JP2018111531A - Water server, information processing method for the same, and information processing program for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify a cause of an abnormality occurrence in a water server according to an operational state, a use mode, and a use state of the water server.SOLUTION: A water server (2) for supplying water stored in a tank (4) adjusting its temperature to a prescribed temperature, comprises: a function part (6) for executing processing including adjusting the temperature of water in the tank and supplying water; condition monitoring means (12) for monitoring a condition of the function part; a temperature sensor (8) for detecting the temperature of water in the tank; a storage part (16); and a control part (10) for generating event information (20) of the function part when a condition of the function part changes, combining the event information and temperature information detected by the temperature sensor (detected temperature information 22), and making the storage part store them in chronological order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing technology that enables the state of a functional unit of a water server to be grasped after a lapse of time.

  There is a water server that manages and stores mineral water or the like at a predetermined temperature and supplies water according to a user's request. Water servers that produce cold and hot water are popular because of their convenience and ease of installation. For example, water servers are installed in stores, hospital waiting rooms, offices, private houses, etc. used by an unspecified number of people, and the range of use is expanding.

  The water server has, for example, a function for improving user convenience.

  With respect to the functions provided in such a water server, there is one having a function of switching between normal operation and energy-saving operation according to a time zone set according to a user's usage mode and usage frequency (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-032106 A

  By the way, the water server needs to be regularly maintained from the standpoints of maintaining functions and ensuring cleanliness, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the operating state. This maintenance is collected by a manufacturer or the like who manufactured or sold the water server body, and checks and cleans internal parts. Then, the function unit in which an abnormality has occurred in the operation check is dealt with such as part replacement.

  Water server abnormalities are not limited to, for example, those caused by defective parts, and some may not be grasped unless actual operating conditions are reached. Such an abnormality may occur, for example, when a preset function cannot be executed due to a difference in usage mode of the water server or a change in usage frequency.

  Such defects are difficult to grasp from the collected equipment about the facts that have occurred, their contents, and status. Therefore, depending on the usage environment of the water server, there is a possibility that sufficient functions cannot be exhibited.

  Conventionally, a water server stores information detected by a sensor or the like installed therein, the number of input operations on an operation panel, and the like in a storage unit. However, even if individual information is stored, the state during operation cannot be completely grasped, and there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with an abnormality that does not originate from a component failure.

  The cited document 1 does not disclose or suggest such a problem, and cannot solve the problem of the present application.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to grasp the operating state of the water server.

Another object of the present invention is to specify the cause of the occurrence of an abnormality that occurs in the water server in accordance with the usage mode and usage state.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the water server of the present invention is a water server that supplies water stored in a tank adjusted to a set temperature, and includes temperature adjustment and water supply in the tank. In response to a change in the state of the functional unit, a functional unit that executes processing, a state monitoring unit that monitors the state of the functional unit, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of water in the tank, a storage unit, and the functional unit A control unit that generates event information of the function unit, and stores the event information in combination with the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor and stores the event information in time series.

  The water server further includes a timer for timing, and the control unit reads out an elapsed time of occurrence of a state change of the functional unit from the timer, and combines the elapsed time with the event information and the temperature information. You may memorize | store in a memory | storage part.

  In the water server, the function unit includes input operation means for performing a water supply instruction operation and a temperature setting operation in the tank, a plurality of valves for adjusting inflow and outflow of water in the tank by opening and closing, water in the tank One or two or more temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature may be included.

  In the water server, when a state change occurs in the registered function unit, the control unit causes the storage unit to store one or both of the number of occurrences of the state change of the function unit and the accumulated operation time. It's okay.

The water server further includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device,
The control unit may receive a request from the external device and transmit the event information in the storage unit from the communication unit to the external device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an aspect of the information processing method for a water server according to the present invention is an information processing method for a water server that supplies water stored in a tank after adjusting to a set temperature. The function is triggered by the process of monitoring the state of the functional unit that executes the process including the temperature adjustment and the water supply, the process of detecting the temperature of the water in the tank by the temperature sensor, and the state change of the functional unit Generating event information of the unit, and combining the event information with the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor and storing the information in time series in the storage unit.

  In the information processing method of the water server, a process of counting an elapsed time from the occurrence of the previous event with a timer, a process of storing the elapsed time in the event information and the temperature information and storing the elapsed time in the storage unit May be included.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of an information processing program for a water server according to the present invention is an information processing program that is executed by a computer of a water server that adjusts to a set temperature and supplies water stored in a tank. The temperature monitoring of the water in the tank is obtained from the state monitoring means, and the temperature information of the water in the tank is obtained from the temperature sensor. It includes a function of generating event information of the functional unit triggered by a state change, and storing the event information and temperature information detected by the temperature sensor in a time series in the storage unit.

The information processing program of the water server may include a function of measuring an elapsed time from the occurrence of the previous event with a timer and storing the elapsed time in the event information and the temperature information in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) Combining the status of the functional unit and the temperature of the water supply to the event that occurred, and storing information along the time series, it is possible to generate information that can easily grasp the operating status and usage status of the water server can do.

