JP2008076016A - Hot / cold water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
Provision of hot / cold water supply equipment that obtains hot and cold water with a single heat source.
[Solution]
A heat pump having a high temperature end and a low temperature end, a water supply source for supplying room temperature water, and storing the room temperature water in communication with the water supply source, thereby making thermal contact with the high temperature end of the heat pump. A normal temperature water is used as hot water at a predetermined temperature, and the normal temperature water is stored in communication with the water supply source, and is brought into thermal contact with the low temperature end of the heat pump, thereby changing the normal temperature water to cold water at a predetermined temperature. A cold water tank, a water tap connected to the water supply source, the hot water tank, and the cold water tank, and a mixing faucet that discharges water in which the normal temperature water, the hot water, and the cold water are mixed in a desired ratio; Cold water supply device.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot / cold water supply device for supplying water having a desired temperature.

A hot / cold water supply device for supplying water at a desired temperature has been conventionally provided, and an example thereof is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The hot / cold water supply device mixes hot water and tap water generated in the boiling tank at a predetermined ratio with a mixing faucet, and discharges water at a desired temperature from the mixing faucet. The predetermined temperature is a tap water temperature to 100 degrees Celsius.
JP 2003-336898 A

  In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, water in the range of tap water temperature to 100 degrees Celsius can be obtained, but water in a relatively low temperature cannot be obtained in summer, and water is separately stored in a refrigerator. It must be cooled or a special water cooler must be prepared, which is not satisfactory in practice.

 Therefore, this invention makes it a technical subject to provide the hot / cold water supply apparatus which removed this malfunction.

The technical means taken to solve the above-mentioned problem is as described in claim 1.
“A heat pump with a high temperature end and a low temperature end,
A water supply source for supplying room temperature water;
A hot water tank that communicates with the water supply source, stores the room temperature water, and makes the room temperature water hot water at a predetermined temperature by being in thermal contact with the high temperature end of the heat pump;
A cold water tank that communicates with the water supply source, stores the room temperature water, and makes the room temperature water cold water at a predetermined temperature by being in thermal contact with the low temperature end of the heat pump;
A hot / cold water supply apparatus comprising a mixing faucet that communicates with the water supply source, the hot water tank, and the cold water tank, and discharges water in which the normal temperature water, the hot water, and the cold water are mixed in a desired ratio. "
It is to have constituted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, normal temperature water, hot water, and cold water are mixed in a desired ratio, so that the temperature (T) of the discharged water is 0 degrees Celsius <T <100 degrees Celsius. That is, it is possible to freely obtain a water temperature between around 0 degrees Celsius and less than 100 degrees Celsius, and there is a great practical effect. Moreover, since the hot end and the low end of the heat pump are used to generate hot water and cold water, respectively, it is not necessary to prepare both a hot water generating device and a cold water generating device, and the entire hot and cold water supply device. Can be put together in a compact manner, making it easier to install the sink in the cabinet.

 Embodiments of a hot / cold water supply device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the hot / cold water supply device 10 is installed inside a cabinet 91 of a sink 90 adjacent to a freezer 98.

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hot / cold water supply device 10 includes a heat pump 20. As the heat pump 20, a regenerative heat pump, for example, a Stirling refrigerator or a pulse tube refrigerator can be adopted. In the former case, a displacer type Stirling refrigerator is suitable, and in the latter case, a displacer type pulse tube refrigerator is preferred.

  The high temperature end 21 and the low temperature end 22 of the heat pump 20 are in thermal contact with the hot water tank 31 and the cold water tank 32, respectively. Water is supplied from a water supply source 33 to the hot water tank 31 and the cold water tank 32. That is, the water supply source 33 is connected to one end side of the hot water tank 31 via the pipe 41, the filter 34 and the pipe 42, and the other end side of the hot water tank 31 is mixed water via the pipe 43 and the filter 35. It is connected to the stopper 50. While the mixing faucet 50 is closed, the water (room temperature water) discharged from the water supply source 33 is filled in the pipe 41, the filter 34, the pipe 42, the hot water tank 31 and the pipe 43.

  The water supply source 33 is also connected to one end side of the cold water tank 32 via a pipe 44 branched from the pipe 41, the filter 34 and the pipe 42. The other end side of the cold water tank 32 is connected to the pipe 45 and the filter 36. To the mixing faucet 50. While the mixing faucet 50 is closed, water (room temperature water) discharged from the water supply source 33 fills the pipe 41, the filter 34, the pipe 43, the cold water tank 32, the pipe 45 and the filter 34.

