Hybrid water heater

Abstract

This invention provides a hybrid hot water supply system that makes it easier to identify the cause of communication errors between the heat source unit and the hot water storage unit. [Solution] The first communication unit 115 of the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) and the first communication unit 145 of the hot water storage unit 14 are connected to communicate via a two-core communication line L13, and the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 are connected to communicate with each other via a communication line L14. The water heater 11 has a second communication unit 116 that can communicate with the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15. When the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 is manually connected to the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 or the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 via a communication line, the water heater 11 determines whether or not communication via the communication line has been established, and causes the display unit 114 (notification unit) to execute a notification based on the determination result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid water supply device including a heat source unit such as a heat pump, a hot water storage unit having a hot water storage tank, and an auxiliary heat source unit such as a water heater.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a hybrid water supply device including a heat source unit such as a heat pump, a hot water storage unit having a hot water storage tank, and an auxiliary heat source unit such as a water heater has been known. In this hybrid water supply device, hot and cold water is circulated between the heat source unit and the storage tank, and hot and cold water at a predetermined temperature is stored in the storage tank. The hot and cold water stored in the storage tank is supplied through the auxiliary heat source unit. The auxiliary heat source unit adjusts the hot and cold water from the hot water storage tank to a set temperature and supplies hot water. For example, when the temperature of the hot and cold water in the storage tank is lower than the set temperature, the auxiliary heat source unit heats the hot and cold water from the storage tank and supplies hot water. This type of hybrid water supply device is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the hybrid water supply device as described above, when a communication error occurs between the heat source unit and the hot water storage unit, it has been difficult to identify the cause. For this reason, it takes time to identify the failure location, and there is a risk of unnecessary component replacement.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid water supply device capable of more easily identifying the cause of a communication error between a heat source unit and a hot water storage unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A hybrid hot water supply system according to the main embodiment of the present invention comprises a hot water storage unit having a hot water storage tank, a heat source unit for storing hot water in the hot water storage tank, and an auxiliary heat source unit for adjusting the hot water from the hot water storage tank to a set temperature. The first communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit and the first communication unit of the hot water storage unit are connected communicatively by a first communication line, the second communication unit of the hot water storage unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit are connected communicatively by a second communication line, and the auxiliary heat source unit has a second communication unit that can communicate with the second communication unit of the hot water storage unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit. The auxiliary heat source unit determines whether communication via the third communication line has been established when the second communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit or the second communication unit of the hot water storage unit are manually connected by a third communication line, and causes a predetermined notification unit to execute a notification based on the determination result.

[0007] According to the hybrid hot water supply system of this embodiment, if communication is established while the auxiliary heat source unit is connected to the heat source unit via a third communication line, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the second communication section or second communication line of the hot water storage unit. Also, if communication is established while the auxiliary heat source unit is connected to the hot water storage unit via a third communication line, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the communication section or second communication line of the heat source unit. Therefore, by combining these determination results, the communication section and communication line causing the communication error can be identified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the present invention provides a hybrid hot water supply system that makes it easier to identify the cause of communication errors between the heat source unit and the hot water storage unit.

[0009] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how to implement the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the embodiments below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hybrid hot water supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the circuit blocks of the control boards of each component constituting the hybrid hot water supply system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a state in which a communication error occurs between the hot water storage unit and the heat source unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a wiring configuration used by a service technician to identify a communication error, according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the communication error detection process performed by the control unit of the water heater according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a flowchart showing the information transfer process executed by the control unit of the hot water storage unit when a communication error occurs, according to the modified example. Figure 6(b) is a flowchart showing the information transfer process executed by the control unit of the water heater when a communication error occurs, according to the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the water heater 11 corresponds to the "auxiliary heat source unit" described in the claims, and the two-core communication line L13, communication line L14, and communication line L15 correspond to the "first communication line," "second communication line," and "third communication line" described in the claims, respectively. However, these correspondences are merely examples and do not in any way limit the scope of the "hybrid water heater" described in the claims.

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hybrid hot water supply system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the hybrid hot water supply system 1 comprises a water heater 11, remote controllers 12 and 13, a hot water storage unit 14, and a heat source unit 15.