  (2) By storing the event that occurs in the functional unit and the temperature of the water in the tank in association with each other, it is possible to generate information that represents the influence of the event on the water supply function.

  (3) Information indicating the state of the water server at the time of event occurrence can be easily generated, and the fact of failure status and error occurrence can be revealed during maintenance.

  (4) By associating the information on the functional unit with respect to the event that occurred and the temperature of the water in the tank, the operating state in the water server or the state of the functional unit at the time of the event is stored. Improve the reliability of the water server, such as

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer with reference to the accompanying drawings and each embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the water server which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing of a water server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the water server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the recording process of the event information with respect to a data storage part, time information, and detected temperature information. It is a figure which shows an example of measurement memory, recording information, and setting information. Event No. It is a figure which shows an example of allocation of. It is a figure which shows the operation state of the water server using recorded information. It is a figure which shows the example of a state at the time of event occurrence. It is a figure which shows an example of integral recording. It is a float chart which shows an example of the event recording process of a water server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the water server which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a float chart which shows an example of the event transmission process of a water server.

  [First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a water server according to the first embodiment. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  The water server 2 adjusts the temperature of the water W stored in the tank to a set temperature, and supplies the water W to the outside in response to a water supply request. In addition, the water server 2 monitors the state of the operation of the function unit 6 for executing the water supply function, the temperature adjustment function, etc., and triggered by the change in the state of the function unit 6 in response to a water supply request, etc. The function unit 6 has a function of generating event information generated. The generated event information is stored in the storage unit of the water server 2 in chronological order in which events occur. The water server 2 provided with such a function monitoring function of the functional unit 6 includes, for example, one or a plurality of tanks 4 in which water W is stored. This tank 4 is provided with a temperature sensor 8 to monitor the temperature of the stored water.

  The functional unit 6 that is a state monitoring target includes, for example, a switch 6-2, a heater 6-4, an on-off valve 6-6, a compressor 6-8, and the like. The function unit 6 increases as the functions executable by the water server 2 increase. In addition, the water server 2 includes a control unit 10, a state monitoring unit 12, and a storage unit 16.

  The tank 4 is an example of means for storing the water W inside and supplying the water W to the outside in response to a water supply request. For example, one or a plurality of tanks 4 are installed for the water server 2. When a plurality of tanks 4 are provided, all the set temperatures may be the same, or the set temperatures of the water W stored therein may be different. In the tank 4, the water W is adjusted and kept at a set temperature by the temperature adjusting means provided in the function unit 6. Moreover, the temperature sensor 8 installed in the tank 4 notifies the control part 10 of the detected temperature information of the stored water W, for example.

  The switch 6-2 is an example of a function unit 6 and is an input operation unit for supplying water / hot water, requesting temperature setting, and the like. The heater 6-4 is a heating function unit for heating the water in the tank 4, and is an example of a temperature adjusting unit of the present disclosure. A large number of on-off valves 6-6 are installed in the water server 2, and are examples of functional units that open or close the water flow path and the tank 4 by opening and closing. The compressor 6-8 is an example of a functional unit that cools the water in the tank 4. That is, the functional unit 6 is used for the operation of the water server 2 and includes functional parts that function by changing the operation and the state thereof. Each function unit 6 is electrically connected to the control unit 10 by wire, wireless, or other methods, or a sensor for monitoring the state of the function unit 6 is installed. Control instructions and acquired information are transmitted and received.

  The control unit 10 is an example of an operation control unit of the water server 2 and issues an operation instruction to each functional unit 6 such as a water supply function and a temperature adjustment function. In addition, the control unit 10 includes a state monitoring unit 12 that monitors the state of the function unit 6. The state monitoring unit 12 captures information detected by a sensor installed in the function unit 6 to be monitored, for example, and receives the instruction based on an operation instruction issued to the function unit 6 through the control unit 10. 6 state information is captured. For example, when the function unit 6 to be monitored is a water supply valve that adjusts the water supply from the tank 4, the state monitoring unit 12 takes in the “open” operation instruction output from the control unit 10 to the water supply valve (not shown). Thus, it is understood that an event that the water supply valve has changed to an open state has occurred.

The control unit 10 includes an information generation unit 14 that generates event information of the function unit 6 that has occurred in the water server 2. The event information is generated when a change or the like occurs in the state information, and the operation or stop of the function unit 6 in the water server 2 or the presence / absence of an operation input operation is recorded. This event information includes, for example, state information for each functional unit 6 monitored by the state monitoring unit 12, and is an example of an operation history indicating the operation state of the water server 2. The water server 2 generates event information 20 along the time series for the events that have occurred.
Then, the control unit 10 reads out the temperature information in the tank 4 detected at the same time or set timing with respect to the generated event information 20, and combines this temperature information with the event information 20 as recorded information 18 in the storage unit 16. Remember.

