Flow calculation device

Abstract

To provide a flow rate calculation device capable of calculating a flow rate of a terminal faucet in a water supply and hot water supply system with high accuracy when installing the water supply and hot water supply system.SOLUTION: A flow rate calculation device comprises: an input device 7 which is operated by a user; a display 8 which displays information for the user; and a computer 9 to which the input device 7 and the display 8 are connected. The computer 9 executes a flow rate calculation program to calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet in the water supply / hot-water supply system. The computer 9 comprises a storage part 10 that stores flow rate characteristics of multiple types of the terminal faucets connected to multiple locations among terminals of piping in the water supply / hot-water supply system, respectively. The computer 9 reads from the storage part 10 the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations selected through operation of the input device 7, calculates the flow rate per unit time for each of the terminal faucets when those plurality of terminal faucets are used simultaneously based on read-out flow rate characteristics, and displays results on the display 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow rate calculation device. [Background technology]

[0002] A water supply and hot water system installed in a building receives water from a water distribution pipe outside the building and provides hot water and water at a designated location within the building. When installing a water supply and hot water system in a building, hydraulic calculations are carried out at the time of construction to confirm whether the water supply and hot water system can provide the standard amount of water and hot water.

[0003] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes such hydraulic calculations as determining whether the required head of the entire hot water supply system is smaller than the head at the minimum planned dynamic water pressure of the distribution pipes. In this hydraulic calculation, the required head of the entire hot water supply system is calculated based on the diameter of the pipes in each section of the system. If the calculated required head of the entire hot water supply system is smaller than the head at the minimum planned dynamic water pressure of the distribution pipes by more than the range corresponding to the reference amount, it is determined that the reference amount of water or hot water can be supplied from the hot water supply system of the building, etc.

[0004] If the hydraulic calculation determines that the water supply and hot water system of a building, etc. cannot produce the standard amount of water or hot water, the diameter of the pipes in each section of the water supply and hot water system is appropriately changed and the required head of the entire water supply and hot water system is recalculated. Then, by adopting pipes of a diameter that is determined to be able to produce the standard amount of water or hot water from the water supply and hot water system of a building, etc., when the water supply and hot water system is actually installed in the building, the standard amount of water or hot water can be produced from the water supply and hot water system. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Water Supply Equipment Construction Technical Guidelines, Main Volume" (Published by the Water Supply Construction Technology Promotion Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, even if it was determined through the above hydraulic calculations that the water supply and hot water system could produce the above standard amount of water or hot water, the flow rate of the terminal faucet in the water supply and hot water system actually installed in a building, etc., did not necessarily satisfy the client who installed the water supply and hot water system.

[0007] This is because the flow rate of the terminal faucet in a hot and cold water supply system is affected by the type (model) of terminal faucet used, and depending on the terminal faucet actually used, the flow rate of the terminal faucet may be lower than the value desired by the client. Also, when replacing the terminal faucet of a hot and cold water supply system as part of a building renovation, the flow rate of the replaced terminal faucet may be lower than the flow rate of the terminal faucet before replacement, which can cause the client to feel uncomfortable.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a flow rate calculation device that can calculate with high accuracy the flow rate of a terminal faucet in a cold water supply and hot water system when the system is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The flow rate calculation device of claim 1 that solves the above problem is a flow rate calculation device that calculates the flow rate for each terminal tap connected to multiple locations at the end of the piping of a hot water supply system, and is equipped with a display that displays information to the user, a memory unit that stores the flow rate characteristics of multiple types of terminal taps, an input device that is operated by the user to select one terminal tap from the multiple types of terminal taps as the terminal tap to be connected to each of the multiple locations at the end of the piping in the hot water supply system, a calculation unit that reads out the flow rate characteristics of the multiple terminal taps selected through the input device from the memory unit and calculates the flow rate per unit time of each terminal tap when the multiple terminal taps are used simultaneously based on the read flow rate characteristics, and a display control unit that displays the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit on a display, wherein the memory unit stores images of the multiple types of terminal taps, and the display control unit reads out images of the multiple terminal taps selected through the input device from the memory unit and displays the read images simultaneously on the display.

[0010] The flow rate calculation device of claim 2 is the same as claim 1, wherein the input device is operated by a user to set an upper limit value for the flow rate per unit time for some of the multiple terminal taps, and when an upper limit value for the flow rate is set through the input device, the calculation unit calculates the flow rate of the terminal tap for which the upper limit value is set to be equal to the same upper limit value, and calculates the flow rates of terminal taps at other locations, provided that the flow rate of that terminal tap is the same as the upper limit value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when constructing a cold water supply and hot water supply system, the flow rate of a terminal water faucet in the cold water supply and hot water supply system can be calculated with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]A schematic diagram showing the water and hot water supply system installed in a building. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a flow rate calculation device. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a flow rate calculation program executed by a computer. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the faucet format input field and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the faucet image field. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the display state when the pull-down menu in the water meter input field is expanded. [Figure 15] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the display state when the pull-down menu of the water heater number input field is expanded. [Figure 16]10 is a schematic diagram showing the display mode when the pull-down menus in the fields for inputting the pipe diameter and the joint diameter in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field are expanded. [Figure 17] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the display mode when the pull-down menu in the field for inputting the fitting series in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 18] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 19] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 20] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 21] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 22] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing a calculation processing routine. [Figure 29] FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. [Figure 31]FIG. [Figure 32] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the display mode when the pull-down menu in the field for inputting the fitting series in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 33] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 34] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 35] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 36] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 37] A schematic diagram showing the display when the pull-down menu in the field for entering the type and model of fittings in the water supply component input field and the hot water supply component input field is expanded. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine. [Figure 39] 10 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine. [Figure 40] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 41] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 44] 10 is a flowchart showing an input information reflection processing routine. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing a calculation processing routine. [Figure 46] 10 is a flowchart showing a calculation processing routine. [Figure 47] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a flow rate calculation device and a flow rate calculation program will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an overview of a water supply and hot water system installed in a building. The water supply and hot water system is connected to a water distribution pipe outside the building via a meter 1, and receives water from the distribution pipe. The water supply and hot water system is equipped with a water supply pipe indicated by a thin solid line L1 and a hot water supply pipe indicated by a thick solid line L2. Each of these water supply pipes and hot water supply pipes is formed by connecting multiple piping components such as pipes and joints.

[0015] The water supply pipes (solid line L1) extend from the meter 1 to the building's washroom 2, bathroom 3, toilet 4, kitchen 5, etc., and are connected to a water heater 6 provided in the water and hot water supply system. Terminal faucets of the appropriate type are connected to the ends of the water supply pipes, i.e., the ends of the pipes located in the washroom 2, bathroom 3, toilet 4, kitchen 5, etc., of the pipes. On the other hand, the hot water supply pipes (solid line L2) are connected to the water heater 6 and extend from the water heater 6 to the building's washroom 2, bathroom 3, kitchen 5, etc., of the pipes. Terminal faucets of the appropriate type are also connected to the ends of the hot water supply pipes, i.e., the ends of the pipes located in the washroom 2, bathroom 3, toilet 4, kitchen 5, etc., of the pipes.

[0016] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the flow rate calculation device. The device is equipped with input devices 7, such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel, which are operated by the user, a display 8 that displays information to the user, and a computer 9 to which the input devices 7 and display 8 are connected. The computer 9 may be a personal computer such as a desktop, notebook, or tablet computer, or a portable computer such as a smartphone.

[0017] The computer 9 is capable of executing a flow rate calculation program that calculates the flow rate of a terminal faucet in a cold water supply and hot water supply system. The computer 9 is equipped with a memory unit 10 that stores the flow rate characteristics of multiple types of terminal faucets connected to the ends of cold water supply piping and hot water supply piping in the cold water supply and hot water supply system. Images of the multiple types of terminal faucets are also stored in the memory unit 10. The input device 7 connected to this computer 9 is operated by the user to select a terminal faucet to connect to the cold water supply and hot water system from among the multiple types of terminal faucets.

[0018] The computer 9 reads out from the memory unit 10 the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet selected through the operation of the input device 7, and calculates the flow rate per unit time of the terminal faucet based on the read-out flow rate characteristics. At this time, the computer 9 functions as a calculation unit for calculating the flow rate of the selected terminal faucet.

[0019] The computer 9 displays the calculated flow rate of the terminal tap on the display 8. The computer 9 also reads out an image of the terminal tap selected through operation of the input device 7 from the memory unit 10 and displays the read-out image on the display 8. As described above, the computer 9, which controls the display on the display 8, functions as a display control unit for displaying the calculated flow rate and the image of the terminal tap on the display 8.

[0020] 3 is a flowchart showing the main routine of a flow rate calculation program executed by the computer 9. This main routine is executed by the computer 9 at predetermined time intervals.

[0021] As the processing of step 101 (S101) of the main routine, the computer 9 executes a display process for displaying the flow rate calculation sheet shown in Figures 4 and 5 and the various elements in the sheet on the display 8. The various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet are used to obtain information necessary for calculating the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply system, to start calculating the above flow rate, to display the calculated flow rate, to clear the calculated flow rate, and so on.

[0022] As the process of S102, the computer 9 executes an input information reflection process that reflects the information input using the various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet in the display mode of the various elements, etc. in the flow rate calculation sheet. Furthermore, as the process of S103, the computer 9 executes a calculation process to calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply and hot water supply system based on the information input using the various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet.

[0023] In the calculation process of S103, not only the flow rate is calculated but also the flow velocity at the terminal faucet, and the display flow rate and display flow velocity determined based on the calculated flow rate and flow velocity are set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 in the computer 9. Then, the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in the predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 are displayed in the flow rate calculation sheet on the display 8 through the input information reflection process of S102.

[0024] Next, the flow rate calculation sheet will be described in detail. The flow rate calculation sheet contains various elements such as a piping diagram 11, a fluid selection field 12, a source pressure input field 13, a water meter input field 14, a calculation button 15a, a clear button 15b, a flow rate display field 16, a water supply faucet model input field 17, a water supply faucet image field 18, a hot water supply faucet model input field 19, and a hot water supply faucet image field 20. The flow rate calculation sheet also contains various elements such as a water supply rise height input field 21, a hot water supply rise height input field 22, a water supply component input field 23, a hot water supply component input field 24, and a water heater model input field 25.

