JP2012207848A - Hot water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water supply device that can effectively control energy-saving by properly determining a usage situation.SOLUTION: The hot water supply device including a device body 1 preparing or reheating hot water/water, and supplying the same to hot water/water utilization facilities F disposed in a demand place P, and a remote control device R receiving an operational command, and having a first state receiving the operational command and a second state for waiting an operation of the operational command as states of the remote control device R, further includes a usage state detecting means for detecting the change of utilization state in the demand place P, and a usage state determining means for determining whether the hot water/water utilization facilities F are in a usage state or not on the basis of the detected utilization state information, and the remote control device R is transferred to a third state in which power consumption is further smaller than that in the second state, from the first state or the second state when it is determined that the hot water/water utilization facilities are not in the usage state.

Description

The present invention comprises a device main body for generating or replenishing hot water to a hot water use facility installed at a demand location and supplying it, and a remote control device for receiving an operation command for the device main body,
The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus having a first state that accepts the operation command and consumes a predetermined power as a state of the remote control device, and a second state that waits for an operation of the operation command and consumes less power than the predetermined power. .

  The rated thermal efficiency of the current hot water supply apparatus has been improved to 95% for hot water supply and 87% for heating with a gas hot water heater, and is almost improved to the limit value. Therefore, in order to further improve the energy saving performance in the future, not only the improvement of energy efficiency for the hot water supply device to obtain the amount of heat but also the energy consumed by the hot water supply device itself such as the screen display of the remote control device of the hot water supply device. It is necessary to make efforts to save energy for the purpose of restraint.

  Therefore, in the prior art, a hot water supply apparatus having a power saving display mode that simplifies the display of the remote control device and suppresses the power consumption of the remote control device during operation standby when the state of no operation continues for a predetermined time after hot water supply is stopped. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-295680 A

  The power saving display mode of the hot water supply apparatus according to the related art is activated based on the passage of no operation time of the remote control device. That is, in the above conventional technique, when the remote control device is not operated for a predetermined time, it is determined that the hot water supply device is not used for a while, and the remote control device is shifted to the power saving state.

  However, in the above-described prior art, it can be considered that the no-operation time itself waiting for determining the non-use of the hot water supply device was originally in a state where the remote control device may be in a power saving state. That is, if there is a method that can more accurately determine the usage state of the hot water supply device, more effective energy saving control is possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply apparatus that accurately determines a use state and performs effective energy saving control.

In order to achieve this object, the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is:
An apparatus main body for generating or tracking hot water to a hot water use facility installed at a demand point, and a remote control device for receiving an operation command for the apparatus main body,
As a state of the remote control device, a hot water supply device that has a first state that accepts the operation command and consumes predetermined power and a second state that waits for an operation of the operation command and consumes less power than the predetermined power. The first characteristic configuration is
A use state detection means for detecting a change in state that occurs with the use of the hot water utilization facility in the demand point;
Use state determination means for determining whether or not the hot water utilization facility is in a use state based on use state information relating to the change in the state detected by the use state detection unit;
When the hot water use facility is determined not to be in use by the use state determining means, the remote control device is changed from the first state or the second state to a third state in which power consumption is lower than that in the second state. It is in the point provided with the 1st transition means which changes.

According to this feature configuration, the use state detection means detects a change in state that occurs with the use of hot water use equipment at the demand point, and based on the use state information detected by the use state detection means, the use state If the determination means determines whether the hot water utilization facility is in use, and if the use state determination means determines that the hot water utilization facility is not in use, the first transition means causes the first state or The remote control device is transitioned from the second state to the third state, which consumes less power than the second state.
In other words, the use state detecting means detects a change in the state in which the use state of the hot water use facility at the demand point can be determined more accurately than the no-operation time of the remote control device as the use state information. Then, the use state determining means determines the use state of the hot water use facility based on the use state information. Thereby, the use condition of the hot water supply apparatus can be determined more accurately than the no-operation time of the remote control device.
Moreover, when it determines with the said hot water utilization equipment not in a use state by a use state determination means, it is an operation command reception state, and the state where power consumption is smaller than a 1st state which consumes predetermined electric power Then, the remote control device in the second state, which is the standby state waiting for the operation command, is transitioned to the third state, which consumes less power than the second state, by the first transition means.
That is, the first state is in the use state for accepting the operation command, and the operation of the operation command is interrupted, but the second state is in the standby state that may be operated, and the hot water use equipment is not in the use state. In the non-use state that is unlikely to be operated, effective energy-saving control can be achieved without sacrificing user convenience by properly using the third state and the three power consumption states according to the use state. The hot water supply apparatus to perform can be provided.
As described above, according to this feature configuration, after determining the use state of the hot water supply device more accurately than the no-operation time of the remote control device, the convenience of the user is impaired based on the determination of the use state. Therefore, it is possible to provide a hot water supply device that performs effective energy saving control.

