JP2900318B1 - Control method of fuel oil amount adjustment valve for combustion equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to compensate for individual differences of a fuel oil amount adjusting valve used in a combustion device using liquid oil as fuel by a simple calibration procedure. SOLUTION: After putting the control device into a calibration mode, the control device outputs a valve opening instruction data D (T2) min of a specific value, and in that state, the fuel oil amount adjustment valve to be measured is Make a correction while monitoring with a measuring instrument so that the specified valve opening corresponding to the specified value is obtained, and obtain the value required for correction as the fixed measurement point valve opening correction amount ΔD (T2) min I do.
Next, the control device issues a second specific value of the valve opening instruction data D.
(T2) max is output, and the second fixed measurement point valve opening correction amount ΔD (T2) max is obtained in the same procedure. Based on the two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts obtained in this way, a linear relational expression between the valve opening instruction data and the correction amount, which is specific to the fuel flow control valve to be measured, is determined, and the normal combustion control is performed. In the mode, even if the oil temperature T2 becomes another value, the design output output from the control device at each time based on the linear relation determined above over the entire range of change of the valve opening instruction data. The correction amount ΔD is added to the valve opening instruction data D.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the control of combustion equipment typified by petroleum water heaters, that is, the control of combustion equipment using liquid oil as fuel. To a method of compensating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 schematically shows a basic combustion mechanism part common to almost all commercially available petroleum water heaters, and a heat exchanger 11 for heating and discharging hot water. The amount of combustion in the burner 12 that gives heat energy to
It is controlled by the amount of fuel oil supplied to the burner 12 as a matter of course. In order to adjust the combustion amount, the fuel oil amount is adjusted by an oil amount adjusting valve 13 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “proportional valve” 13 according to a normal name), and the output required by the user is adjusted. A microcomputer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a microcomputer) 21 as a main combustion control device generates and outputs valve opening instruction data for controlling the valve opening of the proportional valve 13 in accordance with the amount of hot water (open / closed faucet) and tapping temperature. A drive current having a magnitude corresponding to the drive current is supplied to the proportional valve 13 via an interface (driver circuit) (not shown), the valve opening thereof is adjusted, and the fuel oil amount is adjusted. The proportional valve is also provided with an oil pump 16 in parallel, which pumps up oil from a fuel tank, through which a certain amount of oil passes.

The microcomputer 21 also generates and outputs data instructing an appropriate fan motor rotation speed at each time so that an appropriate air supply amount is obtained according to the combustion amount at each time.
A corresponding drive voltage or drive current is applied to the fan motor 15 via a suitable interface (driver circuit) not shown, so that the fan motor 15 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed at each time.

Of course, such control is generally performed as feedback control. For this purpose, various kinds of sensors for taking in necessary data such as water supply temperature, tap water temperature, fan motor rotation speed, etc. are provided, and their output signals or output data are output. It is fed back to the microcomputer 21 and used for control. However, since the present invention does not directly relate to such a system, illustration and details are omitted. The solenoid valve 14 is for completely stopping the fuel supply, and is generally operated only between two positions of opening and shutting, and is particularly used for keeping the combustion completely stopped safely. You.

[0005] The amount of combustion at each time given to the heat exchanger 11 is determined based on a tapping temperature manually set by a user in the first place, but in recent products, the setting operation is performed in a kitchen or a bathroom. To be able to do it in a convenient place for the user,
A remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 30 is connected to the microcomputer 21, and the remote controller 30 is provided with operation switches for the user to make various settings. In addition to the temperature setting switch for raising and lowering the tapping temperature as described above, the operation switch also turns on the operation of the combustion equipment, as will be described later in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
There are an operation switch for turning off, a switch for adjusting the amount of hot water in a device having a function of directly pouring hot water into the bathtub, and a heat insulating switch for a device having a function of reheating hot water in the bathtub. The microcomputer 21 controls the entire combustion mechanism based on the operation of these switches so as to satisfy the instructed result.

[0006]

However, in the case of a combustion device shipped as a product, the valve opening instruction data of the proportional valve 13 output by the microcomputer 21 in accordance with the amount of combustion at each time is determined by the product of the proportional valve 13 Regardless of the difference, a fixed relationship is set as the design output. However, a proportional valve having a mechanical element does not always have the same valve opening degree even when it receives the same electric energy, but rather has individual differences. Of course, there is no problem if the operating characteristics of each unit are within the allowable range.However, in order to check whether or not each of them is within the allowable range in the first place, and to repair the case where they do not, the drive current Calibration procedures are required for the relationship between the input electric quantity such as the above and the physical quantity called the valve opening. Further, depending on the installation conditions of the equipment, the combustion amount may be different at the same valve opening.

