JPH11337175A - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an electric water heater to supply hot water from an optional hot water storage tank, and supply a portion of hot water being boiled immediately and besides successively, even if any is not boiled to a specified boiling temperature out of hot water storage tanks, in case that a plurality of hot water storage tanks are used. SOLUTION: This electric water heater is equipped with a plurality of hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c with built-in heaters 13a, 13b, and 13c for boiling hot water. This is equipped with a water supply pipe line 15 and a hot water supply pipe line 16 common to the plural hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c. This is equipped with a hot water supply switching means 18 which supplies optional tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c with water from the water supply pipe line 15, and also supplies the hot water supply pipe line 16 with hot water from the optional hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electric water heater having a plurality of hot water storage tanks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electric water heater, a large-diameter and large-sized hot water storage tank is used in order to secure an amount of hot water in consideration of hot water supply to a bathtub or the like. Both dimensions are relatively large. When this electric water heater is installed, for example, between the outer wall of a house and the boundary of the adjacent site, it is difficult to install the electric water heater or the electric Even if the water heater can be installed, there is a disadvantage that the distance between the electric water heater and the boundary line is so narrow that a person cannot pass through.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, three small-diameter hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c are used, and these hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c are used.
By connecting 1c in series between a water supply line 3 having a pressure reducing valve 2 and a hot water supply line 4, three hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b,
It is conceivable that 1c can secure the same amount of hot water as in the case of one large-sized hot water storage tank, and it can be wide in the width direction where the hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c are lined up, but the depth dimension can be reduced. I have. Each of the hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c has a built-in heater 5a, 5b, 5c for heating the hot water to a predetermined boiling temperature.

When a large amount of hot water is required, a plurality of electric water heaters are connected in series to supply hot water. In this case as well, a plurality of hot water storage tanks are connected in series as described above. The hot water is heated by the heaters connected to the hot water storage tanks.

[0005]

However, when a plurality of hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c are connected in series to supply hot water,
If any of the hot water storage tanks 1a, 1b, 1c cannot be heated due to disconnection of the heaters 5a, 5b, 5c or a failure in the control circuit of the heaters 5a, 5b, 5c, the supply of hot water will be inconvenient.
That is, for example, when the hot water storage tank 1c breaks down, the hot water that has not been boiled in the hot water storage tank 1c (water, or the remaining hot water before the failure, or the hot and cold water fed from the other hot water storage tanks 1b and 1a) is discharged. If the hot water boiled in the hot water storage tank 1b is not supplied and if the hot water storage tank 1b breaks down, the hot water boiled in the hot water storage tank 1a will be supplied at first, but from the middle of the hot water storage tank 1b. It may be inconvenient to produce hot water that has not been boiled (water or hot water remaining before a failure or hot water sent from another hot water storage tank 1a).

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and when a plurality of hot water storage tanks are used, hot water can be supplied from an arbitrary hot water storage tank. For example, one of the hot water storage tanks can be heated to a predetermined boiling temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric water heater that can reliably supply hot water from a boiling hot water storage tank even if it is not raised.

[0007]

The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of hot water storage tanks having a built-in heater for boiling hot water, a common water supply pipe for the plurality of hot water storage tanks, and Common hot water supply pipeline for hot water storage tanks,
A hot water supply switching means for supplying water from the hot water supply pipe to an arbitrary hot water storage tank and supplying hot water to the hot water supply pipe from the optional hot water storage tank; As described above, when a plurality of hot water storage tanks are used, water is supplied from the hot water supply line to an arbitrary hot water storage tank by the hot water supply switching means and hot water is supplied from the arbitrary hot water storage tank to the hot water supply line. Even if the water cannot be heated to the predetermined boiling temperature, hot water can be supplied from the heated hot water storage tank.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric water heater according to the first aspect, the hot water supply switching means connects the plurality of hot water storage tanks in series through the water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe. A bypass line that directly connects between the water supply line and the hot water supply line, and a bypass line provided between the hot water supply side from each hot water storage tank of the series line line and the bypass line, and upstream of the series line. A three-way valve that switches so that one of the side and the downstream side of the series pipe and the bypass line are connected, and an on-off valve that opens and closes the bypass line on the upstream side of the bypass line. . As described above, by switching the three-way valve and the on-off valve, water is supplied from the hot water supply line to an arbitrary hot water storage tank and hot water is supplied from the arbitrary hot water storage tank to the hot water supply line while using the serial line and the bypass line. Hot water supply switching means is realized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electric water heater according to the second aspect, the hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water in each hot water storage tank, and the temperature of the hot water in each of the hot water storage tanks is controlled. And a control unit that controls the switching of the three-way valve and the on-off valve so that hot water is supplied only from the hot water storage tank that has reached the predetermined boiling temperature, and is not heated to the predetermined boiling temperature. Even if there is a hot water storage tank, hot water can be automatically supplied from the hot water storage tank.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an electric water heater, and this electric water heater 11 adopts a hot water supply system of a first push-up type.
Three small diameter hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, 12c (first hot water storage tank 12a, second hot water storage tank 12b, third hot water storage tank
12c), heaters 13a, 13b, 13c for boiling hot water are built in at the lower part of each hot water storage tank 12a, 12b, 12c, and a temperature sensor as hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water at the upper side. 14a, 14b and 14c are provided.

