JP6597085B2 - Control device for residential equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for household equipment (equipment used as housing equipment) such as a water heater, gas stove, bath tub, hot water heater, dishwasher, etc. The present invention relates to a device having a function of automatically performing a notification process for prompting a periodic inspection when the usage time has elapsed.

In the following Patent Document 1, in the combustion apparatus, a warning is given in advance at a time point that is a certain amount before the time point at which the accumulated combustion time or the accumulated number reaches a predetermined amount, so that it is necessary to replace the accumulated combustion time. It is disclosed that the combustion operation function is forcibly stopped when the time or the like reaches a predetermined amount.
Moreover, in the following Patent Document 2, in home appliances used in winter such as a heater and a heating boiler, as a general rule, if the accumulated use time reaches a predetermined life period, a forced stop process is executed according to the life, Even when the cumulative usage time reaches the specified life period, if the outside air temperature at that time is below the set temperature, the device is forcibly stopped by the life until the outside air temperature exceeds the set temperature. It has been proposed that the system can be extended automatically so that it can be continuously used while the outside air temperature is below the set temperature.
Further, Patent Document 3 describes a time stamp function in which, in the combustion device, when the accumulated energization time or the accumulated number of times of combustion operation reaches a predetermined value, a notification is made to prompt the user for periodic inspection.

Patent No. 3966690 Patent No. 4937706 Japanese Patent No. 5477048

  By the way, when an abnormality such as a failure is detected in various sensors, pumps, fans, etc. used in residential equipment, an error notification that an error has occurred is given, and in many cases, operation is performed for safety. It is forcibly stopped. In addition, although it is not a malfunction, functions such as neutralization capacity and air blowing capacity may deteriorate with use, and warning notifications are also issued to prompt the user to take measures such as replacement by detecting these function deteriorations. Yes. Further, although the housing equipment itself is normal like the time stamp function described above, inspection notification is also performed to prompt the user to perform periodic inspection just in case the predetermined period of use has passed. Based on these notifications, the user, for example, makes a request for fault repair, replacement of functional parts, or periodic inspection to a call center, and this information is reported to, for example, a service shop having jurisdiction over the area, and a service person is sent to the user's home. Visiting the site, they will perform maintenance responses such as failure response, replacement response, or inspection response.

  However, in regional service shops, in addition to regional factors such as the number of users in each region, the number of repair requests varies greatly depending on the season, especially in the winter season when the effects of freezing and the frequency of use increase. Repair requests tend to be concentrated. If service calls for such regular inspections overlap during such busy periods of service personnel, there is a risk of not being able to maintain not only the telephone reception at the call center but also the business structure of the service shop itself. is there. If the service system of the service shop cannot be maintained, maintenance support including repair support for the user cannot be performed sufficiently, resulting in inconvenience for the user.

  In order to avoid the occurrence of such inconvenience, even if the notification timing related to regular inspections that are relatively urgent in comparison with failure handling etc. has arrived in the winter, the notification timing related to the periodic inspections other than the winter season It is conceivable to delay the period. However, it is conceivable that an error notification is made based on the abnormality detection as described above until the delayed notification timing. In this case, since the housing equipment itself becomes unusable, the user almost certainly requests maintenance from the call center, and maintenance (repair) is performed by the service person. After that, when an inspection notification is issued to urge periodic inspections, and the user requests maintenance, the user will be asked to do this maintenance after the previous repair. It will be time-consuming and may cause inconvenience to the user in terms of time and cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is a situation where the user is twice troublesome for maintenance such as repair, replacement or inspection. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for residential equipment that can avoid the occurrence of the above.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the following technical means were taken for a control device for residential equipment provided with a notification unit.

  That is, in the first invention, a usage record measuring unit that measures a parameter related to the usage record of the residential equipment, and a check required by the notification unit based on the use record measured by the use record measuring unit. An inspection notification processing unit for performing a notification process, an error detection unit for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the residential equipment, and a notification process of an abnormality occurrence by the notification unit when detected by the error detection unit When the use record measured by the error notification processing unit and the use record measuring unit reaches the inspection required state, it is determined whether or not the present time belongs within a preset suppression period. And a period outside the period of the suppression period as the timing of the notification process by the inspection notification processing unit when the suppression period determination unit determines that the current time is within the period of the suppression period so Then, a time determination unit for determining a time later than the period of the suppression period and performing a reservation setting so that the inspection notification processing unit performs a notification process to the effect that the inspection is required at the determined notification time. It shall be provided with. Then, as the inspection notification processing unit, an error occurrence is detected by the error detection unit between the time point when the usage result measured by the usage result measurement unit reaches the required inspection state and the determined time. In this case, while the reservation setting is canceled, the notification processing to the effect that the inspection is required is performed in addition to the notification processing to the effect that the error notification processing unit has generated an abnormality (Claim 1).

  In the case of the first invention, in the restraining period, the alerting unit restrains or reduces the notification processing that the housing equipment has reached the predetermined inspection time, and accordingly, a service call requested by the user for inspection. Will also be suppressed or reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to avoid the exhaustion of resources (assets such as personnel) and overwork for the service call response and maintenance response of the call center and service shop during the restraint period, and to achieve leveling. As a result, even during the restraint period, it becomes possible to allocate sufficient resources for service call response and maintenance response for highly urgently required repair cases, and maintenance inspection and repair response for users using residential equipment It is possible to improve the system and avoid inconvenience for the user. And even if it is a case where notification time is delayed in this way, it can avoid reliably that a user falls into trouble twice in maintenance correspondence. That is, until the notification time delayed until the time after the suppression period arrives, the error detection unit detects the occurrence of abnormality, and accordingly, the error notification processing unit notifies the occurrence of abnormality. In such a case, since the error notification and the inspection notification are performed at the same time, it is possible to avoid a situation where the maintenance is troubled twice. In other words, if the reservation setting is not canceled and the error notification and inspection notification are performed separately at two different times, two service calls will be made, error repairs such as fault repair, and periodic inspection will be performed. However, such a situation can be surely avoided. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from causing troubles in terms of labor and cost.

