JP5402402B2 - Hot water system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system, and more particularly to a hot water supply system including a terminal device that receives power supply from a hot water supply device.

  As a hot water supply system provided with such a terminal device, for example, there is a hot water supply system provided with an operating device (remote control). As is well known, a hot water supply system equipped with a remote controller is composed of an apparatus main body (hot water supply apparatus) provided with a water amount sensor, a combustion section, a heat exchanger, and the like, and a remote controller for remotely operating the hot water supply apparatus. . The hot water supply device and the remote control are connected by a two-core communication line, and the remote control and the control unit of the hot water supply device communicate with each other via this communication line (control signal exchange), and the remote control is connected to the hot water supply device via the communication line. The power supply unit is configured to receive power supply.

  By the way, in the hot water supply system configured as described above, the power supply unit of the hot water supply device has all the functions of the remote control (specifically, for example, the communication function with the hot water supply device, the display function of the display unit, and the voice output function). It is necessary to supply the remote controller with a voltage that is sufficient to operate the various functions, etc., but when the hot water supply device is in an operation stop state (the operation command is not issued from the remote control to the controller of the hot water supply device) The operation standby state (state in which the operation command has been issued from the remote control but the water volume sensor has not detected the passage of water over the predetermined amount and the combustion section does not perform combustion) continues for a certain period of time. When a state in which some functions may be stopped (for example, a state in which part of the display unit may be turned off) occurs, control (power saving mode) is performed to reduce the voltage supplied to the remote control. It has been proposed.

  In other words, in a hot water supply system having such a power saving mode, the power supply unit of the hot water supply device has a voltage (normal voltage) output during normal time (in normal mode) and a voltage output during power saving mode (power saving mode). A power supply unit capable of outputting two voltages (voltage) is used, and is configured to supply a voltage (power saving voltage) lower than the supply voltage in the normal mode to the remote control in the power saving mode (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-132381

  However, there are many types of remote controllers connected to the hot water supply apparatus, and the voltage values required in the power saving mode vary depending on the types. Specifically, for example, the required voltage value differs depending on the electric load operated in the power saving mode, such as the number and range of display units to be displayed in the power saving mode and the sound output volume. Therefore, in the conventional configuration using a power supply unit with two voltage outputs, depending on the connected remote controller, the necessary voltage is not supplied in the power saving mode and the voltage falls short, and the remote controller display and sound output can be performed normally. There was a problem that it might disappear.

  In order to solve such a problem, the applicant uses a power source capable of selecting a voltage output in the power saving mode from a plurality of voltage values as a power supply unit of the hot water supply device, and a voltage required by the remote control in the power saving mode ( The control unit of the hot water supply device acquires information on the required voltage) through communication with the remote control, and a hot water supply system is being developed that selects a voltage value to be supplied to the remote control in the power saving mode based on this information. However, in such a hot water supply system, whether or not the remote control is connected, the value of the required voltage, and whether the remote control is compatible with the power saving mode are checked when the hot water supply device starts up (power supply to the control unit). If it is configured to perform only based on communication with the remote controller at the time of start), there are the following problems.

  In other words, if these checks are performed at the time of starting the hot water supply device, for example, if some of the remote controllers have subsequently suffered a communication failure due to a cause other than the disconnection of the communication line, a power failure, etc. When the hot water supply device is restarted (re-energized) by the remote control, the control unit of the hot water supply device is “no connection” even though the communication failure still occurs in spite of being actually connected by the communication line. May be judged. In such a case, the controller of the hot water supply apparatus determines the voltage to be supplied to the remote controller in the power saving mode without recognizing the remote controller (without considering the required voltage in the power saving mode of the remote controller). Therefore, when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode in this state, a voltage lower than the required voltage is supplied to the remote controller, which may cause a voltage shortage.

  If a voltage lower than the required voltage is supplied, normal operation of the remote control is hindered. As a result, the communication means of the remote control continues to send a signal to the communication line. There was also a risk of monopoly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optimum value of the voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode without being affected by the communication failure of the terminal device. It is to provide a hot water supply system that can determine the temperature.

  In order to achieve the above object, a hot water supply system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a hot water supply device and one or a plurality of terminal devices that receive power supply from the hot water supply device via a communication line. In the hot water supply system having a configuration for supplying a voltage lower than that in the normal mode to the terminal device, the control unit of the hot water supply device includes connection information of the terminal device that has a history of communication connection, and the terminal device. Storage means for storing information relating to the required voltage required in the power saving mode, and the terminal device in the power saving mode based on the information stored in the storage means and information acquired from the terminal device by communication The voltage to be supplied to is determined.

