JP4761274B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus having a function of allowing a user to recognize that the expiration date is approaching.

  If the hot water supply device is used for a long time and approaches the end of its useful life, the hot water supply capability may be reduced due to deterioration of parts and the like, and the usability of the user may deteriorate. Further, when the user continues to use the hot water supply device beyond the expiration date and the hot water supply device fails, it takes a certain number of days to repair or replace the hot water supply device. Therefore, the user cannot use hot water for several days, which is very inconvenient.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to notify the user that the expiration date of the hot water supply apparatus is approaching by a notification means such as a buzzer or a lamp, and to prompt the user to check, repair or replace the hot water supply apparatus. However, some hot water supply apparatuses do not have a notification means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a hot water supply apparatus, it is necessary to newly provide a means for notifying that the expiration date is approaching, and the cost of parts increases.

In addition, in a hot water supply apparatus equipped with a remote control, it is possible to perform a display for notifying that the expiration date has approached the remote control. However, if the user does not notice the display on the remote controller, the user continues to use the hot water supply device without recognizing that the expiration date of the hot water supply device is approaching.
JP-A-10-132268

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said background, and it aims at providing the hot water supply apparatus which can raise the effect which makes a user recognize that the expiration date is near, suppressing the increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and includes a heat exchanger in communication with a water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe, a burner for heating the heat exchanger, ignition means for igniting the burner, and the water supply Hot water supply comprising water supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water supply to the pipe, and hot water supply control means for igniting the burner by the ignition means when the water supply detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe Relates to the device.

And the 1st aspect of this invention is equipped with the lifetime remaining time estimation means which estimates the lifetime remaining time which is the remaining time until the lifetime of the said hot water supply apparatus, The said hot water supply control means is the said lifetime remaining time 1st. When the start of water supply to the water supply pipe is detected by the water supply detection means, the burner is ignited after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, and the remaining service life is shortened. The waiting time is lengthened as the distance increases .

  According to the present invention, the hot water supply control means waits after the hot water detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe when the remaining service life becomes the first predetermined time or less. The burner is ignited after a lapse of time. In this case, until the water supply to the water supply pipe is started, the burner is immediately ignited and hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe, whereas the ignition timing of the burner is delayed. The delay time from the start of water supply to the start of hot water supply becomes longer.

  In this way, by forcibly increasing the delay time until the hot water supply is started, the user is made aware that the hot water device has reached the end of its useful life and can check and replace the hot water device. Can be urged. In this case, since it is not necessary to add a new part to notify the user that the expiration date of the hot water supply apparatus is approaching, the cost of the hot water supply apparatus does not increase.

  According to the present invention, as the remaining service life becomes shorter, the waiting time is lengthened so that the user can recognize that the service life of the water heater is gradually approaching, and the water heater is inspected or replaced. Can be further encouraged.

Further, in the first aspect, the hot water supply control means is configured so that the remaining service life is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time and the hot water supply stop state continues for a second predetermined time or longer. When the start of water supply to the water supply pipe is detected by the water supply detection means, the burner is ignited after waiting for the elapse of the waiting time, and the remaining service life is less than or equal to the first predetermined time, When the hot water supply stop state has not continued for the second predetermined time or longer, the burner is ignited without waiting for the waiting time to elapse when the water supply detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe. It is characterized by that.
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the hot water supply control means is configured such that when the remaining service life is equal to or shorter than a first predetermined time and the hot water supply stop state continues for a second predetermined time or longer, When the start of water supply to the water supply pipe is detected by the water supply detection means, the burner is ignited after waiting for the elapse of a predetermined waiting time, and the remaining service life becomes the first predetermined time or less. However, when the hot water supply stop state has not continued for the second predetermined time or longer, when the start of water supply to the water supply pipe is detected by the water supply detection means, the burner is not waited for the waiting time to elapse. It is characterized by igniting.

