JP2007040552A - Water heater system, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resolve a problem in a water heater system producing and using hot water wherein the same contents are notified even when a person carrying out a countermeasure operation to an error is a user normally carrying out operation, or a maintenance person carrying out maintenance operation, and proper contents relevant to the error can not be notified to each operator carrying out the countermeasure operation. <P>SOLUTION: The water heater system producing and using hot water has a composition having a notifying means 10 for notifying information of the water heater system, a mode changing means 11 for carrying out a change-over between a normal mode for carrying out normal operation by the user, and a maintenance mode for carrying out maintenance operation by the maintenance person, and a notification contents control means 12 for carrying out notification of prompting contact to the outside in the normal mode, and notifying a method for a countermeasure operation to an error in the maintenance mode, when there is an error in the water heater system and notification is carried out by using the notifying means 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, in a water heater system that generates and uses hot water, an operator of the water heater system has a user who normally uses it and a maintenance person who performs an installation operation and a maintenance operation, and an error has occurred in the water heater system. The present invention relates to a water heater system and a program for informing appropriate information to each.

  Conventionally, a water heater system has a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, or a thermistor, and when these are predetermined conditions, it is determined that an error has occurred in the water heater system, and the error is detected by the remote controller of the water heater system. It is known that the occurrence of the error has occurred, and the location of the error is determined from the location of the pressure sensor, the flow sensor, the thermistor, etc., and the occurrence of the error with the remote controller of the water heater system. A device that informs a place is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In general, installation and maintenance operations of a water heater system are not performed by a normal user, but are performed by maintenance personnel such as a management company of the water heater system.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-1110090

  Therefore, there are cases where an error occurs during operation by the user and cases where an error occurs during operation by the maintenance staff.

  However, in the conventional water heater system, even if it is the user or the maintenance person who performs the error handling operation, the same content is reported to each operator who performs the handling operation. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is impossible to notify appropriate contents regarding the error.

  For example, when it is detected by a thermistor included in a water heater system that hot water has risen above a predetermined temperature, an error code is notified whether a user is operating or a maintenance staff is operating, or the thermistor The location of the error and the location where the error is determined, and the power supply of the water heater system is turned off to notify that the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined are confirmed. A notification was made to encourage contact with the management company of the machine system.

  The present invention is a water heater system that generates and uses hot water, a notification means for notifying information of the water heater system, a normal mode in which a user performs a normal operation, and a maintenance mode in which a maintenance person performs a maintenance operation. A mode switching means for performing switching, and a method for performing an error handling operation in the normal mode when an error occurs in the water heater system and a notification is made using the notification means in a normal mode, and an error handling operation method in the maintenance mode It is set as the structure which has an alerting | reporting content control means to alert | report.

According to the present invention, when an error occurs in the water heater system, if the water heater system is in the normal mode, it is expected that the operator of the error handling operation is the user, so contact the outside. By notifying the user, the appropriate content is notified to the user. When the water heater system is in the maintenance mode, it is expected that the operator of the error handling operation is the maintenance staff. Notify the details.

  For example, when the thermistor of the water heater system detects that the hot water has risen above a predetermined temperature, if the water heater system is in the normal mode, a notification that prompts the user to contact the management company of the water heater system, etc. I do. When the water heater system is in the maintenance mode, the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined are indicated to maintenance personnel, and the location of the thermistor Notification is made to confirm the location where the error determined from

  As a result, it is possible to notify each operator of an appropriate operation for handling the error, and it is possible to improve the convenience of using the water heater system.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a water heater system that generates and uses hot water, and has a notification means for notifying information of the water heater system, a normal mode in which a user performs a normal operation, and a maintenance in which a maintenance person performs a maintenance operation. Mode switching means for switching between modes, and when an error occurs in the water heater system and informing using the informing means, in the normal mode, notification is made to prompt external contact, and in the maintenance mode, error handling operation is performed A hot water supply system having notification content control means for notifying the method is provided.

