JP2018169125A - Thermal device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technic for operating a thermal device in an operational mode in accordance with a power contract concluded between a user and a power company.SOLUTION: A thermal device includes: a heat pump; a tank; and a control device having a storage in which a preset power contract is registered in advance. The thermal device is used under a first power contract in which a power supply to the heat pump does not stop and under a second power contract in which a power supply to the heat pump stops for a first predefined period of time in a day. The control device is configured to operate in a first operational mode when the preset power contract is the first power contract, and operate in a second operational mode when the preset power contract is the second power contract. The control device decides whether the actual power contract concluded between a user who uses the thermal device and a power company is the first power contract or the second power contract, and judges whether the preset power contract is the same as the actual power contract.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a thermal apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a thermal apparatus that includes a heat pump that heats the heat medium, a tank that stores the heat medium heated by the heat pump, and a control device that controls the operation of the heat pump. In the thermal device of Patent Document 1, snow melting power is supplied to the heat pump. In this case, a snow melting contract using snow melting power is concluded between the user who uses the thermal equipment and the electric power company. The control device operates in an operation mode according to the snowmelt contract.

JP2013-142492A

  In cold regions such as the Hokkaido region, users who use thermal equipment can use power contracts that use snowmelt power (hereinafter referred to as “snowmelt contracts”) and power contracts that do not use snowmelt power (hereinafter “normal contracts”). The power contract can be concluded with the power company. Information related to the power contract concluded between the user and the power company is registered in advance in the thermal equipment. The thermal device operates in an operation mode in accordance with a power contract registered by the user (hereinafter referred to as “set power contract”). That is, the thermal device operates in the first operation mode when the set power contract is a normal contract, and operates in the second operation mode when the set power contract is a snow melting contract. In such a case, the set power contract registered by the user may be different from the power contract that the user has concluded with the power company. In this case, the thermal device operates in an operation mode in accordance with a power contract different from the power contract that the user has concluded with the power company.

  The present specification provides a technology in which a thermal device can operate in an operation mode according to a power contract actually concluded between a user and a power company.

  The thermal device disclosed in the present specification may include a heat pump that heats the heat medium, a tank that stores the heat medium heated by the heat pump, and a control device that controls the operation of the heat pump. In the thermal device, the first power contract in which the supply of power to the heat pump is not stopped, or the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped for a first predetermined time from a specific time in one day. It may be used under two power contracts. The control device operates in a first operation mode when the set power contract is a first power contract, and operates in a second operation mode when the set power contract is a second power contract. It may be configured to operate. In the control device, which of the first power contract and the second power contract is an actual power contract concluded between a user who uses the thermal equipment and a power company And whether or not the set power contract is the same as the actual power contract may be determined.

  According to said structure, the control apparatus can specify the actual electric power contract concluded between the user who utilizes thermal equipment, and an electric power company. The control device can determine whether the set power contract registered in advance in the storage unit is the same as the actual power contract. Therefore, the control device can operate in an operation mode in accordance with an actual power contract concluded by a user who uses the thermal equipment.

  The control device may notify the abnormality when determining that the set power contract is different from the actual power contract.

  According to said structure, the user using a thermal apparatus can know that the setting electric power contract registered into the memory | storage part differs from an actual electric power contract because a control apparatus alert | reports abnormality. As a result, the user can change the set power contract to the same power contract as the actual power contract. Accordingly, the thermal device can operate in an operation mode according to the actual power contract.

  The control device may specify the duration for which the supply of power to the heat pump continues. In this case, the control device may specify that the actual power contract is the first power contract when the duration is equal to or longer than the second predetermined time.

  When the actual power contract is the second power contract, the duration time does not exceed the second predetermined time obtained by subtracting the first predetermined time from 24 hours. For this reason, the control device can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is the first power contract when the duration is equal to or longer than the second predetermined time. The second predetermined time may be longer than the time obtained by subtracting the first predetermined time from 24 hours.

