JP5094912B2 - Water heater control system and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control system及 beauty method of controlling a water heater.

  There has been proposed a water heater that resumes boiling of hot water stopped by a user when the user returns home based on a measurement signal output from a measuring device that measures the amount of water used (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2007-127362 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of hot water used cannot be predicted, and the hot water is boiled more than the amount used by the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a control system及 beauty method of controlling water heater that can improve the operating efficiency of the water heater.

In order to achieve the above object, a control system for a water heater according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
Terminal detection means for detecting a portable communication terminal carried by a user of the water heater;
Based on the number of mobile communication terminals detected by the terminal detection means, usage amount prediction means for predicting the usage amount of hot water,
E Bei and a heating-up control means for controlling the water heater to raise the boiling hot water of the predicted amount by the use amount prediction means,
The water heater has a hot water storage tank for storing boiling water,
A remaining hot water measuring means for measuring the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank;
Use time predicting means for predicting a use time when hot water is used based on a time when the amount of hot water measured by the remaining hot water measuring means is reduced;
The boiling control means controls the water heater so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted by the usage amount prediction means at a predetermined time before the time predicted by the use time prediction means,
The use time is a bathing time when hot water is used for a shower,
The usage amount predicting means predicts the usage amount of hot water based on the amount of hot water used by one user for a shower and the number of detected mobile communication terminals at a time before the bathing time. ,
Predicted usage amount storage means for storing predicted usage information representing the usage amount of hot water predicted by the usage amount prediction means in a storage unit;
After the water heater is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water, if the remaining hot water amount falls below a lower limit threshold, the predicted usage information stored in the predicted usage amount storage means is used more. Predictive usage amount correction means for correcting the predicted usage amount information representing the amount,
When the predicted usage information is stored in the storage unit, the usage amount prediction means sets the usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information as the predicted hot water usage amount,
When the remaining hot water amount continues to exceed the upper limit threshold over a predetermined period after the hot water supply device is controlled to boil up the predicted amount of hot water, the predicted usage amount correction unit is configured to increase the predicted usage amount. Correct the predicted usage information saved by the storage means to the predicted usage information that represents less usage,
The terminal detection means detects terminal identification information for identifying the mobile communication terminal;
The predicted usage amount storage means includes a combination usage information representing a combination of terminal identification information detected by the terminal detection means, and a predicted usage quantity representing a usage amount predicted based on the number of mobile communication terminals constituting the combination. Store the information in association with the information,
The predicted use amount correcting means corresponds to the combination information representing the combination when the remaining hot water amount falls below a predetermined threshold after the hot water supply device is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water based on the combination. The attached forecasted usage information is corrected to predicted usage information that represents more usage,
The usage amount predicting unit is configured so that the predicted usage amount information associated with the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected by the terminal detecting unit is stored in the storage unit when the association usage information is stored in the storage unit. The usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is the predicted hot water usage amount,
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling a water heater according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
A terminal detection step of detecting a portable communication terminal carried by a user of a water heater having a hot water storage tank for storing boiling water;
Based on the number of mobile communication terminals detected in the terminal detection step, a usage amount prediction step for predicting the usage amount of hot water,
A boiling control step for controlling the water heater so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step;
A remaining hot water measuring step for measuring the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank;
The remaining hot water measured based on the time of hot water that is measured is reduced in step, possess the use time prediction step for predicting the use time hot water is used, a
In the boiling control step, the water heater is controlled so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step at a predetermined time before the time predicted in the usage time prediction step,
The use time is a bathing time when hot water is used for a shower,
In the usage amount prediction step, the usage amount of hot water is predicted based on the amount of hot water used by one user for the shower and the number of detected mobile communication terminals at a time before the bathing time. ,
A predicted usage amount storing step of storing predicted usage information representing the usage amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step in a storage unit;
After the water heater is controlled to boil up the predicted amount of hot water, if the remaining hot water amount falls below a lower limit threshold, the predicted usage information stored in the predicted usage amount storage step is used more. A predicted usage correction step for correcting the predicted usage information representing the amount,
In the usage amount prediction step, when the predicted usage amount information is stored in the storage unit, the usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is set as a predicted hot water usage amount,
In the predicted use amount correction step, if the hot water supply device is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water and the remaining hot water amount continues to exceed the upper limit threshold over a predetermined period, the predicted use amount Correct the predicted usage information saved in the save step to predicted usage information that represents less usage,
In the terminal detection step, terminal identification information for identifying the mobile communication terminal is detected,
In the predicted usage amount storing step, a predicted usage amount representing the usage amount predicted based on the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected in the terminal detection step and the number of mobile communication terminals constituting the combination. Store the information in association with the information,
In the predicted use amount correction step, when the amount of remaining hot water falls below a predetermined threshold after the water heater is controlled to boil up the amount of hot water predicted based on the combination, it corresponds to the combination information representing the combination The attached forecasted usage information is corrected to predicted usage information that represents more usage,
In the usage amount prediction step, the predicted usage amount information associated with the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected in the terminal detection step is stored in the storage unit when the association usage information is stored in the storage unit. The usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is the predicted hot water usage amount,
It is characterized by that.

According to the control system及 beauty method of controlling the water heater according to the present invention can improve the operation efficiency of the water heater.

