Residential Equipment Machinery

Abstract

To provide housing equipment such as a water heater capable of continuously acquiring detection data from various sensors and effectively storing data in a storage unit while suppressing storage capacity of the storage unit.SOLUTION: A water heater 1 includes various sensors S1 to S5, a long-term data storage unit 331 that stores detection data output from the various sensors S1 to S5, and a control unit 310. The long-term data storage unit 331 is composed of a plurality of unit storage areas. The control unit 310 acquires detection data in a first cycle, stores it in a storage permission area among all the unit storage areas, doubles, in a state where the long-term data storage unit 331 does not have the storage permission area for storing the detection data acquired in the first cycle, the first cycle to set a new first cycle, and sets a unit storage area storing non-applicable data that does not correspond to the new first cycle among the detected data stored in the long-term data storage unit 331 as a storage-permitted area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to housing equipment such as a hot water supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a water heater that supplies hot water generated in the water heater to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, etc. The water heater is equipped with various sensors such as a temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor.

[0003] For such water heaters, a specification is being considered in which the detection data output from the various sensors is stored in a nonvolatile memory element at a predetermined interval from the beginning of use. This makes it possible to retrieve the detection data from the nonvolatile memory and observe the changes in the various sensors over time when the water heater breaks down or is replaced with a new model.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a data storage device that stores data in a flash memory. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-177382 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The period during which the detection data from various sensors is continuously stored in the nonvolatile memory element is the period until the water heater breaks down or is replaced, and is expected to be a relatively long period, although it is not fixed. Therefore, if the period for storing the detection data is set short, a nonvolatile memory element with a large storage capacity is required to accommodate the longer period. On the other hand, if the period for storing the detection data is set long, the number of detection data items stored will be reduced, making it difficult to understand changes over time.

[0007] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a home appliance that can continuously acquire detection data from various sensors and effectively store it in the memory unit while minimizing the memory capacity of the memory unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a household equipment. The household equipment according to this aspect includes various sensors, a first storage unit that stores detection data output from the various sensors, and a control unit. Here, the first storage unit is composed of a plurality of first unit storage areas. The control unit acquires the detection data in a first cycle and stores it in a storage-permitted area among all the first unit storage areas where storage is permitted. When there is no storage-permitted area in the first storage unit where the detection data acquired in the first cycle is to be stored, the control unit multiplies the first cycle by a natural number equal to or greater than two to set a new first cycle, and sets the first unit storage area in which non-corresponding data that does not correspond to the new first cycle among the detection data stored in the first storage unit as the storage-permitted area.

[0009] For example, the first storage unit may be included in a storage area of ​​a nonvolatile storage element.

[0010] In addition, the control unit can store information for identifying non-corresponding data, such as a storage number that is assigned to the detection data in the order of storage and whose intervals change according to changes in the first period, in the first storage unit in association with the detection data.

[0011] According to the housing equipment of this aspect, when the storage period of detection data in the first storage unit is shortened, detection data with short detection intervals can be stored in the first storage unit, and when the storage period is extended, detection data over a long period can be stored in the first storage unit, although the detection interval is extended. Thus, detection data can be continuously acquired from various sensors and effectively stored in the first storage unit while suppressing the storage capacity of the first storage unit.

[0012] In the household equipment according to this aspect, addresses may be assigned to the plurality of first unit storage areas. In this case, the detected data may be stored in the first unit storage areas in order starting with the first unit storage areas with the smallest addresses. When the new first period is set, the control unit does not move the non-corresponding data to the first unit storage areas with different addresses.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when storing detection data in a new first cycle, non-corresponding data is not moved to a first unit memory area at a different address, so that the control process for storing the detection data does not become complicated.

[0014] In the household equipment according to this aspect, addresses may be assigned to the plurality of first unit storage areas. In this case, the detection data may be stored in the first unit storage areas in order starting with the first unit storage area with the smallest address. When the new first period is set, the control unit may be configured to store the detection data stored in the first storage unit that corresponds to the new first period in the first unit storage areas by aligning the addresses, and to set the first unit storage areas that do not store the corresponding data following the first unit storage area in which the corresponding data is stored as the permitted storage areas.

[0015] According to the above configuration, even after the change to the new first period, the detection data remains arranged in the first storage unit in storage order, starting from the first unit storage area with the smallest address. This means that by reading the detection data from the first storage unit in address order, the detection data can be obtained in storage order, and there is no need to rearrange the read detection data to match the storage order.

[0016] The household equipment according to this aspect may further include a second storage unit that stores detection data output from the various sensors. In this case, the second storage unit may be configured to include a plurality of second unit storage areas. The control unit may be configured to store the detection data in the second unit storage areas at a second cycle that is shorter than the first cycle, and when the second storage unit runs out of second unit storage areas in which new detection data can be stored, store the new detection data in the second unit storage area in which the oldest detection data was stored.

[0017] According to the above configuration, not only can the first storage unit store detection data that has been continuously detected over a long period of time, but the second storage unit can store detailed detection data that has been detected over a short period of time.

