JP7573448B2 - Hot water system - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hot water supply system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water supply system including a tank, a heat source unit that heats water stored in the tank, and a control device. The control device is configured to drive the heat source unit and execute a boiling operation in which water heated to a boiling target temperature is stored in the tank, and a hot water supply operation in which the water stored in the tank is supplied to a hot water supply point. The control device is configured to receive disaster information related to disasters.

JP 2007-255753 A

Depending on the type of disaster, water outages, power outages, etc. may occur a predetermined time after disaster information is received. In this case, hot water supply operation may be performed between the time the disaster information is received and the time the water outage, power outage, etc. occurs. When hot water supply operation is performed, the amount of high-temperature water (hereinafter referred to as "hot water") stored in the tank decreases. For this reason, a situation may arise where the amount of hot water stored in the tank is low at the time the water outage, power outage, etc. occurs.

This specification provides technology that can ensure a large amount of hot water is available to users in the event that a water outage or power outage occurs after disaster information is received.

The hot water supply system disclosed in this specification includes a tank, a heat source unit that heats water stored in the tank, an auxiliary heat source unit that heats water to be supplied to a hot water supply location, and a control device. The control device is configured to execute a boiling operation that drives the heat source unit and stores water heated to a boiling target temperature in the tank, a first hot water supply operation that supplies water stored in the tank to the hot water supply location without driving the auxiliary heat source unit, and a second hot water supply operation that drives the auxiliary heat source unit and supplies water heated to a hot water supply setting temperature to the hot water supply location. The control device receives disaster information, which is information related to a disaster, and after receiving the disaster information, executes the second hot water supply operation without executing the first hot water supply operation.

In the above hot water supply system, after receiving disaster information, the control device executes the second hot water supply operation without executing the first hot water supply operation. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank compared to when the first hot water supply operation is executed after disaster information is received. Therefore, in the event that a water outage, power outage, or the like occurs after disaster information is received, a large amount of hot water can be secured for use by the user.

The hot water supply system may further include a hot water outlet path having an upstream end connected to the tank, a first water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path, a hot water supply path having an upstream end connected to a connection part of the hot water outlet path and the first water supply path and a downstream end connected to a hot water supply point, and a mixing valve that adjusts the ratio of the flow rate of water supplied from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and the flow rate of water flowing from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path. In a second hot water supply operation that is performed after receiving disaster information, the control device may set the mixing valve to a fully closed state in which water does not flow from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and water flows from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path.

According to the above configuration, after disaster information is received, the hot water in the tank is not used to supply hot water to the hot water supply point. Therefore, if a water outage or power outage occurs after disaster information is received, a sufficient amount of hot water can be secured for the user.

The hot water supply system may further include a hot water outlet path having an upstream end connected to a tank, a first water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path, a second water supply path having an upstream end connected to the water supply source and a downstream end connected to the tank, a hot water supply path having an upstream end connected to a connection part of the hot water outlet path and the first water supply path and a downstream end connected to a hot water supply point, and a mixing valve that adjusts the ratio of the flow rate of water supplied from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and the flow rate of water flowing from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path. In the second hot water supply operation performed after receiving disaster information, the control device may adjust the opening degree of the mixing valve to a specific opening degree at which water flows from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and water flows from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path.

With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank compared to when the first hot water supply operation is performed after disaster information is received. Therefore, if a water outage, power outage, or the like occurs after disaster information is received, it is possible to ensure that the amount of hot water available to the user is sufficient.

The hot water supply system may further include a second water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to a tank. When disaster information is received, the control device may switch the opening of the mixing valve to a specific opening where water flows from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path.

According to the above configuration, even if a power outage occurs after disaster information is received, making it impossible to operate the heat source unit and the auxiliary heat source unit, if there is no water outage, hot water can be supplied to the hot water supply location using the hot water stored in the tank. For example, when a user performs an opening operation at the hot water supply location, water is supplied to the tank from the water supply source through the second water supply path. As water is supplied to the tank, the hot water stored in the tank is supplied to the hot water supply location through the hot water outlet path and the hot water supply path. In this way, user convenience can be improved.

The control device may perform boiling operation when disaster information is received.

With the above configuration, even if the amount of hot water stored in the tank is small at the time disaster information is received, the amount of hot water stored in the tank can be increased.

The control device is configured to be capable of operating the heat source machine at at least a first heating capacity and a second heating capacity higher than the first heating capacity, and may operate the heat source machine at the second heating capacity during boiling operation that is performed when disaster information is received.

According to the above configuration, the time required for boiling operation, which is performed when disaster information is received, can be shortened compared to when the heat source unit is operated at the first heating capacity. Therefore, even if a power outage occurs a relatively short time after the disaster information is received, the amount of hot water stored in the tank can be increased.

The control device can use a first target temperature and a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature as the boiling target temperature, and may store water heated to the second target temperature in the tank during boiling operation that is performed when disaster information is received.

The above configuration allows a greater amount of heat to be stored in the tank compared to a configuration in which hot water heated to the first target temperature is stored in the tank when disaster information is received.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system 10 according to a first and second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of the boiling process during disaster response in the hot water supply system 10 of the first and second embodiments. 4 is a flowchart of a hot water supply process during disaster response in the hot water supply system 10 of the first and second embodiments.

