JP2004232977A - Equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide equipment capable of increasing the detection accuracy and control performance of equipment in the operating state by taking into account the individual difference of component parts. <P>SOLUTION: An incoming water temperature sensor 21, a flow rate sensor 22, an outgoing hot water temperature sensor 23, a gas proportional valve 34, and a combustion fan 42 which are the component parts of a water heater 1 comprise radio tags 61a to 61e storing individual characteristic data specific to those parts used actually as part information. A tag reader 62 reading, by radio, the part information stored in the radio tags 61a to 61e is connected to a controller 51. When a trial operation is performed, since the controller 51 outputs read instructions to the tag reader 62, the controller 51 can acquire, through the tag reader 62, the individual characteristic data specific to those parts useful for the operational control of the water heater 1 which is stored in the radio tags 61a to 61e. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to various devices having control means for performing operation control, such as, for example, a water heater, a bathroom heater / dryer, a fan convector, a floor heating floor, and an air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a water heater is provided with various sensors such as a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a water level sensor, and a CO sensor, and the operation of the actual hot water temperature, heat exchanger temperature, hot water flow rate, and the like detected by these sensors. Based on the state, the controller performs burner combustion control, opening / closing control of a gas proportional valve, a gas solenoid valve, and the like, control of the number of revolutions of a combustion fan, etc. The hot water is automatically filled.
[0003]
By the way, various sensors include indirectly calculating the temperature from the electric resistance value, such as a thermistor that detects the temperature by using the property of the metal that the electric resistance value changes with the temperature, or a blade. Some types of sensors, such as a car-type flow sensor, calculate the flow rate from the number of revolutions (pulses) of the impeller. The electrical resistance value output from these sensors and the number of revolutions (pulses) of the impeller The controller that has obtained the detection signal, such as the characteristic data indicating the correlation between the electric resistance value and the temperature, or the characteristic data indicating the correlation between the rotation speed (number of pulses) of the impeller and the flow rate, is given in advance. Based on this, the temperature and the flow rate are obtained from the obtained electric resistance value and the rotation number (pulse number) of the impeller.
[0004]
In a control valve such as a gas proportional valve in which a gas flow rate changes according to a valve opening degree, a predetermined valve opening degree may be set in order to secure a predetermined flow rate. The controller that controls the opening and closing operation controls the opening and closing operation of the control valve based on valve characteristic data that indicates a relationship between the valve opening and the flow rate, which is given in advance, so that the valve opening degree corresponds to the target flow rate. Control.
[0005]
In such a water heater, the controller controls the combustion of the burner so that the burner does not ignite until the combustion fan reaches the target rotation speed, but the rotation speed of the combustion fan reaches the target rotation speed. The controller determines whether or not the fan voltage has reached the target voltage corresponding to the target rotation speed based on the fan characteristic data indicating the relationship between the fan voltage and the rotation speed given in advance. Will do.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-09-027082
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the components of the water heater such as the various sensors described above, the control valve, and the combustion fan have individual differences even if they are of the same model, and their characteristics are not necessarily the same. Normally, average characteristic data is given as the characteristic data.
[0008]
Therefore, when the characteristic data of the components mounted on the water heater deviates significantly from the average characteristic data, the operation state such as the hot water temperature and the flow rate cannot be accurately detected by various sensors, or the controller may not be able to detect the operation state. The expected operation control cannot be performed or the like, and there is a problem that the performance of the device is reduced.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that can improve the detection accuracy and control performance of an operating state by considering individual differences of components.
[0010]
Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a device having control means for performing operation control, wherein a component information storage means for storing component information specific to the component, which is installed in the component. Component information reading means for wirelessly reading component information specific to the component from the corresponding component information storage means, wherein the component information reading means reads from the component information storage means. The above-mentioned control means performs operation control based on the component information described above. Note that the operation control performed by the control unit includes display control of the operation state.