[0018] In the above configuration, when an error occurs in the household equipment, the control unit No. The process of storing the detected data in the second storage unit may be stopped.

[0019] With this configuration, if an error occurs in a household equipment device, updating of the detection data to the second storage unit stops. This allows the second storage unit to store detection data from a period close to the time the error occurred, and makes it possible to use this detection data for analyzing the cause of a failure in the household equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a home appliance that can continuously acquire detection data from various sensors and effectively store it in the memory unit while reducing the memory capacity of the memory unit.

[0021] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water heater according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a long-term data storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the control unit when first acquiring detection data and storing it in the long-term data storage unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 3(b) is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the control unit when second or subsequent acquiring detection data and storing it in the long-term data storage unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams specifically illustrating the procedure for storing detection data from various sensors in the long-term data storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams specifically illustrating the procedure for storing detection data from various sensors in the long-term data storage unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams for explaining a control process for storing detection data from various sensors in a long-term data storage unit according to the first modified example. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a nonvolatile memory element according to Modification 2. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of a short-term data storage unit according to Modification 2. FIG. [Figure 8]Fig. 8(a) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit when second or subsequent detection data is acquired and stored in the short-term data storage unit according to Modification Example 2. Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing a state in which detection data is stored in all unit storage areas of the short-term data storage unit according to Modification Example 2. Fig. 8(c) is a diagram showing a state in which the latest detection data has overwritten the oldest detection data in the short-term data storage unit according to Modification Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A hot water supply apparatus as an embodiment of the household equipment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water heater 1. As shown in FIG.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, water heater 1 includes water heater 10 and remote controller 20. Water heater 10 is a gas water heater that uses gas as fuel to supply hot water. Water heater 10 performs functions such as a hot water supply function for supplying hot water to a faucet, a hot water filling function for filling bathtub 2 with hot water, and a reheating function for reheating the hot water in bathtub 2. Remote controller 20 is placed in a bathroom, kitchen, or the like, and is connected to water heater 10. Remote controller 20 is used to execute each function of water heater 10 and to make various settings for each function.

[0026] The water heater 10 includes, in a housing 100, a hot water supply section 210, a reheating section 220, and a bypass section 230 as a combustion system.

[0027] Hot water supply section 210 includes water supply pipe 211, hot water heat exchanger 212, hot water supply pipe 213, hot water combustor 214, and air supply fan 215. Water supply pipe 211 is connected to a water pipe and hot water heat exchanger 212, and hot water pipe 213 is connected to hot water heat exchanger 212, bathroom faucet 3, and external faucet 4. Gas (fuel gas) is supplied to hot water combustor 214 through hot water gas pipe 217 in an amount corresponding to the opening of proportional valve 216. When a gas solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to hot water gas pipe 217. Hot water combustor 214 uses gas as fuel and combusts with an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied.

[0028] Air supply fan 215 supplies air for combustion to hot water combustor 214. Air supply fan 215 includes a fan, a motor that drives the fan, and a rotation sensor that detects the number of rotations of the fan.

[0029] The reheating unit 220 includes a return pipe 221, a bath heat exchanger 222, an outgoing pipe 223, a bath burner 224, and a circulation pump 225. The return pipe 221 is connected to the circulation adapter 2a of the bathtub 2 and the bath heat exchanger 222, and the outgoing pipe 223 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 222 and the circulation adapter 2a.

[0030] A quantity of gas (fuel gas) corresponding to the opening of proportional valve 226 is supplied to bath combustor 224 through bath gas pipe 227. When a gas solenoid valve (not shown) is opened, gas is supplied to bath gas pipe 227. Bath combustor 224 burns gas as fuel at an intensity corresponding to the amount of gas supplied. Air supply fan 215 is shared between hot water supply section 210 and reheating section 220, and air for combustion is supplied from air supply fan 215 to bath combustor 224.

[0031] A circulation pump 225 and a water level sensor S1 are disposed in the return pipe 221. The water level sensor S1 detects the water level in the bathtub 2 based on the water pressure in the return pipe 221. The water level sensor S1 outputs a water level signal corresponding to the detected water pressure value as detection data.

[0032] The bypass unit 230 includes a bypass pipe 231 and a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232. The bypass pipe 231 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 213 and the return pipe 221. The hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 opens and closes the bypass pipe 231.

[0033] In addition to the water level sensor S1, the water heater 10 is equipped with a flow rate sensor S2 for detecting the flow rate of the water supply pipe 211, a temperature sensor S3 for detecting the temperature of the water introduced into the water supply pipe 211, a temperature sensor S4 for detecting the temperature of the hot water after being heated by the hot water heat exchanger 212, and a temperature sensor S5 for detecting the ambient temperature (outside air temperature).

[0034] The flow sensor S2 outputs a flow signal corresponding to the detected flow value as detection data. The temperature sensors S3 to S5 are, for example, thermistors, and output temperature signals corresponding to the detected temperature values ​​as detection data.

