JP2004053112A - Failure diagnosis method for hot water supply device, failure diagnosis program, failure diagnosis support device, and hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a failure diagnosis method for a hot water supply device capable of promptly and accurately diagnosing failure of a valve device. <P>SOLUTION: In a state that a direct current motor is rotated with a predetermined rotational frequency by a rotational frequency control means, the following steps are performed; state change control steps S2 and S5 for controlling in order to change the valve device from an opened state to a closed state and/or from the closed state to the opened state by a valve device control means; increasing and decreasing amount calculation steps S4 and S7 for calculating an increasing and decreasing amount of a rotational frequency of the direct current motor accompanied by the state change of the valve device by a rotational frequency detection value from the rotational frequency detecting means in the state change control steps S2 and S5; and failure determination steps S4 and S7 for determining whether the valve device is failed or not based on the increasing or decreasing amount calculated by the increasing and decreasing calculation steps S4 and S7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hot water supply device failure diagnosis method, a failure diagnosis program, a failure diagnosis support device, and a hot water supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to control a pump for supplying a liquid heating medium such as hot water or antifreeze to a heating terminal and a valve device for interrupting a supply path of the liquid heating medium to the heating terminal, the hot water supply device having at least a heating function is provided. Valve device control means.
[0003]
As such a conventional hot water supply device, for example, as described in JP-A-2001-248847, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of hot water passing through a heat exchanger for heating is provided, There has been proposed a device provided with a failure diagnosis function of determining whether or not a valve device has failed based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional hot water supply device, since the failure of the valve device is determined based on the temperature of the hot water passing through the heating heat exchanger, there has been a problem that it takes a lot of time to diagnose the failure.
[0005]
That is, since the temperature change of the hot and cold water passing through the heating heat exchanger at the time of switching the operation state of the heating terminal is relatively slow, if the diagnosis is made in a short time from the start of the operation of the heating terminal, the reliability of the diagnosis result is reduced. Will decrease. In particular, when the diagnosis is performed a plurality of times for the same heating terminal or when the diagnosis is sequentially performed for a plurality of heating terminals, the operation of the heating terminal is frequently turned on / off. Requires a long waiting time each time, so that it takes a long time for diagnosis.
[0006]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and provides a failure diagnosis method, a failure diagnosis program, a failure diagnosis support device, and a hot water supply device of a hot water supply device that can quickly and accurately diagnose a failure of a valve device. That is its purpose.
[0007]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical measures.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a DC motor that drives a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium, rotation speed control means that controls the rotation speed of the DC motor, and a rotation speed that detects the rotation speed of the DC motor A method of diagnosing a failure of a valve device in a water heater having a number detection unit and a valve unit control unit for controlling a valve unit for interrupting circulation of a liquid heat medium by a pump, the method comprising: A state change control step of controlling the valve device to change from the open state to the closed state and / or from the closed state to the open state by the valve device control unit while the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed by the number control unit; An increase / decrease amount calculating step of calculating an increase / decrease amount of the rotation speed of the DC motor due to a change in the state of the valve device, based on the rotation speed detection value from the rotation speed detection means in the state change control step Based on the increase or decrease amount determined by the weight loss calculating step, and executes a fault determining step of determining whether the valve device has failed, a failure diagnosis method of the water heater is provided.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a DC motor that drives a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium, rotation speed control means that controls the rotation speed of the DC motor, and a rotation speed that detects the rotation speed of the DC motor A failure diagnosis program for a hot water supply device for diagnosing a failure of a valve device in a hot water supply device having a number detection means and a valve device control means for controlling a valve device for interrupting circulation of a liquid heat medium by a pump, A state for controlling the valve device to change the valve device from the open state to the closed state and / or to change the valve device from the closed state to the open state by the valve device control unit in a state where the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit. The amount of increase or decrease in the number of rotations of the DC motor due to a change in the state of the valve device, based on the change control program and the rotation speed detection value from the rotation speed detection means during execution of the state change control program An increase / decrease amount calculation program for obtaining the same, and a failure determination program for determining whether or not the valve device has failed based on the increase / decrease amount obtained by executing the increase / decrease amount calculation program. In addition, a failure diagnosis program for a water heater is provided.
