JPH0972539A - Fan apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fan apparatus which can detect the fan troubles by discriminating between a clogging trouble of a vent passage and troubles other than the former, when fan troubles of causing the lowering of an air amount of a fan occurs. SOLUTION: When a fan trouble detector part 29 detects a fan trouble of causing lowering of an air amount of a fan 7 such as clogging of a vent passage, a fan control part 26 controls the number of revolutions of the fan 7 to a maximum one or one near the maximum one. A trouble cause judgment part 30 is provided which discriminates the caused fan trouble to be due to clogging of the vent passage or one due to an influence of external air or indoor negative pressure and so on based upon a fan air state on the vent passage grasped by the fan trouble detector part 29 in the foregoing state, and displays the discrimination result on a display device 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a blower used for a combustion device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a combustion apparatus such as a gas water heater or a gas warm air heater is provided with a blower for supplying combustion air to a combustion chamber accommodating a gas burner through a ventilation passage by a blower fan. ing. The blower normally sets a target rotation speed of the blower fan so as to obtain an air volume corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner, and controls the blower fan at the set target rotation speed to obtain the combustion amount of the gas burner. The amount of combustion air commensurate with the above is supplied to the combustion chamber.

This type of blower basically controls the rotation speed of the blower fan on the premise that the ventilation passage and the external environment are normal. In the control, clogging of the air passage occurs due to dust or dirt adhering to the air filter provided in the air passage,
If the clogging progresses to some extent, the air volume of the blower fan will be lower than in the normal case, and it will be difficult to secure an appropriate air volume. Further, the decrease in the air volume of the blower fan as described above may occur due to the influence of the outside wind, and may further occur due to the influence of the negative pressure in the room due to the use of the ventilation fan in the room where the blower is arranged. Even in such a case, it becomes difficult to secure an appropriate air volume.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application grasps the ventilation state of the ventilation passage based on the energization amount of the blower fan during operation and the air volume detected by the air volume sensor provided in the ventilation passage.
Thereby, an attempt is made to detect an abnormality in the blowing due to the clogging of the ventilation passage or the like, which causes a decrease in the air volume of the blowing fan. Then, based on the grasped ventilation condition of the ventilation path, in the case of a slight ventilation abnormality in which the reduction in the air volume of the ventilation fan is relatively small, the rotation speed of the ventilation fan is appropriately corrected to ensure an appropriate air volume. Or, in the case of an excessive blower abnormality in which the reduction in the air flow of the blower fan is relatively large, it is attempted to stop the operation of the combustion device and eliminate the situation where the improper combustion operation is performed. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-62621).

That is, when the air flow rate of the blower fan is reduced due to clogging of the ventilation passage, the amount of electricity supplied to the fan motor at each rotation speed of the blower fan becomes smaller than in the normal case, and The air volume detected by the air volume sensor is also smaller than in the normal case. Then, the degree of decrease in the energization amount and the detected air flow amount becomes larger as the clogging of the ventilation passage progresses, or as the influence of the outside air or the indoor negative pressure becomes greater. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the ventilation state of the ventilation path based on the energization amount and the detected air volume, and thereby to detect the ventilation abnormality due to clogging of the ventilation channel and to grasp the degree of the ventilation abnormality. You can Then, the rotation speed of the blower fan and the operation stop of the device as described above can be accurately performed according to the degree of the abnormality in the blower.

On the other hand, as described above, when the air flow abnormality causing the reduction of the air flow of the air blow fan is the abnormality due to the clogging of the ventilation passage, the clogging of the ventilation passage is performed by cleaning the air filter of the ventilation passage. By removing the above, the cause of the abnormality can be eliminated and the state can be returned to the normal state. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to notify the user of that fact.

However, as described above, in the case of detecting an abnormality in the air flow that causes a decrease in the air flow of the air blower fan based on the air flow in the air flow passage, in the normal operation of the air blower fan, when the air flow passage is clogged. In the same way, the air flow rate of the blower fan often decreases due to the influence of outside air or indoor negative pressure as well, and these abnormalities of air blowing are caused by clogging of the ventilation passage and other causes such as outside air. It was necessary to take some measures to distinguish them.

Incidentally, in the Japanese Patent Application No. 7-62621, the abnormal ventilation is detected by whether or not the abnormal ventilation detected by the ventilation of the ventilation passage has continued for a predetermined time or longer. We have made a distinction between those due to the clogging of the ventilation passage and those due to continuous causes such as clogging of the ventilation passage. It is difficult to distinguish between.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, the present invention considers, when a blower abnormality that causes a decrease in air flow of a blower fan occurs, the blower abnormality to be a clogging abnormality of a ventilation passage and other abnormality. It is an object of the present invention to provide a blower device that can be distinguished and detected.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present application have found that when a ventilation abnormality occurs due to clogging of the ventilation passage, the ventilation state of the ventilation passage by the ventilation fan and the other ventilation abnormality due to outside wind or indoor negative pressure The following findings were obtained as a result of a comparative examination of the blowing condition of the ventilation passage by the blowing fan in the case of occurrence, at various rotational speeds of the blowing fan.

That is, in the case of abnormal ventilation due to clogging of the ventilation passage, the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage greatly differs from the normal ventilation condition as the rotation speed of the ventilation fan increases, and at the low rotation speed side of the ventilation fan. The difference from the normal blowing condition is small. And, in the case of abnormal ventilation due to outside wind or indoor negative pressure, the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage, contrary to the above, becomes significantly different from the normal ventilation condition as the rotation speed of the ventilation fan decreases, and the speed of the ventilation fan increases. On the rotation speed side, the difference from the normal blowing condition is small. Therefore, depending on the number of rotations of the blower fan, there is a significant difference in the blown state of the ventilation passages between the blower abnormality due to the clogging of the ventilation passage and the blower abnormality due to other outside air or the like.

Further, when the rotation speed of the blower fan is changed between the high speed side and the low speed side, the change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage is caused by outside wind or indoor negative pressure when the ventilation abnormality is caused by clogging of the ventilation passage. Small compared to abnormal ventilation.

Therefore, in order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a blower fan for generating an air flow in a ventilation passage, a fan control means for controlling the blower fan, and A blower abnormality detecting means for detecting a blower abnormality including a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage, which causes a reduction in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage by a blower fan, based on a blown state of the ventilation passage, the blower abnormality detecting means. The fan control means is provided with means for controlling the blower fan to a predetermined rotation number when the blower abnormality is detected by the blower, and the blower fan is controlled when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined rotation number. An abnormality cause determination unit is provided for separately determining the abnormality of the air flow into the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and the abnormality other than the clogging of the ventilation passage based on the blowing condition of the ventilation passage by the fan. It is characterized in that the.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined rotation speed of the blower fan controlled by the fan control means when the blower abnormality is detected by the blower abnormality detecting means is as described above. The rotation speed (for example, the maximum rotation speed or the minimum rotation speed of the blower fan) is set so as to cause a difference in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage by the blower fan depending on whether the ventilation passage is clogged abnormally or otherwise. In this case, the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage when the ventilation fan is controlled to the predetermined number of revolutions allows the ventilation abnormality to be discriminated into an abnormality of clogging of the ventilation passage and an abnormality other than clogging of the ventilation passage. .

In the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined rotation speed is the maximum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, or the minimum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof. However, it is particularly preferable to set the maximum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity of the maximum rotation speed. That is, as described above, basically, when the ventilation is abnormal due to the clogging of the ventilation path, the ventilation status of the ventilation path greatly differs from the normal ventilation status as the rotation speed of the ventilation fan increases. On the low speed side of the blower fan, the difference from the normal blower state is small. And, in the case of abnormal ventilation due to outside wind or indoor negative pressure,
Contrary to the above, the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage is significantly different from the normal ventilation condition as the rotation speed of the ventilation fan is lower, and the difference from the normal ventilation condition is smaller on the high-speed rotation side of the ventilation fan. Will be things. Therefore, when the predetermined rotation speed is the maximum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, or the minimum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, there are cases of abnormal ventilation due to clogging of the ventilation passage and other cases. It is easy to make a difference in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage from the case of the ventilation abnormality due to the outside wind, etc., and it is possible to distinguish the both ventilation abnormalities based on the ventilation state.

