JP2002277049A - Hot-water supplier with life monitoring function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a hot-water supplier with life monitoring function, capable of detecting correctly an abnormality with a comparatively simple constitution utilizing a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot-water of a predetermined temperature to a hot-water supplying load. SOLUTION: In the hot-water supplier equipped with flow rate sensors 16a, 16b for supplying the hot-water of a predetermined temperature to the hot-water supplying load, a transmitting means 201 for transmitting information is provided to transmit an abnormality informing signal by the transmitting means 201 when there is no detecting output in the flow rate sensors 16a, 16b for a predetermined period of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for a hot water supply device with a life monitoring function, and more particularly, for a system for detecting and reporting an anomaly of a resident in a house where a single resident or an elderly resident lives. The present invention relates to a hot water supply device with a life monitoring function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the aging of society, the number of apartments for the elderly has increased. There are also many people who live alone. A single person living in such a house is strange in the house (sick, falls, seizure, etc.)
When a problem occurs, a situation can be assumed in which communication with the outside is impossible due to the loss of consciousness of the person or the body not moving as desired.

[0003] As a means for early detection of such an unusual situation of a single person or an elderly person, it is conceivable to install and monitor a television camera or the like in a dwelling unit. There is a problem. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-28553 discloses a conventional technique for monitoring the lives of single and elderly people while taking privacy into consideration.
No. 46 has a proposal.

In this prior art, flow rate monitoring means for monitoring the flow rate of hot water or water is installed in an area to be monitored, and whether the hot water or the water is used is a continuous use state with a constant water flow rate. Is determined, and an alarm is issued when the continuous use state exceeds a predetermined set time.

[0005]

In the living environment support system according to the prior art described above, since water or hot water happens to be used when an unusual event occurs, the faucet cannot be closed because of the continuous use state monitoring system. Only in such a case, an anomaly can be detected and issued, but there is a problem that an anomaly cannot be detected unless both water and hot water are used when the anomaly occurs. Further, in the living environment support system according to the above-described conventional technology, it is necessary to newly install a water amount sensor for realization, and there is a problem that it is troublesome and costs increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and utilizes a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water to a hot water supply load at a predetermined temperature, thereby accurately detecting abnormalities with a relatively simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a hot water supply device with a life monitoring function that can be detected at a time.

[0007]

A first aspect of the present invention is the first aspect.
In the hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to the invention, in the hot water supply device provided with flow rate detection means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load, an abnormality notification signal is output in accordance with a detection output value of the flow rate detection means for a predetermined period. Is generated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply apparatus having a life monitoring function, wherein the hot water supply apparatus includes a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load.
Transmission means for transmitting information is provided, and when there is no detection output of the flow rate detection means for a predetermined period, an abnormality notification signal is transmitted by the transmission means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus with a life monitoring function according to the first or second aspect, a monitoring function stop switch is provided, and the life monitoring function is stopped by the monitoring function stop switch. It is intended to be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply apparatus with a life monitoring function according to the fourth invention, in the third invention, a monitoring function stop switch is provided on the kitchen remote controller.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to the fifth invention, in the third or fourth invention, the monitoring function stop switch is operated by communication from an external terminal. is there.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a hot water supply apparatus having a life monitoring function, comprising flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load, and having an automatic hot water filling function for a bath. In the hot water supply equipment, when the detection output of the flow rate detection means is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more, an abnormality notification signal is generated.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the configuration of the entire life monitoring function according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hot water supply device including an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the anomaly detection operation according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a computer of a security company, 2 is a network connected to the company computer 1, 3 is each dwelling unit, 4 is a dwelling unit 3, and is installed through the network 2. The gateway 5 connected to the computer 1 is an electric water heater installed in each dwelling unit 3 and connected to the gateway 4.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of the electric water heater in the first embodiment according to the present invention. 2, 5 is an electric water heater, 10 is a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure of tap water, 1
1 is a tank for storing water, 12 is a heating element for heating the water in the tank 11, 13a is a temperature sensor A for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the tank 11, and 13b is a temperature for detecting the temperature of the water in the piping. The sensors B and 14 are relief valves for releasing expansion water when the water in the tank 11 is heated. 15 is an electric mixing valve that mixes water and hot water to produce hot water at an appropriate temperature, 16a is a flow rate sensor for detecting a trigger of the operation of the electric mixing valve 15, and 16b is for counting the amount of hot water in a bathtub described later. , A solenoid valve for performing a hot water filling operation on a bathtub, a control unit 100 having a timer, a determination function and the like and a microcomputer for controlling a water heater, 101 a kitchen remote controller, and 102 a bathroom Remote control 103a is mixing faucet A installed in the kitchen 103
b is a mixing faucet B installed in the washroom, 103c is a mixing faucet C with a shower function installed in the bathroom, 104 is a bathtub adapter attached to the bathtub, and 105 is a bathtub. Reference numeral 201 denotes an electric water heater 5 that transmits information on the amount of hot water used per unit time of the electric water heater 5 or abnormal / normal information as a result of life monitoring to the business computer 1 via the gateway 4 and the network 2. Transmission means, 20
Numeral 2 denotes individual identification information storage means for storing individual identification information of the water heater or the dwelling unit, which is provided to clarify the home of the water heater from which the message is sent.

