Hot water heater and hot water supply system

Abstract

To make it possible to smoothly perform data communication for maintenance without adding a dedicated communication connection configuration in a hot water supply device and a hot water supply system having first and second control boards.SOLUTION: A microcomputer 110, a communication circuit 120, and a communication port 130 are mounted on a control board 100. When a maintenance mode is set and input in the case where the communication port 130 is disconnected from a sub-control board 300 and connected to a failure diagnosis interface apparatus 400, the microcomputer 110 switches from a state in which a first protocol for communicating with the sub-control board 300 is applied to a state in which a second protocol for communicating with the interface apparatus 400 is applied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water heater and a water heater system. [Background technology]

[0002] Data stored inside a water heater while it is in operation can be read out to an external device for maintenance purposes. In this case, a maintenance device is connected to the communication terminal, and data is communicated between the controller (microcomputer) inside the water heater and the maintenance device.

[0003] For example, Patent Publication No. 3867771 (Patent Document 1) describes a configuration in which a communication terminal of a control unit built into a water heating device can be selectively connected to a connecting unit for connected operation with other water heating devices, or to an inspection device for inspection at the time of factory shipment or at the installation site.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes that when the microcomputer in the control unit detects that an inspection device has been connected to the communication terminal, it automatically switches from normal operation mode to inspection mode, and that when a connecting unit is connected to the communication terminal, it automatically switches from normal operation mode to connected operation mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3867771 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention what kind of control is performed when switching from the operation mode to the inspection mode, and does not describe any method for smoothly performing data communication in both modes.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a water heating device and a water heating system that can smoothly perform data communication for maintenance without adding a dedicated communication connection configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a water heating apparatus having multiple devices and multiple sensors. The water heating apparatus includes a controller that controls the multiple devices using detected values ​​from the multiple sensors so that the water heating apparatus operates in accordance with user instructions. The controller includes a first control board mounted with a first microcomputer and a second control board mounted with a second microcomputer. The first control board further includes a memory for storing status data indicating the operating status of the water heating apparatus, and a communication port and communication circuit for communicating with the second control board. When the communication port is disconnected from the second control board and connected to a maintenance device, a predetermined mode is set in which the first microcomputer outputs the status data stored in the memory to the maintenance device. The first microcomputer switches from a state in which a first protocol for communicating with the second microcomputer is applied to a state in which a second protocol for communicating with the maintenance device connected to the communication port is applied.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply system including a first water heater and a second water heater. The hot water supply system includes a controller for controlling the first water heater and the second water heater using detection values ​​from multiple sensors provided in the first water heater and the second water heater so that the hot water supply system operates in accordance with user instructions. The controller has a first control board and a second control board. The first control board is equipped with a first microcomputer and is built into the first water heater. The second control board is equipped with a second microcomputer and is built into the second water heater. The first control board is further equipped with a memory for storing status data indicating the operating status of the hot water supply system, and a communication port and communication circuit for communicating with the second control board. When a predetermined mode is set and input for the first microcomputer to output status data stored in memory to the maintenance equipment when the communication port is disconnected from the second control board and connected to the maintenance equipment, the first microcomputer switches from a state in which a first protocol for communicating with the second microcomputer is applied to a state in which a second protocol for communicating with the maintenance equipment is applied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in a water heating device and a water heating system having first and second control boards, data communication for maintenance can be smoothly performed without adding a dedicated communication connection configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a failure diagnosis for a water heater according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the water heater shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a comparative example of a communication connection configuration of a control board. [Figure 4] 3 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of a control board in the water heating apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating communication mode switching control of the water heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are conceptual waveform diagrams illustrating differences in protocols between communication modes. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram for diagnosing a fault in a hot water supply system according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of a control board in the water heating apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of a control board in a water heating device or a water heating system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating communication mode switching control of a water heating device or a water heating system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating time-sharing control in a maintenance mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in principle.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a failure diagnosis for a water heater according to the first embodiment.

