Hybrid water heater

Abstract

To provide a hybrid hot water supply device capable of automatically supplying hot water in a hot water storage tank into a hot water supply plug when water supply is suspended.SOLUTION: A hybrid hot water supply device (50) is equipped with a heat pump heat source machine (52), a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine (53), a hot water storage tank (51), and a control portion (75). The hybrid hot water supply device (50) is equipped with an operation terminal (76) for operating the hybrid hot water supply device (50). When detecting the suspension of water supply, it is notified from the operation terminal (76). When an emergency water takeout mode is set from the operation terminal (76) to the control portion (75), under a condition that an air vent for introducing air is opened in the hot water storage tank (51), the control portion (75) operates a hot water supply pump (54) provided in a hot water passage supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank (51) to a heat pump heat source machine (52), thereby automatically supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank (51) to a hot water supply plug.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid water supply device configured to be able to automatically supply hot water from a hot water storage tank to a hot water tap by setting an emergency water extraction mode in a control unit when water supply is interrupted.

Background Art

[0002] In a hybrid water supply device including a heat pump heat source machine, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine, a hot water storage tank, and a control unit, when water supply is interrupted, the water supply pressure does not act on the hot water storage tank, so the hot water in the hot water storage tank cannot be supplied to the hot water tap. Therefore, usually, hot water is taken out from the hot water storage tank to a container through a drain tap for draining the hot water storage tank.

[0003] In the hot water storage unit described in Patent Document 1, in a drain tap for draining the hot water in the hot water storage tank, an engagement member made of an elastic material that engages with the mouth of a PET bottle for receiving the drain water is provided on a screw type tap body that drains water from the tip.

[0004] In the storage type electric water heater described in Patent Document 2, a pump is provided in a bypass pipe connecting the bottom of the hot water storage tank and the hot water outlet pipe, and the pump is operated when water supply is interrupted so that hot water can be taken out from the hot water tap.

[0005] In the storage type water supply machine described in Patent Document 3, the hot water taken out from the bottom of the hot water storage tank is sent to the heat pump by a hot water storage pump, heated by the heat pump, and then directly poured into a bathtub.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid water supply device capable of automatically supplying the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank to the water supply faucet during a water cut-off.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The hybrid water supply device according to claim 1 is a hybrid water supply device including a heat pump heat source machine, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine, a hot water storage tank, and a control unit, and includes an operation terminal for operating the hybrid water supply device. When a water cut-off is detected, it notifies from the operation terminal. When an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on the condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a circulation pump provided in a hot and cold water passage for supplying hot and cold water from the hot water storage tank to the auxiliary heat source machine, and supplies the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank to the water supply faucet, which is characterized in that.

[0009] According to the above configuration, since it notifies from the operation terminal when a water cut-off is detected, the user can know the occurrence of the water cut-off at an early stage. When an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on the condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a circulation pump provided in a hot and cold water passage for supplying hot and cold water from the hot water storage tank to the auxiliary heat source machine, and supplies the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank to the water supply faucet. Therefore, the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank can be taken out from the water supply faucet. In this way, since the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank can be taken out from the water supply faucet, it is convenient.

[0010] In addition, when the emergency water extraction mode is set, it is assumed that the water supply faucet is opened. Also, when supplying hot water via the auxiliary heat source machine as described above, the hot and cold water may be heated by the auxiliary heat source machine as necessary.

[0011] The hybrid water heater according to claim 2 is a hybrid water heater comprising a heat pump heat source unit, a combustion type auxiliary heat source unit, a hot water storage tank, and a control unit, further comprising an operation terminal for operating the hybrid water heater, notifying from the operation terminal when water cut is detected, and when an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a hot water storage pump provided in a hot water passage for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the heat pump heat source unit to supply the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a water supply tap.

[0012] According to the above configuration, since notification is made from the operation terminal when water cut is detected, the user can know the occurrence of water cut at an early stage. When an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a hot water storage pump provided in a hot water passage for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the heat pump heat source unit to supply the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a water supply tap, so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank can be taken out from the water supply tap. Thus, since the hot water in the hot water storage tank can be taken out from the water supply tap, it is convenient.

