JPH11257734A - Full-automatic hot-water supply equipment with bath function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and rapidly detect a water level in a bath and to accurately supply water by comparing a detected water level signal with a set signal and finally judging the water level in the bath when a state where the set level is exceeded in larger and smaller directions continues for a specific amount of delay time. SOLUTION: When the water level in a bath tub 2 is to be detected periodically when supplying hot water into the bath tub 2, it is judged whether hot water needs to be added to the bath tub 2 or not by measuring the amount of displacement from a predetermined reference water level. When the judgment is YES and when it is detected continuously for a certain amount of time that hot water needs to be added, it is finally determined that hot water needs to be added and starts to be supplied to the bath tub 2. When the judgment is NO, it is judged whether the hot water level is equal to or less than the hot water supply level or not. Then, when a state where the hot water level is equal to or less than a level requiring the supply of hot water for a constant amount of time, it is finally judged that the level is equal to or more than the hot water supply level, and then no hot water is supplied or the supply of hot water is stopped during the supply of hot water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater with a fully automatic bath function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, hot water heaters have become increasingly larger and have a fully automatic bath function.

In such a water heater with a fully automatic bath function, the water level in the bathtub is periodically detected, and hot water is poured into the bathtub based on the detection result.

Conventionally, pouring based on water level detection in a water heater with a fully automatic bath function has been performed as follows.

[0005] A pressure sensor for measuring a water level is installed in a bathtub, a voltage output is periodically measured by the pressure sensor, and the value is A / D converted. When the obtained A / D conversion value matches several times, usually three times in a row, it is recognized as an A / D conversion value corresponding to the current water level.

Next, the A / D conversion value corresponding to the current water level obtained above is compared with the value of the preset hot water level.

When the A / D conversion value corresponding to the current water level is smaller than the value of the added hot water level, pouring is started, and when the water level becomes higher than a preset pouring water level, pouring is stopped. It was like.

Here, the pouring water level (cm) is a water level corresponding to the amount of hot water set by the user with a remote controller, and can be set in several steps.

The added water level (cm) is a water level obtained by subtracting a certain constant, usually 4 (cm), from the pouring water level (cm).

By the way, in a water heater with a fully automatic bath function, the water heater body and the bathtub are installed at positions separated from each other.
Two pipes, an additional path additional piping and a return path additional piping, are connected between them. And the pressure sensor which measures a water level is installed in the return path additional heating piping on the bathtub side.

[0011]

As described above, in the conventional water heater with a fully automatic bath function, the pressure sensor for detecting the water level is installed in the return-path additional heating pipe provided between the water heater body and the bathtub. As a result, it was affected by the vibration of the return-path additional heating pipe itself and the influence of the air in the return-path additional heating pipe, which inevitably caused an error in water level measurement. In addition, it has been found that such external fluctuation factors have a longer cycle than electric noise and lower the measurement accuracy of the water level measurement by the pressure sensor.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, and to accurately and quickly detect a water level in a bathtub. As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water heater with a fully automatic bath function that can accurately pour water to a pouring water level or an additional pouring water level set in a bathtub based on a detection signal.

[0013]

The gist of the present invention is to provide a water heater main unit, a bathtub, a pressure sensor capable of detecting a water level in the bathtub, and an output detected by the pressure sensor to a digital water level signal. A water heater with a fully automatic bath function, comprising: an analog / digital converter capable of conversion; and a microcomputer capable of issuing a command for pouring or stopping pouring of water based on the water level signal converted by the analog / digital converter. In the microcomputer, it is possible to compare whether the detected water level signal is larger or smaller than a preset setting signal, and when the larger or smaller is continuously obtained for a designated delay time, the larger the detected water level signal is. A fully automatic bath function-equipped water heater characterized by incorporating a delay recognition circuit for recognizing whether it is small or small.

In the present invention, the delay recognition circuit operates so as to operate with a delay time determined in consideration of the vibration elimination time of the additional heating pipe, the detection cycle of the pressure sensor, and the arithmetic processing speed of the microcomputer. It is preferred that it is configured.

