JPH02187519A - Communication method for hot water feed system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable data to be reliably obtained by every remote unit, and to avoid the possibility of data collision by giving a number to each of the remote units in advance and further giving a predetermined order to each of these numbers, no matter how many remote units may be used, being connected to one base unit via a two-core line serving also as a power supply line. CONSTITUTION:After a commercially available AC power 25 supplied only to a base unit 20 has been properly rectified to a high voltage by an inner power circuit 222, the rectified power is supplied to a power circuit 22 contained in each of remote units 30-1. A two-core line 40 serving also as a data transmission line between a controlling circuit contained in each of the remote units 30-1 or a microcomputer (CPU) 31 and a microcomputer 21 contained in the base unit 20 is connected only to ones that a user selects from among the total 10 remote units 30-1 to 30-10, which have been prepared, according to his preference or available expenses. The base unit and the total 10 remote units are given numbers different from one another, respectively, and these numbers are further given respective orders.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a communication method for a hot water supply system, and in particular to a communication method for a hot water supply system, in which a base unit that directly controls a combustion section is connected via a two-core wiring path, It is possible to accept multiple types of remote units that issue various control commands from a remote location, and
In hot water systems where not only one, but possibly several remote units of each type can be used, all connected tier units and base units can be connected in the shortest possible time without any confusion. Concerning improvements that make communication possible.

[Prior Art] Recently, a remote-controlled hot water supply system has been developed, even though it has a relatively basic configuration, generally having a concept as shown in the third diagram.

Since the present invention is also an improvement on such a hot water supply system, we will begin by explaining the system itself.
The entire device is broadly divided into a control section that mainly utilizes many electronic circuits, and a combustion section that includes electromechanical elements and mechanical structures.

The main components in the combustion section are "water supply" in Figure 3.
As shown, there is generally a heat exchanger 11 and a burner 12 for heating cold water supplied from the water supply, and the burner 12 is naturally supplied with fuel for combustion.In this book, the fuel is Although the explanation will be made assuming that gas is used, the system configuration is the same for kerosene and other fuels.

The amount of gas supplied to the burner 12 is controlled by a gas amount adjustment valve (so-called proportional valve) 13, and the amount of air to the combustion section is controlled by an air amount adjustment valve or fan motor 14. The means 14 will be collectively explained as a fan motor.

In addition, in order to reliably control the opening and closing of the fuel supply path, a gas solenoid valve or the like is sometimes provided separately from the gas proportional valve 13, which simply takes one of the two positions of open and shut off. In this book, this is omitted; in reality, there are many models that do not have this gas solenoid valve, and the gas proportional valve 13 also serves this function.

The amount of water supplied to the heat exchanger 11 which is selectively heated by the burner 12 is controlled by the water amount valve 15.
The actual amount of water passing through the heat exchanger 11 at any given time is detected by a water amount sensor 16, the temperature of the supplied water is detected by a supplied water temperature sensor 17, and the temperature of the water output from the heat exchanger 11 is detected by a hot water temperature sensor 18.

In addition, although not shown, for safety reasons, a flame rod (flame detection A high limit switch is also installed to detect whether the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger has become abnormally high.In order to further improve controllability, relatively high-grade The model also incorporates a sensor or the like that detects the air flow rate or the actual rotational speed that the fan motor 14 is actually outputting.

Detection signals from the various sensors described above are generally taken into a control device 21 built into a base unit 20 that is fixedly installed in the same housing as the combustion section.

The control device 21 includes a microcomputer, which is schematically represented by the symbol "CPU" in the figure. In the following, for simplicity, the control device 21 itself will be explained as the microcomputer 21, but of course, the microcomputer 2! Appropriate interface circuits are attached to the input and output of each signal.

A commercial AC power supply 25 is supplied to the base unit 20, and the power supply circuit 22 appropriately steps down and rectifies the voltage and supplies it to each circuit section in the base unit 20. an integer of n remote units 3
0-1 (1≦i≦n), and each power supply circuit 32 in each remote unit 31L- supplies power to each circuit section in its own unit. supply

This two-core wiring path 40 is also used for data transmission between base unit 20 and each remote unit 30-1.