[0014] The water heater 11 and the hot water storage unit 14 are connected by a pipe 21 through which hot water flows. The hot water storage unit 14 and the heat source unit 15 are connected by circulation pipes 22a and 22b through which hot water circulates. In this embodiment, the heat source unit 15 is a heat pump. The heat source unit 15 includes an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger, and an expansion valve as the heating section 15a. The hot water storage unit 14 circulates hot water between the heating section 15a and the hot water storage tank 14a of the hot water storage unit 14 via the circulation pipes 22a and 22b. As a result, the hot water in the hot water storage unit 14 is heated.

[0015] The heat source unit 15 may be a generator including a fuel cell. In this case, the heat source unit 15 generates electricity through a chemical reaction using fuel gas as a raw material in the fuel cell. The generated DC power is converted to AC power via an inverter and output from the heat source unit 15. The output AC power is used, for example, as power for electrical appliances installed in the house.

[0016] Furthermore, the waste heat generated during power generation is used to heat the water in the hot water storage tank 14a. Specifically, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14a is circulated through circulation pipes 22a and 22b to the heat exchanger in the heat source unit 15. In this heat exchanger, heat exchange takes place between the high-temperature exhaust gas generated during power generation and the hot water circulated through circulation pipe 22a. This heats the hot water. The heated water is returned to the hot water storage tank 14a via circulation pipes 22a and 22b. In this way, heat is stored in the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14a.

[0017] During hot water supply, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14a is supplied to the water heater 11 via the pipe 21. The water heater 11 supplies the supplied hot water to the kitchen faucet, bathtub, showerhead, etc. via the pipe connected to the predetermined hot water outlet 11c, and also circulates the hot water to the heating terminal that realizes the floor heating function, bathroom heating function, and indoor heating function via the pipe connected to the other hot water outlet 11c.

[0018] At this time, appropriately, the supplied hot water is heated by the heating unit 11a of the water heater 11 and supplied to the hot water outlet 11c. The heating unit 11a includes a burner that burns gas fuel and a heat exchanger that heats the hot water with the combustion gas generated by the burner. The heating unit 11a is used when the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 14a is lower than the set temperature. When the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 14a is higher than the set temperature, the water heater 11 mixes water with the supplied hot water and sends it out from the hot water outlet 11c.

[0019] The water heater 11, the hot water storage unit 14, and the heat source unit 15 each include a control board 11b, 14b, 15b inside. A circuit unit for driving and controlling the water heater 11 is installed on the control board 11b. A circuit unit for driving and controlling the hot water storage unit 14 is installed on the control board 14b. A circuit unit for driving and controlling the heat source unit 15 is installed on the control board 15b.

[0020] The control board 11b is communicably connected to the control boards (not shown in FIG. 1) of the remote controllers 12 and 13 via the two-core communication lines L11 and L12. Power (DC voltage) is supplied from the control board 11b to the remote controllers 12 and 13 via these two-core communication lines L11 and L12. A signal waveform for communication is superimposed on the voltage supplied by the two-core communication lines L11 and L12, and communication is performed between the control board 11b and the remote controllers 12 and 13.

[0021] Also, the control boards 11b and 14b are connected to each other via a two-core communication line L13 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the control boards 14b and 15b are connected to each other via a dedicated communication line L14 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The signal transmitted via the communication line L14 is a pulse signal. The power consumption during communication is lower for the communication line L14 than for the two-core communication lines L11 to L13.

[0022] The remote controllers 12 and 13 are used to make various settings for each function of the hybrid water heater 1. The user can make various settings by operating the operation unit 12b or the operation display unit 13a according to the screen displayed on the display unit 12a or the operation display unit 13a. The remote controllers 12 and 13 each incorporate a control board 12c and 13b (see FIG. 2).

[0023] The remote controller 12 is installed in the bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in the kitchen or the like. Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom is referred to as the "bathroom remote controller 12", and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like is referred to as the "kitchen remote controller 13".

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the circuit blocks of the control boards 11b, 12c, 13b, 14b, and 15b of the water heater 11, the bathroom remote controller 12, the kitchen remote controller 13, the hot water storage unit 14, and the heat source unit 15.

[0025] The control board 11b of the water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, an operation unit 113, a display unit 114, a first communication unit 115, and a second communication unit 116.

[0026] The control unit 111 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the water heater 11 according to the control program stored in the memory unit 112. The memory unit 112 is equipped with memory and stores the control program and is used as a work area during control processing. The operation unit 113 is equipped with various operation buttons and is operated by a service technician during maintenance of the water heater 11, etc. The display unit 114 is equipped with a display such as an 8-segment display and displays predetermined information under control from the control unit 111 during maintenance of the water heater 11, etc.

