Instant hot water system

Abstract

To provide an instantaneous hot water system capable of suppressing deterioration of durability of an instantaneous hot water circulation pump arranged in an instantaneous hot water circulation passage when a cleaning device in a bathtub or a bathroom is connected.SOLUTION: An instantaneous hot water system 1 can execute instantaneous hot water operation for circulating hot water within an instantaneous hot water circulation passage 300 and heating hot water by a heating device 313 by driving an instantaneous hot water circulation pump 311 arranged in the instantaneous hot water circulation passage 300 while the instantaneous hot water circulation passage 300 is connected to a hot water supply line 100 for supplying hot water to a tapping plug P1. In the instantaneous hot water system 1, a cleaning device 2 for cleaning a bathtub 23 or a bathroom is connected to the hot water supply line 100. The cleaning device 2 executes cleaning operation including a process for intermittently injecting hot water supplied from the hot water supply line 100, includes cleaning operation detection means 8 for detecting that cleaning operation is under execution, and prohibits instantaneous hot water operation during execution of cleaning operation when detecting execution of cleaning operation by the cleaning operation detection means 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an instant hot water system connected to a cleaning device for cleaning a bathtub or bathroom. [Background technology]

[0002] The instant hot water system is designed to allow hot water to be dispensed promptly when the hot water tap is opened by connecting an instant hot water circulation path in which an instant hot water circulation pump is disposed to a hot water outlet path that supplies hot water to a hot water tap such as a faucet, and executing an instant hot water operation in which the instant hot water circulation pump is driven to circulate the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path while the hot water is heated by a heating device. In conventional instant hot water systems, a technology is known in which when hot water use from the hot water tap is detected during instant hot water operation, the instant hot water circulation pump is stopped and the instant hot water operation is interrupted, so that the hot water tap side is not depressurized by the instant hot water circulation pump and a sufficient amount of hot water can be dispensed from the hot water tap (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-18625 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The bathtub cleaning device performs a bathtub cleaning operation in which hot water supplied from a heat source such as a water heater is sprayed into the bathtub to clean the bathtub. In the conventional instant hot water system, when the bathtub cleaning device is connected to the hot water outlet path, the spraying (hot water discharge) and the stop of spraying (hot water discharge stop) are repeated many times in a short period of time during the bathtub cleaning operation. In response to such intermittent hot water discharge and stop of hot water discharge, the instant hot water circulation pump in the instant hot water circulation path is frequently driven and stopped, which raises concerns that the durability of the instant hot water circulation pump may deteriorate. In addition, in the conventional instant hot water system, when a bathroom cleaning device that performs a bathroom cleaning operation by intermittently spraying hot water into the bathroom is connected to the hot water outlet path, there is also a concern that the durability of the instant hot water circulation pump may deteriorate.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an instant hot water system that makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the durability of an instant hot water circulation pump arranged in an instant hot water circulation path when a bathtub or bathroom cleaning device is connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The instant hot water system according to the present invention comprises: In an instant hot water system, an instant hot water circulation path is connected to a hot water outlet path that supplies hot water to a hot water tap, and an instant hot water circulation pump disposed in the instant hot water circulation path is driven to circulate the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path while heating the hot water with a heating device. A cleaning device for cleaning the bathtub or bathroom is connected to the hot water outlet passage, The cleaning device performs a cleaning operation including a step of intermittently spraying hot and cold water supplied from the hot water outlet passage, A cleaning operation detection means is provided for detecting that a cleaning operation is being performed, When the flushing operation detection means detects that the flushing operation is being performed, the control configuration prohibits the instant hot water operation during the flushing operation.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the flushing operation is being performed, the instant hot water circulation pump in the instant hot water circulation path is stopped in order to prohibit the instant hot water operation. Therefore, even if the hot water supplied from the hot water outlet path is intermittently sprayed during the flushing operation in the flushing device, the instant hot water operation is not interrupted or restarted in response to the action of spraying hot water, and the instant hot water circulation pump remains stopped until the flushing operation ends. Therefore, since the instant hot water circulation pump does not repeatedly start and stop while the flushing operation is being performed, deterioration of the durability of the instant hot water circulation pump can be suppressed.

[0008] In the instant hot water system, The cleaning device is a bathtub cleaning device that performs a bathtub cleaning operation in which hot and cold water is sprayed into a bathtub to clean the bathtub, The bathtub cleaning operation includes a draining process for draining the bathtub water from the bathtub without spraying hot water at the start of the bathtub cleaning operation, When the cleaning operation detection means detects that the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, the control may be configured so that the instant hot water operation is not prohibited during the drainage process.