The electric water heater 11 includes hot water storage tanks 12a and 12b.
, 12c are provided with a common water supply line 15 and a common hot water supply line 16, respectively. The water supply pipe 15 is connected to a water pipe, and a pressure reducing valve 17 is provided in the middle of the pipe. The hot water supply pipe 16 is connected to, for example, a hot water supply tap installed in a bathroom, a kitchen, a washroom, or the like.

In the electric water heater 11, hot water supply is switched from a water supply line 15 to any of hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, 12c and a hot water supply line 16 from any of the hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, 12c. Means 18 are provided.

The hot water supply switching means 18 includes a water supply pipe 15 and a hot water supply pipe.
The hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected in series with each other through a series line 19, and a bypass line 20 that directly connects between the water supply line 15 and the hot water supply line 16 is provided.

The series line 19 is connected to the first hot water storage tank 12a from the water supply line 15, the downstream side (secondary side) of the pressure reducing valve 17 of the water supply line 15.
A pipe 21 connected to a lower portion of the first hot water storage tank 12a and a pipe 2 connected to a lower portion of the second hot water storage tank 12b
2, 23, pipes 24, 25 connected from the upper part of the second hot water storage tank 12a to the lower part of the third hot water storage tank 12c, pipes 26 connected from the upper part of the third hot water storage tank 12c to the hot water supply line 16, And a hot water supply line 16.

Each hot water storage tank 12a, 12b, 12 in the series pipe 19
c, between the pipe 22 and the pipe 23 and the bypass pipe 20 which exit from the upper part, between the pipe 24 and the pipe 25 and the bypass pipe 20, and between the pipe 26 and the hot water supply pipe 16 and the bypass pipe 20. Three-way valve 27a, 27
b and 27c are provided. These three-way valves 27a, 27b, 27
With c, switching is performed so that any one of the pipes 23, 25 and the hot water supply pipe 16 on the downstream side of the series pipe 19, the pipes 22, 24, 26 on the upstream side of the series pipe 19, and the bypass pipe 20 are connected. Can be

An on-off valve (two-way valve) 28 for opening and closing the bypass line 20 is provided at an upstream portion of the bypass line 20.

Three-way valves 27a, 27b, 27c and on-off valve 28
Is constituted by a motor-operated valve that switches or opens and closes a flow path using a motor as a power source.

The electric water heater 11 has a control unit 31,
The control unit 31 receives detection signals from the temperature sensors 14a, 14b, and 14c, and receives three-way valves 27a, 27b, and 27c and on-off valves.
Control 28. Then, the control unit 31 controls each hot water storage tank 12a
, 12b, and 12c, the three-way valves 27a, 27b, 27c, and the on-off valve 28 are automatically switched so that hot water is supplied only from the hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, 12c that have reached a predetermined boiling temperature. It has a control function.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 shows that the hot water in the hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b and 12c is heated to a predetermined boiling temperature.
A hot water supply method in which hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c are connected in series to supply hot water will be described.

Under the control of the control section 31, each of the three-way valves 27a, 27
The bypass pipe 20 side of b and 27c is closed, and the on-off valve 28 is closed to form the series pipe 19.

Then, when the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap at the end (downstream) of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied to the first hot water storage tank 12a by the supply pressure of the tap water guided to the water supply pipe 15.
And the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is pushed up. Similarly, the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is guided to the lower part of the second hot water storage tank 12b, and the second hot water storage The hot water in the tank 12b is pushed up, and similarly, the hot water in the second hot water tank 12b is guided to the lower part of the third hot water storage tank 12c, and the hot water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is pushed up. Hot water in 12c is supplied through hot water supply line 16.

Thus, the three hot water storage tanks 12a and 12b
, 12c is supplied with hot water.

Even if the first hot water storage tank 12a fails and the hot water is not heated to the predetermined boiling temperature,
Hot water can be supplied by such a series hot water supply method.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 show the case where two of the three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b and 12c fail and the hot water is not heated to a predetermined boiling temperature.
This shows the hot water supply method for hot water supply.

FIG. 3 shows a hot water supply method for supplying hot water from the third hot water storage tank 12c, and the three-way valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 31.
The pipes 22 and 24 of a and 27b are closed, the bypass pipe 20 of the three-way valve 27c is closed, and the on-off valve 28 is opened.