[0025] Piping diagram 11 shows an outline of a cold water supply and hot water system. In fluid selection field 12, radio buttons are displayed that allow the user to select either "cold water supply" or "hot water supply" by operating input device 7. When the user wants to calculate the flow rate of a terminal faucet connected to the end of a cold water supply pipe (L1 in FIG. 1) in the cold water supply and hot water system, the user selects "cold water supply" in fluid selection field 12 by operating input device 7. On the other hand, when the user wants to calculate the flow rate of a terminal faucet connected to the end of a hot water supply pipe (solid line L2 in FIG. 1) in the cold water supply and hot water system, the user selects "hot water supply" in fluid selection field 12 by operating input device 7.

[0026] Incidentally, Fig. 4 shows the flow rate calculation sheet when "cold water supply" is selected in the fluid selection field 12, and the display / non-display state of various elements in the sheet. On the other hand, Fig. 5 shows the flow rate calculation sheet when "hot water supply" is selected in the fluid selection field 12, and the display / non-display state of various elements in the sheet.

[0027] Of the various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet, the user inputs corresponding values ​​into the main pressure input field 13, the water supply rise height input field 21, and the hot water supply rise height input field 22 by operating the input device 7. The value input into the main pressure input field 13 is the water pressure at a point upstream of the terminal faucet in the piping of the hot water supply system, for example, the water pressure at the connection point with the distribution pipe. The water supply rise height input field 21 is input with the height from the point corresponding to the value (water pressure) input into the main pressure input field 13 to the terminal faucet connected to the end of the water supply piping. Meanwhile, the hot water supply rise height input field 22 is input with the height from the above point to the terminal faucet connected to the end of the hot water supply piping.

[0028] The cold water supply faucet type input field 17 and the hot water supply faucet type input field 19 display radio buttons that allow the user to select one of several types of terminal faucets or "none" by operating the input device 7. The user selects the terminal faucet that is to be connected to the end of the piping in the cold water supply and hot water system by operating the input device 7, or selects "none" by operating the input device 7 if they wish to calculate the flow rate without connecting a terminal faucet. The radio buttons displayed in the cold water supply faucet type input field 17 and the hot water supply faucet type input field 19 are the same.

[0029] The water supply faucet image field 18 displays an image of the terminal faucet selected in the water supply faucet type input field 17, and the hot water supply faucet image field 20 displays an image of the terminal faucet selected in the hot water supply faucet type input field 19. Figures 6 to 13 show the relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the water supply faucet type input field 17 and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the water supply faucet image field 18. The relationship between the terminal faucet selected in the hot water supply faucet type input field 19 and the image of the terminal faucet displayed in the hot water supply faucet image field 20 is also the same as the relationship shown in Figures 6 to 13.

[0030] The type of water meter is entered in the water meter input field 14 of the flow rate calculation sheet (Figs. 4 and 5) by selecting from a pull-down menu based on the user's operation of the input device 7. Fig. 14 shows the display when the pull-down menu of the water meter input field 14 is expanded. When the pull-down menu is expanded, the user can select the appropriate type of water meter from the types of water meter displayed by the expansion.

[0031] In the water heater number input field 25 of the flow rate calculation sheet (Fig. 5), the water heater number is input by selecting from a pull-down menu based on the user's operation of the input device 7. Fig. 15 shows the display state when the pull-down menu of the water heater number input field 25 is expanded. When the pull-down menu is expanded, the user can select the appropriate water heater number from among the multiple water heater numbers displayed by the expansion.

[0032] The water supply component input field 23 on the flow rate calculation sheet (Figure 4) is for entering information about piping components such as pipes and fittings that form the water supply piping in a water supply / hot water system. The water supply component input field 23 includes a field for entering the diameter and length of the pipes used to form the piping. The water supply component input field 23 also includes a field for entering the pipe diameter, series, model / type, and number of fittings used to form the piping, as well as a display field for displaying the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component that forms the water supply piping in a water supply / hot water system.

[0033] The hot water supply component input field 24 of the flow rate calculation sheet (Figure 5) is used to input information about piping components such as pipes and fittings that form the hot water and water supply piping in the hot water and water supply system. The hot water supply component input field 24 includes a field for inputting the diameter and length of the pipes used to form the piping. The hot water supply component input field 24 also includes a field for inputting the diameter, series, model / type, and quantity of fittings used to form the piping. The hot water supply component input field 24 also includes a display field for displaying the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component that forms the hot water supply piping in the hot water and water supply system. The hot water supply component input field 24 also includes a display field for displaying the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component that forms the hot water supply piping in the hot water and water supply system.

[0034] In the water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24, the fields for inputting the pipe length and the number of fittings each have corresponding numerical values ​​input by the user through operation of the input device 7. In the fields for inputting the pipe diameter in the water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24, and the fields for inputting the fitting pipe diameter, series, and model / type, the user inputs the relevant information by selecting from pull-down menus through operation of the input device 7.

[0035] Figure 16 shows the display when the pull-down menu for the field for inputting the pipe diameter and fitting diameter is expanded. When the pull-down menu is expanded, the user can select the appropriate one from the multiple pipe diameters displayed. Figure 17 shows the display when the pull-down menu for the field for inputting the fitting series is expanded. When the pull-down menu is expanded, the user can select the appropriate one from the multiple series displayed.

[0036] The display mode when the pull-down menu for entering the fitting model and type is expanded changes depending on what is entered in the fitting series input field. Figures 18 to 22 show the display mode when the pull-down menu for entering the fitting model and type is expanded, and show the display mode when "WLJ," "WLJP," "Revos," "IL," or "PVC" is entered in the fitting series field, respectively.

[0037] When information on each piping component forming the hot water supply piping in the hot water supply and hot water system is entered in the water supply component input field 23, the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component are displayed in the corresponding display fields. When information on each piping component forming the hot water supply piping in the hot water supply and hot water system is entered in the hot water supply component input field 24, the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component are displayed in the corresponding display fields.

[0038] The calculation button 15a, flow rate display field 16, and clear button 15b on the flow rate calculation sheet are used to start calculating the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the hot and cold water supply system, display the calculated flow rate, and clear the calculated flow rate, respectively. When the user presses the calculation button 15a through the input device 7, the flow rate of the terminal faucet is calculated based on the information entered into the flow rate calculation sheet, and the display flow rate is determined based on the calculated flow rate. The display flow rate is then displayed in the flow rate display field 16, allowing the user to check the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the hot and cold water supply system. When the user presses the clear button 15b through the input device 7, the calculated flow rate is cleared.

[0039] Incidentally, the flow rate calculation sheet in FIG. 5 has the information necessary for calculating the above flow rate entered, and the flow rate is calculated based on that information, and the display flow rate determined based on that flow rate is displayed in the flow rate display field 16.

[0040] Next, the display process of S101 in the main routine shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine executed by the computer 9 each time the process proceeds to S101 of the main routine (Fig. 3). As part of the processing of S201 to S207 of this routine, the computer 9 displays the various elements described above on the flow rate calculation sheet (Figs. 4 and 5). In more detail, the flow rate calculation sheet displays a piping diagram 11, a fluid selection field 12, a source pressure input field 13, a water meter input field 14, a calculation button 15a, a clear button 15b, a flow rate display field 16, a cold water supply faucet type input field 17, and a hot water supply faucet type input field 19.

[0041] In the next process of S208, the computer 9 determines whether or not "supply water" has been selected in the fluid selection field 12. The selection of "supply water" in the fluid selection field 12 means that a flow rate calculation is being performed for a terminal faucet connected to the end of a water supply pipe in a hot and cold water supply system. In this case, the processes of S209 to S212 are executed to change the display mode of various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the flow rate calculation for the terminal faucet.

[0042] In detail, the computer 9 displays the cold water supply faucet image field 18 and hides the hot water supply faucet image field 20 as the processing of S209, and displays the cold water supply rise height input field 21 and hides the hot water supply rise height input field 22 as the processing of S210. Furthermore, the computer 9 displays the water supply component input field 23 and hides the hot water supply component input field 24 as the processing of S211, and hides the water heater number input field 25 as the processing of S212. By the processing of S209 to S212, the display mode of the various elements on the flow rate calculation sheet becomes as shown in FIG.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S208 of the display process routine that "cold water supply" is not selected in the fluid selection field 12, then "hot water supply" is selected. The fact that "hot water supply" is selected in the fluid selection field 12 means that a flow rate calculation is being performed for a terminal faucet connected to the end of the hot water supply piping in the cold water supply and hot water supply system. In this case, the processes of S213 to S216 are executed to change the display mode of various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the flow rate calculation of the terminal faucet.

[0044] More specifically, in the processing of S213, the computer 9 displays the hot water supply faucet image field 20 and hides the cold water supply faucet image field 18, and in the processing of S214, displays the hot water supply rise height input field 22 and hides the cold water supply rise height input field 21. Furthermore, in the processing of S215, the computer 9 displays the hot water supply component input field 24 and hides the cold water supply component input field 23, and in the processing of S216, displays the water heater model number input field 25. After executing the series of processing of S209 to S212 or the series of processing of S213 to S216, the computer 9 temporarily ends this display processing routine and returns to S101 of the main routine (FIG. 3).

[0045] Next, the input information reflection process in S102 in the main routine shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27 are flowcharts showing an input information reflection processing routine executed by the computer 9 each time the main routine proceeds to S102.

[0046] In the process of S301, the computer 9 determines whether or not a numerical value has been input in the source pressure input field 13 of the flow rate calculation sheet. If it is determined that a numerical value has been input in the source pressure input field 13, the process proceeds to S302, and the computer 9 displays the numerical value in the source pressure input field 13 in the process of S302. On the other hand, if it is determined in S301 that a numerical value has not been input in the source pressure input field 13 of the flow rate calculation sheet, the process proceeds to S303, and the computer 9 displays a blank in the source pressure input field 13 of the flow rate calculation sheet in the process of S303. After the process of either S302 or S303 has been performed, the process proceeds to S304.

