JP2009058169A - Hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply system capable of stably supplying hot water without misjudging a gas meter as gas leakage even when an emergency operation is started due to failure of a system controller. <P>SOLUTION: When the system controller SC controlling a plurality of water heaters WH1-WH6 can be normally operated, a delay time from establishment of combustible conditions in each water heater to execution of combustion start processing, is set in advance to each of the water heaters WH1-WH6 from the system controller SC, and the delay times are respectively stored in non-volatile storing means of the water heaters WH1-WH6. When a power source of each water heater is reset in accompany with the failure of the system controller SC, a timing of the combustion start processing is delayed according to the delay time set in each of the water heaters WH1-WH6 to prevent the combustion operations from being simultaneously started. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system, and more specifically, is a hot water supply system configured to heat hot water in a hot water storage tank using a plurality of heat source units, and has a central control unit that links these heat source units. In the thing, it is related with the emergency operation of each heat-source machine when the said centralized control part fails.

  As a hot water supply system installed in a place where a hot water supply load is large, a hot water supply system of a type in which hot water supplied to a hot water tap or the like is stored in a hot water storage tank is known.

  By the way, in such a hot water supply system equipped with a hot water storage tank, a plurality of heat source devices are arranged in parallel as a heat source for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a central control unit is provided as a control means for linking these heat source devices. Have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of such a hot water supply system. In the figure, a is a hot water storage tank, b is a heat source machine, and c is a remote controller of the hot water supply system. In this type of hot water supply system, a known gas water heater provided with a burner, a heat exchanger, or the like is used as the heat source device b, and a water inlet pipe d of each water heater is connected to a pipe connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank a. The primary side circulation circuit A is formed by connecting the hot water outlet pipe e of each water heater to a pipe connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank a.

  The primary side circulation circuit A is provided with a circulation pump f for forcibly circulating hot water in the circulation circuit A. The circulation pump f monitors the temperature of hot water in the hot water storage tank a by a thermistor (temperature sensor) g provided in the upper part of the hot water storage tank a, and when the temperature of the hot water in the tank drops to a predetermined lower limit temperature, the circulation pump f. It is controlled by a pump control unit h that drives f and stops the circulating pump f when the temperature of hot water in the tank exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature. That is, when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank a falls to a predetermined lower limit temperature, the circulation pump f is driven, hot water is forcibly circulated in the primary side circulation circuit A, and the hot water heated and heated by the heat source unit b is heated. It is configured to return to the hot water storage tank a.

  Here, since the known water heater used as the heat source device b is provided with a can body flow rate adjustment valve (not shown) for adjusting the flow rate flowing through the heat exchanger (can body), When closed, even if the circulation pump f is driven, water does not flow through the heat exchanger of each water heater, and heating and temperature rise (burner combustion operation) by each water heater is not performed. Therefore, in this type of hot water supply system, when the system controller j, which is a centralized control unit connected to the controller (control unit) i of each water heater, is set to “with hot water storage tank”, the system controller j The controller i of each water heater is instructed to open the can body flow rate adjustment valve, and an instruction (combustion permission command) is given to permit each water heater to perform a combustion operation according to the load (necessary amount of heat). It is configured to perform the given control (operating number control). That is, the system controller j is configured to perform control for linking the heat source devices according to the load.

  In the hot water supply system provided with the hot water storage tank a as described above, forced circulation is performed by the circulation pump f. Therefore, even if the can body flow rate adjustment valves of all the hot water heaters are opened, each hot water heater is in a combustion operation. Although water flow exceeding the required minimum working water flow rate can be obtained, in a hot water supply system that does not have the hot water storage tank a, the flow rate of water to each water heater will be open if the can body flow rate adjustment valve of all the water heaters is opened. However, since the hot water temperature is lowered because water is passed through a hot water heater that is not in a combustion operation, such a configuration has a hot water storage tank a. Only applicable in hot water systems.

  The system controller j is built in one of the water heaters b in the illustrated hot water supply system, and is configured to receive power from the water heater b. And it connects with the controller i of the said water heater b, and the controller i of the other water heater b, and is comprised so that the control mentioned above may be performed.

