Hot water system

Abstract

To recommend a bathing method that is more suitable according to a bathroom temperature and a water temperature of bath water.SOLUTION: A hot water supply system according to the present disclosure comprises: a water heater; a thermopile sensor that outputs a detection value according to a temperature of each of multiple locations in a bathroom where the water heater is used; and a controller configured to be able to acquire the detection value and to control the operation of the water heater. The controller acquires a wall temperature of the bathroom and a bath water temperature in a bathtub, based on the detection value, and changes a recommended bathing time, which is a standard for a bathing time, based on the wall temperature and the water temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bath system. The bath system in Patent Document 1 has a function of determining the timing for the bather to leave the bath and the time to fall asleep based on the bather's physical condition information acquired by a thermometer that is in contact with the skin or a non-contact infrared thermometer, the water temperature, and the bathroom temperature. Then, when the bather starts bathing, the timing for leaving the bath and the time to fall asleep are advised. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-120604 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the bath system of Patent Document 1, information on the bather is obtained using a thermometer that is in contact with the skin or a non-contact infrared thermometer. However, when using a thermometer, the information obtained is limited, and only a limited health appeal function is provided.

[0005] Some conventional hot water supply systems have a function to monitor bathers by detecting human presence, but this detection usually uses a pyroelectric sensor to detect local, instantaneous temperature changes to determine whether someone is in the bathroom. However, this method is prone to false positives due to sudden temperature changes in the bathroom or the effects of sunlight.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure provides an improved hot water supply system that can recommend a more appropriate bathing method depending on the bathroom temperature and the bath water temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hot water supply system according to the present disclosure includes a hot water supply unit, a thermopile sensor that outputs detection values ​​corresponding to the temperatures of a plurality of locations in a bathroom where the hot water supply unit is used, and a control device that is configured to acquire the detection values ​​and to control the operation of the hot water supply unit. The thermopile sensor outputs detection values ​​corresponding to each of a number of sections that are divided into a grid pattern on a plane projected from the thermopile sensor into the bathroom interior, The control device acquires the wall temperature of the bathroom and the water temperature in the bathtub based on the detected values, and changes the recommended bathing time, which is a standard for bathing time, based on the wall temperature and the water temperature. The temperature of each of the multiple compartments is obtained based on the detection values ​​corresponding to each of the multiple compartments, and when it is detected that the temperature of a number of compartments corresponding to the part of the multiple compartments where the bathtub is located that is greater than a second reference number has changed from a temperature corresponding to the wall temperature to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature, it is detected that the bather has started bathing. Alternatively, the hot water supply system of the present disclosure includes a water heater, a thermopile sensor that outputs detection values ​​corresponding to the temperature of each of multiple locations in the bathroom where the water heater is used, a control device configured to acquire the detection values ​​and configured to control the operation of the water heater, and a water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub, wherein the thermopile sensor outputs detection values ​​corresponding to each of multiple compartments obtained by dividing a plane projected from the thermopile sensor into a grid pattern, and the control device acquires the wall temperature of the bathroom and the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub based on the detection values, changes the recommended bathing time that serves as a standard for bathing time based on the wall temperature and the water temperature, acquires the temperature of each of the multiple compartments based on the detection values ​​corresponding to each of the multiple compartments, detects that the temperature of a number of compartments corresponding to the part of the multiple compartments where the bathtub is located that is greater than a second reference number has changed from a temperature corresponding to the wall temperature to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature, and detects that the bath water level has risen. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the wall temperature and the bath water temperature can be obtained by the thermopile sensor, and the recommended bathing time can be changed to suit the bathroom environment. This makes it possible to prevent bathers from suffering from ailments such as hot flashes, heat shock, and heat stroke in the bathroom, and to provide a more comfortable bathing environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a projection diagram illustrating a state in which a bathroom is viewed from a thermopile sensor used in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram showing an example of temperature image data output by a thermopile sensor used in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the terms "water", "hot water", and "hot water" are used, but these do not strictly limit the temperature of the water. If there is no particular limit on the temperature, liquid water of any temperature, from low temperature water to high temperature hot water, can be included.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. The hot water supply system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a hot water supply machine 1. The hot water supply machine 1 may be, for example, a storage type hot water supply machine having a hot water storage tank, or an instantaneous type hot water supply machine that generates hot water by burning fuel. The hot water supply machine 1 is provided with a control device 2. The control device 2 includes a microcomputer having a memory and a processor. The control device 2 has a function of controlling the operation of the hot water supply machine 1 and adjusting the bathing environment to a bathing environment setting that is a set condition. Specifically, for example, the control device 2 adjusts the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water supply machine 1 to a set temperature and supplies the hot water to a hot water supply destination such as a bathtub 4, or a faucet and a shower.

