JP6015393B2 - Communication system for hot water equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system for remotely operating a hot water apparatus such as a hot water supply apparatus.

An example of a communication system for a hot water apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The communication system described in this document performs wireless communication between a repeater for data communication connected via a communication line to a control unit of a hot water device such as a hot water supply device or a hot water heater, and the repeater. Wireless remote control possible. When predetermined data is wirelessly output by operating the wireless remote controller, this data is received by the repeater and then transmitted to the controller of the hot water apparatus. According to such a configuration, since communication via the repeater is performed, it is possible to widen the remote controllable range of the hot water device using a wireless remote controller.

  However, the prior art still has room for improvement as described below.

  In other words, the wireless remote controller may be carried and used in various places indoors and outdoors such as in the garden, but in the past, these are not related to the distance between the wireless remote controller and the repeater. As long as wireless communication can be performed, remote control of the hot water apparatus using a wireless remote controller can be performed. However, according to such a configuration, for example, when the wireless remote controller is operated at a position relatively distant from the repeater, the case where the hot water apparatus can be appropriately remotely controlled and the case where it is not so And the response to the operation of the wireless remote controller varies. Such a variation in response impairs the reliability and stability of remote operation of the hot water apparatus, and may cause distrust to the user. In the above prior art, for example, the hot water apparatus is actually caused by the fact that the wireless communication state is poor despite the fact that the user has operated the wireless remote controller as a result of remotely operating the hot water apparatus. However, such a situation is not very desirable.

JP 2004-353963 A

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances as described above, avoids variations in responsiveness of remote operation of a hot water apparatus using a wireless remote controller, and causes hot water due to poor wireless communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system for a hot water apparatus that can appropriately prevent the apparatus from being in a situation different from the user's intention.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

A communication system for a hot water apparatus provided by the present invention includes a repeater capable of wired communication with a control unit of the hot water apparatus, and wireless communication between the repeater and the repeater. A wireless remote control capable of remote operation of the hot water device via a wireless communication device for the hot water device, wherein the wireless remote control is within a predetermined short distance from the repeater And when it is determined that the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, it is related to the quality of the wireless communication state between the wireless remote controller and the repeater. And control means for executing control for restricting remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller.

  According to such a configuration, when the wireless remote controller is located away from the repeater and does not exist within a predetermined short distance, wireless communication can be appropriately performed between the wireless remote controller and the repeater. Even so, remote operation of the hot water apparatus using a wireless remote controller is restricted. Therefore, when the wireless remote controller is operated at a position relatively far away from the repeater, the hot water device is appropriately remotely operated due to the quality of wireless communication between the wireless remote controller and the repeater. And the case where the remote control is not properly performed are appropriately solved. Remote operation of the hot water apparatus using a wireless remote controller is possible when the wireless remote controller is disposed at a predetermined short distance from the repeater. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the reliability and stability of the remote operation can be improved without causing variations in the responsiveness of the remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller. It is also possible to appropriately prevent the hot water apparatus from being in a situation different from the user's intention due to poor wireless communication.

  In the present invention, preferably, the repeater is provided with a holder part to which the wireless remote controller can be attached, and the control means, when the wireless remote controller is attached to the holder part, It is determined that a wireless remote controller is present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, and otherwise, is determined that the wireless remote controller is not present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater .

  According to such a configuration, in a state where the wireless remote controller is mounted on the holder portion of the repeater, it is possible to accurately operate the hot water device using the wireless remote controller. In the removed state, the hot water device cannot be remotely operated. Therefore, it becomes clear whether or not the remote operation using the wireless remote controller can be appropriately performed.

  In the present invention, preferably, the wireless remote controller and the repeater communicate more than the first wireless communication circuit in addition to the first wireless communication circuit used for data communication for remotely operating the hot water apparatus. A short-distance second communication circuit having a short possible distance is further provided, and the control means can execute wireless communication using the second communication circuit between the wireless remote controller and the repeater. If not, it is determined that the wireless remote controller is present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. Otherwise, it is determined that the wireless remote controller is not present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. It is configured as follows.

  According to such a configuration, for example, a detection switch using a metal plate for electrical conduction contact is used as a means for determining whether or not the wireless remote controller exists within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. Unnecessary need can be eliminated. This is preferable in order to extend the durable life of the wireless remote controller and the repeater when they are installed in a place such as a kitchen where water is easily splashed. In addition, when the wireless communication using the second wireless communication circuit for short distance is appropriately executed, it is considered that the wireless communication using the first communication circuit is in a condition that can be appropriately executed. In this case, remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller is not restricted, and this remote operation can be performed accurately.