However, on the low speed side of the blower fan, when the degree of clogging of the ventilation passage is considerably high, the ventilation state of the ventilation passage at that time is as normal as the case of abnormal ventilation due to outside air. The difference from the normal blowing condition becomes relatively large. On the other hand, on the high speed side of the blower fan,
In the case of abnormal ventilation due to clogging of the ventilation passage, the higher the degree of clogging, the greater the difference in the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage from the normal ventilation condition.
When the ventilation is abnormal due to outside air or the like, the ventilation state of the air passage does not substantially differ from the normal ventilation state.

Therefore, particularly by setting the predetermined number of revolutions to the maximum number of revolutions or the number of revolutions near the maximum number of revolutions, it is possible to surely perform the distinction of the blowing abnormality by the abnormality cause judging means.

In the first aspect of the present invention as described above,
The ventilation state of the ventilation path grasped by the abnormality cause determining means is, for example, the amount of electricity supplied to the ventilation fan when the ventilation fan is controlled to the predetermined rotation speed as an amount indicating the ventilation state of the ventilation path. It can be grasped, and in this case, the abnormality cause judging means compares whether or not the difference amount between the energization amount and the predetermined reference energization amount corresponding to the predetermined rotation speed is a predetermined amount or more. Based on the above, the ventilation abnormality is discriminated based on whether the ventilation passage is clogged or not.

Alternatively, the ventilation state of the ventilation passage is determined by, for example, the air volume detected by an air volume sensor provided in the ventilation passage when the ventilation fan is controlled at the predetermined rotation speed. It can be grasped as the indicated amount, and in this case, the abnormality cause judging means determines whether or not the difference amount between the detected air amount and the reference air amount determined in advance corresponding to the predetermined rotation number is a predetermined amount or more. On the basis of the comparison of (1), the ventilation abnormality is discriminated based on the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and the abnormality other than the clogging of the ventilation passage.

That is, the energization amount of the blower fan and the air amount detected by the air amount sensor when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined number of revolutions are the same as when the blower abnormality is the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and other cases. In both cases, it is basically lower than that in the normal case, but the degree of the decrease is relatively different. If the maximum number of rotations, the degree of decrease in the energization amount and the detected air flow in the case of an abnormal clogging of the ventilation path is significantly greater than in the case of an abnormality due to outside wind, and the predetermined number of rotations is, for example. If the blower fan has the minimum rotation speed, it is generally opposite to the above.

Therefore, when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined number of revolutions, the energization amount of the blower fan or the air amount detected by the air amount sensor, and the reference energization amount or the reference air amount corresponding to the predetermined revolution number. By comparing whether or not the difference amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, it is possible to easily perform the classification determination of the blowing abnormality.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second aspect of the present invention is to provide a blower fan for producing an airflow in a ventilation passage, a fan control means for controlling the blower fan, and A blower abnormality detecting means for detecting a blower abnormality including a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage, which causes a reduction in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage by a blower fan, based on a blown state of the ventilation passage, the blower abnormality detecting means. When the blower abnormality is detected by, the fan control means is provided with means for controlling the blower fan to a predetermined first rotation speed and then changing the second rotation speed to a second rotation speed different from the first rotation speed. Based on the degree of change in the blowing condition of the ventilation passage by the blowing fan when the first rotation speed is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed, the ventilation abnormality is detected as clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and clogging of the ventilation passage. Ri is characterized in that it comprises an abnormality cause judgment means for separating determining abnormal and non.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the change in the ventilation condition of the ventilation passage when the rotation speed of the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed by the fan control means. As described above, the degree of air flow abnormality due to clogging of the ventilation passage is smaller than that of air flow abnormality due to outside air or indoor negative pressure. Therefore, based on the degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage, the ventilation abnormality can be discriminated into the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and the abnormality other than the clogging of the ventilation passage. In addition, it is preferable that the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed are relatively different from each other.

In the second aspect of the present invention as described above,
The degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed is, for example, when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed. It is possible to grasp the amount of change in the amount of electricity supplied to the blower fan as the degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage,
In this case, the abnormality cause determination means determines whether the ventilation abnormality is a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage or an abnormality other than the clogging of the ventilation passage based on whether or not the amount of change in the energization amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Make a judgment.

Alternatively, the degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage is determined by, for example, the air volume detected by the air volume sensor provided in the ventilation passage when the ventilation fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed. Can be grasped as an amount showing the degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage,
In this case, the abnormality cause determining means determines the ventilation abnormality to be a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and an abnormality other than the clogging of the ventilation passage based on comparison of whether or not the amount of change in the detected air volume is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Make a judgment.

That is, for example, when the first rotation speed is lower than the second rotation speed and the rotation speed of the blower fan is increased from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed, the energization amount of the blower fan or The air volume detected by the air volume sensor is increased in both cases where the ventilation abnormality is an abnormality due to clogging of a ventilation path and other abnormality due to outside air, etc., but as described above. If the blower abnormality is a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage, the higher the rotation speed of the blower fan, the greater the degree of decrease in the energization amount and the detected air flow relative to the normal case. The increase in the energization amount and the detected air flow due to the increase in the number is relatively small.
On the other hand, when the blower abnormality is an abnormality due to outside wind or the like, the higher the rotational speed of the blower fan is, the smaller the degree of decrease in the energization amount and the detected air amount with respect to the normal case is. The increase in the energization amount and the detected air flow due to the increase in the rotation speed of the blower fan becomes relatively large.

Therefore, when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed, the change amount of the energization amount of the blower fan and the change amount of the detected air amount of the ventilation passage are determined by the ventilation abnormality. There is a difference between the case where the road is clogged and the case where there is an abnormality due to outside wind or the like. Thus, by comparing whether or not the amount of change in the energization amount or the detected air flow is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, it is possible to easily determine the blower abnormality as an abnormality other than the air passage clogging abnormality and the air passage clogging. It can be judged separately.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, in the combustion device, the blower fan includes a combustion chamber provided in communication with the air passage and a combustor housed in the combustion chamber. A fan that blows combustion air to the combustor through the ventilation passage, and the combustion device has means for stopping the combustion operation of the combustor when the blow abnormality is detected by the blow abnormality detecting means. When provided, the fan control means controls the rotation speed of the blower fan so as to perform the classification determination of the blower abnormality by the abnormality cause determination means after the combustion operation of the combustor is stopped. It is preferable to perform after-purging of the combustion chamber by control.

By doing so, the after-purging of the combustion chamber, which is normally performed in the combustion apparatus when the combustor is stopped, is performed in parallel with the determination of the blast abnormality by the abnormality cause determining means. And both can be done efficiently. Particularly, in the first aspect of the present invention, the fan control means controls the blower fan to a predetermined constant number of revolutions, such as the maximum number of revolutions or the number of revolutions in the vicinity thereof, in the determination of the abnormality of the blower, Moreover, since the after-purging is usually performed at the maximum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, the control can be performed as it is without changing the control mode of the blower fan at the time of after-purging in the conventional combustion device. In addition to the after-purge, it is possible to determine whether or not the air flow is abnormal.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention,
Further, when the abnormality cause determining means determines that the blowing abnormality is a clogging abnormality, it is provided with a notifying means for notifying the fact. Then, particularly when the air filter is detachably attached to the air passage, the notification of the notification means notifies the necessity of cleaning the air filter.

In this case, since it is possible to reliably discriminate the ventilation abnormality from the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and the abnormality other than that as described above, the notification by the above-mentioned notifying means can be used for the occurrence of the clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage. It can be done accurately at the same time,
By the notification, the user or the like can promptly take a measure for clearing the clogging of the ventilation path and restore the normal state.

