JP2951888B2 - Hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply system in which a switch operation can be confirmed by sound or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a remote control device for operating a hot water supply device, a switch operation sound confirmation device that emits a confirmation sound when a switch is turned on and off (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "speech confirmation device"). It has been known.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional voice confirmation device, the same sound (for example, a "beep" sound) is generally generated both when the switch is turned on and when the switch is turned off. However, there is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether the switch operation is on or off only by listening to the sound.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system in which a control command by a switch operation can be confirmed by sound or the like, and the recognition thereof is facilitated.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a hot water supply system according to the present invention is a hot water supply system in which a link between a water heater (2) and a remote controller (4) is made wireless, and a switch is provided. (Switch group 42, operation switch SW1, set temperature increase switch SW2, set temperature decrease switch SW3) emits a sound corresponding to the control instruction given thereto, thereby enabling the content of the control instruction to be confirmed audibly, and confirming it. Is made easier.

The hot water supply system of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the example, the heat exchanger (16) for heating the feed water is
Installed on the side of the hot water heater (2) provided to heat the heat exchanger
Control for controlling the combustion of the burner (24)
(6) and a position separated from the controller on the main unit
And connected wirelessly with the main unit controller.
The water heater through the main controller.
Remote control controller (8) for operating heating control
A hot water supply system with a command to start hot water supply operation
Generates operation switch (SW1) and signal indicating confirmation sound
First signal generating means and (2 kHz oscillator 88),
Different from the signal generated by the first signal generating means
Second signal generating means (1k) for generating a signal representing the confirmation sound
Hz oscillation circuit 89) and the operation switch is on.
When detecting that the first signal generation means,
Signal to indicate the transition to the operating state
Generate a display output to start the combustion operation of the burner,
After the start of the combustion operation, the combustion condition of the burner is not satisfied.
At some point, the control shifts to combustion stop control, and
The second signal when detecting that the switch is off.
Drives the generating means to generate the signal and stops operation
Control means (CPU 82) for generating a display output indicating stop
Receiving the signal from the first signal generating means,
Emits the confirmation sound indicating that the operation switch is on, or
Receiving the signal from the second signal generating means,
Sound generating means for generating the confirmation sound indicating that the switch is off
(Speaker drive circuit 90, speaker 46) and the control
The operation switch receives the display output generated by the means.
Visual indication of operation or shutdown based on on / off
Display means (LCD drive circuit 87, LCD display 44)
0) .

This hot water supply system supplies hot water to a kitchen or a bathroom. The hot water supply control is performed by turning on or off the operation switch.
The operation is performed by operating the switch
The off command is determined by the control means, but based on the on command.
The hot water supply operation is started, and the hot water supply operation is performed based on the OFF command.
Is stopped. Also, even if the operation switch is turned on, combustion
When the condition is not satisfied, the state shifts to the hot water supply stop state. There
When the operation switch is detected to be on,
Start combustion operation of the burner and shift to the operating state.
A first signal generating means for generating a display output
To generate a signal. As a result, the operation switch
A confirmation sound and its visual indication
Notified by indication. Also, this operation switch is turned on.
And it is found that the burner combustion conditions are not satisfied.
Shifts to operation stop. Then, the operation switch is turned off.
When it is detected that the signal is
To generate a signal, and shift to combustion stop control.
Generate display output that represents At this time, the operation switch
Off is announced with a confirmation sound different from the confirmation sound, and at the same time
The transition to shutdown is signaled by a visual indication.

In the hot water supply system of the present invention, the control
Unsatisfied combustion conditions detected by the means means that flame detection
No, whether the fan rotation is normal or not, whether or not it is idle
Or whether the hot water tap is open or not.
Sign. In other words, in order to ensure safety,
And if any of these conditions are met,
Stop burning.

The confirmation sound generated by the sound generating means is
It is characterized by an intermittent sound. That is, the operation switch
To distinguish between on and off, make it an intermittent tone,
Differences in the more pronounced sound morphology result,
And off can be easily distinguished.

[0010]

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a hot water supply system according to the present invention. The hot water supply system includes a water heater 2 that receives hot water and supplies hot water at a desired temperature, and a remote controller 4 as a remote control unit that operates the hot water heater 2. The water heater 2 has a main body controller 6.
The remote controller 4 is provided with a remote controller 8 as a control means, and the two controllers 6 and 8 are wirelessly linked with each other, so that necessary control information between the water heater 2 and the remote controller 4 is transmitted. It is configured to be able to exchange.