[0035] Furthermore, the water heater 10 includes, within the housing 100, a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, a nonvolatile storage element 330, and a communication unit 340 as a control system.

[0036] Control unit 310 includes a CPU and the like, and controls each unit in water heater 10 according to a control program stored in storage unit 320. Storage unit 320 includes RAM, ROM, and the like, and stores a predetermined control program.

[0037] Detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 is input to the control unit 310. The detection data is converted from analog values ​​to digital values ​​by a conversion circuit provided in the control unit 310.

[0038] The nonvolatile memory element 330 is, for example, a flash memory. The nonvolatile memory element 330 includes, in its storage area, a long-term data storage unit 331 that is a storage area for the detection data output from the various sensors S1 to S5.

[0039] The communication unit 340 communicates with the remote controller 20 under the control of the control unit 310 .

[0040] The control unit 310 controls the hot water combustor 214, the air supply fan 215 and the proportional valve 216 of the hot water supply unit 210, the bath combustor 224, the circulation pump 225 and the proportional valve 226 of the reheating unit 220, the hot water solenoid valve 232 of the bypass unit 230, and the like.

[0041] When bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 is opened, the hot water supply function is executed. Water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211, and hot water combustor 214 combusts, heating hot water heat exchanger 212. The water introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 is heated to become hot water, which is then supplied to bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 through hot water pipe 213. When bathroom faucet 3 or external faucet 4 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 stops, and the combustion in hot water combustor 214 stops.

[0042] Control unit 310 also controls hot water supply unit 210 to execute the hot water filling function. In this case, hot water solenoid valve 232 is opened, and water from the water pipe is introduced into hot water heat exchanger 212 through water supply pipe 211 and heated by hot water heat exchanger 212. Then, the hot water from hot water heat exchanger 212 is introduced into return pipe 221 through hot water supply pipe 213 and bypass pipe 231.

[0043] A portion of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the circulation adapter 2a and is poured from the circulation adapter 2a into the bathtub 2. The remainder of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the bath heat exchanger 222, and then flows through the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outgoing pipe 223 before being poured into the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a.

[0044] When hot water is supplied and filled in bathtub 2, return pipe 221, bath heat exchanger 222, and supply pipe 223 are filled with water. This allows water level sensor S1 to detect the water level in bathtub 2. When water level sensor S1 detects that the water level in bathtub 2 has reached a preset level, hot water supply solenoid valve 232 closes, stopping the water supply from the water pipe to water supply pipe 211 and stopping combustion in hot water supply combustor 214.

[0045] In addition, control unit 310 controls reheating unit 220 to perform the reheating function. In this case, circulation pump 225 operates and bath combustor 224 starts combustion. The hot water in bathtub 2 circulates between bathtub 2 and a circulation path consisting of return pipe 221, bath heat exchanger 222, and forward pipe 223, and is heated by bath heat exchanger 222 during this circulating process.

[0046] Water heating apparatus 1 has a data storage function that periodically collects detection data from various sensors S1-S5 and stores the data in long-term data storage unit 331 of non-volatile storage element 330. This makes it possible to retrieve the detection data from non-volatile storage element 330 when water heating apparatus 1 breaks down or is replaced with a new model, and to observe changes over time in various sensors S1-S5, enabling analysis of deterioration over time of water heating apparatus 1.

[0047] In the data storage function, the control unit 310 acquires detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 at a predetermined cycle T1 and stores the data in the long-term data storage unit 331. As will be described later, the cycle T1 is changed so that it becomes longer as the storage period of the detection data in the long-term data storage unit 331 becomes longer. The cycle T1 is changed to a new cycle T1 by multiplying it by a natural number equal to or greater than 2. In this embodiment, the cycle T1 is measured in days, and the initial cycle T1 is set to, for example, one day. The initial cycle T1 may also be a day longer than one day. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cycle T1 is doubled when changed.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the long-term data storage unit 331.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the long-term data storage unit 331 is composed of a plurality of unit storage areas. Each unit storage area is assigned an address. The detection data acquired from the various sensors S1 to S5 in one cycle T1, i.e., one set of detection data, is stored in one unit storage area. Therefore, each unit storage area has a storage capacity sufficient to store one set of detection data. Note that while FIG. 2 shows an example in which the long-term data storage unit 331 is composed of 32 unit storage areas, the number of unit storage areas is not limited to this number.

[0050] When detection data is acquired from the various sensors S1 to S5, the detection data is assigned a storage number indicating the storage order. The storage number is associated with the detection data and stored in the long-term data storage unit 331. The number interval of the storage numbers depends on the changing period T1. For example, if the period T1 is doubled from 1 day to 2 days, the number interval changes from 1 to 2, and if the period T1 is doubled from 2 days to 4 days, the number interval changes from 1 to 4. By changing the number interval in this way, the storage number is used not only as information for specifying the storage order of the detection data, but also as information for specifying the detection data corresponding to the new period T1.