On the other hand, in such a hot water supply system, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank a is taken out from the secondary side circulation circuit B (a circulation circuit provided separately from the primary side circulation circuit A, and the hot water storage tank a It is carried out from a hot water tap k such as a curan connected to a pipe connecting the upper part and the lower part of the pipe. The secondary side circulation circuit B is provided with a circulation pump m, and hot water is taken in from the upper part of the hot water storage tank a by forcibly circulating the secondary side circulation circuit B by the circulation pump m. The hot water that has not been discharged from the hot water returns to the lower part of the hot water storage tank a.
JP-A-6-288621 JP 2002-71217 A JP 2004-116973 A

  By the way, in such a conventional hot water supply system, when the system controller j that controls the number of operating water heaters fails for some reason and each water heater cannot be controlled by the system controller j, each water heater Is configured to perform a safe operation such as stopping the combustion operation.

  As a method of operating (emergency operation) the hot water supply system in which such a safe operation is performed, there is a method of resetting the power supply of each water heater (for example, turning off the power supply once and turning it on again). When such a power reset is performed, the controller i of each water heater returns to the initial state, but at that time, each water heater cannot receive control from the system controller j, so that there is another water heater ( (In other words, when multiple water heaters are arranged in parallel), and the number of operating units cannot be controlled by the system controller j, each water heater can adjust the flow rate of the can body from the time of power reset (initially energized). The valve is opened.

  When the circulation pump f is driven in such a state, all the water heaters detect water flow almost simultaneously and start the combustion operation all at once. That is, a large amount of fuel gas is consumed at a time. However, when a large amount of fuel gas is consumed rapidly in this way, the gas meter provided on the gas pipe may erroneously determine that gas leaks and stop the supply of fuel gas. In that case, the supply of the fuel gas is stopped, so that the hot water in the hot water storage tank a cannot be maintained at the above-mentioned lower limit temperature or more, and there is a possibility that the hot water cannot be supplied.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to make a gas meter erroneously determine that a gas leaks even if an emergency operation is started due to a failure of the system controller. There is no hot water supply system which can supply hot water stably.

  In order to achieve the above object, a hot water supply system according to the present invention is a hot water supply system configured to heat hot water in a hot water storage tank using a plurality of heat source units, and centralized control for linking these heat source units. Each of the heat source units is provided with a non-volatile storage means, and the central control unit is capable of combusting each connected heat source unit in a normal state. A control structure for setting a delay time from establishment to the start of combustion, wherein the control unit of each heat source unit stores the delay time set by the central control unit in the storage means, and the central control When operating without control from the control unit, the combustion start process is delayed by the delay time stored in the storage means even if the combustible condition is satisfied.

  That is, in the hot water supply system according to the present invention, when the central control unit that controls a plurality of heat source units is in a state in which it can operate normally, each heat source unit connected to the central control unit in advance, A delay time from when the combustible condition is established to when combustion is started (combustion start processing is executed) is set, and this delay time is stored in the nonvolatile storage means provided in each heat source device Let me. On the other hand, when the power source of each heat source unit is reset due to the failure of the central control unit, the central control unit is not connected because there is no signal from the central control unit (no control from the central control unit) However, in this state, even if a predetermined combustible condition is satisfied, for example, there is water flow exceeding the minimum operating water flow rate in the can body, each heat source unit does not immediately execute the combustion start process, but the storage means The combustion start process is delayed by the delay time stored in. That is, the timing for starting the combustion operation of each heat source unit is shifted according to the set delay time, preventing the simultaneous start of the combustion operation, and avoiding a sudden change in the fuel gas flow rate in the gas meter. The

  As a preferred embodiment of the hot water supply system of the present invention, the delay time set for each heat source unit in the central control unit is set to be different for each heat source unit. That is, the delay time of each heat source unit set in the central control unit is the same delay time for several heat source units as long as the gas meter does not determine that gas leaks even if the heat source units simultaneously start combustion operation. However, there is a possibility that such a configuration may be determined to be a gas leak depending on the number of heat source units for which the same delay time is set, the content of the gas leak determination criteria of the gas meter, and the like. . Therefore, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, the delay time set for each heat source unit can be made different for each heat source unit, and at the same time, the heat source unit that starts the combustion operation can be eliminated, and it can be erroneously determined as a gas leak. I have lost my sex.

