JP6763308B2 - Water heater control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water heater control system.

As an example, a hot water storage type water heater is controlled to operate during nighttime hours when power consumption is low in order to promote leveling of power load in a power company. Patent Document 1 describes a water heater control device that controls a plurality of hot water storage type water heaters in order to promote leveling of electric power load.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-64602

When the hot water storage type water heater is always controlled by the water heater control device described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the hot water storage type water heater cannot perform the operation desired by the user. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the usability of the hot water storage type water heater is deteriorated. In such a case, the hot water storage type water heater is set so as not to be directly controlled by, for example, the above-mentioned water heater control device in order to improve the usability of the hot water storage type water heater. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for appropriately operating a water heater that cannot be directly controlled by the water heater control device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a water heater control system capable of appropriately operating a water heater that cannot be directly controlled from an external device in a water heater control system for promoting leveling of power load. To get.

The water heater control system according to the present invention is a first hot water storage operation that increases the amount of heat stored in the first tank during the first time zone and the second time zone when the electricity charge is higher than that of the first time zone. It depends on the device, the second hot water storage device that performs the hot water storage operation that increases the amount of heat stored in the second tank during the first and second time zones, the time zone of the hot water storage operation by the first hot water storage device, and the second hot water storage device. No. 1 so that the time zone of the hot water storage operation does not overlap, or the total amount of power consumption of the hot water storage operation by the first hot water storage device and the total power consumption of the hot water storage operation by the second hot water storage device is less than or equal to the preset standard . 1 A system control means for transmitting an instruction for controlling a hot water storage device and a second hot water storage device, and a first control based on the first instruction when a first instruction for controlling the first hot water storage device is received from the system control means. A notification means for notifying the user of the second hot water storage device of the information of the first hot water storage control means for controlling the first hot water storage device and the second instruction for controlling the second hot water storage device transmitted from the system control means. And a second hot water storage control means for controlling the second hot water storage device based on the setting by the user , the first hot water storage device is directly controlled by the system control means, and the second hot water storage device is , It is not directly controlled by the system control means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a water heater control system capable of appropriately operating a water heater that cannot be directly controlled from an external device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the water heater control system of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the control device of the water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the calculation method of the heat storage amount of the tank of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication state of the water heater, the HEMS device and the system control device of Embodiment 1, and the operation state of a water heater. It is a figure which shows the HEMS device display part of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the system control device with respect to the 2nd HEMS device of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the 2nd HEMS device of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the 2nd control device of the 2nd water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the system control device with respect to the 1st HEMS device of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the 1st HEMS device of Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation of the 1st control device of the 1st water heater of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation of the 1st water heater, the 2nd water heater and the 3rd water heater included in the water heater control system of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation of the 1st water heater, the 2nd water heater and the 3rd water heater included in the water heater control system of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the system control device of Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the system control device of Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the modification of the water heater control system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same part or the corresponding parts. In the present disclosure, duplicate description will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. It should be noted that the present disclosure may include any combination of configurations that can be combined among the configurations described in each of the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water heater control system 1 according to the first embodiment. The water heater control system 1 includes, for example, a first water heater 150a, a second water heater 150b, and a third water heater 150c, as shown in FIG. In the present disclosure, the first water heater 150a, the second water heater 150b, or the third water heater 150c is also simply referred to as a water heater without a reference numeral. The water heater control system 1 includes a plurality of water heaters.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the water heater of the first embodiment. The first water heater 150a includes, for example, a first heat pump unit 151a and a first tank unit 152a. The first heat pump unit 151a is an example of a heat source machine which is a device for heating water. The first tank unit 152a has a tank 153 in which high-temperature water heated by the first heat pump unit 151a is stored.

The first heat pump unit 151a includes, for example, a compressor, a heat exchanger for hot water supply, an expansion valve, an air heat exchanger, and the like inside. The compressor, the heat exchanger for hot water supply, the expansion valve and the air heat exchanger are connected in an annular shape by, for example, piping. A refrigerant such as carbon dioxide flows through this pipe. A compressor, a heat exchanger for hot water supply, an expansion valve and an air heat exchanger constitute a heat pump cycle. The first heat pump unit 151a is a heat source machine capable of heating water by utilizing this heat pump cycle.

In the tank 153 of the first tank unit 152a, for example, water is stored so that a temperature difference occurs between the upper part and the lower part. Hot water is stored in the upper part of the tank 153. In the lower part of the tank 153, low-temperature water having a temperature lower than that of the water stored in the upper part of the tank 153 is stored.

The tank 153 is formed with, for example, a low temperature water inlet 154, a low temperature water outlet 155, a high temperature water inlet 156, and a high temperature water outlet 157. The cold water inlet 154 and the cold water outlet 155 are formed in the lower part of the tank 153 as shown in FIG. The hot water inlet 156 and the hot water outlet 157 are formed on the upper part of the tank 153.

One end of the first pipe 158 is connected to the low temperature water inlet 154. The other end of the first pipe 158 is connected to an external water source of the first water heater 150a. The water source is, for example, a water supply. The first pipe 158 is a pipe for supplying low temperature water from the water source to the lower part in the tank 153.

One end of the second pipe 159 is connected to the low temperature water outlet 155. The other end of the second pipe 159 is connected to the inlet of the first heat pump unit 151a. One end of the third pipe 160 is connected to the outlet of the first heat pump unit 151a. The other end of the third pipe 160 is connected to the high temperature water inlet 156.

The second pipe 159 is a pipe for supplying the low temperature water stored in the lower part of the tank 153 to the first heat pump unit 151a. The third pipe 160 is a pipe for supplying the water heated by the first heat pump unit 151a to the upper part in the tank 153. In the present embodiment, the first heat pump unit 151a and the first tank unit 152a are connected by a second pipe 159, a third pipe 160, electrical wiring (not shown), or the like.

Further, the first water heater 150a of the present embodiment includes a first pump 161a. The first pump 161a is provided in the second pipe 159 as an example. The first pump 161a is a device that circulates the water stored in the tank 153. The first pump 161a is provided in the first tank unit 152a, for example, as shown in FIG. The first pump 161a may be arranged outside the first tank unit 152a. The first pump 161a may be provided, for example, in the first heat pump unit 151a, the third pipe 160, or the like.

When the first pump 161a is driven, the low-temperature water stored in the lower part of the tank 153 flows from the low-temperature water outlet 155 to the second pipe 159. The low-temperature water flowing through the second pipe 159 is supplied to the first heat pump unit 151a. The low-temperature water supplied to the first heat pump unit 151a is heated by the first heat pump unit 151a.

