JP5851143B2 - Heat source equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat source device such as a hot water supply device and a hot water heating device.

  Heat source devices such as water heaters and hot water heaters are equipped with various electronic devices such as solenoid valves, electric pumps, control circuit units, etc., and commercial power sources are usually used as power sources for these electronic devices. .

  Moreover, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, a system is also known in which electric power generated by a solar cell or a fuel cell is stored in a capacitor, and hot water is supplied using the stored electric power. .

Utility Model Registration No. 3158544

  In a heat source device that uses a commercial power source as a power source, operation cannot be performed if a power failure occurs in the commercial power source. For this reason, there is an inconvenience that the heat source device cannot be used for a long period of time, especially when a power outage is prolonged due to a disaster or the like. Therefore, it is desired that the heat source device can be operated to some extent even during a power failure.

  On the other hand, as can be seen in Patent Document 1, in the case where power generated by a solar cell or a fuel cell is stored in a capacitor, the system can be operated even when a commercial power supply fails.

  However, the amount of power generated by solar cells is affected by the weather, and in order to generate power with solar cells that can sufficiently operate the system, even if the weather conditions are good, large-sized solar I need a battery. For this reason, the cost of this solar cell itself and its installation cost become expensive.

  Furthermore, although the thing of patent document 1 is equipped with a fuel cell other than a solar cell, even when the power generation amount of a solar cell is insufficient, the fuel cell which can generate | occur | produce sufficient electric power is generally very expensive.

  Therefore, the system as shown in Patent Document 1 must be significantly more expensive than a heat source device such as a general-purpose hot water supply device, and is difficult for many users to purchase.

  Therefore, for example, in a normal heat source device that uses a commercial power source as a power source, a heat source device installed outdoors is equipped with a capacitor and a solar cell that generates electric power to be charged to the power source. It is conceivable that the heat source device can be operated within the range of electric power that can be supplied from the battery.

  In such a heat source device, if the power stored in the capacitor is insufficient due to the power consumption associated with the operation of the heat source device during a power failure of the commercial power supply, the heat source device cannot be operated, but then the solar cell Since electric power can be charged in the battery, the operation of the heat source device can be repeated.

  However, in such a heat source device, even if the user tries to operate the heat source device at an arbitrary timing in the event of a power failure, depending on the state of charge of the capacitor, the power of the capacitor is insufficient at that time, and the heat source device The situation that the operation of the heat source device cannot be performed, or even if the operation of the heat source device can be started, the power of the condenser is small at the start, and then the heat source device cannot be operated immediately thereafter Cannot recognize that there is a risk of occurrence.

  Therefore, it is desired that the user can easily recognize a situation in which the operation of the heat source device can be continued to some extent.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and at the time of a power failure, the operation of the heat source device can be repeatedly performed by the power of the power storage device, and the operation at the time of the power failure is realized in a form that is easy for the user to use. An object of the present invention is to provide a heat source device capable of performing the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the heat source device of the present invention is installed outdoors and receives heat from a commercial power source. The heat source apparatus heats a heat medium supplied indoors by combustion heat, and the heat source. A heat source device comprising a remote control unit installed indoors for operating the machine,
A solar cell mounted on the heat source device;
A capacitor that is connected to the solar cell so that the generated power of the solar cell is charged, and stores electric power for operating the heat source device as a substitute for the electric power of the commercial power source;
A storage amount monitoring means for observing a storage amount of the capacitor;
Notification control means for performing notification according to the storage amount of the capacitor observed by the storage amount observation means at the time of a power failure of the commercial power source via a notification device provided in the remote control unit ;
When the commercial power source is not powered down, the power source power used for operating the heat source unit according to the power storage amount of the power storage unit observed by the power storage amount observation means is the power of the commercial power source and the power storage unit. Power supply power switching means for switching from one of the power to the other, and
At the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the heat source device can be operated using the power of the power storage device until the amount of power stored in the power storage device falls to a predetermined first threshold. In the state where the power source power is switched from the power of the commercial power source to the power of the battery by the power source power switching means, until the amount of power stored in the battery decreases to a predetermined second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, It is configured such that the operation of the heat source device can be executed using the electric power of the battery (first invention).

  According to the first invention, at the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the heat source device is operated by using the power of the storage battery instead of the power of the commercial power supply. In this case, since the storage battery is connected to the solar battery, the generated power of the solar battery is charged to the storage battery when the heat source device is not operated. By this charging, it becomes possible to repeatedly operate the heat source device using the electric power of the battery.

  The amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage device is observed by the electricity storage amount observation means, and notification according to the observed amount of electricity storage is performed via an alarm device provided in a remote control unit installed indoors.

  By this notification, the user can recognize indoors whether the power storage amount of the power storage unit is in a state, for example, whether the power storage amount is sufficient to operate the heat source device.

  For this reason, the user may try to operate the heat source unit without causing the dark clouds to operate the heat source unit, or waiting for an unnecessarily long time to charge the battery with a solar cell. it can.

  Therefore, according to the first invention, the operation of the heat source device can be repeatedly performed by the power of the power storage device at the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, and the operation at the time of the power failure can be realized in a form that is easy for the user to use. .

In addition, since it is not necessary for the storage device to have a large capacity so that the operation of the heat source device can be performed for a long time in the event of a power failure, the storage device and the solar cell for charging the storage device are relatively small and inexpensive. Can be adopted .
According to the first invention, when the commercial power source is not powered, the power source power used for operating the heat source device is changed from the commercial power source power to the electric power source power according to the amount of power stored in the capacitor. It can be switched, or the power of the battery can be switched to the power of the commercial power supply. For example, when the storage amount of the battery is greater than or equal to a first predetermined amount (when the state of charge of the capacitor is at or near the fully charged state), the storage amount is lower than the first predetermined amount. The heat source device can be operated using the electric power of the storage battery until it decreases to a predetermined amount of 2.
By doing so, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the commercial power source and save power of the heat source device by using the power of the storage battery charged by the solar cell at the time of non-power failure of the commercial power source. .
Furthermore, according to the first invention, at the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the operation of the heat source device can be executed using the electric power of the electric storage device until the amount of electric storage of the electric storage device falls to a predetermined first threshold value. In a state in which the power supply power is switched from the power of the commercial power supply to the power of the storage battery by the power supply power switching means at the time of the power failure of the commercial power supply, the storage amount of the storage battery is larger than the first threshold value. The heat source device can be operated using the electric power of the battery until the second threshold value is lowered.

