Hot water supply heater

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing the number of terminals that receive a signal from a heating terminal and preventing occurrence of problems in an operation of the heating terminal even when the number of terminals is reduced in a hot water supply heater having a hot water supply circuit and a heating circuit.SOLUTION: In a hot water supply heater 1, a control device 70 sets a predetermined first temperature as a target and circulates a heating medium in a heating medium circulation passage 48 when a first request signal is input to a first terminal 101 and a second request signal is not input to a second terminal 102. The control device 70 sets a second temperature lower than the first temperature as the target and circulates the heating medium in the heating medium circulation passage 48 when the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 and the first request signal is not input to the first terminal 101. The control device 70 sets the first temperature as the target and circulates the heating medium in the heating medium circulation passage 48 when the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hot water heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a hot water heater. The hot water heater of Patent Document 1 includes a hot water heating section, a heating section, and a bath heating section. The hot water heating section includes a hot water burner and a hot water heat exchanger that heats the water passing through the inside with the combustion exhaust of the hot water burner. The heating section includes a heating burner and a heating heat exchanger that heats the hot water passing through the inside with the combustion exhaust of the heating burner, and forms a heating circulation path between the heating heat exchanger and a heating terminal. The bath heating section is connected to the hot water heating section to form a bath circulation path between the bathtub and the bathtub, and is capable of filling the bathtub with hot water and reheating the hot water in the bathtub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-46858 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A hot water heater may be connected to a heating terminal such as a fan convector or a bathroom dryer / heater. When connecting multiple heating terminals to a hot water heater, it is generally necessary to secure input terminals for the number of heating terminals. For example, in a configuration in which a first heating terminal and a second heating terminal are connected, a first terminal group that receives an input signal from the first heating terminal is prepared for signal input from the first heating terminal, and a second terminal group that receives an input signal from the second heating terminal is prepared for signal input from the second heating terminal. With this configuration, when a request signal is input to the first terminal group, it is possible to circulate a heat medium corresponding to the request signal through the heating circuit, and when a request signal is input to the second terminal group, it is possible to circulate a heat medium corresponding to the request signal through the heating circuit. However, in such a configuration in which a dedicated terminal group is provided for each heating terminal, there is a problem that the number of terminals increases, and the configuration of the board and peripheral circuits tends to become large and complicated.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can reduce the number of terminals that receive signals from a heating terminal in a water heating appliance that has a hot water circuit and a heating circuit, and that is less likely to cause problems in the operation of the heating terminal even if the number of terminals is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hot water heater according to the present disclosure includes: a hot water supply circuit including a first burner for burning gas and a first heat exchanger heated by exhaust gas generated by the first burner, and for supplying hot water by heating water supplied from the outside using the first heat exchanger; A heating circuit including a second burner that burns gas, a second heat exchanger that is heated by exhaust gas generated by the second burner, and a heat medium circulation path that is a path for circulating a heat medium through the second heat exchanger, the heating circuit heating the heat medium by the second heat exchanger and supplying the heat medium to a plurality of heating terminals via the heat medium circulation path; A control device for controlling the hot water supply circuit and the heating circuit; A hot water heater comprising: a first terminal for receiving an input of a first request signal; a second terminal for receiving an input of a second request signal; having the first terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the first request signal from a first signal line connected to the first terminal and does not output a signal from the first terminal to the first signal line; the second terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the second request signal from a second signal line connected to the second terminal and does not output a signal from the second terminal to the second signal line; Each of the first branch lines electrically connected to two or more of the heating terminals among the plurality of heating terminals is electrically connected to the first signal line; Each second branch line electrically connected to each of the two or more heating terminals is electrically connected to the second signal line; The control device includes: When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is not input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a predetermined first temperature as a target; When the second terminal receives the second request signal and the first terminal does not receive the first request signal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path with the first temperature as a target. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technology disclosed herein, in a water heating appliance equipped with a hot water supply circuit and a heating circuit, the number of terminals that receive signals from the heating terminal can be reduced, and even if the number of terminals is reduced, problems with the operation of the heating terminal are less likely to occur. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a hot water heater according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating in a simplified manner an electrical configuration between the hot water heater and the heating terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating in a simplified manner a connection configuration between the hot water heater and the heating terminal according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The hot water heater / heating device described below in [1] is an example of a characteristic technology included in this disclosure.

