JP2012032070A - Hot water system - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot water supply system capable of switching a power source of a central control unit from a main power source to an auxiliary power source without resetting a control microcomputer.
In a hot water supply system in which a plurality of water heaters are controlled by a central control unit, a central power source connection unit and an auxiliary power source connection unit are provided in the central control unit, and the voltage of the main power source is a predetermined voltage. The main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 for monitoring the following drop, and the power supply switching for switching the power supplied to the control microcomputer 11 from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side when a voltage drop is detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 Means 15 are provided. The predetermined voltage detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring unit 14 is set within a voltage region where the control microcomputer 11 is not reset due to a decrease in the voltage of the main power supply 2.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system, and more specifically, in a parallel type hot water supply system in which a plurality of water heaters are connected and operated, power supply to a central control unit that controls the number of water heaters that perform hot water supply (combustion) operation It relates to the improvement of the method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a hot water supply system used in a place with a large hot water supply load such as a large amount of hot water required, a parallel type hot water supply system in which a plurality of hot water heaters are connected and operated has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  In this type of hot water supply system, each water heater is provided with a common water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe, and the water intake pipe and the hot water supply pipe are connected in parallel to the inlet and outlet pipes of each water heater. Hot water discharged from each water heater can be supplied to a water tap such as a curan through a hot water supply pipe.

  In operation, each water heater is in a state where only a water heater that is permitted to perform hot water supply operation from the central control unit that controls the entire hot water system, that is, when water comes out at the tip plug, A state in which water flow occurs (specifically, for example, a state in which a flow rate control valve for controlling a flow rate of hot water discharged from the water heater is opened), and only the water heater can perform a hot water supply operation according to the water discharged from the tip plug. To be done. Therefore, in this state, if water flow exceeding the predetermined flow rate (minimum operating flow rate), which is the start condition of the hot water supply operation, occurs in the hot water supply device that is permitted to perform the hot water supply operation by discharging water from the tip, the combustion part of the hot water heater burns The hot water supply operation is started. At this time, a control signal instructing prohibition of water flow is given from the central control unit to the water heater that is not permitted to perform hot water operation, and the water heater is in a water-off state (specifically, for example, from the water heater The flow rate control valve for controlling the discharge flow rate of the hot water is closed). That is, even if there is water from the tip, no water is passed through the water heater that is not permitted to perform the hot water supply operation, and the hot water supply operation is not performed in the water heater.

  If the hot water supply operation is not performed only by the hot water supply operation due to the increase in the hot water supply load, the central control unit permits the second hot water supply operation to the hot water supply operation. Start hot water operation. That is, in this case, the central control unit controls the number of operating water heaters so as to correspond to the hot water discharged from the front plug by using two water heaters. Then, if it becomes impossible to cope with the hot water supply load with only two hot water heaters, the number of operating hot water heaters that perform the hot water supply operation in accordance with the third and fourth units and the hot water supply load is sequentially increased in the same procedure. . On the other hand, when the hot water supply load is reduced, the central control unit cancels the control to reduce the number of hot water heaters that perform the hot water supply operation according to the decrease in the hot water supply load. Control to turn off the water flow. Thus, the central control unit is configured to perform control to increase or decrease the number of hot water heaters that perform hot water supply operation according to the hot water supply load (hereinafter referred to as “operating number control”).

  In such control of the number of operating water heaters, it is possible to initially set a plurality of, for example, two water heaters that permit the hot water supply operation. In this case, when the two hot water heaters that have started the hot water supply operation cannot cope with the hot water supply load, the third and subsequent hot water heaters are permitted to perform the hot water supply operation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system including a central control unit that performs such operation number control. Specifically, in FIG. 6, an electrical connection state of the central control unit a in the hot water supply system and a plurality of water heaters b that are operated by the central control unit a is shown. In the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 6, the central control unit a is one of the hot water heaters (six water heaters b1 to b6 in the illustrated example) that are controlled by the central control unit a (the illustrated example). Shows the case of being incorporated in the water heater b1).

  As shown in the figure, the central control unit a stores a control microcomputer c that stores a control program for performing the above-described operation number control, and the control microcomputer c controls the control units d1 to d6 of the water heaters b1 to b6. And a communication circuit e for exchanging control information as a main part, and the control microcomputer c is configured to be able to communicate with the control parts d1 to d6 of the water heaters b1 to b6 via the communication circuit e. ing. The central controller a is provided with a remote controller f for remotely operating the hot water supply system, and the remote controller f is also connected to the control microcomputer c via the communication circuit e.