In particular, when the air filter is detachably attached to the ventilation passage, the user can be notified of the clogged state of the air filter that causes the abnormal blowing at a reliable and accurate timing, In response to the notification, the user can quickly clean the air filter and restore the normal state.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a water heater which is a combustion device equipped with the air blower of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of the water heater of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG. 1, and FIG.
2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, 1 is a water heater main body, 2 is a gas burner (combustor) housed in a combustion chamber 3 formed in the water heater main body 1, and 4 is a water heater above the combustion chamber 3. A heat exchanger provided in the main body 1, 5 is a gas supply pipe for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 2, 6 is a hot water supply pipe piped through the heat exchanger 4, and 7 is a gas burner in the combustion chamber 3. Combustion fan (blower fan) for blowing combustion air to 2.
Is a controller for controlling the operation of the hot water supply device, and 9 is an operating device for setting the hot water supply temperature.

An air passage 10 for introducing combustion air into the combustion chamber 3 is provided in the water heater main body 1 so as to communicate with the combustion chamber, and an air filter 11 is provided at an intake port 10a of the air passage 10. It is detachably attached.

An exhaust port 12 for exhausting the combustion chamber 3 is formed in the upper portion of the water heater body 1. The exhaust port 1
An exhaust pipe (not shown) is connected to 2 if necessary. Further, in the combustion chamber 3, there are provided a frame rod 13 which detects a combustion state such as the presence or absence of misfire of the gas burner 2 and outputs a detection signal to the controller 8, and a sparker (not shown) under the control of the controller 8 when the gas burner 2 is ignited. And an ignition electrode 14 for generating a spark discharge therethrough.

The combustion fan 7 is composed of a rotary blade 15 arranged in the air passage 10 so as to face the intake port 10a, and a fan motor 16 for rotationally driving the rotary blade 15. Combustion air is sucked into the ventilation passage 10 through the intake port 10a, and the suctioned combustion air is supplied to the combustion chamber 3 through the ventilation passage 10.

The fan motor 16 includes a combustion fan 7
A rotation speed sensor 17 including a Hall element for detecting the rotation speed of the
Outputs a detection signal indicating the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to the controller 8.

The gas supply pipe 5 is, in order from the upstream side,
A source solenoid valve 18 that opens and closes the gas supply pipe 5 by controlling the energization of the controller 8 and a gas proportional valve 19 that supplies the fuel gas to the gas burner 2 at a flow rate according to the amount of energization from the controller 8 are provided.

On the upstream side of the heat exchanger 4, the hot water supply pipe 6 is provided with a water supply temperature sensor 20 for detecting the temperature of the supplied water and a flow rate sensor 21 for detecting the amount of water passing through the hot water supply pipe 6, and the heat exchanger. 4, a hot water outlet temperature sensor 22 for detecting the hot water outlet temperature is provided. Each of these sensors 20 to 22 outputs a detection signal of the water supply temperature, the water flow rate, and the hot water discharge temperature to the controller 8 respectively.
Output to

The operating device 9 is provided with a temperature setting switch 23 for the user to set the temperature of the hot water, a display 24 for displaying the set temperature, and the like. The display unit 24 is composed of a liquid crystal display unit or the like, and can display the contents of the abnormality when an abnormality described later occurs.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 8 is constituted by using a microcomputer or the like, and as its main functional configuration, it is necessary to momentarily calculate the required combustion amount during combustion of the gas burner 2. A combustion amount calculation unit 25,
A fan control unit 26 (fan control unit) that controls the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7, a proportional valve control unit 27 that controls energization of the gas proportional valve 19, and a solenoid valve control unit 28 that controls energization of the original solenoid valve 18. And a blower abnormality detecting unit 29 (blower abnormality detecting means) that detects a blower abnormality such as a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage 10 (clogging abnormality of the air filter 11) or the like, which causes a reduction in the air flow rate of the ventilation fan 10 due to the combustion fan 7. And the detected air flow abnormality as a clogging abnormality of the air passage 10 (air filter 1
(1) clogging abnormality) and other abnormalities due to outside wind, indoor negative pressure, etc., and an abnormality cause determination unit 30 (abnormality cause determination means), and an indication indicating the content of the determined ventilation abnormality. And a display control unit 31 for operating the display 24 of the display unit 9. Here, the display control unit 31 and the display unit 24 constitute the notification means 32.

The required combustion amount calculation unit 25, based on the detection data of the hot water temperature, the hot water temperature, and the water flow rate detected by the hot water temperature sensor 22, the hot water temperature sensor 20, and the flow rate sensor 21 while the gas burner 2 is burning, The required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 for matching the hot water temperature with the set temperature set by the temperature setting switch 23 is obtained from time to time according to a predetermined arithmetic expression or the like.

The fan control unit 26 includes a target rotation speed setting unit 33 that sets a target rotation speed of the combustion fan 7, an energization amount determination unit 34 that determines an energization amount to the fan motor 16, and a determined energization amount. And a fan energizing portion 35 for energizing the fan motor 16.

The target rotation speed setting unit 33 basically predetermines a target rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 corresponding to the required combustion amount obtained momentarily by the required combustion amount calculation unit 25 during the combustion of the gas burner 2. Obtained according to the data table etc. In this case, the target rotation speed that the target rotation speed setting unit 33 obtains corresponding to the required combustion amount is a proper amount of combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount in a normal case where the ventilation passage 10 is not clogged. It is defined as the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 that can be supplied to the gas burner 2. Therefore, during normal operation, by controlling the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to a target rotation speed that is obtained corresponding to the required combustion amount, a proper amount of combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 is supplied to the combustion chamber 3. Supplied.

Then, the energization amount determination unit 34 energizes the fan motor 16 so that the target rotation speed given from the target rotation speed setting unit and the detected rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 obtained by the rotation speed sensor 17 match. The amount is determined, and the fan energizing unit 35 is instructed to energize the fan motor 16. As a result, the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is feedback-controlled to the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit 33.

Further, the fan control unit 26 determines the reference energization amount to the fan motor 16 corresponding to the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit 33.
6 and the target rotation speed determined by the target rotation speed setting unit 33 corresponding to the required combustion amount in accordance with the difference between the reference power supply amount and the power supply amount to the fan motor 16 determined by the power supply determination unit 34. And a correction coefficient calculation unit 37 for calculating a correction coefficient (a coefficient for multiplying the target rotation speed corresponding to the required combustion amount) for correcting

The reference energization amount setting unit 36 obtains the reference energization amount corresponding to the target rotational speed according to a predetermined data table as shown by the solid line a in FIG. 3, for example.
In this case, the solid line a in FIG. 3 shows the standard energization amount to the fan motor 16 when the combustion fan 7 is controlled to an arbitrary target rotation speed in a normal case where the ventilation passage 10 is not clogged. .

Here, the energization amount to the fan motor 16 (the energization amount determined by the energization amount determining unit 34, hereinafter referred to as the actual energization amount) will be described. In the normal case where the ventilation passage 10 is not clogged, etc. By controlling the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to the target rotation speed as described above, the actual energization amount is
It almost coincides with the reference energization amount shown by the solid line a in FIG.

On the other hand, if the air passage 11 is clogged due to the clogging of the air filter 11, for example, the air volume of the air passage 10 at each rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is reduced.
The actual energization amount decreases with respect to the reference energization amount, and the degree of the decrease increases as the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 progresses. In addition, there is a case where the air volume decreases at each rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 due to the influence of the indoor negative pressure or the outside wind due to the use of the ventilation fan in the room where the water heater body 1 is arranged. The amount decreases with respect to the reference energizing amount. Therefore, the degree of decrease in the actual energization amount with respect to the reference energization amount (the amount of difference between the actual energization amount and the reference energization amount) indicates the degree of decrease in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage 10 due to clogging of the ventilation passage 10. In the case where the air flow rate is reduced due to clogging of the air passage 10, the actual energization amount decreases with respect to the reference energization amount as indicated by the solid line b, the solid line c, and the broken line d in FIG. 3, and the degree of the decrease is The higher the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7, the larger.
On the other hand, in the case of a decrease in air volume due to general outside wind or indoor negative pressure, the actual energization amount decreases with respect to the reference energization amount as indicated by a two-dot chain line e in FIG. The higher the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7, the smaller the degree of.