Water W to be heated is supplied to the water heater 2 through a water supply pipe 12, and the water W is supplied to a flow sensor 14.
To the heat exchanger 16 which is a heating means.
The hot water HW heated by the heat exchanger 16 is guided to a desired location, for example, a bathroom, a washroom, a sink, etc., and is discharged from hot water taps 18A, 18B serving as hot water outlet means. Flow sensor 1
A thermistor 20 as an incoming water temperature detecting means is installed in the middle of the pipeline between the heat exchanger 16 and the heat exchanger 16.
A thermistor 22 as a tapping temperature detecting means is installed in the output side pipeline.

The heat exchanger 16 is provided with a burner 24 which is a combustion means as a heating source for generating gas necessary for heating by burning the gas G as a fuel.
Is supplied with gas G via a primary solenoid valve 26, a hot water supply solenoid valve 28 and a proportional valve 30. Further, the burner 24 is provided with a fan 32 for supplying air required for gas combustion, an igniter 34 for igniting the gas G of the burner 24, and further detects a flame of the burner 24. A frame rod 36 is provided. Igniter 34
Is connected to an ignition transformer 38 for electrically generating an ignition spark, and is supplied with voltage and current for ignition. Further, the heat exchanger 16 is provided with an empty-fire prevention switch 40 for preventing empty-fire.

The main body controller 6 receives a flow rate detection signal S ₁ from the flow rate sensor 14, a thermistor 20,
2, the temperature detection signals S ₂ and S ₃ , the rotation detection signal S ₄ from the fan 32, the empty fire detection signal S ₅ from the empty fire prevention switch 40, the flame detection signal S ₆ from the frame rod 36, and the main body side From the controller 6, the original solenoid valve 2
6, control signals C ₁ , C ₂ , and C ₃ for the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 28 and the proportional valve 30, a rotation drive signal C ₄ for the fan motor 33, and an ignition control signal C ₅ for the ignition transformer 38.
Are respectively output.

On the other hand, a switch group 42 composed of a plurality of switches for giving various control commands is connected to the remote controller 8 of the remote controller 4, and displays connection information and other various messages. A display device 44 is provided as a display means for this purpose, and a speaker 46 is connected as a sound generation means which is a means for notifying a switch sound, ie, a confirmation sound indicating the operation content.

Next, FIG.
Controller 6 and the remote controller 8 of the remote controller 4
A specific embodiment will be described. The main body controller 6 includes
Flow detection signal S₁, Temperature detection signal S_Two, S_Three, Rotation detection
Signal S_Four, Empty fire detection signal S _FiveAnd flame detection signal S₆Receiving
Input circuit 61 is provided and a control signal
C₁, C_Two, C_Three, Rotation drive signal C_FourAnd ignition control signal
C_FiveIs provided.

Further, the main body controller 6 performs necessary calculations in response to the detection signals S _{1 to} S ₆ and the control input from the remote controller controller 8, and performs central processing as arithmetic control means for generating a predetermined control output. Processing unit (CP
U) 63 are provided. Of the input signals applied to the input circuit 61, analog signals are converted into digital signals by an analog / digital converter (A / D) 64 and input to the CPU 63.

The CPU 63 includes an oscillation circuit 65 for generating a control timing signal, and a read-only memory (ROM) as storage means for storing various control programs.
66, a writable memory (RAM) 67 for storing various information is linked, and a transmission / reception circuit 68 for transmitting / receiving control information to / from the remote controller 8 is connected.

On the other hand, the remote controller 8 is provided with a transmission / reception circuit 81 wirelessly linked to the transmission / reception circuit 68 of the main body controller 6. The transmission / reception circuits 68 and 81 may be configured using, for example, an infrared transceiver, an ultrasonic transceiver, or a wireless transceiver. The transmission / reception circuit 81 is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 82 as arithmetic control means for performing necessary arithmetic operations and generating a predetermined control output. This CPU 82
Is connected to an input circuit 83, and an operation switch SW1, a set temperature increase switch SW2, and a set temperature decrease switch SW3 are connected to the input circuit 83. Each of these switches SW1 to SW3 is constituted by a momentary push button switch.