  Accordingly, when an error occurs in the water heater system, the present invention predicts that the operator for handling the error is the user when the water heater system is in the normal mode. By notifying the user, the appropriate content is notified to the user. When the water heater system is in the maintenance mode, it is expected that the operator of the error handling operation is the maintenance staff. Notify the details.

  For example, when the thermistor of the water heater system detects that the hot water has risen above a predetermined temperature, if the water heater system is in the normal mode, a notification is made to notify the management company of the water heater system. When the system is in the maintenance mode, the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined are indicated, and the water heater system is turned off to indicate the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined. Announces confirmation.

  Accordingly, it is possible to notify appropriate contents to each operator who performs an error handling operation, and it is possible to improve the convenience of using the water heater system.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the water heater system includes error information determination means for determining a type of error. When an error occurs in the water heater system, the error information determination means is When it is possible to cancel, the notification content control means provides a water heater system configured to notify the determined content regardless of the mode of the water heater system.

  As a result, the present invention is different from the coping operation even if it is an error, so when an error that allows the user to perform the coping operation occurs, the determined content is notified regardless of the mode of the water heater system. When an error that cannot be handled by the user occurs, an operator who performs the handling operation of the error can be predicted from the mode of the water heater system as the user or the maintenance staff, depending on the content of the error. Appropriate contents can be notified to the operator.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the water heater system includes an error canceling unit that cancels an error, and an error notification necessity determination unit that determines whether or not an error notification is necessary. When canceling the error using the canceling means, if the error cancellation fails and the error occurs again again, the error notification necessity determination unit determines that the error notification is not necessary and re-notifies the error. It is intended to provide a water heater system that does not perform the above.

  As a result, the present invention, for example, in the water heater system in which the error cancellation fails and the error occurs again when the error cancellation operation is performed without performing the error handling operation, the error again occurs. Since the re-notification of the error due to the occurrence is not performed, it is possible to prevent the error notification from becoming complicated and to improve the convenience of using the water heater system.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the water heater system includes an error release unit that cancels an error, an error notification location determination unit that determines a display location of an error notification, and the notification unit, A first display area; and a second display area having a display area smaller than that of the first display area. When an error occurs in the water heater system, the error notification location determination means is configured to display the first display area. A first error screen is displayed using an area, a second error screen is displayed using the second display area, and then the error is released using the error releasing means. In the case where the release fails and the error occurs again, the error notification location determination means provides a water heater system that displays only the second error screen using the second display area.

  As a result, the present invention, for example, in the water heater system in which the error cancellation fails and the error occurs again when the error cancellation operation is performed without performing the error handling operation, the error again occurs. Since the error notification due to the occurrence of the error is caused by displaying only the second error screen using the second display area, it is possible to prevent the error notification from becoming complicated, and another screen is displayed in the first display area. Since it is prevented from becoming impossible and the fact that an error has occurred is displayed in the second display area, the convenience of using the water heater system can be enhanced.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the first aspect, the water heater system includes a personal identification number storage unit, and when the personal identification number stored in the personal identification number storage unit is normally input, the mode switching unit is used to perform a normal mode. A water heater system configured to switch from a maintenance mode to a maintenance mode is provided.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is difficult for the user to switch from the normal mode to the maintenance mode in the maintenance mode in which the maintenance staff performs the maintenance operation, and the convenience of using the water heater system can be improved.

  A sixth invention provides a water heater system according to the fourth or fifth invention, wherein the first error screen has an error release button.

  Thus, according to the present invention, when a new error occurs, the first error screen is displayed using the first display area, and the first error screen includes an error cancel button, so that the error cancel operation can be performed. This can be done easily, and the convenience of using the water heater system can be enhanced.

According to a seventh invention, in any one of the second to fifth inventions, the water heater system includes a server connected via a network, and when an error occurs in the water heater system, the error information determining means is provided. When a user determines that the error cannot be canceled, a water heater system is provided that includes a transmission unit that transmits information indicating that an error has occurred to the server.

