Heat source unit connection system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of deviation in use frequency in heating operation and hot water supply operation in each of a plurality of heat source machines.SOLUTION: Provided are a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium outgoing pipe and a heat medium return pipe, a hot water flow path including a water supply pipe and a hot water delivery pipe, at least one multifunctional heat source machine connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path, at least one single-function heat source machine connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path, and a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine. The multifunctional heat source machine is configured to be capable of executing a heating operation of heating the heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe and supplying the heat medium to the heat medium outgoing pipe and a hot water supply operation of heating the water supplied from the water supply pipe and supplying the water to the hot water delivery pipe, and the single-function heat source machine is configured to be capable of executing the heating operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a heat source machine connection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat source machine connection system. The heat source machine connection system includes a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium supply pipe and a heat medium return pipe, a hot water flow path including a water supply pipe and a hot water outlet pipe, a plurality of heat source machines connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path, and a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of heat source machines. Each of the plurality of heat source machines is configured to be capable of performing a heating operation in which a heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe is heated and supplied to the heat medium supply pipe, and a hot water supply operation in which water supplied from the water supply pipe is heated and supplied to the hot water outlet pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-125690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described heat source unit interconnection system, it is typically determined whether each of the multiple heat source units should perform heating operation, hot water supply operation, or standby without performing either heating or hot water supply operation, depending on the heat load required for heating or hot water supply. However, in the above-described heat source unit interconnection system, if some of the multiple heat source units are configured to perform only heating operation or hot water supply operation, a discrepancy will occur between the number of heat source units capable of hot water supply operation and the number of heat source units capable of heating operation. In this case, depending on usage conditions, the frequency of use of heating operation or hot water supply operation may be biased toward the heat source units capable of performing both heating operation and hot water supply operation, which may cause the heat source units to deteriorate more rapidly than the other heat source units. This specification provides a technology that can suppress bias in the frequency of use of heating operation or hot water supply operation among the multiple heat source units in a heat source unit interconnection system including heat source units that can only perform either heating operation or hot water supply operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the heat source unit connection system disclosed in this specification may include a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium supply pipe and a heat medium return pipe, a hot water flow path including a water supply pipe and a hot water outlet pipe, at least one multifunction heat source unit connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path, at least one single-function heat source unit connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path, and a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the at least one multifunction heat source unit and the at least one single-function heat source unit. The multifunction heat source unit may be configured to be capable of performing a heating operation in which a heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe is heated and supplied to the heat medium supply pipe, and a hot water supply operation in which water supplied from the water supply pipe is heated and supplied to the hot water outlet pipe. The single-function heat source unit may be configured to be capable of performing the heating operation. The connection control device may instruct each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine to start or stop hot water supply operation based on the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine for hot water supply operation, and the connection control device may instruct each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine to start or stop heating operation based on the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine for heating operation, and the priority of each of the at least one single-function heat source machine for heating operation may be higher than the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine for heating operation.

[0006] According to the above configuration, in the heat source unit interconnected system, when heating is required, the single-function heat source unit is given priority for heating operation, and the frequency of use of the multi-function heat source unit in heating operation can be reduced. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent imbalances in the frequency of use of heating operation and hot water supply operation among the multiple heat source units.

[0007] In a second aspect, in the heat source machine connected system of the first aspect described above, the priority for hot water supply operation of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the priority for heating operation of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine may be at least partially different.

[0008] If the priority for hot water supply operation of each multifunctional heat source machine and the priority for heating operation of each multifunctional heat source machine were the same, a multifunctional heat source machine that is used frequently for hot water supply operation would also be used frequently for heating operation, which could lead to a bias in the frequency of use of the multifunctional heat source machines.With the above configuration, the priority for hot water supply operation of each multifunctional heat source machine and the priority for heating operation are at least partially different, making it possible to suppress a bias in the frequency of use of the multifunctional heat source machines.

[0009] In a third aspect, in the heat source unit linked system of the first or second aspect, the at least one multifunctional heat source unit may include a first multifunctional heat source unit and a second multifunctional heat source unit. When the priority for hot water supply operation of the first multifunctional heat source unit is higher than the priority for hot water supply operation of the second multifunctional heat source unit, the priority for heating operation of the first multifunctional heat source unit may be lower than the priority for heating operation of the second multifunctional heat source unit, and when the priority for hot water supply operation of the first multifunctional heat source unit is lower than the priority for hot water supply operation of the second multifunctional heat source unit, the priority for heating operation of the first multifunctional heat source unit may be higher than the priority for heating operation of the second multifunctional heat source unit.

