Hot water supply device

Abstract

To provide a hot water supply device which can further surely synchronize set information stored in a water heater with set information stored in a remote controller.SOLUTION: A hot water supply device 10 comprises a water heater 11, and a bathroom remote controller 12 and a kitchen remote controller 13 into which set information related to an operation of the water heater 11 can be inputted. The water heater 11 comprises: a communication part 115 communicating with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13; a control part 111; and a storage part 112 for storing the set information. After the control part 111 of the water heater 11 updates its firmware, the control part transmits the set information stored in the storage part 112 of the water heater 11 to the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13. Control parts 123, 133 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 make storage parts 124, 134 update and store the received set information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water heating apparatus including a water heater and a remote controller. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A water heating apparatus including a water heater and a remote controller is known in the art. In this type of water heating apparatus, firmware, which is control software for the water heater, is updated to the latest version as needed and applied to the water heater.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 describes a water heating apparatus that can perform firmware updates without omission. In this water heating apparatus, when the water heating apparatus is communicatively connected to a server, the firmware is updated by update firmware downloaded from the server via a first communication unit. In addition, when the water heating apparatus is not communicatively connected to the server, a service person or the like communicatively connects a terminal device to a second communication unit, and the firmware is updated by update firmware downloaded from the terminal device via the second communication unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-097297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the water heating device, the hot water temperature and the like are set via the remote controller. If the water heating device has a bath function, the bath temperature, the bath water level, and the time for keeping the hot water in the bathtub warm and the like are further set via the remote controller. This setting information is shared between the water heater and the remote controller. That is, this setting information is stored in the memory of the remote controller in response to input, and is also transferred to the water heater and stored in the memory of the water heater. Also, for example, when the power to the water heating device is turned off and then turned on again, the control unit of the remote controller is reset. In this case, the setting information stored in the water heater is transmitted to the remote controller and updated and stored in the memory of the remote controller.

[0006] However, the setting information stored in the remote controller may be rewritten due to disturbances or the like. Also, the setting information held in the water heater may be rewritten due to disturbances or the like. In such a case, a discrepancy occurs between the setting information stored in the water heater and the remote controller. As a result, the setting information displayed on the remote controller differs from the setting information stored in the water heater, which results in a sense of discomfort to the user when the water heater is actually operating.

[0007] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a water heating apparatus that can more reliably synchronize setting information stored in the water heater and a remote controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A water heating device according to a main aspect of the present invention comprises a water heater and a remote controller capable of inputting setting information relating to the operation of the water heater, the water heater comprising a communication unit for communicating with the remote controller, a water heater control unit, and a water heater memory unit for storing the setting information, and the remote controller comprising a communication unit for communicating with the communication unit of the water heater, a remote controller control unit, and a remote controller memory unit for storing the setting information. After updating its own firmware, the water heater control unit transmits the setting information stored in the water heater memory unit to the remote controller, and the remote controller control unit updates and stores the received setting information in the remote controller memory unit.

[0009] According to the water heating device of this aspect, the setting information stored in the water heater storage unit is transmitted to the remote controller based on a firmware update for the water heater control unit, and is updated and stored in the remote controller storage unit. This synchronizes the setting information held in the water heater and the remote controller. This makes it possible to more reliably synchronize the setting information stored in the water heater and the remote controller.

[0010] In the water heating device of this embodiment, the remote controller control unit has a function of sending a request to the water heater control unit to send the setting information stored in the water heater memory unit when it resets itself, and the water heater control unit can be configured to send a reset command to the remote controller control unit to reset the remote controller control unit after updating its own firmware.

[0011] According to this configuration, the setting information stored in the water heater storage unit can be transmitted from the water heater to the remote controller by using the function associated with the reset operation of the remote controller control unit as is. Therefore, the setting information stored in the water heater and the remote controller can be synchronized by a simple process. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water heating apparatus that can more reliably synchronize setting information stored in the water heater and the remote controller.

[0013] The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the embodiment. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of how the present invention can be put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a connection between a water heater and a bathtub according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a setting information update process executed by the control units of the bathroom remote control and the kitchen remote control upon reset according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] Fig. 5(a) is a flowchart showing a process executed by a control unit of a water heater when updating firmware according to an embodiment. Fig. 5(b) is a flowchart showing a process executed when a control unit of a water heater is reset according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, hot water supply system 1 includes hot water supply apparatus 10 and server 40. Hot water supply apparatus 10 is capable of communicating with server 40 via external communication network 30. In addition, hot water supply apparatus 10 is capable of being remotely controlled via server 40 by a mobile terminal device (e.g., a mobile phone) (not shown).