It is a network block diagram showing an example of the control system of the water heater based on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the femtocell. FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions that the femtocell has. FIG. 2C is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device controller. It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process which the control system of the water heater based on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a functional block diagram showing an example of the function which an apparatus controller has. It is a flowchart showing an example of the boiling control process which an apparatus controller performs. Fig.6 (a) is a figure showing an example of the time change of the integrated value of the hot water amount which a water heater raises. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the home status of the user A. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example of the home status of the user B. FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating an example of the home status of the user C. FIG.6 (e) is a figure showing an example of the table | surface which shows the relationship between the number of people at home and the hot water amount (boiling hot water amount) by which a water heater is controlled so that it may boil up. It is a flowchart showing an example of the usage-amount prediction process which an apparatus controller performs. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which the predicted usage before correction and the predicted usage after correction, which are predicted based on the union information and the number of people living at home, are associated with each other. FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating an example of the predicted usage amount correction process executed by the device controller.

  Hereinafter, the control system 1 of the water heater 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A water heater 100 controlled by the control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pump 101, a hot water storage tank 102, and a control board 103, as shown in FIG.

  The heat pump 101 is supplied with city water from the hot water storage tank 102, and heats the supplied city water using electric power to a set target temperature. The hot water storage tank 102 is a tank that stores hot water heated by the heat pump 101. Here, the hot water storage tank 102 is a tank made of metal or resin, and the outer side is covered with a heat insulating material, so that hot water can be stored while keeping hot. Inside the hot water storage tank 102, a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a remaining hot water amount sensor) 102a for measuring the amount of stored hot water (hereinafter referred to as a remaining hot water amount) is installed. Furthermore, a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a flow rate sensor) 102b for measuring the amount of hot water flowing through the pipe is installed at a connection portion with a pipe for supplying hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 102 to the bathtub and shower.

  The control board 103 includes a communication circuit that performs serial communication with the device controller 400 that is a control device of the water heater 100, and a control circuit that controls the operation of the heat pump 101 in accordance with information received by the communication circuit. In addition, the communication circuit of the control board 103 includes information indicating the remaining hot water amount measured by the remaining hot water amount sensor 102a (hereinafter referred to as remaining hot water amount information) and information indicating the flow rate of hot water measured by the flow rate sensor (hereinafter referred to as flow rate information). To the device controller 400.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 of the water heater 100 includes a router 200, a small mobile phone base station (hereinafter referred to as femtocell) 300, a device controller 400, and mobile phones 501 to 503.

  The router 200 is connected to the Internet 10 and a home LAN (Local Area Network) to which the femtocell 300 and the device controller 400 are connected, and relays data transmitted and received by the mobile phones 501 to 503 via the Internet 10.

  The femtocell 300 is a terminal detection device that detects radio waves emitted from mobile phones 501 to 503 registered in advance (hereinafter simply referred to as mobile phone detection). The femtocell 300 transmits / receives the detected voice data and e-mail data representing the call voice of the mobile phones 501 to 503 to / from the server managed by the communication carrier of the mobile phones 501 to 503 via the router 200. . The region in which the femtocell 300 can detect the radio waves of the mobile phones 501 to 503 covers the entire residence of the user who carries the mobile phones 501 to 503.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the femtocell 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 303, a LAN communication circuit 304, a signal processing circuit 305, An antenna 306 is included.

  The CPU 301 performs overall control of the femtocell 300 by executing software processing according to a program stored in the ROM 303. The RAM 302 temporarily stores data to be processed when the CPU 301 executes the program. The LAN communication circuit 304 performs data communication with the router 200 and the device controller 400 via the home LAN. The signal processing circuit 305 performs processing for modulating and demodulating a high-frequency signal transmitted and received by the antenna 306.

  The CPU 301 in FIG. 2A executes software processing, thereby performing an in-home communication unit 310, a terminal communication unit 320, a device cooperation unit 330, a terminal detection unit 340, and a data conversion unit as illustrated in FIG. It functions as 350.

  The home communication unit 310 performs wired communication with the router 200 and the device controller 400 via the home LAN, and the terminal communication unit 320 performs wireless communication with the mobile phones 501 to 503. The device cooperation unit 330 performs processing in cooperation with the device controller 400. The processing performed by the device cooperation unit 330 will be described later.

  Terminal detection unit 340 detects mobile phones 501 to 503 which are mobile communication terminals. The data conversion unit 350 converts call voice data and e-mail data received from any of the detected mobile phones 501 to 503 into a data format suitable for the server processing managed by the communication carrier.

  A device controller 400 in FIG. 1 that communicates with the femtocell 300 via a home LAN controls the amount of hot water heated by the water heater 100. The device controller 400 will be described in detail later.

  Mobile phones 501 to 503 are respectively carried by users A to C of water heater 100, and perform calls and e-mail transmission / reception via femtocell 300. When the mobile phones 501 to 503 receive the email, the mobile phones 501 to 503 display the received email on the display units of the mobile phones 501 to 503, respectively.

  Next, the sequence process shown in FIG. 3 executed when the user A carrying the mobile phone 501 returns home will be described.

  First, when the power is turned on while the femtocell 300 is connected to the home LAN, the router 200 connected to the home LAN detects the femtocell 300. Next, the router 200 functions as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server to set an IP (Internet Protocol) address for the detected femtocell 300 (step S01).

  Similarly, when the power is turned on while the device controller 400 is connected to the home LAN, the router 200 detects the device controller 400 and sets an IP address for the device controller 400 (step S02).

  Next, the device controller 400 functions as a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point and detects the femtocell 300 (step S03). Here, when the power is not supplied to the femtocell 300 at the time when step S03 is executed, the device controller 400 cannot detect the femtocell 300. In this case, the device cooperation unit 330 of the femtocell 300 illustrated in FIG. 2B transmits information for announcing (that is, notifying) the presence of itself (that is, the femtocell 300) to the device controller 400. The home communication unit 310 may be controlled.

  Next, the device controller 400 acquires, from the detected femtocell 300, service information indicating the functions and services of the femtocell 300 and the port number used for executing the service (step S04).