[0010] According to the above configuration, a multifunctional heat source unit that has a high priority for hot water supply operation and therefore is used frequently in hot water supply operation will have a low priority for heating operation and therefore is used less frequently in heating operation. Conversely, a multifunctional heat source unit that has a high priority for heating operation and therefore is used frequently in heating operation will have a low priority for hot water supply operation and therefore is used less frequently in hot water supply operation. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of multifunctional heat source units.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, in a heat source machine connection system of any one of the first to third aspects above, the connection control device may treat a multi-function heat source machine among the at least one multi-function heat source machine that is in a state where it is unable to normally perform the hot water supply operation as a single-function heat source machine.

[0012] In a multi-function heat source machine, even if the hot water supply operation cannot be normally performed, the heating operation may be normally performed. According to the above configuration, by utilizing a multi-function heat source machine that cannot normally perform the hot water supply operation as a single-function heat source machine, it is possible to ensure the number of heat source machines that can perform the heating operation.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, in the heat source machine connection system of any one of the first to fourth aspects above, the at least one single-function heat source machine may include a plurality of single-function heat source machines, and the connection control device may be configured to perform a priority rotation for the heating operation of each of the plurality of single-function heat source machines when a predetermined heating rotation condition is met.

[0014] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of the single-function heat source units.

[0015] In a sixth aspect, in the heat source machine linked system of the fifth aspect, the heating rotation condition may be based on the number of heating uses of the heat source machine linked system.

[0016] If the heat source unit-connected system is repeatedly used for heating without rotating the priority for heating operation, the single-function heat source unit with a high priority for heating operation will continue to be used more frequently. According to the above configuration, the priority for heating operation is rotated based on the number of times the heat source unit-connected system is used for heating, so that it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of the single-function heat source units.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, in the heat source machine linked system of the fifth aspect, the heating rotation condition may be based on a heating use time of the heat source machine linked system.

[0018] If the heat source unit connected system is used for heating for a long period of time without rotating the priority for heating operation, the single-function heat source unit with a high priority for heating operation will continue to be used more frequently. According to the above configuration, the priority for heating operation is rotated based on the heating use time of the heat source unit connected system, so that it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of the single-function heat source units.

[0019] In an eighth aspect, in a heat source machine connection system of any one of the fifth to seventh aspects above, the connection control device may determine the priority for heating operation of each of the multiple single-function heat source machines after performing the rotation based only on the priority for heating operation of each of the multiple single-function heat source machines before performing the rotation.

[0020] According to the above configuration, it is possible to simplify the processing performed by the connection control device for rotating the priority of the heating operations of the single-function heat source units.

[0021] In a ninth aspect, in the heat source machine connection system of any one of the first to eighth aspects above, the at least one multi-function heat source machine may include a plurality of multi-function heat source machines, and the connection control device may, when a predetermined hot water rotation condition is satisfied, perform a priority rotation for the hot water supply operation of each of the plurality of multi-function heat source machines, and may simultaneously be configured to perform a priority rotation for the heating operation of each of the plurality of multi-function heat source machines.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the processing performed by the connection control device in a multi-function heat source machine can be simplified compared to when the rotation of priorities for hot water supply operation and the rotation of priorities for heating operation are performed based on different conditions.

[0023] In a tenth aspect, in the heat source machine linked system of the ninth aspect, the hot water supply rotation condition may be based on the number of hot water supply uses of the heat source machine linked system.

[0024] If the heat source unit-connected system is repeatedly used to supply hot water without rotating the priority for hot water supply operation, the multifunctional heat source unit with a high priority for hot water supply operation will continue to be used more frequently. According to the above configuration, the priority for hot water supply operation is rotated based on the number of times the heat source unit-connected system is used to supply hot water, so that it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of the multifunctional heat source unit.

[0025] In an eleventh aspect, in the heat source machine linked system of the ninth aspect, the hot water supply rotation condition may be based on a hot water supply usage time of the heat source machine linked system.