[0010]
According to a preferred embodiment, the state change control program changes the valve device from the closed state to the open state by the valve device control unit while the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit. Control, and then the valve device control means controls the valve device to change from the open state to the closed state, and the failure determination program determines the rotational speed of the DC motor when the valve device changes from the closed state to the open state. When the decrease amount of the valve device is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the valve device is closed and the amount of increase in the rotation speed of the DC motor when the valve device is changed from the open state to the closed state is less than the predetermined value. At some point, it is determined that an open failure of the valve device has occurred.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a DC motor that drives a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium, rotation speed control means that controls the rotation speed of the DC motor, and a rotation speed that detects the rotation speed of the DC motor Number detection means, a failure diagnosis support device of the hot water supply device for diagnosing a failure of the valve device in the hot water supply device having a valve device control means for controlling the valve device for interrupting the circulation of the liquid heat medium by the pump, State change control means for controlling the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or from a closed state to an open state by the valve device control means while the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control means. And an increase / decrease amount calculating means for calculating an increase / decrease amount of the rotation speed of the DC motor in accordance with a change in the state of the valve device based on the rotation speed detection value from the rotation speed detection means; Based on the amount, characterized by comprising a failure judgment means for judging whether the valve device has failed, the failure diagnosis support device of the water heater is provided.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a DC motor that drives a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium, rotation speed control means that controls the rotation speed of the DC motor, and a rotation speed that detects the rotation speed of the DC motor A water heater having a number detection means and a valve device control means for controlling a valve device for interrupting the circulation of a liquid heat medium by a pump, wherein the rotation speed control means rotates the DC motor at a predetermined rotation speed. A state change control unit that controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or a closed state to an open state by the valve device control unit in the state; An increase / decrease amount calculating means for obtaining an increase / decrease amount of the rotation speed of the DC motor in accordance with a change in the state of the device; Characterized in that a cross section, the water heater is provided.
[0013]
According to a preferred embodiment, the valve device is a thermal valve that drives the valve element by the heat of the electric heater to interrupt the liquid heating medium.
[0014]
According to the present invention, the valve device is changed from the open state to the closed state and / or from the closed state to the open state by the valve device control unit in a state where the DC motor is rotated at the predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit. Control, the amount of increase or decrease in the number of revolutions of the DC motor associated with a change in the state of the valve device is determined based on the number of revolutions detected by the number of revolutions detection means, and based on the amount of increase or decrease, whether the valve device is malfunctioning Since the judgment is made, the failure of the valve device is diagnosed by using the change in the rotation speed of the DC motor in accordance with the change in the circulation flow rate of the liquid heat medium accompanying the opening and closing of the valve device. Can be diagnosed.
[0015]
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a failure diagnosis of a water heater is being performed by the failure diagnosis support device according to the present invention. Hot water supply device A and personal computer B as a failure diagnosis support device are connected to each other by cable C. Hot water supply device A has a hot water supply function, a heating function, and a bath reheating function, and includes an arbitrary number of remote controllers, an arbitrary number of heating terminals, and the like. The hot water supply apparatus A has a control unit D including a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, and various operations are controlled by the control unit D. Of course, the memory of the control unit D may be built in the microcomputer. On the hard disk of the personal computer B, a program for executing a diagnosis while communicating with the control unit of the water heater A is installed. In the memory of the control unit D of the water heater A, a program for controlling the operation of the water heater A in accordance with various commands from the personal computer B at the time of executing the diagnosis is stored.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a main body of the hot water supply device A. The hot water supply apparatus A includes a hot water supply combustor 1 and a heating combustor 2, and a hot water supply canister 4 forming a hot water supply combustion chamber 3 of the hot water supply combustor 1 includes a hot water supply burner. 5 and a hot water supply heat exchanger 6 are provided. The hot water supply burner 5 is located below the hot water supply heat exchanger 6, and is supplied with fuel gas such as city gas or propane gas through a hot water supply gas pipe 7. The hot water supply gas pipe 7 is provided with a hot water supply proportional valve 8 that varies the amount of fuel gas supplied to the hot water supply burner 5.