  Next, the device controller 400 registers the device controller 400 in the femtocell 300 as a notification destination for notifying the detected event and the non-detected event (step S05). The notification of the detection event means transmission of event information indicating that a mobile phone has been detected and identification information of the detected mobile phone. Similarly, notifying an undetected event means transmitting event information indicating that a mobile phone is no longer detected and identification information of a mobile phone that is no longer detected.

  Thereafter, when the user carrying the mobile phone 501 returns home, the terminal detection unit 340 of the femtocell 300 shown in FIG. 2A detects the mobile phone 501 (step S06). Next, the device cooperation unit 330 of the femtocell 300 notifies the device controller 400 of event information including the fact that the mobile phone 501 has been detected and the identification information IA of the mobile phone 501 (that is, to notify the detection event). 2), the in-home communication unit 310 is controlled (step S07).

  Thereafter, the device controller 400 calculates the number of home users based on the acquired event information, and predicts the amount of hot water used based on the calculated number of home users. Next, the device controller 400 transmits a boiling command instructing to boil the predicted amount of hot water to the water heater 100 (step S08).

  When the amount of hot water instructed in accordance with the boiling command is boiled, the water heater 100 notifies the device controller 400 of the completion of boiling (hereinafter simply referred to as boiling completion) (step S09).

  Next, the device controller 400 transmits to the femtocell 300 a mail transmission request for transmitting a mail notifying completion of boiling using the port number represented by the service information acquired in step S04. (Step S10).

  Thereafter, the femtocell 300 transmits a mail notifying completion of boiling to the mobile phone 501 detected in step S06 (step S11). Thereafter, the execution of the processing sequence is terminated.

  In the above sequence processing, the device controller 400 that controls the water heater 100 includes a CPU 401, a RAM 402, a ROM 403, a LAN communication circuit 404, and a serial communication circuit 405 as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 401 performs overall control of the device controller 400 by executing software processing according to a program stored in the ROM 403. The RAM 402 temporarily stores data to be processed when the CPU 401 executes the program. The LAN communication circuit 404 performs data communication with the router 200 and the femtocell 300 via the home LAN. The serial communication circuit 405 performs serial communication with the water heater 100.

  The CPU 401 in FIG. 2C functions as a femtocell detection unit 410 as shown in FIG. 4 by executing the processing of steps S03 to S05 in FIG. In addition, the CPU 401 cooperates with the LAN communication circuit 404 and the serial communication circuit 405 in FIG. 2C to execute the boiling control process in FIG. It functions as a device control unit 430, an information storage unit 440, and a device communication unit 450.

  Here, the boiling control process executed when the femtocell 300 and the device controller 400 are connected to the home LAN and the respective power supplies are turned on at “16:00” will be described.

  First, when execution of the boiling control process is started, the device control unit 430 reads the initial value of the expected hot water usage from the ROM 403 in FIG. (Step S21). In the present embodiment, the expected usage is described as the total amount of hot water expected to be used during the day, but the expected usage is not limited to the expected usage per day.

  Next, based on the hot water usage history stored in the information storage unit 440, the usage time prediction unit 433 included in the device control unit 430 has a predetermined rate at which the hot water is used exceeding a predetermined amount in the past several months. It is determined that the more time zone is a time zone in which hot water is used to fill the bathtub, and this time zone is specified as the user's bathing time zone. When a plurality of bathing time zones are specified, as shown in FIG. 6A, the use time predicting unit 433 selects the earliest bathing time zone within a day (that is, from midnight). To do. Thereafter, the use time predicting unit 433 specifies the start time “19:00” of the bathing time zone as the bath start time, and predicts the specified bath start time as the use time when the hot water boiled in the water heater 100 is used. (Step S22).

  The hot water usage history refers to a plurality of pieces of information in which information indicating the time zone in which hot water has been used is associated with information indicating the amount of hot water used. The amount of hot water used represented by this information is calculated by the use history storage unit 431 of the device control unit 430 shown in FIG. The usage history storage unit 431 uses the flow rate information received by the device communication unit 450 of FIG. 4 from the flow rate sensor 102b of FIG. 1 to calculate the usage amount of hot water in a predetermined time zone, and then calculates the calculated usage amount. The information to be stored and the information to indicate the hot water usage time zone are stored in the information storage unit 440 in association with each other.

  After the step S22 of FIG. 5, the usage amount prediction unit 434 of the device control unit 430 shown in FIG. 4 has the current time “16:00” and the usage time predicted in step S22 (hereinafter simply “prediction”). It is determined that it is not the time “18:30” before the predetermined time “30 minutes” of “19:00” (usage time) (step S23; No). The time before the predicted use time is a boiling start time at which boiling should be started in order to complete boiling of hot water at the predicted use time. Strictly speaking, the boiling start time varies depending on the amount of hot water to be boiled, but in the present embodiment, it refers to a time 30 minutes before the predicted use time regardless of the amount of hot water to be boiled.

  After step S23, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the in-home communication unit 420 has received event information from the femtocell 300 (step S24; Yes). As shown in FIG. 6B, since the user A is at home at the time “16:00” when the femtocell 300 is powered on, the femtocell 300 holds the mobile phone 501 carried by the user A. This is because it was detected.

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 performs usage amount prediction processing as shown in FIG. 7 for predicting the usage amount of hot water (step S25).

  When the execution of the usage amount prediction process of FIG. 7 is started, the usage amount prediction unit 434 acquires the detected identification information IA of the mobile phone 501 from the event information received by the in-home communication unit 420 (step S41). ).

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the received event information is a detection event (step S42; Yes). Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 increments the variable n representing the number of people at home by a value “1” to a value “1” (step S43). This is because the initial value of the variable n is set to the value “0”. Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 adds the identification information IA acquired in step S41 to the combination information (step S44). The union information means information obtained by combining the identification information of the detected mobile phone, and the union information does not have identification information in the initial state.