That is, transmitting circuits 23 , 33 and receiving circuits 24 , 34 are provided both in the base unit 20 and in each remote unit 30-, and these transmitting circuits 23 , 33
modulates the data created by the microcomputer or control device 21, 31 built into each unit into a form convenient for superimposing it on the two-core wiring path 40 which also serves as a power supply line, and on the other hand, receiving circuit 24,
34 transmits data superimposed on the power supply via the two-core wiring path 40 to each microcomputer 21, 31.
demodulate into a format suitable for input. Generally, each receiving circuit 24, 34 is also capable of monitoring data transmitted by its own unit.

Although not shown, each remote unit 30-m is also equipped with various operation knobs and switches operated by the user.

As this type of operating member, for example, the base unit 2
Operation switch that sets 0 to ON mode, temperature setting switch or volume knob that sets the hot water temperature, hot water filling switch that automatically fills the bath tub, hot water volume setting that sets the amount of hot water filled. There is a switch or volume knob, a water temperature setting switch or volume knob for setting the temperature for filling the water, etc.

In some cases, multiple remote units 30-
1, there is a priority setting switch etc. that gives priority to a specific remote unit and prevents the set temperature set on this remote unit from being changed without permission on other remote units. Sometimes it happens.

When the user selects the off mode by operating the operation switch described above, the microcomputer 21 built in the base unit 20 that receives this off mode instruction data controls the operation of the combustion section. It extinguishes the combustion and then goes into off mode to prevent combustion from occurring on its own. The gas proportional valve 13 that sends gas to the burner 21 is closed, and the fan motor 14 is also stopped except in special cases (such as immediately after the end of operation).

However, this is often achieved by putting the microcomputer 21 itself into a hibernation state.
In other words, the microcomputer 21 in the dormant state does not send any signal to the gas proportional valve 13 to supply any significant operating power, and similarly the fan motor 14 does not receive a signal to turn on its switching circuit. It is not sent out. If a gas solenoid valve is provided separately, power is not supplied to open this gas solenoid valve, and the gas solenoid valve is generally closed by its own built-in mechanical spring force. held in position.

Naturally, when the system is in this off mode, even if the user turns on the faucet, combustion will not start in the burner 12 and the supplied water will remain cold and remain in the heat exchanger 11.
Go inside and exit through the faucet.

On the other hand, when an operation switch (not shown) is operated in any remote unit 30-1 and a startup to the on mode is desired, the microcomputer 31 built in that remote unit starts the system. This data is created to set the on mode, and this data is superimposed on the two-core wiring path 40 via the transmitting circuit 33.

The conon mode command data is sent to the microcomputer 2 via the receiving circuit 24 built into the base unit 20.
1, and is usually also decoded by a microcomputer 31 built into another remote unit, or after being decoded by the base unit, the data indicating that the system has been put into operation is sent to the remote unit. - By re-sending to the unit side, each remote unit: +0- is notified.

After the system is in on mode in this way,
The following actions may occur:

The user opens the valve of the faucet (not shown), thereby
Generally, when water supplied from a water source starts flowing through the heat exchanger 11 and water starts flowing from the faucet, the water flow sensor 16, which is in this flow path and had previously issued a water flow stop signal, First, it sends an ON signal to the microcomputer 21 indicating that a water flow has occurred.

Upon receiving this, the microcomputer 21 sends a signal that gives a predetermined valve opening to the gas proportional valve 13 to supply the corresponding flow rate of gas to the burner 12, and also causes the fan motor 14 to adjust the air amount. Adjustment (g (rotation speed control signal) is sent out to supply the appropriate amount of air for combustion to burner 1.
2, the ignition mechanism (not shown) is operated. Note that the amount of supplied air may be adjusted by electromagnetically driven valve means, as mentioned above.

When combustion in the burner 12 starts in this way,
Since the heat exchanger 11 is heated and the water passing through the heat exchanger 11 is warmed, hot water is discharged from the faucet.

Conversely, when the user closes the faucet that was dispensing hot water and stops the hot water, the water flow sensor 16 sends a water flow stop signal (off signal) to the microcomputer 21, and the microcomputer 21 receives this signal and then: It functions to send a full close signal to the gas proportional valve 13 to quickly extinguish the burner 12.

In some cases, apart from the water flow sensor 16 that outputs the actual water flow rate in real time, a water flow switch may be provided that specializes in simply detecting whether or not a water flow has occurred. -If the off signal is replaced with the on/off signal from this water flow switch, the above explanation can be applied as is.

