Hot water supply system

Abstract

To provide a hot water supply system enabling an operator to appropriately eliminate possibilities to unpreparedly touch hot water outputted at high temperature or a high temperature part of a heat exchanger or the like during failure diagnosis of a hot water supply device.SOLUTION: A hot water supply system includes: a hot water supply apparatus WH having a heat exchanger HT in which a heat transfer pipe 21 for heating hot water is disposed in a can body 20 with gas for heating supplied by gas for heating feeding means 1 supplied inside; a failure diagnosis apparatus A which can diagnose failures of the hot water supply apparatus WH and has information notification means 80, SP; and a temperature sensor Sa capable of detecting hot water temperature in the heat transfer pipe 21 or temperature corresponding to the same. In the case that a failure diagnosis of the hot water supply apparatus WH using the failure diagnosis apparatus A is performed, when a detection temperature by the temperature sensor Sa reaches a prescribed reference temperature or raises higher, attention calling information to the effect that high temperature water may be outputted from the hot water supply apparatus WH is notified by using the notification means 80, SP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply system capable of diagnosing a failure of a hot water supply device.

Background Art

[0002] As a specific example of a hot water supply system, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is a system in which a failure diagnosis device is connected to a hot water supply device, and it is possible to perform failure diagnosis on each part of the hot water supply device. Here, as the hot water supply device, for example, it includes a burner and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a configuration in which a heat transfer tube for heating hot water is arranged in a can body into which combustion gas (heating gas) generated by the burner is supplied. In such a hot water supply system provided with the hot water supply device, the burner is also a target for failure diagnosis.

[0003] However, in the above-described hot water supply system, as described below, there is room for improvement.

[0004] That is, when the burner is driven and burned to perform failure diagnosis of the burner, the hot water in each part of the heat exchanger and in the heat transfer tube is heated to a high temperature, and even after the driving combustion of the burner is stopped, they may remain at a high temperature for a while. Therefore, when hot water is discharged from the heat exchanger after driving and burning the burner, there is a risk that the hot water discharged will be unexpectedly high temperature (high-temperature hot water discharge). Also, even if such high-temperature hot water discharge does not occur, there is a risk that the operator's hand may touch the high-temperature part of the heat exchanger. From the viewpoint of improving the safety of the operator, it is desirable that the above-described risks be appropriately eliminated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] This invention was conceived under the circumstances described above, and its objective is to provide a hot water supply system that can appropriately eliminate the risk of workers inadvertently coming into contact with high-temperature hot water or high-temperature parts such as heat exchangers when diagnosing malfunctions in a hot water supply system, thereby improving worker safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical measures.

[0008] This invention The first aspect The hot water supply system provided by the company comprises a hot water supply device having a heating gas supply means and a heat exchanger in which heat transfer tubes for heating hot water are arranged inside a tank into which the heating gas supplied from the heating gas supply means is supplied; a fault diagnosis device capable of diagnosing faults in the hot water supply device and having a means for notifying information; and a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tubes or a corresponding temperature. When a fault diagnosis of the hot water supply device is performed using the fault diagnosis device, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above a predetermined reference temperature, a warning information indicating the possibility of high-temperature hot water output from the hot water supply device is notified using the notification means. Furthermore, the notification of the warning information is not performed while the heating gas supply means is operating and the heat transfer tube is being heated by the heating gas, and is configured to start at the time the detected temperature is above the reference temperature, even though this period has ended. Its defining characteristic is its presence.

[0009] This configuration yields the following effects: In other words, when diagnosing a malfunction in a hot water supply system, if heating gas is supplied to the heat exchanger from the heating gas supply means (e.g., burner), the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger and the temperature of various parts of the heat exchanger may become considerably high. In this case, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor will rise above a predetermined standard temperature, and a warning message indicating the possibility of high-temperature water discharge from the hot water supply system will be sent via the notification means, allowing the worker diagnosing the malfunction to appropriately recognize this. Therefore, the worker will pay attention to the high-temperature water discharge from the hot water supply system and avoid touching the heat exchanger unnecessarily, thereby improving worker safety.

