Parameter setting program and combustion system

Abstract

To provide a parameter setting program that makes it possible to efficiently perform work of setting parameters necessary for operation of a plurality of combustion apparatuses to the combustion apparatuses.SOLUTION: A parameter setting program operating in an information terminal 50 capable of performing wireless communication with combustion apparatuses 10 can make the information terminal 50 execute: processing of making the information terminal 50 or an external storage device store a parameter input to the information terminal 50 at the time of setting a parameter to one combustion apparatus 10; processing of making, at the time of setting the parameter to another combustion apparatus after the storage, the information terminal 50 display an option of instructing the information terminal 50 to write the stored parameter to the other combustion apparatus 10; and processing of writing the stored parameter to the other combustion apparatus 10 when the option is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program for setting parameters for a combustion apparatus and a combustion system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, regarding a water heater provided with a combustion apparatus, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a technique for setting parameters required for operation control of the combustion apparatus (such as gas type, exhaust variation, capacity rating, bath type, brand name, etc.) in a control unit of the water heater.

[0003] In this technique, when values of several parameters are set, the model of the water heater is identified based on the set values, and values of other parameters are automatically set according to the identified model. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-185828 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in facilities such as apartment buildings, a large number of combustion apparatuses (such as water heaters) with the same specification are often installed. In this case, when parameters are set for each individual combustion apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the work of inputting values of several parameters required for model identification has to be performed in the same manner for each of the large number of combustion apparatuses, resulting in poor work efficiency. In particular, when the number of parameters required for model identification is relatively large, a great deal of labor and time is required to complete the parameter setting work for a large number of combustion apparatuses. In addition, input errors of parameters are also likely to occur for some of the combustion apparatuses.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a parameter setting program and a combustion system that enable the efficient setting of parameters necessary for the operation of multiple combustion devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The parameter setting program of the present invention is a parameter setting program that operates on an information terminal capable of wireless communication with a combustion device in order to achieve the above objective, If the combustion device that initiated wireless communication with the information terminal is a combustion device for which parameters related to the operation of the combustion device have not been set, the process of displaying a parameter input screen, which is a screen for inputting the setting values ​​of the parameters, on the information terminal, The process involves writing the parameters entered into the information terminal in response to the display of the parameter input screen to the combustion device of the wireless communication partner of the information terminal, A process of storing the input parameters in the information terminal or an external storage device capable of communicating with the information terminal, If, after the storage, another combustion device that has started wireless communication with the information terminal is a combustion device for which no parameters have been set, the process of displaying an option on the information terminal to instruct the information terminal to write the stored parameter setting values ​​to the other combustion device, The system is configured such that, when the option is selected, the information terminal can be instructed to perform the process of writing the stored parameter settings to the other combustion device.

[0008] According to the parameter setting program of the present invention, the parameters set for one combustion device are stored in an information terminal or external storage device. The stored parameter settings can then be directly written to other combustion devices. Therefore, the process of inputting parameter settings into the information terminal for other combustion devices can be omitted.

[0009] Therefore, the parameter setting program of the present invention makes it possible to efficiently perform the task of setting the parameters necessary for the operation of multiple combustion devices.

[0010] In such a parameter setting program, the parameter may include at least one of the following: a set value relating to the exhaust resistance of the exhaust passage connected to the combustion device, and a set value relating to the type of fuel gas supplied to the combustion device.

[0011] Multiple combustion devices installed in apartment buildings and similar structures often have the same exhaust duct configuration and use the same type of fuel gas. Therefore, the settings related to the exhaust resistance of the exhaust duct and the type of fuel gas are common parameters for each of the multiple combustion devices installed in apartment buildings and similar structures.

[0012] Therefore, by applying the parameter setting program of the present invention to multiple combustion devices installed in apartment buildings and the like, it becomes possible to efficiently set parameters for multiple combustion devices.

[0013] Furthermore, the combustion system of the present invention is a combustion system comprising a combustion device and an information terminal capable of wireless communication with the combustion device, The information terminal is configured to perform the following processes when a combustion device that has started wireless communication with the information terminal is a combustion device for which parameters related to the operation of the combustion device have not been set: display a parameter input screen, which is a screen for inputting setting values ​​for the parameters; transmit the setting values ​​of the parameters entered into the information terminal in response to the display of the parameter input screen to the combustion device that is the wireless communication partner of the information terminal; store the entered parameters in the information terminal or an external storage device that can communicate with the information terminal; and, after such storage, display an option to instruct the information terminal to write the stored parameter setting values ​​to the other combustion device when another combustion device that has newly started wireless communication with the information terminal is a combustion device for which parameters have not been set; and transmit the stored parameter setting values ​​to the other combustion device when the option is selected. Each of the combustion devices is configured to store and retain the parameter settings received from the information terminal via wireless communication with the information terminal.

