JP6111409B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus having a heat recovery function.

  Conventionally, this type of hot water supply apparatus includes a reheating operation for heating the hot water in the bathtub and a heat recovery operation for recovering heat from the hot water in the bathtub (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 17 shows a hot water supply apparatus having a heat recovery operation as a function. 1 is a hot water storage tank, 2 is a heat pump unit, 3 is a bathtub, 4 is a heat exchanger, 5a is a hot water tank water transport pump, and 5b is a bath water transport pump. , 6 is a heat recovery branch pipe, 7 is a three-way valve, 8 is a high temperature water supply pipe, 9 is a low temperature water supply pipe, 10 is a hot water supply pipe, 11 is a mixing valve, 12 is a bath water circulation pipe, 13 is an on-off valve, 14 is A water supply pipe, 15 is a hot water supply branch pipe, and 16 is a heat exchange return pipe.

  The bathtub water circulation pipe 12 is configured by connecting the forward pipe and the return pipe of the bathtub 3 in an annular shape, and includes a heat exchanger 4 and a bathtub water conveyance pump 5b on the circuit.

  The mixing valve 11 is configured to connect the high temperature water supply pipe 8 and the low temperature water supply pipe 9 to the inlet side, and connect the hot water supply pipe 10 to the outlet side, and the bathtub water circulation pipe 12 via the on-off valve 13. Connected. Further, a bathtub water temperature detecting means 17 for detecting the water temperature in the bathtub is provided in the middle of the bathtub water circulation pipe 12.

  When this hot water supply apparatus performs bath automatic operation, first, hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 and water supplied from the water supply pipe 14 are mixed with hot water at a desired temperature by the mixing valve 11 to supply hot water to the bathtub 3. . After the hot water is supplied to the bathtub 3, a heat retaining operation is performed in order to keep the temperature of the hot water constant for a certain period of time.

  The heat insulation operation is performed when the bath water temperature falls below a certain temperature. The hot water storage tank water transport pump 5a and the bath water transport pump 5b are operated, and the heat exchanger 4 performs hot water (for example, The hot water (for example, about 35 ° C.) in the bathtub 3 is heated by about 80 ° C.).

  Moreover, in order to judge whether the water temperature of the bathtub 3 has fallen below the fixed temperature, the bathtub water temperature detection operation | movement which drives only the bathtub water conveyance pump 5b is performed intermittently.

  When the bath water temperature detecting means 17 detects that the water temperature of the bathtub 3 is lowered below a certain temperature, the heat retaining operation is performed, and when the bath water temperature detecting means 17 is not lowered, it waits as it is. After a certain period of time has elapsed, automatic bath operation is automatically terminated.

  Next, when the reheating operation is performed, the hot water storage tank water transfer pump 5a and the bathtub water transfer pump 5b operate, and the hot water (for example, about 80 ° C.) in the hot water storage tank 1 is stored in the bathtub in the heat exchanger 4. The hot water in 3 (for example, about 35 ° C.) is heated. As a result, the water temperature in the bathtub 3 rises, and the amount of heat (heat storage amount) stored as hot water in the hot water tank 1 decreases.

Finally, in the case of performing the heat recovery operation, the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a and the bath water transfer pump 5b are similarly operated. In the heat exchanger 4, the water in the hot water tank 1 (for example, about 10 ° C.) Cools the water (for example, about 35 ° C.) in the bathtub 3 and recovers heat.

  As a result, the water temperature in the bathtub 3 drops and the amount of heat (heat storage amount) stored as hot water in the hot water tank 1 increases, so that the amount of heat heated up by the heat pump unit 2 can be reduced.

In addition, as one of the methods for controlling such operation, there is a method of setting a time until the heat recovery operation is started after stopping the automatic bath operation, and performing the heat recovery operation when this time expires. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Also, before the start of heat recovery, for example, a display for notifying the start is performed with a remote control, or the start is recognized by voice, and during heat recovery, information indicating that recovery is in progress is displayed on the remote control. The recognition of the heat recovery operation to the user, such as blinking the characters being displayed, is enhanced (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 18 shows a control block of a conventional hot water supply apparatus described in Patent Document 2.

  The operation control means 18 operates the timer 20 which measures the time until the heat recovery operation is started after the bath automatic operation detection unit 19 detects the stop of the automatic bath operation, and the preset time has expired. The heat recovery operation control means 21 starts the heat recovery operation.

JP 2009-198115 A JP 2007-278578 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, information related to the recovery operation such as before heat recovery or during heat recovery is presented to the user, but since the effect as a result of the heat recovery is not displayed, the user There was a problem that it was not possible to confirm whether or not heat recovery was performed.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the hot-water supply apparatus with which a user can confirm the effect of heat recovery driving | operation.

In order to solve the conventional problem, a hot water supply apparatus of the present invention includes a hot water storage tank, a bathtub, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the hot water in the hot water tank and the hot water in the bathtub, A bathtub water circulation pipe through which hot water circulates through the heat exchanger, a second transfer pump disposed in the bathtub water circulation pipe, and a heat recovery forward pipe that guides hot water in the lower part of the hot water tank to the heat exchanger A heat exchange return pipe for returning hot water from the heat exchanger to the hot water storage tank, a first transfer pump for circulating hot water from the hot water storage tank through the heat exchanger, display means, and control means. A heat recovery operation mode for recovering the heat of the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water in the hot water tank by the heat exchanger by operating the first transport pump and the second transport pump, The control means detects the amount of hot water in the bathtub and performs the heat recovery operation. Determining the execution, also said in the case of heating the hot water of the hot water storage tank is a hot water at the bottom of the hot water tank heated at the heat pump unit, the temperature stratification to perform heating operation back to the top of the hot water storage tank In the hot water supply device of the type, the amount of hot water transported by the second transport pump during the heat recovery operation is larger than the amount of hot water transported by the first transport pump, and the heat recovery amount in the heat recovery operation The information is displayed on the display means.

