Control valve for solar water heater

Abstract

To solve the problem that construction work is complicated when a newly installed solar water heater is used in combination with an existing auxiliary heat source or when a newly installed auxiliary heat source is used in combination with an existing solar water heater.SOLUTION: A control valve 1 for a solar water heater includes an inlet pipe connection port 14 connected to a solar water heater 30, an on-off valve 11 communicating with the inlet pipe connection port 14, a water amount sensor 12 for measuring the amount of hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port 14, a temperature sensor 13 for measuring the temperature of the hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port 14, and an outlet pipe connection port 15 capable of flowing into a pipe communicating with a bathtub after passing through the on-off valve 11, the water amount sensor 12, and the temperature sensor 13. A control part 16 is provided for receiving input from the water quantity sensor 12 and the temperature sensor 13, and controlling the opening-closing valve 11 by interlocking with a predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control valve for a solar water heater that can be built into the housing (also called the exterior, but will be referred to uniformly as the housing; the same applies hereinafter) of a water heater or hot water heater equipped with a water filling means or a reheating means, or that can be attached to the outside of the housing, thereby linking the water heater or hot water heater with a solar water heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when using a solar water heater alone, tap water (tap water) can only be heated by solar heat during limited hours during the day, and the amount of heating by solar heat is affected by the weather and season. Therefore, when the amount of heating by solar heat is insufficient, a water heater or hot water heater (a so-called auxiliary heat source) was needed that had a heating means using oil, gas, electricity, etc. as a heat source, and was also equipped with a water filling means or a water filling means and a reheating means.

[0003] Apart from cases where a solar water heater and an auxiliary heat source are installed at the same time, there are cases where a solar water heater or an auxiliary heat source has already been installed. In such cases, in order to efficiently use the existing or new solar water heater and the existing or new auxiliary heat source in conjunction with each other, the user must check the temperature of the hot water heated by the solar water heater and decide whether to use the auxiliary heat source.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 has been proposed as an invention that can efficiently link a solar water heater with an auxiliary heat source to automatically supply hot water at the temperature desired by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-161155 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 has a three-way valve 24 and a mixing valve 25 provided in the hot water supply equipment 10, which is fine when the solar water heater 21 and the hot water supply equipment 10 are installed at the same time, but there is a problem in that the construction becomes complicated when using an existing hot water supply equipment 10 in combination with a newly installed solar water heater 21, or conversely, when using an existing solar water heater 21 in combination with a newly installed hot water supply equipment 10.

[0007] In addition, since the water supply pipe 22 through which tap water (clean water) is supplied is connected to the solar water heater 21 via a mixing valve 25, there was a risk of cross-connection, in which tap water (clean water) is directly connected to pipes other than tap water (clean water), which is prohibited by the Water Supply Act.

[0008] Furthermore, a first temperature sensor T1 needs to be attached to the hot water storage tank 21b of the solar water heater 21, which poses the problem that implementing the invention of Patent Document 1 with an existing solar water heater 21 requires work at a high place such as a roof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0010] The control valve for a solar water heater of the first invention comprises an inlet pipe connection port connected to the solar water heater outlet pipe of the solar water heater, an on-off valve communicating with the inlet pipe connection port, a water volume sensor measuring the volume of hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port, a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port, and an outlet pipe connection port connected to the piping that supplies hot water to the bathtub downstream of the on-off valve, the water volume sensor, and the temperature sensor, and also comprises a control unit that receives input from the water volume sensor and the temperature sensor and controls the on-off valve in conjunction with a predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source. The second invention of the control valve for a solar water heater is an invention described in claim 1, in which the water volume sensor, the temperature sensor and the control unit are built into a housing, and the housing is provided with the inlet pipe connection port and the outlet pipe connection port. A third aspect of the present invention provides a control valve for a solar water heater according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit is built into a housing of the auxiliary heat source. The control valve for a solar water heater according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the control valve for a solar water heater according to the first aspect of the present invention, which is built into the housing of the auxiliary heat source. The fifth invention is a control valve for a solar water heater, in which, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the specified function of the auxiliary heat source is the function of a water filling means that can fill the bathtub with water. A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a control valve for a solar hot water heater according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source is a function of reheating means capable of reheating water in a bathtub. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The above-mentioned technical measures have the following effects: By using the solar water heater control valve of the present invention, it is possible to link the solar water heater and auxiliary heat source, regardless of whether the solar water heater and auxiliary heat source are already installed or newly installed, and to efficiently use hot water heated by solar heat, a natural energy source. In addition, the problem of cross-connection of tap water is resolved, and installation work is simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a control valve for a solar water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a solar water heater, and an auxiliary heat source. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart of a control valve for a solar water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a control valve for a solar water heater according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a solar water heater, and an auxiliary heat source. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a control valve for a solar water heater according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a solar water heater, and an auxiliary heat source. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a control valve for a solar water heater according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a solar water heater, and an auxiliary heat source. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a control valve for a solar water heater according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a control valve for a solar water heater according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a control valve for a solar water heater according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a solar water heater, and an auxiliary heat source. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a control valve for a solar water heater according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A control valve for a solar water heater according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0014] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The first embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where an existing solar water heater is combined with a newly installed auxiliary heat source. Note that the terms "existing" and "newly installed" are used for ease of explanation, so where an existing installation is described, it can also be implemented as a newly installed system, and conversely, where a newly installed system is described, it can also be implemented as an existing system, except for the auxiliary heat source of the second embodiment in which the control valve for the solar water heater is built into the housing (the same applies below).

[0015] Fig. 1 shows an outline of a solar water heater control valve 1 and an existing solar water heater 30 and a newly installed auxiliary heat source 5 that are connected via the control valve 1. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the solar water heater control valve 1 is attached midway through a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30 in order to connect the existing solar water heater 30 to the newly installed auxiliary heat source 5. After explaining the configuration of each part, the flow chart in Fig. 2 will explain how the solar water heater control valve 1 links with the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5.

[0016] The control valve 1 for a solar water heater in Figure 1 is provided with an inlet pipe connection port 14 to which a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is connected, through which tap water (clean water) is supplied to the solar water heater 30 from a water supply main pipe 33 and hot water is supplied by heating the tap water (clean water) with solar heat in the solar water heater 30. In Figure 1, both a schematic diagram of a natural circulation solar water heater 31 and a schematic diagram of a forced circulation solar water heater 32 are shown as schematic diagrams of solar water heaters 30. This means that solar water heaters 30 include natural circulation solar water heaters 31 and forced circulation solar water heaters 32, and in reality, either the natural circulation solar water heater 31 or the forced circulation solar water heater 32 is installed.

[0017] The configuration of the solar water heater control valve 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. First, the components of the solar water heater control valve 1 will be described in accordance with the order in which hot water from the solar water heater 30 passes through the solar water heater control valve 1 when a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided in the solar water heater 30 is connected to an inlet pipe connection port 14 provided on the inlet side of the solar water heater control valve 1. On the downstream side of the inlet pipe connection port 14, in order from closest to the inlet pipe connection port 14, there are provided an on-off valve 11, a water volume sensor 12 that measures the amount of hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port 14, a temperature sensor 13 that measures the temperature of the hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port 14, and an outlet pipe connection port 15 that is provided on the outlet side of the solar water heater control valve 1 and is connected to a pipe through which the hot water flows after passing through the solar water heater control valve 1. Furthermore, since the solar water heater control valve 1 is attached midway along the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 , the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is also connected to the outlet pipe connection port 15 . The "amount of water" will be explained as the integrated value (unit: liters) of the flow rate of hot and cold water that is not affected by temperature (the same applies below).

