JP2757512B2 - Water heater control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a water heater that automatically supplies hot water to a bathtub or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of bath kettle with a water heater has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG.

To explain the details, 1 is a bath kettle with a water heater,
The heat exchanger 2 for hot water supply and the heat exchanger 18 for bathing are built in, and are used for hot water supply to a kitchen and a shower and for bathing, respectively. First, the water supply side will be described. When water is introduced into the bathtub 1 with the water heater by the water supply pipe 3 connected to the water pipe, the water is branched and one is guided to the water amount sensor 4 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 2, and the other is to the bypass valve 26. After being guided, the hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 2 joins the hot water, flows through the hot water supply pipe 6, and reaches the water amount control valve 5 provided at the tip thereof. The hot water is supplied to a hot water supply pipe B · 8 connected to the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7.
And hot water pipe A led to hot water tap 9 installed in the kitchen etc.
It branches to 10 at a branching section 11. An electromagnetic valve 7 for automatic hot water supply is provided at the end of the hot water supply pipe B · 8, and passes through a first check valve 27 and a vacuum breaker 28, passes through a second check valve 29, and branches at a bath circuit branch section 36. The two-way valve 31 is connected to one side. The two-way valve 31 has a ball valve (not shown) inside, and the ball valve is rotated by a motor 32. The two-way valve 31 is rotated by rotation of the ball valve.
Can be "open" and "closed".

Now, when trying to supply hot water to the bathtub 21, if the valve of the two-way valve 31 is set to “closed”, the hot water passes through the bath going pipe 19 through the flow switch 30 and the bath heat exchanger 18, and passes through the bath adapter 20. To the bathtub 21.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a controller of the bathtub 1 with a water heater, which has an automatic hot water supply sequence described later, and executes the sequence together with the remote controller 32. Reference numeral 35 denotes an automatic hot water supply switch for automatically controlling the bath 1 with a water heater. 37 is an operation switch. 38 is a power outlet.

The automatic hot water supply sequence is shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG.
Explanation will be made based on the drawings. Here, when both the water amount sensor 4 and the flow switch 30 are turned “ON” and it is confirmed that water is flowing, the process proceeds to the next sequence. However, here, the automatic hot-water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is opened and the predetermined time T ₁ (for example,
If the water level sensor 4 and the flow switch 30 do not turn "ON" within 10 seconds), an error display 33 is displayed on the remote controller 32 (for example, a bath remote controller) with a numeral (for example, 53), and the like.
In addition, a bath-exhaust pipe blockage determination unit 40 is provided that detects an abnormality when the electromagnetic valve 7 for automatic hot water supply is closed and the bath-exhaust pipe 19 is blocked due to freezing. Subsequently, when it is confirmed that there is no blockage of the bath outflow pipe 19 and the like, the automatic hot water supply in the bath outflow pipe 19 is continued. At this time, when the two-way valve 31 is closed, the water level in the bathtub 21 can be detected by the water level sensor 23.

When the water level in the bathtub 21 reaches the location of the bath return pipe 22 of the bath adapter 20, the output of the water level sensor 23 starts to rise. For example, a bathtub with a 10 bit (about 2.5 cm at the water level) rising point as an inflection point A water inflection point determination unit 42 is provided.

In addition, the additional drop is 10 bits (about 2.5 cm in water level)
After the, open the predetermined time T ₅ (e.g. 30 seconds) the two-way valve 31, and conveyed again in both tubes bath forward pipe 19 and the bath return pipe 22, so as deflate the tube.

Thereafter, the automatic hot-water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is closed, and then the circulating pump 17 is turned on to check the circulating water so that the air in the pipe is completely removed. At this time, the flow switch 30 is turned “ON”. Thereafter, while the two-way valve 31 in the "closed", the circulation pump 17 in the "OFF", again, the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve 7 and "ON", after a predetermined time T ₇ (e.g. 20 seconds) Bathtub water level reference point determination unit 43 with water level as reference value
Is provided. This reference point is stored in the bathtub water level reference point storage unit 45.
Is stored by

In addition, the integrated storage flow from the reference value to the set water level is multiplied by a coefficient smaller than 1 (for example, 0.8), and the flow is conveyed by both the bath going pipe and the bath returning pipe. Hot water supply time can be reduced. Normally, when 16.8 l / min is flowing in the bath outgoing pipe, 24 l / mi when transported in the bath return pipe and transported in both
n flows Becomes That is, the automatic hot water supply time is reduced by the amount corresponding to the 43% flow rate being increased.