  The control device may specify a stop time during which the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped. In this case, the control device may specify that the actual power contract is the second power contract when the stop time is the first predetermined time.

  When the actual power contract is the second power contract, the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped for the first predetermined time of the day. According to the above configuration, the control device can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is the second power contract based on the stop time.

  The control device specifies the first stop time when the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped on the day when the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped, and the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped. You may specify the 2nd stop time when the stop of supply of the electric power to the heat pump on the day after the day was started. In this case, the control device may specify that the actual power contract is the second power contract when determining that the first stop time and the second stop time are the same.

  When the actual power contract is the second power contract, the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped for a predetermined time from a specific time of the day. That is, the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped at the same time for two consecutive days. On the other hand, there is a possibility that supply of power to the heat pump is stopped by the operation of the user of the thermal device. However, it is unlikely that the power supply to the heat pump unit is stopped at the same time for two consecutive days by the operation of the user of the thermal equipment. According to said structure, a control apparatus specifies that an electric power contract is a 2nd electric power contract, when the 1st and 2nd stop time is the same. Therefore, the control device can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is the second power contract.

The figure which represents typically the structure of a heating system. The figure showing the control composition of a heating system. The figure which shows the flowchart of a determination process. The figure which shows the flowchart of the determination process which concerns on 2nd Example.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, the heating system 2 of a present Example is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the heating system 2 includes an HP (heat pump) unit 10, a tank unit 20, and a burner unit 40. The heating system 2 is a heat supply system that supplies heat to the heater 50 by circulating a heating medium with the heater 50.

  The heating system 2 of the present embodiment is premised on use in an area where snowmelt power can be used, such as the Hokkaido region. In such a region, the user who uses the heating system 2 can conclude a power contract with a power company, either a snow melting contract using snow melting power or a normal contract not using snow melting power. . When a snow melting contract is concluded between the user and the power company, snow melting power is supplied to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20, and normal power is supplied to the burner unit 40 (FIG. 1). The snow melting power is a special power that can be used mainly during the winter (for example, from October to May). The power supply of the snow melting power is stopped by the power company during a period when the snow melting power is not available (for example, from June to September). In addition, even if snow melting power is a period in which snow melting power can be used, the snow melting power is between two hours (for example, 16: 00 to 18:00) from a specific time of the day (for example, 16:00), Power supply is stopped by the power company. In the following, the time during which the power supply is stopped by the power company during the period when the snowmelt power is available is referred to as “power supply stop time”. On the other hand, normal power is power that is not stopped by the power company. That is, normal power is power that can be used throughout the day. When a normal contract is concluded between the user and the power company, normal power is supplied to the HP unit 10, the tank unit 20, and the burner unit 40.

  The HP unit 10 includes a heat pump 12, an HP circulation pump 14, an HP forward pipe 16, and an HP return pipe 18. In the heating system 2 of the present embodiment, the heat pump 12, the HP circulation pump 14, a part of the HP forward pipe 16, and a part of the HP return pipe 18 in the HP unit 10 are installed outdoors. It is assumed that

  The heat pump 12 includes a heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the outside air and has reached a high temperature and the heating medium supplied from the HP forward pipe 16. In this embodiment, an antifreeze containing ethylene glycol or the like is used as the heating medium. In another example, water may be used as the heating medium. The heat exchanger includes a heat medium pipe through which a heating heat medium flows and a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows (not shown). Both ends of the heat transfer medium pipe are connected to the HP forward pipe 16 and the HP return pipe 18, respectively. A gas such as carbon dioxide or HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) can be used as the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe. In the present embodiment, the heating heat medium flowing through the HP forward pipe 16 exchanges heat with the refrigerant (high temperature and high pressure) in the refrigerant pipe (receives heat from the refrigerant) while passing through the heat medium pipe of the heat exchanger. ). The heating medium having a high temperature due to the heat exchange is sent to the HP return pipe 18. For efficient heat exchange, it is preferable that the heating medium in the heating medium pipe and the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe flow in opposite directions (counter flow).

