JP3629901B2 - Water heater control system controller and water heater system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water heater control system controller and a water heater system. More specifically, for example, the present invention relates to a parallel water heater system and a system controller used therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
(Parallel water heater system)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the parallel water heater system. In this parallel water heater system 1, three branch pipes 5a and 5b are provided between a water inlet pipe 2 whose pipe end is connected to city water or the like and a hot water outlet pipe 3 provided with a currant 4 at its pipe end. , 5c are connected in parallel, and hot water heaters K1, K2, K3 are provided in the middle of the branch pipes 5a, 5b, 5c.
[0003]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of each of the water heaters K1, K2, and K3. That is, the heat exchanger 6 is provided in the middle of each branch pipe 5a, 5b, 5c, and the heat exchanger 6 is heated by the burner 7, and the combustion power of the burner 7 is the gas flow path 8. It is controlled by the proportional control valve 9 provided in. A frame rod 10 for detecting the flame of the burner 7 is provided in the vicinity of the burner 7. Each branch pipe 5a, 5b, 5c is provided with a bypass pipe 11 between the heat exchanger inlet side and the heat exchanger outlet side so as to bypass the heat exchanger 6. The bypass pipe 11 is provided with a bypass flow rate control valve 12 and a bypass flow rate sensor 13 for detecting the bypass side flow rate Qb. Between the branch point of the branch pipes 5a, 5b and 5c with the bypass pipe 11 and the heat exchanger inlet side, the can body side flow rate sensor 14 for detecting the can body side flow rate Qk and the incoming water temperature for detecting the incoming water temperature Tc. A sensor 15 is provided, and the temperature of the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 6 is detected between the outlet of the branch pipes 5a, 5b, and 5c and the junction with the bypass pipe 11. A sensor 16 and flow path opening / closing valves 17a, 17b, and 17c are provided, and a mixing temperature sensor 18 is provided downstream of the junction of the branch pipes 5a, 5b, and 5c with the bypass pipe 11.
[0004]
Each of the water heaters K1, K2, and K3 incorporates main body controllers 19a, 19b, and 19c each having a microcomputer, and includes a bypass flow rate sensor 13, a can body side flow rate sensor 14, an incoming water temperature sensor 15, a hot water temperature sensor 16, and mixing. Each detection signal of the temperature sensor 18 and the flame confirmation signal of the frame rod 10 are input to each main body controller 19a, 19b, 19c, and the main body controllers 19a, 19b, 19c correspond to the detected values, respectively. The K2 and K3 proportional control valve 9 and the bypass flow rate control valve 12 are controlled to control the hot water temperature discharged to the hot water discharge pipe 3.
[0005]
There are various methods for controlling the hot water discharged to the tap water pipe 3, for example, there is a combined method of the following feedforward control (FF control) and feedback control (FB control). In this method, when the set temperature Ts is set by the remote controller 21, the main body controllers 19a, 19b, and 19c have a flow rate ratio Qk / Qb (flow rate distribution ratio) value between the heat exchanger side and the bypass pipe 11 side ( A temporary set temperature Tgs higher than the set temperature Ts (a value calculated to become the set temperature Ts when mixed with water that has passed through the bypass pipe 11) from the fixed temperature) and the set temperature Ts, etc., and heat exchange The proportional control valve 9 is feedforward controlled in accordance with the detected value Qk of the can body side flow rate sensor 14 and the detected value Tc of the incoming water temperature sensor 15 so that hot water having a temporarily set temperature Tgs is discharged from the vessel 6. Further, the main body controllers 19a, 19b, and 19c monitor the mixing temperature Tm between the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 6 and the water that has passed through the bypass pipe 11 by the mixing temperature sensor 18, and the mixing temperature Tm and the set temperature Ts. The bypass flow rate control valve 12 is moved in accordance with the deviation (Tm−Ts) of the engine, and the bypass flow rate Qb is feedback-controlled so that hot water of the set temperature Ts is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 3.
[0006]
These main body controllers 19a, 19b, and 19c are under the control of the system controller 20. That is, from each main body controller 19a, 19b, 19c to the system controller 20, a signal indicating the combustion power PK1, PK2, PK3 of each water heater K1, K2, K3 and each water heater K1, K2, K3 are in a combustion state. In addition, a check signal indicating whether or not there is present is sent, and the flow path opening / closing valves 17a, 17b, and 17c of the water heaters K1, K2, and K3 are controlled to be opened and closed by the system controller 20, and the system controller 20 Each water heater K1, K2, K3 is burned or stopped by opening / closing each flow path opening / closing valve 17a, 17b, 17c according to a signal sent from each main body controller 19a, 19b, 19c. The number of operating units is controlled. A set temperature Ts and the like can be input from a remote controller 21 connected to the system controller 20.
[0007]
The main body controllers 19a, 19b, and 19c may use any method for determining whether or not the water heaters K1, K2, and K3 are in the combustion state, but the minimum operating flow rate (MOQ ) Despite the above can side flow rate Qk, if the tapping temperature Th of the heat exchanger 6 is equal to the incoming water temperature Tc, or if no flame is detected by the frame rod 10, it is determined that no combustion has occurred. it can.
