JP5419504B2 - Hot water storage water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention boils hot water by a heat pump unit using a refrigeration cycle and stores it in a hot water storage tank, while a heat exchanger using hot water stored in the hot water storage tank as a heat source is used in a bathtub, hot water heating equipment, etc. The present invention relates to a hot water storage type water heater that can reheat the hot water.

  In a hot water storage water heater configured to temporarily store hot water boiled by the heat pump unit into a hot water storage tank and supply hot water to a desired hot water supply destination from here, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is converted into a heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as a heat exchanger). It is used as a heat source in the "use side heat exchanger") and is configured to be able to heat hot water that has been used in external load equipment such as a bathtub or hot water heating equipment and whose temperature has dropped by the use side heat exchanger. What has been developed has also been developed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a three-way valve is provided on the hot water storage tank (hot water supply tank) side in the circulation path from the lower part of the hot water storage tank via the heat pump unit to the upper part of the hot water storage tank, and the use side heat exchange from the upper part of the hot water storage tank. By connecting the downstream end of the circulation path that returns to the hot water storage tank via the water heater to the above three-way valve, it is possible to circulate hot water in each circulation path using one circulation pump provided in the circulation circuit for boiling. A hot water storage type hot water heater (hot water heater) is described.

Japanese Patent No. 3967267

  However, in the hot water storage type hot water heater described in Patent Document 1, the water in the hot water storage tank is boiled into hot water by the heat pump unit and stored in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water in the external load equipment is used in the utilization side heat exchanger. The reheating operation for heating cannot be performed at the same time. For this reason, for example, if a “hot water out” occurs in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank (calorie) is insufficient during the reheating operation, the reheating operation is interrupted and the boiling operation is performed, and then the reheating operation is performed again. I have to give up reheating operation. In particular, the interruption or cancellation of the reheating operation for chasing the bath water in the bathtub reduces the convenience of the hot water storage type hot water heater.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can boil hot water stored in a hot water storage tank and reheat hot water in an external load facility at the same time. The purpose is to obtain an easy-to-use hot water storage type water heater.

  The hot water storage type water heater of the present invention includes a heat pump unit having a boiling heat exchanger, a hot water storage tank for storing water and hot water, and a forward pipe for guiding water stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the boiling heat exchanger A first flow path switching valve provided in the forward pipe, a circulation pump provided downstream of the first flow path switching valve, and hot water boiled by a boiling heat exchanger A boiling circulation line having a return pipe leading to the water, a use side heat exchanger for reheating hot water used in an external load facility using hot water, and a branch from the return pipe of the boiling circulation line The reheating forward pipe reaching the use side heat exchanger, the reheating return pipe reaching the first flow path switching valve from the use side heat exchanger, and the hot water of the external load equipment are led to the use side heat exchanger. For leading hot water heated by the use side heat exchanger to the external load equipment A load-side circulation pipe having a load-side circulation pump for sending hot water from an external load facility to a utilization-side heat exchanger, a heat pump unit, a first flow path switching valve, a circulation pump, and a load-side circulation pump And a control device for controlling the operation of the first flow path switching valve by the control device to join the reheating return pipe to the circulation circuit for boiling, and the control device for the heat pump unit and circulation. By operating the pump and the load-side circulation pump, the water that has flowed from the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the boiling circulation line is boiled into hot water by the boiling heat exchanger and then returned to the boiling circulation line. While the water is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank through the pipe, the hot water that has been diverted from the return pipe of the boiling circulation line to the reheating forward pipe flows into the use side heat exchanger, and in the use side heat exchanger. Hot water provided to the heat source Wherein the the hot water reheating boiling up the external load facility are carried out simultaneously.

  In the hot water storage type water heater of the present invention, the water in the hot water storage tank can be boiled into hot water and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank can be simultaneously heated and the hot water in the external load equipment can be reheated. It is unlikely that reheating of hot water will be interrupted or stopped due to running out of hot water. Further, since one of boiling water and reheating of hot water in the external load facility is performed, the other is not interrupted or stopped. Therefore, according to the present invention, an easy-to-use hot water storage type water heater is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a standby state. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state where the heat pump unit is being started up when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 performs the boiling operation. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state when the hot water storage type water heater shown in FIG. 1 is performing a boiling operation stably with a predetermined capacity. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is performing the first reheating operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is performing the second reheating operation. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 starts the third reheating operation. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 starts the fourth reheating operation. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure when the control device for the hot water storage type hot water heater shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a hot water storage type water heater of the present invention. The hot water storage type water heater 120 shown in the figure is used in a function of boiling water such as city water into hot water and supplying it to a desired location, and an external load facility (tub 150 in the illustrated example) such as a bathtub or hot water heater. The hot water storage hot water supply device 120 has a heat pump unit 10, a tank unit 100, and a remote controller 110. I have. Hereinafter, each component of the hot water storage type water heater 120 will be described.