[0047] In the process of S304, the computer 9 determines whether or not a water meter type has been selected in the water meter input field 14 of the flow rate calculation sheet. If it is determined that a water meter type has been selected, the process proceeds to S305, where the computer 9 displays the selected water meter type in the water meter input field 14 in the process of S305. On the other hand, if it is determined in S304 that a water meter type has not been selected in the water meter input field 14, the process proceeds to S306, where the computer 9 displays a blank in the water meter input field 14 in the process of S306. After the process of either S305 or S306 has been performed, the process proceeds to S307.

[0048] In the process of S307, the computer 9 determines whether or not "supply water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12. If it is determined that "supply water" is selected, that is, if a flow rate calculation is being performed for a terminal faucet connected to the end of a water supply pipe, the process proceeds to the processes of S308 to S314 shown in FIG.

[0049] The computer 9 checks the water supply button in the fluid selection field 12 in S308, and then determines in S309 whether "None" is selected as the water supply faucet type in the water supply faucet type input field 17. If "None" is selected, the process proceeds to S310, where the computer 9 hides the display mode of the terminal faucet (water supply faucet) image in the water supply faucet image field 18 in S310. On the other hand, if it is determined in S309 that "None" is not selected, in other words, if one of multiple types of terminal faucets has been selected, the process proceeds to S311. The process of S311 corresponds to the read process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. In S311, the computer 9 reads an image of the selected terminal faucet from the memory unit 10 and displays the read image in the water supply faucet image field 18. After performing either S310 or S311, the process proceeds to S312 and subsequent steps.

[0050] In step S312, the computer 9 determines whether component information for piping components such as pipes and fittings has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, i.e., the pipe diameter and length, and the fitting diameter, series, model, type, and quantity. If it is determined that component information for piping components has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, the computer 9 displays the entered component information and calculates the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + equivalent pipe length total" for each piping component based on the component information, and displays them in the corresponding display fields. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S312 that component information for piping components has not been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to step S314. In step S314, the computer 9 blanks out the display field for the water supply component input field 23. After performing either step S313 or S314, the process proceeds to step S325 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. 27.

[0051] If it is determined in S307 (Figure 24) of the input information reflection processing routine that "Water Supply" is not selected in the fluid selection field 12, that is, if the flow rate calculation is being performed for the terminal faucet connected to the end of the hot water supply pipe, the processing proceeds to S315 to S324 shown in Figure 26.

[0052] The computer 9 checks the hot water button in the fluid selection field 12 in step S315, and then determines in step S316 whether "None" has been selected as the hot water faucet type in the hot water faucet type input field 19. If "None" has been selected, the process proceeds to step S317, where the computer 9 hides the display mode of the image of the terminal faucet (hot water faucet) in the hot water faucet image field 20 in step S317. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S316 that "None" has not been selected, in other words, if any terminal faucet out of multiple types of terminal faucets has been selected, the process proceeds to step S318. In step S318, the computer 9 reads an image of the selected terminal faucet from the storage unit 10 and displays the read image in the hot water faucet image field 20. This step S318 corresponds to the read process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. After either step S317 or S318 has been performed, the process proceeds to step S319 and subsequent steps.

[0053] In the process of S319, the computer 9 determines whether or not component information of piping components such as pipes and joints has been entered in the hot water supply component input field 24, i.e., the pipe diameter and length, and the joint diameter, series, model, type, and number. If it is determined that component information of piping components has been entered in the hot water supply component input field 24, the process proceeds to S320. In the process of S320, the computer 9 displays the input component information, and calculates the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" of each piping component based on the component information, and displays them in the corresponding display fields. Meanwhile, in S316, the hot water supply component input field 24 is If it is determined that component information for the piping component has not been entered in field 24, the process proceeds to S321. In the process of S321, computer 9 displays blank in the display field of hot water supply component input field 24. After the process of either S320 or S321 is performed, the process proceeds to S322 and subsequent processes.

[0054] In the process of S322, computer 9 determines whether or not a water heater model number has been entered in water heater model number input field 25. If it is determined that a water heater model number has been entered, the process proceeds to S323, and computer 9 displays the entered water heater model number in water heater model number input field 25 in the process of S323. On the other hand, if it is determined in S322 that a water heater model number has not been entered, the process proceeds to S324, and computer 9 displays a blank in water heater model number input field 25 in the process of S324. After the process of either S323 or S324 has been performed, the process proceeds to S325 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. 27.

[0055] In the process of S325, the computer 9 determines whether the display flow rate and display flow velocity to be displayed in the flow rate display field 16 have been set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10. The display flow rate and display flow velocity are determined based on the flow rate of the terminal faucet calculated in the calculation process of S103 of the main routine (Fig. 3), and are set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 through the calculation process. If it is determined in S325 that the display flow rate and display flow velocity have not been set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10, the process proceeds to S327. In the process of S327, the computer 9 blanks out the display in the flow rate display field 16, and then temporarily ends the input information reflection processing routine. Then, the process returns to S102 of the main routine (FIG. 3).

[0056] If it is determined in S325 that the display flow rate and display flow velocity have been set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10, the process proceeds to S326. The process of S326 corresponds to the flow rate display process in the flow rate calculation program. As the process of S326, the computer 9 displays the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 in the flow rate display field 16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S328. The processes of S328 to S331 are intended to determine whether or not the flow velocity displayed in the flow rate display field 16 (displayed flow velocity) is affected by water hammer, and to display the determination result on the flow rate calculation sheet on the display 8.

[0057] More specifically, in the process of S328, the computer 9 determines whether the pipe has deformation characteristics based on the component information entered in the water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24. If it is determined that the pipe has deformation characteristics, that is, if the pipe is a cross-linked polyethylene pipe, polybutene pipe, metal flexible pipe, or the like, the process proceeds to S329. In the process of S329, the computer 9 determines whether the flow velocity displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is greater than a judgment value A (e.g., 3 m / s).

[0058] If it is determined here that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is equal to or less than the judgment value A, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will not occur, the computer 9 temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine and returns to S102 of the main routine (Fig. 3). On the other hand, if it is determined in S329 that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is greater than the judgment value A, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will occur, the computer 9 proceeds to S331. As the processing of S331, the computer 9 displays "NG" together with the flow rate in the flow rate display field 16, and then temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine and returns to S102 of the main routine (Fig. 3).

[0059] If it is determined in S328 that the pipe does not have deformation characteristics, that is, if the pipe is a steel pipe, PVC pipe, or the like that does not have deformation characteristics, the process proceeds to S330. In the process of S330, the computer 9 determines whether the flow velocity displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is greater than a judgment value B (for example, 2 m / s) that is smaller than the judgment value A.

[0060] If it is determined here that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is equal to or less than the judgment value B, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will not occur, the computer 9 temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine and returns to S102 of the main routine (Fig. 3). On the other hand, if it is determined in S330 that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display field 16 is greater than the judgment value B, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will occur, the computer 9 proceeds to S331. In the processing of S331, the computer 9 displays "NG" together with the flow rate in the flow rate display field 16, and then temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine and returns to S102 of the main routine (Fig. 3).

[0061] Next, the calculation process of S103 in the main routine shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a calculation processing routine executed by the computer 9 each time the process proceeds to S103 of the main routine. The computer 9 determines whether the calculation button 15a has been pressed as the process of S401 of this routine, and if it is determined that the calculation button 15a has been pressed, the process proceeds to S402. The processes of S402 and S403 are for calculating the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply system. The computer 9 determines, as the process of S402, whether the minimum information required to calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet has been entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. If it is determined that the minimum information required to calculate the flow rate has been entered, the process proceeds to S403. The process of S403 corresponds to the calculation process in the flow rate calculation program.

[0062] In step S403, the computer 9 calculates the flow rate and flow velocity at the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply system as a calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity, respectively, based on the information entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. Specifically, the computer 9 reads the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet from a predetermined area in the memory unit 10 and calculates the pressure loss at the terminal faucet based on the information entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. Furthermore, the computer 9 calculates the flow velocity at the terminal faucet as a calculated flow velocity based on the calculated pressure loss, and calculates the flow rate at the terminal faucet as a calculated flow rate based on the read flow rate characteristics and the calculated pressure loss. The process then proceeds to step S404.

[0063] The processing of steps S404 to S408 is for setting the display flow rate and display flow velocity in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10 based on the calculated calculated flow rate and calculated flow rate. In the processing of S404, computer 9 determines whether "hot water supply" is selected in fluid selection field 12, and if "hot water supply" is selected, in the processing of S405, determines whether a water heater number has been specified based on the input information in water heater number input field 25. If a negative determination is made in either S404 or S405, the process proceeds to S407. In the processing of S407, computer 9 sets the calculated calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity as the display flow rate and display flow velocity in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10.

[0064] If a positive determination is made in both S404 and S405, the process proceeds to S406. In the process of S406, the computer 9 determines whether the calculated flow rate is equal to or less than the maximum water heater flow rate. Note that a maximum flow rate corresponding to the model number of the water heater is set for the water heater, and the computer 9 uses the value corresponding to the model number specified in the water heater model number input field 25 as the maximum water heater flow rate in S406. The flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the hot water supply piping in the cold water supply and hot water system is limited by the maximum water flow rate of the water heater, so in order to address this, if it is determined in S406 that the calculated flow rate is greater than the maximum water heater flow rate, the process of S408 is executed.

[0065] In step S408, computer 9 sets the maximum water heater flow rate as the display flow rate in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10, and also sets the maximum water heater flow rate, which is the flow rate at which the maximum water heater flow rate is achieved, as the display flow rate in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10. On the other hand, if it is determined in S406 that the calculated flow rate is equal to or less than the maximum water heater flow rate, the above-mentioned process of S407 is executed. After either S407 or S408 is performed, the process proceeds to S409. Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in S401 or S402, the process proceeds to S409.

[0066] The computer 9 determines whether the clear button 15b has been pressed in the process of S409, and if it is determined that the clear button 15b has not been pressed, it terminates the calculation processing routine and returns to S103 of the main routine (FIG. 3). On the other hand, if it is determined in S409 that the clear button 15b has been pressed, it proceeds to S410. The computer 9 clears the displayed flow rate and displayed flow velocity set in a predetermined area of ​​the storage unit 10 in the process of S410, and then terminates the calculation processing routine and returns to S103 of the main routine (FIG. 3).