  According to the present invention, the hot water supply control means is provided when the hot water supply detecting means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe only when the hot water supply stop state continues for the second predetermined time or longer. The burner is ignited after the waiting time has elapsed. When the remaining hot water time is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time and the hot water supply stop state has not exceeded the second predetermined time, the water supply detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe. When burned, the burner is ignited without waiting for the waiting time to elapse. Thereby, when the user is using hot water intermittently, the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe greatly fluctuates due to the ignition delay of the burner waiting for the elapse of the waiting time. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

Further, in the first and second aspects , the apparatus further comprises a water amount changing means for changing a flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger, and the hot water supply control means has a third service life remaining time. The flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger is limited to a predetermined flow rate or less by the water amount changing means when the predetermined time is reached.

  According to the present invention, the hot water supply control means is configured to change the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger when the remaining service life becomes equal to or shorter than the second predetermined time. Is limited to the predetermined flow rate or less. In this case, the maximum flow rate of hot water that can be used by the user is reduced more than before.

And in addition to the process of delaying the ignition timing of the burner as described above, it is recognized that the expiration date of the hot water supply device is approaching the user by reducing the flow rate of hot water that can be used by the user. By doing so, it is possible to further encourage the user to check or replace the hot water supply device.
Further, the hot water supply control means reduces the predetermined flow rate as the remaining service life becomes shorter, thereby allowing the user to recognize that the service life of the hot water supply device is gradually approaching, The exchange can be further encouraged.

Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water amount changing means for changing a flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger, and a remaining service life time which is a remaining time until the expiration date of the water heater. A remaining life time estimating means for estimating, wherein the hot water supply control means is configured to change a flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger when the remaining life time is a predetermined time or less. Is limited to a predetermined flow rate or less, and the predetermined flow rate is reduced as the remaining service life becomes shorter .

  According to the present invention, the hot water supply control means uses the water amount changing means to change the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger when the remaining service life becomes the predetermined time or less. Limit to below flow rate. In this case, the maximum flow rate of hot water that can be used by the user is reduced more than before. And in this way, by reducing the flow rate of hot water that can be used by the user, the user is made aware that the expiration date of the hot water supply device is approaching and encourages the user to check and replace the hot water supply device. Can do. In this case, since it is not necessary to add a new part to notify the user that the expiration date of the hot water supply apparatus is approaching, the cost of the hot water supply apparatus does not increase.

Further, according to the present invention, as the remaining service life becomes shorter, the predetermined flow rate is decreased to make the user aware that the service life of the hot water supply device is gradually approaching. The exchange can be further encouraged.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas water heater (corresponding to a hot water supply apparatus of the present invention) according to the present embodiment. The gas water heater 1 includes a water supply pipe 10, a water supply pipe 10, and a hot water supply pipe 12 communicated with water. The heat exchanger 11 that is passed through, the gas burner 3 that heats the heat exchanger 11 (corresponding to the burner of the present invention), the gas supply pipe 4 that supplies fuel gas to the gas burner 3, and the operation of the gas water heater 1 are controlled. The controller 5 is provided.

  Furthermore, the gas water heater 1 includes an igniter 6 that ignites the gas burner 3 (corresponding to the ignition means of the present invention), a flame rod 8 that detects the presence or absence of a combustion flame in the gas burner 3, and a thermoelectric that detects the combustion state of the gas burner 3. A switch 9 for instructing the start and stop of the pair 7 and the gas water heater 1 is provided.

  The hot water supply pipe 12 is provided with an electric variable valve 13 (corresponding to the water amount changing means of the present invention), a water governor valve 14, and a water amount adjusting valve 15. The electric variable valve 13 is driven by a motor 16 to change the opening of the water supply pipe 10 between the fully open position and the fully closed position. The water governor valve 14 makes the supply flow rate of water constant. The water amount adjustment valve 15 changes the opening degree of the water supply pipe 10 according to the operation of the temperature adjustment knob 17.

  The gas supply pipe 4 is provided with an electromagnetic opening / closing valve 22, a water pressure responsive valve 23, a gas governor valve 24, and a gas amount adjusting valve 25. The water pressure responsive valve 23 is formed integrally with the water governor valve 14, and opens when the water governor valve 14 is passed through. Further, a water flow switch 26 (corresponding to the water supply detecting means of the present invention) is connected to the water pressure responsive valve 23.