  In the figure, reference numerals L1 to L6 denote communication lines (two-core communication cables) for communication between the central control unit a and the control units d1 to d6 of the water heaters b1 to b6 via the communication circuit e. ing. Moreover, the code | symbol L7 has shown the power supply line for supplying electric power (for example, DC15V) to the central control part a from the power supply part (not shown) with which the control part d1 of the water heater b1 was equipped. That is, in the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 6, the central control unit a is configured to receive power supply from the power supply unit of the water heater b1 that incorporates the central control unit a.

  Reference numeral L8 indicates a communication line (two-core communication cable) for the central control unit a to communicate with the remote control f. The remote control f communicates with the central control unit a and control information via the communication line L8. And receiving power supply from the central control unit a.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-18169

  However, the hot water supply system having such a configuration has the following problems, and improvements have been desired.

  That is, in the hot water supply system having the above-described configuration, the central control unit a is configured to receive power supply from a single power source (the power source unit of the water heater b1 in the configuration example of FIG. 6). When, for example, a voltage drop or a power failure occurs due to a failure of the power supply unit of the water heater b1, the central control unit a becomes inoperable, and the operation number control of the water heater cannot be performed (system down state). End up.

  In the case of such a system down, the water control prohibition command is not given to any of the water heaters from the central control unit a, so that each of the water heaters b1 to b6 is in a state capable of passing water. Therefore, when the tip is opened in this state, the other hot water heaters b2 to b6 except for the hot water heater b1 whose power is down start the hot water supply operation on condition that water flows exceeding the minimum operating flow rate respectively. However, in this case, the water flow generated in response to the water discharged from the front plug is dispersed to each of the water heaters b1 to b6, so that the water flow of the water heaters b2 to b6 is delayed from reaching the minimum operating flow rate, and as a result The start of hot water supply operation is delayed. That is, in this case, since each water heater starts its own hot water supply operation based on the judgment of the control unit provided in itself, the hot water supply function as the whole hot water supply system is maintained, but there is a problem that the hot water discharge characteristic deteriorates.

  As a method of avoiding such a system down, it is conceivable to provide an auxiliary power source in the central control unit. In that case, in a configuration in which the power source is switched after the main power source goes down, the control microcomputer is controlled by the main power source down. Since c is reset (initialized), the control data stored in the control microcomputer c (for example, the hot water supply set temperature set by the remote controller f) is lost, and the control data is controlled. The microcomputer c needs to be read again. In addition, since the hot water supply permission given to the water heater is canceled by resetting the control microcomputer c, the hot water supply operation in the water heater is temporarily stopped, and the hot water supply operation is resumed after the control microcomputer c is restarted. Therefore, there is a problem that the hot water supply operation is temporarily interrupted if the tip plug is opened during this time and a hot water supply request is generated. Therefore, it is not possible to perform stable hot water supply simply by providing an auxiliary power supply and switching to the auxiliary power supply in response to the power supply interruption of the main power supply.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its object is to change the power supply of the central control unit from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply without resetting the control microcomputer of the central control unit. By providing a hot water supply system that can be switched, an object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of system down in a parallel type hot water supply system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a hot water supply system according to the present invention is a hot water supply system that controls a plurality of water heaters by a central control unit having a control microcomputer, and the central control unit includes a main power supply connection portion and an auxiliary power supply system. And a main power supply voltage monitoring means for detecting the voltage drop when the main power supply voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, and the main power supply voltage monitoring means detects the voltage drop. Power supply switching means for switching the power supplied to the control microcomputer from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side, and the auxiliary power supply connection portion includes a water heater controlled by the central control portion. The power supply unit of any one of the hot water heaters is connected, and the control microcomputer resets the predetermined voltage detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring means when the main power supply voltage decreases. Characterized in that it is set at a voltage in the region that is not.

  As a preferred embodiment thereof, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, the power supply unit of any one of the water heaters controlled by the central control unit is connected to the connection part of the main power supply. In addition, the auxiliary power supply connection portion is connected to a power supply portion of a water heater controlled by the central control portion other than the water heater connected to the main power supply connection portion. And

  As another preferred embodiment, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, the central control unit includes auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means for detecting the voltage drop when the voltage of the auxiliary power supply drops below a predetermined voltage. Each voltage monitoring means of the main power supply and auxiliary power supply is provided with a voltage drop notification means for notifying the control microcomputer of the detection of the voltage drop when the voltage drop is detected. Features.

  In this case, the control microcomputer is provided with a control configuration for notifying the outside of the voltage drop when receiving a notice of the voltage drop from at least the voltage drop notifying unit on the main power supply side. To do.

