Heat source system

Abstract

To provide a heat source system capable of easily checking a radio wave reception status from a base station in a radio communication device regardless of an installation site of the radio communication device and the like.SOLUTION: A heat source system includes a heat source machine 1, an operation device 2, and a radio communication device 3. The operation device 2 transmits a mode switching signal to the radio communication device when a predetermined operation is performed relative to an operation section 21. The radio communication device has a normal mode and a radio field intensity measurement mode, and is configured to enable communication with a server 53 via a base station 51 and an external communication network 52 in the normal mode. In the normal mode, when the mode switching signal is received from the operation device 2, the normal mode is switched to the radio field intensity measurement mode, and in the radio field intensity measurement mode, intensity of reception radio wave from the base station 51 is measured, and a measurement value of the reception radio field intensity and / or a level corresponding to the measurement value is / are transmitted to the operation device 2. The operation device 2 displays the received measurement value of the reception radio field intensity and / or the level on a display section 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source system including a heat source machine such as a water heater.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a heat source system in which a wireless communication device for relaying communication between a heat source machine and an external server is separately installed in a heat source machine such as a water heater. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a relay adapter that can communicate with a water heater by wire and can communicate with a wireless LAN router wirelessly, and this relay adapter can communicate with a management server via the wireless LAN router and the Internet.

[0003] By the way, in the above heat source system, there is a configuration in which a wireless communication device performs wireless communication with a base station of a mobile phone and can communicate with a server via a communication network such as the base station and the Internet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above wireless communication device has a function of measuring the received radio wave intensity from the base station and a display means for displaying the measured received radio wave intensity level by an LED or the like, and an operator can check the received radio wave status from the base station when installing the wireless communication device and confirm the suitability of the installation location. However, when the wireless communication device is installed in a narrow place within the user's site, for example, the display means may not be directly visible, and it may be difficult to easily check the received radio wave status from the base station.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat source system that can easily confirm the reception radio wave status from a base station in a wireless communication device regardless of the installation location of the wireless communication device or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, a heat source system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a heat source machine, an operation device that performs wired communication with the heat source machine and can remotely operate the heat source machine, and a display unit that displays predetermined information, and a wireless communication device that performs wired communication with the heat source machine and the operation device and performs wireless communication with a base station of a mobile phone. The operation device transmits a mode switching signal to the wireless communication device when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit. The wireless communication device has a normal mode and a radio wave intensity measurement mode. In the normal mode, it is configured to be communicable with a server via the base station and an external communication network. In the normal mode, when receiving the mode switching signal from the operation device, it switches from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode. In the radio wave intensity measurement mode, it measures the intensity of the received radio wave from the base station and transmits the measured value of the received radio wave intensity and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value to the operation device. The operation device is configured to display the measured value of the received radio wave intensity received from the wireless communication device and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value on the display unit.

[0008] According to this configuration, by operating the operation unit of the operation device, the measured value of the received radio wave intensity from the base station in the wireless communication device and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value can be displayed on the display unit of the operation device. Since the operation device is usually installed indoors where the operation unit is easy to operate and the display unit is easy to view, the operator can easily confirm the reception radio wave status from the base station in the wireless communication device regardless of the installation location of the wireless communication device or the like.

[0009] When the maintenance monitor mode is set by an operation on the operation unit, the operation device is configured to be able to display a plurality of items related to the heat source system, which are predetermined, on the display unit. When an item of radio wave intensity included in the plurality of items is selected by an operation on the operation unit, the operation device may be configured to transmit the mode switching signal to the wireless communication device. Thereby, at the time of trial operation or maintenance inspection when installing the heat source system, it is possible to easily confirm the reception radio wave status as well as the items other than the radio wave intensity.

[0010] The wireless communication device includes mode switching operation means for performing an operation for switching from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode, and display means. By an operation on the mode switching operation means, the device is switched from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode. In the radio wave intensity measurement mode, the intensity of the received radio wave from the base station is measured, a level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value of the received radio wave intensity is calculated, and the level is displayed on the display means.