However, conventionally, the procedure for making this calibration has been extremely troublesome. For example, before shipping the equipment or immediately after installing the equipment, a considerable number of measurement points are provided in the entire range of change from the minimum to the maximum of the valve opening instruction data, and the control device outputs at each of those measurement points. If the predetermined valve opening is not obtained in the valve opening instruction data, the correction is made, and the correction amount required for this correction is
The procedure of storing the data in an appropriate nonvolatile memory has been adopted. This is extremely troublesome.

Further, when the fuel is the liquid oil which is the object of the present invention, the amount of combustion obtained varies considerably depending on the temperature. As the oil temperature increases, the amount of combustion per unit volume decreases, so the supply amount of the oil temperature must be increased, and vice versa. That is, as shown by the solid-line curves (straight lines) D (T3) to D (T2) in FIG.
As it increases to 1, T2, and T3, the relationship between the combustion amount and the proportional valve opening instruction data shifts upward. Therefore, at the time of initial calibration, the oil temperature must be finely changed within the expected range of change, but this is practically extremely complicated. Only the determined oil temperature and the number of measurement points were considerably reduced to obtain the correction amount.

The present invention basically solves this problem.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of calibrating individual proportional valves by a more efficient calibration procedure and controlling combustion equipment with high accuracy based on the results.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the valve opening instruction data output by the control device in accordance with the amount of combustion required in the combustion section and the temperature of the fuel oil supplied to the combustion section from time to time. As a method of controlling the fuel oil amount adjusting valve for controlling the amount of fuel oil to the combustion section, a control device is put into a calibration mode, and then the control device outputs a valve opening degree instruction data of a specific value. In such a state, while monitoring with a measuring device, the fuel oil amount adjusting valve to be measured has a specified valve opening degree corresponding to the specific value, and the valve opening degree instruction data of the specific value is obtained. The procedure of adding a correction and obtaining the value required for this correction as a fixed measurement point valve opening correction amount is performed twice with at least a specific value changed; at least two fixed measurement point valve opening corrections obtained by this Specific to the fuel flow regulating valve to be measured, based on the amount A linear relation between the valve opening instruction data and the correction amount is determined; after the calibration mode is completed, in the normal combustion control mode, the entire range of the valve opening instruction data change range regardless of the oil temperature change. And correcting the valve opening instruction data output from the control unit at each time based on the determined linear relational expression.

In order to satisfy the basic configuration of the present invention, the specific value of the valve opening instruction data output from the control device in the calibration mode is preferably the maximum valve opening when the maximum combustion occurs in the combustion section. Instruction data and minimum valve opening instruction data for causing minimum combustion.

In addition, since the control device of a combustion apparatus to which the present invention is applied often includes a microcomputer these days, in this case, the basic configuration of the present invention further includes at least two fixed measurement point valve openings. The correction amount is stored in a rewritable non-volatile memory connected to the microcomputer; the microcomputer reads out the at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts stored in the non-volatile memory and determines the above-described linear relational expression. Under normal combustion control mode, the fuel oil amount adjusting valve is controlled by an output obtained by adding a correction amount to the valve opening instruction data output at each time based on the determined linear relational expression; Can be expanded to the way you want.

Further, the convenience of the calibration operation is increased, and
In order to eliminate the necessity of providing a dedicated switch or the like for calibration, the present invention is provided as a lower-level aspect in a remote controller connected to the control device, which allows the user to operate in a normal combustion control mode. By operating multiple switches operated to give various instructions to the control device in a specific combination that is not used under the normal combustion control mode, the control device can be put into the calibration mode or the calibration mode can be ended To enter the normal combustion control mode, and in this case, in the calibration mode, the operation of correcting the valve opening instruction data of a specific value can be performed by the remote controller. It is preferable to perform the operation by operating a provided switch.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it should be noted that the present invention has been described with reference to FIG. As long as it is a combustion device having a basic configuration, that is, a combustion device that uses liquid oil as a fuel and that uses a proportional valve 13 of electric quantity control to adjust the amount of combustion in a combustion section (burner) 12, And the specific configuration of the device itself does not matter. Therefore, portions other than the portions related to the present invention described below may have appropriate configurations for each combustion device to which the present invention is applied.