The water heated by the first heat pump unit 151a heats up to become hot water. This hot water flows from the first heat pump unit 151a to the third pipe 160. The hot water flowing through the third pipe 160 is supplied from the hot water inlet 156 to the upper part in the tank 153. In this way, hot water is stored in the tank 153.

That is, in the present embodiment, high-temperature water is stored in the tank 153 by operating the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a. The first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a are examples of hot water storage devices. The hot water storage device is a device that raises the temperature of the water in the tank 153. That is, the hot water storage device increases the amount of heat stored in the water in the tank 153. In the present disclosure, the operation of the hot water storage device to increase the heat storage amount of the water by raising the temperature of the water is referred to as a hot water storage operation.

Further, the first tank unit 152a includes a mixing valve 162 as an example. The mixing valve 162 is a device having two inlets and one outlet. In the present embodiment, one end of the fourth pipe 163 is connected to the high temperature water outlet 157 of the tank 153. The other end of the fourth pipe 163 is connected to one of the two inlets of the mixing valve 162.

One end of the fifth pipe 164 is connected to the other of the two inlets of the mixing valve 162. As shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the fifth pipe 164 is connected in the middle of the first pipe 158. Further, one end of the sixth pipe 165 is connected to the outlet of the mixing valve 162. The other end of the sixth pipe 165 is connected to, for example, a hot water supply terminal. The hot water supply terminal includes, for example, a faucet and a bathtub.

For example, when the hot water supply terminal connected to the other end of the sixth pipe 165 is operated by the user, the high temperature water stored in the upper part of the tank 153 flows to the fourth pipe 163. The hot water flowing through the fourth pipe 163 is supplied to the mixing valve 162.

When the high-temperature water stored in the upper part of the tank 153 flows into the fourth pipe 163, the low-temperature water flows into the first pipe 158 due to the pressure from the water source. A part of the low temperature water flowing through the first pipe 158 is supplied from the low temperature water inlet 154 to the lower part in the tank 153. The lower part of the tank 153 is supplied with cold water having the same volume as the hot water flowing from the upper part of the tank 153 to the fourth pipe 163.

Further, a part of the low temperature water flowing through the first pipe 158 flows to the fifth pipe 164. The low temperature water flowing through the fifth pipe 164 is supplied to the mixing valve 162. That is, when the hot water supply terminal is operated by the user, low-temperature water and high-temperature water are supplied to the mixing valve 162. The hot water and the cold water supplied to the mixing valve 162 are mixed in the mixing valve 162.

In the mixing valve 162, hot water at an appropriate temperature is generated by mixing hot water and cold water. This hot water is supplied to the hot water supply terminal via the sixth pipe 165. In this way, the first water heater 150a of the present embodiment supplies hot water according to the operation of the hot water supply terminal by the user. The hot water supplied by the first water heater 150a is used, for example, for hot water filling a bathtub, which is an example of a hot water supply terminal.

Further, the temperature sensor 170a, the temperature sensor 170b, the temperature sensor 170c, the temperature sensor 170d, and the temperature sensor 170e are attached to the tank 153 of the present embodiment in this order from the top. The temperature sensors 170a to 170e are arranged along the vertical direction of the tank 153. The temperature sensors 170a to 170e detect the temperature of the water stored in the tank 153. The temperature sensors 170a to 170e are an example of means for detecting the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the tank 153.

Further, the first water heater 150a includes a first control device 180a. The first control device 180a is provided inside, for example, the first tank unit 152a. The first control device 180a is a device for controlling the operation of the first water heater 150a. The first control device 180a is connected to, for example, the first heat pump unit 151a, the first pump 161a, and the mixing valve 162. The first control device 180a of the present embodiment controls the first heat pump unit 151a, the first pump 161a, and the mixing valve 162.

The first control device 180a of the present embodiment has a control unit 181a and a storage unit 182a. In FIG. 1 in the present disclosure, the control unit 181a and the storage unit 182a are not shown. Various information about the first water heater 150a is stored in the storage unit 182a. Further, the storage unit 182a stores in advance a program for controlling the operation of the first water heater 150a. The control unit 181a controls the first heat pump unit 151a, the first pump 161a, and the mixing valve 162 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 182a.

Further, the first control device 180a of the present embodiment has a function of calculating and monitoring the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the tank 153. Here, the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the tank 153 at a certain point in time is also simply referred to as the amount of heat stored in the present disclosure. Further, the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the tank 153 is also referred to as the amount of heat stored in the first water heater 150a in the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a function of the control device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the first control device 180a has, for example, a heat storage amount calculation unit 183a that calculates the heat storage amount. In FIG. 2 in the present disclosure, the illustration of the heat storage amount calculation unit 183a is omitted.

The first control device 180a of the present embodiment is connected to the temperature sensors 170a to 170e. The heat storage amount calculation unit 183a of the first control device 180a acquires water temperature information from the temperature sensors 170a to 170e connected to the first control device 180a. The heat storage amount calculation unit 183a calculates the heat storage amount based on the acquired water temperature information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating the heat storage amount of the tank according to the first embodiment. As described above, the temperature sensor 170a, the temperature sensor 170b, the temperature sensor 170c, the temperature sensor 170d, and the temperature sensor 170e are attached to the tank 153 in this order from the top. The temperature sensor 170a detects the temperature of the upper end of the water stored in the tank 153. The temperature sensor 170e detects the temperature at the lower end of the water stored in the tank 153. As shown in FIG. 4, the tank 153 is divided in the vertical direction by a plurality of division sections set based on the positions of the temperature sensors 170a to 170e.

The temperature sensors 170a to 170e send the detected water temperature information to the heat storage amount calculation unit 183a. The heat storage amount calculation unit 183a calculates the heat storage amount of the water stored in each of the divided sections shown in FIG. 4 based on the information acquired from the temperature sensors 170a to 170e. Further, the heat storage amount calculation unit 183a adds up the heat storage amount of the water stored in each divided section, and calculates this total value as the heat storage amount of the entire tank 153. The method for calculating the amount of heat storage is not limited to the example shown in this embodiment.

The heat storage amount calculation unit 183a of the present embodiment periodically calculates the heat storage amount, and stores the information of the heat storage amount in the storage unit 182a. The control unit 181a periodically monitors the information on the amount of heat storage stored in the storage unit 182a. The control unit 181a controls the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a, which are hot water storage devices, based on the heat storage amount information stored in the storage unit 182a.