  In the first invention, the notification control means determines whether or not the amount of electricity stored in the capacitor is the amount of electricity that can operate the heat source device with the electric power of the capacitor when the commercial power supply is interrupted, It is preferable to have means for notifying that in the case of at least one of the case where the determination result is affirmative and the case where the determination result is negative (second invention).

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can correctly recognize whether or not the heat source device can be operated with the electric power of the battery by a notification by the notification control means during a power failure. For this reason, it is possible to keep the time that the user has to wait without performing the operation of the heat source unit for charging the storage battery by the solar battery, and the frequency of the operation of the heat source unit during a power failure Can be increased.

  In the first invention or the second invention, the notification control means operates the heat source device with the amount of electricity stored in the capacitor using the electric power of the capacitor after the start of operation of the heat source device during a power failure of the commercial power source. It is determined whether or not the storage amount immediately before the limit storage amount is possible, and if the determination result is affirmative or negative, the fact is It is preferable to have means for informing (third invention).

  According to the third aspect of the invention, when the heat source device is operated by the power of the battery during a power failure, the power of the battery is reduced due to the power consumption by the operation, and the heat source machine cannot be operated. When the situation becomes close to the situation (a situation where the amount of electricity stored in the battery has decreased to the limit of the amount of electricity stored), the user recognizes that (the heat source machine will soon not be able to operate) by notification by the notification control means. can do.

  For this reason, it is possible to prevent the operation of the heat source device from being unexpectedly stopped due to a shortage of electric power of the capacitor, even when the user has no prior recognition during the operation of the heat source device. In addition, it is easier to make an operation plan for the heat source unit before it becomes impossible to operate the heat source unit, and to reduce the operation of the heat source unit as much as possible in order to charge the battery with the power generated by the solar cell. Can be taken.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the operation of the heat source machine cannot be performed at all.

In the first to third aspects of the invention , the notification control means may have means for notifying that when the power source power used for operating the heat source machine is switched ( fourth). invention).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the commercial power source is not powered down, the user is informed by the notification control means that the operation of the heat source unit is performed using the power of the commercial power source or the power of the battery is used. You can recognize what is happening. For this reason, the user can recognize whether the power saving function of the heat source device is operating.
Further, the heat source device of the present invention includes a heat source device that heats a heat medium with combustion heat in a state where power is supplied from a commercial power source, and a remote control unit for operating the heat source device. A power storage device for storing power for operating a heat source device as a substitute for the power of the commercial power source, a storage amount monitoring means for observing a storage amount of the storage device, and a power failure of the commercial power source, Notification control means for performing notification according to the storage amount of the storage device observed by the storage amount observation means via the notification device provided in the remote control unit; and when the commercial power source is not powered down, the storage amount observation means The power source power used for operating the heat source unit is switched from one of the power of the commercial power source and the power of the capacitor to the other according to the amount of power stored in the capacitor observed by Power switching means, and during the power failure of the commercial power source, the heat source device can be operated using the power of the battery until the amount of power stored in the battery decreases to a predetermined first threshold. In a state in which the power supply power is switched from the power of the commercial power supply to the power of the storage battery by the power supply power switching means at the time of the power failure of the commercial power supply, the storage amount of the storage battery is larger than the first threshold value. The heat source device can be operated using the electric power of the battery until the second threshold value is reduced to the second threshold value ( fifth invention).
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, at the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, notification according to the amount of power stored in the battery is performed via the alarm provided on the remote control unit. By this notification, as in the case of the first invention, the user can indicate in what state the amount of electricity stored in the battery is, for example, whether the amount of electricity is sufficient to allow the heat source device to operate. Can be recognized .
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the commercial power source is not powered down, the power source power used for operating the heat source device is changed from the commercial power source power to the power source power according to the amount of power stored in the power source. It can be switched, or the power of the battery can be switched to the power of the commercial power supply.
Further, according to the fifth invention, at the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the operation of the heat source unit can be executed using the electric power of the battery until the amount of power stored in the battery decreases to a predetermined first threshold value. In a state in which the power supply power is switched from the power of the commercial power supply to the power of the storage battery by the power supply power switching means at the time of the power failure of the commercial power supply, the storage amount of the storage battery is larger than the first threshold value. The heat source device can be operated using the electric power of the battery until the second threshold value is lowered.

The figure which shows schematically the whole structure of the hot water supply apparatus as a heat-source apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematically the external appearance structure of the water heater main body of the hot water supply apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the remote control unit of the hot-water supply apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the main circuit structures of the circuit unit with which the water heater main body of the water heater of FIG. 1 was equipped, and the circuit unit with which the remote control unit was equipped. The flowchart which shows the action | operation regarding the power supply system of the hot-water supply apparatus of FIG. The flowchart which shows the action | operation regarding the power supply system of the hot-water supply apparatus of FIG.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The heat source device of the present embodiment is a hot water supply device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater 1 includes a water heater body 2 that heats water as a heat medium, and a plurality of remote control units 3 (3 a and 3 b) for operating the water heater body 2. It has. Each remote control unit 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote control 3) is electrically connected to a circuit unit 4 mounted in the water heater main body 2 via a remote control cable 5 as described below. It is possible to receive power supply from the circuit unit 4 of the water heater main body 2 via the remote control cable 5 and to communicate with the circuit unit 4.

