Hot water storage system

Abstract

To provide a hot water storage and supply system having a heat load prediction function by learning control so as to minimize use of an auxiliary heat source machine in the case that a start time of bath operation is advanced.SOLUTION: A hot water storage and supply system includes a main heat source machine for heating water, an auxiliary heat source machine, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and a heat load prediction function including control means to predict a heat load for each future unit time and its prediction time by learning control on the basis of past hot water supply result information, and controls hot water storage operation of the main heat source machine on the basis of the heat load for each unit time predicted by the heat load prediction function. The heat load prediction function is configured so as to perform prediction while performing division of three types of heat loads such as a bath load, a shower load, and the other hot water supply load, and advances respective prediction times of the bath load and the shower load only by an advance time, when the control means determines that a start time of bath operation is advanced from a prediction time of the bath load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water storage and hot water supply system having a heat load prediction function that predicts future heat load per unit time based on hot water supply performance information through learning control. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional hybrid water heater (hot water storage system) includes a main heat source such as a heat pump, a combustion-type auxiliary heat source, and a hot water storage tank. Learning control based on past hot water usage data calculates the predicted heat load and time of hot water usage for each starting time of the day (e.g., 3:00 AM), and creates a hot water storage plan (heat load prediction) based on these and the amount of heat (hot water storage amount) held in the hot water storage tank. In this case, hot water storage begins a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) before the predicted hot water usage time, and the main heat source operates to store hot water in the hot water storage tank so that storage is completed by the predicted time. Conventionally, this learning control system aggregates hot water usage data for the bath, shower, and kitchen, accumulates hot water usage data, and creates a hot water storage plan based on this hot water usage data.

[0003] A water heater capable of determining whether the hot water being supplied is for showering or for other purposes other than showering is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 2 describes a hot water storage tank type hot water supply heat source device that determines the target hot water storage amount by distinguishing between a filled target hot water storage amount and a non-filled target hot water storage amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-87657 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4208389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case where the start time of the bath operation is brought forward due to an earlier arrival time or the like, the predicted times of the bath load and shower load are not changed. Therefore, in a conventional hot water storage system, the predicted bath load and shower load cannot be brought forward when the start time of the bath operation is brought forward, and the corresponding hot water storage operation cannot be performed. In this case, the auxiliary heat source unit is started to supply hot water for the bath and shower.

[0006] As described above, if the start time of the bath operation is brought forward from the predicted time, the utilization rate of the combustion-type auxiliary heat source unit increases, and energy saving is impaired. The object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system with a heat load prediction function by learning control, Bathing To provide a hot water storage and supply system that minimizes the use of an auxiliary heat source machine when the operation start time is brought forward. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hot water storage and supply system of claim 1 includes a main heat source unit for heating water, an auxiliary heat source unit, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and a control means. and the operation remote control The system is provided with a heat load prediction function that predicts the future heat load per unit time and its predicted time by learning control based on past hot water supply performance information, and based on the heat load per unit time predicted by this heat load prediction function, This is set at least one hour ahead of the predicted time of the heat load. The hot water storage operation of the main heat source unit is controlled At the same time, the auxiliary heat source unit is operated to burn fuel based on a command from the control means. In the hot water storage and hot water supply system, the heat load prediction function is configured to classify and predict three types of heat loads: bath load, shower load, and other hot water load; Commanded from the operation remote controller bath Bathing If the operation start time is earlier than the predicted bath load time, More than the set time When the control means determines that the time has been brought forward, The control means is configured to ensure the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank. The predicted times of the bath load and shower load are each advanced by the aforementioned advance time.

[0008] According to the above configuration, Bathing If the operation start time is earlier than the predicted bath load time, More than the set time When the loads are brought forward, the predicted times for the bath load and shower load are brought forward by the amount of the forward load, so the hot water storage operation plan for the main heat source unit is changed to accommodate the brought forward bath load and shower load, and the brought forward bath load and shower load can be handled while also supplying hot water using the auxiliary heat source unit as needed. Moreover, by utilizing the main heat source unit, the use of the auxiliary heat source unit can be minimized.

[0009] The hot water storage and supply system of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, The control means The bath load and shower load that are later than a predetermined time from the initial predicted time of the advanced bath load are excluded from the advancement. According to the above configuration, for predicted bath loads and predicted shower loads that are more than a predetermined time (e.g., 3 hours) in the future from the start time of the advanced bath operation, the predicted times based on learning control are not changed because they are considered to be separate bath loads and shower loads that are unrelated to the advanced bath load, thereby preventing a decrease in performance of the heat load prediction function.

