Water supply unit and method for controlling water supply unit

Abstract

To provide a water supply unit capable of securing a sufficient amount of water while reducing a load on water supply piping, and a method for controlling the same.SOLUTION: The water supply system includes a pump 21 for sucking liquid from a suction pipe, discharging the liquid to water supply piping 3, and supplying water into a building 90, a pressure sensor 25 positioned in the water supply piping 3 and detecting the pressure of the liquid, and a pump control device 32 for controlling the pump 21. The pump control device 32 updates the target pressure for each section set based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25, and supplies the liquid from the low-level section to the building 90 having the water supply pipe 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water supply unit and a method for controlling a water supply unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, when disasters occurred, people gathered in facilities such as homes and evacuation shelters and the supply of water for daily use was cut off, causing inconvenience. To address this issue, various pumping systems have been proposed that use electric vehicle batteries, storage batteries, solar power generation, engine-driven generators, etc. to supply water to buildings.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a water supply device equipped with a low-power control method that reduces power consumption during a disaster. Patent Document 2 also discloses a control method that sets a target pressure and an expected frequency for each floor so that water can be sent to the floor where a start command is issued in order to supply the amount of water required for a fire hydrant during a disaster. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-210819 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-091018 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the water supply device of Patent Document 1, the water supply device limits the pump discharge pressure during low power control, so even if the building's water tap is opened, only a small amount of water comes out compared to normal times, making it impossible to use a sufficient amount of water. Also, in the control method of Patent Document 2, the pressure is suddenly increased to supply water and the water is sent to the floor where the start command was issued.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a water supply unit and a control method thereof that can ensure a sufficient amount of water while reducing the burden on the water supply piping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The water supply unit of the present invention comprises a pump that sucks liquid from a suction pipe, discharges the liquid into a water supply pipe, and supplies water into a building, a pressure sensor located in the water supply pipe that detects the pressure of the liquid, and a control unit that controls the pump, and the control unit updates the target pressure for each set section based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and supplies the liquid from lower-floor sections to a building having the water supply pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water supply unit and a control method thereof that can ensure a sufficient amount of water while reducing the burden on the water supply piping. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply system equipped with a water supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of a water supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control device used in the water supply unit of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing control in the water supply unit. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing control when an abnormality is detected in the water supply pipe. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply system equipped with an electromagnetic valve. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing control in the water supply unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart showing control when an abnormality is detected in the water supply piping in the water supply unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9]This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply system in which one water supply unit serves two buildings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A water supply facility, a water supply unit, and the like according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply facility equipped with a water supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the water supply equipment S1 includes a water source 1 (suction pipe) such as a water main or a water tank, a water supply unit 2A that supplies liquid (tap water) to a building 90, and water supply piping 3 located within the building. In addition, the water supply equipment S1 has an inlet 2a of the water supply unit 2A that is connected to the water source 1, which is the water main or the water tank. A water supply piping 3 for supplying water to the building is connected to an outlet 2b of the water supply unit 2A. The water supply piping 3 branches out and extends to each floor, and a water faucet 4 is attached to each of the branched water supply piping 3.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a water supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 2A includes a pump 21 that supplies liquid water, a motor 22 that serves as a drive unit that drives the pump 21, and a control device 30 that controls the rotation speed of the motor 22.

[0012] In addition, the water supply unit 2A is equipped with a check valve 23 on the discharge side of the pump 21 to prevent backflow of liquid when the pump 21 stops, a gate valve 24 to adjust the amount of liquid discharged by the pump 21, a pressure sensor 25 to measure the pressure of the liquid discharged by the pump 21, and a pressure tank 26 to maintain the pressure on the discharge side of the water supply unit 2A while the pump 21 is stopped.

[0013] The water supply unit 2A shown in Figure 2 is provided with two sets of pump 21, motor 22, check valve 23, and gate valve 24, which are arranged in parallel. Note that the water supply unit 2A may be composed of one set, or three or more sets of pump 21, motor 22, check valve 23, and gate valve 24. By providing multiple pumps 21 in the water supply unit 2A, if one of the pumps 21 becomes inoperable, water supply can be continued using the other pumps 21 that are operable, thereby minimizing water outages.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control device used in the water supply unit of FIG. 3, the control device 30 includes an inverter 31 that controls the rotation frequency of the motor 22, and a pump control device 32 (control unit) that is connected to the inverter 31. One inverter 31 is connected to one motor 22, and the other inverter 31 is connected to the other motor 22. The pump control device 32 is composed of a calculation unit 33 such as a CPU (central processing unit), a storage unit 34 such as a memory, a display unit 35 that displays parameters or operating conditions, and a printed circuit board or the like that has an I / O unit 36 ​​that inputs and outputs signals.