  Accordingly, in the present invention, when an error occurs during the operation of the user, the coping operation is different even if an error is reported. Therefore, when an error that can be handled by the user occurs, the water heater By notifying the determined content regardless of the mode of the system, and transmitting the information that the error has occurred to the server only when an error that cannot be handled by the user has occurred, the water heater Contact the system management company, etc., and maintenance personnel can take corrective action.

  According to an eighth invention, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, a program for causing a computer to execute at least one of the water heater systems is provided.

  And since it is a program, at least one part of the hot-water supply system of this invention can be easily implement | achieved by making hard resources, such as an electrical / information apparatus, a computer, and a server cooperate. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the water heater system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a hot water supply system according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a hot water heater, 2 is a remote control, 10 is a notification means, 11 is a mode switching means, 12 is a notification content control means, 13 is an error detection means, 14 is a remote control control means, and 15 is between hot water supply side devices. Communication means 16 is a remote control side inter-device communication means.

  Note that the water heater 1 is a heat pump water heater, the remote controller 2 is a heat pump water heater remote controller, the notification means 10 is a touch panel capable of displaying and accepting operations to the user, a mode switching means 11, a notification content control means 12, and a remote control. This configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer as the control means 14, a sensor as the error detection means 13, and a serial communication means as the communication device 15 between the water heater side devices and the communication means 16 between the remote control devices.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  When the water heater system starts operating, the water heater 1 is first operated. Next, when the operation of the remote control 2 is started, the remote control control means 14 causes the notification means 10 to display operation buttons of the water heater system based on the built-in program. When the operator presses the displayed button, the remote control means 14 starts the operation assigned to each button.

  In addition, the water heater system has a normal mode in which a user performs a normal operation and a maintenance mode in which a maintenance worker performs a maintenance operation. The mode switching unit 11 is operated to operate the mode switching unit 11 to switch from the normal mode to the maintenance mode.

Here, the normal mode is a mode operated by the user, for example, changing the hot water supply temperature, setting the remaining hot water amount of the hot water storage tank, etc., and the maintenance mode is operated by the maintenance staff or repair staff. For example, trial run of bathing hot water, trial heating of hot water storage tank, turning off / on of piping air venting, setting of electricity rate contract, confirmation of value held in RAM of water heater system, In this mode, error history deletion, inspection operation, floor heating test operation using hot water, air conditioner test operation using hot water, and the like are performed.

  When configured to connect to a network such as the Internet, the network can also be set in the maintenance mode.

  Further, when an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it and transmits information to the remote controller 1 via the water heater side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16.

  When the remote controller 1 receives the information, if the mode switching means 11 is in the normal mode, the remote controller 1 displays the content of the error and a display for prompting the management company or the like. When the mode switching means 11 is in the maintenance mode, the error content is displayed and the error handling operation method is displayed.

  Thus, in the first embodiment, when an error occurs in the water heater system, if the water heater system is in the normal mode, it is expected that the operator of the error handling operation is the user. By notifying the user to contact the user, appropriate contents are notified to the user. When the water heater system is in the maintenance mode, it is expected that the operator of the error handling operation is the maintenance staff. Notify the details.

  For example, when the thermistor of the water heater system detects that the hot water has risen above a predetermined temperature, if the water heater system is in the normal mode, a notification is made to notify the management company of the water heater system. When the system is in the maintenance mode, the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined are indicated, and the water heater system is turned off to indicate the location of the thermistor and the location where the error is determined. Announces confirmation.

  Accordingly, it is possible to notify appropriate contents to each operator who performs an error handling operation, and it is possible to improve the convenience of using the water heater system.

  The remote controller 1 has been described as a configuration in which when the information is received and the mode switching means is in the normal mode, the content of the error is displayed and a display for prompting the management company or the like is displayed. The contents of the error may be displayed and the contact information for the management company may be displayed.

