JP6760159B2 - Hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply system.

The hot water supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is configured as follows. By circulating hot water with a pump through a circulation system that includes a hot water supply pipe that supplies hot water from the hot water storage tank to the hot water supply port, hot water can be supplied immediately after the start of hot water supply. It is equipped with a motion sensor that detects a person existing near the hot water supply port, and operates the pump only when the motion sensor detects a person.

JP-A-2007-333239

It is assumed that a plurality of hot water supply load systems are connected to one hot water storage tank, and the length of the hot water supply pipe from the hot water storage tank to each hot water supply load system is different. In a hot water supply load system with a long hot water supply pipe, it takes a long time for hot water to reach the hot water supply load system from the hot water storage tank, so it may take time for the hot water to come out after the user comes to the hot water supply port. is there. On the contrary, in the hot water supply load system in which the length of the hot water supply pipe is short, the hot water reaches the hot water supply load system from the hot water storage tank at an earlier timing than necessary, and as a result, energy saving may be impaired.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system capable of achieving both immediacy of hot water supply for each of a plurality of hot water supply load systems and energy saving. To do.

The hot water supply system according to the present invention includes a heating means for heating water, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means, and a plurality of hot water supply passages for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to a plurality of hot water supply load systems. A circulation path having a return passage through which hot water returns from the hot water supply load system, a pump for circulating hot water in the circulation path, and a switching means for switching whether or not to circulate hot water for each of a plurality of hot water supply load systems. , A sensing means that detects a user approaching each of a plurality of hot water supply load systems by detecting an identifier possessed by the user by wireless communication, and when the sensing means detects the user, the user uses the sensing means. A control means for controlling a pump and a switching means so that hot water circulates with respect to a hot water supply load system is provided, and the user and the said user when the pump is started in response to the sensing means detecting the user. sensing distance user is a distance between the hot water supply load system to be utilized, configurable der to be different from each other among the plurality of hot water supply load system is, for each of the hot water supply load system, recorded on the identifying object A reader is provided to read the information wirelessly, and the reader is located at the user's entrance to the corresponding hot water load system or in the user's passage in front of the entrance, and the sensing distance is used. It is the distance measured along the passage of the person or along the walking path of the user. For each hot water supply load system, the longer the length of the hot water supply passage from the hot water storage tank to the hot water supply load system, the longer the perceived distance. it is shall sensing distance is set to be longer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both immediacy of hot water supply for each of a plurality of hot water supply load systems and energy saving.

It is a figure which shows the hot water supply system by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of the hot water supply system according to Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the hot water supply system by Embodiment 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify or omit duplicate description.

Embodiment 1.
≪Equipment configuration≫
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system 1 according to the first embodiment. The hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment includes a heating means 2, a hot water storage tank 3, a circulation pump 31, a circulation pump 32, a mixing means 41, a heating going pipe 301a, a heating return pipe 301b, a water supply pipe 302, a high temperature outlet pipe 303, and water supply. The mixing pipe 304, the hot water supply passage 305a, the return passage 305b, the circulation switching means 71a to 71c, the sensing means 511a to 511c, the control means 100, and the remote control 102 are provided. The hot water supply system 1 is connected to the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c via the hot water supply passage 305a and the return passage 305b.

The heating means 2 heats water to make hot water. The heating means 2 may include, for example, a heat pump device having a refrigerant circuit. For example, the heating capacity of the heat pump device may be changed by using inverter control of a compressor or the like. The heating means 2 may include a combustion type heating device or a boiler that heats with the combustion heat of a fuel such as gas, kerosene, heavy oil, or coal. The heating means 2 may include an electric heater. The heating means 2 may include a heating device that heats water by solar heat. The heating means 2 may be a combination of a plurality of heating devices.