[0019]
A hot water supply pipe 9 and a hot water supply pipe 10 are connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. Water such as tap water supplied to the hot water supply heat exchanger 6 via the hot water supply pipe 9 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 9. Is heated by the flame of the hot-water supply combustion chamber 3 while passing through the hot-water supply heat exchanger 6, and is supplied to a predetermined hot-water supply location such as a kitchen or a bathtub via the hot-water supply tapping pipe 10. The hot water supply pipe 9 includes a hot water supply quantity detector 12 including a water quantity sensor for detecting the quantity of water supplied to the hot water supply heat exchanger 6, and a temperature thermistor for detecting the temperature of water supplied to the hot water supply heat exchanger 6. A hot water temperature detector 13 for hot water supply is provided. A bypass pipe from the hot water supply pipe 9 is connected in the middle of the hot water supply pipe 10, and a hot water supply temperature detector 14 is installed downstream of the connection point.
[0020]
A hot water supply fan 15 such as a sirocco fan for blowing combustion air into the hot water supply combustion chamber 3 is installed below the hot water supply can 4. The hot water supply fan 15 is a hot water supply fan. It is rotationally driven by a motor.
[0021]
Inside the heating can body 22 forming the heating combustion chamber 21 of the heating combustor 2, a heating burner 23 and a heating heat exchanger 24 are installed. The heating burner 23 is located below the heating heat exchanger 24, and is supplied with fuel gas such as city gas or propane gas via a heating gas pipe 25. The heating burner 23 has a smaller combustion capacity than the hot water supply burner 5. The heating gas pipe 25 is provided with a heating proportional valve 26 that varies the amount of fuel gas supplied to the heating burner 23.
[0022]
The heating heat exchanger 24 is interposed in a heating circulation channel 27, and a heating hot water tank 28 is further interposed in the heating circulation channel 27. The heating circulation channel 27 includes a heating water inlet pipe 29 from the heating hot water tank 28 to the heating heat exchanger 24, and a heating first circulation pipe from the heating heat exchanger 24 to the heating hot water tank 28. 30 and a second circulation pipe 31 for heating arranged in parallel with the first circulation pipe 30 for heating. The heating water supply pipe 29 is provided with a heating circulation pump 32 that circulates hot and cold water in the heating hot water tank 28 through the heating circulation flow path 27 and the like. The heating circulation pump 32 is driven by a DC motor controlled by the control unit D, and has a variable rotation speed. The heating circulation pump 32 has a built-in rotation speed detecting means such as a rotary encoder, for example, and can measure the rotation speed.
[0023]
From the heating water inlet pipe 29, a heating / low-temperature pipe 33 returning to the heating hot water tank 28 via a heating terminal to which low-temperature hot water such as a floor heating mat or a floor heating panel is supplied branches. The low-temperature outflow pipe 33 is provided with three heating thermal valves 34. Each of these heating valves 3 is connected to a heating terminal, and the valve element is driven by the heat of the electric heater to individually turn on / off the supply of hot water to each heating terminal. From the heating first circulation pipe 30, a heating high-temperature water pipe 35 returning to the heating hot water tank 28 via a heating terminal to which high-temperature hot water such as a hot water panel heater, a fan heater, or a bathroom heating / drying device is supplied branches. are doing. The second circulation pipe 31 for heating is provided with a heat exchanger 37 for post-bath heating and a heat valve 38 for bath. On the downstream side of the heating heat exchanger 24, a heating hot water temperature detector 41 including a temperature thermistor for detecting the hot water temperature from the heating heat exchanger 24 is installed.