[0018] The water heater 10 includes a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. In other words, the water heater 10 is a gas combustion type water heater that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning gas fuel. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, etc.

[0019] Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to water heater 11 and are used to make various settings and give instructions for execution of each function of water heater 10. Remote controller 12 includes display unit 121 consisting of a liquid crystal panel, and input unit 122, while remote controller 13 includes display / input unit 131 consisting of a touch panel, and operation button 132. By operating input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on display unit 121, the operator can give instructions for execution of the bath filling function and set the hot water supply temperature, bath temperature, bath water level, and time for keeping the water in the bathtub warm, etc. The operator can also operate display / input unit 131 to make settings for filling the bath, etc.

[0020] The remote controller 12 is installed in a bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in a kitchen etc. The remote controllers 12 and 13 are provided with audio windows 12a and 13a for inputting and outputting audio.

[0021] Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as the "bathroom remote control 12," and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like will be referred to as the "kitchen remote control 13."

[0022] Router 20 is a communication repeater for connecting each device present in a building (here, home H10) to an external communication network 30. External communication network 30 is, for example, the Internet. A server 40 for managing water heating apparatus 10 is connected to external communication network 30. Kitchen remote control 13 communicates with server 40 via router 20 and external communication network 30.

[0023] An application program for hot water supply system 1 is downloaded from server 40 and installed in kitchen remote control 13. This application program includes address information (e.g., an IP address) for accessing server 40. Kitchen remote control 13 accesses server 40 and communicates with it based on this address information.

[0024] The address information of kitchen remote control 13 is transmitted to server 40 during initial configuration and registered in server 40. Furthermore, ID information (identification information) of kitchen remote control 13 is transmitted from kitchen remote control 13 to server 40 and registered in server 40.

[0025] 1 further shows an operation terminal 50 as a configuration for updating firmware for water heater 11. Operation terminal 50 is an information processing terminal (such as a personal computer or a tablet computer) separately prepared by an operator such as a serviceman. When updating firmware, operation terminal 50 is communicatively connected to water heater 11 via a communication line.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting hot water supply apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0027] Water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a memory unit 112, a drive unit 113, a detection unit 114, and a communication unit 115.

[0028] Control unit 111 includes a microcomputer, and controls each unit in water heater 11 according to a program (firmware) stored in an internal memory. Storage unit 112 includes a memory, and is used as an external memory (work area) when the firmware is executed. Storage unit 112 also includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. Setting information, which will be described later, is stored in this non-volatile memory.

[0029] Driving unit 113 includes various driving means necessary for hot water supply operation such as a gas solenoid valve described later. Detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged in water heater 11. For example, detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water, and a water level sensor for detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub.

[0030] The communication unit 115 communicates with the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 under the control of the control unit 111. The communication unit 115 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 via the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. The two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are also connected to each other inside the communication unit 115. Therefore, the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote control 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Therefore, a signal transmitted from any one of the communication units 115, 125, and 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication unit. Furthermore, the communication unit 115 communicates with the operation terminal 50 of FIG. 1 under the control of the control unit 111 during firmware update.

[0031] Bathroom remote control 12 includes, in addition to display unit 121 and input unit 122 described above, control unit 123, memory unit 124, communication unit 125, speaker 126, and microphone 127. Display unit 121 is, for example, configured with a liquid crystal panel. Input unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. Display unit 121 may be a touch panel.

[0032] The control unit 123 includes a microcomputer and performs predetermined control in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 124. The storage unit 124 includes a memory and stores the predetermined control program. Setting information, which will be described later, is stored in the storage unit 124.

[0033] Communication unit 125 communicates with water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 under the control of control unit 123. Speaker 126 outputs sound based on the sound signal generated by control unit 123. Control unit 123 reads out sound information stored in storage unit 124 as needed to generate the sound signal. The sound output from speaker 126 is output from sound window 12a in FIG. 1. Microphone 127 collects the sound via sound window 12a in FIG. 1.

[0034] In addition to the above-mentioned display input unit 131 and operation button 132, kitchen remote control 13 includes a control unit 133, a memory unit 134, a communication unit 135, a speaker 136, a microphone 137, and a wireless communication unit 138.