The correction coefficient calculation unit 37 is appropriate if the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the target rotation speed corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 due to the decrease in the air flow due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 as described above. When it is difficult to supply the combustion air of the air volume to the combustion chamber 3, a correction coefficient for correcting the target rotational speed corresponding to the required combustion amount is obtained, and the actual energization amount and the reference energization are set. Based on the amount of difference from the amount, the correction coefficient is calculated by a predetermined arithmetic expression. in this case,
The required correction coefficient is a value of 1 or more, and the larger the degree of decrease in the actual energization amount with respect to the reference energization amount, the larger the correction coefficient.

Then, the target revolution number setting section 33 corrects the target revolution number by multiplying the target revolution number obtained corresponding to the required combustion amount by the above-mentioned correction coefficient (correction is made to increase the target revolution number). Then, the corrected target rotation speed is instructed to the energization amount determination unit 34. In this way, the ventilation path 10
When the air flow rate is reduced due to clogging of the air conditioner or the like, by correcting the target rotation speed, an appropriate amount of combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 is supplied to the combustion chamber 3.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the correction of the target rotational speed as described above is performed by the blower abnormality detecting unit 29 described later.
In accordance with this instruction, the actual energization amount is decreased with respect to the reference energization amount in the range between the predetermined solid line b and the solid line c as shown in FIG. 3, and the solid line b in FIG. Indicates a limit line where it is difficult to supply an appropriate amount of combustion air to the gas burner 2 only by controlling the combustion fan 7 to a target rotation speed corresponding to the required combustion amount, and the solid line c indicates the combustion fan. 7 shows a limit line in which it becomes difficult to supply a proper amount of combustion air to the gas burner 2 when the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 is large even if the target rotation speed of 7 is corrected.

In the present embodiment, the combustion chamber 3 is pre-purged when the combustion of the gas burner 2 is started, and the combustion chamber 3 is after-purged when the combustion of the gas burner 2 is stopped. The target rotation speed setting unit 33 of the fan control unit 26 sets a predetermined predetermined rotation speed as the target rotation speed.

The proportional valve control unit 27 basically determines the amount of electricity supplied to the gas proportional valve 19 according to a predetermined data table or the like from the detected rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 obtained by the rotation speed sensor 17, By energizing the gas proportional valve 19 with the energization amount, the gas burner 2 can be supplied with an amount of fuel gas corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the fan control unit 26 supplies the gas burner 2 with an appropriate amount of combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount by appropriately correcting the target rotation number corresponding to the required combustion amount. Therefore, when such correction is performed, the proportional valve control unit 27 calculates the energization amount obtained from the detected rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 by the correction coefficient calculation unit 37 of the fan control unit 26. The amount of electricity to the gas proportional valve 19 is determined by dividing by the correction coefficient.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, since it is a so-called fan preceding type, the energization amount obtained from the detected rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is divided by the correction coefficient as described above.
In the case where the energization amount of the gas proportional valve 19 is directly determined from the required combustion amount, it is not necessary to perform the above processing.

The blower abnormality detecting section 29 includes a fan control section 26.
Based on the amount of difference between the reference energization amount set by the reference energization amount setting unit 36 and the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 determined by the energization amount determining unit 34, such as clogging that causes a decrease in the air flow rate of the air passage 10. To detect abnormal ventilation,
The comparison unit 38 that compares the reference energization amount and the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the correction control command unit 39 that instructs the fan control unit 26 to correct the target rotation speed according to the comparison result.
And a stop control command unit 40 for instructing the fan control unit 26 and the solenoid valve control unit 28 to stop the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 according to the comparison result.

The comparison unit 38 determines that the difference (deviation or ratio) between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is the reference energization amount indicated by the solid line a (hereinafter referred to as the reference line a) in FIG. A predetermined amount (hereinafter, referred to as a first predetermined amount) corresponding to the amount of difference from the energization amount (hereinafter, referred to as the corrected upper limit energization amount) indicated by the solid line b (hereinafter, referred to as the correction upper limit line b).
Whether or not it is in other words, in other words, whether or not the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 is less than or equal to the corrected upper limit energization amount is compared, and the difference amount between the actual energization amount and the reference energization amount is the first predetermined amount. If it is above, the effect is given to the correction control command unit 39.
At this time, the correction control command unit 39 causes the fan control unit 26 to
Is instructed to correct the target rotation speed as described above.

Further, in the comparison section 38, the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is the reference energization amount and the solid line c indicated by the reference line a in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as the correction lower limit line c). A predetermined amount (hereinafter, referred to as a second amount) corresponding to a difference amount from a current amount (hereinafter, referred to as a correction lower limit current amount)
Whether the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 is less than or equal to the corrected lower limit energization amount is compared, and the difference amount between the actual energization amount and the reference energization amount is the above. When the amount is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount, the stop control command unit 4
Assign to 0. At this time, the stop control command unit 40 informs the electromagnetic valve control unit 2 that the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 should be stopped.
8 and the fan control unit 26. In the present embodiment, the correction coefficient calculated by the correction coefficient calculation unit 37 of the fan control unit 26 corresponds to the difference amount between the reference energization amount and the actual energization amount. The comparison by the unit 38 may be performed by comparing the correction coefficient with a predetermined value that is predetermined corresponding to each of the first and second predetermined amounts.

By the comparison by the comparison unit 38 as described above, an abnormality in the air flow due to clogging of the ventilation passage 10 that causes a decrease in the air flow rate of the combustion fan 7 is detected, and the correction control of the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 and the gas burner 2 corresponding thereto are detected. The stop control of the combustion operation is performed.

The abnormality cause judging section 30 has a relatively serious blowout abnormality due to clogging of the ventilation passage 10, and when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped, the ventilation cause is blocked (air filter 11). (Clogging of),
Other than that, it is to judge separately whether it is due to the outside air or the negative pressure in the room, and when the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3 is performed when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped as described later,
Based on the comparison result performed by the comparison unit 38 of the ventilation abnormality detection unit 29, the above classification determination is performed.

Next, the operation of the water heater according to this embodiment will be described.

In the water heater of this embodiment, when the user starts passing water through the hot water supply pipe 6, this is detected by the controller 8 via the flow rate sensor 21, and at this time, the controller 8 firstly causes the fan controller to operate. The combustion fan 7 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by 26 to pre-purge the combustion chamber 3.
Next, the controller 8 causes the fan control unit 26 to rotate the combustion fan 7 at a predetermined rotation speed according to the amount of ignition gas, and causes the solenoid valve control unit 28 to open the original solenoid valve 18 so that the fuel gas to the gas burner 2 is opened. Is started and a sparker (not shown) causes a spark discharge in the ignition electrode 14 to ignite the gas burner 2.

When the gas burner 2 is ignited in this way and combustion of the gas burner 2 is started, the required combustion amount calculation unit 25 of the controller 8 outputs hot water based on the detection data of the hot water temperature sensor 22, the feed water temperature sensor 20, and the flow rate sensor 21. Temperature control device 9
The required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 for matching the set temperature set by the temperature setting switch 23 is obtained moment by moment. Then, the fan control unit 26 of the controller 8 is
Basically, the target rotation speed setting unit 33 sets the target rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 corresponding to the required combustion amount, and the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is further set via the energization amount determination unit 34 and the fan energization unit 35. The fan motor 16 is energized and controlled so as to match the target rotation speed. With this, basically,
A proper amount of combustion air corresponding to the required combustion amount is supplied to the gas burner 2 by the combustion fan 7.