[0067] Next, the process (calculation process) of S403 in the calculation process routine (FIG. 28) will be described in more detail. In a cold water supply and hot water system to which a terminal faucet is connected, various pressure losses occur, such as pressure loss ΔP1 at the water meter, pressure loss ΔP2 in the water supply piping, pressure loss ΔP3 at the water heater, pressure loss ΔP4 in the hot water supply piping, pressure loss ΔP5 based on the rise height of the terminal faucet, and pressure loss ΔP6 at the terminal faucet.In a cold water supply and hot water system, because the water pressure at the outlet of the terminal faucet is "0," the relationship shown in the following equation (1) or equation (2) holds between the source pressure P and the various pressure losses ΔP1, ΔP2, ΔP3, ΔP4, ΔP5, and ΔP6.

[0068] P-ΔP1-ΔP2-ΔP5-ΔP6=0 …(1) P-ΔP1-ΔP2-ΔP3-ΔP4-ΔP5-ΔP6=0 …(2) Incidentally, formula (1) is the relational equation when a terminal faucet is connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system, and formula (2) is the relational equation when a terminal faucet is connected to the end of the hot water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system.

[0069] In the process of S403 (FIG. 28), parameters such as the source pressure P and the various pressure losses ΔP1, ΔP2, ΔP3, ΔP4, ΔP5, among the source pressure P and the various pressure losses ΔP1, ΔP2, ΔP3, ΔP4, ΔP5, ΔP6 used in equations (1) and (2), are acquired based on information entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. That is, the above parameters are acquired by directly entering numerical values, by calculation based on the entered numerical values, by reading from a database stored in advance in the storage unit 10 based on the selection of a type (category), etc.

[0070] The flow rate Q per unit time of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply system can be calculated using the following formula (3) based on the flow coefficient C, the flow path cross-sectional area S, and the flow velocity V. Q = C S V …(3) Note that the flow path cross-sectional area S in equation (3) is the maximum value of the flow path cross-sectional area at the terminal faucet and varies depending on the type of terminal faucet. Also, the flow coefficient C in equation (3) is a value that varies depending on the viscosity of the fluid (in this embodiment, water or hot water) passing through the terminal faucet. Also, the flow velocity V used in equation (3) is the passing velocity of the fluid at the terminal faucet, and can be expressed using the following equation (4) based on the pressure loss ΔP6 and fluid density ρ of the terminal faucet.

[0071] V=(2·ΔP6 / ρ)^0.5 …(4) The fluid density ρ in equation (4) is the density of the water (or hot water) passing through the terminal faucet, and a fixed value is used here. Also, the term "(2·ΔP6 / ρ)^0.5" in equation (4) represents the square root of the term "2·ΔP6 / ρ". By substituting equation (4) into equation (3), we obtain the following equation (5) for calculating the flow rate Q of the terminal faucet.

[0072] Q=C·S·{(2·ΔP6 / ρ)^0.5} …(5) In the process of S403 (Fig. 3), the flow rate Q of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply pipe in the cold water supply and hot water system is calculated using equations (5) and (1). Also, the flow rate Q of the terminal faucet connected to the hot water supply pipe in the cold water supply and hot water system is calculated as a calculated flow rate using equations (5) and (2). Furthermore, in the process of S403, the flow velocity V at the terminal faucet is calculated as a calculated flow velocity using equation (4).

[0073] The term "C·S" in equation (5) is a value that represents the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet, and differs depending on the type of terminal faucet and whether the fluid flowing through the terminal faucet is cold or hot water. The memory unit 10 of the computer 9 stores the above-mentioned "C·S" values ​​as the flow rate characteristics of multiple types of terminal faucets, for each type of terminal faucet and for both cold water (assuming water at 20°C, for example) and hot water (assuming water at 40°C, for example).

[0074] When calculating the flow rate Q (calculated flow rate), the computer 9 reads out the corresponding "C·S" value from the memory unit 10 based on the type of terminal faucet and whether the flowing fluid is cold or hot water, and uses the read-out value to calculate the flow rate Q. Therefore, in the processing of S403, the flow rate Q of the terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply / hot water supply system can be calculated with high accuracy based on the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet.

[0075] Next, the effects of the flow rate calculation device and the flow rate calculation program of this embodiment will be described. (1) When the flow rate calculation program is executed by computer 9, a flow rate calculation sheet is displayed on display 8. The user operates input device 7 to input the information necessary to calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet to be connected to the cold water supply and hot water system into the various elements of the flow rate calculation sheet. At that time, the user selects the terminal faucet to be connected to the cold water supply and hot water system from among multiple types of terminal faucets in cold water supply faucet type input field 17 and hot water supply faucet type input field 19, which are among the various elements of the flow rate calculation sheet. When the terminal faucet to be connected to the cold water supply and hot water system is selected in this way, the flow rate characteristics of the selected terminal faucet, specifically the value of the term "C·S" used in the above formula (5), are read from memory unit 10 of computer 9.

[0076] After inputting the necessary information, the user presses the calculation button 15a on the flow calculation sheet via the input device 7. The flow rate per unit time of the selected terminal faucet when connected to the end of the piping in the hot and cold water supply system is calculated with high accuracy based on the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet (the value of the term "C·S") and other factors. Furthermore, the calculated flow rate is displayed in the flow rate display field 16 of the flow calculation sheet on the display 8. Therefore, before connecting the terminal faucet to the hot and cold water supply system, the user can see the flow rate of the terminal faucet by looking at the flow rate display field 16 of the flow calculation sheet on the display 8, and can select from multiple types of terminal faucets the terminal faucet that will provide the desired flow rate. Connecting the selected terminal faucet to the hot and cold water supply system prevents the flow rate of the terminal faucet from being lower than the client's desired value after the system is installed.

[0077] (2) When the user operates the input device 7 to select from multiple types of terminal faucets the terminal faucet to be connected to the cold water supply and hot water system in the cold water supply faucet type input field 17 or the hot water supply faucet type input field 19, among the various elements of the flow rate calculation sheet, an image of the selected terminal faucet is read from the memory unit 10 of the computer 9. Furthermore, the image of the read terminal faucet is displayed in the cold water supply faucet image field 18 or the hot water supply faucet image field 20 on the calculation sheet on the display 8. This makes it easy for the user to correlate the selected terminal faucet with the resulting flow rate.

[0078] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the flow rate calculation device and the flow rate calculation program will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0079] The flow rate calculation device and flow rate calculation program of this embodiment calculate and display the flow rate for each terminal faucet connected to multiple locations on the ends of the piping of a hot and cold water supply system when the terminal faucets are used simultaneously.

[0080] In this embodiment, the simultaneous use of two terminal faucets in a cold water supply and hot water supply system is described. Such simultaneous use includes simultaneous use of terminal faucets connected to two locations on a cold water supply pipe, simultaneous use of terminal faucets connected to one location on a cold water supply pipe and one location on a hot water supply pipe, and simultaneous use of terminal faucets connected to two locations on a hot water supply pipe.

[0081] Incidentally, when terminal faucets connected to two locations on the water supply pipe in a hot and cold water supply system are used simultaneously, the water supply pipe theoretically branches into two, and terminal faucets are connected to the ends of each of the branched pipes.

[0082] In addition, when terminal faucets connected to one point of a water supply pipe and one point of a hot water supply pipe in a water supply and hot water supply system are used simultaneously, the water supply pipe theoretically branches into two, with one terminal faucet connected to the end of one of the branched pipes, and the water heater and hot water supply pipe connected to the other branched pipe, and the other terminal faucet connected to the end of the same pipe.

[0083] Furthermore, when terminal faucets connected to two locations on the hot water supply piping in a water supply and hot water system are used simultaneously, the hot water supply piping theoretically branches into two, and terminal faucets are connected to the ends of each of the branched piping.

[0084] 29 to 31 show the flow rate calculation sheet of this embodiment. Below, the differences between this flow rate calculation sheet and the flow rate calculation sheet of the first embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) will be described.

[0085] The piping diagram 11 in the flow calculation sheets of Figures 29 to 31 shows the connection state of the terminal faucets used at multiple locations to the cold water supply and hot water supply system. In addition, the fluid selection field 12 in the flow calculation sheets displays radio buttons that the user can use to select one of "cold water - cold water," "cold water - hot water," and "hot water - hot water" by operating the input device 7.

[0086] When a user wants to calculate the flow rate when two terminal faucets connected to the water supply pipes in a cold water supply system are used simultaneously, the user selects "water-water" in the fluid selection field 12 by operating the input device 7. Figure 29 shows the flow rate calculation sheet at this time and the display / non-display state of various elements on the sheet.

[0087] When a user wants to calculate the flow rate when two terminal faucets connected to a cold water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe in a cold water supply and hot water supply system are used simultaneously, the user selects "cold water - hot water" in the fluid selection field 12 by operating the input device 7. Figure 30 shows the flow rate calculation sheet at this time and the display / non-display status of various elements on the sheet.

[0088] When a user wants to calculate the flow rate when two terminal faucets connected to a hot water supply pipe in a cold water supply and hot water supply system are used simultaneously, the user selects "Hot water - Hot water" in the fluid selection field 12 by operating the input device 7. Figure 31 shows the flow rate calculation sheet at this time and the display / non-display status of various elements on the sheet.

[0089] The flow rate calculation sheet has a first faucet type input field 31 and a second faucet type input field 32 to accommodate terminal faucets that will be used simultaneously, as well as two cold water faucet image fields 18 and two hot water faucet image fields 20. The display and operation modes of the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32 are the same as the display and operation modes of the cold water faucet type input field 17 and the cold water faucet image field 18 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the flow rate calculation sheet has two flow rate display fields 16a and 16b to accommodate terminal faucets that will be used simultaneously.

[0090] Two flow rate restriction fields 33a and 33b have been added to the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the two flow rate display fields 16a and 16b. The flow rate restriction fields 33a and 33b each have a check box and a restricted flow rate input field for entering a numerical value, and it is possible to check the check box and enter a numerical value in the restricted flow rate input field.