  The water heater body 2 is a heat source unit installed outdoors, and heats water supplied from a water pipe through a heat exchanger by combustion heat of a burner (not shown), and the heated hot water is used in an indoor kitchen. In addition, it is configured to supply hot water to a bathroom or bathroom. In the example of this embodiment, the burner is a gas burner that uses gas as fuel. Since the mechanical configuration of the water heater main body 2 (the mechanical configuration related to the combustion of the burner and the hot water supply) is a known one, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The burner may use liquid fuel such as kerosene as fuel.

  In the present embodiment, the water heater main body 2 generates a battery 6 as a battery for storing electric power for operating the water heater main body 2 at the time of a power failure of the commercial power source, and generates electric power for charging the battery 6. A solar cell 7 is mounted.

  The battery 6 is arrange | positioned in the housing | casing 8 of the water heater main body 2 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the battery 6 is constituted by a rechargeable secondary battery. Instead of the battery 6, a battery constituted by a large-capacity capacitor or a battery constituted by combining the capacitor and a secondary battery may be mounted on the water heater main body 2.

  The solar cell 7 has a module structure formed in a panel shape, and a part of the outer surface of the housing 8 of the water heater main body 2 that is easily irradiated with sunlight, for example, a front plate at the bottom of the housing 8 It is mounted on the outer surface of the panel 8a. The solar cell 7 is electrically connected to the battery 6 in order to charge the generated power to the battery 6 (see FIG. 4).

  Note that the solar cell 7 may be attached to a place other than the front panel 8a. For example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the solar battery 7 is attached to the upper surface portion of the casing 8 of the water heater main body 2. It may be. Or you may mount | wear with multiple places of the outer surface of the housing | casing 8, such as both the upper surface part of the housing | casing 8, and the front panel 8a.

  The battery 6 and the solar cell 7 may be mounted in advance on the product of the water heater main body 2, but after the water heater main body 2 is installed, the battery 6 and the solar cell 7 are assembled to the water heater main body 2 in accordance with a user order or the like. But you can. In that case, for example, the solar cell 7 may be assembled to the water heater main body 2 by exchanging the components of the casing 8 such as the front panel 8a with the solar cell 7 mounted in advance. Good.

  The circuit unit 4 mounted on the water heater main body 2 is a circuit unit for performing operation control of the water heater 1 and has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. Specifically, the circuit unit 4 includes a DC / AC converter 9 that converts the output voltage of the battery 6, which is a DC voltage, into an AC voltage, and power (AC power) supplied from a commercial power source as power source power for the hot water supply device 1. ) And the power (AC power) output from the battery 6 via the DC / AC converter 9, and a switcher 10 that selectively outputs one of the power (AC power) A power supply circuit 11 that generates power supply voltages for various electronic devices and remote controllers 3 provided in the hot water supply device 1, a microcomputer 12 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 12) that executes control processing relating to operation control of the hot water supply device 1, and a battery And a voltage sensor 13 for detecting the output voltage 6 and inputting the detection signal to the microcomputer 12.

  The DC / AC converter 9 is a known one configured by, for example, an inverter circuit (not shown). By performing ON / OFF control of the switch element of the inverter circuit, the power of the DC voltage supplied from the battery 6 is achieved. Is converted into AC voltage power of the same magnitude as that of the commercial power supply and output.

  The switch 10 is supplied with the output of the DC / AC converter 9 and is supplied with an AC voltage (for example, an AC voltage of 100 V) from a commercial power outlet (not shown) through a plug 17 connected to the outlet. Electric power is given. The switcher 10 is either one of electric power supplied from a commercial power supply or electric power supplied from the battery 6 via the DC / AC converter 9 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the microcomputer 12. Is selectively output. The specific configuration of the switching device 10 that performs such a switching operation may be a known one.

  Although not shown in detail, the power supply circuit 11 rectifies the AC power supplied from the switcher 10 into DC power and the DC / DC that generates a DC power supply voltage of a required magnitude from the output voltage of the rectifier. It has a converter. And the power supply circuit 11 produces | generates the required power supply voltage for operating the various electronic devices with which the hot-water supply apparatus 1 is equipped with these rectifiers, DC / DC converters, etc., and operates each electronic device with the power supply voltage Is supplied to a circuit (not shown).

  The electronic device includes, for example, a solenoid valve provided in a fuel supply path and a hot water supply path to the burner, a fan drive motor that supplies combustion air to the burner, and a gas proportional for adjusting the fuel supply amount to the burner. Various sensors such as a valve, a water amount servo valve for adjusting the amount of water flowing to the heat exchanger of the water heater main body 2, an igniter for igniting the burner, and a temperature sensor are included.

  The microcomputer 12 obtains detection data of various sensors such as a temperature sensor as a main function realized by a program installed in advance, and controls the combustion control of each burner and the control of the hot water supply temperature. It has a function to perform via.

  Further, the microcomputer 12 functions as a function related to the present invention. The power storage amount observation unit 14 that monitors the power storage amount of the battery 6 and the remote controller 3 (this embodiment) according to the observation value of the power storage amount of the battery 6. Then, the information control part 15 performed via the kitchen remote control 3a) and the power supply power switching control part 16 which controls the switching of the power supply power output from the switcher 10 by controlling the switcher 10 are provided.

  In this case, the power storage amount observation unit 14 uses the correlation between the power storage amount of the battery 6 and the output voltage of the battery 6, for example, and stores it in the battery 6 based on the detection signal input from the voltage sensor 13. The amount of stored electricity is estimated.

  Various methods are known as methods for estimating the amount of power stored in the battery 6, and the amount of power stored in the battery 6 may be estimated by a known method other than the above. For example, the current (discharge current and charging current) flowing through the battery 6 may be measured via a current sensor, and the stored amount of the battery 6 may be estimated based on the integrated value of the measured value of the current. Alternatively, the storage amount of the battery 6 may be estimated based on the integrated value of power calculated as the product of the measured value of the current flowing through the battery 6 and the measured value of the output voltage of the battery 6.

