JPH1083217A - Combustion equipment repair support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a repair support device which has flexibility to combustion equipments by sending a password to the control part of a combustion equipment and placing it in repair mode, and receiving information from the control part and selecting and executing a repair support function program according to its data. SOLUTION: A maintenance monitor function program P6, a dummy remote control function program P7, an individual component driving function program P8, and a fault diagnostic support function program P9 are principal parts of this function. Namely, the dummy remote control function program P7 commands an ordinary combustion sequence supplied from an ordinary remote controller and the individual component driving function program P8 drives actuators individually. Further, the maintenance monitor function P6 can take an efficient fault diagnosis by being executed at the same time with the dummy remote control function P7 and individual component driving function P8. The fault diagnostic support function program P9 performs diagnostic support operation so as to specify a faulty part. Consequently, repairing operation is made efficient.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device and a system for supporting repair of a combustion device such as a water heater or a water heater with a bath reheating function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, combustion equipment such as a water heater has realized control of an automatic hot water supply function, an automatic hot water filling function, an automatic reheating function, and the like from a combustion control using a microcomputer. Along with this, the number of parts such as electromagnetic valves, actuators such as fans, and sensors such as temperature sensors and water amount sensors used in the equipment tends to increase. As described above, with the sophistication of the functions of the water heater, new sensors and components are incorporated, the control sequence is complicated, and the density of components is increasing. In addition, frequent model changes tend to increase the product lineup.

As a result, in the repair of a water heater, it is difficult to identify a failed part due to an increase in the number of parts and the sophistication of functions, which makes software more complicated. It is difficult to respond to models.

[0004]

As can be seen from the above, the repair work of a water heater tends to be extremely difficult and requires many man-hours and time. Also, as the number of models to be repaired increases, it becomes difficult to acquire necessary repair skills and repair information. For this reason, it is not possible to accurately identify the location of the failure, and frequently a part that is not the cause of the failure is replaced, thereby increasing the repair cost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide the same repair support system irrespective of the manufacturer and model of a combustion device such as a water heater.

[0006] Further, the present invention connects a repair terminal to a water heater by a communication line, analyzes the inside of a control unit in the water heater, and the like,
An object of the present invention is to provide a repair support system capable of performing advanced failure diagnosis that is impossible with a single water heater alone.

Further, the present invention provides a repair system which makes it possible to repair all models simply by connecting a repair terminal thereto without adding a diagnostic circuit or hardware inside the water heater as much as possible. The purpose is to:

[0008] Further, the present invention provides that the repair procedure is standardized,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a repair system capable of efficiently performing a failure diagnosis and specifying a failed part without having advanced repair skills for a large number of models.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a combustion equipment repair assisting apparatus having a control section for executing a combustion control sequence program, the apparatus being capable of communicating with the control section of the combustion apparatus. Storing a program having a repair support function corresponding to a plurality of types of combustion equipment, transmitting a password including a code for instructing the start of repair to the control unit of the combustion equipment, and setting the control unit of the combustion equipment to the repair mode, The device information data is received from the control unit of the combustion device, and a program corresponding to the communication device is selected from the repair support function programs according to the device information data, and the selected repair support program is executed. The present invention is attained by providing a combustion equipment repair support apparatus characterized by performing the repair of the combustion equipment by executing the apparatus.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to put the combustion equipment in the repair mode by the action of the software of transmitting the password, and execute the repair support program selected according to the equipment data received accordingly. Therefore,
It is possible to provide a general-purpose repair support device for a plurality of combustion devices. However, the present invention is also applicable to wireless communication using infrared rays or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a repair support apparatus for a combustion appliance having a control unit for executing a combustion control sequence program, wherein the apparatus can communicate with the control unit of the combustion appliance. A first program having a basic repair support function corresponding to a type of combustion equipment is stored, and the basic program is executed so as to apply the basic repair support function to the communicated combustion equipment. A corresponding second program is stored, the device information data is received from the control unit of the combustion device via the communication line, and the communication device of the second program is communicated according to the device information data. And supporting the repair of the combustion equipment by executing the first program and the selected second program. It is achieved by providing a repair support system of the combustion equipment.