Next, the operation of the water heater with a life monitoring function according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First,
The basic operation of the electric water heater 5 will be described. The electric water heater 5 is supplied with water from a water source, depressurized to a constant pressure via a pressure reducing valve 10, and supplied to a tank 11. Tank 1
1 is always full. The temperature of the water in the tank 11 is detected by a temperature sensor A: 13a attached to the outer wall surface of the tank 11. Here, the water in the tank 11 is heated by the heating element 12. At this time, the water in the tank 11 is heated to a temperature set in advance by the kitchen remote controller 101. This is the temperature sensor A
This is performed by controlling the heating element 12 by the control unit 100 based on the temperature detected in the step (1). The tank 11 is a closed type tank, and is provided with a relief valve 14 for releasing water that has expanded in volume when the water is heated to the outside of the tank 11.

Next, the operation during hot water supply will be described. First, the operation when the mixing faucet A: 103a is opened will be described. When the mixing faucet A is opened, the flow sensor A: 1
6a detects the flow of water, adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water of the electric mixing valve 15 so that the temperature becomes a preset temperature with the kitchen remote controller 101, and finely adjusts the mixing ratio based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 13b. I do. As a result, hot water at the temperature set by the kitchen remote controller 101 is supplied to the hot water supply pipe.

Next, the operation when the bathtub 105 is automatically filled with hot water will be described. When automatic hot water filling is set from the kitchen remote control 101 or the bathroom remote control 102, the electric mixing valve adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water of the electric mixing valve 15 so that the hot water temperature is set in advance by the bathroom remote control. I do. Next, the electromagnetic valve 17 is opened, and automatic filling of the bathtub 104 is started. Here, the mixing ratio of the electric mixing valve 15 is finely adjusted based on the detection value of the temperature sensor B: 13b. The amount of hot water in the hot water is detected by the flow rate sensor B: 16b, and the control unit 100 counts the hot water. When the amount of hot water set in advance by the bathroom remote control 102 is reached,
The electromagnetic valve 17 is closed, and the filling operation is completed.

Next, the life monitoring function will be described. Normally, if a person lives healthy, it is assumed that a certain amount of hot water is used per day. If the hot water is not used at all even after one day, it is considered that an unusual phenomenon (illness, falling down, seizure, etc.) has occurred. Therefore, when no flow is detected by the flow sensor A and the flow sensor B at all and the amount of hot water used per day is zero, the control unit 100 sends the gateway 4,
The occurrence of an abnormality is reported to the security company computer via the network 2.

The operation of the abnormal detection method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, immediately after the start, in step S101, an unusual occurrence flag indicating whether or not an unusual life has occurred is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the timer A is reset (cleared to 0), and the flow advances to step S103. In step S103, the timer A starts counting, and proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the timer A determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed. If the timer A has passed 24 hours, it means that hot water has not been used for 24 hours, and the process proceeds to step S106. If the timer A is less than 24 hours, step S105
Proceed to.

In step S105, whether or not hot water is used is determined based on the value detected by the flow rate sensor 16.
If hot water is being used, the process returns to step S102.
If no hot water is used, the process returns to step S104.

In step S106, the timer A stops counting, and the process proceeds to step S107. Step S1
At 07, the abnormal occurrence flag is turned ON, and the process ends.

Here, in order to report as to which dwelling unit the report was issued from, the individual identification information storage means 2 is provided.
Then, the notification is made together with the individual identification information stored in “01”. Also, not the individual identification information but the house code or the like managed by the gateway can be reported to identify from which dwelling unit the information comes.