In the present invention, the delay recognition circuit determines whether the detected water level signal is larger or smaller than the preset setting signal only when the delay time is 0.5 to 10 seconds continuous as a delay time. Preferably, it is configured to recognize.

Here, the reason why the delay time of the delay recognition circuit is set to 0.5 to 10 seconds is that if the delay time is 0.5 seconds or less, it is not possible to eliminate the vibration error of the return-path additional heating pipe itself and to detect it in view of the detection cycle of the pressure sensor. This is because the number of times is reduced, and the processing cannot be properly performed even from the arithmetic processing speed of the microcomputer. Conversely, if the delay time is 10 seconds or longer, the waste of pouring becomes large.

[0017]

Next, an embodiment of a water heater with a fully automatic bath function of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view showing an embodiment of a water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a water heater main body, 2 is a bathtub,
Reference numeral 3 indicates an outward path additional heating pipe, 3 indicates a return path additional heating pipe, 4 indicates a water flow detector, 5 indicates a pressure sensor, 6 indicates a temperature detector, 7 indicates a pump,
8 is a heat exchanger, 9 is a check valve, 10 is a pouring circuit, 14 is a solenoid valve, and 15 is a circulation port. Although not shown, an analog / digital converter and a microcomputer are connected to the pressure sensor 5.

That is, a water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a water heater main body 1, a bathtub 2, and a forward heating additional piping 3
, A return path additional heating pipe 3.

The water heater main body 1 is provided with a water flow detector 4, a pressure sensor 5, a temperature detector 6, a pump 7, a heat exchanger 8, a check valve 9, a pouring circuit 10, a solenoid valve 14, and the like. I have.

The bath 2 is provided with a circulation port 15. The bathtub side tips of the forward pass additional heating pipe 3 and the return pass additional heating pipe 3 protrude from the circulation port 15.

The forward end of the additional water heating pipe 3 on the water heater main body side is connected to the outward passage of the heat exchanger 8 via a check valve 9, a pouring circuit 10, an electromagnetic valve 14, and the like.

Further, the distal end of the return path additional heating pipe 3 on the water heater main body side is connected to the return path opening of the heat exchanger 8 via a water flow detector 4, a pressure sensor 5, a temperature detector 6, a pump 7, and the like.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view showing the relationship between the set pouring water level, the added hot water level and the reference water level in the bathtub 2.

In FIG. 2, 2 is a bathtub, 11 is a pouring water level,
Reference numeral 12 denotes an additional hot water level, reference numeral 13 denotes a reference water level, and reference numeral 15 denotes a circulation port.

As described above, the pouring water level 11 (cm) is a water level corresponding to the amount of hot water set by the user with the remote controller, and the adding hot water level 12 (cm) is from the pouring water level (cm). This is the water level minus a certain constant, usually 4 (cm). Further, the reference water level is the upper end water level of the circulation port 15 in the bathtub 2.

(Measurement method of pouring water level and adding hot water level) In measuring the pouring water level 11 and the adding hot water level 12, first, a displacement amount from a predetermined reference water level 13 is measured, and then the following formula is used. They are calculated.

Pouring water level 11 = reference water level 13 + ΔH ₁ (1 formula) Additional hot water level 12 = reference water level 13 + ΔH ₂ (2 formula) Next, a fully automatic bath according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation procedure of the water heater with function will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control software relating to the operation procedure of the water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, an example of the operation of the control software shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

First, in the water level determination routine, it is determined whether or not the water level in the bathtub 2 is equal to or lower than the added hot water level.

[Yes] When the determination is Yes, a preliminary determination is made that the water level is equal to or lower than the added hot water level.

Next, it is determined whether or not it is possible to continuously detect that the level is below the added hot water level for a predetermined time.

[Yes determination] When the determination is Yes, it is finally determined that the water level is below the added hot water level, and the molten metal is poured.

[No Judgment] When the judgment is No,
If it is not below the added hot water level, the final judgment is made and no hot water is poured.

[No] When it is determined as No in the above-mentioned determination of whether or not the water level is equal to or lower than the added water level, it is next determined whether the water level is equal to or higher than the pouring water level.

[Yes Determination] When the determination is Yes, it is next determined whether or not the pouring water level or higher can be continuously detected for a certain period of time.