[0010] The hot water storage and supply system of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1, The control means Of the bath and shower loads for which the predicted times have been brought forward, the first portion that cannot be handled by hot water storage in the main heat source unit is supplied by operating the auxiliary heat source unit, and the second portion that can be handled by hot water storage in the main heat source unit is supplied by storing hot water by setting the output of the main heat source unit to maximum output. Note that "handling" means supply.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the auxiliary heat source unit and the main heat source unit can be fully utilized to cope with the brought-forward bath load and shower load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, the present invention provides various effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water storage and supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump heat source machine. [Figure 3] (A) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (I), (B) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is advanced by one hour compared to learning (I), (C) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is advanced by two hours compared to learning (I), and (D) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is advanced by three hours compared to learning (I). [Figure 4] (A) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (II), (B) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is brought forward by one hour compared to learning (II), (C) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is brought forward by two hours compared to learning (II), and (D) is an explanatory diagram of the predicted load and hot water storage plan when bath operation is brought forward by three hours compared to learning (II). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the overall configuration of the hot water storage and supply system 1 of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the hot water storage and hot water supply system 1 is composed of a hot water storage and hot water supply device 2 that stores hot water, a heat pump heat source unit 3 that is the main heat source unit, and a heating circulation passage 15 that circulates hot water between the hot water storage and hot water supply device 2 and the heat pump heat source unit 3.

[0015] Next, the hot water storage and heating apparatus 2 will be briefly described. As shown in Figure 1, the hot water storage and heating system 2 has functions such as storing hot water, supplying hot water, providing hot water to a bathtub, reheating the bathtub, and supplying hot water to hot water heating devices such as floor heating panels. It includes a heat pump heat source 3, a hot water storage tank 4, a combustion-type auxiliary heat source 5, a bath heat exchanger 6, a heating heat exchanger 7, a water supply passage 8, a hot water supply passage 9, a hot water outlet passage 11, a bath reheating passage 12, a hot water heating passage 13, a heat utilization circulation passage 14, a heating circulation passage 15, a control unit 10, and an operation remote control 20 for setting various functions of the hot water storage and heating system 2. Most of these components are housed together in an exterior case 16. The exterior case 16 is equipped with an outdoor temperature detection sensor 16a capable of detecting the outdoor air temperature. A human presence sensor (not shown) is also installed in the bathroom, and its detection signal is sent to the control unit 10.

[0016] Next, the hot water tank 4 will be described. The hot water storage tank 4 is composed of a sealed tank capable of storing high-temperature hot water (for example, 60 to 70°C) heated by the heat pump heat source unit 3, and the tank is covered with a heat insulating material to prevent the stored hot water from losing heat. A plurality of hot water temperature detection sensors 4a to 4d are provided in order at equal intervals from the bottom to the top around the outer periphery of the hot water storage tank 4, and these multiple hot water temperature detection sensors 4a to 4d detect the hot water temperatures of the multiple temperature stratifications inside the hot water storage tank 4.

[0017] Next, the auxiliary heat source unit 5 will be described. Auxiliary heat source unit 5 is configured as a known gas water heater incorporating a burner, heat exchanger, etc. Auxiliary heat source unit 5 is activated to burn and heat water based on commands from control unit 10 only in special cases, such as when the temperature of hot water in hot water storage tank 4 drops or when hot water cannot be dispensed from hot water storage tank 4.

[0018] Next, the water supply passage 8 will be described. The water supply system passage 8 supplies low-temperature clean water from a clean water source to the hot water storage tank 4, etc., and has an upstream water supply passage 8a, an intermediate water supply passage 8b, and a downstream water supply passage 8c, with the upstream end of the upstream water supply passage 8a connected to the clean water source and the downstream end of the downstream water supply passage 8c connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 4. A pressure reducing valve 8d is installed in the upstream water supply passage 8a, and a check valve 8e is installed in the intermediate water supply passage 8b.

[0019] A bypass passage 17, which connects to the hot water supply system passage 9, branches off between the upstream water supply passage 8a and the intermediate water supply passage 8b. A check valve 17a is installed in the bypass passage 17. A bypass passage 18, which connects to the heat utilization circulation passage 14, branches off between the intermediate water supply passage 8b and the downstream water supply passage 8c. A heat storage switching valve 19 is installed at this branch point. This bypass passage 18 allows low-temperature clean water to be supplied to the heat utilization circulation passage 14, and conversely, allows hot water to be returned from the heat utilization circulation passage 14 to the hot water storage tank 4.