In this example, the electric water heater 5 itself
The control unit 100 confirms the operation of the flow sensor 16 and notifies the gateway 4 of the unusual change. Instead, the hot water usage data is transmitted from the gateway 4 to the network 2.
By notifying the security operator computer 1 through the security agent computer 1, the security operator computer 1 can determine the abnormal situation.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a flow rate detecting means comprising flow rate sensors 16a and 16b for performing a trigger operation on electric mixing valve 15 to supply hot water to hot water supply loads 103a, 103b, 103c and 104 at a predetermined temperature. Transmitting means 2 for transmitting information in a hot water supply device provided with
01, and when there is no detection output of the flow rate detecting means during a predetermined period, the abnormality notification signal is transmitted to the transmitting means 201.
With a life monitoring function that can accurately detect abnormalities when hot water is not used with a relatively simple configuration using a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to the hot water supply load. Hot water supply equipment can be obtained.

Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an electric water heater according to Embodiment 2. In the second embodiment, the configuration other than the specific configuration described here has the same configuration as the first embodiment described above and exerts the same operation. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 101a denotes a monitoring function stop switch including an outside switch which is pressed when hot water is not used for going out. Others are the same as FIG.

The operation will now be described. In the case of monitoring the amount of hot water consumed for 24 hours, when the user is away from home or the like, a notification of the unusualness is issued, which causes a problem that it is troublesome. Therefore, an out-of-home switch 101a is provided in the kitchen remote controller 101, and when the user goes out, the life monitoring function is stopped when the user goes out, so that the abnormal notification is not issued. Specifically, whenever the go-out switch is pressed in the flowchart of FIG.
This can be realized by adding a sequence for returning to 1.
It is also possible to automatically respond to the presence or absence of a person without using an outside switch using a human sensor or the like.

Further, when the user goes out and forgets to press the outing switch 101a, the outing mode can be set from a portable terminal such as a portable telephone via a network.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the configuration of the first embodiment, an outside switch 101a is provided as a monitoring function stop switch.
Since the life monitoring function at the time of going out or the like is stopped by a, a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water to a hot water supply load at a predetermined temperature can be utilized, and a change can be accurately detected with a relatively simple configuration and an error can be detected. It is possible to obtain a hot water supply device with a life monitoring function that can prevent the notification.

Embodiment 3 Third Embodiment A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an abnormal detection operation according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the configuration other than the specific configuration described here has the same configuration as the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, and has the same operation. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts have the same reference characters allotted.

Up to now, the embodiment in which no hot water is used has been described. On the other hand, a case in which an abnormality occurs with the hot water tap kept open will be described. In this case, when the flow sensor 16 has continuously detected the flow for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 100 determines that an abnormality has occurred, and the transmission unit 201 transmits the flow through the gateway 4 and the network 2. , The security operator computer 1 is notified.

Next, the operation of the abnormal detection method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, immediately after the start, an unusual occurrence flag indicating whether or not an unusual life has occurred in step S201 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, it is determined based on the detection value of the flow rate sensor 16 whether or not hot water is being used. If hot water is used, the process proceeds to step S203. If no hot water is used, the process returns to step S201.

In step S203, the timer B is reset (cleared to 0), and the flow advances to step S204. In step S204, the timer B starts counting, and proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, the timer B determines whether a predetermined time (for example, one hour) has elapsed. If the timer B has elapsed for one hour, hot water has been left for one hour, and the process proceeds to step S207. If the timer B is one hour or less, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, it is determined based on the detection value of the flow rate sensor 16 whether or not the hot water is continuously used. If hot water is used, step S205
Return to If no hot water is used, step S201
Return to

In step S207, the count of the timer B is stopped, and the flow advances to step S208. Step S2
At 08, the abnormal occurrence flag is turned ON, and the process ends.

Although the embodiment has been described with an electric water heater as an example of a water heater, the same can be applied to a gas or oil type water heater. Communication in the dwelling unit can be performed by any of wired, electric power line, wireless, and the like.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, flow rate sensor 16 for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load is provided.
a, 16b, and a flow sensor 1
6b and a hot water supply device having an automatic hot water filling function for a bath using a solenoid valve 17, the flow rate sensor 16a, 1
Since the abnormality notification signal is generated when the detection output of the flow rate detection means 6b is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more, the flow rate detection means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to the hot water supply load is utilized. It is possible to obtain a hot water supply device with a life monitoring function that can accurately detect an abnormality during use of a bath with a relatively simple configuration.

As described above, the hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to the embodiment of the present invention is a hot water supply device which boils hot water and has a flow rate detecting means, and is provided with a means for transmitting information to the hot water supply device. By monitoring the amount of hot water used for a certain period of time by the flow rate detecting means, when hot water is not used at all, information on the occurrence of abnormalities is transmitted to the outside. Can be used to detect whether or not hot water is used, so that there is an effect that life monitoring can be performed at low cost without adding a new flow sensor or the like.