[0010] [1] A hot water supply circuit including a first burner for burning gas and a first heat exchanger heated by exhaust gas generated by the first burner, and for supplying hot water by heating water supplied from the outside using the first heat exchanger; A heating circuit including a second burner that burns gas, a second heat exchanger that is heated by exhaust gas generated by the second burner, and a heat medium circulation path that is a path for circulating a heat medium through the second heat exchanger, the heating circuit heating the heat medium by the second heat exchanger and supplying the heat medium to a plurality of heating terminals via the heat medium circulation path; A control device for controlling the hot water supply circuit and the heating circuit; A hot water heater comprising: a first terminal for receiving an input of a first request signal; a second terminal for receiving an input of a second request signal; having the first terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the first request signal from a first signal line connected to the first terminal and does not output a signal from the first terminal to the first signal line; the second terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the second request signal from a second signal line connected to the second terminal and does not output a signal from the second terminal to the second signal line; Each of the first branch lines electrically connected to two or more of the heating terminals among the plurality of heating terminals is electrically connected to the first signal line; Each second branch line electrically connected to each of the two or more heating terminals is electrically connected to the second signal line; The control device includes: When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is not input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a predetermined first temperature as a target; When the second terminal receives the second request signal and the first terminal does not receive the first request signal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path with the first temperature as a target. Hot water heater.

[0011] The hot water heater / heater of [1] above is a hot water heater / heater having a hot water supply circuit and a heating circuit, and the first and second terminals can be shared by multiple heating terminals, thereby reducing the number of terminals for receiving request signals. Furthermore, in the case where the first request signal of any heating terminal conflicts with the second request signal of another heating terminal, the hot water heater / heater can respond by circulating a high-temperature heat medium. In the case where the above-mentioned conflict occurs, one of the heating terminals will be requesting a low temperature, but even if a high-temperature heat medium is circulated, it is sufficient to shorten the time until the required heating is achieved, and therefore problems are unlikely to occur. Thus, in the hot water heater / heater having a hot water supply circuit and a heating circuit, the number of terminals for receiving signals from the heating terminals can be reduced, and even if the number of terminals is reduced, problems in the operation of the heating terminals are unlikely to occur.

[0012] First Embodiment The following description relates to a hot water heater 1 according to the first embodiment. 1. Overall configuration of hot water heater 1 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a hot water heater 1. The hot water heater 1 includes a hot water circuit 2, a heating circuit 3, and a bath circuit 4.

[0013] The hot water supply circuit 2 is a circuit that supplies hot water by heating water supplied from outside the hot water heater 1 using a first heat exchanger 7. The hot water supply circuit 2 includes a hot water supply combustion chamber 5, and includes a plurality of hot water supply burners 6 and a first heat exchanger 7 within the hot water supply combustion chamber 5. The first heat exchanger 7 functions as a hot water supply side heat exchanger, and heats the water passing through the inside thereof with the combustion exhaust of the plurality of hot water supply burners 6. Each of the plurality of hot water supply burners 6 is configured as a gas burner that burns gas, and corresponds to an example of a first burner. The first heat exchanger 7 corresponds to an example of a first heat exchanger, and is configured to be heated by the exhaust generated by the first burner.

[0014] The hot water supply circuit 2 further includes a water supply pipe 8, a hot water supply amount sensor 9, a hot water outlet pipe 10, a bypass pipe 12, a bypass control valve 13, a hot water supply inner body thermistor 14, and a hot water supply outlet thermistor 15. The water supply pipe 8 is connected to an inlet of the first heat exchanger 7. The water supply pipe 8 is connected to an external piping, and is configured as a pipe that introduces tap water from a water supply, for example, and flows this tap water toward the first heat exchanger 7. The water supply pipe 8 is provided with a hot water supply amount sensor 9. Water supplied to the water supply pipe 8 from a water supply or the like corresponds to an example of water supplied from outside the hot water heater 1. The hot water outlet pipe 10 is connected to an outlet of the first heat exchanger 7. The hot water outlet pipe 10 is a pipe that flows hot water heated by the first heat exchanger 7. The hot water outlet pipe 10 forms a path that sends hot water heated by the first heat exchanger 7 to the outside of the appliance. In the example of FIG. 1, a hot water tap 11 is provided on a pipe connected to a hot water outlet pipe 10 outside the appliance.

[0015] A bypass pipe 12 is connected between the water supply pipe 8 and the hot water outlet pipe 10 so as to bypass the first heat exchanger 7. A bypass control valve 13 is provided in the bypass pipe 12. The bypass control valve 13 is a valve for controlling the flow rate to the bypass pipe 12. A hot water inner body thermistor 14 is provided upstream of the connection part of the bypass pipe 12 in the hot water outlet pipe 10. The hot water inner body thermistor 14 detects the hot water temperature from the outlet of the first heat exchanger 7. A hot water outlet thermistor 15 is provided downstream of the connection part of the bypass pipe 12. The hot water outlet thermistor 15 detects the outlet temperature of the hot water from the bypass pipe 12 after it has been mixed with water.