Also, as mentioned above, for safety, the heat exchanger 11
If a limit switch is attached to the microcomputer 21, this detects overheating to an abnormal temperature and sends an overheating signal to the microcomputer 21.
The computer 21 immediately enters a forced extinguishing operation for the burner 12 or limits the amount of combustion, and furthermore, if a suitable combustion detection element such as a flame rod (not shown) detects a misfire in the burner 12,・
The computer 21 sends a forced closing signal to the gas proportional valve 13 and even to the gas solenoid valve, if this valve is provided, to prevent the danger of raw fuel leaking out of the machine.

However, during the hot water dispensing operation described above, the actual hot water dispensing temperature data and the supply water temperature data obtained from the dispensing water temperature sensor 18 and the supply water temperature sensor 17 using a thermistor or other suitable heat-sensitive element, and the rotary actuator are used. The water flow rate data from the water flow rate sensor 16 such as a pulse generation type (flow rate to pulse number conversion type or flow rate to frequency conversion type) is fed back to the microcomputer 21 in the base unit 20, while the data is sent back to the microcomputer 21 in the base unit 20. The set temperature data, which is the desired hot water temperature that is operated and set in advance by the user on the -1 side, is also included in the two-core wiring path 4.
0 to the microcomputer 21, the microcomputer 21 calculates the actual hot water temperature at that time as close to the set temperature as possible based on the input data group based on a predetermined calculation formula. In order to achieve this, the appropriate opening degree data of the gas proportional valve 13 and the appropriate rotation speed data of the fan motor 14 are calculated and determined, and these data are transmitted through an appropriate interface circuit (not shown). The gas proportional valve 13 and fan motor 14 are controlled accordingly. In this case,
When the fan/storer 14 is used as the air amount adjusting means 14 as assumed here, the fan/motor 1
Actual rotation speed data may be taken into the microcomputer 21 in order to check whether the rotation speed setting signal given to the rotation speed setting signal 4 matches the actual rotation speed and perform feedback control.

In exactly the same way, in a water heating system with a thirst function, thirst command data, thirst amount data, thirst temperature data, etc. can be sent to the remote unit 30-1 by the user operating a switch or knob on the side of the remote unit 30-1.・Unit 30
-1 is created by the built-in microcomputer 31, and after being superimposed on the two-core wiring path 40 by the transmitting circuit 33, it is created by the microcomputer 2 built in the base unit 20.
1, and the microcomputer 21 on the base unit 20 side opens the hot water outlet to the bath tub (not shown) and controls the hot water temperature in the same way as the above-mentioned heating operation, and counting the total amount of hot water supplied from the start of hot water dispensing based on the flow rate signal from the water amount sensor 16,
When the dryness amount data becomes equal, the outlet is closed and the combustion operation is also stopped.

This type of operation can be used even for a type that has only a single heat exchanger 11 as shown in the figure, for normal faucet hot water supply, for filling a bathtub, and even for heating. The principle is the same even if it has a separate dedicated heat exchanger.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, there is a problem with a water heating system in which, in principle, it should be possible to give commands to the base unit 20 from any of the plurality of remote units 30. However, the actual problem was how to transfer data between the base unit 20 and each of these remote units 30-1, or how to specify each remote unit.

In particular, when the remote units 30-Todoroki are not all the same and different types are mixed together, and as the total number of units increases, these problems will become more noticeable.However, in the future, Increasingly, the types and numbers of remote units installed in this type of water heating system tend to increase.

For example, these days, houses do not necessarily have only one kitchen or washroom that requires a hot water supply. This is especially true in what is now called a ``two-family house,'' where each household has at least two separate kitchens and washrooms, one for the exclusive use of each household.

In addition, in response to market demands, we have set "ranks" or "grades" for the remote units to be installed, and have prepared multiple types, ranging from inexpensive and rational ones to high-value-added luxury ones. Requests are beginning to be made for a shift from user-centered commercial law to allowing users to make choices based on their preferences and budget.

Even if this is not the case, remote units for the kitchen and those for a simple hot water supply are usually of different types, and remote units for installation in a bath also have mechanical structural differences such as being simply waterproof. Not only that, but the contents that can be operated are also different types.

In other words, in the past, where the number of remote units was at most two or so, it was difficult to assemble a hot water supply system with multiple remote units as shown in Figure 3. I don't really feel the need to specify the unit with which I occasionally communicate; I just need to configure the base unit to immediately respond to data sent from any remote unit. Ta.