  In addition to storing information detected by a sensor or the like, the storage unit 16 stores record information including generated event information 20, detected temperature information 22 of water W in the tank 4 acquired from the temperature sensor 8, and the like. In this storage unit 16, for example, a detection database is formed, and a plurality of recorded information 18-1, 18-2,... Stored. In addition, the recorded information 18-1, 18-2,... 18-N may include time information 24 indicating an elapsed time from the occurrence of the previous event, for example.

  In addition, although the state monitoring means 12 showed the case where it was a part of control function formed in the control part 10, it does not restrict to this. For example, the state monitoring unit 12 may have a configuration independent of the control unit 10. The state monitoring unit 12 monitors an operation instruction output from the control unit 10 to the function unit 6 and detects detection information such as a sensor installed in the function unit 6. It may be a state monitoring unit to be captured.

  <Information recording process>

  FIG. 2 shows an example of information processing of the water server. The processing content and processing procedure shown in FIG. 2 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration according to the present invention. This information processing is an example of the information processing method and information processing program of the water server of the present disclosure.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing includes event information generation processing for occurrence of an event such as a hot water supply request as well as water supply preparation processing and water supply processing.

  The control unit 10 of the water server 2 adjusts the temperature of the water stored in the tank 4 (S1). This temperature adjustment is an example of a water supply preparation process, and includes a process of adjusting the water to a set temperature by operating a heating unit, a cooling unit, or the like installed in the tank 4.

  The controller 10 detects the temperature in the tank 4 (step S2). The control unit 10 may capture the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 and store it in a storage area (not shown) formed in the storage unit 16. Moreover, the control part 10 should just monitor whether the water supply preparation process of the tank 4 is completed.

  The control unit 10 monitors whether or not there is an operation instruction input to the function unit 6 and performs a state monitoring process for the operation instruction (step S3). The monitoring of the operation instruction input to the function unit 6 includes, for example, monitoring of a hot water supply request operation and a temperature setting operation on an operation panel (not shown). The state monitoring process for the operation instruction includes, for example, a response state and operation state monitoring process of the function unit 6 for the operation instruction output from the control unit 10.

  When the control unit 10 confirms from the monitoring result of the state monitoring unit 12 that a state change has occurred in one or more configurations included in the functional unit 6 (step S4), the information generation unit 14 detects the event information 20 Is generated (step S5). For example, the information generation unit 14 detects, for the generated event information 20, the detection temperature information 22 that captures the detection temperature from the storage area of the storage unit 16, and the time information 24 that records the elapsed time from the previous event occurrence, Is generated and stored in the storage unit 16 (step S6).

  <Effect of the first embodiment>

  According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) By combining the event information 20 of the functional unit and the temperature information in the tank, record information is generated, and this record information is arranged and stored in chronological order so that an event such as a water supply request input operation occurs. On the other hand, it is possible to leave a detailed record as to whether or not appropriate processing is being performed.

  (2) It is possible to easily generate information indicating the operating state and usage state of the water server.

  (3) It is possible to generate information representing the impact on the water supply function when an event occurs.

  (4) The operational status of each functional unit is recorded in association with events such as a water supply request input operation, so that the fact of failure status and error occurrence can be revealed, and the maintenance performance of the water server can be improved. Improvement can be achieved.

  (5) By generating event information, the status of the water server at the time of the event can be recorded, and the reliability of the water server can be improved, such as speeding up maintenance and executing appropriate maintenance.

  [Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the water server according to the second embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is an example.

  The water server 30 is a hot / cold water supply device that stores hot water and cold water while managing the temperature, and supplies the hot water and cold water according to a user's request. In addition, the water server 30 has, for example, an energy saving operation function that switches the operation state according to a user's water supply usage pattern, a cleaning function that circulates high-temperature water in some or all of the flow paths and tanks in the water server 30, and the like. Advanced processing functions may be provided.

  The water server 30 is provided with a water supply tank 32 for storing room temperature water W on the upper side of the main body, for example. Inside the housing, for example, a cold water tank 34 is disposed at the upper stage, and a hot water tank 36 is disposed at the lower stage. The cold water tank 34 and the hot water tank 36 are an example of the tank of the present disclosure, and are each temperature-controlled at a set temperature and store the cold water CW or the hot water HW.

  The water supply tank 32 is an example of the water supply means of the water server 30, and for example, a so-called gallon bottle type container made of resin or glass is used. The water supply tank 32 is placed on the main body ceiling side of the water server 30 with the water supply port 38 facing downward, so that the water W in the water supply tank 32 flows out into the cold water tank 34 and water is supplied. .

  The water supply tank 32 is not limited to a gallon bottle type, and is a so-called back-in-box type including an outer case formed of cardboard or the like and a water container such as a resin storing water W inside the outer case. May be adopted.

