JP3711936B2 - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus capable of integrating fuel consumption and / or water usage for one day used in hot water operation, for example, and displaying the fuel consumption and water usage for each day.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a hot water supply device, for example, a device that can integrate fuel consumption for one day used in hot water operation and display the fuel consumption for each day on a display screen of a remote controller has been proposed. In general, in order to realize this type of function, integration processing is executed by a microcomputer via various sensors, and the integration amount is periodically stored in a RAM.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the accumulated amount is stored in the RAM, if a power failure or the like occurs during the accumulation, the information stored in the RAM is reset, and the accumulated amount obtained so far becomes 0, so that the power is restored from the power failure. Later, there was a problem that an integrated amount significantly different from the actual consumption amount was obtained.
[0004]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply apparatus that can acquire an integrated amount as accurate as possible.
[0005]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.
[0006]
That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply apparatus including an integration unit that integrates fuel consumption and / or water usage used in a hot water supply operation and stores the accumulated amount in a RAM. And a storage timing control means for resetting the integration means at a predetermined time and storing the integration quantity stored in the RAM so far in the nonvolatile storage means so as to be added to the previous acquisition quantity . A hot water supply device is provided.
[0007]
According to a preferred embodiment, the storage timing control means stores the integrated amount in the nonvolatile storage means at a predetermined time and then performs the next integration from the RAM to the nonvolatile storage means until a predetermined time elapses. Prohibit memory of quantity.
[0008]
According to another preferred embodiment, the storage timing control means resets the integration means immediately after the end of a predetermined hot water supply operation in addition to every predetermined time, and the integration timing stored in the RAM until the reset is performed. The amount is added to the previously acquired integrated amount and stored in the nonvolatile storage means.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply apparatus including an integration unit that integrates fuel consumption and / or water usage used in a hot water operation and stores the accumulated amount in a RAM . The integration unit is reset every time the integration amount stored in the RAM of the integration unit exceeds a predetermined amount, and the integration amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integration amount so as to be stored in a nonvolatile manner. A hot water supply apparatus is provided, characterized by comprising storage timing control means for storing in the means.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the integrated amount is reset every predetermined time, and each time the integrated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integrated amount each time, for example, in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Remembered. Also, for example, immediately after the completion of an automatic bath filling operation in which a large amount of fuel consumption or water is used, the accumulated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously obtained accumulated amount. Thus, it is stored in the EEPROM or the like . Further, every time the integrated amount becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the integrating means is reset, and each time the integrated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integrated amount and stored in the EEPROM or the like . In short, even if a power failure occurs during integration, the integrated amount obtained so far remains in the nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM, so it is as accurate as possible including the remaining integrated amount after recovery from the power failure. Can be obtained.
[0011]
In particular, when the accumulated amount is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM at a predetermined time and the next accumulated amount is not stored in the EEPROM or the like until a certain amount of time elapses, for example, the user Even if the accumulated amount acquisition time comes again immediately after the accumulated amount is stored in the EEPROM or the like by adjusting the time, the accumulated amount is not redundantly stored in the EEPROM or the like, and the accumulated amount is as accurate as possible. Can be obtained.
[0012]
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the hot water supply apparatus is for instructing the hot water supply apparatus body 1 to start / end the hot water supply operation and to set the hot water supply temperature, etc. The remote controller 2 is configured.
[0015]
The hot water supply apparatus main body 1 has various sensors in addition to a microcomputer including a CPU 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an interface circuit 13, and the like for controlling various hot water supply operations. The water amount sensor 15 detects the amount of water used based on the amount of water flowing through a water supply pipe (not shown), and a detection signal from the water amount sensor 15 is input to the CPU 10 through the interface circuit 13. In the present embodiment, the target hot water supply number is calculated based on the set temperature of the hot water set via the remote controller 2, the incoming water temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown), the hot water flow rate detected by the water amount sensor 15, and the like. In addition, the gas consumption amount is calculated based on the heat generation amount by integrating the hot water supply target number and further converting the integrated value into the heat generation amount. The CPU 10 integrates the gas consumption amount and water usage amount used in the hot water supply operation, and the integration amount obtained as the integration result is periodically stored in the RAM 12.
[0016]
The remote controller 2 includes a display operation unit 25 in addition to a microcomputer including a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, an EEPROM 23, and an interface circuit 24 for realizing a user interface. The interface circuit 24 is connected to the interface circuit 13 of the hot water supply apparatus body 1 via the communication cable 3. The display operation unit 25 is provided with operation keys, a display screen, and the like, and exchanges various input / output signals with the CPU 20. The CPU 20 of the remote controller 2 incorporates a real-time clock circuit and has a function for measuring time.