[0027] The first communication unit 115 communicates with the control boards 12c and 13b of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13, respectively, according to the control unit 111. The first communication unit 115 is connected to the communication unit 123 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the communication unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 by two-core communication lines L11 and L12. The two-core communication lines L11 and L12 are connected to each other. Therefore, a signal transmitted from the first communication unit 115 or any of the communication units 123 or 133 is transmitted simultaneously to the other communication units. When specifying the destination of the transmitted signal to the water heater 11, the bathroom remote control 12, or the kitchen remote control 13, an identification signal of the destination device is added to the transmitted signal.

[0028] Furthermore, the first communication unit 115 is connected to the first communication unit 145 of the hot water storage unit 14 by a two-core communication line L13. The first communication unit 115 communicates with the first communication unit 145 of the hot water storage unit 14 according to control from the control unit 111. The two-core communication line L13 may also be connected to two-core communication lines L11 and L12 inside the first communication unit 115. In this case, signals transmitted from any of the first communication units 115, 145 and communication units 123 and 133 are transmitted simultaneously to the other communication units. In this case as well, the destination of the transmitted signal can be specified to any of the devices by adding an identification signal of the destination device to the transmitted signal.

[0029] The second communication unit 116 communicates with other devices such as heating terminals (floor heating, bathroom heating) and bathroom dryers, according to control from the control unit 111. The second communication unit 116 has multiple sets (for example, six sets) of terminals so that it can be connected to multiple devices. If the hybrid hot water supply system 1 is further equipped with other devices, the control boards of these other devices and the second communication unit 116 are connected by a communication line using the same communication method as the communication line L14.

[0030] Furthermore, the second communication unit 116 is connected to the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 (control board 14b) and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 (control board 15b) using a communication line with the same communication method as the communication line L14, thereby enabling communication with both the second communication unit 146 and the communication unit 155.

[0031] The control board 12c of the bathroom remote control 12 comprises a control unit 121, a memory unit 122, and a communication unit 123. The control unit 121 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the bathroom remote control 12 according to the control program stored in the memory unit 122. The memory unit 122 is equipped with memory and stores the control program and is used as a work area during control processing. The communication unit 123 communicates via a two-core communication line L11 according to the control unit 121.

[0032] The control board 13b of the kitchen remote control 13 comprises a control unit 131, a memory unit 132, and a communication unit 133. The control unit 131 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the kitchen remote control 13 according to the control program stored in the memory unit 132. The memory unit 132 is equipped with memory and stores the control program and is used as a work area during control processing. The communication unit 133 communicates via a two-core communication line L12 according to the control from the control unit 131.

[0033] The control board 14b of the hot water storage unit 14 includes a control unit 141, a storage unit 142, an operation unit 143, a display unit 144, a first communication unit 145, and a second communication unit 146.

[0034] The control unit 141 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the hot water storage unit 14 according to the control program stored in the memory unit 142. The memory unit 142 is equipped with memory and stores the control program and is used as a work area during control processing. The operation unit 143 is equipped with various operation buttons and is operated by a service technician during maintenance of the hot water storage unit 14, etc. The display unit 144 is equipped with a display such as an 8-segment display and displays predetermined information under control from the control unit 141 during maintenance of the hot water storage unit 14, etc.

[0035] The first communication unit 145 communicates via the two-core communication line L13 according to the control unit 141. The second communication unit 146 is connected to the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 by the communication line L14. The second communication unit 146 communicates with the communication unit 155 according to the control unit 141.

[0036] The control board 15b of the heat source unit 15 includes a control unit 151, a storage unit 152, an operation unit 153, a display unit 154, and a communication unit 155.

[0037] The control unit 151 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the heat source unit 15 according to the control program stored in the memory unit 152. The memory unit 152 is equipped with memory and stores the control program and is used as a work area during control processing. The operation unit 153 is equipped with various operation buttons and is operated by a service technician during maintenance of the heat source unit 15, etc. The display unit 154 is equipped with a display such as an 8-segment display and displays predetermined information under control from the control unit 151 during maintenance of the heat source unit 15, etc. The communication unit 155 communicates via the communication line L14 according to the control from the control unit 151.