The hot water storage tank 3 stores hot water heated by the heating means 2. Inside the hot water storage tank 3, a temperature stratification can be formed in which the upper side is high temperature and the lower side is low temperature due to the difference in the specific gravity of water depending on the temperature. The hot water storage tank 3 is not limited to one composed of a single tank as shown in the figure, and may be provided with a plurality of tanks connected in series or may be provided with a plurality of tanks connected in parallel. .. In the following description, the position in the height direction, that is, the vertical direction in the hot water storage tank 3 will be referred to. However, when the hot water storage tank 3 includes a plurality of tanks connected in series, the highest tank is the lowest. The vertical position shall be specified in the entire hierarchy up to the tank.

One end of the water supply pipe 302 is connected to a water source such as a water supply. The other end of the water supply pipe 302 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3. The low temperature water supplied from the water source flows into the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 through the water supply pipe 302.

The hot water supply system 1 can perform a heat storage operation. The heat storage operation is an operation in which hot water heated by the heating means 2, that is, high-temperature water, flows into the hot water storage tank 3. In the heat storage operation, it is as follows. The heating means 2 and the circulation pump 31 are operated. When the circulation pump 31 is operated, water circulates between the hot water storage tank 3 and the heating means 2. The water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 is sent to the heating means 2 through the heating going pipe 301a. The hot water heated by the heating means 2 flows into the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 through the heating return pipe 301b. As shown in the figure, it is desirable that the circulation pump 31 is installed in the middle of the heating forward pipe 301a, which has a lower temperature than the heating return pipe 301b.

The hot water storage tanks 3 are provided with hot water storage temperature detecting means 501a to 501f at intervals in the height direction. Although an example in which the number of hot water storage temperature detecting means is 6 is shown here, this number is not limited to this example, and is the minimum number required to measure the temperature distribution inside the hot water storage tank 3. The temperature detecting means may be provided.

The mixing means 41 has a first inlet 411, a second inlet 412, and an outlet 413. The high temperature lead-out pipe 303 has one end communicating with the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 and the other end communicating with the first inlet 411 of the mixing means 41. The water supply mixing pipe 304 has one end communicating with the water supply pipe 302 and the other end communicating with the second inlet 412 of the mixing means 41. The hot water flowing out from the outlet 413 of the mixing means 41 is supplied to each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c through the hot water supply passage 305a.

Each of the hot water load systems 311a to 311c includes at least one hot water supply terminal. The hot water supply terminal may be, for example, a shower or a faucet in a bathroom or the like, or a faucet of a washbasin. The hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c are located apart from each other. For example, the facility is divided into a plurality of areas, and hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c are arranged in each area. For example, when the facility has a north area, an east area, and a west area, the hot water supply load system 311a is arranged in the north area, the hot water supply load system 311b is arranged in the east area, and the hot water supply load system 311c is arranged in the west area. You may. In the present embodiment, the case where there are three sets of hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c will be described as an example, but the number of hot water supply load systems may be two sets or four or more sets.

The downstream end of the return passage 305b communicates with the middle of the water supply mixing pipe 304. The hot water that has not flowed out from the hot water supply terminals of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c returns to the mixing means 41 through the return passage 305b and the water supply mixing pipe 304. The circulation pump 32 circulates hot water in a circulation path formed by the hot water supply passage 305a, the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, the return passage 305b, and the water supply mixing pipe 304. As shown in the figure, it is desirable that the circulation pump 32 is installed in the middle of the return passage 305b, which has a lower temperature than the hot water supply passage 305a.

A check valve 72 is arranged in the return passage 305b between the outlet of the circulation pump 32 and the water supply mixing pipe 304. The check valve 72 prevents water from the water supply pipe 302 from flowing into the return passage 305b.

When the circulation pump 32 is operated, the hot water flowing out from the outlet 413 of the mixing means 41 passes through the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, the return passage 305b, and the water supply mixing pipe 304, and the second inlet 412 of the mixing means 41. It circulates back to.