  In the first embodiment, the notification means 10 has been described as a touch panel that can display and accept operations, but the operation acceptance may be configured to use another means.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, 20 is an error information determination means. Since other means are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that this configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the error information determination means 20.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  When an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it, and the error detection means 13 determines whether the user can cancel the error according to the location of the error detection means 13, conditions for detecting the error, or the like. Then, information is transmitted to the remote controller 1 via the hot water supply side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16.

  When the remote controller 1 receives the information, the information includes information indicating whether the user can cancel the error. The error information determination means 20 is used to determine whether the user can cancel the error. Judge whether.

  For example, in the case of an error that allows the user to handle the error, such as forgetting to close the bathtub tap, the error information determination means 20 indicates that the user can cancel the error. In this case, the content of the error As well as a method for handling the error.

  In addition, in the case of an error in which the maintenance staff needs to perform an error handling operation on site, for example, foreign matter is mixed into the hot water supply pipe and normal hot water cannot be supplied, the error information determination means 20 is canceled by the user. In this case, the mode switching unit 11 is used to check the current mode of the water heater system.

  When the mode switching unit 11 is in the normal mode, the notification content control unit 12 displays the content of the error using the notification unit 10 and displays a message for prompting the management company or the like. When the mode switching unit 11 is in the maintenance mode, the notification content control unit 12 displays the error content using the notification unit 10 and also displays the error handling operation method.

  As a result, the second embodiment is different from the coping operation even if it is an error, so when an error that allows the user to perform the coping operation occurs, the contents determined regardless of the mode of the water heater system When an error that cannot be handled by the user occurs, the operator who performs the error handling operation from the mode of the water heater system can be predicted as the user or the maintenance staff, and the error contents Accordingly, appropriate contents can be notified to each operator.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, 30 is an error canceling means, and 31 is an error notification necessity determination means. Since other means are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that this configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the error canceling means 30 and the error notification necessity determining means 31.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

  When an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it, and transmits information to the remote controller 1 via the hot water supply side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16. When receiving the information, the remote controller 1 uses the error notification necessity determination unit 31 to determine whether the error notification is necessary.

  First, when an error occurs, the error notification necessity determination means 31 indicates that notification is required. In this case, the notification means 10 is used to notify the error. Thereafter, when the error canceling means 30 is operated from the error canceling button displayed on the notifying means 10 by the remote control means 14, the error notifying necessity determining means 31 is set to notify not at the same time.

  Thereafter, if the error is successfully canceled, the error notification necessity determination means 31 is set to notify. If cancellation of the error fails and the error occurs again, the error notification necessity determination means 31 indicates that notification is not required, and in that case, the error notification is not performed.

  As a result, in the water heater system in which the third embodiment fails to release the error and generates the error again, for example, when the error releasing operation is performed without performing the error handling operation, Since the error notification due to the occurrence of the error is not performed, it is possible to prevent the error notification from becoming complicated and to improve the convenience of use of the water heater system.

  In the third embodiment, the display may be performed in cooperation with the normal mode and the maintenance mode of the first embodiment. For example, it may not be necessary to judge the content of the error notification and notify the user again in the normal mode, but in the maintenance mode, it is necessary to perform detailed error notification to the maintenance staff every time to confirm the operation. There is. Or, conversely, the contents of the error notification may be determined, and in the maintenance mode, since the maintenance staff knows in advance what error will occur, there is a case where there is no need to notify again. Thus, error notification may be switched according to the normal mode and the maintenance mode.

(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, 30 is an error canceling means, 40 is a display means, 41 is a first display area, 42 is a second display area, and 43 is an error notification location determination means. Since other means are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that a microcomputer is used for the error release means 30 and the error notification location determination means 43, and a touch panel capable of displaying and accepting operations to the user is used for the display means 40, the first display area 41, and the second display area 42. This configuration can be easily realized.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a normal screen, a first error screen, and a second error screen of the water heater system.