Then, when the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied by the tap water supplied to the water supply pipe 15 so that the tap water is supplied to the on-off valve 28, the bypass pipe 20, and the three-way pipe. The valve 27b is guided to the lower part of the third hot water storage tank 12c through the pipe 25, and the hot water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is pushed up.
27c, the hot water is supplied through the hot water supply pipe 16.

FIG. 4 shows a method of supplying hot water from the second hot water storage tank 12b, and the three-way valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 31.
The pipes 22 and 26 of a and 27c are closed, the bypass pipe 20 side of the three-way valve 27b is closed, and the on-off valve 28 is opened.

Then, when the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap at the end of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied by the tap water supplied to the water supply pipe 15, and the tap water is supplied to the on-off valve 28, the bypass pipe 20, and the three-way pipe. The valve 27a is guided to the lower part of the second hot water storage tank 12b through the pipe 23, the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is pushed up, and the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is supplied to the pipe 24 through the three-way valve.
The hot water is supplied through the bypass line 27b, the three-way valve 27c, and the hot water supply line 16.

FIG. 5 shows a hot water supply method for supplying hot water from the first hot water storage tank 12a, and the three-way valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 31.
The pipe 23 side of a is closed, the bypass pipe 20 side of the three-way valve 27b is closed, the pipe 26 side of the three-way valve 27c is closed, and the on-off valve 28 is closed.

When the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap at the end of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied to the first hot water storage tank 12 a through the pipe 21 by the supply pressure of the tap water guided to the water supply pipe 15. Guided to the lower part, the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is pushed up, and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is passed through the pipe 22, the three-way valve 27a, the bypass pipe 20, the three-way valve 27c, and the hot water supply pipe 16. Hot water is supplied.

Therefore, the three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b
, 12c fails and the hot water is not heated to the predetermined boiling temperature, the hot water can be supplied immediately from the remaining one.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show the case where one of the three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b and 12c fails and the hot water is not heated to a predetermined boiling temperature.
The following shows an individual hot water supply method for hot water supply.

FIG. 6 shows the second and third hot water storage tanks 12.
The method of hot water supply from b, 12c is shown. Under the control of the control unit 31, the pipe 22 side of the three-way valve 27a is closed, and the three-way valves 27b, 27b,
The side of the bypass line 20 of 27c is closed, and the on-off valve 28 is opened.

Then, when the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied by the tap water supplied to the water supply pipe 15 so that the tap water is supplied to the on-off valve 28, the bypass pipe 20, and the three-way pipe. Guided to the lower part of the second hot water storage tank 12b through the valve 27a and the pipe 23, the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is pushed up, and the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is
4. Third hot water storage tank 12c through three-way valve 27b and pipe 25
And the hot water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is pushed up, and the hot water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is
Hot water is supplied through the three-way valve 27c and the hot water supply pipeline 16.

FIG. 7 shows the first and third hot water storage tanks 12.
The hot water supply method of supplying hot water from a and 12c is shown. Under the control of the control unit 31, the pipe 23 side of the three-way valve 27a is closed, the pipe 24 side of the three-way valve 27b is closed, and the bypass pipe 20 side of the three-way valve 27c is closed. Close and close the on-off valve 28.

Then, when the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied to the first hot water storage tank 12 a through the pipe 21 by the supply pressure of the tap water guided to the water supply pipe 15. Guided to the lower part, the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is pushed up, and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is further supplied to the pipe 22, the three-way valve 27a, the bypass pipe 20, and the three-way valve 27.
b, being guided to the lower part of the third hot water storage tank 12c through the pipe 25, the hot water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is pushed up,
The hot and cold water in the third hot water storage tank 12c is connected to the pipe 26, the three-way valve 27c,
Hot water is supplied through hot water supply pipe 16.

FIG. 8 shows the first and second hot water storage tanks 12.
The hot water supply method of supplying hot water from a and 12b is shown. Under the control of the control unit 31, the bypass pipe 20 side of the three-way valve 27a is closed, the pipe 25 side of the three-way valve 27b is closed, and the pipe 26 side of the three-way valve 27c is closed. Close and close the on-off valve 28.

When the hot water tap or hot water / water supply mixer tap at the end of the hot water supply pipe 16 is opened, the tap water is supplied to the first hot water storage tank 12 a through the pipe 21 by the supply pressure of the tap water guided to the water supply pipe 15. Guided to the lower part, the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is pushed up, and the hot water in the first hot water storage tank 12a is further lowered to the lower part of the second hot water storage tank 12b through the pipe 22, the three-way valve 27a, and the pipe 23. Then, the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is pushed up, and the hot water in the second hot water storage tank 12b is supplied to the pipe 24, the three-way valve 27b, the bypass pipe 20, the three-way valve 27c,
Hot water is supplied through hot water supply pipe 16.