[0026] If the heat source unit-connected system is used to supply hot water for a long period of time without rotating the priority of hot water operation, the multifunctional heat source unit with a high priority for hot water operation will continue to be used more frequently. With the above configuration, the priority of hot water operation is rotated based on the hot water use time of the heat source unit-connected system, so that it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of the multifunctional heat source unit.

[0027] In a twelfth aspect, in a heat source machine connection system of any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects described above, the connection control device may determine the priority of each of the multiple multi-function heat source machines regarding hot water supply operation after the rotation is performed based only on the priority of each of the multiple multi-function heat source machines regarding hot water supply operation before the rotation is performed.

[0028] According to the above configuration, it is possible to simplify the processing performed by the connection control device for rotating the priority of the hot water supply operations of the multifunctional heat source machines.

[0029] A thirteenth aspect of the heat source unit connection system may include a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium supply pipe and a heat medium return pipe, a hot water flow path including a water supply pipe and a hot water outlet pipe, at least one multifunction heat source unit connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path, at least one single-function heat source unit connected in parallel to the hot water flow path, and a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the at least one multifunction heat source unit and the at least one single-function heat source unit. The multifunction heat source unit may be configured to be capable of performing a heating operation in which a heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe is heated and supplied to the heat medium supply pipe, and a hot water supply operation in which water supplied from the water supply pipe is heated and supplied to the hot water outlet pipe. The single-function heat source unit may be configured to be capable of performing the hot water supply operation. The connection control device may instruct each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine to start or stop hot water supply operation based on the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine for hot water supply operation, and the connection control device may instruct each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine to start or stop heating operation based on the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine for heating operation, and the priority of each of the at least one single-function heat source machine for hot water supply operation may be higher than the priority of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine for hot water supply operation.

[0030] According to the above configuration, in a heat source unit interconnected system, when hot water supply is required, the single-function heat source unit is given priority for hot water supply operation, and the frequency of use of the multi-function heat source unit in hot water supply operation can be reduced. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent imbalances in the frequency of use of heating operation and hot water supply operation among the multiple heat source units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat source machine linking system 1 of an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows how the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 are switched to or stopped in heating operation, and how the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600 are switched to or stopped in hot water supply operation and heating operation, in the heat source unit linked system 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the procedure of processing performed by the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit when the multifunctional heat source unit 500 becomes unable to perform hot water supply operation normally in the heat source unit linking system 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a state when the priority order for heating operation is rotated in the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 of the heat source unit linked system 1 of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when priorities for hot water supply operation and heating operation are rotated in the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 of the heat source unit linking system 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heat source machine linking system 2 in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1 , the heat source unit interconnection system 1 according to the embodiment includes a heat medium circulation path 30, a hot and cold water flow path 34, three single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300, three multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600, and a water mixer 20. The heat medium circulation path 30 includes a heat medium return pipe 31 and a heat medium forward pipe 33, and the hot and cold water flow path 34 includes a water supply pipe 35 and a hot water outlet pipe 36. The single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 and the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600 are connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path 30. The multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600 are connected in parallel to the hot and cold water flow path 34. A flow rate sensor 40 capable of detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 35 is installed in the water supply pipe 35. When heating is performed using the heat source machine linked system 1, the heat medium for heating (e.g., water or antifreeze) flows from the water mixer 20 via the heat medium return pipe 31 into at least one of the single-function heat source machines 100, 200, 300 and the multi-function heat source machines 400, 500, 600, where it is heated to a high temperature and then flows into the water mixer 20 via the heat medium forward pipe 33. The heat medium for heating also flows from the water mixer 20 via the heating terminal forward pipe 43 into the heating terminal (not shown), where it is used for heating and then becomes cold, and then flows into the water mixer 20 via the heating terminal return pipe 41. When hot water is supplied using the heat source machine linked system 1, the water for hot water supply flows from the water supply pipe 35 into at least one of the multi-function heat source machines 400, 500, 600, where it is heated to a high temperature and then flows out the hot water outlet pipe 36.

[0033] The single-function heat source machine 100 includes a burner 101, a controller 102, a first heat exchanger 103 that heats a heat medium using the combustion heat of the burner 101, a heat medium return branch pipe 121 that branches off from the heat medium return pipe 31 and connects to the fluid inlet of the first heat exchanger 103, a heat medium forward branch pipe 123 that connects from the fluid outlet of the first heat exchanger 103 to the heat medium forward pipe 33, and a pump 107 provided on the heat medium return branch pipe 121.