The 2nd characteristic structure of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is a said 1st characteristic structure,
The flow rate meter that measures the amount of hot water supplied to the water level sensor of the bathtub installed in the bathroom and the hot water use facility installed in the bathroom, wherein the use state detection means comprises:
When the use state determining means does not detect the hot water supply to the hot water use facility installed in the bathroom, and the water level sensor does not detect a predetermined water level in the bathtub, the hot water use facility Is that it is not in use.

According to this characteristic configuration, as a use state detecting means, a water level sensor that detects the water level of the bathtub, and a flow meter that measures the amount of hot water supplied to a hot water use facility (for example, a shower or a hot water tap) installed in the bathroom With. The use state determining means is configured such that when the flow meter does not detect hot water supply to the hot water use facility installed in the bathroom and the water level sensor does not detect a predetermined water level in the bathtub, the hot water use facility is in use. Judge that there is no. In addition, as a predetermined water level, the water level which a user does not use for bathing is set.
That is, regarding the use of the hot water use equipment installed in the bathroom, when the use of the hot water use equipment is finished and hot water supply is no longer detected by the flow meter, the hot water use equipment is used when there is no predetermined water level in the bathtub. The use of the hot water is not used at the time of bathing, which may cause the use of the hot water utilization facility again. And the remote control device transitions to the third state.
Therefore, according to the present characteristic configuration, it is possible to determine the use state of the hot water utilization facility in the bathroom in accordance with a typical usage mode of the hot water utilization facility in the bathroom, and to perform energy saving control of the remote control device.

The 3rd characteristic structure of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is a said 1st characteristic structure,
The use state detection means is a load detection means for detecting a load applied to a floor member that receives supply of hot water from a floor heater,
The use state determining means is that when the load detecting means does not detect a predetermined load on the floor member for a predetermined time, the hot water utilization facility is determined not to be in use.

According to this characteristic configuration, the load detection means for detecting the load applied to the floor member is provided as the use state detection means. Then, the use state determining means determines that the hot water utilization facility is not in use when the load detecting means does not detect a predetermined load on the floor member for a predetermined time.
Here, the predetermined load is set to a load in the case where the user is on the floor member, that is, a load in which the user's load is added to the load of furniture or the like that is always arranged on the floor member. Thereby, when a predetermined load is detected, it can be considered that there is a user on the floor member. The predetermined load can be set by the user.
Therefore, when the predetermined load applied to the floor member is not detected, it is considered that the user is absent on the floor member. And when such a state continues for a predetermined time, since it is considered that the user has left the floor member, it is determined that the hot water utilization facility is not in use, and the remote control device transitions to the third state.
Therefore, according to this characteristic configuration, it is possible to determine the usage state in accordance with a typical usage mode of the floor heater and perform energy saving control of the remote control device.

A fourth feature configuration of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is any one of the first to third feature configurations,
The use state detecting means is an energy amount measuring means for measuring the amount of heat or electric power used in the hot water utilization facility,
A restriction condition setting means for setting a restriction condition for restricting a use amount to be used in the hot water utilization facility based on the heat amount or the electric energy measured by the energy amount measurement means;
The first transition means works when the energy usage amount of the hot water utilization facility measured by the energy amount measuring means satisfies the restriction condition set by the restriction condition setting means.

According to this characteristic configuration, the use state detecting means includes the energy amount measuring means for measuring the amount of heat or power used in the hot water utilization facility, and the hot water based on the energy amount measured by the energy amount measuring means. A limiting condition setting means is provided for setting a limiting condition for limiting the amount of energy used in the use facility. Then, when the energy usage amount of the hot water usage facility measured by the energy amount measuring means satisfies the restriction condition set by the restriction condition setting means, the first transition means causes the remote control device to transit to the third state.
That is, it is possible to change the state of the remote control device based on the amount of energy used by the user at the hot water use facility. When the predetermined limit condition (energy usage amount) is reached, the remote control device is shifted to the third state. Furthermore, if the third state is set to the non-use state and the remote control device is set to the stop state, the use of the hot water use facility can be stopped when the amount of energy use in the hot water use facility reaches the limit condition.
Thus, according to this feature configuration, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the remote control device and the use of the hot water utilization facility based not only on the usage state of the hot water utilization facility but also on the energy usage amount in the hot water utilization facility. Thus, energy saving control can be performed more effectively.
It should be noted that the measurement of the amount of energy used (measurement of the amount of heat or the amount of power) in the hot water use facility may be replaced by counting the energization time to the remote control device.