[0011] With this configuration, moreover The following effects can be obtained: In other words, when diagnosing a malfunction in a hot water supply system, if the heat transfer tubes are heated by the heating gas and hot water is being dispensed, the operator is generally aware that various parts of the heat exchanger will be at high or relatively high temperatures during that period. Therefore, it is considered that there is little need to specifically provide warning information that high-temperature hot water may be dispensed during such periods. The above configuration is in line with these circumstances. Furthermore, if, for example, the boiler temperature of the heat exchanger is determined by the temperature sensor, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (boiler temperature) may be higher than the actual hot water temperature during the period when the heat transfer tubes are being heated. Therefore, even if the hot water being dispensed is not very hot, the detected temperature may be high. In such cases, unlike the above configuration, issuing a warning that there is a possibility of high-temperature hot water dispensed could cause confusion among workers. The above configuration avoids such a risk.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the notification of the warning information is configured to continue after the notification is started until the detected temperature falls below the reference temperature.

[0013] This configuration ensures that workers are more thoroughly aware of warning information, which is preferable in improving worker safety.

[0014] A hot water supply system provided by a second aspect of the present invention comprises a hot water supply device having a heating gas supply means and a heat exchanger in which heat transfer tubes for heating hot water are arranged inside a tank into which the heating gas supplied from the heating gas supply means is supplied; a fault diagnosis device capable of diagnosing faults in the hot water supply device and having a means for notifying information; and a temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tubes or a corresponding temperature. When a fault diagnosis of the hot water supply device is performed using the fault diagnosis device, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above a predetermined reference temperature, a warning information indicating the possibility of high-temperature hot water output from the hot water supply device is notified using the notification means. During fault diagnosis of the hot water supply system, if the detected temperature rises above the reference temperature, the entire fault diagnosis, or at least a portion of the fault diagnosis involving hot water operation, is restricted from proceeding thereafter. This restriction is lifted when the detected temperature drops below the reference temperature. It is characterized by the following.

[0015] This configuration yields the following effects: In other words, unlike the above, if fault diagnosis can only be performed when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is above the reference temperature, the possibility of an operator touching a high-temperature part of the hot water heater or coming into contact with the hot water being discharged increases. In contrast, the above configuration makes it possible to appropriately avoid such situations.

[0016] In the present invention, preferably, when diagnosing a malfunction in the hot water supply system, if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the malfunction diagnosis cannot be terminated.

[0017] With this configuration, even if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the reference temperature, the fault diagnosis will not be terminated while this condition is left unaddressed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the risk of high-temperature water being dispensed when a worker or user of the hot water heater operates the hot water heater immediately after the fault diagnosis is completed.

[0018] In the present invention, preferably, the water supply device includes a first valve capable of changing the hot water outlet temperature during the hot water supply operation and / or a second valve capable of changing the hot water outlet flow rate. When diagnosing a failure of the water supply device, when the detected temperature rises above the reference temperature, the first valve is set so that the hot water outlet temperature decreases and / or the second valve is set so that the hot water outlet flow rate decreases, and control is executed.

[0019] According to such a configuration, when the detected temperature by the temperature sensor rises above the reference temperature, even if hot water is discharged, the hot water outlet temperature decreases and / or the hot water outlet flow rate decreases due to the setting control of the first valve and / or the second valve described above. Therefore, the risk that an operator touches high-temperature hot water can be further reduced, and the safety of the operator can be improved.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hot water supply system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing another example of an operation procedure in the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 1. <​​​​​​​​​The hot water supply system SY shown in Figure 1 comprises a hot water supply device WH and a fault diagnosis device A. Fault diagnosis device A is a combination of a fault diagnosis relay unit 7 and a personal computer 8 (hereinafter referred to as "PC 8" as appropriate). However, as will be described later, the fault diagnosis device in the present invention is not limited to such a combination.

[0024] The hot water supply system WH comprises a burner 1, a fan 12, a heat exchanger HT, a manifold case 13 having an exhaust port 13a, a control unit 31, and an outer casing 9 that encloses the entire system.

[0025] Burner 1 is, for example, a gas burner, and corresponds to an example of a heating gas supply means as described in the present invention. This burner 1 is located inside the burner case 10 and is capable of driving combustion operation by receiving fuel gas from the gas piping section and combustion air from the fan 12 to burn the fuel gas.

[0026] The heat exchanger HT is located above the burner 1 and comprises a boiler 20 into which combustion gas (heating gas) generated by the burner 1 is supplied, and heat recovery tubes 21 arranged inside the boiler 20. Hot water supplied from the outside to the inlet 40a is sent to the heat transfer tubes 21 via an internal inlet passage 40, and this hot water is heated by the combustion gas as it passes through the heat transfer tubes 21. This heated hot water reaches the outlet 41a via an internal outlet passage 41 and is supplied to the hot water tap 49.