  At that time, the hot water supply system according to the present invention sets “delay time = 0” as the minimum value of the delay time set for each heat source unit in the central control unit, and starts the combustion operation first. The machine is configured to start the combustion operation as soon as the combustible condition is satisfied. In other words, the delay time is set to “0” because there is no need to adjust the timing of starting the combustion operation with the other heat source devices for the heat source device that starts the combustion operation first. In addition, since the heat source machine that first starts the combustion operation starts the combustion operation simultaneously with the establishment of the combustible condition, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank from being lowered and the hot water supply performance from being lowered. .

  As another preferred embodiment, the hot water supply system of the present invention has a control configuration in which the central control unit instructs each heat source unit whether to enable the setting of the delay time. Then, the control unit of each heat source unit stores the instruction from the central control unit in the storage unit, and burns only for the delay time only when the delay time setting is valid in the instruction. It has a control configuration for executing a process for delaying the start.

  That is, as described above, when the power source of each heat source unit is reset due to a failure of the central control unit, it is determined that the central control unit is not connected. In this state, the control unit of each heat source unit is a hot water supply system. It is impossible to know the entire configuration (that is, whether or not there is a hot water storage tank or whether or not other heat source devices are connected). Therefore, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, when the hot water supply system has a hot water storage tank and a plurality of heat source units are controlled by the central control unit, it is confirmed that the setting of the delay time is effective in advance. So that each heat source unit can recognize that the setting of the delay time is effective even when the power source of each heat source unit is reset due to a failure of the central control unit. ing.

  Furthermore, as another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the central control unit has a higher level central control unit that links a plurality of central control units in setting the delay time for each heat source unit, It has a control configuration for setting a delay time for each of the heat source units according to a condition given from a higher-level central control unit.

  That is, in this type of hot water supply system, when the central control unit is arranged hierarchically, that is, the central control unit that controls a plurality of heat source units may be controlled by a higher central control unit. When the (lower) centralized control unit that is directly connected to the heat source unit sets the delay time of the heat source unit for each unit, the same delay time is set between the (lower) centralized control units. As a result, there is a possibility that a plurality of heat source machines (heat source machines set so as to start the combustion operation first by the respective lower-level central control units) start the combustion operation all at once. Therefore, in such a case, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, the (lower) central control unit to which the heat source device is directly connected is a condition given by the upper central control unit (for example, the lower central control unit is the number of units A delay time for each heat source unit is set according to whether it is a central control unit or the like, so that a plurality of heat source units do not start combustion operation at the same time. As a result, even when a plurality of central control units are configured to be controlled by a higher-level central control unit, when the heat source units are reset due to a failure of the central control unit, the plurality of heat source units are simultaneously transmitted. It is avoided that the combustion operation is started.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply system configured to heat hot water in a hot water storage tank using a plurality of heat source units, and includes a central control unit that links these heat source units. Even if each heat source unit is reset due to a failure of the part, each heat source unit has a delay time set in advance, so even if the combustible condition is satisfied, each heat source unit burns for the delay time. Delay the start process. Therefore, it is prevented that each heat source machine starts combustion operation all at once, and it is avoided that a fuel gas flow rate changes suddenly in a gas meter. Therefore, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system capable of stably supplying hot water without causing erroneous determination of gas leakage due to the simultaneous start of combustion operation by a plurality of heat source devices.

  And by setting the delay time set for each heat source machine to be different for each heat source machine, even if the combustible condition is satisfied, only one heat source machine can start the combustion operation, The possibility of erroneously determined as gas leak can be completely eliminated.

  Further, by setting the minimum value of the delay time set for each heat source unit to “delay time = 0”, the heat source unit set to “delay time = 0” is immediately set when the combustible condition is satisfied. Since the combustion operation is started, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank caused by a delay in the start of the combustion operation, and it is possible to maintain high hot water supply performance.

  Furthermore, by storing in advance whether or not to enable the delay time setting for each heat source unit, the setting of the delay time is effective for each heat source unit even if the power source of each heat source unit is reset. Therefore, each heat source unit can perform control suitable for the configuration of the hot water supply system.