[0014] 1, water heating apparatus 5 according to embodiment 1 includes water heater 10 and remote controller (hereinafter referred to as "remote control") 200. Water heater 10 includes multiple control boards 100 and 300. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between control boards 100 and 300, control board 300 will also be referred to as sub-control board 300.

[0015] The control board 100 and the remote control 200 are connected by a communication line 17. Furthermore, the control board 100 is also connected to the sub-control board 300 by a communication line 18.

[0016] As will be described later, water heater 5 is configured to have a function of accumulating status data indicating the operating status of water heater 5, represented by detected values ​​of various sensors (described later) provided in water heater .

[0017] Remote control 200 is an input device placed in the kitchen, bathroom, or the like for operating water heating apparatus 5. Remote control 200 includes display unit 201 for outputting information in a manner visible to the user, operation switch 202 for operating water heating apparatus 5 on and off, and operation unit 203 for accepting input setting operations by the user or the like. Display unit 201 is typically configured with a liquid crystal panel. Operation unit 203 is typically configured with push buttons or touch buttons, and is configured to be able to accept setting operations for water heating apparatus 5, such as the hot water setting temperature.

[0018] By connecting analytical device 500, such as a personal computer, to water heater 10 via interface device 400, the status data accumulated in water heater 5 is uploaded to analytical device 500. Analytical device 500 can perform fault diagnosis using the uploaded status data by executing a predetermined application program, etc.

[0019] First, an example of the configuration of water heater 10 and example items of status data of water heater 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a combustion heating type water heater 10.

[0021] Referring to Figure 2, the water heater 10 includes a water inlet pipe 21, a water outlet pipe 22, a bypass pipe 23, a primary heat exchanger 31, a secondary heat exchanger 32, a burner 35, a blower fan 37, and a control board 100.

[0022] The blower fan 37 supplies combustion air to the burner 35. The amount of air blown from the blower fan 37 is determined according to the fan rotation speed. The burner 35 is configured to receive fuel gas from a fuel supply system (not shown) via a flow control valve and perform combustion operation. The primary heat exchanger 31 heats the hot water flowing through it by heat exchange using the sensible heat (combustion heat) of the combustion gas from the burner 35. The secondary heat exchanger 32 heats the hot water flowing through it by heat exchange using the latent heat of the combustion exhaust gas from the burner 35.

[0023] Water inlet piping 21 is connected between water inlet 20 and one end (input side) of secondary heat exchanger 32. The other end (output side) of secondary heat exchanger 32 is connected to one end (input side) of primary heat exchanger 31, and hot water outlet piping 22 is connected between the other end (output side) of primary heat exchanger 31 and hot water outlet 25, which is connected to a hot water tap (not shown). When the hot water tap is opened, a flow path is formed from water inlet 20, passing through water inlet piping 21, secondary heat exchanger 32, primary heat exchanger 31, and hot water outlet piping 22 to hot water outlet 25, depending on the water inlet pressure at water inlet 20.

[0024] As a result, low-temperature water in water inlet pipe 21 is heated in secondary heat exchanger 32, and then further heated in primary heat exchanger 31, resulting in high-temperature water being output to hot water outlet pipe 22. Furthermore, bypass pipe 23 is connected between water inlet pipe 21 and hot water outlet pipe 22. A flow rate adjustment valve 34 is interposed and connected to bypass pipe 23 to control the flow rate (flow rate ratio) of bypass pipe 23. By mixing the high-temperature water output from primary heat exchanger 31 with the low-temperature water that passes through bypass pipe 23, hot water at an appropriate temperature according to the hot water supply temperature setting is supplied from outlet 25 to a hot water supply destination such as a hot water tap (not shown).