[0013] Note that when the emergency water extraction mode is set, it is assumed that the water supply tap is opened. Also, when supplying hot water via the heat pump heat source unit as described above, the hot water may be heated by the heat pump heat source unit as necessary.

[0014] The hybrid water heater according to claim 3 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 1, when water cut is no longer detected, when idling of the circulation pump is detected, or when there is an emergency water extraction mode cancellation operation from the operation terminal, the emergency water extraction mode is terminated. According to the above configuration, when water cut-off is no longer detected, or when the idling of the circulation pump is detected, or when there is an emergency water extraction mode cancellation operation from the operation terminal, there is no need to continue the emergency water extraction mode, so the emergency water extraction mode is terminated.

[0015] The hybrid water heater according to claim 4, in the invention of claim 2, when water cut-off is no longer detected, when the idling of the hot water storage pump is detected, or when there is an emergency water extraction mode cancellation operation from the operation terminal, in any of these cases, the emergency water extraction mode is terminated. According to the above configuration, the same operations and effects as those of claim 3 are achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] The present invention achieves various operations and effects as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Examples

[0019] The hybrid water heater 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. This hybrid water heater 1 includes a heat pump heat source machine 10 and a hot water storage and supply unit 20 capable of storing the hot water heated by this heat pump heat source machine 10.

[0020] The hot water storage and supply unit 20 includes a hot water storage tank 21 for storing hot water, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine 22 that heats hot water using the combustion heat of fuel, a mixing valve 23 that mixes high-temperature hot water and make-up water, and a control unit 24 (control means) that controls the hybrid water supply device 1. The hybrid water supply device 1 stores high-temperature hot water heated by using the heat of the outside air by the heat pump heat source machine 10 in the hot water storage tank 21, mixes the high-temperature hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the make-up water with the mixing valve 23, and supplies hot water at the set hot water supply temperature to, for example, the hot water tap 9.

[0021] The auxiliary heat source machine 22 includes a blower fan 22a, a burner 22b, a heat exchanger 22c, etc., and heats the make-up water using the combustion heat of fuel supplied from the outside (for example, city gas).

[0022] The control unit 24 predicts future hot water supply usage based on the learned and stored hot water supply usage history, and controls the hot water storage operation so as to store in the hot water storage tank 21 the amount of heat corresponding to the predicted hot water supply usage amount before the predicted hot water supply usage. In addition to the above hot water storage operation and hot water supply operation, the control unit 24 stores a control program for controlling operations such as water filling operation and supplementary combustion operation based on the detection signals of various sensors. Further, the control unit 24 controls the heat pump heat source machine 10 based on the water inlet temperature to the heat pump heat source machine 10 and the outside air temperature.

[0023] A circulation forward passage 25 for supplying the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 to the heat pump heat source machine 10 is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 21, and a circulation return passage 26 for returning the hot water heated by the heat pump heat source machine 10 to the hot water storage tank 21 is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21. The circulation forward passage 25 includes a hot water storage pump 27 for sending the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 to the heat pump type heat source machine 10. Note that the heat pump heat source machine 10 may be provided with a component corresponding to the hot water storage pump 27.

[0024] In the forward circulation passage 25, a forward circulation temperature sensor 25a for detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied to the heat pump heat source unit 10 is disposed. In the return circulation passage 26, a return circulation temperature sensor 26a for detecting the temperature of the hot water heated by the heat pump heat source unit 10 is disposed.

[0025] Also, at the lower part of the hot water storage tank 21, a water supply passage 28 for supplying make-up water from the water supply introduction part 42 to the hot water storage tank 21 is connected. A pressure gauge 43 for detecting the water pressure of the make-up water is provided in the water supply introduction part 42, and the detection signal thereof is supplied to the control part 24.

[0026] A water supply temperature sensor 28a for detecting the temperature of the make-up water is disposed in the water supply passage 28, and a drain passage 29 having a drain plug 29a is connected in the vicinity of the connection part of the water supply passage 28 with the hot water storage tank 21. At the top of the hot water storage tank 21, a hot water discharge passage 30 for discharging the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 by the water supply pressure of the make-up water is connected.