The circulation switching means 71a to 71c switch whether or not to circulate hot water for each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c. When the circulation switching means 71a is opened, hot water can be circulated to the hot water supply load system 311a, and when the circulation switching means 71a is closed, the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a is stopped. When the circulation switching means 71b is opened, hot water can be circulated to the hot water supply load system 311b, and when the circulation switching means 71b is closed, the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311b is stopped. When the circulation switching means 71c is opened, hot water can be circulated to the hot water supply load system 311c, and when the circulation switching means 71c is closed, the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311c is stopped.

The heating return pipe 301b is provided with a heating temperature detecting means 502 that detects the temperature of hot water on the downstream side of the heating means 2. The water supply pipe 302 is provided with a water supply temperature detecting means 504 for detecting the temperature of the low temperature water supplied from the water source. A lead-out temperature detecting means 503 for detecting the temperature of the hot water taken out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 is provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3. The hot water supply temperature detecting means 505 detects the temperature of the hot water flowing into the hot water supply passage 305a from the outlet 413 of the mixing means 41 (hereinafter, referred to as “hot water supply temperature”).

When at least one hot water supply terminal of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c is opened, it becomes as follows. The high-temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 3 through the high-temperature lead-out pipe 303 and the low-temperature water supplied from the water source through the water supply pipe 302 and the water supply mixing pipe 304 are mixed by the mixing means 41 to form the hot water supply passage 305a. It is supplied to the hot water supply terminal through the hot water supply terminal and discharged.

The user possesses the identification body 8. The discriminator 8 may be, for example, any of an RFID (radio frequency identifier) tag, an IC (integrated circuit) tag, and a wireless ID tag. For example, the discriminator 8 may be installed on something worn by the user, such as a wristband.

Each of the sensing means 511a to 511c includes a reading device that reads the information recorded on the identifying body 8 by wirelessly communicating with the identifying body 8 using radio waves.

Each of the sensing means 511a to 511c detects a user approaching each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c by detecting the identifying body 8 possessed by the user by wireless communication.

Each of the reading devices of the sensing means 511a to 511c may be arranged at the user's entrance to each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, or may be arranged at the user's passage in front of the entrance. ..

The sensing means 511a to 511c compare the identification information read from the identification body 8 by the reading device with the identification information stored in advance, and the identification information read from the identification body 8 by the reading device is the identification information stored in advance. If they match, the identification body 8 may be authenticated, and if the identification information read from the identification body 8 by the reading device does not match the identification information stored in advance, the identification body 8 may not be authenticated. The control means 100 determines that the owner is the user when the sensing means 511a to 511c authenticate the discriminator 8, and uses the owner when the sensing means 511a to 511c do not authenticate the discriminator 8. You may judge that you are not a person.

The control means 100 controls the operations of the heating means 2, the circulation pump 31, the circulation pump 32, the mixing means 41, and the circulation switching means 71a to 71c. The remote controller 102 is connected to the control means 100 by wire or wirelessly so as to enable bidirectional data communication. The remote controller 102 is an example of an operation terminal or a user interface device that accepts user operations. The remote controller 102 includes a temperature target value setting means 107. The temperature target value setting means 107 enables the user to set a target value of the hot water supply temperature. The remote controller 102 may include a display device 102a such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The remote controller 102 may include a buzzer, a voice output device that outputs voice guidance, and the like. A plurality of remote controllers 102 may be provided.

When each of the sensing means 511a to 511c senses the user, the control means 100 controls the circulation pump 32 and the circulation switching means 71a to 71c so that the hot water circulates to each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c. That is, when the sensing means 511a senses the user, the control means 100 operates the circulation pump 32 and opens the circulation switching means 71a, and when the sensing means 511b detects the user, it operates the circulation pump 32 and switches the circulation. When the means 71b is opened and the sensing means 511c detects the user, the circulation pump 32 is operated and the circulation switching means 71c is opened.

