Combustion device

Abstract

To provide a combustion device excellent both in convenience and energy conservation.SOLUTION: A combustion device 1 comprises a burner 2 burning fuel oil heated by a vaporization heater 2a, a controller 22, and a timer means 61 for carrying out off-timer operation of stopping energization of the vaporization heater 2a after the passage of a predetermined time after stopping the combustion of the burner 2. The controller 22 includes off-timer time setting means 62 of setting an off-timer time according to the frequency in use of the combustion device 1 in each of time zones obtained by dividing one day into a plurality of time zones. The controller 22 carries out off-timer operation at an off-timer time of a first time zone N1, provided that a first time zone N1 is a time zone to which the time of stopping the combustion of the burner 2 belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combustion device, and particularly to a combustion device provided with a vaporizer for vaporizing fuel oil.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among this type of combustion device, there is known one having a standby function for keeping the burner provided in the combustion device in a state where it can be ignited. (For example, see Patent Document 1.) Patent Document 1 shows an extension means that does not extend the standby state even if there is a request for ignition before a preset reference remaining time from a fixed time selected by a selection switch (10) for selecting one of a plurality of fixed times of a standby circuit, and extends the standby state only when there is a request for ignition within the reference remaining time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the combustion device shown in Patent Document 1, when the selection switch (10) is set to a relatively short time, if even a little time elapses from a fixed time, the energization of the vaporizer stops, and even if a combustion start signal is input later, a waiting time occurs until preheating is completed, and there is room for improvement in convenience. Also, when the selection switch (10) is set to a relatively long time, the energization of the vaporizer is continuously maintained until a fixed time ends, so power is consumed even in a time zone where it is not used so much, and there is room for improvement in energy saving performance.

[0005] This invention was made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a combustion device that can achieve both convenience and energy saving by allowing the standby time to be set according to the degree of use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to achieve the above objective, and in claim 1, a combustion apparatus comprising: a vaporization heater; a burner that heats and burns fuel oil by heating the vaporization heater; a control unit that controls the burner; and a timer means that performs an off-timer operation that turns off the power to the vaporization heater after a predetermined time after the combustion of the burner stops, wherein the control unit comprises an off-timer time setting means that divides the time of day into a plurality of time periods and sets the off-timer time for each time period based on the degree of use of the combustion apparatus for each time period, and if the time period to which the time when the combustion of the burner stops belongs is defined as the first time period, the control unit performs the off-timer operation for the first time period for the off-timer time. If the time period following the first time period is designated as the second time period, the off-timer time for the first time period set by the off-timer time setting means is designated as the first hour, the off-timer time for the second time period set by the off-timer time setting means is designated as the second hour, the elapsed time of the off-timer at the current time is designated as the third hour, and the remaining time of the off-timer at the current time is designated as the fourth hour, then the off-timer time setting means, when the combustion of the burner has stopped and the off-timer is operating, the current time changes from the first time period to the second time period, and the usage level in the first time period and the usage level in the second time period are different, if the third hour is 2 hours or more, the power to the vaporization heater is turned off, and if the third hour is less than 2 hours, the fourth hour is set as the difference between the second hour and the third hour. It was characterized by the following:

[0009] Claim 2 The system further comprises a water supply pipe, a heat exchanger located downstream of the water supply pipe and heated by the burner, a hot water supply pipe located downstream of the heat exchanger, a water supply flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the heated fluid flowing through the water supply pipe, a hot water usage calculation means for calculating the amount of hot water used for each time period based on the detected value of the water supply flow rate detection means, and a storage unit for storing the amount of hot water used for each time period for a predetermined period, and a usage level calculation means for setting the usage level according to the value of the amount of hot water used for the same time period for the predetermined period.