  As another preferred embodiment, the hot water supply system of the present invention has a notification unit that receives power supply from a power source different from the main power source and the auxiliary power source, and the central control unit has an output of the power source switching unit. Power supply monitoring means for monitoring the voltage or current of the power supply side, and when the abnormality is detected in the voltage or current on the output side of the power supply switching means by the power supply monitoring means, the notification means detects abnormality in the main power supply and auxiliary power supply. It is characterized by notifying outside.

  According to the present invention, the central control unit is provided with the main power supply connection portion and the auxiliary power supply connection portion, and the main power supply voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage drop of the main power supply, and the main power supply voltage monitoring means. Power supply switching means for switching the power supplied to the control microcomputer from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side when a voltage drop below the predetermined voltage is detected, so the main power supply voltage drops below the predetermined voltage In this case, the central control unit is supplied with power from the auxiliary power source. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the central control unit from becoming inoperable due to the down of the main power supply, and to provide a hot water supply system that is less likely to cause a system down.

  In addition, the voltage drop monitored by the main power supply voltage monitoring means that triggers switching from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply is set in a voltage range where the control microcomputer is not reset by the voltage drop of the main power supply. Even if the voltage decreases, the main power supply is switched to the auxiliary power supply before the control microcomputer is reset. In other words, since the power supply is switched without resetting the control microcomputer due to the voltage drop of the main power supply, the control data stored in the control microcomputer is not lost and the hot water supply operation is not interrupted. Can provide a stable hot water supply system.

  Moreover, since the power supply part of any one of the water heaters controlled by the central control unit is used as the auxiliary power supply, a new power supply part (specifically, from a commercial power supply) is used for the auxiliary power supply. There is no need to provide a power supply unit that generates DC power, and the central control unit can be configured compactly. Furthermore, the main power supply side can also be comprised compactly by using the power supply part of the water heater controlled by the central control part also about the main power supply.

  The hot water supply system according to the present invention further includes auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means for monitoring the voltage drop on the auxiliary power supply side, and when the voltage drop is detected in each of the voltage monitoring means of the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply, the voltage is detected. By providing a voltage drop notification means for notifying the control microcomputer of the drop, the control microcomputer can grasp both states of the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply (whether or not there is a voltage drop). Therefore, for example, when receiving a voltage drop notification from the voltage drop notification means on the main power supply side, the control microcomputer has a control configuration that notifies the outside that there has been a voltage drop on the main power supply side, The user can recognize that the central control unit is driven by the auxiliary power source.

  Further, the hot water supply system of the present invention includes a notification unit that receives power supply from a power source different from the main power source and the auxiliary power source, and a power source monitoring unit that monitors the voltage or current on the output side of the power source switching unit in the central control unit. By providing the power supply monitoring means to notify the abnormality of the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply to the outside when the abnormality is detected in the voltage or current on the output side of the power supply switching means, for example, Even when both the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply are down and cannot be notified through the remote control, it is possible to notify the user of the occurrence of the system down due to the power down.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the power supply circuit to the control microcomputer in the central control part of the hot water supply system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the power supply circuit to the control microcomputer in the central control part of the water heater of the hot water supply system. FIG. 3 (a) shows a schematic configuration of the notification means, and FIG. 3 (b) shows a schematic configuration of the notification means for notifying the abnormality of both the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply in the central control unit of the hot water supply system. The schematic structure of the central control part corresponding to the alerting | reporting means is shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the hot water supply system using a central control part. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of a structure of the hot water supply system using a central control part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional structure of the hot water supply system provided with the central control part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The hot water supply system according to the present invention uses two power sources of a main power source and an auxiliary power source as a power source of the central control unit in the central control unit that controls the number of operating water heaters, and the voltage of the main power source is constant for some reason. The power supply to the central control unit is switched from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows an example of the central control unit 1 having such a configuration.
Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a power supply circuit to a control microcomputer 11 that controls the number of operating units in the central control unit 1. The method of controlling the number of operating hot water heaters by the central control unit 1 is the same as that of the central control unit in the conventional parallel type hot water supply system, so that the description thereof is omitted here and the power supply to the control microcomputer 11 is detailed. Explained.

  As shown in the figure, the central control unit 1 includes a connection unit 12 for connecting the main power source 2 and a connection unit 13 for connecting the auxiliary power source 3, and is supplied from the main power source 2. A main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 for monitoring a voltage drop of a DC voltage (DC 15 V in the illustrated example), and a power supply to the control microcomputer 11 when the voltage drop is detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 is assisted from the main power supply side. Power supply switching means 15 for switching to the power supply side is provided as a main part.