[0051] Next, a control process executed by control unit 310 to acquire detection data from various sensors S1 to S5 and store it in long-term data storage unit 331 will be described.

[0052] 3(a) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 310 when obtaining the first detection data and storing it in the long-term data storage unit 331. FIG. 3(b) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 310 when obtaining the second or subsequent detection data and storing it in the long-term data storage unit 331.

[0053] First, the control process in Fig. 3(a) is started when power is first supplied to water heating apparatus 1 (water heater 10) to start up water heating apparatus 1. At this time, water heating apparatus 1 is in a stopped state in which no function is being executed.

[0054] 3(a), the control unit 310 sets, as storage-permitted areas, unit storage areas in which detection data is permitted to be stored among all unit storage areas in the long-term data storage unit 331 (S101). Here, all unit storage areas are free areas in which no detection data is stored, so all unit storage areas are set as storage-permitted areas.

[0055] The control unit 310 acquires detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 (S102). Then, the control unit 310 assigns the smallest memory number, "0", to the acquired detection data (S103), and stores the detection data in the unit memory area (storage-permitted area) with the smallest address, "0" (S104).

[0056] After the control process in Fig. 3(a) is completed, the control process in Fig. 3(b) is started. The process in Fig. 3(b) is repeatedly executed.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3(b), control unit 310 monitors whether cycle T1 has elapsed since the previous acquisition of detection data (S111). If cycle T1 has elapsed (S111: YES), control unit 310 acquires detection data from various sensors S1-S5 (S112). Note that if water heating apparatus 1 is currently in use and performing any of its functions, control unit 310 waits until water heating apparatus 1 is no longer in use before detecting detection data. This is to ensure that detection data is always collected under the same conditions. In this case, cycle T1 may be slightly off by a minute or so, but this does not pose a problem when observing the secular changes of various sensors S1-S5.

[0058] Note that, in cycle T1, detection data may be acquired when water heating apparatus 1 is in use. In this case, if water heating apparatus 1 is in a stopped state, detection is performed after waiting for it to enter a used state.

[0059] Next, the control unit 310 assigns a storage number to the acquired detection data (S113). For example, if the cycle T1 is one day, the storage numbers are assigned in increments of one, such as "2, 3, 4...", and if the cycle T1 is two days, the storage numbers are assigned in increments of two, such as "34, 36, 38...".

[0060] Next, the control unit 310 determines whether or not there is a storage permitted area (S114).

[0061] If there is a storage-permitted area (S114: YES), control unit 310 stores the acquired detection data in the storage-permitted area with the smallest address (S115). Then, control unit 310 ends the control process of Fig. 3(b). The control process is started again, and the processes of steps S111 to S115 are repeated while it is determined in step S114 that there is a storage-permitted area.

[0062] For example, initially, until all unit storage areas are filled with detected data, there will be no storage-permitted areas left.

[0063] If there is no storage-permitted area (S114: NO), the control unit 310 sets the new period T1 to a value obtained by doubling the current period T1 (S116). Next, the control unit 310 sets the storage-permitted area based on the new period T1 (S117). That is, the control unit 310 sets the unit storage area in which detection data stored in the long-term data storage unit 331 that does not correspond to the new period T1 (hereinafter referred to as non-corresponding data) is stored as the new storage-permitted area. At this time, when the storage numbers are assigned starting from "0" at the number interval of the new period T1, the control unit 310 identifies the detection data assigned a storage number that matches the storage number as detection data that corresponds to the new period T1 (hereinafter referred to as corresponding data), and identifies the other detection data as non-corresponding data. For example, if the period T1 is changed from 1 day to 2 days, the detection data stored on the days that are 2 days apart from the first day, 0, i.e., the detection data that has an assigned storage number that is a multiple of 2, will be the relevant data, and the other detection data will be the non-relevant data.

[0064] The control unit 310 stores the newly acquired detection data in the storage permission area with the smallest address among the storage permission areas set based on the new cycle T1 (S115). Then, the control unit 310 ends the control process of FIG. 3(b).

[0065] The control process is restarted with a new cycle T1, and steps S111 to S115 are repeated while it is determined in step S114 that there is a storage-permitted area. After the cycle is first changed to the new cycle T1, if all unit storage areas are filled with the relevant data, it is determined in step S114 that there is no storage-permitted area.

[0066] In this way, each time newly acquired detection data can no longer be stored in long-term data storage unit 331, cycle T1 is doubled and the detection data in long-term data storage unit 331 is updated to detection data corresponding to the new cycle T1. Therefore, when the storage period for detection data is relatively short, detection data acquired at relatively short intervals remains in long-term data storage unit 331, i.e., non-volatile memory element 330, and when the storage period for detection data is relatively long, detection data acquired at relatively long intervals remains in long-term data storage unit 331.

[0067] 4(a), (b) and 5(a), (b) are diagrams for specifically explaining the procedure by which the detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 is stored in the long-term data storage unit 331.

