JPH11237117A - Remotely operated hot-water supplier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remotely operated hot-water supplier which can contribute to energy saving by dissolving such a disadvantage of hot-water suppliers as much as possible that the suppliers consume useless energy. SOLUTION: Operation switches and temperature displaying sections which display target temperatures are respectively provided to remotely operating sections R1 and R2 which can transmit command information to a main control section H which controls the operation of a hot-water supplying section and the control section H is constituted to control the operation of the hot-water supplying section so that the supplied hot water may be heated to a target temperature when the execution of hot-water supplying operation is commanded under a condition where the operation is permitted. The control section H is also constituted in such a way that, when operation permission is commanded front the operation switch of either one of the operating sections R1 and R2, the commanded operating section R1 or R2 displays the target temperature in its temperature displaying section and the other section R2 or R1 does not display the target temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plurality of remote control operating units capable of communicating command information to a main body control unit for controlling the operation of a hot water supply unit. Operation instruction means for instructing permission / non-permission of operation of the main body control unit, target state display means for displaying an operation target state of the hot water supply unit, and target adjustment instruction means for instructing adjustment of the operation target state are provided. The main body control unit is configured to control the operation of the hot water supply unit so as to be in the operation target state when execution of the hot water supply operation is instructed in a state where the permission of the operation is instructed. Remote-control-operated hot water supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the above-mentioned remote-control-operated hot water supply apparatus,
Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-279746, when an operation switch as the operation instruction means is operated in one of a plurality (two) of remote control operation units to issue an operation permission instruction. In some remote control operation units, a temperature display unit as the target state display means is configured to display a target hot water supply temperature as an example of the operation target state.

[0003]

In the remote-control-operated hot water supply apparatus having the above-described structure, for example, a remote-control operating section is installed at a plurality of locations such as a kitchen and a bath, and the operating section is provided at only one location. By installing it near each of a plurality of hot water supply points such as a kitchen and a bath, the usability of a hot water supply user is improved. By the way, when using hot water supply, it is considered that hot water supply is not used at a plurality of places at the same time and hot water supply is often used at one place. Then, the target state display means is switched to the display state in each of the plurality of remote control operation units.

[0004] As a result, the target state display means is switched to a state in which the target operation state of the hot water supply unit is displayed even though the hot water supply user is not nearby, and wasteful energy (electric power) is consumed accordingly. And there was room for improvement in this regard.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote-control-operated hot-water supply device which can contribute to energy saving by eliminating disadvantage of consuming wasteful energy as much as possible. On the point.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an operation permission is instructed by the operation instruction means in any one of the plurality of remote control operation sections, the instruction is issued. The remote control operation unit operates as a display remote control operation unit for displaying the operation target state on the target state display means, and the other remote control operation units are non-display remote controllers that do not display the operation target state. It is configured to operate as an operation unit.

[0007] When a driving permission is instructed by the driving instructing means in any one of the plurality of remote control operating units, the operation target state is displayed only in the instructed remote control operating unit, and the other remote control operating units are displayed. Then, the operation target state is not displayed. Therefore, the operation target state is displayed only in the remote control operation section where the hot water supply user is predicted to be nearby, and the operation target state is not displayed in the other remote control operation sections, so that waste of energy can be reduced accordingly. became.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the adjustment by the target adjustment instruction unit is commanded by the remote control operation unit operating as the remote control operation unit in the non-display state. Accordingly, the remote controller is configured to operate as the remote controller in the display state.

When operating as the remote control operating unit in the non-display state, that is, even when the operation target state is not displayed, if the adjustment is commanded by the target adjustment commanding means, the hot water supply user can be operated. At this time, the remote control operation unit operates as a remote control operation unit in a display state, and the operation target state is displayed on the target state display means.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability of the hot water supply user by displaying the operation target state when it becomes necessary, while saving unnecessary energy without performing unnecessary display.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in each of the first and second aspects, it is determined whether or not each of the remote control operation units is in a permission command state in which permission to operate the main body control unit is commanded. Operation permission display means for displaying
When an operation permission is instructed by the operation command means in any one of the plurality of remote control operation sections, all the remote control operation sections display a permission instruction state on the operation permission display means. Is configured.