Further, the proportional valve control section 27 basically energizes the gas proportional valve 19 with an energizing amount according to the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to supply the combustion air to the gas burner 2 by the combustion fan 7. An appropriate amount of fuel gas commensurate with the amount is supplied to the gas burner 2.

As a result, the gas burner 2 burns at the required combustion amount in the normal case where the ventilation passage 11 is not clogged or the like, or when the ventilation passage 10 is very clogged. Then, the combustion heat heats the water flowing through the hot water supply pipe 6 via the heat exchanger 4, and the hot water is discharged at the set temperature. During the combustion of the gas burner 2 as described above, the blower abnormality detection unit 29 of the controller 8 is set by the reference energization amount setting unit 36 of the fan control unit 26 in accordance with the target rotation speed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The reference energization amount and the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 determined by the energization amount determination unit 34 are sequentially compared by the comparison unit 38 (STEP 1). And in that comparison,
When the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount (the degree of decrease of the actual energization amount with respect to the reference energization amount) is less than the second predetermined amount and less than the first predetermined amount (S
In other words, the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 is larger than the correction lower limit energization amount on the correction lower limit line c and the correction upper limit energization amount on the correction upper limit line b, and the reference line a. When it substantially matches the above reference energization amount, the correction control command and the stop control command by the correction control command unit 39 and the stop control command unit 40 are not output. In this case, the combustion fan 7 and the gas burner 2 as described above are output. Combustion operation continues.

On the other hand, when the difference amount between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is less than the second predetermined amount but is the first predetermined amount or more (NO in STEP 2 and ST
In other words, YES in EP3, in other words, the air filter 11
The air volume of the combustion fan 7 is reduced (abnormal ventilation of the ventilation passage 10) due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 due to the clogging of the ventilation passage, the outside air, or the negative pressure in the room. For example, as shown by a point P in FIG. When the actual energization amount of 16 is reduced to the energization amount between the correction lower limit line c and the correction upper limit line b, the air blow abnormality detecting unit 29 causes the correction control command unit 39 to cause the fan control unit 27 to perform the target rotation. Instruct that the number correction control should be performed.

At this time, the correction coefficient calculator 37 of the fan controller 27 calculates a correction coefficient (≧ 1) according to the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount. Then, the target rotation speed setting unit 33 corrects the target rotation speed by multiplying the calculated correction coefficient by the target rotation speed corresponding to the required combustion amount (STEP 4).

As a result, the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the corrected target rotational speed via the energization amount determining section 34 and the fan energizing section 35, and a proper amount of combustion air for the gas burner 2 is secured. . At this time, the proportional valve control unit 27
As described above, by energizing the gas proportional valve 19 with an energization amount obtained by dividing the energization amount obtained according to the number of revolutions of the combustion fan 7 by the correction coefficient, the combustion fan 7 is used for combustion to the gas burner 2. Secure an amount of fuel gas commensurate with the amount of air supplied.

Further, the blown air abnormality detecting section 29 uses the STE
In the comparison of P1, when the difference amount between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount (YES in STEP2), in other words, the air filter 11 is clogged. The airflow of the combustion fan 7 is excessively decreased (abnormal ventilation of air in the ventilation passage 10) due to the influence of clogging of the ventilation passage 10, external wind, negative pressure in the room, or the like. For example, as shown by point Q in FIG. When the actual energization amount falls below the correction lower limit energization amount on the correction lower limit line c, the stop control command unit 40 causes the solenoid valve control unit 28 to operate.
Also, an instruction to stop the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is output to the fan control unit 26.

At this time, the solenoid valve control unit 28 controls the original solenoid valve 1
8 is closed to cut off the fuel supply to the gas burner 2,
The combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped (STEP 5). Then, based on the stop control command from the stop control command unit 40, the fan control unit 28 sets the target rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to the predetermined maximum rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 after the combustion of the gas burner 2 is stopped by the target rotation speed setting unit 33. And the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum speed (STEP 6). Further, in order to continuously control the combustion fan 7 to the maximum rotation speed for a fixed time, a timer (not shown) for measuring the fixed time is started (STEP 7).

In this manner, with the combustion fan 7 controlled to the maximum rotation speed, the blower abnormality detection unit 29 compares the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 as described above by the comparison unit 38 with the reference energization amount. (STEP 8), and the comparison result is given to the abnormality cause judging section 30.

Then, in the above comparison, the abnormality cause judging section 30 determines that the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount (STE).
If YES in P9), it is determined that the excessive air flow abnormality as described above is caused by clogging of the air passage 10 (S9).
TEP10), if NO in STEP9, vent passage 10
It is determined that it is due to outside air other than the clogging of the above, the indoor negative pressure, or the like (STEP 11). That is, when the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped as described above is the energization amount indicated by point Q in FIG. In some cases, it may be due to the influence of wind or negative pressure in the room. on the other hand,
As described above, in the case where the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount becomes larger as the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 becomes higher, and the external wind or the indoor negative load is increased. In the case of the influence of pressure, the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount decreases as the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 increases.

Therefore, when the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed and the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 is, for example, as shown by a point R in FIG. If it becomes less than the corrected lower limit energization amount on c and it is affected by outside wind or indoor negative pressure, the fan motor 16
The actual energization amount is larger than the correction lower limit energization amount on the correction lower limit line c as shown by a point S in FIG.

Therefore, in the comparison of STEP8, when the difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is the second predetermined amount or more (Y in STEP9).
ES), it can be determined that the ventilation abnormality that has caused the excessive reduction in the air flow of the combustion fan 7 is due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10, and in the opposite case, outside air other than the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 or It can be determined that it is due to the negative pressure in the room. It should be noted that an abnormal air flow generated during the combustion of the gas burner 2
If the cause of the abnormality is eliminated immediately after the combustion is stopped due to a temporary outside wind, etc., the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 when the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed is almost the reference line. Although the energization amount is above a, even in this case, the difference amount (≈0) between the actual energization amount and the reference energization amount.
Is smaller than the second predetermined amount, it is possible to make a correct determination.

The abnormality cause judging section 30 gives the judgment result to the display control section 31. At this time, the display control unit 31
If the abnormal ventilation is caused by the clogging of the ventilation passage 10, the display 24 of the operating device 9 indicates that fact, that is, the clogging of the air filter 11 has occurred (STEP 12). If it is due to outside wind or indoor negative pressure other than the clogging of the road 10, the display 2
4 is displayed (STEP 13). Specifically, for example, when the ventilation operation of the air passage 10 is abnormal and the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped as described above, a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display unit 24. When it is due to clogging of the air passage 10, the display is blinked or lit, and when it is due to outside air or indoor negative pressure other than clogging, the display is lit or blinked in reverse to the case of clogging. Let It should be noted that such a display may adopt another display form as long as the two displays can be distinguished from each other.

Further, the fan control unit 26 controls the combustion fan 7
Is controlled until the timer times out, after which the combustion fan 7 is stopped and the operation of the water heater is stopped (STEPs 14 and 15).
By controlling the combustion fan 7 after the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped in this way, the cause of the blowing abnormality is discriminated by the abnormality cause discriminating unit 30 as described above, and the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3 is performed in parallel. Is done.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is changed when the ventilation abnormality of the ventilation passage 10 occurs such that the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 becomes equal to or less than the corrected lower limit energization amount. By controlling to the maximum rotation speed, it is determined whether the abnormal ventilation is caused by clogging of the air passage 10 (clogging of the air filter 11) or the influence of outside wind or indoor negative pressure other than the clogging. Moreover, the judgment result can be displayed on the display 24 to inform the user. Then, the user can immediately recognize that the air filter 11 needs to be cleaned by the display of the display device 24, especially when the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, thereby causing the above-mentioned abnormal ventilation. Further, it is possible to take measures to quickly eliminate the clogging of the air filter 11. Further, in order to separately determine the cause of the blower abnormality, the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed during the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3. Therefore, the cause of the blower abnormality is determined and the combustion chamber 3 is determined. The after-purging can be efficiently performed in parallel, and the cause of the blowing abnormality can be discriminated and determined without particularly changing the rotation speed control of the combustion fan 7 at the time of the after-purging as compared with the conventional one. it can.

