JPH10300210A - Flow controller and hot water supply unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow controller for controlling a flow control valve accurately from full-open position or full-close position to a position of a specified opening regardless of aging, and a hot water supply unit incorporating the flow controller. SOLUTION: In a single storage water heater body two channel type hot water supply unit having an additional burning function and a hot water filling function, a flow control valve provided in a hot water supply piping system is controlled from full-open position to full-close position prior to start hot water filling operation (step 101, 102), and a required current supply time to a motor us detected as a time TAV required for the entire process (step 103-109). A current supply time TS required for setting a desired opening of the flow control valve is then operated based on the time TAV required for the entire process TAV. At the time of independent burning for bath, a current is fed to a motor during the current supply time TS from the full-open position and the flow control valve is set at a desired opening before entering into a waiting state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow control device and a hot water supply device incorporating the flow control device.

[0002] A hot water supply apparatus includes a burner, a heat exchanging section for receiving heat from the burner, and a hot water supply piping system. The hot water supply pipe system has a heat receiving pipe passing through the heat exchange section, a water supply pipe connected to an inlet end of the heat receiving pipe, and a hot water pipe connected to an outlet end of the heat receiving pipe. The hot water supply piping system is provided with a gear motor driven flow control valve, which can control, for example, the flow rate of water passing through a heat exchange unit. The flow control valve is provided with a position sensor that detects the fully closed position and the fully opened position. When the fully closed position is detected while the valve is moving in the closing direction due to the current supply to the motor, the current supply to the motor is stopped and the fully open position is detected with the valve moving in the opening direction. Is detected, the current supply to the motor is stopped. This allows
Prevents motor lock.

[0003] The flow rate control valve is basically controlled based on detected information such as temperature and flow rate, but may be controlled without being based on the detected information. In this case,
It is necessary to move the flow control valve from the fully closed position or the fully opened position to the desired opening position by supplying a current to the motor for a current supply time determined in advance corresponding to the desired opening position.

[0004]

However, the relationship between the current supply time to the motor and the opening may change due to aging of the flow control valve, for example, a decrease in the motor torque or an increase in the sliding resistance. . In this case, if the current supply time is determined based on the relationship between the current supply time and the opening determined at the time of product shipment as described above, the opening of the flow control valve may not be at the desired opening. .

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gear motor driven flow control valve equipped with a position sensor for detecting a fully closed position and a fully open position, and an opening degree of the flow control valve to the motor. And a control means for controlling by supplying current to the flow control device, wherein the control means moves the flow control valve from a fully open position to a fully closed position detected by a position sensor or from a fully closed position to a fully open position. Then, the entire stroke required time is detected, the current supply time is determined based on the total stroke required time and the desired opening, and the current is supplied to the motor for the current supplied time, whereby the flow control valve is fully controlled. It is characterized in that the desired degree of opening is set from the closed position or the fully opened position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat generating section, a heat exchanging section for receiving heat from the heat generating section, a hot water supply pipe system passing through the heat exchange section, and a hot water supply pipe system provided in the hot water supply pipe system. A water heater comprising: a gear motor-driven flow control valve equipped with a position sensor for detecting a position and a fully open position; and control means for controlling the opening of the flow control valve by supplying current to the motor. The means moves the flow rate control valve from the fully open position detected by the position sensor to the fully closed position, or from the fully closed position to the fully open position, detects the full stroke required time, and determines the full stroke required time and the desired open time. The current supply time is determined based on the degree, and the current is supplied to the motor for the current supply time, whereby the flow control valve is set to a desired opening from the fully closed position or the fully opened position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus according to the second aspect, a pouring pipe for filling the bath with water is connected to the hot water supply piping system downstream of the heat exchange section. The pouring pipe is provided with a pouring valve, and the control means shifts the flow control valve from the fully open position to the fully closed position before opening the pouring valve for filling, After the valve is opened, the opening of the flow control valve is increased, and the time required for the full stroke is detected during the transition from the fully open position to the fully closed position. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus according to the second aspect, a pouring pipe for filling a bath is connected to the hot water supply piping system on a downstream side of the heat exchange section. The pipe is provided with a pouring valve,
The control means shifts the flow control valve to the fully closed position before opening the pouring valve for filling, and shifts the flow control valve from the fully closed position to the fully open position after opening the pouring valve. In the process of shifting from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the time required for the full stroke is detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the hot water supply pipe system is connected between an upstream side and a downstream side of the heat exchange section to exchange heat. A bypass pipe in parallel with the section, and a first pipe connected to the bypass pipe.
A flow control valve is provided, a second flow control valve is provided in the hot water supply piping system closer to the heat exchange unit than the connection point of the bypass pipe, and another piping system passes through the heat exchange unit. The control means, in a state where water is flowing through the other piping system and water is not flowing through the hot water supply piping system, during or immediately before heat is applied to the heat exchange unit from the heat generating unit,
The first and second flow control valves are set to a predetermined opening position from the fully closed or fully open position to be on standby, and when the first and second flow control valves are controlled to the predetermined opening position, at least one
The current is supplied to the motor during the current supply time determined based on the total process required time and the predetermined opening degree for the two flow control valves, and at the beginning of hot water supply, the first and second positions are shifted from the predetermined opening position. Execute the opening control of the flow control valve,
When the opening of the flow control valve is decreased, the opening of the second flow control valve is increased, and when the opening of the first flow control valve is increased, the opening of the second flow control valve is increased. , The mixing ratio of hot water from the heat exchange section and water from the bypass pipe is controlled.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows two types of hot water supply and reheating.
1 shows a two-channel gas water heater having two functions.
This water heater has a common gas burner 1 at the bottom of one can.
(Combustion unit, heat generation unit) and a common heat exchange unit 2 at the top. A fan (not shown) for supplying combustion air is provided at the bottom of the can. The means for supplying gas to the burner 1 has a gas pipe 3, a main electromagnetic switching valve 4 and an electromagnetic proportional valve 5 provided in the gas pipe 3. An ignition mechanism (not shown) is arranged near the burner 1.