The heat pump unit 10 includes a compressor 1 that compresses a refrigerant, a heat exchanger 2 for boiling corresponding to a radiator, an expansion valve 3, an evaporator 4, and a circulation pipe 5 that connects these in an annular shape. And a refrigeration cycle section having a fan 6 for air-cooling the evaporator 4, and functions as a heat source machine for boiling water into hot water. In the refrigeration cycle section, a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide is compressed by the compressor 1 to become a high temperature and a high pressure, and then radiates heat by the boiling heat exchanger 2, depressurizes by the expansion valve 3, and absorbs heat by the evaporator 4. As a result, it enters a gas state and is sucked into the compressor 1. When carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, it is preferable to operate on the high pressure side under conditions that exceed the critical pressure of the carbon dioxide. The refrigeration cycle unit is housed in the unit case UC _1.

  On the other hand, the tank unit 100 includes a hot water storage tank 20, a water supply pipe 30, a boiling circulation pipe 40, a hot water supply pipe 50, a reheating forward pipe 60, a reheating return pipe 65, a use side heat exchanger 70, A load-side circulation line 80 and a control device 90 are included.

  The hot water storage tank 20 is a stacked hot water storage tank that stores water supplied from the water supply pipe 30 and stores hot water boiled by the heat pump unit 10. A water supply pipe 30 and a forward pipe 40a of the boiling circulation pipe 40 are connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20, and a predetermined position in a region from the center part in the height direction to the lower part includes: A tank return pipe 40c of the boiling circulation line 40 is connected. In addition, a return pipe 40 b of the boiling circulation pipe 40 and a hot water supply pipe 50 are connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20. The hot water storage tank 20 is always kept in a full state by supplying water from the water supply pipe 30.

  In order to detect the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 20, a first tank temperature sensor 25 a is attached to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20, and a second tank temperature sensor 25 b is attached to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20. .

  The water supply pipe 30 is a pipe that supplies city water or the like to the hot water storage tank 20, and the water supply pipe 30 is supplied with a pressure of water supplied from a water source (not shown) such as tap water. A pressure reducing valve (not shown) is provided.

  The boiling circulation pipe 40 is a pipe that reaches the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 via the boiling heat exchanger 2 in the heat pump unit 10. The flow path switching valve 33, the forward pipe 40a provided with the circulation pump 35, the return pipe 40b provided with the boiling temperature sensor 37 and the second flow path switching valve 39, and the tank return pipe 40c are provided. ing.

The forward pipe 40a is a pipe part connecting the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 and the heat exchanger 2 for boiling, and the first forward pipe part 40a ₁ connecting the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 and the first flow path switching valve 33. And a second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ that connects the first flow path switching valve 33 and the boiling heat exchanger 2 to each other. The check valve 31 is provided in the first forward pipe portion 40a _1, limiting the hot water flow direction in the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ of the hot water storage tank 20 toward the first channel switching valve 33 . The first flow path switching valve 33 is constituted by, for example, an electric three-way valve, and the inflow of water from the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ to the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ and the reheating return pipe 65 to the second one. 2 to control the hot water flowing into forward pipe portion 40a _2. Boiling raising circulation pump 35 is provided in the second forward pipe portion 40a _2.

The return pipe 40 b is a pipe section that connects the boiling heat exchanger 2 and the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20, and a first return pipe section that connects the boiling heat exchanger 2 and the second flow path switching valve 39. and 40b _1, and a second return tube section 40b ₂ connecting the upper portion of the second channel switching valve 39 and the hot water storage tank 20. The boiling temperature sensor 37 is provided in the first return pipe portion 40b ₁ and detects the temperature of hot water boiled by the boiling heat exchanger 2. The second flow path switching valve 39 is constituted by, for example, an electric three-way valve, and the inflow of hot water from the first return pipe section 40b ₁ to the second return pipe section 40b ₂ and the first return pipe section 40b ₁ The flow of hot water into the tank return pipe 40c is controlled.

  The tank return pipe 40c connects the second flow path cut-off switching valve 39 and a predetermined location in the region from the center portion to the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 20 in the height direction. The part of the hot water storage tank 20 to which the tank return pipe 40c is connected is appropriately selected by the manufacturer of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 120 in consideration of the tendency of the temperature distribution of hot water in the hot water storage tank 20.

  The hot water supply pipe 50 connects the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 and a predetermined hot water supply destination (including external load equipment). The hot water supply pipe 50 is provided with a hot water / water mixing valve, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor and the like which are not shown. Hot water that has flowed into the hot water supply line 50 from the hot water storage tank 20 is mixed with water from the water supply line 30 by the hot water mixing valve and becomes hot water at a predetermined temperature, and is discharged from the hot water supply destination.

The reheating forward pipe 60 branches from the return pipe 40 _b of the boiling circulation pipe 40, specifically the second return pipe section 40 _{b 2} , and reaches the use side heat exchanger 70, and the reheating return pipe 65. Connects the use side heat exchanger 70 and the first flow path switching valve 33.

  The use-side heat exchanger 70 reheats hot water flowing through the load-side circulation line 80, in the illustrated example, bath water 150a using hot water flowing from the reheating forward pipe 60 as a heat source. For example, a plate-type water-water heat exchanger in which a plurality of heat transfer plates are stacked is used as the use-side heat exchanger 70.