[0015] Next, water supply control by the water supply unit 2A configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing control in the water supply unit. 4, in step S401, the pump control device 32 determines whether the pump 21 is stopped. If the pump 21 is not stopped (S401, NO), the process proceeds to step S406. If the pump 21 is stopped (S401, YES), the process proceeds to step S402. Note that when the pump 21 is started, the pump 21 is stopped, so the process proceeds to step S402 and the output signal from the pressure sensor 25 is monitored.

[0016] Then, in step S403, the pump control device 32 determines in the calculation unit 33 that the start condition of the pump 21 is met (step S403). The start condition of the pump 21 is determined when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25 is equal to or lower than the start pressure.

[0017] After the start conditions for the pump 21 are met, in step S404, the pump control device 32 sets a target pressure for the pump 21 using the calculation unit 33. The target pressure is determined by a previous test and stored in the storage unit .

[0018] The target pressure is set by the calculation unit 33 for each floor of the building 90 (1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, etc.) so that the pressure of the pump 21 gradually increases. The target pressure is updated for each floor height of the building 90. First, the target pressure corresponding to the first floor is set. In this case, since the height of each floor of the building is fixed at the same height, the target pressure is updated by the pressure of the fixed height, which makes it easy to set the pressure value when updating the target pressure.

[0019] By setting the pressure to increase one floor at a time in the building 90 and controlling the frequency and solenoid valve in this way, the burden on the water supply pipe 3 can be reduced and damage to the water supply pipe 3 can be prevented compared to methods that suddenly increase the pressure when supplying water at the target pressure set in conventional water supply equipment.

[0020] After the above start conditions are met (S403) and the target pressure is set (S404), in step S405, the pump control device 32 starts the pump 21. This causes water to be supplied from the low-floor section (first floor). After the pump is started, the inverter 31 controls the motor 22 based on feedback control to set the difference between the discharge pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25 and the preset target pressure to zero, thereby increasing the discharge pressure of the pump 21.

[0021] In step S406, the pump control device 32 determines whether the detected pressure (current pressure) is less than the target pressure. If the detected pressure is less than the target pressure (S406, YES), the process proceeds to step S407, where the pump control device 32 executes control to increase the pump discharge pressure (pump pressure increasing operation), and the process returns to step S401. In step S401, the pump 21 is already operating (NO), so the process proceeds to step S406, where it is determined whether the detected pressure (current pressure) is less than the target pressure.

[0022] Furthermore, in step S406, if the detected pressure (current pressure) is equal to or higher than the target pressure (NO), the pump control device 32 increases the target pressure by one floor of the building 90. For example, if the target pressure corresponding to the first floor has been set, it is switched to the target pressure corresponding to the second floor. Thus, in step S408, the pump control device 32 performs an update using the calculation unit 33, and performs feedback control based on the new target pressure to increase the pressure of the pump 21.

[0023] By repeating the above operation until the pressure reaches the design specification of the water supply equipment S1, the pressure can be supplied without increasing abruptly, reducing the burden on the water supply pipe 3 caused by pressure increases.

[0024] The water supply control by the water supply unit 2A described above can also be used in conjunction with conventional control methods. For example, conventional control that rapidly increases pressure can be applied during normal times or when fighting a fire, and when a disaster occurs or when recovering from a disaster, a signal indicating the occurrence of a disaster is input to the pump control device 32. This allows for switching to a control method that gradually increases pressure, as in this case, to ensure reliable water supply and prevent secondary damage, and by using different methods depending on the situation, it is possible to supply water efficiently.

[0025] Furthermore, when there are a plurality of pumps 21 as in this embodiment, the control device 30 also controls the number of pumps that can be started simultaneously (the number of pumps operating in parallel) according to the amount of water.

[0026] Next, a method for detecting an abnormality such as breakage of the water supply pipe 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing control when an abnormality in the water supply pipe is detected. First, in step S501, pump control device 32 determines whether pump 21 is operating. If pump 21 is operating (S501, YES), the process proceeds to step S502, where the pressure detected by pressure sensor 25 is confirmed (pressure monitoring). Note that while only the pressure is monitored here, a flow rate sensor may be provided in water supply unit 2A to detect (monitor) the flow rate and pressure of the liquid discharged from pump 21. This makes it possible to confirm that the liquid is actually flowing, and to quickly discover issues that cannot be determined from pressure alone, such as an increase in pressure but no increase in flow rate.