The heat exchanging section 2 has a large number of thin fin plates 2a.
The heat receiving pipe 11 of the hot water supply piping system 10 and the heat receiving pipe 21 of the additional heating piping system 20 penetrate.

The hot water supply piping system 10 will be described in detail. A water supply pipe 12 (upstream of the heat exchange section 2) is connected to an inlet end of the heat receiving pipe 11, and a hot water supply pipe 13 (downstream side of the heat exchange section 2) is connected to an exit end. A hot water tap 14 is provided at the end of the hot water supply pipe 13. Two bypass pipes 15 and 16 that are parallel to the heat receiving pipe 11 are connected between the water supply pipe 12 and the hot water supply pipe 13. In the figure, connection points between the bypass pipe 15 and the water supply pipe 12 and the hot water supply pipe 13 are represented by reference numerals P1 and P2, and connection points between the bypass pipe 16 and the water supply pipes 12 and the hot water supply pipe 13 are represented by reference numerals P3 and P4. The bypass pipe 15 closer to the heat exchange section 15 is not equipped with a valve or the like, and water passing through the connection point P1 is supplied at a predetermined rate (for example, 7
At 0:30), the heat receiving pipe 11 and the bypass pipe 15 are separated and joined again at the connection point P2.

The bypass pipe 16 remote from the heat exchange section 15
Is provided with a first flow control valve GM2. The hot water supply pipe 13 also has a second connection between the connection points P2 and P4.
The flow control valve GM1 is provided.

The hot water supply piping system 10 is provided with two flow sensors FL1 and FL2. The first flow sensor FL1 is provided between the connection points P1 and P3 in the water supply pipe 12. The second flow sensor FL2 is provided between the connection point P4 and the hot water tap 14 in the hot water supply pipe 13.

The hot water supply piping system 10 is provided with four temperature sensors TH _IN , TH _Z , TH _OUT , and TH _MIX . The temperature sensor TH _IN is provided in the water supply pipe 12 upstream of the connection point P3. Temperature sensor TH _Z is provided in the bend portion of the heat receiving tube 11. Temperature sensor TH _OUT
Is provided near the outlet end of the heat receiving pipe 11 (upstream of the connection point P2 in the hot water supply pipe 13). Temperature sensor TH
_{The MIX} is provided in the hot water supply pipe 13 downstream of the connection point P4.

Next, the additional heating piping system 20 will be described. A return pipe 22 is connected between the inlet end of the heat receiving pipe 21 and the bathtub 6, and an outward pipe 23 is connected between the outlet end of the heat receiving pipe 21 and the bathtub 6. The return pipe 22 is provided with a pump 24, a temperature sensor TH _HR , a flowing water switch (not shown), and the like.