[0018] Furthermore, the solar water heater control valve 1 has a control unit 16 inside the housing, and the control unit 16 receives inputs from the water volume sensor 12 and the temperature sensor 13 and opens or closes the on-off valve 11. Also, the control unit 16 is connected to a solar water heater control valve communication line 71b that enables communication with the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 via an auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c, so that it can send predetermined signals to the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 and receive predetermined signals from the auxiliary heat source control unit 60. The power supplied to the control unit 16 may be supplied from the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c and the communication line 71b for the solar water heater control valve, or the solar water heater control valve 1 may be connected to a household power source, a battery, etc., and the power necessary to operate the solar water heater control valve 1 may be supplied. Furthermore, the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 may not be provided with the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c, and the solar water heater control valve communication line 71b may be fastened to the terminal block 66 together.

[0019] As described above, in the solar water heater 30, either the natural circulation type solar water heater 31 or the forced circulation type solar water heater 32 is connected to the control valve 1 for a solar water heater. The heating method of the natural circulation solar water heater 31 is classified into a direct heating method and an indirect heating method. In the direct heating system, the hot water storage section (made of resin) and the heat collector section are installed at a high place such as on the roof, and tap water (clean water) supplied to the hot water storage section (made of resin) is circulated between the hot water storage section and the heat collector section by convection caused by the temperature difference between the two sections, whereby the tap water (clean water) is heated by solar heat to produce hot water. The hot water is supplied to the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1 due to the difference in head between the natural circulation solar water heater 31 and the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1.

[0020] In the indirect heating system, the hot water storage section (made of stainless steel) and the heat collector section are installed at a high place such as on the roof, and tap water (clean water) supplied to the hot water storage section (made of stainless steel) is indirectly heated with heat transfer water heated by solar heat to obtain hot water. The indirect heating system natural circulation solar water heater 31 has a structure in which the water supply main pipe 33, the hot water storage section (made of stainless steel), and the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1 are connected, and the tap water (clean water) is reduced in pressure by a pressure reducing valve in the water supply main pipe 33 before being supplied to the hot water storage section (made of stainless steel), so that the pressure reduced by the pressure reducing valve supplies the hot water to the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1.

[0021] The heating method of the forced circulation solar water heater 32 includes an indirect heating method. In the indirect heating system, the hot water storage tank is installed on the ground and the heat collector is installed at a high place such as on the roof, and tap water (clean water) supplied to the hot water storage tank is circulated to the heat collector by a pump and indirectly heated by the heat transfer water heated by solar heat to obtain hot water. The indirect heating type forced circulation solar water heater 32 has a structure in which the water supply main pipe 33, the hot water storage tank, and the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1 are connected, and the tap water (clean water) is reduced in pressure by a pressure reducing valve in the water supply main pipe 33 before being supplied to the hot water storage tank, so that the pressure reduced by the pressure reducing valve supplies the hot water to the inlet pipe connection port 14 of the solar water heater control valve 1.

[0022] Therefore, a predetermined water pressure is applied to the solar water heater control valve 1 from the solar water heater 30, and when the opening / closing valve 11 is opened, hot water is supplied, which is obtained by heating tap water (clean water) using solar heat in a natural circulation solar water heater 31 or a forced circulation solar water heater 32.

[0023] Typically, a solar water heater 30 is provided with a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 that leads hot water obtained by heating tap water (clean water) with solar heat to the bathtub 9. Also, a faucet (tap / faucet) 35 that can be opened to fill the bathtub 9 with the hot water is connected to the solar water heater outlet pipe 34. In addition, the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 may not be connected to the faucet 35, but may be connected to either the middle of the supply pipe 43 or the middle of the return pipe 44 of the reheating means 40 described below, or the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 may branch off and be connected to both.

[0024] Typically, an auxiliary heat source 5 is installed near the bathtub 9, and a solar water heater control valve 1 is attached to the solar water heater outlet pipe 34, which is also installed near the bathtub 9. After the solar water heater control valve 1 is attached, the faucet 35 is either removed or left open all the time, or the faucet 35 is removed and the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is connected to either the supply pipe 43 or the return pipe 44 of the reheating means 40 described below, or to both pipes after the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 branches off.

[0025] The auxiliary heat source 5 is provided with a reheating means 40 capable of reheating the bathtub and a water filling means 50 capable of filling the bathtub with water.

[0026] The reheating means 40 is equipped with a reheating heat exchanger 41 that uses oil, gas, electricity, etc. as a heat source to directly or indirectly heat the hot water stored in the bathtub 9, and a supply pipe 43 and a return pipe 44 that circulate the hot water stored in the bathtub 9 between the reheating heat exchanger 41 and a connecting fitting 42 attached to the bathtub 9. Therefore, a circulation water path is formed between the supply pipe 43 and the return pipe 44. Inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, a circulation pump 45 is provided midway along the supply pipe 43, and a water flow switch 46 and a bath temperature sensor 47 are provided midway along the return pipe 44. In addition, the reheating means 40 may be provided with a water volume sensor that detects whether the hot water stored in the bathtub 9 is circulating normally through the circulation water channel, and a temperature sensor that detects overheating of the reheating heat exchanger 41.

[0027] The hot water supply means 100 first passes tap water (clean water) supplied from the water supply main pipe 33 through the hot water heat exchanger 51, which then heats the tap water (clean water) directly or indirectly using oil, gas, electricity, or the like as a heating source to obtain hot water. The hot water obtained by the hot water heat exchanger 51 is supplied to faucets in the kitchen or bathroom through piping connected to a hot water supply piping connection port 52 provided in the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5.

[0028] When the heating source of the auxiliary heat source 5 is kerosene or gas, the heating means may be a means for heating tap water (tap water) by passing combustion gas generated by a burner through the inside of a heat exchanger housing to which pipes for the tap water (tap water) are brazed, thereby producing hot water, or a means for heating tap water (tap water) by passing the combustion gas through pipes installed inside a tank that stores tap water (tap water).When the heating source is electricity, the heating means may be a means for heating tap water (tap water) stored in a hot water storage tank using heat generated by a heater installed inside the hot water storage tank to produce hot water (a so-called electric water heater), or a means for heating tap water (tap water) by driving a refrigeration cycle, taking in air heat, and exchanging heat between a high-temperature refrigerant compressed by a compressor and the tap water in the hot water storage tank in a heat exchanger to produce hot water (a so-called EcoCute).

[0029] In addition, in the case of an auxiliary heat source 5 (e.g., an electric water heater, an EcoCute, etc.) having a tank body or hot water storage tank etc. that stores tap water (clean water) or hot water, if the heat quantity of the hot water from the auxiliary heat source 5 and the solar water heater 30 that is supplied to the bathtub 9 when the auxiliary heat source 5 and the solar water heater 30 are linked together, or the heat quantity of the hot water from the solar water heater 30 alone that is supplied to the bathtub 9 without the auxiliary heat source 5 and the solar water heater 30 being linked together, is greater than a predetermined heat quantity, the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 and the low-temperature hot water stored in the tank body or hot water storage tank etc. can be heat exchanged in a heat exchanger for the heat quantity obtained by subtracting the predetermined heat quantity from the heat quantity of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 (so-called surplus heat quantity), thereby heating the low-temperature hot water stored in the tank body or hot water storage tank etc. to obtain hot water, and the heat quantity of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 can be adjusted to the predetermined heat quantity.