For example, preset minimum calorific value information is stored in the storage unit 182a of the first control device 180a. This minimum amount of heat is set as the minimum amount of heat required for the first water heater 150a not to run out of hot water. Further, the storage unit 182a stores, for example, information on a preset target calorific value. This target calorific value is set as a sufficient calorific value so that the first water heater 150a does not run out of hot water.

The control unit 181a controls the hot water storage device based on the heat storage amount information, the minimum heat amount information, and the target heat amount information stored in the storage unit 182a. The amount of heat stored in the tank 153 varies when the user uses the first water heater 150a. For example, when the heat storage amount of the tank 153 is less than the minimum heat amount, the control unit 181a causes the hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation. The control unit 181a stops the hot water storage device, for example, when the heat storage amount of the tank 153 exceeds the target heat storage amount. This prevents running out of hot water.

Further, the heat storage amount calculation unit 183a has a function of calculating the amount of residual hot water. The amount of residual hot water is a value obtained by converting the amount of heat stored in the water in the tank 153 into the volume of water having a specific reference temperature. The heat storage amount calculation unit 183a periodically calculates the amount of residual hot water, and stores the information on the amount of residual hot water in the storage unit 182a.

Further, the first control device 180a of the present embodiment has a heat consumption calculation unit 184a. The heat used calculation unit 184a calculates the heat used, which is the heat of water used from the tank 153 in a certain period of time. The heat consumption calculation unit 184a calculates, for example, the daily heat consumption.

The heat consumption calculation unit 184a calculates the heat consumption amount based on the heat storage amount information stored in the storage unit 182a. The heat consumption calculation unit 184a calculates the heat storage amount from, for example, the heat storage amount at the first time and the heat storage amount at the second time. The first time is set, for example, as the end time of the night time zone. The second time is set, for example, as the start time of the night time zone. The night time zone is an example of the first time zone, and is a time zone set as a time zone in which the unit price of electricity is cheaper in 24 hours.

The night time zone is set, for example, from 23:00 to 7:00. The first time is, for example, 7 o'clock. The second time is, for example, 23:00. The heat consumption calculation unit 184a calculates the difference between the heat storage amount at the first time and the heat storage amount at the second time as the heat storage amount. That is, in this example, the calorific value of water used by the user during the daytime time zone, which is a time zone other than the nighttime time zone, is calculated as the calorific value used. This daytime time zone is an example of the second time zone, and is a time zone in which electricity charges are higher than the night time zone.

As described above, the control unit 181a causes the hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation when the heat storage amount of the tank 153 is lower than the minimum heat storage amount. That is, the hot water storage operation may be performed during the daytime. When the hot water storage operation is performed in the daytime time zone, the heat consumption calculation unit 184a calculates the heat storage amount of the tank 153 increased by the hot water storage operation in the daytime time zone as an additional heat amount. When the hot water storage operation is performed during the daytime, the heat storage calculation unit 184a calculates the difference between the heat storage amount at the first time and the heat storage amount at the second time plus the additional heat amount as the heat storage amount. To do.

The additional heat amount is obtained, for example, as the product of the heat storage amount that increases per unit time due to the hot water storage operation and the time during which the hot water storage operation is performed. The amount of heat storage that increases per unit time due to the hot water storage operation is determined by the characteristics of equipment such as the first heat pump unit 151a.

The information on the amount of heat used calculated by the amount of heat used calculation unit 184a is stored in the storage unit 182a. The control unit 181a of the present embodiment causes the hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation based on the information of the amount of heat used stored in the storage unit 182a. As an example, the control unit 181a causes the hot water storage device to perform a hot water storage operation so that the heat storage amount of the tank 153 increases by the amount of heat used or more during the night time.

The control unit 181a causes the hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation, for example, at the nighttime operation start time. The nighttime operation start time is set in advance in the storage unit 182a, for example. The night operation start time is set as, for example, the start time of the night time zone. The nighttime operation start time is, for example, 23:00.

The control unit 181a of the present embodiment has a function of calculating the hot water storage operation time required for increasing the heat storage amount of the tank 153 by the amount of heat used or more. For example, when this time is 5 hours, the control unit 181a sets 23:00 to 4:00 as the night driving time zone. As an example, the control unit 181a causes the hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation during this nighttime operation time zone.

The storage unit 182a may be set to the night operation end time instead of the night operation start time. The control unit 181a sets the night operation time zone so that the heat storage amount of the tank 153 increases by the amount of heat used or more at the end time of the night operation. The nighttime driving end time is, for example, 7 o'clock. As an example, the control unit 181a sets 2:00 to 7:00 as the night operation time zone.

In this way, the first control device 180a calculates and monitors the amount of heat stored in the tank 153. In addition, the first control device 180a calculates the amount of heat used. The first control device 180a of the present embodiment controls the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a, which are hot water storage devices, according to the amount of heat stored in the tank 153 and the calculated amount of heat used.

The first water heater 150a of the present embodiment includes a first controller 190a connected to the first control device 180a configured as described above. The first controller 190a is provided outside, for example, the first heat pump unit 151a and the first tank unit 152a. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first controller 180a and the first controller 190a are communicably connected to each other.

The first controller 190a has an operation unit 191a. The user can operate the first water heater 150a by the operation unit 191a. For example, the user can set the hot water supply temperature, which is the temperature of the water supplied from the hot water supply terminal, by the operation unit 191a. This hot water supply temperature is stored in, for example, the storage unit 182a. The control unit 181a of the present embodiment controls the mixing valve 162 so that the water having the hot water supply temperature stored in the storage unit 182a is supplied to the hot water supply terminal.

Further, the user can set, for example, the amount of hot water supplied and the amount of hot water supplied by the operation unit 191a. The amount of hot water supplied is the amount of water used from the hot water supply terminal during the daytime hours. The amount of hot water is the amount of water supplied to the bathtub when hot water is applied to the bathtub, which is an example of a hot water supply terminal. In addition, the user can set the bath temperature, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the bathtub, by the operation unit 191a. The first controller 190a of the present embodiment has a controller display unit 192a that displays the hot water supply temperature, the hot water supply amount, the hot water supply amount, and the bath temperature set by the user.

In the present embodiment, the configurations of the second water heater 150b and the third water heater 150c are the same as the configurations of the first water heater 150a described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the second water heater 150b includes a second tank unit 152b. The third water heater 150c includes a third tank unit 152c. The second tank unit 152b and the third tank unit 152c are configured in the same manner as the first tank unit 152a.