[0027] In the hot water storage tank 21, a plurality of hot water storage temperature sensors 21a to 21e are disposed at predetermined intervals in the height direction of the hot water storage tank 21 so as to be arranged side by side in order to detect the temperature of the hot water inside. An air vent opened and closed by an electromagnetic on-off valve 41 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 21. In the vicinity of the connection part of the hot water discharge passage 30 with the hot water storage tank 21, a hot water storage tank hot water discharge temperature sensor 21f for detecting the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 21 to the hot water discharge passage 30 is disposed. The hot water storage tank 21 is covered with a heat insulating member (not shown) including the hot water storage temperature sensors 21a to 21e and the hot water storage tank hot water discharge temperature sensor 21f, preventing heat dissipation of the hot water stored by the hot water storage operation and gently reducing the temperature drop.

[0028] The mixing valve 23 has a first branch passage 31 branched from the water supply passage 28, and the hot water outlet passage 30 and the hot water supply passage 32 are connected thereto. This mixing valve 23 is configured to be able to adjust the mixing ratio of the high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water outlet passage 30 and the low-temperature make-up water supplied from the first branch passage 31. The hot water mixed by the mixing valve 23 is supplied to the hot water supply passage 32 and hot water is supplied from a hot water supply faucet 9 or the like.

[0029] A mixing valve inlet temperature sensor 30a for detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied to the mixing valve 23 is disposed in the hot water outlet passage 30 near the high-temperature water inlet of the mixing valve 23. In the hot water supply passage 32 extending from the mixing valve 23, a hot water supply flow rate sensor 32a for detecting the hot water supply flow rate, a hot water supply temperature sensor 32b for detecting the hot water supply temperature, and a hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32c for adjusting the hot water supply flow rate are disposed.

[0030] A second branch passage 33 is further branched from the water supply passage 28, and this second branch passage 33 is connected to the supplementary heating circulation passage 34. The supplementary heating circulation passage 34 is connected to the auxiliary heat source unit 22 and the supplementary heating heat exchanger 35, and has a circulation pump 36 on the inlet side of the hot water of the auxiliary heat source unit 22 to supply hot water to the auxiliary heat source unit 22.

[0031] Between the outlet of the circulation pump 36 of the supplementary heating circulation passage 34 and the inlet of the auxiliary heat source unit 22, an inlet temperature sensor 34a for detecting the temperature of the hot water supplied to the auxiliary heat source unit 22 and a circulation flow rate sensor 34b for detecting its flow rate are disposed. And an outlet temperature sensor 34c for detecting the temperature of the hot water heated by the auxiliary heat source unit 22 is disposed in the supplementary heating circulation passage 34 on the outlet side of the hot water of the auxiliary heat source unit 22. Further, the supplementary heating circulation passage 34 has an on-off solenoid valve 34d for opening and closing the supplementary heating circulation passage 34 on the outlet side of the supplementary heating heat exchanger 35. The second branch passage 33 is connected between the circulation pump 36 and the on-off solenoid valve 34d.

[0032] The supplementary combustion heat exchanger 35 is connected to a supplementary combustion passage 38 equipped with a bathtub pump 37 for circulating the hot water of a bathtub (not shown). This supplementary combustion heat exchanger 35 heats the hot water of the bathtub flowing through the supplementary combustion passage 38 by heat exchange with the high-temperature hot water heated by the auxiliary heat source unit 22. A pouring water passage 39 branched from the hot water supply passage 32 at the hot water supply flow rate adjustment valve 32c is connected to the supplementary combustion passage 38, and it is configured to be able to pour hot water (fill the bathtub) into the bathtub via the supplementary combustion passage 38. A pouring water amount sensor 39a, a pouring water electromagnetic valve 39b, and a backflow prevention valve 39c are installed in the pouring water passage 39.

[0033] A combustion hot water passage 40 branches off from the supplementary combustion circulation passage 34 between the outlet temperature sensor 34c and the supplementary combustion heat exchanger 35 and is connected to the hot water outlet passage 30. The combustion hot water passage 40 is provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 40a (tank water proportional valve) for adjusting the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water outlet passage 30. The hot water heated by the auxiliary heat source unit 22 can be supplied to the hot water outlet passage 30 via the combustion hot water passage 40.