[0009] According to this, when the bathtub cleaning device detects that the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, the instant hot water operation is not prohibited during the drainage process, which is executed when the bathtub cleaning operation starts and does not involve the injection of hot water. In other words, since the drainage process is executed when the bathtub cleaning operation starts and does not involve the injection of hot water, even if the instant hot water operation is continued during this drainage process, the instant hot water circulation pump does not repeatedly start and stop, and the durability of the instant hot water circulation pump is not deteriorated. Furthermore, since the instant hot water operation is continued during the drainage process, the time during which the instant hot water operation is prohibited by the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation can be minimized, and the deterioration of the instant hot water performance can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an instant hot water system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a bathtub cleaning device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the steps of a bathtub cleaning operation. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the basic processing of the instant hot water operation. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the process of restarting instant hot water operation. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the bathtub cleaning operation detection process during instant hot water operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the instant hot water system 1 according to the embodiment is an instant hot water system having an instant hot water function that can quickly dispense hot water when the hot water tap P1 is opened, to which a bathtub cleaning device 2 is connected as a cleaning device. The instant hot water system 1 mainly comprises a hot water supply circuit A1, a heating circuit A2, an instant hot water circuit A3, and a control device 8. The bathtub cleaning device 2 is connected to the hot water outlet path 100 of the hot water supply circuit A1 by piping, and is a device that sprays hot water supplied from the hot water outlet path 100 into the bathtub 23 to clean the bathtub 23. Note that in the present invention, instead of the bathtub cleaning device 2, a bathroom cleaning device that sprays hot water supplied from the hot water outlet path 100 into the bathroom to clean the bathroom may be connected to the hot water outlet path 100 of the hot water supply circuit A1 as a cleaning device.

[0012] The hot water supply circuit A1 has a hot water supply side heating means 30 and a hot water supply side fluid flow path. As the hot water supply side heating means 30, arranged in this order from the bottom are a hot water supply side burner unit 33, a hot water supply side first heat exchanger 31, and a hot water supply side second heat exchanger 32. In addition, below the hot water supply side burner unit 33, a blower fan 70 that is also used by the heating side heating means 40 of the heating circuit A2 is arranged.

[0013] The hot water supply side fluid flow paths include a water supply path 90 that communicates with the water supply and is connected to the upstream end of the hot water supply side second heat exchanger 32, a connection path 95 that connects the downstream end of the hot water supply side second heat exchanger 32 and the upstream end of the hot water supply side first heat exchanger 31, a hot water outlet path 100 that communicates with a hot water tap P1 such as a faucet and is connected to the downstream end of the hot water supply side first heat exchanger 31, a hot water bypass path 105 that bypasses the water supply path 90 and the hot water outlet path 100, and a hot water filling path 250 for filling the bathtub 23 with hot water. In addition, a water pipe 96 that guides water from the water supply is branched off from the water supply path 90 and connected to the hot water outlet path 100, and a hot water pipe 97 that guides hot water in the hot water outlet path 100 is branched off from the hot water outlet path 100 and connected to the hot water outlet path 100. is.

[0014] In the water supply passage 90, there are provided, in order from the upstream side, a hot water flow rate sensor 91 which detects the flow rate of water flowing in the water supply passage 90 and thereby detects the flow rate of hot water flowing in the hot water outlet passage 100, a water supply temperature sensor 92 which detects the temperature of water flowing in the water supply passage 90, a water volume servo 93 which changes the opening degree of the water supply passage 90 (including fully closing it), and a bypass servo 94 which changes the opening degree of the hot water bypass passage 105 which communicates between the water supply passage 90 and the hot water outlet passage 100 (including fully closing it). Note that although the hot water flow rate sensor 91 provided in the water supply passage 90 detects the flow rate of hot water flowing in the hot water outlet passage 100, a flow rate sensor may be provided in the hot water outlet passage 100 to detect the flow rate of hot water flowing in the hot water outlet passage 100.

[0015] The hot water outlet path 100 is provided with, from the upstream side, a heat exchanger temperature sensor 101 that detects the temperature of the hot water outlet from the hot water supply side first heat exchanger 31, and an outlet hot water temperature sensor 103 that detects the temperature of the hot water supplied downstream of the junction with the hot water bypass path 105.

[0016] With the above-described configuration of the hot water circuit A1, when the hot water tap P1 is opened and the hot water flow rate detected by the hot water flow rate sensor 91 becomes equal to or greater than the ignition water volume, the hot water side burner unit 33 ignites and burns, and the water supplied to the water supply passage 90 from the water supply is heat exchanged and heated in the hot water side second heat exchanger 32 and the hot water side first heat exchanger 31 by the combustion exhaust released from the hot water side burner unit 33, and the heated hot water is supplied to the hot water tap P1 through the hot water passage 100.

[0017] The water filling path 250 is drawn out from the water outlet path 100 and connected to a bath return path 251 that connects to the bathtub 23. In the water filling path 250, from the upstream side, there are disposed a water filling solenoid valve 261 that opens and closes the water filling path 250, a check valve 263 that prevents backflow of water from the water filling path 250 to the water outlet path 100, and a water filling volume sensor 262 that detects the flow rate of water supplied from the water outlet path 100 to the water filling path 250.