[0025] When latent heat recovery is performed by arranging secondary heat exchanger 32, the combustion exhaust gas is cooled and condensed by the heat exchange for latent heat recovery, causing drain to form on the surface of secondary heat exchanger 32. Therefore, water heater 10 further includes a water collection pan 41, a neutralization treatment tank 42, a drain tank 43, a drain discharge path 44, a drain discharge valve 45, and a sub-control board 300 for drain treatment.

[0026] The water collection pan 41 is configured to collect drainage from the secondary heat exchanger 32. The neutralization treatment tank 42 neutralizes the drainage collected by the water collection pan 41. The drain tank 43 stores the drainage after neutralization. The drain tank 43 is provided with a water level sensor 57 for detecting the liquid level of the stored drainage.

[0027] The drain discharge path 44 is formed to discharge the drain from the drain tank 43. The drain discharge valve 45 is typically configured as an electromagnetic on-off valve, and is provided in the drain discharge path 44.

[0028] The sub-control board 300 controls the drain discharge valve 45 based on the detection value of the water level sensor 57 of the drain tank 43. This makes it possible to drain the drain stored in the drain tank 43. The sub-control board 300 also includes a microcomputer in which a predetermined program is stored in advance.

[0029] The drive motor (not shown) of the blower fan 37 is provided with a current sensor 51x and a rotation speed sensor 51y, which detect the "fan current" which is the drive current of the blower fan 37 and the "fan rotation speed" which is the number of rotations per unit time of the blower fan 37.

[0030] A temperature sensor 52 and a flow rate sensor 53 are provided in the water inlet pipe 21 to detect the "water inlet temperature" and "water flow rate," respectively. Temperature sensors 54 and 55 are provided in the hot water outlet pipe 22 to detect the "boiler body temperature" and "hot water outlet temperature," respectively. Temperature sensor 54 is located upstream of the connection point with bypass pipe 23, and temperature sensor 55 is located downstream of said connection point. In addition, a CO sensor 58 for detecting CO concentration is provided in the exhaust path of the combustion gas from burner 35.

[0031] The control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 are connected by a communication line 18, allowing data to be sent and received in both directions between them. For example, data indicating the operating status of the water heater 10, error information, etc. are sent from the control board 100 to the sub-control board 300. Conversely, data such as detection value data of the water level sensor 57 and data indicating the opening degree (open / closed) of the drain discharge valve 45 are sent from the sub-control board 300 to the control board 100.

[0032] When the water heater 10 is in operation, the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 work cooperatively together, transmitting and receiving data, to control the operation of the water heater 10. That is, through cooperative operation involving mutual communication, the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 function as a "controller" that controls the operation of each component of the water heater 10 using the detection values ​​of a sensor group including the above-mentioned sensors, so that the water heater 5 operates in accordance with user instructions input to the remote control 200. The control boards 100 and 300 are configured to include a microcomputer in which a predetermined program is pre-stored, as will be described later.

[0033] As an example, the controller realizes hot water temperature control for maintaining the outlet hot water temperature at the hot water supply set temperature by calculating the amount of gas combustion in burner 35 from the water flow rate and inlet water temperature, and setting the target rotation speed of blower fan 37 so as to supply combustion air commensurate with the amount of gas combustion. Alternatively, the controller can control post-purge, which operates blower fan 37 after combustion has stopped, in accordance with the detection value of CO sensor 58. Also, as described above, when the water level in drain tank 43 rises in response to the generation of drain due to combustion operation, the controller can discharge neutralized drain via drain discharge valve 45.

[0034] For this reason, when water heating apparatus 5 is in operation, monitoring is constantly performed to determine whether communication between control board 100 and sub-control board 300 is normal. For example, control board 100 periodically transmits data to sub-control board 300 requesting a reply, and if reply data is not received normally, monitoring control is performed to detect an inter-board communication error between control board 100 and sub-control board 300.

[0035] Some of the detection values ​​of various sensors input to control board 100, such as the above-mentioned inlet water temperature, outlet hot water temperature, boiler body temperature, water flow rate, fan rotation speed, fan current, CO concentration, etc., are stored in control board 100 as status data indicating the operating state of water heater 5. The status data may include data collected by being transmitted from sub-control board 300. The status data may also include control values ​​(output number, etc.) and parameter values ​​calculated by calculation using the sensor detection values.