  That is, in the hot water supply system according to claim 1, information (specifically, the terminal device) stored in the storage means when determining the voltage output from the power supply unit of the hot water supply device to the terminal device in the power saving mode. Connection information and request voltage information) and the information newly acquired from the terminal device through communication are used to determine the voltage value to be output to the terminal device.

  Therefore, according to the hot water supply system according to claim 1, even if a subsequent communication failure occurs in a part of the terminal device connected to the hot water supply device, the voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode is Since the voltage value also takes into account the required voltage of the terminal device suffering from such communication failure, a voltage lower than the required voltage of the terminal device suffering from such communication failure is not supplied to each terminal device. Therefore, when the communication failure is caused by something other than the disconnection of the communication line, the terminal device is supplied with a voltage higher than the required voltage even when the power saving mode is entered, and the terminal device operates with insufficient voltage. It is prevented from falling into a defect.

  On the other hand, for example, when the terminal device is added by shutting off the power supply of the hot water supply device (unplugging the power outlet), the newly added terminal device is turned on by turning on the power supply of the hot water supply device again. Since the connection information and the information on the required voltage in the power saving mode are stored in the storage means as a terminal device having a communication record, the voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode is determined including the information. It is also possible to prevent the added terminal device from running out of voltage.

  Here, as the “information about the required voltage” transmitted from the terminal device to the hot water supply device, it is possible to use numerical data of the required voltage itself, for example, from the terminal device side, Model data for specifying the model is configured to be transmitted to the control unit of the hot water supply device as “information on the required voltage”, and the required voltage of the terminal device is specified by analyzing the model data received by the control unit of the hot water supply device You may comprise.

  A hot water supply system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the hot water supply system according to the first aspect, wherein the controller of the hot water supply device obtains from the terminal device when determining the voltage to be supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode. On the basis of the information on the required voltage, the voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode is determined based on the highest required voltage.

  That is, in the hot water supply system according to claim 2, in determining the voltage output from the power supply unit of the hot water supply device to the terminal device in the power saving mode, the control unit of the hot water supply device includes the required voltage of the terminal device. Since it is configured to determine the output voltage to be supplied to each terminal device in the power saving mode based on the highest voltage value, power saving is achieved when multiple terminal devices are connected to the hot water supply device. Due to the transition to the mode, it is possible to prevent some terminal devices from running out of voltage. Here, the information on the required voltage acquired from the terminal device includes both information stored in the storage means and information newly acquired through communication.

  A hot water supply system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the hot water supply system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile storage device.

  That is, in the hot water supply system according to the third aspect, since the storage means is constituted by a non-volatile storage device, a terminal that has a history of communication connection even if power supply (energization) to the hot water supply device is once interrupted. Since information on the presence of the device and its required voltage is not lost, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode in a short time after the hot water supply device is restarted.

  A hot water supply system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the hot water supply system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the hot water supply system is configured such that the hot water supply device and all the terminal devices are on one communication line via the communication line. In a state where one terminal device is transmitting a signal on the communication line, the hot water supply device and the other terminal device have a configuration incapable of transmitting to the communication line. .