  Although details of the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 will be described later, each of the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 generates a predetermined DC power supply (DC 15 V in the illustrated example) from the AC power supply 4 such as a commercial power supply. For example, a known DC power supply device such as a switching power supply device is used for the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3.

  The main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 is for detecting the voltage drop when the DC voltage (DC15V) supplied via the connection portion 12 of the main power supply 2 drops below a predetermined voltage Vx set in advance. In this embodiment, resistors 16, 17, and 18, a reset IC 19 and a transistor 20 are provided as the main power supply voltage monitoring unit 14. Specifically, the voltage divided by the resistors 16 and 17 is configured to be input to the reset IC 19, and the reset IC 19 is configured such that the divided input voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold value X. The transistor 20 is turned on, and the transistor 20 is turned off when the threshold value X is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value X.

  Here, the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 is configured to detect a voltage drop that is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage Vx set in a voltage region where the control microcomputer 11 does not reset due to a drop in the voltage of the main power supply 2. .

  That is, the control microcomputer 11 is configured to be driven based on a microcomputer driving power source (DC 5 V in the illustrated example) generated by a regulator 21 from a direct current power source (DC 15 V) supplied via a power source switching unit 15 described later. Since a linear regulator such as a three-terminal regulator is preferably used as the regulator 21, when the voltage of the main power supply 2 decreases, the voltage of the microcomputer driving power supply also decreases. On the other hand, the control microcomputer 11 is configured to be reset (initialized) when an input voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reset voltage (for example, DC 4.2 V or lower) by a circuit provided inside or outside thereof.

  Therefore, in the central control unit 1 according to the present invention, in order to prevent the input voltage of the control microcomputer 11 from being equal to or lower than the reset voltage due to the voltage drop of the main power supply 2, the predetermined voltage Vx monitored by the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 is used. (Specifically, the threshold value X of the reset IC 19) is set in a voltage region where the control microcomputer 11 does not reset due to a decrease in the voltage of the main power supply 2. That is, the predetermined voltage Vx is set based on the normal output voltage value (DC15V) of the main power supply 2 and the ratio of the reset voltage of the control microcomputer 11 to the voltage value (DC5V) of the microcomputer driving power supply. Even if the output voltage 2 is lowered, the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 detects the voltage drop before the control microcomputer 11 is reset.

  The power supply switching means 15 is a circuit for switching the input voltage to the regulator 21 to either the main power supply side or the auxiliary power supply side, and includes a relay contact 22 for circuit switching and a solenoid for driving the relay contact 22. 23, the solenoid 23 is connected to the transistor 20, and the relay contact 22 is switched when the transistor 20 is turned on / off.

  More specifically, the relay contact 22 is connected to the main power supply side when the transistor 20 is on, and the relay contact 22 is connected to the auxiliary power supply side when the transistor 20 is off (note that FIG. 1 shows a case where the relay contact 22 is connected to the auxiliary power source side).

  Therefore, in the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment, when the output voltage of the main power supply 2 is larger than the predetermined voltage Vx, in other words, when the output voltage from the main power supply 2 is within the normal range, Since the transistor 20 is turned on and the relay contact 22 is connected to the main power supply side, the control microcomputer 11 is supplied with power from the main power supply side.

  On the other hand, for example, when the output voltage of the main power supply 2 is lowered due to a failure of the power supply board of the main power supply 2 and the input voltage of the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 becomes the predetermined voltage Vx or less, the input voltage of the reset IC 19 Falls below the threshold value X, the transistor 20 is turned off and the relay contact 22 is switched from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side. As a result, the control microcomputer 11 (specifically, the regulator 21) is supplied with a DC power supply (DC15V) from the auxiliary power supply 3 side.

  Since the power supply is switched from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side before the input voltage of the control microcomputer 11 becomes equal to or lower than the reset voltage, the control microcomputer 11 is prevented from being reset by the power supply switch. Therefore, the power source is switched without losing the control data stored in the volatile storage area (for example, RAM) of the control microcomputer 11. In addition, since the power supply switching is performed by switching the relay contact 22 based on the determination by the reset IC 19 provided separately from the control microcomputer 11, it is easy without adding a new program to the control program of the control microcomputer 11. Can be done.