  In the control apparatus for residential equipment according to the first invention, a period corresponding to winter can be set as the suppression period (claim 2). In this way, when there is no error detection, it is possible to suppress or reduce service calls requested for inspection by the user, particularly in winter when repair requests and the like tend to concentrate. As a result, it is possible to avoid the exhaustion and overwork of resources (assets such as personnel) for service calls and maintenance support at call centers and service shops, and to achieve the leveling effect, so that users can receive sufficient services. It becomes possible to make it meaningful.

Further, in the second invention, a deterioration status detecting unit for detecting a function deterioration status of a component attributed to a use record or usage status of the housing equipment, and a degree of functional deterioration detected by the deterioration status detecting unit configured to perform the notification process according to the warning final step of the releasing not in operation the user's own exchange and even without least one advance warning及beauty forced shutdown process that is required in accordance with the A deterioration notification processing unit, an error detection unit for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in the residential equipment, and a notification unit for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality detection is detected by the error detection unit. An error notification processing unit is provided. Then, when the occurrence of abnormality is detected by the error detection unit between the time of the prior warning and the time of the final warning as the deterioration notification processing unit, an abnormality is generated by the error notification processing unit. of the want to consider performing some notification processing even together to addition to the notification process according to the warning of the final stage of the effect, the warning of the final stage with the notification to the effect of the abnormality without waiting until the time of warning of the final stage was configuration performed simultaneously (claim 3).

  In the case of the second invention, between the time of the prior warning and the final warning, if there is an abnormality detection by the error detection unit, the error notification processing unit will notify that an abnormality has occurred. In such a case, since the final warning that the replacement is necessary due to the function deterioration is performed at the same time as the error notification, it is possible to avoid a situation where the maintenance is troubled twice. That is, when the final warning is not performed at the same time, and the error notification and the final warning are performed separately two times at different times, as a result of two service calls, error handling such as failure repair, Although there is a risk of having to perform maintenance twice with element replacement, it is possible to reliably avoid such a situation. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is inconvenienced in trouble and cost.

  As described above, according to the control device for residential equipment according to the first aspect of the invention, in the suppression period, the notification section suppresses the notification processing that the residential equipment has reached the predetermined inspection time, or Accordingly, a service call requested by the user can be suppressed or reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to avoid the exhaustion of resources (assets such as personnel) and overwork for the service call response and maintenance response of the call center and service shop during the restraint period, and to achieve leveling. As a result, even during the restraint period, it becomes possible to allocate sufficient resources for service call response and maintenance response for highly urgently required repair cases, and maintenance inspection and repair response for users using residential equipment It is possible to improve the system and avoid user inconvenience. And even if it is a case where notification time is delayed in this way, it becomes possible to avoid reliably that a user falls into trouble twice in maintenance correspondence. That is, until the notification time delayed until the time after the suppression period arrives, the error detection unit detects the occurrence of abnormality, and accordingly, the error notification processing unit notifies the occurrence of abnormality. In such a case, since the inspection notification is performed at the same time as the error notification, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the maintenance is troubled twice. In other words, if the reservation setting is not canceled and the error notification and inspection notification are performed separately at two different times, two service calls will be made, error repairs such as fault repair, and periodic inspection will be performed. However, such a situation can be surely avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation that causes inconvenience in terms of user trouble and cost.

  In particular, according to the control device for residential equipment according to claim 2, by setting a period corresponding to winter as the suppression period, particularly when there is no error detection of occurrence of abnormality, repair requests and the like tend to concentrate. During a winter season, service calls requested by the user can be suppressed or reduced. As a result, it is possible to avoid the exhaustion and overwork of resources (assets such as personnel) for service calls and maintenance support at call centers and service shops, and to achieve the leveling effect, so that users can receive sufficient services. It becomes possible to make it meaningful.

  According to the control device for residential equipment of the second invention, between the time of the prior warning and the final warning, there is an abnormality detection by the error detection unit, and accordingly an abnormality has occurred by the error notification processing unit. When a notification is to be issued, an error notification is given and a final warning that replacement is required due to functional deterioration is also performed at the same time. Will be able to. That is, when the final warning is not performed at the same time, and the error notification and the final warning are performed separately two times at different times, as a result of two service calls, error handling such as failure repair, Although there is a risk of having to perform two maintenance correspondences with element replacement, it is possible to reliably avoid such a situation. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation that causes inconvenience in terms of labor and cost of the user.