  In the present invention, preferably, when remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller is restricted, the wireless remote controller is notified of that fact.

According to such a configuration, when remote operation of the hot water device is restricted, the user can accurately detect that fact, which is convenient.

  In the present invention, preferably, the wireless remote controller includes a display unit capable of displaying an image and an operation switch, and operates the operation switch according to a display screen of the display unit, whereby the remote controller of the hot water device is operated. When an operation is enabled and the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, an image for guiding remote operation of the hot water device is not displayed on the display unit. It is configured.

  According to such a configuration, when the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, it is possible to appropriately prevent the user from operating the wireless remote controller by mistake when attempting to remotely operate the hot water device. .

  In the present invention, preferably, the wireless remote controller also serves as a monitor for a solar power generation device.

  According to such a structure, compared with the case where the wireless remote controller is configured as a dedicated remote control product for the hot water apparatus, the structure is rational, and energy management for electricity and heat is concentrated in the wireless remote controller. It is also possible.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows an example of the communication system for hot water apparatuses which concerns on this invention. (A), (b) is a schematic perspective view of the radio | wireless remote control and the repeater which comprise the communication system for hot water apparatuses shown in FIG. (A), (b) is a front view which shows the example of the image display of the radio | wireless remote control which comprises the communication system for hot water apparatuses shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control operation procedure performed with the communication system for hot water apparatuses shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  A communication system Sa for a hot water apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a repeater 2 connected to the hot water apparatus 1 via a communication line L1 and a wireless remote controller 4. The repeater 2 and the wireless remote controller 4 have a form as shown in FIG. 2, for example. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the wireless remote controller 4 corresponds to a main remote controller (a so-called kitchen remote controller) for remotely operating the hot water apparatus 1 in a state where the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder 29 provided in the repeater 2. ). The wireless remote controller 4 also serves as a monitor 4 (PV monitor) for the solar power generation device 5 (see FIG. 1).

The hot water device 1 is, for example, an instantaneous gas hot water supply device, and the hardware configuration is the same as that conventionally known. This hot water apparatus 1 performs hot water heating with a gas burner to generate hot water (regardless of types for general hot water supply, bath hot water supply, and heating hot water supply), and operation control in the hot water generation unit 10. A control unit 11 to be executed and a two-core communication circuit 12 are included. In addition to the repeater 2 being connected to the two-core communication circuit 12 via the wiring L1, for example, a bathroom remote controller 3 is also connected to the two-core communication circuit 12 via the wiring L2. The control unit 11 is configured by using, for example, a microcomputer (the same applies to the other control units 21 and 41), and the hot water generation unit 10 according to data transmitted from the repeater 2 or the bathroom remote control 3 is used. The operation can be controlled.

  The wireless remote controller 4 is a portable terminal, and includes a first wireless communication circuit 42, a control unit 41, a second wireless communication circuit 43 for short distance, a non-contact power receiving circuit 44, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The display unit 45, the operation unit 46 having a plurality of operation switches, and the sound output unit 47 are provided. These components are housed or assembled in a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 48 (see also FIG. 2). As described above, the wireless remote controller 4 also serves as a monitor for the solar power generation device 5, but the solar power generation device 5 includes a solar panel 50 and a power conditioner 51. The power conditioner 51 includes, in addition to a power control unit 51a that converts DC power generated using the solar panel 50 into AC power, a power measurement unit 51b for measuring the amount of power generation, and a two-core communication circuit 51c. Have. Data communication using the two-core communication circuits 51c and 12 is possible between the power conditioner 51 and the hot water device 1, and data such as the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 5 is transferred from the power conditioner 51 to the hot water. It is configured to be transmitted to the apparatus 1 and wirelessly transmitted from the hot water apparatus 1 to the wireless remote controller 4 via the repeater 2 (using the first wireless communication circuits 22 and 42). As a result, the display unit 45 of the wireless remote controller 4 can display and output data on the amount of power generation and data related thereto (for example, the amount of power sold to the external power system or the power selling fee). Note that the communication between the power conditioner 51 and the hot water device 1 may be wireless communication.

  A part of the operation unit 46 of the wireless remote controller 4 and the display unit 45 are configured as a touch panel, for example, and a monitor screen related to the solar power generation device 5 by operating this touch panel or another switch different from this. The display items can be switched as appropriate, and the hot water apparatus 1 can be remotely operated under predetermined requirements to be described later.

