JP2004263912A

JP2004263912A - Hot water storage type hot water supply device and its hot water supply resuming time control method

Info

Publication number: JP2004263912A
Application number: JP2003053264A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshihide Nakajima; 良秀中嶋; Naoki Tougeda; 直樹峠田; Kenji Morikawa; 健志森川; Hirosuke Motoshita; 裕亮本下; Tomio Miyake; 富雄三宅; Takehiro Shimizu; 武浩清水; Tatsuro Arai; 達郎荒井; Takeshi Sakata; 武司坂田; Takanobu Kaneshiro; 貴信金城; Shin Iwata; 伸岩田
Original assignee: Saibu Gas Co Ltd; Osaka Gas Co Ltd; Noritz Corp; Toho Gas Co Ltd
Current assignee: Saibu Gas Co Ltd; Osaka Gas Co Ltd; Noritz Corp; Toho Gas Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2003-02-28
Publication date: 2004-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-28
Also published as: JP4033461B2

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure safety in re-starting hot water supply by surely removing the possibility, if any, of the propagation of bacteria is caused in hot water in a hot water storage tank due to long-term absence. SOLUTION: A sterilization treatment necessity determining part 151a determines that a sterilization measure is required by the possibility of the propagation of bacteria due to the long-term absence when continuing for 100 hours in both a nonexistent state of input of an operation signal using a remote controller 16a and a nonexistent state of detection of a minimum operation flow rate in a hot water supply flow rate sensor 103. A sterilization treatment part 153a heats the hot water in the hot water storage tank up to temperature (75 °C) for surely perishing Legionella by starting an auxiliary heat source device 11 after being put in a hot water supply prohibited state by cutting off a water feed to the hot water supply faucet side by fully closing the hot water supply side of a water mixer 101. Prohibition of hot water supply is released after draining staying water on the hot water supply passage downstream side. The heating starting timing may be entrusted to user operation. Determination may be made on the basis of a hot water temperature state in the hot water storage tank. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、貯湯タンク内に貯湯された湯水を、給湯カランへの出湯や、浴槽への湯張り等の給湯に利用する貯湯式給湯装置及びその給湯再開時制御方法に関し、特に長期不在等の長期に亘り給湯使用が行われなかった後に、給湯使用が再開される際の滅菌対策のための技術に係る。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、貯湯タンク内に貯湯された湯水を給湯カラン又は浴槽への給湯に利用する貯湯式給湯装置として例えば特許文献１又は特許文献２に開示されたものが知られている。このものでは発電機駆動用のガスエンジンの排熱を加熱用の熱源として利用する主加熱手段と、上記ガスエンジンからの排熱回収による加熱（蓄熱）が不能又は不十分な場合に燃料を燃焼させて強制的に加熱するための補助熱源装置による副加熱手段とを備え、通常は上記主加熱手段に対し貯湯タンクの下部から取り出した湯水を供給し上記排熱との熱交換により加熱し加熱後の湯水を上記貯湯タンクの上部に戻すという循環加熱運転により貯湯タンク内に温度成層を形成しつつ貯湯するようにしている。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２０００−１７１１０２号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−２９６０５５号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、上記の如き貯湯式給湯装置を使用しているユーザーが長期不在等になると、貯湯タンク内の湯水や給湯用の回路内の湯水がそのまま滞留した状態で放熱により湯水温度が低下することになる。このように放置された状態になると、滞留湯水内にレジオネラ菌や他の雑菌が発生し繁殖する可能性が生じることになる。
【０００５】
このような事態の発生の可能性に対処するために、長期不在の際には貯湯タンクや回路内の水抜きを行いコンセントを抜いて電源を切断しておくことが望ましいが、長期不在が月単位以上であればともかくとして日単位又は週単位の場合には全てのユーザーがかかる水抜きを行うとは限らない。
【０００６】
その一方、レジオネラ菌等が繁殖しているか否かは実際に分析しなければ分からず、ユーザーにとっては菌繁殖しているか否かはもとより、その可能性すら把握していないことが多い。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、長期不在等に起因して長期に亘り給湯使用が行われない状態が継続したときの菌繁殖の可能性を確実に排除して、給湯再開時の高次の安全性を確保することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に係る発明では、貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法を対象として次の特定事項を備えることとした。すなわち、まず、非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定処理を行い、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたときには上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱して滅菌処理を実行することとした。
【０００９】
この請求項１に係る発明の場合、判定処理の結果、菌繁殖の可能性が有ると判定されれば、滅菌処理が実行されて貯湯タンク内の湯水が加熱手段により加熱されて設定滅菌温度まで加熱されるため、非使用状態の継続により菌繁殖の可能性が生じたとしても確実に滅菌されることになる。これにより、給湯再開時に貯湯タンク内の湯水が給湯に供されてもその給湯使用の安全性が確保される。
【００１０】
また、請求項２に係る発明では、貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために開閉切換可能に導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法を対象として次の特定事項を備えることとした。すなわち、まず、非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定処理を行い、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたときには、上記給湯路を遮断状態に切換制御して給湯使用を禁止した給湯禁止状態にした上で、上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱して滅菌処理を実行する。そして、滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御して給湯使用を再開可能な状態に復帰させることとした（請求項２）。
【００１１】
この請求項２に係る発明の場合、上記請求項１に係る作用に加え、菌繁殖の可能性が有ると判定された場合には、給湯路が遮断状態に切換えられて貯湯タンク内の湯水を用いた給湯使用が禁止される。このため、ユーザーが給湯カランをうっかり開いたとしても給湯されず、菌繁殖の可能性の有る湯水の使用が確実に阻止される。しかも、滅菌処理が終了すれば自動的に給湯使用が再開可能になるため、安全性を確保しつつユーザーの利便性を損なうこともない。
【００１２】
この請求項２の給湯再開時制御方法においては、以下の各処理を追加採用するようにしてもよい。第１に、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき給湯禁止状態にすると共に、その旨を報知手段を用いて報知処理した後、ユーザー操作に基づく解除操作信号の入力を受けることを条件に上記滅菌処理を実行するようにする（請求項３）。この場合には、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたときには、とりあえず給湯禁止状態にするだけにしてユーザーに対する報知を行う。そして、この報知手段による報知により認知したユーザーの自由意思による解除操作を受けて初めて加熱手段を作動させる滅菌処理を開始し、その終了後に給湯路を連通状態に切換えて給湯再開可能とされる。つまり、判定処理に基づき給湯禁止状態に切換えて報知だけ行い、滅菌処理の開始タイミングをユーザーに委ねるようにすることにより、不在中に勝手に加熱手段による加熱作動が起きないようにしつつ、ユーザー自身の操作意思に基づく滅菌処理の実行により安全性の確保を図ることが可能になる。
【００１３】
第２に、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき上記給湯路の遮断状態への切換制御に引き続いて滅菌処理を実行し、滅菌処理の実行中にユーザー操作に基づく終了操作信号の入力を受けたとき上記滅菌処理を途中であっても終了させるようにする（請求項４）。この場合、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたときの滅菌処理の実行を自動処理により行うものの、その自動処理に基づく滅菌処理を最初から又は途中であってもユーザーの自由意思に基づき終了させてキャンセル可能とすることが可能となる。この場合、滅菌終了により給湯路が連通切換えされて給湯再開可能となるものの、ユーザー自身が納得した上での給湯使用となるため、その用途も限られて安全性の問題も生じ得ない。
【００１４】
第３に、滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御した上で、所定量の排水を促す報知を報知手段を用いて報知処理し、給湯路での流量検出に基づき上記所定量の排水の完了を検出すれば上記報知を終了するようにする（請求項５）。この場合、貯湯タンク内の湯水が加熱されて装置内のほぼ全体が滅菌処理されても、給湯路の下流端側には加熱の影響を受けずに内部に滞留したままの滞留水が残るおそれがあるものの、上記排水によりこの滞留水も排出された上で給湯が再開されることになる。このため、給湯再開の最初から確実に滅菌後の湯水が出湯されることになる。
【００１５】
第４に、滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御した後、その給湯路から浴槽まで連通する注湯回路の注湯電磁弁を開制御して給湯路内の湯水を浴槽に排水処理するようにする（請求項６）。この場合、上記の請求項５の場合と同様に給湯路の下流端側の滞留水が給湯再開前に排水されるため、給湯再開の最初から確実に滅菌後の湯水が出湯されることになる。しかも、これを請求項５の場合の如くユーザー自身の排水操作を要することなく、注湯電磁弁の開制御による自動制御により実現し得る。
【００１６】
また、以上の請求項１〜請求項６のいずれかの給湯再開時制御方法における加熱手段としては、加熱手段を、排熱を熱源とする排熱回収式の主加熱手段と、電力又は燃料のエネルギー消費を熱源とするエネルギー消費式の副加熱手段とにより構成し、滅菌処理においては上記副加熱手段を作動させるようにすることもできる（請求項７）。この場合には、貯湯式給湯装置として、通常時には主加熱手段を用いた排熱回収により省エネルギー性を重視した貯湯タンクへの貯湯が行われる一方、緊急時の滅菌処理には副加熱手段を用いてより確実な加熱制御が行われる。これにより、主加熱手段による加熱作動が不能又は不十分なことのあることを排除し、設定滅菌温度までの加熱の迅速性・確実性を考慮して副加熱手段により確実な滅菌処理を実現し得る。
【００１７】
一方、以上の給湯再開時制御方法における判定処理として次の種々の各具体方法のいずれか又は２以上の具体方法を組み合わせて採用することができる。
【００１８】
第１の具体方法は、判定処理として、給湯路に設置した流量検出手段により最低作動流量が検出されない状態が所定期間継続したことをもって、菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする（請求項８）。つまり、ユーザーが不在でなければ給湯使用（例えば給湯カランを開くこと）により給湯路には最低作動流量以上の流量が流れる一方、不在であれば給湯使用自体がないため給湯路に湯水が流れることはない。しかも、例えば給湯カランが多少弛んでいて漏れが発生していたとしても、最低作動流量未満であるため、上記判定処理において誤判定を招くことなく確実に滅菌対策の要否を判定し得る。なお、上記の「所定期間」あるいは後述の第２の具体方法における「所定期間」とは滅菌対策が必要になる程度と予想される経過期間であり、季節等の環境によっても変動するが、例えば丸々４日間に相当する１００時間を設定するようにすればよい。
【００１９】
第２の具体方法は、判定処理として、リモコンからの操作信号が出力されない状態が所定期間継続したことをもって、菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする（請求項９）。通常、給湯使用が行われるときには給湯カランからの出湯温度の設定入力や、浴槽への注湯時の湯張り温度の設定入力等がリモコンを用いて行われる他、温水暖房や追い焚きが貯湯タンク内の湯水を用いて行われるように構成されている場合であってもその暖房開始であればリモコンの暖房スイッチ、追い焚き開始であれば追焚スイッチのＯＮ操作等により行われる。このため、ユーザーによるリモコンに対する操作、つまりリモコンからの操作信号が出力されないことをもってユーザーが不在であるか否かの判定が可能になる。この第２の具体方法は、上記の第１の具体方法又は後述の第３の具体方法と組み合わせて判定処理を構成することにより、より確実な判定処理を行い得る。
【００２０】
第３の具体方法は、判定処理として、電源投入を受けて貯湯タンク内の湯水温度を検出し、この湯水温度についての検出情報が予め設定した菌繁殖の可能性の有る温度条件に合致すれば、滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする（請求項１０）。上記の第１又は第２の具体方法が装置に対する電源投入状態を継続、すなわち、装置自体の電源スイッチはたとえＯＦＦにされてはいてもコンセントには接続された状態を継続しており、従って、コントローラや検出手段等は動作可能であることを前提にしたものであるのに対し、本第３の具体方法は上記のコンセントへの接続も抜かれた状態で不在となった場合の具体方法を提供するものである。この場合、長期不在となれば貯湯タンク内の湯水は放熱により温度が低下してしまうため、この湯水温度についての検出情報に基づいて判定を行おうとしている。ここで、上記の「温度条件」とは菌繁殖の可能性の有る温度範囲のことである。貯湯タンク内が温度成層下で貯湯され、この温度成層状態で放熱した場合であっても、所定温度以下（例えば３５℃以下）で最高温度と最低温度との差が所定温度値（例えば１０℃）の範囲内とすることで判定し得る。
【００２１】
上記の第３の具体方法では、電源投入をトリガーとして判定処理が開始されるため、現実の実使用状態での長期不在を確実に判定するために、以下の種々の対策を追加採用してもよい。
【００２２】
すなわち、装置設置時の試運転が終了したか否かの試運転情報を不揮発性メモリに記憶保持するようにし、この試運転情報の内容が未了であるとき、電源が投入されても判定処理の実行を禁止するようにしてもよい（請求項１１）。このようにすることより、実使用に供される前の装置設置時における電源投入をトリガーとする判定処理の開始を排除し得る。この場合、さらに、上記試運転情報の内容が終了であるとき、この終了の試運転情報を記憶した時点以降に所定時間連続して電源投入状態が継続したことを条件にそれ以後の判定処理の実行を許可する一方、それ以前は電源投入されても判定処理の実行を禁止するようにしてもよい（請求項１２）。このようにすることにより、試運転は終了したものの、ユーザーが入居して現実に装置を実使用に供するまでの間に試しに電源が投入された場合を排除して、ユーザー自身が確実に実使用状態に入ってから本判定処理に基づく給湯再開時制御方法を実施し得る。また、さらにこれらの場合に、貯湯タンク及び給湯路内の水抜き操作が行われたか否かを検出するようにし、水抜き操作が行われたことを検出したとき試運転情報の内容を未了に強制的に変更するようにしてもよい（請求項１３）。このようにすることにより、ユーザー又はサービスマンが水抜きを行った場合に、後に注水を完了して試運転を実行するまで本判定処理の開始を阻止して、実使用状態の場合のみ本判定処理に基づく給湯再開時制御方法を実施し得る。
【００２３】
また、上記の第３の具体方法においては、電源投入を受けて実行された判定処理の結果、滅菌対策を行う必要有りと判定されたとき、この判定結果を不揮発性メモリに記憶保持する一方、滅菌処理の終了により上記判定結果をクリアするようにし、再度の電源投入状態になったとき上記判定結果の記憶内容が滅菌対策を行う必要有りであれば判定処理を実行せずに滅菌処理を実行するようにしてもよい（請求項１４）。このようにすることにより、判定処理の結果に基づき滅菌処理が実行されている途中に停電等の発生により電源が遮断され、その停電等が解消して電源投入状態に復帰した場合に、既に貯湯タンク内の湯水が加熱されて上記の温度条件に合致せずに滅菌対策不要と誤判定することを回避して滅菌処理を確実に最後まで実行させることが可能になる。すなわち、１回目の電源投入時の判定処理によりその判定結果が不揮発性メモリに記憶保持されているため、停電状態が復旧したときにその記憶保持されている判定結果に基づき滅菌処理が最後まで実行されることになる。
【００２４】
次に、以上の給湯再開時制御方法を実施するための貯湯式給湯装置の発明について説明すると、この発明では、貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置を対象として次の特定事項を備えることとした。すなわち、上記給湯路の途中に介装され流路を開閉切換する開閉切換弁と、非使用状態の継続後に給湯を再開する前に滅菌処理のための制御を実行する給湯再開時制御手段とを備えたものとする。そして、上記給湯再開時制御手段として、上記非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定を行う滅菌処理要否判定部と、この滅菌処理要否判定部により滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき、上記開閉切換弁を閉状態に切換制御する一方、上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱制御する滅菌処理部とを備えて構成する（請求項１５）。
【００２５】
この請求項１５に係る貯湯式給湯装置の場合、上記請求項２の給湯再開時制御方法を具体的かつ確実に実施することが可能になり、その作用を確実に得ることが可能になる。
【００２６】
また、この請求項１５に係る貯湯式給湯装置において、報知手段をさらに備え、上記滅菌処理部として、滅菌対策が必要との滅菌処理要否判定部による判定結果を上記報知手段により報知し、ユーザー操作に基づく解除操作信号の入力を受けることを条件に上記加熱制御を開始する構成とすることにより（請求項１６）、上記の請求項３の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することが可能となる。これに加え、上記給湯路を流れる流量を検出する流量検出手段をさらに備え、上記滅菌処理部として、加熱制御の終了を受けて所定量の排水を促す報知を上記報知手段により報知する一方、上記流量検出手段により上記所定量の排水が完了したことの検出を受けて上記報知を終了させる構成とすることにより（請求項１７）、上記の請求項５の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することが可能になる。
【００２７】
さらに、以上の貯湯式給湯装置において、上記加熱手段として、排熱を熱源とする排熱回収式の主加熱手段と、電力又は燃料のエネルギー消費を熱源とするエネルギー消費式の副加熱手段とにより構成し、上記滅菌処理部として、上記副加熱手段の作動により滅菌処理のための加熱制御を行う構成にするようにしてもよい（請求項１８）。このようにすることにより、上記の請求項７の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することが可能になり、その作用を確実に得ることが可能になる。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
以上、説明したように、請求項１、請求項７〜請求項１４のいずれかの貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法によれば、装置の非使用状態の継続により貯湯タンク内の湯水に菌繁殖の可能性が生じたとしても、それを確実に判定して滅菌処理の実行により貯湯タンク内の湯水を確実に滅菌することができる。これにより、給湯再開時に貯湯タンク内の湯水が給湯に供されても、その給湯使用の安全性を確保することができる。
【００２９】
また、請求項２〜請求項１４のいずれかの貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法によれば、請求項１に係る給湯再開時制御方法による効果に加え、菌繁殖の可能性が有ると判定された場合には、貯湯タンク内の湯水を用いた給湯使用を禁止することができ、菌繁殖の可能性の有る湯水の使用を確実に阻止することができる。しかも、滅菌処理が終了すれば自動的に給湯使用を再開可能な状態にすることができ、安全性を確保しつつユーザーの利便性を損なうこともない。
【００３０】
特に、請求項３によれば、滅菌処理の開始タイミングをユーザーに委ねることができ、不在中に勝手に加熱手段による加熱作動が起きないようにしつつ、ユーザー自身の操作意思に基づく滅菌処理の実行により安全性の確保を図ることができるようになる。
【００３１】
請求項４によれば、滅菌対策が必要と判定されたときの滅菌処理の実行を自動処理により行うことができる一方、その自動処理に基づく滅菌処理をユーザーの自由意思に基づき終了させてキャンセルさせることができる。
【００３２】
請求項５によれば、給湯路の下流端側の滞留水をユーザー操作により排水促進して、給湯再開の最初から確実に滅菌後の湯水を出湯させることができる。一方、請求項６によれば、上記給湯路の下流端側の滞留水をユーザー操作によらずして自動的に排水させて、給湯再開の最初から確実に滅菌後の湯水を出湯させることができる。
【００３３】
請求項７によれば、通常時には主加熱手段による排熱回収に基づく貯湯を給湯使用することができる一方、緊急時の滅菌処理には設定滅菌温度まで確実にかつ迅速に加熱して確実な滅菌処理を実現することができる。
【００３４】
請求項８によれば、給湯路に所定の最低作動流量以上の流れが発生していない状態が継続したか否かにより、ユーザーが長期不在状態か否か、それにより滅菌対策の必要性が有るか否かの判定を確実に行うことができるようになる。
【００３５】
請求項９によれば、リモコンへの操作の有無に基づきユーザーが長期不在状態か否か、それにより滅菌対策の必要性が有るか否かの判定を確実に行うことができるようになる。
【００３６】
請求項１０によれば、装置のコンセントに対する接続も抜かれて電源が遮断された状態で不在となった場合においても、滅菌対策の必要性が有るか否かの判定を確実に行うことができるようになる。
【００３７】
請求項１１によれば、請求項１０において、装置が実使用に供される前の装置設置時における電源投入をトリガーとする判定処理の開始を確実に排除することができ、請求項１２によれば、試運転は終了したものの、ユーザーが入居して現実に装置を実使用に供するまでの間に試しに電源が投入された場合の判定処理の開始を排除して、ユーザー自身が確実に実使用状態に入ってから本判定処理に基づく給湯再開時制御方法を実施することができる。さらに、請求項１３によれば、ユーザー等が水抜きを行った場合に、後に注水を完了して試運転を実行するまでの間における判定処理の開始を阻止することができ、実使用状態の場合のみ本判定処理に基づく給湯再開時制御方法を実施することができる。
【００３８】
請求項１４によれば、請求項１０において、判定処理の結果に基づき滅菌処理が実行されている途中に停電等の発生により電源が遮断され、その停電等が解消して電源投入状態に復帰した場合であっても、滅菌対策不要と誤判定することを回避して滅菌処理を確実に最後まで実行させることができる。
【００３９】
一方、請求項１５〜請求項１８のいずれかの貯湯式給湯装置によれば、請求項２の給湯再開時制御方法を具体的かつ確実に実施することができ、その効果を確実に得ることができるようになる。
【００４０】
特に、請求項１６によれば、請求項３の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することができ、その効果を確実に得ることができるようになる。また、請求項１７によれば、請求項５の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することができ、その効果を確実に得ることができる。さらに、請求項１８によれば、請求項７の給湯再開時制御方法を確実に実施することができ、その効果を確実に得ることができるようになる。
【００４１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
【００４２】
図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る貯湯式給湯装置を適用したコジェネレーションシステムを示す。このコジェネレーションシステムは、熱電併給装置（例えば発電機駆動用ガスエンジン又は燃料電池等）１の排熱を主加熱手段２の熱源として利用し、貯湯タンク３内の湯水を循環加熱回路４を通して上記主加熱手段２により加熱して貯湯タンク３内に貯湯するものである。つまり、例えばガスエンジン１の冷却水を排熱媒体としてその排熱を貯湯の形で貯湯タンク３に蓄熱するものである。そして、上記貯湯タンク３に貯湯した湯水を給湯カラン５への給湯や、後述の注湯回路１２を通して浴槽６への湯張り用の給湯（注湯）として利用したり、あるいは、上記主加熱手段２等により加熱された湯水を温水暖房回路７及び追焚回路８の加熱用熱源として利用するものである。以下に熱電併給装置１としてガスエンジンを用いた場合のコジェネレーションシステムについてその詳細を説明する。
【００４３】
上記主加熱手段２は熱電併給装置１の冷却水を排熱媒体として利用し、この排熱媒体である冷却水をヒータ２１、排熱熱交換器２２及び冷却水循環ポンプ２３を介装した排熱循環回路２４を通して熱電併給装置１と上記排熱熱交換器２２との間を循環させるようになっている。上記ヒータ２１は熱電併給装置１の運転により発電される電力が消費電力との関係で余剰になったときその余剰電力を利用して排熱熱交換器２２に供給される冷却水をさらに昇温させるものであり、上記排熱熱交換器２２は液−液熱交換器により構成されたものである。この主加熱手段２においては、熱電併給装置１を運転させると、同時に冷却水循環ポンプ２３も作動され、熱電併給装置１から吸熱して昇温した冷却水がヒータ２１を通して排熱熱交換器２２に供給され、この排熱熱交換器２２において上記循環加熱回路４の湯水を熱交換加熱することにより冷却された冷却水が再び熱電併給装置１に戻されて熱電併給装置１の冷却を行い再び吸熱するようになっている。
【００４４】
上記貯湯タンク３はその下部に接続された給水路９を通して水道水が水道圧等に基づき供給されて満水状態に維持されるようになっている。つまり、給湯カラン５が開かれて給湯路１０を通して給湯されたり、給湯路１０及び上記の注湯回路１２を通して浴槽６に湯張りされたりなどして貯湯タンク３内の湯水が減ったときに、その減った分だけ給水路９から給水されるようになっている。なお、図１中の符号９１，９１は給水路９及び後述の分岐給水路９ａに介装された逆止弁であり、９２は給水温度センサである。
【００４５】
上記貯湯タンク３には上下方向に互いに離れた複数の検出位置で内部の湯水温度を検出するための温度検出手段としての複数のタンク温度センサ３１〜３５（図１には５つの温度センサを例示）が配設されている。なお、このタンク温度センサ３１〜３５による湯水温度の検出は湯水温度を直接に検出しても、タンク外壁温度の検出により間接的に検出しても、いずれでもよい。図１の例示の場合、第１タンク温度センサ３１が最上部位置、第２タンク温度センサ３２がその下方位置である上部位置、第３タンク温度センサ３３が中部位置、第４タンク温度センサ３４が下部位置、第５タンク温度センサ３５が最下部位置での各位置における湯水温度を検出するようになっている。