It is the whole hot water supply apparatus schematic diagram which is an example of the housing equipment provided with the control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the example of the control apparatus of each embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the example of the check alerting | reporting control part of the control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which concerns on the check alerting | reporting control of 1st Embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the example of the check alerting | reporting control part of the control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which concerns on the check alerting | reporting control of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the example of the check alerting | reporting control part of the control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is an example of the time chart which concerns on the check alerting | reporting control of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which concerns on the check alerting | reporting control of 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hot water supply device 1 as an example of a housing equipment provided with a control device for a housing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hot water supply apparatus 1 includes a hot water supply circuit 2 that realizes a hot water supply function, a remedy circuit 3 that realizes a reheating function, and a pouring circuit that supplies hot water or water from the hot water supply circuit 2 to the remedy circuit 3 for hot water filling or the like. 4 and a controller 5 as a control device for performing these operation controls. In addition, although the thing of a figure has shown the thing of a 2 cans 2 water type, even if it is a 1 can 2 water type thing, or the single-function hot water supply apparatus only of a hot water supply function, the housing equipment of this invention A control device can be applied. In addition, the example shown in the figure is configured as a latent heat recovery type as a heat exchanger that combines a primary heat exchanger that absorbs sensible heat of combustion gas and a secondary heat exchanger that recovers latent heat from combustion exhaust gas. Although the present invention is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be carried out even without a secondary heat exchanger, and it is not essential to be a latent heat recovery type. In the following description, a combination of the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger is simply indicated as a hot water supply heat exchanger 22 or a memorial heat exchanger 32. Hereinafter, the hot water supply apparatus 1 will be briefly described.

  The hot water supply circuit 2 receives tap water such as tap water in the inlet channel 21, causes hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner 23 in the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 to the hot water supply channel 24, This hot water is supplied to the hot water taps 25 in various places such as a kitchen and a washroom. The heating unit is configured to include such a hot water supply heat exchanger 22 and a combustion burner 23. Between the water intake passage 21 and the hot water supply passage 24, a bypass passage 26 is provided to bypass the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 and allow the water supply from the water intake passage 21 to flow into the hot water supply passage 24, and the distribution valve 26 a is opened. Communicate with each other. The distribution valve 26a is controlled by the controller 5, and adjusts the temperature to a predetermined set temperature by mixing water at a predetermined mixing ratio with the hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 22. A can body flow rate sensor 27 and an incoming water temperature sensor 28 for detecting incoming water temperature are interposed in the incoming water passage 21 at a position downstream of the branch position of the bypass passage 26 (a position on the heat exchanger 22 side). The hot water supply passage 24 is provided with a can body temperature sensor 29 for detecting the temperature of the hot water immediately after being heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 22, and is located downstream of the junction with the bypass passage 26. A water amount adjusting valve 24a is interposed near the branch portion of the hot water passage 41, and a tapping temperature sensor 40 is interposed at a position upstream of the water amount adjusting valve 24a. This hot water temperature sensor 40 detects the temperature of hot water supplied to the hot water tap 25 and also detects the temperature of hot water poured through the pouring channel 41. As heat exchange heating in the hot water supply heat exchanger 22, the water supplied through the water inlet 21 is first passed through the secondary heat exchanger and preheated, and then passed through the connection path 20 to the primary heat exchanger. Then, it is heated and discharged to the hot water supply passage 24.

  The memorial circuit 3 includes a memorial circuit 30 including a return path 30a and an outgoing path 30b piped between the bathtub 6 and the circulation adapter 61 in order to realize a chasing function. The stretched bath water can be reheated to a predetermined temperature and heated. That is, by the operation of the circulation pump 31, heat is exchanged by the heat of combustion of the combustion burner 33 in the reheating heat exchanger 32 from the bathtub 6 through the return path 30a, and the heated hot water is reheated. It is circulated so as to be supplied to the bathtub 6 and reheated to a predetermined boiling temperature. The circulation pump 31 is interposed in one of the return path 30a and the forward path 30b (return path 30a in the illustrated example). The return path 30a is provided with a water flow switch 34 that detects the flow and outputs it to the controller 5 described later, and a return temperature sensor 35 that detects the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 6 returned by the return path 30a. 1 is a blower fan for supplying combustion air to the combustion burners 23, 33. The blower fan 36 has a predetermined target rotation based on the required capacity of the combustion burners 23, 33 by combustion heating. The operation is controlled to be a number. Further, reference numeral 37 in FIG. 1 denotes a gas supply system for supplying fuel gas to the hot water supply combustion burner 23 and the combustion combustion burner 33. The gas supply system 37 includes an original gas valve 371 and a gas proportional valve 372, and the opening degree of the gas proportional valve 372 is controlled to be changed based on the required capacity of the combustion burners 23 and 33 by combustion heating. Yes. Here, similarly to the example of the hot water supply heat exchanger 22, the memory heat exchanger 32 also has a primary heat exchanger that absorbs sensible heat of the combustion gas, and secondary heat for recovering latent heat from the combustion exhaust gas. It consists of an exchange.

  The pouring circuit 4 is branched from the hot water supply path 24, that is, from the outlet side position of the water amount adjusting valve 24a or a downstream side position thereof, and connected to the return path 30a of the recirculation circulation path 30. A hot water passage 41 is provided, and the hot water of the hot water supply passage 24 flows into the return passage 30a through the pouring passage 41, and the hot water of the hot water supply passage 24 is divided into both sides and passes through the return passage 30a and the outgoing passage 30b. The hot water is poured into the bathtub 6 so that it can be filled. The pouring channel 41 includes a pouring flow rate sensor 42, a pouring solenoid valve 43 for switching whether or not pouring is performed in order from the upstream side which is the hot water feeding channel 24 side, and a pair of reverse flow preventing reverse flow. A stop valve 44 is interposed, and in addition, a pressure type water level sensor 46 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 6 is interposed in the vicinity of the junction with the tracking circuit 30.

  1 is an outside air temperature sensor, and this outside air temperature sensor 7 detects the outside air temperature by detecting the ambient temperature in the case. Reference numeral 8 denotes a drain treatment device. The drain treatment device 8 includes a neutralizer 81 filled with a neutralizing agent, and is included in the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 and the reheating heat exchanger 33. In the secondary heat exchanger, the drainage generated by the combustion exhaust gas being cooled and condensed by heat exchange for latent heat recovery is collected through the water collecting passage 82 and neutralized in the neutralizer 81, and then the drainage passage 83. It was installed to drain out of the system.