Therefore, when the main body control section is in the driving permission state, all the remote control operation sections display the permission command state on the driving permission display means, so that, for example, the driving command means is operated. If it is not displayed in the remote control operation unit that there is no permission command state, the hot water supply user again operates the remote control operation unit.
Although there is a possibility that a useless operation such as operation of the operation command means may be performed, such inconvenience is avoided beforehand, and a decrease in operability can be suppressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, whether or not the main body control unit is instructed to permit the operation is transmitted to each of the remote control operation units. Clock display means for displaying the current time is provided.

The time display is considered to be necessary information irrespective of the presence or absence of the hot water supply operation, and such time display is performed regardless of whether the operation permission of the main body control unit is instructed. Usability is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of remote control operation units are provided separately in a main remote control operation unit and a sub remote control operation unit. When operation permission is instructed, the main remote controller operates as a display remote controller that displays the operation target state on the target state display means, and the sub remote controller does not display the operation target state. When the operation permission is instructed by the operation command means in the sub remote control operation section, each of the main remote control operation section and the sub remote control operation section is operated by the target state display means. It is configured to operate as a remote control operation unit in a display state for displaying the operation target state.

The main remote control operation unit is frequently used when hot water is used, but when operation permission is instructed by operation command means in the main remote control operation unit, the main remote control operation unit displays the remote control. Since it operates as an operation unit and the sub remote control operation unit operates as a remote control operation unit in a non-display state, wasteful energy consumption can be suppressed accordingly. Since the sub remote controller is used less frequently than the main remote controller and has a lower proportion of hot water users, operation permission is given by the operation command means in the sub remote controller. When instructed, the respective remote control operation units are set to the display state, thereby improving the usability for the hot water supply user.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the main remote controller is installed in a kitchen, and a high proportion of hot water users are nearby and the frequency of use is high. When the operation permission is instructed by the remote control operation unit which is frequently used, the sub remote control operation unit is in the non-display state, so that the energy saving effect is easily exhibited.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the execution of the hot water supply operation is instructed while the permission of the operation is instructed to the main body control unit. Then, each of the plurality of remote control operation units is configured to operate as the remote control operation unit in the display state.

Generally, in this type of hot water supply apparatus, hot water supply operation is performed by:
It is executed by starting hot water supply operation, that is, starting hot water supply from a hot water tap or the like, irrespective of the operation on the remote control operation unit. Therefore, even when the hot water supply operation is started in a state where the operation is performed as the remote control operation unit in the non-display state and the operation target state is not displayed, the remote control operation unit in the display state is displayed when the execution of the hot water supply operation is instructed. It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the hot water supply user starts hot water supply in a state in which it is not known how the operation target state is adjusted by displaying the operation target state at that time. Become.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a remote control-operated hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply apparatus includes a gas combustion type burner 2 in which a supplied fuel gas is burned in a combustion chamber 1, and a heater for heating water as a liquid to be heated by heating the burner 2. A fin tube type heat exchanger 3 and a combustion chamber 1
A motor-driven fan 4 for passing combustion air through the burner 2 is provided at a lower portion of the burner 2. An ignition igniter 5 for igniting the burner 2 and a frame rod 6 for detecting whether or not the ignition has occurred are provided near the burner 2.