  In FIG. 8, 60 is a normal screen, 61 is a first error screen, 62 is a second error screen, 63 is a bath state display, 64 is a hot water supply state display, 65 is a water heater state display, 66 is a call button, 67 Is a hot water supply temperature change button, 68 is a full reservation button, 69 is a time display, 70 is an error code display, 71 is an error content display, and 72 is an error handling operation display.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  When the water heater system starts operating, the water heater 1 is first operated. Next, when the operation of the remote control 2 is started, the remote control control means 14 causes the notification means 10 to display the normal screen 60 based on the built-in program.

  The normal screen 60 has a bath state display 63 for displaying a bath state such as boiling, a hot water supply state display 64 for displaying a hot water supply state such as a set value of a hot water temperature, and a hot water heater such as a remaining hot water amount in a hot water storage tank. Water heater status display 65 for displaying the state of the water, a call button 66 for starting a call with the bathroom, a hot water supply temperature change button 67 for changing the set value of the hot water temperature, and a bath reservation button for making a reservation for heating the bath 68 and a time display 69 for displaying the set time.

  When an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it, and transmits information to the remote controller 1 via the hot water supply side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16.

  When the remote controller 1 receives the information, when an error occurs for the first time, the error notification location determination means 43 notifies the first display area 41 and the second display area 42, thereby the first display area. 41 is used to display the first error screen, and the second display area 42 is used to display the second error screen. Thereafter, when the error release means 30 is operated by the remote control means 14 from the error release button displayed on the notification means 10, the error notification location determination means 43 is notified in the second display area 42 at the same time.

  After that, if the error is successfully canceled, the error notification location determination means 43 is notified in the first display area 41 and the second display area 42. If the error release fails and the error occurs again, the error notification location determination means 43 notifies the second display area 42. In this case, the second display area 42 is used to Only the error screen of 2 is displayed. At that time, the first display area 41 displays a normal screen.

  As a result, in the water heater system in which, for example, when the error canceling operation is performed without performing the error handling operation, the error canceling fails and the error occurs again, the fourth embodiment again Since the error notification due to the occurrence of the error displays only the second error screen using the second display area 41, the error notification is prevented from becoming complicated, and the first display area 42 is displayed. It is possible to prevent the other screen from being displayed and to display the fact that an error has occurred in the second display area 41, so that the convenience of using the water heater system can be enhanced.

  In the fourth embodiment, it may be displayed in cooperation with the normal mode and the maintenance mode of the first embodiment. For example, it may not be necessary to judge the content of the error notification and re-notify the user in the normal mode, but in the maintenance mode, detailed error notification is performed to the maintenance staff every time to confirm the operation. There is a need to do. Or, conversely, the contents of the error notification are judged, and in the maintenance mode, the maintenance staff knows in advance what kind of error will occur, so there is a case where it is not necessary to show it largely. Thus, error notification may be switched according to the normal mode and the maintenance mode.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system according to the fifth embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 50 denotes a personal identification number storage means. Since other means are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that this configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the password storage means 50.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described.

  This water heater system has a normal mode in which a user performs a normal operation and a maintenance mode in which a maintenance worker performs a maintenance operation. When the maintenance worker performs a maintenance operation, the notification is displayed on the notification unit 10 by an instruction from the remote control unit 14. The personal identification number is input from the personal identification number input button, compared with the personal identification number stored in the personal identification number storage means 50, and if it is normally input, the mode switching means 11 is operated to operate the normal mode. Switch from maintenance mode to maintenance mode.

  Accordingly, in the fifth embodiment, in the maintenance mode in which the maintenance staff performs the maintenance operation, it becomes difficult for the user to switch from the normal mode to the maintenance mode, and the convenience of using the water heater system can be improved. .

(Embodiment 6)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system according to the sixth embodiment. Since it is the same as Embodiment 4, detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a normal screen, a first error screen, and a second error screen of the water heater system according to the sixth embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, 60 is a normal screen, 61 is a first error screen, 62 is a second error screen, 63 is a bath state display, 64 is a hot water supply state display, 65 is a water heater state display, 66 is a call button, 67 Is a hot water supply temperature change button, 68 is a full reservation button, 69 is a time display, 70 is an error code display, 71 is an error content display, 72 is an error handling operation display, and 73 is an error release button.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described.