  One end of the HP forward pipe 16 is connected to the lower part of the tank 22 (described later), and the other end is connected to the inlet side of the heat medium pipe of the heat pump 12. The HP forward pipe 16 sends the heating heat medium at the bottom of the tank 22 to the heat medium pipe of the heat pump 12. The HP forward pipe 16 includes a temperature sensor 17 that measures the temperature of the heating medium that flows into the HP forward pipe 16 from the lower part of the tank 22.

  One end of the HP return pipe 18 is connected to the outlet side of the heat medium pipe of the heat pump 12, and the other end is connected to the upper part of the tank 22. The HP return pipe 18 sends the heating medium heated by the heat pump 12 to the tank 22. The HP return pipe 18 includes a temperature sensor 19 that measures the temperature of the heating heat medium flowing from the HP return pipe 18 into the tank 22.

  The HP circulation pump 14 is provided in the heat pump 12. By operating the HP circulation pump 14, the heating medium is circulated between the heat pump 12 and the tank 22 via the HP forward pipe 16 and the HP return pipe 18. The HP circulation pump 14 may be provided in the vicinity of the tank 22 inside the tank unit 20.

  The HP unit 10 further includes an HP controller 100. The HP controller 100 controls the operation of each component of the HP unit 10.

  The tank unit 20 includes a tank 22, an expansion tank 30, a heating forward pipe 34, a heating return pipe 36, a bypass path 60, and a flow rate adjustment valve 62. The tank 22 stores the heating medium heated by the heat pump 12. The capacity of the tank 22 is, for example, 30L. The tank 22 includes three temperature sensors 24, 26, and 28 along the height direction. Each temperature sensor 24, 26, 28 measures the temperature of the heating medium in the tank 22 at each height.

  The expansion tank 30 is connected to the lower part of the tank 22 via a connecting pipe 32. When the heating medium in the tank 22 reaches a high temperature, the heating medium in the tank 22 expands and the volume increases. The expansion tank 30 stores a heating medium for heating that has been expanded to increase its volume. The expansion tank 30 may be connected to the heating forward pipe 34 via the connecting pipe 32, or may be connected to the heating return pipe 36 via the connecting pipe 32.

  One end of the heating forward pipe 34 is connected to the upper portion of the tank 22, and the other end is connected to the heater 50. The heating forward pipe 34 sends out the heating heat medium sent from the upper part of the tank 22 to the heater 50.

  The heater 50 performs heating using heat radiation from the heating medium supplied from the heating forward pipe 34. Due to the heat radiation, the temperature of the heating medium is lowered. The heating medium after heat radiation is sent to the heating return pipe 36.

  The heating return pipe 36 has one end connected to the heater 50 and the other end connected to the lower portion of the tank 22. The heating return pipe 36 sends the heating heat medium after heat radiation sent out from the heater 50 to the tank 22.

  The bypass path 60 is provided between the heating forward pipe 34 and the heating return pipe 36. The bypass path 60 has one end connected to the heating forward pipe 34 and the other end connected to the heating return pipe 36. By providing the bypass 60, part or all of the heating heat medium flowing through the heating return pipe 36 can be returned to the heating forward pipe 34 without going through the tank 22. Further, a flow rate adjusting valve 62 is provided at a portion where the heating return pipe 36 and the bypass path 60 are connected. Thereby, for example, when the temperature of the heating medium sent to the heater 50 through the heating forward pipe 34 is too high, the heating medium after heat radiation in the heating return pipe 36 is passed through the bypass 60. Thus, the temperature of the heating medium sent to the heater 50 can be lowered by merging with the heating medium in the heating forward pipe 34.