  Then, the microcomputer 12 executes the processing of the notification control unit 15 and the processing of the power supply power switching control unit 16 as described later according to the storage amount (observation value) of the battery 6 estimated by the storage amount observation unit 14. To do.

  Here, the storage amount monitoring unit 14 and the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 correspond to the storage amount observation unit and the notification control unit in the present invention, respectively. Further, the power source power switching control unit 16 of the microcomputer 12 constitutes the power source power switching means in the present invention together with the switcher 10.

  In addition to the above functions, the microcomputer 12 also has a function of performing ON / OFF control of the switch element of the DC / AC converter 9 and a function of performing communication with the microcomputer 27 described later of each remote controller 3 via the remote control cable 5. Have.

  Supplementally, although not shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the DC power supply voltage for operation of the microcomputer 12 and a circuit unit 28 (described later) of each remote controller 3 is the power of the commercial power supply or the battery 6 (or a different one). The circuit unit 4 includes a circuit that generates power from the auxiliary battery. Then, by this circuit, when the commercial power supply is not out of power (normal time), the power of the DC power supply voltage generated from the power of the commercial power supply is supplied to the microcomputer 12 and each remote controller 3 via the constant voltage regulator, When a commercial power failure occurs, the power of the DC power supply voltage generated from the power of the battery 6 is automatically supplied to the microcomputer 12 and each remote controller 3 via the constant voltage regulator. In this case, for example, by setting the DC power supply voltage generated from the power of the battery 6 to a voltage slightly smaller than the DC power supply voltage generated from the power of the commercial power, the commercial power Is supplied to the microcomputer 12 and each remote controller 3.

  The above is the configuration related to the water heater body 2.

  Next, each of the plurality of remote controls 3 is installed indoors. In this embodiment, the remote controller 3a is a remote controller installed in the kitchen, and the remote controller 3b is a remote controller installed in the bathroom. Including.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the kitchen remote controller 3 a includes a main operation switch 20 for starting and stopping the hot water supply device 1, an automatic bath for automatically performing hot water bathing and heating operation in a bathroom. To display various information such as an operation switch 21, an up / down switch 22 for setting a tapping temperature, a selection switch 23 for selecting a setting content by the up / down switch 22, a set value of a tapping temperature, and the like. The display 24 and a battery lamp 25 for notifying the storage state of the battery 6 are provided on the surface portion, and a speaker 26 for outputting a notification sound or sound is incorporated. In the present embodiment, the battery lamp 25 and the speaker 26 correspond to the alarm device in the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the kitchen remote controller 3 a has a built-in circuit unit 28 having a microcomputer 27 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 27). The circuit unit 28 includes a circuit unit of the water heater main body 2. The power supply power of DC voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 11 of 4 through the remote control cable 5.

  The microcomputer 27 communicates with the microcomputer 12 of the circuit unit 4 of the water heater main body 2 as a function realized by a program mounted thereon, while operating instructions and displays corresponding to the operations of the switches 21 to 23. The display 24 is controlled, the lighting of the battery lamp 25 is controlled, and the output sound of the speaker 26 is controlled.

  Although not shown, the bath remote controller 3b includes a main operation switch, an automatic bath operation switch, an up / down switch, a selection switch, a display, a speaker, and the like, for example, as with the kitchen remote control 3a. Are provided with a priority switch for giving priority to the tub, a switch for adding hot water to the bath, and cooking. Furthermore, the bath remote controller 3b has a built-in circuit unit including a microcomputer, similar to the kitchen remote controller 3a.

  It should be noted that the switches and indicators provided in each remote controller 3 are not limited to the above forms, and various forms can be adopted according to the model and specifications of the hot water supply apparatus 1.

  In addition to the kitchen remote control 3a and the bath remote control 3b, for example, a remote control installed in a washroom may be provided.

  Supplementally, in the present embodiment, the battery lamp 25 is provided only in the kitchen remote controller 3a among the plurality of remote controllers 3, but the remote controller 3 other than the kitchen remote controller 3a (for example, the bath remote controller 3b) is provided with a battery lamp. Alternatively, two or more remote controllers 3 may be provided with battery lamps.

  Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment (mainly the operation related to the power supply system) will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The microcomputer 12 of the circuit unit 4 of the water heater main body 2 determines the charged amount of the battery 6 from the charged amount observation unit 14 in a state where the main operation switch of any remote controller 3 such as the main operation switch 20 is turned on. While sequentially observing, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, operation control of the hot water supply apparatus 1 is performed. Note that charging of the battery 6 with the power generated by the solar battery 7 is always performed regardless of the operating state of the hot water supply device 1.

  Specifically, the microcomputer 12 determines whether or not the commercial power supply is in a power failure state in STEP1. This determination is made based on the magnitude of the DC power supply voltage for the microcomputer 12 generated from the power of the commercial power supply, for example.

  If the determination result in STEP 1 is affirmative (when the commercial power supply is in a power failure state), the microcomputer 12 next executes the determination process in STEP 3 by the notification control unit 15. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 determines whether or not the storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is a predetermined threshold, for example, 60% or more.

  Here, in this embodiment, the charged amount of the battery 6 observed (estimated) by the charged amount observation unit 14 by the microcomputer 12 is a relative amount with the charged amount in the fully charged state as a reference (100%). The threshold value (60%) in STEP 3 is a threshold value for determining whether or not to permit the operation of hot water supply device 1 using the electric power of battery 6. The threshold value is determined in advance as a suitable threshold value for continuously operating the hot water supply device 1 to some extent when the amount of power stored in the battery 6 is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  If the determination result in STEP 3 is negative, the microcomputer 12 waits while repeating the processing from STEP 1. In this state, even if there is a request for operation of the hot water supply device 1 (operation with burner combustion operation) such as passing water through a hot water tap in a kitchen or the like, or turning on the automatic bath operation switch 21, the hot water supply device 1. Is not operated.