[0036] Next, a comparative example of the communication connection configuration of the control board of water heating apparatus 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] 3, a control board 100# according to the comparative example has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as MCU) 110, communication circuits 120 and 121, a remote control communication circuit 125, communication ports 130 and 131, a remote control communication port 135, and an external memory 140.

[0038] Microcomputer 110 incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 and memory 112. Memory 112 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), not shown. Programs for hot water supply control and status data accumulation functions, etc., are stored in ROM, and the hot water supply control and status data accumulation functions are realized by CPU 111 executing the programs loaded into RAM. External memory 140 is, for example, a serial flash memory (SFM), and in this embodiment, is positioned as a storage destination for status data.

[0039] The remote control communication circuit 125 transmits and receives data between the remote control communication port 135 and the remote control 200 connected by the communication line 17 .

[0040] In the control board 100# according to the comparative example, a communication connection configuration with the sub-control board 300 and a communication connection configuration with the interface device 400 during fault diagnosis are provided separately. Specifically, both a communication circuit 121 and a communication port 131 for communication with the sub-control board 300 and a communication circuit 120 and a communication port 130 for communication with the interface device 400 are provided.

[0041] The sub-control board 300 has a microcomputer 310 having a CPU 311 and memory 312, a communication circuit 320, and a communication port 330. The communication port 330 and the communication port 131 are connected by a communication line 18, so that data can be transmitted and received bidirectionally between the microcomputer 310 of the sub-control board 300 and the microcomputer 110 of the control board 100 via the communication circuits 121 and 320.

[0042] On the other hand, the fault diagnosis interface device 400 includes a microcomputer 410 having a CPU 411 and a memory 412 , a communication circuit 420 , a communication port 430 , a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication circuit 440 , and a USB port 450 .

[0043] During failure diagnosis, communication port 430 and communication port 130 are connected by communication line 19, allowing data to be transmitted and received bidirectionally between microcomputer 410 of interface device 400 and microcomputer 110 of control board 100 via communication circuits 120 and 420. USB communication circuit 440 and USB port 450 are used for communication connection with analysis device 500 (personal computer) shown in FIG.

[0044] In the control board 100# according to the comparative example, the communication connection configuration with the sub-control board 300 and the communication connection configuration with the interface device 400 during fault diagnosis are separately provided, so that the functions of the communication circuits 120 and 121 can be fixed, but the number of communication circuits and communication ports increases, resulting in strict space constraints. Also, the microcomputer 110 of the control board 100 needs to be assigned input / output ports (not shown) corresponding to both the communication circuits 120 and 121, which also results in strict constraints.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of control board 100 in the water heating apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0046] Referring to Figure 4, the control board 100 of embodiment 1 differs from the control board 100# (Figure 3) of the comparative example in that the communication circuit 121 and communication port 131 shown in Figure 3 are not provided.

[0047] In the control board 100, the communication protocol of the communication circuit 120 is switched in response to a control instruction from the microcomputer 110, so that the communication circuit 120 and communication port 130 for communication connection with the sub-control board 300 are also used for communication connection with the interface device 400 during fault diagnosis. In this way, by sharing the communication circuit 120 and communication port 130 for communication connection with the sub-control board 300 and communication connection with the interface device 400, the number of communication circuits and communication ports to be arranged, as well as the required number of input / output ports of the microcomputer 110, can be reduced.

[0048] That is, in water heating apparatus 5 of the first embodiment, communication port 130 of control board 100 is selectively connected to either communication port 330 of sub-control board 300 or communication port 430 of interface device 400 via a communication line.