[0020] Next, the hot water supply passage 9 will be described. The hot water supply system passage 9 supplies hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 4 to the desired hot water destination such as a bath, and includes a hot water supply passage 21 connected to a hot water tap, a tank hot water outlet passage 22 connected from the top of the hot water storage tank 4 to the hot water supply passage 21, an auxiliary heating passage 23 branching off from the tank hot water outlet passage 22 and connected to the auxiliary heat source unit 5, and an auxiliary heat source unit hot water outlet passage 24 connected from the auxiliary heat source unit 5 to the hot water supply passage 21.

[0021] The hot water supply passage 21 has an upstream hot water supply passage 21a through which high-temperature hot water flows, an intermediate hot water supply passage 21b through which mixed hot water flows, and a downstream hot water supply passage 21c, and the upstream end of the upstream hot water supply passage 21a is connected to the tank hot water outlet passage 22, and the downstream end of the downstream hot water supply passage 21c is connected to the hot water tap.

[0022] A mixing valve 25 is installed between the upstream hot water supply passage 21a and the intermediate hot water supply passage 21b. A bypass passage 17 branching off from the water supply system passage 8 is connected to this mixing valve 25. The mixing valve 25 controls the mixing ratio of low-temperature clean water and high-temperature hot water so that the hot water outlet temperature becomes the command temperature. A flow rate sensor 21d and a hot water outlet proportional valve 26 are installed in the intermediate hot water supply passage 21b. A branch passage 27 branching off from the bypass passage 17 is connected to the intermediate hot water supply passage 21b, and a high-temperature hot water outlet avoidance solenoid valve 28 is installed in the branch passage 27.

[0023] The tank hot water outlet passage 22 has an upper hot water outlet passage 22a and a lower hot water outlet passage 22b, with the upstream end of the upper hot water outlet passage 22a connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 4 and the downstream end of the lower hot water outlet passage 22b connected to the hot water supply passage 21. An auxiliary heating passage 23 branches off between the upper hot water outlet passage 22a and the lower hot water outlet passage 22b.

[0024] The auxiliary heating passage 23 has an upstream heating passage 23a and a downstream heating passage 23b, with the upstream end of the upstream heating passage 23a connected to the tank hot water outlet passage 22 and the downstream end of the downstream heating passage 23b connected to the inlet of the auxiliary heat source unit 5. A check valve 23c is installed in the upstream heating passage 23a, and a pressure pump 29 and a flow rate sensor 23d are installed in the downstream heating passage 23b.

[0025] A three-way valve 31 is installed between the upstream heating passage 23a and the downstream heating passage 23b, which can switch between the tank hot water outlet passage 22 and the auxiliary heating passage 23. The hot water return passage 14d of the heat utilization circulation circuit 14 is also connected to the three-way valve 31. This three-way valve 31 can switch between connection and disconnection between the upstream heating passage 23a and the downstream heating passage 23b, and between the downstream heating passage 23b and the hot water return passage 14d, and can connect all of the passages, the upstream heating passage 23a, the downstream heating passage 23b, and the hot water return passage 14d.

[0026] The auxiliary heat source unit hot water outlet passage 24 has an upstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24a and a downstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24b, with the upstream end of the upstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24a connected to the outlet of the auxiliary heat source unit 5 and the downstream end of the downstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24b connected to the upstream end of the hot water supply passage 21. The hot water supply passage 14a of the heat utilization circulation circuit 14 branches off between the upstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24a and the downstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24b. A tank water proportional valve 32 is installed in the downstream auxiliary hot water outlet passage 24b.

[0027] Next, the heat pump heat source unit 3 will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump type heat source unit 3 is configured by connecting a compressor 41, a condensing heat exchanger 42, an expansion valve 43, and an evaporative heat exchanger 44 via a refrigerant circuit 45. In this heat pump type heat source unit 3, the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit 45 is compressed and heated by the compressor 41. Then, hot water in the hot water storage tank 4, supplied from the circulation return passage 15a by driving the hot water storage pump 40, is heated by heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant in the condensing heat exchanger 42. The refrigerant, whose temperature has been lowered after the heat exchange, expands in the expansion valve 43 to a temperature lower than that of the outside air, absorbs heat from the outside air in the evaporative heat exchanger 44, and is then introduced back into the compressor 41. The evaporative heat exchanger 44 is equipped with a blower 46 and an outside air temperature sensor 47 that detects the outside air temperature.