(First embodiment)
1 shows the configuration of a hot water supply system 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 10 includes a tank unit 20, an HP heat source unit 40, a gas heat source unit 60, and a controller 100.

The HP heat source unit 40 is equipped with a heat pump 42. The heat pump 42 is equipped with a refrigerant circulation path 43 that circulates a refrigerant (e.g., R744 (CO2 refrigerant), R32 (HFC refrigerant)), a first heat exchanger 44 that performs heat exchange between outside air and the refrigerant, a fan 45 that blows outside air to the first heat exchanger 44, a compressor 46 that compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure, a second heat exchanger 47 that performs heat exchange between the water in the circulation outward connection path 50 described later and the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant, and an expansion valve 48 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant after the heat exchange to a low temperature and low pressure. The second heat exchanger 47 is equipped with a refrigerant flow path 47a and a circulating water flow path 47b.

The circulation outward connection path 50 is connected to the inlet side of the circulation water flow path 47b of the second heat exchanger 47, and the circulation return connection path 51 is connected to the outlet side. The circulation outward connection path 50 is provided with an inlet side thermistor 52, and the circulation return connection path 51 is provided with an outlet side thermistor 53. The inlet side thermistor 52 detects the temperature of the circulation water flowing into the circulation water flow path 47b of the second heat exchanger 47, and the outlet side thermistor 53 detects the temperature of the circulation water flowing out from the circulation water flow path 47b of the second heat exchanger 47.

The tank unit 20 includes a tank 21, a water supply path 22, a tank water supply path 23, a tank bypass path 24, a hot water outlet path 25, a first mixing path 26, a hot water bypass path 27, and a first hot water path 28. The tank 21 stores water (i.e., hot water) heated by a heat pump 42. The tank 21 is a sealed type, and the outside is covered with a heat insulating material. Water is stored in the tank 21 until it is full. In this embodiment, the capacity of the tank 21 is 160 L. Tank thermistors 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are attached to the tank 21 from the top downward. For example, the tank thermistors 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d detect the water temperature at positions 6 L, 30 L, 90 L, and 135 L from the top of the tank 21, respectively. The positions and number of tank thermistors 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are not limited to these and can be determined appropriately depending on the specifications of the hot water supply system 10.

The upstream end of the water supply path 22 is connected to the water supply source 200. The water supply path 22 branches into a tank water supply path 23 and a tank bypass path 24. A pressure reducing valve 22a is provided near the upstream end of the water supply path 22. The pressure reducing valve 22a adjusts the water supply pressure to the water supply path 22. A water supply thermistor 22b is provided downstream of the pressure reducing valve 22a in the water supply path 22. The water supply thermistor 22b detects the temperature of the water flowing through the water supply path 22.

The tank water supply path 23 has an upstream end connected to the downstream end of the water supply path 22, and a downstream end connected to the bottom of the tank 21. A first drainage path 31 is connected to the tank water supply path 23. A first drainage valve 32 is provided midway along the first drainage path 31. The first drainage valve 32 can be opened and closed manually. When the first drainage valve 32 is opened, water in the tank 21 and water in the tank water supply path 23, etc. are drained to the outside through the first drainage path 31.

The tank bypass path 24 has an upstream end connected to the downstream end of the water supply path 22, and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path 25 and the upstream end of the first mixing path 26. The tank bypass path 24 is provided with a water supply flow rate sensor 24a. The water supply flow rate sensor 24a detects the flow rate of water flowing through the tank bypass path 24.

One end of the circulation outward path 33 is connected to the bottom of the tank 21, and one end of the circulation return path 34 is connected to the top of the tank 21. The other end of the circulation outward path 33 is connected to the circulation outward path connection path 50 of the HP heat source unit 40, and the other end of the circulation return path 34 is connected to the circulation return path connection path 51. The circulation outward path 33 is provided with an outward path thermistor 33a and a circulation pump 33b. The outward path thermistor 33a detects the temperature of the water flowing out from the tank 21 to the circulation outward path 33. The temperature of the water detected by the outward path thermistor 33a is the same as the temperature of the water at the bottom of the tank 21. When the circulation pump 33b is driven, water is sucked from the bottom of the tank 21 to the circulation outward path 33, and this water flows through the circulation water flow path 47b of the second heat exchanger 47 and is returned to the top of the tank 21 through the circulation return path 34. In this way, a circulation path between the tank 21 and the heat pump 42 is configured.

A second drainage path 35 is connected to the circulation outward path 33 upstream of the outward path thermistor 33a. A second drainage valve 36 is provided in the middle of the second drainage path 35. The second drainage valve 36 can be opened and closed manually. When the second drainage valve 36 is opened, water in the tank 21 is drained to the outside through the second drainage path 35. In addition, by opening the second drainage valve 36, water can be drained from the circulation outward path 33, the circulation return path 34, the circulation outward path connection path 50, and the circulation return path connection path 51.

