JP4076488B2 - Connected water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connected hot water supply apparatus that can avoid occurrence of inconvenience even when a communication abnormality or a power failure occurs when a plurality of water heaters are connected and a controller of each water heater is connected for communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a structure in which a plurality of water heaters each having a controller are connected in parallel to form a connected hot water supply apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, each controller of a plurality of water heaters is connected to the system controller, and the operation control of all the water heaters is controlled by a control signal from the system controller to each controller. When the controller does not receive a control signal from the system controller for a predetermined time or longer, it receives a control signal from a remote controller connected to each water heater.

JP-A-6-292268

  By the way, although a plurality of water heaters are connected to constitute a connected water heater, it is convenient to execute the overall control by the system controller when connecting a plurality of water heaters. Even when a small number of hot water heaters are connected, if the overall control using the system controller as described above is adopted, the amount of cost and space required for the addition of the system controller may be complicated. .

  Therefore, it is conceivable to utilize a controller originally provided in the water heater and cause the controller to play the role of the system controller. In other words, it is conceivable that a control part in the case of a connected type in which a plurality of units are connected is mounted in advance. In this case, as a means for recognizing which of the plurality of water heaters the controller of the water heater plays a role, only one remote controller is used, and the controller to which the one remote controller is connected is self. It may be possible to recognize that the controller is a master controller that executes main control, and to make another controller without remote control connection recognize that it is a slave controller that receives slave control signals and executes slave control. . By doing so, the hot water heater on the slave controller side keeps the water supply path and the hot water path between the water supply path and the hot water heater on the main controller side between the water supply path and the hot water supply path when waiting for hot water supply. When the hot water tap is opened, the connection type control is possible in which the water supply enters the hot water heater on the main controller side and combustion starts first.

  However, when the communication connection line between the remote controller and the main controller is disconnected or disconnected, it becomes impossible to recognize that the main controller is connected to the remote controller, and as a result, all the water heater controllers are obeyed. It will be misrecognized as a controller. In this case, during the hot water supply standby, all the water heaters are controlled so that the water supply channel is disconnected from the water supply channel. Not only will it not be done, but there will be a situation where even water will not come out. In general, a connected hot water supply device is often used for business purposes, so even if a failure or abnormality occurs, it is necessary to discharge water from the hot water tap. There is a need.

  Even if the communication connection line of the remote controller is normal, if the communication connection line that connects the main controller and the other slave controller so that bidirectional communication is possible, the disconnection or the like occurs. If the hot water heater equipped with the main controller and the other hot water heater equipped with the slave controller are both fired and discharged, the slave controller is informed of the combustion command due to the occurrence of the disconnection. When the signal does not reach and combustion of the water heater on which the slave controller is mounted is stopped, the feed water flows to the hot water tap side without being heated. As a result, hot water supply at the hot water supply set temperature becomes impossible.

  As a countermeasure when the above inconvenience occurs, even if the communication connection line of the remote control is disconnected, in order to enable the use of water in the hot water tap, at least one hot water heater is connected to the water supply channel and the hot water supply channel. While it is necessary to switch to the communication state, in order to make the hot water supply at the set hot water temperature even if the communication connection line between the main and slave controllers is disconnected, the water heater equipped with the slave controller is connected to the water supply path. It is necessary to switch to a shut-off state with respect to the hot water supply path. However, even if any one of the above two types of disconnection or the like occurs, on the side of the slave controller, whether the disconnection or the like has occurred in the communication connection line of the remote controller or a communication connection line between itself and the main controller It is not possible to recognize what happened. For this reason, even if it is going to install countermeasure control at the time of occurrence of a disconnection etc., it becomes impossible to judge whether to switch to the communication state or to switch to the cut-off state.

  Furthermore, even if it recognizes itself as the main controller once by the above remote control connection, if a power failure occurs after that the communication connection line with the remote control has been disconnected, the above recognition memory will be erased. Even if power is restored and power is turned on again, the above recognition becomes impossible. For this reason, the controller of all the water heaters mistakenly recognizes that it is a slave controller, and as described above, all the water heaters are controlled to be in the shut-off state, and even when the hot water tap is opened, no water is discharged. .

  On the other hand, hot water supply from a connected water heater is used not only for hot water supply to a hot water tap but also for various purposes, and various functions may be added to the connected hot water supply device. For example, the hot water in the hot water storage tank can be heated by circulating hot water supply to the filtration unit of the filtration temperature raising system and used as a heat source for raising the temperature of the filtration unit, or circulating hot water supply to the hot water storage tank of the hot water storage hot water system. It may be used as a heat source for heating. Further, as an additional function, there is a case in which a hot water function is added by forming a circulation path so that a circulation heat insulation operation is possible.

  In the case of such an application or function addition, even if the controller of each water heater is integrated and controlled using the system controller, the circulation pump is operated and circulates between the connected hot water supply devices. There is a demand for ensuring only circulation even if an abnormality such as the above disconnection occurs in the connected hot water supply apparatus. However, when recognizing that the controller of all the water heaters constituting the connected hot water supply apparatus is a slave controller, such as an abnormality such as disconnection of the communication connection line of the remote controller described above, or an abnormality at the time of re-energization after a power failure, All the hot water heaters are controlled to be cut off, and the circulation flow is forcibly stopped. Inconvenience arises particularly when the circulation pump is controlled by another system and the operation stop control is impossible from the connected hot water supply side.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use a controller configured to execute control corresponding to the role after recognizing its role. To provide a connected hot water supply apparatus capable of avoiding the occurrence of inconvenience even if an abnormality such as a disconnection occurs in a communication connection line for recognizing its role in the connected hot water supply apparatus controlled by is there.