  The load-side circulation pipe 80 is a pipe that returns from the bathtub 150 exemplified as an external load facility to the bathtub 150 via the use-side heat exchanger 70, and is provided with a load-side temperature sensor 73 and a load-side circulation pump 75. It has a forward tube 80a and a return tube 80b. The forward pipe 80 a connects the bathtub 150 and the use side heat exchanger 70, and the return pipe 80 b connects the use side heat exchanger 70 and the bathtub 150. The load side temperature sensor 73 is provided in the forward pipe 80a and detects the temperature of hot water flowing from the bathtub 150 into the forward pipe 80a. The load side circulation pump 75 is provided closer to the use side heat exchanger 70 than the place where the load side temperature sensor 73 is attached in the forward pipe 80a.

  The control device 90 is connected to the heat pump unit 10, the first flow path switching valve 33, the circulation pump 35, the second flow path switching valve 39, and the load side circulation pump 75, and controls these operations. Specifically, information such as a boiling start time, a boiling temperature, a reheating temperature (reheating temperature), a hot water supply temperature, and the like, which are input by the user from the remote controller 110 functioning as an input device of the control device 90, and a boiling operation Based on the commands such as the start command, the reheating operation start command, etc., and the detected temperatures of the first tank temperature sensor 25a, the second tank temperature sensor 25b, the boiling temperature sensor 37, and the load side temperature sensor 73, etc. Control the operation of each component.

Of the above-described components constituting the tank unit 100, the remaining components excluding the water supply conduit 30, the boiling circulation conduit 40, the hot water supply conduit 50, and the load-side circulation conduit 80 are unit cases. It is stored in UC ₂ . A part of each of the water supply conduit 30, the boiling circulation conduit 40, the hot water supply conduit 50, and the load side circulation conduit 80 extends to the outside of the unit case UC ₂ .

  The remote controller 110 has an operation unit for inputting the above-described information and commands, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying the information and commands input from the operation unit. The remote controller 110 installed in a bathroom or a living room is connected to the control device 90 by wire or wirelessly and communicates with the control device 90.

  In the hot water storage type water heater 120 having the above-described components, for example, when the boiling start time input by the user from the remote controller 110 is reached, or when a boiling operation start command is input from the remote controller 110, the control device 90 Under the control of, the heat pump unit 10 and the circulation pump 35 are started, and the boiling operation of boiling water into hot water and storing it in the hot water storage tank is started by the heat pump unit 10. In addition, when a reheating operation start command is input from the remote controller 110, the circulation pump 35 and the load-side circulation pump 75 are activated under the control of the control device 90, and the bath water 150 a is used by the use-side heat exchanger 70. A reheating operation for reheating (reheating) is started.

  Since the hot water storage type water heater 120 is characterized by each of the boiling operation and the reheating operation, the standby state in the hot water storage type water heater 120 will be described below with reference to FIG. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and the reheating operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a standby state. Here, the “standby state” means a state when the hot water storage type water heater 120 is not performing any of the boiling operation and the reheating operation, and the heat pump unit 10, the circulation pump 35, and the load side circulation. Each of the pumps 75 is in a stopped state.

In the example of the standby state shown in the figure, the port on the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side and the port on the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ side of the first flow path switching valve 33 are opened (in FIG. 2, “OP” The port on the reheating return pipe 65 side is closed (denoted as “CL” in FIG. 2). Further, the port on the first return pipe portion 40b ₁ side and the port on the tank return pipe 40c side in the second flow path switching valve 39 are opened, and the port on the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ side is closed. ing.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state where the heat pump unit is being started up when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 performs the boiling operation. In the illustrated example, the control device 90 switches each of the heat pump unit 10 and the circulation pump 35 while keeping the first flow path switching valve 33 and the second flow path switching valve 39 in the same state as the standby state shown in FIG. Start-up of the heat pump unit 10 is started by starting.

As shown by the solid arrow A in FIG. 3, the start-up phase of the heat pump unit 10, the hot water storage tank 20 lower portion of the water flows into the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ of boiling raising circulation pipe 40, the and it flows the first flow path switching valve 33 and the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ to boiling for raising the heat exchanger 2 flows is warmed (reheating). The flows from boiling up heat exchanger 2 to the first return tube section 40b ₁ of boiling for raising circulation line 40 without flowing to the second return tube section 40b ₂ in the second channel switching valve 39 It flows into the tank return pipe 40 c and returns to the hot water storage tank 20. Since the reheating return pipe 65 side of the port in the first channel switching valve 33 is closed, there is no inflow of water from the reheating return pipe 65 into the second forward pipe portion 40a _2. A broken line arrow X in FIG. 3 indicates the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat pump unit 10 (the same applies hereinafter).

  The heat pump unit 10 that uses the refrigeration cycle requires a certain amount of time from the start up until a predetermined output is obtained due to its characteristics. For this reason, in the initial stage of the boiling operation, the boiling temperature of the hot water by the boiling heat exchanger 2 is relatively low. If such low-temperature hot water is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20, when high-temperature hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 20, the temperature stratification in the hot water storage tank 20 will be destroyed. The hot water is not returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20, but is returned to a predetermined location in the region from the central part to the lower part in the height direction.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state when the hot water storage type water heater shown in FIG. 1 stably performs the boiling operation with a predetermined capacity. The control device 90 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 monitors the detected temperature of the boiling temperature sensor 37, and when the detected temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined first condition value, the start-up of the heat pump unit 10 is completed, Judging that the ability to boil up stably has become possible. The first condition value is determined by the manufacturer of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 120 and stored in advance in a storage element (not shown) in the control device 90, for example.