[0014] According to the combustion system of the present invention, similar to a parameter setting program, after storing the parameter settings for one combustion device in an information terminal or external storage device, the process of inputting the parameter settings into the information terminal for other combustion devices can be omitted.

[0015] Therefore, the combustion system of the present invention makes it possible to efficiently perform the task of setting parameters necessary for the operation of multiple combustion devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of a combustion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the process related to setting parameters. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating the process related to setting parameters. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Referring to FIG. 1, the combustion system 1 of the present embodiment includes a water heater 10 functioning as a combustion device, and an information terminal 50 capable of performing wireless communication with the water heater 10.

[0018] The water heater 10 includes a heat source device 11 capable of performing a hot water supply operation of heating hot water supply water and discharging the heated water, and a remote controller 30 for operation control of the heat source device 11. The heat source device 11 is equipped with a combustion device main body 12 and a water passage 20 through which the hot water supply water flows.

[0019] The combustion device main body 12 includes a burner 13, a combustion casing 14 that accommodates the burner 13 inside (combustion chamber), a fuel supply device 15 that supplies fuel (fuel gas in the present embodiment) from a fuel supply path 15a to the burner 13, a combustion fan 16 that supplies combustion air to the burner 13, and an ignition device not shown in the drawings. An exhaust path 14a that exhausts combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion operation of the burner 13 to the outside is connected to the combustion casing 14.

[0020] The fuel supply device 15 includes two on-off valves 15b, 15c (e.g., electromagnetic valves) that open and close the fuel supply path 15a, and a fuel regulating valve 15d (e.g., proportional valve) that regulates the fuel supply amount to the burner 13. Fuel gas can be supplied to the burner 13 by controlling the opening of the on-off valves 15b, 15c.

[0021] Then, while supplying fuel gas to the burner 13 by the fuel supply device 15 and supplying combustion air to the burner 13 by the combustion fan 16, the ignition device is operated, thereby igniting the burner 13 and starting the combustion operation. Furthermore, during the combustion operation of the burner 13, the combustion amount of the burner 13 can be controlled by controlling the fuel supply amount to the burner 13 and the supply amount of combustion air via the fuel regulating valve 15d and the combustion fan 16, respectively.

[0022] The combustion chamber 14 is equipped with a heat exchanger 21 that can be heated by the combustion operation of the burner 13. The water passage 20 provided in the heat source unit 11 is configured to allow hot water supplied from a water source (not shown) to flow from the water supply passage 20a through a flow path 20b passing through the heat exchanger 21 and a bypass passage 20c in parallel to the hot water supply passage 20d, and from the hot water supply passage 20d to a hot water tap, shower, etc. of a hot water supply target area (not shown). The ratio of the water flow rate through the bypass passage 20c to the water flow rate through the heat exchanger 21 (the so-called bypass ratio) can be adjusted, for example, by controlling the operation of a valve device 22 such as an electrically operated three-way valve assembled at the connection point between the water supply passage 20a and the bypass passage 20c.

[0023] The heat source unit 11 is equipped with a control device 40 that has a function to control its operation, and the control device 40 is wired to communicate with the remote control 30. The remote control 30 can be used to turn the heat source unit 11 on or off, set a target value for the hot water temperature, and display information such as the operating status of the heat source unit 11.

[0024] The control device 40 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units including a processor such as a microcomputer (not shown), memory such as RAM and ROM, and interface circuits, and is capable of controlling the operation of the heat source unit 11 (such as controlling the combustion operation of the burner 13) through the functions realized by the implemented hardware configuration and program (software configuration).

[0025] Furthermore, the control device 40 includes wireless communication modules (not shown) such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and infrared communication, and can communicate wirelessly with the information terminal 50 via these wireless communication modules.

[0026] The information terminal 50 is a communication terminal used by contractors who install the hot water supply system 10, service providers who perform maintenance and inspections, etc., and consists of a smartphone, tablet, or dedicated terminal. The information terminal 50 has an application (hereinafter referred to as the parameter setting application) pre-installed for setting and checking parameters related to the heat source units of various types of hot water supply systems, including the heat source unit 11 of the hot water supply system 10, on the control device 40 of each hot water supply system 10. This parameter setting application corresponds to an example of the parameter setting program of the present invention.