[0016] The hot water supply circuit 2 further includes a gas pipe, a main gas solenoid valve 17, a hot water supply gas proportional valve 18, and a hot water supply switching solenoid valve 19. The gas pipe 16 is a pipe through which gas supplied from outside the hot water heater 1 via a gas inlet passes, and forms a path for supplying gas to the hot water supply burner 6. The main gas solenoid valve 17 is provided upstream of the gas pipe 16, and the hot water supply gas proportional valve 18 is provided downstream of the main gas solenoid valve 17. The gas pipe 16 branches downstream of the hot water supply gas proportional valve 18, and branch pipes to each hot water supply burner 6 are provided. Each branch pipe is provided with a hot water supply switching solenoid valve 19.

[0017] The hot water supply circuit 2 further includes a hot water supply fan 20, an igniter 21 for ignition, an ignition electrode 22, and a hot water supply frame rod 23. The hot water supply fan 20 is provided below the hot water supply combustion chamber 5, and supplies air for combustion to each hot water supply burner 6.

[0018] The heating circuit 3 includes a heating combustion chamber 30 and a heat medium circulation path 48. The heating combustion chamber 30 includes a plurality of heating burners 31 and a second heat exchanger 32 that heats the heat medium passing through the inside of the heating combustion chamber 30 by the combustion exhaust of the heating burners 31. The second heat exchanger 32 functions as a heating side heat exchanger. In this embodiment, the heat medium is hot water. The heating circuit 3 is a circuit that heats the heat medium by the second heat exchanger 32 and supplies the heat medium to the heating terminal via the heat medium circulation path 48. Each of the plurality of heating burners 31 is configured as a gas burner that burns gas, and corresponds to an example of the second burner. The second heat exchanger 32 corresponds to an example of the second heat exchanger, and is configured to be heated by the exhaust generated by the second burner. In the example of FIG. 1, a heating terminal 34 and a heating terminal 39 are provided as examples of the heating terminal.

[0019] The heat medium circulation path 48 is a path for circulating the heat medium through the second heat exchanger 32, and forms a flow path of the heat medium. The heat medium circulation path 48 includes the heating high temperature forward pipe 33, the heating return pipe 35, the heating low temperature forward pipe 38, and the heating return pipe 35. When the heating terminal 34 is connected as shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium circulation path 48 configures a flow path for circulating the heat medium through the heating high temperature forward pipe 33, the heating terminal 34, and the heating return pipe 35. When the heating terminal 39 is connected as shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium circulation path 48 forms a flow path for circulating the heat medium through the heating low temperature forward pipe 38, the heating terminal 39, and the heating return pipe 35.

[0020] The heating circuit 3 further includes an expansion tank 36, a heating circulation pump 37, a heating high temperature thermistor 40, and a heating low temperature thermistor 41. A heating high temperature forward pipe 33 is connected to the outlet of the second heat exchanger 32 and is connected to a heating terminal 34 as a heating terminal outside the appliance, and a heating return pipe 35 is connected to the inlet of the second heat exchanger 32 and is connected to the heating terminal 34 outside the appliance. The heating return pipe 35 is provided with an expansion tank 36 and a heating circulation pump 37, and a heating low temperature forward pipe 38 is connected to the downstream side of the heating circulation pump 37 and is connected to a heating terminal 39 as a heating terminal outside the appliance. The downstream side of the heating terminal 39 is connected to the heating return pipe 35 downstream of the heating terminal 34. Here, the heating terminal 34 is a heating blower that blows hot air into the bathroom and the dressing room, and the heating terminal 39 is a floor heater for the dressing room. The heating high temperature thermistor 40 is provided in the heating high temperature outgoing pipe 33 on the outlet side of the second heat exchanger 32. The heating low temperature thermistor 41 is provided in the expansion tank .

[0021] The heating circuit 3 further includes a gas branch pipe 42, a heating gas proportional valve 43, heating switching solenoid valves 44, 44, a heating fan 45, an ignition electrode 46, and a heating flame rod 47. The gas branch pipe 42 is provided so as to branch off from the gas pipe 16 to the heating circuit 3 side, and the gas branch pipe 42 is provided with a heating gas proportional valve 43 from the upstream side, and heating switching solenoid valves 44, 44 for each branch pipe to each heating burner 31. The heating fan 45 is provided below the heating combustion chamber 30 so as to supply combustion air to each heating burner 31.