According to this configuration, by storing the program specific to the combustion equipment as the second program, it is possible to provide a repair support apparatus which can flexibly cope with a plurality of combustion equipment and has flexibility.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a memory for writing drive command data to various actuators and detection data of various sensors when executing a combustion control program, and executing the combustion control program. A maintenance support function for a combustion equipment repair support device having a control unit, which is capable of communicating with the control unit of the combustion equipment, reading and displaying data in a memory in the combustion equipment in which at least detection data of a sensor is stored; and By storing a repair support program having a simulated remote control function having a function of giving an operation command equivalent to the remote control of the communication device to the control unit via the communication, and executing the repair support program. This is achieved by providing a combustion equipment repair support apparatus characterized by supporting repair of combustion equipment.

According to the above configuration, the state of the combustion equipment can be monitored while executing the normal sequence of the combustion equipment, and a more advanced diagnosis can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the present invention has a memory in which drive command data to various actuators and detection data of various sensors are written when executing a combustion control program, and executes the combustion control program. A maintenance support function for a combustion equipment repair support device having a control unit, which is capable of communicating with the control unit of the combustion equipment, reading and displaying data in a memory in the combustion equipment in which at least detection data of a sensor is stored; and By storing a repair support program having an individual component drive function having a function of giving a drive command of an actuator of the communication device to the control unit through the communication, and executing the repair support program. Achieved by providing a combustion equipment repair support device characterized by supporting combustion equipment repair .

According to the above configuration, the state of the combustion equipment can be monitored while driving the actuator of the combustion equipment under arbitrary conditions, and a more advanced diagnosis can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a memory for writing drive command data to various actuators and data detected by various sensors when executing a combustion control program, and executing the combustion control program. In a repair support apparatus for a combustion device having a control unit, the device is capable of communicating with a control unit of the combustion device, has a plurality of failure diagnosis programs corresponding to a category of a failure cause, and has a plurality of hierarchical menus. Screen can be displayed, each layer has at least a selection menu screen for specifying a failed part, and can be moved between the layers and between selection menu screens in the layer, and the actuator selected on the selection menu screen can be moved. Drive or extraction of sensor detection data to the combustion equipment via the communication, and execute the failure diagnosis program. It is achieved by providing a repair support system of a combustion device, characterized in that to support the repair of the combustion device by.

According to the above configuration, a failure site can be specified in a conversational manner by using a failure cause category such as an error code or a failure as a clue.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Although a water heater with a bath reheating function will be described below as an example, the present invention can be applied to a water heater having other functions or a general combustion device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a water heater repair support system. Reference numeral 1 denotes a repair support device, which is a water heater 2 via a communication medium such as a communication line or an infrared ray.
Connected to. Further, the repair support apparatus 1 includes a portable terminal or a portable personal computer 10 and an input / output box 2.
It consists of 0. The portable terminal 10 can use a general-purpose product, and various repair support functions can be realized by installing a repair program.

The portable terminal device 10 and the input / output box 20 are connected by a communication line, and convert a digital signal given from the portable terminal into a voltage to transmit a digital signal matched to the voltage of the water heater 2 in a serial manner. Power detected from the
It has an interface-like function of converting analog values such as gas pressure, current, voltage, resistance value, and frequency into digital values and transmitting the digital values to the mobile terminal 10.

The water heater 2 is provided with a control device by a microcomputer, which will be described later, and is connected to the input / output box 20 via a communication line CN5.
Can analyze the inside of the control device of the water heater. Further, for the water heater 2, a terminal CN4 for detecting electric power consumed for the commercial power supply, a tube CN3 for measuring a secondary gas pressure, and a voltage, a voltage and a resistance of a selected portion. A terminal CN2 with a probe for measuring the frequency is attached. These terminals CN2,
3 and 4 can be connected to appropriate parts of the water heater 2.

Therefore, what is required on the water heater 2 side is:
Basically, a connector terminal to which the communication line CN5 is connected,
This is a communication function performed via the communication line.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of software functions in the portable terminal 10 of the repair support apparatus. The portable terminal has the same hardware configuration as a general-purpose computer, and software having the functions shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the storage medium.

The tester function P1 has an AC / DC voltage measurement function P11, an AC / DC current measurement function P12, a resistance measurement function P13, and a frequency measurement function P14. The tester function program P1 measures the voltage, current, resistance, and frequency of the selected portion in the water heater by the terminal CN2 having the probe from the input / output box 20 described above.

The gas pressure measuring function program P2 is a program for measuring the gas secondary pressure of the tube CN3 on the downstream side of the gas proportional valve in the water heater 2. Similarly,
The power consumption measurement function program P3 is a program for measuring the power consumed by the entire water heater via a power terminal CN4 inserted between the power supply of the water heater 2 and the commercial power supply.

These measurement function programs measure the respective physical quantities by controlling measurement hardware in the input / output box 20, and
To be displayed.