  Moreover, when having a higher central control unit that links a plurality of central control units, the (lower) central control unit sets the delay time for each heat source unit according to the conditions given by the upper central control unit, Even when multiple (lower-level) centralized control units are provided, hot water supply that prevents a plurality of heat source units from starting combustion operation all at once, does not cause a misjudgment of gas leakage, and can stably supply hot water A system can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the hot water supply system described below, the structure of the primary side circulation circuit A for heating / heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank a and the secondary side circulation circuit B for taking out the hot water in the hot water storage tank a are described. Since the configuration is the same as that of the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 3 described above, the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the hot water supply system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of a hot water supply system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, in the hot water supply system of the present embodiment, a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) hot water heaters WH1 to WH6 provided as a heat source (heat source machine) for the hot water storage tank are one system controller SC (central control unit). It is comprised so that it may be controlled by.

  Here, the controllers of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 are each provided with nonvolatile storage means (not shown). In each of these nonvolatile storage means, a delay time Td given from the system controller SC and other predetermined information (for example, information on whether the hot water supply system has a hot water storage tank or a remote controller RC are set. Information about the hot water supply set temperature to be stored) is stored. Then, the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 resets the power source of the water heater WH, and once the control returns to the initial state, the delay time Td stored in the storage means and other information The control of the water heater is started with reference to (details will be described later).

  Each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 is composed of a gas water heater provided with a burner that uses gas as fuel, and an inlet pipe to a heat exchanger heated by the burner is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank. In addition, a hot water discharge pipe from the heat exchanger is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank (see FIG. 3). Although not shown, each heat exchanger has a can body flow rate adjustment valve for adjusting water flow. As described above, the can body flow rate adjustment valve can be controlled by the controllers (control units) of the water heaters WH1 to WH6. And as for the combustible conditions of each of these water heaters WH1 to WH6, it is assumed that the water flow exceeding the minimum operating water flow rate is detected in the can body.

  On the other hand, the system controller SC1 that controls the plurality of water heaters WH1 to WH6 performs the following control in this embodiment, in addition to performing the above-described control of the number of operating water heaters.

  That is, the system controller SC has a predetermined delay time for each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 connected to the system controller SC in a normal state, that is, when the system controller SC is operating normally without a failure. Td is set, and data relating to the set delay time is transmitted to each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6.

  Here, the delay time Td means a time lag from when a predetermined combustible condition defined in advance in each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 is established until the burner combustion start process is executed. That is, in a water heater that is normally used alone, a predetermined combustible condition (for example, a minimum water flow amount (minimum operating water flow amount) necessary for burning the burner in the heat exchanger (can)) can be obtained. Is established, the controller of the water heater immediately executes the combustion start process of the burner. However, the burner combustion start process is executed after this delay time Td is satisfied when the combustible condition is satisfied. Means a time interval set in terms of control until the delay time Td elapses even if the combustible condition is satisfied. The combustion start process is not executed and the combustion start process is executed after the delay time Td has elapsed (details will be described later).

  In setting the delay time Td, in this embodiment, the system controller SC is configured to set different delay times Td for the water heaters WH1 to WH6. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the water heater WH1 is “delay time Td = 0 (no delay)”, the water heater WH2 is “delay time Td = 10 seconds”, and the water heater WH3 is “delay time Td”. = 20 seconds "(see the drawing for the delay times of the water heaters WH4 to WH6), the delay times Td are set sequentially. Here, “delay time Td = 0 (no delay)” is included in the setting of the delay time Td, as will be described later, a water heater in which a combustion start process is first executed (a water heater in the illustrated example). Since WH1) does not compete with other hot water heaters WH2 to WH6 at the start of combustion, it is not necessary to provide a delay time, and a delay in the combustion start process causes a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank. This is because it is desirable that the water heater that starts the combustion operation first starts the combustion promptly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the delay time Td of the water heater that first executes the combustion start process is set to “0”, but the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank is not lowered (a temperature drop that causes a practical problem). If it is within the range, a certain delay time may be set for the water heater that starts the combustion operation first.