In the present invention, first, before the product is shipped, or immediately after being installed at each installation location (preferably, in the latter case), the individual difference of the proportional valve 13 incorporated in each combustion device is determined for each combustion device. In order to perform the calibration procedure for compensating for the above, the control device indicated by the microcomputer 21 is put into the calibration mode. The operation at this time is essentially arbitrary.For example, a dedicated switch can be connected to the microcomputer 21 to operate the microcomputer 21 to enter the calibration mode or to terminate the calibration mode. A device such as a dedicated switch or a variable resistor can also be used for the correction operation of the valve opening instruction data in the calibration mode described later. However, it is useless to provide such components only for a calibration operation such as one that is performed only once before product shipment or immediately after installation of the device, or that needs to be performed after repair. Therefore, it is reasonable to connect to the microcomputer 21 and use a switch attached to the remote controller 30 used by the user for various settings under the normal combustion control mode.

However, the form of the remote controller 30, the design of the operation section thereof, the type and arrangement of the switches, etc. are arbitrary for each combustion device to be used, and are determined by the user according to the functions of the combustion device. Although the types and the number of switches operated by the user naturally change, a remote controller 30 having a switch arrangement as shown in FIG.

In the case shown in the figure, an example of a remote controller 30 in a combustion apparatus having an automatic hot water filling function and a reheating function for a bathtub is shown. Select operation switch 31, monitor the temperature of hot water in the bath tub, heat switch 32 for automatically reheating when it cools down, temperature up switch 33 and temperature down switch 34 for raising and lowering hot water supply temperature, to the bath tub A hot water amount up switch 35 and a hot water amount down switch 36 for adjusting the hot water supply amount are provided.

Of course, when the microcomputer 21 is in the normal combustion control mode, that is, when the combustion equipment is in its original function of heating the water supply, the user can select the desired mode according to his / her preference. Operate according to the notation attached to those switches. For example, if you want to increase the hot water supply temperature, increase the temperature with a “+” mark in the two switches 33 and 34 with the notation “Temperature setting”. When the switch 33 is operated (generally pressed), the microcomputer 21 operates to change the combustion amount in a predetermined step so as to increase the hot water supply temperature. However, this embodiment of the present invention proposes to operate such switches in a different combination from normal use.

When the power is turned on to the combustion equipment, the microcomputer 21 as a control device is in a normal combustion control mode even at the initial stage of the equipment installation. Therefore, the operator first operates a plurality of switches provided for the remote controller 30 and operated for the various instructions described above under the normal combustion control mode when the user uses the combustion equipment, by the normal combustion control. Operate with specific combinations not used under mode. For example, the heat retention switch 32 and the temperature up switch 33
The microcomputer 21 is put into the calibration mode by simultaneously pressing and for a predetermined time or more, such as about 5 seconds or more, in order to prevent erroneous operation by the user.

When the microcomputer 21 enters the calibration mode, the first specific value of the valve opening instruction data Da is output from the microcomputer 21 by an operator's switch operation or, preferably, by a pre-installed program processing. So that This value is preferably minimum valve opening degree instruction data based on a design output when the combustion part is desirably burned with the minimum combustion amount according to the oil temperature T at that time.

Here, the oil temperature at the time of performing the calibration procedure is shown in FIG.
Suppose it was T2 inside. In this case, if the microcomputer 21 is not calibrated, it is programmed as a design output to vary the valve opening instruction data according to the curve (straight line) D (T2) according to the increase or decrease of the required combustion amount. Since the minimum valve opening instruction data D (T2) min is output at the time of minimum combustion, the above-described first specific value at the time of calibration is
Da is D (T2) min. In this state, the operator uses an external measuring device (not shown) to determine whether the flow rate of the fuel oil actually flowing is a predetermined amount, in other words, the proportional valve 13.
Is measured to determine whether or not has a predetermined valve opening. Various measuring instruments for this are known, but as a result of such measurement,
If the value is different from the expected value, the operator operates a plurality of switches 31 to 36 provided on the remote controller 30 so that the predetermined valve opening degree is obtained (to obtain a predetermined minimum combustion amount). By operating one or a predetermined combination,
The minimum valve opening data from the microcomputer 21 is changed.

For example, each time the hot water volume up switch 35 is operated, the minimum valve opening data output from the microcomputer 21 is incremented by a predetermined value each time, thereby increasing the valve opening and increasing the actual fuel consumption. The flow rate increases. Conversely, each time the hot water amount down switch 36 is operated, the minimum valve opening data is decremented by a predetermined value each time, and the valve opening decreases to decrease the fuel flow rate. Therefore, the worker
By monitoring the measuring instrument and operating these two switches 35 and 36 arbitrarily, the actual valve opening data output from the microcomputer 21 is adjusted so that the actual combustion amount or fuel oil amount becomes a predetermined value. Change and go.

