JP4181674B2 - Combustion device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a burner, an ignition device for igniting the burner, a thermocouple that generates an electromotive force by being heated by a flame generated by the burner, and a main plug that switches whether or not to supply combustion gas to the burner And a solenoid that excites the electromagnetic safety valve with an electromotive force generated by the thermocouple heated by the flame of the burner and holds the electromagnetic safety valve in an open state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a combustion device such as a water heater, a thermocouple that is heated by the flame after the burner is ignited by opening an electromagnetic safety valve that functions as a main plug of combustion gas by pressing the instrument plug knob etc. There is a configuration in which an electromagnetic safety valve is excited by an electromotive force generated by the motor to hold the electromagnetic safety valve in an open state.
[0003]
In such a combustion device, when the appliance stopper knob is pressed and the electromagnetic safety valve is opened, the ignition device starts operating to start sparking, and the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple rises to open the electromagnetic safety valve. When it becomes possible to hold the ignition device, the operation of the ignition device is stopped. That is, it is confirmed that the ignition has been normally performed when the electromagnetic safety valve is held open by the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple, and the operation of the ignition device is stopped.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a spark is struck from an ignition device, the burner usually ignites immediately, but it takes a relatively long time for the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple heated by this flame to rise to a value that can hold the electromagnetic safety valve open. It takes. For this reason, if the operation of the ignition device is stopped after the electromagnetic safety valve is held open by the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple, a spark will be blown from the ignition device for a longer time than necessary. Deterioration is accelerated. Further, when the ignition device is driven by a battery, there is a problem that the battery life is shortened because electric power is wasted for each ignition.
[0005]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems of the prior art, and excites an electromagnetic safety valve as a gas main valve by an electromotive force generated by a thermocouple heated by a flame to keep it open. An object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus configured as described above and having a short operation time of an ignition device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
[1] A burner (11), an ignition device (61, 72) for igniting the burner (11), and a thermocouple (63) that generates an electromotive force by being heated by a flame emitted from the burner (11). ) And an electromagnetic safety valve (50) as a main plug for switching whether or not to supply combustion gas to the burner (11), and the thermocouple (63) heated by the flame of the burner (11) emits In the combustion apparatus that excites the electromagnetic safety valve (50) by electromotive force and holds the electromagnetic safety valve (50) in an open state,
A flame rod electrode (62) for detecting a flame emitted by the burner (11), and an ignition control means (81) for controlling a series of ignition operations;
The ignition control means (81)
When the burner (11) is ignited, the ignition device (61, 72) is operated and the flame rod electrode (62) starts a flame detection operation. When the frame rod electrode (62) detects a flame Stop the operation of the ignition device (61, 72) and terminate the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode (62),
When the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple (63) does not exceed a predetermined value after a predetermined time has elapsed since the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode (62) has been completed, the ignition device (61, 72) Again,
When the state exceeding the predetermined value and not exceeding the reference value higher than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time, the series of ignition operations is terminated without operating the ignition device (61, 72) again. Combustion device characterized by that.
[2] said ignition control means (81), when even beyond the predetermined value does not exceed the reference value of a value higher than the predetermined value, no longer exceeds the predetermined value until the plant constant time has elapsed The combustion apparatus according to [1], wherein the ignition device (61, 72) is actuated again.
[3] The ignition control means (81) does not exceed the predetermined value before the predetermined time elapses when the reference value higher than the predetermined value is not exceeded even if the predetermined value is exceeded. when the combustion apparatus according to you, wherein [2] the igniter to be actuated again (61 and 72) after the predetermined time has elapsed.
[0011]
[ 4 ] Two or more heat exchangers (20, 30) are provided, and the burner (11) is a pilot burner (11) for lighting a seed fire, and is ignited by fire transfer from the pilot burner (11). Two or more main burners (12, 13 ) for heating the two or more heat exchangers (20, 30), and the electromagnetic safety valve (50) includes the pilot burner (11) and the main burner ( The combustor according to [1], [2] or [3], wherein the combustor is a common main plug for both 12, 13).
[0012]
The present invention operates as follows.
The ignition control means (81) operates the ignition device (61, 72) when igniting the burner (11), and starts the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode (62). When the flame detects a flame, the operation of the ignition device (61, 72) is stopped. After that, when the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple (63) heated by the flame of the burner (11) increases to a value that can hold the electromagnetic safety valve (50) open, the ignition control means (81) The flame detection operation by the electrode (62) is terminated.