  In the heating forward pipe 34, the temperature sensor 52 for measuring the temperature of the heating heat medium sent from the tank 22 to the heating forward pipe 34, and the temperature of the heating heat medium upstream from the portion where the bypass path 60 joins are measured. A temperature sensor 54 to be measured and a temperature sensor 56 to measure the temperature of the heating medium on the downstream side of the portion where the bypass 60 joins are provided. Further, the heating return pipe 36 is provided with a temperature sensor 58 that measures the temperature of the heating heat medium sent from the heater 50 to the heating return pipe 36. The tank unit 20 further includes a tank controller 120 that controls the operation of each component of the tank unit 20.

  The burner unit 40 includes a heating circulation pump 46 and a burner 48.

  The heating circulation pump 46 is provided in the middle of the heating forward pipe 34 of the burner unit 40. By operating the heating circulation pump 46, the heating heat medium circulates between the tank 22 and the heater 50 through the heating forward pipe 34 and the heating return pipe 36. The heating circulation pump 46 may be provided inside the tank unit 20. The heating circulation pump 46 may be provided in the heating return pipe 36.

  The burner 48 burns fuel such as city gas and LP gas, and heats the heating heat medium flowing in the heating forward pipe 34 by the combustion heat. The burner 48 is an auxiliary heat source device that operates when the heating medium in the heating forward pipe 34 does not reach the temperature required by the heater 50. The burner unit 40 further includes a burner controller 140 and a remote controller 142. The burner controller 140 controls the operation of each component of the burner unit 40.

  Then, with reference to FIG. 2, the control structure of the heating system 2 is demonstrated.

  The HP controller 100 and the tank controller 120 can communicate with each other. The tank controller 120 and the burner controller 140 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the HP controller 100, the tank controller 120, and the burner controller 140 perform control in cooperation, whereby the heating system 2 can execute various operations such as a heat storage operation, an antifreezing operation, and a heating operation.

  The tank controller 120 includes a controller 122, a nonvolatile memory 124, and a control board 130. The control unit 122 controls the operation of each component of the tank unit 20. In addition, the control unit 122 determines that the power supply to the tank controller 120 is continued (hereinafter referred to as “continuation time”) and the power supply to the tank controller 120 is stopped (hereinafter referred to as “continuation time”). , Referred to as “stop time”). In the nonvolatile memory 124, a set power contract is registered in advance. The set power contract is one of a snow melting contract and a normal contract. The tank controller 120 operates in the “snow melting mode” when the set power contract is a snow melting contract, and operates in the “normal mode” when the set power contract is a normal contract. Operations such as anti-freezing operation executed by the tank controller 120 are different between the snow melting mode and the normal mode.

  The control board 130 includes a timer 132 and a capacitor 134. The timer 132 measures time. When electric power is supplied to the tank controller 120 from the power transmission source, the capacitor 134 is charged. Further, when the supply of power from the power transmission source to the tank controller 120 is stopped, the capacitor 134 is discharged and supplies power to the timer 132. Therefore, the timer 132 can count the time regardless of whether or not power is supplied to the tank controller 120 from the power transmission source.

  The remote controller 142 can communicate with the burner controller 140. That is, the remote controller 142 can communicate with the tank controller 120 via the burner controller 140. The remote control 142 includes a display unit 144 and an operation unit 146. The display unit 144 displays various information related to the heating system 2 such as the current time. By operating the operation unit 146, various instructions and information can be input to the heating system 2. The various instructions that can be input are instructions for starting the heating operation. The information that can be input includes a power contract, a current time, and the like. Before using the heating system 2, the user inputs a power contract concluded between the user and the power company into the remote control 142. When a power contract concluded between the user and the power company is input by the user, the remote controller 142 transmits a signal indicating the power contract to the tank controller 120 via the burner controller 140. The tank controller 120 stores the power contract input by the user in the nonvolatile memory 124 as a set power contract.