The CPU 82 has an oscillation circuit 84 for generating a control timing signal and a read-only memory (R) as storage means for storing various control programs.
OM) 85, together with any time writable memory for storing various information (RAM) 86 is associated, from the LCD drive circuit 87, CPU 82 for driving an LCD display 440 as a display hand <br/> stage Signal generating means that operates based on the control signal is provided. That is, the CPU 82 has a 2k which oscillates a high frequency based on the control signal.
Two oscillation circuits, an Hz oscillation circuit 88 and a 1 kHz oscillation circuit 89 for oscillating a low frequency, are connected. The oscillating outputs of the oscillating circuits 88 and 89 are input to a speaker driving circuit 90 as amplifying means for driving the speaker 46 as sound generating means.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. In FIGS. 3 and 4, a, b, and c indicate connectors, and the coincidence of symbols indicates continuity of the flow. In this embodiment, as a confirmation sound of the ON / OFF operation of the switch, an oscillation sound of 2 kHz is emitted for 0.5 seconds during the ON operation, and a 1 kHz oscillation sound is emitted for 0.5 seconds during the OFF operation. An example is shown.

First, when a power switch (not shown) of the hot water supply system is turned on, each of the controllers 6 and 8 on the main body side and the remote control side performs an initial setting and prepares for a control operation. Then, in step S1 of FIG.
The CPU 82 of the remote controller 8 constitutes a switch operation determining means, and determines whether or not the operation switch SW1 is turned on. If the operation switch SW1 is off, the process returns to step S1. Monitor ON operation.

If it is determined in step S1 that the operation switch SW1 is on, the process proceeds to step S2,
The CPU 82 starts the 2 kHz oscillation circuit 88 for 0.5 seconds, and indicates that the operation switch SW1 has been turned on.
A confirmation sound of Hz is emitted from the speaker 46 for 0.5 second. Thereby, the user can confirm that the operation switch SW1 has been reliably turned on.

Next, the process shifts to step S3, in which the CPU 63 of the main body controller 6 controls the hot water taps 18A, 18A.
It is determined whether B is open. If neither of the hot water taps 18A and 18B is open, the process waits until one of the hot water taps is opened. If water tap 18A, is one or both of 18B was opened, the process proceeds to step S4, and outputs a rotation drive signal C ₄ starts to drive the fan motor 33.

Then, in step S5, the rotation detection signal S
It is determined whether or not the rotation speed of the fan 32 is normal based on _4, and if it is normal, the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, the ignition control signal C is supplied to the ignition transformer 38.
₅ is sent, and the ignition operation of the igniter 34 is started. Next, in step S7, and outputs a control signal C ₁ -C ₃ from the main body controller 6, based on the electromagnetic valve 26, the hot water solenoid valve 28
After controlling the proportional valve 30 to the open state, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0027] In step S8, based on the presence or absence of the flame detection signal S ₆ from the flame rod 36, whether the burner 24 is ignited is determined. If it is determined in step S8 that a flame has been detected, the process proceeds to step S12 (FIG. 4).

[0028] In step S12, in a state releasing the ignition control signal C ₅ for the ignition transformer 38, based on the electromagnetic valve 2
6, maintaining the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 28 and the proportional valve 30 in the open state,
In step S13, based on the presence or absence of the flame detection signal S ₆ from the flame rod 36, whether the combustion of the burner 24 is sustained is determined, if detects the flame proceeds to step S14. In step S14, whether the rotation of the fan 32 is normal based on the rotation detection signal S ₄ is determined, if the rotation of the fan is normal, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0029] In step S15, dry frying detection signal S ₅
Then, it is determined whether or not the idle heating prevention switch 40 is operating, and if not, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, it is determined whether or not one or both of the hot-water taps 18A and 18B are open. If either is open, the process proceeds to step S17, and in step S17, the operation switch SW1 is turned off. It is determined whether it is OFF or not, and the process returns to step S12.

On the other hand, at step S17, the operation switch SW
When it is determined that the operation switch SW1 is turned off, the CPU 82 activates the 1 kHz oscillation circuit 89 for 0.5 seconds, and outputs a 1 kHz confirmation sound indicating that the operation switch SW1 is turned off. After the sound is emitted for 0.5 seconds, the process proceeds to step S19. Thereby, the user can confirm that the operation switch SW1 has been reliably turned off.

If it is determined in step S5 (FIG. 3) that the fan speed is not normal, the process proceeds to step S9 to determine whether or not a predetermined delay time sufficient for starting the motor has elapsed. Is determined. If the predetermined delay time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S4, and the operation of the fan motor 33 is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that a delay time sufficient for starting the motor has elapsed, it is determined that there is an abnormality and step S9 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S19 (FIG. 4) after the fan motor 33 is stopped.

If it is determined in step S8 (FIG. 3) that no flame has been detected, the process proceeds to step S11,
If it is determined in step S11 that the predetermined delay time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S6, and the ignition state is checked again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the predetermined delay time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S19 (FIG. 4) as ignition abnormality.