  Even when the relay contact 22 is on the auxiliary power supply side, when the output voltage from the main power supply 2 returns to the normal range, for example, when the failure of the main power supply 2 is restored, the input voltage of the reset IC 19 is Since the threshold value X is exceeded, the transistor 20 is turned on and the relay contact 22 returns to the main power source side. That is, the power from the main power supply 2 is supplied to the control microcomputer 11 when the main power supply 2 is restored.

  As described above, according to the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment, when the voltage of the main power supply 2 drops below the predetermined voltage Vx, the power from the auxiliary power supply 3 is supplied to the control microcomputer 11. The central control unit 1 is prevented from becoming inoperable due to power down of the power source 2, and a hot water supply system that does not cause system down is provided.

  In addition, since the switching from the main power supply 2 to the auxiliary power supply 3 is performed in a voltage region where the control microcomputer 11 is not reset, the control data stored in the control microcomputer 11 is not lost by switching the power supply. The occurrence of a temporary stop of the hot water supply operation due to the resetting of the control microcomputer 11 is avoided.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 denotes a remote controller of the central control unit 1, and the remote controller 5 is connected to the control microcomputer 11 via a communication circuit 25. The remote controller 5 includes a display unit and an operation unit (not shown), and the operation of the operation unit puts the hot water supply system into a hot water supply standby state (a state in which the water heater can perform a hot water supply operation according to the water discharged from the front plug). Various setting operations such as setting and setting of hot water supply set temperature are performed. Further, the state of the hot water supply system is displayed on the display unit based on the operation of the operation unit and information from the control microcomputer 11. The remote controller 5 is configured to receive a DC power supply (for example, DC 15 V) from the central control unit 1 via the communication circuit 25, although not particularly illustrated. That is, the communication circuit 25 is configured by a communication device that performs power supply superposition communication that superimposes and transmits a communication signal on a voltage.

Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The central control unit 1 shown in FIG. 2 determines whether any abnormality such as a voltage drop has occurred in either the main power supply 2 or the auxiliary power supply 3 in the central control unit 1 shown in the first embodiment. Specifically, the central control unit 1 shown in the first embodiment has the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30 for monitoring the voltage of the auxiliary power supply 3 and the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14. Further, for each of the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30, voltage drop notification means 31, 32 for notifying the control microcomputer 11 of the detection of the voltage drop when the voltage monitoring means 14, 30 detects a voltage drop is added. It is comprised by. Since other configurations are common to the central control unit 1 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same configurations, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30 includes a connection portion 13 of the auxiliary power supply 3 provided with a circuit that is substantially the same as the main power supply voltage monitoring means 13 described above, and the voltage of the auxiliary power supply 3 falls below a predetermined voltage Vy. When the voltage drops, the voltage drop is detected.

  Specifically, the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30 includes resistors 33, 34, 35, a reset IC 36, and a transistor 37, and the voltage divided by the resistors 33, 34 is input to the reset IC 36. It is configured to be. The reset IC 36 is configured to turn on the transistor 37 when the divided input voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold Y, and to turn off the transistor 37 when the input voltage is lower than the predetermined threshold Y.

  Here, the predetermined voltage Vy in the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30 is a voltage value for determining whether or not the output voltage of the auxiliary power supply 3 is in a normal range, and the value is the output voltage of the auxiliary power supply 3. However, in the present embodiment, the predetermined voltage Vy is the same value as the predetermined voltage Vx set by the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 described above. That is, the threshold value Y of the reset IC 36 is set to be the same as the threshold value X of the reset IC 19, and the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring unit 30 is configured to operate under the same conditions as the main power supply voltage monitoring unit 14.

  The voltage drop notification means 31 provided in the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 includes a series circuit of a photodiode 38 and a resistor 39 connected in parallel with the solenoid 23 of the power supply switching means 15, and a light receiving element of the photodiode 39. The phototransistor 40 includes a resistor 41 and an input circuit for inputting an on / off signal of the photodiode 38 on the main power source side to the control microcomputer 11. On the other hand, the voltage drop notification means 32 provided in the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30 includes a series circuit of a photodiode 42 and a resistor 43 connected to the transistor 37, and a phototransistor 44 serving as a light receiving element of the photodiode 42. The phototransistor 44 constitutes an input circuit for inputting an on / off signal of the photodiode 42 on the auxiliary power source side to the control microcomputer 11 together with the resistor 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the signal input circuit by the phototransistors 40 and 44 is connected to different input terminals of the control microcomputer 11, and the input circuit of the phototransistor 40 or the phototransistor 44 in the control microcomputer 11. It is configured so that it can be recognized whether the signal is from.

