 is cleared to return to the display of the normal set temperature. Then, when the water flow is restarted, the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 by the operation control unit 38 is restarted.

As a result, after the user cleans the air filter 29 and eliminates the cause of the abnormality, the user can restart the combustion operation of the gas burner 4 without any trouble and confirm the set temperature on the display 32. The set temperature can be changed.

As described above, also by the hot water supply apparatus of this embodiment, when the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29, that is, the abnormality which the user himself / herself can eliminate easily, the contents of the abnormality are promptly grasped. It is possible to eliminate the cause of the abnormality (clean the air filter 29) promptly and restart the operation without any trouble. In addition, even when an abnormality requiring repair occurs, the user can promptly request the repair from the dealer without knowing the details of the abnormality.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when an abnormality other than the clogging abnormality of the air filter 29 occurs, the water supply to the hot water supply passage 3 is stopped and the display of the abnormality content on the display 32 is cleared. However, similarly to the case where the clogging of the air filter 29 is abnormal, the content of the abnormality is displayed even after the passage of water so that the user can positively recognize the content of the abnormality. Of course, it is also possible. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the hot water supply device using the gas burner 4 as the heating means has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a hot water supply device using, for example, an electric heater as the heating means. Is.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the abnormality content is displayed on the display 32 to inform the user of the abnormality content, but it is also possible to inform the user of the abnormality content by voice or the like.

The present invention can also be applied to a case in which a duct (not shown) is connected to the suction side of the combustion fan 6 and an air filter is detachably attached to the tip of the duct.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a water heater according to an embodiment of first and second aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of the water heater of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hot water supply device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hot water supply device (first aspect) of FIG. 1.

5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hot water supply device (second mode) of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 ... Hot water supply passage, 9 ... Heating means, 39 ... Abnormality detection part, 40 ...
Error processing unit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A heating unit that operates in association with water flow in the hot water supply passage to heat water flowing through the hot water supply passage, and when a predetermined abnormality occurs during the operation of the heating unit, the abnormality is detected. In a hot water supply apparatus comprising an abnormality detecting means and an abnormality processing means for notifying the content of the abnormality while stopping the operation of the heating means when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality processing means, A hot water supply device characterized in that the content of the abnormality is continuously notified from the time when the content of the abnormality is notified to the elapse of a predetermined time. 2. A heating means that operates in conjunction with the water flow in the hot water supply passage to heat the water flowing through the hot water supply passage, and detects a predetermined abnormality when the heating means operates. In the hot water supply device comprising an abnormality detecting means and an abnormality processing means for stopping the operation of the heating means and for notifying the content of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality processing means includes: After the notification of the abnormality content, the hot water supply device is configured to continuously notify the abnormality content until a predetermined time elapses from the time when the water supply in the hot water supply passage is stopped. 3. The abnormality processing means prohibits the operation of the heating means while the water content in the hot water supply passage is restarted while the abnormality content is being notified. Or the water heater according to 2. 4. The notification of the abnormality content by the abnormality processing means is performed by switching the display of the display for displaying the set temperature of hot water supply from the display of the set temperature to the display of the abnormality content. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The hot water supply according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means is an abnormality whose cause can be eliminated by a user of the hot water supply device. apparatus. 6. The heating means is a heating means having a combustor, and the predetermined abnormality is an abnormality in clogging of an air filter provided in a ventilation path of the combustor. 5. The water heater according to 5. 7. The abnormality detecting means is capable of detecting a plurality of types of abnormality including clogging abnormality of the air filter,
The abnormality processing means, when an abnormality other than clogging of the air filter is detected by the abnormality detecting means, notifies the content of the abnormality until the passage of water through the hot water supply passage is stopped,
7. The heating means is made operable by stopping the notification of the abnormality content and restarting the water flow in the hot water supply passage after the water supply in the hot water supply passage is stopped. Water heater.