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 represents the corrected predicted usage amount (hereinafter simply referred to as the corrected predicted usage amount) from the information storage unit 440 of FIG. 4 based on the combination information having only the identification information IA. Predicted usage information is searched (step S45). Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the predicted usage amount information indicating the corrected predicted usage amount has not been acquired (step S46; No). This is because information that associates the association information with the predicted usage information indicating the corrected predicted usage is not yet stored in the information storage unit 440.

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 uses the variable n representing the number of people at home “1” and the following formulas (1) to (3), as shown in the table of FIG. The amount is calculated as “280” liters (step S47). Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 ends the execution of the usage amount prediction process.

Predicted use amount = Predicted hot water amount + Predicted shower use amount x n (1)
Estimated amount of hot water = 200 liters (2)
Predicted shower usage = 80 liters (3)
However, the variable n represents the number of people at home, and the symbol x represents an integration symbol.

  The predicted hot water amount refers to a predicted value of the amount of hot water used for filling hot water in a bathtub, and the predicted shower usage amount refers to a predicted value of the amount of hot water used for shower by one user. Also, it is assumed that once hot water is put in the bathtub, it cannot be changed until all the users at home finish bathing. Here, since the amount of hot water used for hot water filling varies depending on the capacity of the bathtub, the device controller 400 may use the predicted hot water amount set in advance by the user as the predicted hot water amount. Similarly, the device controller 400 may use the predicted shower usage set in advance by the user.

  When step S25 of FIG. 5 is completed, the predicted usage amount storage unit 435 of FIG. 4 displays the predicted usage amount information representing the predicted usage amount “280” liters as shown in the second row of the table of FIG. In association with the association information having the identification information IA, the information is stored in the information storage unit 440 (step S26).

  Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the in-home communication unit 420 in FIG. 4 has not received event information from the femtocell 300 after executing the processing in step S23 in FIG. 5 (step S24; No). Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 repeats the processes of steps S23 and S24 until time “17:00”. This is because the user does not go in and out of the house as shown in FIGS.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user A goes out at the time “17:00”.
At this time, the usage amount predicting unit 434 determines that the in-home communication unit 420 has received event information from the femtocell 300 (step S24; Yes). This is because the femtocell 300 could not detect the mobile phone 501 carried by the user A for a predetermined time. Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 executes the usage amount prediction process of FIG. 7 again (step S25).

  When the execution of the usage amount prediction process of FIG. 7 is started, the usage amount prediction unit 434 acquires the identification information IA of the mobile phone 501 that is no longer detected from the received event information (step S41). Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the received event information is not a detection event but a non-detection event (step S42; No).

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 decrements the variable n by a value “1” to a value “0” (step S48). Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 deletes the identification information IA acquired in step S41 from the association information (step S49).

  Next, after executing the processing of steps S45 and S46, the usage amount predicting unit 434 uses the variable n representing the number of people at home “0” and the above equations (1) to (3), as shown in FIG. As shown in the table of (e), the expected usage is calculated as “200” (step S47). This is because when any of the users A to C returns home, the user who has returned home can use hot water at least in either the shower or the hot water without waiting for boiling. Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 ends the execution of the usage amount prediction process.

  When step S25 of FIG. 5 ends, the predicted usage amount storage unit 435 of FIG. 4 displays the predicted usage amount information representing the predicted usage amount “200” liters as shown in the first row of the table of FIG. The information is stored in the information storage unit 440 in association with predetermined combination information representing a state in which all mobile phones are not detected. Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 repeats the processes of steps S23 and S24 until the time “17:30”.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user A came home at time “17:30”. At this time, steps S23 to S26 are executed. Thereafter, the processes in steps S23 and S24 are repeated until time “18:00”.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the user B came home at time “18:00” and the number of people at home became two. At this time, the processing of steps S23 to S26 is executed, and the expected usage amount is calculated as “360” liters as shown in the table of FIG. Further, as shown in the fifth row of the table of FIG. 8, union information combining the identification information IA and IB of the mobile phones 501 and 502, predicted usage information representing the calculated predicted usage “360” liters, and Are associated and stored in the information storage unit 440. Thereafter, the processes in steps S23 and S24 are repeated until time “18:30”.

  Thereafter, at time “18:30”, the usage amount prediction unit 434 indicates that the current time is “30 minutes” before the predicted use time “19:00” predicted in step S22 (that is, a predetermined time). (Step S23; Yes). Next, the boiling control unit 436 transmits a boiling command instructing to boil “360” liters of hot water to the water heater 100 based on the predicted usage amount calculated at the end. Is controlled (hereinafter referred to as boiling control) (step S27).

  According to these configurations, the device controller 400 carries a mobile phone to control the water heater 100 so as to boil a predicted amount of hot water based on the number of mobile phones detected by the femtocell 300. The water heater 100 can be controlled to boil an amount of hot water based on the number of users. Therefore, the device controller 400 can improve the operating efficiency of the water heater 100 by reducing the amount of hot water remaining in the water heater 100 without being used. Moreover, since the user does not need to input the number of persons using hot water to the device controller 400, the convenience of the water heater 100 is improved.

  In addition, according to these configurations, since the hot water is boiled at “18:30” a predetermined time before the time “19:00” when the use of hot water is predicted, for example, compared to the case where the hot water is boiled at midnight the previous day. The heat dissipation loss of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 102 of FIG. 1 can be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the hot water heater 100 can be improved.

  For example, among the total amount of hot water used in general households, the amount of hot water used for showers occupies most of the total amount used depending on the number of users. Therefore, according to these configurations, it is possible to accurately predict the amount of hot water used based on the number of users staying at time “18:30”, which is a predetermined time before the bathing time “19:00”.