However, it is clear that such a method cannot escape the problem of data collision in principle, and as mentioned above, the number of remote units is limited to two or one king at most. If so, the probability of data collision is certainly extremely small, even if it is not zero, and I do not think it poses any problem in practice, but as the number of remote units increases for the reasons mentioned above, this probability becomes negligible. There is a strong possibility that two or more remote units may send some conflicting data to the base unit at the same time.

Furthermore, with this method, not only is it impossible to identify the remote unit currently communicating, but there is also no guarantee that the data is coming from at least one of the remote units; Wiring path 4
0), and the possibility of malfunction was high.

In addition, in the most primitive version, installation is possible with a remote
Some systems have fixed limits on the type and number of units from the beginning, but this is out of the question and cannot meet future demands such as those mentioned above.

On the other hand, the base unit always scans and searches for the maximum number of remote units that may be attached to the two-wire wireway. There are also conventional examples that are not compatible with the installation of various remote units.

However, this method has the disadvantage that the time required for communication becomes wasted as the number of remote units actually installed is smaller than the maximum number.

No matter how many remote units are installed, one cycle consists of scanning and searching for all units from the base unit side, just as when the maximum number of remote units is installed.
This is because the time required to determine whether or not a unit is attached is equal to the data transfer time required for each remote unit if it were connected.

Additionally, in this conventional example, if you make a search mistake, the remote unit will be displayed even though it is actually installed.
There was also a problem in which it was determined that the remote unit was not installed, and communication was performed by ignoring this remote unit.

From this point of view, the present invention provides the following advantages when assembling a multiple remote unit hot water supply system as shown in the third figure.
Regardless of the number or type of remote units that are currently connected to a two-wire wireway, it provides a method for quickly locating and reliably intercommunicating with those remote units. This was done with great care.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention provides a base unit incorporating a microcomputer for controlling a combustion section for hot water supply, and a power source for the microcomputer incorporated in the base unit. The micro/
A communication method for a water heating system comprising: a plurality of remote units each having a computer; a connection to said base unit and said two-wire wireway, whether or not actually connected; Each of the multiple remote units that can be used must be assigned a unique and different number; are given a predetermined ordering: and the remote units actually connected to said base unit or said two-wire wireway are younger than the order of said numbers given to them; After the built-in microcomputer in the unit closest in order transmits the above data to the two-core wiring path, a predetermined waiting time is set in advance after the transmission is completed, and then the microcomputer in the unit closest to the unit in the order , if there is one or more units that are not actually connected to the two-core wiring path between it and a unit with a lower order than its own order, it is necessary to recognize the non-existence of each unit. After a certain amount of checking time, the built-in micro-
Provided is a communication method for a hot water supply system, characterized in that data created by a computer is sent to the two-core wiring path.

[Function] The function of the gist of the present invention can be easily understood by considering a simple model.

For example, one base unit and the + remote
There is a unit, and the user has 1. Above + side remote
Let us assume that any number of units can be arbitrarily selected and connected.

In this case, all or some of the remote units may be of different types. In any case, the total number of units, including the base unit, is 11'' under the above assumption.

In such a case, the present invention assigns a dedicated number to each unit and assigns a predetermined order.

Generally, the numbers are sequential, and it is easy to indicate the order as is, so for example, the base unit has a number "
1", and the remaining remote units are given numbers from "2" to "11" in order.

Here, it is actually a special case, but as mentioned above, for one base unit, the + side remote
Assuming that all units are connected via two-core wiring paths, as stated in the gist of the present invention, "a unit whose order is lower than its own" means a unit whose number is immediately before its own number. For example, the number “
The unit numbered "3" becomes the unit numbered "2", and the unit numbered "9" becomes the unit numbered "8".

However, as also defined in the abstract structure,
The first unit, that is, the unit with the number immediately before the base unit given the number "'1" in this assumption, is the remote unit with the final number "11". Become.

Therefore, in such a case, as stated in the summary above, ``If there is no connection between the unit in its own order and a unit in a younger order than its own, the two-core wiring path is actually connected. Since it is impossible for there to be one or more units that do not exist, there is naturally no such thing as a certain amount of checking time required to recognize the non-existence of each r unit.

