Water server, control method and program thereof

Abstract

To achieve power-saving by automatic-learning unused times and setting up energy-saving-control time, without sacrificing convenience of a water server.SOLUTION: There is provided a water server (2) including heating means (a warm water heater 34) for heating water. The water server comprises: a detection unit (a cold water switch 92, a warm water switch 94) configured to detect either or both of use and non-use of the water server; a time measurement unit (a multi-timer 84) configured to measure elapsed time; and a control unit (28). The control unit is configured to: while receiving a detection output of the detection unit, monitor a use condition or non-use condition of the water server; accumulate at least non-use information for a fixed time period by referring to time measurement information from the time measurement unit; extract, using the non-use information, a non-use time zone which is a time zone equal to or more than a continuous predetermined time and accounts for a predetermined number of days or more at a same timing in the fixed time period; set an energy-saving-control time within the non-use time zone; and perform, in the energy-saving control time, at least stopping of heating or lowering of preset heating temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to an operation control technology for a water server that is capable of at least heating and supplying water. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a water server can pump raw water from an installed water container, direct it to a hot water tank or cold water tank within the server, heat or cool it to a set temperature, and supply hot or cold water according to the user's request.

[0003] Regarding such water servers, there are those that control the water temperature to a set temperature, set time periods for normal operation and standby operation, and set different set temperatures for the normal operation period and the standby operation period (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-032106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] By the way, water servers are equipped with hot water heaters as heating means, but they consume a considerable amount of electricity due to the capacity of the hot water tank and the set temperature. The hot water tank is controlled to always keep a certain amount of hot water at a high temperature in order to quickly supply hot water. For this reason, continuing to turn on the water server even when it is not in use is a waste of power consumption. To prevent such waste of power consumption, it would be possible to have users anticipate non-use periods and manually set the time to stop powering the hot water heater, but such an operation would be extremely tedious, and it would be unrealistic for users to understand their own lifestyle patterns and set non-use periods. Furthermore, because lifestyle patterns differ from user to user, setting uniform non-use periods would impair the convenience of the water server.

[0006] For example, water servers could be equipped with light sensors, motion sensors, illuminance sensors, etc. as a method of understanding usage status, and even if it were possible to identify times of non-use from the detection information from these sensors, there would still be issues with the need to install sensors and a function to discriminate between the detection results, which would increase costs and require space to place the sensors in the main body of the water server, as well as the risk that the times of non-use that should be set would be uncertain due to the influence of human movements detected by the sensors.

[0007] Regarding such issues, the inventors of the technology disclosed herein have discovered that by collecting operation information of the water server for each user, identifying states of non-use, and selecting time periods from those states of non-use that satisfy specified conditions, it is possible to achieve both convenience and power saving for the water server. Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest any solution to such a problem, and the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot solve such a problem.

[0008] Therefore, based on such issues and knowledge, the technology disclosed herein automatically learns the non-use times for each user from the way the water server is used, and sets energy-saving control times that cut off power to the hot water heater and lower the hot water temperature during these non-use times, thereby achieving power savings without sacrificing the convenience of the water server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the water server disclosed herein is a water server including a heating means for heating water, and includes a detection unit that detects whether the water server is in use or not, or both, a timing unit that measures elapsed time, and a control unit that receives detection output from the detection unit to monitor the use or non-use state of the water server, refers to the timing information from the timing unit to accumulate at least non-use information for a certain period of time, uses the non-use information to extract a non-use period that is a continuous period of time or more and occurs at the same timing for a predetermined number of days or more during the certain period, sets an energy-saving control time within the non-use period, and at least stops heating or reduces the heating setting temperature during the energy-saving control time.

[0010] In the water server, the control unit starts heating hot water or increases the heating setting temperature a predetermined time before the end of the energy saving control time. In the water server, the control unit selects the longest continuous time period from the extracted non-use time periods and sets the energy saving control time. In the water server, the control unit selects, from the extracted non-use time periods, the non-use time period that occupies the greatest number of days in the fixed period, and sets the energy saving control time. In the water server, the control unit selects the non-use time period with the earliest start timing from among the extracted non-use time periods, and sets the energy saving control time.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the control method for a water server disclosed herein is a control method for a water server including a heating means for heating water, comprising the steps of: detecting either or both of the use and non-use of the water server with a detection unit; measuring elapsed time with a timing unit; a control unit receiving the detection output of the detection unit and monitoring the use or non-use state of the water server, and accumulating at least non-use information for a certain period of time by referring to the timing information from the timing unit; a step of the control unit using the non-use information to extract a non-use period that is a continuous period of time of a certain period of time or more and that occupies a predetermined number of days or more at the same timing during the certain period; and a step of the control unit setting an energy-saving control time within the non-use period, and at least stopping heating or lowering the heating setting temperature during the energy-saving control time.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the program of the present disclosure is a computer program that causes a computer to execute the following functions: acquiring either or both of detection information indicating the use or non-use of the water server detected by a detection unit; measuring elapsed time with a timing unit; monitoring the use or non-use state of the water server by receiving the detection output of the detection unit and accumulating at least non-use information for a certain period of time by referring to the timing information from the timing unit; using the non-use information to extract a non-use period that is a continuous period of time of a certain period of time or more and that occurs at the same timing during the certain period of time for a predetermined number of days or more; and setting an energy-saving control time within the non-use period and at least stopping heating or reducing the heating setting temperature during the energy-saving control time. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained.

