JP2010091169A - Water heater for bath having automatic function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater for a bath having an automatic function, capable of filling hot water to an optimal water level, even after time passes. <P>SOLUTION: The water heater for the bath having the automatic function includes a bathtub 1 filled with hot water by a user for bathing and a water level detection means 19 for detecting the water level within the bathtub 1. By correcting the water level detected with the water level detection means 19 in accordance with the time when current is carried to the water level detection means 19, even if the characteristics of the water level detection means 19 are changed through the current-carrying time, optimal water level control can be performed, so as to prevent the shortage of hot water of high-temperature in a hot water storage tank 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater with an automatic bath function, and particularly to water level control in a bathtub.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water heater with an automatic bath function. In FIG. 5, a conventional water heater with an automatic bath function includes a bathtub 100 in which hot water is stored and a user enters, and a hot water supply unit 101 that supplies hot water to the bathtub 100. And the water level detection part 102 was provided in the hot water supply path which connects the bath adapter 109 which is the hot water supply opening provided in the bathtub 100, and the hot water supply part 101, and the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 100 was detected (for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, a hot water supply amount detection unit 104 is provided in a hot water supply path that connects the bath adapter 109 and the hot water supply unit 101, and an operation unit 103 that selects and sets an operation, and a display unit that displays an operation state and a set value. The amount of hot water to be supplied to the bathtub 100 is set by a remote controller having a hot water supply 106, and hot water is supplied from the hot water supply unit 101 to the bathtub 100 until the amount set by the hot water supply amount detection unit 104 is detected.
JP 2002-48394 A

  However, the water level sensor for detecting the level of hot and cold water in the bathtub is generally formed by bonding a semiconductor diaphragm using silicon or the like to a glass pedestal to form a chip. Therefore, thermal stress is generated due to heat generated by energization, and there is a characteristic that the output fluctuates from the initial energization to the stabilization in the state of continuous energization.

  Therefore, the output of the water level sensor when the installer performs a trial run when the power is turned on after installing the bath device, and the output of the water level sensor after a while has passed since the installation of the water heater with automatic bath function Differed, and there was a problem that the reference value set at the time of the test run shifted.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the hot water supply machine with a bath automatic function which can perform hot water filling with the optimal water level even if time passes.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the water heater with an automatic bath function of the present invention includes a bathtub and a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, and according to the time when the water level detection means is energized. By correcting the water level detected by the water level detection means, optimum water level control can be performed even if the characteristics of the water level detection means change depending on the energization time.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a water heater with an automatic bath function that can perform hot water filling at an optimal water level even when time passes.

A water heater with an automatic bath function according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a bathtub and a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, and is detected by the water level detection means according to the time when the water level detection means is energized. By correcting the water level, optimal water level control can be performed even if the characteristics of the water level detecting means change depending on the energization time.

  The water heater with automatic bath function according to the second aspect of the invention is the first aspect of the invention, particularly when the reference water level is set according to the time from when the water level detecting means is energized until the reference water level in the bathtub is set. By correcting the water level detected by the water level detecting means, optimum bath control can be performed even if a trial operation is performed after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of energization.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water heater with an automatic bath function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a water heater with an automatic bath function of the present invention includes a bathtub 1 in which hot water is stored and a user takes a bath, and a hot water supply unit that supplies hot water to the bathtub 1. In the present embodiment, the hot water supply unit includes a heat pump unit 2 that is a heating unit that generates hot water, and a tank unit 3 that supplies the hot water generated by the heat pump unit 2 to the storage tub 1.

  Although not shown in the figure for the configuration of the heat pump unit 2, the heat pump unit 2 has a heat pump cycle in which a compressor, a refrigerant water heat exchanger, a decompression device, and an evaporator are sequentially connected in an annular manner through a refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant water heat exchanger In this way, the refrigerant and water are heat-exchanged to generate high-temperature water. In the present embodiment, a heat pump is used as the heating means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration is such that high temperature water is generated using other fuels such as an electric heater, oil, and gas. May be.