When a predetermined value is obtained by such an operation, the operation is stopped at that point, and a switch operation for shifting to the next calibration operation, for example, an operation of pressing the temperature up switch 33 is performed.
Then, the microcomputer 21 calculates the amount required for the correction, that is, the valve opening degree instruction data D (T2) m when the predetermined valve opening degree is reached.
ΔD (T2) min, which is the difference between in 'and D (T2) min of the design output,
During the calibration procedure, the data may be temporarily stored in a volatile memory (generally, a RAM) or the like attached to the microcomputer 21, but finally, an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory connected to the microcomputer 21. The first fixed measuring point valve opening degree correction amount ΔD (T2) min is stored in the dynamic memory (generally an EEPROM) 22.

When the input operation in the above steps is completed,
Next, the microcomputer 21 outputs the second specific value of the valve opening instruction data Db. This value is preferably maximum valve opening degree instruction data based on a design output when the combustion part is desirably burned at the maximum combustion amount according to the oil temperature T at that time. Here, since it is assumed that the oil temperature T is T2, the second valve opening degree instruction data Db based on the design output at this time is represented by D on the design output straight line shown by a solid line in FIG.
(T2) max.

In this state, the operator similarly uses an external measuring device (not shown) to determine whether the flow rate of the fuel oil actually flowing is a predetermined amount, in other words, the proportional valve 13 It is output from the microcomputer 21 by measuring whether or not the valve opening degree is reached, and operating the hot water up switch 35 or the hot water down switch 36 so that the actual combustion amount or the fuel flow rate becomes a predetermined value. The actual valve opening data D (T2) max is changed, the operation is stopped when the value reaches a predetermined value, and the operation for terminating the calibration mode is performed.

For the operation at this time, for example, some of the specific combinations among the switches attached to the remote controller 30 are operated,
Or it can be done by pressing a specific switch, for example, the heat switch 32 and the temperature up switch 33 at the same time,
In addition, it is desirable to simultaneously press the buttons for a predetermined time such as 5 seconds or more. Then, the microcomputer 21 finally corrects the difference between the valve opening instruction data D (T2) max 'output at this time and the design output D (T2) max at the second fixed measurement point valve opening correction. The amount ΔD (T2) max is stored in the electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory 22 connected to the microcomputer 21, and thereafter, the process shifts to the normal combustion control mode.

Preferably, the first and second fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts are stored in a plurality of locations in the non-volatile memory 22 (not shown), and each has a known appropriate code. By attaching a code correction bit according to the correction theory, it is preferable that any one of these stored data can be repaired even if it is damaged due to some factor.

However, based on the following knowledge, the present inventor has determined that the valve in the normal combustion control mode can be obtained based only on the first and second fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts obtained above. It has been found that, over the entire range of change of the opening degree instruction data and under an oil temperature different from the oil temperature at the time of measurement, it is possible to highly accurately correct the valve opening degree instruction data at that time.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, first,
In a normal combustion device, the valve opening instruction data D, which is a design output indicated by a solid line, is programmed to change substantially linearly over the entire range from the minimum to the maximum combustion amount. I have. This is the same even if the oil temperature T changes. On the other hand, the individual proportional valves 13 also have individual differences in the relationship between the input electric quantity and the output physical quantity. There is no change in making the opening change. Therefore, regardless of the oil temperature, the relationship of the correction amount ΔD required for each proportional valve with respect to the valve opening instruction data D may be considered to follow the following general formula (1). ΔD = a × D + b (1)

Since this relationship is shown in FIG. 2 and is a linear equation, the slope a and the contact piece b can be obtained as follows from only the at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts obtained above. You can ask. Then, even if the oil temperature at the time of measurement is, for example, T2 as described above, ΔD is a correction amount for the valve opening instruction data D that moves in parallel in accordance with the oil temperature T. And the rate of change inherent to the proportional valve, applicable at all other oil temperatures. a = (ΔD (T2) min−ΔD (T2) max) / (D (T2) min−D (T2) m
ax) b = ΔD (T2) min-a × D (T2) min

Again, the oil temperature T at the time of measurement is T2,
Even if the fixed measurement point valve opening correction amount used to specify the linear relation is ΔD (T2) min and ΔD (T2) max corresponding to the oil temperature T2, the result of the substitution operation is performed using these specific values. The specified equation (1) is applied to other oil temperatures, for example, the oil temperature T1 and the oil temperature T3 shown in FIG. D (T3) can be similarly applied, and the corrected output D (T1) ′, D (T2) ′, D (T3) obtained by adding the correction amount ΔD at each time and correcting the design output output from the microcomputer 21 '
(Illustrated by virtual lines).