When it is determined that the boiling operation with the predetermined capacity can be stably performed, the control device 90 closes the port on the tank return pipe 40c side in the second flow path switching valve 39 and the second return. the port of the tube portion 40b ₂ side to open. As a result of these, as shown by a solid arrow B in FIG. 4, the water flowing from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 into the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ of the boiling circulation pipe 40 is converted into a boiling heat exchanger. 2 flows into the first return tube section 40b ₁ of Nieage circulation conduit 40 after being boiled in hot water, the second return pipe without flow into the tank return pipe 40c in the second channel switching valve 39 It flows into the part 40b ₂ and is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 and stored in the hot water storage tank 20. In the hot water storage tank 20, the hot water layer gradually expands from the top toward the bottom.

While the hot water storage water heater 120 stably performs the boiling operation with a predetermined capacity, the port on the reheating return pipe 65 side in the first flow path switching valve 33 remains closed. There is no inflow of hot water from the heating return pipe 65 into the second forward pipe section 40a ₂ and no hot water from the second return pipe section 40b ₂ into the reheating forward pipe 60. The control device 90 stops the heat pump unit 10 and the circulation pump 35 when it is determined from the temperature detected by the first tank temperature sensor 25a or the second tank temperature sensor 25b that a predetermined amount of hot water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 20. To end the boiling operation. Further, the operations of the first flow path switching valve 33 and the second flow path switching valve 39 are controlled to return the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 to the standby state described above.

  In the hot water supply operation in which hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 20 is supplied to the hot water supply destination, the hot water tap at the hot water supply destination is opened and hot water flows from the hot water storage tank 20 into the hot water supply pipe 50 (see FIG. 1). The process is started under the control of the control device 90 when a flow rate sensor (not shown) provided in the hot water supply pipe 50 detects a water flow of a predetermined flow rate or higher. In this hot water supply operation, based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the hot water supply line 50, the controller 90 determines the opening degree of the hot water mixing valve (not shown) provided in the hot water supply line 50. The temperature of the hot water at the hot water supply destination is adjusted by repeatedly performing feedback control. The hot water supply operation is stopped when the hot water tap at the hot water supply destination is closed and the flow sensor no longer detects a water flow of a predetermined flow rate or higher.

  On the other hand, the reheating operation for heating the hot water (bath water 150a in the illustrated example) used in the external load equipment and starting the temperature starts when the reheating operation start command is input from the remote controller 110 as described above. Is done. This reheating operation is divided into four modes of first to fourth reheating operations according to the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 and the state of the heat pump unit 10.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is performing the first reheating operation. The control device 90 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 monitors the detected temperature of the first tank temperature sensor 25a or the second tank temperature sensor 25b, and the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 predicted based on the detected temperature is determined in advance. When the reheating operation start command is input from the remote controller 110 when the amount of the first remaining hot water is equal to or greater than the first remaining hot water amount, the first re-supplying only the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 20 to the heat source in the use side heat exchanger 70 Start heating operation.

  The amount of the first remaining hot water is determined to be that hot water does not run out even if only hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is used as a heat source in the use side heat exchanger 70 to reheat (reheat) the bath water 150a. The amount of hot water is determined by the manufacturer of the hot water storage type water heater 120 and stored in advance in, for example, a storage element (not shown) in the control device 90.

In the first reheating operation, the circulation pump 35 and the load-side circulation pump 75 in the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 that have been returned to the standby state are activated by the control device 90. The port of the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side of the first channel switching valve 33 ports reheating return pipe 65 side while being in the closed is in the open by the control device 90. The port on the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ side in the first flow path switching valve 33 remains open as in the standby state. Similarly, the second flow path switching valve 39 is the same as in the standby state, the port on the first return pipe portion 40b ₁ side is open, the port on the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ side is closed, and the tank return pipe 40c side is closed. The port is open.

As a result of these, as indicated by the solid arrow C in FIG. 5, the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the return pipe 40b of the boiling circulation pipe 40 and then flows into the reheating forward pipe 60 for use. After flowing into the side heat exchanger 70, it flows through the reheating return pipe 65 and flows from the first flow path switching valve 33 into the second forward pipe section 40 a ₂ of the boiling circulation pipe 40. Then, the boiling heat exchanger 2 and the first return pipe part 40b ₁ of the boiling circulation pipe 40 sequentially flow from the second forward pipe part 40a ₂ , and the tank return pipe 40c is supplied by the second flow path switching valve 39. Into the hot water storage tank 20.