【００４６】
上記循環加熱回路４は上流端４１が貯湯タンク３の下部に接続され、下流端４２が貯湯タンク３の上部に接続されたものである。上記循環加熱回路４は、途中に介装されたタンク水循環ポンプ４３の作動により、貯湯タンク３の下部から取り出した湯水を上記排熱熱交換器２２、循環水比例弁４５、副加熱手段としての補助熱源装置１１、及び、タンク水比例弁４４を通して貯湯タンク３の上部に戻すようになっている。加熱運転が開始されると、この循環加熱回路４の運転（タンク水循環ポンプ４３の作動）と、主加熱手段２の運転とが開始され、上記排熱熱交換器２２における熱交換加熱により貯湯タンク３の下部の湯水が加熱され、所定の目標温度まで加熱された湯水が貯湯タンク３の上部に順に戻されて貯湯タンク３内に上下方向に温度成層を形成しつつ貯湯されることになる。
【００４７】
なお、上記補助熱源装置１１は例えば通常のガス給湯器と同様構成のものが用いられ、主加熱手段２による加熱が不能もしくは不足時に、又は、後述の滅菌処理開始時に後述のコントローラ１５により作動されて循環加熱回路４内の湯水を加熱するものである。この補助熱源装置１１の運転が開始されると、燃料ガスが燃焼バーナ１１１で燃焼されその燃焼熱を受けた熱交換器１１２における熱交換加熱により上記循環加熱回路４内の湯水が強制的に加熱される。なお、上記の補助熱源装置１１としては、電気ヒータを用いた加熱器等により構成してもよい。
【００４８】
上記循環加熱回路４のタンク水比例弁４４と下流端４２との間から上記給湯路１０が分岐し、この給湯路１０は、給水路９の上流側から分岐した分岐給水路９ａからの水を所定の混合比で混合する混水器１０１と、出湯水比例弁１０２と、流量検出手段としての給湯流量センサ１０３とを介して下流端が給湯カラン５に接続されている。そして、給湯カラン５を開けば貯湯タンク３の上部から高温の湯水が上記給湯路１０を通して給湯されるようになっており、この給湯の際に上記混水器１０１による混水制御を受けて給湯カラン５からの出湯が後述のリモコン１６ａに入力設定された設定給湯温度になるように温調されるようになっている。上記混水器１０１は、給湯路１０から流入する側の開度を全閉にし分岐給水路９ａから流入する側の開度を全開にすれば、つまり混水制御の湯対水の混合比を０：１００にすれば、給湯路１０を遮断して貯湯タンク３側から給湯カラン５及び浴槽６側への給湯を禁止することができるようになっている。すなわち、上記混水器１０１が給湯路１０を開閉切換可能にする開閉切換弁を構成している。なお、浴槽６側のみへの給湯については後述の注湯電磁弁１２２が開閉切換弁を構成することになる。
【００４９】
一方、上記給湯路１０の給湯流量センサ１０３の下流側位置から注湯回路１２が分岐し、この注湯回路１２は注湯流量センサ１２１と、注湯電磁弁１２２と、二段配置の逆止弁１２３とを介して下流端が追焚回路８のいずれか（図例では追焚循環ポンプ８１の上流側）に連通接続されている。
【００５０】
また、上記循環加熱回路４の補助熱源装置１１とタンク水比例弁４４との間から二次循環回路１３の上流端１３１が分岐し、この二次循環回路１３は主加熱手段２又は補助熱源装置１１により加熱された湯水を二次加熱手段１４に加熱用熱源として供給した後、その下流端１３２が上記循環加熱回路４の上流端４１とタンク水循環ポンプ４３との間に合流するように接続されている。
【００５１】
上記二次加熱手段１４は温水暖房回路７が通過する暖房熱交換器１４１と、追焚回路８が通過する追焚熱交換器１４２とを備えており、上記二次循環回路１３に上流端１３１から流入した湯水は途中で分岐して一方が上記暖房熱交換器１４１に、他方が上記追焚熱交換器１４２に加熱用熱源として供給された後、暖房出口電磁弁１３３又は追焚出口電磁弁１３４を介して合流されて下流端１３２に至るようになっている。
【００５２】
一方、上記温水暖房回路７は暖房循環ポンプ７１の作動により閉回路内の温水を上記暖房熱交換器１４１と暖房端末（例えば床暖房器等）７２との間に循環させ、上記追焚回路８は追焚循環ポンプ８１の作動により浴槽６内の湯水を追焚熱交換器１４２との間に循環させるようになっている。なお、図１中の符号８２は浴槽６内の湯水の温度を検出するふろ温度センサ、８３は圧力検出により浴槽６内の湯水の水位を検出する水位センサである。
【００５３】
以上の構成のコジェネレーションシステムは、リモコン１６ａ，１６ｂのスイッチ操作により入力されるユーザーからの要求指令や、予め搭載された所定のプログラム及び回路基板等による自動制御指令を受けて、コントローラ１５により制御されるようになっている。すなわち、コントローラ１５により、加熱運転、給湯運転、湯張り運転、暖房運転及び追焚運転等の種々の運転に係る制御や、長期不在時の給湯再開時制御等が行われるようになっている。上記リモコン１６ａは給湯カラン５の設置場所（例えば台所）の近傍に、リモコン１６ｂは浴槽６が設置された浴室の近傍にそれぞれ設置されるものであり、これらリモコン１６ａ，１６ｂはＣＰＵや表示部１６１等を備え有線又は無線によりコントローラ１５と双方向通信可能に接続されている。以下の滅菌処理等の説明ではユーザーが台所近傍に設置されたリモコン１６ａを用いて操作する場合を対象にして説明するが、他のリモコン１６ｂも同様構成である。
【００５４】
まず、上記の各運転制御について簡単に説明すると、加熱運転を行う加熱制御は、上記暖房出口電磁弁１３３及び追焚出口電磁弁１３４を共に閉じた状態で、熱電併給装置１を起動させ、冷却水循環ポンプ２３及びタンク水循環ポンプ４３を作動させることにより行われる。すると、熱電併給装置１の稼働に伴い高温に昇温された冷却水が排熱熱交換器２２に供給される一方、この排熱熱交換器２２には貯湯タンク３の下部から取り出された湯水が供給され、この湯水が液−液熱交換により目標温度（例えば７０℃）まで加熱されて貯湯タンク３の上部に戻される。
【００５５】
給湯運転を行う給湯制御は、ユーザーがリモコン１６ａに給湯温度を入力設定すれば、この給湯温度の湯水が給湯カラン５から出湯されるように混水器１０１による混水制御を行い、これにより、貯湯タンク３の上部から水道圧に基づき取り出される湯水に対し所定の混合比で混水して温度調整した上で給湯カラン５に給湯するようになっている。
【００５６】
湯張り運転を行う湯張り制御は、ユーザーによるリモコン操作によって湯張り要求指令が出力されると、上記暖房出口電磁弁１３３及び追焚出口電磁弁１３４を共に閉じタンク水比例弁４４を閉じた状態で、注湯回路１２の注湯電磁弁１２２を開く。すると、給湯と同様に貯湯タンク３の上部から水道圧に基づき湯水が給湯路１０に取り出され、次いで注湯回路１２に流れ込み、追焚循環回路８を通して浴槽６に落とし込まれ湯張りされる。
【００５７】
暖房運転を行う暖房制御は、ユーザーによるリモコン操作によって暖房要求指令が出力されると、タンク水比例弁４４を閉じ、暖房出口電磁弁１３３を開けた状態で温水暖房回路７の暖房循環ポンプ７１を作動させ、上記の加熱制御と同様に熱電併給装置１を起動させ、冷却水循環ポンプ２３及びタンク水循環ポンプ４３を作動させることにより行われる。すると、循環加熱回路４で加熱された湯水が二次循環回路１３に流入して暖房熱交換器１４１及び暖房出口電磁弁１３３を通過した後、循環加熱回路４に戻されて主加熱手段２により再び加熱される一方、温水暖房回路７内の温水が暖房熱交換器１４１において加熱されつつ暖房端末７２に循環供給されることになる。
【００５８】
追焚運転を行う追焚制御は、ユーザーによるリモコン１６ｂの操作によって追焚要求指令が出力されると、タンク水比例弁４４を閉じ、追焚出口電磁弁１３４を開けた状態で追焚回路８の追焚循環ポンプ８１を作動させ、上記の加熱運転制御と同様に熱電併給装置１を起動させ、冷却水循環ポンプ２３及びタンク水循環ポンプ４３を作動させることにより行われる。すると、循環加熱回路４で加熱された湯水が二次循環回路１３に流入して追焚熱交換器１４２及び追焚出口電磁弁１３４を通過した後、循環加熱回路４に戻されて主加熱手段２により再び加熱される一方、追焚回路８内の浴槽６内の湯水が追焚熱交換器１４２により加熱されつつ浴槽６に戻されて追い焚きされことになる。
【００５９】
＜第１実施形態＞
次に、以上説明した構成のコジェネレーションシステムに対する第１実施形態に係る給湯再開時制御について詳細に説明する。図２は給湯再開時制御に係る部分のコントローラ１５の構成を示し、給湯再開時制御手段を構成するこのコントローラ１５は第１実施形態に係る滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ａと、タイマー１５２と、滅菌処理部１５３ａとを備えている。以下、図３のフローチャートを参照しつつ、上記滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ａや滅菌処理部１５３ａによる処理について説明する。
【００６０】
まず、滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ａでは、上記の給湯運転や湯張り運転等のユーザー操作に基づく運転が行われたか否かをコントローラ１５の該当する制御要素からの制御情報に基づき判定し、その運転（使用）が終了した時点でタイマー１５２をスタートさせる（ステップＳ１でＹＥＳ、ステップＳ２）。そして、リモコン１６ａ，１６ｂに対するユーザーの操作が未操作である状態が継続しているか否か（ステップＳ３）、給湯流量センサ１０３による最低作動流量（ＭＯＱ）の検出が非検出である状態が継続しているか否か（ステップＳ４）をそれぞれ監視する。リモコン１６ａ，１６ｂの操作又はＭＯＱの検出のいずれかが有ればステップＳ２に戻りタイマー１５２を再スタートさせる一方、いずれもがない状態が継続しタイマー１５２が所定のα時間（例えば１００時間）だけカウント（α時間経過）すればユーザーの長期不在又は長期に亘り装置の不使用状態の継続に起因して貯湯タンク３内等の湯水に菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定して滅菌処理部１５３ａによりステップＳ６以降の滅菌処理を実行する（ステップＳ３及びＳ４が共にＹＥＳでステップＳ５がＹＥＳ）。
【００６１】
滅菌処理は、まず混水器１０１の給湯側開度を全閉に切換制御して給湯使用を禁止した給湯禁止状態にし、上記の判定結果等をリモコン１６ａにより報知する（ステップＳ６）。このリモコン１６ａを用いた報知内容は、上記判定結果の報知に加え、滅菌処理の実行開始のための操作をユーザーに促すための報知をも行う。例えば図４（ａ）に示すようにリモコン１６ａの表示部１６１に対し「不在と判定されました」との判定結果の表示と、上記の給湯禁止状態を解除して滅菌処理を開始させるために第１入力スイッチ１６２のＯＮ操作を促す「解除」の文字及び第１入力スイッチ１６２を指し示す記号の表示とを行う。もちろん、表示による報知に限らず、このような表示と共に、あるいは、表示に代えて、音声アナウンスにより上記報知を行うようにしてもよい（以下の報知も同じ）。
【００６２】
そして、ユーザーにより上記第１入力スイッチ１６２（解除スイッチ）がＯＮ操作されるまで上記の給湯禁止状態と上記のリモコン表示とを継続させる一方（ステップＳ７でＮＯ、ステップＳ６）、上記第１入力スイッチ１６２がＯＮ操作されれば補助熱源装置１１を用いた加熱制御を行う（ステップＳ７でＹＥＳ、ステップＳ８）。この加熱制御の実行中はリモコン１６ａにより滅菌処理中である旨の報知と、ユーザーの自由意思に基づいて滅菌処理を終了させ得ることの報知とを行う。例えば図４（ｂ）に示すように、表示部１６１に対し「滅菌中ですしばらくお待ち下さい」という表示と、滅菌処理を終了させるには第２入力スイッチ１６３をＯＮ操作すればよいこと「終了」の文字及び第２入力スイッチ１６３を指し示す記号の表示とを行うことにより報知する。なお、図３には図示を省略しているが、上記第２入力スイッチ１６３がＯＮ操作されれば、ステップＳ８の加熱制御を中止してステップＳ１０での給湯禁止状態を解除する処理を行うようになっている。
【００６３】
ステップＳ８の加熱制御は、タンク水比例弁４４を全開状態に、追焚熱交換電磁弁１３４及び暖房熱交電磁弁１３３を共に開状態にそれぞれ切換えた状態で、タンク水循環ポンプ４３を作動し補助熱源装置１１を起動させて、貯湯タンク３内の湯水と、二次循環回路１３内の湯水とを循環加熱回路４に循環させて設定滅菌温度（例えば７５℃以上）まで加熱する。具体例を説明すると、補助熱源装置１１の燃焼バーナ１１１を熱交換器１１２での熱交換加熱により８０℃まで加熱し得るように燃焼制御する一方、循環水比例弁４５の開度を５Ｌ／ｍｉｎの循環流量になるように調整制御する。なお、上記の補助熱源装置１１による８０℃の目標温度は熱交換器１１２の出口温度センサ１１３からの検出情報に基づいて制御する。そして、貯湯タンク３の全てのタンク温度センサ３１〜３５の全てが上記の設定滅菌温度以上の湯水温度を検出すれば、加熱制御を終了する。つまり、最も低温となる貯湯タンク３の最下部の湯水までが上記設定滅菌温度まで加熱されたことをもって、貯湯タンク３内の全ての湯水及び二次循環回路１３内の全ての湯水が設定滅菌温度以上まで加熱されたこととする。
【００６４】
通常、レジオネラ菌は６０℃で１０〜１５ｍｉｎ以内、７０℃で５ｓｅｃ以内で死滅するといわれているため、上記の如く設定滅菌温度として７５℃程度を設定すれば、他の雑菌を含めレジオネラ菌は確実に死滅することになる。
【００６５】
そして、上記の加熱制御が終了すれば、混水器１０１の給湯側を全開に開いて貯湯タンク３側から給湯カラン５側へ連通させて給湯禁止状態を解除し、リモコン１６ａに給湯カラン５を開いて給湯路１０の下流端側に滞留している湯水の排水を促す報知を行う（ステップＳ９でＹＥＳ、ステップＳ１０）。例えば図５（ａ）に示すようにリモコン１６ａの表示部１６１に対し「カランを明けて排出して下さい」という表示を行うことにより報知する。この報知を受けてユーザーにより給湯カラン５が開かれると給湯路１０に流れが生じることになるため、上記の報知後、給湯流量センサ１０３の検出情報を監視し、所定の排水量が通過して排水が完了したことを検知するまで上記報知を継続し（ステップＳ１１でＮＯ）、排水が完了すれば上記のリモコン１６ａの表示部１６１の表示をデフォルト画面に戻す（ステップＳ１１でＹＥＳ、ステップＳ１２）。例えば図５（ｂ）に示すように表示部１６１に給湯設定温度や時刻等を表示したデフォルト画面に変更する。
【００６６】
以上によれば、滅菌処理要否判定部１５１により滅菌対策が必要であるか否かが判定され、必要と判定されれば滅菌処理部１５３による加熱制御により貯湯タンク３内や二次循環回路１３内の全ての湯水か設定滅菌温度まで加熱されるため、たとえレジオネラ菌等が繁殖していたとしても、そのレジオネラ菌を含め全ての雑菌を死滅させることができる。しかも、上記の貯湯タンク３以外の給湯路１０の下流端側の滞留水もリモコン１６ａによる報知に基づき給湯カラン５を開かせて排水させることができる。
【００６７】
なお、最後の給湯路１０の下流端側の滞留水の排水処理をユーザーによる給湯カラン５の開操作によらずして自動処理により行うこともできる。この場合には、図６にフローチャートを示すように、ステップＳ１〜ステップＳ９までの処理を上記の図３に示す場合と同様に行い、加熱制御が終了したら（ステップＳ９でＹＥＳ）、ステップＳ１３において次の処理を行う。すなわち、混水器１０１の給湯側を全開に開いて貯湯タンク３側から給湯カラン５側へ連通させて給湯禁止状態を解除すると共に、注湯電磁弁１２２を開状態に切換制御する。なお、このときには図３の場合と異なりリモコン１６ａの表示部１６１の表示は滅菌処理中であることの報知を継続する。例えば図４（ｂ）に示す表示を継続し、図５（ａ）に示す表示は行わないようにする。
【００６８】
注湯電磁弁１２２の開制御により給湯路１０内の湯水は注湯回路１２及び追焚回路８を通して浴槽６に落とし込まれて排水されることになる。そして、所定の排水量が排水されたことを注湯流量センサ１２１からの検出情報に基づいて検知すれば（ステップＳ１１でＹＥＳ）、注湯電磁弁１２２を閉切換制御してリモコン１６ａの表示部１６１を上記と同様にデフォルト画面に変更する（ステップＳ１２）。
【００６９】
このような浴槽６への自動排水処理の場合に、浴槽６の排水栓が抜かれて浴槽６内は残水のない状態にされているのが通常であるが、浴槽６内に万一残水がある場合も予想される。これに対処するには予め追焚回路８を用いた循環判定を行い残水の有無を確認し、残水ありを検出した場合には上記注湯電磁弁１２２の開切換制御による自動排水を行わずに図３のステップＳ１０による給湯カラン５の開操作による排水をユーザーに促すようにするか、上記の自動排水を行った上で風呂使用を禁止する表示又は浴槽６の水抜きを促す報知を行うか、のいずれかの処理を行うようにすればよい。さらに、浴槽６の排水栓が開閉制御される自動排水栓により構成されている場合には、上記の自動排水処理を行うと共に、自動排水栓を強制的に開切換制御するようにすればよい。
【００７０】
＜第２実施形態＞
次に、第２実施形態に係る給湯再開時制御について説明する。第２実施形態に係る給湯再開時制御手段は滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ｂ（図２参照）と、タイマー１５２と、不揮発性メモリとしてのＥＥＰＲＯＭ１５４と、滅菌処理部１５３ｂとを備えている。
【００７１】
上記滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ｂは、装置が試運転終了後でかつユーザーにより現実の実使用に供された状態か否かを示す実運転開始判定フラグと、滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ｂにより滅菌処理が必要と判定された場合の判定結果を示す滅菌処理要判定フラグとを備えている。これらの実運転開始判定フラグ及び滅菌処理要判定フラグの内容は上記ＥＥＰＲＯＭ１５４に記憶保持されて電源が落とされても記憶内容を保持するようになっている。
【００７２】
上記実運転開始判定フラグは、図８に示すように実運転が開始されていないことを示す「０」が初期設定され、所定の実運転判定条件の成立により「１」が設定されるようになっている。すなわち、装置内に注水して試運転操作を実行することによりその試運転スイッチからＯＮ出力される信号を受け、この信号を受けた状態で電源が投入（ＯＮ）されると上記タイマー１５２をスタートさせ、所定の実運転開始判定時間（例えば１００時間）だけ電源ＯＮ状態が継続すれば実運転判定条件が成立したとして「１」を設定する。そして、装置内の水抜きが実行されるとその水抜き操作に基づき出力される信号を受けると上記実運転開始判定条件が非成立になったとして「０」に変換させるようになっている。
【００７３】
図８に示す例では、試運転の終了後に電源ＯＮ状態が１００時間継続しなかったため、実運転開始判定フラグは「０」のままとされ、次に電源ＯＮ状態が１００時間を超えて継続したため「０」から「１」に変更され、そして、装置の水抜きが発生したため「１」から再び「０」に変更されている。つまり、この実運転開始判定フラグは試運転が終了したか否かの試運転情報に加えて、試運転が終了した時点以降に電源投入状態が所定時間連続して継続したことを条件に判定処理を許可するための判断情報要素や、水抜きが発生すれば試運転は終了していても試運転情報の内容が強制的に未了に変更される情報要素を構成している。
【００７４】
以下、滅菌処理要否判定部１５１ｂや、滅菌処理部１５３ｂによる処理を図７のフローチャートを参照しつつ説明する。
【００７５】
この給湯再開時制御は電源が投入（電源ＯＮ）されたことをトリガーとして開始され、まず上記実運転開始判定フラグは「１」であるか否かを判定し（ステップＳ２１）、「１」であればステップＳ２２以降の処理を行う一方（ステップＳ２１でＹＥＳ）、「０」であればステップＳ２２〜Ｓ２６の処理を行うことなく、つまり給湯開始時制御による処理を禁止して他の制御に移行する（ステップＳ２１でＮＯ）。これにより、試運転が終了しかつ現実の実運転が開始されている場合に限り給湯再開時制御が実行されることになり、水抜き操作が実行された場合にも給湯再開時制御が実行されることを回避することができる。
【００７６】
次に、滅菌処理要判定フラグは「０」であることを確認し、つまり滅菌処理が必要と判定された状態ではないことを確認した上で（ステップＳ２２でＹＥＳ）、ステップＳ２３等の判定処理に進む。もしも、滅菌処理要判定フラグが「１」であれば（ステップＳ２２でＮＯ）、前回の電源投入時の給湯再開制御により路菌処理が必要と判定されて後述の滅菌処理ＳＵＢ１を開始したが、停電発生等に起因して電源が落とされ、これが復旧して再び電源投入状態に戻ったためと判断して、ステップＳ２３，Ｓ２４の湯水温度に基づく判定処理をすることなく上記滅菌処理ＳＵＢ１を実行する。これにより、滅菌処理の途中に停電等が発生し電源投入状態に復帰した場合にも、停電発生までの滅菌処理により昇温した湯水温度に起因して滅菌処理不要との誤判定を招くことを回避して、中断した滅菌処理を最後まで実行することができる。
【００７７】
ステップＳ２３及びＳ２４はタンク温度センサ３１〜３５の検出温度に基づいて貯湯タンク３内の湯水温度状態が判定用温度条件に合致するか否かの判定を行うものである。すなわち、タンク温度センサ３１〜３５からの各検出温度の最高温度から最低温度を差し引いた温度差は所定の判定温度範囲内（例えば１０℃内）であること（ステップＳ２３でＹＥＳ）、かつ、上記タンク温度センサ３１〜３５からの各検出温度の最高温度は所定の判定温度以下（例えば３５℃以下）であること（ステップＳ２４でＹＥＳ）の判定用温度条件が成立すれば、滅菌処理要判定フラグを「０」から「１」に変更する。つまり、ユーザーの長期不在又は長期に亘り装置の不使用状態の継続に起因して貯湯タンク３内等の湯水に菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定し、次の滅菌処理ＳＵＢ１を実行する。
【００７８】
滅菌処理部１５３ｂによる滅菌処理ＳＵＢ１は、第１実施形態の滅菌処理部１５３ａでの加熱制御と同様の加熱制御を実行する。すなわち、まず混水器１０１の給湯側開度を全閉に切換制御して給湯使用を禁止した給湯禁止状態にし、次にタンク水比例弁４４を全開状態に、追焚熱交換電磁弁１３４及び暖房熱交電磁弁１３３を共に開状態にそれぞれ切換えた状態で、タンク水循環ポンプ４３を作動し補助熱源装置１１を起動させて、貯湯タンク３内の湯水と、二次循環回路１３内の湯水とを循環加熱回路４に循環させて設定滅菌温度（例えば７５℃以上）まで加熱する。そして、貯湯タンク３の全てのタンク温度センサ３１〜３５の全てが上記の設定滅菌温度以上の湯水温度を検出すれば、加熱制御を終了して上記の給湯禁止状態を解除して給湯再開可能とする。
【００７９】
なお、この滅菌処理ＳＵＢ１における加熱制御は、第１実施形態で説明したと同様に判定結果等のリモコン１６ａによる報知（図３のステップＳ６）に基づきユーザーにより解除スイッチである第１入力スイッチ１６２がＯＮ操作されたことを開始条件にするようにしてもよい。また、加熱制御の途中で終了スイッチである第２入力スイッチ１６３のＯＮ操作があれば、第１実施形態で説明したと同様に滅菌処理を中止して給湯禁止状態を解除する処理を行うようにしてもよい。さらに、加熱制御の終了後に給湯路１０の下流端側の滞留水の排水処理を第１実施形態で説明したと同様にユーザーによる給湯カラン５の開操作に基づき行ったり、あるいは、注湯電磁部１２２の開切換制御による自動処理に基づき行ったりするようにしてもよい。
【００８０】
そして、最後に滅菌処理要判定フラグを「１」から再び「０」に変更して給湯再開時制御を終了して他の制御に移行する。
【００８１】
この第２実施形態の場合には、第１実施形態とは異なり、長期不在等に起因してコンセントに対する接続が抜かれて電源が遮断されたとしても、電源投入の際に貯湯タンク３内の温度状態に基づき滅菌対策が必要か否かを的確に判定することができ、この判定に基づき確実に滅菌処理を実行させることができる。
【００８２】
＜他の実施形態＞
なお、本発明は上記第１及び第２実施形態に限定されるものではなく、その他種々の実施形態を包含するものである。すなわち、上記第１又は第２実施形態では、滅菌処理時に貯湯タンク３内の湯水を循環加熱回路４を通して循環させ、その循環過程において補助熱源装置１１により加熱させるようにしているが、これに限らず、設定滅菌温度までの加熱を行い得る加熱手段であればどのような加熱手段を用いてもよく、例えば貯湯タンク３内に加熱用の熱媒体を循環させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を循環させることなく加熱する加熱手段を用いて上記滅菌処理を行うようにしてもよい。
【００８３】
上記第１又は第２実施形態では、種々の報知（表示）を台所近傍に設置されたリモコン１６ａに対し行う場合を説明したが、これに限らず、浴室近傍に設置されたリモコン１６ｂに対しても上記リモコン１６ａと同様の報知を並行して行い、いずれのリモコン１６ａ，１６ｂからのユーザー操作（例えば第１入力スイッチ１６２又は第２入力スイッチ１６３のＯＮ操作）を受け得るようにしてもよい。
【００８４】
上記第１又は第２実施形態では、給湯路１０の開閉切換弁を混水器１０１により構成し、その給湯側及び給水側の開度変更により開閉切換するようにした場合を示したが、これに限らず、例えば出湯水比例弁１０２を全閉切換えし得るものにして、この出湯水比例弁１０２により給湯路１０の開閉切換弁を構成するようにしてもよい。
【００８５】
上記第１又は第２実施形態では、貯湯タンク３内の湯水温度を検出する温度検出手段として、貯湯タンク３の上下方向に５つのタンク温度センサ３１〜３５を配置した場合を示したが、少なくとも上部と下部との２つ以上配置されていればよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態を示す模式図である。
【図２】給湯再開時制御部分のブロック構成図である。
【図３】第１実施形態の給湯再開時制御の処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】リモコンでの表示による報知例を示し、図４（ａ）は判定結果と給湯禁止状態の解除操作を促す表示がなされた状態を、図４（ｂ）は滅菌処理中であること及び終了操作も可能であることの表示がなされた状態をそれぞれ示した正面図である。
【図５】リモコンでの表示による報知例を示し、図５（ａ）は給湯カランを明けて排水処理を促す表示がなされた状態を、図５（ｂ）はデフォルト画面が表示された状態をそれぞれ示した正面図である。
【図６】第１実施形態の他の形態を示す図３対応のフローチャートである。
【図７】第２実施形態のの給湯再開時制御の処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図８】電源のＯＮ・ＯＦＦの変化及び実判定開始判定フラグの内容変化と、所定条件成立からの経過時間との関係を示すタイミングチャートである。
【符号の説明】
２主加熱手段（加熱手段）
３貯湯タンク
５給湯カラン
６浴槽
９給水路
１０給湯路
１１補助熱源装置（副加熱手段、加熱手段）
１５コントローラ（給湯再開時制御手段）
１６ａ，１６ｂリモコン（報知手段）
３１〜３５タンク温度センサ（湯水温度の温度検出手段）
１０１混水器（開閉切換弁）
１０２出湯水比例弁（開閉切換弁）
１０３給湯流量センサ（流量検出手段）
１２２注湯電磁弁
１５１ａ，１５１ｂ滅菌処理要否判定部
１５２タイマー
１５３ａ，１５３ｂ滅菌処理部
１５４ＥＥＰＲＯＭ（不揮発性メモリ）
１６２第１入力スイッチ（解除操作信号を入力する手段）
１６３第２入力スイッチ（終了操作信号を入力する手段）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hot-water storage type hot-water supply device that uses hot water stored in a hot-water storage tank to supply hot water to a hot water supply curan or to fill a bathtub with hot water, and a control method for restarting hot water supply. The present invention relates to a technique for sterilization measures when hot water supply is resumed after the hot water supply has not been used for a long time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a hot water storage type hot water supply device that uses hot water stored in a hot water storage tank for hot water supply to a hot water supply curn or a bathtub, for example, those disclosed in Patent Literature 1 or Patent Literature 2 are known. In this apparatus, the main heating means uses the exhaust heat of the gas engine for driving the generator as a heat source for heating, and the fuel is burned when the heating (heat storage) by the recovery of the exhaust heat from the gas engine is impossible or insufficient. And a sub-heating means with an auxiliary heat source device for forcibly heating the main heating means. Usually, hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank is supplied to the main heating means and heated by heat exchange with the exhaust heat. Hot water is stored while forming a temperature stratification in the hot water storage tank by a circulation heating operation of returning the hot water to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-171102 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-296055 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a user using the hot water storage type hot water supply device as described above becomes absent for a long period of time, the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank or the hot water in the hot water supply circuit stays as it is, and the hot water temperature decreases due to heat radiation. Become. When left in such a state, there is a possibility that Legionella bacteria and other germs are generated in the retained hot water and propagated.