[0014] (1) By automatically learning the non-use times of each user, energy-saving control can be achieved that is tailored to the lifestyle patterns of users of the water server. (2) By not requiring user intervention in the monitoring process for non-use time periods, it is possible to prevent energy saving control from going unset and to set the energy saving control time according to the user's usage status. (3) By performing energy saving control based on non-use time periods collected through multiple days of automatic learning, the possibility that users will use hot water when energy saving control is being implemented can be reduced, thereby maintaining convenience. (4) There is no need to use sensors to learn when the water server is not in use, which saves space and prevents increased parts costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit that realizes an energy-saving operation function of the water server. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a control unit. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power saving control process. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic learning process for non-use time periods. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a calculation process for a non-use time period. [Figure 7] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process for setting the learned non-use time periods and energy saving control times, as well as an example of changes in the control of the heating function and the hot water temperature. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an extraction state of a non-use time period of a water server according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for extracting unused time in the same time period. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process of extracting non-use time based on the number of days. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a learning process. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart of a learning process. [Figure 13]13 is a flowchart of a learning process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for setting an energy saving control time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [One embodiment] <Water Server 2 Configuration Example> Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a water server according to an embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. This water server 2 is a device capable of at least heating raw water W to supply hot water HW, and has a function for storing hot water HW at a set temperature inside, as well as a function for monitoring whether the water server 2 is being used or not by the user, and for performing energy-saving operation during periods of time when the water server 2 is not being used. Here, the non-use state of the water server 2 is determined by monitoring, for example, whether the user has not performed any operation to supply hot water HW or cold water CW, or whether there have been no operations other than the operation to supply hot water HW or cold water CW.

[0017] This water server 2 is equipped with a server housing 4, on which a replaceable water container 6 is placed, raw water W is supplied from the water container 6 to generate cold water CW in a cold water tank 8, and hot water HW in a hot water tank 10. Inside the water server 2, for example, a cold water tank 8 is installed in the middle of the server housing 4, and a hot water tank 10 is installed below this cold water tank 8. In addition, a cooling device 12 is stored below the hot water tank 10 on the bottom side of the water server 2. The cooling device 12 is an example of a device that cools the raw water W stored inside the cold water tank 8 to generate cold water CW, and works together with the cold water tank 8 to form a cold water generating section.

[0018] The water container 6 is disposed, for example, from a top opening 16 of the server housing 4 to the upper part of the cold water tank 8, and a water supply nozzle portion 14 is disposed facing vertically downward so as to face the opening 16. The cold water tank 8 is equipped with a valve mechanism 18 that regulates the supply of raw water W from the water container 6. This valve mechanism 18 is equipped with an opening / closing valve 20 that opens and closes the water supply nozzle portion 14 depending on the water level in the cold water tank 8. This opening / closing valve 20 is attached to the middle of an opening / closing arm portion 22, and a float portion 24 that receives buoyancy from the cold water CW in the cold water tank 8 is attached to the tip of the opening / closing arm portion 22.

[0019] An evaporator 26, which is part of the cooling device 12, is installed in the cold water tank 8. This evaporator 26 circulates the refrigerant cooled by the cooling device 12 and cools the raw water W by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the raw water W in the cold water tank 8 to generate cold water CW. The cooling device 12 is controlled to be on / off and to manage the temperature, etc., according to control instructions from a control unit 28 that executes operational control of the water server 2. This control unit is composed of a computer equipped with communication and control functions. The cold water tank 8 is provided inside with a separation plate 30 that separates, for example, raw water W and cold water CW, and the separation plate 30 receives the raw water W flowing in from the water container 6 through the valve mechanism 18. The separation plate 30 also has an opening formed in the center, and is provided with a water supply pipe 32 that extends from this opening into the hot water tank 10. The raw water W is guided from the separation plate 30 through the water supply pipe 32 to the hot water tank 10.

[0020] A hot water heater 34 is installed in the hot water tank 10 as a heating device. This hot water heater 34 generates heat under the control of the control unit 28. Hot water HW is stored in the hot water tank 10 by the raw water W being heated by the heat generated by the hot water heater 34. The hot water tank 10 and the hot water heater 34 constitute a hot water generating unit.

[0021] Temperature sensors 36-1, 36-2 are installed inside the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10, and the detected temperatures of the cold water CW and hot water HW inside are notified to the control unit 28 from the temperature sensors 36-1, 36-2. The control unit 28 stores the detected temperature information in a memory unit, for example, and monitors whether the cold water CW and hot water HW are at their respective set temperatures. If the detected temperature information is not within a predetermined range for the set temperature, it outputs an operation instruction to the cooling device 12 and the hot water heater 34.

[0022] <Water Server 2 cold water CW or hot water HW supply structure> For example, a cold water supply pipe 38 is connected to the bottom of the cold water tank 8, and a hot water supply pipe 40 is connected to the top of the hot water tank 10. A cold water solenoid valve 42 is installed midway through the cold water supply pipe 38, and a hot water solenoid valve 46 is installed midway through the hot water supply pipe 40. The cold water solenoid valve 42 and the hot water solenoid valve 46 are examples of a water supply unit, and supply water by opening in response to pressing a cold water button or hot water button (not shown). When the cold water solenoid valve 42 is opened, cold water CW flows from the cold water tank 8 to the cold water supply pipe 38 and is supplied from the cold water supply port 44. When the hot water solenoid valve 46 is opened, hot water HW flows from the hot water tank 10 to the hot water supply pipe 40 and is supplied from the hot water supply port 48. When the cold water solenoid valve 42 is open, cold water CW is supplied to the cold water supply pipe 38 by the head pressure of the raw water W stored in the water container 6 and the cold water CW in the cold water tank 8 acting on the installation position of the cold water supply pipe 38. In addition, when the hot water solenoid valve 46 is opened, the hot water supply pipe 40 is supplied with hot water from the hot water tank 10 by the head pressure of the raw water W from the water container 6, which is located higher than the installation position of the hot water supply pipe 40.