[0027] Here, the above parameters are data necessary for the operation of the hot water supply system 10, and include, for example, the type of fuel gas, the extension amount of the exhaust passage 14a relative to its standard length, and the upper limit of the target hot water temperature. The extension amount of the exhaust passage 14a corresponds to the set value related to the exhaust resistance of the exhaust passage 14a. The set value related to the exhaust resistance is not limited to the extension amount of the exhaust passage 14a, but may also include, for example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust passage 14a.

[0028] Next, we will specifically explain the work that the contractor performs using the information terminal 50 after the installation of the hot water supply equipment 10 in each dwelling unit of an apartment building, etc., with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Here, we will explain using the example of a case where the same model of hot water supply equipment 10 is installed in multiple dwelling units of an apartment building, and parameters are set for each hot water supply equipment 10 in each dwelling unit using the information terminal 50. In this case, it is assumed that the control devices 40 of each hot water supply equipment 10 have not yet had their parameters set.

[0029] In the following explanation, the hot water heater 10 on which the parameters are to be set will be referred to as the target hot water heater 10, and the control device 40 of the target hot water heater 10 will be referred to as the target control device 40.

[0030] The process for setting parameters for any one of the multiple hot water heaters 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. In this case, a communication connection (e.g., pairing) is established between the control device 40 of the target hot water heater 10 and the information terminal 50. Once this communication connection is complete, wireless communication between the target control device 40 and the information terminal 50 begins. If parameters have not yet been set for the target control device 40, in STEP 1, the parameter setting application on the information terminal 50 activates (turns on) the guidance setting mode.

[0031] This guidance setting mode is a mode in which the parameter setting application displays a parameter input screen, which is a screen for inputting parameter setting values, on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 50, and provides guidance on parameter setting to the user of the information terminal 50, thereby allowing the user to input the parameter setting values.

[0032] When the guidance setting mode is activated, in STEP 2, the user sets several parameters according to the guidance (by inputting the parameter settings into the information terminal 50).

[0033] Then, once the user has completed the operation of entering the parameter settings, in STEP 3, they confirm the entered parameter settings (setting confirmation). In this case, the parameter setting application displays the settings for each parameter entered by the user on the display 51 of the information terminal 50.

[0034] Next, in STEP 4, the user performs an operation on the information terminal 50 to complete the parameter setting (an operation indicating that the parameter settings have been confirmed). In response, the parameter setting application transmits the parameter settings entered by the user from the information terminal 50 to the target control device 40. At this time, the control device 40 stores the received parameter settings in its memory. As a result, the parameter settings entered on the information terminal 50 are written to the target control device 40.

[0035] Then, in STEP 5, the parameter setting application starts (turns on) the main menu mode. In this main menu mode, the user can perform operations to save (store) the entered parameters on the information terminal 50 (STEP 6), to check or update the parameter settings saved on the information terminal 50 (STEP 7), or to set the parameter settings saved on the information terminal 50 to the control device 40 of the target hot water supply device 10 all at once (STEP 8).

[0036] At this point, a user who has set parameters for the control device 40 of the first hot water heater 10 (the target hot water heater 10) in the guidance setting mode performs the operation in STEP 6. As a result, all the parameter settings set for the control device 40 of the first hot water heater 10 are stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM on the information terminal 50. In this case, in STEP 6, the user can add identification information such as an arbitrary name to the set of parameter settings to be saved, and the parameter settings are stored together with that identification information.

[0037] Furthermore, if the information terminal 50 can communicate with an external storage device such as an external server via an external network such as the Internet, the parameter settings and identification information may be stored (retained) in the external storage device.

[0038] Next, the process for setting parameters for a hot water heater 10 other than the first hot water heater 10 described above will be explained with reference to Figure 3. In this case, a communication connection (e.g., pairing) is established between the control device 40 of the target hot water heater 10 and the information terminal 50. Once this communication connection is complete, wireless communication between the target control device 40 and the information terminal 50 begins. If parameters have not yet been set for the target control device 40, in STEP 11, the parameter setting application on the information terminal 50 displays a screen on the information terminal 50's display 51 that allows the user to choose whether or not to perform a batch parameter setting for the target control device 40. Here, batch setting is the process of writing a set of parameter setting values ​​stored in the information terminal 50 (or external storage device) to the target control device 40 all at once.

[0039] If the user chooses to perform batch settings in STEP 11, then in STEP 12, the user performs an operation on the information terminal 50 to select the saved information (sets of parameter settings) to be batch-set based on its identification information.