  In addition, the hot water supply system shown in the present embodiment is a so-called hot water storage type hot water supply system provided with a hot water storage tank. In the case of such a hot water storage type hot water supply system, setting of the system controller SC (for example, the system controller SC) The water heaters WH1 to WH6 used as heat sources are always in a state where water can be passed (a state where the can body flow rate adjustment valve and the like are opened), and a combustion permission command is given from the system controller SC. Only the hot water heater WH is configured to start the combustion operation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described delay time setting, the system controller SC is in a normal state for information related to such a hot water supply system aspect (specifically, whether the system has a hot water storage tank). Is sent to each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6. Further, in the present embodiment, information on the hot water supply set temperature set by the remote controller RC is also transmitted from the system controller SC to each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 and stored in the storage means of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6.

  Thus, in the hot water supply system configured as described above, the system controller SC breaks down, and in this state, the power supplies of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 are reset (emergency operation is started), and the controllers of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 are If it returns to an initial state, the controller of each water heater WH1-WH6 will start a combustion operation in the following procedures, respectively.

  That is, the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 that has returned to the initial state first tries to communicate with the system controller SC. However, if the system controller SC fails, the communication is interrupted, so each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6. This controller recognizes that the system controller SC does not exist and operates without control from the system controller SC.

  And when operating without control from the system controller SC in this way, the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 refers to the aspect of the hot water system stored in the storage means (in this embodiment, the presence or absence of a hot water storage tank). From these data, it recognizes that the hot water supply system that it constitutes is a hot water supply system having a hot water storage tank, and confirms whether there is any part that does not match the recognized system. As a result, for example, if there is a part that is not compatible with a hot water storage type hot water supply system, for example, the can body flow rate adjustment valve is closed, the can body flow rate adjustment valve is opened, etc. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 sets the delay time Td only when the hot water supply system stored in the storage means at this time is “with a hot water storage tank”. The following processing is executed as valid.

  In this state, when the circulation pump of the primary side circulation circuit A is driven, water flows through each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6, and the combustible condition of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 is satisfied. The units WH1 to WH6 each execute the combustion start process after the delay time Td stored in the storage unit has elapsed. In other words, in the illustrated case, the water heater WH1 executes the combustion start process as soon as the combustible condition is satisfied, and the water heater WH2 starts combustion after a delay time Td (that is, 10 seconds) after the combustible condition is satisfied. Execute the process. Further, the water heater WH3 executes the combustion start process after a delay time Td (that is, 20 seconds) after the combustible condition is satisfied (hereinafter, the water heaters WH4 and the subsequent ones are also set for the set delay time Td). Delay the execution of the combustion start process).

  At this time, the controllers of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 determine the combustion amount of the burner with reference to the hot water set temperature stored in the storage means and perform the combustion operation. Further, when the predetermined combustion prohibition condition is satisfied (for example, when the pump in the primary side circulation circuit A is stopped and the water flow rate of the can body is lower than the minimum operation water flow rate), each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 performs the combustion operation. Stop.

  Thus, according to the hot water supply system shown in the present embodiment, the hot water heaters WH1 to WH6 are stopped due to the failure of the system controller SC, and the user resets the power supply of the hot water heaters WH1 to WH6. When the emergency operation is started, for example, even if the combustible conditions of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 are satisfied at the same time, the water heaters WH1 to WH6 shift the time by a preset delay time Td. Since the combustion operation is started, it is avoided that a plurality of water heaters start the combustion operation all at once. As a result, a situation in which a gas meter or the like erroneously determines that gas has leaked due to sudden consumption of a large amount of fuel gas can be avoided (the fuel gas supply can be prevented from being stopped accordingly), and the hot water supply system can be operated. Can be continued without interruption.

Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The hot water supply system according to the second embodiment is a modification of the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment described above, and in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment, six hot water heaters WH1 to WH6 are arranged in parallel to the hot water storage tank. In contrast, more (24 in the illustrated example) hot water heaters WH1 to WH24 are connected in this embodiment.

  As the number of water heaters increases, system controllers SC1 to SC4 are provided for each predetermined number of water heaters (six in the illustrated example), and these system controllers SC1 to SC4 are linked and controlled. In addition, an upper system controller SC5 is provided for these system controllers SC1 to SC4.

