Storage water heater

Abstract

To provide a hot water storage type hot water supply machine that appropriately determines a risk on a bath accident in bathing and notifies a bather of the risk.SOLUTION: A hot water storage type hot water supply machine includes: bathroom temperature detection means 52 for detecting a bathroom temperature of a bathroom 90; hot water temperature detection means 37 for detecting a hot waster temperature of a bathtub 30; a control part 36 for setting a bathroom reference temperature for determining a level of the bathroom temperature and a bathtub reference temperature for determining a level of the hot water temperature, comparing the bathroom temperature detected by the bathroom temperature detection means with the bathroom reference temperature so as to discriminate a level of the bathroom temperature, comparing the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection means with the bathtub reference temperature so as to determine a level of the hot water temperature, and determining a risk on a bath accident of a bather on the basis of the combination of the discriminated level of the bathroom temperature and level of the hot water temperature; and notification means 44 for calling the bather's attention when the control part 36 determines that the risk on a bath accident of the bather is high.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage type water heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bathing support device that determines the risk of bathing accidents and notifies risk information in order to prevent accidents while bathing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-225174 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The bathing assistance device disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the risk of bathing accidents based on the difference between the bathroom temperature and the bathtub water temperature, and notifies the user of the risk. However, the method of determining risk disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to properly determine the risk of bathing accidents. For example, if the bathtub water temperature is high, regardless of the bathroom temperature, the risk is assumed to be high. However, if the bathroom temperature is high due to a bathroom heater, the difference between the bathroom temperature and the bathtub water temperature will be small, and the risk will be determined to be low. As a result, it is not possible to properly notify the user of risk information when they take a bath.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a storage-type water heater that properly assesses the risk of a bather's bathing accident and notifies the bather. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hot water storage type water heater according to the present disclosure comprises a bathroom temperature detection means for detecting the bathroom temperature, a water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of water in the bathtub, a control unit which sets a bathroom reference temperature for determining whether the bathroom temperature is high or low and a bathtub reference temperature for determining whether the water temperature is high or low, compares the bathroom temperature detected by the bathroom temperature detection means with the bathroom reference temperature to determine whether the bathroom temperature is high or low, and compares the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means with the bathtub reference temperature to determine whether the water temperature is high or low, and determines the risk of a bather having an accident while bathing based on the combination of the determined high or low bathroom temperature and high or low water temperature, and an alarm means which issues a warning to the bather when the control unit determines that there is a high risk of a bather having an accident while bathing. The device is equipped with an entry detection means for detecting when a bather enters the bathroom and a bathing detection means for detecting when the bather enters the bathtub. The control unit identifies the bather through detection from at least one of the entry detection means and the bathing detection means, starts counting the elapsed bathing time from the time the bathing detection means detects that the bather has entered the bath, and judges the risk of the bather having a bathing accident at each predetermined time during the count. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a storage type water heater that properly assesses the risk of a bather having a bathing accident and notifies the bather of the risk. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a storage type water heater in embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the determination of the risk of bathing accidents when bathing based on the combination of the bathroom temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub of the hot water storage type water heater in embodiment 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Modes for implementing the subject matter of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In the following description, a heat pump may be referred to as an HP (Heat Pump). Water may refer to water at room temperature before heating, and may be referred to as tap water. Hot water may refer to water after heating, and may be referred to as warm water. Hot water may be referred to as high-temperature water, medium-temperature water, or low-temperature water, depending on the temperature of the hot water. Medium-temperature water refers to water that is lower in temperature than high-temperature water and higher in temperature than low-temperature water. Hot water supplied to the bathtub 30 may be referred to as bath water.

[0010] Embodiment 1 <Configuration of storage type water heater 35> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a storage type water heater 35 in embodiment 1. The storage type water heater 35 includes a tank unit 33, an HP unit 7 that utilizes a heat pump cycle, and a remote control device 44 (44a, 44b) that issues operation commands and changes set values. The HP unit 7 and the tank unit 33 are connected via an HP supply pipe 14, an HP return pipe 15, and electrical wiring (not shown). The tank unit 33 includes a control unit 36. The operation of various valves, pumps, etc. included in the tank unit 33 and the HP unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 36, which is electrically connected to the various valves, pumps, etc.

[0011] The control unit 36 ​​and the remote control device 44 are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly for mutual communication. The remote control device 44a is equipped with a display unit that displays information such as the status of the hot water storage type water heater 35, an operation unit such as a switch operated by the user, a speaker, a microphone, etc. (not shown), and can notify the user of information by voice or sound. The remote control device 44b, like the remote control device 44a, is equipped with a display unit, an operation unit, a speaker, a microphone, etc., and can notify the user of information by voice or sound. The remote control device 44b also has a human presence sensor 51 that detects bathers entering or exiting the bathroom 90. The remote control device 44b also has a bathroom temperature sensor 52 that detects the temperature in the bathroom 90. The bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the bathroom temperature at the required time. The control unit 36 ​​and an external communication terminal 53, such as a smartphone, are connected to each other via wireless communication, for example, to receive information about the bather from the control unit 36.