[0023] The top of the hot water tank 10 and the bottom of the cold water tank 8 are connected by a bypass pipe 50. This bypass pipe 50 can execute a high-temperature water circulation process (auto clean: AC) that brings the inside of the water server 2 to a high-temperature state, for example, by flowing hot water HW in the hot water tank 10 to the cold water tank 8 side. A bypass valve 52 is installed in the bypass pipe 50 to separate the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10 during normal operation of the water server 2, preventing the inflow of hot water or heat. Opening and closing of the bypass valve 52 is controlled by instructions from the control unit 28.

[0024] In addition, water server 2 is equipped with a panel unit 60. This panel unit 60 is connected to control unit 28 by wire or wirelessly, and includes various operation buttons for inputting operations to control unit 28, as well as a display unit and notification function for notifying the operating status of water server 2 and the like in response to instructions from control unit 28.

[0025] <Functional parts of the control unit 28> FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional configuration for realizing an energy-saving operation function. Control unit 28 has a function of monitoring whether water server 2 is used or not used by the user, learning non-use time periods based on the monitoring results, and setting an optimal energy saving control time from these non-use time periods. In control unit 28, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, a hot water / cold water supply control unit 62, an energy saving operation control unit 64, and an energy saving control time setting unit 66 are formed by the calculation processing of a program that controls the operation of the water server of the present disclosure.

[0026] The hot / cold water supply control unit 62 is a functional unit that controls the generation process of hot water HW and cold water CW, for example, and generates control instructions for the cooling device 12 and hot water heater 34 based on the detected temperatures and set temperatures of the temperature sensors 36-1, 36-2. The energy saving operation control unit 64 is an example of a functional unit that, for example, monitors the arrival of the timing for the set energy saving operation and controls the transition from energy saving operation to normal operation. The energy saving operation control unit 64 notifies the hot water / cold water supply control unit 62 of the set temperature for energy saving operation, and issues an instruction to transition to normal operation, in addition to timing processing using a timer. Energy saving control time setting unit 66 is an example of a functional unit that executes a process of monitoring the non-use time of water server 2 and an automatic learning function of extracting the energy saving control time from the non-use time. Energy saving control time setting unit 66 generates non-use information 72 and non-use time zone information 74, for example, by executing a monitoring process. This non-use information 72 and non-use time zone information 74 may be stored in memory 82 (FIG. 3) or the like, for example, as a database.

[0027] The water server 2 outputs control information and control instructions generated by the hot water / cold water supply control unit 62, the energy saving operation control unit 64, and the energy saving control time setting unit 66 to a display unit 68 formed on the panel unit 60, and to a hot water / cold water supply function unit 70 including the cooling device 12, the hot water heater 34, etc.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit. The control unit 28 is configured, for example, by a computer equipped with a communication function, and includes a processor 80, a memory 82, a multi-timer 84, an energy saving timer 86, an input / output unit (Input / Output: I / O) 88, and the like. Processor 80 is an example of a calculation processing unit composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes an OS (Operating System) for controlling the computer of water server 2 stored in memory 82, a hot water / cold water supply control program, and a learning program including monitoring of non-use states and generating energy-saving control times.

[0029] Memory 82 is an example of a recording medium in which the program of the present disclosure is stored, and is composed of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), etc. In addition to an OS, a cold water / hot water supply control program, and a program for learning energy saving control time, this memory 82 stores non-use time period data 820 generated in the learning process, cold and hot water usage history data 822, weekly total memory 824, etc. This memory 82 includes, for example, a program storage area, a data storage area for storing data, etc., and a calculation area as a work area used for calculation of the control program and the information processing program. The multi-timer 84 is an example of a timing means, and is used to collect and process information on the use or non-use of the water server 2, for example, to measure the opening time of the cold water solenoid valve 42 and the hot water solenoid valve 46, the elapsed time after the cold water CW in the cold water tank 8 has been cooled, the number of times water has been dispensed, the number of times the water container 6 has been replaced, etc., and has a recording function for the acquired timing information. The energy saving timer 86 is an example of a timing means and is a functional unit that, for example, times the execution time of the energy saving control and monitors the arrival of a set time before the expiration of the energy saving control time and notifies the energy saving operation control unit 64. By timing the energy saving timer 86, the water server 2 can start the recovery operation of the hot water heater 34 and the cooling device 12 before the expiration of the energy saving control time, thereby making it possible to immediately supply hot water HW and cold water CW at the set temperature when the energy saving control time expires.

[0030] The I / O 88 is an example of an interface that connects the control unit 28 with the panel unit 60 and various functional units of the water server 2. This I / O 88 receives, for example, detection signals from temperature sensors 36-1, 36-2, and is also connected to the cooling device 12, hot water heater 34, cold water solenoid valve 42, and hot water solenoid valve 46 that transmit operation instructions from the control unit 28. In addition, the control unit 28 is connected to an unlock switch 90, a cold water switch 92, a hot water switch 94, an unlock indicator lamp 96, a hot water indicator lamp 98, a high temperature indicator lamp 100, a cold water indicator lamp 102, a weak cool indicator lamp 104, and an energy saving indicator lamp 106, which are provided on the panel unit 60, for example, via the I / O 88. The cold water switch 92 and the hot water switch 94 detect the use of the water server 2, for example, by being pressed, and may be used as the detection unit of the present disclosure.

[0031] The control unit 28 receives information such as detected temperature information from the temperature sensors 36-1 and 36-2, and operation input information from the cold water switch 92 and hot water switch 94. The temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor 36-1 is used for cooling control of the cold water tank 8. The temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor 36-2 is used for heating control of the hot water tank 10. Control unit 28 monitors whether water server 2 is being used or not by combining, for example, timing information from multi-timer 84 with input operation information from cold water switch 92, hot water switch 94, etc. Furthermore, when a set energy saving control time arrives or at a timing before that, control unit 28 outputs an instruction to at least hot water heater 34, cooling device 12, and other display functions and operation functions installed on panel unit 60 to stop some or all of the functions, or to change the set temperature, or to execute an energy saving mode.