[0091] The flow rate calculation sheet also has an all input clear button 15c and two limit calculation buttons 34a, 34b added. The all input clear button 15c is used to clear all of the information entered in the flow rate calculation sheet. The two limit calculation buttons 34a, 34b correspond to the two flow rate limit fields 33a, 33b, and are used to limit the flow rate of the corresponding terminal faucet among the terminal faucets used simultaneously using the numerical value (flow rate) entered in one of the limit flow rate input fields of the flow rate limit fields 33a, 33b, and then calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet used simultaneously.

[0092] The water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24 on the flow rate calculation sheet correspond to the water supply piping and the hot water supply piping in the water and hot water supply system, respectively, but some of these piping will theoretically branch into two when the terminal faucets are used simultaneously. The water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24 corresponding to piping that includes such branches have different fields for entering the series, model, and type of fittings used to form the piping from the other water supply component input fields 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24.

[0093] Figure 32 shows the display when the pull-down menu for the fitting series input field is expanded. When the pull-down menu is expanded, the user can select the appropriate pipe diameter from the multiple pipe diameters displayed. When "WLJ," "WLJP," "Revos," "IL," or "PVC" is entered in the fitting series input field, the display when the pull-down menu for the fitting model and type input field is expanded is as shown in Figures 33 to 37, respectively.

[0094] Of the flow rate calculation sheets in Figures 29 to 31 described above, the flow rate calculation sheet in Figure 30 has the information necessary for calculating the above flow rate input, and calculates the above flow rate based on that information, and displays the display flow rate determined based on that flow rate in the flow rate display fields 16a and 16b.

[0095] Next, the display processing routine of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As part of the processing of steps S501 to S507 of this routine, the computer 9 displays various elements on the flow rate calculation sheet. Specifically, the flow rate calculation sheet displays a piping diagram 11, a fluid selection field 12, a source pressure input field 13, a water meter input field 14, a calculation button 15a, a clear button 15b, a clear all input button 15c, and limit calculation buttons 34a and 34b. Furthermore, the flow rate calculation sheet displays flow rate display fields 16a and 16b, flow rate limit fields 33a and 33b, a first faucet type input field 31, and a second faucet type input field 32.

[0096] In the next process of S508, the computer 9 determines whether or not "water-water" has been selected in the fluid selection field 12. The selection of "water-water" in the fluid selection field 12 means that the flow rates of two terminal faucets connected to the water supply pipe in the hot and cold water supply system when used simultaneously are to be calculated. In this case, the processes of S509 to S512 are executed to change the display mode of various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the calculation of the flow rates of the terminal faucets.

[0097] In detail, the computer 9 displays the cold water supply faucet image field 18 and hides the hot water supply faucet image field 20 as the processing of S509, and displays the cold water supply rise height input field 21 and hides the hot water supply rise height input field 22 as the processing of S510. Furthermore, the computer 9 displays the water supply component input field 23 and hides the hot water supply component input field 24 as the processing of S511, and hides the water heater number input field 25 as the processing of S512. By the processing of S509 to S512, the display mode of the various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet becomes as shown in FIG.

[0098] On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S508 (FIG. 38) that "cold water - cold water" is not selected in the fluid selection field 12, the process proceeds to S513 of FIG. 39. In the processing of S513, the computer 9 determines whether "cold water - hot water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12. The selection of "cold water - hot water" in the fluid selection field 12 means that calculations are being made for the flow rates of one terminal faucet connected to the cold water supply pipe and one terminal faucet connected to the hot water supply pipe in the cold water supply and hot water supply system when they are used simultaneously. In this case, the processing of S514 to S517 is executed to change the display mode of various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the flow rate calculation of the terminal faucet.

[0099] In detail, the computer 9 displays a cold water supply faucet image field 18 and a hot water supply faucet image field 20 as the processing of S514, and displays a cold water supply rise height input field 21 and a hot water supply rise height input field 22 as the processing of S515. Furthermore, the computer 9 displays a water supply component input field 23 and a hot water supply component input field 24 as the processing of S516, and displays a water heater number input field 25 as the processing of S512. By the processing of S514 to S517, the display state of the various elements on the flow rate calculation sheet becomes as shown in FIG.

[0100] If it is determined in the process of S513 that "cold water - hot water" is not selected in the fluid selection field 12, i.e., if "hot water - hot water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12, the process proceeds to S518. Here, the fact that "hot water - hot water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12 means that the flow rate is to be calculated for each of the two terminal faucets connected to the hot water supply pipe in the cold water supply and hot water supply system. In this case, the processes of S518 to S520 are executed to change the display mode of various elements in the flow rate calculation sheet to correspond to the flow rate calculation for the terminal faucets.

[0101] In detail, the computer 9 displays the hot water supply faucet image field 20 and hides the cold water supply faucet image field 18 as processing at S518, and displays the hot water supply rise height input field 22 and hides the cold water supply rise height input field 21 as processing at S519. Furthermore, the computer 9 displays the hot water supply component input field 24 and the cold water supply component input field 23 as processing at S520, and proceeds to S517 to display the water heater model number input field 25, after which the display processing ends temporarily.

[0102] Next, the input information reflection processing routine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the processing of S601 of this routine, the computer 9 determines whether or not a numerical value has been input in the source pressure input field 13. If it is determined that a numerical value has been input in the source pressure input field 13, the process proceeds to S602, and the computer 9 displays the numerical value in the source pressure input field 13 as the processing of S602. On the other hand, if it is determined in S601 that a numerical value has not been input in the source pressure input field 13 of the flow rate calculation sheet, the process proceeds to S603, and the computer 9 displays a blank in the source pressure input field 13 of the flow rate calculation sheet as the processing of S603. After the processing of either S602 or S603 has been performed, the process proceeds to S604.

[0103] In the processing of S604, the computer 9 determines whether or not a water meter type has been selected in the water meter input field 14. If it is determined that a water meter type has been selected, the process proceeds to S605, where the computer 9 displays the selected water meter type in the water meter input field 14 in the processing of S605. On the other hand, if it is determined in S604 that a water meter type has not been selected in the water meter input field 14, the process proceeds to S606, where the computer 9 displays a blank in the water meter input field 14 in the processing of S606. After the processing of either S605 or S606 has been performed, the process proceeds to S607.

[0104] In the process of S607, the computer 9 determines whether the check boxes in the flow rate limit fields 33a, 33b are checked. If it is determined that they are checked, the process proceeds to S608, where the computer 9 displays the flow rate limit input field for the flow rate limit field 33a, 33b for which the check box is checked. On the other hand, if it is determined that no check box is checked in S607, the process proceeds to S609, where the computer 9 hides the flow rate limit input field for the flow rate limit field 33a, 33b for which the check box is not checked. After the process of either S608 or S609 has been performed, the process proceeds to S610.

[0105] In the process of S610, the computer 9 determines whether a numerical value has been input in the displayed limit flow rate input field of the flow rate limit fields 33a, 33b. If it is determined that a numerical value has been input, the process proceeds to S611, and the computer 9 displays the numerical value input in the limit flow rate input field in the process of S611. On the other hand, if it is determined in S610 that a numerical value has not been input, the process proceeds to S612, and the computer 9 displays a blank in the limit flow rate input field in the process of S612. After the process of either S611 or S612 has been performed, the process proceeds to S613.

[0106] In the process of S613, the computer 9 determines whether or not "water-water" has been selected in the fluid selection field 12. If it is determined that "water-water" has been selected, that is, if a flow rate calculation is being performed for simultaneous use of two terminal faucets connected to a water supply pipe, the process proceeds to the processes of S614 to S620 shown in FIG.

[0107] In the process of S614, the computer 9 checks the display of the "Water - Water" button in the fluid selection field 12, and then proceeds to S615. In the process of S615, the computer 9 determines whether "None" is selected as the water supply faucet type in the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32. If "None" is selected, the computer 9 proceeds to S616, where it hides the display mode of the image of the terminal faucet (water supply faucet) in the water supply faucet image field 18. On the other hand, if it is determined in S615 that "None" is not selected, in other words, if any of the multiple types of terminal faucets is selected as the water supply faucet type in at least one of the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32, the computer 9 proceeds to S617. The process of S617 corresponds to the readout process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. In the processing of S617, the computer 9 reads out the image of the selected terminal faucet from the memory unit 10 and displays the read-out image in the water supply faucet image field 18. After the processing of either S616 or S617 is performed, the process proceeds to S618.

[0108] In S618, the computer 9 determines whether component information for piping components such as pipes and fittings has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, i.e., the pipe diameter and length, and the fitting diameter, series, model, type, and quantity. If it is determined that component information for piping components has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to S619. In S619, the computer 9 displays the entered component information and calculates the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + equivalent pipe length total" for each piping component based on the component information, and displays them in the corresponding display fields. On the other hand, if it is determined in S618 that component information for piping components has not been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to S620. In S620, the computer 9 blanks out the display field for the water supply component input field 23. Then, the process proceeds to S642 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. 44.

[0109] On the other hand, if it is determined in S613 (Fig. 40) of the input information reflection processing routine that "cold water - cold water" is not selected in the fluid selection field 12, the process proceeds to S621 shown in Fig. 42. In the process of S621, the computer 9 determines whether or not "cold water - hot water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12. If it is determined that "cold water - hot water" is selected here, that is, if a flow rate calculation is being performed using the simultaneous use of one end faucet connected to the cold water supply pipe and one end faucet connected to the hot water supply pipe, the process proceeds to S622.

[0110] In the process of S622, the computer 9 checks the display of the "Cold-Hot Water" button in the fluid selection field 12. Then, the process proceeds to S623. In the process of S623, the computer 9 determines whether "None" is selected as the type of water supply faucet in the first faucet type input field 31. If "None" is selected, the process proceeds to S624, where the computer 9 hides the display mode of the image of the terminal faucet (water supply faucet) in the water supply faucet image field 18. On the other hand, if it is determined in S623 that "None" is not selected, in other words, if any of the multiple types of terminal faucets is selected as the type of water supply faucet in the first faucet type input field 31, the process proceeds to S625. The process of S625 corresponds to the read process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. In the process of S625, the computer 9 reads the image of the selected terminal faucet from the memory unit 10 and displays the read image in the water supply faucet image field 18. After the process of either S624 or S625 is performed, the process proceeds to S626.

