JPH023902B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a fluid supply device such as a hot water supply device for a bathtub.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a fluid supply device for supplying fluid from a fluid supply source to a fluid tank, there is a water supply device as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 135912/1983. This water supply device operates an electromagnetic valve serving as a water supply driving section in response to an operation signal from an operation section, thereby making it possible to switch and control the water supply operation to the bathtub.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when the drive section for fluid supply as described above is operated by the operation section, the control device that controls the drive section and the operation section are connected to each other. They are connected by a large number of signal lines corresponding to the number of signals, resulting in high cost. Therefore, it is desirable to connect these through a simple signal transmission circuit and to be able to provide various operating modes to the drive section.

In particular, operating signals can be sent to a control device installed relatively close to the fluid tank via a control panel installed in a living room remote from the fluid tank, or operating signals can be transmitted from a remote location by telecontrol using a telephone. When receiving a signal, it is desirable to simplify the signal transmission circuit as described above.

The present invention aims to make a fluid supply device operable under conditions that simplify the signal transmission circuit.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a drive unit capable of supplying fluid from a fluid supply source to a fluid tank, an operation signal from an operation unit, and a fluid supply start operation signal to the drive unit. A fluid supply device comprising: a control device that outputs a fluid supply stop operation signal; the control device constantly monitors the state of fluid supply to the fluid tank; and when receiving an operation signal, the control device receives the operation signal. The apparatus includes a signal determination section that outputs an operation signal for the next operation mode, which is predetermined in accordance with the state of fluid supply to the fluid tank before the operation, to the drive section.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the control device monitors the fluid supply state to the fluid tank, and when receiving an operation signal from the operation unit, the signal determination unit determines the above from the fluid supply state to the fluid tank. Determine the intent of the operation signal and output a new operation signal for an appropriate operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to connect the operation section and the control device with a small number of signal lines without requiring a large number of signal lines corresponding to each operation signal, which simplifies the signal transmission circuit. It becomes possible to operate the fluid supply device under conditions.

[Embodiment] In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a water heater, in which a cold water supply pipe (water pipe) 2 is connected to a water supply port, and a hot water supply pipe 9A is connected to a hot water supply port.
It is assumed that this hot water supply device 1 delivers a fixed amount of hot water (temperature T ₀ ) per unit time during normal operation. The hot water supply pipe 9A is connected to the hot water supply pipe 3 via the mixing valve 4, and the hot water supply pipe 3 is connected to the faucet 7 of the bathtub 6 via the solenoid valve 5.
The temperature sensor 8 is installed closer to the bathtub 6 than the solenoid valve 5. The mixing valve 4 also includes a cold water supply pipe (water pipe) 9 that bypasses the water heater 1.
B is connected. Reference numerals 10 and 11 are band heaters wrapped around the supply pipes 9A and 9B, respectively, and a temperature sensor 12 is placed in the atmosphere near both band heaters. The faucet 13 of the bathtub 6 is of the solenoid valve type with an open/close confirmation switch. A lower level sensor 14L is attached to the inner surface of the bathtub 6 near the bottom.
A position level sensor 14H is provided at a position on the inner surface above L by a predetermined height. It is preferable that the upper level sensor 14H is provided not at the full water level but at a position Hu slightly higher than the midpoint height between the bottom of the bathtub 6 and the opening.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an operation panel, which has a hot water supply pushbutton switch 16 and a drain pushbutton switch 17. The hot water supply button switch 16 generates an operation signal, and the drain button switch 17 generates a faucet start command signal Sv. Those signals are transmitted to the hot water supply control device 18. The hot water supply control device 18 is constructed using a microcomputer, and is shown as a functional block in the figure. The hot water supply control supply 18 includes an operation signal determination section 18A, a hot water supply start determination section 19, a full water determination section 19A, a hot water supply amount control section 20, a temperature control section 21, a temperature monitoring section 22, a leakage check section 23, a drainage determination section 24, It has a freeze determination section 25 and a faucet control section 26, and outputs from the lower level sensor 14L, upper level sensor 14H, temperature sensors 8 and 12, and each pushbutton switch 16 on the operation panel 15 are transmitted through an input section (not shown). , 17 are taken in.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a setting panel section, which includes a temperature setting device 28 and a level setting device 29. The temperature setter 28 inputs a temperature setting signal corresponding to the set temperature T ₀ and the level setter 29 inputs a level setting signal corresponding to the set water level Hm to the hot water supply control device 18 .