[0032] <About power saving control> Fig. 4 shows a processing example of power saving control. The processing contents and processing procedures shown in Fig. 4 are examples, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such configuration. The power saving control shown in Fig. 4 is an example of a control method and program for a water server of the present disclosure. This power saving control includes a learning process in which the control unit 28 extracts time periods when the water server 2 is not being used for each user, and sets energy saving control times from those times to stop or limit the operation of functional units that consume a lot of power, such as the hot water heater 34, and then executes the learning process.

[0033] The control unit 28 executes an automatic learning process for the non-use time period of the water server 2 (S101), sets the energy saving control time (S102), and then sets the execution contents of the energy saving control (S103). The automatic learning process for the non-use time period may be executed, for example, at the time of initial setting of the water server 2 or when power supply from an external power source starts, or may be executed manually by a user or an installation worker, or at a set timing. The energy saving control time may be set by selecting a timing that meets a predetermined setting condition from the non-use time period generated by the automatic learning. The setting conditions for the energy saving control time may include, for example, linking the non-use time period to the same timing as the execution timing of the auto clean (AC) process set in the water server 2, or a time period that is set as a non-use time period many days at the same timing in a certain period, a time period with a long continuous non-use time period, a time period in which the non-use time period arrives early in a day, or a combination of two or more of these. The setting of the execution contents of the energy saving control includes, for example, specifying the functional units, such as the hot water heater 34 and the cooling device 12, that are the targets of the energy saving control, and setting conditions such as a process of restricting the stopping of operation or the change of the set temperature.

[0034] The control unit 28 continues normal water supply processing until the energy saving control time arrives (NO in S105), for example, based on the timing of the multi-timer 84 (S104), and when the energy saving control time arrives (YES in S105), executes energy saving control according to the set conditions (S106). The control unit 28 reduces power consumption by, for example, executing an energy saving control program, at least stopping the hot water heater 34 or lowering the set temperature in the hot water tank 10. The control unit 28 continues the energy saving control using the time information of the energy saving timer 86 until a predetermined timing before the end of the energy saving control time (NO in S107), and when the predetermined timing arrives (YES in S107), executes preparation for returning to normal operation (S108). This predetermined timing is set, for example, to 30 minutes as the time required for the hot water HW or cold water CW whose temperature control has been stopped or whose set temperature has been changed to return to the set temperature for normal operation before the end of the energy saving control time, based on, for example, the capacity of the hot water heater 34 or the cooling device 12, the volume of the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 10, the set temperature during energy saving control, etc. The preparation for returning to normal operation includes, for example, starting the hot water heater 34 or the cooling device 12 that has been stopped, as well as changing the set temperature to that during normal operation.

[0035] The control unit 28 continues preparations to return to normal operation until the energy saving control time ends (NO in S109), and when the energy saving control time ends (YES in S109), it ends the energy saving control (S110) and transitions to normal operation.

[0036] <Automatic learning process for non-use time periods> Fig. 5 shows an example of the automatic learning process. The process contents and procedure shown in Fig. 5 are one example. This automatic learning process of non-use time periods is one example of the control method and program for the water server of the present disclosure. Control unit 28 executes a program to cause energy saving control time setting unit 66 to function and start automatic learning. When control unit 28 starts normal operation capable of supplying hot water HW and cold water CW, control unit 28 detects whether water server 2 is in use or not and monitors the use or non-use state (S202) while acquiring timekeeping information from multi-timer 84 at the start of use of water server 2 or at other set timings (S201). This use or non-use may be monitored by monitoring, for example, either or both of the supply of hot water HW and the supply of cold water CW, or input operations to switches mounted on water server 2, or all of them.

[0037] Control unit 28 acquires use / non-use information when a set period has elapsed based on the timing information, and uses this information to calculate the user's non-use time period (S203). The non-use time period is a time period during which water server 2 was not used within a set period, for example, one week (7 days), from the start of use. The non-use time period is, for example, use / non-use for every hour of a predetermined period. Then, the control unit 28 calculates the energy saving control time based on the non-use information within the set period, on the basis of a predetermined extraction condition (S204).

[0038] <Calculation of non-use time zone information> Fig. 6 shows an example of a calculation process for non-use time period information. The process contents and process steps shown in Fig. 6 are merely an example, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The calculation process of this non-use time period information is an example of the control method and program for the water server disclosed herein. When the control unit 28 reads out the non-use information acquired by the monitoring process, the control unit 28 performs a process of converting the non-use information obtained by the monitoring process into a numerical value of whether the water server 2 is used or not for the same time period in a certain period (S301), and extracts non-continuous time periods that are less than a predetermined number (S302). In the calculation process of the non-use time period information, for example, the non-use information obtained by the monitoring process may be expanded in the weekly total memory 824. The process of converting the non-use information into a numerical value of whether the water server 2 is used or not for each hour within a 24-hour period of seven days is triggered, for example, by the start of use of the water server 2 or a predetermined timing, and a numerical value set in advance is applied to the use state and the non-use state. Then, the control unit 28 sets a numerical value representing use or non-use for all the time periods, and then extracts, for example, a time period in which the non-use time is every hour as a time period in which the non-use time is not continuous. It is assumed that even if energy saving control is performed for such a short non-use time, the energy saving state is short, so that the process is immediately shifted to the return process, and therefore the energy saving effect is low.