  The water flow switch 26 is turned on in conjunction with the opening of the water pressure responsive valve 23, and is turned off when the valve is closed. The gas governor valve 24 makes the gas pressure on the secondary side constant. The gas amount adjustment valve 25 is connected to the temperature adjustment knob 17 and changes the opening of the gas supply pipe 4 in accordance with the operation of the temperature adjustment knob 17. As the temperature adjustment knob 17 is operated to a higher temperature side, the feed water flow rate decreases and the fuel gas supply flow rate increases.

  The controller 5 is an electronic unit composed of a microcomputer or the like, and operates with electric power supplied from the battery 33. The controller 5 receives detection signals from the thermocouple 7, the frame rod 8, and the water flow switch 26, and an operation signal from the operation switch 9. Further, the operation of the igniter 6, the motor 16 of the electric variable valve 13, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 22 is controlled by a control signal output from the controller 5.

  The controller 5 burns the gas burner 3 and heats the water supplied from the water supply pipe 10 to the hot water supply pipe 11 through the heat exchanger 11, and the hot water supply control means 50 for executing the hot water supply operation, A service life remaining time estimating means 51 for estimating a service life remaining time, which is a remaining time until the deadline, and a memory 52 are provided.

  When the operation switch 9 is operated by the user when the hot water supply operation is stopped (the electric variable valve 13 is closed and the gas burner 3 is extinguished), the hot water supply control unit 50 operates the electric variable valve 13. Fully open. Then, by opening the electric variable valve 13 fully, water supply from the water supply to the water supply pipe 10 is started, the water pressure responsive valve 23 is opened, and the water flow switch 26 is switched from OFF to ON.

  When the water flow switch 26 switches from OFF to ON and detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe 10, the hot water supply control means 50 energizes the igniter 6 to cause spark discharge, and the electromagnetic on-off valve 22 is turned on. The gas burner 3 is ignited by opening the valve. Further, the hot water supply control means 50 detects the ignition of the gas burner 3 by the detection signal of the frame rod 8, and thereafter monitors the combustion state of the gas burner 3 by the detection signal of the thermocouple 7, and misfires or abnormal combustion of the gas burner 3. Is detected, the electromagnetic on-off valve 22 is closed.

  The remaining service life estimation means 51 accumulates the execution time of the hot water supply operation and stores it in the memory 52, and subtracts the accumulated time of executing the hot water operation from the preset service life of the gas water heater 1, The remaining service life that is the remaining time until the expiration date of the gas water heater 1 is estimated.

  And the hot water supply control means 50 performs the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 in order to make the user recognize that the expiration date of the gas water heater 1 is approaching.

  In STEP 1 of FIG. 2, the hot water supply control means 50 detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe 10 by determining whether or not the water flow switch 26 has been switched from OFF to ON. Then, in the next STEP 2, the hot water supply control means 50 determines whether or not the remaining service life estimated by the remaining service life estimation means 51 is equal to or less than T1 (corresponding to the first predetermined time of the present invention). .

  In STEP 2, when the remaining service life is longer than T1 and there is still a margin before the service life of the gas water heater 1, the process branches to STEP 4, and the hot water supply control means 50 immediately performs the ignition process of the gas burner 3. On the other hand, when the remaining remaining time is T1 or less in STEP2, the process proceeds to STEP3. In step 3, the hot water supply control device 50 determines whether or not the hot water supply stop state of the gas water heater 1 has continued for T2 (for example, 30 minutes, which corresponds to the second predetermined time of the present invention) or more.

  In STEP3, when the hot water supply stop state of the gas water heater 1 continues for T2 or more, the process proceeds to STEP10. Then, the hot water supply control means 50 sets the waiting time Tw to a longer time as the remaining service life becomes shorter in accordance with the remaining service life.

  In subsequent STEP 11, the hot water supply control means 50 determines whether or not the remaining service life is T3 (corresponding to the third predetermined time and the predetermined time of the present invention) or less. When the remaining service life is longer than T3, the process proceeds to STEP12. The hot water supply control means 50 waits for the elapse of the waiting time Tw in STEP 12, proceeds to STEP 13, performs the ignition process of the gas burner 3, and returns to STEP 1.