[0013]
Since the flame rod electrode (62) can detect a flame in a shorter time after ignition than the thermocouple (63), when the ignition is confirmed by the flame rod electrode (62), the ignition device By stopping the operation of (61, 72), the time for sparking is shortened, and the deterioration of the ignition device (61, 72) can be reduced. Further, since the operation time of the ignition device (61, 72) is shortened, power consumption is reduced. Furthermore, the flame detection operation by the flame rod electrode (62) is continued until the electromotive force of the thermocouple (63) rises to a value that can hold the electromagnetic safety valve (50) open, so that the flame once ignited disappears later. However, since this can be detected immediately, safety is improved.
[0016]
Ignition control means (81) when the flame rod electrode (62) has detected the flame, Ru simultaneously terminate the detection operation of the flame by the flame rod electrode to stop the operation of the ignition device (61 and 72) (62) . Thereby, further power saving can be achieved. Further, when the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple (63) does not exceed a predetermined value after a predetermined time has elapsed since the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode (62) has ended, the fired flame is once extinguished. The ignition device (61, 72) is actuated again because it is considered that it has been closed. As described above, after the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode (62) is finished, it is determined whether or not reignition is necessary based on the electromotive force of the thermocouple (63). It is possible to prevent the ignition from ending.
[0017]
The burner (11) that ignites in this manner is used as a pilot burner (11) for the seed fire, and one or more main burners (12, 13) that are ignited by fire transfer from the pilot burner (11) are used. While providing, you may comprise so that an electromagnetic safety valve (50) may become a common stopcock for a pilot burner (11) and a main burner (12, 13).
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the combustion apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a so-called balance-type bath tub arranged alongside a bathtub in a bathroom, and has a predetermined faucet or shower head. Each of the hot water supply operation for pouring hot water, the hot water operation for hot water filling in the bathtub, and the dizzying operation for chasing the water in the bathtub is provided.
[0019]
The combustion apparatus 10 includes a burner 11 for igniting a pilot fire, a hot water main burner 12 that is ignited by a fire transfer from the pilot burner 11, and a bath main burner 13 that is also ignited by a fire transfer from the pilot burner 11. ing.
[0020]
Above the hot water supply main burner 12, a hot water supply heat exchanger 20 for heating the supplied water is disposed. The hot water supply pipe 21 through which the hot water is supplied is divided into two in the water governor 22 for adjusting the hot water temperature, one passing through the hot water heat exchanger 20 and the other bypassing the hot water heat exchanger 20. They merge at the outlet side of the heat exchanger 20. The hot water temperature is adjusted by the water governor 22 by changing the diversion ratio between the side passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 20 and the bypassing side.
[0021]
The hot water supply pipe 21 joins on the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 20 and then separates into two hands. One of the hot water supply pipes 21 passes through a water flow switch 23 for detecting the presence or absence of hot water, and then a shower head or hot water. It leads to a stopper. The other, after passing through the water solenoid valve 24, leads to a hot water tap for filling the bathtub. By opening and closing the water electromagnetic valve 24, it is possible to switch by the combustion device 10 itself whether or not the water supplied by the hot water supply heat exchanger 20 is dropped into the bathtub.
[0022]
Above the bath main burner 13, a bath heat exchanger 30 for chasing water in the bathtub is disposed. The entrance side and exit side of the bath heat exchanger 30 are each connected to a circulation fitting provided in the bathtub.
[0023]
A gas supply pipe 41 for supplying combustion gas to each of the burners 11 to 13 enters a thermocouple solenoid valve 50 (electromagnetic safety valve) that functions as a main plug of the instrument, branches by the thermocouple solenoid valve 50, and is pilot pilot 11 The hot water supply main burner 12 and the bath main burner 13 are connected to each other. Therefore, by closing the thermocouple solenoid valve 50, the supply of combustion gas to all of the pilot burner 11, hot water supply main burner 12, and bath main burner 13 can be shut off.
[0024]
A hot water supply gas electromagnetic valve 42 for individually switching whether or not to supply combustion gas to the hot water supply main burner 12 is provided in the middle of the gas pipe connecting the outlet side of the thermocouple electromagnetic valve 50 and the hot water supply main burner 12. is there. A bath gas solenoid valve 43 for individually switching whether or not to supply combustion gas to the bath main burner 13 is provided in the middle of the gas pipe connecting the outlet side of the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 and the bath main burner 13. It is.