[0035] The control unit 133 includes a microcomputer and performs predetermined control in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 134. The storage unit 134 includes a memory and stores the predetermined control program. Setting information, which will be described later, is stored in the storage unit 134.

[0036] The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 and the bathroom remote control 12 according to the control of the control unit 133. The speaker 136 outputs sound based on the sound signal generated by the control unit 133. The control unit 133 reads out the sound information stored in the memory unit 134 as needed to generate the sound signal. The sound output from the speaker 136 is output from the sound window 13a in FIG. 1. The microphone 137 collects the sound via the sound window 13a in FIG. 1. The wireless communication unit 138 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a connection between the water heater 11 and the bathtub 2. As shown in FIG.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, water heater 11 includes a hot water supply section 210, a re-heating section 220, and a bypass section 230.

[0039] The hot water supply section 210 includes a water supply pipe 211, a hot water supply heat exchanger 212, a hot water supply pipe 213, a hot water supply combustor 214, and an air supply fan 215. The water supply pipe 211 is connected to a water pipe and the hot water supply heat exchanger 212, and the hot water supply pipe 213 is connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 212, the bathroom faucet 3, and the external faucet 4. Gas (fuel gas) is supplied to the hot water supply combustor 214 through a hot water supply gas pipe 217 that is opened and closed by a gas solenoid valve 216. The hot water supply combustor 214 burns gas as fuel. The air supply fan 215 supplies air for combustion to the hot water supply combustor 214.

[0040] The reheating section 220 includes a return pipe 221, a bath heat exchanger 222, an outgoing pipe 223, a bath combustor 224, and a circulation pump 225. The return pipe 221 is connected to the circulation adapter 2a of the bathtub 2 and the bath heat exchanger 222, and the outgoing pipe 223 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 222 and the circulation adapter 2a.

[0041] Gas (fuel gas) is supplied to the bath combustor 224 through a bath gas pipe 227 that is opened and closed by a gas solenoid valve 226. The bath combustor 224 burns gas as fuel. An air supply fan 215 is shared between the hot water supply section 210 and the re-heating section 220, and air for combustion is supplied from the air supply fan 215 to the bath combustor 224. A circulation pump 225 and a water level sensor 228 are disposed in the return pipe 221. The water level sensor 228 detects the water level in the bathtub 2 based on the water pressure in the return pipe 221.

[0042] The bypass unit 230 includes a bypass pipe 231 and a hot water supply solenoid valve 232. The bypass pipe 231 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 213 and the return pipe 221. The hot water supply solenoid valve 232 opens and closes the bypass pipe 231.

[0043] The control unit 111 controls the hot water combustor 214, the air supply fan 215 and the gas solenoid valve 216 of the hot water supply unit 210, the bath combustor 224, the circulation pump 225, the water level sensor 228 and the gas solenoid valve 226 of the re-heating unit 220, the hot water solenoid valve 232 of the bypass unit 230, and the like.

[0044] When the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is opened, the hot water supply function is executed. The water flowing out from the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is detected by a flow sensor (not shown), thereby detecting that the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 has been opened.

[0045] When bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 is opened, water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211, and hot water combustor 214 combusts, heating hot water heat exchanger 212. The water introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 is heated to become hot water, which is supplied to bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 through hot water pipe 213. When bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 is closed, the supply of water from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 stops, and the combustion of hot water combustor 214 stops.

[0046] Furthermore, when a command to fill bathtub 2 with hot water is received from bathroom remote control 12 or kitchen remote control 13, control unit 111 executes the hot water filling function (automatic bath function). In this case, hot water solenoid valve 232 is opened, and water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211, and is heated in hot water heat exchanger 212. Then, the hot water from hot water heat exchanger 212 is introduced into return pipe 221 through hot water pipe 213 and bypass pipe 231.

[0047] A portion of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the circulation adapter 2a and is poured from the circulation adapter 2a into the bathtub 2. The rest of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the bath heat exchanger 222, and further flows through the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outgoing pipe 223 before being poured into the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a.

[0048] When hot water is supplied and filled in bathtub 2, return pipe 221, bath heat exchanger 222, and supply pipe 223 are filled with water. This allows water level sensor 228 to detect the water level in bathtub 2. When water level sensor 228 detects that the water level in bathtub 2 has reached a preset water level, hot water supply solenoid valve 232 is closed, water supply from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 is stopped, and combustion in hot water supply combustor 214 is stopped.