As a reference technique, two or more hot water heaters each equipped with a controller for operation control are connected to each other in a water supply side, and each hot water outlet is connected to a common water supply path. device is intended for, get controller of each water heater, and a plurality of control units corresponding to the role of the plurality of control that might self plays, the identification information identifying the role of the control by itself plays and a nonvolatile memory for storing and holding the identification information when he, there is a configuration that performs the operation control based on the control unit corresponding to the role identified by the identification information stored in the nonvolatile memory.

In the case of this reference technology , a hot water supply device having the same specifications is connected to form a connected hot water supply device, and the controller provided in each hot water heater enables execution of operation control as a connected type, while between the controllers. Since the identification information about its role is stored and held in the nonvolatile memory even at the time of re-energization after a communication abnormality or the occurrence of a power failure, predetermined operation control can be executed based on the stored information.

In the above-mentioned reference technology , both the primary and secondary roles are set as the above-mentioned control roles, and as the plurality of control units, a main control unit that sends an operation control signal by communication to a controller other than the self, and other than self Ru can be like and a slave control unit to perform its operation control on the basis of the operation control signals received by communication from the controller. In this case, an operation control signal is sent from the main controller of one of the water heater controllers to the slave controller of the other water heater controller in a connected water heater using a plurality of water heaters of the same specification. It is possible to control the operation of the entire water heater by sending it out. In this case, each of the main control unit and the sub control unit is preliminarily provided with operation control contents to be executed when a communication abnormality is detected, and at least the water supply channel and the hot water supply channel communicate with each other as the operation control content. Ru can be configured to perform the operation control of the water heater to maintain the state. Thereby, even if communication abnormality etc. generate | occur | produces, it becomes possible to flow the water from the water supply path side to the hot water supply path side, and water can be used even in the worst case.

In the above-mentioned reference technique , the controller further includes an acquisition determination processing unit that determines its own control role based on whether or not identification information is acquired at least every time control is started. stored and updated in the nonvolatile memory, when the non-acquisition determination as a determination result is output, Ru can be configured to perform the operation control based on the identification information previously stored in the nonvolatile memory. In this case, the contents of the operation control when the abnormality occurs can be specified more specifically. That is, when the non-acquisition determination is output due to a communication abnormality or the like after the identification information acquired by the acquisition determination processing unit is temporarily stored in the nonvolatile memory and then stored information stored until the previous time It is possible to identify the role of the user based on the above and execute the operation control corresponding to this role. In this case, the identification information, Ru can be configured to acquire the presence or absence of conduction detection by the connection of the communication connection lines. Thereby, acquisition of identification information is performed easily and reliably.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a controller for operation control is provided, and communication between the inlet side and the outlet side is switched between open and closed by switching the can flow control valve and the bypass flow control valve. Each water inlet side of two or more water heaters is connected to a common water supply path, each hot water outlet side is connected to a common hot water supply path and connected in parallel, and the controllers of all the water heaters are connected to a control signal transmitted from the system controller. Based on the connected hot water supply apparatus configured to execute the operation control based on the following, the following specific matters are provided. That is, with the system controller, the water supply path each water inlet side of the common two or more water heaters above, the use of double several containing just for connection type each tapping side is connected to the common hot water path followed by the hot-water tap A plurality of control units corresponding to the form and a non-volatile memory that stores and holds the identification information when the identification information about the use form is acquired, and the control unit corresponding to the role identified by the acquired identification information On the other hand, the operation control is executed on the basis of the above, and the acquired identification information is transmitted to the controller of each water heater by communication. On the other hand, as a controller of each water heater, the number control executed by the control unit corresponding to the role identified by the identification information and the acquired identification information for the above use forms that are sent from the system controller A non-volatile memory that stores information about whether the main water heater or sub-water heater is assigned is stored, and when there is a communication error, an operation that is set in advance for each occurrence of an abnormality that corresponds to the information stored in the non-volatile memory. a configuration to run the dynamic control on its own. Then, as the operation control for the occurrence of the abnormality, in the case of the simple connection type, the distinction between the main water heater and the sub water heater stored in the nonvolatile memory at the time of communication abnormality is read. while maintaining the can body flow control valve and the bypass flow control valve to the open state if the main water heater, to set to switch to the fully closed state can body flow control valve and the bypass flow control valve if sub water heater (Claim 1 ).

For inventions of this, the water heater controllers configured linked water heater to control overall the system controller, even used in various use forms, the linked water heater having the same specification while that may be applied using, actually applied order to use forms is stored and held there or in the nonvolatile memory to the system controller and the controller both acquired by the identification information what is, communication between the system controller even abnormality occurs, thereby independently perform operation control for when the abnormality corresponding to the usage pattern based on the use forms stored and held in the nonvolatile memory of it to the controller in communication abnormality Is possible . And, in the case of a simple connection type, even in the event of a communication failure, if the main water heater is used, water flows even if it is the worst if the hot water tap is opened by maintaining the water supply channel and the hot water supply channel in communication. Will be able to do so.

In inventions above SL can be made to an external setting means for inputting setting the identification information on the use form by external operation to the system controller (claim 2). Thereby, it becomes possible to easily and easily make the system controller input and set identification information related to the usage pattern according to the usage pattern to be applied. In this case, as the external setting means, remote control, can be constituted by one or more combinations of the switches and setting connection terminal set (claim 3). Thereby, the external setting means can be specifically specified. That is, in the case of a remote control, for example, the input setting operation of identification information related to the usage pattern can be performed by an input setting operation from the remote control, and in the case of a setting switch, the switch operation can be performed by selecting from among those provided for each usage pattern. Then, the input setting operation of the identification information can be performed. In the case of a connection terminal for setting, information for a plurality of types of usage patterns is set to a terminal selected from a plurality of terminals on one male and female side set in advance. On the other hand, it is possible to perform an input setting operation of identification information relating to a desired usage pattern by connecting the male and female terminals.