[0039] The control unit 28 determines a non-use time period of less than four consecutive hours as a predetermined time period, for example, as a use time period (S303), and excludes it from candidates for energy saving control time periods. The control unit 28 calculates the number of unused time periods that occur in the same time period on different days (S304), and extracts the same time period that occurs in less than n days, for example, 5 days, over a certain period of time, and excludes this time period from the candidates for unused time periods (S305). The control unit 28 extracts a time period of, for example, less than four hours as a certain time from the non-use time period candidates for a certain period, and excludes this time period from the non-use time period candidates (S306). Then, the control unit 28 determines a non-use time period that indicates non-use at the same timing in the certain period (S307).

[0040] Fig. 7 shows the extraction of energy saving control time from the non-use time period, the hot water power supply state and heating setting temperature under energy saving control, etc. Fig. 7 shows an example of the state when the target of energy saving control is hot water heater 34. When the control unit 28 sets a non-use time period tx based on the monitoring result of the user's use / non-use state at a predetermined timing, as shown in Fig. 7A, for example, the control unit 28 extracts an energy saving control time ty that meets the set conditions from the non-use time period tx, as shown in Fig. 7B. The control unit 28 turns off the hot water heater 34 during the non-hot water energization time tz set during the energy saving control time ty, as shown in Fig. 7C, for example, or sets the hot water tank 10 to a heating setting temperature P2 lower than the heating setting temperature P1 during normal operation, as shown in Fig. 7D, to stop or suppress power consumption by the hot water heater 34, thereby achieving energy saving. As a result, the temperature of the hot water HW in the hot water tank 10 gradually decreases from the start of the energy saving control and is maintained at the heating setting temperature P2, as shown in Fig. 7E, for example, and then transitions to recovery preparation before a predetermined time ti before the expiration of the energy saving control time ty, so that the temperature of the hot water HW gradually increases and returns to the heating setting temperature P1 at least by the expiration of the energy saving control time.

[0041] <Effects of one embodiment> According to this configuration, any one of the following effects can be expected. (1) The energy saving control time can be set automatically, eliminating the need for setting up the energy saving control, thereby improving convenience. (2) By eliminating the need for complicated setting operations, it is possible to avoid situations where energy saving control is not set or where the setting is forgotten, thereby reducing power consumption. (3) The system automatically learns when the user is using or not using the Water Server 2, and can set the energy-saving control time at the optimal timing and for a length that can be expected to achieve energy-saving effects. (4) No sensors are used to learn when the water server 2 is not in use, which saves space and prevents increases in parts costs. [Example]

[0042] 8 to 10 show examples of extraction states of non-use time periods of the water server according to the embodiment. The extraction of the non-use time period is an example of a process for setting the energy saving control time. The control unit 28 creates a use / non-use table in which time information is divided into hourly sections horizontally and date information is divided into daily sections from the installation date of the water server 2 to the seventh day vertically, as shown in FIG. 8A for example. The control unit 28 then applies the monitoring results of the user's operations on the water server 2 as the process of extracting non-use time periods. The use / non-use table may use, for example, the weekly total memory 824, and each of a plurality of areas divided into hours, etc., is formed of a 1-bit area. In the process of extracting non-use time periods, since there are two types of information to be distinguished, use and non-use, the time section used by the user may be set to "1" and the time section not used may be set to "0" for each area of ​​the use / non-use table. In other words, the use / non-use table is set with a total of 168 sections, which is 24 hours per day for seven days, and information of "1" or "0" is set, resulting in 168 bits of information. It should be noted that the use / non-use table is not limited to recording the use or non-use state by binary numbers such as "1" or "0."

[0043] As a process for extracting a non-use time period, the control unit 28 extracts a non-use time period that is not continuous and is, for example, less than four hours, and determines the time period as a use time period. In the energy saving control, a functional unit that consumes a lot of power, such as the hot water heater 34, is stopped, or the set temperature is lowered for a long period, or the function unit is not restored in a short time, thereby achieving a high energy saving effect. Therefore, in order to prevent the control unit 28 from extracting a time period in which the non-use time period is not continuous from the monitoring result, the control unit 28 performs a process of switching a time period in which the use state and the non-use state are switched in a short period of time to a use state. That is, the control unit 28 extracts a time period that is not in a non-use state for four consecutive hours as a threshold value, as shown in FIG. 8B, and rewrites the extracted time period into information indicating a "use state."

[0044] For example, when control unit 28 rewrites the use / non-use table to only time periods where non-use occurs for a predetermined consecutive time, it calculates the number of non-use time periods in the same time period for the date information in the vertical direction, and calculates the total number for each hour. This makes it possible to extract lifestyle pattern information in which the user does not use water server 2 during specific times of the day. In the use / non-use table, for example, as shown in Fig. 9A, the total number of non-use time periods is calculated for each hour in the vertical direction, and stored in the input field for each hour.

[0045] For each extracted non-use time period, the control unit 28 selects time periods that are less than 5 days out of 7 days as a predetermined number of days, for example as shown in FIG. 9B, and rewrites these time periods as "usage status." As a result, the water server 2 selects non-use time periods by excluding time periods that are not consecutive in one day and have few days of non-use in the 7 days. Here, for example as shown in FIG. 10A, a time period that is not used for 5 days or more and is not used for less than 4 consecutive hours is extracted, and the extracted time period is rewritten as information indicating "usage status."

[0046] Furthermore, in the case where there are multiple time periods during each day when the device is not in use, as shown in Fig. 10B, the control unit 28 extracts the non-use time period that occurs earlier as the energy saving control time period. As a result of the process of extracting the non-use time period, the control unit 28 also acquires information on the start time (hs) of the consecutive non-use time periods and the number of stages (SC), which is the length of the consecutive non-use time periods.