  After step S27 of FIG. 5 is executed, the mail transmission request unit 437 included in the device control unit 430 determines that the device communication unit 450 has not received the boiling completion notification (step S28; No). This is because the water heater 100 has not yet boiled the specified amount of hot water. Thereafter, the process of step S28 is repeated until time “18:45”.

  In addition, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the water heater 100 is "360" instruct | indicated by the boiling command from the time "18:30" which received the boiling command to "18:45". Boil a liter of hot water.

  At time “18:45”, the mail transmission request unit 437 determines that the equipment communication unit 450 has received the boiling completion notification (step S28 in FIG. 5; Yes). Next, the mail transmission request unit 437 controls the home communication unit 420 (hereinafter referred to as transmission control) so as to transmit the mail transmission request (step S29).

  Note that the femtocell 300 that has received the mail transmission request transmits a mail notifying completion of boiling to the detected mobile phones 501 and 502. The mobile phones 501 and 502 display the contents of the received mail according to the operations of the users A and B, respectively.

  According to these configurations, since boiling can be completed before the predicted bathing time and the user can be notified that bathing is possible, the user can bathe in a timely manner. For this reason, the convenience of the water heater 100 is improved. Further, since the femtocell 300 is a device installed in a general household, for example, it is not necessary to install a dedicated sensor used to detect the presence of the user such as a human sensor, and the introduction cost of the control system 1 is not necessary. Can be reduced.

  Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the boiling completion notification was received (step S30; No). This predetermined time is longer than the time required for all users to finish bathing. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time is described as 12 hours, but is not limited to this, and those skilled in the art can determine an optimum value based on experiments or statistical data.

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that event information has not been received (step S31; No). This is because the user does not go in and out. Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 repeats the processes of steps S30 and S31 until time “20:15”.

  The hot water stored in the water heater 100 is used when the users A and B bathe between the time “18:45” and the time “20:15”. Also, the remaining hot water volume history storage unit 432 in FIG. 4 has a plurality of pieces of information (remaining hot water volume information received by the device communication unit 450 in FIG. 4 from the remaining hot water volume sensor 102a in FIG. 1 and information indicating the reception time) ( (Hereinafter simply referred to as remaining hot water volume history) is stored in the information storage unit 440.

  Moreover, when the amount of hot water stored in the hot water heater 100 represented by the remaining hot water amount information falls below the lower limit threshold value representing the minimum hot water storage amount, the device controller 400 controls the hot water heater 100 to further boil a predetermined amount of hot water. . This is to prevent the hot water stored in the water heater 100 from being lost when the amount of hot water used by the user is larger than expected.

At time “20:15”, as shown in FIG.
At this time, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the event information has been received after executing the process of step S30 (step S31; Yes). Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 performs an additional usage amount prediction process for predicting the amount of hot water further used by the user C (hereinafter simply referred to as an additional usage amount) (step S32).

  The additional usage amount prediction process refers to a process of predicting the additional usage amount using the following equation (4) after the usage amount prediction process of FIG. 7 is executed again.

  Additional usage = Predicted usage value after re-execution-Predicted usage value before re-execution (4)

  Next, the boiling control unit 436 determines that the hot water needs to be further boiled (hereinafter, additional boiling is necessary) (step S33; Yes). This is because the total number of hot water predicted to be used is increased by an estimated value “80” liters of hot water used for a shower by one user because the number of people at home has increased by one when the user C returns home (that is, Because the additional usage is positive).

  Next, as shown in the eighth row of the table of FIG. 8, the predicted usage storage unit 435 of FIG. 4 re-calculates combination information combining the identification information IA, IB and IC of the mobile phones 501 to 503, and recalculation. The predicted usage amount information representing the predicted usage amount “440” liter is stored in the information storage unit 440 in association with each other (step S34).

  Next, the boiling control unit 436 controls the device communication unit 450 to transmit a boiling command instructing to boil “80” liters of hot water to the water heater 100 based on the predicted additional usage amount. (That is, boiling control) is performed (step S35). Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 repeats the processes of steps S30 and S31 over a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the water heater 100 is “80” commanded by the boiling command from the time “20:15” to “20:30” when the boiling command is received. Boiling a total of "440" liters of water by boiling liters of hot water.

  Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the boiling completion notification was received (step S30; Yes). Thereafter, the predicted usage correction unit 438 included in the device control unit 430 of FIG. 4 executes the predicted usage correction process of FIG. 8B that corrects the predicted usage stored in the information storage unit 440 (step) S36).

  When the execution of the predicted usage amount correction process shown in FIG. 8B is started, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 in FIG. 4 acquires the remaining hot water amount history from the information storage unit 440 (step S61). Next, based on the remaining hot water amount history, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 determines that the remaining hot water amount has fallen below the lower limit threshold at least once since the last boiling completion notification was received (step S62). ; Yes). This is because the actual amount of hot water used by users A to C was greater than the amount of usage expected.

  Next, as shown in the eighth row of the table of FIG. 8A, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 stores the identification information IA, IB, and IC of the mobile phones 501 to 502 carried by the users A to C, respectively. The predicted usage information representing the predicted usage amount “440” liters associated with the combined combination information is corrected to the predicted usage information representing the predicted usage amount “460” liters increased by the predetermined amount “20” liters ( That is, update is performed (step S63). Thereafter, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 terminates the execution of the usage amount correction process.

  Note that the predicted use amount correction unit 438 determines that the remaining hot water amount has not fallen below the lower limit threshold once since the last boiling completion notification was received based on the remaining hot water amount history (step S62; No). ) Based on the remaining hot water amount history, it is determined whether or not the remaining hot water amount has always exceeded the upper limit threshold since the last boiling completion notification was received (step S64).