  Therefore, in the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment, for example, when the output voltage of the main power source 2 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage Vx, the auxiliary power source 3 is supplied to the control microcomputer 11 by the power source switching unit 15 as described above. In this case, when the transistor 20 of the main power supply voltage monitoring means 14 is turned off, the photodiode 38 on the main power supply side is also turned off, and the information is transmitted to the control microcomputer 11 through the operation of the phototransistor 40. Given to. That is, the control microcomputer 11 recognizes that the output voltage of the main power supply 2 has been lowered (the main power supply 2 is down) due to the input signal accompanying the turning off of the photodiode 38 on the main power supply side.

  On the other hand, when the output voltage of the auxiliary power supply 3 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage Vy, the transistor 37 is turned off by a signal from the reset IC 36 of the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 30, so that the photodiode 42 on the auxiliary power supply side is thereby turned off. Is also turned off, and the information is supplied to the control microcomputer 11 through the operation of the phototransistor 44. That is, the control microcomputer 11 recognizes that the output voltage of the auxiliary power source 3 has been lowered (the auxiliary power source 3 is down) due to the input signal accompanying the turning off of the photodiode 42 on the auxiliary power source side.

  As described above, according to the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment, when the output voltage of either the main power supply 2 or the auxiliary power supply 3 drops below the predetermined voltage Vx or Vy, the control microcomputer 11 drops the voltage. Can be recognized.

  Therefore, when the control microcomputer 11 recognizes the voltage drop of either the main power supply 2 or the auxiliary power supply 3 as described above, the control microcomputer 11 displays a message to that effect on the remote controller 5. It is configured to notify the outside by displaying it on the part. That is, when the control microcomputer 11 recognizes the voltage drop of the main power supply 2, the display indicating that the main power supply 2 is down is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 5, and the control microcomputer 11 recognizes the voltage drop of the auxiliary power supply 3. Is configured to display on the display unit of the remote controller 5 that the auxiliary power source 3 is down.

  Here, the reason why the power-down display is performed on the display unit of the remote controller 5 as described above is that the output voltage of the main power source 2 is lowered to the predetermined voltage Vx or less in the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment. Then, since the power supply by the auxiliary power supply 3 is started without the control microcomputer 11 being reset, the user cannot recognize that the power supply by the auxiliary power supply 3 is being performed as it is, and the main power supply 2 is abnormal. It is because they do not notice. Therefore, in the central control unit 1 shown in the present embodiment, when the control microcomputer 11 receives at least a voltage drop notification from the voltage drop notification means 31 on the main power supply side so that such a situation does not occur, It is configured to display on the display unit of the remote controller 5 that there has been a voltage drop on the power supply side, and to notify the outside that the main power supply 2 is down. As a result, the user can recognize that the main power source 2 is powered down and can recover the main power source 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control microcomputer 11 is configured to display the fact on the display unit of the remote controller 5 even when a voltage drop is detected in the auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring unit 30. The power-down display on the side can be configured to be performed only when certain conditions are satisfied. In other words, the auxiliary power source 3 may not be consciously connected at the construction site, and it is not preferable to display the power down of the auxiliary power source 3 until such a case. The display can be configured to be displayed only when the control microcomputer 11 recognizes the connection of the auxiliary power supply 3 at the time of construction of the hot water supply system (initially when the power is supplied to the hot water supply system).

Embodiment 3
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The central control unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 provides notification means for notifying that the outputs of both the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 are down to the central control unit 1 shown in the first or second embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a schematic configuration of the notification means, and FIG. 3B shows a schematic configuration of a central control unit corresponding to the notification means.

  That is, since the remote control 5 of the central control unit 1 is configured to receive power supply from the central control unit 1 via the communication circuit 25 in the hot water supply systems shown in the first and second embodiments described above. When both the main power source 2 and the auxiliary power source 3 are down, the power supply to the remote controller 5 is also stopped, so that the abnormality of the main power source 2 and the auxiliary power source 3 cannot be notified through the remote controller 5. In the present embodiment, a configuration is proposed in which it is possible to notify that both the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 are down without using the remote controller 5.

  Specifically, a notification unit 6 shown in FIG. 3A is provided separately from the remote controller 5. As shown in FIG. 3A, the notification means 6 includes an alarm lamp 50, a b-contact relay contact 51, and an AC power supply 4, and the relay contact 51 is closed in this embodiment. Thus, the AC power supply 4 is supplied to the alarm lamp 50 and the alarm lamp 50 is lit (FIG. 3A shows a state where the relay contact 51 is closed).