In the present embodiment, the energization amount determined by the energization amount determining unit 34 of the fan control unit 26 is grasped as the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16, but the actual operation of the fan motor 16 is performed by using a current sensor or the like. It is also possible to detect the energization amount and to detect the detected energization amount as the actual energization amount.

Next, a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of a water heater provided with the air blower of the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater. It is a flowchart of.

The basic structure of the water heater provided with the air blower of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. Is attached and the description is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the water heater of the present embodiment, as shown by the phantom line in the figure, an air flow sensor 41 is provided in the ventilation passage 10 on the downstream side of the combustion fan 7. The air volume sensor 41 is configured by, for example, a thermal air velocity sensor, and outputs a signal according to the air volume of the air flow flowing through the ventilation path 10 to the controller 8.

Further, referring to FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the fan control unit 26 of the controller 8 has the target rotation speed setting unit 33, the energization amount determining unit 34, and the fan as in the first embodiment. The power supply unit 35 and the correction coefficient calculation unit 37 are provided, and the reference air flow rate setting unit 42 that obtains the reference air flow rate of the air passage 10 corresponding to the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit 33 is provided.

The reference air flow rate setting unit 42 obtains the reference air flow rate corresponding to the target rotation speed according to a predetermined data table as shown by the solid line f in FIG. 6, for example.
A solid line f in FIG. 6 corresponds to the reference line a in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, and the combustion fan 7 is controlled to an arbitrary target rotation speed in a normal case where there is no clogging of the air passage 10. It shows the standard air volume of the ventilation passage 10 at that time. Hereinafter, the solid line f is referred to as the reference line f.

Here, the air volume of the air passage 10 (air volume sensor 4
1), the air volume of the ventilation passage 10 at each rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 corresponds to the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 described in the first embodiment in a one-to-one correspondence. Similarly to the actual energization amount, in a normal case where there is no clogging of the ventilation passage 10 or the like, the air volume of the ventilation passage 10 at each rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is the reference air volume on the reference line f of FIG. Almost matches. When the air passage 10 is clogged, the air volume of the air passage 10 decreases with respect to the reference air volume according to the degree of the air passage 10 being clogged.
Further, it may decrease due to the influence of outside wind or indoor negative pressure.
Therefore, the amount of difference between the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 41 in the air passage 10 and the reference air volume indicates the degree of decrease in the air volume in the air passage 10 due to clogging of the air passage 10.

As in the case of the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 described in the first embodiment, the degree of decrease of the air flow rate of the air passage 10 with respect to the reference air flow is reduced when the air passage 10 is clogged. The higher the rotation speed of the fan 7, the larger the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 (see the solid lines g and h and the broken line i in FIG. 6). It becomes smaller (see the chain double-dashed line j in FIG. 6).

The solid lines g and h in FIG. 6 correspond to the correction upper limit line b and the correction lower limit line c in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, respectively. Hereinafter, the solid lines g and h are referred to as the correction upper limit line g and the correction lower limit line h, respectively.

The correction coefficient calculation unit 37 of the fan control unit 26 in this embodiment has a correction coefficient for correcting the target rotational speed corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2 as in the first embodiment. , Based on the amount of difference between the air volume detected by the air volume sensor 41 in the ventilation passage 10 and the reference air volume,
The correction coefficient is obtained by a predetermined arithmetic expression, and the obtained correction coefficient is given to the target rotation speed setting unit 33.

Further, the ventilation abnormality detecting unit 2 of the controller 8
9 is the same as in the first embodiment, the comparison unit 38,
A correction control command unit 39 and a stop control command unit 40 are provided. In this case, the comparison unit 38 determines that the difference amount between the detected air volume of the air passage 10 and the reference air amount corresponds to the difference amount between the reference line f and the correction upper limit line g of FIG. 6 (hereinafter, referred to as the first amount).
It is determined whether or not the detected air volume is equal to or more than a predetermined air volume, in other words, whether the detected air volume is less than or equal to the air volume on the corrected upper limit line g (hereinafter, referred to as the corrected upper air volume). When the difference amount is equal to or larger than the first predetermined amount, that effect is given to the correction control command unit 39.

Further, the comparison unit 38 determines that the difference amount between the detected air amount in the air passage 10 and the reference air amount corresponds to the difference amount between the reference line f and the correction lower limit line h in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the detected air volume is equal to or more than a second predetermined amount), in other words, the detected air volume is less than or equal to the air volume on the correction lower limit line h (hereinafter, referred to as the corrected lower limit air volume), and the detected air volume and the reference air volume When the amount of difference between and is greater than or equal to the second predetermined amount, the fact is given to the stop control command unit 40.

The structure other than the structure described above is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the water heater according to this embodiment will be described.

In the water heater of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is started,
When the combustion of the gas burner 2 is started in this manner, the blower abnormality detection unit 29 of the controller 8 causes the air flow rate sensor 41 to detect the air flow rate of the ventilation passage 10 and the reference air flow rate setting unit of the fan control unit 26, as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7. The comparison unit 38 compares the reference air volume set by 42 with the target rotation speed.
Are successively compared with each other (STEP 1). Then, in the comparison, when the difference amount between the detected air amount in the air passage 10 and the reference air amount is less than the second predetermined amount and less than the first predetermined amount (NO in STEPs 2 and 3), the combustion fan 7 The normal operation of the gas burner 2 continues.

Further, when the difference between the detected air volume and the reference air volume is less than the second predetermined volume and is the first predetermined volume or more (NO in STEP 2 and YES in STEP 3), the air blow abnormality detecting unit 29 The correction control command unit 39 instructs the fan control unit 27 to perform correction control of the target rotation speed, and the fan control unit to ensure the supply of the combustion air of an appropriate amount corresponding to the required combustion amount of the gas burner 2. The target rotational speed of the combustion fan 7 is corrected by 26 (STEP
4).

Further, when the difference between the detected air volume and the reference air volume is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount (YES in STEP2), the air flow abnormality detecting section 29 determines that the air filter 11 has been operated.
The air volume of the combustion fan 7 is reduced due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 due to the clogging of the air passage, the outside wind, or the negative pressure in the room (the ventilation passage 1
0 is excessive, and, for example, as shown by a point U in FIG.
When the air flow rate drops below the upper correction lower limit air volume, the stop control command unit 40 causes the solenoid valve control unit 28 and the fan control unit 26 to operate.
An instruction to stop the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is output to.

Subsequent processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the solenoid valve control unit 28 causes the solenoid valve 18 to operate.
Is closed and the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped (S
Together with TEP5), the fan control unit 26 controls the combustion fan 7 at the maximum rotation speed for a certain period of time to perform after-purging of the combustion chamber 3, and then the combustion fan 7 is stopped (STEPs 6, 7, 14, 15). ).

At the time of the after-purging, based on the comparison by the comparison unit 38 of the ventilation abnormality detection unit 29, whether the ventilation abnormality generated by the abnormality cause determination unit 30 is due to clogging of the ventilation passage 10 or other outside air. And the negative pressure in the room are determined, and the result of the determination is displayed by the display control unit 3.
1 is displayed on the display unit 24 (STEP 8 to 1
3).

In this case, the abnormality cause determination section 30 determines that the difference between the detected air volume in the air passage 10 and the reference air volume is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount while the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed. In this case, it is determined that the generated ventilation abnormality is caused by clogging of the ventilation passage 10, and when the difference amount is less than the second predetermined amount, it is caused by outside wind other than clogging of the ventilation passage 10, negative pressure in the room, or the like. It is determined that That is, when the detected air volume of the ventilation passage 10 when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped is, for example, the air volume indicated by the point U in FIG. 6, the detected air volume when the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed is In the case of clogging of the air passage 10, the correction lower limit air volume on the correction lower limit line h is less than or equal to the correction lower limit line h as shown by point V in FIG. 6, and in the case of the influence of outside wind or indoor negative pressure, As indicated by W, it becomes larger than the correction lower limit energization amount on the correction lower limit line h. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate the abnormality in the air flow generated as described above into the one due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 and the other due to the outside wind or the negative pressure in the room.