[0008]
(Connection between system controller and water heater in conventional example)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection structure between the system controller 20 and the water heaters K1, K2, and K3 in the conventional parallel water heater system. In the system controller 20 used in the conventional parallel type water heater system, connection connectors 23 to 26 are provided, and a remote controller 21 is connected to the connection connector 23 via a cable CL. A required number of water heaters K1, K2, K3 are connected to 24, 25, 26 via cables C1, C2, C3.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional system controller, only a certain number of connection connectors for connecting the water heater are provided, so if the connection connector for connecting the water heater is used up, more water heaters are connected. In other words, there is a problem that the expandability of the system is low because a water heater cannot be added to the parallel water heater system.
[0010]
Therefore, if an attempt was made to increase the number of water heaters, it was necessary to replace the system controller with one having a large number of connection connectors, which required labor and cost.
[0011]
In addition, in order to cope with various numbers of connected hot water heaters, it is necessary to stock various types of system controllers having various numbers of connector connectors, which occupies an inventory space.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the shortcomings of the conventional example described above, and the object of the present invention is to replace the system controller with a system controller for controlling a water heater that can easily add a water heater. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly expandable water heater system that can easily add water heaters without any problems.
[0013]
The water heater system according to the present invention can selectively connect a plurality of water heaters or lower system controllers to a higher system controller, and has at least one water heater connected to the lowest system controller. In the water heater system, the system controller is composed of the same model from the highest system controller to the lowest system controller, and a plurality of first controllers for selectively connecting the water heater or the lower system controller to the system controller. A connection unit and a second connection unit for selectively connecting a host system controller or a remote controller are provided, and the device connected to the first connection unit is a water heater or another system controller. discrimination means for discriminating whether or provided, the higher the system con Roller is characterized in that so as to recognize the hierarchical structure of the system controller and the water heater on the basis of a discrimination result of said discrimination means of each system controller communicates with the water heater via the respective lower system controller . Here, the upper or lower system controller refers to a connection relationship.
[0015]
The communication method between the system controller and the remote controller connected to the second connection unit is preferably the same as the communication method between the upper system controller and the lower system controller. Furthermore, it is desirable that the remote controller is connected to the second connection unit in the highest system controller.
[0016]
The system controller for controlling a water heater of the present invention is a system controller for controlling a water heater for use in the water heater system of the present invention, and can selectively connect a lower-level system controller or a water heater. A plurality of first connection units, a second connection unit capable of selectively connecting a host system controller or a remote controller, and the device connected to the first connection unit is a water heater or other And a discriminating means for discriminating whether it is a system controller .
[0017]
Thus, in the system controller or the water heater system of the present invention , the same model system controller can be connected to the lower level of the system controller . connect another system controller, by connecting a plurality of water heater in its lower, without wasting the existing system controller, moreover it can be added without restriction water heater number. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to remove the existing system controller, it is possible to simplify the construction of adding a water heater.
[0018]
In addition, cost is also less expensive. Furthermore, the number of system controller models can be reduced, which is advantageous in terms of cost and inventory space.
[0019]
In the system controller, if the remote controller or the host system controller can be connected to the same connection part (second connection part) and shared, the number of terminal parts can be reduced and wiring errors can be reduced. The cost is also low.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a parallel water heater system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the parallel type water heater system as a whole is as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, description thereof is omitted here. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection structure between a system controller and a water heater in the parallel type water heater system of the present invention, and explains the features of the present invention.
[0021]
The system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c according to the present invention include a connection connector 23 for connecting a remote controller 21 or a higher-level system controller and a plurality of connection connectors 27, 28 for connecting a water heater or a lower-level system controller. 29, and setting switches such as a jumper switch and a dip switch are provided for setting whether the device connected to each connection connector 27, 28, 29 is a system controller or a water heater. Yes.
[0022]
These system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c are the same model, and any of them can be arranged at the upper level and any of them can be arranged at the lower level. When connected to the remote controller 21, communication such as operation on / off, set temperature, and error information is performed with the remote controller 21. The system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c connected to each other communicate such as operation on / off, hot water supply capability, and error information. The system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c connected to the water heater perform communication such as operation on / off, hot water supply capability, and error information with the water heater. The communication method between the remote controller 21 and the system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c and the communication method between the system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c and the water heater are the same.
[0023]
Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, if one system controller 20a (20) is used to configure a parallel water heater system using three water heaters K1, K2, and K3, although not shown, The remote controller 21 is connected to the connection connector 23 of the system controller 20a via the cable CL, and the water heaters K1, K2, and K3 are connected to the connection connectors 27, 28, and 29 via the cables C1, C2, and C3. What is necessary is just to set switch 30,31,32 to the water heater setting side.
[0024]
When it is desired to increase the number of water heaters, it is possible to increase the number of water heaters in the parallel type water heater system by adding the system controller and the water heater using the original system controller 20a. For example, a case will be described in which four water heaters are added to configure a parallel type water heater system including seven water heaters. In this case, it is necessary to add two system controllers 20 together.