[0022] In the heating circuit 3, the heating circulation pump 37 is operated to cause hot water heated in the second heat exchanger 32 to circulate through the heat medium circulation path 48. Specifically, the hot water heated in the second heat exchanger 32 circulates through the heating high-temperature forward piping 33, the heating terminal 34, and the heating return piping 35, and also circulates through the heating low-temperature forward piping 38, the heating terminal 39, and the heating return piping 35. Hot water is supplied to the heating terminal 34 by the operation of a built-in thermal valve, and hot water is supplied to the heating terminal 39 by the operation of a thermal valve in the appliance.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, a bath heating pipe 51 is provided in a configuration in which it branches off from the heating high-temperature forward pipe 33. The bath heating pipe 51 corresponds to an example of a branch path. The bath heating pipe 51 branches off from a position downstream of the second heat exchanger 32 in the heat medium circulation path 48, and forms a flow path that guides the heat medium that has flowed through the heat medium circulation path 48 to the bath heat exchanger 50 side. The bath heating pipe 51 is connected between the heating high-temperature forward pipe 33 and the heating return pipe 35.

[0024] The control valve 58 is a valve provided in the bath heating pipe 51 upstream of the bath heat exchanger 50. The control valve 58 is configured to open and close the bath heating pipe 51, and is configured to switch between a closed state in which the control valve 58 blocks water passing through the bath heating pipe 51, and an open state in which the control valve 58 allows water to pass through the bath heating pipe 51. The control valve 58 has a switch. This switch is configured as a limit switch, and when the control valve 58 is in the fully open state, it goes into a first state in which it outputs a predetermined first signal (e.g., an on signal), and when the control valve 58 is in the fully closed state in which it is blocked, it goes into a second state in which it outputs a second signal (e.g., an off signal) different from the first signal.

[0025] The bath circuit 4 comprises a bath circulation path 63 and a bath heat exchanger 50. The bath circulation path 63 is a flow path configured to circulate hot and cold water drawn out from an external bathtub 52 and introduce it into the bathtub 52. The bath heat exchanger 50 is configured as a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a heat medium flowing through the bath heating pipe 51 and hot and cold water flowing through the bath circulation path 63.

[0026] The bath heat exchanger 50 is provided with a pipe 50A that is a part of the bath circulation path 63, and the bath heating pipe 51 is arranged in the pipe 50A. The bath circulation path 63 is composed of the pipe 50A, the bath supply pipe 53, and the bath return pipe 54. When the bath circulation pump 55 is operating, the bath circulation path 63 functions as a flow path that draws hot water from the bathtub 52 installed outside the hot water heater 1, and functions as a flow path that circulates the drawn hot water and introduces it into the bathtub 52. The bath return pipe 54 is provided with the bath circulation pump 55, a pressure sensor 56, and a water flow switch 57. The bath return pipe 54 is provided between the bathtub 52 outside the device and the pipe 50A, and forms a flow path that flows hot water from the bathtub 52 to the pipe 50A when the bath circulation pump 55 is operating. The bath supply pipe 53 is provided between the pipe 50A and the bathtub 52, and forms a flow path for flowing hot and cold water from the pipe 50A to the bathtub 52 when the bath circulation pump 55 is operating. A bath supply thermistor 64 is provided in the bath supply pipe 53. A bath return thermistor 65 is provided in the bath return pipe 54.

[0027] A drop pipe 59 is connected to the bath return pipe 54, branching off from the hot water outlet pipe 10. The drop pipe 59 is provided with hot water supply solenoid valves 60, 60, a drop water level sensor 61, check valves 62, 62, etc. When the hot water supply circuit 2 is in operation, the hot water supply solenoid valves 60, 60 provided in the drop pipe 59 are opened, so that hot water heated in the hot water supply circuit 2 is supplied to the bathtub 52 through the drop pipe 59.

[0028] The hot water heater 1 further includes a control device 70, a hot water remote control 71, a bath remote control 72, and a room temperature thermistor 73. The control device 70 functions as a controller that performs various controls. The control device 70 is configured to be able to acquire signals from each sensor (thermistor, water level sensor, switch, etc.), and controls the hot water circuit 2, heating circuit 3, bath circuit 4, etc. The room temperature thermistor 73 is provided, for example, in a changing room as air temperature detection means that detects the temperature in the changing room.

[0029] 2. Operation of hot water heater 1 (Normal hot water supply operation) When the hot water tap 11 provided on the hot water outlet pipe 10 is opened to allow water to flow into the appliance and the hot water volume sensor 9 outputs a signal indicating water flow, the control device 70 rotates the hot water fan 20 for a predetermined time to discharge the combustion exhaust gas stored in the hot water combustion chamber 5 (pre-purge). After that, the control device 70 opens the main gas solenoid valve 17 of the gas pipe 16 and each hot water switching solenoid valve 19, opens the hot water gas proportional valve 18 at a predetermined opening degree, controls to supply gas to each hot water burner 6, and operates the igniter 21 to ignite the hot water burner 6. With this control, a hot water outlet operation is performed so that the water passing through the first heat exchanger 7 is heated and flows into the hot water outlet pipe 10, and the heated hot water is discharged from the hot water tap 11.

