Hot water supply equipment

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, since there is the case where the temperature of hot water discharged to a bathroom differs from user to user, even though it is possible to change a hot water tapping temperature by a remote control in the bathroom, when a user has changed the hot water tapping water, it is necessary for the next user, again, to change the hot water tapping temperature.SOLUTION: A water heater includes: hot water tapping temperature setting means for setting a hot water tapping temperature by a manual operation; hot water tapping temperature correction means for correcting the hot water tapping temperature set at this hot water tapping temperature and for setting a target temperature which is the hot water temperature at the time of actual hot water tapping; and user specification means for specifying a user. When the actual hot water tapping temperature is a temperature lower than the target temperature set by the hot water tapping temperature correction means, and when the temperature reaches a preliminary temperature lower than the hot water tapping temperature set by the hot water tapping temperature setting means by a predetermined temperature, a temperature rise speed from the preliminary temperature to the target temperature is set to the temperature rise speed set by each specific user by the user specification means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply device that can optimally set the temperature of hot water discharged from a hand shower in a bathroom for each user. [Background technology]

[0002] The temperature of hot water dispensed from a conventional hot water supply device is set by a remote control. Generally, a remote control is set for each of the kitchen and bathroom, and the hot water temperature can be set by both remote controls, but the remote control for the bathroom is set with priority, and the hot water temperature set by the remote control for the bathroom is set so that it cannot be inadvertently changed by the remote control for the kitchen.

[0003] In either case, once the hot water outlet temperature is set, the amount of gas combustion and the amount of hot water outlet are controlled so that hot water at that temperature is dispensed, and the hot water is always dispensed at the set temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 57-97980 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The hot water dispensed from the water heater is supplied to the hand shower in the bathroom and discharged from the hand shower, but each user (bather) may have different preferred water temperatures. In such cases, it is possible to change the outlet water temperature using the bathroom remote control, but because if one user changes the outlet water temperature, the next user must change the outlet water temperature again, which is a cumbersome task, in practice the operation of changing the outlet water temperature using the bathroom remote control is rarely performed.

[0006] If it is desired to change the temperature of the water dispensed from the hand shower for each user, a mixer tap is provided on the hand shower, allowing each user to manually change the amount of hot and cold water dispensed to adjust the mixing ratio, or a mixer tap with a built-in thermostat is provided to simplify the adjustment of the water temperature.

[0007] However, none of the above configurations eliminates the need for each user to adjust the outlet hot water temperature to their liking.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply device that can supply hot water at a temperature desired by each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the water heating device of the present invention has an outlet temperature setting means for manually setting the outlet temperature, an outlet temperature correction means for correcting the outlet temperature set by this outlet temperature to set a target temperature which is the water temperature at the time when water is actually discharged, and a user identification means for identifying a user, and is characterized in that when the actual outlet temperature is lower than the target temperature set by the outlet temperature correction means and reaches a preparatory temperature which is a predetermined temperature lower than the outlet temperature set by the outlet temperature setting means, the rate of temperature rise from this preparatory temperature to the target temperature is set to the temperature rise rate set for each user identified by the user identification means.

[0010] For example, even if the outlet water temperature is manually set to 40°C using the bath remote control, the water may be mixed at the time of outlet, lowering the water temperature to 38°C. In such a case, 38°C is set as the target temperature. Next, when the outlet water temperature reaches, for example, the preliminary temperature of 36°C, the rate at which the water temperature rises from 36°C to 38°C is changed for each user to suit each user's preference.

[0011] Incidentally, the target temperature set by the outlet heated water temperature correction means may be set variably, and storage means may be provided for storing this changed target temperature for each user.

[0012] Specifically, for a user who desires hot water, the target temperature may be set to 42° C., exceeding the 40° C. set by the outlet water temperature setting means, or for a user who prefers lukewarm water, the target temperature may be set to 37° C. Then, the desired target temperature is stored for each user, and the target temperature is changed for each user identified by the user identification means.

[0013] In addition, the outlet hot water temperature correction means may be provided with a function for storing, for each user, the change state of the target temperature set by the outlet hot water temperature correction means over time, and automatically changing the target temperature for each user based on this stored change state.

[0014] In other words, as the body warms up, the desired water temperature changes, and even if a lukewarm water temperature is desired at the beginning, a hotter water temperature may be desired halfway through. In such a case, the target temperature can be changed by the outlet water temperature correction means. The changed target temperature is stored and the target temperature is automatically changed for each user.