  Thereby, the user can confirm the effect of the heat recovery operation.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the hot water supply apparatus with which a user can confirm the effect of heat recovery driving | operation can be provided.

Configuration diagram of hot water supply apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block diagram of the heat recovery operation control means Conceptual diagram of control method for automatic bath operation and heat recovery operation Conceptual diagram of the control method for the chasing operation and heat recovery operation Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow of water and hot water when hot water is supplied to the bathtub during automatic bath operation Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow direction of water and hot water during warm-up operation and chasing operation during automatic bath operation Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow direction of water and hot water during bath water temperature detection operation during automatic bath operation Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow direction of water and hot water during the heat recovery operation The figure which showed the change of the temperature distribution in the hot water tank by the heat recovery operation Diagram showing the efficiency of the heat pump unit Diagram showing the relationship between the heat recovery amount and heat pump unit input Flow chart of the heat recovery operation control operation The figure which shows the display form to the remote control of the same heat recovery effect The block diagram of the hot-water supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow direction of water and hot water during the heat recovery operation Circuit configuration diagram showing the flow direction of water and hot water during the same boiling operation Configuration diagram of conventional hot water supply equipment Block diagram of the same control

1st invention is a hot water tank, a bathtub, the heat exchanger which heat-exchanges the hot water in the said hot water tank, and the hot water in the said bathtub, and the hot water in the said bathtub circulates through the said heat exchanger. Bath water circulation pipe, a second transport pump disposed in the bathtub water circulation pipe, a heat recovery forward pipe for guiding hot water in the lower part of the hot water tank to the heat exchanger, and hot water from the heat exchanger A heat exchange return pipe returning to the tank; a first transport pump for circulating hot water from the hot water storage tank through the heat exchanger; a display means; and a control means, the first transport pump and the first transport pump. And a heat recovery operation mode for recovering the heat of the hot water of the bathtub into the hot water of the hot water storage tank by operating the transfer pump, and the control means detects the amount of hot water of the bathtub. and determining the execution of the heat recovery operation, the addition, hot water of the hot water storage tank In the temperature stratification type hot water supply apparatus for performing the heating operation for heating the hot water in the lower part of the hot water tank with a heat pump unit and returning it to the upper part of the hot water tank, The amount of hot water transported by the second transport pump is larger than the amount of hot water transported by the first transport pump, and information related to the heat recovery amount in the heat recovery operation is displayed on the display means. By displaying information on the amount of heat recovery with the hot water supply device, the user can confirm the effect of the heat recovery operation.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the hot water supply apparatus, wherein the heat recovery operation is stopped so that an input during the heating operation of the heat pump unit after the heat recovery operation is stopped is substantially minimized.

  Thus, based on the temperature distribution of the hot water storage tank during the heat recovery operation, the time point at which the heat consumption (power consumption) for boiling up the predetermined hot water storage amount by the heating means is judged to be minimum, and the heat recovery operation is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the entire system, which is the original purpose, and to improve energy saving.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a water supply pipe connected to the hot water storage tank, a high temperature water supply pipe connected to supply high temperature water in the hot water storage tank, and hot water in a substantially upper part of the hot water storage tank are used for the heat exchange. A heat transfer pipe connected to the heat exchanger via the switching means so as to flow to the storage device, and the hot water heated by the heat pump unit from the switching means to the hot water storage tank. A heating return pipe connected to the heat recovery pipe, and the heat recovery forward pipe passes through the heat pump unit and the switching means in order so that hot water at a substantially lower part of the hot water tank flows to the heat exchanger. When the heat recovery operation is performed when connected to an exchanger, hot water from the hot water tank flows in the order of the heat recovery forward pipe, the heat pump unit, the switching means, the heat exchanger, and the heat exchange return pipe. And also said When performing a heating operation in which hot water in the hot water storage tank is heated by a heat pump unit, hot water from the hot water storage tank flows in the order of the heat recovery forward pipe, the heat pump unit, the switching means, and the boiling return pipe. Further, the present invention is a hot water supply apparatus characterized in that the switching means is switched.

  Thereby, a part of piping used at the time of heat recovery can be used also at the time of the boiling operation of the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water supply apparatus which implement | achieved cost reduction can be provided.

  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 diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a hot water supply apparatus includes a hot water tank 1, a heat pump unit 2 as a heating means for heating the water in the hot water tank 1, a bathtub 3 to be subjected to heat recovery, water in the bathtub 3, and the hot water tank 1. A heat exchanger 4 configured to exchange heat with water, a water supply pipe 14 connected to the hot water tank 1, a first hot water pipe 22 connected to substantially the upper part of the hot water tank 1, and a first It is comprised from the position where the hot water pipe 22 and the water supply pipe 14 were connected, ie, the 2nd hot water pipe 23 connected to the trunk | drum approximate center part of the hot water storage tank 1 in the height direction.