As described above , according to the connected hot water supply apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 , there are various connected hot water supply apparatuses configured to control the controller of each hot water heater centrally by the system controller. When applied to a usage pattern, it can be applied using a connected hot water supply device of the same specification, while the system controller and each controller are both non-volatile memories by acquiring from the identification information what usage pattern is actually applied corresponding to the usage pattern based on the use form communication abnormality has even occurred, stored and held in the controller in communication abnormality in the nonvolatile memory of that between the eyes is stored and held, the system controller the the actuation control can be independently executed. In particular, in the case of a simple connection type, even in the event of a communication failure, if the main water heater is maintained, the water supply channel and the hot water supply channel are maintained in communication with each other, and water flows even in the worst case. Can be.

In particular, according to the second aspect, it is possible to easily and easily cause the system controller to input and set identification information relating to the usage pattern according to the usage pattern applied by the input setting operation of the external setting means. According to claim 3 , such an external setting means can be specifically specified.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a connected hot water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, two water heaters 2 having the same configuration (indicated by reference numerals 2a and 2b in the figure for distinction) are connected in parallel between a water supply channel 4 and a hot water supply channel 5. This is a simple two-connection type. In the case of this simple two-connection type hot water supply apparatus, one of them serves as a master machine (see reference numeral 2a), and the other one serves as a slave machine (see reference numeral 2b). It has become.

< Reference form>
FIG. 1 shows a connected hot water supply apparatus according to a reference embodiment. This reference form is a so-called simple 2 in which two water heaters 2 having the same configuration (indicated by reference numerals 2a and 2b for distinction in the figure) are connected in parallel between a water supply channel 4 and a hot water supply channel 5. It is configured to be connected. In the case of this simple two-connection type hot water supply apparatus, one of them serves as a master machine (see reference numeral 2a), and the other one serves as a slave machine (see reference numeral 2b). It has become.

  Based on the above identification, the controller 3a of the master machine selects a master control unit 34, which will be described later, as a main control unit from among various control units corresponding to various roles mounted in advance, and controls the operation by the master control unit 34. On the other hand, identification information indicating that the role is a slave machine is sent to the controller 3b of the other water heater 2b in which the remote controller 31 is not connected and does not detect the continuity. Then, the controller 3b receives and transmits the identification information from the master machine, thereby recognizing and recognizing that its own control role is the slave machine of the simple two-connection type. A slave control unit 35 to be described later as a slave control unit is selected from various control units corresponding to various roles mounted in advance, and operation control by the slave control unit 35 is executed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and control of such a simple two-connection hot water supply apparatus will be described in detail. First, each water heater 2 (reference numeral 2 is used as a general term for reference numerals 2a and 2b) will be described. FIG. 2 shows an oil water heater that burns petroleum (for example, kerosene) as fuel as an example of the water heater 2. The hot water heater 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 burns kerosene with the combustion burner 25, heats the incoming water from the water inlet 220 with the combustion heat, and discharges the heated hot water from the outlet 230. As long as it has such a function, other types that do not use the heat exchanger 21 described later can also be used.

  The water heater 2 includes a heat exchanger 21 disposed in the combustion can body 20, a water intake pipe 22 that allows water from the water supply path 4 (see FIG. 1) to enter the heat exchanger 21 through a water inlet 220, A hot water pipe 23 for discharging hot water heated by the heat exchanger 21 from the hot water outlet 230 to the hot water supply path 5 (see FIG. 1), and a bypass for mixing the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 21 with water. A pipe 24, a combustion burner 25 as a combustion section for heating the heat exchanger 21 with combustion heat, a fuel supply pipe 261 for supplying fuel oil (kerosene) from a fuel tank 26 to the combustion burner 25, and a fuel supply pipe 262. The fuel supply pipe 261 is piped on site from the fuel tank 26 installed on the site to the water heater 2, and the fuel supply pipe 262 is provided in advance as part of the water heater 2. Is.

  The inlet pipe 22 is provided with an incoming water temperature sensor 221 and an incoming water flow rate sensor 222, while the hot water outlet pipe 23 is heated by the combustion can body 20 at a position upstream of the joining position with the downstream end of the bypass pipe 24. A can body temperature sensor 231 for detecting the hot water temperature immediately after and a can body flow rate control valve 232 for adjusting the hot water flow rate are provided, and a hot water temperature sensor 233 is provided at a position downstream of the joining position. Further, the bypass pipe 24 is provided with a bypass flow rate control valve 241 and a bypass flow rate sensor 223 for mixing the hot water from the hot water outlet pipe 23 with water from the incoming water pipe 22 at a predetermined mixing ratio. The can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate control valve 241 are in a fully closed state in which the valve opening amount is zero based on a command from the controller 3 to be described later in addition to a normal function capable of adjusting the opening degree within a predetermined valve opening amount range. It has a fully closing function that can be closed. As a result, when a plurality of water heaters 2 are connected and used as a connected type, the can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate control valve 241 are switched to normal functions by switching between use and non-use by controlling the number of units. Depending on whether it is in an operating state or in a fully closed switching state by a fully closed function, it is not necessary to provide an external separate electromagnetic on-off valve.