  The hot water supply circuit 2, the remedy circuit 3 and the pouring circuit 4 are provided with an MPU, a memory (EEPROM), an interface, etc., and a controller 5 (see FIG. 2) in which various control programs are stored. Various operation controls such as a chasing operation or a pouring operation are performed based on the output from the remote controller 51, the outputs from the various sensors 27, 28, 29, 40, and 42, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 5 includes an error detection control unit 55 and an inspection notification control unit 56 in addition to the hot water supply operation control unit 52, the pouring operation control unit 53, the chasing operation control unit 54, and the like. , 57, 58.

  The hot water supply operation control by the hot water supply operation control unit 52, the pouring operation control by the pouring operation control unit 53, and the chasing operation control by the memorial operation control unit 54 will be briefly described. The hot water supply operation control is started when the can body flow sensor 27 detects a flow exceeding the minimum operating flow rate when the user opens the hot water tap 25. First, the hot water supply combustion system comprising the hot water supply combustion burner 23, the blower fan 36 and the gas supply system 37 is controlled to be in a predetermined combustion state, so that the incoming water passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 is received by the combustion heat. Hot water that has been subjected to heat exchange heating and heated to a predetermined temperature is discharged to the hot water supply passage 24. Next, the distribution valve 26a is controlled, and the water supplied through the bypass 26 is mixed with the hot water, so that the temperature is adjusted to a predetermined hot water supply set temperature and then supplied to the hot water tap 25. .

  The pouring operation control is executed independently, for example, when the user turns on the pouring switch of the remote controller 51, and the pouring electromagnetic valve 43 is controlled to open, and is composed of the hot water combustion burner 23 and the gas supply system 37. The hot water combustion system is controlled so as to be in a predetermined combustion state. As a result, the incoming water passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 22 is heat-exchanged and heated, and hot water heated to a predetermined temperature is discharged to the hot water supply passage 24, and the distribution valve 26a is controlled in the same manner as described above, whereby the bypass passage The temperature is adjusted to a predetermined pouring preset temperature by mixing with water from No. 26, and then poured into the bathtub 6 through the open pouring solenoid valve 43, the pouring passage 41, and the memorial passage 30. Become. Alternatively, for example, when the user turns on a bath automatic switch of the remote controller 51, the pouring operation control is started as part of the bath automatic control. In the case of automatic bath control, first, hot water from the hot water supply circuit 2 is poured into the bathtub 6 through the pouring circuit 4 and the memorial circuit 30 and filled. Next, the chasing combustion system including the chasing combustion burner 33 and the gas supply system 37 of the chasing circuit 3 and the circulation pump 31 are controlled to start chasing operation control. In the chasing operation control, the hot water in the bathtub 6 passing through the chasing heat exchanger 32 is subjected to heat exchange heating by receiving the combustion heat of the chasing combustion burner 33, and is heated to a predetermined boiling temperature. When the remedy heating is completed, the warming operation in which the remedy control is intermittently executed to maintain the hot water temperature in the bathtub 6 constant is continued until the set time elapses, or the user performs the warming operation. Continue until the automatic switch is turned off.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 3 shows details of the error detection control unit 55 and the inspection notification control unit 56 according to the first embodiment. The error detection control unit 55 includes an error detection unit 551 for detecting the occurrence of abnormality and an error notification processing unit 552 for performing notification processing of the occurrence of abnormality, and the error detection unit 551 includes the flow rate sensors 27 and 42. And detecting abnormalities (failure errors) that may occur in sensors such as temperature sensors 28, 29, and 40, various valves 24a, 26a, and 43, and various drive systems such as the blower fan 36 and the circulation pump 31. It has become. As a specific example of detection, in the case of the above-described temperature sensor, a voltage value that normally changes according to the temperature (incoming water temperature, etc.) with which it is in contact is detected and converted into a temperature value for hot water supply control, etc. Will be used. However, when the detected temperature becomes an unpredictable temperature value outside the normal range (for example, +200 degrees in the case of the incoming water temperature sensor 28), there is an open failure or short failure in the sensor input circuit. It is determined that an error has occurred, and an error occurrence is detected. Or, in the case of the blower fan 36, when an output signal is normally sent out so as to realize the target rotational speed and an input signal is returned to this, but the input signal does not return at all It is determined that a failure state such as disconnection has occurred, and an error occurrence is detected. When the occurrence of an error is detected, a safety process (for example, forced operation stop) by an error processing unit (not shown) is executed, while an error notification processing unit 552 notifies the error generation through the notification unit 510. become. The notification unit 510 can be configured by, for example, the remote controller 51, and the display unit 51a and the voice guidance unit are used together with, for example, text display or voice guidance of “Please call for service because an error has occurred”. The error number can be displayed.

  The inspection notification control by the inspection notification control unit 56 means that if the usage time of the hot water supply device reaches the inspection time corresponding to the preset inspection time, the housing equipment itself can be used normally, but to the user just in case. On the other hand, it is based on the function of automatically informing a guide for encouraging the implementation of periodic inspection. As an object of such inspection notification control, for example, a time stamp warning (warning when the usage time has elapsed, for example, 10 years) can be cited. In the case of a time stamp warning, the hot water heater 1 that is a residential device is connected to an outlet, and the accumulated usage time is started. The above-mentioned contents are the same for the inspection notification control unit 57 of the second embodiment, and in the following first or second embodiment, the time stamp warning (inspection time: after 10 years of usage time has elapsed) is targeted. I will explain. In the controller 5, the presence of the various operation control units 52, 53, and 54 is not essential as the control device 1 for residential equipment according to the present invention. Further, instead of providing the inspection notification control units 56, 57, and 58 in the controller 5, the remote controller 51 can be provided, or the remote controller 51 and the controller 5 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the inspection notification control is performed. It is also possible to provide the remote controller 51 with only some components constituting the units 56, 57, and 58 and provide the controller 5 with others.