The integrated storage flow rate here is obtained by integrating the amount dropped into the bathtub from the reference point to the set water level during the test operation by the water amount sensor 4. In the conventional example, assuming that the flow rate flowing through the bypass valve 26 and the flow rate flowing through the water amount sensor are set to 4: 6, the amount dropped into the bathtub is expressed by the following equation.

The amount of water dropped from the reference point to the set water level in the bathtub is stored in the integrated amount of water storage 44.

Furthermore, from the reference value to the set water level, for example, 80%
After the water is conveyed to both the bath outflow pipe and the bath return pipe, hot water is supplied to the set water level only with the bath outflow pipe, and during that time, the water is automatically supplied to the set water level while checking the water level with the water level sensor provided in the bath return pipe. is there. When the set water level is reached,
Close the electromagnetic valve 7 for automatic hot water supply and open the two-way valve 31
After turning on the circulating pump 17 and checking the circulating water, if the bath water is lower than the set temperature, remove the bath (bath heat exchanger 18-bath going pipe 19-bath tub 21-bath). Return pipe 22-water level sensor 23-circulation pump 17-two-way valve 31
-Circulate the bath heat exchanger 18 and the bath water to heat it. )
And boil to the set temperature.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In recent years, due to the conversion of houses to two-family homes and the enlargement of bathtubs, and further the spread of hot water showers, the capacity of bath heaters with water heaters, especially the heat exchangers and burners for hot water supply, has increased. Conventional 16
No. 24,000 kcal / h output device is commonly called No. 24, 36000 kcal / h output device is increasing in size. And this trend is even more ongoing.

On the other hand, soaring residential land has increased the number of homes without a space for installing a bathtub with a water heater near the bathtub, and inevitably, a bathtub with a water heater also has a built-in circulation pump as in the conventional example, In recent years, a remote type in which hot water is transported to a bathtub by a circulation pump has become increasingly popular in recent years.

However, the diameters of the pipes of the bath pipe and the bath pipe connecting the bathtub with the water heater and the bathtub have an inner diameter of φ11.5 mm from the viewpoint of workability of construction.

Here, it is true that high capacity is advantageous for kitchens and showers, but if it is used for automatic hot water supply with high capacity, there is a possibility of flow corrosion (erosion corrosion) due to excessive flow rate of the bath pipe, so it can be done. It is desired to lower only the flow velocity in the pipe. Furthermore, as shown in the conventional example, even in the case where there is a mode in which the hot water is automatically supplied to both the bath going pipe and the bath returning pipe, at that time, for example, only the bath returning pipe is blocked during use or blocked due to freezing or the like. Safety must be ensured when

As described above, when the bath return pipe is closed,
It is important that the water level sensor, the circulating pump, and the ball portion of the two-way valve be applied only with a pressure lower than the pressure guaranteed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to prevent corrosion due to fluid flow in piping and to ensure the safety of various components provided in a piping circuit in terms of pressure even when an abnormality occurs in fluid flow. With the goal.

Means for Solving the Problems A first technical means of the present invention is provided with a water amount control switching means for switching and controlling the flow rate of the water amount control valve to two or more stages.

Further, the water amount control switching means of the present invention increases the flow rate at the water amount control valve to a high flow rate (for example, when the other plug switch is ON) and when both the other plug switch and the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve are ON. The water flow control is switched to 24 l / min).

Furthermore, when only the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve is “ON”, the water amount control switching means of the present invention changes the flow rate of the water amount control valve (for example,
The water flow control is switched to 18 l / min).