The device information acquisition function program P4 is a program for acquiring the model code and version information of the water heater connected via the communication line CN5.

The password function program P5 has a function of transmitting a special start instruction code for instructing the repair mode from the portable terminal 10 to the water heater 2, and receiving a reply.
As will be described later, in the repair mode, the memory of the control device in the water heater can be accessed, and there is a risk of rewriting or clearing data essential for combustion control.
The security is ensured by transmitting and confirming the password.

The maintenance monitor function program P6, the simulated remote control function program P7, the individual component drive function program P8, and the failure diagnosis support function program P9 are central parts of the failure support function of the present invention. Briefly describing the functions of each program, the maintenance monitor function monitors the value of a sensor in a water heater and a numerical value for control, and can be performed by reading data from a memory (RAM) of a control device. is there.

The simulated remote control function program P7 displays a screen equivalent to the remote control on the display screen of the portable terminal, instructs a normal combustion sequence given from the normal remote control, and controls the hot water supply temperature obtained from the normal remote control. Monitor the temperature data and change the setting of the set temperature. With this function, a repair worker can operate and monitor a remote controller in a kitchen or a bathroom, for example, while staying in front of the water heater, thereby improving repair workability. Specifically, this can be achieved by, for example, rewriting the flag indicating the execution of the control sequence in the control RAM area in the water heater from the portable terminal to the ON state.

The individual component driving function program P8 has a function of individually driving actuators such as a solenoid valve and a fan motor in the water heater. While an instruction of the normal control sequence is given from the portable terminal by the simulated remote control function, this individual component driving function is a function of driving each actuator separately. Specifically, this can be achieved by, for example, rewriting the flag indicating the drive of each actuator in the control RAM area in the water heater to an ON state from the portable terminal, or giving a command to call a drive subroutine.

The above-mentioned maintenance monitor function P6 can be executed at the same time as the simulated remote control function P7 or the individual component driving function P8, so that a more efficient failure diagnosis can be performed. That is, a normal combustion sequence command is given from the portable terminal 10 by the simulated remote control function, and the movement in the control device of the water heater at that time can be monitored by the maintenance monitor function. At that time, the physical quantity can be monitored by using the tester function P1, the gas pressure measurement function P2, and the power measurement function P3 at the same time. In addition, the selected actuator can be driven by the individual component drive function, and the movement and physical quantity in the control device of the water heater at that time can be similarly monitored by the maintenance monitor function P6 and the like.

The maintenance monitor function P6, the simulated remote control function P7, and the individual component drive function P8 merely transmit a predetermined digital signal to the control unit of the water heater through a communication line. For this purpose, a digital signal is sent to the water heater 2 by serial communication via a serial signal converter (not shown) in the input / output box 20 shown in FIG.

The functions P6, P7 and P8 are:
It needs to be used in common for different devices from different manufacturers. For this purpose, the program in the mobile terminal 10 is provided with data P and program file P103 specific to each maker or model. That is, the program is different for each maker or model required to monitor the contents of the RAM through the communication line, execute the normal combustion sequence, and drive individual actuators. This program P103 is also used by the password function program P5 described above.

The failure diagnosis support function program P9 is
Even if they do not have skilled repair skills, they provide diagnostic support to identify the faulty part. For example, a function P91 for performing a diagnosis by using an error code (three-digit code standardized by the Gas Association) output when a water heater fails, a function P92 for performing a diagnosis by using a part of the water heater as a clue, It has a function P93 and the like for making a diagnosis based on the state of a phenomenon or a defect.

This failure diagnosis support function program P9
Needs to be created in a considerable part differently for each manufacturer or for each model. Therefore, the program P10
3 includes a diagnosis support program for each manufacturer or model required in the program P9.

Although not shown, the repair support apparatus has a communication function program, a display function program on a monitor, an input function program from each menu screen, and the like as common programs for each model.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of an example of a water heater. The structure of such a water heater with a bath function is well known. Briefly, it is divided into a hot water supply heat exchanger 28 and a bath heat exchanger 20, and a thermistor 24, 25, 26, a water amount sensor 27 and the like are provided in a hot water supply circuit 23 on the hot water supply side, and a circuit 29 on the bath side is provided. Is provided with a circulation pump 30, a thermistor 38, a water flow switch 39 and the like. In the gas flow path, a source gas solenoid valve 35, a hot water supply side gas solenoid valve 36,
A bath solenoid valve 37, a gas switching valve 1, a gas proportional valve 2, and the like are provided. Each combustion chamber is provided with an igniter for ignition and a frame rod for detecting ignition, and a combustion fan 31 and a flow sensor 32 for combustion control. 33 is a pressure sensor, 34 is a pouring valve.