  That is, according to the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, even if a subsequent communication failure occurs in a part of the terminal device connected to the hot water supply device, Since the supplied voltage does not fall below the required voltage of a terminal device that has fallen into such a communication failure, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the communication means of the terminal device continues to send a signal to the communication line due to insufficient voltage Is done. Therefore, in a hot water supply system in which a hot water supply device and all the terminal devices are connected on the same communication line via a communication line, one terminal device signals on the communication line as a communication specification of the hot water supply device and the terminal device. Even if the hot water supply device and other terminal devices are configured not to be able to transmit to the communication line, the terminal device that has fallen into communication will monopolize the communication line by continuing to transmit signals. It is possible to provide a hot water supply system that does not cause a malfunction.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the terminal device connected to the hot-water supply device shifts to the power saving mode in a state where a subsequent communication failure has occurred, the terminal device still communicates at that time. Communication failure has occurred because the voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode is determined including the presence of the terminal device having a track record of communication connection stored in the storage means as well as the possible terminal device. It is possible to provide a hot water supply system in which the terminal device does not malfunction due to insufficient voltage.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the voltage is supplied to each terminal device in the power saving mode with reference to the highest value of the required voltages of the terminal devices, even if a plurality of terminal devices are connected The power saving mode can be executed without causing some terminals to run out of voltage.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the hot water supply system which will be in the state which can transfer to a power saving mode in a short time after restarting a hot water supply apparatus can be provided.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, in the hot water supply system with which the hot water supply apparatus and all the terminal devices were connected on the same communication line via the communication line, as a communication specification of a hot water supply apparatus and a terminal device, one terminal In a state where the device is transmitting a signal on the communication line, even if the hot water supply device and other terminal devices are configured not to be able to transmit to the communication line, the communication line of the terminal device due to insufficient voltage It is possible to provide a hot water supply system that does not cause the problem of monopoly.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the hot water supply system which concerns on this invention, Fig.1 (a) is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the hot water supply system, FIG.1 (b) is the power supply in the hot water supply system It is the schematic diagram which showed the process. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the remote control in the hot water supply system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure which acquires the information of a remote control in the hot water supply system. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which the control part of a hot-water supply apparatus transfers to a power saving mode in the hot-water supply system. In the hot-water supply system, it is a relationship figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the request voltage of a remote control and the output voltage of the power supply part of a hot-water supply apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water supply system according to the present invention includes a hot water supply device 1 and a remote controller 2 that is a terminal device of the hot water supply device 1 as main parts. As will be described later, this hot water supply system is configured such that drive power is supplied from the hot water supply device 1 to the remote controller 2 that is a terminal device. With respect to the power supply to the remote controller 2, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, the normal mode for supplying a voltage sufficient to operate all the functions of the remote controller 2 and some functions of the remote controller 2 are stopped (the remote controller saves power). And a power saving mode in which the voltage supplied to the remote controller 2 is supplied lower than that in the normal mode.

  The hot water supply device 1 is a hot water generating device that heats water supplied from a water supply pipe (not shown) to a desired hot water supply set temperature and outputs hot water. In this hot water supply apparatus 1, the basic configuration related to hot water generation is well known, so the description thereof will be omitted here, and the following description will focus on matters related to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the hot water supply device 1 includes a control unit 3, a power supply unit 4, and a communication interface 5 as main components.

  The control unit 3 includes a microcomputer as a control center and a non-volatile storage device (for example, EEPROM) as a data storage unit. The control unit 3 controls each part of the hot water supply device 1 and a communication interface. The terminal 5 is configured to communicate with a terminal device such as the remote controller 2 via 5. This communication is configured such that the hot water supply device 1 and all the remote controllers 2 are connected to the same communication line via a communication interface 5 and a communication line 6 which will be described later. In a state where a signal is transmitted on the communication line, the hot water supply device 1 and the other remote controller 2 do not transmit the signal to the communication line or cannot perform communication (cannot form a communication waveform). ing. And in this embodiment, this control part 3 is comprised so that the switching control of the output voltage of the power supply part 4 may be performed using communication with the said remote control 2 (it mentions later for details).

  The power supply unit 4 is composed of a power supply device that generates drive power for each part of the hot water supply device 1 and power supply to be supplied to the remote controller 2 from the power supply (AC 100 V) supplied from the commercial power supply 7. In particular, the power source supplied to the remote controller 2 is configured so that the output voltage can be varied in several steps based on a voltage switching signal (see FIG. 1B) provided from the control unit 3.

  Specifically, the power supply unit 4 has a configuration capable of outputting at least the voltage in the normal mode (normal voltage) and the voltage in the power saving mode (power saving voltage). In the present embodiment, as the power saving voltage, the power supply unit 4 that can select and output a plurality of (specifically, two) voltage values according to the voltage switching signal is used. In other words, in the present embodiment, the power supply unit 4 can output three patterns of voltages (for example, DC 15 V as a normal voltage and DC 12 V and DC 9 V as a power saving voltage) as an output voltage to the remote controller 2.

  The communication interface 5 is a communication device for communicating with the remote controller 2 via the two-core communication line 6. In this embodiment, the communication interface 5 serves as a power source for the remote controller 2 from the power supply unit 4. A communication device that performs power superimposition communication for supplying output power to the remote control 2 via the communication line 6 is used.