The hot water outlet path 25 has an upstream end connected to the top of the tank 21, and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the tank bypass path 24 and the upstream end of the first mixing path 26. A hot water flow sensor 25a is provided in the hot water outlet path 25. The hot water flow sensor 25a detects the flow rate of water flowing through the hot water outlet path 25. A mixing valve 29 is provided at the connection between the downstream end of the tank bypass path 24, the downstream end of the hot water outlet path 25, and the upstream end of the first mixing path 26. The mixing valve 29 adjusts the ratio between the flow rate of water flowing from the tank bypass path 24 to the first mixing path 26 and the flow rate of water flowing from the hot water outlet path 25 to the first mixing path 26.

The first mixing path 26 is provided with a mixed water thermistor 26a that detects the temperature of the water flowing through the first mixing path 26. The downstream end of the first mixing path 26 is connected to the upstream end of the second mixing path 61 of the gas heat source unit 60 described later.

The upstream end of the first hot water supply path 28 is connected to the second hot water supply path 64 of the gas heat source unit 60 described later. The first hot water supply path 28 is provided with a hot water supply thermistor 28a. The downstream end of the first hot water supply path 28 is connected to a hot water supply tap 18. The hot water supply tap 18 is arranged in a bathroom, a washroom, a kitchen, etc. The first mixing path 26 and the first hot water supply path 28 are connected by a hot water supply bypass path 27. The hot water supply thermistor 28a is provided downstream of the connection between the hot water supply bypass path 27 and the first hot water supply path 28. The hot water supply bypass path 27 is provided with a bypass control valve 27a. When the bypass control valve 27a is open, the water that has flowed through the first mixing path 26 flows to the hot water supply bypass path 27, and when the bypass control valve 27a is closed, the water that has flowed through the first mixing path 26 flows to the second mixing path 61 of the gas heat source unit 60 described later.

The gas heat source unit 60 includes a burner heat exchanger 62 and a burner 63. Water flows into the burner heat exchanger 62 from the first mixing path 26 of the tank unit 20 via the second mixing path 61. The second mixing path 61 is provided with a water inlet thermistor 61a, a hot water supply flow rate sensor 61b, and a water volume servo 61c. The water inlet thermistor 61a and the hot water supply flow rate sensor 61b detect the temperature and flow rate of the water flowing through the second mixing path 61, respectively. The water volume servo 61c adjusts the flow rate of the water flowing through the second mixing path 61. The gas-fired burner 63 heats the burner heat exchanger 62. The water heated by the burner heat exchanger 62 flows into the first hot water supply path 28 of the tank unit 20 via the second hot water supply path 64. In the second hot water supply path 64, a boiler body thermistor 65 is provided near the outlet of the burner heat exchanger 62, and a hot water outlet thermistor 66 is provided downstream of the boiler body thermistor 65. A heat source bypass path 67 is connected between the downstream side of the water volume servo 61c in the second mixing path 61 and the boiler body thermistor 65 and hot water outlet thermistor 66 of the second hot water supply path 64. A heat source bypass control valve 68 is provided at the connection between the second mixing path 61 and the heat source bypass path 67. By adjusting the opening of the heat source bypass control valve 68, a portion of the water flowing through the second mixing path 61 flows into the heat source bypass path 67, and the flow rate of the water is adjusted.

The controller 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The ROM stores various operating programs. The RAM temporarily stores various signals input to the controller 100 and various data generated in the process of the CPU executing the processing. In detail, the detection signals of the above-mentioned various thermistors and sensors are input to the RAM, and this information is temporarily stored. In the controller 100, the CPU outputs drive signals to various devices of the tank unit 20, the HP heat source unit 40, and the gas heat source unit 60 based on the information stored in the ROM and RAM. In addition, a remote control 102 is connected to the controller 100. The remote control 102 is provided with a switch 104 for operating the hot water supply system 10, a liquid crystal display 106 for displaying the operating state of the hot water supply system 10, and the like, and information set by the remote control 102 is input to the controller 100. For example, a user can switch the disaster response mode described later between "ON" and "OFF" and set the hot water supply setting temperature by operating the remote control 102. The remote control 102 is connected to the Internet 108 via a router (not shown) installed in the house in which the hot water supply system 10 is installed. The remote control 102 is also connected to a mobile terminal 110 and the like via the Internet 108.

The remote control 102 is configured to be able to receive disaster information and cancellation information from the mobile terminal 110. Disaster information is, for example, information indicating that a situation in which a disaster may occur, such as an emergency earthquake alert, a storm warning, or a heavy rain warning. Cancellation information is information indicating that a situation in which a power outage, water outage, etc. will not occur after disaster information is received. For example, if disaster information indicates that a storm warning has been issued for the area in which the hot water supply system 10 is installed, then cancellation information indicates that the storm warning has been cancelled. In a modified example, the remote control 102 may be configured to be able to receive disaster information and cancellation information from a server (not shown) on the Internet 108.

(Boiling operation)
In the hot water supply system 10, a boiling operation can be performed in which the water in the tank 21 is heated by the heat pump 42 to boil the hot water, and the hot water is stored in the tank 21. When the boiling operation is started, the controller 100 drives the fan 45 and the compressor 46 to circulate the refrigerant through the compressor 46, the second heat exchanger 47, the expansion valve 48, and the first heat exchanger 44 in this order. The controller 100 also drives the circulation pump 33b to circulate the water between the tank 21 and the second heat exchanger 47. As a result, the water sucked out from the bottom of the tank 21 is heated in the second heat exchanger 47 and returned to the top of the tank 21. When the water heated by the heat pump 42 flows into the tank 21, a temperature stratification is formed inside the tank 21, in which a layer of high-temperature water is piled up on a layer of low-temperature water.