[0030] During the above-mentioned hot water discharging operation, the control device 70 monitors the hot water outlet temperature detected by the hot water outlet thermistor 15 installed in the hot water outlet pipe 10, and controls the opening and closing of the hot water switching solenoid valve 19 and adjusts the opening of the hot water gas proportional valve 18 so that the hot water outlet temperature becomes the set temperature instructed by the hot water remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72, while continuously changing the amount of air by controlling the rotation speed of the hot water fan 20. If the hot water tap 11 is closed during the above-mentioned hot water discharging operation and the signal output by the hot water amount sensor 9 indicates a water stop state, the control device 70 closes the main gas solenoid valve 17 and the hot water switching solenoid valve 19 to extinguish the hot water burner 6, and rotates the hot water fan 20 for a predetermined time to perform post-purge.

[0031] (Automatic water filling operation) The control device 70 can perform control to automatically fill the bathtub 52 with hot water. For example, when a hot water filling switch provided on the hot water supply remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72 is pressed, the control device 70 sets the outlet hot water temperature to the target temperature (e.g., 40°C) set by the hot water supply remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72, and starts filling the bath with hot water. Specifically, the control device 70 opens the hot water supply solenoid valve 60 of the drop pipe 59 to put the hot water supply circuit 2 into a water-passing state, and burns the hot water supply burner 6, so that the heated hot water flows into the hot water outlet pipe 10. The hot water that flows through the hot water outlet pipe 10 in this way is supplied to the bathtub 52 through the drop pipe 59 and the bath return pipe 54.

[0032] After starting to supply hot water to bathtub 52 in this way, control device 70 monitors whether the amount of water detected by drop water volume sensor 61 installed in drop pipe 59 (total amount of water since the start of automatic filling) has reached the set amount, and if it confirms that it has reached that amount, it closes hot water supply solenoid valve 60 to stop water flow and extinguishes hot water supply burner 6 to end filling the bath. Then, control device 70 operates bath circulation pump 55 to circulate the hot water in bathtub 52 within bath circuit 4. When filling the bath is finished, control device 70 notifies the completion of filling the bath via hot water supply remote control 71 or bath remote control 72.

[0033] (Automatic reheating operation) The control device 70 can automatically control the reheating (boiling) of water stored in the bathtub 52. For example, when a reheating switch provided on the hot water supply remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72 is pressed, the control device 70 sets the reheating temperature to the target temperature (for example, 40°C) set by the hot water supply remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72 and starts the reheating. Specifically, the control device 70 ignites the heating burner 31, opens the control valve 58, operates the bath circulation pump 55, and performs reheating by circulating the hot water in the bathtub 52 and heating it with the bath heat exchanger 50. After starting such reheating, the control device 70 monitors whether the hot water temperature detected by the bath return thermistor 65 has reached the target temperature, and when it is confirmed that the temperature has been reached, turns off the heating burner 31, stops the bath circulation pump 55, and ends the reheating. When the control device 70 ends the reheating, it notifies the end of the reheating by the hot water supply remote control 71 or the bath remote control 72.

[0034] (Details of electrical configuration) As shown in Fig. 2, the hot water heater 1 is electrically connected to the heating terminals 34A and 34B by the wiring unit 100, and is capable of receiving signals from the heating terminals 34A and 34B. The hot water heater 1 is provided with a first terminal 101, a second terminal 102, and a third terminal 103. The wiring unit 100 includes a first signal line 111, a second signal line 112, and a third signal line 113, and further includes first branch lines 121 and 131 branching from the first signal line 111, second branch lines 122 and 132 branching from the second signal line 112, and third branch lines 123 and 133 branching from the third signal line 113. The third terminal 103 is a terminal electrically connected to a ground section of the hot water heater 1, and is a terminal whose potential is maintained at a predetermined ground potential (for example, 0V).

[0035] A first signal line 111 is electrically connected to the first terminal 101, and a signal is input from the first signal line 111 to the first terminal 101. The first terminal 101 is a terminal that receives an input of a first request signal from the first signal line 111 connected to the first terminal 101, and does not output a signal from the first terminal 101 to the first signal line 111. In other words, communication via the first terminal 101 is one-way communication in which transmission from the first signal line 111 to the first terminal 101 is possible, but transmission from the first terminal 101 to the first signal line 111 is not possible.

[0036] A second signal line 112 is electrically connected to the second terminal 102, and a signal is input from the second signal line 112 to the second terminal 102. The second terminal 102 is a terminal that receives an input of a second request signal from the second signal line 112 connected to the second terminal 102, and does not output a signal from the second terminal 102 to the second signal line 112. In other words, communication via the second terminal 102 is one-way communication in which transmission from the second signal line 112 to the second terminal 102 is possible, but transmission from the second terminal 102 to the second signal line 112 is not possible.