  The combustion burner 25 is disposed so as to inject the flame downward, and is constituted by, for example, a gun type burner having a return type spray nozzle. This combustion burner 25 sprays and burns kerosene supplied by a fuel supply pipe 262 provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve 251 and an electromagnetic supply pump 252 as a fuel supply pump, and returns a part of the supplied kerosene. It returns to the fuel supply pipe 262 between the electromagnetic on-off valve 251 and the electromagnetic supply pump 252 through the pipe 253. The return pipe 253 is provided with an oil temperature detection sensor 254 for detecting the oil temperature of the return oil, a flow rate control valve 255 for proportionally controlling the flow rate of the return oil, and a check valve for flowing the return oil only to the return side. Has been. Then, by changing and adjusting the flow rate of the return oil by the flow rate control valve 255 according to the number of tapping hot water, the change of the spray amount from the combustion burner 25 is performed, so that the combustion amount is proportionally controlled. It has become. In the combustion described above, kerosene sprayed from the combustion burner 25 is ignited by an ignition operation from an ignition means (for example, an igniter) 250, and the combustion system 27 is operated by the combustion burner 25, the electromagnetic on-off valve 251, the electromagnetic supply pump 252, and the like. The combustion system 27 is controlled in combustion operation by a controller 3 described later.

  The controller 3 includes a remote control connection port 290 to which the communication connection line 12 of the remote control 31 is connected, and a communication connection port 291 to which the communication connection line 11 is connected. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 3 mainly performs the above-described combustion operation control in the case of independent installation, and the acquisition determination processing unit 32 that determines whether or not the identification information is acquired and the content of the acquired identification information. An independent control unit 33 for executing hot water supply control, a master control unit 34 as a main control unit for executing operation control related to hot water supply control or the like as a master machine, and an operation control relating to hot water supply control or the like as a slave machine A slave control unit 35 as a sub control unit and a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 36 are provided. In other words, the hot water heater 2 manufactured as a product having the same configuration can be used alone, or can be used for either a simple two-coupled master machine or a slave machine.

  Briefly describing the hot water supply control by the single control unit 33 and the basic hot water control by the other master control unit 34 or the slave control unit 35, if the can body flow rate control valve 232 is open, the hot water tap 51 Is opened, the water supply channel (for example, a water pipe) 4 enters the water inlet pipe 22 through the water inlet 230, and the water inlet flow rate is detected to be greater than the minimum operating flow rate (detected by the water inlet flow sensor 222 or the bypass flow sensor 223). Then, the operation control of the combustion system 27 is executed, the combustion burner 25 is combusted, hot water heated at a predetermined temperature is heated by the heat exchanger 21, the hot water discharge pipe 23, the open can body flow rate control valve 232 and the outlet. Hot water is supplied to the hot water supply passage 5 through the hot water gate 230 and supplied to the hot water tap 51 and the like. At this time, the hot water supply temperature to the hot water supply path is set to the set hot water supply temperature input and set in the remote controller 31 by adjusting the mixed water by the bypass flow rate control valve 241. When the incoming water flow rate becomes less than the minimum operating flow rate, the combustion of the combustion burner 25 is stopped by the operation control of the combustion system 27. When only the bypass flow sensor 223 detects the water flow, the can body flow control valve 232 is once opened to some extent, and if the water flow sensor 222 detects the water flow, the above flow is detected. It may be determined that water has been detected and the combustion operation may be performed.

  The acquisition determination processing unit 32 of each of the controllers 3 a and 3 b acquires identification information that the usage pattern of the water heater 2 is a simple two-link type based on the connection of the connection communication line 11. On the other hand, the controller 3a obtains identification information that the controller 3a is a master machine based on continuity detection when the communication connection line 12 of the remote controller 31 is connected, in addition to the identification information that it is the simple two-link type. It is supposed to be. Then, if the acquisition determination processing unit 32 of the controller 3a determines that it is the master machine based on the above both identification information, the non-volatile memory 36 indicates that the identification information has been acquired and that it is the master machine. In addition to storing and storing, identification information indicating that the controller 3a is the master device is transmitted to the other controller 3b via the communication connection line. The acquisition determination processing unit 32 of the controller 3b determines that it is a slave device by acquiring the identification information acquired by this transmission and the identification information indicating that it is a simple two-connection type, and receives the identification information. And the fact that it is a slave machine is stored in the nonvolatile memory 36.

  The master control unit 34 of each controller 3a, 3b is selected when the controller 3a is a master machine, and performs operation control as a master machine. 2b is generally controlled to operate. On the other hand, the slave control unit 35 is selected when the slave control unit 35 is a slave unit, and executes the operation control as the slave unit. The control signal from the controller 3 of the other water heater 2 that is the master unit. Thus, the operation control such as the combustion operation of the slave machine is executed only when the use of the hot water supply of the slave machine is permitted.

  Then, the controller 3a of the master machine selects the operation control by the master control unit 34 based on the above determination that it is the master machine, and thereafter the operation control by the master control unit 34 is executed. On the other hand, in the controller 3b of the slave machine, the operation control by the slave control unit 35 is selected based on the above determination that it is a slave machine, and thereafter, the operation control by the slave machine is executed. In other words, in the controller 3a, the execution of the operation control by the single control unit 33 and the slave control unit 35 is prohibited based on the determination result, and the execution of the operation control by the master control unit 34 is permitted. In the controller 3b, the execution of the operation control by the single control unit 33 and the master control unit 34 is prohibited based on the determination result, and the execution of the operation control by the slave control unit 35 is permitted.

  Next, the operation control of the simple two-connection hot water supply apparatus by the controllers 3a and 3b will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 4 is illustrated as control contents executed by both the controller 3a of the master machine 2a and the controller 3b of the slave machine 2b.