  When a plurality of remote controllers 2 (2a to 2x in the illustrated example) are connected to the hot water supply device 1, each remote controller 2a to 2x is connected via a communication line 6 as shown in FIG. Connected to the communication interface 5, each remote controller 2 is equally supplied with a voltage output from the power supply unit 4 as a power source for the remote controller. That is, when the normal voltage DC15V is output from the power supply unit 4, DC15V is supplied to each of the remote controllers 2a to 2x. Further, when 12V is output as the power saving voltage, DC 12V is supplied to each of the remote controllers 2a to 2x.

  The remote controller 2 is an operating device for remotely operating the hot water supply device 1 and is configured to receive power supply from the power supply unit 4 of the hot water supply device 1 via the communication line 6 as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 2 includes an operation unit 21 for operation input, a display unit 22 for displaying the state of the hot water supply device 1 and the like, and a voice output unit for outputting voice messages, alarm sounds, and the like. 23. Main components are a remote control unit 24 that controls each part of the remote controller 2 and communicates with the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1, a communication interface 25 with the hot water supply device 1, and a remote control power source unit 26 that supplies power to each part of the remote control. I have.

  The operation unit 21 includes various operation switches such as a switch for giving an operation command to the hot water supply apparatus 1 and a switch for inputting a hot water supply set temperature. The contents operated by these operation switches are given to the remote control unit 24, and the operation command and the hot water supply set temperature are given to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 via the remote control unit 24. The display unit 22 is configured by a display device including a display element such as a fluorescent display tube or a light emitting diode controlled by the remote controller control unit 24. Through this display unit 22, the user can check the state of the hot water supply apparatus 1 (for example, whether or not an operation command is given to the hot water supply apparatus 1 and the hot water supply set temperature). The voice output unit 23 is composed of an acoustic device that can output a predetermined voice message, an input reception sound of an operation switch, an alarm sound, and the like, and notifies the user of the state of the hot water supply device 1 through these voice messages and the like. . The audio output unit 23 may not be provided depending on the model of the remote controller 2.

  The remote control control unit 24 is configured by a control device including a microcomputer as a control center. And this remote control part 24 is a structure for respond | corresponding to the power saving mode mentioned above, and, when satisfy | filling the predetermined fixed condition, it is a power saving permission signal or power saving with respect to the control part 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1. It is configured to output a power prohibition signal.

  Here, the condition for outputting the power saving permission signal is determined on the assumption that a partial function of the remote controller 2 may be stopped. For example, when the operation command for hot water supply device 1 is canceled by itself or another remote controller 2 (in addition, information that the operation command is canceled by other remote controller 2 is acquired by communication with control unit 3 of hot water supply device 1. ) That is, when the hot water supply device 1 is in an operation stop state, or an operation command is given to the hot water supply device 1, the combustion stop state (operation standby state) continues for a certain period of time, and there is no switch operation of the remote controller. When the state continues for a certain period of time or the like is set as a condition for permitting power saving, and when any of these conditions is satisfied, the remote controller control unit 24 outputs a power saving permission signal to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1. (See FIG. 1 (b)).

  On the other hand, the condition for outputting the power saving prohibition signal is determined on the assumption that all the functions of the remote controller 2 are operated, that is, the display on the display unit of the remote controller 2 is in a normal state. For example, when an operation command for the hot water supply device 1 is issued by itself or another remote controller 2 (in addition, information that the operation command is issued by the other remote control 2 is acquired via the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1). That is, when the operation stop state of the hot water supply device 1 is canceled or while the operation standby state is continued, a predetermined switch operation (for example, a setting change operation of the hot water supply set temperature) is performed by itself or another remote controller 2. When the power saving prohibition signal is output, the remote control unit 24 outputs a power saving prohibition signal to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 (FIG. 1 ( b)).

  In addition to this, the remote controller 24, as another configuration for supporting the power saving mode, is a voltage required for the remote controller 2 when the hot water supply system enters the power saving mode (hereinafter, “ It is configured to hold information relating to “requested voltage”) and transmit this information to the control unit 3 in response to a request from the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1.

  Here, the required voltage is appropriately determined according to the model of the remote controller 2 and the like. That is, when the hot water supply system shifts to a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption in the remote controller 2, each remote controller 2 displays the fluorescent display of the display unit 21 in accordance with a control program set in advance in the respective remote controller controller 24. The power saving control for suppressing the power consumption in the remote controller 2 is started by reducing the lighting range and the number of lighting of the tubes and the light emitting diodes or lowering the output volume of the audio output unit 23. Therefore, the required voltage required by the remote controller 2 when executing the power saving control is determined according to the content of the power saving control of each remote controller 2.