  In step S64, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 always determines that the remaining hot water amount has exceeded the upper limit threshold (that is, the actual usage amount of hot water by the users A to C is less than the expected usage amount). (Step S64; Yes), the predicted usage information associated with the combination information combining the identification information IA, IB, and IC is corrected to the predicted usage information reduced by a predetermined amount “5” liters (that is, updated). (Step S65). Thereafter, the predicted usage amount correction unit 438 ends the execution of the predicted usage amount correction process.

  When the processes of steps S21 and S22 are executed again after the execution of step S36 in FIG. 5 is completed, the predicted usage amount is set to the initial value, and the predicted usage time is “19:00” the day after the power-on date. It is predicted. Thereafter, the processes in steps S23 and S24 are repeated until the time “07:45” of the next day.

After the user C went out at the time “07:45” the next day, he went home at the time “08:00”.
At time “07:45”, the processing of steps S23 to S26 is executed. After that, at the time “08:00”, after the processing of steps S23 and S24 is executed, the usage amount prediction unit 434 executes the usage amount prediction processing of FIG. 7 (step S25).

  When the execution of the usage amount prediction process of FIG. 7 is started, the usage amount prediction unit 434 executes the processes of steps S41 and S42. Next, the usage amount predicting unit 434 uses the corrected predicted use from the table of FIG. 8A stored in the information storage unit 440 of FIG. 5 based on the combination information obtained by combining the identification information IA, IB, and IC. The predicted usage amount information representing the amount is searched (step S45). Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the predicted usage amount information representing the corrected predicted usage amount “460” liters has been acquired (step S46; Yes). This is because information that associates the combination information obtained by combining the identification information IA, IB, and IC with the predicted usage information indicating the corrected predicted usage is already stored in the information storage unit 440.

  Next, the usage amount prediction unit 434 sets the obtained corrected predicted usage amount as an expected usage amount (step S50). Thereafter, the usage amount prediction unit 434 ends the execution of the usage amount prediction process.

  When step S25 of FIG. 5 is completed, after the process of step S26 is executed, the processes of steps S23 and S24 are executed until the predicted use time “18:30”. Note that the users A to C remain at home until the time “18:30”.

  Thereafter, at time “18:30”, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines that the current time is “30 minutes” before the predicted use time “19:00” predicted in step S22 (step S23; Yes). ). Next, the boiling-up control unit 436 boiles “460” liters of hot water, which is “20” liters more than the previous day, based on the predicted usage (that is, the corrected predicted usage). The water heater 100 is controlled to be raised so as to increase (step S27). Thereafter, the execution of the above process is repeated from step S28.

  According to these configurations, when the actual hot water usage exceeds the predicted hot water usage, the hot water usage will be predicted from the next time, so the actual hot water usage will be accurately predicted. it can. For this reason, since device controller 400 can prevent hot water from running out, it can prevent the user from feeling inconvenient and can improve the convenience of water heater 100. For this reason, the device controller 400 can control the hot water heater 100 to boil a necessary amount of hot water in a small number of times, so that the on / off loss of the hot water heater 100 can be reduced and the operating efficiency of the hot water heater 100 can be improved. Can improve.

  On the other hand, according to these configurations, if the actual usage is lower than the predicted usage, the amount of hot water used will be accurately predicted from the next time. The heat dissipation loss of the hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 102 can be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the water heater 100 can be improved.

  Usually, the amount of hot water used varies from user to user due to differences in sex or age. Also, the amount of hot water used may vary depending on the combination of the user taking the bath, for example, when the child bathes alone, the amount of hot water used by the child is less in accordance with the instructions of the parent bathing together Different. Therefore, according to these structures, since the amount of hot water to be predicted is corrected for each combination of users who are at home, the amount of hot water actually used can be accurately predicted.

  Note that the mobile phones 501 to 503 may be PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). Further, in the present embodiment, the control system 1 of the water heater 100 is described as including the femtocell 300, and the femtocell 300 detects the mobile phones 501 to 503. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control system 1 includes a wireless LAN access point instead of the femtocell 300, and the access point is, for example, a notebook computer, music carried by each of the users A to C You may detect portable communication terminals, such as a player, an electronic book terminal, and a portable game machine.

<Modification 1>
In the present embodiment, the usage amount prediction unit 434 in FIG. 4 indicates an expected usage amount that represents a corrected predicted usage amount that is associated with combination information that combines the identification information IA of the mobile phone 501 and the identification information IB of the mobile phone 501. In the case where the information cannot be acquired from the information storage unit 440 (step S46 in FIG. 7; No), it has been described that the expected usage is calculated using the above formulas (1) to (3) (step S47).

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the expected usage information associated with the combination information obtained by combining the identification information IA and IB cannot be acquired (step S46; No), the combination information representing the identification information IA. As a predicted usage amount, a value obtained by summing the corrected predicted usage amount represented by the information associated with the information and the corrected predicted usage amount represented by the information associated with the combination information representing the identification information IB is used. Also good.

  According to this configuration, the predicted usage amount predicted to be used by each individual user is corrected based on the amount of hot water actually used by each individual user, and the corrected predicted usage amount of each individual user is corrected. Based on this, the amount of hot water predicted to be used when a plurality of users are at home is predicted. For this reason, even if the combination of users who are at home is realized for the first time after the start of control of the water heater 100 by the device controller 400, it is actually used based on the corrected predicted usage amount of each user. The amount of hot water to be accurately predicted.