In addition, since the abnormalities are detected by counting the time when the hot water is not used, not only when the sickness is deteriorated while using the hot water, but also when the sickness is deteriorated during normal life. Also has the effect of being able to report an incident.

Further, in the hot water supply apparatus with a life monitoring function according to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the hot water supply apparatus according to the second aspect, when the outside switch is pressed when hot water is not used for going out, the life monitoring function is provided. The stoppage has the effect of preventing erroneous reports.

Furthermore, in the hot water supply apparatus with a life monitoring function according to the embodiment of the present invention, claim 3
In addition to the hot water supply equipment described above, an out-of-home switch that stops the life monitoring function is provided on the kitchen remote control, so that false alarms can be prevented, and the existing remote control displays a switch and a lamp that indicates that the switch has been pressed. There is an effect that it can be realized at low cost only by adding a part.

In the hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the hot water supply device according to the third aspect, an outside switch for stopping the life monitoring function is operated by communication from an external terminal. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous notification, and it is convenient to go out from outside if the user accidentally forgets to press the go-out switch when going out.

In the hot water supply apparatus with a life monitoring function according to the embodiment of the present invention, the hot water supply apparatus is provided with a function of boiling water and having a flow rate detecting means and an automatic hot water filling function for a bath. Means for transmitting information, and when it is determined by the flow rate detecting means that the hot water has been used continuously for a certain period of time or more, the information is transmitted to the outside, so that it is already built in the water heater main body. Since it is possible to use a flow rate sensor that does not need to add a flow rate sensor or the like newly, there is an effect that life monitoring can be performed at low cost.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply apparatus having a life monitoring function capable of accurately detecting an abnormal change with a relatively simple configuration by utilizing flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load. Obtainable.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a life monitoring function capable of accurately detecting abnormalities when hot water is not used with a relatively simple configuration utilizing flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water load. Hot water supply equipment can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a life monitoring system capable of accurately detecting an abnormal change with a relatively simple configuration by utilizing flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load and preventing false reports. Hot water supply equipment with functions can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a life monitoring system capable of accurately detecting an abnormal change with a relatively simple configuration and preventing erroneous notification by utilizing flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load. Hot water supply equipment with functions can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply load at a predetermined temperature can be utilized to accurately detect the abnormal change with a relatively simple configuration, and to easily report an erroneous report by a simple operation. A hot water supply device with a life monitoring function that can be prevented can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water to the hot water supply load at a predetermined temperature can be utilized to detect the abnormal change accurately with a relatively simple configuration, and to provide a monitoring function stop switch even when going out. The hot water supply equipment with the life monitoring function which can prevent the erroneous report by performing the setting can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a hot water supply with a life monitoring function capable of accurately detecting abnormalities during use of the bath with a relatively simple configuration utilizing a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load. Equipment can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an entire life monitoring function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing an electric water heater according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection operation according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer of security company, 2 network, 3 each dwelling unit, 4 gateway, 5 electric water heater, 15 electromagnetic mixing valve, 16a, 16b flow rate sensor,
17 solenoid valve, 100 control unit, 101 kitchen remote control, 102 bathroom remote control, 201 transmitting means, 202
Individual identification information storage means.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hot water supply device provided with a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load, wherein an abnormality notification signal is generated according to a detection output value of the flow rate detecting means in a predetermined period. Water heater with life monitoring function. 2. A hot water supply device comprising a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load, a transmitting means for transmitting information, wherein when there is no detection output of the flow rate detecting means for a predetermined period, A hot water supply device with a life monitoring function, wherein an abnormality notification signal is transmitted by the transmission means. 3. A hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to claim 1, wherein a monitoring function stop switch is provided, and the life monitoring function is stopped by the monitoring function stop switch. . 4. The hot water supply device with a life monitoring function according to claim 3, wherein a monitoring function stop switch is provided on the kitchen remote controller. 5. The water heater with a life monitoring function according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring function stop switch is operated by communication from an external terminal. 6. A hot water supply apparatus having a flow rate detecting means for supplying hot water at a predetermined temperature to a hot water supply load and having an automatic hot water filling function for a bath, wherein the detection output of the flow rate detecting means is continuously continuous for a predetermined time or more. A hot water supply device with a life monitoring function, which generates an abnormality notification signal when detected.