[0027] The hot water supply system WH is equipped with a bypass valve V1 and a hot water flow control valve V2. . The bypass valve V1 corresponds to a specific example of the first valve in this invention and is provided in a bypass passage 42 that connects the internal water inlet passage 40 and the internal hot water outlet passage 41 at intermediate points. By controlling the bypass valve V1 with respect to the original hot water flow rate Q0 of the internal water inlet passage 40, it is possible to control the ratio of the hot water flow rates Q1 and Q2 to the heat transfer tube 21 side and the internal hot water outlet passage 41 side, respectively. The hot water flow control valve V2 corresponds to a specific example of the second valve in this invention and can change the flow rate of the internal hot water outlet passage 41.

[0028] The control unit 31 is configured using a microcomputer and the like, and performs operations on various parts of the hot water supply system WH, including combustion drive of the burner 1, opening and closing of various valves such as the bypass valve V1 and the hot water flow control valve V2, and various data processing. Furthermore, when the fault diagnosis device A is connected, it can be set to a fault diagnosis mode that enables fault diagnosis of various parts by the fault diagnosis device A, and in this mode, it is configured to respond to control commands from the fault diagnosis device A. This control unit 31 can detect the boiler temperature of the heat exchanger HT. The boiler temperature is the temperature detected by the temperature sensor Sa attached to the boiler 20 of the heat exchanger HT, and corresponds to the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tubes 21 of the heat exchanger HT, and is a specific example of the "temperature detected by the temperature sensor" as referred to in this invention.

[0029] Personal computer 8 stores a control program for diagnosing faults in the hot water heater WH in its data storage unit, and is capable of performing fault diagnosis and associated control according to the operating procedure described later. Personal computer 8 is equipped with a display unit 80 capable of displaying a desired image, an operation unit 81 with multiple operation keys, a speaker SP, a microphone MC, and the like.

[0030] The fault diagnosis relay unit 7 enables data transmission between the control unit 31 of the hot water heater WH and the personal computer 8. It includes terminals 70a and 70b that enable communication connections using wiring La and Lb to the terminals 31a of the control unit 31 and the personal computer 8, and a relay circuit 71. The relay circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 71a and a receiver circuit 71b for mutual conversion between the communication method on the hot water heater WH side and the communication method on the personal computer 8 side.

[0031] Next, an example of the operation procedure for the hot water supply system SY described above will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 2, and its function will also be explained.

[0032] First, as shown in Figure 1, a personal computer 8 is connected to the hot water heater WH via a fault diagnosis relay unit 7. When fault diagnosis of the hot water heater WH is started, the boiler temperature is monitored as the temperature detected by the temperature sensor Sa (S1:YES, S2). On the other hand, during fault diagnosis, if, for example, the burner 1 is driven and combustion occurs, the boiler temperature rises. As a result, if the boiler temperature rises above a predetermined reference temperature and the burner 1 subsequently enters a non-driven combustion state, a warning message stating that "there is a possibility of high-temperature water being dispensed from the hot water heater" is displayed on the display unit 80 of the personal computer 8 at that point (S3:YES, S4:YES, S5). This warning message is displayed, for example, as a pop-up in the corner of the display unit 80 and remains displayed. In addition, an alarm sound is temporarily output from the speaker SP of the personal computer 8 to draw attention to the warning message displayed on the display unit 80. Of course, it is also possible to configure the system to output an audio message stating that "there is a possibility of high-temperature water being dispensed from the hot water heater." The display unit 80 and the speaker SP each correspond to specific examples of notification means as defined in the present invention.

[0033] When the aforementioned warning information is announced, the fault diagnosis worker will accurately perceive the possibility of high-temperature water being dispensed from the hot water heater (WH). As a result, the worker will come into contact with the hot water. Workers are encouraged to take precautions to avoid getting drenched or touching the high-temperature heat exchanger (HT), thereby enhancing worker safety. The aforementioned warning information is not issued while the burner 1 is operating, but only after the burner 1 has finished operating. This configuration offers the following advantages. For example, even if the burner 1 is operating and producing molten metal at the appropriate temperature, the combustion gas may heat the boiler body 20, causing its temperature to exceed the standard temperature. If a warning about the possibility of high-temperature molten metal were issued in such a case, it would cause unnecessary confusion among the workers. In contrast, this embodiment makes it possible to appropriately prevent such problems.