The operation signal determination unit 18A of the hot water supply control device 18 is
The hot water supply amount control unit 20 provides a valve opening signal O, a valve closing signal C, and a full water determination unit 19A to the electromagnetic valve 5 as described later.
The hot water supply state to the bathtub 6 is constantly monitored by taking in the full water signal F given by the hot water supply amount control section 20 and the water leak detection signals (abnormality monitoring signals) A, B, and Cc issued by the leak check section 23. Thereby, the operation signal determination unit 18A constantly monitors the hot water supply state to the bathtub 6, and when receiving an operation signal from the hot water supply pushbutton switch 16 of the operation panel 15, the operation signal determination unit 18A is configured to supply fluid to the bathtub 6 before receiving the operation signal. It is possible to output an operation signal for the next operation mode, which is predetermined according to the state, to the electromagnetic valve 5 as a drive unit via the hot water supply start determination unit 19. That is, when the operation signal determination unit 18A receives the operation signal of the pushbutton switch 16, if hot water supply is being stopped (the solenoid valve 5 is receiving the valve closing signal C), the operation signal determination unit 18A determines that the hot water supply start command signal S is the hot water supply start command signal S. If the hot water supply operation is in progress (the electromagnetic valve 5 is receiving the valve open signal O), the hot water supply stop command signal St is transmitted to the hot water supply start determination unit 19, and the water supply signal F, water leakage detection signal A, B,
If Cc is generated, the generation of those command signals S and St is stopped.

The hot water supply start determination section 19 of the hot water supply control device 18 has a timer section that starts timing when the hot water supply start command signal S is transmitted from the operation signal determination section 18A, and includes a lower level sensor 14L and an upper level sensor 14H.
If both are off, the hot water supply start command signal S
After the transmission time t ₀ , a shutoff signal Ow is given to the water faucet 13,
A hot water supply permission signal is given to the hot water supply amount control section 20 after a predetermined time t1 has elapsed after confirming that the faucet 13 is closed. Further, when the hot water supply stop command signal St is transmitted, a hot water supply permission cancellation signal is supplied to the hot water supply amount control section 20.

When the hot water supply amount control unit 20 receives the hot water supply permission signal, it generates a hot water supply start operation signal, and this signal is sent to the solenoid valve 5.
is given as the valve opening signal O. Further, when the hot water supply amount control section 20 receives the hot water supply permission cancellation signal, it generates a hot water supply stop operation signal, and this signal is given to the electromagnetic valve 5 as a valve opening signal C.

The full water determination unit 19A also includes a level setting device 29.
It has a timer section that sets a time limit according to the level setting signal of the controller and starts counting when the upper level sensor 14H is turned on, and the time limit tm set in the timer section
After the period of time has elapsed, a full water signal F, which functions as a hot water supply start signal, is generated, and this full water signal F is transmitted to the hot water supply amount control section 20. When the hot water supply amount control section 20 receives the above-mentioned full water signal F, it generates a hot water supply stop operation signal, and this signal is given to the electromagnetic valve 5 as a valve closing signal C.

The temperature control unit 21 takes in the set temperature T ₀ set by the temperature setting unit 28 and the output T of the temperature sensor 8, and if there is a difference ε between the two, generates a temperature control signal, and this temperature control signal is The mixture ratio control signal X is given to the mixing valve 4.