[0010] Claim 3 The device further comprises: a storage unit that stores the number of times the burner is ignited for each time period over a predetermined period; and a usage level calculation means that sets the usage level according to the value of the number of ignitions for the same time period over the predetermined period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, it is possible to provide a combustion device that can achieve both convenience and energy efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Block diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Flowchart illustrating the off-timer that describes the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Correspondence diagram between usage level and off-timer time illustrating the off-timer time setting in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] Explanatory diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A first embodiment of the combustion device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0014] 1 is a combustion device according to the first embodiment, 2 is a vaporizing burner used as a heating means to generate a flame by burning fuel oil, 3a and 3b are hot water taps installed in the kitchen, bathtub, etc., 4 is an operating remote control installed outside the bathroom and used as an operating means to remotely control the combustion device 1, 5 is an operating remote control installed inside the bathroom, and 50 is a bathtub.

[0015] 2a is a heating vaporizer for vaporizing the fuel oil supplied to burner 2, 2b is a vaporizer incorporating the vaporizer 2a for vaporizing the fuel oil, and 2c is a nozzle for spraying the fuel oil into the vaporizer 2b. 2f is a flow pump for sending the fuel oil to the nozzle 2c, 2e is a spark plug for igniting the vaporized fuel oil, 2h is an igniter for discharging the spark plug 2e, and 2k is a vaporizer thermistor which is the temperature detection means of the vaporizer 2b. 41a is a blower motor for blowing combustion air to the burner 2.

[0016] 6 is a fin-and-tube type water heating heat exchanger equipped with heat exchange fins 44, and a water supply pipe 7 connected to a water pipe is provided upstream of the water heating heat exchanger 6. Also, a hot water supply pipe 8 having hot water supply faucets 3a and 3b at its ends is provided downstream of the water heating heat exchanger 6.

[0017] 9 is a bypass pipe branched from the water supply pipe 7, connecting the water supply pipe 7 and the hot water supply pipe 8, and bypassing the water heating heat exchanger 6. A mixing valve 10 for mixing the hot water heated by the water heating heat exchanger 6 and the water from the bypass pipe 9 is provided at the connection part between the hot water supply pipe 8 and the bypass pipe 9. The mixing valve 10 adjusts the mixing ratio of the hot water and the water by adjusting the valve opening degree of the internal valve body to discharge hot water at a desired temperature.

[0018] 11 is a water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water supply provided in the water supply pipe 7, 12 is a flow sensor which is a water supply flow detection means for detecting the water supply flow rate of the heated fluid provided in the water supply pipe 7, and 13 is a hot water outlet temperature sensor provided in the hot water supply pipe 8 on the upstream side of the connection part between the hot water supply pipe 8 and the bypass pipe 9. The hot water outlet temperature sensor 13 detects the temperature of the hot water flowing out from the water heating heat exchanger 6. 38 is a heat exchange temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water heating heat exchanger 6. 14 is a hot water outlet temperature sensor as a hot water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the hot water mixed by the mixing valve 10.

[0019] The operation remote controller 4 is provided with a hot water supply temperature setting switch 19 for setting the hot water supply set temperature for discharging hot water from the mixing valve 10 and supplying it to the hot water taps 3a and 3b, and an operation switch 47 for detecting a push operation for instructing energization of the vaporizer heater 2a. The operation remote controller 5 is also provided with switches similar to those of the operation remote controller 4.

[0020] 22 is a control unit that is connected to the operation remote controller 4 and the operation remote controller 5 by wireless or wired means and communicates with each other, receives signals from each sensor of the combustion device 1 and signals from the operation remote controller 4 and the operation remote controller 5, and controls the driving of each actuator.

[0021] This control unit 22 has a target temperature setting means 23 for setting the target temperature of the heat exchange outlet of the hot water flowing out from the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. When discharging hot water at the set temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch 19, the combustion amount of the burner 2 is controlled so that the temperature of the hot water detected by the heat exchange outlet temperature sensor 13 becomes the target temperature of the heat exchange outlet set by the target temperature setting means 23. That is, the heating amount given to the water flowing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 by the burner 2 is controlled, and the opening degree of the mixing valve 10 is controlled so that the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot water discharge temperature sensor 14 becomes the set temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch 19.