By displaying the judgment result on the display unit 24, the user needs to clean the air filter 11 by displaying the display unit 24, especially when the ventilation passage 10 is clogged. It is possible to immediately recognize that the air blower 11 has caused the abnormal ventilation.
It is possible to take measures to quickly eliminate the clogging of the.

[0100] Further, the judgment of the cause of the abnormality of the blowing is made in parallel with the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3, so that it can be made efficiently.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the maximum rotation speed when determining the cause of the generated air flow abnormality. It goes without saying that the rotation speed may be controlled to another rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, and further, the rotation speed may be controlled to the minimum rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof. That is, as is apparent with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, during the combustion of the gas burner 2, the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, and the ventilation passage 10 is affected by the external wind or the negative pressure in the room.
When the abnormal ventilation is generated, the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the detected air amount of the ventilation passage 10 are determined by the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 and the outside air even at the minimum rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 and the rotation speed in the vicinity thereof. Alternatively, there is a relatively significant difference between the case of the influence of the negative pressure in the room, and in the case of the former, the fan motor 1
The actual energization amount of 6 and the detected air amount of the air passage 10 have a relatively small difference from the reference energization amount and the reference air amount. In the latter case, the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the detected air amount of the air passage 10 are the reference values. The amount of difference between the energization amount and the reference air flow tends to be relatively large. Therefore, in a state where the combustion fan 7 is controlled to a minimum rotation speed or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof, the amount of difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the detected air amount of the air passage 10 and the reference energization amount or the reference air amount is appropriately set. By comparing with the quantification, as in the first and second embodiments, the generated ventilation abnormality is caused by the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 and by the influence of outside air or indoor negative pressure. It is possible to judge separately. It is also possible to carry out the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3 while the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the minimum rotation speed or a rotation speed in the vicinity thereof.

Next, a third embodiment showing an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of a water heater provided with the air blower of the present embodiment, FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the water heater, and FIG. 11 is an operation of the water heater. It is a flow chart for explaining.

Since the basic structure of the water heater provided with the air blower of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. Is attached and the description is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the fan control unit 26 of the controller 8 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, but in this case, when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped, As shown in FIG. 9, after the combustion of the gas burner 2 is stopped, the control unit 26 temporarily controls the combustion fan 7 to a predetermined first rotation speed NA close to the minimum rotation speed for a predetermined time, and then the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is reduced. Is increased to control the second rotation speed NB close to the maximum rotation speed for a predetermined time, and then the combustion fan 7 is stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, the abnormality cause judging section 43 of the controller 8 burns in accordance with the instruction given from the stop control commanding section 40 of the ventilation abnormality detecting section 29 having the same structure as that of the first embodiment. The fan 7 has the first rotational speed NA.
The actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 when the combustion motor 7 is controlled to the second rotation speed NB and the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 when the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the second rotation speed NB are determined. It is designed to be taken in from the section 34.
Then, the abnormality cause determination unit 43 responds to the difference between the two actual energization amounts captured as described above, that is, the change in the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 from the first rotation speed NA to the second rotation speed NB. An energization change amount calculation unit 44 that calculates the amount of change in the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and a comparison unit 45 that compares the amount of change with a predetermined value that is set in advance. The abnormality cause determination unit 43, based on the comparison result of the comparison unit 45,
Abnormal ventilation due to clogging of the air passage 10 is discriminated and determined as described later.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the water heater according to this embodiment will be described.

In the water heater of this embodiment, the fan motor 1
6, the difference amount between the actual energization amount and the reference energization amount is less than the second predetermined amount, that is, the actual energization amount is less than the correction lower limit energization amount on the correction lower limit line c shown in FIG. In the larger state, the operation is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment (STEPs 1 to 4 in FIG. 11).

The difference between the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 and the reference energization amount is equal to or more than the second predetermined amount,
That is, due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10, the influence of the outside air or the negative pressure in the room, an excessive decrease in the air volume of the ventilation passage 10 (abnormal ventilation)
When the air blow occurs, the stop control command unit 40 of the blower abnormality detection unit 29
Command, the solenoid valve control unit 28 closes the original solenoid valve 18 to stop the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 (STEP
5).

At this time, the fan control unit 26 first sets the combustion fan 7 to the first rotation speed NA as described above.
(STEP 6), and a first timer (not shown) for measuring a predetermined time for continuing the state is started (STEP 7).

In this state, the actual energization amount IA of the fan motor 16 is fetched from the energization amount determination unit 34 of the fan control unit 26 into the abnormality cause determination unit 43 (STEP 8).

Next, when the first timer times out (YES in STEP 9), the fan control unit 26 controls the combustion fan 7 to the second rotation speed NB (STEP 1).
0), a second timer (not shown) for measuring a predetermined time for continuing the state is started (STEP1
1).

In this state, the actual energization amount IB of the fan motor 16 is fetched from the energization amount determination unit 34 of the fan control unit 26 into the abnormality cause determination unit 43 (STEP 12).

Next, the abnormality cause judging section 43 determines the difference ΔI (= IB-IA, IB-IA, IB) between the actual energization amounts IA and IB taken in at the first rotation speed NA and the second rotation speed NB of the combustion fan 7, respectively.
Hereinafter, the energization change amount ΔI) is referred to as an energization change amount calculation unit 44.
(STEP 13), and the obtained energization change amount Δ
By comparing I with a predetermined value determined in advance by the comparison unit 45, it is possible to discriminate whether the generated air flow abnormality is due to clogging of the air passage 10 or due to the influence of other outside air or indoor negative pressure. (STEP 14).

Here, referring to FIG. 10, when the ventilation is abnormal due to clogging of the air passage 10, as indicated by a broken line d,
The fan motor 16 for changes in the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7
Of the fan motor 16 with respect to the change in the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 as indicated by the chain double-dashed line e in the abnormal blowing of air due to the influence of the outside wind or the negative pressure in the room. The change in the actual energization amount is relatively large. Therefore, if an appropriate predetermined value is set, the change amount ΔI of the energization amount is smaller than the predetermined value in the abnormal ventilation due to clogging of the air passage 10, and is abnormal in the abnormal ventilation due to the outside wind or the negative pressure in the room. , Becomes larger than the predetermined value. Specifically, for example, when the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 when the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 is stopped is the energization amount indicated by the point P, for example, when the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, the energization is performed. The amount of change ΔI becomes ΔI1 shown in FIG.
Abnormal ventilation due to the influence of outside air or indoor negative pressure results in ΔI2 shown in FIG. Then, the energization change amount ΔI1 in the case of the clogging is, for example, the first value on the correction upper limit line g.
And the change amount Δ of the energization amount corresponding to the second rotation speeds NA and NB
It is smaller than I0 (predetermined value), and the energization change amount ΔI2 due to the influence of outside wind or indoor negative pressure is larger than the predetermined value ΔI0. Therefore, by comparing the amount of change in energization ΔI with an appropriate predetermined value, it is possible to discriminate whether the air flow is abnormal due to clogging of the ventilation passage 10 or due to the influence of outside air or indoor negative pressure. When the generated blower abnormality is temporary due to outside wind or the like and the cause of the abnormality is immediately resolved after the combustion of the gas burner 2 is stopped, the energization amount change amount ΔI is the first amount on the reference line a. The amount of change in the amount of energization corresponding to the first and second rotational speeds NA and NB is smaller than the amount of change in energization .DELTA.I2 but larger than the predetermined value .DELTA.I0, so there is no problem.