[0049] In Fig. 4, control board 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the "first control board," and microcomputer 110 corresponds to an embodiment of the "first microcomputer." Similarly, sub-control board 300 corresponds to an embodiment of the "second control board," and microcomputer 310 corresponds to an embodiment of the "second microcomputer." Furthermore, interface device 400 corresponds to an embodiment of the "maintenance device."

[0050] During normal operation of water heating apparatus 5, communication port 330 of sub-control board 300 is connected to communication port 130 of control board 100 via communication line 18. At this time, the communication mode of communication circuit 120 is set to the normal operation mode, which is the default, and a communication protocol is set for data communication between control board 100 and sub-control board 300. During operation of water heating apparatus 5, status data collected by microcomputer 110 is stored in external memory 140.

[0051] On the other hand, when diagnosing a failure in water heating apparatus 5, communication port 330 of sub-control board 300 is disconnected from communication port 130 of control board 100, communication port 430 of interface device 400 is connected by communication line 19, and a maintenance mode is set and input so that microcomputer 110 outputs status data accumulated in external memory 140 to interface device 400. Settings for starting and ending the maintenance mode are input by a predetermined special operation on operation unit 203 of remote control 200, or by operating analysis device 500 (personal computer) via interface device 400. Alternatively, the start and end of the maintenance mode may be input from an input unit (not shown) provided on control board 100.

[0052] 5 shows a flowchart illustrating communication mode switching control of the water heating apparatus according to Embodiment 1. The control process shown in FIG.

[0053] 5, microcomputer 110 determines whether the above-described maintenance mode is being set in step (hereinafter simply referred to as "S") 110. S110 remains YES from when a setting to start the maintenance mode is input from remote controller 200 or analytical device 500 described above until a setting to end the maintenance mode is input.

[0054] When the maintenance mode is not set, the microcomputer 110 determines NO in S110 and sets the communication mode to the default normal operation mode. At this time, the microcomputer 110 sets the communication protocol in the communication circuit 120 to protocol PA, which is suitable for data communication between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300, in S120. Furthermore, in S130, the detection of inter-board communication errors between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 is enabled. That is, when periodic two-way communication between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 is interrupted, an inter-board communication error is detected.

[0055] In response to this, while the microcomputer 110 is in the maintenance mode, it determines YES in S110 and sets the communication mode to a maintenance mode for fault diagnosis. At this time, the microcomputer 110 sets the communication protocol in the communication circuit 120 to protocol PM, which is suitable for communicating status data from the control board 100 to the interface device 400, in S140. Furthermore, in S150, it disables the detection of inter-board communication errors between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300. As shown in FIG. 4, when the interface device 400 is connected to the control board 100, the sub-control board 300 is disconnected from the control board 100, and therefore the periodic bidirectional communication for the monitoring and control described above is not performed. Therefore, by disabling the detection of inter-board errors, the microcomputer 110 is prevented from performing unnecessary error response processing.

[0056] 5, the maintenance mode corresponds to the “predetermined mode,” the protocol PA corresponds to the “first protocol,” and the protocol PM corresponds to the “second protocol.” By the control processing in Fig. 5, when the maintenance mode is set and input when the communication port 130 is disconnected from the sub-control board 300 and connected to the interface device 400, the microcomputer 110 switches from a state in which the protocol PA for communicating with the sub-control board 300 is applied to a state in which the protocol PM for communicating with the interface device 400 is applied.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a conceptual waveform diagram illustrating the difference in protocols between communication modes.

[0058] FIG. 6(a) shows the protocol PM in the maintenance mode, while FIG. 6(b) shows the protocol PA in the normal operation mode.

[0059] As can be seen from the comparison of (a) and (b) in Figure 6, the communication speed Vm (bps) in protocol PM (maintenance mode) is higher than the communication speed Va (bps) in protocol PA (normal operation mode). In addition, the communication interval Titv (sec), which corresponds to the packet interval, is also shorter in protocol PM (maintenance mode) than in protocol PA (normal operation mode).