[0047] <About the learning process for non-use time> 11 to 13 show an example of a learning process for extracting a non-use time period. In Fig. 11 to Fig. 13, "2-1" and "2-2" are connectors indicating successive processes. When the water server 2 is powered on (S401), the control unit 28 executes process L1 for monitoring and recording the time periods of use and non-use. In process L1, for example, the control unit 28 waits until one hour has passed since the power was turned on (NO in S402), and when one hour has passed (YES in S402), the control unit 28 determines whether the water server 2 is in use or not by determining whether hot water HW or cold water CW has been supplied (S403), and if it has been supplied, it stores "1" indicating the use state in the use / non-use table (S404), and if it has not been supplied, it stores "0" (S405). The control unit 28 repeats process L1 for recording the time periods of use and non-use until 168 hours have passed (S406).

[0048] When 168 hours have passed since the start of process L1 (YES in S406), the control unit 28 refers to the use state stored in the use / unuse table and transitions to extraction process L2 of a time period in which the unused state does not continue for 4 hours or more. For example, the control unit 28 outputs a designation instruction of "h=1" indicating the first hour and "d=1" indicating the first day in the table as a specification of the extraction start position of the use / unuse table (S407), and acquires data "B(h, d)" recorded in the area of ​​"h=1, d=1" of the use / unuse table (S408). This "h" is an example of a time counter, and "d" is an example of a day counter. If the acquired data "B(h, d)" is "0" indicating unused (YES in S409), the control unit 28 counts the number of unused stages (S410). Here, "stage" indicates an area divided into one hour in the use / unuse table. The control unit 28 increments (+1) the time counter "h" in order to read out the data recorded in the next stage of the used / unused table (S411).

[0049] Furthermore, if the data "B(h, d)" recorded in the used / unused table is not "0" indicating an unused state (NO in S409), i.e., if "1" indicating a used state is recorded, the control unit 28 proceeds to a process L2-1 for determining the continuity of the unused state. In this process L2-1, it is determined whether the number of unused stages up to now is less than 4 (S412). If the number of unused stages determined most recently is less than 4 (YES in S412), i.e., the unused state does not reach 4 consecutive hours, the control unit 28 rewrites the corresponding part of the used / unused table from "0" to "1" as information indicating a "used state" (S413), for example, and clears the counter for the number of unused stages (S414). Furthermore, if the most recently determined number of unused stages is 4 or more (NO in S412), that is, the unused state has continued for 4 hours or more, the control unit 28 maintains the information indicating the unused state of the determined stages (S415) and clears the counter for the number of unused stages (S414).

[0050] The control unit 28 repeats S408 to S411 and S412 to S415 until the time counter "h" exceeds "24" which indicates that information for one day (24 hours) has been processed (NO in S416), and when information processing for one day is completed (YES in S416), the control unit 28 proceeds to the process L2-2 for determining the continuity of the non-use state. This process L2-2 is a process for determining whether the non-use state has continued for four consecutive hours or more in the most recent period up to the 24th hour in order to count the continuity of non-use for each day, for example. In other words, even if the non-use state continues across days, it is not determined as continuity. Therefore, in the process L2-2, if the non-use state in the most recent period up to the 24th hour is less than four hours, the most recently determined non-use stage is rewritten to information indicating "use state". The process steps S417 to S420 included in the process L2-2 are the same as the process steps S412 to S415 of the process L2-1 described above.

[0051] Next, the control unit 28 increments (+1) the day counter "d" to refer to the use / non-use table for the second day of the learning process (S421), and repeats process L2 until the day counter "d" reaches seven days, which is the learning period (NO in S422).

[0052] When the control unit completes process L2 (YES in S422), the control unit proceeds to process L3, which counts the number of times the device was unused at the same timing, that is, for each time period. As shown in FIG. 9A, this process counts whether the device was unused during the learning period for each time period and calculates the total number of times. Specifically, the control unit 28 designates the area of ​​"h=1, d=1" in the used / unused table as the starting position (S423), and judges whether the data "B(h, d)" recorded in that area is "0" indicating unused (S424). If the data "B(h, d)" is "0" (YES in S424), the control unit 28 increments (A(h)+1) the counter "A(h)" that counts the number of times of unused in the same time period (S425), increments (d+1) the number of days counter (d) (S426), and reads out the data (B(h, d)) of the same time period on the next day until the number of days reaches 7 days of the learning period, and returns to the judgment of unused or not (S424) (NO in S427). If the number of days is "8" or more, which is greater than the learning period of 7 days (YES in S427), the control unit 28 increments the time counter "h" by "h+1" (S428) to move on to judging the data recorded in the next time period in the use / non-use table. Furthermore, the process L3 for counting the number of times the device is not used is repeated until the process for 24 hours representing one day is performed (NO in S429).

[0053] When the process L3 is completed (YES in S429), the control unit 28 proceeds to a judgment process L4 to determine whether the number of times of non-use in the same time period (timing) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In this judgment process L4, as shown in FIG. 9B described above, if the number of times of non-use for each time period is not equal to the predetermined number, the stage of that time period is rewritten to information representing a "use state". The control unit 28 sets the time counter "h" to "1" as the initial position of the judgment process L4 (S430), and if the number of times counter "A(h)" of the non-use in that time period is less than 5 times (YES in S431), the control unit 28 rewrites the number of times counter "A(h)" to "0" (S432), and if the number of times counter "A(h)" is 5 times or more (NO in S431), the control unit 28 maintains the state. The control unit 28 increments the time counter "h" (h+1) to count the number of days (number of times) of non-use in all time periods (h) (S433). Furthermore, the process L4 for determining whether this non-use state has occurred a predetermined number of times or more is repeated until the process for 24 hours representing one day is completed (NO in S434).