[0012] The HP unit 7 functions as a heating means for heating low-temperature water and the like guided from a hot water storage tank 8 provided in the tank unit 33. The HP unit 7 configures a heat pump cycle by connecting a compressor 1, a water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3, an expansion valve 4, and an air heat exchanger 6 in a ring shape via a refrigerant circulation pipe 5. The water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation pipe 5 and the low-temperature water guided from the tank unit 33. Alternatively, the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3 may be configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation pipe 5 and low-temperature water supplied directly from a water source such as a tap. The HP unit 7 also includes an outside air temperature sensor 39 for detecting the outside air temperature.

[0013] A hot water storage tank 8 is provided within the tank unit 33. The hot water storage tank 8 is for storing hot water heated by the HP unit 7. A third water supply pipe 9c is connected to a water inlet 8a provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8. Water supplied from a water source such as a tap is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure reducing valve 31 through the first water supply pipe 9a and flows into the hot water storage tank 8 through the third water supply pipe 9c. The top of the hot water storage tank 8 has a hot water outlet 8d for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 8 to the outside of the hot water storage tank 8, and a hot water inlet 8e connected to the HP return pipe 15.

[0014] Hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 8 so that a temperature difference occurs between the top and bottom of the hot water storage tank 8, as high-temperature water heated using the HP unit 7 flows in through the hot water inlet 8e and low-temperature water from the third water supply pipe 9c flows in through the water inlet 8a. In addition, multiple hot water temperature sensors 41, 42, and 43 are attached at different heights on the surface of the hot water storage tank 8, near the medium-temperature water outlet 8f and in the vertical direction (height direction) of the hot water storage tank 8. By detecting the temperature distribution of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 using the hot water temperature sensors 41, 42, and 43, the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 8 can be determined, and the start and stop of the operation of heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank 8 using the HP unit 7 can be controlled.

[0015] The boiling operation is executed by starting the operation of the HP unit 7 via the control unit 36. Specifically, low-temperature water flowing out from the water outlet 8b at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8 is introduced into the HP unit 7 via the HP supply pipe 14, heated by the water-refrigerant heat exchanger 3, and then becomes high-temperature water. The high-temperature water then flows into the hot water storage tank 8 via the HP return pipe 15 and through the hot water inlet 8e at the top of the hot water storage tank 8, where it is stored. In this way, by executing the boiling operation, high-temperature water is stored from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 8, and the high-temperature water layer gradually becomes thicker. When the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 8, as sensed by the hot water temperature sensors 41, 42, and 43, exceeds a predetermined amount, the boiling operation is stopped.

[0016] The tank unit 33 contains a heat source pump 12 and a bath heat exchanger 20. The heat source pump 12 is a pump for circulating hot water through various pipes (described later) inside the tank unit 33, and is provided on the first water supply pipe 13a. The bath heat exchanger 20 uses high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 to heat the hot water on the secondary side, and uses low-temperature water supplied from the hot water storage tank 8 to recover heat from the hot water on the secondary side and cool it.

[0017] The bath heat exchanger 20 is installed midway between the bath supply pipe 27 and the bath return pipe 28, which are connected to the bathtub 30. A bath supply temperature sensor 37 is installed midway along the bath supply pipe 27 to detect the temperature of the hot water after heat exchange from the bath heat exchanger 20. Along the bath return pipe 28, in the direction of the flow of hot water as bath water, a bath return temperature sensor 38 is installed from the bathtub 30 side to detect the temperature of the hot water leaving the bathtub 30, a bath circulation pump 29 for circulating the hot water, a water level sensor 46 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 30, a flow switch 47 for detecting the water circulation in the bath return pipe 28, a micro-bubble generator 48 for generating micro-bubbles in the hot water flowing through the bath return pipe 28, and a sterilizer 49 for irradiating the hot water with ultraviolet light to kill bacteria contained in the hot water. The sterilizer 49 may be installed midway along the bath supply pipe 27. Alternatively, the micro-bubble generator 48 may be omitted.

[0018] The three-way valve 11 is a flow path switching means having ports a and b through which hot water flows in and port c through which hot water flows out, and is configured to be able to switch the flow path between two paths connecting ports a and c, and ports b and c.