Therefore, if all the remote units on the + side are connected in this way, each of all the remote units actually connected to the base unit or the two-wire wiring path will be assigned to itself. After the built-in microcomputer in the unit immediately preceding the numbered unit transmits data to the two-core wiring path, a predetermined waiting period (
For convenience, data transmission from the own microcomputer is allowed after the period (denoted by the symbol "Tw") has elapsed.

The above order is arranged in a circular manner, starting from the last one and returning to the first one. Therefore, if there is data transmission from the base unit at the beginning, then there will be a certain waiting time T. , the microcomputer of the remote unit numbered 02" sends data to the two-core wiring path, and when the data transmission from the remote unit numbered 2 is completed, the above-mentioned constant standby is resumed. After a time Tw, the next remote unit numbered "3" transmits data, and in the same way, the last remote unit numbered "11" transmits data. After completing the transmission, the base unit transmits data again after the predetermined waiting time Tw has elapsed, and the cycle is repeated.

On the other hand, let us consider a case in which the user does not select, for example, the unit with number "3" among the remote units prepared on the + side and does not actually connect it to the two-core wiring path.

In such a case, the risot with the number “4” will be used.
Regarding the H unit, in this case there is one remote unit that has a lower number than itself but is not actually connected to the two-core wiring path, so first, set the number " Even after the waiting time of 1w after the remote unit marked with 2" has sent data, certain checks are performed to recognize that there is a remote unit with number "3" that is not actually connected. time(
Only after this period (denoted by the symbol "TC") has elapsed will transmission from the remote unit with this number "4" be allowed.

Similarly, if the user does not select any of the three remote units numbered ``3'' to ``5'', the remote unit numbered ``2'' finishes transmitting data and waits for a certain period of time. After the time Tw has elapsed, the next number "
Check time TC to recognize the non-existence of the remote unit numbered "3" % Then check time TC to recognize the non-existence of the remote unit numbered "4"
% and the total check time Tc (3XT
c) After a period of time, the remote
The unit is allowed to transmit.

Therefore, in the end, after the remote unit numbered “2” finishes transmitting as described above, the number (7, +
After a X TC) time, the remote
The unit will begin transmitting.

From this explanation, the operation of other combinations can be easily understood.

In general, the data transfer time T required for each unit to transmit all data at one time. Compared to the above, the waiting time TV and the check time Tc can be sufficiently shortened, and in particular, the waiting time tw and the check time Tc are the same (Tw"
It is also possible or convenient to set it to Tc).

This is easier for the sake of explanation, so if you follow this, for example, if a maximum of n remote units, an integer greater than or equal to 1, can be used for one base unit, you can actually select two cores from among them. In relation to the number m of remote units selected to be connected and used in a wireway (1≦m≦n), the data acquisition scan time T for one cycle covering all remote units is: T= mXT(1+ (n - m) xT(+mXT,
--・-■, and Tc=7. In particular, if T=mXT, + n XTw
” ・■.

As is clear, the waiting time T can itself be made sufficiently shorter than the data transfer time TD, and in the case of the present invention, if the number m of remote units actually used is small, Since the first term (mxTO) on the right side of the above equation (2) is also shortened, the period T during which the base unit receives data from all remote units can also be reasonably shortened.

In the conventional example mentioned at the beginning, the remote
The rationality of the present invention can be understood from the fact that regardless of the number m of units, it always takes (nXTo) -period time according to the maximum number n that can be used.

For example, considering this in reverse, even if the number of remote units actually used increases by one, the data transfer cycle time for all remote units will be - per unit, as is clear from the above equation. The data transfer time is only T0 minutes,
The second term on the right side of the above formula (■) that does not become long (n x Tw)
This is because is a constant term.

Of course, the above formula 0 is convenient for best expressing the effect of the present invention, but even in accordance with the principle formula, the above formula 0 is only a little difficult to understand, and in comparison with the conventional example. can understand its advantages.

In other words, the waiting time Tw and the check time TC do not necessarily have to be the same time. Rather, it is even possible to make the check time Tc shorter than the waiting time Tw,
In such a case, in fact, it is possible to obtain an even shorter one cycle time than the above-mentioned formula 0.In this way, in the present invention, a double line is provided for the base unit, which also serves as a power supply line. No matter how many remote units are connected and used via the core wiring path, if you number them in advance and place them in a predetermined order, you will be able to reliably obtain data for each unit. There is no fear of data collision, and it is resistant to external disturbances. Of course, if a certain ordering is applied,
The numbers themselves do not have to be consecutive numbers, and in practice, the numbers are represented by binary codes or the like.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1.2, but this embodiment is applied to the system shown in FIG. 3.