  The cold water tank 34 includes a valve mechanism 40 as means for adjusting the inflow of water W from the water supply tank 32. The valve mechanism 40 is switched between inflow and shut-off of the water W with respect to the cold water tank 34 by opening and closing. The valve mechanism 40 may include a float valve that switches between opening and closing of the flow path with the water supply tank 32 by moving up and down according to the water level in the cold water tank 34, for example.

  The cold water tank 34 is provided with a partition plate 42 having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tank, for example. The partition plate 42 is disposed at, for example, the middle height of the cold water tank 34, and partitions the water staying on the bottom side of the tank and the water on the upper side of the tank. The partition plate 42 has an opening 44 having a predetermined diameter, for example, on the center side, and a water supply pipe 46 connected to the hot water tank 36 is connected through the opening 44. The water supply pipe 46 is an example of a conduit that flows the water in the cold water tank 34 toward the hot water tank 36, and passes the bottom of the cold water tank 34 to flow the water W or the cold water CW to the lower layer side of the hot water tank 36.

  The cold water tank 34 is provided with an evaporator 48 for cooling to a set temperature of, for example, 6 to 12 [° C.], and a cold water temperature sensor 50 for monitoring the temperature of the cold water CW. The evaporator 48 is an example of a functional unit of the present invention, and is constituted by, for example, a pipe wound around the cold water tank 34. The evaporator 48 cools water in the tank by a refrigerant flowing inside. The cold water temperature sensor 50 is an example of a temperature sensor according to the present disclosure, and includes, for example, a thermistor thermometer. The cold water temperature sensor 50 transmits the detected temperature information to the control device 90. For example, when the temperature of the chilled water CW is not lower than the set temperature, the water server 30 issues a control instruction to the cooling device 80 including the evaporator 48 and performs a chilled water supply restriction until the set temperature is reached.

  A heater 52 is wound around the hot water tank 36 around the outside, and the internal water is heated to, for example, 85 to 90 [° C.] as a set temperature. The heater 52 is an example of a functional unit of the present invention, and for example, an electric heater is used. The hot water tank 36 is provided with a hot water temperature sensor 54 for monitoring the temperature in the tank, an empty safety device 56, and the like. The temperature information detected by the hot water temperature sensor 54 is transmitted to the control device 90 and used for hot water temperature management, hot water supply restriction on the hot water side, and the like. The emptying safety device 56 is a means for detecting whether or not there is water in the hot water tank 36, and may include, for example, a water level sensor or a water pressure sensor. The empty safety device 56 has a function of transmitting the detected information to the control device 90 and forcibly turning off the heater 52 in accordance with a control instruction from the control device 90 or independently of the control device 90. Good.

  <Composition on the water supply side>

  A cold water pipe 58 is connected to the bottom side of the cold water tank 34, and the cold water CW in the cold water tank 34 flows to the water supply port 60 side. The cold water pipe 58 is provided with a cold water electromagnetic valve 62 in the middle of the pipeline, and switches ON / OFF of the water supply from the cold water tank 34 and the flow rate. Further, the cold water pipe 58 may be provided with a block heater 64 at a position closer to the cold water tank 34 side than the cold water electromagnetic valve 62, for example. The block heater 64 is an example of a heating unit, and is used to heat water staying in the cold water pipe 58 to a predetermined temperature in, for example, high-temperature water circulation processing of the water server 30. The cold water electromagnetic valve 62 and the block heater 64 may be set as a functional unit of the present invention.

  For example, a hot water pipe 66 is connected to the hot water tank 36 on the upper side, and the hot water HW in the hot water tank 36 flows to the water supply port 68 side in response to a request for water supply. The hot water pipe 66 is provided with a hot water solenoid valve 70 as an example of a functional unit of the present invention in the middle of the pipe line, and switches ON / OFF of water supply from the hot water tank 36 and the flow rate.

  In addition, the hot water tank 36 may be provided with a drain pipe 72 on the bottom side, for example. The drain pipe 72 is an example of means for discharging waste water during maintenance or unnecessary water during normal operation, and includes a drain valve 74 on the pipe. The drain valve 74 may be set as a functional unit of the present invention. For example, the drain valve 74 is electrically connected to the control device 90 and operates according to an opening / closing instruction from the control device 90.

  The cold water tank 34 and the hot water tank 36 are connected by a bypass pipe 76 separately from the water supply pipe 46, for example. This bypass pipe 76 is an example of a high-temperature water circulation means, for example, and flows high-temperature water together with the water supply pipe 46. As an example of the functional unit of the present invention, the bypass pipe 76 is provided with a bypass valve 78 for shutting off the cold water tank 34 and the hot water tank 36 during the water supply operation.

  In the water server 30, a cooling device 80 that causes the refrigerant to flow to the evaporator 48 is disposed on the bottom side of the main body. The cooling device 80 includes, for example, a compressor 82, a dryer 84, a condenser 86, and a capillary tube 88, and is connected to the evaporator 48 through a refrigerant pipe.