A pouring pipe 30 for filling the bathtub 6 with hot water is connected between the hot water supply pipe 13 of the hot water supply pipe system 10 and the return pipe 22 of the additional heating pipe system 20. Hot water pipe 30
Is provided with a pouring valve 31 composed of an electromagnetic on-off valve.
In the figure, connection points of the pouring pipe 30, the hot water supply pipe 13, and the return pipe 22 are indicated by reference numerals P5 and P6.

The above-mentioned flow control valve GM1 on the heat exchange section 2 side
Will be described with reference to FIG. Flow control valve G
M1 has a valve case 40 incorporated in the hot water supply pipe 13. An annular valve seat 41 is formed in the valve case 40. A support sleeve 42 is housed and fixed to the valve case 40, and a shaft 43 is inserted into the support sleeve 42 in a threaded state at a large pitch. A valve body 44 is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 43, and the valve body 44 is moved along with the axial movement of the shaft 43.
It comes into contact with and separates from.

The outer end of the shaft 43 is connected to a motor 46 via a reduction gear train 45. FIG. 2 shows only the worm 45a constituting the first stage of the reduction gear train 45 and the spur gear 45b at the last stage, and illustration of intermediate gears is omitted. The worm 45a is connected to an output shaft of the motor 46. The spur gear 45b is spline-coupled to the outer end of the shaft 43. A magnet 47 is embedded in the spur gear 45b, and the magnet 47 is detected by two position sensors 48a and 48b composed of Hall ICs. That is, the valve body 44
Is at the maximum distance from the valve seat 41 (fully open position),
The magnet 47 is detected by the position sensor 48a. In a state immediately before the valve body 44 contacts the valve seat 41 (fully closed position), the magnet 47 is
8b. The structure of the flow control valve GM2 on the bypass side is also the same as the structure of the flow control valve GM1 described above, and therefore will not be described. It may be.

The hot water supply device includes a control unit 50 (control means) and a remote controller 60. The control unit 50 includes a main solenoid on-off valve 4,
Electromagnetic proportional valve 5, ignition mechanism, fan, and flow control valve G
It controls M1, GM2, pump 24 and pouring valve 31. The control unit 50 receives detection signals from various detection means. As the detecting means, the aforementioned temperature sensors TH _IN , TH _Z , TH _OUT , TH _MIX ,
There are a TH _HR , a flow sensor FL1, FL2, a flow switch (not shown), and the like. The remote controller 60 includes an operation switch, a bath automatic operation switch, a reheating switch, a temperature setting unit, and a display unit (none of which are shown), and sends ON / OFF information and set temperature information of these switches to the control unit 50. And outputs the information on a display unit. In addition, the display unit also displays an error described later in response to a command from the control unit 50. The control unit 50 and the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 constitute a flow control device.

In the hot water supply apparatus having the above-described configuration, the control unit 50 executes control such as hot water supply, hot water filling, and additional heating.
This control will be described focusing on the control of the flow control valves GM1 and GM2. As shown in FIG. 2, there are roughly four control modes of the flow control valves GM1 and GM2. In FIG. 2, parentheses for each mode block indicate the state of the flow control valve GM1 on the heat exchange unit 2 side.

When the operation switch is turned off during or after the hot water supply control described later, during or after the bath alone combustion, or during the mixing control, the control mode 4 is executed.
That is, the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 are fully opened. In this state, if the user pulls out a drain plug (not shown) provided in the hot water supply piping system 10, water can be drained from the hot water supply piping system 10 and freezing can be prevented. When the operation switch is turned on, the control mode 2 is basically executed. That is, the flow control valve GM2 is set to the fully closed position while the flow control valve GM1 is fully opened.

The hot water supply control will be described. When the hot water tap 14 is opened with the operation switch turned on, water flows in the order of the water supply pipe 12, the heat receiving pipe 11, and the hot water supply pipe 13. The flow sensor FL1 provided in the water supply pipe 12 detects this water flow, and in response to this detection signal, the control unit 50 opens the main solenoid on-off valve 4 and performs an ignition operation, so that the combustion in the burner 1 is stopped. Be started. As a result, the fin plate 2
a is heated, and eventually the water passing through the heat receiving tube 11 is heated and turned into hot water and discharged from the hot water tap 14.