[0024]
The bath reheating heat exchanger 37 is interposed in the bath reheating circulation channel 42. The bath reheating circulation channel 42 returns the bath from the bathtub to the bath reheating heat exchanger 37. It is constituted by a pipe 43 and a bath pipe 44 extending from the bath heat exchanger 37 to the bathtub. The bath return pipe 43 is provided with a bath circulation pump 46 for circulating hot and cold water in the bathtub through the bath additional heating circulation channel 42. To the bath return pipe 43, one end of a bath hot water supply pipe 47 for pouring water into the bathtub is connected. The other end of the bath water supply pipe 47 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 10 via a check valve 48 and a pouring solenoid valve 49.
[0025]
In the hot water supply apparatus A, when the low-temperature heating terminal is used, the control unit D burns the heating burner 23, opens the heating thermal valve 34, and drives the heating circulation pump 32. Thereby, the hot and cold water in the heating hot water tank 28 circulates through the first heating circulation pipe 30. At this time, since the heating thermal valve 34 is open, a portion of the hot water is supplied to the low-temperature heating terminal via the low-temperature heating pipe 33, and is radiated by the low-temperature heating terminal, so that the heating hot water tank 28 Return to That is, the hot and cold water supplied from the heating hot water tank 28 to the heating heat exchanger 24 via the heating water inlet pipe 29 by the heating circulation pump 32 passes through the heating heat exchanger 24 while passing through the heating heat exchanger 24. Heated by the flame 21 and returned to the heating hot water tank 28 via the first heating circulation pipe 30. As a result, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank for heating 28 rises, and the hot water is supplied to the low-temperature heating terminal and radiates heat while passing through the low-temperature heating terminal, thereby exerting a heating function.
[0026]
When the high-temperature heating terminal is used, the control unit D burns the heating burner 23 and drives the heating circulation pump 32. On the other hand, the high-temperature heating terminal opens the built-in thermal valve. Thereby, the hot and cold water of the heating hot water tank 28 circulates through the first circulation pipe 30 for heating. At this time, since the thermal valve of the high-temperature heating terminal is open, a part of the hot water is supplied to the high-temperature heating terminal via the high-temperature heating pipe 35, and is radiated by the high-temperature heating terminal to be heated. Return to 28. That is, the hot and cold water supplied from the heating hot water tank 28 to the heating heat exchanger 24 via the heating water inlet pipe 29 by the heating circulation pump 32 passes through the heating heat exchanger 24 while passing through the heating heat exchanger 24. It is heated by the flame 21 and returns to the heating hot water tank 28 via the high-temperature heating terminal. At this time, heat is radiated while passing through the high-temperature heating terminal, and the heating function is exhibited.
[0027]
At the time of bath reheating, the control unit D burns the heating burner 23, opens the bath thermal valve 38, and drives the heating circulation pump 32 and the bath circulation pump 46. Thereby, the hot and cold water of the heating hot water tank 28 circulates through the second circulation pipe 31 for heating, and the hot and cold water of the bath tub circulates through the circulation flow path 42 for bath reheating. That is, the hot and cold water supplied from the heating hot water tank 28 to the heating heat exchanger 24 via the heating water inlet pipe 29 by the heating circulation pump 32 passes through the heating heat exchanger 24 while passing through the heating heat exchanger 24. Heated by the flame 21 and returned to the heating hot water tank 28 via the second heating circulation pipe 31. On the other hand, the hot and cold water supplied from the bath tub to the bath reheating heat exchanger 37 via the bath return pipe 43 by the bath circulation pump 46 passes through the bath reheating heat exchanger 37 while the second heating circulation. The water is heated by, for example, hot water of about 80 degrees Celsius in the pipe 31 and returns to the bathtub through the bath pipe 44. As a result, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub gradually increases.