[0034] The control unit 24 operates devices such as valves and pumps arranged in each part based on the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors arranged in each part such as the stored hot water temperature sensor 21a, the detected flow rates such as the hot water supply flow rate sensor 32a, etc., and performs various operation controls. In addition, the control unit 24 has a timing function and a function of learning and storing the hot water supply usage history. An operation terminal 24a is communicably connected to this control unit 24. The operation terminal 24a has an operation unit and a display unit for operation operations such as the operation of the stored hot water and hot water supply system 1 and various setting operations such as the set hot water supply temperature, and a communication unit for communicably connecting to a home communication network (home network). The home network is maintained communicable by receiving power supply from a battery (not shown) even when there is a power outage of the commercial power supply 2.

[0035] The heat pump heat source unit 10 will be described based on FIG. 2. The heat pump heat source unit 10 is configured by connecting a compressor 11, a condensation heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and an evaporation heat exchanger 14 with a refrigerant circuit 15. This heat pump heat source unit 10 compresses the refrigerant enclosed in the refrigerant circuit 15 with the compressor 11 to raise its temperature. Then, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 supplied from the circulation forward passage 25 by driving the hot water storage pump 27 is heated by heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant in the condensation heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant whose temperature has dropped after heat exchange expands in the expansion valve 13 to become lower in temperature than the outside air, absorbs heat from the outside air in the evaporation heat exchanger 14, and is then introduced into the compressor 11 again. The evaporation heat exchanger 14 is provided with a blower 16 and an outside air temperature sensor 17 for detecting the outside air temperature.

[0036] Next, the hot water storage operation will be described. The control unit 24 predicts, for example, the future hot water supply time and hot water supply amount based on the learned and stored hot water supply usage history, and controls the hot water storage operation so that the hot water storage is completed immediately before the predicted hot water supply. At this time, the control unit 24 operates the hot water storage pump 27 and the heat pump heat source unit 10 to start the hot water storage operation, and ends the hot water storage operation when the amount of heat corresponding to the predicted hot water supply amount is stored.

[0037] Next, the hot water supply operation will be described. For the hot water supply operation of supplying hot water at the set hot water supply temperature, the control unit 24 adjusts the mixing ratio of the mixing valve 23 based on the detected temperatures of the mixing valve inlet temperature sensor 30a, the water supply temperature sensor 28a, and the hot water supply temperature sensor 32b, respectively, to supply hot water adjusted to the set hot water supply temperature. At this time, the control unit 24 performs the hot water supply operation using the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 21 by the hot water storage operation. Also, in the hot water supply operation, the control unit 24 learns and stores a hot water supply usage history including, for example, the hot water supply time (hot water supply time), the hot water supply flow rate detected by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 32a, the amount of hot water discharged from the hot water storage tank 21 obtained from the hot water supply time, the hot water supply flow rate, and the mixing ratio of the mixing valve 23.

[0038] For example, if the hot water stored during the hot water supply operation is used up and there is no hot water at a temperature suitable for hot water supply in the hot water storage tank 21, the control unit 24 drives the circulation pump 36 and performs the hot water supply operation using the high-temperature hot water obtained by heating the make-up water supplied from the water supply passage 28 and the supplementary combustion circulation passage 34 with the auxiliary heat source machine 22. Also, for example, when performing hot water supply at a temperature higher than the stored hot water due to a change in the hot water supply set temperature, the control unit 24 also performs the hot water supply operation using the high-temperature hot water obtained by heating the make-up water supplied from the water supply passage 28 and the supplementary combustion circulation passage 34 with the auxiliary heat source machine 22.

[0039] Next, the hot water supply control during water cut-off, in which, in response to a command from the operation terminal 24a when water cut-off occurs, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is automatically supplied to the hot water tap 9 under the control of the control unit 24, will be described. Note that the control program for this hot water supply control during water cut-off is pre-stored in the control unit 24.

[0040] When water cut-off occurs and the water supply pressure drops to near zero, the control unit 24 detects the occurrence of water cut-off based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 43 and transmits it to the operation terminal 24a. When this water cut-off is detected, the user is notified from the operation terminal 24a. Then, the user sets the emergency water extraction mode from the operation terminal 24a to the control unit 24 and opens the hot water tap.