If it is determined in step S13 (FIG. 4) that the flame has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S14.
If it is determined in step S15 that the fan rotation is not normal, or if it is determined in step S15 that the idling prevention switch 40 is operating, then in step S16 the hot water
When the A, 18B is determined not to be open, ie, fuel
The process proceeds to Step S19 as an abnormality due to the non-satisfaction of the burning condition .

In step S19, the fan motor 33,
After stopping all the operations of the ignition transformer 38, the original electromagnetic valve 26, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 28, and the proportional valve 30, all the operations of the hot water supply system are ended.

In the above embodiment, the confirmation sound is 2
The frequency of the confirmation sound is changed between the ON operation and the OFF operation of the switch by using the oscillation sound of 1 kHz and the oscillation sound of 1 kHz. When the switch is turned off, the frequency may be the same and only the number of occurrences of the confirmation sound may be changed, such as two times of a "beep" sound. In this case, the frequency is changed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Is also good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation switch S
Although an example in which different confirmation sounds are generated according to the ON operation and the OFF operation of W1 has been described, as another embodiment of the present invention, whether the ON / OFF operation of the switch SW1 is normally received by the remote control device 4 is described. It is also possible to control to generate a different confirmation sound depending on whether or not the sound is generated. In this case, when the on / off operation of the switch is normally received by the remote control device 4, the 2 kHz oscillation circuit 88 is activated,
1 kHz oscillation circuit 8 if not normally received
9 may be controlled to be activated. Also in this case, as the confirmation sound, the frequency may be the same and only the number of occurrences of the confirmation sound may be changed.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained. a. A hot water supply system that wirelessly links a water heater and a remote control device
Check that the operation switch is on or off
Notify by sound recognition and visual display, and
That the combustion condition is not satisfied even if the switch is turned on.
When it is determined that the combustion has stopped, the user
The start and stop of operation can be indicated by a confirmation sound or a visual display.
It can be easily checked and when the operation switch is on.
However, when the combustion conditions were not satisfied,
Thus, operability and safety can be improved. b. The operation switch is turned on by the confirmation sound of different frequencies.
Or off can be easily distinguished, preventing operation mistakes.
You. c. The indication of the remote control device installed in the bathroom etc. is steam
May be difficult to see due to visual confirmation
The user can turn on and off the operation switch
Can easily recognize the current operating state
You.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a hot water supply system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific circuit example of a main body controller and a remote controller in the hot water supply system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Water heater 4 Remote control device 6 Main body controller 8 Remote controller controller 16 Heat exchanger 24 Burner 44 Display (display means) 46 Speaker (sound generating means) 82 CPU (control means) 87 LCD drive circuit (display means) 88 2 kHz Oscillation circuit (first signal generation means) 89 1 kHz oscillation circuit (second signal generation means) 90 Speaker drive circuit (sound generation means) 440 LCD display (display means) SW1 Operation switch

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-64-30398 (JP, A) JP-A-64-63720 (JP, A) JP-A-8-280074 (JP, A) JP-A-3-129854 (JP) , U) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 6-23387 (JP, U) Patent 2567575 (JP, B2)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water heater having a heat exchanger for heating feed water
Burner installed on the side to heat the heat exchanger
The main unit controller that controls the
Installed at a position away from the controller
Wirelessly linked with the
Remote control for controlling the heating control of the water heater
A hot water supply system comprising a controller, the operation switch for instructing the start of the hot water supply operation, a first signal generating means for generating a signal representative of a confirmation sound, and the signal which the first signal generating means generates Is different
A second signal generating means for generating a signal representative of a confirmation sound, when it is detected that the operating switch is turned on, before
When the first signal generating means is driven to generate the signal,
Both generate a display output indicating the transition to the operating state and
Start the combustion operation of the burner, after the start of the combustion operation,
When the combustion condition of the burner is not satisfied, the combustion stop control
And that the operation switch is off.
Upon detection, the second signal generating means is driven to
Generates a signal and a display output indicating operation stop
Controlling means for receiving the signal from the first signal generating means,
Generating the confirmation sound indicating that the switch is on, or
2 receives the signal from the signal generating means and receives the signal from the operation switch.
Sound generating means for generating the confirmation sound indicating that the switch is turned off, and receiving the display output generated by the control means,
Visualize operation or shutdown based on switch on / off
A hot water supply system, comprising: a display unit for displaying a target ; 2. The combustion condition detected by said control means.
Unsuccessful means whether the flame is detected and whether the fan rotation is normal
Whether it is in an empty-fired state or the hot-water tap is open
The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the hot water supply system determines whether or not the hot water supply system is in operation. 3. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation sound generated by the sound generation means is an intermittent sound.