[0037] Each of the first branch lines 121, 131 electrically connected to each of the heating terminals 34A, 34B is electrically connected to the first signal line 111. For example, when a first request signal is transmitted from the heating terminal 34A to the first branch line 121, the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 via the first branch line 121 and the first signal line 111. Similarly, when a first request signal is transmitted from the heating terminal 34B to the first branch line 131, the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 via the first branch line 131 and the first signal line 111. The first request signal may be, for example, a high-level signal of a predetermined voltage (for example, a signal of a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold value), or may be another signal. When the first request signal is not output, the first signal line 111 is in a predetermined signal stop state. The signal stop state is, for example, a state in which the first signal line 111 is in a predetermined low voltage (for example, a voltage lower than a threshold value, specifically, 0 V, etc.). The first request signal may be any signal that can distinguish between a state in which the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and a predetermined signal stop state in which the first request signal is not output to the first signal line 111. For example, the first request signal may be a signal with a voltage below a threshold, and when the first request signal is not output, the first signal line 111 may be configured to have a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0038] Each of the second branch lines 122, 132 electrically connected to each of the heating terminals 34A, 34B is electrically connected to the second signal line 112. For example, when a second request signal is transmitted from the heating terminal 34A to the second branch line 122, the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 via the second branch line 122 and the second signal line 112. Similarly, when a second request signal is transmitted from the heating terminal 34B to the second branch line 132, the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 via the second branch line 132 and the second signal line 112. The second request signal may be, for example, a high-level signal of a predetermined voltage (for example, a signal of a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold value), or may be another signal. When the second request signal is not output, the second signal line 112 is in a predetermined signal stop state. The signal stop state is, for example, a state in which the second signal line 112 is in a predetermined low voltage (for example, a voltage lower than a threshold value, specifically, 0 V, etc.). The second request signal may be any signal that can distinguish between a state in which the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 and a predetermined signal stop state in which the second request signal is not output to the second signal line 112. For example, the second request signal may be a signal with a voltage below a threshold, and when the second request signal is not output, the second signal line 112 may be configured to have a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0039] (Operation on heating terminal) As shown in Fig. 3, pipes 34M and 34N are connected to the heating terminal 34A so as to communicate with the heat medium circulation path 48. When a control valve (e.g., a built-in thermal valve: not shown in Fig. 2) built into the heating terminal 34A is opened, the heat medium is supplied from the heat medium circulation path 48 (specifically, the heating high-temperature forward pipe 33) through the pipe 34M, and the heat medium circulates through the pipe 34N to return the heat medium to the heat medium circulation path 48 (specifically, the heating return pipe 35), and when the built-in control valve is closed, the supply of the heat medium through the heating terminal 34A is blocked.

[0040] The heating terminal 34A is provided with a remote controller 34P as an operating device, and is controlled so that the heating terminal 34A starts heating when a predetermined start operation is performed by the remote controller 34P, for example. When a first heating condition is satisfied, the heating terminal 34A outputs a first request signal to the first branch line 121, opens a control valve built in the heating terminal 34A, and maintains the open state of the control valve until a predetermined first end condition is satisfied. When a second heating condition is satisfied, the heating terminal 34A outputs a second request signal to the second branch line 122, opens a control valve built in the heating terminal 34A, and maintains the open state of the control valve until a predetermined second end condition is satisfied.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the heating terminal 34B is connected to the pipes 34X and 34Y so as to communicate with the heat medium circulation path 48. When the control valve (for example, a built-in thermal valve: not shown in FIG. 2) built into the heating terminal 34B is opened, the heat medium is supplied from the heat medium circulation path 48 (specifically, the heating high-temperature forward pipe 33) through the pipe 34X, and the heat medium circulates to return the heat medium to the heat medium circulation path 48 (specifically, the heating return pipe 35) through the pipe 34Y, and when the built-in control valve is closed, the supply of the heat medium through the heating terminal 34B is cut off. The branch part 34D of the pipe 34M and the pipe 34X may be inside the hot water heater 1 or outside the hot water heater 1. The connection part 34E of the pipe 34N and the pipe 34Y may be inside the hot water heater 1 or outside the hot water heater 1.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the heating terminal 34B is provided with a remote controller 34Z as an operating device, and for example, when a start operation is performed by the remote controller 34Z, the heating terminal 34B is controlled to start heating. When a predetermined heating condition (third heating condition) is satisfied, the heating terminal 34B outputs a first request signal to the first branch line 131 (FIG. 2), opens a control valve built in itself, and maintains the open state of the control valve until a predetermined end condition (third end condition) is satisfied. When the predetermined end condition (third end condition) is satisfied, the heating terminal 34B closes a control valve built in itself. When a heating condition (fourth heating condition) different from the above-mentioned predetermined heating condition is satisfied, the heating terminal 34B outputs a second request signal to the second branch line 132, opens a control valve built in itself, and maintains the open state of the control valve until the fourth end condition is satisfied. When the fourth end condition is met, the heating terminal 34B closes the control valve built therein.