[0030] The hot water filling means 50 is generally provided as an additional means to the hot water supply means 100. The hot water filling means 50 passes hot water obtained in the hot water heat exchanger 51 of the hot water supply means 100 through a hot water supply pipe 53, which is provided by branching off from the piping from the hot water heat exchanger 51 to the hot water supply pipe connection port 52 inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, and supplies the hot water to the hot water side inlet of the mixing valve 54. Furthermore, a water supply pipe 55, which branches off from the water supply main pipe 33 inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, is connected to the water supply side inlet of the mixing valve 54. Inside the mixing valve 54, the hot water from the hot water supply pipe 53 and the tap water (tap water) from the water supply pipe 55 are mixed to obtain hot water at an appropriate temperature. The hot water on the outlet side of the mixing valve 54 passes through a hot water filling temperature sensor 56, a hot water filling amount sensor 57, and a hot water filling on-off valve 58, and is supplied to either the supply pipe 43 or the return pipe 44 of the reheating means 40, or both. In FIG. 1, it is supplied to the supply pipe 43 .

[0031] In addition, the water filling temperature sensor 56 can also measure the temperature of the tap water (clean water) in the main water supply pipe 33 or the water supply pipe 55, but a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature may also be installed in the main water supply pipe 33 or the water supply pipe 55. In addition, the piping from the filling on-off valve 58 to the supply piping 43 is provided with a backflow prevention member 59 such as a hopper or check valve to prevent cross-connection. Although FIG. 1 shows a hopper, it may also be shown as a check valve.

[0032] An auxiliary heat source control unit 60 is provided inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, and an auxiliary heat source remote control communication line 71a is connected to the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 via a terminal block 66, enabling communication with an auxiliary heat source remote control 70 provided outside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5.As a result, predetermined signals are sent and received between the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70, and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 can set and instruct the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 regarding predetermined functions of the auxiliary heat source 5.Conversely, the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 can send the execution status of predetermined functions in the auxiliary heat source 5 to the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 and display it on the display unit 75.

[0033] The operational control of the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 regarding the reheating by the reheating means 40 includes starting and stopping the circulation pump 45, and measuring the temperature of the hot water passing through the return pipe 44 detected by the bath temperature sensor 47. The operational control of the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 regarding hot water filling by the hot water filling means 50 includes adjusting the opening degree of the water supply side and hot water side of the mixing valve 54, opening and closing the hot water filling on / off valve 58, and measuring the temperature and amount of hot water passing through the supply pipe 43 detected by the hot water filling temperature sensor 56 and the hot water filling amount sensor 57.

[0034] As described above, the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1 is connected to the communication line 71b for the solar water heater control valve, which enables communication with the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c, and the setting switch 67 provided on the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 is set to a state in which the solar water heater control valve 1 is connected to the auxiliary heat source 5. Alternatively, the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 may not be provided with a setting switch 67, and the control unit 16 may send a predetermined signal to the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 to have the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 determine whether the solar water heater control valve 1 is installed.

[0035] The auxiliary heat source remote control 70 includes an input unit and a display unit 75. The type and content of the input unit and display unit 75 vary depending on the function of the auxiliary heat source 5, but only the functions related to the present invention will be explained, and explanations of other functions will be omitted. The input section is provided with a water filling switch 72 which starts filling the bath with water using the water filling means 50, a water filling amount setting switch 73 which sets the set water filling amount W (the desired amount of water to be filled into the bathtub 9), and a water filling temperature setting switch 74 which sets the set bath temperature T (the desired temperature of water to be filled into the bathtub 9). In addition, when the auxiliary heat source 5 is equipped with both the reheating means 40 and the bath filling means 50, the set bath temperature T may mean the temperature of the hot water filled into the bathtub 9 by the bath filling means 50, or may mean the temperature to which the hot water stored in the bathtub 9 is finally boiled by the reheating means 40. In this embodiment, it is described as the temperature to which the hot water stored in the bathtub 9 is finally boiled by the reheating means 40.

[0036] Regarding the set water volume W, if a water level sensor is provided in the circulation water channel in addition to the water volume sensor 57, the set water volume W can be measured by both the water level of the water filled in the bathtub 9 detected by the water level sensor and the amount of water filled in the bathtub 9 detected by the water volume sensor 57, but in this embodiment, the set water volume W is measured only by the water volume sensor 57.

[0037] Display section 75 of auxiliary heat source remote controller 70 displays set bath temperature T (for example, in 1 degree increments, Celsius) and set bath water volume W (for example, in 20-30 liter increments).

[0038] The operation of the control valve 1 for a solar water heater according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 9, the solar water heater 30 is referred to as "SW" for the sake of simplicity.

[0039] As mentioned above, in Figure 1, a solar water heater control valve 1 is attached midway along the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided in the solar water heater 30, and the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1 and the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c of the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 are connected by a communication line 71b for the solar water heater control valve, and the terminal block 66 of the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 are connected by a communication line 71a for the auxiliary heat source remote control. The solar water heater control valve 1 is in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source. The auxiliary heat source 5 is also in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source and the operation switch (not shown) of the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 is turned on. In addition, the set bath temperature T and set water volume W are already set in the auxiliary heat source remote controller 70.

[0040] When the hot water filling switch 72 on the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 is pressed, or when the hot water filling start time set on the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 arrives, the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 sends a signal to the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1 to open the on-off valve 11, and proceeds to S2 (S1).

[0041] The control unit 16 opens the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to S3 (S2).

[0042] The control unit 16 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the volume of hot water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 1, and at the same time causes the temperature sensor 13 to start measuring the temperature of the hot water. Thereafter, when the water volume sensor 12 measures the amount of hot water to be X liters (for example, 5 to 6 liters), the control unit 16 measures the average temperature of the hot water at X liters (collectively referred to as the average hot water temperature Ta; the same applies below) and proceeds to S4 (S3).

[0043] The control unit 16 transmits the value of the average hot and cold water temperature Ta to the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5, and the process proceeds to S5 (S4).

[0044] The auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 reads the set bath temperature T and determines whether the average hot and cold water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T or is lower than the set bath temperature T. In addition, when the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 reads the set bath temperature T, it also reads the set water volume W, and supplies hot water from the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5 to the bathtub 9 so that the bathtub 9 is filled with hot water at the set water volume W. The relationship is: set water volume W = water volume Ws on the solar water heater side + water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side.

[0045] If the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The auxiliary heat source control unit 60 reads the temperature Tw of the tap water (clean water) in the water supply main pipe 33 or water supply pipe 55, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 1 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 from the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T, and transmits the value of the amount of water Ws on the solar hot water heater side to the control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2. However, if the temperature Tw cannot be read, a preset value for the temperature Tw (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) may be used. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters. In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (T-Tw)W / (Ta-Tw) Wh=(Ta-T)W / (Ta-Tw) Auxiliary heat source control section 60 of auxiliary heat source 5 causes auxiliary heat source 5 to supply hot water at temperature Tw to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh.

[0046] If the average hot water temperature Ta is less than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The auxiliary heat source control unit 60 reads the preset high-temperature hot water temperature Th (for example, 60 degrees) to be added to the bathtub 9, and from the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T, measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 1 and is supplied to the bathtub 9, and sends the value of the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side to the control unit 16 of the solar hot water heater control valve 1. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters. In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (Th-T)W / (Th-Ta) Wh=(T-Ta)W / (Th-Ta) Auxiliary heat source control section 60 of auxiliary heat source 5 causes auxiliary heat source 5 to supply hot water at temperature Th to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh.

[0047] The control unit 16 receives the value of the solar water heater side water volume Ws of hot water supplied from the solar water heater control valve 1 to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5. Then, the control unit 16 causes the water volume sensor 12 to start measuring the volume of hot water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 1 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and proceeds to S6 (S5).

[0048] If the hot water temperature detected by temperature sensor 13 is significantly lower than the average hot water temperature Ta (for example, if the temperature drop exceeds 5 degrees), or if the hot water flow rate detected by water volume sensor 12 is lower than a predetermined flow rate (for example, if it is lower than 1 liter / minute), or if no other problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, the process proceeds to S7. If the above problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, the process proceeds to S8 (S6).