Therefore, the abnormality cause judging section 43 determines that the energization change amount ΔI is a predetermined value (eg, ΔI).
If it is 0) or more, it is judged that the generated blower abnormality is due to the influence of outside wind or indoor negative pressure (STEP 1
5) When the energization change amount ΔI is less than the above predetermined value,
It is determined that the generated ventilation abnormality is due to the clogging of the ventilation passage 10 (STEP 16).

After that, as in the case of the first embodiment, the display control unit 31 displays the determination result of the abnormality cause determination unit 43 on the display 24 (STEP 17, 18), and the fan control unit 26 When the second timer times out, the combustion fan 7 is stopped (STEP 19,
20). As described above, the after-purge of the combustion chamber 3 is also performed by controlling the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 to the first rotation speed NA and the second rotation speed NB at regular intervals.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, when an abnormal ventilation of the ventilation passage 10 occurs such that the actual energization amount of the fan motor 16 becomes equal to or less than the corrected lower limit energization amount. , Once the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 is controlled to the first rotation speed NA, then to the second rotation speed NB to change the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7, and the change amount of the actual energization amount at that time is set to a predetermined value. By comparison, it is possible to determine whether the abnormal ventilation is due to clogging of the air passage 10 (clogging of the air filter 11) or the influence of outside air or indoor negative pressure other than the clogging. Further, the judgment result can be displayed on the display 24 to inform the user. Then, especially when the ventilation passage 10 is clogged, the user can display the air filter 11 on the display 24.
It is possible to immediately recognize that it is necessary to clean the air filter, and as a result, the air filter 1 in which the air flow abnormality has occurred
It is possible to take measures to quickly eliminate the clogging of the first item. Further, since the determination of the cause of the abnormal ventilation and the after-purging of the combustion chamber 3 are performed in parallel, they can be efficiently performed.

In this embodiment, the first of the combustion fan 7 is used.
The difference ΔI between the actual energization amounts IA and IB corresponding to the revolution speed NA and the second revolution speed NB was obtained as the energization amount change amount. For example, the ratio of the two actual energization amounts IA and IB is obtained as the energization amount change amount, The abnormal ventilation may be discriminated and determined by comparing it with a predetermined value.

Further, in the present embodiment, the air flow abnormality that causes a decrease in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage 10 is grasped by the energization amount of the fan motor 16, but it is detected by the air flow sensor as in the second embodiment. Alternatively, the amount of change in the detected air flow rate at the first rotation speed NA and the second rotation speed NB of the combustion fan 7 may be obtained after the combustion operation is stopped and compared with a predetermined value. by doing,
Similar to the present embodiment, it is possible to discriminate and judge the abnormal ventilation.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, when an excessive blower abnormality that requires the compulsory stop of the combustion operation of the gas burner 2 occurs, the discrimination of the blower abnormality is performed. Even if there is a relatively slight air flow abnormality that corrects the rotation speed of the combustion fan 7 as described above, for example, when the user normally stops the water heater, the rotation of the combustion fan 7 is changed as described above. While controlling the number, the ventilation abnormality may be discriminated and determined in the same manner as in the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and further, when the determination result is a clogging of the ventilation passage 10, the user is notified of that fact. Then, the clogging state of the ventilation path 10 may be promptly recognized by the user.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the judgment result of the cause of the abnormal ventilation is displayed on the display unit 24, but it may be notified by an alarm buzzer or voice.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the air blower provided in the water heater is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the air blower for the warm air heater, the air blower for the air conditioner, and the like. Of course.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a water heater including a blower according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of the water heater of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG. 1;

4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of a water heater including the air blower according to the second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block configuration diagram of a main part of a water heater including an air blower according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the second aspect of the present invention.

9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

11 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the water heater of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Gas burner (combustor), 3 ... Combustion chamber, 7 ... Combustion fan (blowing fan), 10 ... Ventilation path, 11 ... Air filter, 26 ... Fan control part, 29 ... Blower abnormality detecting part, 3
0, 43 ... Abnormality cause judging section, 32 ... Notification means.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A blower fan for producing an air flow in a ventilation passage, and a fan control means for controlling the blower fan.
A blower abnormality detection means for detecting a blower abnormality including a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage, which causes a reduction in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage by the blower fan, based on a blown state of the ventilation passage. When the blower abnormality is detected by the means, the fan control means is provided with means for controlling the blower fan to a predetermined rotation number, and the blower fan is controlled when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined rotation number. An air blower provided with an abnormality cause determination means for discriminating the air blow abnormality into an abnormality of clogging of the air passage and an abnormality other than clogging of the air passage based on a blowing state of the air passage by the air blowing fan. . 2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined rotation speed is set to a maximum rotation speed of the blower fan or a rotation speed near the maximum rotation speed. 3. The abnormality cause determining means grasps the amount of electricity supplied to the blower fan when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined number of revolutions as an amount indicating the blown state of the ventilation passage, and the energization is performed. Amount and a predetermined reference energization amount corresponding to the predetermined number of revolutions are compared to determine whether the amount of difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blower is discriminated to be an abnormality other than the above. 4. The abnormality cause determining means is an air flow amount detected by an air flow rate sensor provided in the ventilation passage when the blower fan is controlled to the predetermined rotation speed, and is an amount indicating a ventilation state of the ventilation passage. And the airflow path clogging abnormality based on a comparison of whether or not the difference amount between the detected airflow amount and the predetermined reference airflow amount corresponding to the predetermined rotation speed is a predetermined amount or more. The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blower is discriminated based on an abnormality other than clogging of the ventilation passage. 5. A blower fan for generating an air flow in a ventilation air passage, and fan control means for controlling the blower fan.
A blower abnormality detection means for detecting a blower abnormality including a clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage, which causes a reduction in the air flow rate of the ventilation passage by the blower fan, based on a blown state of the ventilation passage. When the blower abnormality is detected by the means, the blower fan is set to the predetermined first
The fan control means is provided with means for changing to a second rotation speed different from the first rotation speed after controlling the rotation speed, and when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed. It is characterized by further comprising: an abnormality cause determination unit that determines whether the ventilation abnormality is classified into an abnormality of clogging of the ventilation passage and an abnormality other than clogging of the ventilation passage based on a degree of change in a ventilation state of the ventilation passage by the blowing fan. Blower. 6. The abnormality cause determining means determines the amount of change in the amount of electricity supplied to the blower fan when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed, in accordance with the change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage. The amount of change is grasped as an amount, and the blower abnormality is classified into an abnormality of clogging of the ventilation passage and an abnormality other than clogging of the ventilation passage based on comparison of whether or not the amount of change of the energization amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. The blower according to claim 5, wherein the blower is judged. 7. The abnormality cause determining means determines the amount of change in air volume detected by an air volume sensor provided in the ventilation passage when the blower fan is changed from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed. Grasping as an amount that indicates the degree of change in the ventilation state of the ventilation passage, based on comparison of whether or not the amount of change in the detected air volume is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the blowing abnormality is detected as clogging abnormality of the ventilation passage and clogging of the ventilation passage. The air blower according to claim 5, wherein the air blower is judged to be an abnormality other than the above. 8. A combustor having a combustion chamber provided in communication with the ventilation passage and a combustor housed in the combustion chamber, wherein the blower fan supplies combustion air to the combustor through the ventilation passage. In addition to being a fan that blows air through the combustion device, the combustion device is provided with a unit that stops the combustion operation of the combustor when the blower abnormality detection unit detects the blower abnormality, and the fan control unit includes the combustion unit. Characterized in that after the combustion operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the number of revolutions of the blower fan is controlled to make a distinction determination of the blower abnormality by the abnormality cause determination means, and after-purge of the combustion chamber is performed by controlling the blower fan. The air blower according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. An air blower according to claim 1, further comprising an informing means for informing that when the abnormality cause determining means determines that the ventilation abnormality is a clogging abnormality, the abnormality cause determining means includes a notification means. . 10. The air blower according to claim 9, wherein an air filter is detachably attached to the air passage, and the necessity of cleaning the air filter is notified by the notification of the notification means.