The above-described tube CN3 for measuring gas pressure.
Is installed downstream of the gas proportional valve in the figure. Power measurement terminal CN4 is connected to a power supply line of a water heater (not shown) to measure the power consumption of the entire water heater.

FIG. 4 shows a control unit for controlling the actuators and sensors of the water heater of FIG. 3, and includes a CPU 41 such as a microcomputer and an EEPROM 4 connected thereto.
8. 47 is a remote controller attached to a kitchen or a bathroom. In a normal configuration, the CPU 41 includes an arithmetic unit 42, a RAM 43 for storing data such as driving states of actuators and outputs of sensors, flags and constants used in a control sequence, a ROM 44 for storing control programs and constants, A / D, D / A converter 45,
An interface 46 is connected via a bus.
The EEPROM 48 stores error data, its history, various setting constants, and the like.

Then, a drive signal is supplied from the CPU 41 to each of the actuators described with reference to FIG. 3 through the interface 46, and receives detection data from the sensors.

According to the present invention, the portable terminal 10 as a failure diagnosis device is connected to the two-core communication line 4 via the input / output box 20.
9 is connected to the CPU 41. 50 is the communication line 4
9 is a connector for connection. The present invention requires that the connector 50 be added as hardware on the water heater side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a combustion sequence control program for a water heater. In the ROM 44 of FIG.
As a combustion control sequence program, a hot water supply control sequence T1 for performing combustion control on the hot water supply side, an automatic pouring control sequence T2 for performing combustion control for automatically filling a bathtub with hot water,
There is a reheating control sequence T3 for controlling the combustion of the reheating of the bath. In addition to these combustion control sequence programs, a control program T4 for communicating with the outside is provided.

The above-mentioned external communication control program T4
This is a program required for performing communication with the current failure diagnosis device, and this is a configuration required for the water heater in terms of software. The hardware is the connector 50 as described above.

In the microcomputer 41 which is the control unit of the water heater, when executing the above-mentioned hot water supply sequence T1, automatic pouring sequence T2, reheating sequence T3, etc., each sensor detects in the built-in RAM 43. The detected value is recorded, and its RA
With reference to the sensor detection value in M, command data for instructing necessary driving of the actuator is written in a corresponding area in the RAM 43. Then, the microcomputer 41 outputs the command data written in each of the sequences T1, T2, T3 to the corresponding actuator.

[Failure Diagnosis] The overall configuration has been described above. In the failure diagnosis device of the present invention, hardware and software to be added to the water heater side are limited to very few so that the device can be used universally for all models of all manufacturers. ing. Then, in order to make the failure diagnosis device as general-purpose as possible, the software configuration in the portable terminal that performs the failure diagnosis is divided into a general-purpose part and a part of a corresponding program that differs for each model. FIG.
The program P103 is a program part required for each supported model.

However, the combustion control in recent years is generally performed by a general-purpose microcomputer, and the RAM area and control program shown in FIG. 4 are the same. Therefore, what differs from model to model is the type of component in the water heater, R
AM43 address, program to enter / exit RAM area,
It is a detailed part such as an actuator driving program and a sensor data input program. Therefore, in the present invention, those parts that cannot be shared are handled by the program P103.

FIG. 6 is an overall flowchart of the repair support. In the figure, the steps indicated by S are steps by the repair support device, and the steps indicated by K are steps on the water heater side. FIG. 7 is a detailed partial flowchart.

At the start of the repair, the repair worker transports the portable terminal 10 and the input / output box 20 as repair support devices to the location where the water heater is installed, inserts the communication line 49 into the connector 50 of the water heater, and connects the gas tube. Attach CN3 to the secondary pressure measurement unit and attach the power measurement terminal CN4 to the power supply (S
1).

Then, the main screen is displayed on the display screen of the portable terminal 10, and the start button is turned on by the repair worker (S2). Accordingly, a password is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 to the water heater as a code for instructing the start of the repair flow (S3).

On the water heater side, the transmitted password is checked, and after confirming that the code is correct, information on the model and the manufacturer of the water heater is returned, and the apparatus enters the repair mode by software. (K1). In particular,
The communication control program with the external device is set to the execution state, and writing and reading to and from the RAM area in the microcomputer are permitted.