[0015] The temperature rise rate and / or the target temperature may be corrected according to the season.

[0016] In other words, the perceived temperature differs even if the water temperature is the same in summer when the outside air temperature is high and in winter when the outside air temperature is low. Therefore, in winter, it may be preferable to slow down the rate of temperature rise or set the target temperature lower than in summer. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As is clear from the above explanation, the present invention makes it possible to supply hot water at a comfortable temperature for each user, and to simplify the operation of setting the temperature for each user. In addition, if the water heater has a reheating function, in addition to the hot water supplied from the shower or faucet, the hot water in the bathtub is drawn into the water heater, reheated, and then supplied to the bathtub, circulating the hot water in the bathtub. The temperature at which the hot water is supplied to the bathtub can also be set for each user in the same manner as described above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the state of a bathroom to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an electronic mixing faucet to which the present invention is applied. [Diagram 3] Block diagram showing the internal structure of an electronic mixer faucet [Figure 4] Graph showing temperature control of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an example of a bathroom to which the present invention is applied. A bathtub 11 is provided in this bathroom 1, and filling and reheating of this bathtub 11 are controlled by a bath remote control 12 attached to the wall surface of the bathroom 1. Specifically, the temperature of hot water supplied from a water heater (not shown) when filling the bathtub 11 with hot water, and the temperature of hot water when reheating are set by this bath remote control 12.

[0020] Generally, in addition to the bath remote control 12, a water heating system is provided with a kitchen remote control (not shown) that allows the hot water temperature to be set from the kitchen; however, the bath remote control 12 is set to have priority over the kitchen remote control, and hot water at the temperature set by this bath remote control 12 is dispensed from the water heating system and supplied to the bathroom 1 and the kitchen.

[0021] Hot water supplied to bathroom 1 is discharged from faucet 13 and hand shower 14 via electronic mixer faucet 2. Hand shower 14 is connected to electronic mixer faucet 2 via hose 14a.

[0022] As described above, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water supply device is set by the bath remote control 12, and hot water of the temperature S is supplied to the bathtub 11 and the electronic mixing faucet 2. For example, if the temperature of the hot water when filling the bathtub 11 is set to 43°C, it may be felt that the hot water is too hot when taking a hand shower at that temperature. In such a case, instead of lowering the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water supply device by operating the bath remote control 12, the hot water temperature is lowered by mixing tap water with the hot water discharged from the hand shower 14. The method of mixing the tap water with the hot water has been to manually increase or decrease the amount of tap water mixed, or to use a mixing faucet with a temperature control function that has a built-in thermostat to control the amount of tap water mixed. However, these methods have the disadvantage that not only must the set temperature be changed for each user, but also that the temperature of the hot water actually discharged from the hand shower 14 or the faucet 13 is prone to fluctuation.

[0023] Therefore, referring to FIG. 2, the electronic mixing faucet 2 is connected to a cable 21 for power supply and data communication with a hot water supply device not shown. Referring also to FIG. 3, the tap water and hot water supplied from the tap water supply unit 15 and the hot water supply unit 16 to the inside of the electronic mixing faucet 2 are mixed in the mixing tank 3 with the flow rate controlled by the flow rate control units 31 and 32 to increase or decrease, respectively, to become hot water at an appropriate temperature. When the hot water discharge button 25 is pressed, the opening and closing valve 33 opens and the mixed hot water is discharged from the faucet 13. When the hot water discharge button 26 is pressed, the opening and closing valve 34 opens and the mixed hot water is discharged from the hand shower 14 through the hose 14a. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the tap water temperature and the hot water temperature in the mixing tank 3 are detected by a temperature sensor, and the hot water temperature supplied from the hot water supply device is obtained via the cable 21.

[0024] A control device (not shown) is built into the electronic mixer faucet 2. For users who do not want hot water to be discharged from the faucet 13 or hand shower 14 at the temperature set by the bath remote control 12, which corresponds to the hot water temperature setting means, the electronic mixer faucet 2 is provided with a hot water temperature correction function so that the actual hot water temperature can be corrected to the target temperature. Specifically, for example, user 1 operates the correction switch 23 while pressing and holding "1" of the selection switch 24 to set the temperature displayed on the display unit 22 as the target temperature. In this way, the target temperature can be set for each user in advance and stored in the control device. Furthermore, the speed at which the target temperature is reached can be set for each user. Specifically, the speed control switch 27 is used to increase or decrease the reaching speed, and the increased or decreased reaching speed is displayed on the display unit 28.