[0068] First, as shown in Fig. 4(a), until all unit storage areas are initially filled with detection data, the detection data is acquired in the first cycle T1, i.e., in a cycle T1 of one day, and storage numbers are assigned at intervals of 1 in the order of acquisition, i.e., in the order of storage, and the data is stored in order starting from the unit storage area with the smallest address. The stored detection data is associated with a storage number.

[0069] When all unit memory areas are filled with detection data corresponding to a one-day period T1, the detected detection data is assigned a memory number at intervals of 1 (memory number "32" in Figure 4(b)), and then the period T1 is doubled to change it to a two-day period T1.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the last detection data before the cycle T1 is changed (detection data with memory number "32" in FIG. 4(b)) is stored in the unit storage area with the smallest address "1" among the unit storage areas in which detection data that does not fall within the two-day cycle T1, i.e., detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of two, is stored. Thereafter, detection data acquired in the two-day cycle T2 is assigned memory numbers in increments of two, such as "34, 36...62." Then, detection data is overwritten in the unit storage areas in which detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of two is stored, associated with the memory numbers in ascending order of addresses.

[0071] When all unit memory areas are filled with detection data corresponding to a two-day cycle T1, the detected detection data is assigned a memory number at intervals of 2 (memory number "64" in Figure 5(a)), and then the cycle T1 is doubled to change it to a four-day cycle T1.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the last detection data before the cycle T1 is changed (detection data with memory number "64" in FIG. 5(a)) is stored in the unit storage area with the smallest address "2" among the unit storage areas in which detection data that does not fall within the four-day cycle T1, i.e., detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of four, is stored. Thereafter, detection data acquired in the four-day cycle T2 is assigned memory numbers in intervals of four, such as "68, 72...124." Then, detection data is overwritten in the unit storage areas in which detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of four is stored, in ascending order of addresses, associated with the memory numbers.

[0073] When all unit memory areas are filled with detection data corresponding to a 4-day cycle T1, memory numbers (memory number "128" in Figure 5(b)) are assigned to the detected detection data at intervals of 4, and then the cycle T1 is doubled to change it to an 8-day cycle T1.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the last detection data before the cycle T1 is changed (detection data with memory number "128" in FIG. 5(b)) is stored in the unit storage area with the smallest address "3" among the unit storage areas in which detection data that does not fall under the 8-day cycle T1, i.e., detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of 8, is stored. Thereafter, detection data acquired in the 8-day cycle T2 is assigned memory numbers in intervals of 8, such as "136, 144...248." Then, detection data is overwritten in the unit storage areas in which detection data that is not assigned a memory number that is a multiple of 8 is stored, associated with the memory numbers in ascending order of addresses.

[0075] Thereafter, the same storage procedure is repeated.

[0076] When the detection data stored in long-term data storage unit 331 becomes necessary, such as when water heating apparatus 1 breaks down, the detection data is read from non-volatile memory element 330 and transmitted to an external device, such as a personal computer, connected to water heating apparatus 1. In this case, the detection data is read in address order. At this time, a storage number is added to the read detection data. In the external device, the input detection data is sorted in the order in which it was stored in long-term data storage unit 331 using the storage number.

[0077] <Effects of the embodiment> According to water heating apparatus 1, detection data is acquired from various sensors S1 to S5 in cycle T1 and stored in a storage-permitted area of ​​long-term data storage unit 331, and when long-term data storage unit 331 does not have a storage-permitted area for storing the detection data acquired in cycle T1, cycle T1 is doubled to set a new cycle T1, and a unit storage area in which non-applicable data that does not correspond to the new cycle T1 among the detection data stored in long-term data storage unit 331 is stored is set as the storage-permitted area. As a result, when the storage period for detection data in long-term data storage unit 331 is shortened, detection data with short detection intervals can be stored in long-term data storage unit 331, and when the storage period is lengthened, detection data spanning a long period can be stored in long-term data storage unit 331, although the detection interval is extended.

[0078] Therefore, while suppressing the storage capacity of long-term data storage unit 331, it is possible to continuously acquire detection data from various sensors S1-S5 and effectively store it in long-term data storage unit 331. This detection data can then be extracted and used to observe changes over time in various sensors S1-S5, i.e., water heating apparatus 1.

[0079] Furthermore, according to water heating apparatus 1, as explained using Figures 4(a) to 5(b), addresses are assigned to the multiple unit storage areas, and detection data is stored in order from the unit storage area with the smallest address. When a new period T1 is set, non-corresponding data is not moved to a unit storage area with a different address. In this way, when storing detection data in the new period T1, non-corresponding data is not moved to a unit storage area with a different address, so the control process for storing the detection data does not become complicated.

[0080] Furthermore, in water heating apparatus 1, since a storage number is assigned to the detection data, it is possible to know the storage period and order from this storage number. Therefore, when an external device extracts (reads) the detection data from nonvolatile memory element 330 (long-term data storage unit 331), there is no need to be aware of the order, and the extraction of the detection data can be accelerated. Furthermore, since the detection data can be used even if the storage algorithm specifications of water heating apparatus 1 are not known, excellent compatibility is achieved.