[0011] According to this configuration, by providing the wireless communication device with the mode switching operation means and the display means, when installing the wireless communication device, an operator can move the wireless communication device and check the level of the received radio wave intensity displayed on the display means of the wireless communication device to confirm the reception radio wave status from the base station and find an appropriate installation location. On the other hand, when the wireless communication device is installed in a narrow place within, for example, a user's site and the display means cannot be directly viewed, the operator can easily confirm the reception radio wave status from the base station by operating the operation device. Therefore, the convenience in the installation work of the wireless communication device can be improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present invention has the configuration described above, and has an effect of being able to provide a heat source system that can easily confirm the reception radio wave status from the base station in the wireless communication device regardless of the installation location of the wireless communication device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0015] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a communication system including the heat source system of the present embodiment. The heat source system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a heat source machine 1 such as a water heater, an operating device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "remote controller 2") capable of remotely operating the heat source machine 1, and a wireless communication device 3.

[0016] The heat source machine 1 has a well-known configuration that includes, for example, a hot water supply function for supplying hot water to a hot water tap (such as a faucet or a shower head) in a kitchen, a bathroom, etc., a bath pouring function for supplying hot water to a bathtub, and a bathtub drainage function. The heat source machine 1 is, for example, a combustion heating type heat source machine, and includes a hot water supply heat exchanger and a drainage heat exchanger, a heating device such as a burner for heating each of these heat exchangers, a blower for supplying combustion air to the burner, and the like. And the heat source machine 1 includes a water inlet passage for introducing water from an external water supply source to the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a hot water outlet passage for adjusting the temperature of the high-temperature water from the hot water supply heat exchanger to the set hot water supply temperature and discharging the hot water. This hot water outlet passage is connected to the hot water tap via an external pipe. Also, a drainage circulation passage is formed between the drainage heat exchanger and the bathtub. This drainage circulation passage has a return flow passage connected to the bathtub via the drainage heat exchanger and an external pipe, and an outgoing flow passage connected to the bathtub via the drainage heat exchanger and an external pipe. Also, in order to supply hot water to the bathtub by the bath pouring function, the hot water in the hot water outlet passage connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger can be supplied into the bathtub via the drainage circulation passage. Further, the heat source machine 1 may be a water heater further having a function of supplying warm water to a warm water heating appliance.

[0017] The control device 11 of the heat source machine 1 includes a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, etc., controls the entire heat source machine 1, and receives the output signals of various sensors provided inside the heat source machine 1. More specifically, the control device 11 controls devices such as a heating device for heating each of the hot water supply and drainage heat exchangers, a blower, and a bath pump. Also, output signals of various sensors such as a temperature sensor provided in the water inlet passage for measuring the inlet water temperature, a temperature sensor provided in the hot water outlet passage for measuring the hot water outlet temperature, and a flow rate sensor provided in the water inlet passage and the pouring passage to the bathtub are input to the control device 11.

[0018] The heat source machine 1 and the wireless communication device 3 are installed, for example, outdoors of the user's house, and the remote controller 2 is installed at a convenient location indoors of the user's house. A plurality of remote controllers 2 may be provided, and for example, they may be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom. The heat source machine 1, the remote controller 2, and the wireless communication device 3 are provided as separate devices respectively.

[0019] The heat source machine 1, the remote controller 2, and the wireless communication device 3 are connected to be communicable with each other via a two-core communication line 4. Also, the heat source machine 1 may be configured to output the power supply voltage supplied to the remote controller 2 and the wireless communication device 3 to the two-core communication line 4. In this case, the communication data can be superimposed on the power supply voltage.

[0020] The wireless communication device 3 includes a communication control unit 31 and an antenna 32 for wireless communication. The communication control unit 31 includes a microcontroller composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and a memory for storing control programs and the like. The communication control unit 31 operates according to a control program, can perform wired communication with the control device 11 of the heat source machine 1, can perform wireless communication with the base station 51 of the mobile phone via the antenna 32, and can perform wireless communication with the server 53 which is an external device via the base station 51 and an external communication network 52 such as the Internet. The wireless communication by the communication control unit 31 uses, for example, a communication method of LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). That is, the wireless communication device 3 is compatible with cellular LPWA, and communicates with the server 53 via the base station 51 and the external communication network 52 by performing wireless communication with the base station 51 by LPWA.