[0038] In the hybrid hot water heater 1 with the above configuration, a communication error may occur between the hot water storage unit 14 (control board 14b) and the heat source unit 15 (control board 15b). In this case, a service technician will replace the communication-related components as appropriate to resolve the communication error. It is preferable that the cause of the communication error be identified as easily as possible in order to replace these components.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the hybrid hot water supply system 1 is equipped with a configuration that allows for easy identification of the cause of communication errors between the hot water storage unit 14 (control board 14b) and the heat source unit 15 (control board 15b). This configuration will be described below.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a state where a communication error occurs between the hot water storage unit 14 (control board 14b) and the heat source unit 15 (control board 15b).

[0041] There are three possible causes for this communication error: a malfunction in communication line L14, a malfunction in the second communication unit 146 on the control board 14b of the hot water storage unit 14, and a malfunction in the communication unit 155 on the control board 15b of the heat source unit 15.

[0042] If such a communication error occurs, the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 sends an error notification to the first communication unit 145 indicating that a communication error has occurred. This error notification is transmitted to the first communication unit 115 of the water heater 11 via the two-core communication line L13, and further transmitted to the bathroom remote control 12 (control board 12c) and the kitchen remote control 13 (control board 13b) via the two-core communication lines L11 and L12 shown in Figure 2. Upon receiving this notification, the control unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13 displays a screen indicating the communication error on the operation display unit 13a shown in Figure 1. At this time, an audio notification of the communication error may also be output from the kitchen remote control 13.

[0043] Upon receiving this notification, the service technician will investigate the cause of the communication error. To that end, the service technician will perform the following steps in order.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the wiring configuration used by service technicians to identify communication errors.

[0045] First, the service technician removes the communication line L14 connecting the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15, and connects the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 to the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 or the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 using the communication line L15 that he brought with him. The communication line L15 is a communication line that conforms to the same communication method as the removed communication line L14, and it has been confirmed in advance that there are no communication problems.

[0046] Here, the connection of the communication line L15 to the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 is made to a terminal among the terminal group included in the second communication unit 116, excluding the terminals used for connecting to other equipment such as heating terminals. If, by any chance, all of these terminals are being used for connecting to other equipment, the service technician will temporarily disconnect the connection at one of these terminals and connect the communication line L15 to that terminal.

[0047] For the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 or the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14, before the communication line L14 is removed, the communication line L15 is connected to the respective terminals to which the communication line L14 was connected.

[0048] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the communication error detection process performed by the control unit 111 of the water heater 11.

[0049] The control unit 111 communicates with the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 or the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 via the second communication unit 116 (S11), and determines whether the communication was successful or not (S12). The determination in step S12 is made, for example, by referring to the equipment information received via the second communication unit 116.

[0050] In other words, the control unit 151 of the heat source unit 15 transmits device information indicating that it is the heat source unit 15 from the communication unit 155 when the communication line is connected to the communication unit 155, and at predetermined timings thereafter. Similarly, the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 also transmits device information indicating that it is the hot water storage unit 14 from the second communication unit 146 when the communication line is connected to the second communication unit 146, and at predetermined timings thereafter. Similar transmission processing is performed in other devices such as heating terminals.

[0051] Therefore, for example, when the communication line L15 is connected to the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15, if there is no abnormality in the communication unit 155, the equipment information of the heat source unit 15 is transmitted to the second communication unit 116 via the communication unit 155 and the communication line L15. Consequently, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 can determine that communication with the heat source unit 15 via the communication line L15 has been established because the equipment information received via the second communication unit 116 indicates the heat source unit 15.

[0052] Similarly, when the communication line L15 is connected to the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14, if there is no abnormality in the second communication unit 146, the equipment information of the hot water storage unit 14 is transmitted to the second communication unit 116 via the second communication unit 146 and the communication line L15. Therefore, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 can determine that communication with the hot water storage unit 14 via the communication line L15 has been established because the equipment information received via the second communication unit 116 indicates the hot water storage unit 14.

[0053] However, the method for determining whether communication via the communication line L15 has been established is not limited to this. For example, in response to a test communication operation on the operation unit 113 of the water heater 11 (for example, pressing and holding a predetermined button), a signal for test communication may be transmitted to the hot water storage unit 14 or heat source unit 15 via the second communication unit 116 and the communication line L15. Whether communication with the hot water storage unit 14 or heat source unit 15 has been established may be determined by whether a response to this signal has been received from the receiving hot water storage unit 14 or heat source unit 15 via the communication line L15 and the second communication unit 116.

