JPH02213621A - System device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a system to automatically return to a reusable state by a method wherein abnormality of a terminal without a power source is detected through a signal transmission line by means of the microcomputer of a terminal with a power source, and the whole of the system is reset through drive of a system reset part. CONSTITUTION:For example, when a microcomputer 14 of a mixing valve unit 2 effects malfunction, reset is rendered effective to a microcomputer 14 by means of a run away detecting part 17, a program incorporated in the microcomputer 14 is started from an initial transmission phase, and a READY signal is received by a main remote controller 1. After a READY signal is received in an abnormal transmission phase by a microcomputer 7 of the main remote controller 1, the microcomputer starts reset processing and outputs a system reset output. By means of the output, a system reset part 12 reduces an output from a power source 4 for a specified time, and after the system is reset, it is risen in an initial state again. This constitution causes resetting of the whole of a system through detection of malfunction occurring to a part of the system and enables automatic restarting of the whole of the system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to system devices such as water heaters and hot water mixing devices that have a plurality of remote controllers.

Conventional System Equipment Conventionally, as shown in Fig. 11, for example, in the case of a hot water mixing device, this type of system device had a system power supply 4 that supplies power to the entire system, a display section 5, an operation section 6, and a microcomma that controls them. The main remote controller 1, the mixing valve unit 2 which controls the mixing valve 13 which mixes boiling water and cold water to produce hot water at an appropriate temperature, dispenses hot water, and shuts off the water using a microcomputer 14, the display section 19, and the operation section 20 are controlled by the microcomputer 21. It consists of a sub-remote controller 3 that is controlled by. Sub remote control 3 and mixing valve uni.

2 is connected to the main remote controller 1 by a two-wire power line.
is being supplied with. Further, the main remote controller 1, mixing valve unit 2, and sub remote controller 3 are connected by a signal transmission line through signal transmission interfaces 8, 15, and 22 provided respectively. Furthermore, the mixing valve unit 2 is equipped with a runaway detection section 17 that detects runaway of the microcomputer 14 and resets the microcomputer 14.

With this configuration, the hot water mixing device dispenses hot water at a set temperature and at a set flow rate according to the operations of the main remote controller 1 and the sub remote controller 3.

In addition, if there is an abnormality in the main remote controller 1 or sub remote controller 3, the remote controller 14 of the mixing valve unit 2 detects the abnormality during signal transmission, controls the mixing valve 13 to stop water, and then stops abnormally. 14 is in an abnormal state, the runaway detection unit 17 resets the microcomputer 14 to return to the original control state, or the microcomputer 14 detects a discrepancy in the status of the main remote controller 1 and the sub remote controller 3 and adjusts the mixing valve. 13 was controlled to shut off the water and then stopped abnormally, ensuring a fail-safe system.

0 <"' 1 However, with the above configuration, it was troublesome as it was necessary to turn off the main power every time the microcomputer malfunctioned due to noise or the like.

In particular, there are many systems in which equipment is constantly energized and the power switch is installed in a location that is difficult to operate, and systems where power is drawn directly from a breaker etc. and do not have an MB switch. In addition to increasing the possibilities, poor operability in the event of a malfunction has become an even greater issue.

The present invention solves this conventional problem, and when some microcontrollers malfunction in a system using multiple microcontrollers, the system can be automatically reused without having to perform operations such as turning off the power switch. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system device that can restore a normal state.

In order to solve the above problems, the system device of the present invention includes at least a power supply section that supplies power to the system, a system reset section that lowers the output of the power supply section to a voltage below which the system is reset, and a communication system. A powered terminal consisting of an interface, a microcomputer that controls these, and a runaway detection section that detects runaway of the microcomputer and resets the microcomputer,
In a system in which a plurality of unpowered terminals each consisting of at least a communication interface and a microcomputer that controls communication are connected by a power line and a signal transmission line, the microcontroller of the powered terminal detects an abnormality in the unpowered terminal via the signal transmission line. The system is configured to drive the system reset section to reset the entire system.