[0012] The hot water supply system 100 includes a living room remote control 5 and a bathroom remote control 8. The bathroom remote control 8 is installed in the bathroom 3 in which the bathtub 4 is installed, and can be operated from the bathtub 4. The living room remote control 5 is installed outside the bathroom 3, for example, in the kitchen or living room of the house in which the bathroom 3 is installed. There may be multiple living room remote controls 5 installed. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the living room remote control 5 and the bathroom remote control 8, they will simply be referred to as "remote control". The control device 2 and each remote control are connected to be able to communicate bidirectionally by wire or wirelessly. The control device 2 and each remote control may be able to communicate via a network.

[0013] The remote control is an example of a user interface. The living room remote control 5 has a display unit 7 that displays information on a screen, and an audio unit 6 that notifies information by voice. The display unit 7 and the audio unit 6 function as external notification means. The bathroom remote control 8 has a display unit 11 that displays information, and an audio unit 9 that notifies information by voice. The display unit 11 and the audio unit 9 function as notification means. Each remote control also has an operation unit that can be operated by the user. The operation unit of the remote control functions as an input means that accepts operation input of commands related to the operation and setting values ​​of the water heater 1. By operating the operation unit, the user can remotely control the water heater 1 and perform various settings. Each remote control may be equipped with a touch screen that has the functions of both a display unit and an operation unit.

[0014] Also, instead of or separately from the room remote control 5, an external communication device such as a smartphone may be configured to function as a user interface for the water heater 1. In this case, the external communication device is communicably connected to the control device 2 via, for example, a home network. This allows the user to input commands from the external communication device to control the operation of the water heater 1.

[0015] Bathroom remote control 8 is equipped with a thermopile sensor 10. Thermopile sensor 10 is an array sensor in which infrared sensors are arranged in an array, and can detect surface temperatures within a field of view in a matrix.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic projection diagram showing the state when looking into bathroom 3 from thermopile sensor 10. As shown in Fig. 2, thermopile sensor 10 is installed so that its field of view includes bathtub 4 and bathroom wall surface 14. Fig. 2 also shows an example in which bathtub 4 is filled with bathwater 12 and a bather 13 is bathing. As shown in Fig. 2, thermopile sensor 10 captures a plane onto which the field of view of bathroom 3 is projected in the form of a grid.

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of temperature image data within the field of view of bathroom 3 acquired based on the output of thermopile sensor 10. Thermopile sensor 10 outputs detection values ​​corresponding to the temperatures of each of multiple locations within bathroom 3. More specifically, thermopile sensor 10 outputs a signal based on the temperature of the light-receiving part that absorbs infrared rays from objects or people within the field of view as detection values ​​corresponding to each of multiple compartments, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the detection values ​​of thermopile sensor 10 are values ​​indicating the temperature of each compartment or values ​​correlating with the temperature.