Operation (1) The water amount control switching means switches and controls the flow rate of the water amount control valve to two or more stages.

(2) In addition, the water amount control switching means is used only when the other plug switch which operates when using the kitchen or shower is turned “ON”, and when both the other plug switch and the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve are “ON”, the water amount control valve is used. The flow rate is switched to a high flow rate (for example, 24 l / min).

(3) Further, when only the solenoid valve for automatic hot water supply is "ON", the water amount control switching means switches the flow rate of the water amount control valve to a low flow rate.

Examples Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition,
The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the above-described conventional technology, detailed description is omitted, and different portions will be mainly described. That is, the other plug switch 46 is provided which emits a signal that turns on (closes) when hot water flows between the branch portion 11 and the hot water tap 9 and turns off (opens) when hot water stops. The other plug switch 46 may be any switch that can detect ON-OFF with a configuration of, for example, a butterfly switch, and the normal ON flow rate is 4 l / min, and the OFF flow rate is 3 l / min.
The degree can be detected. Reference numeral 5 denotes a water amount control valve provided between the junction of the bypass valve 26 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 2 and the branch portion 11. The water amount control switching means 47 controls the amount of water flowing in two or more stages. The water amount control switching means 47 is provided when the ON signal of the other plug switch 46 is provided as shown in FIG. 3, and when the ON signals of both the other plug switch 46 and the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 are provided as shown in FIG. Then, the flow rate of the water quantity control valve 5 is switched to a high flow rate, for example, 24 l / min. Water amount control switching means 4
7 switches the flow rate of the water flow control valve 5 to a low flow rate, for example, 18 l / min when only the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 receives an ON signal.

Here, the water amount control valve 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the water amount control valve 5 is mainly controlled by a valve receiver 103 press-fitted and fixed in a main body 101 and a valve 102 for controlling an interval between the valve receiver 103. The valve 102 is fixed to a shaft 107, and the main body 101 and the O-ring 104
Spring 1 from spring receiver 105 sealed via
Via the spring 106, the spring 102 presses the 102. On the other hand, the shaft 107 can move left and right at the illustrated position via the bearing 109 and the screw portion 114 via the O-ring 111. The bearing 109 is sealed with the main body 101 via an O-ring 110, and
115 is fixed to the main body 101 via the motor receiver 108. The shaft 107 can be moved left and right by a gear 112, and the gear 112 is driven by a motor unit 113. That is, the amount of water is adjusted to increase or decrease according to the distance between the valve receiver 103 and the valve 102.
When the gear 112 is rotated by 3, the shaft 107 is moved and adjusted. The control method is such that the flow rate is replaced by a pulse by the water amount sensor 4 and the pulse is converted by a microcomputer incorporated in the controller 34. When the flow rate is smaller than the specified flow rate, the distance between the valve 102 and the valve receiver 103 is widened. On the other hand, when the flow rate is larger than the specified flow rate, the space between the valve 102 and the valve receiver 103 is narrowed.

In the above configuration, the valve 102 and the valve receiver 103 of the water amount control valve 5
Is controlled in two or more stages (for example, high flow rate = 24 l / min, low flow rate = 18 l / min).

That is, when only the other plug switch 46 is “ON”, and when both the other plug switch 46 and the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 are “ON”, the flow rate is increased by the water amount control valve 5 (for example, 24 l / min).
For example, the water amount is controlled in the entire range of 2 l / min to 24 l / min according to the use state.

On the other hand, when only the electromagnetic valve 7 for automatic hot water supply is "ON", the flow rate is controlled to a low flow rate (for example, 18 l / min) by the water flow control valve 5, and for example, the entire range of 2 l / min to 18 l / min is used. The amount of water is also controlled.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show that the water flow control
n) and a low flow rate (for example, 18 l / min) respectively show a flowchart and a control block diagram.