Furthermore, the signal transmission phase is divided into an initial transmission phase and a normal transmission phase. In the initial transmission phase, the unpowered terminal transmits a READY signal to the powered terminal 'a', and the powered terminal receives the registered unpowered terminal within a certain period of time. READ from
When all the Y signals are received, the signal transmission phase is switched to the normal transmission phase, and when all the READY signals from the pre-registered unpowered terminals cannot be received within a certain period of time, the READY signal is received in the normal transmission phase. If the unpowered terminal is abnormal, the entire system is reset via the system reset unit. A runaway detection section that detects runaway of the microcomputer is installed in the unpowered terminal, and when runaway of the microcomputer is detected, the microcomputer is reset. The microcomputer programs for powered terminals and non-powered terminals are configured to include branch processing to the program start address in an empty address of the program, a condition processing section that normally cannot occur, or to divide the signal transmission phase into an initial transmission phase and a normal transmission phase. Furthermore, a reset signal is assigned to the transmission signal code, and in the initial transmission phase, the unpowered terminal transmits a READY signal to the powered terminal, and the powered # terminal receives all READY signals from the unpowered terminal registered in advance within a certain period of time. If the signal transmission phase is received, the signal transmission phase is switched to the normal transmission phase, and if all the READY signals from the unpowered terminals registered in advance cannot be received within a certain period of time, when the READY signal is received in the normal transmission phase, and when the initial transmission When Receno No. 1 is received in the normal transmission phase, the entire system is reset via the system reset section as an abnormality in the wireless tX@ terminal.

A runaway detection section that detects runaway of the microcomputer is installed in the unpowered terminal, and when runaway of the microcomputer is detected, the microcomputer is reset. No j'l') A reset processing unit is provided in the microcomputer program of terminal a to continue sending a reset signal to the power supply terminal at fixed intervals, and furthermore, the free address of the program,
This system is equipped with a configuration in which a branch process to a reset process address is inserted into an unusual condition processing section.

B1 With the above configuration, if part or the entire system becomes unable to continue operating due to malfunction, etc., the entire system is automatically reset by hardware means to return the system to an operational state again. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the present invention, which is composed of a main 'J' control unit 71, a mixing valve unit 2, and a sub-remote controller 3.

The main remote controller l includes a system power supply 4 that supplies power to the entire system, a display section 5 that displays the operating status of the system, an operating section 6 that changes the operating status of the system, a microcomma that mainly controls display, operation, and communication, and signals. The signal transmission interface 8 of the transmission line and the microcomma interface can be used to share the power supply line and the signal transmission line, allowing the signal from the signal transmission interface 8 to be routed to the power supply line, or to separate the signal transmitted to the power supply line. A mold nest separation unit 9 detects the power supply voltage supplied from the system power supply 4 and resets the microcomputer, a reset unit 10 monitors the wonch dog signal of the microcomputer 7 and resets the microcomputer via the reset unit 10 when runaway is detected. 7
The system includes a runaway detection section 11 that resets the system, and a system reset section 12 that uses the output of the microcomputer to control the output voltage of the system power supply to a voltage that activates all reset sections in the system for a certain period of time.

The mixing valve unit 2 includes a mixing valve 13 that mixes hot water and water to produce hot water at an appropriate temperature, performs hot water dispensing and water shutoff, a microcomputer 14 that mainly controls communication with the mixing valve 13, a signal transmission interface 15 similar to the main remote control, and a reset. It consists of a part 16, a runaway detection part 17, and a mold cavity separation part 18.

The sub remote controller 3 also includes a display section 19, an operation section 20, a microcomputer 21 that mainly controls display, operation, and communication, a signal transmission interface 22 similar to the main remote controller, a reset section 23, a runaway detection section 24, and a mold separation section 25. Become.

Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the mixing valve 13 of the mixing valve unit 2, showing a hot water inlet 26 for hot water from a water heater such as an electric water heater, a hot water inlet 27 for water, and a hot water outlet 28 for discharging hot water that has been mixed to an appropriate temperature.
a mixing valve unit 29 that adjusts the mixing ratio of hot water and water based on signals from the microcomputer 14, and a mixing valve drive motor 30.
, a flow rate control valve unit 31 that adjusts the flow rate of hot water or stops water supply based on signals from the microcomputer 14, and a flow rate control valve drive motor 3.
2. It is composed of a temperature sensor 33 that detects the temperature of hot water, and a flow rate sensor 34 that detects the flow rate of hot water.