  The evaporator 48, the heater 52, the cooling device 80, the chilled water electromagnetic valve 62, the hot water electromagnetic valve 70, the bypass valve 78, and the drain valve 74 forming the water server 30 as described above are opened / closed and turned on / off. And may be set as a state monitoring target as a functional unit of the present invention.

  The water server 30 includes a control device 90 that performs valve opening / closing control and temperature control in the cold water tank 34 and the hot water tank 36. The control device 90 is an example of a control unit of the present disclosure, and is electrically connected to each functional unit that forms the water server 30. The control device 90 has a function of outputting a driving operation instruction to each function unit and collecting state information from each function unit. Further, an operation panel 92 including operation means such as operation of water supply and hot water supply, temperature display, temperature setting, and state display means is provided.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation panel.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 92 includes an unlock switch 100 that locks only hot water supply or hot water and cold water, a hot water switch 102 that issues a hot water supply instruction, a cold water switch 104 that issues a cold water supply instruction, and energy saving. An energy saving switch 106 for instructing operation in the mode is provided. Further, the operation panel 92 includes a lock release display lamp 110, a hot water display lamp 111, a high temperature display lamp 112, a cold water display lamp 113, a weak cold water display lamp 114, a repeated setting display lamp 115, an energy saving display lamp 116, a high temperature as display functions. A circulation display lamp 117 or the like may be provided.

  <Configuration example of control device>

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the control device of the water server. The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The control device 90 is constituted by a microcomputer, for example, and includes a processor 120, a memory unit 124, a multi-timer 126, an I / O (Input / Output) 128, and the like.

  The processor 120 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs operations such as an OS (Operating System) and water cooling control, heating control, and water supply control stored in the memory unit 124 as well as energy saving operation and high-temperature water circulation. Arithmetic processing such as a control program related to the mode is performed. In addition, the processor 120 monitors the status information of each functional unit such as a heater and a valve of the water server 30 and information processing that generates event information about an event that has occurred in the water server 30 using the status information. Execute. The memory unit 124 performs operations of a program storage unit 132 that is a storage region of a program configured by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a data storage unit 130 that stores collected data, a control program, and an information processing program. A random access memory (RAM) 134 that functions as a work area.

  The data storage unit 130 stores, for example, temperature information detected by the cold water temperature sensor 50 and the hot water temperature sensor 54, instruction information input to the operation panel 92, control instruction output information for each function unit, and operation status of each function unit Stores information indicating The program storage unit 132 stores, for example, an OS and a water supply control program, an information processing program that generates state information of each functional unit, and generates event information that associates the acquired state information with tank temperature information.

  The I / O 128 is an example of an interface between each functional unit of the water server 30 and the control device 90. The control device 90 receives the detected temperature information from the chilled water temperature sensor 50 and the hot water temperature sensor 54 via the I / O 128, as well as the heater 52, the empty safety device 56, the chilled water electromagnetic valve 62, the block heater 64, and the hot water. Control instructions for the electromagnetic valve 70, the drain valve 74, the bypass valve 78, the compressor 82, etc. are output. The control device 90 is connected to the operation panel 92 via, for example, an I / O 128 and receives each operation input to the lock release switch 100, the hot water switch 102, the cold water switch 104, and the energy saving switch 106, and executes each process. The lock release display lamp 110, the hot water display lamp 111, the high temperature display lamp 112, the cold water display lamp 113, the weak cold water display lamp 114, the repeated setting display lamp 115, the energy saving display lamp 116, and the high temperature circulation display lamp 117 are displayed.

  The multi-timer 126 is an example of a time measuring means. For example, in addition to recording / displaying time information of an operation state, a function for measuring a set time interval, a process between occurrences such as operation input and operation state switching. It has a function to time and record time.

  In such a configuration, the control device 90 collects the state information of each functional unit, generates event information triggered by the state change, the temperature information of the cold water CW and the hot water HW in the tank at that time, the previous time The elapsed time information from the occurrence of the event is also stored in the data storage unit 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the data storage unit 130 includes a combination DB 142 that generates record information in which event information and detected temperature information are combined and stores them in time series order. When the control device 90 executes information processing, it generates record information 18 that combines the collected event information, detected temperature information, and time information. The generated record information 18 may be stored in the combination DB 142. In addition to the generated record information 18 (combination DB 142), the data storage unit 130 stores the accumulated data 143 and the alert 144 when, for example, the functional unit or event content in which the event has occurred is a previously registered event. May be. In the determination of whether or not to perform integration or alert output, for example, a function unit in which an event has occurred or information that can identify the event content is selected. Store in either 144 or both. The alert 144 only needs to store information for grasping the error situation at the collection maker at the time of maintenance of the water server 30, for example. Further, the integrated data may store information used for life management, such as the operating status of the valve, the operating status of the heating means, and the cooling means.

