JPH0416688B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a water flow control device for a water heater such as a gas water heater.

Configuration of conventional example and its problems In the field of water heaters, methods for detecting the temperature of hot water and adjusting the amount of gas and water are already known.

As shown in FIG. 1, it has a burner A, a fuel control valve B, and a heat exchanger C, a temperature detector D that detects the hot water temperature, a comparator E that compares the output of the temperature setting device, and this comparator E. The control valve F and the fuel control valve B of the flow passage are controlled according to the output of the flow channel.

In this conventional example, the amount of water is constant during normal operation, and the amount of water is not changed over time.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention, when using a water heater, changes the amount of water from moment to moment, creates a pine surge effect especially when using a shower, displays the change in water amount over time on a display device, and shows the water amount to the user. The purpose is to inform users of changes and improve usability.

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a water heater with a water flow controller, a drive device that drives the water flow controller, a signal generator that sends a drive signal that changes the water flow over time, and a water heater. A display device is provided to display the change in the water surface in synchronization with the change in the amount of water in the device, so that the user is informed of the change in the amount of water.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS A case where an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a gas water heater will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a water flow controller, and water enters a valve chamber 3 from an inflow path 2, and flows into a primary chamber 6 through a gap between a control valve 4 and a control hole 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a diaphragm that operates together with the control valve 4, and the other side forms a secondary chamber, and a control spring 9 is attached to the secondary chamber 8 and biases it toward the primary chamber 6.

The water that has flowed into the primary chamber 6 passes through the valve hole 10a of the water flow control valve 10, is supplied to the heat exchanger 11, is heated, and is supplied to the outlet pipe 12. The downstream side of the water flow control valve 10 is led to the secondary chamber 8 through a communication hole 13 . The water flow control valve 10 is driven by a drive device 16 consisting of a gear 14 and a motor 15. Water flow control valve 10
The rotation of the valve hole 10a changes the position of the valve hole 10a, and the relationship between the differential pressure and the amount of water passing through the valve hole 10a changes.The differential pressure acts on the diaphragm 7 and drives the control valve 4. Reference numeral 17 denotes a signal generator, which drives the drive device 16 with its signal.

18 is a heat sensitive element such as a thermistor, and heat exchanger 1
It is connected to a signal generator 17 to detect the temperature of the hot water with which heat was exchanged in step 1.

A water amount sensor 19 generates an electrical output according to the amount of water, and is electrically connected to the signal generator 17.

Then, the water amount display on the display device 20 is changed according to the amount of water detected by the water amount sensor 19.
The display device 20 may be of any type as long as it can display changes in the amount of water; for example, it may be of a light-emitting diode or the like that blinks brightly and darkly, or that is mechanically operated such as a pointer type.

On the other hand, gas is supplied from a gas supply path 21 by a gas amount adjusting device 2 such as a proportional control valve that can continuously vary the gas amount.
2, is combusted in a heating device 23, and is heated in a heat exchanger 1.
Heat 1.

Next, the operation will be explained. When water flow starts in FIG. 2, the water that has flowed into the water flow controller 11 passes through the water flow control valve 10, flows into the heat exchanger, is heated, and is supplied to the outside from the hot water outlet pipe 12. As the water flows, a flow switch (not shown) is activated, the heating device 23 starts to burn, and the temperature of the water rises.

The signal generator 17 adjusts the gas amount control device 22 so that the hot water temperature set by the signal generator 17 and the hot water temperature detected by the heat-sensitive element 18 are equal, thereby stabilizing the hot water temperature. Thereafter, a signal is sent from the signal generator 17 to the drive motor 15, causing the water flow control valve 10 to rotate forward or reverse. The valve hole 1 is opened by rotating the water flow control valve 10.
The throttle 0a changes and the differential pressure across the valve hole 10a acts on the diaphragm 7, driving the control valve 4 and changing the amount of water. The amount of water changes every moment depending on the signal sent by the signal generator 17.

Figure 3 shows the temporal changes in water volume. Since the amount of water changes from moment to moment, when used in a shower, it provides a pleasant stimulation and has a pine surge effect.

The degree of change in the amount of water is within a preset range depending on the heating capacity of the heating device 23 and the heat capacity of the heat exchanger 11.

A water amount sensor 19 detects a change in water amount, and a signal generator 17 drives a display device 20 to perform a display operation. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a display device using blinking light emitting diodes. The maximum and minimum values of water volume are divided into 10 and the relative change in water volume is displayed by flashing light emitting diodes.

It is also possible to display the amount of water measured by the water amount sensor 19 as is.

Alternatively, without using the water amount sensor 19, the display device 20 may be driven by a signal from a signal generator to display changes in water amount in synchronization with changes in water amount.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention changes the amount of water over time during shower use, so a pine surge effect can be expected, resulting in a comfortable shower.

In addition, since the user is informed of changes in the amount of water using the display device, even slight changes that can be felt by touching with the hands or skin can be emphasized and displayed, creating a rhythmic atmosphere.

Furthermore, since changes in water volume are displayed on the display device,
This is convenient because it allows you to check changes in water volume at any location.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional water heater, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the water heater of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing changes in the amount of water in the same machine, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the same water heater. It is a display device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Water flow controller, 11... Heat exchanger, 16... Drive device, 17... Signal generator, 19... Water flow sensor, 2
0...Display device, 23...Heating device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A heat exchanger, a heating device that heats the heat exchanger, a water flow controller connected in series to the water inlet side of the heat exchanger, and a drive device that drives the water flow controller. and a signal generator that sends a signal to the driving device to temporally change the water flow rate of the water flow controller, and a display device that displays the water flow change in synchronization with the water flow change of the water flow controller. Water heater. 2. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the display device detects a signal from a signal generator and performs a display operation in synchronization with the signal. 3. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the display device is configured to be driven by a signal from a water amount sensor that generates an electric signal according to the amount of water.