[0049] When a person enters bathtub 2 filled with hot water, the water level in bathtub 2 rises. Also, when a person leaves bathtub 2, the water level drops. The water level fluctuation based on people entering and exiting bathtub 2 can be detected by water level sensor 228.

[0050] When the reheating function is performed, the circulation pump 225 operates and the bath combustor 224 starts combustion. The hot water in the bathtub 2 circulates between the bathtub 2 and a circulation path consisting of the return pipe 221, the bath heat exchanger 222, and the forward pipe 223, and is heated in the bath heat exchanger 222 during the circulation. When the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 becomes higher than a preset temperature, the circulation pump 225 and the bath combustor 224 stop.

[0051] In the hot water addition function, a predetermined amount of hot water is injected into the bathtub 2 by the same control as the hot water filling function (automatic bath function). When the hot water addition function is executed, the hot water supply burner 214 and the bath burner 224 are stopped, and the same control as the hot water filling function (automatic bath function) is executed, and a predetermined amount of water is injected into the bathtub 2.

[0052] 3, water heater 11 has various sensors arranged in corresponding piping, such as a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of hot water supplied from bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of this hot water, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hot water in bathtub 2. The temperature of the hot water in bathtub 2 is obtained, for example, by driving circulation pump 225 to circulate the hot water in bathtub 2 through return pipe 221 and detecting the temperature of this hot water with a temperature sensor arranged in return pipe 221.

[0053] Based on the temperatures input from these sensors, the control unit 111 controls the combustion operation during hot water supply so that the temperature of the hot water dispensed from the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 becomes a predetermined set temperature (hot water supply temperature), and also controls the combustion operation during filling the bathtub 2 so that the temperature of the hot water filled in the bathtub 2 becomes a predetermined set temperature (bath temperature). After filling the bath, the control unit 111 circulates the hot water in the bathtub 2 through the return pipe 221 to obtain the temperature of the hot water, and performs a reheating operation based on the obtained temperature so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 is maintained at the predetermined set temperature (bath temperature). The control unit 111 performs this operation (heat retention operation) for a predetermined set time (heat retention time). In addition, the control unit 111 controls the bath filling operation so that the bathtub 2 is filled with hot water at a predetermined set water level (bath water level) based on the water level detection result by the water level sensor 228.

[0054] Here, the above-mentioned "hot water temperature," "bath temperature," "heat retention time," and "bath water level" are set by the user via bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13. This setting information is shared between water heater 11 and bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13. In other words, the setting information input via bathroom remote control 12 or kitchen remote control 13 is stored in the memory of that remote control, and is also transferred to the other remote controls and water heater 11 via two-core communication lines L1, L2, and stored in the memory of the other remote controls and water heater 11.

[0055] In addition, the control units 123, 133 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 have the function of obtaining setting information stored on the water heater 11 side from the water heater 11 when they are reset, and updating and storing the same in their own memory units 124, 134.

[0056] For example, when water heating apparatus 10 is powered on again after being shut off, control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 are reset, respectively. In this case, in response to resetting themselves, control units 123, 133 send a request to water heater 11 to send setting information stored in memory unit 112 of water heater 11, and acquire the setting information from water heater 11. Control units 123, 133 update and store the received setting information in their own memories 124, 134. This synchronizes the setting information held in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13, respectively.

[0057] 4 is a flowchart showing the setting information update process executed by control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 upon reset. For convenience, the process in control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13 will be described below.

[0058] When control unit 133 executes a reset process for itself, for example, when the power is turned on as described above (S101: YES), it transmits a request to transmit setting information to water heater 11 (S102). In response, control unit 111 of water heater 11 transmits the setting information stored in its own memory unit 112 to kitchen remote control 13. When control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13 receives the setting information transmitted from water heater 11 (S103: YES), it updates and stores the received setting information in its own memory unit 134 (S104). As a result, the setting information stored in memory unit 134 is rewritten with the setting information received from water heater 11. In this way, the setting information respectively held in water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 is synchronized.

[0059] Control unit 123 of bathroom remote control 12 also acquires setting information from water heater 11 through a process similar to that described above, for example, when the power is turned on as described above, and updates and stores the acquired setting information in its own memory unit 124. This synchronizes the setting information held in water heater 11 and bathroom remote control 12. In this way, the setting information held in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13 is synchronized.