The second tank unit 152b and the third tank unit 152c have a device for storing water similar to the tank 153. That is, water is stored in the second tank unit 152b and the third tank unit 152c. In the present disclosure, the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the second tank unit 152b is also referred to as the amount of heat stored in the second water heater 150b. Further, in the present disclosure, the amount of heat stored in the water stored in the third tank unit 152c is also referred to as the amount of heat stored in the third water heater 150c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the second water heater 150b includes a second heat pump unit 151b and a second pump 161b, which are examples of a hot water storage device that increases the amount of heat stored in the second water heater 150b. The third water heater 150c includes a third heat pump unit 151c and a third pump 161c, which are examples of a hot water storage device that increases the amount of heat stored in the third water heater 150c. The second heat pump unit 151b and the second pump 161b can perform hot water storage operation. Similarly, the third heat pump unit 151c and the third pump 161c can perform hot water storage operation.

The second water heater 150b includes a second control device 180b. The second control device 180b is the same device as the first control device 180a. The second control device 180b controls the second heat pump unit 151b and the second pump 161b. Further, the third water heater 150c includes a third control device 180c. The third control device 180c controls the third heat pump unit 151c and the third pump 161c.

Further, the second control device 180b has a function of calculating the amount of heat used by the second water heater 150b and the amount of residual hot water in the second water heater 150b, similarly to the first control device 180a. The third control device 180c has a function of calculating the amount of heat used by the third water heater 150c and the amount of residual hot water of the third water heater 150c.

Further, the second water heater 150b includes a second controller 190b as shown in FIG. The third water heater 150c includes a third controller 190c. The second controller 190b and the third controller 190c are the same devices as the first controller 190a. The second controller 190b is connected to the second controller 180b. The third controller 190c is connected to the third controller 180c. A more detailed description of the configuration of the second water heater 150b and the third water heater 150c will be omitted in the present disclosure.

Further, the water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a first HEMS device 200a. HEMS is an abbreviation for home energy management system. The first HEMS device 200a is an example of a communication device that communicates with the first water heater 150a. The first HEMS device 200a manages, for example, the operating state and power consumption of the first water heater 150a. Further, the first HEMS device 200a is connected to a plurality of home appliances including, for example, the first water heater 150a.

The first HEMS device 200a is connected to the first control device 180a, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The first HEMS device 200a and the first control device 180a can communicate with each other. The first HEMS device 200a periodically receives information on the amount of remaining hot water in the first water heater 150a from the first control device 180a.

In the present embodiment, the first HEMS device 200a has a function of transmitting an operation prohibition instruction. The first control device 180a causes the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a to prohibit the hot water storage operation based on the operation prohibition instruction received from the first HEMS device 200a. For example, when the first control device 180a receives this operation prohibition instruction, the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a prohibit the hot water storage operation for a certain period of time.

Further, the first HEMS device 200a has a function of calculating the set hot water storage amount. This set hot water storage amount is a threshold value for determining the time point at which the above-mentioned operation prohibition instruction is transmitted. The set hot water storage amount is the volume of water at a reference temperature having a preset heat storage amount. The first HEMS device 200a of the present embodiment transmits, for example, an operation prohibition instruction when the amount of remaining hot water of the first water heater 150a exceeds the set hot water storage amount during the night time zone. The first HEMS device 200a calculates the set hot water storage amount based on, for example, the hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply amount set by the operation unit 191a.

The water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment further includes, for example, a second HEMS device 200b and a third HEMS device 200c. The second HEMS device 200b and the third HEMS device 200c are the same devices as the first HEMS device 200a. The second HEMS device 200b communicates with the second water heater 150b. The third HEMS device 200c communicates with the third water heater 150c.

The second HEMS device 200b is connected to the second control device 180b. The second HEMS device 200b and the second control device 180b can communicate with each other. The third HEMS device 200c is connected to the third control device 180c. The third HEMS device 200c and the third control device 180c can communicate with each other. The first HEMS device 200a periodically receives information on the amount of remaining hot water in the first water heater 150a from the first control device 180a. The third HEMS device 200c periodically receives information on the amount of remaining hot water in the third water heater 150c from the third control device 180c.

Further, the second HEMS device 200b and the third HEMS device 200c have a function of calculating the set hot water storage amount and a function of transmitting an operation prohibition instruction.

The water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment includes a system control device 300 connected to the first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, and the third HEMS device 200c. The system control device 300 transmits / receives information to / from the first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, and the third HEMS device 200c. The first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, the third HEMS device 200c, and the system control device 300 are examples of system control means for controlling the entire water heater control system 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system control device 300 may be connected to the first control device 180a so as to be able to communicate with the first control device 180a. The system control device 300 may be connected to the second control device 180b. The system control device 300 may be connected to the third control device 180c.

Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, the first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, or the third HEMS device 200c are also simply referred to as HEMS devices without reference numerals. Further, in the present disclosure, the first control device 180a, the second control device 180b, or the third control device 180c is also simply referred to as a control device without a reference numeral. That is, the HEMS device communicates with the control device of the water heater. The HEMS device acquires information on the amount of remaining hot water in the water heater from the control device of the water heater.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state of the water heater, the HEMS device, and the system control device of the first embodiment and an operating state of the water heater. In FIG. 5, the water heater means the first water heater 150a, the second water heater 150b, or the third water heater 150c. In FIG. 5, the HEMS device means one of the first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, and the third HEMS device 200c that communicates with the above-mentioned water heater.

As described above, the HEMS device calculates the set hot water storage amount based on the hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply amount set by the operation unit 191a. The calculated hot water storage amount information is stored in the HEMS device. Further, the HEMS device transmits the calculated information on the set hot water storage amount to the system control device 300.

Upon receiving the information on the set hot water storage amount from the HEMS device, the system control device 300 transmits an operation shift instruction to the HEMS device. In the present embodiment, the system control device 300 transmits an operation shift instruction to, for example, the first HEMS device 200a, the second HEMS device 200b, and the third HEMS device 200c. The operation shift instruction is for shifting the time zone in which the hot water storage operation is performed by each water heater. The HEMS device transmits the received operation shift instruction to the control device of the water heater. The control device of the water heater controls the hot water storage device of the water heater based on the received operation shift instruction.

This operation shift instruction includes information on the first hour, which is the time when the hot water storage device performs the hot water storage operation during the night time, and information on the second hour, which is the time when the hot water storage device performs the hot water storage operation during the daytime. .. The system control device 300 calculates the first time and the second time based on the set hot water storage amount. The HEMS device transmits an operation shift instruction including information on the first time and the second time to the control device of the water heater. The control device of the water heater causes the hot water storage device of the water heater to perform the hot water storage operation for the first hour during the night time and the hot water storage operation for the second hour during the daytime. As a result, the hot water storage operation of each water heater is executed for an appropriate time based on the set hot water storage amount.