[0018] The control device 2 is configured to be able to acquire detection values ​​from the thermopile sensor 10, and can acquire temperature parameters corresponding to the temperature of each section of the field of view and the distribution of temperature parameters of the field of view based on the detection values. Specifically, as shown in the example of Fig. 3, the control device 2 can acquire temperature parameters corresponding to the wall temperature of the bathroom 3, the bath water temperature (hereinafter also referred to as "hot water temperature"), and the skin temperature of the bather. The control device 2 can also perform various detections and judgments based on the acquired temperature parameters and their changes. Below, the matters detected or judged by the control device 2 will be specifically explained.

[0019] The control device 2 determines whether the bathtub 4 is filled with water based on the temperature parameter. Specifically, when the bathtub 4 is filled with water, the temperature parameter of the section 15 corresponding to the location where the bathtub 4 is installed rises to a value corresponding to the temperature of the bath water 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, for example, the control device 2 can determine that the bathtub 4 is filled with water when the number of sections whose temperature parameters are higher than the first reference temperature among all sections in the field of view exceeds the first reference number. Here, the first reference temperature is a threshold value that can detect the presence or absence of bath water. Therefore, the first reference temperature can be preset based on the value of the temperature parameter when the control device 2 acquires the temperature of the bath water filled at the bath filling set temperature, for example. The first reference number is a value preset based on the number of sections corresponding to the location where the bathtub 4 is installed in the field of view.

[0020] The control device 2 also detects whether the bather 13 is bathing in the bathtub 4 based on the temperature parameters of each section. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature parameter corresponding to the section 16 in which the bather 13 is present is a temperature corresponding to the skin temperature of the bather 13. Therefore, the control device 2 detects that the number of sections in which the temperature parameter has risen to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature among the sections corresponding to the bathtub 4, among the sections whose temperature parameters indicated the bathroom wall temperature, is greater than the second reference number, and detects that the bather 13 has started bathing. Here, the second reference temperature is a temperature lower than the first reference temperature and is a threshold value for determining whether the temperature is the skin temperature of a person. Therefore, for example, the second reference temperature can be preset based on the value of the temperature parameter when the control device 2 acquires the skin temperature of a person. Also, the second reference number is a value preset based on the section corresponding to the bathtub 4 and the section corresponding to the size of the part of the bather 13 protruding from the bath water 12 when the bather 13 is bathing, for example. Furthermore, the control device 2 determines that the bather 13 is taking a bath while the number of sections whose temperature parameters are higher than the second reference temperature among the sections corresponding to the bathtub 4 continues to be greater than the second reference number.

[0021] Alternatively, the control device 2 may be configured to detect the start of bathing when the temperature parameters of more than a predetermined number of compartments out of all the compartments become higher than a predetermined temperature, such as a second reference temperature. Alternatively, the control device 2 may be configured to detect the start of bathing when it detects that the temperature parameters have risen significantly within a specific period of time in a predetermined number or more of the compartments 17 that are detecting the wall surface temperatures of the bathroom 3.

[0022] The water heater 1 may be provided with a sensor other than the thermopile sensor 10 as a means for detecting the start of bathing. For example, the water heater 1 or the bathtub 4 may be provided with a water level sensor that detects the water level of the bathtub 4. In this case, the control device 2 can detect the start of bathing of the bather 13 based on the fact that the water level detected by the water level sensor has risen by a certain amount. In addition, the control device 2 may be configured to detect the start of bathing of the bather 13 when it detects that the number of sections in which the temperature parameter has risen to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature among the sections corresponding to the bathtub 4, among the sections whose temperature parameters indicated the wall surface temperature, is greater than the second reference number, and when it detects that the water level detected by the water level sensor has risen by a certain amount. In addition, a human sensor or the like that detects the bather may be provided in the bathroom 3. By combining detection by these sensors, the start of bathing or leaving the bath can be determined more accurately.