[0034] The controller 102 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls the operation of the burner 101 and pump 107 of the single-function heat source apparatus 100. When the single-function heat source apparatus 100 performs heating operation, the controller 102 drives the pump 107. As a result, the heat medium passes from the heat medium return pipe 31 through the heat medium return branch pipe 121 and flows into the first heat exchanger 103. The heat medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger 103 passes through the heat medium forward branch pipe 123 and flows out into the heat medium forward pipe 33. The controller 102 then combusts the burner 101. As a result, the heat medium passing through the first heat exchanger 103 is heated, and the heated heat medium can be supplied to the heat medium forward pipe 33.

[0035] The single-function heat source machines 200 and 300 both have the same configuration as the single-function heat source machine 100, and therefore explanations of the configurations of the single-function heat source machines 200 and 300 will be omitted by replacing the reference numbers in the 100s of the respective components of the single-function heat source machine 100 with numbers in the 200s and 300s, respectively. Furthermore, the single-function heat source machines 100, 200, and 300 are configured to be capable of performing only heating operation.

[0036] The multifunctional heat source device 400 includes a burner 401, a controller 402, a first heat exchanger 403 that heats a heat medium by the combustion heat of the burner 401, a heat medium return branch pipe 421 that branches off from the heat medium return pipe 31 and connects to the fluid inlet of the first heat exchanger 403, a heat medium forward branch pipe 423 that connects from the fluid outlet of the first heat exchanger 403 to the heat medium forward pipe 33, a pump 407 provided on the heat medium return branch pipe 421, and a part of the heat medium forward branch pipe 423 that connects to the part of the heat medium return branch pipe 421 upstream of the pump 407. a three-way valve 411 provided at the connection point between the heat medium outgoing branch pipe 423 and the bypass pipe 409 for switching the destination of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger 403 to either the bypass pipe 409 or the heat medium outgoing pipe 33, a second heat exchanger 430 provided in the bypass pipe 409, a hot water heating circuit 425 that supplies water from the water supply pipe 35 to the hot water outlet pipe 36 via the second heat exchanger 430, and an on-off valve 415 that starts or stops the flow of water flowing in the hot water heating circuit 425. The second heat exchanger 430 heats the water flowing in the hot water heating circuit 425 by exchanging heat with the heat medium flowing in the bypass pipe 409.

[0037] The controller 402 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls the operation of the burner 401, pump 407, three-way valve 411, and on-off valve 415 of the multifunctional heat source apparatus 400. When the multifunctional heat source apparatus 400 performs heating operation, the controller 402 controls the three-way valve 411 to direct the heat medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger 403 to the heat medium forward pipe 33, and drives the pump 407. As a result, the heat medium flows from the heat medium return pipe 31 through the heat medium return branch pipe 421 and into the first heat exchanger 403. The heat medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger 403 flows through the heat medium forward branch pipe 423 and into the heat medium forward pipe 33. The controller 402 then ignites the burner 401. As a result, the heat medium passing through the first heat exchanger 403 is heated, and the heated heat medium can be supplied to the heat medium forward pipe 33.

[0038] When the multifunctional heat source apparatus 400 performs hot water supply operation, the controller 402 controls the three-way valve 411 so that the destination of the heat medium flowing out of the first heat exchanger 403 is the bypass pipe 409, and drives the pump 407. As a result, the heat medium circulates between the first heat exchanger 403 and the second heat exchanger 430. Then, the controller 402 opens the on-off valve 415 and activates the burner 401. As a result, the heat medium passing through the first heat exchanger 403 is heated, and the heated heat medium can be supplied to the second heat exchanger 430. As a result, the water flowing through the hot water heating circuit 425 is heated, and heated water can be supplied to the hot water outlet pipe 36.

[0039] The multifunctional heat source machines 500 and 600 both have the same configuration as the multifunctional heat source machine 400, and therefore explanations of the configurations of the multifunctional heat source machines 500 and 600 will be omitted by replacing the reference numbers in the 400 series of the components of the multifunctional heat source machine 400 with numbers in the 500 series and 600 series, respectively. The multifunctional heat source machines 400, 500, and 600 are also configured to be able to perform heating operation and hot water supply operation.