  The mixed water tap 50 is connected to the water supply source 33 via a pipe 47 branched from the pipe 41, and is connected to an external hot water supply device 35 via a pipe 48.

  During the driving of the heat pump 20, the high temperature end portion 21 and the low temperature end portion 22 perform a heat generating action and a heat absorbing action, respectively. Therefore, during the driving of the heat pump 20, the normal temperature water stored in the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) in thermal contact with the high temperature end 21 (low temperature end 22) is heated (cooled) to a predetermined temperature. The hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) stores hot water (cold water). Incidentally, during the generation of hot water (cold water) in the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32), the temperature of the water in the pipe 43 (pipe 44) is also heated (cooled) to a considerable extent by heat conduction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 in particular, the mixing faucet 50 includes an electromagnetic valve mechanism 52 under the control of a control device 51 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The water inlet side of the solenoid valve mechanism 52 is connected to the first water inlet port 50a, the second water inlet port 50b, the third water inlet port 50c, the fourth water inlet port 50d, and the fifth water inlet port 50e. A first water discharge pipe 50x, a second water discharge pipe 50y, and a third water discharge pipe 50z are connected to the water discharge side of the electromagnetic valve mechanism 52. Accordingly, the first water discharge pipe 50x, the second water discharge pipe 50y, and the third water discharge pipe 50z extend in the outer pipe 53 in a bundled state (not shown), and face the bottom of the sink 92 of the sink 90. To do.

  A main switch 55 and an operation panel 56 made of liquid crystal are installed on the inner wall of the sink 92 of the sink 90. When the main switch 55 is turned on, the control device 51 drives the heat pump 20. The main switch 55 is normally always turned on, and the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) always maintains hot water (cold water) generated and stored by the all day operation of the heat pump 20.

  On the operation panel 56, a hand-washing water discharge switch 56 a displayed as “hand wash”, a hot water discharge switch 56 b displayed as “hot water”, a cold water discharge switch 56 c displayed as “cold water”, and “stop” are displayed. A water discharge stop switch 56d and a digital thermometer 56e are provided.

  When the hand-washing water discharge switch 56a is pressed, the control device 51 causes the electromagnetic valve mechanism 52 to connect the fourth water inlet port 50d and the first water discharge pipe 50x so that tap water from the water supply source is directly used for hand-washing. Water is discharged to the sink 92 side.

  When the hot water discharge switch 56b is pushed, the control device 51 causes the electromagnetic valve mechanism 52 to mix hot water supplied to the first water inlet pipe 50a and purified water supplied to the second water inlet pipe 50b. Thereby, the warm water of predetermined temperature is discharged from the 2nd water discharge pipe 50y for drinks. Accordingly, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the second water discharge pipe 50 y is displayed on the digital thermometer 57. When the outer pipe 53 is rotated in one direction (other direction) of the base pipe 54, the hot water temperature changes the mixing ratio of hot water and the temperature of the hot water temperature. The user can adjust the hot water temperature discharged by rotating the outer tube 43 while viewing the display of the digital thermometer 57. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of mixing the hot water supplied to the first water inlet pipe 50a and the purified water supplied to the second water inlet pipe 50b, the controller 51 runs out of hot water inside the hot water tank 31. The electromagnetic valve device 52 is determined and the mixing of the hot water supplied to the first water intake pipe 50a and the purified water supplied to the second water intake pipe 50b is stopped and at the same time generated by an external hot water device. The mixing of the fifth water inlet port 50e to which hot water is supplied and the purified water supplied to the second water inlet pipe 50b is started.

  When the chilled water discharge switch 56c is pushed, the control device 51 causes the electromagnetic valve mechanism 52 to connect the third water inlet port 50c and the third water discharge pipe 50z, and sinks the cold water from the chilled water tank 32 directly for drinking. Water is discharged to the 92 side.

  When the temperature of the high temperature end 21 (low temperature end 22) of the heat pump 20 becomes higher (lower) than the set value, the control device 51 drives the blower 58 (blower 59) to release heat from the high temperature end 21 ( Endothermic of the cold end 22). That is, the blower 58 is used to suck in the ambient air around the high temperature end 21 of the heat pump 20 to cool the high temperature end 21, and the blower 59 is blown to the low temperature end 22 of the heat pump 20 to blow air. Let the temperature rise.