Further, as indicated by a solid arrow D in FIG. 5, the bath water 150a in the bathtub 150 flows through the forward pipe 80a of the load-side circulation pipe 80 and flows into the use-side heat exchanger 70, and the reheating forward. Heat is exchanged with the hot water flowing into the use-side heat exchanger 70 from the pipe 60 and heated (reheated), then flows into the return pipe 80b of the load-side circulation line 80 and returns to the bathtub 150. It is. During the first reheating operation, the port on the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side of the first flow path switching valve 33 is closed, so that water flows into the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20. There is no. Further, since the port on the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ side in the second flow path switching valve 39 is closed, the inflow of water from the first return pipe portion 40b ₁ to the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ is also prevented. Absent.

The control device 90 monitors the detected temperature of the load-side temperature sensor 73, and when the detected temperature exceeds the second condition value, determines that the bath water 150a has been reheated (reheated) to a predetermined temperature, and the first End the reheating operation. That is, each of the circulation pump 35 and the load side circulation pump 75 is stopped. Further, the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side of the port in the first channel switching valve 33 to open, the re-heating return pipe 65 side port in the closed, a hot water storage type water heater 120 to the standby state described above return. The second condition value that triggers the end of the first reheating operation is determined by the manufacturer of the hot water storage hot water supply device 120 and stored in advance in a storage element (not shown) in the control device 90, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 is performing the second reheating operation. The controller 90 of the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 monitors the temperature detected by the boiling temperature sensor 37, and when a reheating operation start command is input from the remote controller 110 when the heat pump unit 10 is not started up, the hot water storage tank A second reheating operation is started in which the hot water stored in 20 and the hot water boiled by the heat pump unit 10 are used as a heat source in the use side heat exchanger 70.

The second reheating operation is started in the same manner as the first reheating operation shown in FIG. 5, and then the heat pump unit 10 is activated by the control device 90 to start up. The port of reheating return pipe 65 side together with the port of the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side in the first channel switching valve 33 is in the closed is in the open by the control device 90, the second channel switching The port on the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ side in the valve 39 is opened. The port on the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ side in the first flow path switching valve 33 remains open as in the standby state, and the first return pipe 40b ₁ side in the second flow path switching valve 39 remains open. Each of the port and the port on the tank return pipe 40c side remains open as in the standby state.

As a result of these, as indicated by a solid arrow E in FIG. 6, the hot water in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the return pipe 40b of the boiling circulation pipe 40 and then flows into the reheating forward pipe 60 for use. After flowing into the side heat exchanger 70, it flows into the reheating return pipe 65 and flows from the first flow path switching valve 33 into the second forward pipe section 40 a ₂ of the boiling circulation pipe 40. Then, after flowing into the boiling heat exchanger ₂ from the second forward pipe portion 40a ₂ and being heated by the boiling heat exchanger 2, it is supplied to the first return pipe portion 40b ₁ of the boiling circulation line 40. A part of it flows into the second return pipe section 40b ₂ by the second flow path switching valve 39 and flows again (joins) into the reheating forward pipe 60, and the remaining hot water flows into the second flow path switching valve 39. At 39, the fuel flows into the tank return pipe 40c and is returned to the hot water storage tank 20.

Further, as shown by a solid line arrow D in FIG. 6, the bath water 150a in the bathtub 150 flows through the forward pipe 80a of the load-side circulation pipe 80 and flows into the use-side heat exchanger 70, and the reheating forward. Heat is exchanged with the hot water flowing into the use-side heat exchanger 70 from the pipe 60 and heated (reheated), then flows into the return pipe 80b of the load-side circulation line 80 and returns to the bathtub 150. It is. During the second reheating operation, the port on the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side of the first flow path switching valve 33 is closed, so that water flows into the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20. There is no.

After starting the heat pump unit 10 in the second reheating operation, the control device 90 monitors the temperature detected by the boiling temperature sensor 37 and controls the opening degree of the second flow path switching valve 39 according to the detected temperature. To do. That is, as the temperature detected by the boiling temperature sensor 37 increases, the opening degree of the port on the second return pipe portion 40b ₂ side of the second flow path switching valve 39 increases, and the port on the tank return pipe 40c side increases. Reduce the opening of. And if the said detected temperature becomes more than the 1st condition value mentioned above, for example, it will judge that the starting of the heat pump unit 10 was completed, and will be transferred to the 3rd reheating operation or the 4th reheating operation demonstrated below.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 starts the third reheating operation. The control device 90 of the hot water storage type hot water supply device 120 starts the reheating operation when it is predicted that the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 is less than the first remaining hot water amount and greater than or equal to the predetermined second remaining hot water amount. When the command is input from the remote controller 110 and the second reheating operation is performed, the port on the tank return pipe 40c side in the second flow path switching valve 39 is closed after the start-up of the heat pump unit 10 is completed. The reheating operation is shifted to the third reheating operation.

  When the amount of the second remaining hot water is less than the amount of remaining hot water, if only hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is used as a heat source in the use side heat exchanger 70 and the bath water 150a is reheated (reheated), the hot water runs out. The amount of remaining hot water that is judged to be highly likely to occur, in other words, the amount of remaining hot water that is desired to be heated in parallel when reheating operation is performed when the amount is below the amount of remaining hot water. It is determined by the manufacturer of the hot water storage type hot water heater 120 and is stored in advance in a storage element (not shown) in the control device 90, for example.