[0018] The instant hot water circuit A3 is mainly composed of an instant hot water circulation path 300, an instant hot water circulation pump 311, and an instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger (heating device) 313. The instant hot water circulation path 300 is connected between the hot water outlet terminal of the hot water outlet path 100 where the hot water tap P1 is arranged, and a position on the hot water outlet path 100 downstream of the hot water filling path 250. The instant hot water circulation path 300 takes in hot water from a connection on the hot water outlet terminal side at a downstream position of the hot water outlet path 100, and flows out the hot water to a connection at a downstream position of the hot water filling path 250, forming a circulation circuit that circulates the hot water. In the instant hot water circulation path 300, an instant hot water amount sensor 310, an instant hot water circulation pump 311, an instant hot water temperature sensor 312, and an instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313 are disposed, and further, upstream of the instant hot water amount sensor 310, a check valve 317, an overpressure relief valve 316, an air-water separator 314, and an expansion tank 315 are disposed. By driving the instant hot water circulation pump 311, hot water is circulated in the instant hot water circulation path 300. Even if hot water is circulated in the instant hot water circulation path 300, no water flow is generated in the entire water supply path 90 and the hot water outlet path 100, so the hot water supply flow rate sensor 91 provided in the water supply path 90 does not detect the water flow.

[0019] The instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313 is composed of a plate-type heat exchanger in which a planar flow path through which hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 flows and a planar flow path through which hot water in the heating branch circulation path 270, which is part of the heating circuit A2, flows are stacked. In the instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313, heat exchange (liquid-liquid heat exchange) is carried out between the hot water circulating in the instant hot water circulation path 300 and the hot water flowing in the heating branch circulation path 270, and the hot water circulating in the instant hot water circulation path 300 is heated.

[0020] With the above-described configuration of the instant hot water circuit A3, when instant hot water operation is performed, the instant hot water circulation pump 311 circulates hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 while the hot water heated in the instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313 is retained in the instant hot water circulation path 300. Therefore, when the hot water tap P1 is opened, hot water is dispensed from the instant hot water circulation path 300, and hot water can be dispensed immediately.

[0021] In the embodiment, the instant hot water circuit A3 is configured to provide instant hot water by forming an instant hot water circulation path 300 downstream of the hot water outlet path 100 and providing an instant hot water circulation pump 311, and heating the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 with an instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger (heating device) 313 connected to the heating circuit A2 side. However, instead of the heating instant hot water configuration, the present invention may be configured to provide instant hot water by returning the hot water outlet path 100 to the water supply path, forming an instant hot water circulation path 300, providing an instant hot water circulation pump 311, and heating with the hot water supply side heating means (heating device) 30, or may be configured to provide instant hot water by heating the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 with an independent heating device such as a heater.

[0022] The heating circuit A2 has a heater-side heating means 40 and a heater-side fluid flow path. As the heater-side heating means 40, a heater-side burner unit 43, a heater-side first heat exchanger 41, and a heater-side second heat exchanger 42 are arranged in this order from the bottom.

[0023] The heating side fluid flow paths include a heating return path 200 connected to the upstream end of the heating side second heat exchanger 42, a heating forward path 210 connected to the downstream end of the heating side first heat exchanger 41, a communication forward path 205 and a communication return path 206 connecting the downstream end of the heating side second heat exchanger 42 and the upstream end of the heating side first heat exchanger 41 across a cistern 201, a bath branch path 240 branching off from the heating forward path 210 and connected to the heating return path 200, and a heating branch circulation path 270 branching off from the communication return path 206 and connected to the bath branch path 240.

[0024] The heating forward path 210 is connected to a high-temperature heating terminal (such as a hot air heater) P2. The communication return path 206 is provided with a heating circulation pump 211 for circulating hot water between the high-temperature heating terminal P2 and the heating-side heating means 40. A low-temperature branch path 216 branches off from the communication return path 206 at an intermediate portion downstream of the heating circulation pump 211, and is connected to a thermal valve header 212 for connecting a low-temperature heating terminal (such as a floor heater) P3. A heating branch circulation path 270 branches off from the communication return path 206 downstream of the low-temperature branch path 216, and an instant hot water flow control valve 271 for changing the opening degree of the heating branch circulation path 270 (including full closure) and an instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313 are interposed in the heating branch circulation path 270.

[0025] A low-temperature heating return path 217 that returns hot water from the low-temperature heating terminal P3 is connected to the heating return path 200. A heating high temperature sensor 213 that detects the temperature of hot water discharged from the heating-side first heat exchanger 41 is provided in the heating outgoing path 210, and a heating low temperature sensor 215 that detects the temperature of hot water supplied from the cistern 201 to the low-temperature branch path 216 is provided in the connecting outgoing path 205. A bath liquid heat exchanger 221 is provided in the middle of the bath branch path 240 that branches off from the heating outgoing path 210 and is connected to the heating return path 200.

[0026] With the above-described configuration of the heating circuit A2, by operating the heating circulation pump 211 and igniting the heating side burner unit 43 to cause combustion, the hot water flowing through the heating return path 200 is heat exchanged and heated in the heating side second heat exchanger 42 and the heating side first heat exchanger 41 by the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the heating side burner unit 43, and the heated hot water (heat medium) is circulated and supplied from the heating forward path 210 to the heating terminals P2, P3, the bath liquid-liquid heat exchanger 221, and the hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313. Note that the heat medium for heating is not limited to hot water, and antifreeze may also be used.