Further, the system control device 300 operates each water heater so that the time zones of the hot water storage operation of each water heater do not overlap or the total power consumption of each water heater is equal to or less than a preset standard. Set the prohibited time zone. The operation prohibited time zone is a time zone in which the operation of the water heater is prohibited. By setting the operation prohibition time zone for each water heater, it is possible to prevent the power load of the entire water heater control system 1 from being concentratedly increased at a specific time. The information of this driving prohibition time zone is included in the driving shift instruction.

Further, the system control device 300 has a function of calculating the time of the hot water storage operation required for the heat storage amount of the water heater to increase by the amount of heat used or more in one day, similarly to the control unit 181a described above. In the present disclosure, this time is referred to as a required time. The system control device 300 may calculate the time obtained by subtracting the time during which the hot water storage device has performed the hot water storage operation in the latest night time zone from this required time as the second time.

Further, the system control device 300 sets an additional operation time zone. The additional operation time zone is a time zone in which the water heater performs the hot water storage operation again for the second hour in the daytime time zone after the end of the operation prohibition time zone. The hot water storage operation performed by the water heater again during the daytime is referred to as an additional operation in this disclosure. Due to this additional operation, even if the hot water storage operation of the water heater is prohibited as described above, each water heater does not run out of hot water. For example, the system control device 300 sets the additional operation time zone so that the additional operation time zones of the water heaters do not overlap with each other. Information on the additional driving time zone is included in the driving shift instruction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the HEMS device periodically receives information on the amount of remaining hot water from the control device of the water heater. The HEMS device receives information on the amount of remaining hot water, for example, every hour. The HEMS device monitors the amount of remaining hot water in the water heater based on the received information. The HEMS device sends an operation prohibition instruction when the amount of remaining hot water in the water heater exceeds the set amount of hot water stored. The control device that receives the operation prohibition instruction causes the hot water storage device to prohibit the hot water storage operation for a certain period of time.

Further, the HEMS device transmits an additional operation instruction and an additional operation release instruction to the control device of the water heater based on the additional operation time zone included in the received operation shift instruction. The control device of the water heater causes the hot water storage device of the water heater to perform additional operation from the time when the additional operation instruction is received until the additional operation release instruction is received.

Further, the HEMS device of the present embodiment may have a function of setting a nighttime operation time zone, similarly to the control unit 181a described above. The calculation of the second time may be done by the HEMS device. The HEMS device sets the night operation time zone so that the above-mentioned required time elapses at the end time of the night time zone, for example. The HEMS device may calculate, for example, the time from the time when the operation prohibition instruction is transmitted to the end time of the night time zone as the second time. The HEMS device may transmit an additional operation instruction and an additional operation release instruction to the control device of the water heater so that the additional operation is performed only for this second hour.

Further, the first HEMS device 200a of the present embodiment includes a first HEMS display unit 210a. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the HEMS display unit of the first embodiment. The first HEMS display unit 210a includes, for example, a first display unit 211a, a second display unit 212a, and a third display unit 213a. The first display unit 211a displays the set hot water storage amount. The second display unit 212a displays the operation prohibited time zone. The third display unit 213a displays the additional operation time zone. The first display unit 211a, the second display unit 212a, and the third display unit 213a are examples of the notification means for notifying the information of the operation shift instruction.

Further, the first HEMS display unit 210a may include, for example, a fourth display unit 214a, a fifth display unit 215a, a sixth display unit 216a, and a seventh display unit 217a. The fourth display unit 214a displays the hot water supply temperature set by the user. The fifth display unit 215a displays the bath temperature set by the user. The sixth display unit 216a displays the amount of hot water set by the user. The seventh display unit 217a displays the amount of hot water supplied by the user.

The second HEMS device 200b has a second HEMS display unit 210b similar to the first HEMS display unit 210a. The third HEMS device 200c has a third HEMS display unit 210c similar to the first HEMS display unit 210a. The first display unit 211a, the second display unit 212a, and the third display unit 213a may be provided in, for example, the first controller 190a, the second controller 190b, the third controller 190c, and the like. The notification means for notifying the information of the operation shift instruction is not limited to the first display unit 211a, the second display unit 212a, and the third display unit 213a in the present embodiment.

Next, the features of the water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

For example, if the water heater is always controlled based on the operation shift instruction, the convenience of the water heater may be reduced. Therefore, the user may not want the water heater to be controlled based on the operation shift instruction transmitted from the system control device 300. In this case, the water heater is set so as not to be controlled based on the operation shift instruction.

Further, depending on the installation state of the water heater, the HEMS device, and the system control device 300, the water heater may not be able to be controlled based on the operation shift instruction. That is, the water heater control system 1 may include a water heater that cannot be directly controlled by the HEMS device and the system control device 300, which are system control means.

Hereinafter, the operation of the water heater control system 1 will be described with reference to an example in which the first water heater 150a is directly controlled by the system control means and the second water heater 150b is not directly controlled by the system control means. To do. In this example, the first heat pump unit 151a and the first pump 161a are referred to as a first hot water storage device. Further, the second heat pump unit 151b and the second pump 161b are referred to as a second hot water storage device. The first control device 180a is an example of the first hot water storage control means for controlling the first hot water storage device. The second control device 180b is an example of the second hot water storage control means for controlling the second hot water storage device.

First, an operation example of the system control device 300, the second HEMS device 200b, and the second water heater 150b will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the system control device 300 with respect to the second HEMS device 200b of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the second HEMS device 200b according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the second control device 180b of the second water heater 150b of the first embodiment.

As described above, the second control device 180b of the present embodiment calculates the amount of heat used (step S301). The second control device 180b transmits the calculated heat consumption information to the second HEMS device 200b. Further, the second control device 180b sets the nighttime operation time zone based on the calculated amount of heat used (step S302). The second control device 180b causes the second hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation based on the set nighttime operation time zone (step S303).

The second HEMS device 200b, which has received the information on the amount of heat used from the second controller 180b, calculates the set amount of hot water stored based on the hot water supply temperature and the amount of hot water supplied by the second controller 190b (step S201). The second HEMS device 200b transmits the calculated set hot water storage amount information and the received heat consumption amount information to the system control device 300 (step S202).