[0028]
At the time of hot water supply, the water from the hot water supply inlet pipe 9 is heated by the flame of the hot water supply burner 5 while passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger 6, and is supplied through a hot water supply outlet pipe 10 from a curran or the like. In addition, when the bath is filled with hot water, hot water that has passed through the hot water supply pipe 10 and the bath water supply pipe 47 is poured into the bath tub.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a failure diagnosis process by personal computer B at the time of failure diagnosis of hot water supply apparatus A.
[0030]
When diagnosing a failure of the heating thermal valve 34 at the time of installation or inspection of the water heater A, the controller D of the water heater A and the personal computer B are connected by the cable C, and the hard disk of the personal computer B is connected. Activate the fault diagnosis program stored in the. Thereby, the personal computer B outputs to the control unit D a command to operate the heating circulation pump 32 at 3000 rpm (S1). Thereby, the control unit D controls the DC motor of the circulation pump for heating 32 to rotate at 3000 rpm.
[0031]
Next, the personal computer B designates one of the heating thermal valves 34 and outputs a command to open the valve to the control unit D (S2). Thus, the control unit D supplies a drive current for opening one of the heating thermal valves 34 to open. The user, such as an inspector, may instruct the personal computer B for the target heating thermal valve 34, or the diagnosis order may be set in a program in advance.
[0032]
Next, the personal computer B outputs to the control unit D a command indicating that the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 should be detected (S3). Thereby, the control unit D supplies the rotation speed of the circulation pump for heating 32 to the personal computer B. In addition, the control part D always reads the detection signal from the rotation speed detection means of the heating circulation pump 32, and calculates the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32.
[0033]
Accordingly, the personal computer B determines whether or not the rotation speed of the circulation pump 32 for heating is 2950 rpm or less (S4). That is, it is checked whether the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has decreased by 50 rpm or more. This is because, when the heating thermal valve 34 is opened, the amount of circulating hot water increases and the load on the heating circulating pump 32 increases, so that the rotation speed decreases. The opening of the heating thermal valve 34 is checked by the number. It should be noted that the numerical values such as 3000 rpm in step S1 and 2950 rpm in step S4 do not necessarily need to be the same numerical values, but may be within an allowable error range. For example, in step S1, as a result of the control unit D controlling the heating circulation pump 32 in response to a command indicating that the heating circulation pump 32 should be operated at 3000 rpm, the detection result by the rotation speed detection means is within an allowable error range. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the rotation speed of the circulation pump 32 for heating is equal to or less than 2997-50 = 2947 rpm. Of course, under the condition that there is no problem in the determination accuracy, if the detected value of the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 before opening the heating thermal valve 34 is within an allowable error range such as 2997 rpm or 3010 rpm, step The determination value in S4 may be fixed to 2950 rpm. Further, numerical values such as 3000 rpm in step S1 and 50 rpm which is a reduction value in step S4 are not limited in this way, and may be appropriately set according to various design conditions.
[0034]
If the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 is 2950 rpm or less (S4: YES), the personal computer B outputs a command to close the heating thermal valve 34 to the control unit D (S5). Thereby, the control part D closes the heating thermal valve 34.
[0035]
Next, the personal computer B outputs a command to the effect that the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 should be detected to the control unit D (S6). Thereby, the control unit D reads the detection signal from the rotation speed detecting means of the heating circulation pump 32 and supplies the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 to the personal computer B.
[0036]
Accordingly, the personal computer B determines whether or not the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has returned to 3000 rpm (S7). That is, it is checked whether or not the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has increased by 50 rpm or more and returned to 3000 rpm. This is because, when the heating thermal valve 34 is closed, the amount of circulating hot water decreases and the load on the heating circulating pump 32 decreases, thereby increasing the rotation speed. The closing of the heating thermal valve 34 is checked by the number. Note that the value of 3000 rpm in steps S1 and S7 does not necessarily need to be the same value, but may be within the range of the allowable error. For example, in step S1, as a result of the control unit D controlling the heating circulation pump 32 in response to a command indicating that the heating circulation pump 32 should be operated at 3000 rpm, the detection result by the rotation speed detection means is within an allowable error range. If it is 2997 rpm, it is determined in step S7 whether the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has returned to 2997 rpm.