  Each remote controller 24 stores information on the required voltage in its own internal memory (for example, ROM). As the information about the required voltage, numerical data of the required voltage itself is used. For example, the remote controller control unit 24 stores data (model data) for specifying the model of the remote controller 2, and the remote controller controller 24 However, the model data can be transmitted to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 as information on the required voltage. That is, in this case, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 is provided with a table for converting the model data into the required voltage, and the control unit 3 determines the required voltage of each remote control 2 based on the model data transmitted from each remote control 2. Is configured to identify

  In addition, the remote control unit 24 is provided with an internal clock 27 based on an internal clock, and the time measured by the internal clock 27 can be displayed on the display unit 22.

  The remote control communication interface 25 is configured by a communication device for supplying power supplied via the communication line 6 to the remote control power supply unit 26 and communicating with the communication interface 5 of the hot water supply device 1. The remote control power supply unit 26 is a power supply device that supplies power to each unit of the remote control 2. The remote control control unit 24, the display unit 22, and the audio output are supplied from the power supplied from the power supply unit 4 of the hot water supply device 1 through the communication line 6. A drive power source such as the unit 23 is generated.

  Next, switching operation between the normal mode and the power saving mode in the hot water supply system configured as described above will be described.

A. Transition to the power saving mode The remote control unit 24 of each remote controller 2 independently determines whether or not the condition for outputting the power saving permission signal is satisfied. Power control (partial turning off of the display unit 22 and the like) is started, and thereafter a power saving permission signal is transmitted to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 at each timing.

  On the other hand, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 receives the power saving permission signal from all the remote controllers 2 connected to the communication interface 5, and if this condition is satisfied, the operation mode of the hot water supply system is changed. Switch from normal mode to power saving mode. That is, when the power saving permission signal is received from all the remote controllers 2, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 outputs a voltage switching signal to the power supply unit 4, and the output voltage of the power supply supplied from the power supply unit 4 to the remote control 2. Is switched from the normal voltage (DC15V) in the normal mode to the power saving voltage (DC12V or DC9V) for the power saving mode.

  Here, in the hot water supply system of the present embodiment, the power supply unit 4 can output two patterns (DC12V and DC9V) as the power saving voltage. Therefore, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 is switched to the power saving mode. Determines whether to output DC12V or DC9V as the power-saving voltage.

  The determination of the power saving voltage is performed by (1) specifying the required voltage of the remote controller 2 connected to the hot water supply device 1 and (2) determining the power saving voltage according to the specified required voltage of the remote controller 2. It is performed in two stages. First, identification of the connected remote controller 2 and its required voltage will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the hot water supply system shown in the present embodiment, these are specified by data stored in the non-volatile storage device of the control unit 3 (specifically, connection information of the remote controller 2 that has been used for communication connection in the past). The remote control 2 is based on information on the required voltage required in the power saving mode) and information acquired from the remote control 2 by communication.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the hot water supply device 1 is activated, the microcomputer of the control unit 3 first connects the remote controller 2 that has a track record of communication connection in the past to the nonvolatile storage device. It is determined whether the information and the information related to the required voltage are stored (see step S1 in FIG. 3). If these pieces of information are stored in the nonvolatile storage device, the control unit 3 holds the information in the RAM (see step S2 in FIG. 3).

  Then, the control unit 3 determines whether or not there is communication with the remote controller 2 (see step S3 in FIG. 3). By this communication, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the remote controller with a communication record held in the RAM matches the remote controller whose connection has been confirmed in the current communication.

  Here, when the connection of a new remote controller (for example, the added remote controller 2c) is detected, the control unit 3 adds the connection information of the remote controller 2c to the connection information of the remote controller 2 that has a past communication record. The connection information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device, and the connection information is held in the RAM (see step S4 in FIG. 3). That is, in this case, the remote controller 2 connected to the hot water supply device 1 is specified including the remote controller 2c that is newly detected for connection.