  Next, the configuration of the tank unit 3 will be described. A hot water storage tank 4 for storing high-temperature water is disposed in the casing of the tank unit 3, and a water supply port 5 for supplying low-temperature water from a water supply source is provided below the hot water storage tank 4. A water supply pipe 8 is connected to the. A hot water outlet 6 for hot water supplied to the bathtub 1 is provided at the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and a hot water pipe 7 is connected to the hot water outlet 6. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the hot water is supplied not only from the bathtub 1 but also from the hot water pipe 7 to the hot water supply terminal (not shown).

  Further, a boiling pump 9 for sending the low temperature water in the hot water storage tank 4 to the heat pump unit 2 is provided, and the low temperature water in the hot water storage tank 4 is sent to the heat pump unit 2 by driving the boiling pump 9. The high-temperature water is generated by the refrigerant water heat exchanger disposed in the heat pump unit 2, and the generated high-temperature water is stored from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 4. And the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is boiled based on the information of the thermistor (not shown) which measures the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4. A plurality of thermistors for measuring the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 are provided on the side wall of the hot water storage tank 4, and the presence or absence of hot water is determined according to the temperature detected by the plurality of thermistors.

  Further, a water supply branch pipe 10 branched from the water supply pipe 8 is provided, and hot water is mixed so that the hot water supply pipe 7 and the water supply branch pipe 10 are connected to the electric mixing valve 11 so as to obtain hot water at an appropriate temperature. Further, a thermistor 12 is provided on the outlet side of the electric mixing valve 11, and the opening degree of the electric mixing valve 11 is adjusted so that the thermistor 12 reaches a set temperature. The set temperature can be set by a remote control device provided in the bathroom or kitchen.

Further, on the downstream side of the electric mixing valve 11, a pouring valve 13 for supplying / stopping hot water to the bathtub 1 and a flow rate sensor 14 for measuring the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 1 are provided. Supplying or stopping hot water to the bathtub 1 is performed by opening and closing the pouring valve 13. And the supply amount of the hot water to the bathtub 1 is set with the remote control apparatus provided in the bathroom etc., and the set amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1.

  And the piping for supplying hot water to the bathtub 1 on the downstream side of the flow sensor 14 is branched in two directions. Moreover, the adapter 23 for connecting piping is provided in the bathtub 1, and the piping branched in two directions is connected to the adapter 23, respectively. As a result, hot water can be supplied to the bathtub 1 from two directions by opening the pouring valve 13 when filling the bathtub 1 with hot water.

  Further, if one pipe branched in two directions is a first supply pipe 15 and the other pipe is a second supply pipe 16, a flow switch 17 for detecting the flow of hot water is provided in the first supply pipe 15. A water level sensor 19 for detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub 1 and a thermistor 20 for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 1 are provided. On the other hand, the second supply pipe 16 is provided with a reheating heat exchanger 21 and a bath pump 18 for conveying hot water in the bathtub 1.

  The hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is conveyed to the high temperature side circuit of the reheating heat exchanger 21, and the hot water in the bathtub 1 is conveyed to the low temperature side circuit for heat exchange in the reheating heat exchanger 21. It is possible to go and catch up. A reheating pump 22 is provided between the high temperature side circuit of the reheating heat exchanger 21 and the bottom of the hot water storage tank 4. When the reheating pump 22 is driven, high temperature water is discharged from the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 4. Is sent to the heat exchanger 21 and conveyed to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 4. On the other hand, when the bath pump 18 is driven to the low temperature side circuit of the reheating heat exchanger 21, hot water in the bathtub 1 is sent to replenish the hot water in the bathtub 1.

  In addition, there is a remote control device 30 for controlling a water heater with an automatic bath function in the bathroom. By operating the remote control device 30, the hot water temperature and the hot water amount for the bathtub 1 are set. Information set by the remote control device 30 is sent to a control device 31 having a microcomputer disposed in the tank unit 3 to control the devices in the tank unit 3. Further, the control device 31 includes a water level storage unit 32 for storing the water level and an energization time storage unit 33 for storing the energization time.

  The operation and action of the water heater with automatic bath function configured as described above will be described below.