[0060] In this way, when power is turned on to water heating apparatus 10, control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 are reset, thereby synchronizing the setting information held in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13. However, it is possible that the setting information stored in bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 will be overwritten due to external disturbances, etc. In addition, it is possible that the setting information held in water heater 11 will also be overwritten due to external disturbances, etc.

[0061] In such a case, the setting information stored in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13 will differ from each other. As a result, the setting information displayed on bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 will differ from the setting information stored in water heater 11, resulting in a sense of discomfort to the user when actually using water heating apparatus 10.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, processing is executed to more reliably synchronize the setting information stored in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13. Specifically, control unit 111 of water heater 11 transmits the setting information stored in memory unit 112 of water heater 11 to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 based on an update of its own firmware, and control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 update and store the received setting information in memory units 124, 134 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13.

[0063] FIG. 5(a) is a flowchart showing the process executed by control unit 111 of water heater 11 when updating firmware.

[0064] As described above, firmware update for control unit 111 (microcomputer) of water heater 11 is performed using operation terminal 50 in Fig. 1. When updating firmware, operation terminal 50 is communicatively connected to water heater 11 via a communication line.

[0065] Operation terminal 50 acquires the firmware to be updated from server 40 in response to an operation by a service technician. The firmware to be updated may be acquired by reading it from a storage medium such as a USB memory. In this case, a USB memory that stores the firmware to be updated is attached to operation terminal 50. Thereafter, when an operation to update the firmware is performed by a technician, operation terminal 50 transmits the firmware to be updated to water heater 11.

[0066] When the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 receives firmware to be updated from the operation terminal 50 (S201: YES) in a state where the firmware update mode is set via the operation terminal 50, the control unit 111 stores an update flag indicating that the firmware will be updated in the non-volatile memory of the storage unit 112 (S202). As described above, setting information such as the hot water supply temperature is stored in this non-volatile memory.

[0067] After storing the update flag in the non-volatile memory (S202), the control unit 111 executes a firmware update process (S203). As a result, the firmware stored in the internal memory of the control unit 111 (microcomputer) is rewritten with the received firmware. Thereafter, the control unit 111 executes a reset process for itself (S204). As a result, the control unit 111 (microcomputer) is started up by the updated firmware that has been rewritten in the internal memory. In this way, the firmware update process is completed.

[0068] At this time, since the setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory of storage unit 112, it is held in storage unit 112 as it is even if firmware update processing and control unit 111 reset processing are performed.

[0069] FIG. 5(b) is a flowchart showing the process when control unit 111 of water heater 11 is reset.

[0070] When control unit 111 of water heater 11 is started by a reset process for itself (S211: YES), it refers to the non-volatile memory of storage unit 112 and checks whether the above-mentioned update flag is stored in the non-volatile memory (S212). If an update flag is stored in the non-volatile memory (S212: YES), control unit 111 transmits a reset command to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 to reset bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 (S213). On the other hand, if an update flag is not stored in the non-volatile memory (S212: NO), control unit 111 skips the process of step S213 and ends the process of FIG. 5(b).

[0071] In step S213, when a reset command is sent to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13, control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 execute a reset process for themselves. When control units 123, 133 are started by this reset process, the determination in step S101 of FIG. 4 becomes YES. As a result, control units 123, 133 execute the process from step S102 onwards. As a result of this process, control units 123, 133 acquire the setting information stored in memory unit 112 (non-volatile memory) of water heater 11 from water heater 11, as described above, and update and store the acquired setting information in their own memory units 124, 134. In this way, the setting information stored in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13, respectively, are synchronized.

[0072] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0073] As explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5(a) and (b), after updating the firmware for control unit 111 (control unit for water heater) of water heater 11 (S203), the setting information stored in memory unit 112 (memory unit for water heater) of water heater 11 is transmitted to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 (S102, S103), and updated and stored in memory units 124, 134 (memory units for remote controllers) of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 (S104). This synchronizes the setting information held in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13, respectively. This makes it possible to more reliably synchronize the setting information stored in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13, respectively.

[0074] 4, when control units 123, 133 (remote controller control units) of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 reset themselves (S101: YES), they transmit a request to control unit 111 of water heater 11 to send setting information stored in memory unit 112 of water heater 11 (S102), and have the function of updating and storing (S104) the received setting information (S103) in their own memories 124, 134. Then, after updating its own firmware (S201-S203), control unit 111 of water heater 11 transmits a reset command to control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 to reset control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 (S204).