The portable terminal receives the water heater information and selects a program corresponding to the information from P103 (S103).
4). As a result, the mobile terminal 10 becomes a repair support device dedicated to the connected water heater. As described above, acquiring the device information from the water heater is a very effective method for performing general-purpose repair support for many types of devices. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the repair staff checking and inputting the model number of the water heater, thereby preventing an accident of accidentally selecting the water heater.
Further, it is possible to cope with a version upgrade in which a minor correction is made to the program of the control device even with the same model number. Of course, it is necessary to always keep the program P103 up to date.

Next, the repair worker selects a menu from the main screen (S5).

As a whole flow, as shown in FIG. 6, a maintenance monitor program is selected (S6), a simulated remote control program is selected (S7), or an individual component driving program is selected (S8), or failure diagnosis is performed. After selecting the support program (S9), all repairs are completed and the end button on the main menu is pressed (S1).
0). As a result, a password, which is a code for instructing termination of the repair, is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 (S11). On the water heater side, after confirming that the password is correct, the microcomputer 41 is reset to clear the data in the RAM forcibly rewritten during the repair (K2). This reset can use the reset function of a normal microcomputer. As a result, the water heater returns to the normal control mode.

[Maintenance Monitor Function] FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the portable terminal when the maintenance monitor function is selected. FIG. 11A is a maintenance monitor selection screen, and FIG. 11B is a display screen thereof. As shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG. 7, when the maintenance monitor function is selected (S6), a maintenance monitor selection screen (FIG. 8A) is displayed. As understood from the example shown in FIG.
What is monitored is data that is stored in the RAM 43 and is constantly updated, such as data from each sensor and measurement time required for combustion control. Therefore, when the operator selects an item to be monitored and clicks the execution button (step S61), the maintenance monitor program controls to always read the data of the corresponding address in the RAM 43 in the water heater. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the selected item is converted into a specific physical quantity that is easy to understand and displayed (steps S62 and S63).

As described in the control of the water heater, in each control sequence of the combustion control sequence, the control information is always RA.
It is written to and read from the area in M43. Therefore, monitoring the inside of the RAM 43 is very effective for monitoring the state of the combustion control. Therefore, the program P1
03 provides a program for reading the RAM 43 in the hot water heater of the corresponding model,
Can constantly monitor the movement in the water heater.

By combining this maintenance monitoring function with a simulated remote control function or an individual component driving function, which will be described later, movement in the control unit of the water heater can be monitored one by one. Workability for detection is dramatically improved.

[Simulated Remote Control Function] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen example when the simulated remote control function is selected. This screen is the same command button as the remote control connected to the compatible model,
The status lamp, temperature, water level, etc. are displayed. When the simulated remote control function is selected, the mobile terminal emulates the remote control 47, and the repair worker can instruct the water heater to perform a normal combustion sequence using the remote control from the mobile terminal screen. That is, after the operation button is turned on to enable the command button, for example, when the automatic button is clicked, the water heater executes the automatic pouring sequence T2.
As a result, the hot water supply combustion button blinks. Further, by changing the setting of the bath temperature, the temperature at which the bath is poured is changed (step S71).

The method of issuing a command from the remote controller differs depending on the model and the manufacturer. For example, by simply writing ON data to a flag in a predetermined area of the RAM 43 in the water heater, the control program on the water heater side thereafter detects that a command has been issued with reference to the area of the RAM, and Start running the sequence. Alternatively, a subroutine program for calling a control program according to a command from the remote controller is executed. Appropriate processing according to each model is performed by the selected program P103 (step S7).
2).

FIG. 10 shows an example of a main screen when the maintenance monitor function and the simulated remote control function are simultaneously selected. On the right side of the screen area 63, the simulated remote control screen of FIG.
The maintenance monitor screen of FIG. 8 is displayed on the left side.
Then, from the maintenance monitor selection screen, a monitor item that matches the sequence to be executed by the water heater by the simulated remote control function is selected, and the maintenance monitor display screen is displayed from the portable terminal while the water heater performs the specified sequence. You can see. At that time, the tester, the power consumption, and the gas pressure can also be confirmed in the area 62 at the same time. In this way, the internal state of the water heater can be observed one by one by operating the remote controller, and the work efficiency for identifying the faulty part is dramatically improved (step S73).

