JP3073702B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus for supplying hot water to a bathroom or a kitchen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a water heater in which a heat exchanger is provided in a hot water supply path, and water supplied from upstream of the hot water supply path is heated by the heat exchanger to supply hot water downstream of the hot water supply path. Have been. The hot water supply device has an operation switch for instructing a user to start and stop the operation of the hot water supply device, and a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of water flowing through the hot water supply path. According to the water heater, the operation of the water heater is started when the user operates the operation switch. Then, when the user opens a manual hot water tap connected to the downstream end of the hot water supply path, water supply to the heat exchanger is started from the upstream of the hot water supply path, and a flow rate equal to or more than a predetermined value is detected by the flow rate sensor. When the water is heated by the heat exchanger,
Hot water is supplied to the manual hot water tap. Further, when the user closes the manual hot water tap, the supply of water to the heat exchanger from the upstream of the hot water supply path is stopped, and the flow rate is no longer detected by the flow rate sensor, so that the heating by the heat exchanger also stops.

[0003] It is known that such a hot water supply apparatus is provided with a fixed-quantity water stopping function (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-11861 or the like). A hot water supply device having a constant water stopping function includes a water filling switch for instructing a constant water stopping operation, a water stopping valve for opening and closing a hot water supply path, and a release switch for instructing opening of the water stopping valve. Then, when the user sets a desired hot water amount by hot water amount setting means provided in operation means such as a remote controller, operates a hot water switch, and opens a manual hot water tap provided at a downstream end of the hot water supply path, Hot water supply is continued until the cumulative value of the flow rate of the water detected by the flow sensor reaches the desired hot water amount. When the desired hot water amount is reached, the water shutoff valve is closed and the hot water supply path is closed, and the manual hot water supply is performed. Hot water supply to the tap is stopped.
Therefore, the user can perform the hot water filling without performing the operation of checking the amount of hot water in the bathtub and closing the bathtub hot water tap, which is convenient.

[0004] In addition, when the user accidentally closes the bathtub manual hot water tap in the middle of hot water filling, and when the user subsequently opens the bathtub manual hot water tap, the hot water filling is continued so that the water filling is continued. There is an apparatus in which the filling operation is stopped without terminating the filling operation even when the stoppage of the flowing water is detected by the sensor, and the filling is continued when the restart of the flowing water is detected. In this apparatus, when restart of the flowing water is detected by the flowing water sensor, the detected flow rate after the restart is accumulated in the amount of hot water so far, and when the accumulated value reaches the desired amount of hot water, the stop water valve is closed. The valve is closed and the filling is completed.

[0005] When filling with such a hot water supply device,
The hot water amount setting means sets the amount of hot water to be supplied (liter or the like), whereas the user determines the desired hot water amount based on the water level of the hot water actually supplied to the bathtub. It is difficult to set the amount of hot water by the hot water amount setting means. In this case, it is conceivable that the user closes the bathtub manual hot-water tap and stops hot water supply to the bathtub when the desired water level is reached during the hot water filling. Then, the user tends to think that the filling of the hot tub is finished by closing the manual tub hot water tap, but actually the accumulation of the hot water supply is only interrupted. Is in a state to be continued.

[0006] In the case of supplying hot water to a plurality of locations, a common hot water supply path provided with the flow rate sensor is generally branched outside the water heater in order to facilitate construction and reduce costs. It is connected to a hot water tap. Therefore, when the hot water supply channel branches downstream and is connected not only to the manual hot water tap in the bathtub, but also to another manual hot water tap in the bathroom or kitchen, etc. Even when a manual hot water tap other than a tap, for example, a shower manual hot water tap is opened and hot water is used, running water is detected by the flow rate sensor and the hot water filling operation is resumed, and the detected flow rate is accumulated to the previous hot water filling amount. Is done.

[0007] Therefore, by closing the bathtub manual hot-water tap and stopping the hot-water supply to the bathtub, a user who mistakenly recognizes that the filling operation has been completed, turns on the manual hot-water tap such as a shower when bathing is subsequently performed. When the hot water is opened and the hot water is used, the flowing water is detected by the flow rate sensor, and the suspended hot water is restarted. Then, the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor is accumulated to the amount of hot water filling up to that time, and when the accumulated value of the hot water amount reaches the desired hot water amount during use of hot water, the hot water filling ends and the water shutoff valve is closed. You. For example, during hot water filling with a desired hot water setting of 50 liters, when the cumulative value of hot water supply reaches 45 liters, the user closes the bathtub manual hot water tap, then opens a manual hot water tap such as a shower to supply hot water. When used, when 5 liters of hot water is used, the water stop valve is closed upon completion of filling.