[0025]
An igniter electrode 61 as an ignition device is arranged in the vicinity of the pilot burner 11. Also, in the vicinity of the pilot burner 11, there are provided a frame rod electrode 62 and a thermocouple 63 arranged so as to be positioned in the flame when the pilot burner 11 is raising a flame.
[0026]
The thermocouple solenoid valve 50 has an electromagnet that is driven by an electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63. When the user depresses the instrument plug knob 70 and the pilot burner 11 ignites for a while, the heated thermocouple 63 starts to generate power, and the electromagnet of the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 is generated by the current from the thermocouple 63. After that, even if the user releases the instrument plug knob 70, the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 is held open.
[0027]
The combustion apparatus 10 includes a micro switch 71 that is turned on when the instrument plug knob 70 is pressed. The micro switch 71 is a main switch for switching whether to supply electric power from a dry battery (not shown) to the IG (igniter) transformer 72 and the control unit 80. In addition, since the combustion apparatus 10 is installed in a bathroom, in order to avoid an electric shock due to electric leakage, a commercial power source is not used and power is supplied from a built-in dry battery.
[0028]
The control unit 80 is a circuit distribution unit that controls various operations of the combustion apparatus 10, and has a function as an ignition control unit 81 that controls a series of operations when the pilot burner 11 is ignited. The control unit 80 is connected to a display unit 82 for guiding and displaying the operating state of the combustion apparatus 10, and various electric components in the combustion apparatus 10 are connected to the control unit 80 by a wiring 83 illustrated in a simplified manner.
[0029]
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 2 shows the flow of the seed ignition operation in the combustion apparatus 10. When the user turns the instrument plug knob 70 from the “stop” position to the “flame” position (step S201), the microswitch 71 is turned on (step S202). When the micro switch 71 is turned on, the supply of power starts and the control unit 80 starts operating. Further, when the instrument plug knob 70 is pushed, the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 is opened, and the combustion gas is supplied to the pilot burner 11 through the thermocouple solenoid valve 50. In this state, since the hot water gas electromagnetic valve 42 and the bath gas electromagnetic valve 43 are still closed, no combustion gas is supplied to the hot water main burner 12 and the bath main burner 13.
[0030]
When the micro switch 71 is turned on, energization to the IG (igniter) transformer 72 is started, and at the same time, a flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode 62 is started (step S203). When energization to the IG transformer 72 is started, discharge starts from the igniter electrode 61 disposed in the vicinity of the pilot burner 11, and if normal, the pilot burner 11 is ignited within a few seconds.
[0031]
When the flame rod electrode 62 (FR) detects a flame within 10 seconds from the start of the ignition operation (step S204; Y), the control unit 80 blinks the seed display on the display unit 82 ( Step S205). The flashing of the fire display is a guide display that notifies the user that the fire has been ignited once, but it is still necessary to continue pressing the appliance plug knob 70.
[0032]
When the flame is detected by the frame rod electrode 62, the controller 80 stops energization to the IG transformer 72 and turns off the ignition operation by the igniter electrode 61 (step S206). After that, when the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63 rises to a predetermined reference value that can keep the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 open within 30 seconds (step S207; Y), the type display is turned on from the blinking display. The display is switched (step S208), and the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode 62 is stopped (step S209).
[0033]
That is, when the pilot burner 11 is ignited, the thermocouple 63 is heated by the flame and its electromotive force gradually increases, and when it rises to exceed the reference value, the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 is excited by the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63. Are held open. Even if the user releases the instrument plug knob 70 in this state, the supply of the combustion gas to the pilot burner 11 is maintained, so that the ignition display is switched to the lighting display to notify the user. .
[0034]
The user confirms that the type display has changed from blinking to lighting, and then moves the instrument plug knob 70 to the “driving” position and releases the hand (step S210). It should be noted that the microswitch 71 is maintained in the ON state even when the user releases the hand from the instrument plug knob 70 by adjusting to the “driving” position.
[0035]
On the other hand, if no flame is detected by the frame rod electrode 62 even after 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of the ignition operation (step S204; N), error information to that effect is displayed on the display unit 82 (step S214). . The user learns that the ignition has not been performed normally by this error display, and returns the instrument plug knob 70 to the original position (step S215). As a result, the micro switch 71 is turned off (step S216), and the series of ignition operations ends due to an abnormality.