[0037]
If the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has returned to 3000 rpm (S7: YES), the fact that the heating thermal valve 34 has normally operated is displayed on the display screen (S8). That is, it notifies the user such as the inspector that neither the closed failure nor the open failure of the heating thermal valve 34 is detected.
[0038]
Next, the personal computer B determines whether the failure diagnosis has been completed (S9). That is, it is checked whether or not all the heating thermal valves 34 to be diagnosed have been diagnosed. Note that if a closing failure or an opening failure of any of the heating thermal valves 34 is detected, this routine is temporarily terminated at that point in time. Therefore, in step S9, failures are detected in all the heating thermal valves 34. It will be checked whether the diagnosis has been completed without being performed.
[0039]
If the failure diagnosis has been completed (S9: YES), this routine ends.
[0040]
If the failure diagnosis has not been completed (S9: NO), the process returns to step S2 to start diagnosis of the next heating thermal valve 34.
[0041]
In step S7, if the rotation speed of the heating circulation pump 32 has not returned to 3000 rpm (S7: NO), the personal computer B determines whether five minutes have passed since the closing command of the heating thermal valve 34. Is determined (S10).
[0042]
If five minutes have not elapsed since the heating thermal valve 34 was closed (step S10: NO), the process returns to step S6. That is, it takes a maximum of about 5 minutes for the heating thermal valve 34 to completely close, and during that period, the heating thermal valve 34 is closed.
[0043]
If 5 minutes have passed since the closing command of the heating thermal valve 34 (step S10: YES), the personal computer B displays on the display screen that the heating thermal valve 34 has an open failure ( S11), and proceed to step S9.
[0044]
In step S4, if the rotation speed of the heating circulating pump 32 has not decreased to 2950 rpm or less (S4: NO), the personal computer B determines whether five minutes have elapsed since the heating thermal valve 34 was opened. Is determined (S12).
[0045]
If five minutes have not elapsed since the opening instruction of the heating thermal valve 34 (step S12: NO), the process returns to step S3. In other words, it takes a maximum of about 5 minutes for the heating thermal valve 34 to completely open, and during that period, the heating thermal valve 34 is opened.
[0046]
If 5 minutes have passed since the opening command of the heating thermal valve 34 (step S12: YES), the personal computer B displays on the display screen that the heating thermal valve 34 is closed due to a failure (step S12: YES). S13), and proceed to step S9.
[0047]
As described above, in a state where the heating circulating pump 32 is rotated at 3000 rpm by the control unit D, the heating thermal valve 34 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and thereafter, is changed from the open state to the closed state. The amount of increase or decrease in the number of revolutions of the heating circulating pump 32 due to a change in the state of the heating heat operated valve 34 is obtained from the number of revolutions detected by the number of revolutions detecting means incorporated in the circulating pump 32 for heating. Since it is determined whether or not the heating circulation pump 32 is out of order, the change in the number of revolutions of the heating circulation pump 32 in accordance with the change in the circulation flow rate of the hot water caused by the opening and closing of the heating heat valve 34 is determined. Since the failure of the heating heat valve 34 is diagnosed by using this, the failure of the heating heat valve 34 can be diagnosed quickly and accurately.
[0048]
For example, when a failure of the heating heat valve 34 is diagnosed based on the temperature of hot water flowing through the heating heat exchanger 24 as in a conventional water heater, the heating heat exchanger at the time of switching the operating state of the heating terminal is determined. 24 is relatively slow, there is a problem that if the diagnosis is made in a short time from the start of the operation of the heating terminal, the reliability of the diagnosis result is reduced. When diagnosing a failure of the heating thermal valve 34 based on a change in the rotation speed of the circulation pump 32, the above-described problem does not occur. In particular, in the conventional hot water supply apparatus, when the diagnosis is performed a plurality of times for the same heating terminal or when the diagnosis is sequentially performed for a plurality of heating terminals, the operation of the heating terminal is frequently turned on / off. Since a large amount of standby time is required each time to ensure the diagnosis, a long time is required for the diagnosis. In the present embodiment, the diagnosis can be accurately performed in a short time.