[0054] If communication via the communication line L15 is established (S12: YES), the control unit 111 executes a process to notify the service technician that communication with the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 or the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 has been established (S13). On the other hand, if communication via the communication line L15 is not established (S12: NO), the control unit 111 executes a process to notify the service technician of this fact (S14).

[0055] The notification in steps S13 and S14 is performed, for example, by causing the display unit 114 of the water heater 11 to display a corresponding message. However, this is not limited to this; for example, information indicating whether communication has been established or not may be transmitted from the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 to the hot water storage unit 14 or the kitchen remote control 13, and a display indicating whether communication has been established or not may be output on the display unit 144 or the operation display unit 13a of these devices.

[0056] Thus, the control unit 111 completes the process shown in Figure 5. Upon receiving the notification in steps S13 and S14 of Figure 5, the service technician can determine whether communication is possible with the current connection configuration of the communication line L15. If one end of the communication line L15 was connected to the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15, the service technician reconnects the other end of the communication line L15 to the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14. As a result, the display unit 114 of the water heater 11 displays a notification indicating whether communication is successful or unsuccessful with this connection configuration. Upon receiving this notification, the service technician can determine whether communication is possible with the second connection configuration of the communication line L15. In this way, by determining whether communication is possible with each connection configuration, the service technician can identify which of the three patterns described above caused the communication error.

[0057] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to the hybrid hot water heater 1 of this embodiment, if communication is established while the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) is connected to the heat source unit 15 via the communication line L15 (third communication line), it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the second communication unit 146 or the communication line L14 (second communication line) of the hot water storage unit 14. Also, if communication is established while the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) is connected to the hot water storage unit 14 via the communication line L15 (third communication line), it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the communication unit 155 or the communication line L14 (second communication line) of the heat source unit 15. Therefore, the communication unit and communication line causing the communication error can be identified from the combination of these determination results.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) can communicate with other devices besides the hot water storage unit 14 and the heat source unit 15.

[0059] With this configuration, the communication status using communication line L15 (third communication line) can be checked using the terminals of the second communication unit 116 (for example, unused terminals), without needing to provide a dedicated communication unit on the control board 11b to which communication line L15 (third communication line) can be connected. Therefore, the configuration of the control board 11b of the water heater 11 can be simplified. However, a dedicated communication unit to which communication line L15 (third communication line) can be connected may be provided on the control board 11b for the purpose of the above check.

[0060] <Example of changes> Figure 6(a) is a flowchart showing the information transfer process executed by the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 when a communication error occurs, according to the modified example. Figure 6(b) is a flowchart showing the information transfer process executed by the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 when a communication error occurs, according to the modified example.

[0061] Referring to Figure 6(a), if an error occurs in communication with the heat source unit 15 (S21), the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 transmits an error notification to the water heater 11 via the first communication unit 145 and the two-core communication line L13 (S22). This process is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0062] Referring to Figure 6(b), when the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 receives the error notification sent in step S22 of Figure 6(a) (S31: YES), it determines whether or not communication between the second communication unit 116 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15, which was conducted by the service technician via the communication line L15, was successful (S32). If this communication was not successful (S32: NO), the control unit 111 terminates the process in Figure 6(b). On the other hand, if this communication was successful (S32: YES), the control unit 111 sends a communication success notification to the hot water storage unit 14 via the first communication unit 115 and the two-core communication line L13 (S33), and sets its own operating mode to transfer mode (S34). In this way, the control unit 111 terminates the process in Figure 6(b).

[0063] Here, the service technician, using the process shown in Figure 5, checks whether communication is possible between the water heater 11 and the hot water storage unit 14, and between the water heater 11 and the heat source unit 15. If communication between the water heater 11 and the heat source unit 15 is established, the connection state after this check is set to a state where the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 are connected by the communication line L15. As in the case of Figure 4, in this case, the communication line L14 in Figure 3 is considered to be disconnected.

[0064] Referring to Figure 6(a), when the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 receives the communication success notification sent in step S33 of Figure 6(b) (S23: YES), it sets its own operating mode to transfer mode (S24). In this way, the control unit 141 completes the process shown in Figure 6(a).