The temperature monitoring unit 22 monitors the hot water temperature by taking in the output of the temperature sensor 8, and when the hot water temperature changes significantly due to new water being supplied to the water heater 1, etc., the output of the temperature sensor 8 is set. When the temperature exceeds a temperature range (for example, a lower limit temperature of 35 degrees and an upper and lower temperature of 47 degrees), a hot water supply stop signal Y is generated, and this hot water supply stop signal Y is given to the electromagnetic valve 5 as a valve closing signal C through the hot water supply control section 20.

The check part 23 is a faucet disconnection check part 23A,
It consists of a full-time water leakage check section 23B and a post-filling water leakage check section 23C. When the faucet disconnection check unit 23A receives the hot water supply start command signal S, the faucet disconnection detection signal A is detected if the lower level sensor 14L is not turned on within a predetermined time t2 (for example, ₃ minutes) after the transmission time t0. occurs. When the water supply start command signal S is transmitted, the year-round water leakage check section 23B generates a water leakage detection signal B if the upper level sensor 14H is not turned on within a predetermined time _t3 (for example, 30 minutes) after the transmission time t0. . The water leakage check section 23C after full water runs for a predetermined time t4 after the upper level sensor 14H turns on.
If the upper level sensor 14H turns off within (for example, 3 minutes), a water leakage detection signal Cc is generated. Each of the detection signals A to Cc is guided by the hot water supply amount control section 20 and output as a hot water supply stop signal Z.

In addition, each of the above-mentioned check sections 23A, 23B, 23
The check times t2, t3, and t4 of C are set in the corresponding check time setting sections 23D, 23E, and 23F.
It is said that it can be variably adjusted by each.

The drainage determination section 24 generates a drainage completion signal D when the drainage pushbutton switch 17 is turned on and the lower level sensor 14L is turned off. Freeze determination section 2
5 generates a signal E for turning on the power switches of the heaters 10 and 11 when the temperature sensor 12 generates an ON output. When the drain button switch 17 is turned on, the faucet control unit 26 outputs a faucet open signal Cw.
is given to the faucet 13.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a display panel, which has a hot water supply operation indicator light 31 and its lighting control circuit 31A. When the hot water supply amount control section 20 generates a hot water supply start operation signal, the lighting control circuit 31A slowly turns on the indicator light 31 and flickers it on. (slow frizz), upper level sensor 1
After 4H is turned on, it is turned on stationary by the above-mentioned full water signal F sent out after the above-mentioned time limit tm has elapsed, and when - of the signals A to Cc is generated from the check section 23, the temperature monitoring section 22 outputs the hot water supply stop signal Y. If this occurs, the light flickers rapidly.

32 is an alarm panel, and alarm buzzers 32A, 3
2B and 32C, which sound when a faucet disconnection detection signal A, a regular water leakage detection signal B, and a water leakage detection signal Cc occur, respectively.

In this configuration, hot water supply pushbutton switch 1
6, when the operation signal determination unit 18A issues a hot water supply start command signal S, the hot water supply start determination unit 19 determines whether or not the bathtub 6 is empty, and if it is detected that the water level is empty. , the faucet 13 closes, the electromagnetic valve 5 opens and hot water starts being supplied to the bathtub, and the indicator light 31 slowly flickers on. If hot water leaks from the faucet 13 after hot water supply starts, an alarm buzzer 32 will sound.
A sounds, but if there is no leakage of hot water, the lower level sensor 14L turns on and hot water supply continues, and after a certain period of time, the upper level sensor 14H turns on. During this fixed time t3, hot water supply starts normally.
If continued, the estimated time until the water level in the bathtub 6 reaches the water level Hu of the upper level sensor 14H after the start of hot water supply + tm, and the water level does not reach the upper level sensor 14H even after the time t3 elapses. If it does not turn on, it is determined that there is a water leak, the alarm buzzer 32B sounds, and the indicator light 31 switches to rapid flickering.