[Individual Component Driving Function] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen example when the individual component driving function is selected. FIG.
(A) is the selection screen, which shows a list of actuators which the connected target model has and which can be individually driven from the repair support apparatus. FIG. 11 (B)
Is an individual drive instruction screen for instructing specific drive contents of the actuator selected by the user. As shown in FIG. 7, when a component to be driven is selected on the screen in FIG. 11A (S81), FIG. 11B is displayed and the content of the driving instruction is set in the screen (S82).

As a result, processing necessary for driving the selected component (actuator) from the portable terminal 10 is given to the microcomputer of the water heater via the communication line. Specific examples of the processing include, as in the case of the simulated remote controller, rewriting the data in a driving state at a predetermined address in the RAM 43, and calling a necessary subroutine. This point is also executed by a different program P103 for each model.

In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 11B, an instruction can be given to the fan motor as to at what speed the motor should be operated or stopped. Each instruction content can be set for the igniter.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a main screen when the individual component drive function and the maintenance monitor function are simultaneously selected. FIG.
Similarly to the case of 0, the individual component drive instruction screen of FIG. 11 is displayed on the right side of the area 63 and the maintenance monitor screen is displayed on the left side at the same time. As a result, it is possible to select and drive the components necessary for the failure diagnosis and monitor the internal state of the microcomputer at that time.

On the main screen, power consumption and gas pressure are always displayed in an area 62. Therefore, as the simplest diagnostic method, it is possible to check whether or not the actuators can be operated by sequentially driving all the actuators by the individual component driving function and monitoring the change in the power consumption.

By using the above-described simulated remote control function and the individual component function in combination, for example, the normal combustion sequence that does not operate normally described by the customer is first executed using the simulated remote control function, Monitor activity. Then, based on the prediction of a certain failure site based on that, the selected component is driven using the individual component driving function, and the internal operation is monitored.

Such a repair work is effective for a worker having a certain level of skill. The present invention provides the following failure diagnosis support function so that even a worker who does not have such advanced skills can support repair.

[Failure Diagnosis Support Function] FIG. 13 is an example of the first scene when the failure diagnosis support function is selected.
This failure diagnosis support function allows a worker who does not have a high level of repair skills to finally identify a failed part while talking with a portable terminal. FIG.
Is an example of the first screen. As shown in FIG. 7, a failure site is specified while calling a lower screen in an interactive manner.

As shown in the example of FIG. 13, for example, a menu for specifying a failed part based on an error code output from a water heater, a menu for specifying a failed part based on a part, and a phenomenon of failure. And a menu for specifying a failed part based on the defect. In addition, if there is a clue of a valid diagnosis, those menus can be added.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a database of the failure diagnosis support program. In the example of this database, for example, a lower layer screen associated in a relational relationship is shown as an example. Therefore, the Roman numerals in the figure indicate the depth of the hierarchy. In this example, if the main menu is the I-th hierarchy, the main menu has the V-th hierarchy. Layer II has a screen 71 displayed when a menu based on an error code is selected. Since the normal water heater stores the error code in the EEPROM 48, when this menu is selected, the data is read out by the portable terminal 10 via the communication line and displayed.

When an error code is selected from the screen, the hierarchy III screens 72 and 73 are displayed. This screen is a list of parts that should be checked for each error code or have a possibility of failure. Since the site list for the error code differs for each type of water heater, the data on this screen is given by the program P103.
In the example of FIG. 14, the screen 72 of the error code 1 lists a fan motor, a hot water supply gas valve, a switching gas valve 1, and an igniter.

Then, when the fan motor is further selected from the list, a screen 74 of the hierarchy IV is displayed. On this screen, a list of check items necessary for diagnosing whether the fan motor is normal or not is displayed. For example, when the item of the applied voltage is selected, the screen 76 of the layer V is displayed. On this screen, for example, a message indicating what the operator should do to diagnose the applied voltage of the fan motor and the allowable range of the voltage are displayed. As a message example,
"Remove the connector xx and apply the probe."
When the operator hits the probe according to it, the program automatically drives the fan,
The voltage at that time is measured and displayed in the area 62 of the screen. The program automatically checks whether or not the voltage is within the allowable range, and displays a message instructing some next operation (not shown in the figure).

In this way, the worker can talk with the user in FIG.
While moving between middle hierarchies or between screens in the hierarchies, a failure site is finally specified.

The database in FIG. 14 has a relational relation, for example, the hot water gas valve on the screen 72 of the layer III and the hot water gas valve on the screen 73 are associated with the same screen 75.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a database of a failure diagnosis support program based on parts. For example, if the user gives more specific information about a part with a bad condition, or if a part with a certain possibility is specified, selecting this menu will support the failure diagnosis of that part. Is done. Hierarchy II screen 81
Is a list of parts, screens 82, 83, and 84 of the layer III are item lists to be diagnosed in each part, and screens 85 and 86 of the layer IV are message screens of each diagnosis. Levels II and below are different for each model.
Supported by 103. Also in this case, the failure site is finally specified while moving the screen between or within the layers.