[0060] In maintenance mode, multiple status data are sent in a similar format, so by applying the protocol PM (maintenance mode), the amount of communication (bits) per unit time can be increased. This makes it possible to upload status data accumulated in the control board 100 to the analysis device 500 at high speed via the interface device 400.

[0061] On the other hand, in normal operation mode, multiple pieces of information in different formats, such as operation data DT1 for the water heater 10, operation data DT2 for a specific device, and error information DT3, are sent and received between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300. Furthermore, compared to maintenance mode, there is less need to transfer large amounts of data at high speed. Therefore, in normal operation mode, the amount of communication (bits) per unit time can be reduced. This reduces the amount of communication (bits) per unit time compared to maintenance mode.

[0062] In this way, the water heating apparatus according to the first embodiment can share the communication connection configuration (communication circuit 120 and communication port 130) with sub-control board 300 provided on control board 100, and can apply a protocol suitable for high-speed data transfer to realize a communication connection for outputting accumulated data of control board 100 to external devices (interface device 400 and analysis device 500) for fault diagnosis. As a result, it is possible to provide a water heating apparatus that can smoothly perform data communication for maintenance without adding a dedicated communication connection configuration.

[0063] [Modification of the first embodiment] In embodiment 1, an example configuration was described in which the communication connection configuration between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 mounted on the same water heater 10 is shared with the communication connection configuration with external devices for fault diagnosis, but a similar configuration can also be applied to a water heating system including multiple water heaters.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a fault diagnosis for hot water supply system 6 according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0065] Referring to Fig. 7, hot water supply system 6 according to a variation of embodiment 1 has a plurality of water heaters 10 and 11 and remote control 200. For example, water heater 10 is the combustion heating type water heater shown in Fig. 2, and water heater 11 is a heat pump heating type water heater having a hot water storage tank (not shown). Water heater 11 has a control board 350. Hereinafter, control board 350 will also be referred to as sub-control board 350, similar to control board 300 in embodiment 1.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of a control board in a hot water supply system according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0067] 8, sub-control board 350 of water heater 11 has microcomputer 360 having CPU 361 and memory 362, communication circuit 370, and communication port 380. Communication port 380 and communication port 130 are connected by a communication line, so that data can be transmitted and received bidirectionally between microcomputer 360 of sub-control board 350 and microcomputer 110 of control board 100 via communication circuits 120 and 370.

[0068] When diagnosing a fault in hot water supply system 6, communication port 380 of sub-control board 350 is disconnected from communication port 130 of control board 100, and communication port 430 of interface device 400 is connected via communication line 19. Furthermore, a maintenance mode is set for hot water supply system 6 in the same manner as in embodiment 1. Microcomputer 110 of hot water heater 10 executes communication mode switching control similar to that shown in FIG. 6.

[0069] Therefore, in a modification of the first embodiment, the control board 100 of the water heater 10 shares the communication connection configuration (communication circuit 120 and communication port 130) with the sub-control board 350 in the water heater 11, and can realize a communication connection for outputting the accumulated data of the control board 100 to external devices (interface device 400 and analysis device 500) for fault diagnosis, similar to the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to provide a water heating system that can smoothly perform data communication for maintenance without adding a dedicated communication connection configuration.

[0070] In Fig. 8, control board 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the "first control board," and microcomputer 110 corresponds to an embodiment of the "first microcomputer." Similarly, sub-control board 350 corresponds to an embodiment of the "second control board," and microcomputer 360 corresponds to an embodiment of the "second microcomputer." Furthermore, interface device 400 corresponds to an embodiment of the "maintenance device."

[0071] In hot water supply system 6 according to the modification of embodiment 1, even in maintenance mode, sub-control board 350 cannot communicate with control board 100, so water heaters 10 and 11 cannot perform linked hot water supply operation. On the other hand, it is possible to perform a standalone hot water supply operation with water heater 11 using sub-control board 350. Therefore, while hot water supply operation cannot be performed during maintenance mode in hot water supply device 5 according to embodiment 1, hot water supply system 6 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1 can perform hot water supply operation even during maintenance mode.