  <Event information generation processing>

  Next, an example of information collection processing and event information generation processing by the control device 90 will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example of the measurement memory and event information data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the control device 90 generates a measurement memory 150 that captures and stores temperature information from the cold water temperature sensor 50 and the hot water temperature sensor 54 when an event occurs. The measurement memory 150 includes, for example, elapsed time information 152 from the previous event, cold water temperature information (TC) 154, and hot water temperature information (TH) 156. The measurement memory 150 may be stored in the RAM 134, for example.
Note that the control device 90 may collect the temperature information periodically for a predetermined time regardless of the occurrence of the event, for example, and generate the measurement memory 150, or the cold water CW in the cold water tank 34 or the hot water tank 36. The measurement memory 150 may be generated from the temperature information collected when the hot water HW is adjusted and kept at the set temperature.
Also, the elapsed time information (Sec) 152 from the previous event is updated (incremented) in seconds by the multi-timer 126, and when the event occurs, the information at that time is stored in the record information 160 and then initialized (set to 0). )

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, record information 160 including event information indicating the event that has occurred is generated in the control device 90. The recorded information 160 is stored together with temperature information in the tank for each time series of event occurrence. The recorded information 160 includes a plurality of recorded information of Log (0), Log (1)... Log (N), for example, in the order of events that have occurred. The recorded information 160 includes elapsed time information (Sec) 162, event No. (M) 164 that has occurred, cold water temperature information TC166, and hot water temperature information TH168, respectively. As the elapsed time information 162 from the previous time, the cold water temperature information TC166, and the hot water temperature information TH168, for example, values stored in the measurement memory 150 are used. Event No (M) 164 is an example of event information indicating the content of the event that has occurred. The event No. is an example of an event code 172 that is assigned from the content of an event that has occurred in the functional unit, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and is defined in advance. The event content 174 is an example of event information generated in the function unit. For example, when an event for the functional unit occurs, the control unit 90 replaces the corresponding event content 174 with the event No and generates the record information 160.
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, the control device 90 is provided with setting information indicating a writing position or a reading position of event information by the computer with respect to the recording information 160 generated in the combination DB 142. In the setting information, the next recording position “P” 167 and the data reading position “PP” 169 are set.

  <Examples of using event information>

  By generating event information for the events that have occurred in the order of their time series, the operating state of the water server 30 can be recorded in detail. A of FIG. 9 is a specific example of data recorded in the recording information 160, and a portion of Log (34) is extracted from Log (10). 9B classifies the information shown in A of FIG. 9 according to ON / OFF of the same switch and open / close of the same valve, and represents ON and open as ◯, and OFF and closed as x. Accordingly, ◯ to × indicate ON or open states. The integration of elapsed time intervals represents the time during which the state of each functional unit continues.

  FIG. 10 shows an event occurrence state related to, for example, a hot water supply process based on the example of A of FIG. In the recorded information 160, the contents of the event that has occurred in the functional unit and the temperature information in the tank at that time are registered in association with each other, so that the operating state of the water server 30 at the time of the event can be grasped. That is, the water server 30 turns the hot water solenoid valve 70 ON (open) / OFF (closed) in response to an ON / OFF operation (state information E) of the hot water switch 102, for example, every event occurrence time (state information F ). When the water W or the cold water CW is supplied into the hot water tank 36 by the hot water supply process, the hot water heater 52 discloses the operation (state information G). Further, the temperature (temperature information H) in the hot water tank 36 and the temperature (temperature information D) in the cold water tank 34 at this time are recorded.

  <Integrated recording process>

  FIG. 11 shows an example of integrated recording.

  The control device 90 may use the state information collected in the monitoring process for the function unit, for example, to generate integrated recording data 190 for the number of operations of the function unit or the number of control instructions, and store it in the memory unit 124. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the cumulative recording data 190 stores cumulative number information 192 and cumulative time information 194 of functional units. These accumulated records are used together with event information, for example, in the maintenance process to determine whether parts are replaced or errors have occurred.

  <Information processing>

  Next, information processing of the water server will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of event recording processing of the water server. The processing contents and processing procedures shown in FIG. 12 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such contents.

  When the Log recording event (event information) occurs (YES in Step S11), the control device 90 displays the elapsed time information (Sec) 152 from the previous event in the recording area Log (P). Record in Sec (step S12). Here, the next recording position is set in P, and is initially “0”. That is, first, it is recorded in Log (0). The elapsed time information (Sec) 152 from the previous event is updated by the multi-timer 126 and recorded in the record information 160. Then, the elapsed time information (Sec) 152 from the previous event is initialized (step S13), and the timing process is started again for the next event occurrence.

  The control device 90 records the generated event in the recording area Log (P). M is recorded (step S14). For the event, for example, the event No is selected based on the status information of the functional unit and is recorded in the record information 160. Also, the same Log (P). TC, Log (P). The temperature information TC, TH in the tank is recorded for TH (step S15).