[0049]
In addition, compared to the case where the maintenance staff diagnoses the failure of the heating thermal valve 34 by their own judgment while measuring the current and voltage of each part of the hot water supply device A, the maintenance staff is quick and irrespective of the experience and quality of the maintenance staff. Diagnosis can be made accurately.
[0050]
Further, as in the present embodiment, when the open failure is diagnosed following the close failure of the heating thermal valve 34, the closed failure and the open failure are diagnosed more quickly than in the case where the closed failure and the open failure are separately diagnosed. it can.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the hot water supply device A is provided with three heating thermal valves 34, but the number of heating thermal valves 34 is arbitrary.
[0052]
Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the valve device is a thermal valve is described, but the valve device may be another type such as an electromagnetic on-off valve.
[0053]
Further, in the above embodiment, the failure of the heating thermal valve 34 installed corresponding to the low-temperature heating terminal is diagnosed, but the failure of the valve device installed corresponding to the high-temperature heating terminal may be diagnosed. Good. In this case, the valve device may be built in the hot water supply device A, or may be built in the high-temperature heating terminal. When the valve device is incorporated in the high-temperature heating terminal, the personal computer B may be configured to output a control command for the valve device to the high-temperature heating terminal. Further, a drive circuit for driving the valve device is built in the hot water supply device A and the heating terminal, and the valve device itself is installed separately from the hot water supply device A and the heating terminal, and is connected to the drive circuit of the valve device. Good.
[0054]
Further, in the above embodiment, the failure of the heating thermal valve 34 installed corresponding to the low-temperature heating terminal is diagnosed, but when the bath circulation pump 46 is driven by a DC motor, The failure of the valve 38 may be diagnosed.
[0055]
Further, in the above embodiment, the closed failure and the open failure of the heating thermal valve 34 are continuously diagnosed, but the closed failure and the open failure may be diagnosed completely independently of each other. Good.
[0056]
In the above embodiment, the water heater A and the personal computer B are connected by the cable C. However, the water heater A and the personal computer B may be configured to perform wireless communication.
[0057]
In the above embodiment, the failure diagnosis support device is realized by the personal computer B, but the failure diagnosis support device may be realized by a portable computer such as a PDA. Further, the failure diagnosis program may be stored in a storage unit such as a memory built in the control unit D of the water heater A, and the failure diagnosis may be performed by the water heater A itself.
[0058]
Further, in the above embodiment, the hot water supply device A having the hot water supply function, the hot water heating function, and the bath reheating function has been described, but the hot water supply device according to the present invention includes only the hot water supply function and the hot water heating function, or the hot water heating function. It may have only a function. That is, the present invention relates to a hot water supply device having a rotation speed control unit and a rotation speed detection unit of a DC motor that drives a pump for circulating hot water and a valve device for intermittently circulating hot water. Applicable.
[0059]
Further, in the above embodiment, hot water is used as the liquid heat medium, but antifreeze may be used as the liquid heat medium.
[0060]
In the above embodiment, the water heater A using gas as a fuel has been described. However, the water heater according to the present invention may be a water heater using petroleum or the like as a fuel, a water heater using electricity as a heat source, or a solar water heater or a power generator. A hot water supply device using the waste heat of the device as a heat source may be used.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, while the DC motor is rotated at the predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control means, the valve device control means opens the valve device from the open state to the closed state and / or opens the valve device from the closed state. The control unit is controlled to change to the state, and the amount of increase or decrease in the number of rotations of the DC motor due to the change in the state of the valve unit is determined based on the number of rotations detected by the number of rotations detection unit. Since it is determined whether or not the valve device is operating, the failure of the valve device is diagnosed using the change in the rotation speed of the DC motor according to the change in the circulating flow rate of the liquid heat medium accompanying the opening and closing of the valve device. The failure of the valve device can be diagnosed accurately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a failure diagnosis of a water heater is being performed by a failure diagnosis support device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a main body of the hot water supply apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a failure diagnosis process performed by the personal computer at the time of failure diagnosis of the water heater.