[0017]
In short, the remote controller 2 is provided with a function for displaying the gas consumption and water usage for one day. For example, the CPU 20 of the remote controller 2 accesses the CPU 10 of the water heater main body 1 every time an even time (2:00 am, 4:00, 2:00 pm, 4:00, etc.) is reached. Then, a transmission request is made for the integrated amount stored in the RAM 12 of the hot water supply apparatus body 1. When the integrated amount is transmitted to the remote controller 2 in response to the transmission request, the CPU 20 writes the integrated amount in the EEPROM 23. At this time, if the integrated amount acquired last time is already written in the EEPROM 23 during the same day, the contents of the EEPROM 23 are rewritten so as to add the integrated amount acquired this time to the integrated amount acquired previously. Incidentally, at the time when the date is changed (0:00 am), the integrated amount written in the EEPROM 23 so far is determined as one day, and the integrated amount for a predetermined number of days can be stored in the EEPROM 23.
[0018]
In response to the transmission request, the integrated amount is transmitted to the remote controller 2, and when the integrated amount is written to the EEPROM 23, the CPU 20 of the remote controller 2 transmits a reset signal to the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus body 1. Every time this reset signal is received, the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 sets the accumulated amount stored in the RAM 12 to 0, and then stores the obtained accumulated amount in the RAM 12. That is, the integration process executed by the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 is reset, for example, every 2 hours, which is an even time, and thus, in the hot water supply apparatus body 1, an integrated amount for 2 hours is obtained every time an even time is reached. Desired.
[0019]
The integrated amount taken into the EEPROM 23 of the remote controller 2 as described above is displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 2 as integrated data for each day according to the operation of the user, and the gas consumption amount or water usage amount on a certain day. It is possible to confirm how much was. Of course, the gas consumption and water usage on the day can also be displayed on the display screen. For example, when the user sets and inputs a charge per unit amount of gas or water, the gas charge or water charge for the hot water supply operation of the day can be displayed.
[0020]
Furthermore, although the current time is displayed on the display screen of the remote controller 2 based on the timekeeping function, the user can adjust the current time as necessary. At this time, for example, if the time adjustment is performed so that the display time is 5:59 pm when the display time indicates 6:01 pm, the integrated amount is written to the EEPROM 23 at 6:00 pm before the time adjustment. Even though the integration process is reset, the same process is repeated again at 6:00 pm after the time adjustment, and as a result, an accurate integration amount cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the current time output from the real-time clock circuit becomes the integration time until a predetermined time has elapsed after reaching the integration time such as writing the integration amount to the EEPROM 23 or resetting the integration processing. However, an operation such as writing the integrated amount into the EEPROM 23 or resetting the integration process is not performed.
[0021]
Next, an operation when the integrated amount obtained by the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 is taken into the remote controller 2 will be described.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the integrated amount acquisition process. Although this flowchart shows the execution procedure by the CPU 20 of the remote controller 2, the CPU 10 in the other hot water supply apparatus main body 1 continuously executes the integration process until a reset signal is received from the remote controller 2 as described above. Yes.
[0023]
First, when the time measured by the real-time clock circuit is an even time (S1: YES), the CPU 20 of the remote controller 2 checks whether the value of the flag is “0” (S2). This flag is used to check whether a certain time has elapsed since the integrated amount was acquired from the hot water supply device main body 1 and stored in the EEPROM 23, and is usually adjusted by the user. However, when the time measured by the real-time clock circuit is an even time, the flag value indicates “0”.
[0024]
When the value of the flag is “0” (S2: YES), the CPU 20 acquires the integrated amount from the hot water supply apparatus body 1 and writes the integrated amount in the EEPROM 23 (S3). That is, in this embodiment, the integrated amount is added every two hours and stored in the EEPROM 23.
[0025]
Thereafter, the CPU 20 sends a reset signal to the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 to temporarily reset the integration process being continued by the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 (S4). Thereby, in the hot water supply apparatus main body 1, the integrated amount for 2 hours is calculated | required for every 2 hours.
[0026]
Thereafter, the CPU 20 sets the value of the flag to “1” (S5).
[0027]
Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed after setting the flag value to “1” (S6: YES), the CPU 20 resets the flag value to “0” again (S7).
[0028]
Finally, when the time measured by the real-time clock circuit reaches 0:00 am (S8: YES), the CPU 20 determines the integrated amount for one day written in the EEPROM 23 so far (S9), and then again S1. Return to and repeat the series of processing.
[0029]
In S8, when the time measured by the real-time clock circuit is not 0:00 am (S8: NO), the CPU 20 returns to S1.