[0011]
As described above, in this device, the component information storage unit that stores the component information specific to the component is installed in the component, and the component information reading unit wirelessly reads the component information from the component information storage unit. Since the control means controls the operation based on the component information, the individual differences of the components are reflected in the operation control of the device, and the performance of the device can be improved.
[0012]
Further, as in the device according to the invention according to claim 2, a controlled component having a drive unit controlled by the control means is provided as the component, and the component information storage installed in the controlled component is provided. When the individual characteristic information is stored as the component information specific to the controlled component, the control means controls the operation of the controlled component according to the individual characteristic of the controlled component. Therefore, there is no occurrence of a shift or the like due to an individual difference of the controlled component in the operation timing of the controlled component, and the operation control of the device can be more appropriately performed.
[0013]
Further, as in the device according to the third aspect of the present invention, a state detection component for detecting an operation state is mounted as the component, and the component information storage unit installed in the operation state detection component includes: As the component information specific to the operation state detection component, in the case where the individual characteristic information is stored, a detection error due to the individual difference of the operation state detection component does not occur, and the operation state of the device is The detection accuracy is improved, and when the control means controls the controlled component based on the detected operating state, the control performance of the entire device by the control means is also improved.
[0014]
Also, as in the device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the component information storage means installed in the component part including the control means stores production information of the corresponding component part. For example, when packing equipment, for example, if component information reading means is installed on the packing line, the component information reading means wirelessly transmits the production information of the component from the component information storage means installed on the component. Thus, even if the appearance is the same, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the device is the device to be packed, so that a packaging error can be reliably prevented.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a water heater which is an example of a device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 1 generates hot water by heating a water inlet pipe 12 connected to a water inlet pipe via a water inlet fitting 11 and tap water supplied from the water inlet pipe 12. A heat exchanger 13, a hot water pipe 14 for sending out hot water generated by the heat exchanger 13, and a bypass pipe 15 connecting the water inlet pipe 12 and the hot water pipe 14 so as to bypass the heat exchanger 13. A water flow control valve 16 and a tapping metal fitting 17 for adjusting the tapping amount for tapping hot water at a set hot water supply temperature are provided downstream of the connection of the bypass pipe 15 in the tapping pipe 14.
[0016]
On the upstream side of the connection of the bypass pipe 15 in the water inlet pipe 12, an incoming water temperature sensor 21 composed of a thermistor for detecting the incoming water temperature and an impeller type flow rate sensor 22 for detecting the amount of incoming water (amount of hot water) are installed. A tapping temperature sensor 23 composed of a thermistor for detecting tapping temperature is installed between the water flow control valve 16 and the tapping metal fitting 17 in the tapping pipe 14.
[0017]
The heat exchanger 13 is installed at an upper portion in the can 41, and a gas burner 31 for heating the heat exchanger 13 is installed below the heat exchanger 13 in the can 41, At the bottom of the can 41, a combustion fan 42 that supplies air for combustion to the gas burner 31 is provided in order to burn gas supplied to the gas burner 31 at an appropriate air-fuel ratio.
[0018]
A gas pipe 32 for supplying gas to the gas burner 31 has a main solenoid valve 33 for opening and closing the gas pipe 32, a gas proportional valve 34 for adjusting the gas supply amount, and a combustion valve for adjusting the combustion capacity of the gas burner 31. Capability switching gas solenoid valves 35 and 36 for switching the number of combustion tubes 31 a are provided, respectively, and the gas burner 31 is ignited by a spark plug 37.
[0019]
The water heater 1 is equipped with a controller 51 that can communicate with an operation remote controller 52 via a serial interface. The controller 51 is detected by the water temperature sensor 21 and the outlet temperature sensor 23. By controlling the opening and closing operation of the gas proportional valve 34 based on the incoming water temperature, the outgoing water temperature, the amount of incoming water (amount of outgoing water) detected by the flow rate sensor 22, and the like, the hot water supply temperature set by the operation remote controller 52 is controlled. The combustion capacity of the gas burner 31 is adjusted so that the hot water is discharged.