[0022] Further, the control unit 22 includes a timer means 61 for counting down the off-timer time Tn, a hot water supply usage amount calculating means 63 for calculating the hot water supply usage amount Rn of the combustion device 1 for each time zone n divided into a plurality (for example, 24) of time periods in a day, and a usage degree calculation means 64 for setting the usage degree Vn of the combustion device 1 according to the value (for example, average value An) of the hot water supply usage amount Rn for a predetermined period in the same time zone. Furthermore, it includes an off-timer time setting means 62 for setting the off-timer time Tn at a predetermined time T for each time zone n based on this usage degree Vn. It also includes a storage unit 42 for storing the hot water supply usage amount Rn for each time zone n, the average value An of the hot water supply usage amount Rn for a predetermined period, the usage degree Vn, and the off-timer time Tn.

[0023] Next, the hot water supply operation of this first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0024] First, when power is supplied to the combustion device 1, the control unit 22 initializes the usage level Vn and off-timer time Tn for each of the 24 time periods n into which the day is divided in step S1. In step S2, when the operation switch 47 on the remote control 4 is pressed, in step S3, the vaporization heater 2a of the burner 2 is energized, and preheating begins to a predetermined temperature at which the fuel oil can vaporize. This preheating takes a certain amount of time to reach the predetermined temperature, so the user must either perform this preheating in advance when hot water is needed, or wait until the preheating is complete.

[0025] In step S4, either the hot water tap 3a or the hot water tap 3b is opened, and the water flow rate detection means 12 detects the flow of water, which is the fluid to be heated in the water supply pipe 7. When the flow rate exceeds a predetermined minimum operating flow rate, which is necessary to start combustion in the burner 2, the control unit 22 determines that there is a heat requirement, and in step S5, it activates the blower motor 41a, igniter 2h, and flow pump 2f to start combustion in the burner 2, spraying fuel oil into the vaporizer 2b via the nozzle 2c. Since the vaporization heater 2a has been energized and heated in advance, the fuel oil sprayed in the vaporizer 2b vaporizes, is ignited by the spark plug 2e, and combustion begins, heating the water flowing through the hot water heat exchanger 6.

[0026] Next, the combustion shutdown operation of this first embodiment will be described.

[0027] In step S6, when the hot water taps 3a and 3b are closed and the detected value of the water flow rate detection means 12 falls below a predetermined value, the control unit 22 determines that there is no longer a heat demand and stops the combustion of the burner 2 by stopping the igniter 2h and the flow pump 2f and the blower motor 41a in step S7.

[0028] In step S8, the time period n during which combustion was stopped is determined, and the off-timer time Tn, which is a predetermined time T for time period n, is referenced from the storage unit 42.

[0029] Next, in steps S9 to S11, off-timer operation is performed after combustion has stopped.

[0030] In off-timer operation, step S9 checks again for any heat demands, and if there are no heat demands, step S10 counts down the off-timer time Tn using the timer means 61. If the off-timer time Tn has elapsed, step S11 stops the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a (turns it off). Specifically, when the time period to which the combustion of the burner 2 stops belongs is defined as the first time period N1, the off-timer time Tn for this first time period N1 is referenced from the storage unit 42, and when this off-timer time Tn has elapsed, the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a is stopped. Furthermore, if there is another heat request in step S9, the system proceeds to step S5, immediately starting combustion and resuming hot water supply.

[0031] In step S12, the amount of hot water used Rn for time period n is calculated, and in step S13, the average value An of the amount of hot water used Rn over a predetermined period is calculated. The amount of hot water used Rn is calculated from the value detected by the water flow rate detection means 12. If, in step S14, this average value An is less than a predetermined amount (for example, 5 liters / hour), it is determined to be a "low usage" period, and in step S15, the usage level Vn for this period n is set to "0", and in step S16, the off-timer time Tn is set to 0.5 hours. On the other hand, if the average value An is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (5 liters / hour), it is determined to be a "frequently used" time period, and in step S16, the usage level Vn is set to "1", and in step S17, the off-timer time Tn is set to 1.5 hours. As a result, the correspondence between time period n, usage level Vn, and off-timer period Tn is stored in the memory unit 42. This correspondence is updated each time the combustion device 1 is used.