[0049] The control unit 16 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 1 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, then closes the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to end (S7).

[0050] The control unit 16 closes the on-off valve 11 and transmits to the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 the value of the amount of hot and cold water Wsx that passed through the solar water heater control valve 1 and was supplied to the bathtub 9 at the time the on-off valve 11 was closed, and then proceeds to end the process. The auxiliary heat source control unit 60 of the auxiliary heat source 5 measures the amount of heat that is lacking on the solar water heater 30 side from the cumulative heat quantity (Wsx × Ta) of the hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 1 and is supplied to the bathtub 9, and based on that, re-measures the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied from the auxiliary heat source 5 to the bathtub 9 and the amount of water on the auxiliary heat source side Whx (S8).

[0051] Since the first embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 5, the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5 can be used in an efficient linked manner by installing the control valve 1 for the solar water heater. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0052] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment will be described taking as an example a case in which an existing solar water heater is combined with a newly installed auxiliary heat source. 3 shows an outline of an auxiliary heat source 5a configured by incorporating the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1 of the first embodiment inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, and an existing solar water heater 30 that is combined via the auxiliary heat source 5a. In other words, the auxiliary heat source 5a, in which the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1 is incorporated inside the housing, has a space provided inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5a for incorporating the control unit 16 of the solar water heater control valve 1. The control unit 16 may be included as part of the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 or may be built into the housing of the auxiliary heat source 6 separately from the auxiliary heat source control unit 60. The control unit 16 or the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 can communicate with the solar water heater control valve side communication circuit 71d built into the housing of the solar water heater control valve 1 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c and the solar water heater control valve communication line 71b, and can send predetermined signals to the solar water heater control valve side communication circuit 71d and receive predetermined signals from the solar water heater control valve side communication circuit 71d.

[0053] In addition, the power supplied to the solar water heater control valve side communication circuit 71d may be supplied from the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 or the control unit 16 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c and the solar water heater control valve communication line 71b, or the solar water heater control valve 1 may be connected to a household power source, a battery, etc., and the power necessary to operate the solar water heater control valve 1 may be supplied. Furthermore, the auxiliary heat source control unit 60 or the control unit 16 may not be provided with the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c, and the solar water heater control valve communication line 71b may be fastened to the terminal block 66 together. Other configurations of the auxiliary heat source 5a and the solar water heater control valve 1 are similar to those of the auxiliary heat source 5 of the first embodiment, so they are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Also, the solar water heater 30 is similar to that of the solar water heater 30 of the first embodiment, so it is given the same reference numerals and its description will be omitted. Furthermore, the interlocking of the auxiliary heat source 5a, the solar water heater control valve 1, and the solar water heater 30 is similar to the operation of the solar water heater control valve 1 of the first embodiment described in the flowchart of Fig. 2, so its description will be omitted.

[0054] Since the second embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 5a, the solar water heater control valve 1 is installed, so that the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5a can be used in conjunction with each other efficiently. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0055] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As with the first embodiment, the third embodiment will be described taking as an example a case in which an existing solar water heater is combined with a newly installed auxiliary heat source. 4 shows an outline of an auxiliary heat source 5b configured by incorporating the solar water heater control valve 1 of the first embodiment inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5, and an existing solar water heater 30 that is combined via the auxiliary heat source 5b. That is, the auxiliary heat source 5b having the solar water heater control valve 1 incorporated inside its housing has a space provided inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b for incorporating the solar water heater control valve 1. Furthermore, the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b is provided with an inlet pipe connection port 14a for the solar water heater control valve 1, and an end of a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided in the solar water heater 30 is connected to the inlet pipe connection port 14a.

[0056] The control valve 1 for a solar water heater built into the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b has the same configuration as the control valve 1 for a solar water heater of the first embodiment, and the outlet pipe connection port 15 of the control valve 1 for a solar water heater is connected to either the middle of the supply pipe 43 or the middle of the return pipe 44 of the reheating means 40 provided inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b, or to both pipes with the outlet pipe connection port 15 branching off. The backflow prevention means 59 is provided with a check valve. Other configurations of the auxiliary heat source 5b are similar to those of the auxiliary heat source 5 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted. Also, the solar water heater 30 is similar to that of the solar water heater 30 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted. Furthermore, the operation of the auxiliary heat source 5b, the solar water heater control valve 1 built into the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b, and the solar water heater 30 is similar to that of the solar water heater control valve 1 of the first embodiment explained in the flowchart of Fig. 2, so their explanations are omitted.

[0057] Since the third embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 5b, the solar water heater control valve 1 is built into the housing of the auxiliary heat source 5b, making installation work easier and allowing the solar water heater 30 and auxiliary heat source 5b to be used in conjunction with each other efficiently. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0058] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The fourth embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where a newly installed solar water heater is combined with an existing auxiliary heat source. Fig. 5 shows an outline of the solar water heater control valve 1 and the newly installed solar water heater 30 and the existing auxiliary heat source 6 that are combined via the control valve 1. Fig. 5 shows the state in which the solar water heater control valve 2 is attached midway through the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30 in order to combine the newly installed solar water heater 30 with the existing auxiliary heat source 6. After explaining the configuration of each part, the flow chart in Fig. 6 will explain how the solar water heater control valve 2 links with the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 6. The auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 needs to be able to communicate with the control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2, but if the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 cannot communicate with the control unit 17, the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 needs to be replaced with one that can communicate with the control unit 17. In this case, since it is the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 that needs to be replaced, most of the existing auxiliary heat source 6 can be used as is, reducing the cost and effort of construction.

[0059] As a method of combining a new solar water heater 30 with an existing auxiliary heat source 6, if the auxiliary heat source 6 is equipped with a reheating means 40, the supply pipe 43 outside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 6 is removed from the supply pipe connection port 48 provided on the housing of the auxiliary heat source 6, a T-shaped fitting (also called a Cheese joint) is connected between the supply pipe connection port 48 and the supply pipe 43 by being engaged with it, and further, a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is connected to the T-shaped fitting, thereby combining the new solar water heater 30 with the existing auxiliary heat source 6. Then, as in the first embodiment, a solar water heater control valve 2 is attached midway through the solar water heater outlet pipe 34.

[0060] The solar water heater control valve 2 has a control unit 17 inside the housing, and the control unit 17 receives inputs from the water volume sensor 12 and the temperature sensor 13 and opens or closes the on-off valve 11. In addition, the control unit 17 is connected to a communication line 71b for the solar water heater control valve, which enables communication with the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c, so that it can send predetermined signals to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 and receive predetermined signals from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61. The power supplied to the control unit 17 may be supplied from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 via the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c and the communication line 71b for the solar water heater control valve, or the solar water heater control valve 2 may be connected to a household power source, a battery, etc., and the power necessary to operate the solar water heater control valve 2 may be supplied.

[0061] A control valve remote controller 20 may be provided as an input means for causing the solar water heater control valve 2 to execute a predetermined function. The control unit 17 and the control valve remote controller 20 are connected by a control valve remote controller communication line 71e. Moreover, the control valve remote controller 20 may be provided in a part of the housing of the control valve 2 for the solar water heater. The control valve remote controller 20 is provided with a valve open switch 21 for opening the on-off valve 11 of the solar water heater control valve 2, and a time setting switch 22. The time setting switch 22 is a switch that sets a regular time (for example, any time such as 4:00 to 7:00 PM, when the solar water heater 30 has completed heating tap water (clean water) with solar heat) and opens the on-off valve 11 at the regular time. If the control unit 17 cannot read the set water filling amount W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6, a water filling amount setting switch may be provided on the control valve remote controller 20.