In this case, when the bathroom is provided with operating means provided with a release switch for instructing opening of the water stop valve, the water stop valve can be opened by the release switch to use hot water. However, when the operation means is located in a place other than the bathroom such as a kitchen, there is a disadvantage that the user cannot use the hot water unless the user goes out of the bathroom and operates the release switch.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, and has a function of terminating a filling operation when a user closes a manual tub hot water tap to stop filling. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of water flowing through a hot water supply path, a heating means for heating water flowing through the hot water supply path, and a hot water supply path. A water stop valve that opens and closes, a water supply amount accumulating means for calculating an accumulated value of the flow rate of water detected by the flow rate sensor, an operation switch for instructing start and stop of operation, and a hot water for instructing bath filling to the bathtub. An operating means having a tension switch, and when the user operates the hot water switch during operation to open a bathtub manual hot water tap connected to the hot water supply path and supplying hot water to the bathtub, the water supply amount accumulation is performed. The hot water supply operation is continued until the accumulated water amount calculated by the means reaches a predetermined target water amount, and when the water amount reaches the target water amount, the water stop valve stops the water supply to the hot water supply path. Hot water supply device with During the filling operation, when the stoppage of the flowing water is detected by the flow rate sensor, whether the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the predetermined target water amount is determined. When the cumulative value is equal to or more than the predetermined ratio, the filling operation is terminated. When the cumulative value is less than the predetermined ratio, the filling operation is performed after the flow rate detecting means detects that the flowing water has been restarted. It is characterized by continuing.

If the stoppage of running water is detected by the flow rate sensor during the filling operation by the filling control means, it is considered that the user closed the bathtub manual hot water tap. According to the present invention, when the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means at the time of stoppage of the flowing water is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the target water amount, the user turns off the bathtub manual hot water tap in order to end the hot water filling. When judging that it is closed, the filling control means ends the filling operation.

As a result, when the user closes the manual hot tub during bath filling, the filling operation is interrupted, which is an inconvenience of the conventional hot water supply device having a fixed water stopping function. When the hot water is used, the flowing water is detected by the flow rate sensor and the filling operation is restarted, and when the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means reaches the target water amount, the water stop valve is closed. It can be prevented that hot water cannot be used.

On the other hand, if the accumulated value by the water supply amount detecting means at the time of stopping the flowing water is less than the target water amount predetermined ratio, whether the user has closed the bathtub manual hot water tap in order to temporarily suspend hot water filling. Alternatively, since it can be determined that the bathtub manual hot-water tap has been closed by mistake, the filling operation is continued after the flow sensor detects that the flowing water has been restarted.
In this case, when the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means reaches the target water amount, the water stop valve closes, and the filling operation ends.

The operating means has a release switch for instructing opening of the water stop valve, and the filling control means comprises:
When the filling operation is completed by detecting the stoppage of the flowing water by the flow rate sensor, the water stop valve is kept open.

[0015] When the stoppage of the flowing water is detected by the flow rate sensor, if the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means is equal to or higher than the predetermined ratio, the user turns on the bathtub manual hot water tap in order to end the filling. It can be determined that it has been closed. And in this case, even if the water stop valve is kept open, hot water is not supplied to the bathtub from the bathtub manual hot water tap. Therefore, by detecting the stoppage of flowing water by the flow rate sensor, when ending the filling operation, by holding the stop valve open, the user can stop the filling by the normal closing of the stop valve. This eliminates the need to issue an instruction to open the water stop valve by operating the release switch, which is necessary at that time, and improves usability.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hot water supply apparatus shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hot water supply apparatus of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply device 1, a hot water supply control means 2 for controlling the operation of hot water supply device 1, and an operating means for giving an instruction of a hot water supply operation to hot water supply control means 2. And the remote controller 3 which is The water heater 1 includes a combustion chamber 4 and a burner 5 serving as heating means provided in the combustion chamber 4.
A heat exchanger 7 for heating water in the hot water supply path 6 by the burner 5, an igniter 8 for igniting the burner 5, and a frame rod 9 for detecting a combustion state of the burner 5.
A blower fan 10 for supplying combustion air to the burner 5 is provided below the combustion chamber 4, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 5 from a gas supply pipe 13 via a main solenoid valve 11 and a gas proportional valve 12. You.

The hot water supply path 6 is connected with a manual shower hot water tap 14 for supplying hot water to a shower installed in the bathroom and a manual hot water tap 16 for supplying hot water to the bathtub 15. In the hot water supply path 6, a flow rate sensor 17 for detecting a flow rate of water supplied to the hot water supply device 1, a water amount servo 18 with a water shutoff valve for adjusting the flow rate of the water supply to the hot water supply device 1 and stopping the water supply, A tapping temperature sensor 19 for detecting the tapping temperature from the vessel 1 is provided.