  The hot water supply device is connected to the high temperature water mixing valve 24 in which the first hot water discharge pipe 22 and the second hot water discharge pipe 23 are connected to the inlet side, and to the outlet side of the high temperature water mixing valve 24. A high-temperature water supply pipe 8 for supplying high-temperature water therein, a low-temperature water supply pipe 9 branched from the water supply pipe 14 and supplying low-temperature water in the hot water tank 1 or from the water supply pipe 14, and these high-temperature water supply pipes 8 A mixing valve 11 connected to the inlet side of the low-temperature water supply pipe 9, a hot water supply pipe 10 connected to the outlet side of the mixing valve 11, an on-off valve 13 connected in the middle of the hot water pipe 10, and an on-off valve The hot water branch pipe 15 branched upstream of 13 and connected to the first flow path of the heat exchanger 4, and the water in the hot water tank 1 that exchanged heat with the water in the bathtub 3 in the heat exchanger 4 are again stored in the hot water tank 1. The hot water storage tank is located at a position between the first hot water discharge pipe 22 and the second hot water discharge pipe 23 of the heat exchanger 4 in the height direction so as to return to And a connected thermal 交戻 Ri tube 16. in and.

  Furthermore, the hot water supply device includes a hot water tank water transfer pump 5a as a first transfer pump that circulates water in the first flow path of the hot water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 4, and a second flow of the heat exchanger 4. Bathtub water conveyance as a second conveyance pump for circulating water in the second flow path of the bathtub 3 and the heat exchanger 4 and the bathtub water circulation pipe 12 connected so that the water of the bathtub 3 circulates in the road And a pump 5b.

Here, the heat exchange return pipe 16 is connected to the hot water tank 1 at a position between the first hot water pipe 22 and the second hot water pipe 23 in the vertical direction of the hot water tank 1. Moreover, the hot water supply pipe 10 is connected in the middle of the bathtub water circulation pipe 12, and this hot water supply pipe 12 is used when hot water is supplied to the bathtub 3.

  The remote controller 25 installed in the bathroom is provided with a heat recovery operation start switch 26 for the user to arbitrarily start the heat recovery operation, and the bathtub water circulation pipe 12 measures the water pressure as a bath water amount detection means. Thus, a water level sensor 27 for detecting the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 3 and a bathtub water temperature detecting means 17 for detecting the water temperature of the bathtub 3 are provided, and the water temperature in the hot water tank 1 is set in the hot water tank 1. Several hot water storage temperature detection means 28a-28e for detecting are provided.

  Furthermore, based on the outputs of the plurality of hot water storage temperature detection means 28a to 28e, the water level sensor 27, the bath water temperature detection means 17 and the operation of the heat recovery operation start switch 26, the hot water supply to the bathtub 3 and the time set in advance thereafter Only bath automatic operation control means 29 as hot water supply control means for controlling automatic bath operation for maintaining the temperature of the bathtub water and maintaining the amount of water, and reheating operation control means 30 for controlling the reheating operation for heating the water in the bathtub 3. The hot water storage tank 1 is provided with operation control means 18 including heat recovery operation control means 21 for controlling the heat recovery operation for recovering the heat of the water in the bathtub 3.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the heat recovery operation control means 21, wherein the output of the water level sensor 27 and the operating state of the bath automatic operation control means 29 or the start time of the heat recovery operation preset by the heat recovery operation control means 21, Is a heat recovery operation start determination unit 31 that determines the start of the heat recovery operation from the heat recovery operation start switch 26 and the like, and a boiling operation control means (not shown) that controls the boiling operation by the heat pump unit 2. The required hot water storage amount acquisition unit 32 for acquiring the hot water storage amount necessary for hot water use, the hot water temperature distribution measurement unit 33 for measuring the hot water temperature distribution by the hot water temperature detection means 28a to 28e, the required hot water storage amount acquisition unit 32 and the hot water temperature. The current temperature distribution obtained by the measurement unit 33 obtained by the distribution measurement unit 33 and the temperature distribution at the completion of boiling from the required boiling heat amount calculation unit 34 are estimated. It consists of estimating unit 35..

  Further, the boiling required for estimating the input to the heat pump unit 2 from the current temperature distribution by the hot water storage temperature distribution measuring unit 33 to the estimated temperature distribution at the completion of boiling by the hot water storage temperature distribution estimating unit 35 at the completion of boiling. The input estimation part 36 and the pump control part 37 which controls the hot water tank water conveyance pump 5a and the bathtub water conveyance pump 5b based on the time change of the input estimated value by this boiling required input estimation part 36 are comprised.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  As a basic operation in the use of hot water in a general home, hot water for the day is stored in the hot water tank 1 in the morning, and is sequentially used for hot water supply during an active time. When the amount of hot water storage is insufficient during use of hot water, the heat pump unit 2 may be operated as necessary, and an additional hot water storage operation may be performed.

  In recent years, there have been an increasing number of hot water supply apparatuses having a function of automatic bath operation that automatically performs from hot water supply to the bathtub 3 to heat insulation. When the bath automatic operation control means 29 performs hot water supply to the bathtub 3 and heat insulation operation, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 1 is used to supply hot water to the bathtub 3, and when the bath water temperature decreases, the hot water storage tank A heat insulation operation is performed using the heat of hot water stored in 1, and the bath water temperature is maintained at a preset temperature. In addition, when the reheating operation is performed by the reheating operation control means 30 and the hot water in the bathtub 3 is heated, the heat of the hot water stored in the hot water tank 1 is used.