<Modification 2>
In the present embodiment, the usage amount prediction unit 434 in FIG. 4 predicts the additional usage amount when the predetermined time (12 hours) has not elapsed since the time when the boiling completion notification was received (step S30 in FIG. 5; No). It demonstrated as performing the process and estimating the additional usage amount of hot water according to the number of people at home (step S32).

  However, the usage amount prediction unit 434 is not limited to this, and the number of people at home increases after a preset time even if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the boiling completion notification was received. Also, the additional usage amount may not be predicted (that is, the additional usage amount is set to the value “0” liter). Note that the preset time is stored in the RAM 402 or the ROM 403 in FIG.

  According to this configuration, for example, there are many users who do not take a bath when they go home late at night, and therefore, the amount of hot water used can be accurately predicted based on the time of going home.

  In addition, the usage amount prediction unit 434 has a case where the number of home visitors before the increase is “1” or more (that is, there are already home people) even if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the boiling completion notification was received. In addition, when a preset time elapses, the additional usage amount may not be predicted even if the number of people at home increases.

  For example, when going home late at night, there are many users who do not bathe so as not to disturb other users' sleep. According to this configuration, the amount of hot water used is accurately determined based on the time of return and the number of people at home. Predictable.

<Modification 3>
In the present embodiment, the usage amount predicting unit 434 in FIG. 4 calculates the predicted usage amount using the above formulas (1) to (3) using the predicted hot water amount and the predicted shower usage amount (FIG. 7). Step S47). However, the usage amount prediction unit 434 is not limited to this, and when the bathing time zone predicted in step S22 of FIG. 5 is included in the preset time zone, the use amount prediction unit 434 And (6) may be used to calculate the predicted usage.

Predicted usage = predicted shower usage x n (5)
Predicted shower usage = 80 liters (6)
However, the variable n represents the number of people at home, and the symbol x represents an integration symbol.

  When taking a bath in the morning time zone, such as before going to work or before going to school, there are many users who use only the shower without being immersed in the bathtub. For this reason, according to this structure, the usage-amount of hot water can be correctly estimated based on the predicted bathing time.

  Also, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines the season from the current date and time, and if the determined season is a preset season, the usage amount prediction unit 434 calculates the predicted usage amount using the above formulas (5) and (6). It may be calculated. The preset season is, for example, summer, and is stored in the RAM 402 or ROM 403 in FIG.

  When taking a bath in summer when the temperature is high, there are many users who use only the shower without being immersed in the bathtub. For this reason, according to this structure, the usage-amount of hot water can be correctly estimated based on a season.

  Further, the usage amount prediction unit 434 determines the season from the current date and time, and when the determined season is a preset season, the usage amount prediction unit 434 calculates the predicted usage amount using the above formulas (1) to (3). While calculating, you may perform the correction | amendment which increases an estimated shower usage. The preset season is, for example, winter, and is stored in the RAM 402 or ROM 403 in FIG.

  When bathing in winter when the temperature is low, there are many users who immerse in a bathtub and use more hot water for showering than in summer. For this reason, according to this structure, the usage-amount of hot water can be correctly estimated based on a season.

<Modification 4>
The mobile phones 501 to 503 can employ a configuration in which position information indicating the positions of the mobile phones 501 to 503 is detected using a global positioning system (hereinafter simply referred to as GPS: Global Positioning System). In this configuration, the femtocell 300 receives the respective position information from the mobile phones 501 to 503, and is based on the distance between the position of the mobile phones 501 to 503 indicated by the received position information and the installation position of the femtocell 300. Thus, it is possible to employ a configuration for predicting the return time of each user who carries the mobile phones 501 to 503. In this configuration, the femtocell 300 predicts the predicted use time (that is, the bathing start time) predicted in step S22 of FIG. 5 as the return time of the user who returns home at the earliest time among the predicted return times. Configuration can be adopted.

  Note that the installation position of the femtocell 300 may be stored in advance in the RAM 402 or the ROM 403 in FIG. Further, the installation position of the femtocell 300 is assumed to be a position represented by position information received from the detected mobile phones 501 to 503 when the femtocell 300 detects radio waves of the mobile phones 501 to 503. Also good.

  According to these configurations, in order to predict the return time of each user who carries the mobile phone 501 to 503 based on the position of the mobile phone 501 to 503, and to set the predicted return time as the predicted use time, As soon as the user comes home, he can take a bath. Therefore, not only the convenience of the water heater 100 is improved, but also the heat dissipation loss of the hot water stored in the water heater 100 can be reduced and the operation efficiency can be improved.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be provided as a control device for a hot water heater provided with a configuration for realizing the functions according to the present invention in advance, and an existing control device can be made to function as the control device according to the present invention by applying a program. . That is, according to the present invention, a control program for realizing each functional configuration by the device controller 400 exemplified in the above embodiment is applied so that a computer (such as a CPU) that controls an existing control device can be executed. It can function as a device controller 400 which is an example of a control device.

  Such a program distribution method is arbitrary. For example, the program can be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a memory card, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM, or via a communication medium such as the Internet. . In addition, the control method of the water heater of this invention can be implemented using the apparatus controller 400. FIG.