[0005]
In order to cope with the possibility of such a situation, it is desirable to drain water from the hot water storage tank and the circuit and disconnect the power outlet by disconnecting the power source in the event of long-term absence. In the case of daily or weekly units, it is not always the case that all users perform such drainage.
[0006]
On the other hand, it is impossible to determine whether Legionella bacteria and the like are proliferating unless they are actually analyzed, and the user often does not know whether or not the bacteria are proliferating, in addition to whether or not the bacteria are proliferating.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to be able to reproduce bacteria when hot water is not used for a long time due to a long absence or the like. It is intended to ensure high safety at the time of restarting hot water supply by reliably removing the hot water.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a hot water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot water storage tank, heating means for heating hot water in the hot water storage tank, and an internal The following specific items are provided for a control method at the time of restarting hot water supply of a hot water storage type hot water supply device having a hot water supply path for drawing out hot water for hot water supply. That is, first, it is determined whether or not sterilization measures need to be taken by determining whether or not there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to continuation of the non-use state, and it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary. When the heating is performed, the heating means is operated to heat the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a set sterilization temperature set as a high temperature necessary for sterilizing the hot water to execute the sterilization process.
[0009]
In the case of the invention according to claim 1, as a result of the determination processing, if it is determined that there is a possibility of bacterial breeding, sterilization processing is executed, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank is heated by the heating means to the set sterilization temperature. Since the heating is performed, even if the possibility of bacterial propagation occurs due to the continuation of the non-use state, the sterilization is surely performed. Thereby, even if hot water in the hot water storage tank is used for hot water supply at the time of restarting hot water supply, safety of use of the hot water supply is ensured.
[0010]
Further, in the invention according to claim 2, a hot water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot water storage tank, a heating means for heating hot water in the hot water storage tank, and hot water from the hot water storage tank for hot water supply The following specific items are provided for a hot water supply restarting control method of a hot water supply type hot water supply device having a hot water supply path that is derived so as to be openable and closable. That is, first, it is determined whether or not sterilization measures need to be taken by determining whether or not there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to continuation of the non-use state, and it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary. When the hot water supply is switched off, the hot water supply path is switched to the cut-off state, the hot water supply is prohibited, and the hot water supply is prohibited. Then, the heating means is operated to set the high temperature necessary for sterilizing the hot water in the hot water storage tank. The sterilization process is performed by heating to the set sterilization temperature. Then, after the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to the communicating state so as to return to a state in which hot water supply can be resumed (claim 2).
[0011]
In the case of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the action according to claim 1, if it is determined that there is a possibility of bacterial propagation, the hot water supply path is switched to the cutoff state to remove the hot water in the hot water storage tank. Use of hot water used is prohibited. For this reason, even if the user inadvertently opens the hot water supply currant, hot water is not supplied, and the use of hot water that has a possibility of breeding bacteria is reliably prevented. In addition, since the hot water supply can be automatically restarted after the sterilization process is completed, safety is maintained and user convenience is not impaired.
[0012]
In the hot water supply restart control method according to the second aspect, the following processes may be additionally adopted. First, when it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, the hot water supply is prohibited, and the sterilization is notified using a notification means, and then the sterilization is performed on condition that a cancellation operation signal based on a user operation is received. The processing is executed (claim 3). In this case, when it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, the user is notified only by temporarily disabling the hot water supply. Then, the sterilization process for activating the heating means is started only upon receiving a release operation by the user's free will recognized by the notification by the notification means, and after the completion, the hot water supply path is switched to the communication state so that the hot water supply can be restarted. In other words, by switching to the hot-water supply prohibition state based on the determination process, only the notification is performed, and the start timing of the sterilization process is left to the user, so that the heating operation by the heating means does not occur without permission while the user is absent. Executing the sterilization process based on the intention of the operation makes it possible to ensure safety.
[0013]
Secondly, when it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, a sterilization process is executed subsequent to the switching control of the hot water supply path to the cutoff state, and an end operation signal based on a user operation is input during the execution of the sterilization process. At this time, the sterilization process is terminated even if it is in progress (claim 4). In this case, the sterilization process is automatically performed when it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, but the sterilization process based on the automatic process is terminated from the beginning or even during the process and canceled based on the user's free will. It is possible to make it possible. In this case, although the hot water supply path is switched to the hot water supply after the sterilization is completed, the hot water supply can be restarted. However, since the hot water supply is used after being convinced by the user himself, the use of the hot water supply is limited, and no safety problem can occur.
[0014]
Third, after the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to the communicating state, and then a notification for urging a predetermined amount of drainage is performed using the notification means, and the predetermined amount of water is detected based on flow rate detection in the hot water supply path. When the completion of drainage is detected, the notification is terminated (claim 5). In this case, even if the hot water in the hot water storage tank is heated and almost the entire inside of the apparatus is sterilized, there is a possibility that accumulated water that remains inside without being affected by the heating may remain at the downstream end of the hot water supply path. However, the accumulated water is also discharged by the drainage and the hot water supply is restarted. For this reason, the hot and cold water after sterilization is surely supplied from the beginning of the restart of hot water supply.
[0015]
Fourthly, after the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to the communicating state, and then the pouring solenoid valve of the pouring circuit communicating from the hot water supply path to the bath tub is opened to drain hot water in the hot water supply path into the bath tub. It is processed (claim 6). In this case, the stagnant water on the downstream end side of the hot water supply passage is drained before the restart of the hot water supply, as in the case of the above-mentioned claim 5, so that the sterilized hot water is reliably discharged from the beginning of the restart of the hot water supply. . Moreover, this can be realized by automatic control by opening control of the pouring solenoid valve without requiring the user to perform the drainage operation himself / herself as in the case of the fifth aspect.
[0016]
Further, as the heating means in the hot water supply restart control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the heating means may be an exhaust heat recovery type main heating means using exhaust heat as a heat source, and an electric power or a fuel. An energy-consuming sub-heating means using energy consumption as a heat source may be used, and the sub-heating means may be operated in sterilization processing (claim 7). In this case, as a hot water storage type hot water supply device, hot water is normally stored in a hot water storage tank with an emphasis on energy saving by exhaust heat recovery using the main heating means, while a secondary heating means is used for emergency sterilization processing. Thus, more reliable heating control is performed. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the heating operation by the main heating means is not possible or insufficient, and realize a reliable sterilization process by the sub-heating means in consideration of quickness and reliability of heating up to the set sterilization temperature. obtain.
[0017]
On the other hand, any one of the following various specific methods or a combination of two or more specific methods can be adopted as the determination processing in the above-described hot water supply restart control method.
[0018]
The first specific method is that, as the determination processing, the state where the minimum operating flow rate is not detected by the flow rate detection means installed in the hot water supply path has continued for a predetermined period, there is a possibility that bacteria may be propagated, and it is necessary to take a sterilization measure. The judgment is made (claim 8). In other words, if the user is absent, the flow rate of the minimum operating flow rate or more flows through the hot water supply path due to the use of hot water (for example, opening the hot water supply curan). There is no. Moreover, even if the hot water supply curl is slightly loosened and leakage occurs, for example, since the flow rate is less than the minimum operating flow rate, it is possible to reliably determine whether sterilization measures are necessary without causing erroneous determination in the above determination processing. The “predetermined period” described above or the “predetermined period” in the second specific method described later is an elapsed period that is expected to require sterilization measures, and varies depending on the environment such as the season. What is necessary is just to set 100 hours corresponding to four days in total.
[0019]
In the second specific method, as a determination process, when a state in which an operation signal is not output from the remote controller continues for a predetermined period, it is determined that there is a possibility that bacteria may be propagated and sterilization measures need to be taken (claims). Item 9). Normally, when using hot water supply, the remote controller is used to input the setting of the hot water temperature from the hot water supply curan and the setting of the hot water temperature when pouring the water into the bathtub, and the hot water storage tank is used for hot water heating and reheating. Even if it is configured to use the hot and cold water inside, if the heating is to be started, the heating switch of the remote control is used, and if the reheating is started, the reheating switch is turned on by an ON operation or the like. For this reason, it is possible to determine whether or not the user is absent based on the operation of the remote control by the user, that is, the fact that the operation signal is not output from the remote control. This second specific method can perform more reliable determination processing by configuring the determination processing in combination with the first specific method described above or a third specific method described later.
[0020]