[0028] Next, the hot water tank 4 and its peripheral equipment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, a bypass passage 15c is provided that connects a circulation forward passage 15a extending from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 4 to the heat pump heat source unit 3 with a circulation return passage 15b returning from the heat pump heat source unit 3 to the top of the hot water storage tank 4, and a three-way valve 33 is interposed at the connection between this bypass passage 15c and the circulation return passage 15b.When the temperature of the cooling water returning from the heat pump heat source unit 3 to the circulation return passage 15b is low, the hot water is circulated in the order of the circulation forward passage 15a, the heat pump heat source unit 3, the circulation return passage 15b, and the bypass passage 15c.

[0029] A drain pipe 54 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 4 via downstream water supply passage 8c, and a drain plug 55 is provided at the tip of this drain pipe 54. Water can be drained from the hot water storage tank 4 using the drain pipe 54 and drain plug 55. An air charge section 58, which connects the top of the hot water storage tank 4 to the outside, is made up of an air charge pipe 58a and an air charge plug 58b.

[0030] Next, the control unit 10 will be described. The hot water storage and heating apparatus 2 is controlled by a control unit 10. Detection signals from various sensors are sent to the control unit 10, which controls the operation of the hot water storage and heating apparatus 2, the start and stop of various pumps, the switching of the open / closed state of various valves and adjustment of their opening degrees, etc., and performs various operations (hot water supply operation, hot water storage operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, high-temperature hot water supply operation, heating operation, anti-freeze operation during normal power generation operation, etc.).

[0031] The control unit 10 is capable of data communication with an operation remote controller 20 that can be operated by the user, and when various operations are set by operating the switches on the operation remote controller 20, a command signal is sent from the operation remote controller 20 to the control unit 10. Note that hereinafter, "thermal load" will be simply referred to as "load."

[0032] Furthermore, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 10 is provided with a learning control program that achieves a heat load prediction function that predicts the future heat load per unit time and the predicted time based on past hot water supply performance information, and the heat load per unit time predicted by this heat load prediction function is Based on This is set at least one hour ahead of the predicted time of the heat load. The hot water storage operation of the heat pump heat source unit 3 is controlled.

[0033] This heat load prediction function (control program for learning control) classifies and predicts three types of loads: bath load, shower load, and other hot water load, and is configured to advance the predicted times of the bath load and shower load by the amount of the advance time when the control unit 10 determines that the start time of bath operation has been brought forward from the predicted time of the bath load. The actual hot water supply information for the bath load is acquired based on the amount of hot water supplied from the time when a command to fill the bath is received from the operation remote controller 20, and the actual hot water supply information for the shower load is acquired based on the amount of hot water supplied to the bathroom when the human presence sensor in the bathroom is ON.

[0034] Next, the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning control will be explained with reference to Figs. Figure 3(A) shows an example of the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (I), Figure 3(B) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the start time of bath operation is brought forward by one hour, Figure 3(C) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the start time of bath operation is brought forward by two hours, and Figure 3(D) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the start time of bath operation is brought forward by three hours.

[0035] Hot water loads are predicted by classifying them into three types of thermal loads: bath load, shower load, and other hot water load. The hot water storage plan starts storing hot water at least one hour before the predicted load and completes storage by the predicted time.

[0036] However, although not shown in the figure, bath loads and shower loads that are more than a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours) in the future from the originally predicted time of the advanced bath load are not subject to advancement. Furthermore, for the bath load and shower load whose predicted times have been brought forward, the first portion that cannot be handled by hot water storage in the heat pump heat source unit 3 is supplied with hot water by operating the auxiliary heat source unit 5, and the second portion that can be handled by hot water storage in the heat pump heat source unit 3 is stored by setting the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 to its maximum output. Note that "Q" in Figure 3(A) indicates the maximum amount of hot water that can be stored in one hour when the heat pump heat source unit 3 is operating in hot water storage mode.

[0037] When the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (I) are set as shown in Figure 3(A), the bath operation start time is from 7 PM to 6 PM. More than the set timeIf the schedule is brought forward by one hour, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 3(B). That is, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be brought forward by one hour, while the other hot water supply loads will remain unchanged and the initial prediction will be maintained. This is because the other hot water supply is mainly for the kitchen and is not related to the bath.