[0034] Furthermore, when the aforementioned warning information is announced, the bypass valve V1 is set to a specific state so that the ratio of the flow rate Q2 of the bypass channel 42 to the internal water inflow flow rate Q0 increases, preferably to a predetermined maximum ratio. Also, the hot water outlet flow rate control valve V2 is set to a specific state so that the hot water outlet flow rate from the internal hot water outlet channel 41 decreases, preferably to a predetermined maximum throttling amount (S6). With this setting, even if a hot water discharge operation occurs, the amount of unheated hot water flowing from the bypass channel 42 to the internal hot water discharge channel 41 will increase, resulting in a lower discharge temperature and preventing the discharge of high-temperature hot water. In addition, the flow rate of hot water discharged from the outlet 41a will be reduced. Therefore, the discharge of large amounts of high-temperature hot water from the hot water supply device WH will be eliminated, providing a sense of security to the workers.

[0035] Furthermore, if the aforementioned warning information is issued, the system is restricted from proceeding with fault diagnosis, and all fault diagnosis procedures are set to a fully restricted state where no further progress can be made (S7). When this setting is made, the worker is forced to interrupt the fault diagnosis and wait until the boiler temperature drops below the reference temperature. Therefore, the opportunity for the worker to come into contact with the high-temperature heat exchanger HT is reduced, thus protecting the worker.

[0036] Subsequently, when the boiler temperature drops below the reference temperature, the notification of the aforementioned warning information is stopped (S8:YES, S9). Specifically, the display of the warning information on the display unit 80 of the personal computer 8 is stopped. In conjunction with this, control is performed to return the bypass valve V1 and the hot water flow control valve V2 to their original normal state, and the restrictions on the operation of the fault diagnosis are lifted (S10, S11). As a result, the hot water supply system WH returns to its original normal state in which the boiler temperature has not risen above the reference temperature, and thereafter, the remaining fault diagnosis that had been restricted can be properly carried out and all fault diagnoses can be properly completed (S12:YES).

[0037] In the hot water supply system SY of this embodiment, it is also possible to configure the system to be able to execute the control of the operation procedure shown in Figure 3 instead of the control of the operation procedure shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3, steps identical to those shown in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their redundant explanations are omitted.

[0038] Unlike in Figure 2, the control of the operation procedure shown in Figure 3 is configured such that, in step S7', some fault diagnoses involving hot water discharge are restricted. With this configuration, high-temperature hot water discharge is appropriately prevented, as in the case shown in Figure 2. However, if only some fault diagnoses are restricted in this way, it is possible that all fault diagnoses may be completed before the boiler temperature drops below the reference temperature by proceeding with the other fault diagnoses (S7', S8: NO, S13: YES). In such cases, even after all fault diagnoses have been completed, the notification of warning information is configured to continue for a predetermined time thereafter (S14). Specifically, the display of warning information on the display unit 80 of the personal computer 8 continues for a predetermined time after all fault diagnoses have been completed before ending. Preferably, a temporary output of an alarm sound is again performed from the speaker SP. In this way, even after the fault diagnosis of the hot water heater WH is completed, if warning information is broadcast, workers will pay attention to high-temperature hot water even after the fault diagnosis, thereby enhancing safety.

[0039] Although a flowchart-based explanation will be omitted, in the hot water supply system SY of this embodiment, unlike the above, it is also possible to configure it so that the fault diagnosis cannot be terminated if the boiler temperature is above the reference temperature during the fault diagnosis of the hot water supply device WH. With this configuration, even if the boiler temperature is above the standard temperature, the fault diagnosis will not be completed while this condition is left unaddressed. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the risk of high-temperature water being dispensed when a worker or user of the hot water heater WH operates the hot water heater WH immediately after the fault diagnosis is completed.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The specific configuration of each part of the hot water supply system according to the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope intended by the present invention.

[0041] In the embodiments described above, the boiler temperature is used as the temperature (temperature detected by the temperature sensor) for determining the possibility of high-temperature hot water output, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any temperature other than the boiler temperature can be used, as long as it is the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tubes or a corresponding temperature. The reference temperature in this invention does not have to be constant; for example, it may correspond to the ambient temperature or the inlet water temperature and be changed by the control unit. Furthermore, the reference temperature for determining whether or not there is a possibility of high-temperature hot water output (first reference temperature) and the reference temperature for determining whether or not such a possibility still exists after the possibility of high-temperature hot water output has occurred (second reference temperature) may be different. For example, after the heat exchanger boiler has experienced a temperature rise, it is more susceptible to temperature drops due to the influence of the outside air than the heat transfer tubes. Therefore, even if the boiler temperature drops to a predetermined temperature, the water temperature inside the heat transfer tubes may remain higher than the predetermined temperature, and the temperature drop may occur later than that of the boiler. Taking this into consideration, the specific values ​​of the reference temperatures for determining whether or not there is a possibility of high-temperature hot water output may be different, and the reference temperature may have a range.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, when there is a possibility of high-temperature hot water output, the bypass valve V1 is controlled to lower the hot water output temperature and the hot water flow rate control valve V2 is controlled to reduce the hot water output flow rate. However, the system may be configured so that only at least one of these two valves V1 and V2 is controlled. Furthermore, the first valve and the second valve as referred to in the present invention are not limited to the bypass valve V1 and the hot water flow rate control valve V2. For example, the first valve may be a three-way flow control valve provided at the intersection of the internal water inlet passage 40 and the bypass passage 42.