Upon receiving the information on the set hot water storage amount and the heat consumption amount, the system control device 300 creates an operation shift instruction based on the received information (step S101). The system control device 300 transmits the created operation shift instruction to the second HEMS device 200b (step S102). This operation shift instruction is an example of the second instruction for controlling the second hot water storage device.

The second HEMS device 200b notifies the received operation shift instruction information by the first display unit 211a, the second display unit 212a, and the third display unit 213a, which are examples of the notification means (step S203).

After the information of the operation shift instruction is notified in step S203, the user of the second water heater 150b operates, for example, the second controller 190b, which is an example of the input means, to change the setting of the second hot water storage device. Can be maintained. The setting of the second hot water storage operation is saved in the second control device 180b according to the operation by the user (step S304).

If the user does not operate the second controller 190b, the state of the second hot water storage device is not changed from the time when the operation shift instruction information is notified. The second control device 180b transmits the setting information of the second hot water storage device at the time of step S304 to the second HEMS device 200b (step S305). Further, the second control device 180b controls the second hot water storage device based on the setting by the user (step S306).

In this example, when the information of the operation shift instruction is notified, the user can set the second hot water storage device to operate based on this information. Further, when the information of the operation shift instruction is notified, the user can set the second hot water storage device to operate without following the operation shift instruction. Further, when the information of the driving shift instruction is notified, the user can also make a setting based on the notified information. Further, the user may not change the setting of the second hot water storage device before and after the information included in the operation shift instruction is notified. As described above, in this example, the second hot water storage device that cannot be directly controlled by the second HEMS device 200b and the system control device 300 by notifying the information of the operation shift instruction which is an example of the second instruction. The second water heater 150b provided with the above operates more appropriately.

Here, the second controller 190b inputs the first input when the user operates the second controller 190b so that the second hot water storage device operates based on the operation shift instruction. Further, the second controller 190b inputs the second input when the user operates the second controller 190b so that the second hot water storage device operates without following the operation shift instruction. Further, the second controller 190b also inputs the second input even if the second controller 190b is not operated within a certain period of time after the information of the operation shift instruction is notified.

When the second HEMS device 200b receives the information on the setting of the second hot water storage device, it determines whether or not the operation for changing the setting of the second hot water storage device by the second controller 190b has been performed in step S304 based on the information. Step S204). When the second HEMS device 200b determines that the second controller 190b has not been operated, it transmits the second input information to the system control device 300 (step S205). The second input information is information indicating that the second input has been input from the second controller 190b.

When the second HEMS device 200b determines that the second controller 190b has been operated, the second HEMS device 200b determines the operation. The second HEMS device 200b determines whether the operation of the second controller 190b is an operation for operating the second hot water storage device according to the operation shift instruction (step S206).

When the operation of the second controller 190b is an operation for operating the second hot water storage device according to the operation shift instruction, the second HEMS device 200b transmits the first input information to the system control device 300 (step S207). The first input information is information indicating that the first input has been input from the second controller 190b. Further, the second HEMS device 200b transmits the second input information to the system control device 300 when the operation of the second controller 190b is an operation for operating the second hot water storage device without following the operation shift instruction. To do.

Next, an operation example of the system control device 300, the first HEMS device 200a, and the first water heater 150a will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the system control device 300 with respect to the first HEMS device 200a of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the first HEMS device 200a of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the first control device 180a of the first water heater 150a of the first embodiment.

The first control device 180a calculates the amount of heat used in the same manner as the second control device 180b (step S601). Since steps S601 to S603 of FIG. 12 are the same as steps S301 to S303 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the first HEMS device 200a calculates the set hot water storage amount in the same manner as the second HEMS device 200b (step S501). The first HEMS device 200a transmits the calculated set hot water storage amount information and the received heat consumption amount information to the system control device 300 (step S502).

Upon receiving the information on the set hot water storage amount and the heat consumption amount, the system control device 300 creates an operation shift instruction based on the received information (step S401). The system control device 300 transmits the created operation shift instruction to the first HEMS device 200a (step S402). This operation shift instruction is an example of the first instruction for controlling the first hot water storage device.

Further, the system control device 300 may receive the second input information transmitted in the above step S205 from the second HEMS device 200b after transmitting the operation shift instruction in the step S402 (step S403). Upon receiving the second input information, the system control device 300 creates the operation shift instruction again (step S404).

The operation shift instruction created in step S404 is different from the operation shift instruction created in step S401. For example, the system control device 300 recreates the operation shift instruction so that the operation time zone of the first hot water storage device does not overlap with the operation time zone of the second hot water storage device that operates without following the operation shift instruction. .. The operation shift instruction created in step S404 is an example of the third instruction. The system control device 300 transmits the operation shift instruction created in step S404 to the first HEMS device 200a (step S405).

The first HEMS device 200a stores the operation shift instruction transmitted by the system control device 300 in step S402. Further, when the system control device 300 transmits the operation instruction in step S405, the operation shift instruction is updated and saved. The first HEMS device 200a transmits the saved operation shift instruction to the first control device 180a (step S503).

Upon receiving the operation shift instruction, the first control device 180a controls the first hot water storage device based on the operation shift instruction (step S604). That is, the first control device 180a controls the first hot water storage device based on the operation shift instruction which is an example of the first instruction or the operation shift instruction which is an example of the third instruction. As a result, the first water heater 150a having the first hot water storage device operates appropriately according to the state of the second water heater 150b having the second hot water storage device.

Further, the first control device 180a periodically transmits information on the amount of remaining hot water in the first water heater 150a to the first HEMS device 200a (step S605). Based on the received information, the first HEMS device determines whether the remaining hot water amount of the first water heater 150a is equal to or greater than the set hot water storage amount (step S504).

The first HEMS device 200a transmits an operation prohibition instruction when the amount of remaining hot water in the first water heater 150a exceeds the set hot water storage amount (step S505). The first HEMS device does not send an operation prohibition instruction when the amount of remaining hot water in the first water heater 150a is less than the set amount of hot water stored.

The first control device 180a periodically determines whether or not the operation prohibition instruction has been received (step S606). The first control device 180a continues transmitting information on the amount of remaining hot water and determining step S606 until it receives the operation prohibition instruction. When the first control device 180a receives the operation prohibition instruction, the first hot water storage device is stopped (step S607).

Further, the first HEMS device 200a that has transmitted the operation prohibition instruction determines whether the current time is the start time of the additional operation time zone based on the information of the operation shift instruction saved in step S503 (step S506). The first HEMS device 200a continues the determination in step S506 until the current time reaches the start time of the additional operation time zone.