In normal hot water supply control, control mode 2 shown in FIG.
Is maintained, and the flow control valve GM2 is fully closed. The control unit 50 calculates a feedforward control component based on the flow rate detected by the flow sensor FL1, the incoming water temperature detected by the temperature sensor TH _IN , and the set temperature set by the remote controller 60, and calculates the temperature sensor TH
_A feedback control component is calculated based on the tapping temperature detected by _MIX and the set temperature. Then, based on a control value obtained by adding the feedback control component to the feedforward control component, the opening of the electromagnetic proportional valve 5 is controlled,
Control the amount of combustion gas. Thereby, the tapping temperature can be set to the set temperature with high accuracy. The flow control valve GM
1 is basically in the fully open position, but when the set temperature is high and the opening degree of the hot water tap 14 is large, the maximum capacity of the appliance may be exceeded. In this case, the tapping temperature is set to the set temperature. In order to achieve this, the opening of the flow control valve GM1 may be reduced to reduce the flow rate. In the normal hot water supply control described above, the water from the bypass pipe 16 is shut off, but the hot water in the heat receiving pipe 11 is mixed with the water from the fixed bypass pipe 15 and discharged. The combustion control can be performed in a state where the temperature is higher than the set temperature.

Next, hot water filling and reheating (bath combustion) control will be described. With the operation switch of the remote controller 60 turned on, the bath automatic operation switch is turned on. In response, the control unit 50 performs filling control. In this filling control, the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 are set to the fully closed position. Incidentally, the flow control valve GM2 has a closing function, and since the valve body is made of rubber, the flow control valve GM2 can control up to 0 liter / min. / Min or less), so that even at the fully closed position, about 2.5 liter / min flows. next,
The pouring valve 31 is opened. Next, while maintaining the flow control valve GM2 at the fully closed position, the flow control valve GM1 is controlled in the opening direction from the fully closed position, and is basically set at the fully open position. At this time, the flow control valve GM1 drives the reduction gear train 4
5, the opening degree is gradually increased, so that the flow control valve G
The water hammer phenomenon that occurs when the pouring valve 31 is opened with M1 fully opened can be prevented.

At about the same time as the start of the opening operation of the pouring valve 31, the combustion of the burner 1 is executed. As a result, water from the water supply pipe 12 becomes hot water when passing through the heat receiving pipe 11, and this hot water passes through the hot water supply pipe 13, passes through the pouring pipe 30 via the connection point P 5, and further passes through the reheating pipe system 20. And supplied to the bathtub 6. When the pressure sensor (not shown) provided in the pouring pipe 30 detects that the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 6 has reached the set water level, the pouring valve 31 is closed and the filling is finished.

After the hot water filling, additional firing is performed. That is, by driving the pump 24, the water in the bathtub 6 is circulated through the return pipe 22, the heat receiving pipe 21, and the outward pipe 23. In this case, when hot water temperature of the tub 6, which is detected by the temperature sensor TH _HR is lower than the user set temperature, add fired is executed.
More specifically, the ON state of the water flow switch of the return pipe 22 is confirmed, the main electromagnetic on-off valve 5 is opened, and the ignition operation is performed, so that the combustion in the burner 1 is started. as a result,
The fin plate 2a is heated, and eventually the water from the bath 6 passing through the heat receiving tube 21 is heated, and reheating is performed. Hot water tub 6 detected by the temperature sensor TH _HR is when it reaches the user set temperature, and ends the add-fired.

The additional firing (bath combustion) is executed independently after filling with hot water as described above. Also, when the reheating switch is turned on while the operation switch is on, the bath automatic operation switch is turned on after the hot water supply is stopped, and the hot water supply and the reheating are stopped at the same time, Performed alone. During the above-described additional heating alone (when the bath is burned alone), the heat receiving pipe 11 of the hot water supply piping system 10 is in a state in which water is retained, and the combustion heat of the burner 1 is also applied to the retained water.
Therefore, the temperature of the water retained in the heat receiving tube 11 becomes high. The bath combustion is performed by a temperature sensor T provided at a U-bend portion of the heat receiving tube 11.
Temperature detected by the H _Z (i.e., accumulated water temperature of the heat receiving pipe 11) is interrupted when the reaches to the 75 ° C rise, the detected temperature is resumed when it reaches 70 ° C decreases. Such hysteresis control prevents boiling of the stagnant water in the heat receiving tube 11.