[0040] In the heat source machine linked system 1, the controllers 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, and 602 can communicate with each other. In the heat source machine linked system 1, one of the controllers 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, and 602 (for example, controller 602) functions as a parent machine that manages the overall operation of the heat source machine linked system 1, and the remaining controllers function as child machines that operate according to instructions from the parent machine. Based on the amount of heat required for hot water supply and / or space heating, the controller 602 functioning as the parent machine determines whether to cause each of the single-function heat source machines 100, 200, and 300 to perform heating operation or to put each machine into standby without performing heating operation, and determines whether to cause each of the multi-function heat source machines 400, 500, and 600 to perform heating operation, to perform hot water supply operation, or to put each machine into standby without performing either heating operation or hot water supply operation. The controllers 102, 202, 302 functioning as slave units cause the single-function heat source units 100, 200, 300 to perform heating operation or to wait without performing heating operation, in accordance with instructions from the controller 602 functioning as a master unit. The controllers 402, 502 functioning as slave units cause the multi-function heat source units 400, 500 to perform heating operation, to perform hot water supply operation, or to wait without performing either heating or hot water supply operation, in accordance with instructions from the controller 602 functioning as a master unit. The controller 602 functioning as a master unit causes the multi-function heat source unit 600 to perform heating operation, to perform hot water supply operation, or to wait without performing either heating or hot water supply operation, in accordance with its own instructions.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, priorities for hot water supply operation and priorities for heating operation are assigned in advance to the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 and the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600. In the example shown in Fig. 2, priorities for heating operation are assigned so that the priorities for heating operation of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 are higher than the priorities for heating operation of the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600. Priorities for hot water supply operation and priorities for heating operation are assigned to the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600 so that the higher the priority of hot water supply operation, the lower the priority of heating operation, and the lower the priority of hot water supply operation, the higher the priority of heating operation.

[0042] As shown in (A) of Fig. 2, in the heat source unit linked system 1, when hot water supply or heating is started, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit causes the single-function heat source unit 100, which has the highest priority for heating operation, to start heating operation, and the multi-function heat source unit 600, which has the highest priority for hot water supply operation, to start hot water supply operation. Thereafter, when the amount of heat required for hot water supply or heating increases, as shown in (B) of Fig. 2, the controller 602 causes the single-function heat source unit 200, which has the next highest priority for heating operation, to start heating operation, and the multi-function heat source unit 500, which has the next highest priority for hot water supply operation, to start hot water supply operation. Then, when the amount of heat required for heating increases further, as shown in (C) of Fig. 2, the controller 602 causes the single-function heat source unit 300 and the multi-function heat source unit 400, which have the next highest priority for heating operation, to start heating operation. In this embodiment, as shown in (C) of Fig. 2, when all the single-function heat source units 100, 200, 300 and the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, 600 are performing hot water supply operation or heating operation, if the amount of heat required for hot water supply increases further, the multi-function heat source unit 400, which has the next highest priority for hot water supply operation, is made to end heating operation and start hot water supply operation, as shown in (D) of Fig. 2. In this way, the heat source unit linked system 1 in this embodiment is configured to give priority to hot water supply operation when requests for hot water supply operation and heating operation overlap.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, the process performed by the controller 602 functioning as the master unit when the multifunctional heat source unit 500 is unable to properly perform hot water supply operation in the heat source unit linked system 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the single-function heat source units 100 and 200 are performing heating operation and the multifunctional heat source units 500 and 600 are performing hot water supply operation, if the multifunctional heat source unit 500 is unable to properly perform hot water supply operation, the controller 602 switches the pre-assigned priorities for hot water supply operation and heating operation, as shown in FIG. 3B. Specifically, the controller 602 treats the multifunctional heat source unit 500 as a single-function heat source unit, cancels the priority of the hot water supply operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 500, and sets the priority of the heating operation to second place. Then, the priorities of the heating operation of the single-function heat source units 200 and 300 and the multifunctional heat source unit 400 are lowered by one. After switching the priorities as described above, the controller 602 causes the single-function heat source unit 200 to stop heating operation, causes the multi-function heat source unit 400 to start hot water supply operation, and causes the multi-function heat source unit 500 to perform heating operation. Thereafter, when the multi-function heat source unit 500 is able to perform hot water supply operation normally, the controller 602 switches the priorities related to the hot water supply operation and the heating operation back to the state of (A) in Fig. 3, as shown in (C) in Fig. 3. Thereafter, the controller 602 causes the single-function heat source unit 200 to start heating operation, causes the multi-function heat source unit 400 to stop hot water supply operation, and causes the multi-function heat source unit 500 to perform hot water supply operation again.