[0027] Thereafter, in step S503, pump control device 32 determines in calculation unit 33 whether the pressure (measured pressure) detected by pressure sensor 25 is constant or decreasing. In other words, it determines whether the detected pressure (measured pressure) exceeds the currently set target pressure value. If the detected pressure is greater than the target pressure value (S503, NO), pump control device 32 proceeds to step S509, determines that there is no problem with the operation of water supply unit 2A and that there is no abnormality in water supply piping 3, and performs water supply control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] On the other hand, if the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25 is equal to or less than the set target pressure value (if the measured pressure is constant or decreasing) (S503, YES), the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the pump control device 32 checks the speed command value (command value) of the inverter 31 that is issuing a speed command to the motor 22. The speed command value is stored in the memory unit 34.

[0029] After the calculation unit 33 of the pump control device 32 checks the speed command value (S504), in step S505, the pump control device 32 determines whether the speed command value commanded by the inverter 31 is increasing compared to the previous speed command value. If the speed command value of the inverter 31 is constant or decreasing (S505, NO), the process proceeds to step S509, where it is determined that there is no abnormality in the water supply pipe 3, and water supply control is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0030] On the other hand, if the speed command value of the inverter 31 is an instruction to increase (S505, YES), proceed to step S506, and the calculation unit 33 of the pump control device 32 measures the time during which the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 25 remains constant or decreases.

[0031] In step S507, the pump control device 32 determines whether the time measured in step S506 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is determined by a prior test and is set to, for example, 60 seconds. If the measured time is shorter than the predetermined time and the pressure is increasing (S507, NO), the process proceeds to step S509, where it is determined that there is no abnormality in the water supply pipe 3, and water supply control is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0032] On the other hand, if the measurement time continues for more than a predetermined time (S507, YES), the speed command of the inverter 31 is an increase command (S505, YES), and no pressure increase occurs even though there is no malfunction in the water supply unit 2A.Therefore, in step S508, the pump control device 32 determines that there is a malfunction such as damage to the water supply piping 3, and determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply piping 3.

[0033] After detecting an abnormality in the water supply pipe 3 (S508), the process proceeds to step S510, where the pump control device 32 controls the inverter 31 to stop increasing the pressure of the pump 21.

[0034] Then, proceeding to step S511, the pump control device 32 reduces the target pressure by one level at a time in the calculation unit 33 based on the target pressure set at the time of abnormality detection (S508) and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25 until it becomes equal to or lower than the pressure at the time of abnormality detection.

[0035] Then, after the target pressure is reduced to below the pressure at the time of abnormality detection (S511), the pressure is maintained constant and water is supplied to the building 90 using the water supply pipe 3 for which no abnormality was detected. Also, in step S512, when maintaining the pressure constant after detecting an abnormality, the pump control device 32 issues a signal such as a "maintenance command" so that it can be recognized as a command following abnormality detection, so that it is not determined that an abnormality has been detected in the water supply pipe 3.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. While Fig. 1 shows an example in which there is one building 90 to which one water supply unit 2A supplies water, the configuration may also be such that, for example, each floor of building 90 has a solenoid valve and these solenoid valves can be controlled by water supply unit 2A, or there are multiple buildings 90 to which one water supply unit 2A supplies water.

[0037] As described above, the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment includes a pump 21 that draws liquid from the water source 1 and discharges the liquid into the water supply pipe 3 to supply water into the building 90, a pressure sensor 25 located on the water supply pipe 3 and detects the pressure of the liquid, and a pump control device 32 that controls the pump 21. The pump control device 32 updates the target pressure for each set section based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25, and supplies the liquid to the building having the water supply pipe 3 from the lower section (see S408 in FIG. 4). Furthermore, the control method for the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment is a control method for the water supply unit 2A that draws liquid from the water source 1 and discharges the liquid into the water supply pipe 3 to supply water into the building 90, and updates the target pressure for each set section based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25, and controls the pump 21 to supply the liquid to the building 90 having the water supply pipe 3 from the lower section. This method ensures a sufficient amount of water while reducing the burden on the water supply pipe.