The 5th characteristic structure of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is the said 2nd-4th characteristic structure,
Second transition means for transitioning the remote control device from the first state to the second state;
The second transition means works in place of the first transition means.

According to this characteristic configuration, in the second to fourth characteristic configurations, when the use state determination unit determines that the hot water use facility is not in use, or the amount of heat used in the hot water use facility is predetermined. When the restriction condition is satisfied, the remote control device is shifted from the first state to the second state by the second transition means.
That is, when it is determined by the use state determining means that the hot water use facility is not in use, or when the amount of heat used in the hot water use facility satisfies a predetermined restriction condition, the state of the remote control device is set to the third state. In addition, since the transition to the second state is made, energy saving can be realized within a range that does not extremely impair the convenience when the user performs the operation command.

The 6th characteristic structure of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is the said 1st-5th characteristic structure,
When the second state is continued for a predetermined time or longer, the remote control device includes third transition means for transitioning from the second state to the third state.

According to this feature configuration, in addition to the first to fifth feature configurations, when the second state, which is in the standby state, continues for a predetermined time or longer, the third transition means causes the remote control device to be changed from the second state to the third state. Transition to a state.
That is, in addition to the energy saving control of the first characteristic configuration that causes the transition to the third state when it is determined by the use state determination means that the hot water utilization facility is not in the use state, it is saved based on the passage of no operation time of the remote control device. Since the conventional energy saving control for shifting to the power state is performed as the transition to the third state with the lowest power consumption, the energy saving control that is at least as effective as the conventional energy saving control can be performed.

  A sixth feature configuration of the hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is that, in any one of the first to fifth feature configurations, the remote control device is stopped in the third state, and the power consumption in the state is 0 or 0. If not, the power consumption is extremely small.

  According to this feature configuration, in the third state, the remote control device is stopped, and the power consumption in the state is 0, or even if it is not 0, the power consumption is extremely small. It is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to forgetting to turn off the power of the remote control device.

Schematic configuration diagram of a hot water supply system using a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention The front view in each state of the remote control apparatus of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention The block diagram of the control part of the hot-water supply apparatus which concerns on this invention Control flow diagram of general state transition of remote controller of hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention Control flow diagram of state transition of remote control in bathroom Control flow diagram of state transition of floor heating remote control Control flow diagram of state transition from standby state to non-use state of remote control device Control flow diagram of state transition of remote control device based on restriction conditions

An embodiment of a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hot water supply system using a gas hot water heater 1 which is a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a gas hot water heater 1 (corresponding to the “apparatus main body” of the present invention) obtains water or hot water from a water supply source 2 or a tank 4, and supplies gas from a gas conduit network 3. The hot water is generated or reclaimed and supplied to the hot water utilization facility F installed at the demand point P. In FIG. 1, the gas pipe is indicated by a double line, the water pipe is indicated by a solid line, and the flow direction of gas and hot water is indicated by arrows.

  The gas hot water heater 1 shown in FIG. 1 supplies hot water to the kitchen P1, the bathroom P2, and the room P3 as the demand point P. As hot water utilization equipment F, a currant 11 is installed in the kitchen P1. In the bathroom P2, a currant 12, a shower 13, a bathtub 14, and a bathroom heater / dryer 15 are installed. A hot water floor heater 16 is installed in the room P3.

In each of the demand points P, a remote control device R that receives an operation command for the apparatus main body (gas hot water heater 1) is installed in order to control hot water used in the hot water utilization facility F.
A kitchen remote controller 11 </ b> R for controlling hot water supplied to the currant 11 is installed in the kitchen P <b> 1. In the bathroom P2, an in-bathroom remote controller 14R for controlling supply of hot water to the currant 12 and the shower 13, and hot water filling or chasing to the bathtub 14 is installed. In the vicinity of the entrance to the bathroom P2 outside the bathroom P2, a remote controller 15R outside the bathroom for controlling heating operation, drying operation, ventilation operation, etc. in the bathroom by the bathroom heating dryer 15 is installed. In the room P3, a floor heating remote controller 16R for controlling the heating operation of the hot water floor heater 16 is installed. The user of the hot water utilization facility F can adjust the temperature, the amount of water, the heating temperature, etc. supplied by the hot water utilization facility F through the operation of these remote control devices R (11R, 14R, 15R, 16R).

  When an operation command for the gas hot water heater 1 is received in these remote control devices R, the operation command is transmitted as a control signal to the control unit C of the gas hot water heater 1, and the control unit C is based on the operation command. The operation of the gas hot water heater 1 is controlled. In FIG. 1, the flow of the control signal is indicated by a broken line.