In the following description, it is as follows. The distance between the detected user and the hot water supply load system 311a when the circulation pump 32 is activated in response to the sensing means 511a detecting the user is referred to as "sensing distance of the hot water supply load system 311a". The distance between the detected user and the hot water supply load system 311b when the circulation pump 32 is activated in response to the sensing means 511b detecting the user is referred to as "sensing distance of the hot water supply load system 311b". The distance between the detected user and the hot water supply load system 311c when the circulation pump 32 is activated in response to the sensing means 511c detecting the user is referred to as "sensing distance of the hot water supply load system 311c".

The respective sensing distances of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c shall be measured along the user's passage or along the user's walking path. When each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c includes a plurality of hot water supply terminals, the distance from the user's position when the circulation pump 32 is activated to the nearest hot water supply terminal may be defined as the sensing distance. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned sensing distance can be set so as to be different from each other among the plurality of hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hot water supply system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control means 100 includes a heating control means 105 that controls the heating means 2, a mixing control means 106 that controls the mixing means 41, and a pump control means 108 that controls the circulation pump 31 and the circulation pump 32. And the switching control means 109 for controlling the circulation switching means 71a to 71c.

The control means 100 includes a remote controller 102, a date and time detecting means (timer) 509, hot water storage temperature detecting means 501a to 501f, heating temperature detecting means 502, derived temperature detecting means 503, water supply temperature detecting means 504, hot water supply temperature detecting means 505, and Information from the sensing means 511a to 511c is input. The control means 100 controls the operations of the heating means 2, the circulation pump 31, the circulation pump 32, the mixing means 41, and the circulation switching means 71a to 71c based on the input information.

The heating control means 105 controls the start and stop of the heating means 2 for the heat storage operation, the heating capacity of the heating means 2 during the operation, and the like. The heating control means 105 mainly controls so as to maintain a predetermined or higher amount of heat storage in the hot water storage tank 3. For example, the heating control means 105 starts the heat storage operation when the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 3 is smaller than the predetermined start heat storage amount which is the threshold value for determining the start of the heat storage operation. The heat storage control means 105 may end the heat storage operation when the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 3 increases by a predetermined amount or more from the start heat storage amount. The heat storage control means 105 may end the heat storage operation after continuing the heat storage operation for at least a predetermined minimum time.

The mixing control means 106 controls the mixing ratio in the mixing means 41. For example, the mixing control means 106 controls the mixing ratio in the mixing means 41 so that the hot water supply temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature detecting means 505 approaches the target value.

The pump control means 108 may adjust the circulation flow rate of water by controlling the operating speed of the circulation pump 31 during the heat storage operation. The pump control means 108 may control the operation of the circulation pump 31 so that the temperature detected by the heating temperature detecting means 502 approaches the target value. The control of the pump control means 108 with respect to the circulation pump 32 will be described later. The switching control means 109 controls the opening and closing of the circulation switching means 71a to 71c based on the information from the sensing means 511a to 511c.

The configuration of the hot water supply system 1 of the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation of the hot water supply system 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing in the hot water supply system 1 according to the first embodiment. The control means 100 periodically and repeatedly executes the process of this flowchart.

In step S1, the control means 100 resets the value of the hot water supply load system counter (n) as n = 1. The hot water supply load system counter (n) is a counter for distinguishing a plurality of hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c. The process proceeds from step S1 to step S2.

When n = 1, it becomes as follows. First, in step S2, the control means 100 determines whether or not the user has approached within the sensing distance L1 of the hot water supply load system 311a based on the signal from the sensing means 511a. When the user approaches within the sensing distance L1 of the hot water supply load system 311a, the process proceeds to step S3 and the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a is started. That is, in step S3, the circulation pump 32 is started and the circulation switching means 71a is opened. If the user is not approaching within the sensing distance L1 of the hot water supply load system 311a, the process proceeds to step S4 to stop the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a. That is, in step S4, the circulation switching means 71a is closed. The process proceeds from step S3 or step S4 to step S5, and n = n + 1 is set in order to increase the value of the hot water supply load system counter (n) by one. Here, n = 2. The process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and if n> 3 is not satisfied, the process returns to step S2.