  The repeater 2 includes a two-core communication circuit 20, a control unit 21, a first wireless communication circuit 22, a short-range second wireless communication circuit 23, a non-contact power feeding circuit 24, and a holder unit 29. Among these, each component except the holder part 29 is incorporated in the housing | casing 28 of a suitable form as shown in FIG. The holder part 29 is a part for mounting the wireless remote controller 4 on the front side of the housing 28. For example, the holder part 29 is formed with a recess 29a in which the lower part of the wireless remote controller 4 can be entered to hold the wireless remote controller 4 upright. ing.

  By using the first wireless communication circuits 22 and 42, the wireless remote controller 4 and the repeater 2 can perform data communication for remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 in addition to the above-described data communication related to solar power generation or the like. ing. As this data, for example, data for executing on / off of the operation switch of the hot water apparatus 1, increase / decrease in hot water supply temperature, automatic hot water bathing, and the like can be cited. When the repeater 2 receives the data for remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 from the wireless remote controller 4, this data or data corresponding thereto is transmitted to the control unit 11 of the hot water apparatus 1 using the two-core communication circuits 20 and 12. Can be sent to. The control unit 11 controls the operation of the hot water device 1 based on the data transmitted from the repeater 2.

  The non-contact power feeding circuit 24 of the repeater 2 and the non-contact power receiving circuit 44 of the wireless remote controller 4 are provided so as to approach each other when the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder unit 29, and these are close to each other. In this case, power is supplied from the non-contact power supply circuit 24 to the non-contact power reception circuit 44. The second wireless communication circuit 43 is turned on when the non-contact power receiving circuit 44 is supplied with power from the non-contact power feeding circuit 24, and has a predetermined procedure for recognizing the other party with the second wireless communication circuit 23. It is configured to start near field communication. The communicable distance of the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 is, for example, several tens of mm.

The control unit 21 of the repeater 2 and the control unit 41 of the wireless remote controller 4 correspond to an example of the “control unit” in the present invention, and a short distance between the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 described above is constant. Based on whether or not the wireless communication is properly established, it is determined whether or not the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder portion 29, and in response to the determination result, as described later, It is configured to execute control for limiting the remote operation function of the device 1.

  Next, the operation of the above-described communication system Sa for the hot water apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 21 of the repeater 2 constantly monitors whether or not short-range communication of a certain procedure using the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 is established, and this communication is established. At this time, it is determined that the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder portion 29 (S1: YES, S2). In this case, the control unit 21 does not instruct the wireless remote controller 4 that the remote operation function of the hot water apparatus 1 should be restricted, and the wireless remote controller 4 is set to a mode in which the hot water apparatus 1 can be remotely operated. (S3). In this state, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, is displayed on the display unit 45 of the wireless remote controller 4, and an image Ia for selecting a monitor display such as an operating state of the solar power generation device 5, An image Ib for selecting hot water supply operation control of the hot water apparatus 1 is displayed, and any one of these can be arbitrarily selected.

  Unlike the above, when the near field communication using the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 is not established, or when the established near field communication is cut off (S1: NO, S4: YES). The control unit 21 of the repeater 2 determines that the wireless remote controller 4 is not attached to the holder unit 29 (S5). In this case, the control unit 21 issues a command to the wireless remote controller 4 to limit the remote operation function of the hot water apparatus 1, and the control unit 41 of the wireless remote control 4 shifts to a mode corresponding to the command ( S6, S7). Note that the function of the wireless remote controller 4 as a PV monitor is not limited.

In the mode in which the remote operation function is limited, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the display unit 45 of the wireless remote controller 4, for example. In this initial screen, an image for remotely operating the hot water device 1 is not displayed. Therefore, even if it is going to operate the hot water apparatus 1 remotely by touch panel type switch operation, such operation is made impossible. Further, on the initial screen, for example, an image Ic for notifying the user that “the wireless remote controller 4 is detached from the repeater 2 and thus the hot water apparatus 1 cannot be remotely operated” is displayed. Is done. This allows the user to easily understand the actual situation and not to be confused.
Unlike the present embodiment, when the wireless remote controller 4 is configured so that the hot water apparatus 1 can be remotely operated by a switch operation different from the touch panel system, the switch operation for remotely operating the hot water apparatus 1 is temporarily performed. When performed, the control unit 41 of the wireless remote controller 4 performs processing for invalidating such an operation. At that time, preferably, the display unit 45 or the sound output unit 47 is used to output an image or sound indicating that the remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 is invalid.

  According to the series of operations as described above, when the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder unit 29, the hot water device 1 can be remotely operated using the wireless remote controller 4, but is removed from the holder unit 29. In this state, remote operation of the hot water device 1 using the wireless remote controller 4 is restricted. Therefore, in a state where the wireless remote controller 4 is detached from the holder portion 29, there are cases where remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 is possible and cases where remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 is impossible, resulting in variations in responsiveness to the remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1. Can be eliminated.