[0038] Furthermore, in the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment, the compartments are sections that divide the building 90 to which liquid is supplied into sections for each floor, and the pump control device 32 controls the pump 21 to increase the pressure to a level equivalent to the height of one floor and supply water (see S407 in FIG. 4). This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient amount of water while reducing the burden on the water supply piping 3.

[0039] Furthermore, water supply unit 2A of this embodiment includes memory 34 that stores the detection value of pressure sensor 25 and the command value of pump control device 32. Memory 34 stores the pressure of the liquid detected by pressure sensor 25. Pump control device 32 determines whether there is an abnormality (presence or absence of leakage or damage) in water supply piping 3 based on the pressure stored in memory 34 (see S508 in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to determine the abnormality in water supply piping 3 and stop water supply to the abnormal water supply piping 3.

[0040] Furthermore, in the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment, if the pressure of the liquid detected by the pressure sensor 25 remains constant or drops for a predetermined time relative to the target pressure stored in the memory unit 34, the pump control device 32 determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply pipe 3 at the height reached by the liquid at that pressure (see S507 in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to detect an abnormality in the water supply pipe 3.

[0041] Furthermore, in the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment, if the pump control device 32 determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply pipe 3, it stops increasing the target pressure, controls the rotation speed of the pump 21, and stops the operation of increasing the pressure of the liquid (see S510 in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to prevent the liquid (water) from flowing into the leaking water supply pipe 3.

[0042] Furthermore, in the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment, when the increase in the liquid pressure is stopped, the pump control device 32 updates the setting so that the target pressure is equal to or lower than the pressure at the time of abnormality detection stored in the memory unit 34, and controls the rotation speed of the pump 21 to reduce the liquid pressure (see S511 in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to prevent water leakage from the water supply pipe 3.

[0043] Furthermore, in the water supply unit 2A of this embodiment, when the target pressure is lowered so that it is equal to or lower than the pressure at the time of abnormality detection, the pump control device 32 controls the rotation speed of the pump 21 so that it remains constant relative to the target pressure, and inputs a "hold command" in the abnormality detection to the memory unit 34, thereby avoiding the determination of a piping abnormality (see S512 in FIG. 5). In this way, the hold command is issued to keep the pressure constant, so that the pressure does not increase and the abnormality determination can be avoided.

[0044] Next, a configuration in which solenoid valves 61-68 are provided on each floor of building 90 and these solenoid valves 61-68 are controlled by water supply unit 2B will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply facility according to an embodiment using the solenoid valves of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the water supply equipment S2 includes a water source 1 (suction pipe) such as a water main or a water tank, a water supply unit 2B that supplies liquid (tap water) to a building 90, a water supply pipe 3 located within the building, and solenoid valves 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68. The solenoid valves 61-68 are provided on the water supply pipe 3 extending to each floor of the building 90. These solenoid valves 61-68 can be controlled by the water supply unit 2B. In this embodiment, controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valves 61-68 makes it possible to change the pressure classification to be updated and to supply water by bypassing a broken part in the water supply pipe 3. For example, if the end of solenoid valve 61 is broken, closing solenoid valve 61 and allowing liquid to flow through solenoid valve 62 allows water to be supplied to the upper floors without supplying water to the broken floor.

[0045] The water supply facility S2 is also equipped with a customer terminal 100 that can communicate with the water supply unit 2B. This customer terminal 100 can monitor the water supply status and detect abnormalities in the water supply piping 3 remotely.

[0046] Furthermore, when the pump control device 32 determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply piping 3 (S508), it stores in the memory unit 34 the pressure (pressure information) detected by the pressure sensor 25 at the time the abnormality was detected and the open / closed states of the solenoid valves 61 to 68. The abnormality detection information (piping abnormality detection information) of the water supply piping 3 and the pressure (pressure information) at the time the abnormality was detected stored in the memory unit 34 are communicated to the customer terminal 100. This allows the water supply status and piping status of the building 90 to which water is supplied, stored in the memory unit 34, to be transmitted as data via wired or wireless communication, particularly in the event of a disaster, to be confirmed and shared with the customer, which can be useful in recovery work.

[0047] Furthermore, if multiple water supply units 2B with communication functions are installed, it will be possible to grasp the water supply and piping conditions in the area where the water supply units 2B are located, thereby supporting recovery efforts not only for building 90 but for the entire area.

[0048] The control method for water supply unit 2B, which controls solenoid valves 61-68 as described above, will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the control in the water supply unit shown in Figure 6. Most of the control method is the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 4, but settings for the updated target pressure value and the opening and closing of the solenoid valves are added.