Therefore, although the internal details and combustion parts of each unit are omitted in FIG. 1, they may be the same as the conventional example shown in FIG. 3. In the following explanation, each unit will be When it is necessary to refer to each circuit or combustion section in the figure, use the relevant Figure 3 as well, and use the reference numerals attached to each part as they are. Furthermore, what is shown as an input/output data group regarding the base unit 20 includes detection information from the various sensors 16, 17, 18 in FIG. - A general term that includes a group of control information data sent from the unit 20 to the gas proportional valve 13, fan motor 14, water flow valve 15, etc.

In the case of this embodiment, after the commercial AC power supply 25 supplied only to the base unit 20 is appropriately high-voltage and purified by the internal power supply circuit 22, this power supply voltage is applied to each remote unit: +
0-, and the built-in control circuit or microcomputer (CPU) 31 in each remote unit 30-1 and the base unit I.
A total of ten prepared remote units 30-1 are connected to a single-core wiring line 40 (shown by imaginary lines in FIG. 1), which also serves as a data transmission line between the built-in microcomputer 21 in the 2G ~30-. 0, only those selected by the user according to his/her preferences and budget are connected.

In the case shown in the figure, there are two remote units classified by type: +0-, type 1 is a deluxe type for kitchen use, and remote unit 30 is provided.
-1 and remote unit 30-2 correspond to this.

The reason why type 1-1+1-2 is written in FIG. 1 is to distinguish two remote units belonging to the same type 1. This suffix has the same meaning for other types described below.

Type 2-, which is different from Type 1 above. The two remote units 2-, +o-, and 3L are standard types for kitchen use, and compared to the Deluxe Type 1, the types of controls that the user can operate and the range of temperature and other controls are different. It is narrow and somewhat simple.

Type 3 remote, which is different from type 1 and type 2.
The unit 30-S is a simple type for kitchen use, and is only suitable for more basic operations than the above two types 1.2.
Limited.

Generally, a user installs two remote units in two kitchens using the type 1.2 of the above three [1].
．． 0 can be selected by a combination of 2 out of 3
For example, if Deluxe Type 1 is selected for both units, neither Standard Type 2 for Kitchen nor Simple Type 3 will be connected to the two-core wiring path 40, and if only Standard Type 2 is selected, Deluxe - Type 1 and simple type 3 are not used. If simple type 3 is used for one, deluxe type 1 or standard type 2 is used for the remaining one.

Similarly, the type 4 remote unit 30-6 is a deluxe type for baths, the type 5 remote unit 30-2 is a semi-key type for baths, and the type 6 remote unit 30-6 is a simple type for baths. It is. It is assumed that only one of these three types 4 to 6 is selected as the remote unit for the bath. This is because even in two-family homes, baths are often shared.

Finally, for hot water supply, up to two units of the standard type 7-,,'l, (30-,,:+o-t.) can be used, and the user can use only one of these units. You can choose to use one or two.

As described above, in this embodiment, there are several types of remote units that the user can select, and even if they are of the same type, there are deluxe type 1 for kitchen use, standard type 2 for kitchen use, and Since a maximum of two standard type 7 heating units can be used, the base unit and these ten remote units are each given different numbers, and those numbers are Apply order.

In this case, even if a binary code series is adopted, it is convenient to use consecutive numbers (sequential numbers) because the number order becomes the order itself, and usually starting from number "1" in the decimal system, that is, in binary numbers, it is convenient. The 4-bit value required to cover 10 units is 0.
Since it is easy to number from 001'', the following numbering is used here.

base unit 20) “oooi” remote unit 30-, c3 0010” remote
Unit 30-2 B “0011” Remote unit 3Q-, e8> “0100” Remote unit 30-4 Medium “0101” Remote unit 30-6 φ “0110”! JT-unit 30-a ring “0111” remote unit:
IO-, e3 ″1000″ remote unit 30
-a -'IG)01"IJ-1--to unit)3
G-. B "1010" remote unit 3O-Io
-"1011"Here, the user has two kitchen remote units, one is Deluxe Type 1 remote unit 30-1 and the other is Standard Type 2-1. Use remote unit 3o-5, deluxe type 4 remote unit 30-6 for bath, and standard type 7-1 remote unit for hot water.
Unit 3 (Select Ls+, other available layers ・Units 30-2, 30-4, 30-5, 30
-t.