[0032] In step S19, the ON instruction from the operation switch 47 is turned off, and the process transitions to step S2, waiting until the operation switch 47 is turned on again.

[0033] This allows the off-timer Tn to be set to 1.5 hours during "frequently used" periods and to 0.5 hours during "infrequently used" periods. This reduces the power supply time for the vaporization heater 2a during "infrequently used" periods compared to the initial setting of 1.5 hours, thus improving energy efficiency. Furthermore, the automatic setting of the off-timer provides added convenience.

[0034] Figure 4 is a correspondence diagram summarizing the hot water usage amount Rn, the average value of the hot water usage amount Rn An, the usage level Vn, and the off-timer time Tn.

[0035] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0036] Earlier, we defined the time period to which the combustion of burner 2 stopped as the first time period N1. If we define the time period following this first time period N1 as the second time period N2, the off-timer time setting means 62 sets the off-timer time Tn for the first time period N1 based on the usage level Vm of the second time period N2. Here, the subscript m in the usage level Vm means n+1.

[0037] In step S20, if the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2 is "1", that is, if it is a "frequently used" time zone, the process proceeds to step S22. If the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2 is not "1", that is, if it is a "rarely used" time zone, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the off-timer time Tn of the first time zone N1 is set to 0.5 hours, and in step S22, the off-timer time Tn of the first time zone N1 is set to 1.5 hours.

[0038] Here, if we divide a day into 24 parts, and the n of the first time zone N1 is 24, then the n of the second time zone N2 will be 1.

[0039] As a result, if the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1, which is the time period to which the combustion of burner 2 stops, is "1" (a "frequently used" time period), and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2, which is the time period following the first time zone N1, is "0" (a "rarely used" time period), then the off-timer Tn can stop the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a earlier, improving energy efficiency.

[0040] On the other hand, if the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1, which is the time period to which the combustion of burner 2 stops belongs, is "0" and is a "rarely used" time period, and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2, which is the next time period after the first time zone N1, is "1" and is a "frequently used" time period, the off-timer time Tn will maintain the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a for a longer period, thus improving convenience.

[0041] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0042] Figure 6(a) shows the case where the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1 is "1" and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2 is "0", and Figure 6(b) shows the case where the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1 is "0" and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2 is "1".

[0043] Here, if the off-timer time Tn for the first time period N1 set by the off-timer time setting means 62 is set as the first time F1, the off-timer time Tm for the second time period N2 set by the off-timer time setting means 62 is set as the second time F2, the elapsed time of off-timer operation at the current time is set as the third time F3, and the remaining time of off-timer operation at the current time is set as the fourth time F4, then when the combustion of the burner 2 stops and the off-timer operation is in operation, the off-timer time setting means 62, when the current time changes from the first time period N1 to the second time period N2, and the usage degree Vn for the first time period N1 and the usage degree Vm for the second time period N2 are different, if the third time F3 is greater than or equal to the second time F2, the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a is stopped (turned off), and if the third time F3 is less than the second time F2, the fourth time F4 is set to the difference between the second time F2 and the third time F3.

[0044] As a result, if the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1, which is the time period to which the combustion of burner 2 belongs when it stops, is "1" and is a "frequently used" time period, and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2, which is the time period following the first time zone N1, is "0" and is a "rarely used" time period, then when the combustion of burner 2 stops and the off-timer operation is in operation, the current time changes from the first time zone N1 to the second time zone N2, and the state changes from state A to state B in Figure 6(a). The fourth time zone F4, which is the remaining time of the off-timer operation, is changed according to the second time zone F2, and the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a can be stopped earlier during the off-timer time Tn, improving energy efficiency.