[0041] When the emergency water extraction mode is set, on the condition that the electromagnetic on-off valve 41 of the air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank 21 is opened and air can be introduced into the hot water storage tank 21, the control unit 24 opens the flow rate adjustment valve 40a (tank water proportional valve), closes the electromagnetic on-off valve 34d, and operates the circulation pump 36.

[0042] Then, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 1, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 and the supplementary combustion circulation passage 34 is fed by the circulation pump 36, flows through the auxiliary heat source machine 22 and the flow rate adjustment valve 40a (tank water proportional valve) into the hot water outlet passage 30, flows from the hot water outlet passage 30 into the hot water supply passage 32, and is taken out from the hot water tap. When the temperature of the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 21 is still low, the auxiliary heat source machine 22 may be operated to appropriately heat the hot and cold water with the auxiliary heat source machine 22.

[0043] When water cut-off is no longer detected, when idling of the circulation pump 36 is detected, or when the emergency water extraction mode is released from the operation terminal 24a, the emergency water extraction mode ends, and this water cut-off hot water supply control ends. In addition, at the time of this end, the control unit 24 closes the electromagnetic on-off valve 41 of the air vent of the hot water storage tank 21.

[0044] According to the above water cut-off hot water supply control, at the time of water cut-off, as long as the hot and cold water is stored in the hot water storage tank 21, the hot and cold water can be automatically taken out from the hot water supply faucet. It is much more convenient compared to taking out the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 21 from the drain faucet. Moreover, the auxiliary heat source machine 22 can be effectively utilized, and it is also possible to supply hot water while heating with the auxiliary heat source machine 22.

Example

[0045] The hybrid hot water supply device 50 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. This hybrid hot water supply device 50 includes a hot water storage tank 51, a heat pump heat source machine 52, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine 53, a hot water storage pump 54, a circulation pump 55, a water supply passage 56, a circulation forward passage 57, a circulation return passage 58, an afterburning circulation passage 59, 60, a water replenishment passage 61, a bypass branch passage 62, a hot water outlet passage 63, a hot water supply passage 64, a mixing valve 65, a control unit 75, an operation terminal 76, and other sensors, valves, etc. The control unit 75 is connected to the sensors, valves, and pumps, and controls those devices.

[0046] The hot water storage tank 51 is equipped with temperature sensors 51a to 51e, and an air vent having an electromagnetic on-off valve 66 is installed at the top of the hot water storage tank 51. The forward circulation passage 57 connects the bottom of the hot water storage tank 51 to the heat pump heat source unit 52, and a hot water circulation pump 54 is installed in this forward circulation passage 57. The return circulation passage 58 connects the heat pump heat source unit 52 to the top of the hot water storage tank 51 via a three-way valve 67. The forward circulation passage 57 and the return circulation passage 58 are connected via a three-way valve 68 and a bypass passage 69.

[0047] The water supply passage 56 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 51, and the supplementary heating circulation passage 59 extending from this water supply passage 56 extends to the auxiliary heat source unit 53. The supplementary heating circulation passage 59 is connected to the water supply passage 61 via a three-way valve 59a.

[0048] The supplementary heating circulation passage 60 extending from the auxiliary heat source unit 53 extends to the bath heat exchanger, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 70 is installed in this supplementary heating circulation passage 60. A hot water supply passage 64 is connected to the hot water outlet passage 63 extending from the top of the hot water storage tank 51 via a mixing valve 65, and a bypass branch passage 62 branched from the water supply passage 56 is connected to the mixing valve 65.

[0049] An electromagnetic on-off valve 71 is installed in the hot water supply passage 64, and the supplementary heating circulation passage 60 and the hot water outlet passage 63 are connected by a connection passage 73 having a tank water proportional valve 72. A connection passage 74 extends from the return circulation passage 58 via the three-way valve 67, and this connection passage 74 is connected to the hot water outlet passage 63.

[0050] Next, the hot water supply control at the time of water cut-off, which automatically supplies the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 to the hot water tap according to the command from the operation terminal 76 under the control of the control unit 75 when water cut-off occurs, will be described. Incidentally, the flow of the hot water at this time is illustrated by a thick line in FIG. 3. The control program for this hot water supply control at the time of water cut-off is stored in the control unit 75 in advance.