3o-a, 3Ll. Suppose you don't use it.

In this case, the data transfer operation according to the present invention is as shown in FIG.

In this time chart, the chart indicated by an imaginary line in the lower half is used for comparison later, so you can ignore it for now. The part shown above is when the micro combinator in that unit is transmitting data.

First, the base unit 20 assigned the lowest number "0001" transmits data created by itself to the two-core wiring path 40. The time required for this data transmission is TD.

This transmitted data is given to all the remote units 30- currently connected to the two-core wiring path 40 and decoded, but after a predetermined waiting time T, after its reception,
If the remote unit 30-1 with the number ``ooto'' immediately following the number given to the base unit 2G is connected to the two-wire wireway 40, the time signal from that remote unit 3G-1 is Data is transmitted over T0. In this embodiment, since the remote unit 30-1, which is a kitchen deluxe type 1, is currently selected and used by the user, after the waiting time Tw, the remote unit 30-2 receives a message from the remote unit 30-2 at the time TO. Over the course of
Its own data is transferred to the two-core wiring path 40&:11.

The standby time Tw is determined to be a certain period of time suitable for design in order to maintain the reliability of the operation of each circuit section and sequence operation.

When the remote unit 3G-1 finishes transmitting the data, the next lowest number "001" is sent after the waiting time Tw has elapsed.
1'' remote unit 30-2 is provided with a data transfer tank, but in this embodiment, the user
Since remote unit 30-2 of unit 30-2 is not used, data transfer from this unit 30-2 naturally does not occur.

In other words, even after the standby time Tw has elapsed, the two-core wiring path 40
All units connected to the unit can know the fact that no data transfer has occurred, and when the check time T for this confirmation has elapsed, the next lowest number “otoo” is assigned. remote unit 3
0-5 are provided with a data transfer tank. Of course, since each remote unit can store the number set for itself, other remote units will not initiate data transfer.

Therefore, from the time when the previous Riso layer unit 30-1 finishes transferring its own created data, the time (TV + T
1:), the remote unit 30-3 begins to superimpose its own created data on the two-core wiring path for a time TD.

When this remote unit 30-5 finishes data transfer, after a certain waiting time Tw has elapsed, the remote unit 30-5 assigned the next lowest number "0101"
-4 is given a data transfer tank, but since this is not used in this embodiment, after the above-mentioned check time Tc has elapsed, the next remote unit 30-1 given the next number "0110" is given. The data transfer tank rotates.

However, in the case of this embodiment, this remote unit 30-s is also not used, so after the check time TC has elapsed, the remote unit 30-s assigned the next number "0111" is -6 is provided with a data transfer tank.

This remote unit 30-6 is actually connected to the two-core wireway 40.
As a result, under the condition that it is actually connected to the two-core wiring path 40, after the lower-numbered Riso layer unit 30-3 has finished transferring data, After the time (Tw+2×Tc) has elapsed, data transfer is started from the remote unit 30-6.

In exactly the same way, the next lowest numbered remote unit 30-supervisor that is actually connected to the two-wire wireway 40 is in this case:
Since the remote unit 3L is the remote unit 3L, after the remote unit 30-6 completes transmission, the remote unit 3L7
, 3o-a is not used check time (
After (Tw+2
-, when the data transfer is completed, the final number "1011"
Since remote unit 30-1° is not in use, time (tw+y
After step c), the base unit 20 with the lowest number is given the data transfer right, and the above sequence is repeated thereafter.

Here, the waiting time Tw and the check time TC do not necessarily have to be the same, but it may be convenient to make them the same time. Of course, the shorter each period is, the shorter the one cycle time T1 required for data transfer between all units is, which is preferable.

However, it is clear that according to the present invention,
The above-mentioned one cycle time T changes depending on the number of units actually connected to the two-core wiring path 40. The less it is, the shorter it will be. However, on the other hand, even though the number is increased, there is no inconvenience that it takes an unnecessarily long time as in the conventional case.

For example, as shown by the imaginary line in the lower half of FIG.
+, 30-s, 30-s, 3G-e, if you also use the second remote unit 30-1° of the standard type 7-2 for hot water supply, the remote unit 30-9 After the end of transmission, the remote unit 30-+o starts transmitting after the waiting time Tw has elapsed, and therefore, as is clear from the figure, one cycle time T2 in this case is shorter than the above-mentioned -cycle time T1. The only increase is the time TD required for data transfer between the remote units 30-, .