[0081] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the external facility device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0082] <Change example 1> 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams for explaining a control process for storing detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 in the long-term data storage unit 331 according to the first modification.

[0083] In the above embodiment, when a new cycle T1 is set, detection data is stored in the unit storage area in which non-corresponding data has been stored at the new cycle T1, and therefore, no movement of relevant data occurs within the long-term data storage unit 331. Therefore, after the cycle is changed to the new cycle T1, the detection data is no longer sorted in order of storage number within the long-term data storage unit 331, starting from the unit storage area with the smallest address.

[0084] In contrast, in Modification Example 1, before storing the detection data acquired in the new cycle T1 and before storing the detection data last acquired in the previous cycle T1, the relevant data is moved and arranged in a unit storage area with a smaller address. As a result, even after changing to the new cycle T1, the detection data is arranged in order of storage number, starting from the unit storage area with the smaller address, in the long-term data storage unit 331. The storage procedure in Modification Example 1 will be described in detail below.

[0085] When a new period T1 is set in the process of step S116 in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the control unit 310 stores the relevant data that corresponds to the new period T1 among the detection data stored in the long-term data storage unit 331 in the unit storage areas (addresses 0 to 15 in FIG. 6(a)) by arranging the addresses, and stores the non-relevant data in the unit storage areas (addresses 16 to 31 in FIG. 6(a)) following the unit storage area in which the relevant data has been stored, in ascending order of storage numbers. At this time, the RAM of the storage unit 320 is used to temporarily store the relevant data and non-relevant data. Then, in the process of step S117 in FIG. 3, the control unit 310 sets the unit storage areas in which the non-relevant data has been stored (addresses 16 to 31 in FIG. 6(a)), i.e., the unit storage areas in which no relevant data has been stored, as storage-permitted areas.

[0086] Thereafter, in the process of step S115, the control unit 310 stores the detection data last acquired in the previous cycle T1 and the detection data acquired in the new cycle T1 in the newly set storage-permitted area.

[0087] As shown in Figure 6(b), in the long-term data storage unit 331, the unit storage areas in which non-corresponding data is stored (addresses 16 to 31 in Figure 6(b)), i.e., the unit storage area with the smallest address (address 16 in Figure 6(b)) among the unit storage areas in which no relevant data is stored, are overwritten with the detection data last acquired in the previous cycle T1, and the unit storage areas following that unit storage area in which non-corresponding data is stored (addresses 17 to 31 in Figure 6(b)) are overwritten with the detection data acquired in the new cycle T1. As a result, even after the change to the new cycle T1, the detection data remains arranged in the long-term data storage unit 331 in order of storage number, starting from the unit storage area with the smallest address.

[0088] Therefore, according to the configuration of modified example 1, by reading out the detection data from the long-term data storage unit 331 in address order, the detection data can be obtained in the stored order, so there is no need to rearrange the detection data in the stored order in an external device such as a personal computer to which the detection data is output.

[0089] <Change example 2> 7(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a nonvolatile memory element 330 according to Modification 2. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of a short-term data storage unit 332 according to Modification 2.

[0090] As shown in Figure 7(a), in the water heating device 1 of modified example 2, the non-volatile memory element 330 has, in its memory area, in addition to a long-term data memory unit 331, multiple short-term data memory units 332 which are memory areas for detection data output from various sensors S1 to S5.

[0091] Non-volatile memory element 330 includes error code memory unit 333 that stores an error code indicating the type of error when an error occurs in water heating apparatus 1. Error code memory unit 333 can store a predetermined number of error codes, for example, 10. The number of short-term data memory units 332 is set to be one more than the number of errors that can be stored in error code memory unit 333.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 7(b), each short-term data storage unit 332 has a configuration similar to that of the long-term data storage unit 331, and is composed of a plurality of unit storage areas each assigned with an address. When detection data is acquired from the various sensors S1 to S5, a storage number indicating the storage order is assigned to the detection data. The storage number is associated with the detection data and stored in the short-term data storage unit 332. The number of unit storage areas in the short-term data storage unit 332, i.e., the storage capacity, can be smaller than the number of unit storage areas in the long-term data storage unit 331, i.e., the storage capacity. Alternatively, the long-term data storage unit 331 and the short-term data storage unit 332 may have the same number of unit storage areas.

[0093] The detection data stored in each short-term data storage unit 332 is used to analyze the cause of an error, such as a malfunction, when the error occurs in water heating apparatus 1. Control unit 310 acquires detection data from various sensors S1-S5 at predetermined cycles T2 through a control process described below, and stores the data in each unit storage area of ​​one short-term data storage unit 332. Cycle T2 is, for example, a value of about 100 ms, which is significantly shorter than cycle T1 when detection data is stored in long-term data storage unit 331.