[0051] When water supply is interrupted and the water supply pressure drops to near zero, the control unit 75 detects the occurrence of water interruption based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 56a and transmits it to the operation terminal 76. When this water interruption is detected, it is notified to the user from the operation terminal 76. Then, the user sets the emergency water extraction mode for the control unit 75 from the operation terminal 76 and opens the hot water faucet.

[0052] When the emergency water extraction mode is set, on the condition that the electromagnetic on-off valve 66 of the vent of the hot water storage tank 51 is opened and air can be introduced into the hot water storage tank 51, the control unit 75 controls the valves as follows and then operates the hot water circulation pump 54.

[0053] In the control of the above valves, the three-way valve 68 is switched to conduct in the hot and cold water flow direction indicated by the thick line, the three-way valve 67 is also switched to conduct in the hot and cold water flow direction indicated by the thick line, the tank water proportional valve 72 is closed, the electromagnetic on-off valve 70 is closed, and the electromagnetic on-off valve 71 is opened.

[0054] Then, the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 51, the circulation forward passage 57, and the circulation return passage 58 is fed by the hot water circulation pump 54, flows into the hot water supply passage 32 through the connection passage 74 and the hot water outlet passage 30, and is taken out from the hot water faucet. In addition, when the temperature of the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 51 is low, the heat pump heat source machine 52 may be operated to appropriately heat the hot and cold water.

[0055] When water interruption is no longer detected, when idling of the hot water circulation pump 54 is detected, or when the emergency water extraction mode is canceled from the operation terminal 76, the emergency water extraction mode ends and this hot water supply control during water interruption ends. In addition, at the time of this end, the control unit 75 closes the electromagnetic on-off valve 66 of the vent of the hot water storage tank 51.

[0056] According to the above water cut-off hot water supply control, when there is a water cut-off, as long as there is hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 51, the hot water can be automatically taken out from the hot water supply faucet. This is much more convenient compared to taking out the hot water in the hot water storage tank 51 from the drain faucet. Moreover, it is also possible to effectively utilize the heat pump heat source machine 52 and supply hot water while heating with the heat pump heat source machine 52.

Embodiment

[0057] The hybrid hot water supply device 80 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. This hybrid hot water supply device 80 includes a hot water storage tank 81, a heat pump heat source machine 82, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine 83, a hot water storage pump 84, a circulation pump 85, a water supply passage 86, a forward circulation passage 87, a return circulation passage 88, a bypass passage 89, a three-way valve 90, an auxiliary water supply passage 91 in which the circulation pump 85 is interposed, a bypass branch passage 92, a hot water outlet passage 93, a hot water supply passage 94 having an on-off valve 94a, a mixing valve 95, a three-way valve 96 interposed in the return circulation passage 88, and a hot water extraction passage 97 extending from this three-way valve 96 and to which the hot water supply passage 94 is connected, a control unit 98, an operation terminal 99, and other sensors, valves, etc. The control unit 98 is connected to the sensors, valves, and pumps and controls these devices.

[0058] Temperature sensors 81a to 81e are attached to the hot water storage tank 81, and an air vent 100 having an on-off valve that is manually opened and closed is attached to the top of the hot water storage tank 81. The forward circulation passage 87 connects the bottom of the hot water storage tank 81 to the heat pump heat source machine 82, and the hot water storage pump 84 is interposed in this forward circulation passage 87. The return circulation passage 88 connects the heat pump heat source machine 82 to the top of the hot water storage tank 81 via the three-way valves 90 and 96. The forward circulation passage 87 and the return circulation passage 88 are connected via the three-way valve 90 and the bypass passage 89.

[0059] The water supply passage 86 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 81, and the auxiliary water supply passage 91 extending from the water supply passage 86 extends to the auxiliary heat source unit 83. The hot and cold water extraction passage 97 is connected to the circulation return passage 88 via a three-way valve 96.

[0060] A hot water supply passage 94 is connected to the hot water outlet passage 93 extending from the top of the hot water storage tank 81 via a mixing valve 95, and a bypass branch passage 92 branched from the water supply passage 86 is connected to the mixing valve 95.