  First, the bath trial operation to the bathtub 1 will be described. When the power is turned on for the first time after installing the heat pump type hot water heater, the energization time storage unit 33 detects the start of energization and starts storing the elapsed time from the start of energization. Then, the navigation for the trial run is activated by the remote control device installed in the kitchen or the remote control device 30 installed in the bathroom. Then, the installation worker performs a trial run of filling the bathtub 1 in accordance with this navigation, and confirms that there is no connection error in the piping.

  In the trial operation of the bath, after 5 L of priming water is poured into the bathtub 1, the bath pump 18 is driven and the flow switch 17 is not turned on, so that it is confirmed that there is no hot water in the bathtub 1. Thereafter, the pouring valve 13 is opened and 20 L is poured into the bathtub 1, and then the pouring valve 13 is closed and the bath pump 18 is driven to check whether the flow switch 17 is turned on. If the flow switch does not turn on, 20 L is poured again to check whether the flow switch is turned on, and until it is confirmed that the flow switch is turned on, 20 L is poured repeatedly for confirmation.

When it is confirmed that the flow switch is turned on, 20 L is poured again, and the amount of hot water at this time is stored in the water level storage unit 32 as the minimum set amount of hot water (the minimum amount of hot water that can be circulated by the bath pump 18). Use the reference water level. Furthermore, a relational expression between the amount of hot water in the bathtub 1 and the water level is set from the rising width detected by the water level sensor 19 after pouring 60 L from the minimum set amount of hot water.
By setting the relational expression in this way, the water level relative to the amount of hot water can be calculated, and it can be confirmed and controlled whether or not the water level is as set as compared with the detection value of the water level sensor.

  Here, the present embodiment will be described by taking specific numbers as examples. For example, when “80 L” of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1 and the flow switch 17 is turned ON, “100 L” obtained by adding “20 L” is the minimum set hot water amount. When the detected value detected by the water level sensor 19 is “20” when “100 L” is supplied, the reference water level is stored as “20” in the water level storage unit 32. The detection value detected by the pressure sensor is a value detected by performing various calculations from the output value output by the pressure sensor. Therefore, the value detected by the pressure sensor is not limited to the value of the present embodiment.

  Further, assuming that the detection value detected by the water level sensor 19 at the time of supplying “160L” hot water added from “100L” to “60L” is “38”, the value detected by the water level sensor 19 every time “10L” hot water increases is “ 3 ”A rising relationship is obtained. By obtaining such a relationship, when the hot water level in the bathtub 1 is reduced after the hot water amount set by the user is put into the bathtub 1, the hot water amount is automatically supplied by the reduced water level. It becomes possible.

  For example, if the amount of hot water set by the user with the remote control device 30 is “160 L”, the detection value detected by the water level sensor 19 at that time is “38”. When the detection value detected by the water level sensor 19 detects “32” while repeating bathing, the water level is reduced by “6”. Therefore, the amount of hot water corresponding to this water level can be obtained by (“6” / “3”) × “10 L”, and by opening the pouring valve 13 and pouring only “20 L”, it is always “160 L”. Therefore, it is possible to provide a very convenient bath apparatus.

  Next, the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 1 will be described. First, the hot water filling amount and hot water filling temperature are set by the remote controller 30. Then, when the reserved time is reached or the start button is pressed, the pouring valve 13 is opened, and the opening of the electric mixing valve 11 is set so that the hot water temperature detected by the thermistor 12 becomes the set hot water temperature. Adjust. When the amount of hot water set by the flow sensor 14 is measured, the pouring valve 13 is closed.

  In addition, there may be residual hot water in the bathtub 1 before the start of hot water filling. In that case, when a predetermined amount of hot water less than the minimum set amount of hot water is poured, the pouring valve 13 is once closed. Then, the bath pump 18 is driven. At this time, when the flow switch 17 is turned on, it is determined that there is remaining hot water in the bathtub 1, and the detection value of the water level sensor 19 is taken in after the bath pump 18 is stopped.

  Then, the relational expression between the amount of hot water and the water level obtained during the trial operation is compared with the detected value of the water level sensor, the amount of insufficient hot water up to the set amount of hot water is determined, and the amount is poured again. When the flow switch 17 is off, it is determined that there is no remaining hot water in the bathtub 1, and the remaining amount up to the set hot water amount is poured again. After pouring the set amount of hot water, the bath pump 18 is circulated, the thermistor 20 detects the hot water temperature in the bathtub, and if it is lower than the set temperature, it is heated.