[0021] The control device 11 of the heat source machine 1 transmits device information regarding the heat source machine 1 to the server 53 via the wireless communication device 3. Here, the wireless communication device 3 has two operation modes, namely, the normal mode and the radio wave intensity measurement mode. In the normal mode, the device information regarding the heat source machine 1 received from the heat source machine 1 is transmitted to the base station 51 by wireless communication and then transmitted to the server 53 via the base station 51 and the external communication network 52. The server 53 stores the received device information regarding the heat source machine 1. The server 53 is a server for managing the heat source machine 1. Here, the device information regarding the heat source machine 1 includes operation history information indicating the operation history of the heat source machine 1 periodically transmitted from the control device 11 of the heat source machine 1, error information, and the like. The operation history information is information including the hot water supply set temperature of the heat source machine 1, the number of combustion operations, the combustion operation time, and the like.

[0022] In addition, the wireless communication device 3 has a received radio wave intensity measurement function for measuring the intensity of the radio wave received from the base station 51. The received radio wave intensity measurement function can be realized by a known RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) measurement function. When the received radio wave intensity measurement mode is entered, the communication control unit 31 utilizes the received radio wave intensity measurement function to perform predetermined communication with the base station 51 and measures the intensity (RSRP) of the radio wave received by the antenna 32. The measurement of the received radio wave intensity is repeated at predetermined time intervals while the received radio wave intensity measurement mode is in effect.

[0023] The remote controller 2 includes an operation unit 21 that can input commands and the like to the control device 11 of the heat source unit 1 to remotely control the heat source unit 1, a display unit 22 that displays information and the like regarding the heat source unit 1, a communication unit 23 for performing wired communication with the control device 11 of the heat source unit 1 and the communication control unit 31 of the heat source unit 1 via a two-core communication line 4, a control unit 24, and the like. The control unit 24 is composed of a microcontroller or the like and controls the operation of the entire remote controller 2. The display unit 22 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display, is controlled by the control unit 24, and can display predetermined information. The control unit 24 has a normal mode which is the basic mode and a maintenance monitor mode. When the control unit 24 is in the normal mode, for example, the hot water supply set temperature, the operation state, the current time, etc. are displayed on the screen of the display unit 22.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the remote controller 2. The operation unit 21 includes a plurality of operation switches. This operation switch includes, for example, an operation on / off switch 21a, a boost switch 21b, a bathtub automatic switch 21c, a temperature increase switch 21d, and a temperature decrease switch 21e. The temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e can be operated by opening the lid 2a at the lower part of the remote controller 2. The temperature increase switch 21d is used when increasing the hot water supply set temperature, and the temperature decrease switch 21e is used when decreasing the hot water supply set temperature.

[0025] In the normal mode, when any one of the plurality of operation switches of the operation unit 21 is pressed, the control unit 24 generates an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation switch and transmits the operation signal to the control device 11 of the heat source unit 1 via the communication unit 23.

[0026] Also, for example, when the temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e are simultaneously pressed, the control unit 24 can be switched from the normal mode to the maintenance monitor mode. Further, when the temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e are simultaneously pressed in the maintenance monitor mode, the control unit 24 is switched to the normal mode. Here, the temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e are used as the mode switching operation means for switching between the normal mode and the maintenance monitor mode, but it is not limited to this, and other operation means may be used.

[0027] The switch from the normal mode to the maintenance monitor mode is usually performed by an operator such as a serviceman. The maintenance monitor mode is a mode for displaying information on a plurality of items related to the heat source system 10 determined in advance on the display unit 22. The above-mentioned plurality of items include a plurality of items related to the heat source machine 1 and an item of the received radio wave intensity of the wireless communication device 3.

[0028] The plurality of items related to the heat source machine 1 include, for example, items such as the inlet water temperature, the outlet water temperature, the fuel (gas) or water consumption per unit time, the number of combustion operations, the combustion operation time, the fuel (gas) or water consumption consumed in the combustion operation, the hot water supply set temperature, the error history indicated by an error code, etc. Information on these items is acquired from the control device 11 of the heat source machine 1 and displayed on the display unit 22. Also, information on the item of the received radio wave intensity of the wireless communication device 3 is acquired from the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 and displayed on the display unit 22. Each item is assigned an item number in advance. For example, in FIG. 2, it is displayed on the display unit 22 that the item name of the 11th item is the radio wave intensity (the received radio wave intensity of the wireless communication device 3).