[0027] The bath return path 251, together with the bath supply path 252, constitutes a bath circulation path between the bathtub 23 and the bath liquid heat exchanger 221. In the bath return path 251, a bath return temperature sensor 225 that detects the temperature of the bath water flowing from the bathtub 23 into the bath return path 251, a bath circulation pump 224 for circulating the bath water in the bathtub 23 through the bath supply path 252 and the bath return path 251, a water level sensor 223 that detects the water level of the bath water in the bathtub 23, and a bath water flow switch 222 that detects whether the bath water is flowing in the bath return path 251 at a rate greater than a predetermined flow rate.

[0028] A bath outflow temperature sensor 226 is interposed in the bath outflow path 252 to detect the temperature of the bath water flowing from the bath liquid heat exchanger 221 to the bathtub 23. By operating the bath circulation pump 224, bath water circulates in the bath circulation path connecting the bathtub 23 and the bath liquid heat exchanger 221. The bath liquid heat exchanger 221 is a plate-type heat exchanger in which a planar flow path through which bath water flows from the bath return path 251 and a planar flow path through which hot water flows from the bath branch path 240 are stacked. In the bath liquid heat exchanger 221, heat exchange (liquid-liquid heat exchange) is performed between the bath water flowing in the bath outflow path 252 and the hot water flowing in the bath branch path 240, and the bath water flowing in the bath outflow path 252 is heated. The bath branch path 240 is provided with a reheating flow control valve 220 that changes the opening degree of the bath branch path 240 (including full closure).

[0029] The control device 8 is composed of an electronic circuit board, software, etc., and includes a control function section that controls each operation in the instant hot water system 1, a timer section that measures time, a memory section that stores data and programs, etc., and a communication section that communicates with each sensor, each pump, each valve, and other components and other controlled parts. The control device 8 is also connected to the control unit 22 of the bathtub cleaning device 2 so that it can communicate with each other. The control device 8 is connected to a remote control (not shown) that remotely controls each operation of the instant hot water system 1, temperature settings, etc., and the instant hot water operation in the instant hot water system 1 is performed by turning on the instant hot water switch of this remote control. The control device 8 has a control configuration that stops the instant hot water operation if it is detected that hot water is being supplied from the hot water tap P1 during the instant hot water operation, and continues the instant hot water operation if it is detected that hot water is not being supplied from the hot water tap P1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 8 is configured as a cleaning operation detection means that detects that the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed by the bathtub cleaning device 2 based on the signal output (such as the output of start and end signals for each process in the bathtub cleaning operation) of the control unit 22 of the bathtub cleaning device 2. The control device 8 is also configured to perform control to stop the instant hot water operation if the bathtub cleaning operation is performed while the instant hot water operation is being performed.

[0030] Next, the bathtub cleaning device 2 connected to the instant hot water system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, bathtub cleaning device 2 includes cleaning unit 21 and control unit 22. Bathtub cleaning device 2 is also connected to cleaning remote control 3 for remotely operating bathtub cleaning device 2. A cleaning nozzle 25 for spraying hot and cold water (including cleaning water made by mixing hot and cold water with detergent) and an automatic drain plug 26 that opens and closes automatically are provided on the bottom wall of bathtub 23 to be cleaned by bathtub cleaning device 2. A circulation adapter 27 to which bath inflow path 252 and bath return path 251 are connected is provided on the side wall of bathtub 23. An opening and closing drive unit 28 for automatic drain plug 26 and a detergent tank 29 are installed on the upper flange wall of bathtub 23. A bathtub lid 24 for covering the upper open part is placed on bathtub 23.

[0031] The washing unit 21 is attached inside the apron on the side of the bathtub 23, and includes a hot water supply pipe 61 and a detergent pipe 62 inside the main body case.

[0032] The hot water supply pipe 61 has a water supply port at the upstream end connected to the hot water supply inlet pipe 6 drawn from the hot water outlet path 100, and a cleaning pipe 63 communicating with the cleaning nozzle 25 connected to a water outlet at the downstream end. From the upstream side, the hot water supply pipe 61 is provided with a flow sensor 66, a hot water supply valve 67, a check valve 68, and a relief valve 69. By opening the hot water supply valve 67, hot water supplied from the hot water supply inlet pipe 6 is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bathtub 23.

[0033] Detergent piping 62 has an upstream end connected to a detergent pipe 64 drawn out from detergent tank 29, and a downstream end connected to hot water supply piping 61. A venturi 65 is provided at the junction of detergent piping 62 and hot water supply piping 61. Detergent piping 62 is provided with a detergent valve 60, and by opening detergent valve 60, the undiluted detergent in detergent tank 29 is mixed with the hot water in hot water supply piping 61 to become cleaning water, which is sprayed from cleaning nozzle 25 into bathtub 23.