[Hot water control]
The control unit C receives a hot water supply command from the hot water use facility F that newly generates and supplies hot water, such as hot water filling the currant 11 of the kitchen P1, the currant 12 of the bathroom P2, the shower 13, and the bathtub 14. (Hereinafter referred to as “hot water supply operation”), hot water supply thermistors 11T, 12T, 13T, 14Ta and flow meters 11F, 12F provided in the pipes directed to the hot water utilization facilities F, respectively. , 13F, 14Fa by controlling the operation of the water amount adjusting valve 21 and the hot water supply heating unit H1, and the flow rate adjusting valves 11V, 12V for adjusting the flow rate of hot water toward the hot water utilization facility F, respectively. By controlling the operation of 13V and 14Va, a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water to the hot water use facility F based on the temperature and the amount of water commanded by the remote control device R is performed.

Briefly, the control unit C controls the water amount adjustment valve 21 to heat a part of the low-temperature water supplied from the water supply source 2 with the heat exchanger 22 into high-temperature water, and passes through the heat exchanger 22. By appropriately mixing with low-temperature water that is not allowed to be generated, hot water having a commanded temperature and water amount is generated.
The hot water supply heating unit H <b> 1 includes a heat exchanger 22, a hot water supply burner 23, a gas supply adjustment valve 24, and a blower fan 25. The control unit C controls the operation of the gas supply adjusting valve 24 and the blower fan 25 to adjust the supply amount of gas and combustion air to the hot water supply burner 23 to thereby adjust the amount of heat given to the water that the heat exchanger 22 passes. It adjusts and adjusts the temperature of the high temperature water produced | generated in the hot water supply heating part H1. And the water quantity adjustment valve 21 is controlled based on the measured values of the hot water supply thermistors 11T, 12T, 13T, 14Ta, and 22T and the flow meters 11F, 12F, 13F, 14Fa, and 22F provided to the pipes to the hot water utilization facilities F, respectively. Then, by adjusting the mixing ratio and amount of high-temperature water obtained by passing through the heat exchanger 22 and low-temperature water that does not pass through the heat exchanger, hot water having the commanded temperature and water amount is generated.

[Heating control]
Moreover, the control part C receives the hot water supply instruction | command from the hot water utilization equipment F which circulates and uses hot water as a heat medium like the chasing of the bathtub 14, the bathroom heating dryer 15, and the hot water type floor heater 16. (Hereinafter referred to as “heating operation”), the heating thermistors 14Tb, 15T, and 16T and the flow meters 14Fb, 15F, and 16F provided in the pipes directed to the hot water utilization facilities F, respectively. By controlling the operation of the circulation pumps 32aP, 32bP, the water amount adjusting valves 14Vb, 15V, 16V, and the heating / heating unit H2 based on the measured values of the hot water and the water use equipment F based on the temperature and intensity commanded by the remote control device R Heating operation is performed to supply hot water.

Briefly, the controller C performs heating operation at the commanded temperature and intensity by heating hot water circulated from the tank 4 and the bathtub 14 with the heat exchangers 32a and 32b to obtain hot hot water. .
The heating / heating unit H2 includes heat exchangers 32a and 32b, a hot water supply burner 33, a gas supply adjustment valve 34, and a blower fan 35. The control unit C controls the operation of the gas supply adjustment valve 34 and the blower fan 35 to adjust the supply amount of gas and combustion air to the hot water supply burner 33 to provide the hot water passing through the heat exchangers 32a and 32b. The amount of heat is adjusted, and the temperature of hot hot water generated in the heating / heating unit H2 is adjusted. And based on the measured value of heating thermistor 14Tb, 15T, 16T, 32aT, 32bT and flow meter 14Fb, 15F, 16F, 32aF, 32bF, operation of circulation pumps 32aP, 32bP is controlled, and heat exchangers 32a, 32b are made. The heating operation is performed at the commanded temperature and intensity by adjusting the temperature and amount of hot water obtained by passing the water.

[Status of remote control device]
Below, based on FIG. 2, each state of remote control 14R in a bathroom is demonstrated. In the following, each state of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom will be described as a representative of the remote controller R, but other remote controllers (kitchen remote controller 11R, remote controller 15R outside the bathroom, floor heating remote controller 16R) have the same state. Works the same way.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of each state of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom of the gas hot water heater 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 14R in the bathroom receives (a) an operation command and consumes a predetermined amount of power (St1 (an example of the “first state” in the present invention)) and (b) the operation command. Waiting for an operation, standby state St2 (an example of the “second state” of the present invention) in which power consumption is smaller than predetermined power, and (c) a non-use state St3 in which power consumption is further smaller than standby state St2 (“ Transition of three states (an example of “third state”).