Most of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is replaced with hot water at the time when heat use such as hot water supply for one day is finished, and hot water storage operation for the next use is performed again at midnight thereafter. At this time, the hot water supplied to the bathtub 3 for bathing is often left at a relatively high temperature with respect to the water temperature in the hot water tank 1 at the end of use of the hot water supply. A heat recovery operation is performed before or during the midnight boiling operation by the heat pump unit 2 to recover heat in the hot water tank 1.

  Next, a control method for bath automatic operation, chasing operation, and heat recovery operation will be described. The bath automatic operation control means 29 automatically supplies a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub 3 at a predetermined temperature, and then intermittently performs a heat retaining operation so as to maintain the bath water temperature at a preset temperature for a preset time. Perform (automatic bath operation).

  During bath automatic operation, in order to determine whether or not it is necessary to perform a heat retaining operation, a bath water temperature detecting operation is periodically performed to detect the bath water temperature. The bath water temperature is detected by the bath water temperature detection means 17, and as a result, when the bath water temperature is lower than a preset temperature by a predetermined temperature or more (for example, 1K or more), a heat insulation operation is performed to maintain the bath water temperature. If it is less than 1, do not keep warm.

  During this preset time, automatic bath operation is prioritized and the heat recovery operation control means 21 is automatically operated or the heat recovery operation start switch 26 is operated by the user even when receiving an instruction to start the heat recovery operation. Control is performed so that the heat recovery operation is performed after a preset time has elapsed without performing the recovery operation.

  On the contrary, when the bath automatic operation control means 29 receives an instruction to start the bath automatic operation during the heat recovery operation, the heat recovery operation control means 21 stops the heat recovery operation, giving priority to the bath automatic operation. The automatic operation control means 29 starts bath automatic operation (conceptual diagram is shown in FIG. 3).

  The reheating operation control means 30 circulates and warms the hot water in the bathtub 3 and ends when the bath water temperature detected by the bath water temperature detection means 17 reaches a predetermined temperature or when a predetermined time elapses from the start of the operation (refreshing). operation).

  While the reheating operation control means 30 is performing the reheating operation, the renewal operation is prioritized, the heat recovery operation control means 21 does not perform the heat recovery operation, and after the reheating operation is completed, the heat recovery operation is performed. Control to do.

  Conversely, even when the reheating operation control means 30 receives an instruction for reheating operation during the heat recovery operation, the recuperation operation is given priority, and the heat recovery operation control means 21 stops the heat recovery operation and retreats. The operation control means 30 starts a chasing operation (a conceptual diagram is shown in FIG. 4).

  The operation of the valve and the pump when performing each operation and the flow of water and hot water associated therewith will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, the flow path is indicated by a bold line.

  First, the operation when the bath automatic operation control means 29 performs bath automatic operation will be described. FIG. 5 shows the flow of water and hot water in the circuit when hot water is first supplied to the bathtub 3. From the hot water storage tank 1, hot water from the first hot water discharge pipe 22 and the second hot water discharge pipe 23 is mixed by the high temperature water mixing valve 24 and supplied to the high temperature water supply pipe 8.

  The hot water supplied to the high-temperature water supply pipe 8 and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 14 to the low-temperature water supply pipe 9 are mixed with hot water having a desired hot water supply temperature by the mixing valve 11 and supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10. The Here, the temperature of the hot water supplied from the high-temperature water mixing valve 24 to the high-temperature water supply pipe 8 is a temperature higher than the above-mentioned desired hot water supply temperature by a predetermined temperature or more (for example, 45 ° C. or more when the desired hot water supply temperature is 40 ° C.). It is adjusted to.

  The on-off valve 13 is opened, and hot water having a desired temperature supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10 is supplied to the bathtub 3 from the bathtub water circulation pipe 12. The opening degree of the high temperature water mixing valve 24 and the mixing valve 11 is generally feedback controlled based on the temperature of hot water supplied to the high temperature water supply pipe 8 and the hot water supply pipe 10 respectively connected to the outlet side. For the high temperature water mixing valve 24, the hot water from the first outlet pipe 22 and the second outlet pipe, and for the mixing valve 11, the hot water from the high temperature water supply pipe 8 and the temperature of the feed water from the low temperature water supply pipe 9. It depends on.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of water and hot water in the circuit when the hot water in the bathtub 3 is kept warm. The hot water storage tank water transfer pump 5a and the bathtub water transfer pump 5b start operation, and the hot water storage tank water transfer pump 5a starts operation from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 1 through the first hot water discharge pipe 22 through the high temperature water mixing valve 24. Hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 8 and further supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10 via the mixing valve 11.

  At this time, the on-off valve 13 is closed and the hot water supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10 is supplied to the hot water supply branch pipe 15 to heat the hot water in the bathtub 3 circulating through the bathtub water circulation pipe 12 in the heat exchanger 4. Increase the bath water temperature. On the other hand, the hot water that has left the heat exchanger 4 and has become relatively cold returns to the hot water tank 1 through the heat exchange return pipe 16. At this time, the opening degree of the high temperature water mixing valve 24 and the mixing valve 11 is such that the first hot water outlet pipe 22 and the high temperature water supply pipe 8 side are fully opened, and the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank 1 is supplied to the heat exchanger 4. It is generally controlled so that a certain amount of hot water or water flows from the second hot water outlet pipe 23 and the low temperature water supply pipe 9 and mixes them.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of water and hot water in the circuit when the bathtub water temperature detection operation for detecting the water temperature in the bathtub 3 is performed. The bathtub water conveyance pump 5b starts operation, and the hot water in the bathtub 3 circulates in the bathtub water circulation pipe 12. At this time, the on-off valve 13 is closed and the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a does not operate. The bathtub water temperature detection means 17 detects the bathtub water temperature and determines whether or not to perform a heat retaining operation.