[0036]
Further, when the flame rod electrode 62 does not detect the flame while the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 rises to the reference value after turning off the ignition operation by the igniter electrode 61 (steps S207; N, S211; N, S212; N), that is, when the flame of the ignited pilot burner 11 has been extinguished, the igniter electrode 61 is turned on only once and ignition is attempted again (steps S213; Y, S203 to ).
[0037]
If it corresponds to the second re-ignition (step S213; N), error information is displayed and the process ends abnormally (steps S214 to S216). Even when the flame is detected by the frame rod electrode 62, even if the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 does not increase to the reference value even after 30 seconds have elapsed (step S211; Y), error information is displayed. Then, the process ends abnormally (steps S214 to S216).
[0038]
As described above, when the ignition is confirmed by the frame rod electrode 62, the operation of the igniter electrode 61 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time for which the spark is blown and to reduce the deterioration of the ignition device such as the igniter electrode 61. In addition, since the operation time of the ignition device is shortened, power consumption is reduced and consumption of the dry battery can be suppressed.
[0039]
Further, since the flame rod electrode 62 continues the flame detection operation until the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 rises to a value capable of holding the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 in an open state, This can be detected immediately and another ignition can be attempted. As a result, safety is improved, and it is prevented that the process ends with an error with no ignition.
[0040]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the instrument itself is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the flow of the ignition operation is different from that shown in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, when the flame is detected by the flame rod electrode 62, the ignition operation by the igniter electrode 61 is stopped, and at the same time, the flame detection operation by the flame rod electrode 62 is stopped to further save power. We are trying to make it.
[0041]
FIG. 3 shows the flow of a seed ignition operation performed by the combustion apparatus according to the second embodiment. Steps up to step S306 are the same as those up to step S206 shown in FIG. When the flame is detected by the frame rod electrode 62 (step S304; Y), the ignition operation by the igniter electrode 61 is turned off (step S305), and the flashing of the display of the ignition is started (step S306). The flame detection operation by 62 is stopped (step S307).
[0042]
After that, if the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 does not rise to a predetermined ignition reference value within 15 seconds (steps S308; N, S312; N, S313; Y), the flame of the pilot burner 11 that has been ignited once It is determined that it has disappeared, and reignition is attempted only for the first time (step S314; Y) (steps S303 to S303). The ignition reference value is set to a value lower than the electromotive force value (holding reference value) necessary to hold the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 in the open state.
[0043]
The electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 once exceeds the ignition reference value within 15 seconds (step S308; Y), but does not increase to the holding reference value for holding the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 in the open state (step S308). S309; N, S315; N) Even when it falls below the ignition reference value again (step S309; N, step S315; N, S308; N), only once (step S314; Y), reignition (Step S303 ~). That is, after ignition, the pilot burner 11 burns until the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63 once exceeds the ignition reference value, but after that, reignition is attempted even if it disappears.
[0044]
When the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63 within 30 seconds in total has increased to a holding reference value that can hold the thermocouple solenoid valve 50 in an open state (step S309; Y), the flashing display is changed from blinking display. The display is switched to lighting display (step S310). Thereafter, the user releases the appliance plug knob 70 in accordance with the “driving” position (step S311), and the ignition operation of the fire is normally completed.
[0045]
It should be noted that the flame rod electrode 62 does not detect a flame even after 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of the ignition operation (step S304; N), or the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63 ignites even after 30 seconds have elapsed. If the reference value and the holding reference value are not increased, error information is displayed and the process ends abnormally (steps S316 to S318).
[0046]
As described above, the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode 62 is terminated when the flame is detected by the frame rod electrode 62, so that the power can be further reduced. In addition, when the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63 does not rise to a predetermined reference value even after a certain time has elapsed after ignition, re-ignition is attempted. Therefore, even if the frame rod electrode 62 is turned off immediately after ignition, no ignition occurs. It is less likely to end and the safety is improved.
[0047]
However, when determining whether or not the pilot burner 11 that has been ignited has been extinguished based on the electromotive force of the thermocouple 63, accurate determination cannot be made unless a certain period of time such as 15 seconds has elapsed. The response time from the extinction of the flame until the reignition is attempted is longer than that in the case of direct detection by the frame rod electrode 62 as in the first embodiment.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, the pilot burner 11 is ignited with a pilot flame. However, the present invention is applied even when the main burner is directly ignited with an ignition device without using a pilot flame. Can do. That is, when the main burner is ignited, first, the ignition operation by the igniter and the flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode are activated, and the igniter is stopped when the flame is detected by the frame rod electrode. Note that the subsequent disappearance monitoring may be performed by both or one of the frame rod electrode and the thermocouple.