[0111] In the process of S626, the computer 9 determines whether "None" has been selected as the hot water faucet type in the second faucet type input field 32. If "None" has been selected, the process proceeds to S627, where the computer 9 hides the display mode of the image of the terminal faucet (hot water faucet) in the hot water faucet image field 20 in the process of S627. On the other hand, if it is determined in S626 that "None" has not been selected, in other words, if any terminal faucet out of multiple types of terminal faucets has been selected as the hot water faucet type in the second faucet type input field 32, the process proceeds to S628. The process of S628 corresponds to the read process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. In the process of S628, the computer 9 reads an image of the selected terminal faucet from the storage unit 10 and displays the read image in the hot water faucet image field 20. After performing either the process of S627 or S628, the process proceeds to S629 shown in FIG. 43.

[0112] In the process of S629, the computer 9 determines whether component information of piping components such as pipes and fittings has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, i.e., the pipe diameter and length, and the fitting diameter, series, model, type, and quantity. If it is determined that component information of piping components has been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to S630. In the process of S630, the computer 9 displays the entered component information and calculates the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + equivalent pipe length total" for each piping component based on the component information, and displays them in the corresponding display fields. On the other hand, if it is determined in S629 that component information of piping components has not been entered into the water supply component input field 23, the process proceeds to S631. In the process of S631, the computer 9 blanks out the display field of the water supply component input field 23. After performing either S630 or S631, the process proceeds to S636.

[0113] In S636, the computer 9 determines whether component information for piping components such as pipes and fittings has been entered into the hot water supply component input field 24, i.e., the pipe diameter and length, and the fitting diameter, series, model, type, and quantity. If it is determined that component information for piping components has been entered into the hot water supply component input field 24, the process proceeds to S637. In S637, the computer 9 displays the entered component information and calculates the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + equivalent pipe length total" for each piping component based on the component information, and displays them in the corresponding display fields. On the other hand, if it is determined in S636 that component information for piping components has not been entered into the hot water supply component input field 24, the process proceeds to S638. In S638, the computer 9 blanks out the display field for the hot water supply component input field 24. After performing either S637 or S638, the process proceeds to S639 shown in FIG. 44.

[0114] Incidentally, if it is determined in S621 (Figure 42) that "cold water - hot water" has not been selected, i.e., if a flow rate calculation is being performed using the simultaneous use of two terminal faucets connected to the hot water supply pipe, the process proceeds to S632 shown in Figure 43.

[0115] In the process of S632, the computer 9 checks the display of the "Hot Water - Hot Water" button in the fluid selection field 12. Then, the process proceeds to S633. In the process of S623, the computer 9 determines whether "None" is selected as the type of hot water faucet in the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32. If "None" is selected, the process proceeds to S634, where the computer 9 hides the display mode of the image of the terminal faucet (cold water faucet) in the hot water faucet image field 20. On the other hand, if it is determined in S633 that "None" is not selected, in other words, if any of the multiple types of terminal faucets is selected as the type of hot water faucet in at least one of the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32, the process proceeds to S635. The process of S635 corresponds to the readout process and image display process in the flow rate calculation program. In the processing of S635, the computer 9 reads out the image of the selected terminal faucet from the memory unit 10 and displays the read-out image in the hot water faucet image field 20. After the processing of either S634 or S635 is performed, the series of processing of S629 to S631 and S636 to S638 described above is executed, and then the process proceeds to S639 shown in FIG.

[0116] In the process of S639, the computer 9 determines whether or not a water heater model number has been entered in the water heater model number input field 25. If it is determined that a water heater model number has been entered, the process proceeds to S640, and the computer 9 displays the entered water heater model number in the water heater model number input field 25 in the process of S640. On the other hand, if it is determined in S639 that a water heater model number has not been entered, the process proceeds to S641, and the computer 9 displays a blank in the water heater model number input field 25 in the process of S641. After the process of either S640 or S641 has been performed, the process proceeds to S642 and subsequent steps.

[0117] In the process of S642, the computer 9 determines whether the display flow rate and display flow velocity to be displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a and 16b have been set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10. The display flow rate and display flow velocity are determined for each terminal faucet used simultaneously by a calculation processing routine of this embodiment (Figs. 45 and 45) described below, and are set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 through this routine. If it is determined in S642 that the display flow rate and display flow velocity have not been set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10, the process proceeds to S644. In the process of S644, the computer 9 blanks out the displays in the flow rate display fields 16a and 16b, and then temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine.

[0118] If it is determined in S642 that the display flow rate and display flow velocity have been set in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10, the process proceeds to S643. The process of S643 corresponds to the flow rate display process in the flow rate calculation program. As the process of S643, computer 9 displays the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in a predetermined area of ​​memory unit 10, i.e., the display flow rate and display flow velocity for each terminal tap used simultaneously, in flow rate display field 16a and flow rate display field 16b. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S645. The processes of S645 to S648 are intended to determine whether or not the flow velocity (displayed flow velocity) for each terminal tap used simultaneously, displayed in flow rate display fields 16a and 16b, is affected by water hammer, and to display the result of this determination on the flow rate calculation sheet on display 8.

[0119] More specifically, in the process of S645, the computer 9 determines whether the pipe has deformation characteristics based on the component information entered in the water supply component input field 23 and the hot water supply component input field 24. If it is determined that the piping component has deformation characteristics, i.e., if the pipe is a cross-linked polyethylene pipe, polybutene pipe, metal flexible pipe, or the like, the process proceeds to S646. In the process of S646, the computer 9 determines whether the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a and 16b is greater than the judgment value A.

[0120] If it is determined that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b is equal to or less than the judgment value A, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will not occur, the computer 9 temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in S646 that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b is greater than the judgment value A, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will occur, the process proceeds to S648. In the processing of S648, the computer 9 displays "NG" together with the flow rate in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b, and then temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine.

[0121] If it is determined in S645 that the pipe does not have deformation characteristics, that is, if the pipe is a steel pipe, PVC pipe, or the like that does not have deformation characteristics, the process proceeds to S647. In the process of S647, the computer 9 determines whether the flow velocity displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a and 16b is greater than a determination value B that is smaller than the determination value A.

[0122] If it is determined that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b is equal to or less than the judgment value B, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will not occur, the computer 9 temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in S647 that the flow rate displayed in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b is greater than the judgment value B, i.e., if it is determined that the influence of water hammer will occur, the process proceeds to S648. In the processing of S648, the computer 9 displays "NG" together with the flow rate in the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b, and then temporarily terminates the input information reflection processing routine.

[0123] Next, the calculation processing routine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the process of S701 of this routine, the computer 9 determines whether the calculation button 15a has been pressed, and if it is determined that the calculation button 15a has been pressed, the process proceeds to S702. The processes of S702 and S703 are intended to calculate the flow rate when terminal faucets connected to a cold water supply system at multiple locations are used simultaneously. In the process of S702, the computer 9 determines whether the minimum information required to calculate the flow rate when the terminal faucets are used simultaneously has been entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. If it is determined that the minimum information required to calculate the flow rate has been entered, the process proceeds to S703. The process of S703 corresponds to the calculation process in the flow rate calculation program.

[0124] In step S703, the computer 9 calculates the flow rate and flow velocity for each terminal faucet connected to multiple locations in the hot and cold water supply system based on the information entered in the flow rate calculation sheet. Specifically, the computer 9 reads the flow rate characteristics for each terminal faucet from a specified area in the memory unit 10 and calculates the pressure loss at each terminal faucet based on the information entered in the flow rate calculation sheet. Furthermore, the computer 9 calculates the flow velocity at each terminal faucet as a calculated flow velocity based on the calculated pressure loss, and calculates the flow rate at each terminal faucet as a calculated flow rate based on the read flow rate characteristics and the calculated pressure loss. The process then proceeds to step S704. If a negative determination is made in either step S701 or S702, the process also proceeds to step S704.

[0125] The processing of S704 to S707 is for calculating the flow rate at the terminal faucets that are used simultaneously after limiting the flow rate at one of the terminal faucets that are used simultaneously. In the processing of S704, the computer 9 determines whether a flow rate limit has been set for one of the terminal faucets that are used simultaneously. Specifically, it determines whether a check box has been checked in either the check box in the flow rate limit field 33a or the check box in the flow rate limit field 33b. If a positive determination is made in S704, the process proceeds to S705. In the processing of S705, the computer 9 determines whether the limit calculation button 34a, 34b corresponding to the flow rate limit field 33a, 33b with a checked check box has been pressed. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to S706.

[0126] In S706, the computer 9 determines whether the minimum information necessary to calculate the flow rate of each terminal faucet used simultaneously has been entered into the flow rate calculation sheet. If it determines that the minimum information necessary to calculate the flow rate has been entered, the process proceeds to S707. In S707, the computer 9 sets the numerical value (flow rate) entered in the flow rate limit input field of the flow rate limit field 33a, 33b for which the checkbox is checked as the upper limit value for the flow rate of the terminal faucet corresponding to the flow rate limit field 33a, 33b for which the checkbox is checked. Then, based on the limit set by this upper limit value, the flow rate and flow velocity of each terminal faucet used simultaneously are calculated as the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity, respectively. Then, the process proceeds to S708 shown in FIG. 46. Note that if a negative determination is made in any of S704 to S706, the process proceeds to S708.

[0127] The processing of steps S708-713 is for setting the display flow rate and display flow velocity in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 based on the calculated flow rate and calculated flow rate calculated for each terminal faucet used simultaneously as described above. In the processing of S708, the computer 9 determines whether either "cold-hot water" or "hot water-hot water" is selected in the fluid selection field 12. If the determination is affirmative, in the processing of S709, it determines whether the water heater number is specified based on the information entered in the water heater number input field 25. If the determination is negative in either S709 or S710, the process proceeds to S712. In the processing of S712, the computer 9 sets the calculated flow rate and calculated flow rate calculated for each terminal faucet used simultaneously as described above in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 as the display flow rate and displayed flow velocity.