In the third specific method, as the determination process, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is detected in response to power-on, and if the detection information about the hot water temperature matches a preset temperature condition with a possibility of bacterial propagation. Then, it is determined that sterilization measures need to be taken (claim 10). The above first or second embodiment continues the power-on state of the device, that is, the device itself remains connected to the outlet even if the power switch is turned off. While the controller and the detecting means are supposed to be operable, the third specific method provides a specific method when the connection to the outlet is disconnected and the terminal is absent. Is what you do. In this case, if there is no long-term absence, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank will decrease due to heat radiation, and the determination is to be made based on the detection information on the hot water temperature. Here, the above-mentioned “temperature condition” refers to a temperature range in which there is a possibility that bacteria can propagate. Even when hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank under temperature stratification and heat is radiated in this temperature stratification state, the difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature at a predetermined temperature or less (for example, 35 ° C. or less) is a predetermined temperature value (for example, 10 ° C.). ) Can be determined.
[0021]
In the third specific method, the determination process is started by turning on the power supply, so that the following various countermeasures may be additionally employed in order to reliably determine the long-term absence in the actual use state. Good.
[0022]
That is, test operation information as to whether or not the test operation at the time of installation of the apparatus has been completed is stored and held in the non-volatile memory, and when the content of the test operation information is not completed, the execution of the determination process is performed even when the power is turned on. It may be prohibited (claim 11). By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the start of the determination process triggered by turning on the power when the device is installed before it is actually used. In this case, when the content of the test operation information is completed, further execution of the determination processing is performed on condition that the power-on state has been continued for a predetermined time continuously after the time when the end of the test operation information is stored. On the other hand, the execution of the determination process may be prohibited even if the power is turned on before that. In this way, the trial run has been completed, but the user does not actually turn on the power before the user enters and actually uses the device for actual use. After entering the state, the hot water supply restart control method based on this determination processing can be implemented. Further, in these cases, it is determined whether or not the water draining operation in the hot water storage tank and the hot water supply path has been performed, and when it is detected that the water draining operation has been performed, the content of the test operation information is not completed. It may be forcibly changed (claim 13). In this way, when the user or service person drains the water, the start of the determination process is prevented until the water injection is completed and the test run is performed later, and the determination process is performed only in the actual use state. The hot water supply restart control method based on the control method can be implemented.
[0023]
Further, in the above third specific method, when it is determined that sterilization countermeasures need to be taken as a result of the determination processing executed after the power is turned on, the determination result is stored and held in the nonvolatile memory, The above judgment result is cleared when the sterilization process is completed, and when the power is turned on again, if the stored contents of the above judgment result require sterilization measures, the sterilization process is executed without executing the judgment process (Claim 14). In this way, the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like while the sterilization processing is being performed based on the result of the determination processing, and when the power failure or the like is resolved and the power returns to the on state, the hot water is already stored. The hot water in the tank is heated and does not meet the above temperature condition, so that it is possible to avoid erroneous determination that sterilization measures are not necessary, and to perform the sterilization process to the last without fail. That is, since the determination result is stored and held in the non-volatile memory by the first power-on determination process, the sterilization process is performed to the end based on the stored determination result when the power failure state is restored. Will be done.
[0024]
Next, the invention of a hot water storage type hot water supply device for performing the above hot water supply restart control method will be described.In the present invention, a hot water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot water storage tank, and hot water in the hot water storage tank are described. The following specific items are provided for a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus including a heating means for heating and a hot water supply path for drawing out hot water from the hot water storage tank for hot water supply. That is, an open / close switching valve interposed in the middle of the hot water supply path to open and close the flow path, and hot water supply restart control means for performing control for sterilization before restarting the hot water supply after the non-use state continues. Shall be provided. Then, as the hot water supply resumption control means, sterilization for determining whether or not it is necessary to take a sterilization measure by determining whether or not there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to the continuation of the non-use state. A processing necessity determining unit and, when the sterilization necessity determining unit determines that sterilization measures are necessary, controls the switching of the open / close switching valve to a closed state, and activates the heating means to activate the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank. And a sterilization processing unit for controlling the heating to a set sterilization temperature set as a high temperature necessary for sterilizing (Claim 15).
[0025]
In the case of the hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the hot water supply resumption control method of the second aspect can be specifically and reliably implemented, and the operation thereof can be reliably obtained.
[0026]
Further, the hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a notifying means, wherein the sterilization processing unit notifies the sterilization necessity necessity determination unit that sterilization measures are required by the sterilization processing necessity determination unit, and notifies the determination result by the notification means. With the configuration in which the heating control is started on the condition that an input of a release operation signal based on the operation is received (claim 16), the control method for resuming hot water supply of claim 3 can be reliably performed. It becomes. In addition to the above, the apparatus further includes a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate flowing through the hot water supply path, and, as the sterilization processing section, notifies the notification urging a predetermined amount of drainage in response to the end of the heating control by the notification means. By receiving the detection of the completion of the predetermined amount of drainage by the flow rate detecting means and terminating the notification (claim 17), the control method for resuming hot water supply of claim 5 is surely performed. It becomes possible.
[0027]
Further, in the above hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus, as the heating means, an exhaust heat recovery type main heating means using exhaust heat as a heat source, and an energy consumption type sub-heating means using electric power or fuel energy consumption as a heat source. The sterilization unit may be configured to perform heating control for sterilization by operating the sub-heating means (claim 18). This makes it possible to reliably implement the hot water supply restart control method according to the seventh aspect, and to reliably obtain the operation thereof.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the control method for restarting hot water supply of the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 and 7 to 14, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is maintained by continuing the non-use state of the device. Even if there is a possibility of bacterial propagation, hot water in the hot water storage tank can be reliably sterilized by reliably determining and executing the sterilization process. Thus, even when the hot water in the hot water storage tank is used for hot water supply at the time of restarting hot water supply, safety of the hot water supply can be ensured.
[0029]
Further, according to the hot water supply restart control method of the hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 14, in addition to the effect of the hot water supply restart control method according to claim 1, there is a possibility of bacterial propagation. When it is determined, the use of hot water using hot water in the hot water storage tank can be prohibited, and the use of hot water that has a possibility of breeding bacteria can be reliably prevented. In addition, when the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply can be automatically restarted, so that safety is ensured and user convenience is not impaired.
[0030]
In particular, according to the third aspect, the start timing of the sterilization process can be left to the user, and the execution of the sterilization process based on the user's own operation intention while preventing the heating operation by the heating means from occurring in the absence of the user. Thus, safety can be ensured.
[0031]
According to the fourth aspect, the execution of the sterilization processing when it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary can be performed by automatic processing, while the sterilization processing based on the automatic processing is terminated and canceled based on the user's free will. be able to.
[0032]
According to the fifth aspect, the accumulated water at the downstream end side of the hot water supply passage can be drained by the user's operation, and the sterilized hot water can be reliably discharged from the beginning of the restart of the hot water supply. On the other hand, according to the sixth aspect, the accumulated water at the downstream end side of the hot water supply path is automatically drained without user operation, and the sterilized hot water can be reliably discharged from the beginning of the restart of the hot water supply. it can.
[0033]
According to the seventh aspect, the hot water storage based on the exhaust heat recovery by the main heating means can be normally used during hot water supply, while the sterilization treatment in an emergency can be reliably and quickly heated to the set sterilization temperature by reliable sterilization. Processing can be realized.
[0034]
According to the eighth aspect, there is a need to determine whether or not the user is in a long-term absence state by determining whether or not a state in which a flow equal to or higher than the predetermined minimum operation flow rate has not occurred in the hot water supply path is continued, and thereby, there is a need for sterilization measures. It is possible to reliably determine whether or not this is the case.
[0035]
According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the user is in a long-term absence state based on whether or not an operation is performed on the remote controller, and thereby determine whether or not there is a need for sterilization measures.
[0036]
According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not there is a need for a sterilization measure even when the device is disconnected from the outlet and the power is cut off and the device is absent. become.
[0037]
According to the eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, it is possible to reliably exclude the start of the determination process triggered by turning on the power when the apparatus is installed before the apparatus is actually used. In this case, the test run is completed, but the user does not need to start the judgment process when the power is turned on for a trial before the user moves in and actually uses the device for actual use, and the user himself / herself can reliably use the device. After entering the state, the hot water supply restart control method based on this determination processing can be performed. Further, according to the thirteenth aspect, when the user or the like drains the water, it is possible to prevent the start of the determination process until the completion of the water injection and the execution of the test run. Only the hot water supply restart control method based on this determination processing can be performed.
[0038]
According to the fourteenth aspect, in the tenth aspect, the power supply is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like during the execution of the sterilization processing based on the result of the determination processing, the power failure or the like is resolved, and the power supply is returned to the power-on state. Even in this case, it is possible to avoid erroneous determination that sterilization measures are not necessary and to execute the sterilization process to the end without fail.
[0039]
On the other hand, according to the hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18, the control method for resuming hot water supply of claim 2 can be specifically and reliably implemented, and the effect thereof can be reliably obtained. become able to.
[0040]