  During boiling, the reheating pump 22 is driven while the bath pump 18 is driven, and the reheating heat exchanger 21 exchanges the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 and the hot water in the bathtub 1 so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 1 is increased. Raised and returned to bathtub 1 again. When the thermistor 20 detects the set temperature, the bath pump 18 is stopped, and after waiting for the movement of the water to stabilize, the water level sensor 19 detects the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 1 to reach the set water level. Make sure that If the set water level is reached, automatic hot water filling is completed.

On the other hand, depending on the type of the water level sensor 19, the difference between the actual water level and the water level detected by the water level sensor increases each time the energization time elapses, and the water level can be detected stably after a certain amount of time has elapsed. Some of them have the property of being able to. The characteristics of such a water level sensor will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a graph showing the characteristics of the water level sensor 19, and the water level detected as a function of the elapsed time. As shown in FIG. 2, the output characteristics of the water level sensor fluctuate every time the energization time elapses, and when a certain amount of time elapses (after 70 hours in FIG. 2), the output of the water level sensor becomes stable. A description will be given by taking specific numbers as an example with reference to FIG.

  First, it is assumed that in the trial operation in the state A, the detected value of the water level sensor when “160 L” is input indicates “38”. As described above, since the relational expression between the water level and the amount of hot water is calculated in the trial operation, the water level storage unit stores that the detected value of the pressure sensor is “38” when “160 L” is entered.

  However, in the state B after 50 hours have elapsed, when the user performs a hot water filling operation by setting “160 L” with the remote control device, the pouring valve 13 is opened until the flow rate sensor 14 measures “160 L”, and the hot water is supplied. Do the tension. Then, when the water level in the bathtub 1 is measured by the water level sensor 19 after pouring “160 L”, the water level is “160 L” and the actual water level is “38”. .5 "is mistakenly recognized. That is, it is recognized that the position is lower by a predetermined amount α (“6.5” in the present embodiment) than the normal water level.

  Further, in state C after 100 hours have elapsed, when the user sets “160L” with the remote control device and performs the hot water filling operation, the pouring valve 13 opens until the flow rate sensor 14 measures “160L”, Do the tension. Then, when the water level in the bathtub 1 is measured by the water level sensor 19 after pouring “160 L”, the water level is “160 L” and the actual water level is “38”. "Is mistakenly recognized." That is, it is recognized that the position is lower by a predetermined amount β (“7” in the present embodiment) than the normal water level.

  When the hot water filling operation is terminated in the state C, that is, the state that is actually recognized as “31” due to the characteristics of the water level sensor even though the water level is “38”, an automatic bath function is provided. Depending on the setting of the water heater, automatic water replenishment control is performed.

  The automatic water replenishment control will be described with reference to FIG. If the remote controller 30 is set to automatically add hot water, if the water level detected by the water level sensor 19 is detected to be lower than the set water level by a predetermined value, the pouring valve 13 is automatically opened and the set temperature is reached. No hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1. The supply of hot water to the bathtub 1 is continued until the water level reaches the water level (hot water amount) set by the remote control device 30.

  In such control where automatic hot water is performed, if the water level sensor has temporal characteristics, the water level detected by the pressure sensor 19 deviates from the actual water level, and the hot water is automatically supplied. As a result, an unexpected amount of hot water may be supplied to the bathtub 1. This situation will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The upper part of FIG. 4 shows the state of the actual bath water level, and the lower part shows the water level recognized by the water level sensor. As shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 4, the water level sensor 19 is not equipped with a time as shown in the lower left diagram, although “160 L” is actually poured to fill the set water level. The value detected by the water level sensor 19 is erroneously detected as a water level that is lower than the set water level by a predetermined amount β.

  As a result, when the operation of automatically adding hot water was performed, the water level sensor 19 added the water level detected by the water level sensor 19 as the set water level, as shown in the lower right figure, although it was immediately after filling. End up with hot water. However, the actual water level will be filled to a position higher than the set water level by a predetermined water level γ, and depending on the shape of the bathtub 1, the hot water will overflow from the bathtub 1.