  First, when the power is turned on by connecting the power outlet and the operation switch of the remote controller 31 is turned on, for example, master / slave determination is first performed in the acquisition determination processing units 32 and 32 of the controllers 3a and 3b (step S1). . This master / slave determination is performed as follows. That is, whether there is a continuity detection output of the communication connection line 12 of the remote control 31, whether there is a continuity detection output of the communication connection line 11, and whether there is input of identification information via the communication connection line 11. A determination is made based on whether or not. If the connection of the remote controller 31 by the communication connection line 12 and the both hot water heaters 2a, 2b (connection of both controllers 3a, 3b) by the communication connection line 11 are normally performed at the time of installation, the controller 3a determines the acquisition. In the processing unit 32, since the condition that there is a continuity detection output of the communication connection line 12 of the remote controller 31 and a continuity detection output of the communication connection line 11 between the controller 3b is satisfied, it is determined that the self is the master machine. . And based on this determination result, the master control part 34 corresponding to the role of a master machine is started. On the other hand, in the controller 3b, in the acquisition determination processing unit 32, there is a transmission output of a determination result that the controller 3a is a master machine and a continuity detection output of the communication connection line 11 with the controller 3a. Since the condition is satisfied, it is determined that the self is a slave machine. And based on this determination result, the slave control part 35 corresponding to the role of a slave machine is started.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the master / slave determination is completed normally (step S2). This determination is made based on whether or not the above condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, that is, if there is a normal continuity detection output or the like (YES in step S2), the controller 3b of the slave device (water heater 2b; hereinafter also referred to as “slave device 2b”) While the non-volatile memory 36 stores and holds that it is a slave machine, the controller 3a of the master machine (water heater 2a; hereinafter also referred to as “master machine 2a”) establishes the above condition, and the self machine is a master machine. It is stored and held in the nonvolatile memory 36 (step S3). At this time, if the old history is stored in each nonvolatile memory 36, the contents are erased and updated.

  At the same time, the master unit 2a and the slave unit 2b are put into a hot water supply standby state by the controllers 3a and 3b. That is, in the master machine 2a, the bypass flow control valve 241 is fully opened by the master control unit 34, and the can flow control valve 232 is set to a relatively small opening (for example, 5 L / min) that is equal to or higher than the minimum operating flow. On the other hand, in the slave machine 2b, both the can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate control valve 241 are switched to the fully closed state by the slave control unit 35 (step S4). That is, the master machine 2a communicates between the water supply path 4 and the hot water supply path 5 and keeps the water in a condition that allows the water to enter the combustion start condition when the hot water tap 51 is opened, while the slave machine 2b receives the water supply path 4. And the hot water supply path 5 are shut off so that no water will enter even if the hot water tap 51 is opened. In this state, the system waits until the hot-water tap 51 is opened (NO in step S5, step S4).

  When the hot-water tap 51 is opened, water enters the water intake pipe 22 of the master machine 2a from the water supply path 4, and the incoming water flow rate sensor 222 or the bypass flow rate sensor 223 indicates that the incoming water flow rate has reached the minimum operating flow rate (MOQ). If it is detected (YES in step S5), normal hot water supply control in the simple two-connection type by the master control unit 34 is started (step S6). In addition, the above-mentioned water entry is only the master machine 2a and does not enter the slave machine 2b. The normal hot water supply control is performed as follows. First, the combustion system 27 of the master machine 2a is controlled to operate and the combustion burner 25 is operated to burn. Thereby, the hot water heated to the predetermined temperature by the heat exchanger 21 is discharged. At this time, the mixed water by the opening control of the can body flow control valve or the opening control of the bypass flow control valve so that the hot water supply temperature discharged to the hot water supply passage 5 becomes the set hot water supply temperature input and set by the user in the remote controller 31. Temperature is adjusted by adjustment. When the hot water supply request at the hot water tap 51 exceeds the hot water supply capacity of the master machine 2a, the controller 3b transmits a combustion start command and information on the set hot water supply temperature to the controller 3b of the slave machine 2b via the communication connection line 11. The slave machine 2b is also combusted by the slave controller 35. Thereafter, the slave control unit 2b discharges hot water at the set hot water supply temperature from the slave machine 2b to the hot water supply path 5. In this case, when the hot water supply request is reduced to the hot water supply capacity range of the master machine 2a, a combustion stop command is transmitted to the controller 3b of the slave machine 2b, and the slave controller 35 stops the combustion operation of the slave machine 2b, and the can body Both the flow control valve 232 and the bypass flow control valve 241 are switched to the fully closed state.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the communication connection line 11 is normal, that is, whether or not control signals such as various commands are normally transmitted / received via the communication connection line 11 (step S7). If it is not interrupted for a predetermined time or more, it is determined to be normal, and after confirming that water has entered at or above the minimum operating flow rate in step S5, normal hot water supply control by the master control unit 35 is continued (step S7). YES, YES in step S5, step S6). If the incoming water flow rate becomes less than the minimum operating flow rate in the course of this continuation (NO in step S5), all combustion operations are stopped and the above-described hot water supply standby state is entered to start using hot water at the next minimum operating flow rate or higher. Wait (determination in step S4 and step S5).

  The above is the operation control in a state where the communication connection line 11 and / or the communication connection line 12 is normally connected, that is, no abnormality such as disconnection or disconnection has occurred. The following operation control is executed.

  That is, when transmission / reception of the control signal via the communication connection line 11 is interrupted for a predetermined time or more in the above step S7, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication connection line 11 (NO in step S7). Therefore, the operation control previously installed in the master control unit 34 and the slave control unit 35 is executed (step S8). That is, the master control unit 34 of the master machine 2a permits the continuation of the hot water supply control of the master machine 2a itself and executes the combustion operation and the opening degree control based on the set hot water temperature from the remote control 31 as described above, while the remote control 31 In addition, a display or a voice guidance for notifying that the communication connection line 11 is abnormal is output. On the other hand, the slave control unit 35 of the slave machine 2b controls the operation so that the combustion operation is stopped and both the can flow control valve 232 and the bypass flow control valve 241 are switched to the fully closed state. As described above, if there is a hot water supply request (opening operation of the hot water tap 51), it becomes possible to supply hot water at the set hot water supply temperature only by the master machine 2a, and in addition to the combustion system 27 of the master machine 2a. Even if an abnormality occurs, it is possible to use only water by opening the hot-water tap 51.