As described above, during the bath alone combustion, the retained water in the heat receiving pipe 11 of the hot water supply piping system 10 is at a very high temperature although the boiling is prevented. Therefore, in the early stage of hot water supply described later, hot water from the heat receiving pipe 11 and the bypass pipe 1
The water from 6 needs to be mixed. For the preparation, the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 are controlled in the control mode 1 shown in FIG. Between the two positions (hereinafter, referred to as a half-open position). If the flow control valve GM1 is fully opened and the flow control valve GM2 is fully closed, the amount of water from the bypass pipe 16 with respect to the hot water from the heat receiving pipe 11 is extremely small at the start of hot water supply, and the gear motor This is because it takes time to control the opening degree by the above, and an overshoot may occur before the optimum tapping temperature is reached by the mixing control described later. Conversely, if the flow control valve GM1 is fully closed and the flow control valve GM2 is fully open, the amount of water from the bypass pipe 16 becomes extremely large with respect to the hot water from the heat receiving pipe 11 at the start of hot water supply. This is because an undershoot may occur until the optimum tapping temperature is reached by the mixing control. The mixing ratio of hot water and water at the half-open positions of the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 is, for example, 30:70.

The half-open position (control mode 2) of the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 during the execution of the bath alone combustion is maintained even after the end of the bath single combustion unless the operation switch is turned off. Incidentally, after completion bath alone combustion temperature or outlet temperature thereof of the heat receiving tube 11 detected by the temperature sensor TH _Z or the temperature sensor TH _OUT is a predetermined temperature, for example 5
While the temperature is lower than 5 ° C., the half-open state is maintained. When the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the flow rate control valve GM2 is set to the fully closed position as in the control mode 2 in the hot water supply normal control described later.
The flow control valve GM1 may be set to the fully open position.

When the hot water tap 14 is opened during or after the above-described bath independent combustion, the hot water supply control is not directly shifted to the normal hot water supply control (control mode 2) in response to the detection of flowing water, but will be described later. Mixing control (control mode 3)
And then shift to normal hot water supply control.

Next, the mixing control will be described.
At this time, the control mode 3 is executed and the flow control valve GM
1, the opening degree of GM2 is adjusted to obtain an appropriate mixing ratio of hot and cold water, and thereby the tapping temperature is set to the set temperature. That is, the incoming water temperature detected by the temperature sensor TH _IN and the temperature sensor TH
_{Based on} the outlet temperature of the heat receiving tube 11 detected at _OUT and the set temperature set by the remote controller 60, the target mixing ratio, i.e., the target, of the hot water from the hot water supply pipe 13 and the water from the bypass pipe 16 toward the connection point P4. A flow ratio is calculated, and the flow control valves GM1 and GM are set so that the target flow ratio is obtained.
2 is controlled.

The opening control is performed by the flow sensors FL1, F
This is performed based on the detected flow rates Q1 and Q2 from L2. The flow rate of the hot water from the hot water supply pipe 13 toward the connection point P4 can be represented by Q1. Further, the flow rate of water from the bypass pipe 16 can be represented by (Q2-Q1). The control unit 50 detects the flow rates Q1 and Q1 of the flow sensors FL1 and FL2.
Actual flow ratio Rr calculated from Q2 based on the following equation
To the target flow ratio, the flow control valve G
The opening degree of M1 and GM2 is controlled. Rr = (Q2-Q1) / Q1 (1) For example, if the actual flow ratio Rr is smaller than the target flow ratio, the flow control valve GM2 is opened to increase the bypass-side flow (Q2-Q1). The degree of opening is increased, and the opening degree of the flow control valve GM1 is reduced in order to reduce the flow rate Q1 from the heat exchange unit 2. Conversely, when the actual flow ratio Rr is larger than the target flow ratio, the opening degree of the flow control valve GM2 is reduced to reduce the bypass flow, and the flow from the heat exchange unit 2 is increased. The opening of the flow control valve GM1 is increased.

By the above-described mixing control at the initial stage of hot water supply, the hot water and the water are properly mixed, and the overshoot of the hot water temperature caused by the staying hot water in the heat receiving tube 11 and the excessive mixing of the water on the bypass side. The undershoot caused by the above can be suppressed, and the tapping temperature can be set to the set temperature.
In the mixing control, not only the opening control of the flow control valve GM2 on the bypass side, but also the opening control of the flow control valve GM1 on the heat exchange unit 2 side in the opposite direction in parallel with the control, so that the hot water is controlled. And the mixing ratio of water and water can be promptly set to an appropriate ratio, and overshoot and undershoot can be more reliably suppressed.