[0075] This allows the setting information stored in memory unit 112 of water heater 11 to be transmitted from water heater 11 to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 by directly using the functions (Figure 4) associated with the reset operation in control units 123, 133 of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13. Therefore, synchronization of the setting information respectively stored in water heater 11, bathroom remote control 12, and kitchen remote control 13 can be performed by simple processing.

[0076] <Example of change> In the above embodiment, the setting information stored in the memory unit 124 of the water heater 11 was transmitted to the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 and updated and stored when updating firmware in the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 using the reset operation function in the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13, but the method of transmitting setting information from the water heater 11 to the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 when updating firmware is not limited to this.

[0077] For example, after updating the firmware in the control unit 111 of the water heater 11, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 may transmit the setting information stored in the memory unit 112 along with an update command to the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13, and the control units 123, 133 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 may update and store the received setting information in their own memory units 124, 134 based on the received update command.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the devices that share the setting information of water heater 11 are bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13, but the devices that share the setting information of water heater 11 are not limited to this, and if water heating apparatus 10 includes other devices that share the setting information, the setting information of water heater 11 may also be sent to these devices by a similar process when updating the firmware, and updated and stored in the memory unit of these devices. Furthermore, if only one remote control is provided in the water heating apparatus, the setting information is updated and stored for this remote control by the above process, and if another remote control is provided in water heating apparatus 10 other than bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13, the setting information may be updated and stored for this remote control by the above process.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the firmware is updated using the operation terminal 50, but the kitchen remote control 13 may be used for updating the firmware. In this case, the control unit 133 accesses the server 40 in response to an operation by an operator on the display input unit 131, and acquires the firmware to be updated from the server 40. Then, the control unit 133 transmits the acquired setting information to the water heater 11 via the two-core communication line L2. As a result, the determination in step S201 in FIG. 5(a) becomes YES, and the processes from step S202 onwards and the process in FIG. 5(b) are executed.

[0080] In addition, bathroom remote control 12 may be used to update the firmware of control unit 111 of water heater 11, and if another remote controller is connected to water heater 11, this remote controller may be used to update the firmware.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the hot water temperature, bath temperature, bath water level, and heat retention time are exemplified as the setting information, but the setting information shared between water heater 11 and each remote control is not limited to this. For example, if water heater 10 has a floor heating function, the setting temperature of the floor heating may be included in the setting information.

[0082] The configuration of water heating apparatus 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment, and may be other configurations. For example, water heating apparatus 10 may further have other functions such as the floor heating function described above. Furthermore, water heating apparatus 10 may have only a hot water supply function without a bath function.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the water heater 10 is a gas combustion water heater that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning gas fuel, but the configuration of the water heater 10 is not limited to this. For example, the water heater 10 may be a water heater that heats water by burning oil fuel. Furthermore, the water heater 10 may be a cogeneration type water heater that is equipped with a configuration that generates hot water by utilizing exhaust heat from a generator that generates electricity, in addition to the gas combustion water heater.

[0084] Furthermore, the configuration of the combustion system and piping of water heater 11 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and may be other configurations.

[0085] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10. Hot water supply equipment 11. Water heater 111 Control unit (control unit for water heater) 112 Memory unit (memory unit for water heater) 12 Bathroom remote control (remote controller) 123 Control section (control section for remote controller) 124 Memory unit (memory unit for remote controller) 13 Kitchen remote control (remote controller) 133 Control Unit 134 Storage section

Claims

1. A water heater and A remote controller capable of inputting setting information related to the operation of the water heater, The water heater comprises: A communication unit for communicating with the remote controller; A water heater control unit; A water heater storage unit that stores the setting information, The remote controller includes: A communication unit for communicating with the communication unit of the water heater; A control unit for a remote controller; a remote controller storage unit for storing the setting information; the hot water supply control unit transmits the setting information stored in the hot water supply storage unit to the remote controller after updating the firmware of the hot water supply control unit, and the remote controller control unit updates and stores the received setting information in the remote controller storage unit. A water heating apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The hot water supply device according to claim 1, the remote controller control unit has a function of transmitting a transmission request for the setting information stored in the water heater storage unit to the water heater control unit when the remote controller control unit resets itself; the water heater control unit transmits a reset command to the remote controller control unit after updating the firmware thereof, to cause the remote controller control unit to reset; A water heating apparatus characterized by the above.

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