When the current time reaches the start time of the additional operation time zone, the first HEMS device 200a transmits an additional operation start instruction to the first control device 180a (step S507). Further, the first HEMS device 200a that has transmitted the additional operation start instruction transmits the additional operation release instruction after the lapse of the second time based on the operation shift instruction information saved in step S503 (step S508).

The first control device 180a, which has stopped the first hot water storage device in step S607, determines whether or not the additional operation start instruction has been received (step S608). The determination in step S608 is continued until the first control device 180a receives the additional operation start instruction. Upon receiving the additional operation start instruction, the first control device 180a causes the first hot water storage device to start the additional operation (step S609).

The first control device 180a, which has started the additional operation of the first hot water storage device, determines whether or not the additional operation release instruction has been received (step S610). The determination in step S610 is continued until the first control device 180a receives the additional operation release instruction. When the first control device 180a receives the additional operation release instruction, the first hot water storage device stops the additional operation (step S611).

13 and 14 show an example of the operation of the first water heater 150a, the second water heater 150b, and the third water heater 150c included in the water heater control system 1 of the first embodiment configured as described above. It is a figure.

FIG. 13A shows an operation example when the operation shift instruction is not transmitted by the system control device 300. In FIG. 13A, the first water heater 150a, the second water heater 150b, and the third water heater 150c perform hot water storage operation during the night time when the electricity rate is cheap.

13 (b) and 13 (c) show an operation example when the operation shift instruction is transmitted by the system control device 300. In FIGS. 13B and 13C, the first water heater 150a, the second water heater 150b, and the third water heater 150c are controlled based on the operation shift instruction. As shown in FIG. 13B, the fact that the additional operation time zones do not overlap prevents the load of the entire water heater control system 1 from becoming excessively high at a specific time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the same effect can be obtained when the additional operation time zone is set so that the total amount of power consumption of each water heater is equal to or less than the preset standard. In (c) of FIG. 13, the additional operation time zone is set so that all the water heaters do not perform the additional operation at the same time.

(D), (e), and (f) of FIG. 14 show an operation example when the water heater control system 1 includes a water heater that operates without following the operation shift instruction. In FIG. 14D, the first water heater 150a operates without following the operation shift instruction. In FIG. 14D, the system control device 300 recreates the operation shift instruction so that all the water heaters do not operate at the same time during the night time. In FIG. 14D, the second water heater 150b is controlled based on the recreated operation shift instruction.

The second water heater 150b in FIG. 14 (d) is longer in the daytime than the second water heater 150b in FIG. 13 in which all the water heaters are controlled based on the operation shift instruction. I'm driving for hours. As a result, for example, even if the water heater control system 1 includes the first water heater 150a that operates without following the operation shift instruction, the second water heater 150b does not run out of hot water.

In FIG. 14 (e), the first water heater 150a is operating without following the operation shift instruction. In FIG. 14 (e), the system control device 300 recreates the operation shift instruction so that all the water heaters do not operate at the same time during the night time. In FIG. 14 (e), the third water heater 150c is controlled based on the recreated operation shift instruction. In FIG. 14 (e), the third water heater 150c is not operated during the night time because the time zone in which each water heater operates is shifted. As described above, the water heater control system 1 may include a water heater that operates only in one of the daytime hours and the nighttime hours.

Further, in FIG. 14 (f), the first water heater 150a and the second water heater 150b are operating without following the operation shift instruction. As described above, the water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment may include a plurality of water heaters that are not directly controlled by the operation shift instruction transmitted from the system control device 300.

In the above embodiment, the second time is calculated based on the amount of heat used obtained from the fluctuation of the amount of heat storage within a certain period. That is, the second time, which is the time during which the additional operation is performed, is calculated according to the actual usage state of the water heater by the user. As a result, the second time becomes a more appropriate time.

The first HEMS device 200a and the second HEMS device 200b may be configured so as to be able to detect, for example, that the second hot water storage device is operating when the first hot water storage device is performing the hot water storage operation. The first HEMS device 200a transmits, for example, a stop instruction to the first control device 180a when it is detected that the second hot water storage device is operating while the first hot water storage device is performing the hot water storage operation. May be good. When the first control device 180a receives the stop instruction, the first hot water storage device is stopped. In this example, the leveling of the power load is further promoted.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a plurality of examples of a specific calculation method for the second time will be described. The second time is calculated according to, for example, the capacity of the tank 153. For example, when the capacity of the tank 153 is 200 [L] or less, the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as one hour. For example, when the capacity of the tank 153 is more than 200 [L] and 400 [L] or less, the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as 2 hours. For example, when the capacity of the tank 153 exceeds 400 [L], the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as 3 hours.

Further, the second time may be calculated according to, for example, the heating capacity H of the first heat pump unit 151a. For example, when the heating capacity H is 5 [kW / h] or less, the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as one hour. For example, when the heating capacity H exceeds 5 [kW / h] and is 7 [kW / h] or less, the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as 2 hours. For example, when the heating capacity H exceeds 7 [kW / h], the first HEMS device 200a calculates the second time as 3 hours.

Further, the second time may be a preset fixed value. The second time is preset as, for example, 2 hours. Further, the first HEMS device 200a has, for example, a set hot water storage amount U [L], a capacity T [L] of the tank 153, an average value Av [L] of an hourly increase in the remaining hot water amount in the night time zone, and a daytime time zone. The second time may be calculated based on the coefficient of performance of the first heat pump unit 151a. The capacitance T [L], the average value Av [L], and the coefficient of performance of the first heat pump unit 151a in the daytime time zone are examples of preset fixed values. When the coefficient of performance of the first heat pump unit 151a in the daytime time zone is 1.5, the second time Tw [h] is calculated by the following equation (1) as an example.
(1) Tw [h] = {(T [L] -U [L]) / (Av [L] x 1.5)} x 1 [h]

In the present embodiment, the second time is calculated more appropriately.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the third embodiment will be described. The water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system control device 300 according to the third embodiment.

The system control device 300 calculates the hot water storage operation shift amount of the first water heater 150a (step S701). The system control device 300 that has calculated the hot water storage operation shift amount calculates the additional operation start time (step S702). The system control device 300 transmits information including the hot water storage operation shift amount and the additional operation start time to the first HEMS device 200a (step S703).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system control device 300 according to the third embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, the same or corresponding parts as those of the flowchart of FIG. 11 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

When the first HEMS device 200a receives the information including the hot water storage operation shift amount and the additional operation start time, the first HEMS device 200a refers to the historical data of the remaining hot water amount received from the first control device 180a in the past. The first HEMS device 200a reads out the data of the amount of remaining hot water at the end time of the nighttime zone up to the previous day, among the data of the amount of remaining hot water at the end time of the latest nighttime zone, for which the prohibition of hot water storage operation has not been implemented (step S801).