The mixing control ends when a predetermined time elapses or when the tapping temperature is confirmed to be stable, and a transition is made to normal hot water supply control (control mode 2). During the mixing control, when the hot water tap 14 is closed and the running water is no longer detected, the flow returns to the control mode 1 and the flow control valves GM1, GM2
To a half open state.

During the mixing control, the flow control valve G
When the position sensor 48a detects the fully open position while controlling the opening degrees of M1 and GM2 to increase, the current supply to the motor 46 is stopped to prevent the lock. Similarly, while controlling the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 in the direction of decreasing the opening degree, when the position sensor 48b detects the fully closed position, the current supply to the motor 46 is stopped, and the lock is stopped. To prevent. Further, as described above, when the current is supplied to the motor 46 in order to intentionally bring the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 to the fully open position and the fully closed position, the position detection signals of the position sensors 48a and 48b are used. The current supply to the motor 46 is stopped based on the
The fully closed and fully opened positions of M1 and GM2 are secured, and the lock of the motor 46 is prevented.

Next, as described above, the control for setting the flow control valves GM1 and GM2 to the half-open position in the mode 1 at the time of the bath alone combustion will be described in further detail. The flow control valve GM1 on the heat exchange unit 2 side supplies a current to the motor 46 from the fully open position detected by the position sensor 48a for a current supply time T _S determined as described later, and sets the flow control valve GM1 to A predetermined opening degree (for example, 50%) is set. In the present embodiment, the case where the flow rate control valve GM1 is not at the fully open position, such as when the flow rate is reduced in the normal hot water supply operation or when the mixing control is performed, and when the bath shifts to the bath alone combustion, is considered. Then, the flow control valve GM1 is controlled in the opening direction until the position sensor 48a detects the fully open position, and then is set to the half open position. Similarly, the flow rate control valve GM2 on the bypass side is controlled in the opening direction until the fully open position is detected by the position sensor 48a, and from the fully open position to the half open position (predetermined opening position) by time control of the current supply to the motor 46. I do.

In the flow control valves GM1 and GM2, the moving distance of the valve body 44 changes with respect to the current supply time to the motor 46 due to aging, that is, a decrease in the torque of the motor 46 and an increase in the sliding resistance. (Usually shorter). Taking the flow control valve GM1 as an example, when the product is shipped, for example, if the current supply time required from the fully open position to the predetermined opening 50% is T _SO , the product is shipped after being used for a long time. When the current is supplied to the motor 46 for the current supply time T _SO determined at the time, a situation occurs in which the predetermined opening degree does not reach 50%, for example, the opening degree is reduced to only 60%, and an overshoot occurs at the initial stage of hot water supply. There is.

To prevent the above situation, the flow control valve GM
It is necessary to update the current supply time T _S for setting 1 to the predetermined opening. Hereinafter, a routine for updating the current hot water supply time T _S executed by the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. This routine is executed prior to the opening operation of the pouring valve 31 when the bath automatic operation switch is turned on.

First, a current is supplied to the motor 46 to control the flow control valve GM1 in the opening direction so as to be at the fully open position detected by the position sensor 48a, and to control the flow control valve GM1 from the fully open position to the closing direction ( Step 101). Next, it is determined whether or not the fully closed position is detected by the position sensor 48b (step 102). When a negative determination is made, the current supply to the motor 46 is continued, and when a positive determination is made, the current supply to the motor 46 is stopped, and the time required for the movement from the fully open position to the fully closed position, that is, the time required for the entire stroke Tx is determined. Calculation is performed (step 103). Then, the whole process duration Tx is, determines whether less than twice whether the reference required time T _R (step 104). Reference required time T _R is the time of product shipment, a current supply time to the motor 46 which is required to the fully closed position of the flow control valve GM1 from the fully open position. When the entire process duration Tx is greater than or equal to 2 times the reference required time T _R is as abnormal decrease or Kosudo resistance abnormal increase in the motor torque is generated, and the error display (step 105) This routine is terminated. Along with this error display, prohibition processing such as filling operation or combustion may be performed. Step 10
Between steps 1 and 102, a step of determining whether the time from the start of the current supply to the motor 46 has passed a predetermined allowable time may be interposed. If it is determined in this step that the allowable time has been exceeded, the above-described step 105 is executed, and this routine ends.