Therefore, the three hot water storage tanks 12a and 12b
, 12c fails and the hot water is not heated to the predetermined boiling temperature, the hot water can be supplied immediately from the remaining two, and the amount of the hot water is continuously supplied. it can.

As described above, the three hot water storage tanks 12a and 12
When b and 12c are used, the hot water supply switching means 18 supplies water from the water supply pipe 15 to any of the hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c, and also supplies hot water to the hot water supply pipe 16 with any of the hot water storage tanks 12a and 12c.
Hot water can be supplied from 12b and 12c.

Therefore, three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b,
Even if a failure occurs in any of 12c and it cannot be heated to the predetermined boiling temperature, hot water for the other boiling can be supplied immediately and the amount of the heated water can be continuously increased. You can supply hot water.

Even if any of the three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c is boiling, the other boiling water can be supplied immediately.

One of the three hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c is selectively heated and stored, and the hot water corresponding to the required amount of hot water is heated, and the heated hot water is immediately discharged. Can supply hot water.

Further, by switching the three-way valves 27a, 27b, 27c and the on-off valve 28, the series line 19 and the bypass line are switched.
While using 20, any hot water storage tank 12 from the water supply line 15
Hot water supply switching means 18 that can supply water to a, 12b, and 12c and supply hot water from hot water storage tanks 12a, 12b, and 12c to hot water supply conduit 16 can be realized.

Incidentally, as the three-way valve and the on-off valve, an electromagnetic valve using a solenoid as a drive source may be used.

The number of hot water storage tanks is not limited to three, but may be two.
Even when one or four or more are used, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Also, when a plurality of electric water heaters are connected in series to supply hot water because a large amount of hot water is required, a plurality of hot water storage tanks are connected in series as described above. Therefore, the same operation and effect can be obtained by applying the same configuration as the above-described embodiment.

[0050]

According to the electric water heater of the first aspect, when a plurality of hot water storage tanks are used, hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe to an optional hot water storage tank by the hot water supply switching means, and an optional hot water supply pipe is connected to the hot water supply pipe. Since hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank, for example, even if any of the hot water storage tanks cannot be heated to a predetermined boiling temperature, the hot water can be reliably supplied from the hot water storage tank being heated.

According to the electric water heater of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the electric water heater of the first aspect, by switching the three-way valve and the on-off valve, the series water pipe and the bypass pipe are used. Hot water supply switching means capable of supplying water to an arbitrary hot water storage tank from the water supply conduit and supplying hot water from the arbitrary hot water storage tank to the hot water supply conduit can be realized.

According to the electric water heater of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the electric water heater of the second aspect, the control unit
In accordance with the temperature of the hot water in each hot water storage tank, the three-way valve and the on-off valve are switched and controlled so that only the hot water storage tank that has reached the predetermined boiling temperature can be automatically switched from the hot water storage tank that is being heated. Can supply hot water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electric water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in a case where hot water is supplied by connecting three hot water storage tanks in series.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from a third hot water storage tank.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from the second hot water storage tank.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from the first hot water storage tank.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from the second and third hot water storage tanks.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from the first and third hot water storage tanks.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when hot water is supplied only from the first and second hot water storage tanks.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional electric water heater.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Electric water heaters 12a, 12b, 12c Hot water storage tanks 13a, 13b, 13c Heaters 14a, 14b, 14c Temperature sensors as water temperature detecting means 15 Water supply line 16 Hot water supply line 18 Hot water supply switching means 19 Series line 20 Bypass line 27a, 27b, 27c Three-way valve 28 On-off valve 31 Control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of hot water storage tanks having a built-in heater for boiling hot water, a common water supply pipe for the plurality of hot water storage tanks, a common hot water supply pipe for the plurality of hot water storage tanks, An electric water heater comprising hot water supply switching means for supplying water to an arbitrary hot water storage tank from a water supply pipe and supplying hot water from the arbitrary hot water storage tank to the hot water supply pipe. 2. A hot water supply switching means for connecting a plurality of hot water storage tanks in series through a hot water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe, and directly connecting the hot water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe. A bypass pipe, provided between the hot water supply side of each of the series pipes from the hot water storage tank and the bypass pipe, and connected to one of the upstream side of the series pipe, the downstream side of the series pipe, and the bypass pipe; The electric water heater according to claim 1, further comprising a three-way valve that switches between them in such a manner, and an on-off valve that opens and closes the bypass pipe upstream of the bypass pipe. 3. A hot water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of hot water in each hot water storage tank, and hot water is supplied only from a hot water storage tank which has reached a predetermined boiling temperature in accordance with the temperature of the hot water in each hot water storage tank. 3. The electric water heater according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit for switching control of the three-way valve and the on-off valve.