  Here, “upper” means up and down in control, and the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 are controlled by the upper system controller SC5, and are connected to the respective water heaters WH1. It is comprised so that operation number control etc. of -WH24 may be performed.

  By the way, when the system controllers SC1 to SC5 are connected in a higher / lower relationship in this way, each system controller SC1 to SC5 has a higher / lower relationship depending on whether or not the remote controller RC is connected to itself. It is determined whether it is a hot water supply system of a type or a hot water supply system in which the system controller is used alone. That is, each of the system controllers SC1 to SC5 determines whether or not the remote controller RC is connected to itself when the power is turned on. If not, the system controllers SC1 to SC5 determine that the remote controller RC is hierarchical (particularly a lower system controller). If the RC is connected, it is determined that it is independent (or a higher system controller). The lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 are each incorporated in the water heaters WH1, WH7, WH13, and WH19, and receive power from these WH1, WH7, WH13, and WH19, as in the first embodiment. However, the host system controller SC5 is configured separately from the water heaters WH1 to WH24, and is configured to receive power supply from the outside separately from the water heaters WH1 to WH24. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system in such a hot water supply system.

  The hot water supply system shown in the present embodiment, except for such a control system configuration (electrical connection relationship between the system controllers SC1 to SC5), heats and raises the hot water in the hot water storage tank a. Since the configuration of the primary side circulation circuit A for heating and the configuration of the secondary side circulation circuit B for taking out hot water in the hot water storage tank a) are both the same as the hot water supply system shown in the first embodiment described above. Then, description is abbreviate | omitted and the structure characteristic to the hot water supply system which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated below.

  That is, in the hot water supply system shown in the present embodiment, since the system controllers SC1 to SC5 are connected hierarchically (in a higher / lower relationship), each of the water heaters WH1 to WH1 connected to the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 is connected. Setting of the delay time Td for the WH 24 is performed as follows.

  Although the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 in the normal state respectively set the delay times Td for the water heaters WH1 to WH6, WH7 to WH12, WH13 to WH18, and WH19 to WH24, they are the same as in the first embodiment. In setting the delay time Td, the respective system controllers SC1 to SC4 are respectively connected to the hot water heaters WH1 to WH6, WH7 to WH12, WH13 to WH18, and WH19 to WH24 according to the conditions given from the upper system controller SC5 in the normal state. To set the delay time Td.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, as this condition, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 are provided with information on what number system controller is from the higher system controller SC5. For example, each system controller SC1 is “No. 1” for the system controller SC1, “No. 2” for the system controller SC2, “No. 3” for the system controller SC3 (hereinafter, the number is increased in order). Numbers are given to SC4 in order.

  Then, the system controller SC1 to which the condition is given as “No. 1” sets the delay time Td as a group in which the combustion operation is first started for each of the connected water heaters WH1 to WH6. Specifically, the water heater WH1 is “delay time Td = 0 (no delay)”, the water heater WH2 is “delay time Td = 10 seconds”, and the water heater WH3 is “delay time Td = 20 seconds” (water heater WH4). The delay times Td are sequentially set as shown in FIG. That is, the setting of the delay time Td in the system controller SC1 to which the condition “No. 1” is given is the same as in the case of the above-described first embodiment configured with only one system controller.

  On the other hand, each of the system controllers SC2 to SC4 to which the conditions after “No. 2” are given takes into account the number of water heaters that can be connected to the system controller (six in the illustrated example). Different delay times Td are set for the water heaters WH24 (for example, the system controller SC2 that is “No. 2” can connect six water heaters to the “No. 1” system controller SC1, Since the 7th to 12th water heaters are connected to itself, “No. 1” such as “60 seconds”, “70 seconds”, “80 seconds” is assigned to each of the water heaters WH7 to WH12. A delay time is set for each of the water heaters WH7 to WH12 so as to follow the delay time Td set by the system controller SC1 (the same applies to “No. 3” and thereafter). ).

  Then, the delay times Td of the water heaters WH1 to WH24 set by the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 in this way are transmitted to the respective water heaters WH1 to WH24 and stored in the storage means of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24. Remembered.