The heat exchanger 1 is provided with a heat exchanger N1 for heating the water supplied from the water supply channel 7 to the target set temperature and flowing out to the hot water supply channel 8; And the hot water supplied from the return path 9 is heated to the target set temperature and flows out to the outward path 10 for the additional heating heat exchange section N.
2 are provided in the combustion gas flow path S of the burner 2 in the longitudinal direction of the flow path. The water from the water supply channel 7 and the hot water channel 8
Passage 15 that supplies water by bypassing the hot water, the amount of hot water from the hot-water supply heat exchange unit N1, the hot water passage 8 from the bypass passage 15, and the like.
A mixing valve 16 is provided as a mixing ratio adjusting means capable of changing and adjusting the ratio of the hot water mixed with the hot water mixed with the mixing valve 16 to a hot water tap (not shown). ) Or hot water is supplied to the bathtub 18. The water supply channel 7 is provided with an incoming water temperature thermistor 19 for detecting the incoming water temperature and a water amount sensor 20 for detecting the amount of water flow. An outlet hot water thermistor 21 for detecting the temperature of hot water discharged from the hot water supply heat exchange unit N1 is provided. The hot water supply path 17 includes a hot water supply temperature thermistor 22 for detecting the temperature of the mixed hot and cold water, a water proportional valve 23 for suppressing the amount of water when the total amount of hot water exceeds the heating capacity of the burner 2, and a bathtub 18. In order to detect that the hot-water tap has been opened during hot water supply to the hot-water supply apparatus, interrupt sensors 24 for detecting whether or not the amount of water passing through the hot-water tap is equal to or more than a set amount are provided. The fuel supply path G to the burner 2 is provided with an original gas solenoid valve 25, a gas proportional valve 26 for changing and adjusting the fuel supply amount, and three switching valves 27 for switching the state of fuel supply to the burner 2.

In the return path 9 in the additional heating circulation path, a constant discharge type circulation pump 28 for circulating and flowing hot and cold water, a water flow switch 29 that is turned on when it detects that there is more water flowing than a set amount, A hot water thermistor 30 for detecting the temperature of hot and cold water, a two-way bath valve 31, a water level sensor 32 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 18, a water flow control valve 33 capable of changing and adjusting the circulating flow amount, and the like. Further, the outward path 10 is provided with an outward path hot water temperature thermistor 34 for detecting the temperature of the hot water heated in the additional heat exchange unit N2. The intermediate position between the bath two-way valve 31 and the water flow control valve 33 in the forward path 10 and the intermediate position in the return path 9 are connected via the additional heating bypass path 40 having the bypass two-way valve 35, and the forward path 10 and the return path 9 are connected. Are connected to the inside of the bathtub 18 via a bath adapter. In other words, with the bypass two-way valve 35 closed, each of the forward path 10, the return path 9, and the additional heat exchange unit N2 forms a circulation path for additional heating that allows the hot and cold water in the bathtub 18 to circulate and flow. become.

The hot water supply path 17 is branched into a general hot water supply path 17a from a middle part thereof to a hot water tap and a hot water supply path 17b for a bath. The hopper 37 and the check valve 38 are connected to the additional heating circulation path. Reference numeral 39 in the figure denotes a drain solenoid valve for discharging the remaining hot water in the hopper 37.

The hot water supply apparatus has a control section H for controlling the operation of the hot water supply section as described above, permission / non-permission of operation of the control section based on a manual operation command, and filling of the bathtub 18 with hot water. A main remote controller R1 and a sub remote controller R2 are provided as a plurality of remote control operation units for giving an operation command such as additional heating of a bath and a command such as a target hot water supply temperature. The control unit H includes a microcomputer, and receives detection information of the thermistors and sensors, and based on the detection information, controls the combustion state of the burner 2, the valves for water flow control, and the like. The operation state of the mixing valve 16 and the like is controlled. Note that if the operation of opening the hot water tap is detected by the interrupt sensor 24 during execution of the hot water filling operation, the hot water filling operation is temporarily interrupted, and the hot water supply operation is preferentially executed. . In addition, when either the hot water filling operation or the hot water supply operation and the reheating operation are instructed, they are simultaneously executed in parallel.