[0072] [Embodiment 2] In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described that enables communication between control board 100 and sub-control board 300 or 350 even in maintenance mode in the water heating device and water heating system according to the first embodiment and its variations.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a communication connection configuration of a control board in a water heating device or a water heating system according to the second embodiment.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the interface device 400 for fault diagnosis is configured to further include a communication circuit 421 and a communication port 431 in addition to the microcomputer 410, the communication circuit 420, the communication port 430, the USB communication circuit 440, and the USB port 450 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.

[0075] In the second embodiment, in the maintenance mode, the communication port 431 is connected to the communication port 330 (FIG. 4) of the sub-control board 300 or the communication port 380 (FIG. 8) of the sub-control board 350 via the communication line 18. This enables data transmission and reception between the communication circuit 421 and the communication circuit 320 (FIG. 4) of the sub-control board 300 or the communication circuit 370 (FIG. 8) of the sub-control board 350. As a result, data communication becomes possible between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 or 350 via the interface device 400.

[0076] Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating communication mode switching control of a water heating device or a water heating system according to embodiment 2. The control process shown in Fig. 10 can be executed by microcomputer 110, similar to the control process shown in Fig. 5.

[0077] 10, microcomputer 110 determines whether or not the maintenance mode is set in S110, which is the same as in Fig. 5. If the maintenance mode is not set (NO in S110), the communication mode is set to the default normal operation mode in S120, which is the same as in Fig. 5.

[0078] In contrast, when the maintenance mode is set (YES determination in S110), the microcomputer 110 controls the protocol in a time-division manner in S125. In the second embodiment, in both the normal operation mode and the maintenance mode, detection of an inter-board communication error between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 is enabled in S130.

[0079] FIG. 11 shows a conceptual diagram for explaining the time-division control in S125.

[0080] Referring to Figure 11, in the time division mode, a period 701 in which a protocol PM suitable for communication of status data from the control board 100 to the interface device 400 is set and a period 702 in which a protocol PA suitable for communication between the control board 100 and the sub-control board 300 or 350 is set are alternately provided at a fixed cycle.

[0081] In the time-division mode, the microcomputer 110 controls the protocols of the communication circuits 420 and 421 of the interface device 400 as well as the protocol of the communication circuit 120 of the control board 100 via the microcomputer 410 .

[0082] 11, a period 701 having a predetermined time length T1 is established from times t1, t2, and t3, at which a fixed cycle T0 has elapsed, followed by a period 702 having a predetermined time length T2. That is, the ratio between the time lengths T1 and T2 can be controlled to a predetermined constant value. Furthermore, since this is the maintenance mode, it is preferable to set the time lengths T1 and T2 so that T1 > T2.

[0083] In this way, according to the hot water supply device or hot water supply system of embodiment 2, the communication connection configuration (communication circuit 120 and communication port 130) provided on control board 100 is shared with sub-control board 300 to ensure communication with external devices (interface device 400 and analysis device 500) for fault diagnosis, and in maintenance mode, in addition to data communication for maintenance, communication similar to that in normal operation mode can be continued between control board 100 and sub-control board 300 or 350. As a result, even in maintenance mode, hot water supply operation similar to that in normal operation mode can be continued, involving interlocking between control board 100 and sub-control board 300 or 350.