[0049] Furthermore, when solenoid valves 61-68 are used, the divisions may be, for example, one floor at a time, as in the case where no solenoid valves are used. Alternatively, the divisions may be floor groups, each consisting of several floors of a building. When the divisions are floor groups, for example, the building 90 in FIG. 6 is divided into sections, with the floors where solenoid valves 61-63 are installed being the low floors, the floors where solenoid valves 64-66 are installed being the middle floors, and the floors where solenoid valves 67-68 are installed being the high floors, and the target pressure for the height of each floor group is updated. Since the building 90 is arbitrarily divided into sections by the user, individual settings are required, but water supply efficiency can be improved by supplying water to each section.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, in step S701, the pump control device 32 of the water supply unit 2B checks the open / closed status of the solenoid valves 61-68 on each floor before supplying water to the building 90. After checking this open / closed status, the solenoid valves 61-68 on each floor are closed, and water supply begins. The operation of the solenoid valves 61-68 after water supply differs depending on the section division.

[0051] For example, if the division is one floor at a time, the solenoid valve 61 is opened (S702) to supply water to the floor where the solenoid valve 61 is located. After water is supplied to the floor where the solenoid valve 61 is located, the target pressure is updated by one floor (S408) to start supplying water to the floor where the solenoid valve 62 is located.

[0052] On the other hand, if the divisions are divided into low, middle, and high tier groups as described above, when the discharge pressure of the liquid being supplied is equal to or slightly exceeds the target pressure, the solenoid valves 61-63 of the tier group corresponding to the target pressure, for example, the low tier group, are opened (S702) to supply water to the low tier group. When supplying water to the low tier group, the pump frequency is controlled to prevent a sudden increase in pressure, and water is supplied so as to gradually fill the low tier group. After water is supplied to the low tier group, the target pressure is updated (S408), and solenoid valves 64-66 of the middle tier group are opened (S702) to start supplying water to the middle tier. After water is supplied to the middle tier group, the target pressure is updated (S408), and solenoid valves 67-68 of the high tier group are opened (S702) to start supplying water to the high tier group.

[0053] Next, the operation of the solenoid valve when an abnormality such as breakage of the water supply pipe 3 is detected will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing control when an abnormality is detected in the water supply pipe in the water supply unit shown in Fig. 6. 8, in step S801, the pump control device 32 determines whether or not an abnormality has been detected in the water supply piping 3. If an abnormality has been detected in the water supply piping 3 (S801, YES), the process proceeds to step S802, where the pump control device 32 checks the pressure at the time of the abnormality detection in the memory unit 34 (see FIG. 3).

[0054] Then, in step S803, the pump control device 32 closes the solenoid valve positioned at a height equivalent to the pressure confirmed by the calculation unit 33, thereby stopping the water supply to the water supply pipe 3 in which the abnormality has been detected.

[0055] Subsequently, in step S804, the pump control device 32 stores in the storage unit 34 the solenoid valves that were closed when an abnormality was detected.

[0056] Next, in step S805, the pump control device 32 corrects the setting to a lower pressure in the calculation unit 33 in order to lower the target pressure.

[0057] The above-mentioned target pressure correction (S805) in the calculation unit 33 varies depending on the setting of the section division. If the section division is set to one floor at a time (1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, ...), the pressure to be lowered will be a value lowered by one floor.

[0058] On the other hand, when the division is set to floor groups (low floors, middle floors, high floors), an abnormality in the water supply pipe 3 is detected within that division, but the specific floor number is not known. Therefore, when the division is set to floor groups, the pressure must be corrected by a value lowered by just one floor, rather than by the amount of pressure to be lowered by one division.

[0059] After the pressure setting is corrected in the calculation unit 33 as described above (S805), in step S806, the pump control device 32 issues a speed command instruction to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 22 using the inverter 31, thereby reducing the pressure.

[0060] Then, when the discharge pressure of water supply unit 2B reaches the corrected target pressure, in step S807, pump control device 32 again performs a piping abnormality diagnosis of water supply piping 3. If an abnormality is detected in the re-diagnosis of piping abnormality (S807, YES), the operation returns to step S801.

[0061] Conversely, if no abnormality is detected in the piping abnormality diagnosis (S807, NO), the process proceeds to step S808, where the pump control device 32 instructs the pump control device 32 to increase the pressure again in order to supply water to a level above the level where the abnormality was detected in the water supply piping 3. This pressure increase is performed without opening the closed solenoid valve stored in the memory unit 34 in step S804. By supplying water in this way without opening the solenoid valve, it is possible to supply liquid to a level above without supplying liquid to the water supply piping 3 where the abnormality was detected.

