JP2002071219A - Water heater power managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an efficient water heater power managing device by effecting control of switching at zero cross by frequency information of a power when a plurality of water heaters must be controlled and by distributing a power, in control of a heater power used in the water heater. SOLUTION: A plurality of the water heaters are interconnected through a network, and the zero cross timing of a power frequency is measured by a network-connected centralized managing device. The water heater power managing device is provided to perform distribution of a power through switching control at zero cross, regarding a power to each water heater.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heater power control for a water heater and the like, and more particularly to a water heater heater power management apparatus for performing switching distribution control at a zero-cross timing based on frequency information of power supplied to a plurality of water heaters. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-173318, a distribution ratio of supplied electric power is determined by a plurality of energizing heating means based on a preset priority, and the total power consumption of the energizing heating means is set to a predetermined allowable value. A sanitary washing device that can fit in the electric power capacity is shown. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-287988, when a specific heater is intermittently energized, a plurality of independent heaters adjust the amount of heat generated by the specific heater. FIG. 2 shows a sanitary washing device that energizes another heater during the non-energized period of the intermittent energization when there is a request to energize another heater.

[0003]

According to the conventional method, a situation in which a plurality of heaters are controlled is controlled by a plurality of energizing heating means used in a single product called a sanitary washing device. It is premised that this is the configuration, so it is not a description of a plurality of water heaters when connected to a network. Electricity is not being used efficiently due to variable priorities due to environmental parameters such as hot water storage temperature.

[0004] As for communication media, when a network communication facility is constructed by using a dedicated line, construction costs are incurred and it becomes difficult for managers to make capital investment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of water heaters connected to a network by means of a central control device by means of a zero-cross timing of a power supply frequency. Another object of the present invention is to provide a water heater heater power management device that controls power to each water heater.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a plurality of water heaters having a communication function capable of data communication, and a communication device electrically connected to the water heater. A medium and a centralized management device capable of data communication electrically connected to the communication medium, wherein when a plurality of water heaters simultaneously issue a hot water supply request, measuring a hot water storage temperature or the like of each water heater. In the centralized management device is provided a priority to supply the amount of power, furthermore, in order to supply power to the plurality of water heaters in the centralized management device so as not to exceed the specified amount of power, zero crossing of the power frequency By performing the switching distribution control of the heater supply power at the timing, it is possible to perform the power supply control according to the usage state of the water heater, and the peak cut can be performed.

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention relates to a construction in which a power line or a radio is used as a communication medium of a network to be connected, which does not require wiring work, and which is installed by an administrator. In addition, the cost for the wiring work is reduced, and the labor for the wiring work can be omitted, so that the installation can be performed at low cost and early.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is to provide an electric power supply system, wherein the central control device supplies power to each of the hot water heaters at a zero-cross timing of the power frequency in response to a change in the number of hot water heaters that are required to simultaneously supply hot water. By controlling the amount
Efficient power use can be performed within limited power.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an embodiment of a water heater heater power management apparatus according to the present invention.

A power line communication interface device 2 and a power line 3 electrically connected to a centralized control device 1, which are components of a water heater heater power management device, and water heaters 4a to 4d.
It consists of.

In a public place where washbasins are lined up, a water heater 4
a to 4d are almost simultaneously used by a basin user using a water faucet connected so that hot water is supplied from a water heater, and when hot water supply is started, a signal for starting a heater operation of the hot water heaters 4a to 4d or hot water storage. The data signal of the temperature is transmitted to the power line communication interface 2 through the power line 3 and the central control device 1
First, the heater power supply order is determined based on the timing of the heater operation signal. If it is determined that the heater power supply order is almost the same or close within a predetermined time range, the water heater with a lower hot water storage temperature is used. The central control device 1 instructs each of the water heaters 4a to 4d to operate so as to supply a larger power supply ratio to the heaters, and measures the hot water storage temperature at predetermined time intervals after the operation.

In the centralized control device 1, since the state of the hot water heaters 4a to 4d is periodically checked from the state of communication connection, the hot water storage temperature is always grasped, and is lower than the target temperature set based on the result. Instructs the rate to apply power to the heater in order from the water heater and switches the power at the zero-cross timing calculated by the centralized control device later, so that all the hot water storage temperatures can be efficiently raised to the target value. In this example, four units are assumed,
When the number increases or decreases, the temperature ratio of the number is further compared to automatically change the power ratio and timing to be applied to each water heater.

The above description is an embodiment for a plurality of cases.
When used alone, the microcomputer of the water heater performs instructions and control of the heater. However, in the case of a plurality of devices, the central control unit 1 sends the heater to the heater through the communication function unit of each water heater and the built-in microcomputer.
An instruction such as N / OFF will be issued.

As the communication medium, a power line or a wireless communication is desirable, but when a communication line is already provided, it is natural to use a communication line having excellent noise characteristics and a high communication speed.

FIG. 2 is a power zero-cross timing diagram according to the power frequency of the embodiment of the water heater heater power management apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a zero-cross timing diagram in which a is the highest priority according to the hot water storage temperature, and b, c, and d are the same priority when the hot water storage temperature is lower than the other b, c, d. The heater is supplied with a large power ratio to a, the other b, c, and d are evenly distributed, and the power is applied for a long time at the start of use of the heater. Central management device 1
Are controlled and distributed so that power is not simultaneously applied to the power waveform.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a water heater heater power management device according to the present invention;
It is a system diagram of an example of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a water heater heater power management device according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a power zero cross timing diagram based on a power frequency according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Centralized control device 2 Power line communication interface 3 Power line 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Water heater

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of hot-water storage type and electric heater type water heaters having a communication function capable of data communication, a communication medium electrically connected to the water heater, and a communication medium electrically connected to the communication medium. The central management device is configured to be capable of data communication, and when a plurality of water heaters are simultaneously requested to supply hot water, the priority of supplying electric power in the central management device is measured by measuring the hot water storage temperature of each water heater. In order to supply electric power to the plurality of water heaters by the centralized control device so as not to exceed a prescribed amount of electric power, switching distribution control of heater supply electric power is performed at a zero-cross timing of an electric power frequency. Characteristic water heater heater power management device. 2. A water heater heater power management device according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium uses a wireless or power line. 3. The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central control device controls the amount of electric power to be supplied to each of the hot water heaters at a zero-cross timing of the power frequency in response to a change in the number of hot water heaters that are required to simultaneously supply hot water. Heater power management device.