  Here, the driving power source of the alarm lamp 50 is configured by a power source different from the main power source 2 and the auxiliary power source 3 described above. That is, the main power source 2 and the auxiliary power source 3 are both configured by a power source generated by a DC power source device such as a switching power source device as described above. The driving power source of the alarm lamp 50 is the main power source 2 and the auxiliary power source 3. The auxiliary power supply 3 is configured by a power supply that does not pass through a DC power supply device. Therefore, for example, when an alarm lamp driven by a DC power supply is used as the alarm lamp 50, power is supplied from the DC power supply using a DC power supply different from the DC power supply of the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3. Configure.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the alarm lamp 50 is used as the notification means 6, but it is of course possible to use a sounding device such as an alarm buzzer or a display device other than the alarm lamp as the notification means.

  FIG. 3B shows an arrangement position of the solenoid 52 that drives the relay contact 51. As shown in FIG. 3B, the solenoid 52 for driving the relay contact 51 is disposed on the output side of the power supply switching means 15, specifically, between the power supply switching means 15 and the regulator 21. That is, the solenoid 52 is provided so that a current flows when the power from the main power source 2 or the auxiliary power source 3 is supplied to the regulator 21 via the power source switching means 15, and the main power source 2 or the auxiliary power source 3. The relay contact 51 is closed and the alarm lamp 50 is lit only when both of them are down and no current flows through the solenoid 52. Therefore, if either one of the main power supply 2 or the auxiliary power supply 3 is normal, a current flows through the solenoid 52, so that the relay contact 51 is opened and the alarm lamp 50 is turned off.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, even when both the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 are down and the remote controller 5 is inoperable, both the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 are powered. The down is notified through the alarm lamp 50. As a result, the user can recognize that both the main power supply 2 and the auxiliary power supply 3 are powered down.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the solenoid 52 is used as the power supply monitoring unit and the current on the output side of the power supply switching unit 15 is monitored has been described, but the voltage on the output side of the power supply switching unit 15 is monitored. However, it is also possible to configure the alarm lamp 50 to be turned on when the output voltage decreases.

  Next, the structural example of the hot water supply system using the central control part 1 shown in each embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated based on FIG. 4 and FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the central control unit 1 configured to be able to control the number of operating water heaters 6 a to 6 f is any one of the water heaters 6 a to 6 f controlled by the central control unit 1. (In the illustrated example, the case where it is built in the water heater 6a) is shown.

  Here, each water heater 6a-6f is provided with the control part 7 of the water heater, respectively. Since the control unit 7 of the water heater is the same as the control unit of the water heater in a general water heater, a detailed description thereof will be omitted, but the control unit 7 includes a microcomputer that controls each part of the water heater, A DC power supply device (a power supply unit of a water heater) that generates a DC power supply from an AC power supply such as a commercial power supply, and a communication device (not shown) for power superimposed communication are provided.

  And the control part 7 and the central control part 1 of each water heater 6a-6f are connected by the communication cable 8 of 2 cores via the communication terminal 71 for remote control communication each provided in each water heater 6a-6f, Thereby, the control part 7 of each water heater 6a-6f and the central control part 1 are connected by communication, and each water heater 6a-6f is comprised so that the operation number control by the central control part 1 may be received.

  And in the water heater 6a in which the central control unit 1 is built in, the direct current power supply device of the control unit 7 and the central control unit 1 are used so that the direct current power supply device of the control unit 7 is used as the main power supply 2 of the central control unit 1. The connection unit 12 is connected to the power line 9.

  Further, as the auxiliary power source 3 of the central control unit 1, a DC power source device of a hot water heater (a water heater 6b in the illustrated example) other than the water heater 6a used as the main power source 2 of the central control unit 1 is used. That is, the DC power supply device of the water heater 6b is connected to the connection unit 13 of the central control unit 1 via the communication cable 8 by the power superimposition communication function of the water heater 6b. Note that a rectifier circuit 26 is provided on the central control unit 1 side for the DC power supplied by the power superimposed communication, and the DC power supplied via the communication cable 8 is taken out. .

  By being configured in this manner, in the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 4, for example, even when the main power supply 2 of the central control unit 1 is down due to a failure of the DC power supply device (power supply unit) of the water heater 6a, Since the central controller 1 is supplied with the power from the hot water heater 6b as the auxiliary power source 3, the hot water supply system can be controlled without operating the system.

  In FIG. 4, the central control unit 1 is configured to connect six water heaters, but the number of water heaters connected to the central control unit 1 can be changed as appropriate.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a hot water supply system in which a plurality of central control units 1, 1,... In the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 5, an upper central control unit 101 that integrates and controls a plurality of central control units 1, 1,... A direct current power supply device 102 is provided.