  Next, the operation when the reheating operation control means 30 performs the reheating operation, the flow of water and hot water in the circuit when the reheating operation is performed, when the bath automatic operation control means 29 performs the heat retaining operation. Since this is the same as shown in FIG.

  Finally, FIG. 8 shows the flow of water and hot water in the circuit when the heat recovery operation control means 21 performs the heat recovery operation of the hot water remaining in the bathtub 3. When the heat recovery operation is started, water is supplied from a substantially lower portion of the hot water tank 1 to the low-temperature water supply pipe 9 by the operation of the hot water tank water transfer pump 5 a, and supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10 through the mixing valve 11.

  At this time, the on-off valve 13 is closed, and the water supplied to the hot water supply pipe 10 is supplied to the hot water supply branch pipe 15 and exchanges heat with the hot water of the bathtub 3 circulating through the bathtub water circulation pipe 12 in the heat exchanger 4. To recover heat. On the other hand, the water that has left the heat exchanger 4 and has reached a relatively high temperature returns to the hot water tank 1 through the heat exchange return pipe 16. At this time, the opening degree of the mixing valve 11 is generally controlled so that the low temperature water supply pipe 9 side is fully opened, but a certain amount of hot water flows from the high temperature water supply pipe 8 and mixes. There may be.

  Note that, as the heat recovery amount in the heat exchanger 4 in the heat recovery operation, the temperature detection means 55a for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing into the heat exchanger 4 from the hot water tank 1 and the heat exchanger 4 during the heat recovery operation. By integrating the temperature difference of the temperature detecting means 55b for detecting the temperature of hot water returning to the hot water tank 1 and the flow rate flowing through the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a, the amount of heat recovered in the heat exchanger 4 in the heat recovery operation is increased. It can be calculated.

The temperature distribution in the hot water tank 1 when the heat recovery operation is performed changes in the order of 38, 39, and 40 shown in FIG. That is, the temperature of the water 41 that exchanges heat with the bathtub 3 and flows into the hot water tank 1 from the heat exchange return pipe 16 is often lower than the hot water temperature of the hot water tank 1, and the hot water tank is caused by the action of the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a. It moves toward the lower side of the hot water tank 1 while being mixed with the hot water of No. 1.

  Since the connection position of the second hot water discharge pipe 23 is below the connection position of the heat exchanger return pipe 16, when hot water is generated, the medium temperature water 42 that has come down is discharged from the second hot water discharge pipe 23, and the first It can be used by mixing with hot water 43 from the hot water outlet pipe. Reference numeral 44 shown in FIG. 3 indicates a temperature distribution when hot water is generated after heat recovery. Thus, since the 2nd hot water discharge pipe 23 exists below the connection position to the hot water storage tank of the heat exchange return pipe 16, the collect | recovered heat | fever can be utilized effectively.

  The occurrence of hot water supply is relatively small, and the medium-temperature water that remains without being used up is reheated and used by the heat pump unit 2, but the operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 is as shown in FIG. The higher the water temperature, the lower it.

  As can be seen from the temperature distribution of the hot water tank 1 shown in FIG. 9, the required heating amount by the heat pump unit 2 after the heat recovery operation decreases as the amount of recovered heat from the bathtub 3 increases. Since the water temperature before heating becomes high and the operation efficiency at the time of reheating is reduced, it is not necessarily energy saving to perform as much heat recovery as possible.

  That is, the input (heat consumption or power consumption) to the heat pump unit 2 is obtained by subtracting the recovered heat amount obtained by the heat recovery operation from the necessary heat amount before heat recovery for obtaining the required hot water storage heat amount. As shown in FIG. 11, this value may have a minimum value for the recovered heat amount.

  Therefore, in order to obtain a higher energy saving effect, it is necessary to stop the heat recovery operation from the bathtub 3 at the time when the input to the heat pump unit 2 becomes substantially minimum in the reheating operation performed after the heat recovery operation is stopped. Thus, it can be seen that the energy saving effect obtained by heat recovery is not the recovered heat amount itself obtained by heat recovery, but the recovered heat amount divided by the average efficiency. The degree of contribution to energy saving can be considered as, for example, the average efficiency during hot water storage operation.

  As a specific method for finding the time point at which the minimum value is reached, the change of the input value to the heat pump unit 2 that is predicted based on the temperature distribution of the hot water tank 1 measured at predetermined time intervals is obtained. Judgment is made when the degree of decrease in the value is small or no longer decreases, or starts to increase.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the hot water in the hot water tank 1 is heated by the heat pump unit 2, the temperature at the site where water is transported from the hot water tank 1 to the heat pump unit 2 (in this embodiment, the hot water tank 1 The operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 increases as the temperature of the lower part of the heat pump unit 2 decreases. However, when the heat recovery operation from the bathtub 3 is performed, the water recovered from the bathtub 3 flows into the hot water tank 1. There is a state in which the temperature of the part that transports water from the hot water tank 1 to the heat pump unit 2 starts to rise.