FIG. 2A shows the remote controller 14R in the bathroom that is in the use state St1 and is chasing in the power saving mode. The display unit 41 of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom is configured by a liquid crystal display, and is configured so that the brightness of the display screen can be adjusted depending on the power consumption.
In the use state St1, the display unit 41 displays information such as the current time, the operation state, the hot water storage state, and the hot water supply state with clear brightness so that the user can easily see. Further, in the usage state St1, each button arranged in the operation unit 42 for inputting an operation command is lit with a three-color LED of the backlight from behind, and is configured so that each button can be easily recognized. In addition, the operation lamp 43 is lit on the button relating to the function currently in use, and the three-color LED of the backlight is particularly bright and lit in green.

  FIG. 2B shows the bathroom remote controller 14R in the standby state St2 and in the power saving mode. In the standby state St2, the display unit 41 of the remote control device R limits information display and lowers the brightness of the liquid crystal display. Further, the lighting of each button of the operation unit 42 from behind by the three-color LED is also stopped, and only the power saving button and the operation lamp 43 of the power saving button are lit in orange in a state where the luminance is lower than in the use state St1. It is configured. Thereby, the standby state St2 is a state where the power consumption is smaller than that of the use state St1.

  FIG. 2C shows the in-bathroom remote controller 14R that is in the unused state St3. In the non-use state St3, all information display on the display unit 41 formed of a liquid crystal display, and all buttons arranged on the operation unit 42 and lighting from behind by the three-color LEDs of the operation lamp 43 are stopped. That is, in the stop state, the remote control device R is stopped, and the power consumption in the state is 0 or very small if not 0, and the unused state St3 is further consumed than the standby state St2. The power is low.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the state of the remote control device R is changed from the use state St1 or the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3, which consumes less power than the standby state St2, by first transition means described later. Further, the second transition means transits from the use state St1 to the standby state St2. Further, the third transition means transits from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3.

[Control block diagram of state transition of remote control device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control unit C of the gas hot water heater 1. Below, based on FIG. 3, the structure of the control part C which controls the state transition of the remote control apparatus R is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 3, the gas hot water heater 1 uses the control unit C to detect a change in state that occurs with use of the hot water use facility F in the demand point P, and a use state detection. Use state determination means 52 for determining whether or not the hot water utilization facility F is in use based on the use state information detected by the means 51. And when it determines with the hot water utilization equipment F not in a use state by the use state determination means 52, the state of the remote control apparatus R is changed by the remote control state transition means 60. FIG.

  The controller C includes first transition means 61 that causes the remote control device R to transition from the use state St1 or the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 that consumes less power than the standby state St2, as the remote control state transition means 60. Yes. Moreover, the 2nd transition means 62 to which it changes from use state St1 to standby state St2 is provided. Furthermore, a third transition means 63 for making a transition from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 is provided.

[Control of state transition of remote control device]
FIG. 4 is a control flow diagram of a general state transition of the remote control device R. Below, based on FIG. 4, the control of the general state transition of the remote control apparatus R is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the gas hot water heater 1, a measuring system S that measures the usage state of the hot water utilization facility F is installed in each of the hot water utilization facilities F. The measurement system S measures utilization state information indicating the utilization state of the hot water utilization facility F, and transmits the measured utilization state information to the control unit C of the gas hot water heater 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit C is a state that occurs with the use of the hot water use facility F in the demand point P based on the use state information transmitted from the measurement system S provided in the hot water use facility F. The use state detection means 51 which detects the change of is provided.
When the usage status information is received from the measurement system S, the usage status detection means 51 detects the usage status of the hot water usage facility F (# 10).

  The usage state determination unit 52 determines whether it is the timing for determining the usage state of the hot water utilization facility F based on the usage state information and time information detected by the usage state detection unit 51 (# 21). And in the case of the timing which determines a use condition, a use condition is determined (# 21: Yes-> # 22).

  And when it determines with the hot water utilization equipment F not in a use state by the use state determination means 52, the remote control state transition means 60 changes the state of the remote control apparatus R (# 23: Yes-> # 30).

  On the other hand, in the above control, when it is not the timing for determining the use state (# 21: No), or when the hot water utilization facility F is determined to be in use (# 23: No), the state of the remote control device R is changed. Without detecting a transition, the detection of the usage state of the hot water utilization facility F is continued (# 10).