[0054] When the control unit 28 finishes process L4 (YES in S434), it proceeds to process L5 to determine whether the unused time period is 5 days or more and is less than 4 consecutive hours. In this process L5, as shown in FIG. 10A, even if the unused time period is 5 days or more, if the unused time period does not last 4 consecutive hours or more, the stage of the time period is rewritten to information indicating "used state." When the control unit 28 sets the time counter "h" to "1" as the initial position of the judgment process L5 (S435), if the counter "A(h)" for the number of times of non-use in that time period is 5 or more (YES in S436), the control unit 28 sets the non-use counter to "+1" (S437) and increments the time counter "h" (+1) to move to the next time period (S438). If the counter "A(h)" for the number of times of non-use is not 5 or more (NO in S436), the control unit 28 judges whether the most recent non-use state is less than 4 consecutive hours (S440). If the non-use state is less than 4 consecutive hours (YES in S440), the control unit 28 sets the counter "A(h)" for the number of times of non-use to "0" (S441) to exclude it from the candidates for the non-use time period, or if the non-use state is 4 consecutive hours or more (NO in S440), the non-use counter is maintained. Then, control unit 28 clears and resets the non-use counter (S442). These determination processes are repeated until the processes for 24 hours representing one day have been completed (NO in S439).

[0055] Furthermore, after judging the information for one day (YES in S439), if the continuing non-use counter is less than 4 (YES in S443), the control unit 28 sets the non-use count counter "A(h)" to "0" (S444) so ​​as not to judge the continuity of the non-use state across days, as described above, and excludes it from the candidates for the non-use time period.

[0056] By completing process L5, the control unit 28 proceeds to process L6 in which, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the control unit 28 stores in memory 82 the start time (hs) of consecutive unused time periods and the number of stages (SC), which is the length of the consecutive unused time periods, as unused time period data 820 from among the unused time periods remaining in the used / unused table (S455, S456).

[0057] <Energy saving control time setting process> FIG. 14 shows an example of a process for setting the energy saving control time. Control unit 28 acquires the monitoring result of the non-use state based on the monitoring result of the use or non-use of water server 2 by the user, selects a time period of a predetermined length from this non-use state information, and sets the energy saving control time information. Control unit 28, for example, refers to memory 82 or other functional units that control the operation of water server 2, and checks whether or not the AC start time is set (S501), and if the AC start time is set (YES in A501), sets the energy saving control time (ECOs1) to the leading time (hs) at which the scheduled execution time period (BLK) of the AC starts (S502), and links the number of stages to be executed for energy saving control (ECOSC1) to the number of stages to continue execution of the AC (SC in BLK) (S503). If the start time of AC has not been set (NO in S501), the control unit 28 checks whether a non-use time period other than AC based on the scheduled execution time period (BLK) has been set as the next highest priority setting condition (S504), and if this non-use time period has not been set (NO in S504), ends the energy saving control.

[0058] When a non-use time zone other than AC is set (YES in S504) and multiple non-use time zones in which an energy saving control time zone can be set are set (YES in S505), the control unit 28 compares these non-use time zones and, if there is a difference in the average number of non-use days (BLKav), that is, if the average number of days differs (YES in S506), it selects the time zone with the largest average number of non-use days (BLKavmax) and sets its head time (hs) as the energy saving control time (ECOsn) (S507) and its stage number (SC) as the energy saving control stage number (ECOSCn) (S508). Note that, if the energy saving control stage number (ECOSCn) is 6 hours or more, it is clamped (fixed) to, for example, 6 hours (S509).

[0059] In addition, if there is no difference in the average number of days (BLKav) among the multiple non-use time periods that have been set (NO in S506) and the number of stages SC of the non-use time periods are long or short (YES in S510), the control unit 28 selects the time period with the longest number of stages SC (SCnmax), sets its first time (hs) as the energy saving control time (ECOsn) (S511), and sets the number of stages SC as the energy saving control stage number (ECOSCn) (S512). Furthermore, if there is one calculated non-use time period (NO in S505) or if the number of stages SC is the same length for multiple non-use time periods (NO in S510), the control unit 28 selects the non-use time period which arrives earliest in a day, sets its leading time (hs1) as the energy saving control time (ECOsn) (S513), and sets the number of stages (SC1) as the energy saving control stage number (ECOSCn) (S514).

[0060] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0061] [Modifications] The characteristics and modifications of the above-described embodiment or example will be listed below.

[0062] (1) In the above embodiment or example, in the automatic learning process for monitoring the use / non-use state of the water server 2, the detection unit detects the use of the water server 2 by detecting the pressing of the cold water switch 92 or the hot water switch 94 installed on the panel unit 60 of the water server 2, but this is not limited to the above. The water server 2 may be provided with a water supply cock (not shown) near the cold water supply port 44 or the hot water supply port 48 as a means for supplying hot water HW or cold water CW, and the cold water solenoid valve 42 or the hot water solenoid valve 46 may be opened by pulling up or rotating the water supply cock to supply hot water HW or cold water CW. In this case, the use / non-use monitoring process of the water server 2 may detect the use of the water server 2 using the operation of the water supply cock or an ON / OFF state period switch (not shown) that monitors the operation of the water supply cock.

[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, the energy saving control time is set based on the non-use time period extracted by automatic learning, and energy saving control of the water server 2 is performed. In this case, the control unit 28 does not specifically specify the process to be performed when, for example, the user performs an operation to supply hot water HW or cold water CW during energy saving control. In this case, since the water server 2 is not controlled by the control unit 28 to the set temperature during normal operation, the control unit 28 may stop the supply of hot water HW or cold water CW, or may perform the water supply process by restricting the flow rate, supply amount, or set temperature. In this case, the control unit 28 may, for example, blink the energy saving indicator lamp 106 or other display unit on the panel unit 60, or may notify the user of color-coded notification information.