When an affirmative determination is made in step 104, the total travel time Tx is integrated (step 106), and the counter is incremented (step 107). Next, it is determined whether or not the count value of this counter has reached "10" (step 108). When a negative determination is made, this routine ends. In this way, the total stroke required time Tx for ten hot water fillings and its integrated value are obtained. If an affirmative determination is made in step 108, the above-mentioned total travel time T
By dividing the integrated value of x by "10", an average total travel time T _AV is calculated (step 109). In this way, it is possible to more accurately determine the required time for the entire stroke. Next, the memory of the integrated value and the counter are cleared (step 110), and the current supply time T _S is obtained from the following equation (step 111). _{T S = T AV × (T} SO / T R) ··· (2) That is, at the time of shipment, the total positive duration the reference time T _R, the motor supply time until a predetermined opening met T _SO However, the time required for the entire stroke changed to T _AV due to aging, and accordingly, the motor supply time up to the predetermined opening was changed to T _S. The above equation (2) is based on the assumption that the time required for the entire stroke and the motor supply time up to the predetermined opening maintain a linear relationship. At the time of the bath alone combustion described above, the current is supplied to the motor 46 from the fully open position for the time Ts calculated as described above, and the opening can be accurately set to the predetermined degree.

Equation (2) indicates that the current value per unit time supplied to the motor from the fully open position to the fully closed position is
The present invention can also be applied to a case where the current value per unit time supplied to the motor from the fully open position to the predetermined opening degree is different. When both are equal, the above equation (2) can be rewritten as follows. T _S = T _AV × (100−X) / 100 (3) Here, X represents an opening degree (percent).

In order to control the flow control valve GM1 from the fully open position to the predetermined opening, the current supply time Ts to the motor 46 is determined based on the total affirmative required time T _AV from the fully open position to the fully closed position in the same direction. It is preferable to determine it, and an accurate current supply time Ts can be obtained.
1 is opened, a total positive required time T _AV when the flow control valve GM1 is moved from the fully open position to the fully closed position is detected,
The current supply time Ts to the motor 46 may be determined based on this. Further, the flow control valve GM1 may be controlled from a fully closed position to a predetermined opening. In this case, the above (2)
Ts and T _SO in the equations are current supply times from the fully closed position. Equation (3) can be rewritten as follows. T _S = T _AV × (X / 100) (3)

In the same manner as described above, the current supply time from the fully closed position or the fully opened position to the predetermined opening degree of the flow control valve GM2 may be updated. The full stroke required time of the flow control valve GM2 may be detected when the flow control valve GM2 is changed from the fully open position to the fully closed position, for example, when executing the hot water supply normal control from the operation OFF state, or the hot water supply normal control. The operation may be detected when the flow control valve GM2 is changed from the fully closed position to the fully open position when the operation is turned off from. Note that, in the present embodiment, after the hot water supply single combustion is ended in the control mode 2, the flow control valve GM2 is fully closed (the flow control valve GM1 is almost fully opened in most cases). When the reheating switch is turned on in this state, the flow control valve GM2 once moves to the fully open position, and after the fully open position is detected, the flow control valve GM2 becomes the half open position in mode 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can adopt various forms. For example, the flow control valve GM2 and the bypass pipe 16 in FIG. 1 may be omitted. Further, the flow control valve GM1 is connected to the water supply pipe 1 between the connection points P1 and P3.
2 or the water supply pipe 12 upstream of the connection point P3.
May be provided. The present invention is not limited to the one-can two-channel type,
It can also be applied to a single-function hot water supply device. Further, the present invention can be applied to a hot water supply device having no hot water filling function. In the one-can two-water channel type, a heating system or a circulating hot water supply piping system may be provided instead of the additional heating piping system.