  On the other hand, if the battery 6 has already been charged to a storage amount of 60% or more before the power failure of the commercial power supply, or if the determination result of STEP 3 is negative after the power failure, When the charged amount is 60% or more by the generated power, the microcomputer 12 causes the notification control unit 15 to execute the processing of STEP4.

  In STEP 4, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 notifies the user that the power of the battery 6 is used to operate the hot water supply device 1 by the remote controller 3.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, one specific remote controller 3, for example, a kitchen remote controller 3a, is used as the remote controller 3 for performing this notification. Then, the microcomputer 12 instructs the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote control 3a to perform the above notification. At this time, the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote controller 3 a outputs a sound indicating that the power of the battery 6 is used from the speaker 26 and lights the battery lamp 25 in order to operate the hot water supply device 1.

  By such notification by voice and notification by turning on the battery lamp 25, the user can easily recognize that it is possible to operate the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the battery 6 in a power failure state. can do. Note that in the notification control in STEP 4, only one of voice notification and notification by lighting of the battery lamp 25 may be performed. Alternatively, the character information may be displayed on the display 24 for notification.

  Next, in STEP 5, the microcomputer 12 switches the switch 10 to a power source power switching control unit so that the power source of the hot water supply device 1 (power source for operating each electronic device of the hot water supply device 1) is switched from the commercial power source to the battery 6. 16 to control. As a result, the switch 10 outputs AC power output from the battery 6 via the DC / AC converter 9 to the power supply circuit 11. Accordingly, each electronic device of the hot water supply device 1 can operate using the power of the battery 6.

  Then, in STEP 6, the microcomputer 12 causes the hot water supply device 1 to be operated (operation by the power of the battery 6) at any time in response to a request for operation of the hot water supply device 1 by the user. In this case, in order to suppress the power consumption of the battery 6 as much as possible, for example, the combustion amount of the burner is suppressed from the normal time (at the time of non-power failure), or the operation in a form in which the power consumption is likely to increase is prohibited. You may make it restrict | limit the capability or function of the hot water supply apparatus 1. FIG.

  As described above, the microcomputer 12 performs the determination process of STEP 7 by the notification control unit 15 while performing the operation of the hot water supply device 1 as needed. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 determines whether the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is a predetermined threshold value that is lower than the threshold value (60%) in STEP 3, for example, 10% or less. Judge whether or not.

  The threshold value (10%) in STEP 7 is a threshold value set in advance as the storage amount immediately before the limit (lower limit) storage amount that allows continuous operation of the hot water supply device 1 by the power of the battery 6. When the amount of power stored in the battery 6 falls below the threshold value, there is a high possibility that the hot water supply device 1 cannot be operated soon.

  For this reason, when the determination result in STEP 7 becomes affirmative, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 may next cause the hot water supply device 1 to become inoperable due to a decrease in the storage amount of the battery 6 in STEP 8. The user is notified by the remote controller 3 (in this embodiment, the kitchen remote controller 3a). In this case, in this embodiment, this notification is made when the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote controller 3a is unable to operate the hot water supply device 1 due to a decrease in the storage amount of the battery 6 in response to an instruction from the microcomputer 12 of the hot water heater body 2. This is performed by outputting a sound indicating that there is a possibility of being output from the speaker 26.

  Thereby, the user can recognize the possibility that the hot water supply device 1 cannot be operated soon.

  If the determination result in STEP 7 is negative, the notification in STEP 8 is not performed, and the microcomputer 12 continues to repeat the determination process in STEP 7.

  In STEP 8, the notification may be performed by, for example, blinking the battery lamp 25 (or another lamp of the kitchen remote control 3a). Alternatively, the notification may be made by displaying character information on the display 24.

  After notifying STEP 8, the microcomputer 12 causes the notification control unit 15 to execute the determination process of STEP 9. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 determines in advance that the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is the limit (lower limit) storage amount at which the hot water heater 1 can be continuously operated. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold value, for example, 5% or less.

  If the determination result is negative, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 further determines that the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is greater than the threshold value (10%) in STEP 7 in STEP 10. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold value higher than the predetermined value, for example, 30% or more.

  Here, when the user tries to refrain from the operation of the hot water supply device 1 as much as possible in accordance with the notification of STEP 8, the battery 6 is charged with the generated power of the solar cell 7, so that the stored amount of the battery 6 is 30%. In some cases, it may rise. In this case, the charged amount of the battery 6 is in a state in which the hot water supply device 1 can be continuously operated as before the notification in STEP 8.

  For this reason, when the determination result of STEP 10 is affirmative, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 executes the process from STEP 7 again. That is, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 sequentially determines whether or not the storage amount of the battery 6 has become 10% or less, and when the determination result is affirmative, the notification of STEP 8 is renewed and the remote control 3 ( Let the kitchen remote control 3a) perform it.

  If the determination result in STEP 10 is negative, the storage amount of the battery 6 has not sufficiently recovered, and the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 continues to repeat the determination processes in STEPs 9 and 10.

  When the amount of power stored in the battery 6 further decreases and the determination result in STEP 9 becomes affirmative, that is, when it becomes difficult to operate the hot water supply device 1 with the power of the battery 6, the microcomputer 12 In STEP 11, the notification control unit 15 instructs the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote control 3a to turn off the battery lamp 25 of the remote control 3 (kitchen remote control 3a). In response to this instruction, the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote control 3a turns off the battery lamp 25. By this turning off, the user is notified that the operation of the hot water supply device 1 can no longer be performed by the electric power of the battery 6.

  By this notification, the user can recognize that the amount of power stored in the battery 6 is insufficient and the hot water supply device 1 cannot be operated.