[0128] If both S709 and S710 are judged to be positive, the process proceeds to S711. In S711, the computer 9 determines whether the calculated flow rate of the terminal faucet used for hot water supply is equal to or less than the maximum water heater flow rate. The value corresponding to the model number specified in the water heater model number input field 25 is used as the maximum water heater flow rate. If a negative judgment is made in S711, the computer 9 sets the maximum water heater flow rate in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 as the display flow rate corresponding to the terminal faucet for hot water supply, and sets the maximum water heater flow rate, which is the flow rate that achieves the maximum water heater flow rate, in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 as the display flow rate. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in S711, the process proceeds to S712 described above. After performing either S712 or S713, the process proceeds to S714. Furthermore, if a negative judgment is made in S708, the process proceeds to S714.

[0129] The computer 9 determines whether the clear button 15b has been pressed in the process of S714, and if it determines that the clear button 15b has not been pressed, proceeds to S716. On the other hand, if it determines that the clear button 15b has been pressed, proceeds to S715, where the computer 9 clears the displayed flow rate and displayed flow velocity for each terminal faucet set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 in the process of S715. Thereafter, proceeds to S716. The computer 9 determines whether the clear all input button has been pressed in the process of S716. If the answer is negative, the calculation processing routine is temporarily terminated, and if the answer is positive, the computer 9 proceeds to S717. In the process of S717, the computer 9 clears all of the information entered in the flow rate calculation sheet, and then temporarily terminates the calculation processing routine.

[0130] Next, the process (calculation process) of S703 in the calculation process routine will be described in more detail. When two terminal faucets connected to a cold water supply and hot water system are used simultaneously, the following pressure losses occur in the system: a pressure loss ΔP1 at the water meter, a pressure loss ΔP21 from the water meter to the theoretical branch of the cold water and hot water pipes, a pressure loss ΔP22 from the branch of the pipes to one of the terminal faucets, a pressure loss ΔP5a based on the rise of the one terminal faucet, and a pressure loss ΔP6a at the one terminal faucet. Furthermore, a pressure loss ΔP23 from the branch of the pipes to the other terminal faucet, a pressure loss ΔP3 at the water heater, a pressure loss ΔP5b based on the rise of the other terminal faucet, and a pressure loss ΔP6a at the other terminal faucet also occur.

[0131] In a cold water supply and hot water system, since the water pressure at the outlet of each terminal faucet used simultaneously is "0", the relationship shown in the following equation (6)(6)' or equation (7)(7)' holds between the source pressure P and the various pressure losses ΔP1, ΔP21, ΔP22, ΔP23, ΔP3, ΔP5a, ΔP5b, ΔP6a, and ΔP6b.

[0132] P-ΔP1-ΔP21-ΔP22-ΔP5a-ΔP6a=0 …(6) P-ΔP1-ΔP21-ΔP23-ΔP5b-ΔP6b=0 …(6)' P-ΔP1-ΔP21-ΔP22-ΔP3-ΔP5a-ΔP6a=0 …(7) P-ΔP1-ΔP21-ΔP22-ΔP3-ΔP5b-ΔP6b=0 …(7)' Incidentally, formulas (6) and (6)' are the relational formulas when two terminal faucets used simultaneously are connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system. Formulas (7) and (7)' are the relational formulas when one terminal faucet is connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system and the other terminal faucet is connected to the hot water side piping, and when two terminal faucets used simultaneously are connected to the end of the hot water side piping in a water supply and hot water system.

[0133] In addition, in the above-mentioned water supply and hot water supply system, since the total pressure losses in the sections of the water supply and hot water supply pipes after the theoretical branch are equal to each other, the following relationships (8) and (9) also hold true.

[0134] ΔP22+ΔP5a+ΔP6a=ΔP23+ΔP5b+ΔP6b…(8) ΔP22+ΔP5a+ΔP6a=ΔP23+ΔP3+ΔP5b+ΔP6b ...(9) Incidentally, equation (8) is the relational equation when two terminal faucets used simultaneously are connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system, and when two terminal faucets used simultaneously are connected to the end of the hot water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system. Also, equation (9) is the relational equation when one terminal faucet is connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a water supply and hot water system, and the other terminal faucet is connected to the hot water supply side piping.

[0135] The flow velocity Va and flow rate Qa of one of the two terminal faucets used simultaneously, and the flow velocity Vb and flow rate Qb of the other, can be expressed as follows using the above-mentioned equations (5) and (4), respectively.

[0136] Va=(2·ΔP6a / ρ)^0.5 …(10) Qa=C·S·{(2·ΔP6a / ρ)^0.5} …(11) Vb=(2·ΔP6b / ρ)^0.5 …(12) Qb=C·S·{(2·ΔP6b / ρ)^0.5} …(13) In the process of S703 (FIG. 45), the flow velocities Va, Vb and the flow rates Qa, Qb are calculated using equations (6) to (13).

[0137] Specifically, when two terminal faucets to be used simultaneously are connected to the end of the water supply side piping in a hot and cold water supply system, the pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b are calculated from equations (6) and (8), and the flow velocities Va and Vb and flow rates Qa and Qb are calculated based on the pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b using equations (10) to (13).The pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b can also be calculated from equations (6)' and (8).

[0138] Furthermore, when one end faucet is connected to the end of the cold water supply piping in a cold water supply / hot water supply system and the other end faucet is connected to the hot water supply piping, for example, the pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b are calculated from equations (7) and (9), and the flow velocities Va, Vb and flow rates Qa, Qb are calculated based on these pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b using equations (10) to (13).The pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b can also be calculated from equations (7)' and (9).

[0139] Furthermore, when two terminal faucets to be used simultaneously are connected to the end of the hot water supply side piping in a cold water supply and hot water supply system, the pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b are calculated from equations (7) and (8), and the flow velocities Va and Vb and flow rates Qa and Qb are calculated based on the pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b using equations (10) to (13).The pressure losses ΔP6a and ΔP6b can also be calculated from equations (7)' and (8).

[0140] In S703, the flow velocities Va and Vb are calculated as calculated flow velocities, and the flow rates Qa and Qb are calculated as calculated flow rates. The term "C·S" in equations (10) to (13) is the same value as in the first embodiment, and is read from the storage unit 10 of the computer 9 according to the type of terminal faucet and used to calculate the flow velocities Va and Vb and the flow rates Qa and Qb. Therefore, in the processing of S703, the flow rates Qa and Qb of two terminal faucets connected to the cold water supply system and used simultaneously are calculated with high accuracy based on the flow rate characteristics of those terminal faucets.

[0141] Next, the effects of the flow rate calculation device and the flow rate calculation program of this embodiment will be described. (3) The user uses input device 7 to select, one by one, from among multiple types of terminal faucets to be connected to multiple locations on the ends of the piping in the hot and cold water supply system in the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32 on the flow calculation sheet. When the terminal faucets to be connected to the hot and cold water supply system are selected in this manner, the flow characteristics (value of the term "C·S") of the selected terminal faucets are read from memory 10 of computer 9. Then, the flow rate per unit time of each selected terminal faucet when connected to the hot and cold water supply system and used simultaneously is calculated with high accuracy for each terminal faucet based on the flow characteristics of the terminal faucet. Furthermore, the calculated flow rates are displayed in flow rate display fields 16a and 16b of the flow calculation sheet on display 8. Therefore, before connecting each terminal faucet to multiple locations in the hot and cold water supply system, the user can see the flow rate of each terminal faucet when used simultaneously by looking at the display, and can select from multiple types of terminal faucets that will provide the desired flow rate. By connecting the selected terminal faucets to multiple locations in the hot water supply system, it is possible to prevent the flow rate of the terminal faucets from being lower than the value desired by the client after the hot water supply system is installed.

[0142] (4) When the user operates the input device 7 to select from multiple types of terminal faucets the terminal faucet to be connected to the cold water supply and hot water system in the first faucet type input field 31 and the second faucet type input field 32 of the flow rate calculation sheet, an image of the selected terminal faucet is read from the memory unit 10 of the computer 9. Furthermore, the image of the read terminal faucet is displayed in the cold water supply faucet image field 18 and the hot water supply faucet image field 20 of the calculation sheet on the display 8. This makes it easy for the user to correlate the selected terminal faucet with the resulting flow rate.

[0143] (5) The numerical value (flow rate) entered in one of the flow rate limit input fields 33a and 33b on the flow rate calculation sheet can be used to limit the flow rate of the corresponding terminal tap among the terminal taps used simultaneously, and then the flow rate of each terminal tap among the terminal taps used simultaneously can be calculated.

[0144] Specifically, an upper limit value for limiting the flow rate is set in S707 (FIG. 45) of the calculation processing routine. Then, in S707, the following processing is performed, for example: The set upper limit value is assigned to the corresponding one of the flow rates Qa and Qb. As a result, the flow rate Qa or Qb for which the assignment was performed is made equal to the set upper limit value, in other words, it is limited to the upper limit value. Furthermore, based on the substituted flow rate, the values ​​of the flow rates Va, Vb and Qa, Qb other than the substituted flow rate are calculated by back-calculating from the formulas used to calculate the flow velocities Va, Vb and Qa, Qb in the calculation processing routine S703. Furthermore, the flow rate display fields 16a, 16b of the flow rate calculation sheet display the displayed flow rate and displayed flow velocity determined based on the flow velocities Va, Vb and Qa, Qb calculated as described above.

[0145] In a hot and cold water supply system with multiple terminal faucets connected, the actual flow rate required for some terminal faucets may be lower than the maximum flow rate for those terminal faucets. If some terminal faucets are used at a flow rate lower than their maximum flow rate, the maximum flow rate for other terminal faucets can be increased. Therefore, by setting the actual flow rate required for some terminal faucets as the upper limit, as described above, the calculated and displayed flow rates for multiple terminal faucets can be made more accurate.

[0146] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the flow rate calculation device and the flow rate calculation program will be described with reference to FIG. 47. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, only the case where "hot water supply" is selected in the fluid selection field 12 is shown.

[0147] In the flow rate calculation device and flow rate calculation program of this embodiment, the hot water supply component input field 24 on the flow rate calculation sheet does not have a field for inputting the fitting series. Also, the display fields for displaying the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + equivalent pipe length total" on the flow rate calculation sheet each have a display field corresponding to the multiple fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL." Furthermore, the flow rate display field 16 on the flow rate calculation sheet has a display field corresponding to the multiple fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL."