[0019] The first four-way valve 16 is a flow path switching means having ports a and b through which hot water flows in and ports c and d through which hot water flows out, and is configured to be able to switch the flow path among four paths connecting ports a and c, ports a and d, ports b and c, and ports b and d.

[0020] The tank unit 33 also has a water outlet pipe 10, a first water supply pipe 13a, a HP supply pipe 14, a HP return pipe 15, a first hot water pipe 17a, a third hot water pipe 19a, a fourth hot water pipe 19b, and a fifth hot water pipe 19c.

[0021] The water outlet pipe 10 connects the water outlet 8b located at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8 to the a port of the three-way valve 11. The first water supply pipe 13a connects the c port of the three-way valve 11 to the inlet side of the heat source pump 12. The HP supply pipe 14 connects the outlet side of the heat source pump 12 to the inlet side of the HP unit 7. The HP return pipe 15 connects the outlet side of the HP unit 7 to the b port of the first four-way valve 16. The first hot water pipe 17a connects the d port of the first four-way valve 16 to the a port of the second four-way valve 18. The third hot water pipe 19a connects the b port of the second four-way valve 18 to the hot water inlet 8e at the top of the hot water storage tank 8. The fourth hot water pipe 19b connects the d port of the second four-way valve 18 to the hot water outlet 8d located at the top of the hot water storage tank 8. The fifth hot water pipe 19c connects the c port of the second four-way valve 18 to a medium-temperature water inlet 8g provided between the top and center of the hot water storage tank 8. The second hot water pipe 17b connects the c port of the first four-way valve 16 to a water inlet 8c provided at the bottom of the hot water storage tank 8.

[0022] The first tank circulation pipe 20a connects the hot water inlet 8e provided at the top of the hot water storage tank 8 to the primary inlet of the bath heat exchanger 20. The third tank circulation pipe 20c connects the secondary outlet of the bath heat exchanger 20 to port b of the three-way valve 11. The second water supply pipe 13b branches off from the HP supply pipe 14 between the heat source pump 12 and the inlet side of the HP unit 7 and is connected to port a of the first four-way valve 16.

[0023] Furthermore, the tank unit 33 has a medium temperature pipe 79, a first water supply pipe 9a, a second water supply pipe 9b, a third water supply pipe 9c, a fourth water supply pipe 9d, a hot water mixing valve 22, a bath mixing valve 23, a medium temperature water switching valve 78, a hot water supply pipe 24, a bath pipe 25, a second tank circulation pipe 20b, and a check valve 50.

[0024] One end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to a water source such as a tap, and the other end of the first water supply pipe 9a is connected to the second water supply pipe 9b and the third water supply pipe 9c via a pressure reducing valve 31. The second water supply pipe 9b branches off midway and is connected to port a of the medium-temperature water switching valve 78. The medium-temperature water pipe 79 connects the medium-temperature water outlet 8f, located in the middle of the hot water storage tank 8, to port b of the medium-temperature water switching valve 78. The second tank circulation pipe 20b branches off midway from the third tank circulation pipe 20c and is connected midway to the medium-temperature water pipe 79. A check valve 50 is installed on the second tank circulation pipe 20b in a direction that prevents water from flowing from the middle of the tank toward the bottom. The fourth water supply pipe 9d is connected to port c of the medium-temperature water switching valve 78 and the water side between the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23. The hot water outlet pipe 21 branches off from the junction of the hot water outlet 8d and is connected to the hot water side between the hot water supply mixing valve 22 and the bath mixing valve 23.

[0025] The hot water supply mixing valve 22 adjusts the flow rate ratio between high-temperature hot water supplied from the hot water outlet pipe 21 and low-temperature water or medium-temperature water supplied from the fourth water supply pipe 9d, thereby producing hot water at a temperature set by the user using the remote control device 44, and causing the hot water to flow into the hot water supply pipe 24. The hot water whose temperature has been adjusted by the hot water supply mixing valve 22 is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 24 via the hot water tap 34 to a shower, faucet, or the like (not shown) used by the user.

[0026] The bath mixing valve 23 adjusts the flow rate ratio between the high-temperature water supplied from the hot water outlet pipe 21 and the low-temperature or medium-temperature water supplied from the fourth water supply pipe 9d to generate hot water at the set temperature and volume set by the user via the remote control device 44 (44a, 44b), and supplies this water to the bath pipe 25. The hot water adjusted to the set temperature by the bath mixing valve 23 passes through the bath solenoid valve 26, the bath flow sensor 45, the bath outlet pipe 27, and the bathtub adapter 80, and is supplied to the bathtub 30 at a preset volume. The remote control device 44 is equipped with an automatic bath operation function. When automatic bath operation is set, the water is heated, cooled, and hot and cold water is added as necessary to maintain the hot water temperature and volume in the bathtub 30 set via the remote control device 44.