[0062] The control valve remote control 20 may be provided with a display unit 23, which may display that the on-off valve 11 is open, the amount of hot water (in liters) that has passed through the on-off valve 11, the accumulated heat, the maximum temperature of the hot water that has passed (in degrees Celsius), etc. The above has described the fourth embodiment in terms of the differences in configuration from the first embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0063] The operation of the control valve 2 for a solar water heater according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As mentioned above, in Figure 5, a solar water heater control valve 2 is attached midway along the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30, and the control unit 17 of the solar water heater control valve 2 and the control valve remote control 20 are connected by a control valve remote control communication line 71e, the terminal block 66 of the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 are connected by an auxiliary heat source remote control communication line 71a, and the control unit 17 of the solar water heater control valve 2 and the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c of the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 are connected by a solar water heater control valve communication line 71b. The solar water heater control valve 2 is in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source. The auxiliary heat source 6 is also in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source and the operation switch (not shown) of the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 is turned on. The set bath temperature T and set water volume W are already set in the auxiliary heat source remote control 70.

[0064] When the valve open switch 21 of the control valve remote control 20 is pressed or the regular time set by the time setting switch 22 arrives, the control unit 17 displays on the display unit 23 that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to S12 (S11).

[0065] The control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2 communicates with the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 to read information such as whether the auxiliary heat source 6 is already performing some operation (for example, filling the water with hot water or reheating water), whether a functional problem has occurred in the auxiliary heat source 6 and operation has been prohibited, and if there are no such problems and permission for interlocking has been received from the auxiliary heat source 6, the process proceeds to S13. If there are any of the above problems and permission for interlocking has not been received from the auxiliary heat source 6, the process proceeds to S22 (S12).

[0066] The control unit 17 opens the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to S14 (S13).

[0067] The control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the volume of hot water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 2, and at the same time causes the temperature sensor 13 to start measuring the temperature of the hot water. Thereafter, when the water volume sensor 12 measures the water volume to be X liters (for example, 5 to 6 liters), the control unit 17 measures the average water temperature Ta of the water volume at X liters, and the process proceeds to S15 (S14).

[0068] The control unit 17 reads the set bath temperature T from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 and determines whether the average hot and cold water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T or is lower than the set bath temperature T. When the control unit 17 reads the set bath temperature T from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, it also reads the set water volume W, and supplies hot water from the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5 to the bathtub 9 so that the bathtub 9 is filled with hot water at the set water volume W. The relationship is: set water volume W = water volume Ws on the solar water heater side + water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side. If the average hot and cold water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T, the process proceeds to S16. If the average hot and cold water temperature Ta is lower than the set bath temperature T, the process proceeds to S24 (S15).

[0069] If the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The control unit 17 reads the temperature Tw of the tap water (clean water) in the water supply main pipe 33 or water supply pipe 55 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 based on the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T. However, if the temperature Tw cannot be read, a preset value for the temperature Tw (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) may be used. Then, the water volume sensor 12 starts measuring the water volume until the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and the process proceeds to S17. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters (S16). In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (T-Tw)W / (Ta-Tw) Wh=(Ta-T)W / (Ta-Tw)

[0070] Control unit 17 sends a signal to auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of auxiliary heat source 6 to instruct auxiliary heat source 6 to supply hot water at temperature Tw to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh, and proceeds to S18 (S17).

[0071] If the hot water temperature detected by temperature sensor 13 is significantly lower than the average hot water temperature Ta (for example, if the temperature drop exceeds 5 degrees), or if the hot water flow rate detected by water volume sensor 12 is lower than a predetermined flow rate (for example, if it is lower than 1 liter / minute), or if no other problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, the process proceeds to S19. If the above problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, the process proceeds to S26 (S18).

[0072] The control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and then closes the on-off valve 11. Then, the control unit 17 transmits a signal to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 that the supply of hot water from the solar water heater 30 to the bathtub 9 has finished, and causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to S20 (S19).

[0073] The control unit 17 reads information from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 as to whether the auxiliary heat source 6 is equipped with the reheating means 40, and if the auxiliary heat source 6 is equipped with the reheating means 40, the process proceeds to S21. If the auxiliary heat source 6 is not equipped with the reheating means 40, the process proceeds to the end (S20).

[0074] The control unit 17 sends a signal to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 to cause the auxiliary heat source 6 to perform additional heating, and then the process proceeds to the end (S21).

[0075] If the control unit 17 does not receive permission to link from the auxiliary heat source 6 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 to 5 minutes), the control unit 17 causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, opens the on-off valve 11, and proceeds to S23 (S22). If the control unit 17 does not receive permission for interlocking from the auxiliary heat source 6, the control unit 17 may output an alarm to the control valve remote controller 20 and proceed to the end.

[0076] The control unit 17 reads the set water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and has the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume until the amount of hot water passing through the solar water heater control valve 2 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the set water volume W, then closes the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to end (S23). In addition, if the control unit 17 is unable to read the set hot water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, it may have the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume or the water volume sensor 12 and temperature sensor 13 measure the heat volume based on a predetermined water volume (e.g., 200 liters) or a predetermined heat volume (e.g., 35 MJ) previously set by a setting switch (not shown) provided on the control unit 17, until the amount of hot water passing through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the predetermined water volume or predetermined heat volume, and then close the on-off valve 11 and proceed to termination.

[0077] If the average hot water temperature Ta is less than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The control unit 17 reads the preset high-temperature hot water temperature Th (e.g., 60 degrees) to be added to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 based on the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T. Then, the control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to start measuring the volume of hot and cold water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 1 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and proceeds to S25 (S24). The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters. In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (Th-T)W / (Th-Ta) Wh=(T-Ta)W / (Th-Ta)

[0078] Control unit 17 sends a signal to auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of auxiliary heat source 6 to instruct auxiliary heat source 6 to supply hot water at temperature Th to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh, and proceeds to S18 (S25).

[0079] The control unit 17 closes the on-off valve 11 and measures the cumulative heat quantity (Wsx × Ta) and the heat quantity that is lacking on the solar water heater 30 side from the value of the amount of hot water Wsx that passes through the solar water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 at the time the on-off valve 11 is closed, and based on this, re-measures the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 6 and the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side, and sends the value of the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 6 and the value of the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and at the same time, causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 that indicates that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to S20 (S26).

[0080] Since the fourth embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 6, the solar water heater control valve 2 is provided, so that the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 6 can be used in an efficient linked manner. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0081] (Fifth embodiment) The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The configuration of the combination of the auxiliary heat source 6, the solar water heater control valve 2, and the solar water heater 30 in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the fourth embodiment, that is, the same as that in Fig. 5, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0082] The operation of the control valve 2 for a solar water heater according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As mentioned above, in Figure 5, a solar water heater control valve 2 is attached midway along the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30, and the control unit 17 of the solar water heater control valve 2 and the control valve remote control 20 are connected by a control valve remote control communication line 71e, the terminal block 66 of the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 are connected by an auxiliary heat source remote control communication line 71a, and the control unit 17 of the solar water heater control valve 2 and the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c of the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 are connected by a solar water heater control valve communication line 71b. The solar water heater control valve 2 is in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source. The auxiliary heat source 6 is also in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source and the operation switch (not shown) of the auxiliary heat source remote control 70 is turned on. The set bath temperature T and set water volume W are already set in the auxiliary heat source remote control 70.

[0083] When the valve open switch 21 of the control valve remote control 20 is pressed or the regular time set by the time setting switch 22 arrives, the control unit 17 displays on the display unit 23 that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to S32 (S31).