In particular, according to the sixteenth aspect, the hot water supply restart control method of the third aspect can be reliably implemented, and the effect can be reliably obtained. According to the seventeenth aspect, the hot water supply restart control method of the fifth aspect can be reliably implemented, and the effect can be reliably obtained. Further, according to the eighteenth aspect, the hot water supply restart control method of the seventh aspect can be reliably implemented, and the effect can be reliably obtained.
[0041]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0042]
FIG. 1 shows a cogeneration system to which a hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This cogeneration system uses the exhaust heat of a cogeneration unit (for example, a gas engine for driving a generator or a fuel cell) 1 as a heat source of a main heating unit 2, and circulates hot water in a hot water storage tank 3 through a circulation heating circuit 4. The hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 3 by being heated by the main heating means 2. In other words, for example, the cooling water of the gas engine 1 is used as a waste heat medium, and the waste heat is stored in the hot water storage tank 3 in the form of hot water storage. The hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 3 is used for hot water supply to the hot water supply curan 5 or for hot water supply (pouring) to the bath tub 6 through a hot water supply circuit 12 described later, or the main heating means. The hot water heated by 2 or the like is used as a heat source for heating the hot water heating circuit 7 and the additional heating circuit 8. Hereinafter, a cogeneration system using a gas engine as the cogeneration system 1 will be described in detail.
[0043]
The main heating means 2 uses the cooling water of the combined heat and power supply device 1 as a waste heat medium, and uses the coolant as the waste heat medium through a heater 21, a waste heat exchanger 22 and a cooling water circulation pump 23. Circulation between the cogeneration system 1 and the exhaust heat exchanger 22 is circulated through a circulation circuit 24. The heater 21 further raises the temperature of the cooling water supplied to the exhaust heat exchanger 22 by using the surplus power when the power generated by the operation of the cogeneration system 1 becomes surplus in relation to the power consumption. The exhaust heat exchanger 22 is constituted by a liquid-liquid heat exchanger. In the main heating means 2, when the cogeneration system 1 is operated, the cooling water circulating pump 23 is also operated at the same time, and the cooling water that has absorbed the heat from the cogeneration system 1 and raised the temperature is passed through the heater 21 to the exhaust heat exchanger 22. The cooling water supplied and cooled by heat-exchanging the hot and cold water in the circulation heating circuit 4 in the exhaust heat exchanger 22 is returned to the cogeneration system 1 again, cools the cogeneration system 1 and absorbs heat again. It is supposed to.
[0044]
Tap water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 3 through a water supply passage 9 connected to a lower portion thereof based on tap water pressure or the like, and is maintained in a full state. That is, when the hot water supply curan 5 is opened and hot water is supplied through the hot water supply path 10 or the hot water is filled in the bath tub 6 through the hot water supply path 10 and the above-described pouring circuit 12, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 is reduced. Water is supplied from the water supply channel 9 by the reduced amount. Reference numerals 91 and 91 in FIG. 1 denote check valves interposed in the water supply passage 9 and a branch water supply passage 9a described later, and 92 denotes a water supply temperature sensor.
[0045]
In the hot water storage tank 3, a plurality of tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 as temperature detecting means for detecting internal hot water temperature at a plurality of detection positions separated from each other in a vertical direction (five temperature sensors are illustrated in FIG. 1) ) Are arranged. The detection of the hot and cold water temperature by the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 may be either direct detection of the hot or cold water temperature or indirect detection by detection of the tank outer wall temperature. In the case of the example of FIG. 1, the first tank temperature sensor 31 is at the uppermost position, the second tank temperature sensor 32 is at the upper position, which is the lower position, the third tank temperature sensor 33 is at the middle position, and the fourth tank temperature sensor 34 is The lower position, the fifth tank temperature sensor 35 detects the hot and cold water temperature at each position at the lowermost position.
[0046]
The circulation heating circuit 4 has an upstream end 41 connected to a lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 and a downstream end 42 connected to an upper part of the hot water storage tank 3. The circulating heating circuit 4 operates the tank water circulating pump 43 provided on the way to actuate the hot water taken out from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 3 into the waste heat exchanger 22, the circulating water proportional valve 45, and the auxiliary heating means. The water is returned to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 3 through the auxiliary heat source device 11 and the tank water proportional valve 44. When the heating operation is started, the operation of the circulation heating circuit 4 (the operation of the tank water circulation pump 43) and the operation of the main heating means 2 are started, and the hot water storage tank is heated by the heat exchange heating in the exhaust heat exchanger 22. The hot water at the lower part of the hot water 3 is heated, and the hot water heated to the predetermined target temperature is returned to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 in order, and stored in the hot water storage tank 3 while forming a temperature stratification in the vertical direction.
[0047]
The auxiliary heat source device 11 has a configuration similar to that of a normal gas water heater, for example, and is operated by a controller 15 described later when heating by the main heating means 2 is impossible or insufficient, or at the start of sterilization processing described later. The hot water in the circulation heating circuit 4 is heated. When the operation of the auxiliary heat source device 11 is started, the fuel gas is combusted by the combustion burner 111 and the hot water in the circulation heating circuit 4 is forcibly heated by heat exchange heating in the heat exchanger 112 receiving the combustion heat. Is done. Note that the auxiliary heat source device 11 may be configured by a heater using an electric heater or the like.
[0048]
The hot water supply path 10 branches from between the tank water proportional valve 44 and the downstream end 42 of the circulation heating circuit 4, and the hot water supply path 10 receives water from a branch water supply path 9 a branched from the upstream side of the water supply path 9. The downstream end is connected to the hot water supply curran 5 via a water mixing device 101 that mixes at a predetermined mixing ratio, a tap water proportional valve 102, and a hot water supply flow rate sensor 103 as flow rate detection means. Then, when the hot water supply curan 5 is opened, hot water is supplied from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 through the hot water supply path 10, and the hot water is supplied by the water mixing control by the water mixing device 101 at the time of this hot water supply. The temperature of the hot water from the curran 5 is adjusted to the set hot water supply temperature input to the remote controller 16a described later. The water mixing device 101 can be configured such that the opening on the side inflowing from the hot water supply passage 10 is fully closed and the opening on the side inflowing from the branch water supply passage 9a is fully opened, that is, the mixing ratio of hot water to water in the water mixing control is reduced. When the ratio is set to 0: 100, the hot water supply path 10 is shut off, and the supply of hot water from the hot water storage tank 3 to the hot water supply curan 5 and the bathtub 6 can be prohibited. That is, the water mixing device 101 constitutes an open / close switching valve that enables the hot water supply passage 10 to be opened / closed. For hot water supply to only the bathtub 6 side, a pouring solenoid valve 122 described later constitutes an open / close switching valve.
[0049]
On the other hand, a pouring circuit 12 branches from a position on the downstream side of the hot water flow sensor 103 in the hot water supply passage 10, and the pouring circuit 12 includes a pouring flow sensor 121, a pouring solenoid valve 122, and a two-stage check valve. The downstream end is connected to one of the reheating circuits 8 (in the illustrated example, on the upstream side of the reheating circulation pump 81) via the valve 123.
[0050]
The upstream end 131 of the secondary circulation circuit 13 branches from between the auxiliary heat source device 11 of the circulation heating circuit 4 and the tank water proportional valve 44, and the secondary circulation circuit 13 is connected to the main heating means 2 or the auxiliary heat source device. After the hot water heated by 11 is supplied to the secondary heating means 14 as a heat source for heating, the downstream end 132 is connected so as to join between the upstream end 41 of the circulation heating circuit 4 and the tank water circulation pump 43. ing.
[0051]
The secondary heating means 14 includes a heating heat exchanger 141 through which the hot water heating circuit 7 passes, and a reheating heat exchanger 142 through which the reheating circuit 8 passes. The hot and cold water that has flowed in from the tank is branched on the way, and one is supplied to the heating heat exchanger 141 and the other is supplied to the reheating heat exchanger 142 as a heating heat source. It merges via 134 and reaches the downstream end 132.
[0052]
On the other hand, the hot water heating circuit 7 circulates hot water in the closed circuit between the heating heat exchanger 141 and a heating terminal (for example, a floor heater) 72 by the operation of a heating circulation pump 71, and the reheating circuit 8 The recirculation pump 81 operates to circulate the water in the bathtub 6 with the reheating heat exchanger 142. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 82 denotes a bath temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub 6, and reference numeral 83 denotes a water level sensor for detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub 6 by detecting pressure.
[0053]
The cogeneration system having the above-described configuration is controlled by the controller 15 in response to a request command from a user input by a switch operation of the remote controllers 16a and 16b and an automatic control command from a predetermined program and a circuit board mounted in advance. It is supposed to be. That is, the controller 15 controls various operations such as a heating operation, a hot water supply operation, a hot water filling operation, a heating operation, a reheating operation, and the like, and controls a restart of the hot water supply in a long absence. The remote controller 16a is installed near a place where the hot water supply currant 5 is installed (for example, a kitchen), and the remote controller 16b is installed near a bathroom where the bathtub 6 is installed. These remote controllers 16a and 16b are a CPU and a display unit 161. Are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with the controller 15 by wire or wirelessly. In the following description of the sterilization process and the like, the case where the user operates using the remote controller 16a installed near the kitchen will be described, but the other remote controllers 16b have the same configuration.
[0054]
First, the operation control described above will be briefly described. In the heating control for performing the heating operation, the cogeneration system 1 is started with the heating outlet solenoid valve 133 and the additional heating outlet solenoid valve 134 both closed, and the cooling is performed. This is performed by operating the water circulation pump 23 and the tank water circulation pump 43. Then, the cooling water which has been heated to a high temperature with the operation of the cogeneration system 1 is supplied to the exhaust heat exchanger 22, while the hot water taken out from the lower portion of the hot water storage tank 3 is supplied to the exhaust heat exchanger 22. The hot water is heated to a target temperature (for example, 70 ° C.) by liquid-liquid heat exchange and returned to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 3.
[0055]
In the hot water supply control for performing the hot water supply operation, if the user inputs and sets the hot water temperature on the remote controller 16a, the water mixing control by the water mixer 101 is performed so that the hot water of the hot water temperature is discharged from the hot water supply curan 5, and thereby, Hot water is taken out from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 3 based on the tap water pressure, mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio, temperature-adjusted, and then supplied to the hot water supply curran 5.
[0056]