  In the hot / cold water supply apparatus 10 described above, hot water (cold water) is produced by bringing the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) filled with water into thermal contact with the high temperature end 21 (low temperature end 22) of the heat pump 20. Therefore, the generation of hot water and the generation of cold water are simultaneously performed by the single heat pump 20. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare both an apparatus for generating hot water and an apparatus for generating cold water, the entire hot / cold water supply apparatus can be gathered in a compact manner, and the installation of the sink in the cabinet becomes easy.

  Moreover, in the hot / cold water supply apparatus 10 described above, the mixing tap 50 supplies cold water having a temperature that can approach without limitation to 0 ° C. and hot water having a predetermined temperature T (tap water temperature <T <100 ° C.). Water can be discharged, and there is a great effect in practical use.

  Furthermore, when the water supplied from the water supply source 33 is purified in advance, it is not necessary to provide a filter.

  The hot / cold water supply device 10 shown in FIG. 4 generates hot water (hot water) and cold water using the principle of thermal safon. In FIG. 4, the piping path between the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) and the water supply source and the piping path between the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) and the mixing tap are omitted.

  The high temperature end 21 (low temperature end 22) of the heat pump 20 is in thermal contact with one end of the high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62). The other end side of the high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62) extends in the hot water tank 31 (cold water tank 32) in a liquid-tight manner. Of the high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62), the portion located inside the hot water tank 31 (outside the cold water tank 32) constitutes the condensing unit 61C (62C), and the remaining portion, that is, the hot water tank A portion located outside of 31 (inside of cold water tank 32) constitutes evaporation unit 61E (62E). The high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62) is of a single tube type having a circular cross section, and a working medium is sealed inside. The high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62) is a thermal diode type that transports heat energy only from the evaporation part 61E (62E) to the condensation part 61C (62C) without flowing back the collected heat energy. It is a heat pipe, that is, a thermosiphon heat pipe.

  Such a high temperature side heat purp 61 (low temperature side heat pipe 62) is a working medium selected to be taken out at a predetermined temperature into a vacuum degassed sealed tube (water, chlorofluorocarbon which evaporates and condenses in a predetermined temperature range). , Alcohol, etc.) is enclosed, and the working medium evaporated in the evaporation section 61E (62E) is condensed in the condensation section 61C (62C), thereby giving latent heat to the condensation section 61C (62C) to perform heat transport. Therefore, the high temperature of the high temperature end portion 21 of the heat pump 20 is transmitted to the inside of the hot water tank 31 by a thermosyphon heat transfer mode, and hot water is generated. On the other hand, the water temperature in the low-temperature water pump 32 moves to the low-temperature end 22 side of the heat pump 20 by the thermosyphon heat transfer mode, and the water temperature in the cold-water tank 32 is lowered to generate cold water. The high-temperature side heat purp 61 (low-temperature side heat pipe 62) returns the liquid-phase working medium to the evaporation unit 61E (62E) by the action of gravity. Since the principle of thermosyphon itself is well known, further explanation is omitted.

  A first example of a specific configuration of the heat pump 20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described based on FIG. The heat pump 20 in FIG. 5 is a Stirling heat pump, and specifically includes the following configuration. That is, the Stirling heat pump 20 includes a pair of members 35 and 35 in which a coil 351 is housed. The pair of members 35 and 35 are supported by the case 36. A pair of pistons 363 covered with permanent magnets 361 are movably inserted inside the case 36, and a space 364 is defined between the pair of pistons 363 and 363. Accordingly, when an AC voltage is applied to the coils 351 and 351, the pistons 363 and 363 reciprocate in the left-right direction, and the volume and internal pressure of the space 361 between the two periodically change. On the other hand, the displacer 333 in the cylinder 33 moves up and down due to the pressure difference between the chambers 332, 334, and 338, and the source of this vertical movement is applied from the space 361 to the chamber 334 via the pipe 34. Periodic pressure fluctuation. By the vertical movement of the displacer 333, the gas in the chambers 361 and 334 enters and exits the chamber 332 through the fins 321. The gas that has passed through the regenerator 331 is cooled. As a result, low temperature and high temperature are obtained from the low temperature end 22 and the high temperature end 21.

  Instead of the Stirling heat pump 20, a pulse tube heat pump 20 shown in FIG. 6 may be used. In this heat pump 20, the displacer 333 moves in a pulse tube 371 provided with a distributor 371 at the tip, and at a high temperature end 21 and a low temperature end 22, respectively, at a high temperature and a low temperature according to a well-known principle. Is obtained.