  As described above, when the water level sensor 19 has a characteristic that changes with time, hot water is unnecessarily supplied to the bathtub 1, and as a result, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 runs out. It will end up.

  As described above, depending on the type of the water level sensor 19, the output characteristics may change with time. In the present embodiment, the output of the water level sensor 19 is corrected according to the energization time, thereby realizing optimum water level control. can do. Next, correction by energization time will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each has a characteristic according to the water level sensor to be used, and the water level sensor in the present embodiment has a characteristic as shown in FIG. That is, until 60 hours elapse, the relational expression (output fluctuation Y (h)) representing the curve of FIG. 2 is maintained, and after 60 hours elapses, the relationship is uniformly “−7”. . In this embodiment, the output fluctuation is calculated using the relational expression. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output fluctuation (every 10 hours) corresponding to the energization time is stored in a table. In addition, output fluctuations other than the time stored in the table (for example, 15 hours) may be calculated from the stored table.

  Then, a correction value to be corrected is obtained according to the energization time stored in the energization time storage unit 33. Then, the correct water level is recognized by adding the absolute amount of the obtained correction value to the water level currently calculated by the water level sensor 19. As a result, even if the value output from the water level sensor fluctuates according to the energization time, the correct water level can be recognized by performing the correction according to the value, and optimal water level control can be performed. In the present embodiment, after 80 hours, the correction value becomes “7”, and the correct water level can be recognized by adding the correction value “7” to the value output from the water level sensor 19.

  In addition, when the time from when the power is turned on until the bath trial operation is performed is long, the output of the water level sensor 19 in the bath trial operation may be already shifted. For example, when the water level sensor having the characteristics shown in FIG. 2 is used, if a bath test operation is performed 10 hours after the power is turned on, an output fluctuation of “−2” has already occurred. In order to cope with such a case, the output of the water level sensor in the bath test operation is also corrected according to the time until the bath test operation is performed.

  As a result, the optimum water level control can be performed even in the bath trial operation, and the reference water level of the bathtub can be set without the influence of the output fluctuation.

  As described above, the water heater with an automatic bath function according to the present embodiment can correct the value detected by the water level sensor in accordance with the output characteristic of the water level sensor, and therefore depends on the output characteristic of the water level sensor. As a result, after hot water filling automatic operation is performed, automatic hot water due to erroneous detection of the water level sensor is not performed immediately, so the hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 is wasted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hot water storage tank 4 from running out of water.

As described above, the hot water heater with automatic bath function according to the present invention includes an integrated heat pump water heater in which a heat pump cycle and a hot water cycle are integrally formed in a hot water supply portion, and a separate heat pump hot water heater that is configured separately. It can also be used in various heat pump water heaters such as a direct hot water heat pump type hot water heater that can discharge hot water heated by a heat exchanger for hot water supply as it is, and also in an electric water heater and gas water heater that use an electric heater as a heat source. .

Configuration diagram of a water heater with an automatic bath function in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Output characteristic diagram of water level sensor in the first embodiment Explanatory drawing of the automatic addition water in Embodiment 1 Explanatory drawing of the automatic addition water in Embodiment 1 Configuration of conventional water heater with automatic bath function

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 2 Heat pump unit 3 Tank unit 4 Hot water storage tank 5 Water supply port 6 Hot water outlet 7 Hot water discharge pipe 8 Water supply pipe 9 Boiling pump 10 Water supply branch pipe 11 Electric mixing valve 12 Thermistor 13 Hot water supply valve 14 Flow rate sensor 15 First supply Piping 16 Second supply piping 17 Flow switch 18 Bath pump 19 Water level sensor 20 Thermistor 21 Reheating heat exchanger 22 Reheating pump 23 Adapter 30 Remote control device 31 Control device 32 Water level storage unit 33 Energizing time storage unit

Claims (2)

A bath automatic function comprising a bathtub and a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, and correcting the water level detected by the water level detecting means according to the time when the water level detecting means is energized. Water heater with. The water level detected by the water level detecting means is corrected when the reference water level is set according to the time from when the water level detecting means is energized until the reference water level in the bathtub is set. 1. A water heater with an automatic bath function according to 1.