[0030]
In S6, when the elapsed time since the flag value is set to “1” is less than the predetermined time (S6: NO), the CPU 20 waits until the predetermined time elapses. In other words, even if the time adjustment of the real-time clock circuit shows the same time twice on the same day by adjusting the time by the user, whether or not the next time to write the integrated amount is reached until a certain time has passed. Therefore, the accumulated amount is not written to the EEPROM 23 redundantly.
[0031]
In S2, when the value of the flag is “1” (S2: NO), the CPU 20 proceeds to S6.
[0032]
In S1, when the time measured by the real-time clock circuit is not an even time (S1: NO), the CPU 20 waits until the even time is reached.
[0033]
Therefore, according to the hot water supply apparatus described above, the integrated amount is reset every two hours, and the integrated amount for two hours obtained up to that time is added to the EEPROM 23 each time, so that a power failure or the like occurs during the integration. However, the accumulated amount at least 2 hours before remains in the EEPROM 23, and after the recovery from the power failure, the accumulated amount as the gas consumption and water usage for the day as accurate as possible including the remaining accumulated amount You can get the quantity.
[0034]
Also, even if the integrated amount is acquired and written to the EEPROM 23 at an even time, and even if the same even time is reached again due to time adjustment, the integrated amount is not written redundantly, and this is also as accurate as possible. The accumulated amount for one day can be acquired.
[0035]
Furthermore, it is not necessary to incorporate a real-time clock circuit or EEPROM in the microcomputer of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced accordingly.
[0036]
Next, another embodiment will be briefly described.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the acquisition timing of the integrated amount according to another embodiment. In addition, the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on other embodiment is also set as the structure similar to the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 and the remote control 2 which are shown in FIG.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, in other embodiments as well, the integrated amount is acquired at every even time and written to the EEPROM 23 as in the previous embodiment (acquisition timing of black arrow shown in the figure). Even at the end of the hot water filling operation, the integrated amount is exceptionally acquired and written in the EEPROM 23 (the acquisition timing of the white arrow shown in the figure). Other processes are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, since the integrated amount is acquired immediately after the automatic hot water filling operation of the bath in which the gas consumption amount and the water usage amount are large, for example, even if a power failure or the like subsequently occurs ( The timing indicated by the punishment point in the figure) does not cause a large error in the integrated amount. Therefore, according to the acquisition timing according to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the integrated amount is acquired immediately after the end of the automatic hot water filling operation in which the gas consumption amount and the water usage amount are relatively large, and is added to the EEPROM 23. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs after that, the gas consumption and water consumption for one day actually consumed (used) and the integrated amount finally obtained are almost the same and more accurate. Accumulated amount of gas consumption and water usage for one day can be acquired.
[0039]
Further, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the acquisition timing of the integrated amount according to another embodiment. In addition, the hot water supply apparatus which concerns on other embodiment corresponding to FIG. 4 is also set as the structure similar to the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 and the remote control 2 which are shown in FIG.
[0040]
In the other embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the integrated amount is not acquired based on the time as in the above-described embodiment, but is acquired every time the integrated amount becomes equal to or greater than a certain amount indicated by a broken line in the figure. (Acquisition timing of black arrow shown in the figure). For example, during automatic bathing operation of a bath, the operation state continues for a relatively long time, and the gas consumption and water usage amount are relatively large accordingly. It is increasing. Other processes are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of times that the integrated amount is acquired is increased during the automatic hot water bathing operation in which the gas consumption and the water consumption are large, compared to the case where the hot water is simply supplied to the kitchen. For example, even if a power failure occurs thereafter (timing indicated by a penalty point in the figure), a large error does not occur as an integrated amount. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, since the acquisition timing is finely variably controlled according to the operating conditions, the accumulated amount is acquired for every certain amount during automatic hot water operation where the gas consumption and water consumption are relatively large. Even if a power failure occurs afterwards, the gas consumption and water consumption for one day actually consumed (used) and the integrated amount finally obtained are almost changed. In addition, it is possible to acquire a more accurate integrated amount as a daily gas consumption amount or water usage amount.
[0041]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
[0042]
For example, as a modification, as shown in FIG. 5, an EEPROM 16 for storing and holding the integrated amount is provided only in the hot water supply apparatus body 1, and a real-time clock circuit is incorporated only in the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus body 1. Also good. In such a case, the CPU 10 of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 mainly performs data processing relating to the integrated amount, and the CPU 20 of the remote controller 2 only needs to inquire the integrated amount of the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 at the time of user operation. Of course, an EEPROM for storing the integrated amount may be provided in both the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 and the remote controller 2, and the stored contents of the EEPROM may be periodically synchronized between the two.
[0043]
The timing for acquiring the integrated amount is not limited to an even time, but may be an acquisition timing every other hour, for example, starting from an odd time or 0:00 am.