[Remote control device in the bathroom]
Below, the example which applied control of the general state transition of the remote control apparatus R of FIG. 4 demonstrated above to the remote control apparatus R of the concrete hot water utilization equipment F is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of the state transition of the bathroom remote control 14R. Below, based on FIG. 5, control of the state transition of remote control 14R in a bathroom is demonstrated.

  When the control of the state transition of the remote control device R of FIG. 4 is applied to the remote control 14R in the bathroom, as shown in FIG. 1, a water level sensor 14H is installed in the bathtub 14 of the bathroom P2, and the use state detection means 51 is replaced with the water level sensor. 14H and flow meters 12F, 13F, and 14F that measure the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water and water use equipment F (curran 12, shower 13, bathtub 14) installed in the bathroom P2. And the use condition determination means 52 does not detect the hot water supply to the hot water use equipment F (curan 12, shower 13, bathtub 14) in which the flow meter is installed in the bathroom P2, and the water level sensor 14H is predetermined to the bathtub 14. When the water level is not detected, it is determined that the hot water use facility F of the bathroom P2 is not in use, and the state of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom is changed by the remote control state transition means 60.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the control of the state transition of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom, the use state detecting means 51 uses the hot water supply amount (an example of use state information) and the water level measured by the flow meters 12F, 13F, 14F. Based on the water level (an example of usage state information) measured by the sensor 14H, the usage state of the hot water / water use facility F in the bathroom P2 is detected (# 10A).

  When the hot water supply amount measured by the flow meters 12F, 13F, and 14F is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the use state determination unit 52 goes to the hot water use facility F (curan 12, shower 13, bathtub 14) installed in the bathroom P2. It is determined that all the hot water supplies have stopped. And it judges that it is a judgment timing of a use state, and it is judged whether the hot-water utilization equipment F of the bathroom P2 is a use state (# 21A: Yes).

  Determination of whether the hot water utilization equipment F of the bathroom P2 is in use is performed based on the water level measured by the water level sensor 14H (# 22A). That is, when the water level of the bathtub 14 measured by the water level sensor 14H is lower than a predetermined value, the user determines that the user is not taking a bath, and the hot water use facility F (the currant 12, the shower 13, the bathtub 14) in the bathroom P2 is used. It is determined that it is not in a state (# 22A: No).

  If the controller C determines that the hot water utilization facility F in the bathroom P2 is not in use, the controller C changes the state of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom from the use state St1 or the standby state St2 by the first transition means 61. The state is changed to the use state St3 (# 30A).

  On the other hand, when the hot water supply amount measured by the flow meters 12F, 13F, 14F is larger than a predetermined value (# 21A: No), or the water level of the bathtub 14 measured by the water level sensor 14H is larger than a predetermined value (# 22A: Yes), the use state determination means 52 determines that the user is taking a bath, and the hot water use facility F in the bathroom P2 is in a standby state (potentially usable state), and the bathroom P2 Detecting the usage state of the hot and cold water use facility F is continued (# 10A).

[Floor heating remote control device]
FIG. 6 is a control flow chart of the state transition of the floor heating remote controller. Below, based on FIG. 6, control of the state transition of floor heating remote control 16R is demonstrated.

  When the state transition control of the remote control device R is applied to the floor heating remote control 16R, as shown in FIG. 1, a load sensor 16W for detecting a load applied to the floor member is installed in the hot water floor heater 16 in the room P3. (An example of the “load detection means” of the present invention) The use state detection means 51 is a load sensor 16W. Then, when the load sensor 16W does not detect a predetermined load for a predetermined time, the use state determination unit 52 determines that the user is absent on the floor member and the hot water use facility F in the room P3 is not in use. Thus, the state of the floor heating remote controller 16R is changed by the remote controller state transition means 60.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the state transition control of the floor heating remote controller 16R, the use state detecting means 51 is based on the load (an example of use state information) measured by the load sensor 16W. The use state of the machine 16 is detected (# 10B).

  When the load measured by the load sensor 16W is less than the predetermined value, the use state determination unit 52 determines that it is the use state determination timing and determines whether the hot water floor heater 16 is in use (#). 21B: Yes).

  Whether the hot water floor heater 16 is in use is determined based on the load sensor 16W and a timer (not shown) (# 22B). That is, when the load measured by the load sensor 16W is less than the predetermined value for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the user is absent and the hot water floor heater 16 is not in use (# 22B: Yes).

  When it is determined that the hot water floor heater 16 is not in use, the first transition means 61 changes the state of the floor heating remote controller 16R from the use state St1 or the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 (# 30B).