[0025]
For this purpose, four water heaters K22, K23, K32, K33 and two system controllers 20b, 20c are newly installed, and then the existing water heater K2 is connected from the connection connectors 28 and 29 of the existing system controller 20a. , K3, the existing system controller 20a as the upper level, the new system controllers 20b and 20c as the lower level, the connection connectors 28 and 29 of the higher level system controller 20a and the connection connectors 23 of the lower level system controllers 20b and 20c. Are connected by cables C4 and C5. Further, the setting switches 31 and 32 corresponding to the connection ports 28 and 29 of the host system controller 20a are switched from the hot water supply device setting side to the remote controller setting side. Then, the existing water heater K2 and the new water heaters K22, K23 are connected to the connection connectors 27, 28, 29 of the lower system controller 20b via the cables C2, C22, C23, and the setting switches 30, 31, 32 is set to the water heater setting side. Similarly, the existing water heater K3 and the new water heaters K32, K33 are connected to the connection connectors 27, 28, 29 of the lower system controller 20c via the cables C3, C32, C33, and the setting switches 30, 31 are connected. , 32 are set to the water heater setting side.
[0026]
Therefore, the host system controller 20a is connected to the system controllers 20a to 20c and the water heaters K1 to K3, K22 to K23, and K32 to K33 according to the settings of the setting switches 30, 31, and 32 of the system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c. It recognizes the hierarchical structure and controls the signal flow. For example, when the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 21 is sent to the water heater K32, the remote controller 21 sends the water heater K32 “second hot water supply below the third system controller 20c below the system controller 20a”. The system controller 20a transfers the control signal from the system controller 20a to the system controller 20c, and further transfers the control signal from the system controller 20c to the water heater K32. The water heater K32 that has received the control signal in this way performs an operation according to the content of the control signal.
[0027]
Moreover, although the system controller is configured in two layers in FIG. 4, it goes without saying that the system controller can be configured in three or more layers according to the number of connected water heaters. For example, when 11 water heaters K11 to K13, K22 to K23, K31 to K33, and K41 to K43 are connected, as shown in FIG. 5, five system controllers 20a to 20e are connected in three layers, What is necessary is just to connect the water heaters K11-K13, K22-K23, K31-K33, K41-K under it.
[0028]
In the present invention, the system controller connected to the remote controller is connected to another system controller on the other hand, and communication is possible between them. Therefore, the hot water supply capacity can be increased by increasing the number of connected water heaters. Can be done indefinitely. In addition, since the number of connected systems and the number of connected devices can be increased, the durability of the entire system is improved in the control performed while rotating the individual water heaters. In addition, even if there is a partial system failure, the entire system can be operated, so that the reliability of the entire system is improved. Furthermore, by making the communication method between the remote controller and the system controller and the communication method between the system controller and the water heater the same, the system can be expanded by connecting a plurality of one type of system controller. The development man-hours and maintainability are excellent.
[0029]
Although not provided in the system controllers 20a, 20b, and 20c shown in FIG. 4, a setting for setting whether the device connected to the connection connector is the remote controller 21 or the upper system controller. A switch may also be provided. Further, the setting switch for setting the devices connected to the connection connectors 27 to 29 may not be provided but may be set on a program (that is, device information may be written in the program). The system controller can recognize whether the connected device is a hot water heater or a subordinate system controller, depending on the arrangement of electrodes and pins in the connector provided at the end of the cable, or the presence or absence of some electrodes and pins. You may do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a parallel water heater system.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing one water heater in the parallel type water heater system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a connection diagram between a system controller and a water heater in a conventional parallel water heater system.
FIG. 4 is a connection diagram of three system controllers and seven water heaters in a water heater system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a connection diagram of five system controllers and eleven water heaters in a water heater system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
20a to 20e System controller 21 Remote controllers K1 to K3, K11 to K43 Water heater 23 Connectors 27 to 29 for remote controller Connector 30 to 32 for water heater Setting switch

Claims (4)

In a water heater system in which a plurality of water heaters or lower system controllers can be selectively connected to the upper system controller, and at least one water heater is connected to the lowest system controller .
Consists of system controllers of the same model from the highest system controller to the lowest system controller.
A plurality of first connection parts for selectively connecting a hot water heater or a lower system controller to the system controller, and a second connection part for selectively connecting an upper system controller or a remote controller And a determination means for determining whether the device connected to the first connection portion is a water heater or another system controller,
The upper system controller recognizes the hierarchical structure of each system controller and the water heater based on the determination result of the determination means of each system controller , and communicates with the water heater via each lower system controller. A featured water heater system. The communication method between the system controller and the remote controller connected to the second connection unit is the same as the communication method between the upper system controller and the lower system controller. Item 2. A water heater system according to item 1 . The water heater system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a remote controller is connected to the second connection portion in the highest system controller. A system controller for controlling a water heater for use in the water heater system according to claim 1,
And a plurality first connecting portion capable of selectively connecting the lower system controller or water heater, a second connecting part of the system controller or a remote controller of the upper can be selectively connected, first A system controller for controlling a water heater, comprising: a discriminating means for discriminating whether the device connected to the connecting portion is a water heater or another system controller.

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