The boiling operation is composed of a first boiling operation, a second boiling operation, and a third boiling operation. The first boiling operation and the second boiling operation are operations that are performed when the disaster response mode is set to "OFF" or when the disaster response mode is set to "ON" and disaster information has not been received from the remote control 102. Disaster information is information that indicates that a disaster (e.g., earthquake, typhoon) or the like may occur. In the first boiling operation, the controller 100 sets the boiling target temperature to a first target temperature TA1 (e.g., 45 [°C]) and operates the heat pump 42 at a first heating capacity (e.g., 2.5 [kW]). The first target temperature TA1 is a temperature suitable for supplying hot water to the hot water tap 18 and is slightly higher than the hot water supply setting temperature. The first heating capacity is a heating capacity that allows the heat pump 42 to operate at a high COP (short for Coefficient Of Performance). The controller 100 may be configured to perform the first boiling operation during the night when electricity rates are low, for example, or may be configured to specify the time when the first boiling operation should be performed based on past hot water supply records, and perform the first boiling operation when the time arrives. In the second boiling operation, the controller 100 sets the boiling target temperature to the second target temperature TA2 (e.g., 60°C) and operates the heat pump 42 at the first heating capacity (e.g., 2.5 kW). The second target temperature TA2 is a temperature suitable for sterilizing bacteria (such as Legionella bacteria) that may grow in the water in the tank 21, and is a temperature higher than the first target temperature TA1. The controller 100 performs the second boiling operation when it detects that the temperature of the water in the tank 21 has been retained for a long time (e.g., 96 hours) at a low temperature (e.g., a temperature of 60°C or lower). The third boiling operation is an operation for disaster response, and will be described in detail later.

(Hot water supply operation)
The hot water supply system 10 can execute a hot water supply operation that supplies water at a hot water supply setting temperature set by a user to the hot water tap 18. The controller 100 is configured to execute a non-combustion hot water supply operation, a first combustion hot water supply operation, and a second combustion hot water supply operation. The non-combustion hot water supply operation and the first combustion hot water supply operation are operations that are executed when the disaster response mode is set to "OFF", or when the disaster response mode is set to "ON" and disaster information has not been received from the remote control 102. The non-combustion hot water supply operation and the first combustion hot water supply operation are described below. The second combustion hot water supply operation is an operation for disaster response, and will be described in detail later.

When the combined flow rate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "operating flow rate") of the flow rate detected by the water supply flow rate sensor 24a and the hot water flow rate sensor 25a reaches or exceeds the minimum operating flow rate (e.g., 2.4 L/min), the controller 100 determines that hot water supply has started by opening the hot water tap 18 or filling the bathtub with hot water. The controller 100 then executes either the non-combustion hot water supply operation or the first combustion hot water supply operation depending on the upper tank temperature detected by the tank thermistor 21a.

When the temperature at the top of the tank is equal to or higher than the hot water supply setting temperature (e.g., 40°C), the controller 100 executes non-combustion hot water supply operation. In non-combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 prohibits the combustion operation of the burner 63 and adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a becomes the hot water supply setting temperature. This causes water adjusted to the hot water supply setting temperature to be supplied to the hot water tap 18.

When the tank upper temperature is lower than the hot water supply setting temperature (e.g., 40°C), the controller 100 executes the first combustion hot water supply operation. In the first combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 permits the combustion operation of the burner 63 and adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a is lower than the hot water supply setting temperature by the minimum rise temperature, which is the temperature that can be raised with the minimum heating capacity of the burner 63. For example, when the minimum rise temperature is 5°C when the operating flow rate is 10 [L/min], the controller 100 adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a is 35 [°C]. In this case, the high-temperature water supplied from the top of the tank 21 and the low-temperature water supplied from the tank bypass path 24 are mixed in the mixing valve 29, heated to the hot water supply setting temperature by the combustion operation with the minimum heating capacity of the burner 63, and supplied to the hot water tap 18.

When the operating flow rate falls below the minimum operating flow rate while the non-combustion hot water supply operation or the first combustion hot water supply operation is being performed, the controller 100 determines that hot water supply has ended due to the hot water tap 18 being closed or the bathtub being filled with water, etc., and ends the non-combustion hot water supply operation or the first combustion hot water supply operation.

(Boiling process during disaster response; Figure 2)
A description will be given of a boiling process during a disaster response executed by the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 with reference to Fig. 2. When the controller 100 receives disaster information from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102 while the disaster response mode is set to "ON", the controller 100 starts the process of Fig. 2.

In S10, the controller 100 switches the mixing valve 29 to a fully closed state. In the fully closed state, water flows from the tank bypass path 24 to the first mixing path 26, but water does not flow from the hot water outlet path 25 to the first mixing path 26.