[0062] By controlling the solenoid valves 61 to 68 as described above, abnormalities in the water supply pipe 3 can be detected, and water leakage due to breakage of the water supply pipe 3 and damage to the water supply equipment and the residence can be prevented, and water can also be secured.

[0063] Next, a control method for a water supply unit 2C in a water supply system where one water supply unit is connected to multiple buildings will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water supply system where one water supply unit is connected to two buildings. As shown in Fig. 9, the water supply facility S3 includes a water source 1 (suction pipe) such as a water main or a water tank, a water supply unit 2C that supplies liquid (tap water) to buildings 91 and 92, and water supply piping 3 located within the buildings. When supplying water to buildings 91 and 92, buildings 91 and 92 are regarded as one building, and water can be supplied equally to both buildings 91 and 92 by setting the pressure to update for the building that is farthest from water supply unit 2C, for example, one floor of building 92 shown in Fig. 9.

[0064] By setting the two buildings 91, 92 to be separated by one floor as described above, the water supply unit 2C can apply the control shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the example described above, one water supply unit 2C supplies water to two buildings, but the configuration may also be such that the number of buildings is increased.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, any combination of the embodiments and modifications is possible within the scope of solving at least part of the above-mentioned problems or achieving at least part of the effects, and any combination or omission of the components described in the claims and specification is possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Water source (suction pipe) 2A, 2B, 2C water supply unit 3 Water supply piping 4 Water tap 21 Pump 22 Motor 23 Check valve 24 Gate valve 25 Pressure Sensor 26 Pressure Tank 30 Control device 31 Inverter 32 Pump control device (control unit) 33 Arithmetic section 34 Storage section 35 Display section 36 I / O section 61~68 Solenoid valves Buildings 90, 91, and 92 S1,S2,S3 Water supply equipment

Claims

1. a pump that sucks liquid from a suction pipe and discharges the liquid into a water supply pipe to supply water into the building; a pressure sensor located in the water supply pipe for detecting the pressure of the liquid; a control unit that controls the pump, The control unit updates the target pressure for each set compartment based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and supplies the liquid from a lower-floor compartment to a building having the water supply pipe.

2. The divisions are divisions that divide the building to which the liquid is supplied into floors, The water supply unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the pump to increase the pressure to a level corresponding to the height of the one story to supply water.

3. a storage unit that stores the detection value of the pressure sensor and the command value of the control unit, the storage unit stores the pressure of the liquid detected by the pressure sensor; The water supply unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit detects an abnormality in the water supply pipe based on the pressure stored in the memory unit.

4. The water supply unit of claim 3, wherein the control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply piping at the height reached by the liquid at that pressure when the pressure of the liquid detected by the pressure sensor remains constant or decreases for a predetermined period of time relative to the target pressure stored in the memory unit.

5. The control unit If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the water supply pipe, the increase in the target pressure is stopped; 5. The water supply unit according to claim 4, wherein the rotational speed of the pump is controlled to stop the operation of increasing the pressure of the liquid.

6. The control unit When the increase in the pressure of the liquid is stopped, the setting is updated so that the target pressure is equal to or lower than the pressure at the time of abnormality detection stored in the storage unit; 6. The water supply unit according to claim 5, wherein the rotational speed of the pump is controlled to reduce the pressure of the liquid.

7. The control unit If the target pressure is lowered to below the pressure at which an abnormality was detected, controlling the rotation speed of the pump so that the rotation speed is constant relative to the target pressure; A "hold command" upon abnormality detection is input to the storage unit, The water supply unit according to claim 6, wherein the determination of the abnormality detection is avoided.

8. When the control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the water supply pipe, The pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the open / close state of the solenoid valve when an abnormality is detected are stored in the storage unit; 7. The water supply unit according to claim 6, wherein the piping abnormality detection information and pressure information at the time of abnormality detection stored in the storage unit are communicated to a customer terminal.

9. A control method for a water supply unit having a pump that sucks liquid from a suction pipe, discharges the liquid into a water supply pipe, and supplies water to a building, comprising: A control method for a water supply unit, which updates the target pressure for each set compartment based on the pressure detected by a pressure sensor, and controls the pump to supply the liquid from a lower-floor compartment to a building having the water supply pipe.

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