A remote controller 3 as an operation means is connected to the hot water supply control means 2 so as to be able to transmit and receive a hot water supply control signal. The remote controller 3 includes an operation switch 20 for instructing the start and stop of operation of the hot water supply apparatus, a hot water temperature setting switch 21 for setting a desired hot water supply temperature, and a fixed water stoppage operation (bath tub manual hot water tap 1).
6 is intended for hot water supply to the bathtub 15. ), A hot water setting switch 23 for setting a desired hot water supply amount for the fixed water stop operation, a bath temperature setting switch 24 for setting a desired hot water temperature for the fixed water stop operation, a hot water supply temperature and the like. Display section 25 for displaying set temperature, hot water condition, etc.
And a buzzer 26 for notifying the user of the completion of hot water filling. In the hot water supply device of the present embodiment, the hot water filling switch 22 also has a function of a release switch for instructing a valve opening operation of the water amount servo 18 with the water stop valve. That is, if the user operates the water filling switch 22 when the filling is completed and the water stop valve-equipped servo 18 is closed, the water stop valve-equipped servo 18 is opened.

The hot water supply control means 2 includes a water supply amount accumulating means 27
And a hot water filling control means 28 and a water supply control means 29, and according to a hot water supply control signal transmitted from the remote controller 3,
The flow rate of water supplied to the hot water supply passage 6 is adjusted by a water amount servo 18 with a water shutoff valve, and the combustion amount of the burner 5 is adjusted by a main solenoid valve 11, a gas proportional valve 12, and a blower fan 10. In the present hot water supply apparatus, when the user operates the operation switch 20, the entire hot water supply apparatus starts operating, and the water amount servo 18 with the water stop valve is opened. In this state, when the user opens the shower manual hot water tap 14 or the bathtub manual hot water tap 16, water supply to the hot water supply path is started, and when the flow rate sensor 17 detects a water supply flow rate equal to or more than a predetermined value, the hot water supply control means 2 The burner 5 is ignited, and the water is heated by the heat exchanger 7. As a result, hot water at the temperature set by the hot water temperature setting switch 21 is supplied to the shower hot water tap 14 and the bathtub manual hot water tap 16.

When the user operates the hot water switch 22 and opens the bathtub manual hot water tap 16, the hot water control means 2
8 is started, and the water supply flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 17 is accumulated by the water supply amount accumulating means 27. Then, when the accumulated value reaches the desired amount of hot water set by the hot water amount setting switch 23, the water stop servo with water shutoff valve 18 is closed, the hot water supply to the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 is stopped, and the hot water filling operation ends. .

Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, when the user operates the operation switch 20 in STEP 1 after the power is turned on, the water heater starts to operate, and the STE
At P2, the water volume servo 18 with the water shutoff valve is forcibly opened. Then, in STEP 3, the user sets the hot water switch 2
2 is operated, the built-in LED of the hot water supply switch 22 is turned on in STEP 4, the hot water control means 28 provided in the hot water supply control means 2 starts hot water operation in STEP 5, and
The loop from 6 to STEP 8 is repeatedly executed. When the user opens the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 in this state, hot water supply from the manual bathtub hot water tap 16 to the bathtub 15 is started, and the water supply flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 17 is accumulated by the water supply amount accumulating means 27.

When the accumulated value of the water supply amount accumulating means 27 reaches the desired hot water amount set by the hot water amount setting switch 23 in STEP 6, the process branches to STEP 20 and the filling control means 28
Is completed, and in STEP 21, the water amount servo 18 with the water stop valve is closed. Thereby, hot water supply from bathtub manual hot water tap 16 to bathtub 15 is stopped. Then, the LED with the built-in hot water switch is blinked in STEP 22 and the buzzer 26 is sounded for a predetermined time in STEP 23, thereby notifying the user that the hot water is finished. Here, when the water amount servo with water shutoff valve 18 is in the closed state, hot water cannot be supplied not only to the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 but also to the shower hot water tap 14 provided in the bathroom. The release of this state is performed by the user operating the hot water switch 22 in STEP 24 and opening the water amount servo 18 with the water stop valve in STEP 25. Then, proceeding to STEP 11, the LED of the hot water switch 22 is turned off, and STEP 3
Then, the operation of the hot water switch 22 is awaited.

If the user operates the hot water filling switch 22 before the accumulated value of the water supply amount accumulating means 27 reaches the target value of the hot water quantity by the hot water setting switch 23 in STEP 6, the process branches to STEP 20 and the hot water is branched. Tension control means 28
Is stopped. If the stoppage of the flowing water is detected by the flow rate sensor 17 in STEP8, the process proceeds to STEP9 to determine whether or not the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means 27 is 50% or more of the desired hot water amount set by the hot water amount setting switch 23. Is determined.