In the case of n = 2, it becomes as follows. First, in step S2, the control means 100 determines whether or not the user has approached within the sensing distance L2 of the hot water supply load system 311b based on the signal from the sensing means 511b. When the user approaches within the sensing distance L2 of the hot water supply load system 311b, the process proceeds to step S3 and the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311b is started. That is, in step S3, the circulation pump 32 is started and the circulation switching means 71b is opened. If the user is not approaching within the sensing distance L2 of the hot water supply load system 311b, the process proceeds to step S4 to stop the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311b. That is, in step S4, the circulation switching means 71b is closed. The process proceeds from step S3 or step S4 to step S5, and n = n + 1 is set in order to increase the value of the hot water supply load system counter (n) by one. Here, n = 3. The process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and if n> 3 is not satisfied, the process returns to step S2.

In the case of n = 3, it becomes as follows. First, in step S2, the control means 100 determines whether or not the user has approached within the sensing distance L3 of the hot water supply load system 311c based on the signal from the sensing means 511c. When the user approaches within the sensing distance L3 of the hot water supply load system 311c, the process proceeds to step S3 and the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311c is started. That is, in step S3, the circulation pump 32 is started and the circulation switching means 71c is opened. If the user is not approaching within the sensing distance L3 of the hot water supply load system 311c, the process proceeds to step S4 to stop the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311c. That is, in step S4, the circulation switching means 71c is closed. The process proceeds from step S3 or step S4 to step S5, and n = n + 1 is set in order to increase the value of the hot water supply load system counter (n) by one. Here, n = 4. The process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and when n> 3 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control means 100 controls the operating speed (for example, rotational speed) of the circulation pump 32 when the circulation pump 32 is in operation.

In the present embodiment, the length of the hot water supply passage 305a up to the hot water supply load system 311b is longer than the length of the hot water supply passage 305a up to the hot water supply load system 311a. Further, the length of the hot water supply passage 305a up to the hot water supply load system 311c is even longer than the length of the hot water supply passage 305a up to the hot water supply load system 311b. The longer the hot water supply passage 305a, the longer it may take for the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to reach after the circulation pump 32 is started.

When it is necessary to circulate hot water in any one of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, the circulation pump 32 is operated. In step S7, the control means 100 may control the operating speed of the circulation pump 32 as follows. The operating speed of the circulation pump 32 when the hot water is circulated only in the hot water supply load system 311b may be higher than the operating speed of the circulation pump 32 when the hot water is circulated only in the hot water supply load system 311a. The operating speed of the circulation pump 32 when the hot water is circulated only in the hot water supply load system 311c may be higher than the operating speed of the circulation pump 32 when the hot water is circulated only in the hot water supply load system 311b. According to these controls, when hot water is circulated through the hot water supply load system 311b or the hot water supply load system 311c, which has a long hot water supply passage 305a, it takes too long for the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to reach. Can be prevented more reliably. Further, when the hot water is circulated to the hot water supply load system 311a having a short length of the hot water supply passage 305a, it is possible to prevent the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 from arriving at an earlier timing than necessary, so that energy saving can be achieved.

When hot water is circulated to any one of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, the operating speed of the circulation pump 32 is such that the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 reaches the hot water supply load system in, for example, about 10 seconds. And the circulation flow rate may be adjusted. The required circulation flow rate can be calculated based on the pipe cross section and the pipe length of the hot water supply passage 305a.

When hot water is circulated in two or more of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, it is assumed that the pressure loss is designed so that approximately the same amount of hot water circulates in each hot water supply load system. Good. When hot water is circulated to two or more of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, the circulation pump 32 operates so that the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 reaches the farthest hot water supply load system in, for example, about 10 seconds. The speed and circulation flow rate may be adjusted.