[0038] If the schedule is brought forward by one hour, the hot water stored for bath use in the 17:00s will be used to fill the baths. However, the remaining hot water stored for bath use that should have been stored in the 17:00s (this corresponds to the first part) is determined not to be ready in time and is therefore deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the remaining hot water is supplied (filled) from the auxiliary heat source unit 5 by operating the auxiliary heat source unit 5. In addition, the hot water stored for shower use (this corresponds to the second part) is brought forward by one hour and stored in the hot water storage tank 4 by the heat pump heat source unit 3 in the 18:00s. In this case, the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 is set to maximum output to store the hot water. This is to shorten the hot water storage time.

[0039] When the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (I) are set as shown in Figure 3(A), if the bath operation start time is moved forward by two hours from 7 PM to 5 PM, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 3(C). In other words, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be moved forward by two hours, and the other hot water loads will remain unchanged, maintaining the initial prediction.

[0040] In the case of two hours earlier, hot water should be stored in the 16:00 range. Ta It is determined that the hot water storage for the bath (which corresponds to the first part) will not be completed in time, so it is deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the hot water (entire amount) is supplied (filled) from the auxiliary heat source unit 5 by operating the auxiliary heat source unit 5. In addition, the hot water storage for showers (which corresponds to the second portion) is brought forward by two hours to around 5 p.m., and stored in the hot water storage tank 4 by the heat pump heat source unit 3. In this case, the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 is set to maximum output to store hot water.

[0041] study (I)If the predicted load and hot water storage plan are set as shown in Figure 3(A), and the start time of the bath operation is brought forward by three hours from 7 PM to 4 PM, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 3(D). In other words, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be brought forward by three hours, and the other hot water loads will remain unchanged and the initial prediction will be maintained.

[0042] In the case of a three-hour advance, it is determined that the hot water for the bath (which corresponds to the first part) that should have been stored in the 3 p.m. time frame will not be enough, so it is deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the entire amount of hot water is supplied (filled) from auxiliary heat source unit 5 by operating auxiliary heat source unit 5. In addition, the hot water storage for showers (which corresponds to the second portion) is brought forward by three hours and stored in the hot water storage tank 4 by the heat pump heat source unit 3 at around 4 p.m. In this case, the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 is set to maximum output to store hot water.

[0043] Next, an example in which there is a bath load and a shower load for two people will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 4(A) shows an example of the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (II), Figure 4(B) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the bath operation start time is brought forward by one hour, Figure 4(C) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the bath operation start time is brought forward by two hours, and Figure 4(D) shows the predicted load and hot water storage plan when the bath operation start time is brought forward by three hours. Note that "Q" in Figure 4(A) indicates the maximum amount of hot water that can be stored in one hour under normal hot water storage operation.

[0044] When the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (II) are set as shown in Figure 4(A), if the bath operation start time is moved forward by one hour from 7:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 4(B). In other words, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be moved forward by one hour, while the other hot water supply loads will remain unchanged and the initial predictions will be maintained. This is because other hot water supply is mainly for the kitchen and other areas and is not related to the bath.

[0045] If the time is brought forward by one hour, the hot water stored for bath use between 17:00 and 18:00 is used to fill the bath. In addition, the hot water stored for shower use (which corresponds to the second portion) is brought forward by one hour and stored in hot water storage tank 4 by heat pump heat source unit 3 between 18:00 and 19:00. In this case, the output of heat pump heat source unit 3 is set to maximum output to store hot water. However, the other hot water that should have been stored in the 18:00 hour period is deemed unable to be stored because it exceeds the capacity of heat pump heat source unit 3, so it is deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the hot water for that amount is supplied (filled) by operating auxiliary heat source unit 5.

[0046] When the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (II) are set as shown in Figure 4(A), if the bath operation start time is brought forward by two hours from 7 PM to 5 PM, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 4(C). In other words, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be brought forward by two hours, and the other hot water loads will remain unchanged, maintaining the initial prediction.

[0047] In the case of a two-hour advance, it is determined that the hot water for the bath (which corresponds to the first part) that should have been stored in the 4 p.m. time frame will not be enough, so it is deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the entire amount of hot water is supplied (filled) from auxiliary heat source unit 5 by operating auxiliary heat source unit 5.

[0048] In addition, hot water for bath use in the 17:00 time slot (corresponding to the second portion) is stored one hour earlier by the heat pump heat exchanger 3, and hot water for shower use in the 17:00 and 18:00 time slots (corresponding to the second portion) is stored two hours earlier by the heat pump heat source unit 3 in the hot water storage tank 4. In this case, hot water is stored with the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 set to maximum output.