[0148] In a process similar to S312 of Fig. 25, computer 9 automatically inputs the multiple initially set fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" as the fitting series, which is one of the component information. In a process similar to S313, computer 9 displays the multiple fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" in the corresponding display fields in hot water supply component input field 24, and also displays the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" for each fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" in the corresponding display fields in hot water supply component input field 24.

[0149] In a process similar to S319 in Fig. 26, computer 9 automatically inputs the multiple initially set fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" as fitting series in the component information. In a process similar to S320, computer 9 displays the multiple fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" in the corresponding display fields in hot water supply component input field 24, and also displays the "equivalent pipe length subtotal" and "pipe length (pipe length) + total equivalent pipe length" for each fitting series "Revos," "WLJP," and "IL" in the corresponding display fields in hot water supply component input field 24.

[0150] In a process similar to S326 in Figure 27, the computer 9 displays the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in the designated area for "Revos" in the memory unit 10 in the display area for "Revos" in the flow rate display field 16, the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in the designated area for "WLJP" in the memory unit 10 in the display area for "WLJP" in the flow rate display field 16, and the display flow rate and display flow velocity set in the designated area for "IL" in the memory unit 10 in the display area for "IL" in the flow rate display field 16.

[0151] In a process similar to S403 in Figure 28, the computer 9 calculates the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity when the fitting series is "Revos", the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity when the fitting series is "WLJP", and the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity when the fitting series is "IL".

[0152] In a process similar to S404 to S408, the computer 9 sets the corresponding display flow rate and display flow velocity in the predetermined area for "Revos", the predetermined area for "WLJP", and the predetermined area for "IL" in the memory unit 10 based on the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity calculated for each series of fittings.

[0153] Next, the effects of the flow rate calculation device and the flow rate calculation program of this embodiment will be described. (6) Multiple fitting series initially set as fitting series in the component information are automatically input, and the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity are calculated for each fitting series. Then, based on the calculated flow rate and calculated flow velocity calculated for each fitting series, the corresponding displayed flow rate and displayed flow velocity are set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 10 and simultaneously displayed in the flow rate display field 16 of the same flow rate calculation sheet. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment, which requires the creation of a flow rate calculation sheet for each fitting series, it is easier to compare the displayed flow rate and displayed flow velocity between fitting series.

[0154] Next, the technical concept that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described. (i) a display that displays information to the user; a storage unit that stores flow rate characteristics of a plurality of types of terminal faucets connected to the ends of piping in the cold water supply and hot water supply system; an input device operated by a user to select one of the plurality of types of terminal faucets; a calculation unit that reads out the flow characteristics of the terminal faucet selected through the input device from the storage unit and calculates the flow rate per unit time of the terminal faucet based on the read flow characteristics; a display control unit that displays the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit on a display; A flow rate calculation device comprising:

[0155] According to the above configuration, when a user selects a terminal faucet to be connected to the end of the piping in the hot and cold water supply system from among multiple types of terminal faucets via an input device, the flow rate per unit time of the selected terminal faucet when connected to the end of the piping in the hot and cold water supply system is calculated and displayed on the display. This flow rate is calculated with high accuracy based on the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet. Before connecting the terminal faucet to the hot and cold water supply system, the user can view the flow rate of the terminal faucet on the display, allowing them to select from multiple types of terminal faucets the terminal faucet that will provide the desired flow rate. Then, by connecting the selected terminal faucet to the hot and cold water supply system, it is possible to prevent the flow rate of the terminal faucet from being lower than the client's desired value after the hot and cold water supply system is installed.

[0156] (B) A flow rate calculation device that calculates the flow rate for each of terminal faucets connected to multiple locations at the ends of piping in a hot and cold water supply system, A display that displays information to the user; a memory unit that stores flow rate characteristics of each of a plurality of types of terminal faucets; an input device operated by a user to select one terminal faucet from the plurality of types of terminal faucets to be connected to each of a plurality of ends of piping in the hot and cold water supply system; a calculation unit that reads out from the storage unit the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations selected through the input device, and calculates the flow rate per unit time of each terminal faucet when the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations are used simultaneously based on the read out flow rate characteristics; a display control unit that displays the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit on a display; A flow rate calculation device comprising:

[0157] According to the above configuration, a user selects, through an input device, one of several types of terminal faucets to be connected to multiple locations on the end of the piping of the hot and cold water supply system. The flow rates per unit time of the selected terminal faucets when connected to the hot and cold water supply system are calculated and displayed on the display. These flow rates are calculated with high accuracy based on the flow characteristics of the terminal faucets. Before connecting the terminal faucets to multiple locations on the hot and cold water supply system, the user can view the flow rates of the terminal faucets on the display and select the terminal faucet that will provide the desired flow rate. Connecting the selected terminal faucets to multiple locations on the hot and cold water supply system prevents the flow rate of the terminal faucet from being lower than the client's desired value after the hot and cold water supply system is installed.

[0158] (c) A flow rate calculation device as described in (b), wherein the memory unit stores images of each of the multiple types of terminal faucets, and the display control unit reads out the image of the terminal faucet selected through the input device from the memory unit and displays the read image on the display.

[0159] According to the above configuration, when a user selects terminal faucets to be connected to multiple locations in the hot and cold water supply system from among multiple types of terminal faucets through an input device, images of the selected terminal faucets are displayed on the display, making it easy for the user to associate the selected terminal faucets with the resulting flow rate.

[0160] (d) the input device is operated by a user to set an upper limit value of the flow rate per unit time for some of the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations; When an upper limit value for the flow rate is set through the input device, the calculation unit calculates the flow rate of the terminal faucet for which the upper limit value is set to be equal to the upper limit value, and calculates the flow rate of terminal faucets at other locations, provided that the flow rate of that terminal faucet is the upper limit value.A flow rate calculation device as described in (b) or (c).

[0161] In a hot and cold water supply system with multiple terminal faucets connected, the actual required flow rate for some terminal faucets may be less than the maximum flow rate for those terminal faucets. If some terminal faucets are used at a flow rate lower than their maximum flow rate, the maximum flow rate for other terminal faucets can be increased. According to the above configuration, by setting the actual required flow rate for some terminal faucets as the upper limit, the calculated and displayed flow rates for multiple terminal faucets can be made to reflect the actual flow rate.

[0162] (e) a display that displays information to the user; a storage unit that stores the flow characteristics of a plurality of types of terminal faucets connected to the ends of piping in the hot and cold water supply system, and also stores the flow characteristics of a plurality of series of fittings that make up the piping; an input device operated by a user to select one of the plurality of types of terminal faucets; a calculation unit that reads out the flow characteristics of the terminal faucet selected through the input device and the flow characteristics of multiple series of fittings from the storage unit, and calculates the flow rate per unit time of the terminal faucet for each series of fittings based on the read-out flow characteristics; a display control unit that simultaneously displays the flow rates for each series of the fittings calculated by the calculation unit on a display; A flow rate calculation device comprising:

[0163] (F) a display that displays information to the user; a storage unit that stores flow rate characteristics of a plurality of types of terminal faucets connected to the ends of piping in the cold water supply and hot water supply system; an input device operated by a user to select one of the plurality of types of terminal faucets; a calculation unit that reads out the flow characteristics of the terminal faucet selected through the input device from the storage unit and calculates the flow rate per unit time of the terminal faucet based on the read flow characteristics; a display control unit that displays the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit on a display; It is equipped with The storage unit stores images of the plurality of types of terminal faucets, A flow rate calculation device characterized in that the display control unit reads out an image of the terminal faucet selected through the input device from the memory unit and displays the read out image on the display.

[0164] (G) A flow rate calculation program that is executed by a computer connected to an input device and a display to calculate a flow rate of a terminal faucet in a hot and cold water supply system, When a user selects one of the multiple types of terminal faucets through operation of the input device, a readout process is performed to read out the flow characteristics and image of the terminal faucet selected through the input device from a memory unit that stores the flow characteristics and images of each of the multiple types of terminal faucets; an image display process for displaying the image of the terminal faucet read by the read process on the display; a calculation process for calculating the flow rate per unit time of the terminal faucet based on the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucet read by the read process; a flow rate display process for displaying the flow rate calculated by the calculation process on the display; A flow rate calculation program characterized by carrying out the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1...meter 2. Washroom 3...Bathroom 4. Toilet 5. Kitchen 6...Water heater 7. Input device 8. Display 9. Computer 10...Storage section

Claims

[Claim 1] A flow rate calculation device that calculates the flow rate of each of terminal faucets connected to multiple locations among the ends of piping in a hot and cold water supply system, A display that displays information to the user; a memory unit that stores flow rate characteristics of each of a plurality of types of terminal faucets; an input device operated by a user to select terminal faucets one by one from the plurality of types of terminal faucets to be connected to each of a plurality of ends of piping in the cold water supply and hot water supply system; a calculation unit that reads out from the storage unit the flow rate characteristics of the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations selected through the input device, and calculates the flow rate per unit time of each terminal faucet when the terminal faucets at the plurality of locations are used simultaneously based on the read-out flow rate characteristics; a display control unit that displays the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit on a display; Equipped with The storage unit stores images of the plurality of types of terminal faucets, the display control unit reads out from the storage unit images of the terminal faucets selected through the input device, and simultaneously displays the read-out images on the display together with corresponding cold water or hot water faucet type input fields, and in the cold water or hot water faucet type input field, displays radio buttons that allow the user to select one of the multiple types of terminal faucets through operation of the input device, and simultaneously displays the radio button for the terminal faucet selected by the user and the radio button for the terminal faucet not selected by the user, When a selection is made to calculate the flow rates of the plurality of terminal faucets connected to the water supply pipe through the operation of the input device, the display control unit displays images of the plurality of terminal faucets selected in the water supply faucet type input field next to each other, When a selection is made to calculate the flow rates of the plurality of terminal faucets connected to the hot water supply pipe through the operation of the input device, the display control unit displays images of the plurality of terminal faucets selected in the hot water supply faucet type input field next to each other, When it is selected through operation of the input device to calculate the flow rate of the terminal faucet connected to the water supply pipe and the terminal faucet connected to the hot water supply pipe, the display control unit displays the image of the terminal faucet selected in the water supply faucet type input field and the image of the terminal faucet selected in the hot water supply faucet type input field at a greater distance than the distance between the images of the terminal faucets displayed next to each other.

Images