As indicated by a solid arrow F in FIG. 7, during the third reheating operation, the first flow path switching valve 33, the second forward pipe portion 40 a _{2 of} the boiling circulation pipe 40, and the boiling heat exchanger 2. , The first return pipe portion 40b ₁ of the boiling circulation pipe 40, the second flow path switching valve 39, the second return pipe section 40b ₂ of the boiling circulation pipe 40, the reheating forward pipe 60, A circulation path is formed through which the hot water returns to the first flow path switching valve 33 via the side heat exchanger 70 and the reheating return pipe 65.

  For this reason, the hot water circulating through the circulation path is heated by the boiling heat exchanger 2 and used for heat exchange in the use side heat exchanger 70. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is not supplied to the heat source in the use side heat exchanger 70. Further, the hot water boiled by the heat pump unit 10 is not supplied to the hot water storage tank 20. In the third reheating operation, the bath water 150a is reheated without reducing the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 20.

The control device 90 monitors the detected temperature of the load side temperature sensor 73, and when the detected temperature exceeds the second condition value described above, determines that the bath water 150a has been reheated to a predetermined temperature, and performs the third reheating. End driving. That is, each of the heat pump unit 10, the circulation pump 35, and the load side circulation pump 75 is stopped. Further, the port on the reheating return pipe 65 side in the first flow path switching valve 33 is closed, the port on the first forward pipe section 40a ₁ side is opened, and the second flow path in the second flow path switching valve 39 is opened. the return pipe portion 40b ₂ side port and the tank return pipe 40c of the side port as well as the closed to the open, returning the hot-water storage type water heater 120 to the standby state described above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the hot water storage type water heater illustrated in FIG. 1 starts the fourth reheating operation. When the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 is predicted to be less than the second remaining hot water amount, the control device 90 of the hot water storage hot water supply device 120 receives a reheating operation start command from the remote controller 110 and performs the second reheating operation. when performing the heating operation, the return tank in the second channel switching valve 39 as well as the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side of the port in the first channel switching valve 33 after start-up completion of the heat pump unit 10 in the open The port on the tube 40c side is closed and the second reheating operation is shifted to the fourth reheating operation.

As indicated by a solid arrow G in FIG. 8, during the fourth reheating operation, water in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 20 flows into the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ of the boiling circulation pipe 40 and the first flow path switching is performed. It flows from the valve 33 to the second forward pipe section 40a ₂ , boiled into hot water in the boiling heat exchanger 2, and then flows into the first return pipe section 40 b ₁ , and is then returned to the tank return pipe by the second flow path switching valve 39. Instead of flowing into 40 c, it flows into the second return pipe section 40 _b 2 and returns to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20. The second return pipe portion 40 _{b 2} is diverted to the reheating forward pipe 60 and flows into the use side heat exchanger 70, and then flows into the reheating return pipe 65 to be boiled from the first flow path switching valve 33. Joins (inflows) into the second forward pipe section 40a ₂ of the circulation pipe 40 for use.

Accordingly, the boiling operation is performed in parallel in the fourth reheating operation. At this time, the respective opening degrees of the port on the first forward pipe portion 40a ₁ side and the port on the reheating return pipe 65 side in the first flow path switching valve 33 are necessary for reheating (reheating) the bath water 150a. It is controlled by the control device 90 with priority given to supplying a large amount of heat to the use side heat exchanger 70.

In addition, as shown by a solid line arrow D in FIG. 8, the bath water 150a in the bathtub 150 flows through the forward pipe 80a of the load-side circulation pipe 80 and flows into the use-side heat exchanger 70, and the reheating forward. Heat is exchanged with the hot water flowing into the use-side heat exchanger 70 from the pipe 60 and heated (reheated), then flows into the return pipe 80b of the load-side circulation line 80 and returns to the bathtub 150. It is. The fourth reheated during operation because the port of the tank return pipe 40c side of the second flow path switching valve 39 is closed, there is no flow of hot water to the tank return pipe 40c from the first return tube section 40b _1.

The control device 90 monitors the detected temperature of the load side temperature sensor 73, and when the detected temperature exceeds the second condition value described above, determines that the bath water 150a has been reheated to a predetermined temperature, and performs the third reheating. End driving. That is, each of the heat pump unit 10, the circulation pump 35, and the load side circulation pump 75 is stopped. Further, the port of reheating return pipe 65 side in the first channel switching valve 33 are closed, the second return tube section 40b ₂ side of the port in the second channel switching valve 39 returns the tank as well as a closed The port on the pipe 40c side is opened, and the hot water storage type water heater 120 is returned to the standby state described above.

  In the hot water storage type water heater 120 capable of performing the above-described boiling operation and the first to fourth reheating operations, the control device 90 determines the operation to be performed at present in the procedure shown in FIG. Done. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure when the control device for the hot water storage type hot water heater shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, when the control device 90 (see FIG. 1) determines the operation to be performed at present, predetermined steps among steps S1 to S4, steps S11 to 15, steps S21 to S25, and step S31 are performed. Done.