In S20, the controller 100 starts the third boiling operation. First, the controller 100 drives the circulation pump 33b. Next, the controller 100 sets the second target temperature TA2 (e.g., 60°C) as the boiling target temperature, and operates the heat pump 42 at the second heating capacity (i.e., 4.0 kW). The second heating capacity is a heating capacity greater than the first heating capacity. The COP of the heat pump 42 when operating at the second heating capacity is lower than the COP of the heat pump 42 when operating at the first heating capacity.

In S30, the controller 100 monitors whether the tank bottom temperature detected by the forward thermistor 33a is equal to or higher than the second target temperature TA2. If the tank bottom temperature is equal to or higher than the second target temperature TA2, the controller 100 judges YES in S30 and the process proceeds to S32.

In S32, the controller 100 stops the operation of the circulation pump 33b and the heat pump 42, and ends the third boiling operation. When S32 ends, the process proceeds to S50.

In addition, simultaneously with monitoring in S30, the controller 100 monitors in S40 whether release information is received from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102. When the controller 100 receives release information from the mobile terminal 110, the controller 100 judges YES in S40, and the process proceeds to S42. In a modified example, the controller 100 may judge YES in S40 when it receives information from the remote control 102 indicating that the disaster response mode has been changed from "ON" to "OFF" by the user.

In S42, the controller 100 stops the operation of the circulation pump 33b and the heat pump 42, and ends the third boiling operation. When S42 ends, the process proceeds to S52.

In S50, the controller 100 monitors whether release information is received from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102. If release information is received from the mobile terminal 110, the controller 100 judges YES in S50 and the process proceeds to S52.

In S52, the controller 100 switches the mixing valve 29 to an intermediate state. The intermediate state is a state in which water flows into the first mixing path 26 from both the tank bypass path 24 and the hot water outlet path 25. When the process of S52 ends, the controller 100 ends the process of FIG. 2. Note that in a modified example, the process of S52 can be omitted.

(Hot water supply during disaster response; Figure 3)
A hot water supply process during a disaster response executed by the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When the controller 100 receives disaster information from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102 while the disaster response mode is set to "ON", the controller 100 starts the process of Fig. 3.

In S110, the controller 100 monitors whether the operating flow rate is equal to or greater than the minimum operating flow rate (e.g., 2.4 L/min). If the operating flow rate is equal to or greater than the minimum operating flow rate, the controller 100 determines YES in S110 and the process proceeds to S112.

In S112, the controller 100 starts the second combustion hot water supply operation. In the second combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 heats the water supplied from the water supply source 200 by the burner 63 while maintaining the mixing valve 29 in a fully closed state, and supplies the water heated to the hot water supply setting temperature to the hot water tap 18. In the second combustion hot water supply operation, the hot water stored in the tank 21 is not used. After S112, the process proceeds to S120.

In addition, simultaneously with monitoring in S110, the controller 100 monitors in S130 whether release information is received from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102. If release information is received from the mobile terminal 110, the controller 100 judges YES in S130 and ends the processing in FIG. 3.

In S120, the controller 100 monitors whether the operating flow rate is below the minimum operating flow rate. If the operating flow rate is below the minimum operating flow rate, the controller 100 judges YES in S120 and the process proceeds to S122.

In S122, the controller 100 stops driving the burner 63 and ends the second combustion hot water supply operation. When S122 ends, the process returns to S110. The controller 100 keeps the mixing valve 29 in a fully closed state even after S122 ends.

In addition, simultaneously with monitoring S120, the controller 100 monitors in S140 whether release information is received from the mobile terminal 110 via the remote control 102. When the controller 100 receives release information from the mobile terminal 110, it judges YES in S140 and ends the processing of FIG. 3. When the controller 100 judges YES in S140 and ends the processing of FIG. 3, it ends the second combustion hot water supply operation and starts non-combustion hot water supply operation.

According to the above configuration, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the second combustion hot water supply operation after receiving the disaster information. In other words, after the disaster information is received, the hot water in the tank 21 is not used for hot water supply. Therefore, even if a water outage or power outage occurs after that, the user can use the hot water stored in the tank 21 by opening the first drain valve 32 or the second drain valve 36.

As described above, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the second combustion hot water supply operation without executing the non-combustion hot water supply operation after receiving the disaster information (S112 in FIG. 3). According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank 21 compared to the case where the non-combustion hot water supply operation is executed after the disaster information is received. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the amount of hot water available to the user in the event of a water outage, power outage, etc. occurring after the disaster information is received. In particular, in this embodiment, the controller 100 executes the second combustion hot water supply operation executed with the mixing valve 29 in a fully closed state. Therefore, after the disaster information is received, the hot water in the tank 21 is not used to supply hot water to the hot water tap 18. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of hot water available to the user in the event of a water outage, power outage, etc. occurring after the disaster information is received. Then, the user can use the hot water stored in the tank 21 by opening the first drain valve 32 or the second drain valve 36 in a state where a water outage, power outage, etc. occurs.

Furthermore, when the controller 100 receives disaster information, it executes the third boiling operation (S20 in FIG. 2). With the above configuration, even if the amount of hot water stored in the tank 21 is small at the time the disaster information is received, the amount of hot water stored in the tank 21 can be increased.