  When the water heater system starts operating, the water heater 1 is first operated. Next, when the operation of the remote control 2 is started, the remote control control means 14 causes the notification means 10 to display the normal screen 60 based on the built-in program.

  The normal screen 60 has a bath state display 63 for displaying a bath state such as boiling, a hot water supply state display 64 for displaying a hot water supply state such as a set value of a hot water temperature, and a hot water heater such as a remaining hot water amount in a hot water storage tank. Water heater status display 65 for displaying the state of the water, a call button 66 for starting a call with the bathroom, a hot water supply temperature change button 67 for changing the set value of the hot water temperature, and a bath reservation button for making a reservation for heating the bath 68 and a time display 69 for displaying the set time.

  When the operator presses each displayed button, the remote control means 14 starts an operation assigned to each button.

  Further, when an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it and transmits information to the remote controller 1 via the water heater side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16.

  When an error occurs for the first time when the remote controller 1 receives the information, the error notification location determination means 43 notifies the first display area 41 and the second display area 42, whereby the first display area 41 is notified. Is used to display the first error screen 61, and the second display area 42 is used to display the second error screen 62.

  The first error screen has an error content display 71 for displaying the error content, an error handling operation display 72 for displaying the error handling operation, and an error canceling button 73 for performing the error canceling operation. The second error screen has a time display 69 for displaying the set time and an error code display 70 for displaying the error code of the error.

  When the operator presses the displayed error release button 73, the remote control means 14 operates the error release means 30 to release the error.

  Thus, in the sixth embodiment, when a new error occurs, the first error screen 61 is displayed using the first display area 42, and the first error screen 61 is provided with an error release button 68. The release operation can be easily performed, and the convenience of using the water heater system can be enhanced.

(Embodiment 7)
Hereinafter, a water heater system according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view schematically showing a water heater system according to the seventh embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, 3 is a server such as a management company of the water heater system, 4 is a network, 80 is network control means on the remote control side, and 81 is network communication means on the server side. Since other means are the same as those in the third embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The server 3 is a workstation, the network 4 is the Internet, and the remote-side network communication means 80 and the server-side network communication means 81 use a network interface card that performs TCP / IP communication via the Internet. It can be easily realized.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the seventh embodiment will be described.

  When an error occurs in the water heater 1, the error detection means 13 detects it, and the error detection means 13 determines whether the user can cancel the error according to the location of the error detection means 13, conditions for detecting the error, or the like. Then, information is transmitted to the remote controller 1 via the hot water supply side inter-device communication means 15 and the remote control side inter-device communication means 16.

  When the remote controller 1 receives the information, the information includes information indicating whether the user can cancel the error. The error information determination means 20 is used to determine whether the user can cancel the error. Judge whether.

For example, in the case of an error that allows the user to handle the error, such as forgetting to close the bathtub tap, the error information determination means 20 indicates that the user can cancel the error. In this case, the content of the error As well as a method for handling the error.

  In addition, in the case of an error in which the maintenance staff needs to perform an error handling operation on site, for example, foreign matter is mixed into the hot water supply pipe and normal hot water cannot be supplied, the error information determination means 20 is canceled by the user. The content of the error is displayed, and information is transmitted to the server 3 such as a management company via the remote-side network communication unit 80 and the server-side network communication unit 81.

  When the server 3 such as a management company receives the information, the management company or the like sends a notification to the user and dispatches a maintenance staff to handle the error.

  Accordingly, in the seventh embodiment, when an error occurs during the operation of the user, the coping operation is different even if an error is said, so when an error that can be handled by the user occurs, By notifying the determined content regardless of the mode of the water heater system, and transmitting information that an error has occurred to the server 3 only when an error that the user cannot handle is generated, A maintenance staff can contact the management company of the water heater system and perform a coping operation.