  As described above, when the system controllers SC are hierarchically arranged as shown in the present embodiment, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 to which the hot water heaters are directly connected are in accordance with the conditions given from the upper system controller SC5. A delay time Td is set for the heat source machines WH1 to WH24.

  In the hot water supply system configured as described above, when the upper system controller SC5 fails, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 are disconnected from the upper system controller SC5, so that the upper system controller SC5 fails. Therefore, the water heaters WH1 to WH24 are stopped (safe operation).

  On the other hand, when an emergency operation is performed on the hot water supply system (the power supply of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24 is reset), the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24 returns to the initial state, and the power supply from these water heaters is restored. The subordinate system controllers SC1 to SC4 that receive the supply are also in the initial state.

  In such an initial state, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 determine whether or not the remote controller RC is connected thereto, and since the remote controller RC is not connected, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 determine the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4. Since there is no communication from the system controller SC5, it is determined that the host system controller SC5 is in a communication disabled state, and the emergency operation mode is entered. That is, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 recognize that they operate without control from the upper system controller SC5.

  The subordinate system controllers SC1 to SC4, which have recognized that they are operating without control from the superordinate system controller SC5, all the water heaters WH1 to WH24 connected to these subordinate system controllers SC1 to SC4. Is notified that the host system controller SC5 has failed.

  On the other hand, the controller of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24 that has received notification from the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 that the upper system controller SC5 has a failure sets the delay time Td stored in the storage means. Referring to this, when the combustible condition is satisfied in this state, the combustion start process is delayed by the delay time Td.

  In other words, in the second embodiment, when the upper system controller SC5 breaks down, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 detect this and notify each of the hot water heaters WH1 to WH24. Since the WH 24 validates the setting of the delay time Td and executes the combustion start process with a delay of the delay time Td, the hot water heaters WH1 to WH24 are prevented from starting the combustion operation all at once.

  In the present embodiment, as the processing of the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 when the upper system controller SC5 fails, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 perform the upper system controller SC5 with respect to all the water heaters WH1 to WH24. Although the system controller SC1 to SC4 performs the combustion operation first, the low-order system controllers SC1 to SC4 are configured so as to notify the failure of the system (configured to enable the delay time Td in all the water heaters WH1 to WH24). (In the illustrated example, only the water heaters WH1, WH7, WH13, and WH19 for which the shortest delay time is set in each of the system controllers SC1 to SC4) is notified of the failure of the upper system controller SC5, and the water heater WH1. , WH7, WH13, WH The setting of the delay time Td is made effective by 9, and the remaining water heaters WH2 to WH6, WH8 to WH12, WH14 to WH18, and WH20 to WH24 are configured to individually give combustion permission commands from the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4. It is also possible to do. In other words, the remaining water heaters WH2 to WH6, WH8 to WH12, WH14 to WH18, and WH20 to WH24 may be configured to give a combustion permission command from the system controllers SC1 to SC4 while shifting the time corresponding to the delay time Td. Is possible.

  Next, a case where any of the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 fails in the hot water supply system shown in the second embodiment (for example, when the system controller SC1 fails) will be described.

  In this case, the host system controller SC5 determines that the system controller SC1 has failed due to the communication interruption with the system controller SC1, and notifies the other system controllers SC2 to SC4 of the failure of the system controller SC1. Accordingly, the other system controllers SC2 to SC6 stop the water heaters WH7 to WH24, and the water heaters WH1 to WH4 connected to the system controller SC1 also stop their operations (safe operation).

  On the other hand, when an emergency operation of the hot water supply system (reset the power supply of each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24 and reset the power supply of the host system controller SC5) is performed, all systems except the system controller SC1 in failure Controllers SC2-SC5 and water heaters WH1-WH24 are in the initial state.

  In this initial state, the upper system controller SC5 tries to communicate with the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4. In this case, the lower system controller SC1 cannot communicate due to a failure, so the upper system controller SC5 is not connected to the lower system controller SC5. The system controller SC1 is not present, and each of the water heaters WH1 to WH6 connected to the failed system controller SC1 does not have the system controller SC1 as in the first embodiment. Recognize driving without control from SC1.