  When the generation of event information for the Pth Log is completed, the next recording position P of the recording information 160 is shifted to a value (P + 1) shifted by “1” (step S16). Then, it is determined whether or not the recording area has reached a predetermined number N (step S17). If the predetermined number N has been reached (YES in step S17), the recording position is set to the top Log (0) (step S18). ). If the recording area has not reached the predetermined number N (NO in step S17), the recording process is continued.

  As a recording preparation, the control device 90 initializes an event number to be recorded next time (step S19) and performs an update process of the integrated recording data 190 (step S20).

  <Effects of Second Embodiment>

  According to such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) It is possible to easily generate information indicating the operating state and usage state of the water server.

  (2) By storing event information for water servers with many functions such as energy-saving functions and cleaning processes, it is possible to grasp the detailed status of the water server's operating status and error status during maintenance. The maintenance can be improved and the reliability of the water server can be improved.

  [Third Embodiment]

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of a water server according to the third embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 13 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  In the water server 202, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the event information is managed by the water server operation management system 200. The water server operation management system 200 includes a communication terminal 204 that can communicate with the water server 202, for example. The communication terminal 204 exchanges information by wire or wireless via a communication unit 206 mounted on the water server 202, for example. The information to be communicated includes, for example, instruction information for requesting event information, generated recording information 160, integrated recording data 190, and the like.

  The water server 202 has the configuration shown in the above embodiment, and the description of the function information monitoring function, temperature information collection function, and event information generation function is omitted.

  The communication terminal 204 is an example of an external device of the present disclosure. As an information processing apparatus that can send and receive information to and from the water server 202, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a portable communication terminal, or a dedicated event information collecting device It may be a terminal. The communication terminal 204 includes, for example, a control unit 207 that generates an information request and controls information acquisition, a storage unit 208 that stores the acquired information, a wired connection or an Internet telephone line using a communication cable, and wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or infrared communication. A communication unit 210 having a function is provided.

  As a result, the communication terminal 204 collects information from the water server 202.

  <Information transmission process>

  Next, information transmission processing of the water server will be described. FIG. 14 shows an example of event transmission of the water server. The event transmission process illustrated in FIG. 14 is an example of an information processing method and an information processing program of the present disclosure.

  When a log data transmission request is generated from the communication terminal 204 (YES in step S31), the water server 202 performs integrated recording data transmission processing (step S32). The control device 90 may transmit the accumulated recording data 190 stored in the data storage unit 130, for example.

  For example, since the next recording position of the recording information 160 is P, the control device 90 sets the previous recording position (P-1) where the event information has already been recorded as the reading position PP (step S33). It is determined whether PP, which is the set recording position to be read, is a value smaller than 0 (step S34). That is, when PP is smaller than 0, it means that the next recording position P is the top (Log (0)) or the top of the recorded information (Log (0)) is read.

  If PP is smaller than 0 (YES in step S34), the reading position PP is made final (N) (step S35). If PP is 0 or more (NO in step S34), the state is maintained as it is.

  When M, which is the event No. of the recording log (PP) of the recording information, is 0 and there is no data (YES in step S36), the elapsed time information 152 (elapsed time Sec from the previous event) from the last recording is transmitted (step) S37), the transmission data is initialized, and the transmission process is finished (step S38). In the case of continuous recording, etc., initialization is not necessary.

  If there is data in event No (NO in step S36), one record Log (PP) data is transmitted (step S39). Then, the recording position PP to be read is shifted by 1 and set to (PP-1) (step S40). The transmission process is repeated until M, which is the event number of the recorded information, becomes zero.

  Note that the recorded information 160 is not limited to the case of reading and transmitting data one by one, for example, and a plurality of read data or all of the data may be transmitted at once.

  <Effect of the third embodiment>

  According to such a configuration, in addition to the effects of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) The event information generated by the water server 202 can be collected at any time, and when the occurrence of abnormality is confirmed, the information can be quickly acquired.

  (2) By collecting event information as needed, it is possible to determine whether or not the water server can continue to be used as it is, and convenience is improved.

  (3) The operational status of the water server can be constantly monitored to provide information, and the reliability for users can be improved.

  With respect to the embodiment described above, the features and modifications thereof are listed below.

  (1) In the conventional water server, the operation state and accumulated information are recorded for each function unit. With such information, for example, it was determined whether or not the sensor factory, a disconnection or abnormal heating in the tank, a function abnormality of the high-temperature water circulation, or the like was abnormal by performing a reproduction test at the manufacturer factory. On the other hand, according to this invention, the reproducibility of a driving | running state improves by associating the status information of a function part, and the temperature state in a tank, and recording with the same Log.

  (2) Further, by generating event information, for example, it is possible to manage detailed information such as grasping the period when the hot water side power supply is OFF, the usage time zone of cold / hot water, and the amount of power consumption.

  (3) In this water server, for example, a switch input that is artificially performed, and whether the generated valve open / close and power operation start / stop status are linked with temperature information in a time-series manner regardless of whether or not this input is linked. It is possible to check the usage status etc.