That is, the microcomputer 21 has a nonvolatile memory
After reading out at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts stored in 22 and determining the above linear relational expression (1) according to the valve opening instruction data at that time, under the normal combustion control mode, Regardless of the oil temperature, the proportional valve 13 is controlled by the corrected output D + ΔD obtained by adding the correction amount ΔD calculated based on the equation (1) to the valve opening instruction data D outputted at each time regardless of the oil temperature.

As described above, according to the present invention, at least two, in other words, at least two, at least, the correction amount of the fixed measurement point valve opening may be obtained, and the oil temperature at the time of measurement is intentionally changed. It is not necessary to perform the correction with high accuracy over the entire range of change in the valve opening instruction data at all oil temperatures. Although it is possible to increase the number of measurement points to three or more and add more detailed correction, this is an additional measure that satisfies the present invention. Further, in the above embodiment, the valve opening instruction data of a specific value output from the control device under the calibration mode is the maximum valve opening instruction data when the maximum combustion is generated in the combustion unit and the valve opening instruction data when the minimum combustion is generated. Although the minimum valve opening instruction data is described above, the present invention is not limited to this in principle, and any other value (preferably a value separated by a certain degree or more) may be used.

[0034]

According to the present invention, in a combustion device using liquid oil as a fuel, the individual difference of the fuel oil amount adjusting valve can be compensated by a simple calibration procedure, and the reliability and safety of the combustion device are improved. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of the method of the present invention, showing the relationship between combustion amount versus valve opening instruction data and valve opening instruction data versus correction amount.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a general combustion device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an external appearance of a remote controller provided in the combustion equipment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 heat exchanger, 12 burner, 13 proportional valve, 14 solenoid valve, 15 fan motor, 16 oil pump, 21 microcomputer, 22 electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, 30 remote control, 31 operation switch, 32 heat switch, 33 Temperature up switch, 34 Temperature down switch, 35 Hot water up switch, 36 Hot water down switch, 37 Display panel.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fuel supply system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a valve opening degree instruction data corresponding to a combustion amount required in the combustion unit and a temperature of fuel oil supplied to the combustion unit. A method of controlling a fuel oil amount adjusting valve for controlling a fuel oil amount; after the control device is put into a calibration mode, the control device outputs a valve opening degree instruction data of a specific value. Correction is made to the valve opening instruction data of the specific value while monitoring with a measuring device so that the fuel oil amount adjusting valve to be measured has the specified predetermined valve opening corresponding to the specific value. In addition, the procedure of obtaining the value required for the correction as the fixed measurement point valve opening correction amount is performed twice at least while changing the specific value; and the obtained at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts are calculated. The valve opening degree finger which is unique to the fuel flow control valve to be measured based on A linear relational expression between the indicated data and the correction amount is determined; after the end of the calibration mode, in the normal combustion control mode, the above-described range is changed over the entire range of the change in the valve opening instruction data regardless of the change in the oil temperature. A method for controlling a fuel oil amount adjusting valve for combustion equipment, comprising: correcting a valve opening instruction data output from the control device at each time based on a determined linear relational expression. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific value of the valve opening instruction data output from the control device in the calibration mode is a maximum valve when the maximum combustion occurs in the combustion section. Opening instruction data and minimum valve opening instruction data for producing minimum combustion. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a microcomputer; and the at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts are rewritable non-volatile memory connected to the microcomputer. Stored in
The microcomputer reads the at least two fixed measurement point valve opening correction amounts stored in the non-volatile memory to determine the linear relation; in the normal combustion control mode, the determined linear relation Controlling the fuel oil amount adjusting valve by an output obtained by adding a correction amount to the valve opening degree instruction data output from time to time based on the equation. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is provided in a remote controller connected to the control device, and a user gives various instructions to the control device in the normal combustion control mode. By operating a plurality of switches operated in a specific combination that is not used under the normal combustion control mode, the controller is put into the calibration mode, or the calibration mode is terminated and the normal mode is stopped. Entering a combustion control mode. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, in the calibration mode, an operation of adding a correction to the valve opening instruction data of the specific value also includes a switch provided in the remote controller. Performing by manipulating;