  In step S <b> 1 performed first, the control device 90 determines whether or not a follow-up operation is necessary. The control device 90 determines that the follow-up operation is necessary when the follow-up operation start command is input from the remote controller, and the detected temperature of the load-side temperature sensor 73 (see FIG. 1) sets the above-described second condition value. When it exceeds, it is determined that the chasing operation is unnecessary. When it is determined in this step S1 that the chasing operation is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step S11 described later, and when it is determined that it is necessary, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control device 90 determines whether or not the boiling operation is necessary based on the temperature detected by the first tank temperature sensor 25a or the second tank temperature sensor 25b (see FIG. 1). The controller 90 requires a boiling operation when the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 is predicted to be less than the second remaining hot water amount from the temperature detected by the first tank temperature sensor 25a or the second tank temperature sensor 25b. And when it is predicted that the amount is greater than the second remaining hot water amount, it is determined that the boiling operation is unnecessary. When it is determined in step S2 that the boiling operation is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S21 described later, and when it is determined that the boiling operation is necessary, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, whether the heat pump unit 10 (see FIG. 1; abbreviated as “HPU” in FIG. 9) is in operation and the detected temperature of the boiling temperature sensor 37 is equal to or higher than the first condition value described above. The control device 90 determines whether or not. The step S3 is a step of determining whether or not the heat pump unit 10 is stably operating at a predetermined capacity, in other words, whether or not the startup has been completed.

  When it is determined in step S3 that the start-up has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S31 described later, and when it is determined that the start-up has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the above-described control is performed under the control of the control device 90. The fourth reheating operation is started. Thereafter, the process returns to the above-described step S1, and the steps after step S1 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the reheating operation is not necessary and the process proceeds to step S11, the controller 90 determines whether or not the boiling operation is necessary in the same manner as in step S2. When it is determined in step S11 that the boiling operation is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S12, where the hot water storage type water heater 120 (see FIG. 1) is placed in the standby state under the control of the control device 90, and then the above-described standby state. Returning to step S1, the steps after step S1 are repeated. If it is determined that the boiling operation is necessary, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the controller 90 determines whether or not the start-up of the heat pump unit 10 has been completed in the same manner as in step S3. When it is determined in step S13 that the start-up has been completed, the process proceeds to step S14, and the above-described boiling operation is started under the control of the control device 90. When it is determined that the start-up has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S15, and the start-up operation of the heat pump unit 10 is started under the control of the control device 90. When the process proceeds to either step S14 or step S15, the process returns to step S1 and the steps after step S1 are repeated.

  When it is determined in step S2 that the boiling operation is not necessary and the process proceeds to step S21, the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 predicted from the temperature detected by the first tank temperature sensor 25a or the second tank temperature sensor 25b. The controller 90 determines whether or not is equal to or greater than the first remaining hot water amount. When it is determined in step S21 that the remaining hot water amount is greater than or equal to the first remaining hot water amount, the process proceeds to step S22, and the first reheating operation described above is started under the control of the control device 90. Returning to S1, the steps after S1 are repeated.

  Further, when it is determined in step S21 that the remaining hot water amount is less than the first remaining hot water amount, the process proceeds to step S23, and the controller 90 determines whether or not the start-up of the heat pump unit 10 has been completed in the same manner as in step S3. to decide. When it is determined in step S23 that the start-up has been completed, the process proceeds to step S24, and the above-described third reheating operation is started under the control of the control device 90. When it is determined that the start-up has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S25, and the above-described second reheating operation is started under the control of the control device 90. When the process proceeds to either step S24 or step S25, the process returns to step S1 thereafter, and step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated.

  When it is determined in step S3 that the heat pump unit 10 has not been started up and the process proceeds to step S31, the second reheating operation described above is started under the control of the control device 90. Then, it returns to step S1 and this step S1 and subsequent steps are repeated.

  In the hot water storage type water heater 120 that performs various operations as described above, when a reheating operation start command is input from the remote controller 110 when the remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank 20 is small, consumption of hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is performed. The third reheating operation in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank 20 is not consumed through the second reheating operation with a small amount or the fourth reheating operation in which the reheating operation and the boiling operation are performed simultaneously is started. This makes it difficult for the reheating operation to be interrupted or stopped halfway. Therefore, for example, it is unlikely that bathing (reheating) of bathing water is interrupted or stopped due to running out of hot water during bathing.

  Further, since the reheating operation and the boiling operation can be performed at the same time, the other operation is not interrupted or stopped in order to perform one operation. And since the hot water of an external load equipment is reheated by the 2nd reheating operation until the heat pump unit 10 starts, reheating of the hot water of an external load equipment can be performed rapidly. Therefore, the hot water storage type water heater 120 is a very convenient water heater.