  The heat pump 20 shown in FIG. 7 is improved in thermal efficiency by being immersed in the hot water tank 31 except for the low temperature end portion 22. In order to make the temperature distribution in the hot water tank 31 uniform, a bubble pump including a pipe 441 and an electric heater 442 extending in the vertical direction is provided. The operation of the bubble pump stirs the internal hot water and makes the temperature uniform.

  Based on FIG. 8, the example of the hot / cold water supply apparatus 10 which attached the refrigerator 98 is shown. The low temperature end portion 22 of the heat pump 20 is disposed inside the heat insulating housing 70. When the fan 59 rotates, the cold air at the low temperature end portion 22 moves to the fan 59 side, and the low temperature end portion passes through the open window 71, the chamber 72 in which the cold water tank 32 is disposed, the passage 73 and the passage 74. Reflux to 22 side. When this cold air passes through the chamber 72, it cools the cold water tank 32, cools the water therein, and produces cold water. At this time, although the temperature of the cold air rises, it returns to the original temperature by feedback to the low temperature end 22 side. If the window 75 (76) is open, the cold air passes through the chamber 77 (78) and then flows back to the low temperature end portion 22 side through the passage 74. The cold air cools or refrigerates a thing (not shown) accommodated in the chamber 77 (78) while passing through the chamber 77 (78). When the temperature of the chamber 77 (78) reaches the set value, the window 75 (76) is closed and the fan 59 is stopped.

  When only the temperature of the hot water tank 31 has not reached the set value, the windows 71, 75 and 76 are closed, the pair of windows 79 are opened, and the outside air is introduced into the housing 7 by the action of the fan 59, The low temperature end 22 side is heated until the temperature of the hot water tank 31 reaches a set value. When the temperature of the hot water tank 31 reaches the set value, the fan 59 stops. Conversely, when the temperature of the hot water tank 31 has reached the set value but the temperature of the chamber 77 (78) has not reached the set value, the fan 58 is driven and the temperature of the chamber 77 (78) is set. The hot end 21 is cooled until the value is reached. When the temperature of the chamber 77 (78) reaches the set value, the fan 58 stops.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the temperature of the hot water tank 31 is too high, a cooling circuit 80 may be provided in the hot water tank 3110. The cooling circuit 80 radiates heat with the radiator 82 while the hot water is circulated by the pump 81, thereby cooling the temperature of the hot water. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cold water tank 32 may be insulated with a heat insulating material 83.

  In the hot / cold water supply device 10 shown in FIG. 11, one end of the heat transfer rod 100 is connected to the low temperature end 22 of the heat pump 20. The other end of the heat transfer rod 100 extends into the chamber 77 inside the heat insulating housing 70. Thereby, the inside of the chamber 77 is cooled. The cold air in the chamber 77 is sent to the adjacent chamber 78 by the action of the fan F <b> 1 to cool the inside of the chamber 78. The cold air in the chamber 78 is sent to the adjacent chamber 72 by the action of the fan F2, and the cold water tank 32 in the chamber 72 is cooled to generate cold water.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the hot water may be generated in the hot water tank 31 by circulating water so as to pass through the high temperature end portion 21 of the circulation heat pump 20. That is, when the pump P is driven with the valve V1 and the valve V2 opened and closed respectively, water is attached to the hot water tank 31, the pipe 110, the pump P, the pipe 112, and the high temperature end 21 of the circulating heat pump 20. Water circulates in a closed circuit composed of the water jacket 103, the pipe 111, the valve V1, and the pipe 113. Every time the water passes through the water jacket 103, the heat is absorbed from the high temperature end portion 21 of the heat pump 20 and the temperature rises. Therefore, the water in the closed circuit including the hot water tank 31 becomes hot water. In addition, even if the generation of hot water is not necessary, when the heat pump 20 must be operated (for example, when the low temperature end 22 of the heat pump 20 is used as a refrigeration source of the refrigerator), the valve V1 is closed at the same time. Valve V2 is opened.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 12, the pump P may be operated intermittently. In this case, the heat exchange efficiency is good. This is because the temperature of the high-temperature end 21 of the heat pump 20 gradually increases, so that when there is little water to exchange heat with the high-temperature end 21, the temperature difference between the two does not increase.