  The inspection notification control unit 56 includes an inspection time setting unit 501 for setting an inspection time, a time setting unit 502 for setting a predetermined start time, and a usage time of the hot water supply device 1 that is a target residential equipment. A time measurement unit 503 that measures the time, a storage unit 504 that includes an EEPROM, a suppression period determination unit 505 that includes a clock unit that measures the current time, and a timing determination unit 506 that determines the inspection notification time by the notification unit 510 And an inspection notification processing unit 507 for executing a notification process for the notification unit 510.

  The inspection time setting unit 501 accepts various inspection time input settings and records the input inspection time in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 504. Specifically, for example, an inspection time input setting screen is displayed on the display unit 51a by a setting operation of the remote controller 51, and an input operation is performed on the input setting screen, for example, an inspection time of a time stamp function (for example, 10 years). After use) can be set. The inspection time can be stored and set in advance, for example, in the storage unit 504 of the controller 5, and in this case, the input setting as described above is unnecessary. The time setting unit 502 accepts an input setting operation for the current time at the time of factory shipment, for example, and the input current time (year / month / day and hour / minute / second) is an initial value in the clock unit of the suppression period determination unit 505. Is set to start timing. This input setting operation can also be performed using the display unit 51a of the remote controller 51, for example, as described above.

  The time measuring unit 503 measures the usage time of the target (for example, the hot water supply device 1), and integrates the usage time with respect to the usage time recorded in the storage area related to the usage time of the storage unit 504 every time use ends. And it comes to update. This time measurement unit 503 constitutes a usage record measurement unit, and uses the use time as a parameter related to the use record. Here, while accumulating / updating the usage time with respect to the storage unit 504, the time measurement unit 503 reads the usage time up to the previous time and integrates and updates the usage time measured this time, which will be described later. Can be output to the time determination unit 506. As the usage time of the hot water supply device 1, for example, the energization time during which the controller 5 is energized via a power supply device (not shown) can be integrated. The suppression period determination unit 505 determines whether the current time belongs to a predetermined suppression period based on the current time output from the clock unit, and outputs the determination result to the timing determination unit 506. The clock unit is configured by a real time clock (RTC) that is supplied with power from a backup power source (not shown) (not shown), and measures the current time even when the power supply to the controller 5 is interrupted. . The RTC is constituted by an IC having a clock function, and outputs year, month, day, hour, minute, second, etc. as time data by setting the initial value.

  The time determination unit 506 includes information related to usage time (accumulated cumulative usage time) output from the time measurement unit 503 or the storage unit 504, information related to the inspection time read from the storage unit 504, and a suppression period determination unit Based on the information regarding whether or not the current time point output from 505 belongs to the suppression period, the notification time for performing the inspection notification to recommend the user to perform the periodic inspection is determined. That is, first, the increase transition of the usage time is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the usage time has reached the inspection time corresponding to the inspection time. Next, if the usage time reaches the inspection time, based on the determination result output from the suppression period determination unit 505, if the current time does not belong to the suppression period, the inspection notification processing unit 507 is informed as it is. While the command is output, if the current time belongs to the suppression period, the notification time of the inspection notification is delayed by a predetermined avoidance period to automatically delay from the current time to a predetermined time other than the suppression period. An inspection notification reservation (reservation setting) whose content is to notify the inspection at the time is output to the inspection notification processing unit 507. Then, the inspection notification processing unit 507 displays, for example, a text message on the display unit 51a of the remote controller 51 that “Please call for service because the periodic inspection time has come” or a voice unit built into the remote controller 51. The control signal for the inspection notification for voice guidance to the same effect can be output to the remote controller 51 using the.

  The suppression period is set to a period when it is desired to suppress the service call of the periodic inspection from the user as much as possible during one year (from January to December). In other words, during the restraint period, service calls to the call center (contacts for requesting repairs and periodic inspections from users) and maintenance support at service shops (responding to users for repairs and inspections) It is possible to set a period corresponding to a busy season, for example, the winter season (which depends on regional characteristics, for example, a period from November 1 of the previous year to March 1 of the next year).

  The delay process performed by the timing determination unit 506 first avoids a check notification during the suppression period and avoids the check notification period so that the check notification time is outside the suppression period. Just delay. The avoidance period is set so that the inspection notification time is other than the suppression period. Preferably, the avoidance period is set so that the inspection notification time comes at a time when it can be estimated that the service call response and maintenance response will be in a quiet period. Therefore, when setting a uniform period, a period longer than the period set as the suppression period (for example, six months: half year) is set. Such a suppression period and avoidance period can be stored and set in advance in the storage unit 504 as internal information at the time of factory shipment or the like, and can be changed and set using means such as a DIP switch at the time of site installation. You can also The configuration that can be changed and set is advantageous in that it can be changed and set according to the environmental characteristics of the area where the hot water supply device is installed, the maintenance capability of the service shop in the installation area, and the like.

  When the inspection notification reservation is output from the timing determination unit 506, the inspection notification processing unit 507 determines whether or not an error has been detected based on the output from the error detection unit 551 until the inspection notification timing related to the inspection notification reservation. If an error is detected, the inspection notification reservation is canceled, and in addition to the error notification by the error notification processing unit 552, an inspection notification for prompting a periodic inspection is also executed. It is like that.