FIG. 16 is an example of a database in the case of diagnosing based on a defect. When this menu is selected, a list of typical failures specific to the model is displayed on the screen 91 of the hierarchy II. For example, the hot water supply temperature does not rise or a vibration noise is generated. Then, selection is made from this list based on, for example, a problem due to information from the user or a problem when the normal sequence is executed from the simulated remote controller. Then, a list of parts to be diagnosed in the event of a failure that the hot water supply temperature does not rise is shown on the screen 92 of the level III. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the screen 9 of the layer IV
3, 94, the fault site is specified by using the message screen 95 of the hierarchy V and the like.

In this example, since the layers below the layer II are different for each model, they are supported by the program P103. In this way, the worker finally specifies the failed part while moving between the layers in FIG. 16 or between the screens in the layers in a conversational manner.

The repair part identification work is performed while moving between the screens based on the error codes in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, the screen based on the part, and the screen based on the defect. . Therefore, it is possible to move between the respective hierarchical screens.

In the above description, an example has been described in which the repair support device and a combustion device such as a water heater are connected via a communication line. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where wireless communication is performed via a communication medium such as an infrared ray. Is applied.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, repair work can be efficiently performed using the same repair support device regardless of the make and model of a combustion device such as a water heater. In addition, additional requirements required on the water heater side to use the repair support device are minimum hardware and software such as installing a connector for communication and enabling communication with the outside. belongs to. Therefore, the water heater itself does not need to have a diagnostic function, and the cost does not increase significantly.

Furthermore, while constantly monitoring the control state in the water heater from the portable terminal, it is possible to drive the remote controller and individually drive the actuator, thereby performing a very advanced repair work. Then, while the repair procedure is standardized, functions necessary for each model can be made available by a program, and frequent upgrades can be supported.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a water heater repair support system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a software function in a portable terminal 10 of the repair support apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of an example of a water heater.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit that controls each actuator and sensor of the water heater.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a combustion sequence control program of the water heater.

FIG. 6 is an overall flowchart of repair support.

FIG. 7 is a detailed partial flowchart of repair support.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal when the maintenance monitor function is selected.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a simulated remote control function is selected.

FIG. 10 is an example of a main screen when a maintenance monitor function and a simulated remote control function are simultaneously selected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when an individual component driving function is selected.

FIG. 12 is an example of a main screen when an individual component drive function and a maintenance monitor function are simultaneously selected.

FIG. 13 is an example of a first scene when a failure diagnosis support function is selected.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a database example (1) of a failure diagnosis support program.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a database example (2) of the failure diagnosis support program.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a database example (3) of a failure diagnosis support program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Repair support apparatus 2 Water heater 10 Portable terminal 41 Control part 43 RAM

Claims (15)