The sensing distances of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c may be set so that the longer the length of the hot water supply passage 305a is, the longer the sensing distance is. That is, the sensing distance L2 of the hot water supply load system 311b may be longer than the sensing distance L1 of the hot water supply load system 311a, and the sensing distance L3 of the hot water supply load system 311c may be longer than the sensing distance L2 of the hot water supply load system 311b. As a result, the following effects can be obtained. The time from when the circulation pump 32 is activated in response to the sensing means 511a to 511c detecting the user until the user reaches the corresponding hot water supply load system is hereinafter referred to as "user arrival time". .. The user arrival time is approximately equal to the value obtained by dividing the sensed distance by the user's walking speed. Therefore, the longer the sensing distance, the longer the user arrival time. The longer the length of the hot water supply passage 305a, the longer the detection distance, the longer the user's arrival time. Therefore, the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 is supplied by the timing when the user reaches the hot water supply load system or a timing close to it. The load system can be reached. Therefore, it is possible to improve the immediacy of hot water supply even in a hot water supply load system in which the length of the hot water supply passage 305a is long. On the contrary, if the length of the hot water supply passage 305a is short, the sensing distance is also short, so that it is possible to prevent the circulation pump 32 from being started at an earlier timing than necessary. Therefore, energy saving can be achieved.

A specific calculation example will be described below. The length of the hot water supply passage 305a from the hot water storage tank 3 to the hot water supply load system is 30 m, the inner diameter of the pipe of the hot water supply passage 305a is 10 mm, and the circulation flow rate by the circulation pump 32 is 10 L / min. In this case, the time required for the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to reach the hot water supply load system is about 15 seconds. Therefore, if the user arrival time is 15 seconds, the hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 reaches the hot water supply load system almost at the same time as the user reaches the hot water supply load system. Here, it is assumed that the walking speed of the user is, for example, 1 m / sec. In this case, by setting the sensing distance to 15 m, it can be expected that the user arrival time will be 15 seconds.

The method of setting the sensing distance may be, for example, any of the following methods.
(1) By changing the intensity or frequency of the radio wave transmitted from the reading device included in the sensing means 511a to 511c, the detection distance at which the reading device can detect the discriminator 8 is changed. The sensing distance can be lengthened by lengthening the detection distance. By shortening the detection distance, the sensing distance can be shortened.
(2) A reading device provided in the sensing means 511a to 511c is installed in the middle of the user passage leading to the entrance of the user of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c. The sensing distance can be changed by changing the distance (distance) from the entrance to the reading device.
(3) The classifier 8 is provided with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving function. The classifier 8 identifies its own position by GPS. When the sensing means 511a to 511c detect the discriminator 8, the sensing means 511a to 511c acquire the position information from the discriminator 8. The control means 100 can calculate the distance between the user and the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c based on the position information from the identification body 8 and the position information of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c stored in advance. When the calculated distance becomes equal to or less than the pre-stored sensing distance, the control means 100 activates the circulation pump 32. The control means 100 can store different sensing distance values for each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c.

The control means 100 may count the number of discriminators 8 detected by the sensing means 511a to 511c, that is, the number of users detected by the sensing means 511a to 511c. The heating control means 105 may increase the starting heat storage amount, which is the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 3 when the heat storage operation is started, as the number of users increases. By increasing the starting heat storage amount when the number of users is large, it is possible to more reliably prevent the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 3 from becoming insufficient. When the number of users is small, the starting heat storage amount can be reduced to prevent the heat storage operation from being performed more than necessary and to save energy. In the above case, the control means 100 may be as follows. For example, when the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c have a shower in a bathroom or the like, a shower of 50 L per user is assumed, and the heat storage amount corresponding to the value obtained by multiplying the number of users by 50 L is set as the start heat storage amount. And so on. Alternatively, when the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c have a faucet in the washroom, it may be assumed that the user is mainly used for the washbasin, etc., and the amount of hot water used per user is about 10 L. ..

The hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment includes notification means 61a to 61c electrically connected to the control means 100. Each of the notification means 61a to 61c includes at least one of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display and a voice output device that outputs voice guidance, and is provided by at least one of the display by the display device and the voice guidance. Information can be provided to users. The notification means 61a is installed at a position where information can be provided to the user of the hot water supply load system 311a. The notification means 61b is installed at a position where information can be provided to the user of the hot water supply load system 311b. The notification means 61c is installed at a position where information can be provided to the user of the hot water supply load system 311c.

The notification means 61a to 61c may notify the user that the sensing means 511a to 511c have detected the user, or the display device 102a of the remote controller 102 may notify the user. The following effects can be obtained by notifying the user by the notification means 61a to 61c that the sensing means 511a to 511c have detected the user. The user can recognize that he / she is detected by the hot water supply system 1 and that the hot water supply system 1 has started the circulation of hot water. Therefore, since it is possible to know that hot water is immediately discharged from the hot water supply terminal, the hot water supply terminal can be used with peace of mind.

When hot water is circulating in the hot water supply load system 311a, the notification means 61a notifies the hot water supply load system 311a, and when hot water is circulating in the hot water supply load system 311b, the notification means 61b notifies the hot water supply load system 311c. May be notified by the notification means 61c when the is circulating. As a result, the user can recognize that hot water is circulated in the hot water supply load system that he / she uses. Therefore, since it is possible to know that hot water is immediately discharged from the hot water supply terminal, the hot water supply terminal can be used with peace of mind.

The control means 100 may include means for individually prohibiting the circulation of hot water to each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c. For example, when the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a is prohibited, the control means 100 prevents the hot water from being circulated to the hot water supply load system 311a even if the sensing means 511a detects the user. For example, when the distance from the hot water storage tank 3 to the hot water supply load system 311a is extremely short and the need to circulate hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a is low, the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system 311a is prohibited. , Energy saving can be achieved. Alternatively, the circulation of hot water to the hot water supply load system having few users among the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c may be prohibited. By doing the above, more flexible operation becomes possible.

The discriminator 8 may include a selection means that can choose to disable sensing by the sensing means 511a-511c. For example, when the identifying body 8 is provided with the GPS receiving function, the selection means may be configured by providing the identifying body 8 with a button for turning off the GPS receiving function. A user who prioritizes energy saving can avoid the circulation of hot water by selecting to disable the sensing by the sensing means 511a to 511c in the identifying body 8 possessed by the user.

The set temperature of the hot water circulating in each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c may be notified by the notification means 61a to 61c, or may be notified by the display device 102a of the remote controller 102. As a result, the user can grasp the set temperature of the hot water supply when using the hot water supply terminal, so that the user can use the hot water supply terminal with more peace of mind.

The actual temperature of the hot water circulating in each of the hot water supply load systems 311a to 311c, that is, the temperature detected by the hot water supply temperature detecting means 505 is notified by the notification means 61a to 61c or by the display device 102a of the remote controller 102. May be good. As a result, the user can grasp the actual hot water supply temperature when using the hot water supply terminal, and can use it with more peace of mind.

Information on the hot water supply temperature may be recorded in the identifying body 8, and the sensing means 511a to 511c may be able to read the hot water supply temperature information from the identifying body 8. The sensing means 511a to 511c transmit the hot water supply temperature information read from the identifying body 8 to the control means 100. The control means 100 adjusts the hot water supply temperature by the mixing means 41 according to the hot water supply temperature information read from the identifying body 8. By doing so, it is possible to supply hot water at a temperature suitable for each user's preference.