  On the other hand, when the load measured by the load sensor 16W is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (# 21B: No), or when the load measured by the load sensor 16W is less than the predetermined value but the predetermined time has not elapsed (# 22B: No) ) Determines that the hot water type floor heater 16 is in a standby state (a state in which the hot water type floor heater 16 is potentially used), and continues to detect the hot water type floor heater 16 in use). # 10B).

[Remote control device]
FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram of state transition of the remote control device R from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3. Below, based on FIG. 7, the control of the spontaneous state transition of the remote control device R from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 will be described.

  When the control of the state transition of the remote control device R is applied to the spontaneous state transition from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 of the remote control device R, as shown in FIG. The remote control device state detection means RS for detecting the state is installed, and the use state detection means 51 is used as the remote control device state detection means RS. When the standby state St2 continues for a predetermined time or more, the use state determination unit 52 determines that the remote control device R is not in use, and the third transition unit 63 causes the remote control device R to move from the standby state St2. Transition to the unused state St3.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in the control of the spontaneous state transition from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 of the remote controller R, the use state detector 51 is a remote controller detected by the remote controller state detector RS. Based on the state of the device R, the use state of the remote control device R is detected (# 10C).

  The use state determination unit 52 detects the state of the remote control device R by the remote control device state detection unit RS. If the remote control device R is in the standby state St2, it is determined that it is the use state determination timing, and it is determined whether or not the remote control device R is in use (# 21C: Yes).

  Whether or not the remote controller R is in use is determined based on the remote controller status detector RS and a timer (not shown) (# 22C). That is, when the state of the remote control device R detected by the remote control device state detection means RS is in the standby state St2 for a predetermined time or longer, the user is no longer operating the remote control and the remote control device R is not in use. (# 22C: Yes).

  If it is determined that the remote controller R is not in use, the third transition means 63 causes the remote controller R to transition from the standby state St2 to the non-use state St3 (# 30C).

  On the other hand, when the remote control device R is not in the standby state St2 (# 21C: No), or when the remote control device R is in the standby state St2 but the predetermined time has not elapsed (# 22C: No), the use state determination unit 52 The remote control device R is determined to be in a standby state (a state in which the remote control device R can potentially be used), and detection of the use state of the remote control device R is continued (# 10C).

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, for the remote control device R (in the embodiment, the remote controller 14R in the bathroom), the display unit 41 is configured by a liquid crystal display, and each button of the operation unit 42 is lit from behind with a three-color LED. Although illustrated, the configuration is merely an example, and may be configured by other methods and means capable of adjusting power consumption. Further, the information displayed on the display unit 41 and the function, shape, and arrangement of buttons arranged on the operation unit 42 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, you may comprise the operation part 42 with other means, such as a touch panel, instead of a button.

(2) In the above embodiment, with respect to the standby state St2 of the remote control device R (in the embodiment, the remote controller 14R in the bathroom), the display information on the display unit 41 composed of a liquid crystal display is limited and the luminance is reduced. Although the configuration in which the power consumption is reduced as compared with the use state St1 by restricting the lighting from the back by the three-color LED of each button is illustrated, the configuration is only an example. The power consumption may be reduced as compared with the usage state St1 by any one or more of the limitation of display information on the liquid crystal display, the decrease in luminance, the limitation of lighting of the three-color LED, or the other method.

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the remote control state transition means 60 for controlling the state transition of the remote control device R is arranged in the control unit C of the gas hot water heater 1 is merely an example, and the configuration is appropriately Modification is possible. For example, the remote control state transition means 60 may be arranged in each remote control device R.

(4) In the above embodiment, as a control of the state transition of the remote controller 14R in the bathroom, if the water level of the bathtub 14 measured by the water level sensor 14H is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the user determines that the user is taking a bath, and the remote controller 14R in the bathroom Although the control which continues the detection of the use condition of the hot water utilization equipment F of the bathroom P2 without changing the state of (# 22A: Yes-> # 10), the hot water utilization equipment F of the bathroom P2 at the time (curran 12) is illustrated. Since the hot water supply to the shower 13 and the bathtub 14) is not detected and is considered to be in a standby state (a state that can potentially be used) (# 21A: Yes), by the second transition means 62, You may comprise so that the state of remote control 14R in a bathroom may be changed to standby state St2.

(5) In the above embodiment, as the control of the state transition of the floor heating remote controller 16R, when the load measured by the load sensor 16W is less than the predetermined value but the predetermined time has not elapsed, the hot water type floor heater 16 is used. Although control which continues detection of a state was illustrated (# 22B: No-> # 10), since the predetermined load is not detected at the said time and it is thought that a user is absent on a floor member (# 21B) : Yes), the second transition means 62 may cause the floor heating remote controller 16R to transition to the standby state St2.