[0029] As described above, in the normal mode, when the temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e are simultaneously pressed to enter the maintenance monitor mode, the control unit 24 causes the display unit 22 to display, for example, the item name of item number 01 and the information related to the item. Then, each time the temperature increase switch 21d is pressed, the item number displayed on the display unit 22 increases by 1 and the item number and item name are displayed. Each time the temperature decrease switch 21e is pressed, the item number displayed on the display unit 22 decreases by 1 and the item number and item name are displayed. When the item number displayed on the display unit 22 corresponds to an item related to the heat source machine 1, the control unit 24 acquires the information related to the item from the control device 11 of the heat source machine 1 and displays it in the information display area 22R next to the item name. In this maintenance monitor mode, the temperature increase switch 21d and the temperature decrease switch 21e function as selection means for selecting an item for which information is to be displayed.

[0030] After entering the maintenance monitor mode, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the radio wave intensity of item number 11 is selected by operating the temperature increase switch 21d and / or the temperature decrease switch 21e, the control unit 24 displays the item number (item 11) and the item name (radio wave intensity) on the display unit 22, and transmits a first mode switching signal to the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3.

[0031] When the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 receives the first mode switching signal from the remote controller 2 in the normal mode, it switches to the radio wave intensity measurement mode. While in the radio wave intensity measurement mode, the communication control unit 31 repeatedly measures the received radio wave intensity at predetermined time intervals as described above, and transmits the measured value to the communication unit 23 of the remote controller 2 each time it measures. Then, the control unit 24 of the remote controller 2 causes the measured value of the received radio wave intensity received by the communication unit 23 to be displayed in the information display area 22R (FIG. 2) of the display unit 22. Thereby, when installing the wireless communication device 3, it is possible to easily check the received radio wave status, and at the time of trial operation or maintenance inspection when installing the heat source system, it is possible to easily check the received radio wave status together with the confirmation of items other than the radio wave intensity.

[0032] Also, when another item is selected by operating the temperature increase switch 21d or the temperature decrease switch 21e from the state where the radio wave intensity of item number 11 is displayed on the display unit 22, the control unit 24 transmits a second mode switching signal to the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 and causes the display unit 22 to display the number of the selected item, the item name, and information regarding the item. When the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 receives the second mode switching signal from the remote controller 2, it switches to the normal mode.

[0033] In the above description, the measured value of the received radio wave intensity is displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote controller 2. Instead of this, or in addition to this, the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value of the received radio wave intensity may be calculated and displayed. For the level of the received radio wave intensity, for example, a plurality of ranges for the received radio wave intensity are set in advance by a plurality of thresholds, and the level is determined according to which range the measured value of the received radio wave intensity is within. For example, the level of the received radio wave intensity may be classified into five levels such as level 1, level 2, ···, level 5 in ascending order of the received radio wave intensity. The calculation of the level of the received radio wave intensity may be performed by the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3. By displaying the measured value of the received radio wave intensity on the display unit 22, the operator can grasp information more detailed than the level of the received radio wave intensity.

[0034] In this embodiment, by operating the operation unit 21 of the remote controller 2, the measured value of the received radio wave intensity from the base station 51 in the wireless communication device 3 and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value can be displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote controller 2. Since the remote controller 2 is usually installed indoors where the operation unit 21 is easy to operate and the display unit 22 is easy to view, the operator can easily check the received radio wave situation from the base station 51 in the wireless communication device 3 regardless of the installation location of the wireless communication device 3.