  Further, in STEP 12, the microcomputer 12 switches the switch 10 to the power supply power switching control unit 16 so that the power source of the hot water supply device 1 (power source for operating each electronic device of the hot water supply device 1) is switched from the battery 6 to the commercial power source. Control by. As a result, the switching device 10 blocks the output of AC power output from the battery 6 via the DC / AC converter 9 to the power supply circuit 11.

  Thereafter, in a state where the commercial power supply continues to be interrupted, the microcomputer 12 repeats the processing from STEP 3 through the determination processing in STEP 1. In this case, if the battery 6 is charged up to 60% or more of the charged amount by the generated power of the solar battery 7, the determination result in STEP 3 becomes affirmative, so that the operation of the water heater 1 can be resumed. .

  As described above, the processing of STEPs 3 to 12 is executed by the control processing of the microcomputer 12 when the commercial power supply is interrupted.

  When the commercial power supply is not blacked out (including the case of recovery from the blackout), the determination result of STEP 1 is negative. In this case, in the present embodiment, the hot water supply device 1 is operated by the power of the commercial power source except when there is a sufficient amount of power stored in the battery 6, and the power stored in the battery 6 has a sufficient amount. In this case, the hot water supply device 1 is operated by the power of the battery 6 for power saving (reduction of power consumption of the commercial power source).

  Hereinafter, specifically, when the determination result of STEP1 is negative, the microcomputer 12 performs the determination process of STEP2 by the notification control unit 15. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 has the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value that is higher than the threshold value in STEP 3, for example, 80% or more. Determine whether or not.

  If the determination result in STEP 2 is negative, the microcomputer 12 repeats the processing from STEP 1. In this state, the power source power switching control unit 16 of the microcomputer 12 controls the switcher 10 so that the power source circuit 11 outputs the power of the commercial power source, and each electronic device of the hot water supply device 1 is supplied with power from the commercial power source. Electric power is supplied. And the microcomputer 12 performs the normal driving | operation (operation by the electric power of a commercial power source) of the hot water supply apparatus 1 at any time according to the request | requirement of the driving | operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 by a user.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in STEP 2 is affirmative, that is, if the current storage amount of the battery 6 is a fully charged state or a state of close storage, the microcomputer 12 causes the notification control unit 15 to execute STEP 13. Execute the process.

  The processing of STEP 13 is the same as the processing of STEP 4, and the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 indicates that the power of the battery 6 is used to operate the hot water supply device 1. ) And the lighting of the battery lamp 25 to inform the user.

  Thereby, the user can recognize easily that it is the state which operates the hot-water supply apparatus 1 using the electric power of the battery 6 for power saving. Note that in the notification control in STEP 13, as in STEP 4, only one of notification by voice and notification by lighting of the battery lamp 25 may be performed. Alternatively, the character information may be displayed on the display 24 for notification. Further, the method of notification in STEP 13 (speech content etc.) may be different from that in STEP 4.

  Next, in STEP 14, the microcomputer 12 controls the switch 10 by the power supply power switching control unit 16 so that the power source of the hot water supply device 1 is switched from the commercial power source to the battery 6, as in STEP 5.

  Then, in STEP 15, the microcomputer 12 causes the hot water supply device 1 to be operated (operation by the power of the battery 6) as needed in response to a user's request for the operation of the hot water supply device 1.

  As described above, the microcomputer 12 performs the determination process of STEP 16 by the notification control unit 15 while performing the operation of the hot water supply device 1 as needed. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 determines a predetermined threshold value that is set in advance such that the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is higher than the threshold value (10%) in STEP 7, for example, It is judged whether it is 30% or less.

  The threshold value (30%) in STEP 16 is determined in advance as the charged amount immediately before the lower limit charged amount that allows operation using the electric power of the battery 6 to save power when the commercial power supply is not powered down. The threshold value is set to a value that allows the operation of the hot water supply device 1 to continue using the power of the battery 6 even if a commercial power failure occurs during the operation of the hot water supply device 1 in STEP 15. Threshold.

  If the determination result in STEP 16 is affirmative, the microcomputer 12 determines in STEP 17 whether or not the commercial power supply is in a power failure state, as in STEP 1.

  If the determination result in STEP 17 is affirmative, that is, if a commercial power supply power failure has occurred, the microcomputer 12 executes the processing from STEP 7. In this case, since the storage amount of the battery 6 is still close to 30%, the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the battery 6 can be continuously operated.

  If the determination result in STEP 17 is negative, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 next causes the power supply of the hot water supply device 1 to be switched from the battery 6 to the commercial power source in STEP 18 due to a decrease in the amount of power stored in the battery 6. The user is notified by the remote controller 3 (kitchen remote controller 3a in the present embodiment) that there is a possibility of switching to. In this case, in this embodiment, this notification is made by the microcomputer 27 of the kitchen remote controller 3a in response to an instruction from the microcomputer 12 of the water heater main body 2 due to a decrease in the amount of power stored in the battery 6, This is done by outputting a sound indicating that there is a possibility of switching from the battery 6 to a commercial power supply from the speaker 26.

  Thereby, the user can recognize soon that it transfers to the normal driving | operation using the electric power of commercial power supply from the driving | operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 using the electric power of the battery 6. FIG.

  If the determination result in STEP 16 is negative, the determination process in STEP 17 and the notification in STEP 18 are not performed, and the microcomputer 12 continues to repeat the determination process in STEP 16.

  In STEP 18, the above notification may be performed by, for example, blinking the battery lamp 25 (or another lamp of the kitchen remote control 3a). Alternatively, the notification may be made by displaying character information on the display 24.

  After notifying STEP 18, the microcomputer 12 causes the notification control unit 15 to execute the determination process of STEP 19. In this determination process, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 sets the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 to the lower limit storage amount that allows operation using the power of the battery 6 to save power. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold value set in advance, for example, 20% or less.