  Thus, after the waiting time Tw elapses in STEP 12, the ignition process of the gas burner 3 is performed in STEP 13, so that hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 12 after the start of water supply to the water supply pipe 10 is detected in STEP 1. The delay time until can be lengthened. Then, by intentionally increasing the delay time until hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 12, the user can be made aware that the expiration date of the gas water heater 1 is approaching. In addition, by setting the waiting time Tw to be longer as the remaining remaining time is shorter, it is possible to make the user more gradually recognize that the service life of the gas water heater 1 is approaching.

  On the other hand, if the hot water supply stop state of the gas water heater 1 has not continued for T2 or more in STEP 3, the process proceeds to STEP 4, and the hot water control means 50 proceeds to STEP 4 without waiting for the waiting time Tw to perform the ignition process of the gas burner 3. Execute.

  Thus, only when the hot water supply stop state continues for T2 or more in STEP 10, the gas burner 3 is used when the user is using hot water intermittently by delaying the ignition process of the gas burner 3 in STEP 12 and STEP 13. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable due to a large fluctuation in the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 12 due to the ignition delay.

  Next, when the remaining service life is equal to or shorter than T3 in STEP11, the process branches to STEP20. Then, the hot water supply control means 50 determines whether or not the remaining service life is T4 (<T3) or less. When the remaining service life is longer than T4 in STEP 20, the process proceeds to STEP 21, and the hot water supply control means 50 restricts the maximum flow rate to the water supply pipe 10 to F1 by the electric variable valve 13 and proceeds to STEP 13.

  Thus, in addition to the process of delaying the ignition process of the gas burner 3 in STEP 12 and STEP 13 described above, the process of limiting the flow rate of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 12 is also performed, so that the user can It is possible to enhance the effect of recognizing that the remaining service life of 1 is approaching.

  If the remaining service life is less than T4 in STEP 20, the process branches to STEP 30, and the hot water supply control means 50 determines whether the remaining service time is less than T5 (<T4). When the remaining service life is longer than T5, the process proceeds to STEP 31, and the hot water supply control means 50 further restricts the maximum flow rate to the water supply pipe 10 to F2 (<F1) by the electric variable valve 13. Thereby, supply_amount | feed_rate of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply pipe | tube 12 reduces further, and it can make a user recognize that the expiration date of the gas water heater 1 is approaching.

  Then, the process proceeds to STEP 12, and the hot water supply control means 50 executes the process of delaying the ignition process of the gas burner 3 by STEP 12 and STEP 13 described above, and makes the user recognize that the expiration date of the gas water heater 1 is approaching. Return to STEP1.

  On the other hand, when the remaining service life is equal to or less than T5 in STEP 30, the process branches to STEP 40, and the hot water supply control means 50 prohibits the execution of the hot water supply operation without performing the ignition process of the gas burner 3. Thus, the gas water heater 1 cannot be used unless the user receives an inspection of the gas water heater 1.

  In this embodiment, in STEP 10, the waiting time Tw until the ignition process of the gas burner 3 is set longer as the remaining service life of the gas water heater 1 is shorter. However, the waiting time Tw may be constant. .

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the process which delays the ignition process of the gas burner 3 by STEP12, STEP13, and the process which restrict | limits the flow volume of the hot water supplied by STEP21 or STEP31 were performed, only one is performed In addition, the effects of the present invention can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, only when the hot water supply stop duration time of the gas water heater 1 is T2 or more in STEP 3, the process proceeds to STEP 10 and the process of delaying the ignition process of the gas burner 3 by STEP 12 and STEP 13 is executed. Regardless of whether or not the hot water supply stop time is equal to or greater than T2, the effect of the present invention can also be obtained when the ignition process of the gas burner 3 is delayed when the remaining service life is equal to or less than T1 in STEP2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the remaining service life becomes less than or equal to T1 in STEP 2, the process for delaying the ignition process of the gas burner 3 is first performed in STEP 12 and STEP 13, and the remaining service time is further reduced to STEP 11 In step 21, the hot water supply flow rate is limited. However, the hot water supply flow rate limit may be performed first.