[0027] <Operation of storage type water heater 35> Next, we will explain the operation of notifying the bather of appropriate risk information when they take a bath (hereinafter referred to as the monitoring operation). The monitoring operation is performed when the bather enters the bathroom 90 and when the bather enters the bathtub 30.

[0028] Entry of a bather into bathroom 90 is detected by human sensor 51, which serves as entry detection means provided in remote control device 44b. The bather's entry status into bathroom 90 is determined based on fluctuations in the output of human sensor 51 due to the bather's entry into bathroom 90. Specifically, the entry status is determined, for example, by a pyroelectric sensor serving as human sensor 51. In this case, the amount of change in temperature of a heat source within the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor is detected. Here, control unit 36 ​​determines the bather's entry into bathroom 90 by detecting the temperature change due to the bather's body movement when they enter bathroom 90, i.e., by detecting the amount of change, i.e., fluctuations in the output of the pyroelectric sensor.

[0029] Bather entry into bathtub 30 is detected by water level sensor 46, which serves as bathing detection means capable of detecting the water level of bathtub 30. Specifically, control unit 36 ​​determines the bather's bathing status by detecting a rise in the water level of bathtub 30 due to the bather's entry as a fluctuation in the output of water level sensor 46. For example, control unit 36 ​​determines that the bather has entered bathtub 30 if, as a result of the bather's entry into bathtub 30, the detected water level of bathtub 30 by water level sensor 46 increases by more than a predetermined amount of water level change (e.g., 5 cm) within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0030] The monitoring operation determines the risk of a bathing accident when the bather enters bathroom 90 or bathes in bathtub 30, based on a combination of the bathroom temperature detected by bathroom temperature sensor 52 as a bathroom temperature detection means and the water temperature detected by a water temperature detection means (described later) in bathtub 30. The determined risk information is then notified to the bather at appropriate times and frequency. Below, we will explain the monitoring operation when the bather enters the bathroom (hereinafter referred to as "entry monitoring operation") and the monitoring operation when the bather is bathing (hereinafter referred to as "bathing monitoring operation").

[0031] <Monitoring behavior when entering a room> The entry monitoring operation is an operation that is performed when a bather enters bathroom 90, and is executed by control unit 36. The entry monitoring operation determines the risk of a bathing accident when the bather enters bathroom 90 based on a combination of the bathroom temperature in bathroom 90 and the water temperature in bathtub 30 when the bather enters bathroom 90. The determined risk information is then notified to the bather at an appropriate timing when the bather enters the bathroom.

[0032] When motion sensor 51 detects that a bather has entered bathroom 90, bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature inside bathroom 90. If control unit 36 ​​determines that the temperature inside bathroom 90 is below a predetermined temperature (referred to as the bathroom reference temperature, e.g., 15°C) and that the water temperature inside bathtub 30 detected by bath outlet temperature sensor 37 or set by remote control device 44 of storage-type hot water heater 35 exceeds a predetermined temperature (referred to as the bath reference temperature, e.g., 42°C), the low temperature inside bathroom 90 can increase blood pressure, and bathing in the hot water inside bathtub 30 while already experiencing elevated blood pressure can cause a blood pressure surge. Therefore, the risk of a bathing accident is determined to be high, and remote control device 44b, which serves as an alarm device installed in bathroom 90, issues a warning to the bather to be careful when bathing. In this embodiment, the water temperature detection means refers to not only the means for detecting the water temperature in the bathtub 30 (specifically, the bath entry temperature sensor 37), but also the means for setting the water temperature in the bathtub 30 (specifically, the temperature setting unit possessed by the remote control device 44).

[0033] Other combinations of monitoring actions when entering a room correspond to patterns 1, 2, and 4 in Figure 2 for monitoring actions when bathing, which will be described later. In these cases, the risk of bathing accidents is judged to be low, and the bather is not warned of the risk of bathing accidents, as shown in the first notification (short-term notification) in Figure 2.

[0034] <Bathroom monitoring operation> The bathing monitoring operation is an operation performed while the bather is bathing in the bathtub 30, and is executed by the control unit 36. The bathing monitoring operation alerts the bather to risks to their physical condition that could lead to a bathing accident while they are bathing, and calls their attention to these risks. Here, the risk of a bathing accident is determined based on the bathroom temperature in the bathroom 90 and the water temperature in the bathtub 30. The determined risk information is then alerted to the bather via the remote control device 44b at appropriate times and with appropriate frequency.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the risk of bathing accidents is determined based on the combination of the bathroom temperature in bathroom 90 and the water temperature in bathtub 30 of hot water storage type water heater 35 in embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the timing and frequency of reporting risk information in the bathing monitoring operation are divided into patterns 1 to 4 based on the combination of high and low bathroom temperatures and high and low water temperatures. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom temperature may also be referred to as the room temperature, and the water temperature as the bathwater temperature. Below, with reference to FIG. 2, patterns 3, 1, 2, and 4, which represent a high risk of bathing accidents, will be explained in that order.