Furthermore, when disaster information is received, the controller 100 executes a third boiling operation in which the heat pump 42 is operated at the second heating capacity (S20 in FIG. 2). With the above configuration, the time required for the boiling operation executed when disaster information is received can be shortened compared to when the heat pump 42 is operated at the first heating capacity. Therefore, if a power outage occurs a relatively short time after the disaster information is received, the amount of hot water stored in the tank 21 can be increased.

When disaster information is received, the controller 100 sets the second target temperature TA2 as the boiling target temperature and executes the third boiling operation (S20 in FIG. 2). With the above configuration, the amount of heat stored in the tank 21 can be increased compared to a configuration in which hot water heated to the first target temperature TA1 is stored in the tank 21 when disaster information is received.

(Correspondence)
The HP heat source unit 40, the gas heat source unit 60, and the controller 100 are examples of a "heat source unit,""auxiliary heat source unit," and "control device," respectively. The hot water tap 18 is an example of a "hot water supply location." The non-combustion hot water supply operation is an example of a "first hot water supply operation." The second combustion hot water supply operation is an example of a "second hot water supply operation." The water supply path 22 and the tank bypass path 24 are examples of a "first water supply path." The first mixing path 26, the hot water supply bypass path 27, the first hot water supply path 28, the second mixing path 61, the second hot water supply path 64, and the heat source unit bypass path 67 are examples of a "hot water supply path."

Second Example
In this embodiment, the process executed in S10 of the boiling process during disaster response in Fig. 2 and the process executed in S112 and S122 of the hot water supply process during disaster response in Fig. 3 are different from those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the process of S60 simultaneously with the process of S50 in Fig. 2. In addition, in a modification of the second embodiment, the hot water supply system 10 does not need to include the first drainage path 31, the first drainage valve 32, the second drainage path 35, and the second drainage valve 36.

(Boiling process during disaster response; Figure 2)
In S10 of Fig. 2, the controller 100 switches the opening of the mixing valve 29 to a specific opening. The specific opening is an opening for making the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a a specific temperature. The specific temperature is a temperature at which the water supplied from the hot water tap 18 can be used as hot water when a power outage occurs after the third combustion hot water supply operation described later is performed and the heat pump 42 and the burner 63 cannot be driven, and is, for example, 30°C. For example, the controller 100 specifies the specific opening based on the feed water temperature detected by the feed water thermistor 22b and the upper tank temperature detected by the tank thermistor 21a.

In addition, simultaneously with the monitoring in S50, the controller 100 monitors in S60 whether the temperature below the tank detected by the tank thermistor 21d is less than the second target temperature TA2. If the temperature below the tank detected by the tank thermistor 21d is less than the second target temperature TA2, the controller 100 judges YES in S60 and the process returns to S20.

(Hot water supply during disaster response; Figure 3)
In S112 of Fig. 3, the controller 100 executes the third combustion hot water supply operation. In the third combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 permits the combustion operation of the burner 63 and adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 to a specific opening so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a becomes the specific temperature. In this case, the high-temperature water supplied from the hot water outlet path 25 and the low-temperature water supplied from the tank bypass path 24 are mixed in the mixing valve 29, heated to the hot water supply setting temperature by the burner 63, and supplied to the hot water tap 18. In the third combustion hot water supply operation, the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a becomes the specific temperature regardless of the operating flow rate. Therefore, the higher the operating flow rate, the greater the heating capacity of the burner 63 required to heat the water supplied to the hot water tap 18 to the hot water supply setting temperature.

In addition, in S122, the controller 100 stops driving the burner 63 and ends the third combustion hot water supply operation. When S122 ends, the process returns to S110. When S122 ends, the controller 100 maintains the mixing valve 29 at the opening degree at the time S122 ended.

According to the above configuration, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the third combustion hot water supply operation after receiving disaster information. In general, the energy efficiency of using the heat pump 42 to heat water is higher than the energy efficiency of using the burner 63 to heat water. Unlike the second combustion hot water supply operation of the first embodiment, the third combustion hot water supply operation uses the water in the tank 21. Therefore, the energy efficiency of the hot water supply system 10 can be improved compared to the case where the second combustion hot water supply operation is executed after disaster information is received. In addition, by executing the third combustion hot water supply operation even when the non-combustion hot water supply operation can be executed, a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank 21 can be suppressed.

After receiving the disaster information, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the third combustion hot water supply operation without executing the first combustion hot water supply operation (S112 in FIG. 3). In the first combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a is a temperature lower than the hot water supply set temperature by the minimum rise temperature. In the third combustion hot water supply operation, the controller 100 adjusts the opening of the mixing valve 29 so that the temperature detected by the mixed water thermistor 26a is a specific temperature. The specific temperature is lower than the temperature lower than the hot water supply set temperature by the minimum rise temperature. Therefore, the amount of hot water in the tank 21 used in the third combustion hot water supply operation is less than the amount of hot water in the tank 21 used in the first combustion hot water supply operation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank 21 compared to the case where the first combustion hot water supply operation is executed after the disaster information is received.