  The inspection notification control by the inspection notification control unit 56 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, at the time of factory shipment (NO in step S1), the inspection time setting unit 501 sets the inspection time, and the time setting unit 502 sets the current time (year / month / day and hour / minute / second) (step S2). ), The time counting of the clock unit 505 is started (step S3). When the above-described processing at the time of factory shipment is completed (YES in step S1), the usage time is measured and integrated by the time measuring unit 503 (step S4), and the increasing transition of the usage time is monitored (NO in step S5). . If this usage time reaches the inspection time corresponding to the inspection time (YES in step S5), then whether or not the current time belongs to the suppression period (winter) based on the current time output from the clock unit 505 Is determined (step S6). If the current time belongs to a period other than winter (NO in step S6), a check notification processing start command is output to the check notification processing unit 507 (step S7). On the other hand, when the current time belongs to the winter season, the inspection notification start command is output, and the inspection notification timing is automatically delayed by the timing change amount determined by the delay processing by the timing determination unit 506. An inspection notification reservation is output to the processing unit 507 (step S8).

  Until the delayed period elapses, the error detection unit 551 monitors whether or not an error is detected (step S9), and if no error is detected until the inspection time based on the inspection notification reservation is reached (step S9). NO), inspection notification by the inspection notification processing unit 507 is executed based on the inspection notification reservation (step S10). On the other hand, if there is an error detection by the notification time when the inspection notification reservation is made (YES in step S9), the inspection notification reservation is canceled and the inspection notification is executed simultaneously with the error notification by the error notification processing unit 552. (Step S11).

  In the case of such inspection notification control by the inspection notification control unit 56, since the service call from the user can be suppressed / reduced for the periodic inspection that is less urgent in the suppression period, especially during the busy period of the call center or service shop. By setting it as the restraint period, it becomes possible to avoid the exhaustion of resources (assets such as personnel) and overwork for service call response and maintenance response of call centers and service shops, and to achieve leveling. As a result, it is possible to allocate sufficient resources for service calls and maintenance support for highly urgently required repairs, and maintenance inspections and repairs for users who use hot water supply equipment (residential equipment) 1 Can be improved. In addition, until the notification time delayed by the delay processing as described above arrives, there is an error detection by the error detection unit 551, and accordingly, the error notification processing unit 552 performs error notification. In such a case, since the inspection notification is simultaneously performed together with the error notification, it is possible to avoid a situation where the maintenance is troublesome twice. That is, if the inspection notification reservation is not canceled and the error notification and the inspection notification are performed separately two times at different times, two service calls are required, error repair such as failure repair, and periodic Although there is a risk of being forced to perform maintenance twice with the inspection, such a situation can be surely avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation that causes inconvenience in terms of user's labor and cost.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 shows an inspection notification control unit 57 according to the second embodiment provided in the controller 5 which is a control device. The inspection notification control unit 57 is different from the first embodiment in that it has a configuration for determining whether the current time belongs to the suppression period (for example, winter) based on the environmental temperature. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the inspection notification control unit 56 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are attached, and redundant description is omitted.

  The suppression period determination unit 505a of the second embodiment determines whether the current time belongs to the suppression period (for example, winter) based on the detected incoming water temperature detected by the incoming water temperature sensor 28 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). The determination result is output to the timing determination unit 506. That is, if the suppression period is winter, if the detected incoming water temperature output from the incoming water temperature sensor 28 is lower than a predetermined determination temperature, it is determined that the current time belongs to the suppression period, and if it is higher, the current time is It is determined to be other than the suppression period (not belonging to the suppression period). As an environmental temperature that can be a determination index as to whether or not it belongs to such a suppression period, in addition to the incoming water temperature detected by the incoming water temperature sensor 28, the ambient temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 7 (see FIG. 1), or The air temperature that is taken in by the blower fan 36 and supplied to the combustion burners 23 and 33 can also be targeted, and the present time is suppressed by comparing these detected temperatures with the corresponding predetermined judgment temperatures. It can be determined whether or not it belongs.

  In addition, when determining whether or not the present time belongs to the suppression period based on the environmental temperature, since it depends on the regional characteristics in which the hot water supply device 1 is installed, particularly regarding the setting of the determination temperature, the regional characteristics It can also be taken into account. In this case, with respect to the target environmental temperature (for example, the detected incoming water temperature), for example, annual change characteristics are obtained as data for one year or several years after installation of the hot water supply device 1, and the change characteristic data is used. The determination temperature can be set by a statistical method.

  The inspection notification control of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, at the time of factory shipment (NO in step S11), the inspection time setting unit 501 sets the inspection time (step S12). When the above-described processing at the time of factory shipment is completed (YES in step S11), the usage time is measured / integrated by the time measuring unit 503 (step S13), and the increasing transition of the usage time is monitored (NO in step S14). . If this usage time reaches the inspection time corresponding to the inspection time (YES in step S14), then, based on the comparison between the detected incoming water temperature from the incoming water temperature sensor 28 and the determination temperature, the suppression period determination unit 505a performs the present time. Is determined whether or not belongs to the suppression period (step S15). If the current time belongs to a period other than the suppression period, for example, other than the winter period (NO in step S15), an inspection notification start command is output to the inspection notification processing unit 507 (step S16). If the current time belongs to the winter season, the inspection notification processing start command 507 outputs the inspection notification processing start command output by automatically delaying the inspection notification timing by the timing change amount determined by the delay processing by the timing determination unit 506. An inspection notification reservation is output (step S17).