[0043] In this configuration, when the first request signal is output from the heating terminal 34A to the first branch line 121 or when the first request signal is output from the heating terminal 34B to the first branch line 131, the first terminal 101 is in a signal stop state when the first request signal is not output to either of the first branch lines 121 and 131. Also, when the second request signal is output from the heating terminal 34A to the second branch line 122 or when the second request signal is output from the heating terminal 34B to the second branch line 132, the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102, and when the second request signal is not output to either of the second branch lines 122 and 132, the second terminal 102 is in a signal stop state.

[0044] The control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 when at least either the first request signal or the second request signal is input. Specifically, when the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and the second request signal is not input to the second terminal 102, the control device 70 circulates the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48 with a predetermined first temperature (e.g., 80°C) as a target. In this case, the combustion of gas in the heating combustion chamber 30 is controlled so that the temperature of the heat medium at a predetermined position (e.g., the position of the thermistor 40) becomes the above-mentioned first temperature.

[0045] When a second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 and a first request signal is not input to the first terminal 101, the control device 70 circulates the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48, aiming for a second temperature (e.g., 60° C.) lower than the first temperature. In this case, the combustion of gas in the heating combustion chamber 30 is controlled so that the temperature of the heat medium at a predetermined position (e.g., the position of the thermistor 40) becomes the second temperature.

[0046] When a first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and a second request signal is input to the second terminal 102, the control device 70 circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation path 48 with the above-mentioned first temperature as a target. In this case, the combustion of gas in the heating combustion chamber 30 is controlled so that the temperature of the heat medium at a predetermined position (for example, the position of the thermistor 40) becomes the above-mentioned first temperature.

[0047] Each of the heating terminals 34A and 34B is controlled so as not to output the first request signal and the second request signal at the same time. For example, when both the heating terminals 34A and 34B output the first request signal, the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and no request signal is input to the second terminal 102, so that the control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 to circulate the heat medium through the heat medium circulation path 48 with a target of a predetermined first temperature (e.g., 80°C). When both the heating terminals 34A and 34B output the first request signal, the control valve (thermal valve) built in the heating terminals 34A and 34B opens. Therefore, when both heating terminal 34A and heating terminal 34B output the first request signal, the control valves built into heating terminal 34A and heating terminal 34B are opened, and each of heating terminal 34A and heating terminal 34B is in a state of introducing heat medium into its own interior, so that the heat medium at a relatively high first temperature circulates to be supplied to heating terminal 34A and heating terminal 34B.

[0048] Even when either the heating terminal 34A or the heating terminal 34B outputs a first request signal and the other does not output a request signal, the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and no request signal is input to the second terminal 102, so that the control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 to circulate the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48 with the first temperature (e.g., 80°C) as a target. In this case, the control valve (thermal valve) built into the one heating terminal is in an open state and the heat medium is introduced into the one heating terminal, so that the heat medium at the relatively high first temperature is circulated to be supplied to the one heating terminal. In this case, the control valve (thermal valve) built into the other heating terminal is in a closed state and does not introduce the heat medium.

[0049] When both the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B output the second request signal, the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102, and no request signal is input to the first terminal 101, so that the control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 to circulate the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48 with a target of a predetermined second temperature (for example, 60°C). When both the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B output the second request signal, the control valve (thermal valve) built in the heating terminal 34A is opened. Therefore, when both the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B output the second request signal, the control valve built in the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B is opened, and each of the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B is in a state of introducing the heat medium into itself, so that the heat medium at the relatively low second temperature circulates to be supplied to the heating terminal 34A and the heating terminal 34B.

[0050] Even when either the heating terminal 34A or the heating terminal 34B outputs a second request signal and the other does not output a request signal, the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102 and no request signal is input to the first terminal 101, so that the control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 to circulate the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48 with the second temperature (for example, 60°C) as a target. In this case, the control valve (thermal valve) built into the one heating terminal is in an open state and the heat medium is introduced into the inside of the one heating terminal, so that the heat medium at the relatively low second temperature is circulated to be supplied to the one heating terminal. In this case, the control valve (thermal valve) built into the other heating terminal is in a closed state and does not introduce the heat medium.