As described above, after receiving disaster information, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes the third combustion hot water supply operation without executing the non-combustion hot water supply operation (S112 in FIG. 3). With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of hot water in the tank 21 compared to when the non-combustion hot water supply operation is executed after disaster information is received. Therefore, in the event that a water outage, power outage, etc. occurs after disaster information is received, it is possible to ensure the amount of hot water available to the user.

In addition, when disaster information is received, the controller 100 switches the opening degree of the mixing valve 29 to a specific opening degree (S10 in FIG. 2). According to the above configuration, even if a power outage occurs after the disaster information is received and the heat pump 42 and the burner 63 cannot be driven, if there is no water outage, hot water can be supplied to the hot water tap 18 using the hot water stored in the tank 21. For example, when a user performs an opening operation on the hot water tap 18, water is supplied to the tank 21 from the water supply source 200 through the water supply path 22 and the tank water supply path 23. By supplying water to the tank 21, the hot water stored in the tank 21 flows into the first mixing path 26 through the hot water outlet path 25. In addition, when a user performs an opening operation on the hot water tap 18, water flows into the first mixing path 26 from the water supply source 200 through the water supply path 22 and the tank bypass path 24. In this case, the hot water supplied from the top of the tank 21 and the water supplied from the tank bypass path 24 are mixed in the mixing valve 29 to become water at a specific temperature (e.g., 30°C). The water at the specific temperature is then supplied to the hot water tap 18 via the first mixing path 26, the second mixing path 61, the heat source bypass path 67, the second hot water supply path 64, and the first hot water supply path 28. As described above, the specific temperature is a temperature at which the water supplied from the hot water tap 18 can be used as hot water. In other words, the user can use the hot water without operating the first drain valve 32 and the second drain valve 36. This improves user convenience.

(Correspondence)
The water supply path 22 and the tank water supply path 23 are an example of a "second water supply path."

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above.

(First modified example) The "heat source unit" is not limited to the HP heat source unit 40, and may be a gas-type heat source unit. Also, the "auxiliary heat source unit" is not limited to the gas heat source unit 60, and may be an electric heat source unit.

(Second modified example) The hot water supply system 10 may be configured to be capable of executing both the second combustion hot water supply operation of the first embodiment and the third combustion hot water supply operation of the second embodiment. In this modified example, the user can operate the remote control 102 to set whether the controller 100 is to execute the second combustion hot water supply operation or the third combustion hot water supply operation in the process of FIG. 3.

(Third Modification) The controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 may be configured to execute either one of the processes of switching the mixing valve 29 to a fully closed state and switching the opening degree of the mixing valve 29 to a specific opening degree in S10 of FIG. 2. In another modification, S10 of FIG. 2 can be omitted.

(Fourth variant) The process in FIG. 2 can be omitted. That is, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 does not need to execute the third boiling operation when disaster information is received.

(Fifth Modification) The controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 may be configured to operate the heat pump 42 in the range of 0 kW to 4.5 kW. In this modification, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 executes a third boiling operation in S20 of FIG. 2, which operates the heat pump 42 with the greatest heating capacity (4.5 kW). In another modification, the controller 100 may execute a third boiling operation in which the heat pump 42 operates with the greatest heating capacity (4.5 kW).

(Sixth variant) In S20 of FIG. 2, the controller 100 of the hot water supply system 10 may set the first target temperature TA1 as the boiling target temperature and perform the third boiling operation.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

10: Hot water supply system 18: Hot water tap 20: Tank unit 21: Tank 21a-21d: Tank thermistor 22: Water supply path 22a: Pressure reducing valve 22b: Water supply thermistor 23: Tank water supply path 24: Tank bypass path 24a: Water supply flow rate sensor 25: Hot water outlet path 25a: Hot water flow rate sensor 26: First mixing path 26a: Mixed water thermistor 27: Hot water bypass path 27a: Bypass control valve 28: First hot water supply path 28a: Hot water thermistor 29: Mixing valve 31: First drainage path 32: First drainage valve 33: Circulation forward path 33a: Forward path thermistor 33b: Circulation pump 34: Circulation return path 35: Second drainage path 36: Second drainage valve 40: HP heat source unit 42: Heat pump 43 : Refrigerant circulation path 44 : First heat exchanger 45 : Fan 46 : Compressor 47 : Second heat exchanger 47a : Refrigerant flow path 47b : Circulating water flow path 48 : Expansion valve 50 : Circulation forward connection path 51 : Circulation return connection path 52 : Inlet side thermistor 53 : Outlet side thermistor 60 : Gas heat source unit 61 : Second mixing path 61a : Water inlet thermistor 61b : Hot water supply flow rate sensor 61c : Water volume servo 62 : Burner heat exchanger 63 : Burner 64 : Second hot water supply path 65 : Boiler body thermistor 66 : Hot water outlet thermistor 67 : Heat source bypass path 68 : Heat source bypass control valve 100 : Controller 102 : Remote control 104 : Switch 106 : Liquid crystal display 108 : Internet 110 : Mobile terminal 200 : Water supply source

Claims (6)