  In addition, it has an error notification necessity determination means 31, and when an error occurs, it is configured so that information indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the server 3 only when the error notification necessity determination means 31 requires notification. May be.

  The means described in this embodiment cooperates with hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electric / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. You may implement with the form of the program to be made. In the form of a program, new functions can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them using a communication line such as the Internet.

  The water heater system and its program according to the present invention are particularly effective for a water heater system that generates and uses hot water. It is also effective in general.

Structure explanatory drawing which shows roughly the water heater system in Embodiment 1 of this invention Configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a water heater system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Structure explanatory drawing which shows roughly the water heater system in Embodiment 3 of this invention Structure explanatory drawing which shows roughly the water heater system in Embodiment 4 of this invention Structure explanatory drawing which shows roughly the water heater system in Embodiment 5 of this invention Explanatory drawing which shows roughly the 1st error screen and 2nd error screen in Embodiment 6 of this invention Structure explanatory drawing which shows roughly the water heater system in Embodiment 7 of this invention Explanatory drawing which shows roughly the 1st error screen and 2nd error screen in Embodiment 4 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater 2 Remote control 3 Server 4 Network 10 Notification means 11 Mode switching means 12 Notification content control means 13 Error detection means 14 Remote control means 15 Hot water supply side inter-device communication means 16 Remote control side inter-device communication means 20 Error information judgment means 30 Error canceling means 31 Error notification necessity determination means 40 Display means 41 First display area 42 Second display area 43 Error notification place determination means 50 Security code storage means 60 Normal screen 61 First error screen 62 Second error Screen 63 Bath state display 64 Hot water supply state display 65 Hot water heater state display 66 Call button 67 Hot water supply temperature change button 68 Bath reservation button 69 Time display 70 Error code display 71 Error content display 72 Error handling operation display 73 Error release button 80 Remote control side network Through Communication means 81 Server side network communication means

Claims (8)

A hot water supply system that generates and uses hot water,
An informing means for informing information of the water heater system;
Mode switching means for switching between a normal mode in which a user performs normal operation and a maintenance mode in which maintenance personnel perform maintenance operations;
When an error occurs in the water heater system and is notified using the notification means,
A water heater system having a notification content control means for performing notification for prompting communication to the outside in the normal mode and for notifying the method of handling the error in the maintenance mode. The water heater system includes error information determination means for determining the type of error,
When an error has occurred in the water heater system, the error information determination means indicates that the user can cancel,
The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the notification content control means notifies the determined content regardless of the mode of the hot water supply system. The water heater system includes error canceling means for canceling an error,
An error notification necessity determination means for determining whether or not an error notification is required,
When canceling the error using the error canceling means, if the error cancellation fails and the error occurs again continuously, the error notification necessity determination means determines that the error notification is not necessary, The water heater system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein re-notification is not performed. The water heater system includes error canceling means for canceling an error,
An error notification location determination means for determining a display location of an error notification;
The notification means includes a first display area, and a second display area having a display area smaller than that of the first display area,
When an error occurs in the water heater system, the error notification location determination means displays a first error screen using the first display area, and a second error screen using the second display area. To display
Subsequently, when canceling the error using the error canceling means, if the error cancellation fails and the error occurs again, the error notification location determination means uses the second display area to 3. The water heater system according to claim 1, wherein only the two error screens are displayed. The water heater system includes a password storage means,
The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching means is used to switch from the normal mode to the maintenance mode when the password stored in the password storage means is normally input. The water heater system according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the first error screen has an error release button. The water heater system includes a server connected via a network,
When an error occurs in the water heater system, the apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits information indicating that an error has occurred to the server when the user determines that the error cannot be canceled using the error information determination unit. The water heater system according to any one of claims 2 to 6. A program for causing a computer to execute at least one of the water heater systems according to any one of claims 1 to 7.