[Yes determination] ... It is finally determined that the pouring water level is higher than the pouring water level, and pouring is not performed or pouring is stopped during pouring.

Next, an example of the operation of the water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

A. Water-clad First, open the electromagnetic valve 14 of the water heater body 1, Note that the hot water into the bathtub 2 via the outward additionally焚配tube 3.

The water level in the bathtub 2 is monitored by a pressure sensor 5.

Now, when the water level in the bathtub 2 exceeds the pouring water level 11 due to the pouring of water through the forward path additional heating pipe 3, the pressure sensor 5 detects a voltage value corresponding to the pouring water level. It is more than 11 for a certain time, for example, 0.5 to
The microcomputer finally determines that the pouring water level 11 has been exceeded when 10 seconds have passed. The microcomputer issues a pouring stop command based on the final determination.

B. The water level in the tub 2 hot water hot water tension is over plus will be the water level is lowered due to such pumping out of the bath and hot water.

The pressure sensor 5 detects a voltage value corresponding to the water level when the water level in the bathtub 2 falls below the hot water level 12 and determines that the water level has fallen below the hot water level 12 for a certain period of time, for example. When 0.5 to 10 seconds have elapsed, the microcomputer finally determines that the hot water level is 12 or less. Then, a pouring command is issued based on the final determination.

Further, when the water level in the bathtub 2 reaches the pouring water level 11 by the pouring based on the pouring instruction of the microcomputer, a voltage value corresponding to the water level is detected, and then, based on the detection signal, The microcomputer issues a pouring stop command.

In the conventional water heater with a fully automatic bath function, as described above, the pressure sensor for detecting the water level is installed in the return-path reheating pipe provided between the water heater body and the bathtub. Due to the vibration of the return-pipe reheating pipe itself and the influence of air in the return-path reheating pipe, errors in water level measurement were inevitable.

On the other hand, in the water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to one embodiment of the present invention, the condition that the set value is continuously exceeded for a certain period of time is set as a criterion for determining the water level.
Effectively shuts off the influence of the vibration and air of the return-line additional heating pipe itself, and as a result, can accurately detect the water level and, based on those detection signals, accurately set the pouring water level or the added hot water level in the bathtub. It can be poured into.

[0049]

The water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to the present invention can accurately and quickly detect the water level in the bathtub, and as a result, the water level set in the bathtub or the added hot water level accurately based on the detection signal. It can be poured into water and is industrially useful.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view showing an embodiment of a water heater with a fully automatic bath function of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view showing a relationship between a set pouring water level, an additional hot water level, and a reference water level in a bathtub 2 in one embodiment of the fully-automatic water heater with a bath function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control software according to an operation procedure of the water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water heater main body 2 Bath tub 3 Outbound reheating pipe 3 Incoming reheating pipe 4 Water flow detector 5 Pressure sensor 6 Temperature detector 7 Pump 8 Heat exchanger 9 Check valve 10 Pouring circuit 11 Pouring water level 12 Adding hot water level 13 Standard water level 14 Solenoid valve 15 Circulation port

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water heater main body, a bathtub, a pressure sensor capable of detecting a water level in the bathtub, an analog / digital converter capable of converting an output detected by the pressure sensor into a digital water level signal, and the analog / digital converter. In a water heater with a fully automatic bath function including a microcomputer capable of issuing a command for pouring or stopping pouring water based on a water level signal converted by the converter, the microcomputer detects a detected water level signal in advance. A delay recognizing circuit is incorporated which can compare whether the signal is larger or smaller than a set setting signal and recognizes whether the signal is larger or smaller only when a specified delay time is continuously obtained. A water heater with a fully automatic bath function. 2. The delay recognition circuit is configured to operate with a delay time determined in consideration of the vibration elimination time of the additional heating pipe, the detection cycle of the pressure sensor, and the arithmetic processing speed of the microcomputer. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Water heater with fully automatic bath function as described. 3. The delay recognition circuit recognizes whether the detected water level signal is larger or smaller than a preset setting signal when the detected water level signal is larger or smaller only for 0.5 to 10 seconds. The water heater with a fully automatic bath function according to claim 1, wherein the water heater is configured.