The main remote controller R1 (an example of a main remote controller operating unit) is installed in a kitchen, and as shown in FIG. 2, an operation switch as operation command means for instructing permission / non-permission of operation of the control unit H. 51a, a temperature display section 52a as target state display means for displaying an operation target state (a target hot water temperature) of the hot water supply section, and a clock display section 5 for displaying the current time.
3a, a temperature setting switch 54a as a target adjustment commanding means for instructing a change and adjustment of a target hot water supply temperature, a hot water switch 55a for instructing automatic hot water supply to the bathtub 18, and a light when the control unit H is in an operation permission state. The system is provided with an operation lamp 56a as an operation permission display means for displaying, and a hot water filling lamp 57a for lighting and displaying when the automatic hot water filling operation is being performed.

The sub remote controller R2 (an example of a sub remote control operating section) is installed in a bathroom, and as shown in FIG.
As in the case of the main remote control R1, permission of operation of the control unit H
Operation switch 5 as operation command means for instructing non-permission
1b, a temperature display section 52b as target state display means for displaying a target operation state (a target hot water temperature) of the hot water supply section, a clock display section 53b for displaying the current time, and a hot water switch for instructing automatic hot water supply to the bathtub 18. 55b, an additional heating command switch 56b as target adjustment command means for commanding adjustment of the hot water temperature of the bathtub 18, an operation lamp 57b as operation permission display means for illuminating and displaying when the control unit H is in an operation permission state, and automatic hot water filling The system is provided with a hot-water display lamp 58b that is lit and displayed when it is in operation, and a reheating indicator lamp 59b that is lit and displayed when it is in operation.

When the operation switch 51a, 51b is turned on in either the main remote controller R1 or the sub remote controller R2, the control section H enters an operation permission state (operation enable state). It is detected that the detected water volume exceeds the set amount,
When execution of the hot water supply operation is instructed, the operation of the hot water supply unit is controlled so that hot water at the target hot water supply temperature is supplied. That is, the combustion control of the burner 2 is performed so that the detected value of the outlet hot water temperature thermistor 21 becomes the set temperature, and the detected value of the hot water supply temperature thermistor 22 becomes the target hot water supply temperature commanded by the remote controller R. The mixing valve 16 is controlled so that the mixing ratio is obtained. Note that such hot water supply control is executed until the hot water tap is closed and the detection value of the water amount sensor 20 falls below the set amount.

When a filling operation is instructed in either the main remote control R1 or the sub remote control R2, each of the filling electromagnetic valve 36, the bath two-way valve 31 and the bypass two-way valve 35 is opened. , Water flow control valve 3
3 is fully opened to start water supply, and hot water at the target temperature is supplied from the bath water supply passage 17 in the same manner as in the above hot water supply operation. Hot water supplied from the bath hot water supply path 17 passes through a hopper 37, a check valve 38, and a circulation pump 28, and is supplied to the bathtub 18 from the outward path 10 provided with the bath two-way valve 31. Hot water is also supplied from the return path 9 through the additional firing bypass path 40 provided, and hot water can be efficiently supplied from two paths. When the water level of the bathtub 18 detected by the water level sensor 32 reaches the target water level, the hot water supply is stopped. When the hot water tap is opened during the hot water filling operation and the interrupt sensor 24 detects that operation, the hot water filling operation is interrupted and the operation is shifted to the hot water supply operation.

Additional heating switch 56b of sub remote controller R2
When the additional heating operation is instructed in step 2, the bath two-way valve 31 is opened, the bypass two-way valve 35 is closed, and the water flow control valve 33 is fully opened (the maximum opening degree or a large opening degree close thereto). To control. Then, the circulation pump 28 is operated, and the water flow switch 29 is turned on with the start of the circulation flow.
Then, the combustion operation of the burner 2 as described above is started, and the hot water supplied from the outward path 10 is heated by the additional heat exchange unit N2. Thereafter, the fan ventilation amount and the fuel supply amount of the burner 2 are controlled so that the detected value of the outward path hot water thermistor 34, that is, the outlet hot water temperature of the additional heating heat exchange unit N2 becomes a preset temperature. Return hot water thermistor 30
If the detected value exceeds the target temperature for reheating, the circulation pump 28
And the burning operation of the burner 2 are stopped, and the reheating operation is terminated.