[0094] FIG. 8(a) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 310 when obtaining second and subsequent detection data and storing it in the short-term data storage unit 332 according to the second modification.

[0095] When first obtaining detection data and storing it in the short-term data storage unit 332, the control unit 310 executes a control process similar to the control process of Fig. 3(a). In the short-term data storage unit 332, the detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 is assigned the smallest memory number, "0", and the detection data is stored in the unit memory area with the smallest address, "0".

[0096] Next, the control process of Fig. 8(a) is started. The process of Fig. 8(a) is repeatedly executed.

[0097] When the period T2 has elapsed since the previous acquisition of detection data (S201: YES), the control unit 310 acquires detection data from the various sensors S1 to S5 (S202). Then, the control unit 310 assigns a storage number to the acquired detection data (S203).

[0098] Next, the control unit 310 determines whether there is free capacity, i.e., whether there is a free unit storage area in which no detection data is stored, in the short-term data storage unit 332 (S204). If there is a free unit storage area (S204: YES), the control unit 310 stores the detection data in the free unit storage area with the smallest address (S205).

[0099] The processes of S201 to S205 are repeated until all unit storage areas of the short-term data storage unit 332 are filled with the detected data, as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0100] If control unit 310 determines in step S204 that there is no free space in short-term data storage unit 332 (S204: NO), control unit 310 stores newly acquired detection data in the unit storage area in which the oldest detection data is stored (S206). As shown in Fig. 8(c), the oldest detection data is overwritten with the latest detection data.

[0101] When an error occurs in water heating apparatus 1, control unit 310 stops the control process of Fig. 8(a) for short-term data storage unit 332, which is currently storing detection data, i.e., the process of storing detection data. As a result, detection data from a period close to the time the error occurred is secured in short-term data storage unit 332. An error code for the error is stored in error code storage unit 333 in association with identification information that identifies short-term data storage unit 332.

[0102] Thereafter, the control unit 310 starts the control process of FIG. 8(a) for the short-term data storage unit 332 that has not yet stored detection data, and causes the short-term data storage unit 332 to store the detection data acquired in the period T2.

[0103] When an error is analyzed, the detected data is read from the short-term data storage unit 332 associated with the error code of the error, and is output to an external device such as a personal computer.

[0104] When the maximum number of error codes is stored in the error code memory unit 333, the short-term data memory units 332 associated with those error codes have already completed storing the detected data, and therefore the detected data is stored in the last short-term data memory unit 332 by the control process of Figure 8(a).

[0105] If a new error occurs when the maximum number of error codes has been stored in the error code storage unit 333, the oldest error code is erased and the new error code is stored. Storage of detection data in the last short-term data storage unit 332 is stopped, and the identification information of that short-term data storage unit 332 is associated with the new error code in the error code storage unit 333. All detection data is erased from the short-term data storage unit 332 of the identification information associated with the error code erased from the error code storage unit 333, and that short-term data storage unit 332 is used to store detection data in the next control process of Figure 8(a).

[0106] According to the configuration of the second modification, not only can the long-term data storage unit 331 store detection data that has been continuously detected over a long period of time, but the short-term data storage unit 332 can store detailed detection data for a short period of time.

[0107] Furthermore, if an error occurs in water heating apparatus 1, the process of storing detection data in short-term data storage unit 332 stops, and updating of detection data to short-term data storage unit 332 stops. This allows detection data from the period around the time the error occurred to be stored in short-term data storage unit 332, and this detection data can be used for analyzing the cause of a failure in water heating apparatus 1, etc.