[0036] <Pattern 3> Pattern 3 is the pattern with the highest risk of bathing accidents. Pattern 3 is an example in which both the first notification (also referred to as short-term notification) and the second notification (also referred to as elapsed time notification) are performed, as shown in Figure 2.

[0037] The status of the bather in bathroom 90 is confirmed either when it is determined that the bather has entered bathroom 90 or when it is determined that the bather has entered bathtub 30. The bather's entry into bathroom 90 is detected by human presence sensor 51. The bather's entry into bathtub 30 is detected by water level sensor 46 detecting an increase in the water level in bathtub 30.

[0038] When a bather is detected in bathroom 90, bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature in bathroom 90. If control unit 36 ​​determines that the temperature in bathroom 90 is below a predetermined temperature (called the bathroom reference temperature, e.g., 15°C) and that the water temperature in bathtub 30 detected by bath outlet temperature sensor 37 or set by remote control device 44 of hot water storage unit 35 exceeds the predetermined temperature (called the bathtub reference temperature, e.g., 42°C), a blood pressure surge, which is a momentary increase in blood pressure, can be expected, due to the low temperature in bathroom 90 and the fact that bathing in the hot water in bathtub 30 while already experiencing elevated blood pressure, can be expected. In this case, the risk of a bathing accident is determined to be high, and the bathing time is counted starting from when the bather is detected by the water level sensor 46. When a predetermined time (referred to as the first elapsed time, which is set to a short time) has passed, the bather is warned (referred to as the first notification, short time notification) about the risk of a bathing accident while bathing. Here, the first elapsed time is set to, for example, three minutes after starting to bathe.

[0039] Furthermore, if a long time has passed since the bather finished bathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to heatstroke. For this reason, when a predetermined time (called the second elapsed time, set to be longer than the first elapsed time) has passed since the bather finished bathing, a warning (called the second notification or elapsed time notification) is issued to the bather regarding the risk of bathing accidents. Here, the second elapsed time is set to, for example, six minutes after starting bathing.

[0040] Furthermore, if a longer time (e.g., 15 minutes) has passed since the bather started bathing, it may be determined that the bather's bathing time has been long, and a warning may be issued to the bather. That is, a time longer than the second elapsed time may be set as a third elapsed time, and a warning may be issued to the bather. In this way, the number and timing of warning notifications may be changed depending on the bather's bathing time.

[0041] The bather is alerted by voice guidance from the remote control device 44b installed in the bathroom 90 and by display guidance on the display unit of the remote control device 44b. Examples of voice guidance and display guidance include "Be careful of a sudden rise in blood pressure," "Be careful of a sudden drop in blood pressure," and "Are you feeling okay?"

[0042] <Pattern 1> Pattern 1 is a pattern in which the risk of bathing accidents is the second highest after pattern 3. Pattern 1 is an example in which a second notification (also referred to as an elapsed time notification) is performed, as shown in FIG.

[0043] The status of the bather in bathroom 90 is confirmed either when it is determined that the bather has entered bathroom 90 or when it is determined that the bather has entered bathtub 30. The bather's entry into bathroom 90 is detected by human presence sensor 51. The bather's entry into bathtub 30 is detected by water level sensor 46 detecting an increase in the water level in bathtub 30.

[0044] When a bather is detected in bathroom 90, bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature inside bathroom 90. Pattern 1 occurs when control unit 36 ​​determines that the temperature inside bathroom 90 exceeds a predetermined temperature (referred to as the bathroom reference temperature, e.g., 15°C) and that the water temperature in bathtub 30 detected by bath entry temperature sensor 37 or set by remote control 44 exceeds a predetermined temperature (referred to as the bathtub reference temperature, e.g., 42°C). In this case, the risk of elevated blood pressure is low, but the risk of heatstroke due to a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by bathing for a long time in hot water is high. The temperature inside bathroom 90 may exceed the bathroom reference temperature due to, for example, seasonal factors such as summer or heating, such as bathroom heating.

[0045] For this reason, a warning (referred to as the second notification) is issued to the bather regarding the risk of bathing accidents when a predetermined time (corresponding to the second elapsed time described in Pattern 3) has passed since the bather started bathing. Here, the second elapsed time is set to, for example, 6 minutes after starting bathing.