[0040] Then, in STEP 13, the user instructs the information terminal 50 to set the selected set of parameter values ​​in the target control device 40 all at once. Furthermore, in STEP 14, the user performs a completion operation on the information terminal 50 to set the parameters. In response, the parameter setting application transmits the selected set of parameter values ​​from the information terminal 50 to the target control device 40. At this time, the control device 40 stores the received set of parameter values ​​in its memory. This completes the batch setting of parameters for the target control device 40.

[0041] Once the batch parameter settings are complete, in STEP 15, the parameter setting application launches the main menu mode. This main menu mode is the same as the main menu mode launched in STEP 5.

[0042] Furthermore, if the user does not select to perform batch settings in STEP 11, the parameter setting application will activate guidance setting mode in STEP 16. This guidance setting mode is the same as the guidance setting mode activated in STEP 1. Therefore, it is also possible to set parameters for the control devices 40 of other hot water heaters 10 other than the first hot water heater 10 using the guidance setting mode.

[0043] To elaborate, if parameters have already been set in the control device 40 of the hot water supply device 10, and a communication connection is established between the control device 40 and the information terminal 50, the parameter setting application on the information terminal 50 will launch the main menu mode.

[0044] At this point, if there are already saved sets of parameter settings, in STEP 8 shown in Figure 2, the control device 40 of the hot water supply device 10 (the control device 40 that has established a communication connection with the information terminal 50) can be used to set the parameter settings all at once, similar to the process in STEPs 12 to 14. This allows the parameter settings stored in the control device 40 to be updated quickly.

[0045] According to the embodiment described above, when setting parameters for multiple hot water heaters 10 installed in apartment buildings, etc., the parameters for the second and subsequent hot water heaters 10 can be set all at once, thus enabling efficient setting of parameters for multiple hot water heaters 10.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the combustion device in the present invention is not limited to one that uses fuel gas as fuel, but may also use liquid fuel such as kerosene. Furthermore, the combustion device is not limited to a hot water supply device, but may also be a combustion-type hot air heater, a combustion-type clothes dryer, a combustion-type bathroom heater, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10...Hot water supply system (combustion device), 50...Information terminal.

Claims

1. A parameter setting program that operates on an information terminal capable of wireless communication with a combustion device, wherein when a combustion device that has initiated wireless communication with the information terminal is a first parameter-unset combustion device for which parameters related to the operation of the combustion device have not been set, the program causes the information terminal to display a parameter input screen, which is a screen for inputting the setting values ​​of the parameters. The process of writing the parameter setting values ​​entered into the information terminal in response to the display of the parameter input screen to the first unset parameter combustion device, which is the wireless communication partner of the information terminal, The process involves storing the input parameter setting values ​​in the information terminal or an external storage device capable of communicating with the information terminal, in order to write them to a combustion device other than the combustion device with the first parameter not set. If, after the storage, another combustion device that has started wireless communication with the information terminal is a combustion device with no parameters set (second parameter unset), the information terminal is given an option to instruct the information terminal to write the stored parameter setting value to the combustion device with no second parameter set. A parameter setting program is characterized in that it can cause the information terminal to perform the process of writing the stored parameter setting value to the second parameter unset combustion device when the option is selected.

2. In the parameter setting program described in claim 1, The parameter setting program is characterized in that the parameter includes at least one of a set value relating to the exhaust resistance of the exhaust passage connected to the combustion device and a set value relating to the type of fuel gas supplied to the combustion device.

3. A combustion system comprising a combustion device and an information terminal capable of wireless communication with the combustion device, The information terminal is configured to perform the following processes when a combustion device that has started wireless communication with the information terminal is a first unset parameter combustion device in which no parameters related to the operation of the combustion device have been set: display a parameter input screen which is a screen for inputting parameter setting values; transmit the parameter setting values ​​entered into the information terminal in response to the display of the parameter input screen to the first unset parameter combustion device which is the wireless communication partner of the information terminal; store the entered parameter setting values ​​in the information terminal or an external storage device that can communicate with the information terminal in order to write them to a combustion device other than the first unset parameter combustion device; and, after such storage, display an option to instruct the information terminal to write the stored parameter setting values ​​to the second unset parameter combustion device in the case of another combustion device that has newly started wireless communication with the information terminal and is a second unset parameter combustion device in which no parameters have been set; and transmit the stored parameter setting values ​​to the second unset parameter combustion device when the option is selected. A combustion system characterized in that each of the combustion devices is configured to store and retain the parameter setting values ​​received from the information terminal via wireless communication with the information terminal.

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