  Or, when the control is started by turning on the operation switch, in the determination of whether or not the master / slave determination in step S2 is normally completed, when the continuity detection output is not normally obtained and the determination is incomplete In the controllers 3a and 3b, the following operation control mounted in advance for the occurrence of an abnormality is executed (NO in step S2, steps S9 and S10). It should be noted that when the simple two-coupled hot water supply device is first started to be used for the first time, the continuity detection output is judged to be incomplete due to an abnormality. Whether or not an abnormality such as disconnection or disconnection has occurred in the communication connection line 11 or 12 during normal use, after the storage in each nonvolatile memory 36 in step S3 is normally performed, or such an abnormality has occurred. When the power failure occurs in the generated state, the incomplete determination is made at any time when the process returns to step S1 or S2 by re-energization.

  For this reason, as the above-described operation control when an abnormality occurs, in step S9, each controller 3a, 3b reads the stored contents of the respective nonvolatile memory 36, and in step S10, the read role (master machine or slave machine) The controller 3a identified as the master device based on the stored information on the role of the master control unit 34 performs the abnormality control of the master control unit 34, and the controller 3b identified as the slave device performs the abnormality control of the slave control unit 35. Each control is executed. Specifically, as in step S4, the master unit 2a fully opens the bypass flow rate control valve 241 and opens the can body flow rate control valve 232 at the set opening degree, and the slave unit 2b opens the can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate. Both control valves 241 are switched to the fully closed state. At this time, if the communication control line 12 normally outputs the continuity detection only by the abnormality of the communication connection line 11, while notifying that the abnormality has occurred in the communication connection line by the remote controller 31 as described above, If the hot-water tap 51 is opened, it is possible to start hot water at the set hot-water temperature by starting the combustion operation of the master machine 2a. On the other hand, even if the communication connection line 12 is abnormal and it is impossible to report the occurrence of the abnormality, if the hot-water tap 51 is opened, only water flows through the connected master unit 2a to the hot-water tap 51. Can do. Therefore, even in the worst case, it is possible to ensure the use of water from the hot water tap 51 and to make the user aware of the occurrence of abnormality because the water comes out of the hot water tap 51. The controller 3a, 3b is preset with a set hot water temperature for an abnormality as a fixed value, and when the abnormality occurs, the set hot water temperature for an abnormality is used instead of the set hot water temperature set for the remote controller 31. If the hot water supply control is executed, the hot water supply itself can be realized even if the set hot water supply temperature is not set by the user.

  In the above description of the flowchart, the master machine 2a is set as the main hot water heater that is initially fired and the slave machine 2b is set as the sub hot water heater that is fired when the main machine alone cannot satisfy the hot water supply request. As described above, the operation roles of the main water heater and the sub water heater are switched every time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, the master machine 2a is operated as a main water heater until the lapse of a predetermined time, is operated as a sub-water heater after the lapse of the predetermined time, and is again operated as a main water heater after the lapse of the predetermined time. On the contrary, the slave unit 2b is operated as a sub water heater until a predetermined time elapses, is operated as a main water heater after a predetermined time elapses, and is operated again as a sub water heater after a predetermined time elapses. It has become. Thereby, the combustion durability is averaged. The main water heater and the sub water heater are switched over after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the actual combustion time is integrated and the combustion integrated time reaches a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). Also good. In this way, the combustion durability can be made more uniform in terms of the actual combustion time.

Second Embodiment
5 to 8 show examples of how the connected hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. 5 is for ordinary mere connection and FIG. 6 is an instant hot water function. Fig. 7 shows the use of a connected hot water supply device for hot water supply (hereinafter simply referred to as "immediate hot water"), Fig. 7 for filtration, and Fig. 8 for hot water storage hot water supply (hereinafter simply referred to as "for hot water storage"). Is shown. In the second embodiment, the controller 3 of each hot water heater 2 is centrally controlled by the system controller 6, and what type of usage is used is acquired at the start of use, and the connected hot water supply device is It is stored in advance in a non-volatile memory as to whether it is used in the usage pattern. In addition, although the case where three water heaters 2 are connected is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, two or more than four may be connected. The second embodiment is a case where the system controller 6 performs overall operation control, and the system controller 6 may be provided separately from each water heater 2 or may be incorporated in any one of the water heaters 2. . In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Implementation form>
5-8 shows an example of how using a coupling-type water heater according to implementation embodiments in any use form of the present invention, FIG 5 is normal for mere connection, FIG. 6 with immediate water feature FIG. 7 shows a usage example when a connected hot water supply device is used for hot water supply (hereinafter simply referred to as “for hot water”), FIG. 7 is for filtration, and FIG. 8 is for hot water storage hot water supply (hereinafter simply referred to as “for hot water storage”). Show. Implementation form of this in those totally controlled by the system controller 6 to the controller 3 of each water heater 2, any use to get to the time of use or start the use in the form, of any linked water heater is It is stored in advance in a non-volatile memory as to whether it is used in the usage pattern. In addition, although the case where three water heaters 2 are connected is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, two or more than four may be connected. The present implementation mode is the case of the controls overall operation by the system controller 6, the system controller 6 also be provided separately from the respective water heater 2 may be either be incorporated in any of the water heater 2. In the following description, for the Reference Embodiment same elements and detailed description thereof will be omitted given the same reference numerals and reference embodiment.