On the other hand, whether or not the wireless remote controller 4 is attached to the holder unit 29 is determined based on whether or not a constant communication is established in the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 for short distance. For this purpose, for example, means for providing a metal terminal on the wireless remote controller 4 or the repeater 2 and determining that the wireless remote controller 4 is mounted on the holder 29 by conducting contact with them (in the present invention, such as this In other words, the waterproof performance can be improved. This is particularly preferable when the wireless remote controller 4 and the repeater 2 are installed in a kitchen or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the communication system for the hot water apparatus according to the present invention can be variously modified within the range intended by the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the wireless remote controller is attached to the holder of the repeater, it is determined that the wireless remote controller is present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. It is not limited. For example, when wireless communication is established between the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43 for a short distance even if they are not attached to the holder unit of the repeater and are only arranged close to the repeater In this case, the remote control of the hot water apparatus may not be restricted on the assumption that the wireless remote controller exists within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. The specific numerical value of “predetermined short distance” in the present invention is not limited. In addition, as a means for detecting whether or not the wireless remote controller is mounted on the holder portion, various contact-type or non-contact-type switches and sensors instead of or in addition to the second wireless communication circuits 23 and 43. Can also be used.

  When the wireless remote controller 4 does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater 2 and the remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1 using the wireless remote controller 4 is restricted, all operations related to the hot water apparatus 1 may not be executed. However, instead of this, for example, some remote operations may be executed. Moreover, the object of regulation is remote operation of the hot water apparatus 1, and the operation status of the hot water apparatus 1 (for example, whether or not the hot water supply operation is currently being performed) may be monitored by the wireless remote controller 4. .

  The wireless remote controller referred to in the present invention does not necessarily have to be used as a PV monitor, and may be configured as a device that also serves as a device other than the PV monitor, or as a remote controller dedicated to remote operation of the hot water apparatus. The wireless communication referred to in the present invention includes infrared communication and the like.

  The hot water apparatus referred to in the present invention is not limited to an instantaneous hot water supply apparatus. For example, a hot water storage system that stores hot water heated using a heat pump or solar heat in a hot water storage tank and discharges hot water from the hot water storage tank, or a gas engine or fuel cell, etc., and uses its exhaust heat And it can also be set as the hot water apparatus as a cogeneration system which performs hot water heating and produces | generates hot water.

Sa Communication system for hot water apparatus 1 Hot water apparatus 2 Repeater 4 Wireless remote controller 5 Solar power generation device 21 Control unit (control means)
22 1st wireless communication circuit 23 2nd wireless communication circuit for short distance 29 Holder part 41 Control part (control means)
42 1st wireless communication circuit 43 2nd wireless communication circuit 45 for short distance Display part 46 Operation part

Claims (6)

A repeater capable of wired communication with the control unit of the hot water device;
A wireless remote controller capable of wireless communication with the repeater and remote operation of the hot water device via the repeater;
A communication system for a hot water device comprising:
When the wireless remote controller determines whether or not the wireless remote controller exists within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, and when it is determined that the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, the wireless remote controller Regardless of whether the wireless communication state between the remote controller and the repeater is good or bad, it comprises a control means for executing control for restricting remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller, Communication system for hot water equipment. A communication system for a hot water device according to claim 1,
The repeater is provided with a holder part to which the wireless remote controller can be attached,
The control means determines that the wireless remote controller is present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater when the wireless remote controller is mounted on the holder unit, and otherwise, the wireless remote controller A communication system for a hot water apparatus configured to determine that the relay does not exist within a predetermined short distance. A communication system for a hot water device according to claim 1 or 2,
In addition to the first wireless communication circuit used for data communication for remotely operating the hot water device, the wireless remote controller and the repeater are for short distance communication with a shorter communicable distance than the first wireless communication circuit. The second communication circuit is further provided,
When the wireless communication using the second communication circuit is executable between the wireless remote controller and the repeater, the control means is present within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. If not, a communication system for a hot water apparatus configured to determine that the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater. A communication system for a hot water device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A communication system for a hot water apparatus configured such that when the remote operation of the hot water apparatus using the wireless remote controller is restricted, the wireless remote controller is notified of that fact. A communication system for a hot water device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The wireless remote controller includes a display unit capable of displaying an image and an operation switch, and the hot water device can be remotely operated by operating the operation switch according to a display screen of the display unit. ,
When the wireless remote controller does not exist within a predetermined short distance from the repeater, an image for guiding the remote operation of the hot water device is not displayed on the display unit. Communication system. A communication system for a hot water device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The wireless remote controller is a communication system for a hot water device that also serves as a monitor for a solar power generation device.

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