  On the other hand, when a remote control (for example, the remote control 2b) that has been confirmed to be connected in the past in the data held in the RAM but cannot be detected in the current communication is found, the control unit 3 holds the data in the RAM. The connection information is maintained as it is (see step S2 in FIG. 3). That is, in this case, the control unit 3 specifies that the remote controller 2b whose connection has not been confirmed is also connected. In this case, the connection information stored in the nonvolatile storage device is maintained as it is.

  If the connection of the new remote controller 2c is detected at the same time as the connection of the remote controller 2b whose connection has been confirmed in the past is lost, the connection information of the remote controller 2c with the newly detected connection is stored in the RAM. Add to non-volatile storage.

  When the identification of the remote controller 2 connected to the hot water supply device 1 is completed in this way, the control unit 3 then identifies the required voltage of the identified remote controller 2. For this specification, information on the required voltage held in the RAM is used for a remote controller that reads information on the required voltage from the nonvolatile storage device together with the connection information into the RAM.

  On the other hand, for the remote controller 2c whose connection is newly specified, it is determined whether a power saving permission signal or a power saving prohibition signal has been received from the remote controller 2c (see step S5 in FIG. 3). Is received on the condition that the remote controller 2c is requested to transmit information related to the required voltage, and when the information related to the required voltage transmitted from the remote controller 2c is acquired in response to the request, it is stored in the RAM of the microcomputer. Then, it is stored in a non-volatile storage device (see step S6 in FIG. 3). Note that the information on the required voltage acquired in this way is held and stored in the RAM and the nonvolatile storage device for each remote controller. In addition, about the information regarding this request voltage, when determining whether the control part 3 transfers to a power saving mode, for example, it can also be comprised so that it may acquire by communication from a terminal device each time, In this case, the processing in steps S5 and S6 in FIG. 3 can be omitted.

  As described above, in the hot water supply system of the present embodiment, when the hot water supply device 1 is started up, information (connection information and information on the required voltage) of the remote controller 2 that has a record of communication connection stored in the nonvolatile storage device, Since it is configured to specify the remote controller 2 connected to the hot water supply device 1 and its required voltage based on the information newly acquired from the remote controller 2 by communication, the communication performance has been confirmed in the past. Even if the remote controller 2 that has been subjected to a communication failure later is determined, the power saving voltage is determined including the remote controller 2 that has suffered a communication failure in determining the power saving voltage described later. Even when the remote controller 2c is newly added, the power saving voltage is determined including the remote controller 2c.

  The information stored in the non-volatile storage device is, for example, an operation unit (erase switch) for erasing the information stored in the non-volatile storage device in the control unit 3 or the terminal device 2 of the hot water supply device 1. ) And is configured so that it can be erased on condition that the erase switch is manually operated. Thereby, for example, when the remote controller 2 connected so far is removed (removed), information on the remote controller can be erased from the non-volatile storage device by operating this erase switch, and the remote controller 2 has been removed. It is possible to prevent the remote controller from being recognized as connected.

  Further, in steps S5 and S6 in FIG. 3, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 is configured to request the remote controller 2 to transmit information on the required voltage on condition that the power saving permission signal is received from the remote controller 2. Although the case has been shown, this transmission request can be made to all of the remote controllers 2 to which connection is newly detected without waiting for reception of the power saving permission signal. In addition, when the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 is configured to specify the required voltage of the remote controller 2 based on the model data received from the remote controller 2, it requests the transmission of the model data and receives the received model. The required voltage is specified based on the data.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for shifting to the power saving mode in the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 3 of the hot water supply device 1 first determines whether or not the remote controller 2 is connected to the hot water supply device 1 when determining whether or not to shift to the power saving mode ( (See step S1 in FIG. 4) This determination is made based on the data stored in the RAM in step S4 of FIG.

  If it is determined that the remote controller 2 is not connected, the control unit 3 maintains the normal mode. That is, in this case, since the power saving control by the remote controller 2 is not performed, the voltage switching signal is not output to the power supply unit 4, and the output voltage of the power supply unit 4 maintains the setting of the normal voltage (DC15V).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the remote controller 2 is connected to the hot water supply device 1, the control unit 3 determines whether a power saving permission signal has been received from any of the remote controllers 2 (see step S2 in FIG. 4). ). When the power saving permission signal is received, the required voltage of the remote controller 2 that has transmitted the power saving permission signal and the corresponding voltage that can be handled as the power saving voltage of the power supply unit 4 (DC12V and DC9V in this embodiment). To determine whether the required voltage is equal to or lower than the corresponding voltage (see step S3 in FIG. 4). Here, for example, when the required voltage of the remote controller 2 is higher than the applicable voltage (for example, when the required voltage exceeds DC 12V), the power saving voltage cannot be supplied to the remote controller 2, so the power saving mode is set. Without entering, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 4 to maintain the normal voltage.