[0025] Specifically, referring to Fig. 4(a), when the target temperatures T1 of all users are the same, a preliminary temperature T2 is automatically set, and when the water temperature in the mixing tank 3 reaches this preliminary temperature T2, the rate at which the temperature rises to the target temperature T1 is changed for each user. In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), user 1 prefers a rapid temperature rise, user 2 prefers a slower temperature rise, and user 3 prefers an even slower temperature rise.

[0026] In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the target temperature T1 is the same for all users, but these target temperatures can also be changed for each user. Referring to Fig. 4(b), as described above, when the target temperature is set to T3 by operating the correction switch 23 while pressing "1" of the selection switch 24, the mixing ratio of tap water and hot water is changed in the case of user 1 from the point when the hot water temperature in the mixing tank 3 reaches the preliminary temperature T2 until the hot water temperature reaches the target T3 at the set temperature increase rate. It is also possible to set the target temperature for user 2 to T4 instead of T1.

[0027] 4(c), for example, in the case of user 1, if the target temperature is initially set to T1 and then changed to T3, this new T3 is stored as the target temperature for user 1, and the next time user 1 is selected, the target temperature is set to T3 from the beginning. Similarly, if the target temperature is changed to T5, the temperature stored as the target temperature for user 1 is changed to T5.

[0028] By the way, although it has been explained using FIG. 4(a) that the temperature rise rate from the preliminary temperature T2 to the target temperature T1 can be set for each user, the temperature rise rate may be automatically corrected according to the season. The season may be identified by a calendar function in the control device, or the season may be estimated by the water temperature of the tap water flowing into the electronic mixing faucet 2. Specifically, in a state where the outside air temperature is low, such as in winter, the sensible temperature feels higher than the actual water temperature. This tendency is particularly noticeable immediately after starting to bathe. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4(d), even if the hot water temperature in the mixing tank 3 reaches the preliminary temperature T2, the hot water temperature may be maintained for a while, and then increased to the target temperature T1, thereby eliminating the difference between the actual hot water temperature and the sensible temperature. In FIG. 4(d), the state of the preliminary temperature T2 is maintained for a predetermined time, but the temperature rise rate from the preliminary temperature T2 to the target temperature T1 may be slower than the stored temperature rise rate, or the target temperature T1 may be corrected to be lower.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the electronic faucet is used to control the temperature of the hot water discharged from the shower or faucet, but it can also be applied to the temperature control of the hot water reheated in the bathtub when reheating. In this case, the hot water returned to the bathtub does not pass through the electronic faucet, so the above-mentioned temperature control function can be provided not only in the electronic faucet but also in the hot water supply device, and in this case, the above-mentioned temperature control for each user can be applied to the temperature control of the hot water initially filled in addition to the temperature of the hot water returned to the bathtub.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 bathroom 2 Electronic mixer tap 3. Mixing tank 7 Speed ​​control switch 11 Bathtub 12 Bath remote control 13 Karan 14 Hand shower 14a Hose 15. Water Supply Department 16 Hot water supply section 21 Cable 22 Display section 23 Correction Switch 24 Selection switch 25 Hot water button 26 Hot water button 28 Display section 31 Flow control section 32 Flow control section 33 On-off valve 34 On-off valve

Claims

1. A hot water supply device comprising: an outlet temperature setting means for manually setting the outlet temperature; an outlet temperature correction means for correcting the outlet temperature set by this outlet temperature to set a target temperature which is the temperature of the hot water when it is actually dispensed; and a user identification means for identifying a user, wherein when the actual outlet temperature is lower than the target temperature set by the outlet temperature correction means and reaches a preparatory temperature which is a predetermined temperature lower than the outlet temperature set by the outlet temperature setting means, the rate of temperature rise from this preparatory temperature to the target temperature is set to the temperature rise rate set for each user identified by the user identification means.

2. 2. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage means for storing the changed target temperature for each user, the target temperature set by the outlet hot water temperature correction means being changeable.

3. The hot water supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that the outlet hot water temperature correction means is provided with a function for storing, for each user, a change state of the target temperature set by the outlet hot water temperature correction means over time, and automatically changing the target temperature for each user based on this stored change state.

4. 4. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction means for correcting at least one of the temperature increase rate and the target temperature depending on the season.

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