  Next, the heating operation, the heat storage operation, and the freeze prevention operation executed by the heating system 2 will be described.

(Heating operation)
The heating operation is an operation for heating by the heater 50. In the description of the heating operation, the HP controller 100, the tank controller 120, and the burner controller 140 are collectively referred to simply as “controller”. When an instruction for heating operation is executed by the user on the remote controller 142, the controller drives the heating circulation pump 46. Further, the controller drives the heat pump 12 and the HP circulation pump 14. Thereby, the heating medium heated by the heat pump 12 passes through the heater 50. In addition, the controller activates the burner 48 as needed. As a result, the high-temperature heating medium heated by the burner 48 passes through the heater 50. In addition, the controller controls the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 62, the operation of the heat pump 12, and the operation of the burner 48 so that the temperature of the heating medium supplied to the heater 50 becomes the heating set temperature in the heating operation. To do.

(Heat storage operation)
In the heat storage operation, the heating medium in the tank 22 is heated by the heat pump 12, and the heating medium that has reached a high temperature is returned to the tank 22. The HP controller 100 executes the heat storage operation when receiving an instruction (hereinafter, referred to as “heat storage operation instruction”) for executing the heat storage operation from the tank controller 120. In the heat storage operation, the HP controller 100 operates the heat pump 12 and drives the HP circulation pump 14.

  The heating medium in the tank 22 circulates through the HP forward pipe 16 by driving the HP circulation pump 14. That is, the heating medium present in the lower part of the tank 22 is introduced into the HP forward pipe 16, and the introduced heating medium is heated when passing through the heat pump 12, and the heated heating medium is heated in the tank 22. Return to the top of the. As a result, a high-temperature heating medium is stored in the tank 22. When the inside of the tank 22 is in a fully stored state filled with a high-temperature heating medium, the heat storage operation is terminated.

(Anti-freezing operation)
The freeze prevention operation is an operation for preventing the heat pump 12, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 from being frozen and broken by circulating a heating medium between the heat pump 12 and the tank 22. The tank controller 120 performs different operations in the normal mode and the snow melting mode.

  In the normal mode, the tank controller 120 instructs the HP controller 100 to drive the HP circulation pump 14 (hereinafter referred to as “circulation”) even when the heating heat medium is not heated by the HP unit 10. (Referred to as “pump drive instruction”) periodically. The heating medium is circulated between the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 by operating the HP circulation pump 14. When the tank controller 120 determines that the high-temperature heating medium is not stored in the tank 22 when transmitting the circulation pump drive instruction to the HP controller 100, the tank controller 120 transmits the heat storage operation instruction to the HP controller 100. To do. As a result, the high-temperature heating heat medium circulates through the heat medium pipe, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 of the heat pump 12. Therefore, freezing damage to the heat pump 12, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 is suppressed.

  Further, during the snow melting mode, the tank controller 120 periodically transmits a circulation pump drive instruction to the HP controller 100 as in the normal mode. Further, the tank controller 120 transmits a circulation pump driving instruction to the HP controller 100 30 minutes before the power supply stop time. As described above, the power supply to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 is stopped during the power supply stop time. Therefore, during the power supply stop time, the heat pump 12, the HP circulation pump 14, and the like cannot be operated. In this case, the heat pump 12, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 may be frozen and damaged during the power supply stop time. By sending a circulation pump drive instruction to the HP controller 100 30 minutes before the power supply stop time, the high-temperature heating heat medium immediately before the power supply stop time becomes the heat medium pipe of the heat pump 12 and the HP forward pipe. 16 and the HP return pipe 18 are circulated. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the heat pump 12, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 from being frozen and damaged during the power supply stop time. In the snow melting mode, when the tank controller 120 determines that a high-temperature heating medium is not stored in the tank 22 when transmitting the circulation pump drive instruction to the HP controller 100, the tank controller 120 issues a heat storage operation instruction. Transmit to the HP controller 100.