[0044] A method for rotating the priority of heating operations of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 in the heat source unit linked system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the heat source unit linked system 1 of this embodiment, when the heating usage time as the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the priority of heating operations of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 is rotated. As shown in (A) of Figure 4, for example, in the heat source unit linked system 1, the single-function heat source unit 100, which has a high priority of heating operation, is performing heating operation. Thereafter, when the heating usage time of the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit rotates the priority of the heating operation of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, 300, and sets the priority of the heating operation of the single-function heat source unit 300, which had previously had the lowest priority of heating operation among the single-function heat source units, to the highest, first, as shown in Figure 3 (B), and lowers the priority of the heating operation of the other single-function heat source units 100, 200 by one. As a result of this rotation, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit causes the single-function heat source unit 100 to stop heating operation, causes the single-function heat source unit 300 to start heating operation, and causes the single-function heat source unit 200 to continue standby.

[0045] Thereafter, when the heating usage time of the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches the predetermined time again, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit rotates the priority of the heating operation of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, 300, and sets the priority of the heating operation of the single-function heat source unit 200, which had previously had the lowest priority of heating operation among the single-function heat source units, to the highest, first, as shown in Figure 3 (C), and lowers the priority of the heating operation of the other single-function heat source units 100, 300 by one. As a result of this rotation, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit causes the single-function heat source unit 100 to continue on standby, causes the single-function heat source unit 300 to stop heating operation, and causes the single-function heat source unit 200 to start heating operation.

[0046] A method for rotating the priorities of hot water supply operation and heating operation of the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 in the heat source unit linked system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. In the heat source unit linked system 1 of this embodiment, when the hot water supply usage time as the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the priorities of hot water supply operation and heating operation of the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 are rotated. As shown in Figure 5 (A), for example, in the heat source unit linked system 1, the multifunctional heat source unit 600, which has a high priority for hot water supply operation, is performing hot water supply operation. Thereafter, when the hot water usage time of the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit rotates the priority of the hot water operation and heating operation of the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600, and as shown in Fig. 5(B), sets the priority of the hot water operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 600, which had previously had the highest priority of hot water operation, to the third lowest, and raises the priority of the hot water operation of the other multifunctional heat source units 400, 500 by one. In addition, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit sets the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 500, which now has the highest priority of hot water operation, to the sixth lowest, lowering the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 400 by one and raising the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 600, which now has the lowest priority of hot water operation, by two. As a result of this rotation, the controller 602, functioning as the parent unit, causes the multifunctional heat source unit 400 to continue in standby mode, causes the multifunctional heat source unit 500 to start hot water supply operation, and causes the multifunctional heat source unit 600 to end hot water supply operation and go into standby mode.

[0047] Thereafter, when the hot water usage time of the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit rotates the priority of the hot water operation and heating operation of the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600, and as shown in Fig. 5(C), sets the priority of the hot water operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 500, which had previously had the highest priority of hot water operation, to the third lowest, and raises the priority of the hot water operation of the other multifunctional heat source units 400, 600 by one. In addition, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit sets the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 400, which now has the highest priority of hot water operation, to the sixth lowest, lowers the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 600 by one, and raises the priority of the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source unit 500, which now has the lowest priority of hot water operation, by two. As a result of this rotation, the controller 602 functioning as the parent unit causes the multifunctional heat source unit 600 to continue in standby, causes the multifunctional heat source unit 400 to start hot water supply operation, and causes the multifunctional heat source unit 500 to stop hot water supply operation and go into standby. Note that the heat source unit linkage system 1 in this embodiment rotates the priority of heating operation for the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 and rotates the priority of hot water operation and heating operation for the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 separately.