[Claims] An apparatus for supporting repair of a combustion device having a control unit for executing a combustion control sequence program, the program being communicable with the control unit of the combustion device and having a repair support function corresponding to a plurality of types of combustion devices. Is stored, and a password including a code for instructing the start of repair is transmitted to the control unit of the combustion device, the control unit of the combustion device is set to the repair mode, and the device information data is received from the control unit of the combustion device. Selecting a program corresponding to the combustion device to be communicated among the repair support function programs according to the device information data, and executing the selected repair support program to support repair of the combustion device. Repair equipment for burning equipment. 2. A repair support apparatus for a combustion device having a control unit for executing a combustion control sequence program, the device being communicable with the control unit of the combustion device, and having a common support for a plurality of types of combustion devices in the repair support. Storing a first program having a repair support function, executing the basic repair support function to the communicated combustion device, storing a second program individually corresponding to a plurality of combustion devices, Receiving the device information data from the control unit of the combustion device via the communication line, and selecting a program portion corresponding to the communication device to be communicated in the second program according to the device information data; A repair support apparatus for a combustion device, which supports the repair of the combustion device by executing the first program and the selected second program. 3. A repair support apparatus for a combustion apparatus having a memory in which drive command data to various actuators and detection data of various sensors are written when a combustion control program is executed, and a control unit for executing the combustion control program. A maintenance monitor function capable of communicating with a control unit of the combustion device, reading and displaying data in a memory in the combustion device in which at least detection data of a sensor is stored, and a remote control for the communication with the combustion device. A repair support program having a simulated remote control function having a function of giving an equivalent operation command to the control unit via the communication is stored, and the repair support program is executed to support repair of the combustion equipment. Repair equipment for combustion equipment. 4. The repair support apparatus for a combustion device according to claim 3, wherein the simulated remote control function program has remote control function data communicable with the combustion device for a plurality of types of the combustion devices, and the communicable combustion device. Is selected. 5. An apparatus for supporting repair of a combustion apparatus having a memory in which drive command data to various actuators and detection data of various sensors are written when a combustion control program is executed, and a control unit for executing the combustion control program. A maintenance monitor function capable of communicating with a control unit of the combustion device, reading and displaying data in a memory in the combustion device in which at least detection data of a sensor is stored, and an actuator of the communication combustion device A repair support program having an individual component drive function having a function of giving the drive command to the control unit via the communication is stored, and the repair support program is executed to support repair of the combustion equipment. Repair equipment for combustion equipment. 6. The repair support apparatus for a combustion device according to claim 5, wherein the individual component drive function program has data of actuators of the combustion device for a plurality of types of the combustion devices, and the communication device includes a communication device. The data of the corresponding actuator is selected. 7. The combustion equipment repair support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the individual component drive function program displays a list of the actuators to make the actuator selectable, and issues a command to drive the selected actuator to the combustion equipment. To the control unit. 8. The repair support apparatus for a combustion device according to claim 3, wherein the maintenance monitor function program has a data list of a monitorable memory of the combustion device for a plurality of types of the combustion device, and the communication The data list corresponding to the combustion device to be performed is selected. 9. The repair support apparatus for a combustion apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the maintenance monitor function program displays a list of the sensors so that the list can be selected, and stores data in the memory corresponding to the selected sensor. Has the function of reading out and displaying. 10. The repair assisting device for a combustion device according to claim 3, wherein the repair assisting device further has a detection terminal for detecting a gas pressure or power consumption of the combustion device, and burns the terminal. The gas pressure or the power consumption is displayed by connecting to a predetermined place of the device, and the simulated remote control program or the individual component driving program is executed while performing the display by the maintenance monitor function program and the gas pressure or the power consumption. It is characterized by doing. 11. The repair assisting device for a combustion device according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the repair assisting device further includes a probe terminal connectable to an arbitrary electric terminal of the combustion device. A current generated at the electric terminal when connected to an arbitrary electric terminal,
Detect and display voltage or frequency, display by the maintenance monitor function program and the current,
The present invention is characterized in that the simulated remote control program or the individual component driving program is executed while displaying the voltage or the frequency. 12. A combustion equipment repair assisting device having a memory in which drive command data to various actuators and detection data of various sensors are written when a combustion control program is executed, and having a control unit for executing the combustion control program. , Which is capable of communicating with the control unit of the combustion equipment, has a plurality of failure diagnosis programs corresponding to the categories of failure causes, and the failure diagnosis program can display a plurality of hierarchy menu screens, and each hierarchy It has a selection menu screen for specifying at least a faulty part, is movable between the hierarchy and between the selection menu screens in the hierarchy, and drives the actuator selected on the selection menu screen or extracts the sensor detection data. Performs communication on the combustion equipment via communication, and supports the repair of the combustion equipment by executing the failure diagnosis program. A repair support device for combustion equipment, characterized in that: 13. The repair support apparatus for a combustion device according to claim 12, wherein the failure diagnosis program reads and displays an error code stored in the combustion device, and selects the displayed error code to select a lower layer. A menu screen displays at least a list of parts in the combustion device that may cause the selected error code, and extracts the drive or detection data for the part selected from the displayed part list. It is characterized by performing. 14. The repair support apparatus for a combustion device according to claim 12, wherein the repair support device further has a detection terminal for detecting gas pressure or power consumption of the combustion device, and the terminal is connected to the combustion device. By connecting to a predetermined location, the gas pressure or the power consumption is displayed, and the failure diagnosis program is executed while displaying the gas pressure or the power consumption. 15. The repair assisting device for a combustion device according to claim 12, wherein the repair assisting device further has a probe terminal connectable to an arbitrary electric terminal of the combustion device, and the probe terminal is connected to an arbitrary electric terminal. Current generated at the electrical terminal when connected to the electrical terminal,
The voltage or frequency is detected and displayed, and the fault diagnosis program is executed while displaying the current, voltage or frequency.