  And each water heater WH1-WH6 connected to the system controller SC1 in failure validates the delay time Td set in accordance with the procedure shown in the first embodiment described above. That is, referring to the setting of the delay time Td stored in the storage means, when the combustible condition is satisfied, the combustion start process is delayed by the delay time Td.

  On the other hand, to the system controllers SC2 to SC4 that are not faulty, a command for validating the setting of the delay time Td is given from the host system controller SC5, and based on this command, each system controller SC2 to SC4 is given. The delay time Td of each of the connected water heaters WH7 to WH24 is made effective. That is, each of the water heaters WH7 to WH24 refers to the setting of the delay time Td stored in the storage means, and executes the combustion start process with a delay of the delay time Td when the combustible condition is satisfied.

  Thus, in the second embodiment, even when any of the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 fails, the hot water heaters WH1 to WH24 are prevented from starting the combustion operation at the same time during the emergency operation. .

  Note that the above-described embodiments merely show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various design changes can be made within the scope thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the system controller SC is configured to set the delay time Td as specific numerical values (for example, “10 seconds”, “20 seconds”, etc.) for each water heater WH is shown. The delay time is set by the system controller SC such that a serial number is assigned to each water heater WH, and a specific numerical value of the delay time Td is calculated on each water heater WH side based on this serial number. It is also possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the delay time Td set by the system controller SC for each water heater WH is set to a different delay time for each water heater WH. However, the combustion start process is executed at the same time. However, the same delay time can be set for several hot water heaters WH (for example, two or three) as long as the gas meter or the like does not determine that the gas leaks.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the delay time Td increases in units of 10 seconds has been described. However, the delay time Td may be set so that the water heaters WH do not start the combustion operation all at once. For example, it is not limited to the unit of 10 seconds, but can be arbitrarily set (including a case where the delay time is randomly shifted).

  Further, in the above-described second embodiment, when the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 set the delay time Td for each of the water heaters WH1 to WH24, information on what number system controller from the upper system controller SC5 is. The information given from the higher system controller SC5 to the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 is used to prevent the delay times Td set for the water heaters WH1 to WH24 from overlapping. For example, the shortest delay time that can be set in each of the system controllers SC1 to SC4 (for example, “delay time = 0” for the system controller SC1, “delay time 60 seconds” for the system controller SC2, Controller SC3 has a “slow It is also possible to configure to provide conditions such time 120 seconds ".

  In the above-described embodiment, the system controllers SC and SC1 to SC4 are incorporated in the water heater (see FIG. 3). However, the system controllers SC and SC1 to SC4 are configured separately from the water heater. Of course it is also possible.

It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of schematic structure of the control system of the hot water supply system which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the control system in other embodiment of the hot water supply system. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the conventional hot water supply system.

Explanation of symbols

SC system controller SC1 to SC4 Lower system controller (central control unit)
SC5 Host system controller (Host control unit)
WH1-WH24 Water heater (heat source machine)

Claims (5)

A hot water supply system configured to heat hot water in a hot water storage tank using a plurality of heat source machines, and having a central control unit that links these heat source machines,
Non-volatile storage means is provided in each of the heat source units,
The central control unit has a control configuration for setting a delay time from the time when combustion possible conditions are established to the start of combustion for each connected heat source unit when in a normal state,
The control unit of each heat source unit stores the delay time set by the central control unit in the storage unit, and when operating without the control from the central control unit, a combustible condition is satisfied. However, the hot water supply system has a control configuration for delaying the combustion start process by the delay time stored in the storage means.   The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a delay time set for each heat source unit in the central control unit is set to be different for each heat source unit.   The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the minimum value of the delay times set for each heat source unit in the central control unit is delay time = 0. The central control unit has a control configuration that instructs each of the heat source units whether to enable the setting of the delay time,
The control unit of each heat source unit stores the instruction from the central control unit in the storage unit, and starts combustion for the delay time only when the delay time setting is valid in this instruction. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the hot water supply system has a control configuration for executing a delaying process.   When the central control unit has a higher level central control unit that links a plurality of central control units in setting the delay time for each heat source unit, each heat source according to the conditions given by the higher level central control unit The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control configuration for setting a delay time for the machine.

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