  Then, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 performs the determinations of steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 4 for all of the connected remote controllers 2, and the determination of step S3 in FIG. When the required voltage of each remote controller 2 is equal to or lower than the corresponding voltage (DC12V or DC9V), the mode shifts to the power saving mode (see step S5 in FIG. 4).

  At this time, whether to select DC12V or DC9V as the power saving voltage is equal to or higher than the required voltage value indicating this high value on the basis of the highest required voltage among the required voltages of each remote controller 2, and The corresponding voltage having a smaller value is determined as the output voltage in the power saving mode. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when two remote controllers 2 a and 2 b are connected as the remote controller 2, if both require a voltage of 9 V (or less than 9 V), the output of the power supply unit 4. As the voltage, DC9V indicating a low value is selected from the corresponding voltages (DC12V, DC9). On the other hand, if the required voltage of one or both of the remote controllers 2a and 2b is DC12V (or more than DC9V and less than DC12V), DC12V is selected as the output voltage of the power supply unit 4. The control unit 3 outputs a voltage switching signal corresponding to the power supply unit 4 according to this selection.

B. Returning to the normal mode During execution of the power saving mode, the remote control unit 24 of each remote controller 2 independently determines whether or not the condition for outputting the power saving prohibition signal is satisfied, and if the condition is satisfied, The power saving prohibition signal is transmitted to the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 at each timing. The remote controller 2 that has transmitted the power saving prohibition signal waits for the return to the normal mode, cancels the power saving control, and returns to the normal control.

  When the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 receives the power saving prohibition signal from any of the remote controllers 2 connected to the communication interface 5, the operation mode of the hot water supply system is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode. That is, the control unit 3 of the hot water supply device 1 outputs a voltage switching signal to the power supply unit 4 and restores the output voltage of the power supply supplied from the power supply unit 4 to the remote controller 2 to the normal voltage (DC15V) in the normal mode. At the same time, each remote controller 2 is instructed to return to the normal mode, and the power saving mode is terminated.

  Thus, in the hot water supply system shown in this embodiment, when the control unit 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 shifts to the power saving mode, the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 4 to the remote controller 2 (the output voltage of the power supply unit 4) is Since the determination is made based on the required voltage of each remote controller 2 (specifically, the determination is based on the highest required voltage), all of the remote controllers 2 connected to the hot water supply device 1 do not run out of voltage. A hot water supply system capable of executing the power saving mode with an extremely small output voltage and having a high power saving effect is provided.

  In applying the present invention, a remote controller that does not support the power saving mode (a remote controller that continues to output a power saving prohibition signal without outputting a power saving permission signal, a power saving permission signal, and a power Even when a remote control that does not output any of the prohibition signals is included, a power saving permission signal cannot be obtained from the remote control, and thus the control unit 3 does not enter the power saving mode (the power saving permission signal is Refer to “None” in FIG. 5 for a case where it cannot be obtained). Therefore, even when a remote controller that does not support the power saving mode is connected, the hot water supply system can be operated without malfunction. Further, for example, even when a power saving permission signal is received from all of the remote controllers 2 that are currently able to communicate, if there is at least one remote controller that has been able to communicate in the past but is currently unable to communicate, it can save power. There is no transition to mode. This does not matter whether there was a power outage or a plug in / out of the power outlet between the time when the remote controller that became incapable of communication was communicable and the current state where communication was disabled.

  In addition, as information on the remote controller 2 used when determining the power saving voltage in the power saving mode, information on the remote controller that has been previously connected to the communication stored in the nonvolatile storage device, and information newly acquired through communication Since the voltage value to be output to the remote controller 2 is determined based on both of the above, for example, when a part of the connected remote controller 2 subsequently becomes in communication failure and shifts to the power saving mode, communication cannot be performed normally. However, the power-saving voltage in the power-saving mode is determined based on the required voltage of the remote controller 2 that has fallen into such communication failure, and the voltage that is lower than the required voltage of the remote control 2 that has fallen into the communication failure The voltage is not supplied to each remote controller 2. Therefore, when the communication failure is caused by something other than the disconnection of the communication line, the remote controller 2 is supplied with a voltage higher than the required voltage even when the power saving mode is entered, and the remote controller 2 operates with insufficient voltage. It is avoided that it falls into a defect.