[0046] Similarly to pattern 3, if a longer time (e.g., 15 minutes) has passed since the bather started bathing, it may be determined that the bather's bathing time is long and a warning may be issued to the bather. That is, similar to pattern 3, a longer elapsed time than the second elapsed time may be set as the third elapsed time and a warning may be issued to the bather. In this way, the number and timing of warning notifications may be changed depending on the bather's bathing time.

[0047] The bather is alerted by voice guidance from the remote control device 44b installed in the bathroom 90 and by display guidance on the display unit of the remote control device 44b. Examples of voice guidance and display guidance include "Be careful of a sudden drop in blood pressure" and "Are you feeling okay?"

[0048] <Pattern 2> Pattern 2, like Pattern 4 described below, is a pattern in which the risk of bathing accidents is low. In Patterns 2 and 4, the first notification (also referred to as short-term notification) and the second notification (also referred to as elapsed time notification) are not performed, as shown in Figure 2. First, Pattern 2 will be described.

[0049] The status of the bather in bathroom 90 is confirmed either when it is determined that the bather has entered bathroom 90 or when it is determined that the bather has entered bathtub 30. The bather's entry into bathroom 90 is detected by human presence sensor 51. The bather's entry into bathtub 30 is detected by water level sensor 46 detecting an increase in the water level in bathtub 30.

[0050] When a bather is detected in bathroom 90, bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature in bathroom 90. Pattern 2 occurs when control unit 36 ​​determines that the temperature in bathroom 90 exceeds a predetermined temperature (referred to as the bathroom reference temperature, e.g., 15°C) and that the water temperature in bathtub 30 detected by bath entry temperature sensor 37 or set by remote control device 44 is below the predetermined temperature (referred to as the bathtub reference temperature, e.g., 42°C). In this case, the risk of a bathing accident while bathing is determined to be low, so the bather is not warned about the risk of a bathing accident while bathing. As mentioned above, the temperature in bathroom 90 can exceed the bathroom reference temperature due to, for example, seasonal factors such as summer or heating, such as bathroom heating.

[0051] <Pattern 4> Next, a description will be given of pattern 4. As shown in Fig. 2, in pattern 4, similar to pattern 3, neither the first notification (also referred to as short-time notification) nor the second notification (also referred to as elapsed time notification) is performed.

[0052] The status of the bather in bathroom 90 is confirmed either when it is determined that the bather has entered bathroom 90 or when it is determined that the bather has entered bathtub 30. The bather's entry into bathroom 90 is detected by human presence sensor 51. The bather's entry into bathtub 30 is detected by water level sensor 46 detecting an increase in the water level in bathtub 30.

[0053] When a bather is detected in bathroom 90, bathroom temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature inside bathroom 90. Pattern 4 occurs when control unit 36 ​​determines that the temperature inside bathroom 90 is below a predetermined temperature (called the bathroom reference temperature, e.g., 15°C) and that the water temperature in bathtub 30 detected by bath entry temperature sensor 37 or set by remote control device 44 is below a predetermined temperature (called the bathtub reference temperature, e.g., 42°C). In this case, the risk of a bathing accident while bathing is determined to be low, so the bather is not warned about the risk of a bathing accident while bathing.

[0054] In the bathing monitoring operation, when a bather is alerted, the bather responds via remote control device 44b, which serves as a selection means, that he or she is in good condition, and control unit 36 ​​determines that there is no abnormality and continues counting the bathing time. Specifically, a selection screen for confirming whether there is an abnormality or whether to continue bathing is displayed on the display unit of remote control device 44b, and the bather selects from the confirmation screen that there is no abnormality or that he or she wishes to continue bathing, and control unit 36 ​​determines that there is no abnormality with the bather and continues counting the bathing time. In this embodiment, remote control device 44 (specifically, remote control device 44a, remote control device 44b) functions as a selection means.

[0055] The bather can also indicate to the motion of the human sensor 51 that there is nothing wrong with the bather or that they intend to continue bathing. For example, by waving their hands or other actions, the output fluctuation of the human sensor 51 is detected as the bather's movement, and the control unit 63 determines that there is nothing wrong with the bather and continues counting the bathing time. Note that the detection of the bather's movement by the human sensor 51 may be performed, for example, after an input operation on the remote control device 44b. Here, the human sensor 51 functions as a selection means.

[0056] Furthermore, if the bather does not respond to the bather's attention alert during the monitoring operation, i.e., if the bather does not indicate that there is nothing wrong or choose to continue bathing, within a predetermined time (referred to as the response time), the control unit 36 ​​may determine that there is something wrong with the bather's body and instruct the remote control device 44a and external communication terminal 53, such as a smartphone, located outside the bathroom 90 to issue an alert. The response time may be set to, for example, one minute. In this embodiment, the remote control device 44 (specifically, the remote control device 44a and the remote control device 44b) functions as an alerting means.