  In the case of the instant hot water of FIG. 6, the hot water tap 51 side of the hot water supply path 5 in the connection configuration of FIG. 5 is connected so as to join the water supply path 4 by the return path 5 a, and hot water is supplied by the operation of the circulation pump 7. The hot water from the water heater 2 is circulated so as to return to the water inlet side of the water heater 2 through the return tap 5a and the water supply passage 4 through the hot water tap 51 side. In addition, the code | symbol 52 of the figure is a non-return valve which prevents the backflow from the water supply path 4 to the return path 5a side. In this case, the circulation pump 7 is stopped when the hot water supply is used, and is operated by the system controller 6 in order to keep the circulation warm when the hot water supply is waited.

  In the case of the filtration shown in FIG. 7, the connected type is configured so that hot water heated as a heat source is circulated and supplied from the connected hot water supply device to the heat exchanger H for heating and heating the hot water in the bathtub provided in the filtration unit F. A water heater is used. That is, the water heaters 2 are connected in parallel between the return path 81 and the forward path 82 of the circulation path 8a between the temperature raising and heating heat exchanger H and the connected hot water supply apparatus, and are connected to the circulation path 8a. The hot water in the circulation path 8a, which is a closed circuit, is heated in each water heater 2 by the operation of the installed circulation pump 7a so that hot water can be circulated and supplied to the heat exchanger H. On the other hand, the hot water in the bathtub Y is circulated and supplied to the heat exchanger H through the circulation path 9a by the operation of the circulation pump 7b, and the hot water in the bathtub is circulated and supplied from the circulation path 8a. The temperature is raised and heated by hot water. Although details of the filtration unit F are not shown, since both the circulation pumps 7a and 7b are for heat exchange heating of the hot water in the bathtub in the filtration unit F, the operation control is performed by the filtration unit F. To be done.

  In the case of the hot water storage shown in FIG. 8, hot water in the hot water storage tank 10 is supplied to the hot water tap 51, and the hot water storage tank 10 and the hot water supply tap 51 can be circulated by the circulation path 9b and the circulation pump 7d during the hot water standby. Hot water function is given. And each hot water heater 2 is interposed in parallel in the middle of the circulation path 8b for heating up the inside of the hot water storage tank 10. That is, each water heater 2 is connected in parallel between a take-out path 83 from which low-temperature hot water at the bottom of the hot water tank 10 is taken out by the operation of the circulation pump 7c and a supply path 84 for supplying heated hot water to the top of the hot water tank 10. Is intervening. Also in this case, the connected hot water supply device is used for raising the temperature of hot water in the hot water tank 10.

  The connected hot water supply apparatus used in the above usage pattern is not specially configured for each usage pattern, but has the same configuration including the hot water heater 2 having the same configuration and the system controller 6 having the same configuration. It is configured using a hot water supply device. In other words, the system controller 6 is configured in advance so as to be able to perform operation control corresponding to each usage mode, regardless of which usage mode (application) the connected hot water supply device is used.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the system controller 6 includes an acquisition determination processing unit 62, a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) 63, a simple connection type number control unit 64, an immediate hot water control unit 65, and a filtration unit. In addition to the control unit 66 and the hot water storage control unit 67, external setting means 14 as shown in FIG. 10 is additionally provided. The immediate hot water control unit 65, the filtration control unit 66, and the hot water storage control unit 67 are provided with the number control by the number control unit 64 as well as the operation control unique to each usage pattern. .

  The external setting means 14 is used to input and set information as to which type of use the connected hot water supply device is used, and FIG. 10 shows an example constituted by setting connection terminals. That is, for example, a plurality of female terminals 141 to 144 corresponding to usage patterns (uses) that are assumed to use the connected hot water supply device, and a male terminal 145 that is selectively connected to the female terminals 141 to 144. It has. For example, when the male terminal 145 is connected to the female terminal 141, information indicating that the usage form is merely for the connection type is input to the acquisition determination processing unit 62, and thereafter, similarly, when the connection is made to the female terminal 142. The information that the usage pattern is for immediate hot water is input and set, and when it is connected to the female terminal 143, the information that the usage pattern is for filtration is input and set, and when it is connected to the female terminal 144, the usage pattern is Information that it is for hot water storage is set to be input. Such a selective connection operation (external operation) is performed by a person who performs installation or a worker who performs a trial run.

  The acquisition determination processing unit 62 determines whether the connected hot water supply device is used, and the communication connection line 12 between the main remote controller 61 and each controller 3. It is determined whether or not an abnormality such as disconnection or disconnection of 13, 13,. In the determination regarding the usage pattern, it is determined whether or not the information regarding the usage pattern has been acquired by the input setting by the external setting unit 14 and what the usage pattern corresponding to the acquired information is. The system controller 6 stores the determined usage pattern in the nonvolatile memory 63 and transmits information on the usage pattern via the communication connection lines 13, 13,... Memory (not shown). In addition, the system controller 6 selects and activates a control unit corresponding to the determined usage pattern. For example, when information indicating that the usage mode is simply a connection type is acquired from the external setting means 14, the number control unit 64 is activated. The control unit 65 is activated, and the filtration control unit 66 is activated when the information indicating that it is for filtration is acquired, and the control unit 67 for hot water storage is activated when the information that it is for hot water storage is acquired. It has become. And the operation control corresponding to a use form is performed by the number control part 64, the control part 65 for instant hot water, the control part for filtration, or the control part 67 for hot water storage. At this time, each controller 3 has information about whether it is a main water heater or a sub water heater assigned to each water heater 2 by the number control executed by any one of the control units 64, 65, 66 or 67. A nonvolatile memory is stored and updated each time.