[0084] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 5 water heater, 6 water heater system, 10, 11 water heater, 17-19 communication line, 20 water inlet, 21 water inlet piping, 22 water outlet piping, 23 bypass piping, 25 water outlet, 31 primary heat exchanger, 32 secondary heat exchanger, 34 flow control valve, 35 burner, 37 blower fan, 41 water collection pan, 42 neutralization treatment tank, 43 drain tank, 44 drain discharge path, 45 drain discharge valve, 51x current sensor, 51y rotation speed sensor, 52, 54, 55 temperature sensor, 53 flow sensor, 57 water level sensor, 58 CO sensor, 100 control board, 110, 310, 360, 410 microcomputer, 112, 312, 362, 412 Memory, 120, 121, 320, 370, 420, 421 Communication circuit, 125 Remote control communication circuit, 130, 131, 330, 380, 430, 431 Communication port, 135 Remote control communication port, 140 External memory, 200 Remote control, 201 Display unit, 202 Operation switch, 203 Operation unit, 300, 350 Control board (sub-control board), 400 Interface device, 440 USB communication circuit, 450 USB port, 500 Analysis device, Titv communication interval.

Claims

1. A water heating apparatus having a plurality of devices and a plurality of sensors, a controller that controls the plurality of devices using detected values ​​from the plurality of sensors so that the water heating apparatus operates in accordance with a user instruction; The controller a first control board on which a first microcomputer is mounted; a second control board that is disposed separately from the first control board and that has a second microcomputer different from the first microcomputer mounted thereon; The first control board has: a memory for storing status data indicating the operating status of the water heater; a first communication port and a first communication circuit for communication connection with the second control board; a second communication port and a second communication circuit for communication connection with a remote control are further mounted; the controller controls the hot water supply apparatus through communication between the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer; the first microcomputer is configured to receive, when the first communication port is disconnected from the second control board and connected to a maintenance device, a setting input from at least one of an input unit provided on the first control board, the remote controller, and the maintenance device, the setting input being a setting input for a predetermined mode for outputting the status data stored in the memory to the maintenance device; the first microcomputer is configured to switch from a state in which a first protocol for communicating with the second microcomputer is applied to a state in which a second protocol for communicating with the maintenance device connected to the first communication port is applied when the predetermined mode is set in accordance with the setting input, The water heating apparatus, wherein the communication speed in the second protocol is higher than the communication speed in the first protocol.

2. the first control board is configured to detect a communication error with the second control board depending on whether periodic communication with the second control board is established; The water heater of claim 1 , wherein the communication error is disabled during the predetermined mode.

3. In the predetermined mode, the second control board is communicably connected to the maintenance device, The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the first microcomputer controls the first communication circuit so that periods in which the second protocol is applied and periods in which the first protocol is applied alternate in the specified mode.

4. The water heater according to claim 3 , wherein a period during which the second protocol is applied is longer than a period during which the first protocol is applied.

5. The water heater according to claim 1 , wherein a communication interval in the second protocol is shorter than a communication interval in the first protocol.

6. A hot water supply system comprising a first hot water heater and a second hot water heater that are separately arranged, a controller for controlling the first water heater and the second water heater using detection values ​​from a plurality of sensors provided in the first water heater and the second water heater so that the hot water supply system operates in accordance with a user instruction; The controller a first control board mounted with a first microcomputer and built into the first water heater; a second control board mounted on the second water heater and having a second microcomputer different from the first microcomputer; The first control board has: a memory for storing status data indicating the operating status of the hot water supply system; a first communication port and a first communication circuit for communication connection with the second control board; a second communication port and a second communication circuit for communication connection with a remote control are further mounted; the controller executes control to operate the first water heater and the second water heater in conjunction with communication between the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer; the first microcomputer is configured to receive, when the first communication port is disconnected from the second control board and connected to a maintenance device, a setting input from at least one of an input unit provided on the first control board, the remote controller, and the maintenance device, the setting input being a setting input for a predetermined mode for outputting the status data stored in the memory to the maintenance device; the first microcomputer is configured to switch from a state in which a first protocol for communicating with the second microcomputer is applied to a state in which a second protocol for communicating with the maintenance device connected to the first communication port is applied when the predetermined mode is set in accordance with the setting input, A hot water supply system, wherein the communication speed in the second protocol is higher than the communication speed in the first protocol.

7. the first water heater is a combustion-heating water heater, The hot water system according to claim 6 , wherein the second hot water heater is a heat pump hot water heater.

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