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are microcomma, microcontroller 14,
2 is a schematic flowchart of a program built into the microcomputer 21. FIG.

First, Figure 3 shows a program that controls the main remote controller 1. From SI to 39, there is an initial transmission phase, and from 310 to S16.
corresponds to the normal transmission phase. When the microcomma of main remote control 1 is reset, check the RAM at 31, R
Initial settings for AM, initial settings for output terminals, etc. are performed, and a timer is set in S2.

In S3, the watchdog is output, and in S4, the received data is processed. In S5, the timer is counted, and in S8, the process loops until the READY signal from the mixing valve unit 8 and sub-remote controller 12 is received. When received data arrives due to external interrupt processing, reception processing of the received data is performed in step 318. If there is no READY signal even after waiting for a certain period of time, 8.
6, the process branches to reset processing 317. Further, if a signal other than the READY signal is received while waiting for reception of the READY signal, the process branches to reset processing 317 in S7. When S8 detects that all READY signals have been received, S9 returns 5T.
Send ART signal. This signal causes the entire system to change from the initial transmission phase to the normal transmission phase. In the normal transmission phase, the SIO displays the control status of the system, the SLL detects switches, etc., and processes switch data, and the necessary The processing result is transmitted as a signal accordingly. If a transmission abnormality such as no response to the transmission signal occurs during the transmission process in S12, the process branches to reset process S17 in S13. When the received data is processed in step 314 and a READY signal is received, the process branches to reset processing S17 in step S15. In S16, a watchdog output is output, and the process returns to SIO to form a processing loop during the normal transmission phase. In reset processing 317, a system reset activation output is output to reset the entire system. Also, although it cannot be expressed in a general flowchart, when an impossible condition occurs during condition judgment in a program, for example, if a 4-bit flag is assigned to Oh as flag OFF and Fh as flag ON, when the flag is checked, Oh, Fh
If the code is other than that, branch to reset processing 317, or reset processing S to a vacant address in the program area.
The reset process S17 is also started as a countermeasure when the microcomputer 4 malfunctions, such as when a branch instruction is input to the microcomputer 17.

Figure 4 shows the program 31 that controls the mixing valve unit 2.
9 to 323 is the initial transmission phase, 324 to S2
The period up to 7 corresponds to the normal transmission phase. Mixing valve unit 2
When the microcomputer 14 of
Performs M check, initial settings of RAM, initial settings of output terminals, etc., and sends a READY signal to the main remote controller at s2o. A watchdog signal is output in 321, received data is processed in 322, and reception of the 5TART signal is waited for in S23.

The reception of the signal is performed by detecting the signal in the interrupt processing 328 and always in real time through the initial transmission phase and the normal transmission phase. 324 to 3 when receiving 5TART signal
27 and enters the normal transmission phase. The received data is processed in S24, the mixing valve is controlled based on the received data in 325, and the control status is transmitted to the main remote controller 1 and sub remote controller 3 in S26 as necessary. At 327, a watchdog signal is output and the processing is repeated again from 324. Also, as with the microcomputer 7 of the main remote controller 1, a branch is made to the program start address at 329 to prevent malfunctions.

Figure 5 shows the program for controlling the sub remote controller 3.
to 334 is the initial transmission phase 1. S35 to S3
The period up to 9 corresponds to the normal transmission phase. When the microcomputer 21 of the sub remote controller 3 is reset, the RAM is first reset by the 330.
It performs a check, initializes the RAM, initializes the output terminal, etc., and sends a READY signal to the main remote controller at 331. A watchdog signal is output in S32, received data is processed in S333, and reception of the 5TART signal is waited for in S34. Signal reception is performed in real time by detecting the signal in the interrupt processing S40 and constantly through the initial transmission phase and the normal transmission phase.When the 5TART signal is received, S
It loops from 35 to 339 and enters the normal transmission phase.