[0084] The control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2 communicates with the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 to read information such as whether the auxiliary heat source 6 is already performing some operation (for example, filling the water with water or reheating water), whether a functional problem has occurred in the auxiliary heat source 6 and operation has been prohibited, and if there are no such problems and permission for interlocking has been received from the auxiliary heat source 6, the process proceeds to S33. If there are any of the above problems and permission for interlocking has not been received from the auxiliary heat source 6, the process proceeds to S41 (S32).

[0085] The control unit 17 opens the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to S34 (S33).

[0086] The control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the volume of hot water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 2, and at the same time causes the temperature sensor 13 to start measuring the temperature of the hot water. Thereafter, when the water volume sensor 12 measures the water volume to be X liters (for example, 5 to 6 liters), the control unit 17 measures the average water temperature Ta of the water volume at X liters, and the process proceeds to S35 (S34).

[0087] The control unit 17 transmits the value of the average hot and cold water temperature Ta to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6, and the process proceeds to S36 (S35).

[0088] The auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 reads the set bath temperature T and determines whether the average hot and cold water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T or is lower than the set bath temperature T. In addition, when the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 reads the set bath temperature T, it also reads the set water volume W, and supplies hot water from the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 6 to the bathtub 9 so that the bathtub 9 is filled with hot water at the set water volume W. The relationship is: set water volume W = water volume Ws on the solar water heater side + water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side.

[0089] If the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The auxiliary heat source control unit 61 reads the temperature Tw of the tap water (clean water) in the water supply main pipe 33 or water supply pipe 55, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 from the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T, and transmits the value of the amount of water Ws on the solar hot water heater side to the control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2. However, if the temperature Tw cannot be read, a preset value for the temperature Tw (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) may be used. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side and the amount of water Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (T-Tw)W / (Ta-Tw) Wh=(Ta-T)W / (Ta-Tw) Auxiliary heat source control section 61 of auxiliary heat source 6 causes auxiliary heat source 6 to supply hot water at temperature Tw to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source side water amount Wh.

[0090] If the average hot water temperature Ta is less than the set bath temperature T, the following applies: The auxiliary heat source control unit 61 reads the preset high-temperature hot water temperature Th (for example, 60 degrees Celsius) to be added to the bathtub 9, and from the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T, measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9, and sends the value of the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side to the control unit 17 of the solar hot water heater control valve 2. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters. In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (Th-T)W / (Th-Ta) Wh=(T-Ta)W / (Th-Ta) Auxiliary heat source control section 61 of auxiliary heat source 6 causes auxiliary heat source 6 to supply hot water at temperature Th to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh.

[0091] The control unit 17 receives the value of the solar water heater side water volume Ws of hot and cold water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the solar water heater control valve 2 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6. Then, the control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to start measuring the volume of hot and cold water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 2 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and proceeds to S37 (S36).

[0092] If the hot water temperature detected by temperature sensor 13 is significantly lower than the average hot water temperature Ta (for example, if the temperature drop exceeds 5 degrees), or if the hot water flow rate detected by water volume sensor 12 is lower than a predetermined flow rate (for example, if it is lower than 1 liter / minute), or if no problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, proceed to S38. If the above problem has occurred in solar water heater 30, proceed to S43 (S37).

[0093] The control unit 17 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and then closes the on-off valve 11. Then, the control unit 17 transmits to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61 of the auxiliary heat source 6 that the supply of hot water from the solar water heater 30 to the bathtub 9 has finished, and causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to termination (S38).

[0094] If the control unit 17 does not receive permission to link from the auxiliary heat source 6 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 to 5 minutes), the control unit 17 causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, opens the on-off valve 11, and proceeds to S42 (S41). If the control unit 17 does not receive permission for interlocking from the auxiliary heat source 6, the control unit 17 may output an alarm to the control valve remote controller 20 and proceed to the end.

[0095] The control unit 17 reads the set water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and has the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume until the amount of hot water passing through the solar water heater control valve 2 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the set water volume W, then closes the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to end (S42). In addition, if the control unit 17 is unable to read the set hot water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, it may have the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume or the water volume sensor 12 and temperature sensor 13 measure the heat volume based on a predetermined water volume (e.g., 200 liters) or a predetermined heat volume (e.g., 35 MJ) previously set by a setting switch (not shown) provided on the control unit 17, until the amount of hot water passing through the solar hot water heater control valve 2 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the predetermined water volume or predetermined heat volume, and then close the on-off valve 11 and proceed to termination.

[0096] The control unit 17 closes the on-off valve 11 and measures the cumulative heat quantity (Wsx × Ta) and the heat quantity that is lacking on the solar water heater 30 side from the value of the amount of hot water Wsx that passes through the solar water heater control valve 2 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 at the time the on-off valve 11 is closed, and based on this, re-measures the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 6 and the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side, and sends the value of the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 6 and the value of the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side to the auxiliary heat source control unit 61, and at the same time, causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 that indicates that the solar water heater control valve 2 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 6, and proceeds to ending (S43).

[0097] Since the fifth embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 6, the solar water heater control valve 2 is provided, so that the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 6 can be used in conjunction with each other efficiently. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0098] (Sixth embodiment) The sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The sixth embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where an existing solar water heater is combined with an existing auxiliary heat source. Fig. 8 shows an outline of the solar water heater control valve 3 and the existing solar water heater 30 and existing auxiliary heat source 7 that are combined via the control valve 3. Fig. 8 shows the state in which the solar water heater control valve 3 is attached midway through the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30 in order to combine the existing solar water heater 30 with the existing auxiliary heat source 7. After explaining the configuration of each part, the flow chart in Fig. 9 will explain how the solar water heater control valve 3 links with the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 7. The auxiliary heat source 7 is provided with only the hot water supply means 80 and is not provided with a reheating means, but the hot water supply means 80 is used as a hot water filling means.

[0099] The hot water supply means 80 first passes tap water (clean water) supplied from the water supply main pipe 33 through a hot water supply heat exchanger 81, which then heats the tap water (clean water) directly or indirectly using oil, gas, electricity, or the like as a heating source to obtain hot water. The hot water obtained in the hot water supply heat exchanger 81 passes through a heat exchanger outlet pipe 83 equipped with a heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 82 and is supplied to the hot water side inlet of the mixing valve 54. Furthermore, a water supply pipe 55 branching from the water supply main pipe 33 inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 7 is connected to the water supply side inlet of the mixing valve 54, and the hot water from the heat exchanger outlet pipe 83 and the tap water (clean water) from the water supply pipe 55 are mixed inside the mixing valve 54 to obtain hot water at an appropriate temperature. The hot water at the outlet side of mixing valve 54 passes through piping equipped with a hot water temperature sensor 86 and a hot water amount sensor 87, and is supplied to hot water pipe connection port 52 provided on the housing of auxiliary heat source 7. The hot water downstream from hot water pipe connection port 52 is supplied to kitchen and bathroom faucets by hot water filling piping 49 provided outside the housing of auxiliary heat source 7 and connected to hot water pipe connection port 52. In addition, water supply pipe 55 is equipped with a water supply temperature sensor 84 and a water proportioning valve 85. In the sixth embodiment, the hot water supply pipe connection port 52 is connected via the hot water filling pipe 49 to a faucet 89 provided in a position in the bathroom where the bathtub 9 can be filled with hot water. Furthermore, although the faucet 89 is usually a mixer faucet for hot water and tap water (clean water), in the sixth embodiment, a single faucet for hot water only is used.

[0100] Typically, a solar water heater 30 is provided with a solar water heater outlet pipe 34 that leads hot water obtained by heating tap water (clean water) with solar heat to the bathtub 9. Also, a faucet (tap / faucet) 35 that can be opened to fill the bathtub 9 with the hot water is connected to the solar water heater outlet pipe 34. The solar water heater outlet pipe 34 may not be connected to the faucet 35 but may be connected to the hot water filling pipe 49. In this case, a backflow prevention member 59 such as a hopper or check valve to prevent cross-connection is provided in any portion of the hot water filling pipe 49 from the hot water supply pipe connection port 52 to the connection with the solar water heater outlet pipe 34, and in any portion of the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 from the outlet pipe connection port 15 to the connection with the hot water filling pipe 49. Although FIG. 8 illustrates a check valve, it may also be illustrated as a hopper.