[0034] In addition, the bathtub cleaning device 2 in the embodiment is a direct pressure type configuration that uses the pressure of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply circuit A1 of the instant hot water system 1 to spray hot water or cleaning water into the bathtub 23 from the cleaning nozzle 25, but it may also be a pump type configuration in which the hot water supplied from the hot water supply circuit A1 is stored in a storage tank such as a cistern, and the hot water in the storage tank is pressurized by a pump to spray the hot water or cleaning water into the bathtub 23 from the cleaning nozzle 25.

[0035] The control unit 22 is composed of a control circuit, a memory unit, a timer, etc. for controlling the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 2, and is also communicatively connected to each part such as the cleaning unit 21, the opening / closing drive unit 28 of the automatic drain plug 26, and the cleaning remote control 3. In this embodiment, the control unit 22 is communicatively connected to the control device 8 of the instant hot water system 1.

[0036] Next, the steps of the bathtub cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 2 will be described. The bathtub cleaning operation is controlled by the control unit 22, and the steps of draining, pre-cleaning, cleaning, and rinsing are performed in this order, as shown in Fig. 3. Note that, unlike the bathtub cleaning operation in the embodiment, any of the steps of draining, pre-cleaning, cleaning, and rinsing may be omitted.

[0037] When the user turns on the cleaning switch of the cleaning remote control 3, the bathtub cleaning operation starts. First, the drainage process is executed (step SI), and the automatic drain plug 26 of the bathtub 23 is opened to drain the bathtub water stored in the bathtub 23. The drainage process is completed when the automatic drain plug 26 remains open for a predetermined drainage time. In executing the drainage process, the control unit 22 outputs a drainage process execution start signal when starting the drainage process, and outputs a drainage process execution end signal when ending the drainage process.

[0038] After the drainage process is completed, a preliminary cleaning process (step S-II) is performed in which hot water is introduced from hot water outlet passage 100 in instant hot water system 1 by opening hot water supply valve 67 and spraying the hot water from cleaning nozzle 25 onto the inner wall of bathtub 23 through hot water supply piping 61 and cleaning pipe 63. After spraying hot water from cleaning nozzle 25 for a predetermined preliminary cleaning time, hot water supply valve 67 is closed to stop spraying of hot water from cleaning nozzle 25 and complete the preliminary cleaning process. In performing the preliminary cleaning process, control unit 22 outputs a preliminary cleaning process execution start signal to cleaning unit 21 when starting the preliminary cleaning process and outputs a preliminary cleaning process execution end signal when ending the preliminary cleaning process.

[0039] After the preliminary washing step is completed, the hot water supply valve 67 and the detergent valve 60 are opened to spray washing water, which is obtained by mixing hot water in the hot water supply pipe 61 with the undiluted detergent in the detergent tank 29, through the washing pipe 63 onto the inner wall of the bathtub 23 from the washing nozzle 25 (step S-III). After the washing nozzle 25 sprays washing water for a predetermined washing time, the hot water supply valve 67 and the detergent valve 60 are closed to stop the spraying of washing water and complete the washing step. In the washing step, one cycle is defined as a spraying operation of spraying washing water and a standby operation of waiting for a predetermined time to pass after the spraying is stopped, and this cycle is performed multiple times. In the preliminary washing step and the rinsing step described below, one cycle is defined as a spraying operation of spraying hot water and a standby operation of waiting for a predetermined time to pass after the spraying is stopped, and this cycle may be performed multiple times. In the washing step, the control unit 22 outputs a washing step execution start signal to the washing unit 21 when starting the washing step, and outputs a washing step execution end signal to the washing unit 21 when ending the washing step.

[0040] After the cleaning process is completed, the hot water supply valve 67 is opened to introduce hot water from the hot water outlet passage 100 in the instant hot water system 1, and a rinsing process (step S-IV) is performed in which the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 onto the inner wall of the bathtub 23 through the hot water supply pipe 61 and the cleaning pipe 63. After the hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 for a predetermined rinsing time, the hot water supply valve 67 is closed to stop the spray of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 25, completing the rinsing process. The bathtub cleaning operation ends upon completion of the rinsing process. In executing the rinsing process, the control unit 22 outputs a rinsing process execution start signal to the cleaning unit 21 when starting the rinsing process, and outputs a rinsing process execution end signal when ending the rinsing process.

[0041] As described above, during the bathtub cleaning operation, hot water (including cleaning water) is intermittently and repeatedly sprayed and stopped from the cleaning nozzle 25. As a result, the hot water is intermittently and repeatedly sprayed and stopped in the hot water outlet 100 of the instant hot water system 1.