  Until the delayed period elapses, the error detection unit 551 monitors whether or not an error is detected (step S18), and if no error is detected until the inspection time based on the inspection notification reservation is reached (in step S18). NO), inspection notification by the inspection notification processing unit 507 is executed based on the inspection notification reservation (step S19). On the other hand, if there is an error detected by the notification time when the inspection notification reservation is made (YES in step S18), the inspection notification reservation is canceled and the inspection notification is executed simultaneously with the error notification by the error notification processing unit 552. (Step S20).

  In the case of the inspection notification control by the above-described inspection notification control unit 57, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment. In other words, during the restraint period, service calls from users can be restrained and reduced for periodic inspections that are less urgent. In particular, by setting the busy periods of call centers and service shops as restraint periods, It becomes possible to avoid the exhaustion and overwork of resources (assets such as personnel) for service calls and maintenance, and to level them. As a result, it is possible to allocate sufficient resources for service calls and maintenance support for highly urgently required repairs, and maintenance inspections and repairs for users who use hot water supply equipment (residential equipment) 1 Can be improved. In addition, there is an error detection by the error detection unit 551 and an error notification by the error notification processing unit 552 is performed before the notification time delayed by the delay processing as described above arrives. In this case, since the inspection notification is simultaneously performed together with the error notification, it is possible to avoid a situation where the maintenance is troubled twice. That is, if the inspection notification reservation is not canceled and the error notification and the inspection notification are performed separately at two different times, two service calls are required and two maintenance operations are required. Although it causes a fear, it becomes possible to avoid such a situation reliably. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation that causes inconvenience in terms of user's labor and cost.

<Third Embodiment>
The inspection notification control unit 58 (see FIG. 7) of the third embodiment is configured to include a deterioration state detection unit 508 and a deterioration notification processing unit 509, and the inspection notification of the first or second embodiment. This is different from the control units 56 and 57. Other configurations of the error detection control unit 55 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. To do. In the third embodiment, the contents notified by the inspection notification control unit 58 are mainly for warning that replacement or inspection / replacement is necessary. This is different from the first or second embodiment.

  That is, the notification (for example, the time stamp function) for prompting the inspection maintenance (periodic inspection) in order that the inspection notification control units 56 and 57 of the first or second embodiment can properly continue the operation of the house equipment. ) That is, although further use in units of years is not preferable, continuous use for less than one year is allowed. On the other hand, the inspection notification control unit 58 of the third embodiment, among various constituent elements constituting the hot water supply device 1 that is a residential equipment, has a function deterioration particularly corresponding to aged use. For components that can continue to be used if they are replaced, and for which it is possible to predict the final replacement time by monitoring the progress of functional degradation, subject to warning notification that replacement is necessary It is what.

  Examples of such components include a neutralizer 81 and a blower fan 36. Hereinafter, the case where the target component detected by the deterioration state detection unit 508 is the neutralizer 81 will be described as an example. The neutralizer 81 is a component for collecting the drain generated along with the latent heat recovery in the secondary heat exchanger of the heat exchangers 22 and 32 and neutralizing the drain. As a result, the neutralizing agent filled inside is consumed and the neutralization function is deteriorated. Further, since the depletion status of the neutralizing agent (degradation status of the neutralization function) is considered to proceed substantially in proportion to the amount of drain generated, that is, the combustion amount of the combustion burners 23 and 33, the degradation status detection unit 508 The operation time of the neutralizer 81 (specifically, the cumulative combustion number in the combustion use of the combustion burners 23 and 33) is monitored. When the predetermined cumulative combustion number is reached, detection information for performing a prior warning that the life of the neutralizing agent is approaching and that inspection / replacement is necessary is output to the deterioration notification processing unit 509, and the final stage When the limit accumulated combustion number is reached, detection information for performing a final warning that replacement is necessary and use cannot be continued is output to the degradation notification processing unit 509.

  Deterioration notification (warning that replacement is required) by the deterioration notification processing unit 509 based on more detailed deterioration state detection will be described with reference to the example of FIG. If the user starts a hot water supply operation or the like simply by giving a notification, the advance warning # 1 cancels the notification, and the level of the warning is further increased and the combustion operation is forcibly paused. A prior warning # 2 that enables the combustion operation to be restarted by an operation, and a final warning that is forcibly stopped and that cannot be canceled by the user's own operation are sequentially performed together with the final warning. The advance warning # 1 can be, for example, warning notification by blinking of a warning lamp, and can be repeated a plurality of times (for example, five times). If the accumulated combustion number further increases due to continued use, the prior warning # 2 clearly indicates to the user that the replacement is necessary due to the life of the neutralizer, for example by text display on the display unit 51a, Further, as a final warning, it is possible to clearly notify the user by text display or the like that the use cannot be performed unless the neutralizer is replaced due to its life.

  On the other hand, the deterioration notification processing unit 509 monitors the presence or absence of error detection based on the output from the error detection unit 551 between the time of the prior warning # 2 and the final warning, and if there is an error detection In this case, the final warning is also executed in addition to the error notification by the error notification processing unit 552 without waiting for the final warning stage (stage where the integrated combustion number reaches the set maximum value). It has become. In this way, the presence or absence of error detection is monitored, and if an error is detected, the processing target period Ly in which the final warning is performed together with the error notification without waiting for the final warning stage may be limited to, for example, about three months or less. The period from the time of the prior warning # 2 to the final warning is statistically assumed to be about one to two months in a normal use state. It should be noted that the period from the time of the first preliminary warning # 1 to the final warning can be set as the processing target period Ly.