  If the determination result is negative, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 further determines that the current storage amount (estimated value) of the battery 6 is greater than the threshold value (30%) in STEP 16 in STEP 20. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold value higher than the predetermined value, for example, 50% or more.

  Here, after the notification of STEP 18, when the user has not requested the operation of the hot water supply device 1 for a while, the power generated by the solar cell 7 is charged into the battery 6, so that the storage amount of the battery 6 is 50. It may increase to more than%.

  Therefore, in this case (when the determination result in STEP 20 is positive), the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 executes the process from STEP 16 again. That is, the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 sequentially determines whether or not the storage amount of the battery 6 has become 30% or less, and when the determination result is affirmative and the commercial power source is in a non-power failure state. In such a case, the remote control 3 (kitchen remote control 3a) is notified of STEP 18 again.

  Further, when the determination result in STEP 20 is negative, the storage amount of the battery 6 has not sufficiently recovered, so the notification control unit 15 of the microcomputer 12 continues to repeat the determination processes in STEP 19 and 20.

  When the amount of power stored in the battery 6 further decreases and the determination result in STEP 19 becomes affirmative, that is, when the operation of the hot water supply device 1 is not permitted by the power of the battery 6, the microcomputer 12 executes the processing of STEPs 11 and 12 described above.

  In STEP 11, by turning off the battery lamp 25 of the kitchen remote control 3a, the operation of the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the battery 6 is completed, and the operation of the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the commercial power supply is resumed for the user. Informed.

  In STEP 12, the microcomputer 12 controls the switch 10 by the power supply power switching control unit 16 so as to switch the power source of the hot water supply device 1 from the battery 6 to the commercial power source.

  Thereafter, in a state where no power failure has occurred in the commercial power supply, the microcomputer 12 repeats the processing from STEP2 through the determination processing in STEP1. In this case, if the battery 6 is charged up to a storage amount of 80% or more by the generated power of the solar battery 7, the determination result in STEP2 becomes affirmative. Therefore, hot water supply using the power of the battery 6 for power saving. The operation of the device 1 will be performed.

  According to the hot water supply device 1 of the present embodiment described above, when a power failure of the commercial power source occurs, the amount of power stored in the battery 6 immediately after that is equal to or greater than the threshold value (60%) in STEP 3, or When the amount of electricity stored in the battery 6 is charged to the amount of electricity stored above the threshold value (60%) in STEP 3 by the generated power of the solar cell 7 after the occurrence of a power failure, the amount of electricity stored in the battery 6 is equal to the threshold value in STEP 9 ( The hot water supply apparatus 1 can be operated using the electric power of the battery 6 until the voltage decreases to 5%).

  In this case, if the determination result in STEP 3 is affirmative, STEP 4 is notified accordingly through the remote controller 3 (in this embodiment, the kitchen remote controller 3a). On the contrary, when the determination result of STEP 3 is negative, that is, in a situation where the amount of power stored in the battery 6 is insufficient and the continuous operation of the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the battery 6 cannot be performed or is difficult. , STEP4 is not notified.

  For this reason, the user can grasp | ascertain appropriately the condition which can perform the continuous driving | operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 with the electric power of the battery 6 at the time of a power failure by the presence or absence of alerting | reporting of STEP4.

  Therefore, although the hot water supply device 1 cannot be operated, it is possible to prevent the user from predicting this and frequently operating the remote controller 3 unnecessarily.

  Alternatively, although the hot water supply device 1 can be operated by charging the battery 6 with the solar battery 7, the user does not notice it and operates the hot water supply device 1 for a longer time than necessary. Can be avoided.

  Further, when the hot water supply device 1 using the electric power of the battery 6 is being operated, the charged amount of the battery 6 is reduced to a threshold value (10%) or less in STEP 7 and the hot water supply device 1 can be operated. When the disappearing situation approaches, STEP 8 is notified accordingly via the remote controller 3 (kitchen remote controller 3a). Conversely, in a situation where the amount of power stored in the battery 6 is larger than the threshold value (10%) in STEP 7, notification of STEP 8 is not performed.

  For this reason, the user can appropriately grasp whether or not a situation in which the continuous operation of the hot water supply device 1 cannot be performed by the power of the battery 6 will occur in the near future depending on the presence or absence of the notification in STEP 8. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 from being stopped unexpectedly during the operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 without the user's prior recognition. In addition, it is easy to make an operation plan for the hot water supply device 1 before the hot water supply device 1 can no longer be operated, and the operation of the hot water supply device 1 is performed in order to charge the battery 6 with the generated power of the solar cell 7. You can take measures to refrain as much as possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even when the commercial power supply is not powered down, if the stored amount of the battery 6 is sufficient (when it is equal to or greater than the threshold (80%) in STEP 2), the stored amount of the battery 6 is STEP19. The hot water supply device 1 is operated using the electric power of the battery 6 until the threshold value is lowered to 20%. For this reason, the power of the commercial power source can be saved, and the cost of the electricity bill necessary for the operation of the hot water supply apparatus 1 can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this case, by notifying STEP 13 and 18, the user can recognize whether or not the power saving operation of the water heater 1 is being performed, and the user's awareness of power saving can be enhanced.

  In the embodiment described above, the remote controller 3 such as the kitchen remote controller 3 a is provided with a plurality of lamps such as LEDs for displaying the storage amount of the battery 6, and the lamp is turned on according to the storage amount of the battery 6. You may make it perform alerting | reporting which changes a number. Alternatively, for example, notification may be performed so that the number and length of display marks (bar graph marks and the like) displayed on the liquid crystal display of the remote controller 3 are changed stepwise in accordance with the amount of power stored in the battery 6.