[0020]
The water temperature sensor 21, the flow rate sensor 22, the hot water temperature sensor 23, the gas proportional valve 34, and the combustion fan 42, which are the components of the water heater 1, have wireless tags 61 a to 61, which store component information unique to each component. 61e are installed, and the controller 51 is connected to a tag reader 62 that wirelessly reads component information stored in the wireless tags 61a to 61e.
[0021]
The wireless tags 61a to 61e each include a semiconductor chip having a storage unit in which component information is stored, a power generation unit, a transmission unit and a reception unit, and a coiled transmission / reception antenna, and a component maker uses a tag writer. Thus, predetermined component information is written into the storage unit of the wireless tag, and the component is shipped with the wireless tag attached. The tag reader 62 includes a main unit having a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and a transmitting and receiving antenna. The main unit is connected to the controller 51. Accordingly, when the tag reader 62 transmits a radio wave to each of the wireless tags 61a to 61e in accordance with a reading command of the component information output by the controller 51, each of the wireless tags 61a to 61e that has received the radio wave has a built-in power supply. The generating unit generates operating power from the received radio waves of the tag reader 62, sets the wireless tags 61a to 61e in an operating state, reads out the component information stored in advance in the storage unit, and is built in each of the wireless tags 61a to 61e. The read information is transmitted from the transmitting antenna to the tag reader 62. Then, the tag reader 62 transmits the received information to the controller 51. In this way, the controller 51 can acquire predetermined component information stored in each of the wireless tags 61a to 61e via the tag reader 62.
[0022]
The wireless tags 61a and 61c provided in the water temperature sensor 21 and the hot water temperature sensor 23, each of which is composed of a thermistor, indicate the correlation between the electrical resistance value of each thermistor actually used and the temperature as component information. The characteristic data is stored, and the wireless tag 61b installed on the impeller type flow sensor 22 includes, as component information, the pulse number and the flow rate indicating the rotation speed of the impeller of the flow sensor actually used. And characteristic data indicating a correlation with the data.
[0023]
Further, in the wireless tag 61d installed on the gas proportional valve 34, valve characteristic data indicating a correlation between the valve opening degree and the flow rate of the gas proportional valve actually used is stored as part information. In the wireless tag 61e installed in the combustion fan 42, fan characteristic data indicating a correlation between a fan voltage of the combustion fan actually used and a rotation speed is stored as component information.
[0024]
In the operation remote controller 52 described above, a wireless tag 61f is installed on a printed circuit board constituting the controller 52a, and the wireless tag 61f is mounted on the printed circuit board version, serial number, and printed circuit board. Production information such as the version of the microcomputer being used, the model name of the operation remote controller, the serial number, and the manufacturing date is stored.
[0025]
As described above, in the water heater 1, the state detection components for detecting the operation state such as the incoming water temperature sensor 21, the flow rate sensor 22, and the outlet water temperature sensor 23, and the controllers 51 such as the gas proportional valve 34 and the combustion fan 42 are controlled. Wireless tags 61a to 61e in which individual characteristic data (individual characteristic information) unique to each part actually used are stored as component information on the controlled components having the driven parts to be controlled. In addition, since the tag reader 62 that can wirelessly read the component information stored in the wireless tags 61a to 61e is connected to the controller 51, for example, when the water heater 1 is installed and the test operation is performed, When the controller 51 outputs a read command to the tag reader 62, the controller 51 a~61e the stored each component can be obtained a unique individual characteristic data (individual characteristic information).
[0026]
Therefore, the controller 51 controls the operation of the controlled components such as the gas proportional valve 34 and the combustion fan 42 according to the individual characteristics of the controlled components. Unlike the conventional water heater in which the controller controls the controlled component based on the average characteristic data of the controlled component without causing a shift or the like, the operation control of the water heater 1 is more appropriately performed. It is possible to do it.