[0049]
In the embodiment, re-ignition is attempted only once. However, re-ignition may be attempted several times. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple 63 does not rise to the ignition reference value even after 15 seconds have elapsed, it is determined that the ignition flame has once extinguished and reignition is performed. However, the value of the ignition reference value and the length of the elapsed time until it is determined are not limited to those illustrated. Of course, the ignition reference value may be set to the same value as the holding reference value, and reignition may be attempted when the electromotive force does not exceed the holding reference value even after 30 seconds have elapsed.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the combustion apparatus of the present invention, since the operation of the ignition apparatus is stopped when ignition is confirmed by the frame rod electrode, the electromotive force of the thermocouple increases to a value that can keep the thermocouple solenoid valve open. Compared with the case where the ignition device is operated until the time is reached, the time for sparking is shortened, and deterioration of the ignition device can be reduced. Further, since the operation time of the ignition device is shortened, the power consumption can be reduced accordingly.
[0051]
In addition, if the thermocouple electromotive force rises to a value that can keep the electromagnetic safety valve open, the flame rod electrode will continue to detect flames. Thus, since reignition can be performed, safety is improved and the end of non-ignition is reduced.
[0052]
Further, when the flame is detected by the flame rod electrode, the operation of the ignition device is stopped and the flame detection operation by the flame rod electrode is also terminated at the same time, so that further power saving can be achieved. Also, if the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple does not exceed the predetermined value after a certain period of time has elapsed since the flame rod electrode has completed the flame detection operation, it is determined that the fired flame has once disappeared. In the case of trying to reignite, safety can be improved while saving power.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a combustion apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a seed ignition operation performed by the combustion apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a seed ignition operation performed by a combustion apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Combustion apparatus 11 ... Pilot burner 12 ... Hot water main burner 13 ... Bath main burner 20 ... Hot water heat exchanger 21 ... Hot water supply pipe 22 ... Water governor 23 ... Water flow switch 24 ... Water solenoid valve 30 ... Bath heat exchanger 41 ... Gas supply Pipe 42 ... Hot water gas solenoid valve 43 ... Bath gas solenoid valve 50 ... Thermocouple solenoid valve 61 ... Igniter electrode 62 ... Frame rod electrode 63 ... Thermocouple 70 ... Instrument plug knob 71 ... Micro switch 72 ... IG (igniter) transformer 80 ... Control unit 81 ... Ignition control means 82 ... Display unit 83 ... Wiring

Claims (4)

A burner, an ignition device for igniting the burner, a thermocouple that generates an electromotive force by being heated by a flame generated by the burner, and an electromagnetic safety valve as a main plug for switching whether or not to supply combustion gas to the burner A combustion apparatus that excites the electromagnetic safety valve by an electromotive force generated by the thermocouple heated by the burner flame and holds the electromagnetic safety valve in an open state.
A flame rod electrode for detecting a flame emitted by the burner, and an ignition control means for controlling a series of ignition operations;
The ignition control means includes
When the burner is ignited, the ignition device is operated and a flame detection operation by the frame rod electrode is started. When the flame rod electrode detects a flame, the operation of the ignition device is stopped and the flame rod electrode End the flame detection operation,
When the electromotive force generated by the thermocouple does not exceed a predetermined value until a predetermined time has passed after the flame rod electrode has finished detecting the flame, the ignition device is activated again,
When the state exceeding the predetermined value and not exceeding the reference value higher than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time, the series of ignition operations is terminated without operating the ignition device again. Combustion device. Said ignition control means, when even beyond the predetermined value does not exceed the reference value of a value higher than the predetermined value, when the office constant time no longer exceeds the predetermined value until the elapsed, the ignition The combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operated again. When the ignition control means does not exceed a reference value higher than the predetermined value even if the predetermined value is exceeded , the ignition control means is configured to perform the predetermined time when the predetermined value does not exceed the predetermined value. The combustion apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the ignition device is operated again after elapse of time.   2 or more heat exchangers, and the burner is a pilot burner for lighting a seed fire, and two or more main burners for heating the two or more heat exchangers that are ignited by a fire transfer from the pilot burner The combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic safety valve is a main plug common to the pilot burner and the main burner.

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