The filling control for performing the filling operation is such that when a filling request command is output by a remote control operation by the user, the heating outlet solenoid valve 133 and the additional heating outlet solenoid valve 134 are both closed and the tank water proportional valve 44 is closed. Then, the pouring solenoid valve 122 of the pouring circuit 12 is opened. Then, as in the case of hot water supply, hot water is taken out from the upper part of hot water storage tank 3 based on tap water pressure into hot water supply passage 10, then flows into pouring circuit 12, drops into bath tub 6 through additional heating circulation circuit 8, and is filled with hot water.
[0057]
In the heating control for performing the heating operation, when a heating request command is output by a remote control operation by the user, the heating circulation pump 71 of the hot water heating circuit 7 is closed with the tank water proportional valve 44 closed and the heating outlet solenoid valve 133 opened. This is performed by activating the cogeneration system 1 and activating the cooling water circulation pump 23 and the tank water circulation pump 43 in the same manner as in the heating control described above. Then, the hot and cold water heated in the circulation heating circuit 4 flows into the secondary circulation circuit 13, passes through the heating heat exchanger 141 and the heating outlet solenoid valve 133, is returned to the circulation heating circuit 4, and is returned by the main heating means 2. While being heated again, the hot water in the hot water heating circuit 7 is circulated and supplied to the heating terminal 72 while being heated in the heating heat exchanger 141.
[0058]
In the reheating control for performing the reheating operation, when the reheating request command is output by the user operating the remote controller 16b, the reheating circuit 8 is closed with the tank water proportional valve 44 closed and the reheating outlet electromagnetic valve 134 opened. This is performed by activating the additional heat circulation pump 81, activating the cogeneration system 1 and operating the cooling water circulation pump 23 and the tank water circulation pump 43 in the same manner as the above-described heating operation control. Then, the hot and cold water heated in the circulation heating circuit 4 flows into the secondary circulation circuit 13 and passes through the additional heating heat exchanger 142 and the additional heating outlet solenoid valve 134, and then returns to the circulation heating circuit 4 to be returned to the main heating means. While being heated again by 2, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 6 in the reheating circuit 8 is returned to the bathtub 6 while being heated by the reheating heat exchanger 142 and refired.
[0059]
<First embodiment>
Next, hot water supply restart control according to the first embodiment for the cogeneration system having the above-described configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the controller 15 related to the hot water supply restart control. The controller 15 constituting the hot water supply restart control means includes a sterilization processing necessity determining unit 151a, a timer 152, and a sterilization processing unit according to the first embodiment. And a processing unit 153a. Hereinafter, the processing by the sterilization processing necessity determination unit 151a and the sterilization processing unit 153a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0060]
First, the sterilization process necessity determination unit 151a determines whether or not an operation based on a user operation such as the above hot water supply operation or hot water filling operation has been performed based on control information from a corresponding control element of the controller 15, and When the operation (use) is completed, the timer 152 is started (YES in step S1, step S2). Whether or not the state in which the user's operation on the remote controllers 16a and 16b has not been performed continues (step S3), the state in which the detection of the minimum operating flow rate (MOQ) by the hot water supply flow rate sensor 103 is not detected continues. (Step S4). If there is any operation of the remote controllers 16a and 16b or the detection of the MOQ, the process returns to step S2 to restart the timer 152. If the count (elapse of α time) indicates that there is a possibility that bacteria may propagate in the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 or the like due to the long absence of the user or the continuation of the non-use state of the device for a long time, and it is necessary to take a sterilization measure. After the determination, the sterilization processing unit 153a executes the sterilization processing of step S6 and subsequent steps (steps S3 and S4 are both YES and step S5 is YES).
[0061]
In the sterilization process, first, the hot water supply side opening of the mixer 101 is controlled to be fully closed to make the hot water supply prohibited, in which the use of hot water is prohibited, and the above-described determination result and the like are notified by the remote controller 16a (step S6). The content of the notification using the remote controller 16a provides a notification for prompting the user to perform an operation for starting the execution of the sterilization process, in addition to the notification of the determination result. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the display unit 161 of the remote controller 16a displays a determination result of "determined to be absent" and releases the hot water supply prohibition state to start the sterilization process. Characters of “cancel” prompting the ON operation of the first input switch 162 and a symbol indicating the first input switch 162 are displayed. Of course, the notification is not limited to the display, and the above notification may be performed by a voice announcement together with or instead of the display (the same applies to the following notification).
[0062]
The hot water supply prohibiting state and the remote control display are continued until the user turns on the first input switch 162 (cancel switch) (NO in step S7, step S6), while the first input switch is turned on. If the 162 is turned on, heating control using the auxiliary heat source device 11 is performed (YES in step S7, step S8). During the execution of the heating control, the remote controller 16a notifies that the sterilization process is being performed and that the sterilization process can be terminated based on the user's free will. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display unit 161 displays "Sterilizing, please wait for a while" and the sterilization process is terminated by operating the second input switch 163 "End". And a symbol indicating the second input switch 163 is displayed. Although not shown in FIG. 3, if the second input switch 163 is turned ON, a process for canceling the heating control in step S 8 and canceling the hot water supply prohibited state in step S 10 is performed. It has become.
[0063]
The heating control in step S8 is performed by operating the tank water circulation pump 43 in a state in which the tank water proportional valve 44 is fully opened and the additional heating heat exchange electromagnetic valve 134 and the heating heat exchange electromagnetic valve 133 are both opened. The heat source device 11 is activated, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 and the hot water in the secondary circulation circuit 13 are circulated through the circulation heating circuit 4 to be heated to a set sterilization temperature (for example, 75 ° C. or higher). To explain a specific example, combustion control is performed so that the combustion burner 111 of the auxiliary heat source device 11 can be heated to 80 ° C. by heat exchange heating in the heat exchanger 112, and the opening of the circulating water proportional valve 45 is set to 5 L / min. Adjustment control is performed so that the circulating flow rate becomes. Note that the target temperature of 80 ° C. by the auxiliary heat source device 11 is controlled based on detection information from the outlet temperature sensor 113 of the heat exchanger 112. Then, when all of the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 of the hot water storage tank 3 detect the hot or cold water temperature equal to or higher than the set sterilization temperature, the heating control ends. That is, when the lowest temperature of the hot water storage tank 3 is heated up to the set sterilization temperature, all the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 and all the hot water in the secondary circulation circuit 13 are set to the set sterilization temperature. It is assumed that heating has been performed up to the above.
[0064]
Usually, Legionella bacteria are said to die within 10 to 15 minutes at 60 ° C and within 5 seconds at 70 ° C. Therefore, if the set sterilization temperature is set at about 75 ° C as described above, Legionella bacteria including other germs are surely obtained. Will die.
[0065]
Then, when the above-described heating control is completed, the hot water supply side of the water mixer 101 is fully opened to communicate with the hot water storage tank 3 side to the hot water supply curan 5 side to release the hot water supply prohibition state, and the remote control 16a controls the hot water supply curan 5 A notification that prompts the drainage of the hot water that is open and stays at the downstream end of the hot water supply path 10 is performed (YES in step S9, step S10). For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the display unit 161 of the remote controller 16a displays the message "Please open the drain and discharge" to notify the user. If the user opens the hot water supply curran 5 in response to this notification, a flow will occur in the hot water supply passage 10. Therefore, after the above notification, the detection information of the hot water supply flow rate sensor 103 is monitored, and a predetermined amount of drainage passes and The notification is continued until it is detected that the process has been completed (NO in step S11). When drainage is completed, the display on the display unit 161 of the remote controller 16a is returned to the default screen (YES in step S11, step S12). For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the display unit 161 is changed to a default screen in which the hot water supply set temperature, time, and the like are displayed.
[0066]
According to the above, the sterilization processing necessity determination unit 151 determines whether or not a sterilization measure is necessary. If it is determined that the sterilization is necessary, the sterilization processing unit 153 controls the heating in the hot water storage tank 3 and the secondary circulation circuit 13. Since all the hot water in the inside is heated up to the set sterilization temperature, even if Legionella bacteria and the like are breeding, all the germs including the Legionella bacteria can be killed. In addition, accumulated water on the downstream end side of the hot water supply path 10 other than the hot water storage tank 3 can be drained by opening the hot water supply curan 5 based on the notification from the remote controller 16a.
[0067]
In addition, the drainage processing of the stagnant water on the downstream end side of the last hot water supply path 10 can be performed by automatic processing without depending on the opening operation of the hot water supply curan 5 by the user. In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processing from step S1 to step S9 is performed in the same manner as the case shown in FIG. 3 described above, and when the heating control is completed (YES in step S9), in step S13 The following processing is performed. That is, the hot water supply side of the water mixer 101 is fully opened, the hot water supply tank 3 is communicated with the hot water supply curran 5 side to release the hot water supply prohibition state, and the pouring electromagnetic valve 122 is switched to the open state. At this time, unlike the case of FIG. 3, the display on the display unit 161 of the remote controller 16a keeps informing that the sterilization process is being performed. For example, the display shown in FIG. 4B is continued, and the display shown in FIG. 5A is not performed.
[0068]
By controlling the opening of the pouring solenoid valve 122, the hot water in the hot water supply path 10 is dropped into the bath tub 6 through the pouring circuit 12 and the additional heating circuit 8 to be drained. If it is detected that a predetermined amount of water has been drained based on the detection information from pouring flow rate sensor 121 (YES in step S11), closing switching control of pouring electromagnetic valve 122 is performed to display section 161 of remote controller 16a. Is changed to the default screen as described above (step S12).
[0069]
In the case of such an automatic drainage treatment to the bathtub 6, it is normal that the drain plug of the bathtub 6 is pulled out so that the bathtub 6 is kept free of residual water. It is also expected that there will be. In order to cope with this, the circulation determination using the reheating circuit 8 is performed in advance to check the presence or absence of residual water, and when the presence of residual water is detected, automatic drainage is performed by the open switching control of the pouring solenoid valve 122. Instead, the user may be prompted to drain the water by opening the hot water supply curan 5 in step S10 of FIG. 3, or may display a message prohibiting use of the bath after performing the above automatic drainage or a notification prompting the drainage of the bathtub 6. Or any of the processes may be performed. Further, when the drain plug of the bathtub 6 is constituted by an automatic drain plug whose opening and closing are controlled, the above automatic drain process may be performed, and the automatic drain plug may be forcibly switched to open.