[0048] (Variation) The heat source machine linked system 1 may use the number of times that the heat source machine linked system 1 has used the hot water supply a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) instead of the time that the hot water supply usage time of the heat source machine linked system 1 has reached a predetermined time as a condition for rotating the priority of the hot water supply operation and the heating operation of the multifunctional heat source machines 400, 500, and 600. Furthermore, the heat source machine linked system 1 may use the number of times that the heat source machine linked system 1 has used the heating system a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) as a condition for rotating the priority of the heating operation of the single functional heat source machines 100, 200, and 300.

[0049] The heat source machine linkage system 1 may be configured to give priority to the heating operation when requests for hot water supply operation and heating operation overlap.

[0050] The heat source unit linking system 1 may simultaneously rotate the priority of heating operation of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 and the priority of hot water operation and heating operation of the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600 using the same conditions.

[0051] The heat source machine linking system 1 may separately rotate the priority for hot water supply operation and the priority for heating operation for the multifunctional heat source machines 400, 500, and 600 using different conditions.

[0052] The heat source unit linking system 1 may include a controller that functions as a parent unit, separate from the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 and the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600.

[0053] In this embodiment, the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 of the heat source unit linked system 1 may be configured to be capable of performing only hot water supply operation. When the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 are capable of performing only hot water supply operation, the hot water heating circuits 125, 225, and 325 may be connected to the first heat exchangers 103, 203, and 303, as in the heat source unit linked system 2 shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the water flowing through the first heat exchangers 103, 203, and 303 may be directly heated by the burners 101, 201, and 301. In this case, priorities for hot water supply operation are assigned so that the priority for the hot water supply operation of the single-function heat source units 100, 200, and 300 is higher than the priority for the hot water supply operation of the multi-function heat source units 400, 500, and 600. Priorities for hot water supply operation and heating operation are assigned to the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 so that the higher the priority of hot water supply operation, the lower the priority of heating operation, and the lower the priority of hot water supply operation, the higher the priority of heating operation. When the hot water usage time as the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the priorities for hot water supply operation of the single functional heat source units 100, 200, and 300 are rotated, and when the heating usage time as the heat source unit linked system 1 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the priorities for hot water supply operation and heating operation of the multifunctional heat source units 400, 500, and 600 are rotated.

[0054] The multifunctional heat source machines 400, 500, and 600 may be provided with a burner for heating water during hot water supply operation, separate from the burners 401, 501, and 601 for heating the heat medium during heating operation. In this case, the multifunctional heat source machines 400, 500, and 600 may be capable of simultaneously performing hot water supply operation and heating operation.

[0055] The three-way valves 411, 511, 611 of the heat source units 400, 500, 600 may be provided at the connection points of the heat medium return branch pipes 421, 521, 621 and the bypass pipes 409, 509, 609.

[0056] (Correspondence) The controller 602 functioning as the parent device is an example of a "connection control device."

[0057] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations set forth in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1: Heat source machine connection system 2: Heat source machine connection system 20: Water mixer 30: Heat medium circulation path 31: Heat medium return pipe 33: Heat transfer pipe 34: Hot water flow passage 35: Water supply pipe 36: Outlet pipe 40: Flow sensor 41: Heating terminal return pipe 43: Heating terminal outgoing pipe 100, 200, 300: Single function heat source machine 101, 201, 301: Burner 102, 202, 302: Controller 103, 203, 303: 1st heat exchanger 107, 207, 307: Pumps 115, 215, 315: On-off valve 121, 221, 321: Heat medium return branch pipe 123, 223, 323: Heat transfer branch pipe 125, 225, 325: Hot water heating circuit 400, 500, 600: Multifunctional heat source machine 401, 501, 601: Burner 402, 502, 602: Controller 403, 503, 603: 1st heat exchanger 407, 507, 607: Pump 409, 509, 609: Bypass pipe 411, 511, 611: Three-way valve 415, 515, 615: On-off valve 421, 521, 621: Heat transfer medium return branch pipe 423, 523, 623: Heat transfer branch pipe 425, 525, 625: Hot water heating circuit 430, 530, 630: 2nd heat exchanger

Claims

1. a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium supply pipe and a heat medium return pipe; a hot water flow passage including a water supply pipe and a hot water outlet pipe; At least one multi-function heat source device connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path; At least one single-function heat source unit connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path; a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine; Equipped with The multi-function heat source machine is a heating operation in which the heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe is heated and supplied to the heat medium supply pipe; a hot water supply operation in which water supplied from the water supply pipe is heated and supplied to the hot water outlet pipe; The single-function heat source machine is configured to be able to perform the heating operation, The connection control device instructs each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machine to start or stop a hot water supply operation based on the priority of the hot water supply operation of each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machine, The connection control device instructs each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine to start or stop a heating operation based on the priority of the heating operation of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine, a priority level for the heating operation of each of the at least one single-function heat source machines is higher than a priority level for the heating operation of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machines; Heat source machine connection system.