[0042] Next, a description will be given of the basic process of the instant hot water operation by the instant hot water system 1 of the embodiment. Note that the basic process of the instant hot water operation (FIG. 4) described below shows the relationship between the use or non-use of hot water supply at the hot water tap P1. 4, when the instant hot water operation is started by turning on the instant hot water switch in step S1, the control device 8 determines in step S2 whether or not hot water is not being used at the hot water tap P1. If the hot water flow rate (flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 90) detected by the hot water flow rate sensor 91 in step S2 is less than the judgment flow rate Q (e.g., 1.0 L / min), it is determined that the hot water tap P1 is closed and hot water is not being used at the hot water tap P1, and in step S3, the control device 8 drives the instant hot water circulation pump 311 of the instant hot water circulation passage 300. Hot water is circulated within the instant hot water circulation passage 300 by driving the instant hot water circulation pump 311.

[0043] Next, in step S4, the control device 8 judges whether hot water is circulating normally in the instant hot water circulation path 300. In step S4, if the instant hot water flow rate (flow rate of hot water flowing through the instant hot water circulation path 300) detected by the instant hot water amount sensor 310 is not at a predetermined flow rate (e.g., 2.0 L / min) or more and is not continued for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) or more, it is judged that hot water is not circulating normally in the instant hot water circulation path 300, and in step S5, the control device 8 controls the instant hot water circulation pump 311 to stop driving, and stops the instant hot water operation due to an error. When stopping due to an error, an error notification may be issued.

[0044] On the other hand, in step S4, if the instant hot water flow rate detected by the instant hot water water volume sensor 310 is equal to or greater than the predetermined flow rate and continues for more than a predetermined time, it is determined that the circulation of hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 is normal, and in step S6, the control device 8 drives the heating circulation pump 211 of the heating circuit A2 to start heating combustion in the heating side heating means 40.

[0045] From the start of heating combustion until the heating temperature (the temperature of hot water discharged from the heating-side first heat exchanger 41) detected by the heating high temperature sensor 213 reaches the instant hot water setting temperature (for example, 60°C) (if "NO" in step S7), the control device 8 judges in step S8 whether hot water has been used at the hot water tap P1. That is, if the hot water supply flow rate sensor 91 detects in step S8 that the hot water supply flow rate (the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 90) is equal to or greater than the judgment flow rate Q, it is determined that the hot water tap P1 has been opened and hot water has been used at the hot water tap P1, and in step S9, the control device 8 stops the heating combustion of the heating-side heating means 40, stops driving the instant hot water circulation pump 311, and interrupts the instant hot water operation. Then, in step S10, when the hot water flow rate sensor 91 detects that the hot water flow rate has fallen below the judgment flow rate Q, the hot water tap P1 is closed to stop the hot water supply, it is determined that the hot water tap P1 is no longer being used to supply hot water, and the control device 8 proceeds to the process of resuming instant hot water operation (Figure 5).

[0046] On the other hand, in step S7, when the heating temperature (the temperature of hot water discharged from the heating-side first heat exchanger 41) detected by the heating high temperature sensor 213 reaches the instant hot water set temperature due to heating combustion, in step S11, the control device 8 opens the instant hot water flow control valve 271. As a result, the heat medium is circulated in the heating branch circulation path 270 to heat the instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313, and the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 is heated via the instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger 313.

[0047] In step S13, the control device 8 judges whether hot water is supplied from the hot water tap P1 until the hot water temperature in the hot water circulation path 300 detected by the hot water temperature sensor 312 reaches the hot water setting temperature (if "NO" in step S12). If the hot water supply flow rate sensor 91 detects that the hot water supply flow rate is equal to or greater than the judgment flow rate Q in step S13, it is judged that the hot water tap P1 has been opened and hot water has been supplied from the hot water tap P1, and in step S14, the control device 8 stops the heating combustion of the heating side heating means 40, stops the driving of the hot water circulation pump 311, closes the hot water flow rate control valve 271, and interrupts the hot water operation. After that, in step S15, when the hot water supply flow rate sensor 91 detects that the hot water supply flow rate is less than the judgment flow rate Q, it is judged that the hot water tap P1 has been closed and hot water supply has been stopped, and the control device 8 proceeds to the process of restarting the hot water operation (Fig. 5).

[0048] Also, in step S12, when the instant hot water temperature detected by the instant hot water temperature sensor 312 reaches the instant hot water set temperature, in order to suppress the rise in the hot water temperature in the instant hot water circulation path 300 and keep it at a constant temperature (for example, about 60°C), in step S16, the control device 8 stops the heating combustion of the heating side heating means 40, stops the driving of the instant hot water circulation pump 311, closes the instant hot water flow control valve 271, and interrupts the instant hot water operation. After that, the process proceeds to the instant hot water operation restart process (Figure 5).

[0049] Next, the operation of the instant hot water operation restart process will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, in the process of resuming instant hot water operation, when the process shifts to this instant hot water operation resumption process, in step S21, the control device 8 starts counting the standby time.

[0050] In step S22, if the instant hot water temperature, which is the temperature of hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 detected by the instant hot water temperature sensor 312, has dropped below the instant hot water start temperature (e.g., 55°C) or the standby time has elapsed a predetermined standby time (e.g., 10 minutes), in step S23, the control device 8 drives the instant hot water circulation pump 311 to circulate the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300.