(Determination processing; FIG. 3)
Next, the determination process executed by the tank controller 120 will be described with reference to FIG. Whether the determination processing matches the set power contract in the nonvolatile memory 124 and the actual power contract concluded between the user and the power company (hereinafter referred to as “actual power contract”). This is a process for determining whether or not. When an operation for registering a power contract is performed on the remote controller 142 by the user, the tank controller 120 starts the process of FIG.

  In S <b> 10, the tank controller 120 determines whether power supply to the tank controller 120 has been stopped. The tank controller 120 acquires time information from the timer 132 at predetermined intervals. The tank controller 120 determines whether power supply to the tank controller 120 has been stopped using the time information. The tank controller 120 specifies the time difference by subtracting the time information acquired last time from the time information acquired this time. When the supply of power to the tank controller 120 is continued, the time difference is the same as the predetermined period. On the other hand, when the supply of power to the tank controller 120 is stopped, the time difference is longer than the predetermined period. For this reason, when the time difference does not coincide with the predetermined period, that is, when the time difference is larger than the predetermined period, the tank controller 120 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S20. On the other hand, when the time difference coincides with the predetermined period, the tank controller 120 determines NO in S10 and proceeds to S40.

  In S20, the tank controller 120 specifies the time difference specified in S10 as a time during which power supply from the transmission source is stopped (hereinafter referred to as “stop time”).

  In S22, the tank controller 120 determines whether or not the stop time is 2 hours. The case where the stop time is 2 hours includes the case where the stop time does not completely match 2 hours. For example, in this embodiment, the tank controller 120 determines YES in S22 when the stop time is 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes. In addition, the case where NO is determined in S22 is, for example, a case where a power failure occurs in which the supply of snowmelt power and normal power is stopped.

  In S24, the tank controller 120 specifies that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract.

  In S30, the tank controller 120 determines whether or not the actual power contract matches the set power contract. When the actual power contract matches the set power contract (YES in S30), the tank controller 120 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when the tank controller 120 determines that the actual power contract and the set power contract are different (NO in S30), the process proceeds to S32. In S30 after S24, the tank controller 120 determines YES when the set power contract is a snowmelt contract, and determines NO when the set power contract is a normal contract.

  In S32, the tank controller 120 notifies the abnormality. Specifically, the tank controller 120 transmits error information indicating that the set power contract and the actual power contract do not match to the remote controller 142 via the burner controller 140. When the remote controller 142 receives the error information, the remote controller 142 displays a message corresponding to the error information on the display unit 144 and notifies the speaker with a speaker (not shown). Thereby, the user can know that the set power contract and the actual power contract do not match.

  In S <b> 40, the tank controller 120 determines whether or not the time during which power supply to the tank controller 120 continues (hereinafter referred to as “duration”) exceeds 22 hours. If the duration is 22 hours or less (NO in S40), the process returns to S12. On the other hand, if the duration exceeds 22 hours (YES in S40), the process proceeds to S42.

  In S42, the tank controller 120 determines that the actual power contract is a normal contract. This is because when the actual power contract is a snow melting contract, the duration does not exceed 22 hours. Then, the tank controller 120 executes S30 and S32. In S30 after passing through S42, the tank controller 120 determines YES when the set power contract is a normal contract, and determines NO when the set power contract is a snow melting contract.