[0044]
As a modified example of the embodiment acquired whenever the integrated amount becomes equal to or greater than a certain amount, the amount serving as a threshold value is not determined as a constant value in advance, for example, the accumulated amount for a predetermined number of days obtained in the past And may be set as a variable amount so as to be an appropriate amount according to the actual gas consumption and the amount of water used. In such a case, for example, in an operation situation in which the actual gas consumption and water usage are small, the timing for acquiring the integrated amount can be made finer, and the accuracy of the finally obtained integrated amount can be improved.
[0045]
In each of the above embodiments, the integrated amount of both the gas consumption amount and the water usage amount is obtained, but only the integrated amount of either the gas consumption amount or the water usage amount may be obtained.
[0046]
As other embodiments, the present invention may be applied to an oil hot water supply apparatus, and the amount of oil consumption may be displayed in an integrated manner. Further, the power consumption consumed by the hot water supply device may be displayed in an integrated manner. That is, the accumulated amount storing method in the nonvolatile storage means according to the present invention may be applied as a method for accumulating and storing the oil consumption and / or the water usage in the oil hot water supply device, and the power consumption consumed by the water heater. The method may be applied as a method for accumulating and storing the amount (including not only the electric water heater but also the power consumption in a hot water supply apparatus using gas or oil as fuel).
[0047]
Furthermore, as another embodiment, it can be applied not only to hot water supply operation, but also to bathing operation and hot water heating operation. That is, the accumulated amount storing method in the nonvolatile storage means according to the present invention is an accumulated amount storing method in bath pouring operation or bath reheating operation such as a hot water supply device with a bath function, or hot water heating such as a hot water heating heat source machine. Each may be applied as an accumulated amount storage method in operation.
[0048]
The timing for storing the integrated amount in the EEPROM can be applied not only at the end of automatic bath filling operation of the bath but also at the end of reheating operation or when the hot water heating combustion is stopped. That is, the integrated amount may be stored in the EEPROM at the end of the operation in which a large amount of fuel or water is used at one time.
[0049]
The gas consumption may be detected directly through a gas flow sensor.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the integrated amount is reset at each predetermined time, and the integrated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integrated amount each time, for example, EEPROM. Is stored in a non-volatile memory. Also, for example, immediately after the completion of an automatic bath filling operation in which a large amount of fuel consumption or water is used, the accumulated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously obtained accumulated amount. Thus, it is stored in the EEPROM or the like . Further, every time the integrated amount becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the integrating means is reset, and each time the integrated amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integrated amount and stored in the EEPROM or the like . In short, even if a power failure occurs during integration, the integrated amount obtained so far remains in the nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM, so it is as accurate as possible including the remaining integrated amount after recovery from the power failure. Can be obtained.
[0051]
In particular, when the accumulated amount is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM at a predetermined time and the next accumulated amount is not stored in the EEPROM or the like until a certain amount of time elapses, for example, the user Even if the accumulated amount acquisition time comes again immediately after the accumulated amount is stored in the EEPROM or the like by adjusting the time, the accumulated amount is not redundantly stored in the EEPROM or the like, and the accumulated amount is as accurate as possible. Can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing integrated amount acquisition processing;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an acquisition timing of an integrated amount according to another embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an acquisition timing of an integrated amount according to another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modification of the hot water supply apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater main body 2 Remote control 3 Communication cable 10 CPU
11 ROM
12 RAM
13 Interface circuit 15 Water sensor 20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 EEPROM
24 Interface Circuit 25 Display Operation Unit

Claims (4)

A hot water supply apparatus comprising an integrating means for accumulating fuel consumption and / or water usage used in hot water operation and storing the accumulated amount in a RAM ,
There is provided a storage timing control means for resetting the integrating means at every predetermined time and storing the accumulated quantity stored in the RAM so far in the nonvolatile storage means so as to be added to the previously obtained accumulated quantity . A hot water supply apparatus characterized by the above. The storage timing control unit stores the accumulated amount from the RAM to the nonvolatile storage unit until a predetermined time elapses after the accumulated amount is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit at the predetermined time. The hot-water supply apparatus of Claim 1 which prohibits. The storage timing control unit resets the integration unit immediately after a predetermined hot water supply operation is completed in addition to every predetermined time, and the integration amount stored in the RAM until the reset is previously acquired. so as to add to the amount wherein the Turkey is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit, water heater according to claim 1. A hot water supply apparatus comprising an integrating means for accumulating fuel consumption and / or water usage used in hot water operation and storing the accumulated amount in a RAM ,
The integration means is reset each time the integration amount stored in the RAM of the integration means exceeds a predetermined amount, and the integration amount of the predetermined amount stored in the RAM is added to the previously acquired integration amount. A hot water supply apparatus comprising storage timing control means for storing in a non-volatile storage means.

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