[0051] Next, in step S24, similar to the processing of step S4 in Fig. 4, the control device 8 judges whether hot water is circulating normally in the instant hot water circulation path 300. If it is judged in step S24 that hot water is not circulating normally in the instant hot water circulation path 300, in step S25, the control device 8 controls the instant hot water circulation pump 311 to stop driving, and stops the instant hot water operation due to an error. If it is judged in step S24 that the circulation of hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 is normal, in step S26, hot water is circulated in the instant hot water circulation path 300 for a predetermined circulation time (e.g., one minute) after the instant hot water circulation pump 311 is started to be driven in step S23.

[0052] After circulating the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 for a predetermined circulation time, if the instant hot water temperature, which is the temperature of the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 detected by the instant hot water temperature sensor 312, is equal to or higher than the instant hot water start temperature in step S27, the control device 8 stops driving the instant hot water circulation pump 311 in step S28, waits for the instant hot water operation to resume, and transitions the process to step S21. If the instant hot water temperature detected by the instant hot water temperature sensor 312 has fallen below the instant hot water start temperature in step S27, the control device 8 transitions the process to step S6 in Fig. 4 and resumes the instant hot water operation.

[0053] According to the above instant hot water operation control, when the hot water tap P1 is opened, hot water can be immediately dispensed from the hot water tap P1. In addition, when the hot water tap P1 is opened and hot water supply use is detected, the instant hot water operation is interrupted and the hot water circulation pump 311 is stopped, so that the hot water tap P1 side is not depressurized by the hot water circulation pump 311, and a sufficient amount of hot water can be dispensed from the hot water tap P1. Furthermore, if the hot water circulation pump 311 is driven to circulate hot water in the hot water circulation path 300 during hot water supply use at the hot water tap P1, a pressure difference occurs between the hot water outlet path 100 and the hot water circulation path 300, causing bubbles to be generated, and the bubbles may enter the hot water circulation path 300 and eventually corrode the piping of the hot water circulation path 300. However, by stopping the hot water circulation pump 311 when hot water supply is used, the problem of bubbles entering the hot water circulation path 300 and corroding the piping can be prevented.

[0054] Next, the operation of the bathtub cleaning operation detection process will be described. The bathtub cleaning operation detection process is executed continuously while the instant hot water operation is in progress (while the instant hot water switch is ON).

[0055] 6, in step S31, when the operation switch is turned on in the cleaning remote control 3, the control device 8 detects the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation through the control unit 22 of the bathtub cleaning device 2, and starts the bathtub cleaning operation detection process. Then, in step S32, if the control device 8 determines that the drainage process is being executed at the start of the bathtub cleaning operation, it continues the instant hot water operation without prohibiting it in step S33. When the drainage process is completed and the control unit 22 of the bathtub cleaning device 2 outputs a signal to start the execution of the preliminary cleaning process, in step S34, the control device 8 detects the preliminary cleaning process start signal in the control unit 22 and determines that the bathtub cleaning device 2 has started the execution of the preliminary cleaning process, and prohibits the instant hot water operation (step S35). Note that step S34 may be the detection of a drainage process completion signal instead of a preliminary cleaning process start signal.

[0056] When the immediate hot water operation is to be continued in step S33, the control device 8 controls the operation of the immediate hot water operation according to the processing procedure of the immediate hot water operation shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, when the immediate hot water operation is to be prohibited in step S35, the control device 8 controls in step S36 to stop the immediate hot water circulation pump 311 of the immediate hot water circulation path 300, stop the heating combustion of the heating side heating means 40, and close the immediate hot water flow control valve 271 of the heating branch circulation path 270. This prohibition state of the immediate hot water operation is maintained until the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation is completed. That is, when the control device 8 detects in step S37 that the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation has been completed, the control device 8 cancels the prohibition of the immediate hot water operation in step S38 to permit it, and proceeds to the process of restarting the immediate hot water operation (Fig. 5). Here, the end of the execution of the bathtub cleaning operation is recognized by the control device 8 by detecting that the control unit 22 of the bathtub cleaning device 2 has output a signal indicating the end of the execution of the rinsing process as a bathtub cleaning operation end signal.