  Therefore, at the time of the heat recovery operation from the bathtub 3, the temperature of the part that transports water to the heat pump unit 2 of the hot water tank 1 is measured, and the heat recovery operation operation from the bathtub 3 is performed in the vicinity where the increase in the temperature starts to increase. By stopping the operation, it is possible to achieve substantially the maximum operating efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 during the heating operation after the heat recovery operation.

A control method of the heat recovery operation control means 21 for obtaining a high energy saving effect in consideration of the above will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the heat recovery operation control means 21. When the heat recovery operation start determination unit 31 determines the start of the heat recovery operation, such as the operation of the heat recovery operation start switch 26 by the user or the elapse of a predetermined time after the end of the automatic bath operation by the bath automatic operation control means 29, first The water level sensor 27 detects the water level proportional to the amount of hot water in the bathtub (step 1). If the water level set in advance is 200 mm or less, the heat recovery operation is terminated without starting (step 2).

  If the water level exceeds 200 mm in step 1, the required hot water storage amount acquired by the required hot water storage amount acquisition unit 31, the current temperature distribution of the hot water tank 1 measured by the hot water storage temperature detection means 28a to 28e, and the heat pump unit 2 The temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 1 at the time of completion of the hot water storage operation is predicted from the operating conditions such as the boiling temperature of the water, compared with the current temperature distribution, and the remaining heating when heating with the heat pump unit 2 from that time A quantity Qr is obtained (step 3).

  Next, the average water temperature before boiling in the heat pump unit 2 is estimated from the measured current temperature distribution until the predicted temperature distribution at the time of completion of the hot water storage operation is reached (step 4).

  Further, the average efficiency during hot water storage operation is obtained from the average water temperature obtained in step 4 and the characteristics of the heat pump unit 2 shown in FIG. 4, and the remaining heating amount Qr obtained in step 3 is divided by this average efficiency to obtain hot water storage water. The input Qin during operation is estimated (step 5). Qin obtains a difference from Qin−f which is a value obtained at the previous evaluation time, and when it is smaller than a predetermined deviation q, that is, when a change in estimated input gradually becomes smaller and it is determined to be a minimum value (step) 6) In Step 2, the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a and the bathtub water transfer pump 5b are stopped to end the heat recovery operation. When the difference between Qin and Qin−f is equal to or greater than q, the heat recovery operation is continued, and when the next evaluation time comes (step 8), the above operation is repeated.

  As a supplement, step 7 is executed without performing the comparison in step 6 at the first operation after the start of the heat recovery operation.

  Although the operation based on the water level at the start of the heat recovery operation is described here, the heat recovery operation is also stopped in step 1 when the water level becomes 200 mm or less after the heat recovery operation is started. (Step 2).

  Furthermore, although not shown in this flowchart, if the water level detected by the water level sensor 27 exceeds 200 mm, the heat recovery operation is restarted by performing this procedure again, and the above operation is performed.

  Although the above is the explanation of the operation, the stop of the heat recovery operation regardless of the amount of hot water in the bathtub 3 is performed because the determination of the minimum value of the input of the heat pump unit 2 is reduced. In addition to this method, when the input difference q between the evaluation times is 0, or when the sign of q is reversed from the previous evaluation time, that is, when the estimated input starts to increase, the heat recovery operation is set to the minimum value. May be stopped.

  In addition, the estimated input often increases or decreases while reaching the minimum value due to a measurement error of the temperature value of the hot water tank 1 to be measured. Therefore, by storing the estimated input at the latest several evaluation times, and determining whether the minimum value has been reached by using the moving average value, the determination accuracy of whether the minimum value has been reached is further improved. Can be increased.

  Furthermore, as described above, the method of evaluating the temperature distribution each time and obtaining the input is highly accurate, but the calculation is complicated and the load on the heat recovery operation control means 21 is large.

  In that case, when a change in hot water storage temperature at a position that most affects the input is grasped in advance, and one of the hot water storage temperature detection means 28a to 28e corresponding to that position starts to rise. When the temperature rises or a predetermined temperature is detected, or while the temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means 28d rises and the temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means 28e does not increase, the heat recovery operation is continued. The stop may be determined according to a combination of two or more temperatures.

  Specifically, it is possible to reduce the efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 by reducing the heat recovery operation by detecting that the temperature relatively close to the lower portion of the hot water tank 1 is rising. Can be obtained. Furthermore, if the change of the temperature of the upper part of the hot water tank 1 is taken into consideration, it is possible to simultaneously evaluate the amount of recovered heat by the heat recovery operation, and the accuracy is improved.

  After the heat recovery is stopped by the above procedure, the effect obtained by the heat recovery is displayed on the remote controller 25. FIG. 13 shows a display example displaying the effect obtained by heat recovery.

  As described above, the temperature detecting means 55a for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing from the hot water tank 1 into the heat exchanger 4 and the temperature for detecting the temperature of hot water returning from the heat exchanger 4 to the hot water tank 1 during the heat recovery operation. By integrating the temperature difference of the detection means 55b and the flow rate flowing through the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a, the amount of heat recovered in the heat exchanger 4 in the heat recovery operation is calculated and converted to the hot water supply temperature (42 ° C.). A numerical value obtained by dividing the flow rate value by the system efficiency (COP) of the heat pump unit 2 is displayed as an energy saving effect value by heat recovery.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prompt the user to continuously recover the heat by displaying the energy saving effect by the heat recovery. Moreover, since the energy saving effect is displayed without excess or deficiency, the user can correctly determine the effect of heat recovery.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the configuration of the piping system for realizing the automatic bath operation, the reheating operation, and the heat recovery operation, they are switched by adjusting the opening degree of one mixing valve 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure an installation space for a new member in the housing for improving the function, and there is no increase in weight, material, and standby power, which contributes to resource saving and energy saving.