  (4) Since the switch operation and the control operation are stored separately, the state where the operation desired to be executed is not executed is also stored. That is, the input information and the operation information can be recorded in time series as the same log together with the sensor information.

  (5) Event information generated by the water server can be uploaded to external devices. Furthermore, this information can be collected in a database via the Internet, for example, and data of a plurality of water servers may be analyzed. Such an analysis can be used to study improvements of the water server.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the collected event information is used for reproducing the operation state is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The event information may be used for updating or optimizing operation control content, for example.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and is described in the claims or disclosed in the specification. It goes without saying that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist, and such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention stores the event information that associates the state information of each functional unit of the water server with the temperature information in the tank for each time series, thereby improving the grasping accuracy of the operation state and the occurrence of the abnormality, It is useful because it can improve maintainability.

2, 30, 202 Water server 4 Tank 6 Function unit 6-2 Switch 6-4, 52 Heater 6-6 On-off valve 6-8, 82 Compressor 8 Temperature sensor 10, 207 Control unit 12 Status monitoring means 14 Information generation unit 16 , 208 Storage unit 18, 18-1, 18-2, ... 18-N, 160 Record information 20 Event information 22 Detection temperature information 24 hour information 32 Water supply tank 34 Cold water tank 36 Hot water tank 48 Evaporator 50 Cold water temperature sensor 54 Hot water temperature sensor 56 Empty safety device 58 Cold water pipe 62 Cold water solenoid valve 64 Block heater 70 Hot water solenoid valve 72 Drain pipe 74 Drain valve 76 Bypass pipe 78 Bypass valve 80 Cooling device 90 Controller 92 Control panel 100 Unlock switch 102 Hot water switch 104 Cold water switch 106 Energy saving Pitch 110 unlock indicator lamp 111 hot water display lamp 112 high temperature display lamp 113 cold water display lamp 114 weak cold display lamp 115 repeatedly setting display lamp 116 Energy saving indicator lamp 117 high temperature circulating display lamp 126 multi timer 140 database (DB)
142 Combination DB
150 Measurement Memory 152 Elapsed Time Information 154, 166 Cold Water Temperature Information 156, 168 Hot Water Temperature Information 162 Elapsed Time Information (Sec)
164 Event No.
167 Next recording position “P”
169 Reading position "PP"
172 Event code 174 Event content 190 Integrated record data 192 Cumulative count information 194 Cumulative time information 200 Water server operation management system 204 Communication terminal 206, 210 Communication unit

Claims (9)

A water server that supplies water stored in a tank adjusted to a set temperature,
A functional unit that performs processing including temperature adjustment of water in the tank and water supply;
State monitoring means for monitoring the state of the functional unit;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of water in the tank;
A storage unit;
A control unit that generates event information of the functional unit triggered by a state change of the functional unit, combines the event information and temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, and stores the information in time series in the storage unit;
A water server comprising: In addition, it has a timer to time,
2. The control unit reads out an elapsed time of occurrence of a state change of the functional unit from the timer, and stores the elapsed time in the event information and the temperature information and stores the combined time in the storage unit. The water server described in.   The function unit includes input operation means for performing a water supply instruction operation and a temperature setting operation in the tank, a plurality of valves for adjusting inflow and outflow of water in the tank by opening and closing, and adjusting the temperature of water in the tank The water server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water server includes one or more of the temperature adjusting means.   When a state change occurs in the registered function unit, the control unit causes the storage unit to store one or both of the number of occurrences of the state change of the function unit and an accumulated operation time. The water server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Furthermore, a communication unit that communicates with an external device is provided.
5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives a request from the external device and transmits the event information in the storage unit from the communication unit to the external device. The water server according to item 1. An information processing method for a water server that supplies water stored in a tank adjusted to a set temperature,
A process for monitoring the state of a functional unit that performs a process including a temperature adjustment of the water in the tank and a water supply;
A process of detecting the temperature of water in the tank with a temperature sensor;
Triggered by the state change of the functional unit, generating event information of the functional unit, combining the event information and the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, and storing the time series in the storage unit,
An information processing method for a water server, comprising: In addition, the process of counting the elapsed time from the previous event occurrence with a timer,
A process of storing the event information and the temperature information in the storage unit in combination with the elapsed time;
The information processing method of the water server according to claim 6, comprising: An information processing program to be executed by a computer of a water server that supplies water stored in a tank adjusted to a set temperature,
The temperature monitoring of the water in the tank, the monitoring result of the state of the functional unit that executes processing including water supply is acquired from the state monitoring means,
Obtaining temperature information of water in the tank from a temperature sensor;
In response to a change in the state of the function unit, event information of the function unit is generated, and the event information and temperature information detected by the temperature sensor are combined and stored in time series in the storage unit.
An information processing program of a water server characterized by including a function. The elapsed time from the previous event occurrence is counted with a timer,
Storing the elapsed time in the event information and the temperature information in the storage unit;
9. The information processing program for a water server according to claim 8, comprising a function.

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