  In addition, by avoiding the voltage drop of the remote controller 2 in this way, the hot water supply device 1 and all the remote controllers 2 are connected to the same communication line via the communication line 6, and at that time As a communication specification, even if a specification in which the hot water supply device 1 and the other remote control 2 cannot transmit to the communication line when one remote control 2 is transmitting a signal on the communication line is adopted, the remote control is caused by insufficient voltage. Occurrence of a problem that 2 continuously transmits signals and monopolizes the communication line is suppressed.

  In the embodiment described above, three patterns (two power saving voltage patterns) of power sources are used as the output voltage of the power source unit 4 to the remote controller 2. However, the configuration of the power source unit 4 is a power saving voltage output pattern. By increasing the number, finer control can be realized and the power saving effect can be enhanced. Furthermore, as a configuration of the power supply unit 4, if a power supply device that can continuously change the value of the output voltage continuously at least with respect to the power saving voltage is used, an appropriate power saving voltage can be selected according to the required voltage. The power saving effect can be further enhanced.

  On the other hand, with regard to the configuration on the remote controller 2 side, the above-described embodiment shows the case where a fixed value is used for the required voltage of each remote controller 2. 2 may be a fluctuation value created by itself. Specifically, the remote control unit 24 may be configured to recalculate the required voltage by determining the lighting range / number of lighting of the display unit 22, the volume of the audio output unit 23, etc. as needed or periodically, or The required voltage can also be calculated for each time zone while changing the display brightness of the display unit 22 according to the time (time zone) obtained by the internal clock 27. As described above, by using the fluctuation value for the required voltage, it is not necessary to set the required voltage of each remote controller 2 with a margin in advance, so that the required voltage can be kept to the minimum and the power saving effect can be enhanced.

  The above-described embodiments show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a remote controller is used as the terminal device of the hot water supply device 1 is shown. However, as long as the device receives power supply from the power supply unit 4 of the hot water supply device 1, the terminal device other than the remote control is The invention is applicable.

  Moreover, although the case where EEPROM was used as a non-volatile memory | storage device provided in the control part 3 of the hot water supply apparatus 1 was shown in embodiment mentioned above, if it is a non-volatile memory | storage device, other memory | storage devices, such as flash memory Of course, it is also possible to use.

  Note that the hot water supply apparatus shown in the above-described embodiment includes a single hot water supply apparatus having a general hot water supply function, a bath tub function, or a hot water heating function, or a complex machine thereof, and includes a gas water heater, an oil hot water supply. The present invention is applicable regardless of the type of fuel or the like as long as it is a device that generates hot water such as a water heater or an electric water heater.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water supply apparatus 2 Remote control 3 Control part 4 Power supply part 5 Communication interface 6 Communication line 7 Commercial power supply 21 Operation part 22 Display part 23 Audio | voice output part 24 Remote control part (control part of a terminal device)
25 Communication Interface 26 Remote Control Power Supply Unit 31 Microcomputer for Control Unit of Hot Water Supply Device

Claims (4)

A configuration comprising a hot water supply device and one or a plurality of terminal devices that receive power supply from the hot water supply device via a communication line, and when in the power saving mode, a configuration for supplying a voltage lower than that in the normal mode to the terminal device. In the hot water system provided,
The control unit of the hot water supply device includes storage means for storing connection information of a terminal device that has a record of communication connection, and information related to a required voltage that the terminal device requires in the power saving mode, and the storage means A hot water supply system, wherein a voltage supplied to the terminal device in the power saving mode is determined based on information stored in the terminal and information acquired from the terminal device through communication.   When determining the voltage to be supplied to the terminal device during the power saving mode, the control unit of the hot water supply device determines the voltage to be supplied to the terminal device based on the information regarding the requested voltage acquired from the terminal device, while the terminal is in the power saving mode based on the highest required voltage. The hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein a voltage supplied to the apparatus is determined.   The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile storage device.   In the hot water supply system, the hot water supply device and all the terminal devices are connected to one communication line via the communication line, and one terminal device transmits a signal on the communication line. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hot water supply device and the other terminal device have a configuration incapable of transmitting to the communication line.

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