  In addition, the heat exchanger 4 is a plate type with high heat exchange efficiency, and is installed near the connection position of the heat exchange return pipe 16 of the hot water tank 1 to make the heat exchanger 4 itself compact. As a minimum pipe length, it will save resources as well.

  When the heat recovery operation is performed, the heat recovery operation is stopped when the input to the heat pump unit 2 for boiling up the required hot water storage amount is minimized, so that the efficiency of the entire system, which is the original purpose, is reduced. Improvement can be realized and energy saving can be improved.

  As a configuration, the water in the lower part of the hot water tank 1 is taken out and heated by the heat exchanger 4 and returned to the relatively upper part of the hot water tank 1. It depends on the difference in the return position.

  Furthermore, the heat recovery speed and the like can be controlled by controlling the capacity of the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a, and the operation efficiency changes depending on the difference in configuration and control.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an optimized design is made such that an appropriate take-out position and return position can be set in consideration of usage, the capacity of the hot water tank 1, and the capacity control of the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a can be performed. Since the degree of freedom is high, it can be easily applied to a plurality of different models, and as a result, a large energy saving effect can be obtained by providing it to many users.

  Furthermore, in hot water supply from the hot water tank 1, hot water from the first hot water discharge pipe 22 and the second hot water discharge pipe 23 is appropriately mixed by the high temperature water mixing valve 24 to effectively use the medium temperature water in the hot water storage tank 1. In addition, by making the connection position of the heat exchange return pipe 16 to the hot water storage tank 1 higher than the second hot water discharge pipe 23, the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank and the lower temperature in the lower part are inevitable in the temperature stratified hot water tank. As a result of the effective use of the medium-temperature water that can be formed between the water and the water, the amount of heat recovered from the bath water can be increased because a large amount of low-temperature water can be secured below the hot water tank even with the same heat storage amount.

  In addition, the flow of the intermediate warm water generated by the heat recovery into the relatively upper portion of the hot water storage tank 1 means that the intermediate warm water that moves below the hot water storage tank 1 while increasing is lower than the inflow position of the hot recovered hot water. Since it can be used for hot water supply through the two hot water outlet pipes 23, the amount of stored hot water can be used to the maximum extent possible.

  At the same time, the medium temperature water in the hot water tank 1 that reduces the heating efficiency of the heat pump unit 2 is reduced, so that the efficiency of the entire system can be prevented from being lowered. To do.

  Further, when the heat recovery operation is started when there is no or little bath water, the second hot water discharge pipe 23 and the heat exchange return pipe 16 are installed at appropriate positions, so that the hot water can be used well and the lower part of the hot water tank 1 In spite of the configuration of securing a large amount of low-temperature water, the hot water storage tank 5 is operated to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank.

  In this case, the effect of heat recovery cannot be obtained, and the efficiency is lowered when the heat pump unit 2 is heated. However, since the amount of hot water in the bath is detected in advance to determine the execution of the heat recovery operation, The high energy-saving property obtained by optimizing the connection position of the hot water return pipe 23 and the heat exchange return pipe 16 is not impaired.

  That is, it is possible to provide a hot water supply apparatus that appropriately controls the heat recovery operation and realizes high energy saving performance.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 14, the difference from the first embodiment is that a switching means 51 is provided, and a reheating branch branched from the first outlet pipe 22 through the switching means 51 to the primary inlet of the heat exchanger 4. A heat transfer pipe 52 serving as a flow path for operation is connected, and a lower part of the hot water tank 1 and the switching means 51 are connected via a heat pump unit 2 by a heat recovery forward pipe 53.

  Furthermore, the upper part of the hot water tank 1 and the switching means 51 are connected by a boiling return pipe 54, and the hot water tank water transfer pump 5 a is disposed in the heat recovery forward pipe 53.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. The entire operation is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a portion in which the hot water path differs depending on the circuit will be described.

When performing a heat recovery operation in which the heat of the hot water of the bathtub 3 is recovered by the heat exchanger 4 into the hot water of the hot water tank 1, the hot water of the bathtub 3 is used as the secondary flow path of the heat exchanger 4 as shown in FIG. The bathtub water conveyance pump 5b is operated in order to convey the water.

  Thereafter, from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1, the hot water storage pipe 53, the heat pump unit 2, the switching means 51, the primary flow path of the heat exchanger 4, the heat exchange return pipe 16, and the substantially central part of the hot water storage tank 1 are sequentially stored. The hot water storage tank water conveyance pump 5a is operated so that the hot water from the tank 1 flows. Thereby, the heat which the hot water of the bathtub 3 has is collect | recovered by the hot water of the hot water tank 1.

  In addition, the required flow volume by the bathtub water conveyance pump 5b is ensured by making the conveyance amount of the hot water by the bathtub water conveyance pump 5b larger than the conveyance amount of the hot water by the hot water tank water conveyance pump 5a, and the temperature distribution in the bathtub 3 is It is made uniform and heat can be stably recovered from the bathtub 3, and the flow rate by the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a becomes excessive, so that the hot water in the hot water tank 1 is not stirred and the temperature stratification is performed. Since it can hold | maintain, it becomes possible to perform the boiling operation of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 mentioned later efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the temperature detection means 55a for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing from the hot water tank 1 into the heat exchanger 4 and the heat exchange during the heat recovery operation. The heat in the heat exchanger 4 in the heat recovery operation is integrated by integrating the temperature difference of the temperature detecting means 55b for detecting the temperature of hot water returning from the vessel 4 to the hot water tank 1 and the flow rate flowing through the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a. The recovered amount is calculated and the flow rate value converted by the hot water supply temperature (42 ° C) divided by the system efficiency (COP) of the heat pump unit 2 is displayed as an energy saving effect value by heat recovery as shown in FIG. Yes.