[0027]
Further, the controller 51 calculates the temperature and the flow rate based on the unique individual characteristic data of the temperature sensor and the flow rate sensor actually used. The detection accuracy of the operation state of the water heater 1 is improved without the occurrence of the detection error caused by the water heater 1, and the controller 51 controls the gas proportional valve 34, the combustion fan 42, and the like based on the appropriately detected operation state. Since the controlled component is controlled, the control performance of the entire water heater 1 by the controller 51 is further improved.
[0028]
In the water heater 1, the printed circuit board of the operation remote controller 52 has a printed circuit board version and serial number, a version of a microcomputer mounted on the printed circuit board, a model name of the operation remote controller, a serial number, a manufacturing date, and the like. Since the wireless tag 61f in which the production information is stored is installed, for example, if a tag reader is installed on a packing line for packing the water heater main body and the operation remote controller 52 together, the tag reader causes the operation remote controller 52 to operate. By wirelessly reading the production information of the operation remote controller 52 from the wireless tag 61f installed in the apparatus, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the combination of the water heater main body to be packed and the operation remote controller 52 is appropriate. . Therefore, in the conventional water heater, the appearance is the same, but when the functions are different, it is easy to cause a packaging error such that the water heater body and the operation remote controller not corresponding thereto are packed together, In this water heater 1, such packaging mistakes can be reliably prevented.
[0029]
In the above-described embodiment, the characteristic data necessary for the operation control of the water heater 1 is stored in the wireless tags 61a to 61e installed on the state detection parts such as the sensors and the controlled parts such as the control valves. However, in addition to such characteristic data, if production information such as the production number and production date of the part is stored, it is stored in the wireless tag using a tag reader at the stage of product inspection and the like. By reading the production information of the parts, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the proper parts are mounted, so that it is possible to prevent the shipment of an inappropriate product.
[0030]
In the embodiment described above, the wireless tags 61a to 61e are installed on the gas proportional valve 34 and the combustion fan 42 as controlled components, respectively, on the incoming water temperature sensor 21, the outlet water temperature sensor 23, and the flow rate sensor 22 as the state detecting components. However, the state detection component and the controlled component in which the wireless tag is installed are not limited to these. For example, a state detection component such as a water level sensor, a CO sensor, a three-way valve, a two-way valve, A wireless tag can also be installed on a controlled component such as a solenoid valve as needed.
[0031]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the water heater 1 has been described as an apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various controlled components whose driving units are controlled by the control unit, sensors, and the like. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various devices provided with the state detection component.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water heater as an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 water heater (equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Inlet fitting 12 Inlet pipe 13 Heat exchanger 14 Outlet pipe 15 Bypass pipe 16 Water volume control valve 17 Outlet fitting 21 Incoming water temperature sensor (state detection part)
22 Flow sensor (state detection component)
23 Hot water temperature sensor (state detection component)
31 gas burner 32 gas pipe 33 main solenoid valve 34 gas proportional valve (controlled part)
35, 36 Capacity switching gas solenoid valve 37 Spark plug 41 Can body 42 Combustion fan (controlled part)
51 Controller (control means)
52 operation remote controller 52a controller 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f wireless tag (part information storage means)
62 Tag reader (component information reading means)

Claims (4)

In a device having control means for performing operation control,
Component information storage means installed in the component, for storing component information specific to the component,
A component information reading unit that wirelessly reads component information specific to the component from the corresponding component information storage unit,
An apparatus, wherein the control unit performs operation control based on component information unique to the component read by the component information reading unit from the component information storage unit. As the component, a controlled component having a drive unit controlled by the control unit is provided,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the component information storage unit installed in the controlled component stores individual characteristic information as component information specific to the controlled component. As the component, a state detection component for detecting an operation state is mounted,
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the component information storage unit installed in the operation state detection component stores individual characteristic information as component information specific to the operation state detection component. 4. The device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the component information storage means installed in the component including the control means stores production information of the corresponding component.

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