[0045] On the other hand, if the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1, which is the time period to which the combustion of burner 2 stops belongs, is "0" and is a "rarely used" time period, and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2, which is the time period following the first time zone N1, is "1" and is a "frequently used" time period, then when the combustion of burner 2 stops and the off-timer operation is in operation, the current time changes from the first time zone N1 to the second time zone N2, and the state changes from state A to state B in Figure 6(b). The fourth time zone F4, which is the remaining time of the off-timer operation, is changed according to the second time zone F2, and the off-timer time Tn maintains the power supply to the vaporization heater 2a for a longer period, thus improving convenience.

[0046] Furthermore, if the usage level Vn in the first time period N1 and the usage level Vm in the second time period N2 are the same, the off-timer operation will be performed during the off-timer period Tn in the first time period N1 (i.e., the first time period F1). In other words, if the usage level Vn of the first time zone N1 and the usage level Vm of the second time zone N2 are both "1" and are "frequently used" time zones, then, for example, the off-timer Tn will be set to 1.5 hours. If both are "0" and are "rarely used" time zones, then, for example, the off-timer Tn will be set to 0.5 hours.

[0047] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the usage level Vn was described as being set according to the value of the hot water usage Rn for a predetermined period within the same time zone. However, the number of times the burner 2 is ignited for each time zone within the predetermined period may also be used.

[0048] The other configurations used in this embodiment are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1: Combustion device 2: Burner 2a: Evaporation heater 7: Water supply pipe 8: Hot water pipe 12: Water supply flow rate detection means 22: Control Unit 42: Storage section 61: Timer mechanism 62: Off-timer time setting means 63: Means for calculating hot water usage 64: Means for calculating the total usage F1: 1st hour F2: 2nd hour F3: 3rd hour F4: 4th hour N1: First time zone N2: Second time zone Rn: Hot water usage T: Predetermined time Tm, Tn: Off-timer time Vm, Vn: degree of use n: time zone

Claims

1. Evaporative heater and, A burner that heats and burns fuel oil by heating the aforementioned vaporization heater, A control unit for controlling the burner, A timer means that performs an off-timer operation which turns off the power to the vaporization heater after a predetermined time has elapsed since the combustion of the burner stopped, In a combustion apparatus equipped with, The control unit includes an off-timer setting means that divides the day into multiple time zones and sets the off-timer time for each time zone based on the degree of use of the combustion device for each time zone. If the time period to which the time when the combustion of the burner stopped belongs is defined as the first time period, The control unit performs the off-timer operation for the first time period for the off-timer duration. The time period following the first time period shall be the second time period. The off-timer time for the first time period set by the off-timer time setting means is set to the first time, The off-timer time for the second time period set by the off-timer time setting means is set to the second time, The elapsed time during the off-timer period at the current time is defined as the third hour. If the remaining time in the off-timer period at the current time is set to be the fourth hour, The aforementioned off-timer time setting means is When the combustion of the burner stops and the off-timer is running, and the current time changes from the first time zone to the second time zone, If the degree of use in the first time period and the degree of use in the second time period are different, If the third time is equal to or greater than the second time, the power to the vaporization heater is turned off. If the third time is less than the second time, the fourth time shall be the difference between the second time and the third time. A combustion device characterized by the following features.

2. Water supply pipes and A heat exchanger located downstream of the water supply pipe and heated by the burner, A hot water supply pipe located downstream of the heat exchanger, A water supply flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the heated fluid flowing through the water supply pipe, A hot water usage calculation means that calculates the amount of hot water used for each time period based on the detected value of the water supply flow rate detection means, A storage unit that stores the amount of hot water used for each time period over a predetermined period, Equipped with, A means for calculating the degree of use, which sets the degree of use according to the value of the hot water usage amount for the same time period over the predetermined period, Furthermore, it is equipped with The combustion apparatus according to feature 1.

3. A storage unit that stores the number of times the burner was ignited for each time period over a predetermined period, Equipped with, A usage level calculation means that sets the usage level according to the value of the number of ignitions for the same time period over the predetermined period, Furthermore, it is equipped with The combustion apparatus according to feature 1.

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