2. The priority of each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machines with respect to a hot water supply operation is at least partially different from the priority of each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machines with respect to a heating operation. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 1 .

3. The at least one multi-function heat source machine includes a first multi-function heat source machine and a second multi-function heat source machine, When the priority of the first multifunctional heat source machine regarding the hot water supply operation is higher than the priority of the second multifunctional heat source machine regarding the hot water supply operation, the priority of the first multifunctional heat source machine regarding the heating operation is lower than the priority of the second multifunctional heat source machine regarding the heating operation, When the priority of the first multifunctional heat source machine regarding the hot water supply operation is lower than the priority of the second multifunctional heat source machine regarding the hot water supply operation, the priority of the first multifunctional heat source machine regarding the heating operation is higher than the priority of the second multifunctional heat source machine regarding the heating operation. The heat source machine connection system according to claim 2 .

4. The connection control device treats a multifunctional heat source machine that is in a state where it cannot normally perform the hot water supply operation, among the at least one multifunctional heat source machine, as a single-function heat source machine. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 1 .

5. The at least one single-function heat source machine includes a plurality of single-function heat source machines, the connection control device is configured to execute a rotation of priorities for the heating operations of the plurality of single-function heat source machines when a predetermined heating rotation condition is satisfied. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 4.

6. The heating rotation condition is based on the number of heating uses of the heat source machine connected system, The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 5 .

7. The heating rotation conditions are based on the heating usage time of the heat source machine connected system, The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 5 .

8. The connection control device determines the priority of the heating operation of each of the plurality of single-function heat source machines after the rotation is performed based only on the priority of the heating operation of each of the plurality of single-function heat source machines before the rotation is performed. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 5 .

9. The at least one multi-function heat source machine includes a plurality of multi-function heat source machines, The connection control device is configured to, when a predetermined hot water supply rotation condition is satisfied, execute a rotation of the priority of the hot water supply operation of each of the plurality of multifunctional heat source machines, and simultaneously execute a rotation of the priority of the heating operation of each of the plurality of multifunctional heat source machines. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 1 .

10. The hot water supply rotation condition is based on the number of hot water supply uses of the heat source machine connected system, The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 9.

11. The hot water supply rotation condition is based on the hot water supply usage time of the heat source machine connected system, The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 9.

12. The connection control device determines the priority of the hot water supply operation of each of the plurality of multifunctional heat source machines after the rotation is performed based only on the priority of the hot water supply operation of each of the plurality of multifunctional heat source machines before the rotation is performed. The heat source machine connecting system according to claim 9.

13. a heat medium circulation path including a heat medium supply pipe and a heat medium return pipe; a hot water flow passage including a water supply pipe and a hot water outlet pipe; At least one multi-function heat source device connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation path and the hot water flow path; At least one single-function heat source unit connected in parallel to the hot water flow passage; a connection control device capable of communicating with each of the at least one multi-function heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine; Equipped with The multi-function heat source machine is a heating operation in which the heat medium supplied from the heat medium return pipe is heated and supplied to the heat medium supply pipe; a hot water supply operation in which water supplied from the water supply pipe is heated and supplied to the hot water outlet pipe; The single-function heat source machine is configured to be able to perform the hot water supply operation, The connection control device instructs each of the at least one multifunction heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine to start or stop hot water supply operation based on the priority of the hot water supply operation of each of the at least one multifunction heat source machine and the at least one single-function heat source machine, The connection control device instructs each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machine to start or stop a heating operation based on the priority of the heating operation of each of the at least one multifunctional heat source machine, a priority level for the hot water supply operation of each of the at least one single-function heat source machines is higher than a priority level for the hot water supply operation of each of the at least one multi-function heat source machines; Heat source machine connection system.

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