The first HEMS device 200a performs determination A based on the data of the hot water storage operation shift amount, the additional operation start time, and the remaining hot water amount read in step S801 (step S802). In the following, the value of the residual hot water amount included in the data read in step S801 will be referred to as the read residual hot water amount. Hereinafter, this determination A will be described.

The determination A is a determination as to whether or not the value obtained by subtracting the remaining hot water amount from the read remaining hot water amount is equal to or less than the hot water storage operation shift amount. The determination A in step S802 is continued until the value obtained by subtracting the remaining hot water amount from the read remaining hot water amount becomes equal to or less than the hot water storage operation shift amount. When the value obtained by subtracting the remaining hot water amount from the read remaining hot water amount becomes equal to or less than the hot water storage operation shift amount, the first HEMS device 200a transmits an operation prohibition instruction (step S505). The operation of the first HEMS device 200a after step S505 and the operation of the first water heater 150a are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus are omitted. In the water heater control system 1 of the present embodiment, each water heater is appropriately controlled even if the amount of hot water and the temperature of hot water are not set by the user.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the water heater control system 1. As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the HEMS system may be incorporated in the water heater or the system control device 300. As shown in FIG. 17, only a part of the plurality of HEMS systems may be incorporated in the water heater or the system control device 300. Also in this modified example, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

1 Water supply machine control system, 150a 1st water supply machine, 150b 2nd water supply machine, 150c 3rd water supply machine, 151a 1st heat pump unit, 151b 2nd heat pump unit, 151c 3rd heat pump unit, 152a 1st tank unit, 152b 1st 2 tank unit, 152c 3rd tank unit, 153 tank, 154 low temperature water inlet, 155 low temperature water outlet, 156 high temperature water inlet, 157 high temperature water outlet, 158 1st pipe, 159 2nd pipe, 160 3rd pipe, 161a 1st 1 pump, 161b 2nd pump, 161c 3rd pump, 162 mixing valve, 163 4th pipe, 164 5th pipe, 165 6th pipe, 170a temperature sensor, 170b temperature sensor, 170c temperature sensor, 170d temperature sensor, 170e temperature Sensor, 180a 1st control device, 180b 2nd control device, 180c 3rd control device, 181a control unit, 182a storage unit, 183a heat storage amount calculation unit, 184a heat consumption calculation unit, 190a 1st controller, 190b 2nd controller, 190c 3rd controller, 191a operation unit, 192a controller display unit, 200a 1st HEMS device, 200b 2nd HEMS device, 200c 3rd HEMS device, 210a 1st HEMS display unit, 210b 2nd HEMS display unit, 210c 3rd HEMS display unit, 211a 1st Display unit, 212a 2nd display unit, 213a 3rd display unit, 214a 4th display unit, 215a 5th display unit, 216a 6th display unit, 217a 7th display unit, 300 system control device

Claims (8)

A first hot water storage device that performs a hot water storage operation that increases the amount of heat stored in the first tank during the first time zone and the second time zone when the electricity rate is higher than that of the first time zone.
A second hot water storage device that performs a hot water storage operation that increases the amount of heat stored in the second tank during the first time zone and the second time zone.
The time zone of the hot water storage operation by the first hot water storage device and the time zone of the hot water storage operation by the second hot water storage device do not overlap, or the power consumption of the hot water storage operation by the first hot water storage device and the second hot water storage device. A system control means for transmitting an instruction for controlling the first hot water storage device and the second hot water storage device so that the total power consumption of the hot water storage operation is equal to or less than a preset standard .
When the first instruction for controlling the first hot water storage device is received from the system control means, the first hot water storage control means that performs the first control based on the first instruction to the first hot water storage device, and
With the notification means for notifying the user of the second hot water storage device of the information of the second instruction for controlling the second hot water storage device transmitted from the system control means.
A second hot water storage control means for controlling the second hot water storage device based on the setting by the user is provided .
A water heater control system in which the first hot water storage device is directly controlled by the system control means, and the second hot water storage device is not directly controlled by the system control means . Comprising selectively fillable and are input manually stage a different second input and the first input or the first input,
The second hot water storage control means receives the second control based on the second instruction when the first input is input by the input means, and the second input when the second input is input by the input means. A third control different from the second control is performed on the second hot water storage device.
When the second input is input by the input means, the system control means transmits a third instruction different from the first instruction to the first hot water storage control means.
The water heater control system according to claim 1, wherein the first hot water storage control means performs a fourth control based on the third instruction on the first hot water storage device when the third instruction is received. When the fourth control is performed, the time for the first hot water storage device to perform the hot water storage operation in the second time zone is the time when the first hot water storage device is performed in the second time zone when the first control is performed. The water heater control system according to claim 2, wherein the time is longer than the time required for the hot water storage operation. When the system control means detects that the second hot water storage device is performing the hot water storage operation while the first hot water storage device is performing the hot water storage operation, the system control means transmits a stop instruction to the first hot water storage control means. ,
The water heater control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the first hot water storage control means receives the stop instruction, the first hot water storage device stops the hot water storage operation. The first hot water storage control means is such that when the second hot water storage device is performing the hot water storage operation, the electric power consumed by the first hot water storage device is equal to or less than a preset reference value. The water heater control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The system control means calculates the first time and the second time based on a preset amount of heat storage, and calculates the first time and the second time.
The first instruction includes information on the first time and the second time.
The first hot water storage control means has the first hot water storage device perform the hot water storage operation for the first hour in the first time zone and the hot water storage operation for the second time in the second time zone. The water heater control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The system control means calculates the required time, which is the time required for hot water storage operation to increase the amount of heat stored in the first tank by a preset amount of heat during one day, and is the latest from the required time. The time obtained by subtracting the first time during the hot water storage operation by the first hot water storage device in the first time zone is calculated as the second time, and the first instruction including the information of the second time is transmitted.
The water heater control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first hot water storage control means causes the first hot water storage device to perform a hot water storage operation for the second time during the second time zone. The system control means
The second time is calculated based on the fluctuation of the amount of heat storage in the first tank within a certain period, or the second time is calculated based on a preset fixed value, or preset. The water heater control system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the fixed value is the second time.

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