[0023] The control device 2 determines the position of the bather 13 in the bathtub 4 based on the temperature distribution indicated by the temperature parameters. As shown in Fig. 3, the temperature distribution in the bathroom 3 is divided into a relatively low temperature area corresponding to the wall surface temperature, a relatively high temperature area near a first reference temperature corresponding to the temperature of the bath water, and an intermediate temperature area around a second reference temperature corresponding to the skin temperature of the bather 13. Therefore, by identifying the section where the temperature parameters indicate an intermediate temperature, the control device 2 can detect the bathing position of the bather 13.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the control device 2 further controls the operation of the water heater 1 or the notification by the remote control based on the above detection or determination, as will be described below.

[0025] The control device 2 calculates a recommended bathing time, which is a standard for bathing time, based on the wall surface temperature, the water temperature, and the skin temperature, which are calculated based on the temperature parameters. There is no limitation on the method for calculating the recommended bathing time.

[0026] If the wall temperature of the bathroom 3 obtained is lower than the third reference temperature and the water temperature is higher than the fourth reference temperature, the control device 2 adjusts the recommended bathing time to be shorter. If the wall temperature is low and the water temperature is high, the large temperature difference when entering and leaving the bath can cause blood pressure to rise and fall suddenly, which can lead to heat shock. In addition, bathing for a long time can not only lower blood pressure, but can also cause cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction due to an increase in blood concentration caused by sweating. Therefore, in an environment where the wall temperature is low and the water temperature is high, the recommended bathing time is adjusted to be shorter.

[0027] The control device 2 further adjusts the recommended bathing time to be longer when the wall surface temperature is higher than the third reference temperature and the bath water temperature is lower than the fourth reference temperature. This is because when the difference between the wall surface temperature and the bath water temperature is small, bathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, providing a fatigue recovery and relaxation effect.

[0028] There is no limitation on the method of shortening or lengthening the recommended bathing time. For example, a certain time may be uniformly shortened or lengthened, or the time may be shortened or lengthened depending on the temperature difference, or the recommended bathing time may be multiplied by a certain coefficient or a coefficient set depending on the temperature difference, etc. When the recommended bathing time is changed by the above control, the control device 2 notifies the user through the audio units 6, 9 or display units 7, 11 of the remote control that the recommended bathing time has been shortened or lengthened.

[0029] Furthermore, the criteria by which the control device 2 determines whether to extend or shorten the recommended bathing time are not limited to the results of comparing the wall surface temperature with the third reference temperature and the results of comparing the hot water temperature with the fourth reference temperature. For example, the control device 2 may be configured to shorten the recommended bathing time when the difference between the hot water temperature and the wall surface temperature is greater than a predetermined first threshold, and to extend the recommended bathing time when the difference between the hot water temperature and the wall surface temperature is less than a predetermined second threshold.

[0030] The control device 2 determines the time to leave the bath as the time after the recommended bathing time (or the adjusted recommended bathing time if adjusted) has elapsed from the time when the start of bathing by the bather 13 is detected. The determined time to leave the bath is announced by the audio unit 9 or display unit 11 of the bathroom remote control 8. This allows the bather 13 to know the bathing time suitable for recovering from fatigue and relaxing, and allows him or her to leave the bath at the appropriate time without getting hot and bothered during the bath.

[0031] The control device 2 monitors the skin temperature of the bather 13 based on the temperature parameters while the bather 13 is bathing. If the skin temperature of the bather 13 rises above the fifth reference temperature while bathing, the control device 2 controls the operation of the water heater 1 to lower the water temperature. A rise in body temperature while bathing may lead to sweating, which reduces blood flow in the brain and may cause heat stroke in the bathroom, resulting in impaired consciousness. Therefore, by lowering the water temperature when the skin temperature of the bather 13 is high, the bather's body temperature rise is suppressed and the onset of heat stroke in the bathroom is suppressed. When the control device 2 lowers the water temperature, the audio unit 9 or display unit 11 of the bathroom remote control 8 notifies the bather 13 of the skin temperature and notifies the user that the water temperature has been lowered. There is no limitation on the method for lowering the water temperature, but examples include heat exchange and adding cold water.