[0101] Typically, an auxiliary heat source 7 is installed near the bathtub 9, and a solar water heater control valve 3 is attached to the solar water heater outlet pipe 34, which is also installed near the bathtub 9. After the solar water heater control valve 3 is attached, the faucet 35 is either removed or left open at all times, or the faucet 35 is removed and the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is connected to the hot water filling pipe 49. When the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 is connected to the hot water filling pipe 49, backflow prevention members 59 such as hoppers and check valves to prevent cross-connection are installed in any section of the hot water filling pipe 49 from the hot water supply pipe connection port 52 to the connection with the solar water heater outlet pipe 34, and in any section of the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 from the outlet pipe connection port 15 to the connection with the hot water filling pipe 49.

[0102] The auxiliary heat source 7 is provided with a heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 82, a water supply temperature sensor 84, and a hot water temperature sensor 86, and therefore the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 receives inputs of the temperature of tap water (clean water) passing through the water supply pipe 55, the temperature of hot water passing through the heat exchanger outlet pipe 83, and the temperature of hot water at the outlet side of the mixing valve 54 obtained by mixing the hot water from the heat exchanger outlet pipe 83 and the tap water (clean water) from the water supply pipe 55 in the mixing valve 54. Therefore, hot water at the set hot water filling temperature T can be supplied from the auxiliary heat source 7 to the faucet 89 based on the values ​​of each of the above temperatures.

[0103] The heating source of the auxiliary heat source 7 is oil, and the heating means is a means of heating tap water (tap water) to obtain hot water by passing combustion gas generated by a burner through the inside of a heat exchanger housing to which pipes through which tap water (tap water) passes are brazed. In the above heating means, the amount of heat can be adjusted, so that hot water at the temperature required by the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 can be supplied to the hot water side inlet of the mixing valve 54. It should be noted that other heating means may be used as the heating means of the auxiliary heat source 7 in the sixth embodiment.

[0104] An auxiliary heat source control unit 62 is provided inside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 7, and an auxiliary heat source remote control communication line 71a is connected to the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 via a terminal block 66, which enables communication with an auxiliary heat source remote control 70a provided outside the housing of the auxiliary heat source 7.As a result, predetermined signals are sent or received between the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70a, and it is possible for the auxiliary heat source remote control 70a to set or instruct the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 regarding predetermined functions of the auxiliary heat source 7. Conversely, the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 can send the execution status of functions in the auxiliary heat source 7 to the auxiliary heat source remote control 70a and display it on the display unit 75. The auxiliary heat source remote control 70a also has a setting switch 76 that switches the display unit 75 to display either the set hot water filling temperature T or the set hot water filling volume W, and an up / down switch 77 that uses the setting switch 76 to set either the set hot water filling temperature T or the set hot water filling volume W displayed on the display unit 75. In addition, in the first embodiment, the auxiliary heat source 5 is equipped with a reheating means 40, so it is described as the set bath temperature T, but in the sixth embodiment, the auxiliary heat source 7 is not equipped with a reheating means 40, so it is described as the set bath filling temperature T.

[0105] The auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of the auxiliary heat source 7 needs to be able to communicate with the control unit 18 of the solar hot water heater control valve 3, but if the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 cannot communicate with the control unit 18, the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 needs to be replaced with one that can communicate with the control unit 18. In this case, since it is the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 that needs to be replaced, most of the existing auxiliary heat source 7 can be used as is, reducing the cost and effort of construction.

[0106] When the user opens faucet 89, hot water is supplied to bathtub 9 from auxiliary heat source 7, and at the same time, hot water temperature sensor 86 begins measuring the hot water temperature, and hot water volume sensor 87 begins measuring the hot water volume. When auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of auxiliary heat source 7 detects from inputs from hot water temperature sensor 86 and hot water volume sensor 87 that hot water at the set hot water filling temperature T (e.g., 42 degrees Celsius) set in auxiliary heat source remote control 70a has been supplied to bathtub 9 up to the set hot water filling volume W (e.g., 200 liters), auxiliary heat source control unit 62 causes auxiliary heat source remote control 70a to output a buzzer sound to notify the user that the hot water filling is complete and prompt the user to close faucet 89. The sixth embodiment has been described above in terms of the differences in configuration from the first embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] The operation of the control valve 3 for a solar water heater according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As described above, in Figure 8, a solar water heater control valve 3 is attached midway along the solar water heater outlet pipe 34 provided on the solar water heater 30, and the control unit 18 of the solar water heater control valve 3 and the control valve remote control 20 are connected by a control valve remote control communication line 71e, the terminal block 66 of the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of the auxiliary heat source 7 and the auxiliary heat source remote control 70a are connected by an auxiliary heat source remote control communication line 71a, and the control unit 18 of the solar water heater control valve 3 and the auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71c of the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of the auxiliary heat source 7 are connected by a solar water heater control valve communication line 71b. The solar water heater control valve 3 is in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source. The auxiliary heat source 7 is also in an operable state because it is supplied with power from a household power source and the operation switch (not shown) of the auxiliary heat source remote control 70a is turned on. The set hot water filling temperature T and set hot water filling amount W are already set in the auxiliary heat source remote controller 70a.

[0108] When the valve open switch 21 of the control valve remote control 20 is pressed or the regular time set by the time setting switch 22 arrives, the control unit 18 displays on the display unit 23 that the solar hot water heater control valve 3 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 7, and proceeds to S52 (S51).

[0109] The control unit 18 of the solar hot water heater control valve 3 communicates with the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 to read information such as whether the auxiliary heat source 7 is already performing some operation (for example, filling the water with hot water or reheating water), whether a functional problem has occurred in the auxiliary heat source 7 and operation has been prohibited, and if there are no such problems and permission for interlocking has been received from the auxiliary heat source 7, the control unit 18 proceeds to S53. If there are any of the above problems and permission for interlocking has not been received from the auxiliary heat source 7, the control unit 18 proceeds to S61 (S52).

[0110] The control unit 18 opens the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to S54 (S53).

[0111] The control unit 18 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the volume of hot water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 3, and at the same time causes the temperature sensor 13 to start measuring the temperature of the hot water. Thereafter, when the water volume sensor 12 measures the water volume to be X liters (for example, 5 to 6 liters), the control unit 18 measures the average water temperature Ta of the water volume at X liters, and the process proceeds to S55 (S54).

[0112] The control unit 18 reads the set hot water filling temperature T from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 and determines whether the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set hot water filling temperature T or is lower than the set hot water filling temperature T. When the control unit 18 reads the set water filling temperature T from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, it also reads the set water filling volume W, and supplies hot water from the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 5 to the bathtub 9 so that the bathtub 9 is filled with hot water at the set water filling volume W. The relationship is: set water volume W = water volume Ws on the solar water heater side + water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side. If the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set hot water filling temperature T, the process proceeds to S56. If the average hot water temperature Ta is lower than the set hot water filling temperature T, the process proceeds to S63 (S55).

[0113] If the average hot water temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the set bath temperature T, the procedure is as follows: The control unit 18 reads the temperature Tw of the tap water (clean water) in the water supply main pipe 33 or water supply pipe 55 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 3 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 based on the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set bath temperature T. However, if the temperature Tw cannot be read, a preset value for the temperature Tw (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) may be used. Then, the water volume sensor 12 starts measuring the water volume until the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 3 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and the process proceeds to S57. The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters (S56). In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (T-Tw)W / (Ta-Tw) Wh=(Ta-T)W / (Ta-Tw)

[0114] Control unit 18 sends a signal to auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of auxiliary heat source 7 to instruct auxiliary heat source 7 to supply hot water at temperature Tw to bathtub 9 up to auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh, and proceeds to S58 (S57).