  Further, in this embodiment, in STEP 21 and STEP 31, the upper limit of the hot water supply flow rate is made smaller as the remaining service life of the gas water heater 1 becomes shorter, but the upper limit of the hot water supply flow rate is made constant. You may restrict.

  In the present embodiment, the gas water heater 1 that does not include a remote controller has been described as an example. However, in a hot water supply apparatus that includes a remote controller, hot water is supplied by display means (such as an LED) or a buzzer provided in the remote controller. You may make it alert | report that the lifetime of an apparatus is approaching.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the gas burner 3 was provided as a burner of this invention, this invention is applicable also to the hot-water supply apparatus provided with the burner which uses other types of fuels, such as oil.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining service life estimation unit 51 estimates the remaining service life of the gas water heater 1 based on the accumulated time during which the hot water supply operation is performed. The remaining service life may be estimated based on

The block diagram of a gas water heater. The operation | movement flowchart of the gas water heater shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas water heater (hot-water supply apparatus), 3 ... Gas burner, 5 ... Controller, 6 ... Igniter (ignition means), 13 ... Electric variable valve (water quantity control valve), 26 ... Water flow switch (water supply detection means), 50 ... Hot water supply control means, 51.

Claims (6)

A heat exchanger in communication with the water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe, a burner for heating the heat exchanger, an ignition means for igniting the burner, a water supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water supply to the water supply pipe, and the water supply A hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water supply control means for igniting the burner by the ignition means when the water supply start to the water supply pipe is detected by the detection means,
A service life estimation means for estimating a service life remaining time that is a remaining time until the service life of the water heater,
The hot water supply control means waits for the elapse of a predetermined waiting time when the water supply detecting means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe when the remaining service life is less than or equal to a first predetermined time. The hot water supply device is characterized in that the waiting time is lengthened as the burner is ignited and the remaining service time is shortened . The hot water supply control means is configured so that the hot water detection means supplies the water supply pipe to the water supply pipe only when the remaining service life is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time and the hot water supply stop state continues for the second predetermined time or longer. When the start of water supply is detected, after the waiting time has elapsed, the burner is ignited,
When the remaining hot water time is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time, when the hot water supply stop state does not continue for the second predetermined time or longer, the water supply detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe. 2. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the burner is ignited without waiting for the elapse of the waiting time . A heat exchanger in communication with the water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe, a burner for heating the heat exchanger, an ignition means for igniting the burner, a water supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water supply to the water supply pipe, and the water supply A hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water supply control means for igniting the burner by the ignition means when the water supply start to the water supply pipe is detected by the detection means,
A service life estimation means for estimating a service life remaining time that is a remaining time until the service life of the water heater,
The hot water supply control means, the life remaining time becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined time, and, when the hot water supply stop state continues second predetermined time or more, the water supply start of the feedwater pipe by the water supply detection means Is detected, and after waiting for a predetermined waiting time to elapse, the burner is ignited,
When the remaining hot water time is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time, when the hot water supply stop state does not continue for the second predetermined time or longer, the water supply detection means detects the start of water supply to the water supply pipe. when the feed water device you characterized by igniting the burner without waiting for the elapse of the waiting time. Water amount changing means for changing the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger;
The hot water supply control means restricts a flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger to a predetermined flow rate or less by the water amount changing means when the remaining service life becomes a third predetermined time or less. The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hot water supply control means reduces the predetermined flow rate as the remaining service life becomes shorter . A heat exchanger in communication with the water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe, a burner for heating the heat exchanger, an ignition means for igniting the burner, a water supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water supply to the water supply pipe, and the water supply A hot water supply apparatus comprising a hot water supply control means for igniting the burner by the ignition means when the water supply start to the water supply pipe is detected by the detection means,
Water amount changing means for changing the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger;
A remaining service life estimating means for estimating a remaining service time that is a remaining time until the service life of the hot water supply device,
The hot water supply control means restricts the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply pipe to the heat exchanger to a predetermined flow rate or less by the water amount changing means when the remaining useful life time is less than or equal to a predetermined time. as time is shortened, hot water supply apparatus it said reducing said predetermined flow rate.

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