To rephrase this numerically, for example, if n remote units, an integer greater than or equal to 1, are available for - base units, one of them can actually be used by connecting to a two-core wiring path. All remote units M! in relation to the number m (1≦m≦n) of remote units selected to be possible. Considering the data acquisition scanning time T for one cycle required for 3.3, this is TwmxT(, + (nm) XTc+mXTW, as already explained in the section on effects).
""'■, especially when TC=TW, 7=mXT1)+n XTw
' ” ” '■.

Therefore, even if the number of remote units actually used increases by one, the data transfer cycle time for all remote units is only equal to the data transfer time TD per - unit, as is clear from the above equation (2). , not long. This is because the second term (mouth x Tw) on the right side of the above equation (2) is a constant term.

As already mentioned, in the above equations (2) and (2), the waiting time Tw can itself be made sufficiently shorter than the data transfer time T0, and if the number of remote units actually used is small, Since the first term (mxT,) on the right side of the above equation (2) is also shortened, the period T during which the base unit receives data from all remote units can also be reasonably shortened.

In the conventional example mentioned at the beginning, the remote
The rationality of the present invention can be understood from the fact that regardless of the number m of units, it always takes (n x TO) -period time according to the maximum usable number n.

Of course, the above formula 0 is convenient for best expressing the effect of the present invention, but even in accordance with the principle formula, the above formula 0 is only a little difficult to understand, and in comparison with the conventional example. can understand its advantages.

Furthermore, the waiting time Tw and the check time Tc do not necessarily have to be the same time; rather, the check time Tc
can even be made shorter than the standby time TV, in which case it is actually possible to obtain a cycle time even shorter than the above formula 0.

Furthermore, in realizing the present invention, the numbers themselves do not need to be consecutive numbers as in the above embodiments, as long as each unit is given a predetermined order.

It is sufficient that these number groups are given a certain order.

[Effect] According to the present invention, no matter how many remote units are connected to and used with the - base units via a two-core wiring path that also serves as a power supply line, they can be numbered in advance. If the data are placed in a predetermined order, it is possible to reliably obtain data for each machine, thereby avoiding the risk of data collision.

Also, ensure that the data being sent is connected to some remote
Since the data is specific to the unit, it is resistant to external disturbances.

Furthermore, the cycle time for the base unit to communicate with all remote units is reasonably short, and becomes even shorter as the number of remote units actually used decreases.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept in which a total of ten remote units of seven types can be selectively used as an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hot water supply system configuration example to which the communication method of the present invention can be applied. It is. In the figure, 11 is a heat exchanger, 12 is a burner, 13 is a gas proportional valve, 14 is a fan motor as an air amount adjusting means, 1
5 is a water flow valve, 16 is a water flow sensor, 17 is a water supply temperature sensor,
18 is the hot water temperature sensor, 2G is the base unit, 21
22 is a power supply circuit, 23 is a transmitting circuit, 24 is a receiving circuit, 25 is a commercial AC power supply, and 30 is a remote controller or microcomputer built into the base unit.
31 is a control device or microcomputer built into the remote unit, 32 is a power supply circuit, 33 is a transmitting circuit, 34 is a receiving circuit, and 40 is a two-core wiring path. Remote unit details 30- Breath diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A base unit with a built-in microcomputer that controls a combustion section for hot water supply, and a two-core wiring path that serves as a power supply line and a data transmission line for the microcomputer built in the base unit. A communication method for a water heating system comprising: a plurality of remote units each having a microcomputer connected for data communication via: All multiple remote units that can be connected, whether connected or not, should each be given a unique and distinct number: Each of the above numbers shall be assigned a predetermined order: and the remote unit actually connected to the base unit or the two-core wiring path shall be assigned the above number. After the built-in microcomputer in the unit that is younger than the numerical order and closest to itself transmits the above data to the two-core wiring path, after the transmission is completed, a predetermined After a waiting time, if there is one or more units that are not actually connected to the two-core wiring path between its own turn and a unit whose order is younger than its own turn, one After a certain check time required for each unit to recognize its non-existence, its own built-in micro-
A communication method for a hot water supply system, characterized in that data created by a computer is configured to be sent to the two-core wiring path.