[0057] <Effects of storage type water heater 35 according to embodiment 1> Thus, according to embodiment 1, when a bather enters the bathroom 90 and bathes in the bathtub 30, the risk of a bathing accident while bathing is properly determined based on the combination of the high and low temperature in the bathroom 90 and the high and low water temperature in the bathtub 30, and the bather is notified of this, thereby reliably preventing bathing accidents.

[0058] Furthermore, if the bather responds to the warning by saying that there is nothing wrong, the monitoring operation will continue, allowing the bather to bathe with peace of mind.

[0059] Furthermore, if the bather does not respond to the warning, a warning is sent to the remote control device 44a and external communication terminal 53 outside the bathroom 90, so that the bather's condition can be quickly confirmed and rescued if necessary.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the monitoring action is described as a monitoring action at the time of entering a room and a monitoring action at the time of bathing, but the monitoring action at the time of entering a room and the monitoring action at the time of bathing do not need to be performed in combination, and each action may be performed separately. Even if the monitoring action at the time of entering a room and the monitoring action at the time of bathing are performed separately, the risk of a bathing accident while bathing can be properly determined and the bather can be notified, so that bathing accidents can be reliably prevented.

[0061] The configurations described in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Part of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0062] Examples of aspects that may be included in the present disclosure are set forth below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a bathroom temperature detection means for detecting the bathroom temperature; a bath temperature detection means for detecting the bath water temperature; a control unit that sets a bathroom reference temperature for determining whether the bathroom temperature is high or low and a bathtub reference temperature for determining whether the hot water temperature is high or low, compares the bathroom temperature detected by the bathroom temperature detection means with the bathroom reference temperature to determine whether the bathroom temperature is high or low, and compares the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection means with the bathtub reference temperature to determine whether the hot water temperature is high or low, and determines the risk of a bather having a bathing accident based on a combination of the determined high or low bathroom temperature and high or low hot water temperature; a notification means for issuing a warning to the bather when the control unit determines that the bather is at high risk of a bathing accident; A storage type water heater equipped with (Appendix 2) an entrance detection means for detecting when the bather enters the bathroom; When the entry detection means detects the bather, the bather's risk of a bathing accident is determined. 1. A storage-type water heater as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) When the entrance detection means detects the bather, if the bathroom temperature in the bathroom is equal to or lower than the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub is higher than the bathtub reference temperature, the control unit determines that the bather is at high risk of a bathing accident. A storage-type water heater as described in appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The bathroom reference temperature is 15°C, and the bathtub reference temperature is 42°C. A storage type water heater according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) An entrance detection means for detecting the bather entering the bathroom and a bathing detection means for detecting the bather entering the bathtub are provided, and the bather is identified by detection from at least one of the entrance detection means and the bathing detection means. The bathing detection means starts counting the elapsed bathing time from the time the bather starts bathing, and judges the risk of the bather having a bathing accident at every predetermined time during the counting. A storage type water heater according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The period for determining the risk of a bathing accident, which is performed at each predetermined time during the counting, includes a time when a first elapsed time has passed during which the bather's blood pressure is expected to rise and a time when a second elapsed time, which is longer than the first elapsed time, during which the bather's blood pressure is expected to fall. Attachment 5 describes a storage-type water heater. (Appendix 7) The control unit determines that the bather is at high risk of a bathing accident when, after the first elapsed time, the bathroom temperature in the bathroom is equal to or lower than the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature, and when, after the second elapsed time, the bathroom temperature in the bathroom is equal to or lower than the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature, and when the bathroom temperature in the bathroom exceeds the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature. A storage-type water heater as described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 8) The bathroom reference temperature is 15°C, and the bathtub reference temperature is 42°C. Attachment 7: A storage-type water heater. (Appendix 9) The bather is provided with a selection means for selecting whether or not there is an abnormality when the bather is warned, or whether or not to continue bathing, and the control unit continues the counting when the bather selects from the selection means that there is no abnormality or that he or she wishes to continue bathing. Attachment 5 describes a storage-type water heater. (Appendix 10) The selection means is displayed on a display unit of a remote control device installed in the bathroom. Attachment 9 describes a storage-type water heater. (Appendix 11) If the user does not select either that there is no abnormality or that he / she intends to continue bathing within the response time, the control unit instructs a notification means located outside the bathroom to issue the alert. Attachment 9 describes a storage-type water heater. (Appendix 12) The notification means for issuing the warning to the bather is a remote control device installed in the bathroom, and the notification means outside the bathroom is a remote control device or an external communication terminal outside the bathroom. 11. A storage-type water heater as described in Appendix 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 compressor, 3 water-refrigerant heat exchanger, 4 expansion valve, 5 refrigerant circulation piping, 6 air heat exchanger, 7 HP unit, 8 hot water storage tank, 8a water inlet, 8b water outlet, 8c water inlet, 8d hot water outlet, 8e hot water inlet, 8f medium temperature water outlet, 8g medium temperature water inlet, 9a first water supply piping, 9b second water supply piping, 9c third water supply piping, 9d fourth water supply piping, 10 water outlet piping, 11 three-way valve, 12 heat source pump, 13a first water supply piping, 13b second water supply piping, 14 HP forward piping, 15 HP return piping, 16 first four-way valve, 17a first hot water piping, 17b second hot water piping, 18 second four-way valve, 19a third hot water piping, 19b fourth hot water piping, 19c fifth hot water piping, 20 Bath heat exchanger, 20a First tank circulation piping, 20b Second tank circulation piping, 20c Third tank circulation piping, 21 Hot water outlet piping, 22 Hot water mixing valve, 23 Bath mixing valve, 24 Hot water supply piping, 25 Bath piping, 26 Bath solenoid valve, 27 Bath supply piping, 28 Bath return piping, 29 Circulation pump, 30 Bathtub, 31 Pressure reducing valve, 33 Tank unit, 34 Hot water tap, 35 Storage type hot water heater, 36 Control unit, 37 Bath supply temperature sensor, 38 Bath return temperature sensor, 39 Outdoor air temperature sensor, 41 Storage hot water temperature sensor, 42 Storage hot water temperature sensor, 43 Storage hot water temperature sensor, 44 Remote control device (alert means, selection means), 45 Bath flow rate sensor, 46 Water level sensor, 47 Flow switch, 48 Fine bubble generator, 49 Sterilization device, 50 check valve, 51 human sensor (entry detection means), 52 bathroom temperature sensor, 53 external communication terminal, 78 medium temperature water switching valve, 79 medium temperature piping, 80 bathtub adapter, 90 bathroom.