  As described above, the user who uses the heating system 2 concludes a power contract between the normal contract and the snow melting contract with the power company. In the nonvolatile memory 124 in the tank controller 120, the power contract concluded between the user and the power company is registered as a set power contract. The tank controller 120 operates in an operation mode according to the set power contract. However, the set power contract registered in advance in the nonvolatile memory 124 may be different from the actual power contract. In this case, the tank controller 120 operates in an operation mode different from the operation mode according to the actual power contract. For example, a case will be described in which the set power contract is registered as a normal contract even though the actual power contract is a snow melting contract. As described above, when the actual power contract is a snow melting contract, the freeze prevention operation needs to be executed before the power supply stop time. However, when the set power contract is a normal contract, the tank controller 120 only periodically transmits a circulation pump drive instruction to the HP controller 100. In this case, the freeze prevention operation may not be executed immediately before the power supply stop time. That is, when the actual power contract is a snow melting contract but the set power contract is a normal contract, the heat pump 12, the HP forward pipe 16, and the HP return pipe 18 may be frozen and damaged during the power supply stop time. is there. In order to avoid such a situation, in this embodiment, the tank controller 120 specifies whether the actual power contract is a snow contract power or a normal contract (S24, S42 in FIG. 3). . Then, the tank controller 120 determines whether or not the set power contract is the same as the actual power contract (S30). Accordingly, the tank controller 120 can operate in an operation mode according to the actual power contract.

  Further, when the actual power contract is different from the set power contract (NO in S30), the tank controller 120 reports an abnormality indicating that the set power contract and the actual power contract do not match (S32). By this. The user can know that the set power contract and the actual power contract do not match. Then, the user can change the set power contract to an actual power contract. Accordingly, the tank controller 120 can appropriately operate in the operation mode according to the actual power contract.

  Further, when the stop time is 2 hours (YES in S22), the tank controller 120 specifies that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract (S24). When the actual power contract is a snow melting contract, the supply of power to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 is stopped for two hours in one day. Therefore, the tank controller 120 can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract by using the stop time.

  In addition, when the duration is 22 hours (YES in S40), the tank controller 120 specifies that the actual power contract is a normal contract (S42). If the actual power contract is a snowmelt contract, the duration will not exceed 22 hours. Therefore, the tank controller 120 can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is a normal contract by using the duration time.

(Correspondence)
The heating system 2 is an example of a “thermal device”. The tank controller 120 and the HP controller 100 are examples of the “control device”. The nonvolatile memory 124 is an example of a “storage unit”. 2 hours and 22 hours are examples of “first predetermined time” and “second predetermined time”, respectively. The normal contract and the snow melting contract are examples of the “first power contract” and the “second power contract”, respectively. The normal mode and the snow melting mode are examples of the “first operation mode” and the “second operation mode”, respectively.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the process of FIG. 4 is executed instead of the process of FIG. Differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

(Determination processing; FIG. 4)
S110 to S122 are the same as S10 to S22 of FIG. S150 and S152 are the same as S40 and S42.

  In S <b> 124, the tank controller 120 specifies the time when the supply of power to the tank controller 120 is stopped (hereinafter referred to as “stop time”). As described above, the tank controller 120 acquires time information from the timer 132 at every predetermined period. When the time difference between the time information acquired this time and the time information acquired last time does not match the predetermined cycle, the tank controller 120 identifies the time information acquired last time as the stop time.

  In S <b> 126, the tank controller 120 determines whether or not the stop time has been stored in the nonvolatile memory 124. If the stop time is not stored in the nonvolatile memory 124, the tank controller 120 determines NO in S126, and proceeds to S132. In S132, the tank controller 120 stores the stop time specified in S124 in the nonvolatile memory 124. On the other hand, when the stop time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 124, the tank controller 120 determines YES in S126, and proceeds to S128.

  In S128, the tank controller 120 determines the stop time stored in the nonvolatile memory 124 (hereinafter referred to as “first stop time”) and the stop time specified in S124 (hereinafter referred to as “second stop time”). It is determined whether or not the times are the same. In this embodiment, the case where the stop time is the same includes the case where there is a time difference of about 5 minutes. When the tank controller 120 determines that the first stop time and the second stop time are the same (YES in S128), the process proceeds to S130. The case where the first stop time and the second stop time are the same is a case where the day on which the second stop time is specified is later than the day on which the first stop time is specified. . In S130, the tank controller 120 determines that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract. S140 and S142 are the same as S30 and S32 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the tank controller 120 determines that the first stop time is different from the second stop time, the process proceeds to S132. In S132 after S128, the tank controller 120 overwrites and saves the stop time specified in S124 in the nonvolatile memory 124.