[0064] (3) Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of (2) above, the number of times the user has performed the hot water HW or cold water CW supply operation and the type of switch may be stored in memory during energy saving control, and when a predetermined threshold is reached, the state of use or non-use of the water server 2 may be monitored again. Then, the control unit 28 may be configured to automatically learn whether to use or not to use again when the number of times the user has used the water server during energy saving control exceeds a predetermined number. In other words, it is possible to adjust non-use times to the current timing of use of the Water Server 2, based on the user's usage trends extracted by the initial automatic learning. Such changes in the user's usage trends are influenced by, for example, changes in the user's lifestyle patterns and an increase or decrease in the number of users, as well as changes in the use of cold water (CW) and hot water (HW) due to seasonal changes.

[0065] (4) In the above embodiment and examples, automatic learning of use / non-use is performed during initial operation of the water server 2, but the timing of such automatic learning is not limited to this. Automatic learning may be performed, for example, when a predetermined time, number of days, month, or number of uses since the start of use of the water server 2 exceeds a threshold, or a re-learning process may be performed when this threshold is reached.

[0066] (5) In the above embodiment or example, an example of a selection condition for setting the energy saving control time from the extracted non-use time period is shown to be linked to the execution timing of auto clean (AC) that circulates high-temperature water inside the water server 2, but this is not limited to this. The setting condition for the energy saving control time may be, for example, other than AC, to set the energy saving control time in linkage with the timing of a control process that is executed in a non-use state where hot water HW or cold water CW is not supplied to the user.

[0067] As described above, the most preferred embodiment and examples of the technology of the present disclosure have been described. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the form for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0068] The technology disclosed herein is useful because it automatically monitors the user's use / non-use status to extract time periods when the device is not in use, and then sets the energy-saving control time to a time period that is most efficient and effective from among those time periods when the device is not in use, thereby achieving energy-saving effects without sacrificing convenience or requiring complicated setting operations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 2. Water Server 4 Server Chassis 6 water container 8. Cold Water Tank 10 Hot Water Tank 12 Cooling device 14 Water supply nozzle part 16 Aperture 18 Valve mechanism 20. Opening and closing valve 22 Opening and closing arm section 24 Float section 26 Evaporator 28 Control Unit 30 Separation Plate 32 Water supply pipe 34 Hot water heater 36-1, 36-2 Temperature sensor 38 Cold water supply pipe 40 Hot water supply pipe 42 Cold water solenoid valve 44 Cold water supply port 46 Hot water solenoid valve 48 Hot water supply port 50 Bypass pipe 52 Bypass valve 60 Panel section 62 Hot water supply / cold water supply control section 64 Energy saving operation control section 66 Energy saving control time setting section 68 Display section 70 Hot water supply / cold water supply function section 72 Non-use information 74 Information on non-use time periods 80 processors 82 Memory 84 Multi Timer 86 Energy Saving Timer 88 Input / Output:I / O 90 Unlock switch 92 Cold water switch 94 Hot water switch 96 Unlock indicator light 98 Hot water indicator lamp 100 High temperature indicator lamp 102 Cold water indicator lamp 104 Weak cooling indicator lamp 106 Energy saving indicator lamp 820 Unused Time Zone Data 822 Hot and cold water usage history data 824 weekly memory

Claims

1. A water server including a heating means for heating water, A detection unit that detects either or both of the use and non-use of the water server; A timing unit that measures elapsed time; a control unit that receives detection output from the detection unit and monitors the use or non-use state of the water server, references timing information from the timing unit to accumulate at least non-use information for a certain period of time, uses the non-use information to extract non-use time periods that are continuous for a certain period of time or more and occur at the same timing for a certain number of days or more during the certain period, sets an energy saving control time within the non-use time period, and at least stops heating or reduces the heating setting temperature during the energy saving control time; Including water servers.

2. The water server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit starts heating the hot water or increases the heating setting temperature a predetermined time before the end of the energy saving control time.

3. The water server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit selects the longest continuous time period from among the extracted non-use time periods and sets the energy saving control time.

4. The water server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit selects the non-use time period that occupies the greatest number of days in the fixed period from among the extracted non-use time periods, and sets the energy saving control time.

5. The water server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit selects the non-use time period with the earliest start timing from among the extracted non-use time periods, and sets the energy saving control time.

6. A method for controlling a water server including a heating means for heating water, comprising: A step of detecting either or both of the use and non-use of the water server by a detection unit; measuring an elapsed time with a timing unit; A control unit receives the detection output of the detection unit to monitor the use or non-use state of the water server, and stores at least non-use information for a certain period of time by referring to the timekeeping information from the timekeeping unit. extracting a non-use time period that is a continuous time period of a certain period or more and that occurs at the same timing for a certain number of days or more during a certain period, by using the non-use information; The control unit sets an energy saving control time within the non-use time period and at least stops heating or reduces a heating setting temperature during the energy saving control time; A method for controlling a water server, comprising:

7. A computer program comprising: A function of acquiring either or both of detection information indicating whether the water server is in use or not detected by the detection unit; A function to measure elapsed time with the timing section, a function of receiving the detection output of the detection unit, monitoring the use or non-use state of the water server, and accumulating at least non-use information for a certain period of time by referring to the timing information from the timing unit; A function of extracting a non-use time period that is a continuous time period of a certain period or more and that occurs at the same timing for a certain number of days or more during a certain period, using the non-use information; A function of setting an energy saving control time within the non-use time period and at least stopping heating or lowering the heating setting temperature during the energy saving control time; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

Images