(6) In the said embodiment, although control which changes the state of the remote control apparatus R based on the use condition of the hot water use equipment F and the remote control apparatus R was illustrated, the said hot water use equipment based on the amount of heat other than based on a use condition It may be configured to be able to set a limiting condition for limiting the usage amount used in the configuration, and to change the state of the remote control device R based on the amount of heat used in the hot water usage facility F.
That is, the measurement system S is a calorie measuring unit that measures the amount of heat used in the hot water use facility F, and as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit C has the hot water use facility F based on the calorie measured by the calorie measurement unit. Whether or not the heat utilization amount of the hot water use facility F measured by the calorie measurement means satisfies the restriction condition set by the restriction condition setting means 71. And a limiting condition determining means 72 for determining whether or not.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the restriction condition is set in advance by the restriction condition setting means 71 (# 01D), the amount of heat used in the hot water utilization facility F is measured by the heat quantity measurement means (# 10D), and the restriction condition is set. The determination means 72 determines whether or not the heat utilization amount of the hot water utilization facility F measured by the heat amount measurement means satisfies the restriction condition set by the restriction condition setting means 71 (# 22D). If the restriction condition is satisfied, the remote controller state transition means 60 may transition the state of the remote controller R (# 23D: Yes → # 30D).
In addition, although the structure which changes the state of the remote control apparatus R based on the measurement of the calorie | heat amount in the hot water utilization equipment F was illustrated above, the said structure is only an illustration and the state transition of the remote control apparatus R is other energy amount. It may be based on measurement. For example, it may be based on the measurement of the electric energy instead of the measurement of the amount of heat, and the measurement of these energy amounts may be substituted by counting the energization time to the remote control device.
As shown in FIG. 3, in this case, for example, the remote control device R can be configured as a means for inputting a restriction condition to the restriction condition setting means 71.

1 Gas water heater / heater (device main body, hot water supply device)
14 Bath 14H Water level sensor 16 Hot water type floor heater (floor heater)
16R floor heating remote control 16W load sensor (load detection means)
51 use state detection means 52 use state determination means 61 first transition means 62 second transition means 63 third transition means 71 restriction condition setting means F hot water use facility P demand point P2 bathroom R remote control device S measurement system (heat quantity measurement means)
St1 use state (first state)
St2 standby state (second state)
St3 non-use state (third state)

Claims (7)

An apparatus main body for generating or tracking hot water to a hot water use facility installed at a demand point, and a remote control device for receiving an operation command for the apparatus main body,
As a state of the remote control device, a hot water supply device that has a first state that accepts the operation command and consumes predetermined power and a second state that waits for an operation of the operation command and consumes less power than the predetermined power. There,
A use state detection means for detecting a change in state that occurs with the use of the hot water utilization facility in the demand point;
Use state determination means for determining whether or not the hot water utilization facility is in a use state based on use state information relating to the change in the state detected by the use state detection unit;
When the hot water use facility is determined not to be in use by the use state determining means, the remote control device is changed from the first state or the second state to a third state in which power consumption is lower than that in the second state. A hot water supply device provided with first transition means for transitioning. The flow rate meter that measures the amount of hot water supplied to the water level sensor of the bathtub installed in the bathroom and the hot water use facility installed in the bathroom, wherein the use state detection means comprises:
When the use state determining means does not detect the hot water supply to the hot water use facility installed in the bathroom, and the water level sensor does not detect a predetermined water level in the bathtub, the hot water use facility The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the battery is not in use. The use state detection means is a load detection means for detecting a load applied to a floor member that receives supply of hot water from a floor heater,
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use state determination unit determines that the hot water utilization facility is not in use when the load detection unit does not detect a predetermined load on the floor member for a predetermined time. The use state detecting means is an energy amount measuring means for measuring the amount of heat or electric power used in the hot water utilization facility,
A restriction condition setting means for setting a restriction condition for restricting a use amount to be used in the hot water utilization facility based on the heat amount or the electric energy measured by the energy amount measurement means;
The said 1st transition means works, when the energy usage amount of the said hot water utilization equipment measured by the said energy amount measurement means satisfy | fills the said restriction | limiting condition set by the said restriction | limiting condition setting means. A hot water supply apparatus according to one item. Second transition means for transitioning the remote control device from the first state to the second state;
The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second transition means works instead of the first transition means.   The hot water supply according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising third transition means for transitioning the remote control device from the second state to the third state when the second state is continued for a predetermined time or more. apparatus.   The hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the third state, the remote control device is stopped, and the power consumption in the state is 0 or very small if not 0.

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