In the above case, when the sensing means 511a to 511c detect the plurality of discriminating bodies 8 and read the hot water supply temperature information from the plurality of discriminating bodies 8, the control means 100 reads from the plurality of discriminating bodies 8. It is desirable that the mixing means 41 adjusts the hot water supply temperature according to the lowest temperature information among the plurality of hot water supply temperature information. For example, the discriminator 8 possessed by an adult records, for example, 45 ° C. hot water supply temperature information, and the discriminator 8 possessed by a child records, for example, 38 ° C. hot water supply temperature information. When the plurality of users sensed by the sensing means 511a to 511c are all adults, the control means 100 controls the mixing means 41 so that the hot water supply temperature becomes 45 ° C. On the other hand, when there is at least one child among the plurality of users detected by the sensing means 511a to 511c, the control means 100 controls the mixing means 41 so that the hot water supply temperature becomes 38 ° C. By doing so, for example, even when an inexperienced young child uses a hot water supply terminal, it is possible to reliably prevent contact with hot water.

1 Hot water supply system, 2 Heating means, 3 Hot water storage tank, 8 Discriminator, 31, 32 Circulation pump, 41 Mixing means, 61a, 61b, 61c Notification means, 71a, 71b, 71c Circulation switching means, 72 Check valve, 100 Control Means, 102 remote control, 102a display device, 302 water supply piping, 303 high temperature lead-out piping, 304 water supply mixing piping, 305a hot water supply passage, 305b return passage, 311a, 311b, 311c hot water supply load system, 502 heating temperature detection means, 503 derived temperature detection Means, 504 Water heater temperature detecting means, 505 Hot water temperature detecting means, 511a, 511b, 511c sensing means

Claims (11)

A heating means to heat water,
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water heated by the heating means, and
A circulation passage having a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to a plurality of hot water supply load systems and a return passage for passing hot water returning from the plurality of hot water supply load systems.
A pump that circulates hot water in the circulation path and
A switching means for switching whether or not to circulate hot water for each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems, and
A sensing means for detecting a user approaching each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems by detecting an identifier possessed by the user by wireless communication.
When the sensing means detects the user, the control means for controlling the pump and the switching means so that hot water circulates with respect to the hot water supply load system used by the user.
With
The sensing distance, which is the distance between the user and the hot water supply load system used by the user when the pump is activated in response to the sensing means detecting the user, is the plurality of hot water supply loads. Ri settable der to be different from each other between the systems,
A reader is provided for each of the hot water supply load systems to read the information recorded in the discriminator by wireless communication.
The reader is located at the user's entrance to the corresponding hot water load system or in the user's aisle in front of the inlet.
The sensed distance is a distance measured along the passage of the user or along the walking path of the user.
A hot water supply system in which the sensing distance is set so that the longer the length of the hot water supply passage from the hot water storage tank to the hot water supply load system, the longer the sensing distance for each of the hot water supply load systems. The plurality of hot water supply load systems include a first hot water supply load system and a second hot water supply load system in which the length of the hot water supply passage from the hot water storage tank is longer than that of the first hot water supply load system.
The control means claims that the operating speed of the pump when circulating hot water in the second hot water supply load system is higher than the operating speed of the pump when hot water is circulated in the first hot water supply load system. The hot water supply system according to 1. The starting heat storage amount, which is the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank when the heat storage operation of flowing the hot water heated by the heating means into the hot water storage tank is started, is increased by increasing the number of users sensed by the sensing means. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising means for increasing the size accordingly. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a notification means for notifying that the sensing means has detected the user. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a notification means for notifying that hot water is circulating to the hot water supply load system for each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising means for individually prohibiting the circulation of hot water to each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the discriminator includes a selection means that can select to invalidate the sensing by the sensing means. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a notification means for notifying the set temperature of hot water circulating in the hot water supply load system for each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a notification means for notifying the actual temperature of hot water circulating in the hot water supply load system for each of the plurality of hot water supply load systems. A mixing means capable of adjusting the hot water supply temperature, which is the temperature of the hot water flowing into the hot water supply passage, is provided.
The sensing means can read temperature information from the discriminator and can read the temperature information.
The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the control means adjusts the hot water supply temperature according to the temperature information read from the discriminator. The hot water supply system according to claim 10 , wherein the control means adjusts the hot water supply temperature according to the lowest temperature information among the plurality of temperature information read from the plurality of discriminators detected by the sensing means. ..

Images