Then, when an operation permission is instructed by the operation switch 51a of the main remote controller R1, the main remote controller R1 operates as a remote control operation unit in a display state as shown in FIG. In addition to displaying the target hot water supply temperature on the temperature display section 52a, a clock display section 53a and a lighting display of the operation lamp 56a are performed. Also, the sub remote control R
2 is configured to operate as a non-display remote control operation unit that does not display the target hot water supply temperature, as shown in FIG. However, also in this case, the clock display by the clock display unit 53b and the lighting display of the operation lamp 57b are performed. Accordingly, in response to the command of the operation switch 51a by the main remote controller R1 which is considered to be used more frequently than the sub remote controller R2 provided in the bathroom, the temperature display section 52b does not perform the display operation in the sub remote controller R2, so that energy saving is achieved. Can be achieved.

When the operation permission is instructed by the operation switch 51b of the sub remote controller R2, each of the main remote controller R1 and the sub remote controller R2 is controlled by the operation shown in FIG.
(A), as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the temperature display unit 52 is configured to operate as a remote control operation unit in a display state.
a, 52b, the target hot water supply temperature is displayed, and the clock display units 53a, 53b display a clock and an operation lamp 56.
a, 57b are displayed. As a case of operating the operation switch 51b of the sub remote controller R2 in this way, for example, it is conceivable to operate the sub remote controller R2 in order to instruct hot water when cleaning the bathtub. In such a case, Since it is considered that the user often leaves the bathroom and returns to the kitchen after the command operation, in such a case, the usability can be improved by also displaying the main remote controller R1.

After the operation of the main remote controller R1 or the sub-remote controller R2 is instructed by the operation switches 51a and 51b, the hot water supply is started with the opening operation of the hot water tap, and the main remote controller R1 and the sub remote controller R2 are started. Are configured to operate as remote control operating units in a display state. That is, when hot water supply is started, the target hot water supply temperature is displayed on each of the temperature display sections 52a and 52b. Thereafter, when the hot water supply is stopped, the sub remote controller R
2 operates again as a non-display state remote control operation unit, and the display of the target hot water supply temperature on the temperature display unit 52b is stopped.

The main remote controller R1 has an operation switch 5
Even when the operation is switched from the operation permission state to the non-permission state by 1a, the clock display by the clock display section 53a is configured to be continuously performed (FIG. 2).
(B)).

[Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the clock display and the operation lamp lighting display are also performed in the sub-remote controller that operates as the remote control operation unit in the non-display state, as shown in FIG. As described above, the clock display may not be performed, and not only the clock display but also the lighting display of the operation lamp may not be performed.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the main remote controller R1 keeps displaying the clock even in the driving non-permission state. However, such a configuration that the clock is not displayed may be adopted.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, when the operation permission is instructed by the operation switch of the main remote controller R1, the main remote controller R1 operates as a remote controller operating part in a display state, and the sub remote controller is in a non-display state. The main remote controller R1 and the sub remote controller are each configured to operate as the remote controller operating in the display state when the operation permission is instructed by the operation switch of the sub remote controller. Although the case in which this is performed has been illustrated, the following configuration may be used instead of such a configuration. When operation permission is instructed by the operation instructing means in any one of the plurality of remote control units, the commanded remote control operation unit displays the operation target state on the target state display unit. The other remote control operating unit may operate as a unit, and may operate as a non-display remote control operating unit that does not display the driving target state. For example, when there is the main remote controller R1 and the sub remote controller, when the operation permission is instructed by the operation switch of the main remote controller R1, the temperature is displayed only on the temperature display section of the main remote controller R1, and the operation of the sub remote controller is performed. When operation permission is instructed by a switch, the temperature is displayed only on the temperature display section of the sub remote controller.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of remote control operation units is two has been illustrated, but a configuration in which three or more remote control operation units are provided may be employed.