[0065] In the transfer mode of step S24 in Figure 6(a), the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 sequentially transmits the information to be sent to the heat source unit 15 to the water heater 11 via its first communication unit 145 and the two-core communication line L13. In the transfer mode of step S34 in Figure 6(b), the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 transfers the information transmitted to it from the hot water storage unit 14 in the transfer mode of step S24 in Figure 6(a) to the heat source unit 15 via its second communication unit 116 and the communication line L15.

[0066] In this way, information that should be transmitted from the hot water storage unit 14 to the heat source unit 15 is transmitted to the heat source unit 15 via the water heater 11. The control unit 151 of the heat source unit 15 performs an action according to the received information. As a result, the hybrid hot water heater 1 can operate normally.

[0067] The transfer mode set for the water heater 11 and the hot water storage unit 14 should be canceled when communication between the second communication unit 146 of the hot water storage unit 14 and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 is restored. This restoration can be determined, for example, by the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 receiving equipment information from the heat source unit 15 via the second communication unit 146. In this case, the control unit 141 of the hot water storage unit 14 will cancel the transfer mode it has set for itself in response to the restoration, and will also send a restoration notification to the water heater 11 via the first communication unit 145 and the two-core communication line L13. The control unit 111 of the water heater 11 should cancel the transfer mode it has set for itself upon receiving the restoration notification.

[0068] <Effects of the change example> As shown in Figure 6(b), when the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) receives notification of a communication error (S31:YES), and when the second communication unit 116 of the water heater 11 (auxiliary heat source unit) and the communication unit 155 of the heat source unit 15 are connected and communication is established via the communication line L15 (third communication line) (S32:YES), the control unit 111 receives the information to be transmitted from the hot water storage unit 14 to the heat source unit 15 via the two-core communication line L13 (first communication line), and transmits the received information to the heat source unit 15 via the communication line L15 (third communication line) (S34).

[0069] With this configuration, even when a communication error occurs between the hot water storage unit 14 and the heat source unit 15, the information that should be transmitted from the hot water storage unit 14 to the heat source unit 15 can be provided to the heat source unit 15 at any time. Therefore, even when a communication error occurs between the hot water storage unit 14 and the heat source unit 15, the hybrid hot water supply system 1 can be operated normally.

[0070] <Other examples of changes> In the above embodiment, the water heater 11 was a gas-burning type water heater, but the water heater 11 may be a water heater of another type, such as an oil-burning type water heater. Furthermore, a heat source device other than the water heater 11 may be used as an auxiliary heat source unit. The embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1. Hybrid water heater 11. Water heater (auxiliary heat source) 14 Hot water storage unit 14a Hot water storage tank 15 Heat source unit 115, 145 First Communications Department 116, 146 Second Communications Department 155 Communications Department L13 2-core communication line (first communication line) L14 Communication Line (Second Communication Line) L15 Communication Line (Third Communication Line)

Claims

1. A hot water storage unit having a hot water storage tank, The aforementioned hot water storage tank includes a heat source unit for storing hot water, The system includes an auxiliary heat source unit that adjusts the hot water from the hot water storage tank to a set temperature, The first communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit and the first communication unit of the hot water storage unit are connected to each other via a first communication line, The second communication unit of the hot water storage unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit are connected via a second communication line to enable mutual communication. The auxiliary heat source unit has a second communication unit that can communicate with the second communication unit of the hot water storage unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit. The auxiliary heat source unit determines whether communication has been established via the third communication line when the second communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit or the second communication unit of the hot water storage unit are manually connected via the third communication line, and causes a predetermined notification unit to execute a notification based on the result of the determination. A hybrid water heater characterized by the following features.

2. In the hybrid hot water supply system according to claim 1, The second communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit is capable of communicating with the hot water storage unit and other equipment other than the heat source unit. A hybrid hot water supply system characterized by the following features.

3. In the hybrid hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, The hot water storage unit notifies the auxiliary heat source unit of a communication error that has occurred with the heat source unit via the first communication line. When the auxiliary heat source unit receives notification of the communication error, and the second communication unit of the auxiliary heat source unit and the communication unit of the heat source unit are connected and communication via the third communication line is established, the auxiliary heat source unit receives information to be transmitted from the hot water storage unit to the heat source unit via the first communication line, and transmits the received information to the heat source unit via the third communication line. A hybrid water heater characterized by the following features.

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