[0108] <Other change examples> In the above embodiment, when the long-term data storage unit 331 runs out of unit storage areas for storing new detection data, the period T1 is doubled and set as a new period T1. However, the period T1 may be multiplied by a natural number of 2 or more other than double, such as 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, etc., and set as a new period T1. Note that the natural number multiplied by the natural number is preferably a power of 2, such as 2 times, 4 times, 8 times, etc.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the state of use of water heating apparatus 1 at the time of detection (in use, not in use) may be stored in long-term data storage unit 331, along with the detection data from various sensors S1 to S5. In this case, once period T1 has elapsed, the detection data is acquired regardless of the state of use of water heating apparatus 1.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a storage number is assigned to the detection data stored in the unit storage area of ​​the long-term data storage unit 331. However, instead of the storage number, information on the date or time when the detection data is stored may be assigned. Similarly, instead of the storage number, information on the date or time when the detection data is stored may be assigned to the detection data stored in the unit storage area of ​​the short-term data storage unit 332 in the above modified example 2.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified example 1, in the long-term data storage unit 331, non-corresponding data that does not correspond to the new period T1 is overwritten with detection data acquired in the new period T1. However, the non-corresponding data may be erased before detection data is acquired and stored in the new period T1. In this case, all non-corresponding data may be erased at once.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, detection data from various sensors other than water level sensor S1, flow rate sensor S2, and temperature sensors S3 to S5 may be stored in long-term data storage unit 331. For example, an opening signal corresponding to an opening value from an opening sensor that detects the opening of proportional valves 216, 226, or a rotation speed signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the fan from a rotation speed sensor of air supply fan 215, may be acquired by control unit 310 as detection data and stored in long-term data storage unit 331.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, water heating apparatus 1 may be communicatively connected to a server via an external communication network, and upon request from the server, detected data may be read from nonvolatile memory element 330, i.e., long-term data storage unit 331, and transmitted to the server. Similarly, detected data from short-term data storage unit 332 in the above modified example 2 may be transmitted to the server. When water heating apparatus 1 has a function that allows it to be remotely controlled from a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, the server may be a server that manages remote control.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example 2, the oldest detection data is erased in the short-term data storage unit 332 by overwriting the unit storage area in which the detection data is stored with new detection data. However, the detection data stored in all unit storage areas with addresses equal to or less than "2" is shifted toward address "0" and stored, thereby overwriting the detection data stored in the unit storage area with address "2" and erasing the oldest detection data stored in the unit storage area with address "0." The latest detection data is stored in the unit storage area with the last address that has become an empty unit storage area. In this case, since the detection data is always arranged in storage order from the smallest address in the short-term data storage unit 332, there is no need to assign a storage number to the detection data.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described second modification, multiple short-term data storage units 332 are provided in the nonvolatile memory element 330. However, the number of short-term data storage units 332 may be one. In this case, it is preferable that the nonvolatile memory element 330 be provided with storage units to which detection data is moved from the short-term data storage unit 332 each time an error occurs and which store the data in association with an error code, the number of which is the same as the number of error codes that can be stored in the error code storage unit 333. One short-term data storage unit 332 may be provided in the RAM of the storage unit 320, rather than in the nonvolatile memory element 330.

[0116] Furthermore, the configuration of water heater 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1 and may be other configurations. For example, in the configuration of Fig. 1, the hot water in bathtub 2 is reheated by circulating the hot water in bathtub 2 through bath heat exchanger 222, but the reheating function may be performed by water heater 10 adding high-temperature hot water to bathtub 2. Also, water heater 10 may be configured to perform only the hot water supply function without having reheating unit 220 and bypass unit 230. Furthermore, water heater 10 may be configured to include a heating unit that performs hot water supply operation for heating functions such as floor heating and bathroom heating, in addition to the configuration of Fig. 1.

[0117] Furthermore, water heater 1 is not limited to one that uses gas fuel, and may be a water heater that uses oil as fuel. Water heater 1 may be a storage type that uses a storage tank, and may be configured to further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

[0118] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to housing equipment having various sensors other than the hot water heater 1. In addition to the hot water heater 1, examples of such housing equipment include a gas fan heater, a gas stove, and an air conditioner.

[0119] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1. Hot water supply equipment 310 Control Unit 330 Non-volatile memory element 331 Long-term data storage unit (first storage unit) 332 Short-term data storage unit (second storage unit) S1~S5 Various sensors T1 period (1st period) T2 period (2nd period)

Claims

1. Various sensors and a first storage unit that stores detection data output from the various sensors; a control unit, the first storage unit is configured by a plurality of first unit storage areas, The control unit acquiring the detection data in a first period and storing the data in a storage-permitted area among all the first unit storage areas; multiplying the first period by a natural number equal to or greater than 2 and setting the new first period in a state in which the storage permission area in which the detection data acquired in the first period is stored does not exist in the first storage unit; setting the first unit storage area in which non-corresponding data that does not correspond to the new first period among the detection data stored in the first storage unit as the storage permission area; A housing equipment characterized by:

2. Addresses are assigned to the plurality of first unit storage areas, the detection data is stored in the first unit storage area in order from the first unit storage area having the smallest address, when the new first period is set, the control unit does not move the irrelevant data to the first unit storage area of ​​another address; 2. The household equipment according to claim 1.

3. Addresses are assigned to the plurality of first unit storage areas, the detection data is stored in the first unit storage area in order from the first unit storage area having the smallest address, When the new first period is set, the control unit stores the relevant data corresponding to the new first period among the detection data stored in the first storage unit in the first unit storage area by packing up the addresses, and sets the first unit storage area subsequent to the first unit storage area in which the relevant data is stored and in which the relevant data is not stored, as the storage permitted area.

2. The household equipment according to claim 1.

4. the first memory unit is included in a memory area of ​​a nonvolatile memory element; 4. The household equipment according to claim 1.

5. a second storage unit that stores the detection data output from the various sensors; the second storage unit is configured by a plurality of second unit storage areas, The control unit storing the detection data in the second unit storage area at a second period shorter than the first period; when the second unit storage area in which new detection data is to be stored is exhausted in the second storage unit, the new detection data is stored in the second unit storage area in which the oldest detection data is stored.

5. The household equipment according to claim 1.

6. the control unit stops the process of storing the detection data in the second storage unit when an error occurs in the household equipment.

6. The household equipment according to claim 5.

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