1. A hot water system comprising:
Tanks and
A heat source machine that heats the water stored in the tank;
An auxiliary heat source device that heats water to be supplied to a hot water supply location;
a melt discharge path having an upstream end connected to the tank;
a first water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path;
a second water supply path having an upstream end connected to the water supply source and a downstream end connected to the tank;
a hot water supply path having an upstream end connected to a connection portion between the hot water outlet path and the first water supply path and a downstream end connected to the hot water supply location;
a mixing valve for adjusting a ratio of a flow rate of water supplied from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and a flow rate of water flowing from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path;
A control device,
The control device includes:
A boiling operation in which the heat source device is driven and water heated to a boiling target temperature is stored in the tank;
a first hot water supply operation in which water stored in the tank is supplied to the hot water supply location without driving the auxiliary heat source unit;
A second hot water supply operation is performed by driving the auxiliary heat source unit to supply water heated to a hot water supply setting temperature to the hot water supply location.
The control device includes:
receiving disaster information, which is information related to a disaster;
After receiving the disaster information, the first hot water supply operation is not performed, and the second hot water supply operation is performed .
In the second hot water supply operation executed after receiving the disaster information, an opening degree of the mixing valve is adjusted to a specific opening degree at which water flows from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and at which water flows from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path;
The specific opening degree is an opening degree for making the temperature of the water flowing through the hot water supply path a specific temperature regardless of an operating flow rate, which is a flow rate of the water flowing through the hot water supply path,
The specific temperature is a temperature lower than a temperature obtained by subtracting a minimum rise temperature, which is a temperature that can be raised with a minimum heating capacity of the auxiliary heat source unit, from the hot water supply setting temperature,
In the second hot water supply operation executed after receiving the disaster information, the greater the operating flow rate, the greater the heating capacity of the auxiliary heat source unit required to heat the water supplied to the hot water supply location to the hot water supply setting temperature.
Hot water system. 1. A hot water supply system, comprising:
Tanks and
A heat source machine that heats the water stored in the tank;
An auxiliary heat source device that heats water to be supplied to a hot water supply location;
a melt discharge path having an upstream end connected to the tank;
a first water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path;
a second water supply path having an upstream end connected to the water supply source and a downstream end connected to the tank;
a hot water supply path having an upstream end connected to a connection portion between the hot water outlet path and the first water supply path and a downstream end connected to the hot water supply location;
a mixing valve for adjusting a ratio of a flow rate of water supplied from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and a flow rate of water flowing from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path;
A control device,
The control device includes:
A boiling operation in which the heat source device is driven and water heated to a boiling target temperature is stored in the tank;
a first hot water supply operation in which water stored in the tank is supplied to the hot water supply location without driving the auxiliary heat source unit;
A second hot water supply operation is performed by driving the auxiliary heat source unit to supply water heated to a hot water supply setting temperature to the hot water supply location.
The control device includes:
receiving disaster information, which is information related to a disaster;
After receiving the disaster information, the first hot water supply operation is not performed, and the second hot water supply operation is performed .
In the second hot water supply operation executed after receiving the disaster information, an opening degree of the mixing valve is adjusted to a specific opening degree at which water flows from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and at which water flows from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path;
The control device includes:
After receiving the disaster information and before executing the second hot water supply operation , the opening degree of the mixing valve is switched to the specific opening degree.
Hot water system. 1. A hot water supply system, comprising:
Tanks and
A heat source machine that heats the water stored in the tank;
An auxiliary heat source device that heats water to be supplied to a hot water supply location;
a melt discharge path having an upstream end connected to the tank;
a first water supply path having an upstream end connected to a water supply source and a downstream end connected to the downstream end of the hot water outlet path;
a second water supply path having an upstream end connected to the water supply source and a downstream end connected to the tank;
a hot water supply path having an upstream end connected to a connection portion between the hot water outlet path and the first water supply path and a downstream end connected to the hot water supply location;
a mixing valve for adjusting a ratio of a flow rate of water supplied from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and a flow rate of water flowing from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path;
A control device,
The control device includes:
A boiling operation in which the heat source device is driven and water heated to a boiling target temperature is stored in the tank;
a first hot water supply operation in which water stored in the tank is supplied to the hot water supply location without driving the auxiliary heat source unit;
A second hot water supply operation is performed by driving the auxiliary heat source unit to supply water heated to a hot water supply setting temperature to the hot water supply location.
The control device includes:
receiving disaster information, which is information related to a disaster;
After receiving the disaster information, the first hot water supply operation is not performed, and the second hot water supply operation is performed .
In the second hot water supply operation executed after receiving the disaster information, the mixing valve is set to a fully closed state in which water does not flow from the hot water outlet path to the hot water supply path and water flows from the first water supply path to the hot water supply path,
The control device includes:
After receiving the disaster information and before performing the second hot water supply operation, the mixing valve is switched to the fully closed state.
Hot water system. The control device includes:
The hot water supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the boiling operation is performed after the disaster information is received . The control device includes:
The heat source unit is configured to be operable at least with a first heating capacity and a second heating capacity higher than the first heating capacity,
The hot water supply system according to claim 4 , wherein in the boiling operation that is executed after the disaster information is received , the heat source unit is operated with the second heating capacity. The control device includes:
A first target temperature and a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature can be used as the boiling target temperature,
The hot water supply system according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein in the boiling operation which is executed after the disaster information is received , water heated to the second target temperature is stored in the tank.

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