  Further, when the boiling operation for heating the hot water in the hot water tank 1 is performed by the heat pump unit 2, as shown in FIG. 16, the flow direction of the switching means 51 is changed by the operation control means 18 during the heat recovery operation described above. Are switched to different directions and the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a is operated, so that the heat recovery forward pipe 53, the heat pump unit 2, the switching means 51, the boiling return pipe 54, and the hot water tank 1 are Hot water from the hot water storage tank 1 is flowed to the upper part in order, and the hot water transfer amount by the hot water tank water transfer pump 5a is controlled so that the hot water after passing through the heat pump unit 2 reaches a predetermined boiling temperature.

  Thereby, the water in the lower part of the hot water tank 1 is heated by the heat pump unit 2 and returned to the upper part of the hot water tank 1, and the hot water is stored in the hot water tank 1.

  Note that, in both the heat recovery operation and the boiling operation, the hot water storage tank water transport pump 5a provided in the heat recovery forward pipe 53 in order to transport the hot water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 1 to the primary side of the heat exchanger 4. However, when performing the heat recovery operation, a pump provided in the heat exchange return pipe 16 may be used as in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, since a considerable part of the flow path of the heat recovery operation and the boiling operation can be shared by using the switching means 51, the number of piping members to be used can be reduced, thus realizing resource saving and cost reduction. There is an effect that can be done.

  As described above, the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention performs appropriate control in consideration of the amount of hot water during the heat recovery operation from the hot water in the bathtub, so that it can be applied to a domestic hot water supply apparatus as described above. It can also be applied to large-scale applications such as for use, and can provide a hot water supply device with excellent practicality.

1 Hot water tank 2 Heating means (heat pump unit)
3 Bathtub 4 Heat exchanger 5a First transfer pump (hot water storage tank transfer pump)
5b Second transfer pump (tub water transfer pump)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 High temperature water supply pipe 9 Low temperature water supply pipe 10 Hot water supply pipe 11 Mixing valve 12 Bath water circulation pipe 13 On-off valve 14 Water supply pipe 15 Hot water branch pipe 16 Heat exchange return pipe 17 Bath water temperature detection means 18 Operation control means 21 Heat recovery operation control means 22 1st tapping pipe 23 2nd tapping pipe 24 High temperature water mixing valve 25 Remote control (display means)
26 Heat recovery operation start switch 27 Bath water amount detection means (water level sensor)
28 Hot water storage temperature detection means 29 Bath automatic operation control means 30 Reheating operation control means 51 Switching means 52 Heat exchange pipe 53 Heat recovery forward pipe 54 Boiling return pipe

Claims (3)

A hot water storage tank, a bathtub, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot water in the hot water tank and the hot water in the bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pipe through which the hot water in the bathtub circulates through the heat exchanger, A second transfer pump disposed in the bathtub water circulation pipe, a heat recovery forward pipe for guiding the hot water in the lower part of the hot water tank to the heat exchanger, and a heat exchange return for returning the hot water from the heat exchanger to the hot water tank A pipe, a first transfer pump for circulating hot water from the hot water storage tank through the heat exchanger, a display means, and a control means, and the first transfer pump and the second transfer pump And a heat recovery operation mode in which the heat exchanger recovers the heat of the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water in the hot water storage tank by the heat exchanger, and the control means detects the amount of hot water in the bathtub and performs the heat recovery operation. determines the execution, also place to heat the hot water in the hot water storage tank In the temperature stratification type hot water supply apparatus for performing a heating operation in which hot water at the lower part of the hot water tank is heated by a heat pump unit and returned to the upper part of the hot water tank, the second of the heat recovery operation is performed. A hot water supply amount by the transfer pump is larger than a hot water transfer amount by the first transfer pump, and information related to the heat recovery amount in the heat recovery operation is displayed on the display means. apparatus. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat recovery operation is stopped so that an input during the heating operation of the heat pump unit after the heat recovery operation is stopped is substantially minimized. The hot water tank connected to the hot water tank, the high temperature water supply pipe connected to supply hot water of the hot water tank, and the hot water in the upper part of the hot water tank are switched to flow to the heat exchanger. A heat transfer pipe connected to the heat exchanger via the means, and a boiling connected from the switching means to the hot water tank so that the hot water heated by the heat pump unit returns into the hot water tank. A return pipe, and the heat recovery forward pipe is connected to the heat exchanger via the heat pump unit and the switching means in order so that the hot water in the lower part of the hot water tank flows to the heat exchanger. And when performing the heat recovery operation, the hot water from the hot water tank flows in the order of the heat recovery forward pipe, the heat pump unit, the switching means, the heat exchanger, and the heat exchange return pipe, Heat pump When the boiling operation for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank is performed by the hot water, the hot water from the hot water storage tank flows in the order of the heat recovery forward pipe, the heat pump unit, the switching means, and the boiling return pipe. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching means is switched.