After the upper level sensor 14H is turned on, the hot water supply continues for a time period tm, and when the time period tm has elapsed, the solenoid valve 5 receives the valve closing signal C and closes, and when the hot water supply is stopped, the indicator light 31 is turned on. It lights up statically. Therefore, if the water level detected by the upper level switch 14H is Hu and the amount of hot water supplied per unit time per unit area is Qs, then Hm=Hu+(tm×Qs)/S, where S: the cross-sectional view of the bathtub. Hot water will be supplied to the set height, and this height can be freely controlled by the set time limit tm. Note that even if the upper level sensor 14H is once turned on, the water level will drop within a certain time t4, and the sensor 14H will be turned on.
When H is turned off, the alarm buzzer 32C sounds to indicate that there is a water leak, and the indicator light 31 shifts to rapid flicker lighting.

In this way, hot water is automatically supplied to the bathtub 6, and the temperature of the hot water is adjusted by the mixing valve 4.
In other words, the temperature of the hot water sent from the water heater 1 is
T ₀ , the hot water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is Ta, and Ta<T ₀ , then the mixing valve 4
increases the flow rate of hot water in response to the temperature control signal and reduces the flow rate of the water introduced through the bypass water supply pipe 9 until Ta = T ₀ , and when Ta > T ₀ , the flow rate of hot water increases. and increase the flow rate of tap water mixed through the bypass water supply pipe 9.
Let Ta=T ₀ .

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

According to the embodiment described above, the hot water supply control device 18 constantly monitors the hot water supply state to the bathtub 6, and when receiving an operation signal from the operation panel 15 as an operation unit, the hot water supply control device 18 changes the hot water supply state to the bathtub 6 to receive the operation signal. Since the operation panel 15 and the hot water supply control device 18 determine the intention of the operator and output a new operation signal for the appropriate next operation mode, the operation panel 15 and the hot water supply control device 18 do not require a large number of signal lines corresponding to each operation signal. It becomes possible to connect with a small number of signal lines, and it becomes possible to operate the water heater under conditions that simplify the signal transmission circuit.

Note that the present invention is also applicable to a telecontrol device in which the operation unit is a telephone.

Further, the present invention is widely applicable to, for example, fluid supply devices in chemical plants.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention includes a drive unit that enables fluid to be supplied from a fluid supply source to a fluid tank, receives an operation signal from an operation unit, and sends a fluid supply start operation signal to the drive unit. A fluid supply device comprising: a control device that outputs a fluid supply stop operation signal; the control device constantly monitors the state of fluid supply to the fluid tank; and when receiving an operation signal, the control device receives the operation signal. The apparatus includes a signal determination section that outputs an operation signal for the next operation mode, which is predetermined in accordance with the state of fluid supply to the fluid tank before the operation, to the drive section.

Therefore, it is possible to operate the fluid supply device under conditions that simplify the signal transmission circuit between the operating section and the control device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a control block diagram of the same embodiment. 1... Water heater (fluid supply source), 5... Solenoid valve (drive unit), 15... Operation panel (operation unit), 16...
Hot water supply push button switch, 18...Hot water supply control device,
18A...Operation signal determination unit, 19...Hot water supply start determination unit, 20...Hot water supply amount control unit.

[Claims]

1. A small gas-fired water heater, comprising a casing constituting a sump for collecting water supplied as a stream by a water distribution means placed above, and an inlet for the supply water to the water distribution means; A heat exchanger placed in the water reservoir to receive the high temperature combustion gas from the gas burner for heat exchange with the water in the water reservoir, and a heat exchanger for discharging the combustion gas toward the water distribution means. A water heater having an exchanger outlet, an exhaust gas outlet placed above the water distribution means, and a heat transfer means placed between the water reservoir and the water distribution means, the heat transfer means comprising saturator means. and the saturator means is sized and configured to minimize the pressure drop of the hot combustion product gases therethrough, but to minimize the pressure drop from the combustion product gases to the feed water exiting the water distribution means and passing through the saturator means. A water heater characterized by having a large wetted surface area for heat exchange. 2. Water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the saturator means consist of a packed bed of material of suitable geometry made of graded solid particles or Luschig rings. 3 The material for the suitable shape of the packing bed is stainless steel.