  On the other hand, in the system controller 6, when the acquisition determination processing unit 62 determines that an abnormality has occurred in any or all of the communication connection lines 12, 13, the unit control unit 64 that is activated, Output to the control unit 65 for filtration, the control unit 66 for filtration or the control unit 67 for hot water storage, in addition to causing the control unit 64, 65, 66 or 67 to carry out the operation control for occurrence of abnormality, which is mounted in advance. 3 also individually executes operation control for occurrence of an abnormality that is mounted in advance.

  Next, operation control for occurrence of an abnormality in the communication connection line 13 will be described. In this case, since the control signal from the system controller 6 becomes unreceivable, the controller 3 that has become unreceivable reads out information on the usage pattern stored in its non-volatile memory based on the detection of the unreceivability. In addition, the operation control at the time of occurrence of an abnormality corresponding to the usage pattern is independently performed.

  In the case of mere connection type (see also FIG. 5), the controller 3 reads out the main hot water heater or the sub water heater stored at that time from its own nonvolatile memory, and If it is a boiler, the can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate control valve 241 are maintained in an open state, while if it is a sub-water heater, the can body flow rate control valve 232 and the bypass flow rate control valve 241 are switched to a fully closed state. That is, if it is a main water heater, the water supply path 4 and the hot water supply path 5 will be maintained in a communication state, and if the hot-water tap 51 is opened, water will flow at worst.

  Even in the case of instant hot water (see also FIG. 6), the controller 3 that has become unable to receive the same operation control for occurrence of abnormality as in the case of the simple connection type described above is executed. As a result, even if the main water heater falls into the above-described inability to receive, the main water heater maintains the water supply path 4 and the hot water supply path 5 in a communicating state, so that the circulation pump 7 is operated. However, the circulation is not stopped. Further, for example, in the connected hot water supply device with an immediate hot water function when the system controller 6 shown in FIG. 6 is connected, the main hot water heater in which communication has been normally performed until the end is distinguished from the main hot water heater and the sub water heater. Even if it is set as a water heater, when there is no hot water heater in which communication is normally performed, any one of the predetermined hot water heaters may be caused to function as a temporary main water heater.

  In the case of filtration (FIG. 7) and hot water storage (FIG. 8), the controller 3 that has become unable to receive the bypass flow control valve 241 fully closed regardless of whether the main water heater or the sub water heater is used. On the other hand, the can body flow rate control valve 232 is maintained at a predetermined small opening (for example, 5 L / min) that is equal to or higher than the minimum operating flow rate. Thereby, even in the worst case, circulation in the circulation path 8a or 8b is enabled and the circulation flow itself is not prevented.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, but includes other various embodiments. That is, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the case where the oil water heater which burns liquid fuel (petroleum) as a fuel was used as a hot water heater which comprises a connection type hot water supply apparatus, it is not restricted to this, A gas water heater that burns gaseous fuel (gas) as fuel may be used as the water heater.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above you facilities embodiment, it is intended to cover various other embodiments. That is, in the above you facilities embodiment, although the case where the liquid fuel (petroleum) using an oil water heater for burning as fuel as water heater which constitutes the coupling type hot water supply apparatus is not limited to this, the water heater gaseous fuel (gases) but it may also be using a gas water heater for burning as fuel as.

Above you facilities embodiment, although the setting connection terminals as the external setting means is not limited thereto, and may be configured to the external setting means by remote control 61 or dip switch or the like. In the case of the remote controller 61, the usage patterns displayed on the display unit are selected by the switch operation and set for input. In the case of the dip switch, the number corresponding to the type of usage pattern is provided. What is necessary is just to make it switch ON the dip switch.

Explanation of symbols

It is a schematic diagram which shows the reference form of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the water heater of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the content of each controller of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control content in each controller of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example in case a usage form is only for the connection type for hot water supply. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example in case a usage form is for hot water supplies with an instant hot water function. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example in case a usage form is for filtration. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example in case a usage form is for hot water storage. It is a block diagram which shows the content of the system controller etc. which are applied to FIGS. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of an external setting means.

Claims (3)

Each controller is equipped with a controller for operation control, and the water inlet side and the hot water outlet side are connected to the inlet side of two or more water heaters that are switched between open and closed by switching the opening and closing of the can flow control valve and bypass flow control valve. Each hot water supply side is connected to a common hot water supply path and connected in parallel to each other, and each controller of all the hot water heaters is configured to execute operation control based on a control signal communicated from a system controller. A connected water heater,
The system controller, each water inlet side common water supply channel of the two or more water heaters above, corresponds to the double several use forms including for mere linked to each tapping side is connected to the common hot water path followed by the hot-water tap Operation control based on a control unit corresponding to the role identified by the acquired identification information. Is configured to transmit the acquired identification information to the controller of each water heater by communication,
Each water heater controller is allocated by the number control executed by the control unit corresponding to the role identified by the identification information and the acquired identification information for the above use forms that are sent from the system controller includes a nonvolatile memory for storing and holding information relating to another or the main water heater or sub-water heater, the communication is abnormal when work movement control for the time preset abnormality occurs for each usage pattern corresponding to information stored in the nonvolatile memory the configured to independently run, the abnormality as occurred actuation control for the time, the main water heater above in the case of the use forms for simply linked stored in the nonvolatile memory in the communication error time If the main water heater is read out, the can body flow rate control valve and the bypass flow rate control valve are kept open, while the sub water heater If linked water heater, characterized in that the can body flow control valve and the bypass flow control valve is configured to switch to the fully closed state. The connected hot water supply device according to claim 1 ,
A connected hot water supply apparatus comprising external setting means for inputting and setting identification information relating to a usage pattern to the system controller by an external operation. It is a connection type hot-water supply apparatus of Claim 2 , Comprising:
The said external setting means is a connection type hot-water supply apparatus comprised by the combination of 1 or 2 or more of a remote control, a setting switch, and a setting connection terminal.

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