[0070]
<Second embodiment>
Next, hot water supply restart control according to the second embodiment will be described. The hot water supply restart control unit according to the second embodiment includes a sterilization processing necessity determination unit 151b (see FIG. 2), a timer 152, an EEPROM 154 as a nonvolatile memory, and a sterilization processing unit 153b.
[0071]
The sterilization necessity determination unit 151b includes an actual operation start determination flag indicating whether or not the apparatus is in a state of being actually used by the user after the end of the trial operation, and a sterilization necessity determination unit 151b. Is provided with a sterilization process necessity determination flag that indicates a determination result when it is determined that is necessary. The contents of the actual operation start determination flag and the sterilization necessity determination flag are stored and held in the EEPROM 154 so that the stored contents are maintained even when the power is turned off.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 8, the actual operation start determination flag is initially set to “0” indicating that actual operation is not started, and is set to “1” when a predetermined actual operation determination condition is satisfied. Has become. That is, by executing a test operation by injecting water into the apparatus, a signal output ON from the test operation switch is received, and when the power is turned on (ON) in a state receiving the signal, the timer 152 is started, If the power ON state continues for a predetermined actual operation start determination time (for example, 100 hours), “1” is set as the actual operation determination condition is satisfied. Then, when the drainage in the apparatus is executed, a signal output based on the drainage operation is received, and the actual operation start determination condition is converted to “0” as being not satisfied.
[0073]
In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the power ON state has not continued for 100 hours after the end of the test operation, the actual operation start determination flag remains “0”, and the power ON state has continued for more than 100 hours. The value is changed from "0" to "1" and then changed from "1" to "0" again due to the drainage of the device. In other words, the actual operation start determination flag permits the determination process on the condition that the power-on state has continued for a predetermined period of time after the end of the test operation, in addition to the test operation information indicating whether the test operation has been completed. And information elements for which the contents of the test operation information are forcibly changed to incomplete even if the test operation has been completed if drainage occurs.
[0074]
Hereinafter, the processing by the sterilization processing necessity determining unit 151b and the sterilization processing unit 153b will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0075]
This hot water supply restart control is started by turning on the power (power ON) as a trigger. First, it is determined whether or not the actual operation start determination flag is "1" (step S21). If there is, the process from step S22 is performed (YES in step S21), while if "0", the processes in steps S22 to S26 are not performed, that is, the process by the hot water supply start control is prohibited and the process proceeds to another control. (NO in step S21). As a result, the hot water supply restart control is executed only when the test operation is completed and the actual actual operation is started, and the hot water supply restart control is also executed when the water removal operation is executed. Can be avoided.
[0076]
Next, after confirming that the sterilization process necessity flag is “0”, that is, not in a state where it is determined that the sterilization process is necessary (YES in step S22), the determination process such as step S23 is performed. Proceed to. If the sterilization necessity determination flag is “1” (NO in step S22), it is determined that the bacillus bacillus processing is necessary by the hot water supply restart control at the time of the previous power-on, and the sterilization processing SUB1 described later is started. It is determined that the power has been turned off due to the occurrence of a power failure, the power has been restored and the power has been returned to the power-on state, and the sterilization process SUB1 is executed without performing the determination processes based on the hot and cold water temperatures in steps S23 and S24. . As a result, even when a power failure or the like occurs during the sterilization process and the power supply is returned to the power-on state, an erroneous determination that the sterilization process is unnecessary due to the temperature of the hot and cold water that has been raised by the sterilization process until the power failure occurs is caused. By avoiding, the interrupted sterilization process can be performed to the end.
[0077]
Steps S23 and S24 are for determining whether or not the temperature of the hot and cold water in the hot water storage tank 3 matches the determination temperature condition based on the temperatures detected by the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35. That is, the temperature difference obtained by subtracting the minimum temperature from the maximum temperature of each of the detected temperatures from the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 is within a predetermined determination temperature range (for example, within 10 ° C.) (YES in step S23), and If the temperature condition for determination that the maximum temperature of each of the detected temperatures from the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 is equal to or lower than a predetermined determination temperature (for example, 35 ° C. or lower) (YES in step S24) is satisfied, a sterilization process determination flag is set. Is changed from “0” to “1”. That is, it is determined that there is a possibility that bacteria may propagate in the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 or the like due to the long-term absence of the user or the continuation of the non-use state of the apparatus for a long time, and it is necessary to take a sterilization measure. The processing SUB1 is executed.
[0078]
The sterilization processing SUB1 by the sterilization processing unit 153b executes the same heating control as the heating control in the sterilization processing unit 153a of the first embodiment. That is, first, the hot water supply side opening of the mixer 101 is controlled to be fully closed to control the hot water supply to be in a hot water supply prohibiting state in which the use of hot water is prohibited, and then the tank water proportional valve 44 is fully opened, and the supplementary heat exchange electromagnetic valve 134 and With both the heating and heat exchange solenoid valves 133 switched to the open state, the tank water circulation pump 43 is operated to activate the auxiliary heat source device 11, and the water in the hot water storage tank 3 and the water in the secondary circulation circuit 13 Is circulated through the circulation heating circuit 4 to heat it to a set sterilization temperature (for example, 75 ° C. or higher). When all of the tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 of the hot water storage tank 3 detect the hot or cold water temperature equal to or higher than the set sterilization temperature, the heating control is ended, the hot water supply prohibited state is released, and the hot water supply can be restarted. I do.
[0079]
The heating control in the sterilization process SUB1 is performed by the user using the first input switch 162, which is a release switch, based on the notification of the determination result and the like by the remote controller 16a (step S6 in FIG. 3) as described in the first embodiment. The ON condition may be set as a start condition. If the second input switch 163, which is the end switch, is turned on during the heating control, the sterilization process is stopped and the hot water supply prohibited state is released in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. You may. Further, after the end of the heating control, the drainage treatment of the stagnant water on the downstream end side of the hot water supply passage 10 is performed based on the opening operation of the hot water supply curan 5 by the user as described in the first embodiment, or the pouring electromagnetic unit is used. It may be performed based on automatic processing by the open switching control of 122.
[0080]
Then, finally, the sterilization processing necessity determination flag is changed from "1" to "0" again, and the hot water supply restart control is ended to shift to another control.
[0081]
In the case of the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, even if the connection to the outlet is disconnected due to a long-term absence or the like and the power is cut off, the temperature in the hot water storage tank 3 is not changed when the power is turned on. Whether or not a sterilization measure is necessary can be accurately determined based on the state, and the sterilization processing can be reliably executed based on this determination.
[0082]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, but includes various other embodiments. That is, in the first or second embodiment, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 is circulated through the circulation heating circuit 4 during the sterilization process, and is heated by the auxiliary heat source device 11 in the circulation process. Instead, any heating means may be used as long as the heating means can perform heating to the set sterilization temperature. For example, a heating medium for heating is circulated in the hot water storage tank 3 to circulate hot water in the hot water storage tank. The above sterilization treatment may be performed using a heating means for heating without heating.
[0083]
In the first or second embodiment, the case where various notifications (displays) are performed on the remote controller 16a installed near the kitchen has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the remote controller 16b installed near the bathroom may be notified. Also, the same notification as that of the remote controller 16a may be performed in parallel, and a user operation (for example, an ON operation of the first input switch 162 or the second input switch 163) from any of the remote controllers 16a and 16b may be received.
[0084]
In the first or second embodiment, the open / close switching valve of the hot water supply path 10 is constituted by the water mixer 101, and the open / close switching is performed by changing the opening degree of the hot water supply side and the water supply side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tap water proportional valve 102 may be fully closed and the tap water proportional valve 102 may constitute an open / close switching valve of the hot water supply passage 10.
[0085]
In the first or second embodiment, the case where five tank temperature sensors 31 to 35 are arranged vertically in the hot water storage tank 3 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank 3 has been described. It suffices that two or more upper and lower parts are arranged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hot water supply restart control portion.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of hot water supply restart control according to the first embodiment;
4A and 4B show an example of notification by display on a remote controller. FIG. 4A shows a state in which a determination result and a display urging an operation to cancel a hot-water supply prohibition state are displayed, and FIG. 4B shows that sterilization processing is being performed. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state in which a message indicating that an end operation is also possible is displayed.
5A and 5B show examples of notification by display on a remote controller. FIG. 5A shows a state in which a hot water supply lamp is turned on and a display for urging drainage is displayed, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which a default screen is displayed. It is the front view shown each.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 3, showing another mode of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a hot water supply restart control process according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a relationship between a change in ON / OFF of the power supply, a change in the content of an actual determination start determination flag, and an elapsed time from the satisfaction of a predetermined condition.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Main heating means (heating means)
3 Hot water storage tank
5 Hot water supply curan
6 bathtub
9 Water supply channel
10 Hot water supply channel
11 auxiliary heat source device (sub-heating means, heating means)
15 Controller (control means for restarting hot water supply)
16a, 16b Remote control (notification means)
31-35 Tank temperature sensor (temperature detecting means for hot and cold water temperature)
101 water mixer (open / close switching valve)
102 Tap water proportional valve (open / close switching valve)
103 Hot water supply flow rate sensor (flow rate detection means)
122 Pouring solenoid valve
151a, 151b Sterilization processing necessity determination unit
152 timer
153a, 153b sterilization section
154 EEPROM (non-volatile memory)
162 first input switch (means for inputting release operation signal)
163 second input switch (means for inputting end operation signal)