[0051] When any one of the heating terminals 34A and 34B outputs a first request signal and the other terminal outputs a second request signal, the first request signal is input to the first terminal 101 and the second request signal is input to the second terminal 102. In this case, the control device 70 operates the heating circuit 3 to circulate the heat medium in the heat medium circulation path 48 with the first temperature (for example, 80°C) as a target. In this case, both the one terminal and the other terminal open the control valve (thermal valve) built in them. Therefore, when either one of the heating terminals 34A and 34B outputs a first request signal and the other terminal outputs a second request signal, the control valve (thermal valve) built in the heating terminals 34A and 34B is opened, and each of the heating terminals 34A and 34B is in a state of introducing the heat medium, so that the heat medium at the relatively high first temperature circulates to be supplied to both the one terminal and the other terminal. In this case, the other terminals are supplied with a heat medium at a higher temperature than the one requested, but the effect is small since the heating is merely accelerated.

[0052] 3.Examples of effects In the hot water heater 1 having the hot water supply circuit 2 and the heating circuit 3, the first terminal 101 and the second terminal 102 can be used for multiple heating terminals 34A, 34B, and the number of terminals for receiving request signals can be reduced. In the hot water heater 1, when a first request signal of any heating terminal conflicts with a second request signal of another heating terminal, the hot water heater 1 can respond by circulating a high-temperature heat medium. When the above-mentioned conflict occurs, one of the heating terminals will be requesting a low temperature, but even if a high-temperature heat medium is circulated, it is sufficient to shorten the time until the required heating is achieved, and therefore problems are unlikely to occur. In the hot water heater 1 having the hot water supply circuit 2 and the heating circuit 3, the number of terminals for receiving signals from the heating terminals 34A, 34B can be reduced, and problems in the operation of the heating terminals 34A, 34B are unlikely to occur even if the number of terminals is reduced.

[0053] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, the features of the above or later described embodiments can be combined in any combination within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above or later described embodiments can be omitted unless it is clearly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above described embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0054] In the above embodiment, any of the multiple heating terminals is configured to be able to output the first request signal and the second request signal, but any of the multiple heating terminals may be configured to be able to output only either the first request signal or the second request signal.

[0055] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or within the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Hot water heater 2: Hot water circuit 3: Heating circuit 4: Bath circuit 5: Hot water combustion chamber 6: Hot water burner (first burner) 7: 1st heat exchanger 8: Water supply pipe 9: Hot water supply sensor 10: Tap pipe 11: Hot water tap 30: Heating combustion chamber 31: Heating burner (second burner) 32:Second heat exchanger 33: Heating high temperature supply pipe 34: Heating terminal 34A: Heating terminal (heating terminal) 34B: Heating terminal (heating terminal) 34D: Branching section 34E: Connecting part 34M: Piping 34N: Piping 34P: Remote controller 34X: Piping 34Y: Piping 34Z: Remote controller 48: Heat medium circulation path 50: Bath heat exchanger 50A: Conduit 51: Bath heating pipes 52: Bathtub 58: Control valve 63: Bath Circulation 70: Control device 100: Wiring section 101: 1st terminal 102: 2nd terminal 103: 3rd terminal 111: First signal line 112: Second signal line 113: 3rd signal line 121: First branch line 122: Second branch line 123: 3rd branch line 131: First branch line 132: Second branch line 133: 3rd branch line

Claims

[Claim 1] a hot water supply circuit including a first burner for burning gas and a first heat exchanger heated by exhaust gas generated by the first burner, the hot water supply circuit heating water supplied from the outside by the first heat exchanger to supply hot water; a heating circuit including a second burner that burns gas, a second heat exchanger that is heated by exhaust gas generated by the second burner, and a heat medium circulation path that is a path for circulating a heat medium through the second heat exchanger, the heating circuit heating the heat medium by the second heat exchanger and supplying the heat medium to a plurality of heating terminals via the heat medium circulation path; A control device for controlling the hot water supply circuit and the heating circuit; A hot water heater comprising: a first terminal for receiving an input of a first request signal; a second terminal for receiving an input of a second request signal; having the first terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the first request signal from a first signal line connected to the first terminal and does not output a signal from the first terminal to the first signal line; the second terminal is a terminal that receives an input of the second request signal from a second signal line connected to the second terminal and does not output a signal from the second terminal to the second signal line; Each of the first branch lines electrically connected to two or more of the heating terminals among the plurality of heating terminals is electrically connected to the first signal line; Each second branch line electrically connected to each of the two or more heating terminals is electrically connected to the second signal line; The control device includes: When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is not input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a predetermined first temperature as a target temperature; When the second terminal receives the second request signal and the first terminal does not receive the first request signal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. When the first request signal is input to the first terminal and the second request signal is input to the second terminal, the heat medium is circulated through the heat medium circulation path with the first temperature as a target. Hot water heater.

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