  In this case, the user can be made to recognize the charged amount of the battery 6 corresponding to each of the STEPs 3, 7, 9, and 10 by the number of lamps lit and the display mark of the liquid crystal display. As a result, whether or not the hot water supply device 1 can be operated using the power of the battery 6 at the time of a power failure, or the hot water supply device 1 using the power of the battery 6 cannot be operated soon. It is also possible for the user to recognize whether or not it is, etc., from the number of lamps lit or the display mark of the liquid crystal display. In this case, for example, the emission color of the lamp may be changed together with the change in the number of lamps to be lit.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the judgment result of STEP3 is negative, the notification which shows that may be performed by lighting or blinking of the suitable lamp of the kitchen remote control 3a (or other remote control 3). Good. In that case, the notification of STEP 4 may be omitted.

  Similarly, when the determination result in STEP 7 is negative, notification to that effect may be performed by lighting or blinking an appropriate lamp of the kitchen remote controller 3a (or another remote controller 3). In that case, the notification of STEP 8 may be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the judgment result of STEP2 is affirmative at the time of a commercial power source non-power failure, the threshold value of STEP19 (20% The power of the battery 6 is operated using the power of the battery 6 until it decreases to), but the operation of the water heater 1 using the power of the battery 6 at the time of a non-power failure is You may make it carry out only when it becomes more than the threshold value (60%) in STEP3. In this case, the threshold value of STEP 19 is set to 60%, and the threshold value in STEP 16 and the threshold value in STEP 20 (> threshold value in STEP 16) may be set to a value higher than 60%.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the judgment result of STEP2 was affirmative at the time of the commercial power supply non-power failure, the hot water supply apparatus 1 was operated using the electric power of the battery 6. Alternatively, the hot water supply device 1 may always be operated using the power of the commercial power source.

  In addition to charging the battery 6 with the power generated by the solar cell 7 when the commercial power supply is not interrupted, the battery 6 may be charged with the power of the commercial power supply.

  In the embodiment, the switch 10 selectively outputs the AC power of the commercial power supply and the AC power supplied from the battery 6 via the DC / AC converter 9. The power of the DC voltage generated by the rectifier from the AC power and the output voltage (DC voltage) of the battery 6 are selectively output by the switch, and each electronic device is supplied from the output (DC power) by the power supply circuit 11. The power supply voltage may be generated.

  In the embodiment, the hot water supply device 1 is described as an example of the heat source device. However, the heat source device of the present invention may be a hot water heating device or the like in addition to the hot water supply device 1.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot-water supply apparatus (heat source apparatus), 2 ... Hot-water heater main body (heat source machine), 3 (3a, 3b) ... Remote control unit, 6 ... Battery (electric storage device), 7 ... Solar cell, 10 ... Switch (Power supply power switching means) ), 14... Storage amount observation unit (storage amount observation means), 15... Notification control unit (notification control unit), 16... Power source power switching unit (power source power switching unit), 25. Speaker (notifier).

Claims (5)

A heat source unit that is installed outdoors and receives heat from a commercial power source and heats a heat medium supplied indoors by combustion heat, and a remote control unit that is installed indoors for operating the heat source unit A heat source device comprising:
A solar cell mounted on the heat source device;
A capacitor that is connected to the solar cell so that the generated power of the solar cell is charged, and stores electric power for operating the heat source device as a substitute for the electric power of the commercial power source;
A storage amount monitoring means for observing a storage amount of the capacitor;
Notification control means for performing notification according to the storage amount of the capacitor observed by the storage amount observation means at the time of a power failure of the commercial power source via a notification device provided in the remote control unit ;
When the commercial power source is not powered down, the power source power used for operating the heat source unit according to the power storage amount of the power storage unit observed by the power storage amount observation means is the power of the commercial power source and the power storage unit. Power supply power switching means for switching from one of the power to the other, and
At the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the heat source device can be operated using the power of the power storage device until the amount of power stored in the power storage device falls to a predetermined first threshold. In the state where the power source power is switched from the power of the commercial power source to the power of the battery by the power source power switching means, until the amount of power stored in the battery decreases to a predetermined second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, A heat source device configured to be able to execute the operation of the heat source unit using electric power of the battery . The heat source device according to claim 1,
The notification control means determines whether or not the amount of electricity stored in the power storage device is a power storage amount that can operate the heat source device with the power of the power storage device when the commercial power supply fails, and the determination result is positive. A heat source device comprising means for notifying that in a case of at least one of a certain case and a negative case. The heat source device according to claim 1 or 2,
The notification control means stores the power immediately before the power storage amount of the power storage unit immediately before the limit of the power storage amount at which the power storage device can be operated by the power of the power storage device after the start of operation of the heat source device during a power failure of the commercial power source. A heat source characterized by having a means for determining whether or not it is an amount, and informing at least one of a case where the determination result is positive and a case where the determination result is negative apparatus. The heat source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The said notification control means has a means to alert | report that, when switching the power supply electric power used in order to operate a heat source machine, The heat source apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A heat source device comprising a heat source device that heats a heat medium with combustion heat and a remote control unit for operating the heat source device in a state where power is supplied from a commercial power source,
A battery for storing electric power for operating a heat source machine as a substitute for electric power of the commercial power source;
A storage amount monitoring means for observing a storage amount of the capacitor;
Notification control means for performing notification according to the storage amount of the capacitor observed by the storage amount observation means at the time of a power failure of the commercial power source via a notification device provided in the remote control unit ;
When the commercial power source is not powered down, the power source power used for operating the heat source unit according to the power storage amount of the power storage unit observed by the power storage amount observation means is the power of the commercial power source and the power storage unit. Power supply power switching means for switching from one of the power to the other, and
At the time of a power failure of the commercial power supply, the heat source device can be operated using the power of the power storage device until the amount of power stored in the power storage device falls to a predetermined first threshold. In the state where the power source power is switched from the power of the commercial power source to the power of the battery by the power source power switching means, until the amount of power stored in the battery decreases to a predetermined second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, A heat source device configured to be able to execute the operation of the heat source unit using electric power of the battery .

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