  When the valve V1 is closed at the same time as the valve V1 is closed, the water is composed of the pump P, the pipe 112, the water jacket 103 attached to the high temperature end 21 of the circulating heat pump 20, the pipe 110, and the valve V2. Circulate closed circuit. Every time the water passes through the water jacket 103, the water absorbs heat from the high temperature end portion 21 of the heat pump 20 and rises in temperature. When the temperature of the water reaches the set value, the valve V2 is closed and the valve V1 is opened at the same time, and the hot water flows into the hot water tank 31. The hot water is filled into the hot water tank 31 by repeating the hot water circulation and the inflow of the hot water in the hot water tank 31.

  Note that the pump P, the valve V1, and the valve V2 shown in FIG. 12 may be arranged at positions as shown in FIG. 13, for example.

It is a figure which shows roughly the installation aspect of the hot / cold water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the hot / cold water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the mounting aspect of the mixing water tap which is a component of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the said heat pump when the heat pump which is a component of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of FIG. 2 is a thermosiphon type. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the said heat pump when the heat pump which is a component of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of FIG. 2 is a Stirling cycle type. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the said heat pump when the heat pump which is a component of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of FIG. 2 is a pulse tube type. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary when a part of heat pump which is a component of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of FIG. 2 is made to immerse in a hot water tank. It is a block diagram which shows an example of embodiment when a refrigerator is attached to the hot / cold water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 1st modification of the structure shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the 2nd modification of the structure shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the 3rd modification of the structure shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the heat pump vicinity in the other embodiment of the hot / cold water supply apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the heat pump vicinity in the other example of embodiment of the hot / cold water supply apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

20: Heat pump 21: High temperature end 22: Low temperature end 31: Hot water tank 32: Cold water tank 33: Water supply source 50: Mixing tap 98: Refrigerator

Claims (15)

A heat pump comprising a high temperature end and a low temperature end;
A water supply source for supplying room temperature water;
A hot water tank that communicates with the water supply source to store the room temperature water, and uses the room temperature water as hot water at a predetermined temperature by heat obtained from the high temperature end of the heat pump;
A cold water tank that communicates with the water supply source, stores the room temperature water, and makes the room temperature water cold water at a predetermined temperature by being in thermal contact with the low temperature end of the heat pump;
A hot / cold water supply apparatus comprising a mixing faucet that communicates with the water supply source, the hot water tank, and the cold water tank, and discharges water in which the normal temperature water, the hot water, and the cold water are mixed in a desired ratio. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pump is a regenerative heat pump. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the regenerative heat pump is a Stirling refrigerator. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 3, wherein the Stirling refrigerator is a displacer-type Stirling refrigerator. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the regenerative heat pump is a pulse tube refrigerator. The hot and cold water supply device according to claim 5, wherein the pulse tube refrigerator is a displacer type pulse tube refrigerator. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pump, the hot water tank, the cold water tank, and the mixing tap are unitized and attached to a kitchen sink. The hot / cold water supply apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a freezer attached to the kitchen sink. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pump, the hot water tank, the cold water tank, and the mixing tap are unitized and attached to a washstand. A temperature balance device is provided that operates when either one of the high temperature end and the low temperature end reaches a set temperature and the other does not reach a set temperature during driving of the heat pump, and balances the temperature between the two. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the high temperature end portion of the heat pump is disposed in the hot water tank. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 1, wherein heat is conducted from the high temperature end of the heat pump to the room temperature water in the hot water tank by a thermosiphon. The hot / cold water according to claim 1, wherein the normal temperature water in the hot water tank is circulated by a pump, and heat is exchanged with the high temperature end of the heat pump during the circulation to generate hot water having a predetermined temperature. Feeding device. The hot / cold water supply device according to claim 13, wherein after the water temperature in the hot water tank reaches a set temperature, the circulating water bypasses the hot water tank by an action of a valve mechanism. A heat pump comprising a high temperature end and a low temperature end;
A water supply source for supplying room temperature water;
A hot water heat exchanger that communicates with the water supply source, stores the room temperature water, exchanges heat with the high temperature end of the heat pump, and uses the room temperature water as hot water at a predetermined temperature;
A cold water heat exchanger that communicates with the water supply source, stores the room temperature water, exchanges heat with the low temperature end of the heat pump, and makes the room temperature water cold water of a predetermined temperature;
A plug device that mixes and discharges the normal temperature water of the water supply source, the hot water generated by the hot water heat exchanger, and the cold water generated by the cold water heat exchanger individually or in a desired ratio; Hot and cold water supply device.

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