[0043] The heating gas referred to in this invention is not limited to combustion gas; it can also be high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from, for example, a cogeneration system. Therefore, the means for supplying the heating gas is not limited to a burner. A heat exchanger has a configuration in which heat transfer tubes are arranged inside a tank into which heating gas is supplied, but the specific configuration of the tank and heat transfer tubes is not limited.

[0044] As described above, the fault diagnosis device in the present invention is not limited to a configuration combining a fault diagnosis relay unit and a personal computer. For example, other data processing devices such as tablets or smartphones may be used instead of a personal computer, and it is also possible to configure the entire system as a dedicated device integrated into a single unit. Furthermore, it is also possible to incorporate the fault diagnosis device into a hot water supply system. As a means of notification, various notification methods can be used in place of, or in addition to, an image-displaying display unit. The specific form of expression for the "warning information regarding the possibility of high-temperature water output from the hot water supply device" of the present invention is not limited. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] A Fault diagnosis device HT heat exchanger WH hot water heater SP Speaker (Notification Method) SY Hot Water Supply System Sa temperature sensor V1 Bypass valve (first valve) V2 Hot water flow control valve (second valve) 1. Burner (means for supplying heating gas) 20 Boiler body (of heat exchanger) 21 Heat transfer tubes (of heat exchangers) 7. Fault diagnosis relay unit (fault diagnosis device) 8. Personal computer (fault diagnosis device) 80 Display unit (notification means)

Claims

1. A hot water supply device having a heating gas supply means, and a heat exchanger in which heat transfer tubes for heating hot water are arranged inside a boiler into which the heating gas supplied from the heating gas supply means is supplied, A fault diagnosis device capable of diagnosing faults in this hot water supply system and having means for notifying information, A temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tube or a corresponding temperature, It is equipped with, When a fault diagnosis of the hot water supply system is performed using the fault diagnosis device, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above a predetermined reference temperature, the system is configured to notify the hot water supply system of the possibility of high-temperature water output using the notification means. The hot water supply system is characterized in that the notification of the warning information is not performed during the period when the heating gas supply means is operating and the heat transfer tube is being heated by the heating gas, and is started at the time when the detected temperature is above the reference temperature, even though this period has ended.

2. A hot water supply device having a heating gas supply means, and a heat exchanger in which heat transfer tubes for heating hot water are arranged inside a boiler into which the heating gas supplied from the heating gas supply means is supplied, A fault diagnosis device capable of diagnosing faults in this hot water supply system and having means for notifying information, A temperature sensor capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the heat transfer tube or a corresponding temperature, It is equipped with, When a fault diagnosis of the hot water supply system is performed using the fault diagnosis device, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor rises above a predetermined reference temperature, the system is configured to notify the hot water supply system of the possibility of high-temperature water output using the notification means. During fault diagnosis of the hot water supply system, if the detected temperature rises above the reference temperature, the entire fault diagnosis, or at least a portion of the fault diagnosis involving hot water dispensing, will be restricted from that point onward. A hot water supply system characterized in that this restriction is released when the detected temperature falls below the reference temperature.

3. A hot water supply system according to claim 1, A hot water supply system configured to continue the notification of the aforementioned warning information after the notification is initiated until the detected temperature falls below the reference temperature.

4. A hot water supply system according to claim 1, A hot water supply system in which, during fault diagnosis of the hot water supply device, the fault diagnosis cannot be terminated if the detected temperature is above the reference temperature.

5. A hot water supply system according to claim 1, The hot water supply device includes a first valve capable of changing the hot water temperature during hot water supply operation, and / or a second valve capable of changing the hot water flow rate. A hot water supply system configured such that, when diagnosing a malfunction in the hot water supply device, the detected temperature rises above the reference temperature, control is performed to set the first valve to decrease the hot water outlet temperature and / or set the second valve to decrease the hot water outlet flow rate.

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