  Various embodiments and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control system of water heater 10 Internet 100 Water heater 101 Heat pump 102 Hot water tank 102a Remaining hot water amount sensor 102b Flow rate sensor 103 Control board 200 Router 300 Femtocell 301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 LAN communication circuit 305 Signal processing circuit 306 Antenna 310 Home communication unit 320 Terminal communication unit 330 Device cooperation unit 340 Terminal detection unit 350 Data conversion unit 400 Device controller 401 CPU
402 RAM
403 ROM
404 LAN communication circuit 405 Serial communication circuit 410 Femtocell detection unit 420 In-home communication unit 430 Device control unit 431 Usage history storage unit 432 Remaining hot water volume history storage unit 433 Usage time prediction unit 434 Usage amount prediction unit 435 Predicted usage amount storage unit 436 Boiling Upper control unit 437 Mail transmission request unit 438 Predicted usage correction unit 440 Information storage unit 450 Device communication unit 501, 502, 503 Mobile phone

Claims (4)

Terminal detection means for detecting a portable communication terminal carried by a user of the water heater;
Based on the number of mobile communication terminals detected by the terminal detection means, usage amount prediction means for predicting the usage amount of hot water,
E Bei and a heating-up control means for controlling the water heater to raise the boiling hot water of the predicted amount by the use amount prediction means,
The water heater has a hot water storage tank for storing boiling water,
A remaining hot water measuring means for measuring the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank;
Use time predicting means for predicting a use time when hot water is used based on a time when the amount of hot water measured by the remaining hot water measuring means is reduced;
The boiling control means controls the water heater so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted by the usage amount prediction means at a predetermined time before the time predicted by the use time prediction means,
The use time is a bathing time when hot water is used for a shower,
The usage amount predicting means predicts the usage amount of hot water based on the amount of hot water used by one user for a shower and the number of detected mobile communication terminals at a time before the bathing time. ,
Predicted usage amount storage means for storing predicted usage information representing the usage amount of hot water predicted by the usage amount prediction means in a storage unit;
After the water heater is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water, if the remaining hot water amount falls below a lower limit threshold, the predicted usage information stored in the predicted usage amount storage means is used more. Predictive usage amount correction means for correcting the predicted usage amount information representing the amount,
When the predicted usage information is stored in the storage unit, the usage amount prediction means sets the usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information as the predicted hot water usage amount,
When the remaining hot water amount continues to exceed the upper limit threshold over a predetermined period after the hot water supply device is controlled to boil up the predicted amount of hot water, the predicted usage amount correction unit is configured to increase the predicted usage amount. Correct the predicted usage information saved by the storage means to the predicted usage information that represents less usage,
The terminal detection means detects terminal identification information for identifying the mobile communication terminal;
The predicted usage amount storage means includes a combination usage information representing a combination of terminal identification information detected by the terminal detection means, and a predicted usage quantity representing a usage amount predicted based on the number of mobile communication terminals constituting the combination. Store the information in association with the information,
The predicted use amount correcting means corresponds to the combination information representing the combination when the remaining hot water amount falls below a predetermined threshold after the hot water supply device is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water based on the combination. The attached forecasted usage information is corrected to predicted usage information that represents more usage,
The usage amount predicting unit is configured so that the predicted usage amount information associated with the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected by the terminal detecting unit is stored in the storage unit when the association usage information is stored in the storage unit. The usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is the predicted hot water usage amount,
A water heater control system characterized by the above. When the remaining hot water amount continues to exceed the upper limit threshold for a predetermined period after the hot water supply device is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water based on the combination, the predicted usage amount correction means, Correcting the predicted usage information associated with the combination information representing the combination to the predicted usage information representing a smaller usage amount;
The hot water control system according to claim 1 . The terminal detecting means is a femtocell, and when the water heater has boiled the amount of hot water predicted by the usage amount predicting means, the mobile communication terminal detected is not completely heated. Send an email to notify,
The control system of the water heater according to claim 1 or 2 . A terminal detection step of detecting a portable communication terminal carried by a user of a water heater having a hot water storage tank for storing boiling water;
Based on the number of mobile communication terminals detected in the terminal detection step, a usage amount prediction step for predicting the usage amount of hot water,
A boiling control step for controlling the water heater so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step;
A remaining hot water measuring step for measuring the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank;
The remaining hot water measured based on the time of hot water that is measured is reduced in step, possess the use time prediction step for predicting the use time hot water is used, a
In the boiling control step, the water heater is controlled so as to boil the amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step at a predetermined time before the time predicted in the usage time prediction step,
The use time is a bathing time when hot water is used for a shower,
In the usage amount prediction step, the usage amount of hot water is predicted based on the amount of hot water used by one user for the shower and the number of detected mobile communication terminals at a time before the bathing time. ,
A predicted usage amount storing step of storing predicted usage information representing the usage amount of hot water predicted in the usage amount prediction step in a storage unit;
After the water heater is controlled to boil up the predicted amount of hot water, if the remaining hot water amount falls below a lower limit threshold, the predicted usage information stored in the predicted usage amount storage step is used more. A predicted usage correction step for correcting the predicted usage information representing the amount,
In the usage amount prediction step, when the predicted usage amount information is stored in the storage unit, the usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is set as a predicted hot water usage amount,
In the predicted use amount correction step, if the hot water supply device is controlled to boil the predicted amount of hot water and the remaining hot water amount continues to exceed the upper limit threshold over a predetermined period, the predicted use amount Correct the predicted usage information saved in the save step to predicted usage information that represents less usage,
In the terminal detection step, terminal identification information for identifying the mobile communication terminal is detected,
In the predicted usage amount storing step, a predicted usage amount representing the usage amount predicted based on the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected in the terminal detection step and the number of mobile communication terminals constituting the combination. Store the information in association with the information,
In the predicted use amount correction step, when the amount of remaining hot water falls below a predetermined threshold after the water heater is controlled to boil up the amount of hot water predicted based on the combination, it corresponds to the combination information representing the combination The attached forecasted usage information is corrected to predicted usage information that represents more usage,
In the usage amount prediction step, the predicted usage amount information associated with the combination information representing the combination of the terminal identification information detected in the terminal detection step is stored in the storage unit when the association usage information is stored in the storage unit. The usage amount represented by the predicted usage amount information is the predicted hot water usage amount,
A method of controlling a water heater, characterized by

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