The received data is processed in S35, and the control status of the system is displayed based on the received data in S336. In S37, the operation unit 20 is detected and if it is detected that it has been operated, the control data is sent to the main remote controller 1, as necessary in S338.
It is transmitted to the mixing valve unit 2. At S39, a watchdog signal is output, and the process is repeated from step 335. In addition, similar to the microcomputer 7 of the main remote control 1, the 3
41, the program branches to the start address of the program.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the system power supply 4 of the main remote controller 1, which is an RCC switching power supply and constitutes a 12V power supply and a 5-inch power supply. - ACloo V to D in the next rectifier circuit 35
The control circuit 36 controls the power supply to the primary winding 38 of the transformer 37 to 50Kl (ON1 at 7 for z~20).
0FF Control. 39 is a feedback winding, and 40 is a secondary winding. The power generated in the secondary winding 40 is transferred to the secondary rectifier circuit 4.
1 to convert to DC. 42 is a constant voltage feedback circuit that outputs a feedback signal to the control circuit 36 so that the output voltage of the secondary rectifier circuit 41 becomes 12V. 43 is a 5-inch constant voltage circuit.

44 is the system reset input terminal, and connect this terminal to GND.
When the voltage is reduced to , the reference voltage of the feedback circuit becomes QV, and the output power of the secondary rectifier circuit 41 decreases to about 2.5cm.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the system reset section 12, which is configured as a one-shot timer circuit and is configured to set the output to Lo for a certain period of time after one pulse is received.

In the above configuration, for example, if the microcomputer 14 of the mixing valve unit 2 malfunctions, the runaway detection section 17 resets the microcomputer 14, the program built in the microcomputer 14 starts from the initial transmission phase, and sends a READY signal to the main remote controller 1. Send. When the microcomma of the main remote control l receives the READY signal in the normal transmission phase, it starts a reset process and outputs a system reset output. By this output, the system reset section 1
2 reduces the output of the system power supply 4 for a certain period of time, and after the system is reset, it starts up again in the initial state.

Furthermore, if the RAM data of the microcomputer 14 is corrupted due to noise or the like, the program will start in the initial transmission phase and the system will be reset in the same way as in the above case due to an impossible condition at the time of data check.

Next, when the microcomma of the main remote controller 1 malfunctions, the runaway detection section 11 resets the microcomma. The program built into the microcomputer 7 starts with the initial transmission phase, but the mixing valve unit 2 and sub remote control 3
Since it is in the normal transmission phase, the microcomma of the main remote control 1 cannot receive the READY signal, the timer counts up, a reset process is activated, and the system is reset. Also, if the sub remote controller 3 is operated and control data is sent to the main remote controller 1 when the microcomputer 7 is reset and enters the initial transmission phase, the reset process is activated because data other than READY is received during the initial transmission phase. Ru.

In this way, a malfunction that occurs in one part of the system is detected and the entire system is reset and restarted automatically, eliminating the need to manually press the reset button or turn off the power in the event of a malfunction. This is particularly effective for system equipment such as hot water mixers and system water heaters that are left on at all times and are installed in locations where there is no power switch or are difficult to operate.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of the program built into the microcomma of main remote control 1;
The figure is a schematic flowchart 411 of a program built in the microcomputer 14 of the mixing valve unit 2, and FIG.

The difference from the above embodiment is that in FIG. 8, a reset signal is assigned to the transmitted data, and when the reset signal is received in S42, the process branches to the reset process, and in FIGS. 9 and 10, the main remote controller 1 is reset. The reason why the reset processing 343 and S44 that continue to send signals is configured is that when an impossible condition occurs, the reset processing 343 and S44 are activated when a vacant address of the program is accessed. According to , when a malfunction occurs in the mixing valve unit 2 or the sub-remote controller 3 and an impossible condition occurs, a reset signal is sent repeatedly until the system is reset, making it possible to reset the system more reliably. There is an effect that it can be done. Naturally, in the reset processing of 343 and S44, it is necessary to initialize the registers, memory, Ilo, etc. used in this processing at the beginning of the processing.