[0032] The control device 2 may be configured to notify the bather 13 by the audio unit 9 or the display unit 11 of the bathroom remote control 8 that it is recommended to leave the bath in order to avoid bathroom heatstroke, if the amount of change in the temperature parameter corresponding to the skin temperature of the bather 13 during the period from the time the start of bathing is detected until the first reference time has elapsed is greater than a sixth reference temperature. This notification allows the bather 13 to choose whether to leave the bath or to lower the water temperature to avoid bathroom heatstroke.

[0033] If the wall surface temperature at the start of filling the bath is lower than the seventh reference temperature, the control device 2 may be configured to notify via the bathroom remote control 8, the room remote control 5, or an external communication device that it is recommended to operate a bathroom heater (or a bath dryer) (not shown). One cause of heat shock is that in a cold bathroom, blood vessels constrict, causing blood pressure to rise, and then when bathing, blood vessels expand, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure. Therefore, by reducing the difference between the wall surface temperature and the water temperature by operating a bathroom heater or the like, the occurrence of heat shock in the bather 13 can be suppressed.

[0034] In this embodiment, the control device 2 notifies information such as the start of bathing by the bather 13, the presence or absence of the bather 13, the recommended time for the bather 13 to leave the bath, the time for the bather 13 to leave the bath, and whether the bather 13 has left the bath, by using the external notification means of the room remote control 5 or the external communication device. In addition, the control device 2 determines that an abnormality has occurred if the bather does not leave the bath for a second reference time after detecting the start of the bathing. Here, cases in which the bather does not leave the bath include, for example, cases in which the temperature parameter does not show a valid change and the water level sensor does not detect a change for a second reference time after detecting the start of the bathing, or cases in which there is no response to the bathroom remote control 8 for a predetermined time after the bather 13 is recommended to leave the bath. When the control device 2 determines that an abnormality has occurred, it notifies the user of the abnormality by at least one of the room remote control 5 and the external communication device. By notifying the outside of the abnormality, early detection is possible even when a heat shock occurs.

[0035] As described above, according to the hot water supply system 100 of this embodiment, the thermopile sensor 10 can obtain changes in the skin temperature, wall temperature, and water temperature of the bather 13, thereby making it possible to recommend a bathing method that suits the bathing environment and the condition of the bather.

[0036] In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which various controls are performed based on the wall surface temperature, skin temperature, and hot water temperature calculated based on the output of thermopile sensor 10, and on changes in temperature distribution. However, the hot water supply system according to the present disclosure is not limited to having the function of performing all of the above-mentioned controls, and may be configured to perform one or more of the above controls.

[0037] In the above embodiments, when the number, quantity, amount, range, etc. of each element is mentioned, the present invention is not limited to the mentioned numbers unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle. Furthermore, the structures, steps, etc. described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the present invention unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 water heater, 2 control device, 3 bathroom, 4 bathtub, 5 room remote control, 6 audio unit, 7 display unit, 8 bathroom remote control, 9 audio unit, 10 thermopile sensor, 11 display unit, 12 bath water, 13 bather, 14 bathroom wall, 15, 16, 17 compartment, 100 water heater system

Claims

1. A water heater, a thermopile sensor that outputs detection values ​​corresponding to the temperatures of a plurality of locations in a bathroom where the water heater is used; A control device configured to acquire the detection value and to control the operation of the water heater; Equipped with the thermopile sensor outputs the detection value corresponding to each of a plurality of sections obtained by dividing a plane onto which the bathroom interior is projected from the thermopile sensor into a grid pattern; The control device includes: Based on the detected values, a wall surface temperature of the bathroom and a water temperature in the bathtub are obtained, and a recommended bathing time serving as a standard for bathing time is changed based on the wall surface temperature and the water temperature. acquiring a temperature of each of the plurality of compartments based on a detection value corresponding to each of the plurality of compartments; when it is detected that the temperature of a number of compartments corresponding to the portion in which the bathtub is located that is greater than a second reference number among the plurality of compartments has changed from a temperature corresponding to the wall surface temperature to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature, it is detected that the person has started bathing. A hot water supply system comprising:

2. A water heater, a thermopile sensor that outputs detection values ​​corresponding to the temperatures of a plurality of locations in a bathroom where the water heater is used; A control device configured to acquire the detection value and to control the operation of the water heater; a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub; Equipped with the thermopile sensor outputs the detection value corresponding to each of a plurality of sections obtained by dividing a plane onto which the bathroom interior is projected from the thermopile sensor into a grid pattern; The control device includes: Based on the detected values, a wall surface temperature of the bathroom and a water temperature in the bathtub are obtained, and a recommended bathing time serving as a standard for bathing time is changed based on the wall surface temperature and the water temperature. acquiring a temperature of each of the plurality of compartments based on a detection value corresponding to each of the plurality of compartments; a temperature change is detected in a number of compartments, among the plurality of compartments, that correspond to the portion in which the bathtub is located, that is greater than a second reference number, from a temperature corresponding to the wall surface temperature to a temperature higher than the second reference temperature, and when a rise in the bath water level is detected, the start of a bather's bath is detected; A hot water supply system comprising:

3. A notification means capable of notifying information regarding the operating state of the water heater, The control device notifies the user of a bathing exit time according to the recommended bathing time or information regarding a change in the recommended bathing time by the notification means.

3. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The hot water supply system of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control device determines that the tub is filled with water when the number of compartments among the plurality of compartments whose temperature is higher than a first reference temperature is greater than a first reference number.

5. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device sets the bathing leaving time to a time after the recommended bathing time has elapsed from the time the bathing start is detected.

6. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control device shortens the recommended bathing time when the wall surface temperature is lower than a third reference temperature and the water temperature is higher than a fourth reference temperature.

7. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control device changes the recommended bathing time to be longer when the wall surface temperature is higher than a third reference temperature and the water temperature is lower than a fourth reference temperature.

8. The control device includes: The skin temperature of the bather is obtained based on the detection value of the thermopile sensor. When the skin temperature rises above a fifth reference temperature, the water heater is operated to lower the temperature of the bath water. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A notification means capable of notifying information regarding the operating state of the water heater, The control device includes: The skin temperature of the bather is obtained based on the detection value of the thermopile sensor. When the change in the skin temperature during the period from when the bather starts bathing to when a first reference time has elapsed is greater than a sixth reference temperature, the notification means notifies the bather that it is recommended to leave the bath. The hot water supply system according to claim 8 .

10. A notification means capable of notifying information regarding the operating state of the water heater, When the wall surface temperature at the start of filling the bathtub with water is lower than a seventh reference temperature, the control device notifies the user by the notification means that operation of a bathroom heater is recommended. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An external notification means is provided outside the bathroom and is connected to the control device so as to be capable of communicating with each other. The external notification means notifies at least one of the following information: start of bathing by the bather, presence or absence of the bather, recommended time for the bather to leave the bath, time for the bather to leave the bath, and presence or absence of the bather to leave the bath. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The hot water supply system of claim 11, characterized in that the control device notifies the occurrence of an abnormality via the external alarm means when the detection value does not change during a second reference time and no fluctuation in the water level in the bathtub is detected.

13. A notification means capable of notifying information regarding an operating state of the water heater; an input means installed in the bathroom for receiving input of commands related to the operation of the water heater; An external notification means that is installed outside the bathroom and is capable of notifying information regarding the operating state of the water heater; Equipped with The control device, after recommending the bather to leave the bath by the notification means, if there is no input to the input means, notifies the bather of an abnormality by the external notification means.

13. The hot water supply system according to claim 11 or 12.

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