[0045]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the flow rate control valve of the gear motor type is changed over time, the flow rate from the fully open position to the fully closed position or from the fully closed position to the fully open position is reduced. The current supply time to the motor corresponding to the desired opening can be obtained based on the total stroke required time, and the flow control valve can be accurately set to the desired opening based on the current supply time. According to the second aspect of the invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained in the hot water supply piping system, and accurate flow control by the flow control valve can be performed. According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, when actually controlling the flow control valve for preventing water hammer during filling with hot water, it is possible to detect the entire stroke required time. It is not necessary to perform useless control only for detection. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the hot and cold water can be appropriately mixed by controlling the two flow control valves, and the outlet temperature at the beginning of hot water supply can be set to an appropriate temperature. In addition, the invention according to claims 1 to 4 can be applied when at least one of the two flow control valves is caused to stand by at a predetermined opening degree without depending on detection information such as temperature and flow rate in preparation for the mixing. , Can exert its effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration of a one-can-two-water-channel type hot water supply device with a reheating function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a flow control valve used in the hot water supply apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between four control modes executed by the water heater.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine for updating a current supply time of a flow control valve to a motor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas burner (heat generation part) 2 Heat exchange part 10 Hot water supply piping system 11 Heat receiving pipe 12 Water supply pipe (upstream side) 13 Hot water supply pipe (downstream side) 16 Bypass pipe 20 Additional heating piping system 21 Heat receiving pipe 45 Gear train 46 Motor 48a, 48b Position sensor 50 Control unit (control means) GM2 First flow control valve GM1 Second flow control valve

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A gear motor-driven flow control valve provided with a position sensor for detecting a fully closed position and a fully open position, and control means for controlling the opening of the flow control valve by supplying current to the motor. In the flow control device, the control means moves the flow control valve from a fully open position to a fully closed position, or from a fully closed position to a fully open position, which is detected by a position sensor, and detects a time required for a full stroke thereof, The current supply time is determined based on the required time for the full stroke and the desired opening, and the current is supplied to the motor for the current supply time, thereby bringing the flow control valve from the fully closed position or the fully open position to the desired opening. A flow control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A heat generating section, a heat exchanging section receiving heat from the heat generating section, a hot water supply piping system passing through the heat exchanging section, and a fully closed position and a fully open position provided in the hot water supply piping system. A water heater comprising a gear motor driven flow control valve equipped with a position sensor for detecting the flow rate, and control means for controlling the opening of the flow control valve by supplying current to the motor. Move the control valve from the fully open position to the fully closed position, or from the fully closed position to the fully open position, detected by the position sensor, detect the full stroke required time, and, based on the full stroke required time and the desired opening, A hot water supply apparatus comprising: determining a current supply time; and supplying a current to the motor for the current supply time to bring the flow control valve from a fully closed position or a fully open position to a desired opening degree. 3. A hot water supply pipe is connected to the hot water supply pipe system on the downstream side of the heat exchange section for filling the bath with hot water.
The pouring pipe is provided with a pouring valve, and the control means shifts the flow control valve from the fully open position to the fully closed position before opening the pouring valve for filling, 3. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening degree of the flow control valve is increased after the valve is opened, and the time required for the full stroke is detected during the transition from the fully open position to the fully closed position. . 4. A hot water supply pipe is connected to the hot water supply pipe system at a downstream side of the heat exchange section for filling the bath with hot water.
The pouring pipe is provided with a pouring valve, and the control means shifts the flow control valve to the fully closed position and opens the pouring valve before opening the pouring valve for filling. 3. The hot water supply according to claim 2, wherein the flow control valve is shifted from the fully closed position to the fully open position after the step, and the time required for the full stroke is detected in the process of shifting from the fully closed position to the fully open position. apparatus. 5. A hot water supply piping system comprising a bypass pipe connected between an upstream side and a downstream side of the heat exchange section and in parallel with the heat exchange section, wherein the bypass pipe has a first flow control. A valve is provided, a second flow control valve is provided in a hot water supply piping system closer to a heat exchange unit than a connection point of the bypass pipe, and another piping system passes through the heat exchange unit. The means may be configured such that the water is flowing through the other piping system and the water is not flowing through the hot-water supply piping system, and the heat is applied to the heat exchange unit from the heat generating unit or immediately before the heat is applied. , The second flow control valve is set to the predetermined opening position from the fully closed or fully open position, and is made to stand by. When the first and second flow control valves are set to the predetermined opening position, at least one of the flow control valves is controlled as described above. At the time of current supply determined based on the time required for the entire process and the predetermined opening Current is supplied to the motor between the first and second flow control valves, and the opening control of the first and second flow control valves is executed from the predetermined opening position at the beginning of hot water supply to reduce the opening of the first flow control valve. In this case, the opening of the second flow control valve is increased, and when the opening of the first flow control valve is
The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixing ratio of hot water from the heat exchange section and water from the bypass pipe is controlled by reducing the opening of the flow control valve. .