[0061] Next, the hot water supply control at the time of water cut-off, in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank 81 is automatically supplied to the hot water tap under the control of the control unit 98 in response to a command from the operation terminal 99 when water cut-off occurs, will be described. Note that the flow of the hot water at this time is shown by a thick line in FIG. 4. The control program for the hot water supply control at the time of water cut-off is stored in the control unit 98 in advance.

[0062] When water cut-off occurs and the water supply pressure drops to near zero, the control unit 98 detects the occurrence of water cut-off based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 86a and transmits it to the operation terminal 99. When this water cut-off is detected, the user is notified from the operation terminal 99. Then, the user sets the emergency water extraction mode from the operation terminal 99 to the control unit 98 and opens the hot water tap.

[0063] When the emergency water extraction mode is set, on the condition that the air vent 100 of the hot water storage tank 81 is opened, the control unit 98 switches the three-way valve 90 to conduct in the direction of the hot water flow shown by the thick line, and after switching the three-way valve 96 to conduct in the direction of the hot water flow shown by the thick line, the hot water storage pump 84 is operated.

[0064] Then, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 81, the circulation forward passage 87, and the circulation return passage 88 is fed by the hot water storage pump 84 and taken out from the hot water tap through the hot and cold water extraction passage 97. Note that when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 81 is low, the heat pump heat source unit 82 may be operated to appropriately heat the hot water.

[0065] When water cut-off is no longer detected, when the idling of the hot water storage pump 84 is detected, or when the emergency water extraction mode is released from the operation terminal 99, the emergency water extraction mode ends, and this water cut-off hot water supply control ends. Incidentally, when this ends, the user closes the air vent 100.

[0066] According to the above water cut-off hot water supply control, when there is water in the hot water storage tank 81 during water cut-off, the water can be automatically taken out from the hot water supply faucet. It is much more convenient compared to taking out the water in the hot water storage tank 81 from the drain faucet. Moreover, the heat pump heat source machine 82 can be effectively utilized, and hot water can be supplied while heating with the heat pump heat source machine 82.

[0067] Incidentally, the above Examples 1, 2, and 3 are illustrative, and those skilled in the art can also implement them in various forms with various modifications added to each part without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also includes such modified examples. For example, the air vent in Examples 1 and 2 may be of a type that is manually opened and closed, or the air vent in Example 3 may be of a type that is opened and closed by an electromagnetic on-off valve.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1, 50, 80: Hybrid hot water supply device 9: Hot water supply faucet 10, 52, 82: Heat pump heat source machine 21, 51, 81: Hot water storage tank 22, 53, 83: Auxiliary heat source machine 24, 75, 98: Control unit 24a, 76, 99: Operation terminal 25, 57, 87: Circulation forward passage 26, 58, 88: Circulation return passage 27, 54, 84: Hot water storage pump 36, 55, 85: Circulation pump 41, 66: Electromagnetic on-off valve (air vent) 100: Air vent

Claims

1. In a hybrid water supply device comprising a heat pump heat source machine, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine, a hot water storage tank, and a control unit, it is provided with an operation terminal for operating the hybrid water supply device, and when water cut-off is detected, it notifies from the operation terminal. When an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a circulation pump provided in a hot water passage for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the auxiliary heat source machine, and supplies the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a water supply tap. A hybrid water supply device characterized by this.

2. In a hybrid water supply device comprising a heat pump heat source machine, a combustion type auxiliary heat source machine, a hot water storage tank, and a control unit, it is provided with an operation terminal for operating the hybrid water supply device, and when water cut-off is detected, it notifies from the operation terminal. When an emergency water extraction mode is set from the operation terminal to the control unit, on condition that an air vent for introducing air into the hot water storage tank is opened, the control unit operates a hot water storage pump provided in a hot water passage for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank to the heat pump heat source machine, and supplies the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a water supply tap. A hybrid water supply device characterized by this.

3. The hybrid water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the emergency water extraction mode is terminated when any of the following cases occur: when water cut-off is no longer detected, when idling of the circulation pump is detected, or when there is an emergency water extraction mode cancellation operation from the operation terminal.

4. The hybrid water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the emergency water extraction mode is terminated when any of the following cases occur: when water cut-off is no longer detected, when idling of the hot water storage pump is detected, or when there is an emergency water extraction mode cancellation operation from the operation terminal.

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