[0115] If the hot water temperature detected by temperature sensor 13 is significantly lower than the average hot water temperature Ta (for example, if the temperature drop exceeds 5 degrees), or if the hot water flow rate detected by water volume sensor 12 is lower than a predetermined flow rate (for example, if it is lower than 1 liter / minute), or if no other problem has occurred in the solar hot water heater 30, the process proceeds to S59. If the above problem has occurred in the solar hot water heater 30, the process proceeds to S65 (S58).

[0116] The control unit 18 causes the water volume sensor 12 to measure the amount of hot water that passes through the solar water heater control valve 3 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, then closes the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to S60 (S59).

[0117] The control unit 18 transmits a signal to the auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of the auxiliary heat source 7 that the supply of hot water from the solar water heater 30 to the bathtub 9 has ended, and causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 3 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 7, and then proceeds to termination (S60).

[0118] If the control unit 18 does not receive permission to link from the auxiliary heat source 7 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 to 5 minutes), the control unit 18 causes the control valve remote control 20 to erase the display on the display unit 23 indicating that the solar water heater control valve 3 is linked to the auxiliary heat source 7, opens the on-off valve 11, and proceeds to S62 (S61). If the control unit 18 does not receive permission for interlocking from the auxiliary heat source 7, the control unit 18 may output an alarm to the control valve remote controller 20 and proceed to the end.

[0119] The control unit 18 reads the set water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, and has the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume until the amount of water passing through the solar water heater control valve 3 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the set water volume W, then closes the on-off valve 11 and proceeds to end (S62). In addition, if the control unit 18 is unable to read the set hot water volume W from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, it may have the water volume sensor 12 measure the water volume or the water volume sensor 12 and temperature sensor 13 measure the heat volume based on a predetermined water volume (e.g., 200 liters) or a predetermined heat volume (e.g., 35 MJ) previously set by a setting switch (not shown) provided on the control unit 18, until the amount of hot water passing through the solar hot water heater control valve 3 and supplied to the bathtub 9 reaches the predetermined water volume or predetermined heat volume, and then close the on-off valve 11 and proceed to termination.

[0120] If the average hot water temperature Ta is less than the set hot water filling temperature T, the following applies: The control unit 18 reads the preset high-temperature hot water temperature Th (for example, 60 degrees Celsius) to be added to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, and measures the amount of hot water Ws on the solar hot water heater side that passes through the solar hot water heater control valve 3 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 from the values ​​of the average hot water temperature Ta and the set hot water filling temperature T. Then, the control unit 18 causes the water volume sensor 12 to start measuring the volume of hot and cold water supplied from the solar water heater 30 and passing through the solar water heater control valve 3 up to the solar water heater side water volume Ws, and proceeds to S64 (S63). The amount of water Ws on the solar water heater side includes X liters. In addition, the water volume Ws on the solar water heater side and the water volume Wh on the auxiliary heat source side are calculated using the following formula. Ws = (Th-T)W / (Th-Ta) Wh=(T-Ta)W / (Th-Ta)

[0121] Control unit 18 sends a signal to auxiliary heat source control unit 62 of auxiliary heat source 7 to instruct auxiliary heat source 7 to supply hot water at temperature Th to bathtub 9 up to the auxiliary heat source-side water amount Wh, and proceeds to S58 (S64).

[0122] The control unit 18 closes the on-off valve 11 and measures the cumulative heat quantity (Wsx × Ta) and the heat quantity that is lacking on the solar water heater 30 side from the value of the amount of hot water Wsx that passes through the solar water heater control valve 3 and is supplied to the bathtub 9 at the time the on-off valve 11 is closed, and based on this, re-measures the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 7 and the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side, and sends the value of the temperature Thx of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 9 from the auxiliary heat source 7 and the value of the amount of water Whx on the auxiliary heat source side to the auxiliary heat source control unit 62, and proceeds to S60 (S65).

[0123] Since the sixth embodiment is configured as described above, when an existing or new solar water heater 30 is combined with an existing or new auxiliary heat source 7, the solar water heater control valve 3 is provided, so that the solar water heater 30 and the auxiliary heat source 7 can be used in an efficient linked manner. Furthermore, since the hot water from the solar water heater 30 does not flow back into the water supply main pipe 33, the problem of cross-connection does not occur.

[0124] Although the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention can also be implemented with configurations that combine various aspects of the first to sixth embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention also includes inventions described in the claims and inventions within the scope of equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1, 2, 3: Solar water heater control valve 5, 5a, 5b, 6, 7: Auxiliary heat source 9: Bathtub 11: On-off valve 12: Water level sensor 13: Temperature sensor 14, 14a: Inlet pipe connection port 15: Outlet pipe connection port 16, 17, 18: Control unit 20: Control valve remote control 21: Valve opening switch 22: Time setting switch 23: Display section 30:Solar water heater 31:Natural circulation solar water heater 32: Forced circulation solar water heater 33: Water main pipe 34:Solar water heater outlet pipe 35, 89: Faucet 40: Reheating method 41: Reheating heat exchanger 42: Connection fittings 43: Outgoing piping 44: Return pipe 45: Circulation pump 46: Water flow switch 47: Bath temperature sensor 48: Outgoing pipe connection port 49: Yubari piping 50: Hot spring means 51, 81: Hot water heat exchanger 52: Hot water supply pipe connection port 53: Hot water pipe 54: Mixing valve 55: Water supply pipe 56: Water temperature sensor 57: Water level sensor 58: Filling valve 59: Backflow prevention member 60, 61, 62: Auxiliary heat source control section 66:Terminal block 67: Setting switch 70, 70a: Auxiliary heat source remote control 71: Means of communication 71a: Communication line for auxiliary heat source remote control 71b: Communication line for solar water heater control valve 71c: Auxiliary heat source side communication circuit 71d: Solar water heater control valve side communication circuit 71e: Control valve remote control communication line 72: Hot water switch 73: Water filling amount setting switch 74: Hot water temperature setting switch 75: Display section 76: Setting switch 77:Up / Down Switch 82: Heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 83:Heat exchanger outlet pipe 84: Water supply temperature sensor 85: Water proportional valve 86: Hot water temperature sensor 87: Hot water supply sensor 80, 100: Hot water supply means

Claims

1. an inlet pipe connection port connected to a solar water heater; an on-off valve communicating with the inlet pipe connection port; a water volume sensor for measuring the volume of hot and cold water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port; a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of hot water supplied from the inlet pipe connection port; an outlet pipe connection port through which water can flow into a pipe communicating with a bathtub after passing through the on-off valve, the water volume sensor, and the temperature sensor; A control unit is provided that receives inputs from the water volume sensor and the temperature sensor and controls the on-off valve in conjunction with a predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source. Control valve for solar water heater.

2. 2. The control valve for a solar water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water volume sensor, the temperature sensor and the control unit are housed in a housing, and the housing is provided with the inlet pipe connection port and the outlet pipe connection port.

3. 2. The control valve for a solar water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is built into a housing of the auxiliary heat source.

4. 2. The control valve for a solar water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control valve for a solar water heater is built into a housing of the auxiliary heat source.

5. 5. The control valve for a solar hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source is a function of a water filling means capable of filling a bathtub with water.

6. 6. A control valve for a solar hot water heater according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined function of the auxiliary heat source is a function of reheating means capable of reheating water in a bathtub.

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