[Explanation of symbols]
A water heater
B Personal computer
D control unit
27 Heating circulation channel
28 Hot water tank for heating
29 Water inlet for heating
30 First circulation pipe for heating
31 Second circulation pipe for heating
33 Heating low temperature pipe
34 Heat valve for heating

Claims (6)

A DC motor driving a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium,
Rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the DC motor,
Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the DC motor,
A hot water supply failure diagnosis method for diagnosing a failure of the valve device in a hot water supply device having valve device control means for controlling a valve device for interrupting the circulation of the liquid heat medium by the pump,
While the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit, the valve device control unit controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or from a closed state to an open state. A state change control step;
An increase / decrease amount calculating step of calculating an increase / decrease amount of the rotational speed of the DC motor according to a change in the state of the valve device, based on the rotational speed detection value from the rotational speed detecting means in the state change control step;
A failure determination step of determining whether or not the valve device has failed based on the increase / decrease amount obtained in the increase / decrease amount calculation step. A DC motor driving a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium,
Rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the DC motor,
Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the DC motor,
A failure diagnosis program for a water heater for diagnosing a failure of the valve device in a water heater having a valve device control unit for controlling a valve device for interrupting circulation of a liquid heat medium by the pump,
While the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit, the valve device control unit controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or from a closed state to an open state. A state change control program for
An increase / decrease amount calculation program for determining an increase / decrease amount of the rotation speed of the DC motor due to a change in the state of the valve device, based on a rotation speed detection value from the rotation speed detection unit during execution of the state change control program,
A failure determination program for determining whether or not the valve device has failed, based on the variation obtained by executing the variation calculation program. . The state change control program controls the valve device to change the valve device from a closed state to an open state by the valve device control unit while the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit, Thereafter, the valve device control means controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state,
The failure determination program determines that the valve device is a closed failure when the amount of decrease in the rotation speed of the DC motor when the valve device is changed from the closed state to the open state is less than a predetermined value. When the amount of increase in the number of revolutions of the DC motor when the valve device is changed from the open state to the closed state is less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the valve device is in an open failure. A failure diagnosis program for the described hot water supply device. A DC motor driving a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium,
Rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the DC motor,
Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the DC motor,
A failure diagnosis support device for a water heater that diagnoses a failure of the valve device in a water heater that has a valve device control unit that controls a valve device for interrupting the circulation of the liquid heat medium by the pump,
While the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit, the valve device control unit controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or from a closed state to an open state. State change control means;
An increase / decrease amount calculating means for calculating an increase / decrease amount of the rotational speed of the DC motor according to a change in the state of the valve device, based on the rotational speed detection value from the rotational speed detection means;
Failure diagnosis means for determining whether or not the valve device has failed based on the amount of increase or decrease calculated by the increase or decrease amount calculation means. A DC motor driving a pump for circulating a liquid heat medium,
Rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the DC motor,
Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the DC motor,
A water heater having valve device control means for controlling a valve device for interrupting the circulation of the liquid heat medium by the pump,
While the DC motor is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed by the rotation speed control unit, the valve device control unit controls the valve device to change from an open state to a closed state and / or from a closed state to an open state. State change control means;
An increase / decrease amount calculating means for calculating an increase / decrease amount of the rotational speed of the DC motor according to a change in the state of the valve device, based on the rotational speed detection value from the rotational speed detection means;
A hot water supply device comprising: a failure determination unit configured to determine whether the valve device has failed based on the increase / decrease amount obtained by the increase / decrease amount calculation unit. The hot water supply device according to claim 5, wherein the valve device is a thermal valve that drives a valve body by the heat of an electric heater to interrupt the liquid heat medium.

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