In FIG. 5, the water level sensor 23, the circulation pump 17 and the two-way valve are closed when the bath return pipe 22 or the bath return pipe 19 is closed during automatic hot water supply by both the bath outflow pipe 19 and the bath return pipe 22.
The pressure (kg / cm ² ) applied to the ball portion 31 is shown on the vertical axis, and the flow rate (l / min) is shown on the horizontal axis. For example, if the withstand pressure of the water level sensor 23, the circulating pump 17 and the ball of the two-way valve 31 is only 3 kg / cm ² , the flow rate is less than 20 l / min. Indicates that it is safe to control Conversely, if the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is turned on and the flow rate is as high as 24 l / min, if any of the pipes is clogged while being conveyed by both the bath outflow pipe 19 and the bath return pipe 22, the water level Sensor 23, circulation pump 17, and two-way valve
Assuming that the pressure resistance of the ball portion 31 is 3 kg / cm ² , a pressure higher than the pressure resistance is applied, and water leakage or the like occurs, which indicates that the state becomes extremely dangerous. It goes without saying that if the sealing of the ball portion of the two-way valve 31 is incomplete, the water level control will be incomplete.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the water flow rate control valve has a water flow rate control switching unit that switches and controls the flow rate to two or more stages.
The following effects can be expected.

(1) When a large amount of hot water is required, the water amount control valve can be fully opened at, for example, 24 l / min, and when the bathtub is automatically supplied with hot water, it can be controlled at, for example, 18 l / min. Will be possible.

(2) If the output on the hot water supply side is further increased, the aforementioned 24 l / min
Can be further increased to 32 l / min control.

In addition, the present invention increases the flow rate of the water flow control valve to a high flow rate when only the other plug switch that detects hot water supply in the kitchen is `` ON '', and when both the other plug switch and the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve are `` ON ''. Since the switching is controlled, complaints such as a shortage of hot water at the time of simultaneous use are eliminated.

Further, according to the present invention, when only the automatic hot water supply electromagnetic valve is "ON", the flow rate of the water flow control valve is switched to a low flow rate, so that the following operational effects can be expected.

(1) By setting the low flow rate to, for example, 18 l / min,
The upper limit of the flow velocity in a pipe with an inner diameter of φ11.5m / m is 2.9m / s or less to prevent erosion corrosion (flow corrosion),
The durability of the bath going pipe and the bath returning pipe 22 can be improved.

(2) For example, when hot water is conveyed by both the bath going pipe and the bath returning pipe, even if the bath returning pipe is blocked by mischief or freezing, the abnormal pressure applied to the water level sensor or the circulating pump does not exceed a certain pressure. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a bath kettle with a water heater of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the automatic hot water supply, Fig. 3 is a control block diagram, Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of the same water amount control valve, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a pressure rise characteristic at the time of abnormality during the automatic hot water supply, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the conventional example, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the conventional example, FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the conventional example, and FIG. Is a time chart of a conventional example. 2 ... Heat exchanger for hot water supply, 7 ... Solenoid valve for automatic hot water supply, 8 ...
Hot-water supply pipes B, 10 ... Hot-water supply pipes A, 11 ... Branch part, 21 ... Bathtub, 34 ... Controller, 46 ... Other plug switch, 47 ... Water amount control switching means.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hot water supply heat exchanger, a hot water supply pipe A for transporting hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger to a hot water supply destination and a hot water supply pipe B for transporting the hot water to a bathtub, and provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe A. A plug switch for generating an ON signal when hot water flows, an automatic hot water supply solenoid valve provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe B for generating an ON signal at the time of automatic hot water supply, a branch between the hot water supply pipes A and B, and the hot water supply. Water flow control switching means provided between the outlet side of the heat exchanger and a water flow control switching means for controlling the flow rate of the water flow control valve to two or more stages by the ON / OFF signal of the other plug switch and the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve. The water flow control switching means is ON only for the other plug switch
, And both the other switch and the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve are ON
A water heater control device that switches and controls the flow rate of the water flow control valve to a high flow rate in the case of. 2. The control device for a water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water amount control switching means switches the flow rate of the water amount control valve to a low flow rate when only the automatic hot water supply solenoid valve is ON.