  As described above, when the actual power contract is a snow melting contract, the supply of power to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 is stopped for two hours from a specific time. The power supply to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 is stopped at the same specific time for two consecutive days. On the other hand, the power supply to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 may be stopped by the operation of the user of the thermal equipment. However, it is unlikely that the power supply to the HP unit 10 and the tank unit 20 is stopped at the same time for two consecutive days by the operation of the user of the thermal equipment. According to the above configuration, the tank controller 120 determines that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract when the first stop time and the second stop time are the same. Therefore, the tank controller 120 can appropriately specify that the actual power contract is a snow melting contract by using the first stop time and the second stop time.

  Each embodiment has been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

  (Modification 1) The tank controller 120 may automatically change the set power contract when determining that the set power contract and the actual power contract are not the same. For example, when it is determined that the actual power contract is a normal contract in a state where the snow melting contract is registered in the set power contract, the tank controller 120 automatically changes the set power contract to the normal contract and sets the normal mode. Works with. Thereby, the tank controller 120 can operate in an operation mode according to the actual power contract.

  (Modification 2) “Thermal equipment” may be a hot water supply and heating apparatus that includes a heating system and a hot water supply system.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2: Heating system 10: HP unit 12: Heat pump 14: HP circulation pump 16: HP forward pipe 17: Temperature sensor 18: HP return pipe 19: Temperature sensor 20: Tank unit 22: Tank 24: Temperature sensor 26: Temperature sensor 28 : Temperature sensor 30: Expansion tank 32: Connecting pipe 34: Heating return pipe 36: Heating return pipe 40: Burner unit 46: Heating circulation pump 48: Burner 50: Heater 52: Temperature sensor 54: Temperature sensor 56: Temperature sensor 58 : Temperature sensor 60: Bypass path 62: Flow control valve 100: HP controller 120: Tank controller 122: Controller 124: Non-volatile memory 130: Control board 132: Timer 134: Capacitor 140: Burner controller 142: Remote controller 144: Display unit 146: Operation unit

Claims (5)

A heat pump that heats the heat medium, a tank that stores the heat medium heated by the heat pump, and a control device that controls the operation of the heat pump, and the power supply to the heat pump is not stopped. 1 is a thermal equipment used under a first power contract or a second power contract in which the supply of power to the heat pump is stopped for a first predetermined time from a specific time of the day. And
The control device includes a storage unit in which a set power contract is registered in advance,
The control device operates in a first operation mode when the set power contract is the first power contract, and performs a second operation when the set power contract is the second power contract. Configured to work in mode,
The control device includes:
The actual power contract concluded between the user who uses the thermal equipment and the power company is identified as the power contract of the first power contract or the second power contract,
A thermal device that determines whether the set power contract is the same as the actual power contract.   The said control apparatus is a thermal equipment of Claim 1 which alert | reports abnormality, when it judges that the said setting power contract differs from the said actual power contract.   The control device specifies a duration for which the supply of power to the heat pump continues, and when the duration is equal to or longer than a second predetermined time, the actual power contract is the first power contract. The thermal device according to claim 1 or 2, which is specified.   The control device specifies a stop time during which power supply to the heat pump is stopped, and the actual power contract is the second power contract when the stop time is the first predetermined time. The thermal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is specified as follows. The control device includes:
Specify the first stop time when the supply of power to the heat pump was started on the day when the supply of power to the heat pump was stopped,
Specify a second stop time when the stop of the supply of power to the heat pump was started on a day after the day when the supply of power to the heat pump was stopped,
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the first stop time and the second stop time are the same, the actual power contract is specified as the second power contract. 5. The thermal equipment described in.

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