In step 9, when the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means 27 is 50% or more of the desired hot water amount set by the hot water amount setting switch 23, the user turns on the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 in order to stop filling. It is determined that it is closed, and the filling operation by the filling control means 28 is ended in STEP10. At this time, since it can be determined that the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 is closed, the water amount servo with water shutoff valve 1
Even when the valve 8 is kept open, hot water is not supplied from the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 to the bathtub 15. Therefore, water servo with water shutoff valve 1
The operation of the water filling switch 22 for holding the valve open without performing the valve closing operation 8 and for opening the water amount servo 18 with the water shutoff valve is unnecessary. Further, since the hot water filling operation is completed in STEP 10, even if the user subsequently opens the shower hot water tap 14 and uses hot water at the time of bathing, the hot water filling operation is not continued, and the amount of water supplied while the user is using the shower is stopped. The accumulated value by the accumulating means 27 does not reach the desired amount of hot water set by the hot water amount setting switch 23, the filling operation ends, the water amount servo 18 with the water shutoff valve is closed, and the shower cannot be disabled. . Then, in step 11, the LED with the built-in switch 22 is turned off, and the operation proceeds to step 3 to wait for the operation of the fill switch 22.

On the other hand, in STEP 9, the water supply amount accumulating means 27
Is less than 50% of the desired hot water amount set by the hot water amount setting switch 23, it is determined that the user has mistakenly closed the bathtub manual hot water tap 16 and STEP
The loop from 6 to STEP 8 is continuously executed. This allows
Thereafter, when the user opens the bathtub manual hot water tap 16, the accumulation of the hot water supply by the water supply amount accumulating means 27 is resumed, and the STE
The filling operation is performed until the accumulated value reaches the desired hot water amount in P6. Then, when the accumulated value reaches the desired hot water amount in STEP 6, the process branches to STEP 20, and the filling operation ends.

In the present embodiment, the condition for terminating the filling operation when the running water is stopped in STEP 9 of FIG. 2 is determined by setting the accumulated value of the water supply amount by the water supply amount accumulating means 27 to the desired water amount set by the water amount setting switch 23. Has been reached, but this ratio may be varied as necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hot water supply device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water heater, 2 ... Hot water supply control means, 3 ... Remote control, 4 ... Combustion chamber, 5 ... Burner, 6 ... Hot water supply path, 7 ... Heat exchanger, 8 ... Igniter, 9 ... Frame lot, 10 ... Blower fan, 1
1: Original solenoid valve, 12: Gas proportional valve, 13: Gas supply pipe,
14 ... shower manual hot water tap, 15 ... bathtub, 16 ... bathtub manual hot water tap, 17 ... flow rate sensor, 18 ... water servo with water shutoff valve, 19 ... tapping temperature sensor, 20 ... operation switch, 21
... hot water supply temperature setting switch, 22 ... hot water filling switch, 23
… Hot water setting switch, 24… bath temperature setting switch, 2
5 display unit, 26 buzzer, 27 water supply amount accumulating means, 28 hot water filling control means, 29 water supply control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24H 1/00 602 F24H 1/00 604

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of water flowing in a hot water supply path, a heating means for heating water flowing in the hot water supply path, a water stop valve for opening and closing the hot water supply path, and a flow rate sensor detected by the flow rate sensor. Water supply amount accumulating means for calculating an accumulated value of water flow rate; operating means having an operation switch for instructing start and stop of operation and a hot water switch for instructing hot water to a bathtub; When the hot water switch is operated to open the bath tub manual hot water tap connected to the hot water supply path and supplying hot water to the bath tub, the cumulative water amount calculated by the water supply amount accumulating means reaches a predetermined target water amount. A hot water supply device comprising: a hot water supply device that performs a hot water supply operation that continues a hot water supply operation and stops water supply to the hot water supply path by the water stop valve when the target water amount is reached. During the hot water filling operation, When the stoppage of the flowing water is detected by the amount sensor, it is determined whether or not the accumulated value by the water supply amount accumulating means is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the predetermined target water amount, and when the accumulated value is equal to or more than the predetermined ratio, A hot water supply apparatus, comprising: ending the filling operation and, when the cumulative value is less than the predetermined ratio, continuing the filling operation after the flow rate detecting means detects the restart of the flowing water. 2. The operating means has a release switch for instructing opening of the water stop valve, and the filling control means is adapted to stop the filling operation by detecting the stop of flowing water by the flow rate sensor. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water stop valve is held open.