[0035] Note that a dedicated operation switch for switching between the normal mode and the radio wave intensity measurement mode of the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 is provided on the operation unit 21 of the remote controller 2. When switching to the radio wave intensity measurement mode by operating this dedicated operation switch, the measured value of the received radio wave intensity measured by the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value may be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0036] In addition, the wireless communication device 3 is provided with mode switching operation means 33 such as an operation switch for switching between the normal mode and the radio wave intensity measurement mode of the communication control unit 31. When switching from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode by operating the mode switching operation means 33, display means 34 for displaying the level of the received radio wave intensity may be provided. In this case, when the communication control unit 31 is switched to the radio wave intensity measurement mode by the mode switching operation means 33, it repeatedly measures the received radio wave intensity during the radio wave intensity measurement mode, repeatedly calculates the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value, and causes the display means 34 to display the level. As the display means 34, a plurality of LEDs may be used to display the level of the received radio wave intensity according to the number of lit LEDs, or a full-color LED may be used as the display means 34 to display the level of the received radio wave intensity according to the emission color.

[0037] Thus, by providing the wireless communication device 3 with the mode switching operation means 33 and the display means 34, when installing the wireless communication device 3, an operator can move the wireless communication device 3 and check the level of the received radio wave intensity displayed on the display means 34 of the wireless communication device 3 to confirm the received radio wave situation from the base station 51, and find an appropriate installation location. On the other hand, when the wireless communication device 3 is installed in a narrow place within a user's site, for example, and the display means 34 cannot be directly viewed, the operator can easily check the received radio wave situation from the base station 51 by operating the remote control 2 as described above. Therefore, the convenience in the installation work of the wireless communication device 3 can be improved. Further, the wireless communication device 3 repeatedly measures the received radio wave intensity only in the radio wave intensity measurement mode, calculates the level of the received radio wave intensity according to the measurement value, and displays it on the display means 34, so that an increase in power consumption due to the calculation and display of the level of the received radio wave intensity can be suppressed.

[0038] In this embodiment, after the communication control unit 31 of the wireless communication device 3 switches from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode by operating the operation unit 21 of the remote control 2 or the mode switching operation means 33 of the wireless communication device 3, even if an operation for switching the radio wave intensity measurement mode to the normal mode is not performed, the communication control unit 31 may be configured to switch from the radio wave intensity measurement mode to the normal mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since entering the radio wave intensity measurement mode.

[0039] Note that the present invention is applicable not only to a residential heat source system but also to a commercial heat source system equipped with a commercial heat source machine.

[0040] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the present invention. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, the details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed.

Industrial Applicability

[0041] The present invention is useful as a heat source system or the like that can easily confirm the reception radio wave status from a base station in a wireless communication device regardless of the installation location of the wireless communication device or the like.

Explanation of Signs

[0042] 1 Heat source machine, 2 Operating device, 21 Operating section, 22 Display section, 3 Wireless communication device, 33 Mode switching operation means, 34 Display means, 51 Base station, 52 External communication network, 53 Server

Claims

1. A heat source machine, An operating device that performs wired communication with the heat source machine and has an operation unit capable of remotely operating the heat source machine and a display unit for displaying predetermined information, A wireless communication device that performs wired communication with the heat source machine and the operating device and performs wireless communication with a base station of a mobile phone, The operating device, When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit, it transmits a mode switching signal to the wireless communication device, The wireless communication device, Has a normal mode and a radio wave intensity measurement mode, and in the normal mode, is configured to be able to communicate with a server via the base station and an external communication network, In the normal mode, when receiving the mode switching signal from the operating device, it switches from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode, In the radio wave intensity measurement mode, it measures the intensity of the received radio wave from the base station and transmits the measured value of the received radio wave intensity and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value to the operating device, The operating device, Is configured to display the measured value of the received radio wave intensity received from the wireless communication device and / or the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value on the display unit, A heat source system.

2. The operating device, When a maintenance monitor mode is set by an operation on the operation unit, it is configured to be able to display a plurality of items related to the heat source system determined in advance on the display unit, and when an item of radio wave intensity included in the plurality of items is selected by an operation on the operation unit, it is configured to transmit the mode switching signal to the wireless communication device, The heat source system according to claim 1.

3. The wireless communication device, Is provided with mode switching operation means for performing an operation for switching from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode and display means. By an operation on the mode switching operation means, it is switched from the normal mode to the radio wave intensity measurement mode. In the radio wave intensity measurement mode, it measures the intensity of the received radio wave from the base station, calculates the level of the received radio wave intensity corresponding to the measured value, and is configured to display the level on the display means, The heat source system according to claim 1 or 2.

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