As described above, according to the system device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The powered terminal detects system malfunctions and automatically resets the system, so the user does not have to worry about system malfunctions, and naturally the system cannot be activated due to malfunctions. It never goes away.

(2) Since the powered terminal detects a malfunction of the non-powered terminal and lowers the ias of the entire system to the reset voltage or less, the system can be reset reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system device in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a structural diagram of the mixing valve of the mixing valve unit, and Fig. 3 is the microcomputer of the main remote control in the first embodiment. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a program built in the microcomputer of the mixing valve unit in the first embodiment,
FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a program built into the microcomputer of the sub-remote controller in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the system power supply in the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the system reset section in the first and second embodiments, FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a program built in the microcontroller of the main remote controller in the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the system reset section in the first and second embodiments. A schematic flowchart of the program built in the microcomputer of the mixing valve unit in the embodiment, FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional system device. 1...Main remote control, 2...Mixing valve unit, 3...Sub remote control, 4...
・System power supply, 7...Microcomputer, 8...
... Signal transmission interface, 10 ... Reset section, 11 ... Runaway detection section, 14 ...
・Microcomputer, 15... Signal transmission interface, 16... Reset section, 17... Runaway detection section, 21... Microcomputer, 22...
- Signal transmission interface, 23... Reset section, 24... Runaway detection section. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano (1 person) Figure 32 [;

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) At least a power supply unit that supplies power to the system, a system reset unit that lowers the output of this power supply unit to a voltage below which the system is reset, a communication interface, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) that controls these; a powered terminal comprising a runaway detection section that detects runaway of the microcomputer and resets the microcomputer;
In a system in which multiple unpowered terminals each consisting of at least a communication interface and a microcomputer that controls communication are connected by a power line and a signal transmission line, the microcontroller of the powered terminal detects an abnormality in the unpowered terminal via the signal transmission line. A system device configured to reset the entire system by driving the system reset section. (2) The signal transmission phase is divided into an initial transmission phase and a normal transmission phase, and in the initial transmission phase, the unpowered terminal transmits a READY signal to the powered terminal, and the powered terminal receives the registered unpowered terminal within a certain period of time. REA from terminal
When all the DY signals are received, the signal transmission phase is switched to the normal transmission phase, and when all the READY signals from the pre-registered unpowered terminals cannot be received within a certain period of time, the READY signal is received in the normal transmission phase. Claim (1): In this case, the entire system is reset via the system reset unit due to an abnormality in the unpowered terminal.
System equipment listed. (3) The system device according to claim (2), wherein the unpowered terminal is provided with a runaway detection section for detecting runaway of the microcomputer, and when the runaway of the microcomputer is detected, the microcomputer is reset. (4) The system device according to claim (2), wherein the microcomputer programs of the powered terminal and the unpowered terminal include branch processing to a program start address in an empty address of the program and a condition processing section that normally does not occur. (5) The signal transmission phase is divided into an initial transmission phase and a normal transmission phase, and a reset signal is further assigned to the transmission signal code, and in the initial transmission phase, the unpowered terminal transmits a READY signal to the powered terminal, and the powered terminal REA from the unpowered terminal registered in advance within a certain period of time
When all the DY signals are received, the signal transmission phase is switched to the normal transmission phase, and when all the READY signals from the pre-registered unpowered terminals cannot be received within a certain period of time, the READY signal is received in the normal transmission phase. 2. The system device according to claim 1, wherein when a reset signal is received in the initial transmission phase or the normal transmission phase, the entire system is reset via the system reset section as an abnormality in the non-power terminal. (6) The system device according to claim (5), wherein the unpowered terminal is provided with a runaway detection section for detecting runaway of the microcomputer, and when the runaway of the microcomputer is detected, the microcomputer is reset. (7) A reset processing section that continues to send a reset signal to the powered terminal at fixed intervals is installed in the microcomputer program of the non-powered terminal, and the program also branches to the reset processing address at an empty address or a condition processing section that normally does not exist. The system device according to claim (5), further comprising processing.