[0057] As described above, according to the instant hot water system 1 of this embodiment, when the bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, the instant hot water circulation pump 311 of the instant hot water circulation path 300 is stopped in order to prohibit the instant hot water operation. Therefore, even if hot water is intermittently sprayed during the bathtub cleaning operation, the instant hot water operation is not interrupted or restarted by the hot water repeatedly discharging and stopping from the hot water outlet path 100 in response to the hot water spraying operation, and the instant hot water circulation pump 311 remains stopped until the bathtub cleaning operation ends. Therefore, even if hot water is repeatedly discharged and stopped from the hot water outlet path 100 during the bathtub cleaning operation, the instant hot water circulation pump 311 does not repeatedly drive and stop, so deterioration of the durability of the instant hot water circulation pump 311 can be suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, even if the operation switch is turned on in bathtub cleaning device 2, instant hot water operation is not prohibited during the drainage process, which is executed when bathtub cleaning operation starts and does not spray hot water from cleaning nozzle 25. In other words, since the drainage process is executed when bathtub cleaning operation starts and hot water is not sprayed from cleaning nozzle 25, instant hot water operation is continued during the drainage process, so that instant hot water circulation pump 311 does not repeatedly drive and stop, and durability of instant hot water circulation pump 311 is not deteriorated. Furthermore, because instant hot water operation is continued during the drainage process, the time that instant hot water operation is prohibited and interrupted can be minimized, and deterioration of instant hot water performance can be suppressed.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the embodiment, the instant hot water operation is not prohibited during the drainage process of the bathtub cleaning operation (see Figure 6), but the control device 8 may prohibit the instant hot water operation from the point at which it detects the start of the drainage process or the ON operation of the bathtub cleaning operation switch. In the embodiment, in the basic processing operation of the instant hot water operation (FIG. 4), the same value of the judgment flow rate Q is used as the judgment value for judging whether hot water supply is in use or not, but different values ​​may be used for each judgment value for hot water supply in use and not in use. For example, the judgment values ​​for hot water supply in use and not in use may be the ignition water amount and the extinguishing water amount, which are the amounts of water used by the hot water supply side burner unit 33 for ignition and extinguishing. In this case, in FIG. 4, the ignition water amount is used as the judgment value for whether hot water supply is in use or not in steps S2, S8, and S13, and the extinguishing water amount is used as the judgment value for whether hot water supply has been stopped from the hot water supply in use state in steps S10 and S15. The extinguishing water amount can be set to a value smaller than the ignition water amount (for example, 1.0 L / min). In the instant hot water heating configuration of the embodiment, the unused hot water supply and the used hot water supply are determined based on the hot water supply flow rate in the basic processing operation (FIG. 4) of the instant hot water operation, but the use of hot water supply may be determined based on the output of an ignition signal or a combustion signal from the hot water supply side burner unit 33, and the unused hot water supply may be determined based on the output of an extinguishing signal or a non-output of a combustion signal from the hot water supply side burner unit 33. That is, in the instant hot water heating configuration of the embodiment, the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path 300 is heated by the heating circuit A2, so that the hot water supply side burner unit 33 on the hot water supply circuit A1 side is not ignited and combusted by the execution of the instant hot water operation, and the hot water supply side burner unit 33 is ignited and combusted by the use of hot water supply at the hot water tap P1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Instant hot water system 2 Bathtub cleaning device (cleaning device) 8 Control device 21 Cleaning unit 22 Control Unit 23 Bathtub 25 Cleaning nozzle 30 Hot water supply side heating means 31 Hot water side first heat exchanger 32 Hot water side second heat exchanger 33 Hot water supply burner unit 40 Heating means on the heating side 41 Heating side first heat exchanger 42 Heating side second heat exchanger 43 Heating side burner unit 60 Detergent valve 61 Hot water piping 62 Detergent piping 63 Cleaning pipe 64 Detergent Pipe 65 Venturi 66 Flow Sensor 67 Water inlet valve 68 Check valve 69 Relief valve 90 Water supply channel 91 Hot water flow sensor 100 Hot water outlet 200 Heating return passage 205 Connecting Route 206 Return Route 210 Heating Route 211 Heating Circulation Pump 270 Heating branch circuit 271 Instant hot water flow control valve 300 Instant hot water circulation path 310 Instant hot water sensor 311 Instant hot water circulation pump 312 Instant hot water temperature sensor 313 Instant hot water liquid-liquid heat exchanger (heating device) P1 Hot water tap P2 High temperature heating terminal P3 Low temperature heating terminal A1 Hot water circuit A2 Heating circuit A3 Instant hot water circuit

Claims

[Claim 1] In an instant hot water system, an instant hot water circulation path is connected to a hot water outlet path that supplies hot water to a hot water tap, and an instant hot water circulation pump disposed in the instant hot water circulation path is driven to circulate the hot water in the instant hot water circulation path while heating the hot water with a heating device. A cleaning device for cleaning the bathtub or bathroom is connected to the hot water outlet passage, The cleaning device performs a cleaning operation including a step of intermittently spraying hot and cold water supplied from the hot water outlet passage, A cleaning operation detection means is provided for detecting that a cleaning operation is being performed, When the cleaning operation detection means detects that the cleaning operation is being performed, the control configuration prohibits the hot water operation during the cleaning operation, The cleaning device is a bathtub cleaning device that performs a bathtub cleaning operation in which hot and cold water is sprayed into the bathtub to clean the bathtub, The bathtub cleaning operation includes a draining process for draining the bathtub water from the bathtub without spraying hot water at the start of the bathtub cleaning operation and before executing a process for intermittently spraying hot water supplied from the hot water outlet passage, This instant hot water system has a control configuration in which, when a cleaning operation detection means detects that a bathtub cleaning operation is being performed, the instant hot water operation is not prohibited during the drainage process, but is prohibited in the processes after the drainage process.

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