  Here, the upper central control unit 101 is connected to the lower central control units 1, 1,... Through the lower central control units 1, 1,. The number of operating water heaters 6a to 6L is controlled. In addition, since the structure which controls the low-order central control part 1,1, ... by the high-order central control part 101 is also well-known in this way, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted and below, the low-order central control part 1,1, ... The power source of ... will be described.

  In the case of a unit in which a plurality of central control units 1, 1,... Are used as described above, since the dedicated DC power supply device 102 is provided in the unit as described above, the DC power supply device 102 is connected to each central control unit. Used as the main power source 2 of 1, 1,. That is, the DC power supply device 102 is connected to the connecting portion 12 of each central control portion 1, 1,. The auxiliary power source 3 of each central control unit 1, 1,... Has one of the hot water heaters 6a to 6f and 6g to 6L connected to each central control unit 1, 1,. (In the illustrated example, the DC power supply device of the water heater 6b and 6h) is used.

  In this way, in the hot water supply system in which a plurality of central control units 1, 1,... Are unitized, the main power source 2 of each central control unit 1, 1,... Is taken from the DC power supply device 102 in the unit. Is the same as the configuration of FIG. 4 described above.

  In the hot water supply system configured as described above, for example, when the main power supply 2 of each central control unit 1, 1,... 1,... Are supplied with power from the water heaters 6b, 6h, etc. as the auxiliary power supply 3, so that the number of operating units is controlled in a state where the central control units 1, 1,.

  The above-described embodiments 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 of the invention.

  For example, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 5 described above, a configuration in which the main power source 2 of the central control unit 1 is taken from the DC power supply device 102 provided in the housing 100 is shown. A water heater 2 is controlled by the central control unit 1 and can be configured to be taken from a DC power supply unit of a water heater other than the water heater used for the auxiliary power source 3 of the central control unit 1. . That is, the main power supply connection portion 12 of the central control unit 1 is connected to the power supply unit of any one of the water heaters controlled by the central control unit 1, and the auxiliary power supply connection unit 13. Alternatively, a hot water heater controlled by the central control unit 1 and connected to a power source unit of a hot water heater other than the hot water heater connected to the main power source connection unit 12 may be configured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Central control part 2 Main power supply 3 Auxiliary power supply 5 Remote control 6 Water heater 7 Water heater control part 8 Communication cable 9 Power supply line 11 Control microcomputer 12 Main power supply connection part 13 Auxiliary power supply connection part 14 Main power supply voltage monitoring means 15 Power supply Switching means 30 Auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means 31, 32 Voltage drop notification means 50 Alarm lamp (notification means)

Claims (5)

A hot water supply system for controlling a plurality of water heaters by a central control unit having a control microcomputer,
The central control unit includes a main power supply connection portion and an auxiliary power supply connection portion, and main power supply voltage monitoring means for detecting the voltage drop when the voltage of the main power supply drops below a predetermined voltage. Power supply switching means for switching the power supplied to the control microcomputer from the main power supply side to the auxiliary power supply side when the voltage drop is detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring means,
The auxiliary power supply connection is connected to the power supply of any one of the water heaters controlled by the central controller,
The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined voltage detected by the main power supply voltage monitoring means is set in a voltage region where the control microcomputer is not reset due to a decrease in voltage of the main power supply.   A power supply unit of any one of the water heaters controlled by the central control unit is connected to the main power supply connection unit, and the auxiliary power supply connection unit is connected to the main power supply unit by the central control unit. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a hot water supply system to be controlled is connected to a power supply section of a hot water supply apparatus other than the hot water supply apparatus connected to the main power supply connection section. The central control unit includes auxiliary power supply voltage monitoring means for detecting the voltage drop when the voltage of the auxiliary power supply drops below a predetermined voltage,
Each voltage monitoring means of the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply is provided with a voltage drop notification means for notifying the control microcomputer of the detection of the voltage drop when the voltage drop is detected. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The control microcomputer according to claim 3, further comprising a control configuration for notifying the outside of the voltage drop when receiving a voltage drop notice from at least a voltage drop notifying unit on the main power supply side. The hot water supply system described. Having notification means for receiving power supply from a power source different from the main power source and the auxiliary power source,
The central control unit is provided with power monitoring means for monitoring the voltage or current on the output side of the power switching means, and when the power monitoring means detects an abnormality in the voltage or current on the output side of the power switching means The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an abnormality of the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply is notified to the outside by the notification means.

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