Claims

貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定処理を行い、
滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱して滅菌処理を実行するようにする
ことを特徴とする貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot-water storage type including a hot-water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot-water storage tank, heating means for heating the hot water in the hot-water storage tank, and a hot-water supply path for drawing out the internal hot water from the hot-water storage tank for hot water supply. A hot water supply restart time control method of the hot water supply device,
By performing a determination as to whether or not there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to the continuation of the non-use state, a determination is made as to whether or not it is necessary to perform sterilization measures,
When it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, the heating means is operated to heat the hot water in the hot water storage tank to a set sterilization temperature set as a high temperature required for sterilization, and to perform a sterilization process. A hot water supply restart control method for a hot water supply type hot water supply device.

貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために開閉切換可能に導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定処理を行い、
滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき上記給湯路を遮断状態に切換制御して給湯使用を禁止した給湯禁止状態にした上で、上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱して滅菌処理を実行し、
滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御して給湯使用を再開可能な状態に復帰させるようにする
ことを特徴とする貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot water storage tank, a heating means for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a hot water supply path for opening and closing the hot and cold water from the hot water storage tank for hot water supply. A hot water supply restart time control method for a hot water supply type hot water supply device, comprising:
By performing a determination as to whether or not there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to the continuation of the non-use state, a determination is made as to whether or not it is necessary to perform sterilization measures,
When it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, the hot water supply path is switched to the shut-off state, the hot water supply is prohibited, and the use of the hot water supply is prohibited. Then, the heating means is operated to sterilize the hot water in the hot water storage tank. Perform sterilization by heating to the set sterilization temperature set as a high temperature,
A hot water supply restart control method for a hot water supply type hot water supply device, wherein after the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to a communicating state to return to a state in which hot water supply can be resumed.

請求項２に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき給湯禁止状態にすると共に、その旨を報知手段を用いて報知処理した後、
ユーザー操作に基づく解除操作信号の入力を受けることを条件に上記滅菌処理を実行するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to claim 2,
When it is determined that a sterilization measure is necessary, the hot water supply is prohibited, and a notification process is performed using a notification unit.
A control method for restarting hot water supply of a hot water supply type hot water supply device, wherein the sterilization process is executed on condition that an input of a release operation signal based on a user operation is received.

請求項２に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき上記給湯路の遮断状態への切換制御に引き続いて滅菌処理を実行し、
滅菌処理の実行中にユーザー操作に基づく終了操作信号の入力を受けたとき上記滅菌処理を途中であっても終了させるようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to claim 2,
When it is determined that sterilization measures are necessary, a sterilization process is executed following the switching control of the hot water supply path to the cutoff state,
A control method for resuming hot water supply of a hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus, wherein when a termination operation signal based on a user operation is received during execution of a sterilization process, the sterilization process is terminated even in the middle.

請求項２に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御した上で、所定量の排水を促す報知を報知手段を用いて報知処理し、給湯路での流量検出に基づき上記所定量の排水の完了を検出すれば上記報知を終了するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to claim 2,
After the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to the communicating state, and then a notification prompting a predetermined amount of drainage is performed using a notification unit, and the completion of the predetermined amount of drainage is detected based on the flow rate detection in the hot water supply path. A control method for restarting hot water supply of a hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus, wherein the notification is terminated when the hot water supply is detected.

請求項２に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
滅菌処理終了後に上記給湯路を連通状態に切換制御した後、その給湯路から浴槽まで連通する注湯回路の注湯電磁弁を開制御して給湯路内の湯水を浴槽に排水処理するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to claim 2,
After the sterilization process is completed, the hot water supply path is switched to the communicating state, and then the pouring solenoid valve of the pouring circuit communicating from the hot water supply path to the bath tub is opened to drain the hot water in the hot water supply path to the bath tub. A control method for restarting hot water supply of a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus.

請求項１〜請求項６のいずれかに記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
加熱手段として、排熱を熱源とする排熱回収式の主加熱手段と、電力又は燃料のエネルギー消費を熱源とするエネルギー消費式の副加熱手段とにより構成し、滅菌処理においては上記副加熱手段を作動させるようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The heating means comprises an exhaust heat recovery type main heating means using waste heat as a heat source, and an energy consumption type sub-heating means using electric power or fuel energy consumption as a heat source. Control method for restarting hot water supply of a hot water supply type hot water supply apparatus, wherein

請求項１〜請求項７のいずれかに記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
判定処理として、給湯路に設置した流量検出手段により最低作動流量が検出されない状態が所定期間継続したことをもって、菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
As a determination process, when a state in which the minimum operating flow rate is not detected by the flow rate detection means installed in the hot water supply path continues for a predetermined period, it is determined that there is a possibility that bacteria may be propagated and sterilization measures need to be taken. The control method at the time of hot water supply restart of the hot water supply apparatus

請求項１〜請求項７のいずれかに記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
判定処理として、リモコンからの操作信号が出力されない状態が所定期間継続したことをもって、菌繁殖の可能性が有り滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
As a determination process, when a state in which an operation signal is not output from the remote controller is continued for a predetermined period, it is determined that there is a possibility of bacteria breeding and sterilization measures need to be taken. Control method.

請求項１〜請求項７のいずれかに記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
判定処理として、電源投入を受けて貯湯タンク内の湯水温度を検出し、この湯水温度についての検出情報が予め設定した菌繁殖の可能性の有る温度条件に合致すれば、滅菌対策を行う必要が有ると判定するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
As the determination process, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is detected in response to power-on, and if the detection information about the hot water temperature matches a preset temperature condition at which there is a possibility of bacterial propagation, sterilization measures need to be taken. A hot water supply restart control method for a hot water supply type hot water supply device, which is determined to be present.

請求項１０に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
装置設置時の試運転が終了したか否かの試運転情報を不揮発性メモリに記憶保持するようにし、この試運転情報の内容が未了であるとき、電源が投入されても判定処理の実行を禁止するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。It is a hot water supply restart control method of the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 10,
The non-volatile memory stores test operation information as to whether or not the test operation at the time of installation has been completed. When the contents of the test operation information have not been completed, execution of the determination process is prohibited even when the power is turned on. A method for controlling hot water supply of a hot water storage device when restarting hot water supply.

請求項１１に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
上記試運転情報の内容が終了であるとき、この終了の試運転情報を記憶した時点以降に所定時間連続して電源投入状態が継続したことを条件にそれ以後の判定処理の実行を許可する一方、それ以前は電源投入されても判定処理の実行を禁止するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water supply type hot water supply device according to claim 11,
When the content of the test operation information is completed, while the power-on state has been continued for a predetermined time continuously after the time when the end of the test operation information is stored, the execution of the determination process thereafter is permitted, A method for controlling the restart of hot water supply of a hot water supply type hot water supply device, in which the execution of the determination process is previously prohibited even when the power is turned on.

請求項１１又は請求項１２に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
貯湯タンク及び給湯路内の水抜き操作が行われたか否かを検出するようにし、水抜き操作が行われたことを検出したとき試運転情報の内容を未了に強制的に変更するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。A hot water supply restart control method for the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 11 or 12,
Detecting whether or not a water draining operation has been performed in the hot water storage tank and the hot water supply path, and forcibly changing the content of the test operation information to incomplete when detecting that the water draining operation has been performed. , Hot water supply restart control method of hot water storage device.

請求項１０に記載の貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法であって、
電源投入を受けて実行された判定処理の結果、滅菌対策を行う必要有りと判定されたとき、この判定結果を不揮発性メモリに記憶保持する一方、滅菌処理の終了により上記判定結果をクリアするようにし、
再度の電源投入状態になったとき上記判定結果の記憶内容が滅菌対策を行う必要有りであれば判定処理を実行せずに滅菌処理を実行するようにする、貯湯式給湯装置の給湯再開時制御方法。It is a hot water supply restart control method of the hot water storage type hot water supply device according to claim 10,
When it is determined that sterilization measures need to be taken as a result of the determination processing executed after the power is turned on, the determination result is stored and held in the non-volatile memory, and the determination result is cleared when the sterilization processing ends. West,
When the power is turned on again, if the stored contents of the above determination result require sterilization measures, sterilization processing is performed without performing the determination processing. Method.

貯湯タンクと、この貯湯タンクに給水する給水路と、上記貯湯タンク内の湯水を加熱する加熱手段と、上記貯湯タンクからの内部の湯水を給湯のために導出する給湯路とを備えた貯湯式給湯装置において、
上記給湯路の途中に介装され流路を開閉切換する開閉切換弁と、
非使用状態の継続後に給湯を再開する前に滅菌処理のための制御を実行する給湯再開時制御手段とを備え、
上記給湯再開時制御手段は、
上記非使用状態の継続に起因する菌繁殖の可能性が有るか否かの判定を行うことにより滅菌対策を行う必要が有るか否かの判定を行う滅菌処理要否判定部と、
この滅菌処理要否判定部により滅菌対策が必要と判定されたとき、上記開閉切換弁を閉状態に切換制御する一方、上記加熱手段を作動させて貯湯タンク内の湯水を滅菌するに必要な高温度として設定された設定滅菌温度まで加熱制御する滅菌処理部と
を備えて構成されている
ことを特徴とする貯湯式給湯装置。A hot-water storage type including a hot-water storage tank, a water supply path for supplying water to the hot-water storage tank, heating means for heating the hot water in the hot-water storage tank, and a hot-water supply path for drawing out the internal hot water from the hot-water storage tank for hot water supply. In the water heater,
An on-off switching valve interposed in the middle of the hot water supply path to open and close the flow path;
Hot water supply restart control means for performing control for sterilization before restarting hot water supply after continuation of the non-use state,
The hot water supply restart control means includes:
A sterilization process necessity determining unit that determines whether it is necessary to take sterilization measures by determining whether there is a possibility of bacterial propagation due to the continuation of the non-use state,
When the sterilization processing necessity determining unit determines that sterilization measures are necessary, the open / close switching valve is controlled to be closed, and the heating means is operated to sterilize hot water in the hot water storage tank. A hot water storage type hot water supply device comprising: a sterilization processing unit that controls heating to a set sterilization temperature set as a temperature.

請求項１５に記載の貯湯式給湯装置であって、
報知手段をさらに備え、
上記滅菌処理部は、滅菌対策が必要との滅菌処理要否判定部による判定結果を上記報知手段により報知し、ユーザー操作に基づく解除操作信号の入力を受けることを条件に上記加熱制御を開始するように構成されている、貯湯式給湯装置。It is a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 15,
It further comprises a notification means,
The sterilization unit notifies the determination result by the sterilization necessity determination unit that sterilization measures are necessary by the notification unit, and starts the heating control on condition that an input of a release operation signal based on a user operation is received. Hot water storage device configured as follows.

請求項１６に記載の貯湯式給湯装置であって、
上記給湯路を流れる流量を検出する流量検出手段をさらに備え、
上記滅菌処理部は、加熱制御の終了を受けて所定量の排水を促す報知を上記報知手段により報知する一方、上記流量検出手段により上記所定量の排水が完了したことの検出を受けて上記報知を終了させるように構成されている、貯湯式給湯装置。It is a hot water storage type hot water supply apparatus according to claim 16,
Further provided is a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate flowing through the hot water supply path,
The sterilization unit notifies the notification urging the predetermined amount of drainage in response to the end of the heating control by the notification unit, and receives the notification that the predetermined amount of drainage is completed by the flow rate detection unit. A hot water supply type hot water supply device configured to end the operation.

請求項１５〜請求項１７のいずれかに記載の貯湯式給湯装置であって、
上記加熱手段は、排熱を熱源とする排熱回収式の主加熱手段と、電力又は燃料のエネルギー消費を熱源とするエネルギー消費式の副加熱手段とにより構成され、
上記滅菌処理部は、上記副加熱手段の作動により滅菌処理のための加熱制御を行うように構成されている、貯湯式給湯装置。The hot water storage type hot water supply device according to any one of claims 15 to 17,
The heating means is constituted by an exhaust heat recovery type main heating means using exhaust heat as a heat source, and an energy consumption type sub-heating means using electric power or fuel energy consumption as a heat source,
The sterilization section is a hot-water storage type hot water supply device configured to perform heating control for sterilization by operating the sub-heating means.