[0049] When the predicted load and hot water storage plan based on learning (II) are set as shown in Figure 4(A), if the bath operation start time is brought forward by three hours from 7 PM to 4 PM, the predicted load and hot water storage plan will be changed as shown in Figure 4(D). In other words, the bath load and shower load among the predicted loads will be brought forward by three hours, and the other hot water loads will remain unchanged, maintaining the initial prediction.

[0050] In the case of a three-hour advance, it is determined that the hot water for the bath (which corresponds to the first part) that should have been stored in the 3 p.m. time frame will not be enough, so it is deleted from the hot water storage plan, and the entire amount of hot water is supplied (filled) from auxiliary heat source unit 5 by operating auxiliary heat source unit 5. In addition, hot water for bath use in the 16:00 time slot (corresponding to the second portion) is stored two hours earlier by the heat pump heat source unit 3, and hot water for shower use (corresponding to the second portion) is stored in the hot water storage tank 4 by the heat pump heat source unit 3 in the 16:00 and 17:00 time slots, three hours earlier. In this case, hot water is stored at the maximum output of the heat pump heat source unit 3.

[0051] Next, the operation and effects of the hot water storage and supply system 1 will be described. When the start time of the bath operation is brought forward from the predicted time of the bath load, the predicted times of the bath load and shower load are brought forward by the amount of time mentioned above, so that the hot water storage operation plan of the heat pump heat source unit 3 is changed to accommodate the brought forward bath load and shower load, and the brought forward bath load and shower load can be handled while also supplying hot water by the auxiliary heat source unit 5 as needed. Moreover, by utilizing the heat pump heat source unit 3, the use of the auxiliary heat source unit 5 can be minimized.

[0052] For predicted bath loads and shower loads that occur more than a predetermined time (e.g., 3 hours) in the future from the start time of the advanced bath operation, the predicted times based on learning control are not changed because they are considered to be separate bath loads and shower loads unrelated to the advanced bath load, thereby preventing a decrease in the performance of the heat load prediction function.

[0053] Of the bath load and shower load whose predicted times have been brought forward, the first portion that cannot be handled by hot water storage in the heat pump heat source unit 3 is supplied by operating the auxiliary heat source unit, and the second portion that can be handled by hot water storage in the heat pump heat source unit 3 is stored by setting the output of the heat pump heat source unit 3 to its maximum output. Therefore, the auxiliary heat source unit 5 and the heat pump heat source unit 3 can be fully utilized to handle the brought-forward bath load and shower load.

[0054] 1) In the above embodiment, the time advance is in one-hour increments, such as 1 hour or 2 hours. However, even if the time advance is not in one-hour increments, such as 0.5 hours or 1.5 hours, the bath load and shower load can be advanced in the same manner as in the above embodiment. 2) In addition, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention in various forms by adding various modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also includes such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: Hot water storage system 2: Hot water storage unit 3: Heat pump heat source machine 4: Hot water tank 5:Auxiliary heat source machine 10: Control unit 20: Operation remote control

Claims

1. A hot water storage and hot water supply system comprising a main heat source unit for heating water, an auxiliary heat source unit, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, control means, and an operation remote controller, and a heat load prediction function for predicting future heat load per unit time and its predicted time by learning control based on past hot water supply performance information, wherein the hot water storage operation of the main heat source unit is controlled in a manner that precedes the predicted time of this heat load by a set time of at least one hour based on the heat load per unit time predicted by this heat load prediction function, and wherein the auxiliary heat source unit is operated to burn based on a command from the control means, The heat load prediction function is configured to classify and predict three types of heat load: bath load, shower load, and other hot water load, and when the control means determines that the start time of the bath filling operation commanded from the operation remote control has been advanced by more than the set time from the predicted time of the bath load, the control means advances the predicted times of the bath load and shower load by the advanced time in order to ensure the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank.

2. The hot water storage and hot water supply system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the control means excludes bath loads and shower loads that are more than a predetermined time in the future from the original predicted time of the advanced bath load from being advanced.

3. The hot water storage and hot water supply system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means supplies hot water by operating an auxiliary heat source machine for a first portion of the bath load and shower load whose predicted time has been brought forward, which cannot be handled by hot water storage in the main heat source machine, and stores hot water by setting the output of the main heat source machine to its maximum output for a second portion which can be handled by hot water storage in the main heat source machine.

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