  The inspection notification control of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when it is detected that functional deterioration has progressed until a predetermined component requires a prior warning (YES in step S21), a designated preliminary warning process related to the progress of deterioration is executed (step S22). Then, the presence or absence of error detection by the error detection unit 551 is monitored (step S23), and if there is no error detection (NO in step S23), and the function deterioration progresses to a predetermined final warning stage (YES in step S24). A final warning is executed (step S25). On the other hand, if there is an error detection in step S23 described above, that is, if there is an error detection between the previous warning and the final warning (YES in step S23), this corresponds to the progress of functional deterioration. Without waiting for the stage of the original final warning to be executed, the final warning is simultaneously notified together with the error notification (step S26).

  In the case of the third embodiment described above, if there is an error detection by the error detection unit 551 between the time of the preliminary warning and the final warning, the error notification processing unit 552 performs error notification accordingly. In such a case, since the final warning that the replacement is necessary due to the function deterioration is simultaneously performed together with the error notification, it is possible to avoid a situation where the maintenance is troubled twice. That is, when the final warning is not performed at the same time, and the error notification and the final warning are performed separately two times at different times, as a result of two service calls, error handling such as failure repair, Although there is a risk of having to perform two maintenance correspondences with the replacement of the element, such a situation can be surely avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation that causes inconvenience in terms of user's labor and cost.

  In the third embodiment described above, the example of the neutralizer 81 is described as the deterioration notification by the deterioration notification processing unit 509 based on the detection of the deterioration state. There is a warning and a final warning with a safety process of forced shutdown. This will be briefly described. The main reason is the supply / exhaust blockage caused by the inflow of wind or the clogging of the fins of the heat exchangers 22 and 32, and also the life of the drive motor itself of the blower fan 36. In 36, the deterioration of the function of supplying combustion air proceeds as the use continues. For example, even if the blower fan 36 is driven at a predetermined target rotational speed, if the fan current value representing the work amount of the fan decreases, the fan fan 36 tends to become blocked or the deterioration due to the lifetime is progressing. Determination is made, and the target rotational speed of the driving target is increased and corrected by a certain amount (for example, 2%) to drive. This increase correction is repeated every time the fan current value decreases by a certain amount due to continued use, and as a notification process by the deterioration notification processing unit 552, a warning is given in advance if a predetermined correction amount (for example, 6%) is reached, and an upper limit correction amount (for example, 10%) is reached, a final warning can be given. If an error is detected between the time point of the prior warning and the final warning, the final warning is simultaneously performed together with the error notification accompanying the error detection.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes other various embodiments. That is, in each of the above-described embodiments, the hot water supply device is illustrated as an example of the housing equipment. It can also be applied. In each of the above embodiments, the hot water supply device is exemplified as the housing equipment, and the remote controller 51 is exemplified as the notification unit in that case. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other devices may be used. In particular, in the case of a residential device other than the hot water supply device, the notification unit can be configured by a device other than the remote controller.

1 Hot water supply equipment (household equipment)
51a Remote control display (notification unit)
56, 57, 58 Inspection notification control unit (control device)
503 Time measurement unit (use result measurement unit)
505, 505a Inhibition period determination unit 506 Timing determination unit 507 Inspection notification processing unit 508 Deterioration status detection unit 509 Degradation notification processing unit 510 Notification unit 551 Error detection unit 552 Error notification processing unit

Claims (3)

It is a control device for residential equipment provided with a notification unit,
A usage record measuring unit for measuring parameters related to the use record of the housing equipment;
An inspection notification processing unit for performing notification processing of the necessity of inspection by the notification unit based on the usage record measured by the use record measurement unit,
An error detection unit for detecting occurrence of an abnormality in the residential equipment;
An error notification processing unit for performing notification processing of the occurrence of abnormality by the notification unit when detected by the error detection unit;
When the usage record measured by the usage record measuring unit reaches the inspection required state, it is determined whether or not the current time belongs within a preset suppression period and outputs a determination result. When,
When it is determined by the suppression period determination unit that the current time belongs within the period of the suppression period, the timing of the notification process by the inspection notification processing unit is a time outside the period of the suppression period and from the period of the suppression period A time determination unit for determining a later time, and performing a reservation setting so that the inspection notification processing unit performs a notification process to the effect that a check is required at the determined notification time,
When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected by the error detection unit between the time when the use result measured by the use result measurement unit reaches the required inspection state and the determined time, In addition, while canceling the reservation setting, in addition to the notification processing to the effect of the abnormality by the error notification processing unit, it is configured to also execute a notification processing to the effect of the need for inspection,
A control device for residential equipment. It is the control apparatus of the housing equipment of Claim 1, Comprising:
A control device for residential equipment, in which a period corresponding to winter is set as the suppression period. It is a control device for residential equipment provided with a notification unit,
A degradation status detection unit that detects a functional degradation status of a component attributed to a usage record or usage status of the housing equipment;
Final wherein the deterioration state detecting unit of one advance warning及beauty forced shutdown process to yourself even without least indicating replacement is required depending on the degree of deterioration functions detected by the operation to release not A deterioration notification processing unit configured to execute a notification process related to a stage warning;
An error detection unit for detecting occurrence of an abnormality in the residential equipment;
An error notification processing unit for performing notification processing of the occurrence of abnormality by the notification unit when the occurrence of abnormality is detected by the error detection unit;
With
When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected by the error detection unit between the time of the prior warning and the time of the final warning, the deterioration notification processing unit indicates that an error has occurred by the error notification processing unit. In addition to the notification process, the notification process related to the final-stage warning is also executed , so that the final-stage warning is simultaneously performed together with the notification that the abnormality has occurred without waiting for the final-stage warning. Configured as
A control device for residential equipment.

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