(5) In the above embodiment, the water heater with the automatic hot water filling function is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can be applied to a device having only a hot water supply function for a hot water tap, or a hot water supply device having a heating function for circulating hot water to a heating terminal in addition to hot water supply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a water heater.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation state of a main remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation state of a sub remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation state of a sub remote controller according to another embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 51a, 51b Operation command means 52a, 52b Target state display means 53a, 53b Clock display means 54a, 56b Target adjustment command means 56a, 57b Operation permission display means H Body control units R1, R2 Remote control operation unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] A plurality of remote control operation units capable of communicating command information to a main body control unit for controlling operation of the hot water supply unit are provided, and each of the remote control operation units is operated by a manual operation to control the operation of the main body control unit. Operation instruction means for instructing permission / non-permission, target state display means for displaying an operation target state of the hot water supply unit, and target adjustment instruction means for instructing adjustment of the operation target state; Is a remote-control-operated hot water supply configured to control the operation of the hot water supply unit such that when the execution of the hot water supply operation is instructed in a state where the permission of the operation is instructed, the operation of the hot water supply unit is set to the operation target state. An operation permission command issued by the operation command means in any of the plurality of remote control operation sections, the commanded remote control operation section causes the target state display means to execute the operation permission. A remote-controlled hot water supply configured to operate as a remote-control operating unit in a display state for displaying a target state, and to operate as a remote-control operating unit in a non-display state not displaying the operation target state. apparatus. 2. A remote control operating unit operating as the remote control operating unit in the non-display state, the remote control operating unit being in the display state as the adjustment by the target adjustment instruction unit is commanded. The remote-control-operated hot-water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the hot-water supply device is configured to operate as a water heater. 3. Each of the remote control operation units is provided with an operation permission display unit for displaying whether or not a permission command state in which permission to operate the main body control unit is issued is provided. When operation permission is instructed by the operation instruction means in any of the sections, all the remote control operation sections are configured to display the permission instruction state on the operation permission display means. The remote-control-operated hot-water supply device according to claim 1. 4. The remote control operation unit includes clock display means for displaying a current time irrespective of whether the main body control unit is instructed to permit driving.
The remote-control-operated hot-water supply device according to any one of Items 3 to 3. 5. A plurality of remote control operation units capable of communicating command information to a main body control unit for controlling operation of the hot water supply unit, wherein each of the remote control operation units is operated by a manual operation to operate the main body control unit. Operation instruction means for instructing permission / non-permission, target state display means for displaying an operation target state of the hot water supply unit, and target adjustment instruction means for instructing adjustment of the operation target state; Is a remote-control-operated hot-water supply device configured to control the operation of the hot-water supply unit such that when the execution of the operation is instructed in a state where the permission of the operation is instructed, the operation of the hot-water supply unit is set to the operation target state. Wherein the plurality of remote control operation units are provided by being classified into a main remote control operation unit and a sub remote control operation unit, and when an operation permission is instructed by the operation command unit in the main remote control operation unit, The main remote controller operates as a display remote controller that displays the operation target state on the target state display means, and the sub remote controller operates as a non-display remote controller that does not display the operation target state. When operation permission is instructed by the operation command means in the sub remote control operation unit, each of the main remote control operation unit and the sub remote control operation unit is displayed on the target state display means. And a remote control operation type hot water supply device configured to operate as a remote control operation section in a display state for displaying the operation target state. 6. The remote control-operated hot water supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main remote control operation unit is installed in a kitchen. 7. When the execution of the hot water supply operation is commanded while the permission of the operation is instructed to the main body control unit, each of the plurality of remote control operation units operates as the remote control operation unit in the display state. Claim 1 configured to
7. The remote-control-operated hot-water supply device according to any one of items 6 to 6.