  As mentioned above, although the hot water storage type hot water heater of the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described form as described above. The hot water storage type water heater of the present invention passes through the return pipe of the boiling circulation line after the water flowing from the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the boiling circulation line is boiled into hot water by the boiling heat exchanger. While being returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank, it is diverted from the return pipe of the boiling circulation line to the reheating forward pipe, and the hot water that has been diverted to the reheating forward pipe flows to the utilization side heat exchanger to be utilized side heat. Basically, any structure can be used as long as it serves as a heat source in the exchanger, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, the tank return pipe 40c (see FIG. 1) described in the embodiment can be omitted. However, in a heat pump unit using a refrigeration cycle, it takes a certain amount of time until a predetermined output is obtained, and it is relatively heated by a heat exchanger for boiling until a predetermined output is obtained after starting. If low temperature hot water is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 20, the temperature stratification in the hot water storage tank 20 may be destroyed. From the viewpoint of maintaining the temperature stratification in the hot water storage tank 20, the tank return pipe 40c is provided, and the relatively low temperature hot water generated until the heat pump unit starts up is used as a central portion in the height direction of the hot water storage tank 20. It is preferable to configure so as to return to a predetermined position in the region from the bottom to the bottom.

  The heat pump unit may be, for example, a unit that pressurizes carbon dioxide, which is a refrigerant, to a pressure higher than the critical pressure, or may be a unit that pressurizes the refrigerant to a pressure lower than the critical pressure. As the refrigerant, in addition to carbon dioxide, fluorocarbon gas, ammonia gas, or the like may be used. The hot water storage type hot water heater of the present invention can be variously modified, modified, combined, etc. in addition to those described above.

  The hot water storage type hot water heater of the present invention is suitable as a hot water storage type hot water heater for home use and business use.

2 Heating unit for boiling 10 Heat pump unit 20 Hot water storage tank 30 Water supply line 33 First flow path switching valve 35 Circulation pump 39 Second flow path switching valve 40 Circulation line for boiling 40a Outward pipe 40b Return pipe 40c Tank return Pipe 50 Hot water supply pipe 60 Reheating forward pipe 65 Reheating return pipe 70 Utilization side heat exchanger 80 Load side circulation pipe 80a Outward pipe 80b Return pipe 90 Controller 100 Tank unit 110 Remote controller 120 Hot water storage type hot water heater 150 External load equipment (bathtub)
150a bath water

Claims (2)

A heat pump unit having a heat exchanger for boiling;
A hot water storage tank for storing water and hot water,
A forward pipe for guiding water stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the boiling heat exchanger, a first flow path switching valve provided in the forward pipe, and a downstream side of the first flow path switching valve; circulation pump, before said boiling was hot water at Kinie heat exchanger for raising the hot water storage top to lead the return pipe of the tank, the second channel switching valve provided in said return Ri tube, and the second flow path switching A boiling circulation line having a tank return pipe reaching from the valve to the hot water storage tank ;
A temperature sensor for detecting a boiling temperature of the heat pump unit;
A use side heat exchanger for reheating hot water used in external load equipment using hot water;
A reheating forward pipe branched from the return pipe of the boiling circulation pipe and reaching the use side heat exchanger;
A reheating return pipe reaching the first flow path switching valve from the use side heat exchanger;
Outward pipe for guiding the hot water of the external load equipment to the use side heat exchanger, a return pipe for guiding the hot water heated by the use side heat exchanger to the external load equipment, and hot water of the external load equipment A load-side circulation line having a load-side circulation pump for sending to the use-side heat exchanger;
A control device for controlling the heat pump unit, the first channel switching valve, said circulation pump, before Symbol load side circulation pump and operation of the second channel switching valve,
With
When boiling of hot water in the hot water storage tank and reheating of hot water in the external load facility are required at the same time, the control device
If the boiling temperature is equal to or higher than a preset condition value, the operation of the first flow path switching valve is controlled to join the reheating return pipe to the boiling circulation pipe , and By controlling the operation of the two flow path switching valve, the flow path was switched so that hot water that flowed from the boiling heat exchanger into the return pipe of the boiling circulation line flows downstream of the return pipe. above, prior Symbol heat pump unit, the circulation pump, and by operating said load side circulation pump, the water flowing in the circulation line for the boiling raised from the hot water storage tank bottom, the heat exchanger for the boiling-up while you through the above clogs after boiling in hot water boiling for raising circulation pipe return pipe back to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank, and diverted into the reheating forward pipe from the return pipe of the boiler up circulation conduit by flow of hot water to the use side heat exchanger in the utilization-side heat exchanger Subjected to the source,
If the boiling temperature is less than the condition value, the operation of the first flow path switching valve is controlled to join the reheating return pipe to the boiling circulation pipe, and the second flow path The operation of the switching valve is controlled so that hot water flowing from the boiling heat exchanger into the return pipe of the boiling circulation line flows to both the downstream side of the return pipe and the tank return pipe. After switching the path, by operating the heat pump unit, the circulation pump, and the load side circulation pump, the heat source flows from the upper part of the hot water storage tank to the reheating forward pipe and is used as a heat source in the use side heat exchanger. Hot water supplied to the recirculation return pipe to the boiling circulation line, boiled into hot water by the boiling heat exchanger, and then the return pipe of the boiling circulation line; hot water storage, characterized in that diverting the said tank return pipe Water heater. When the boiling temperature is less than the condition value, the control device sets the opening of the second flow rate switching valve so that the higher the boiling temperature, the smaller the flow rate of the tank return pipe. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1, which is controlled.

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