Claims

1. A bathroom temperature detection means for detecting the bathroom temperature, a bath temperature detection means for detecting the bath water temperature; a control unit that sets a bathroom reference temperature for determining whether the bathroom temperature is high or low and a bathtub reference temperature for determining whether the hot water temperature is high or low, compares the bathroom temperature detected by the bathroom temperature detection means with the bathroom reference temperature to determine whether the bathroom temperature is high or low, and compares the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection means with the bathtub reference temperature to determine whether the hot water temperature is high or low, and determines the risk of a bather having a bathing accident based on a combination of the determined high or low bathroom temperature and high or low hot water temperature; a notification means for issuing a warning to the bather when the control unit determines that the bather is at high risk of a bathing accident; an entry detection means for detecting when the bather enters the bathroom; a bathing detection means for detecting the bather entering the bathtub; The control unit The bather is identified by detection from at least one of the entrance detection means and the bathing detection means, The bathing detection means starts counting the elapsed bathing time from the time the bather starts bathing, and judges the risk of the bather having a bathing accident at every predetermined time during the counting. Storage water heater.

2. The period for determining the risk of a bathing accident, which is performed at each predetermined time during the counting, includes a time when a first elapsed time has passed during which the bather's blood pressure is expected to rise and a time when a second elapsed time, which is longer than the first elapsed time, during which the bather's blood pressure is expected to fall. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines that the bather is at high risk of a bathing accident when, after the first elapsed time, the bathroom temperature in the bathroom is equal to or lower than the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature, and when, after the second elapsed time, the bathroom temperature in the bathroom is equal to or lower than the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature, and when the bathroom temperature in the bathroom exceeds the bathroom reference temperature and the water temperature in the bathtub exceeds the bathtub reference temperature. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 2.

4. The bathroom reference temperature is 15°C, and the bathtub reference temperature is 42°C. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 3.

5. The bather is provided with a selection means for selecting whether or not there is an abnormality when the bather is warned, or whether or not to continue bathing, and the control unit continues the counting when the bather selects from the selection means that there is no abnormality or that he or she wishes to continue bathing. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 1.

6. The selection means is displayed on a display unit of a remote control device installed in the bathroom. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 5.

7. If the user does not select either that there is no abnormality or that he / she intends to continue bathing within the response time, the control unit instructs a notification means located outside the bathroom to issue the alert. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 5.

8. The notification means for issuing the warning to the bather is a remote control device installed in the bathroom, and the notification means outside the bathroom is a remote control device or an external communication terminal outside the bathroom. The hot water storage type water heater according to claim 7.

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