JP4323971B2 - Heat source machine communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat source machine communication system, and more particularly to a heat source machine communication system configured to be able to report information on a heat source machine to an external monitoring server via a public communication line.

  Conventionally, in the field of gas appliances (heat source devices) such as gas water heaters, information on heat source devices (for example, energization time and combustion time of the heat source device, and further connected to the heat source device using a public telephone line) There is provided a heat source unit communication system configured to automatically transmit information on a hot water heating terminal device) to a monitoring server provided in a service center of a gas company.

  Specifically, in this type of heat source unit communication system, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, an automatic notification unit (T-NCU) that is a network control unit is arranged between the heat source unit and the public telephone line. The information on the heat source device is transmitted to the monitoring server via a public telephone line via the automatic notification device.

  On the other hand, in the field of housing equipment such as lighting fixtures, air conditioners, and electric lock devices, the housing equipment is connected to a home controller (control device) equipped with a microcomputer via a home bus. With the progress of home automation (hereinafter referred to as “HA”) that enables centralized control of equipment (for example, on / off control of equipment), an HA terminal for connection to the home controller Various housing equipments with a mark are provided. Here, the housing equipment with the HA terminal means a device having an HA terminal conforming to the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association standard JEM 1427, and more specifically, a 4-core wire is used as a control communication line. Refers to equipment (hereinafter the same).

JP-A-6-185742

  Under such circumstances, recently, using a monitoring server of a heat source communication system (specifically, a predetermined time or cycle set on the control program of the monitoring server or communication connection with the monitoring server) A heat source communication system with a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 is proposed so that monitoring and control of housing equipment in the HA system can be performed based on a command from a communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone or a mobile personal computer). Has been done.

  That is, in the figure, a is a heat source machine, b is a network control device, c is a monitoring server, and d is a housing equipment with an HA terminal (hereinafter referred to as a terminal device). Between the heat source device a and the network control device b, there is provided a microcomputer e that functions as a home controller and a communication interface circuit f for placing information on the heat source device a on the telephone line via the network control device. The adapter g is arranged, and an interface unit h for exchanging data between the adapter g and each terminal device d is arranged.

  However, in the heat source communication system having such a configuration, the adapter g is usually arranged in the pipe shaft (PS) door together with the heat source device a as shown in the drawing, so that the original explosion proof is provided. There is a problem that it is necessary to adopt a structure, which increases the manufacturing cost.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the interface unit h is arranged in the vicinity of the terminal device d, and is connected to the adapter g by a four-core communication line, so that the distance from the terminal device d to the adapter g is small. As the distance increases, wiring connection work becomes complicated. Further, as described above, since the adapter g employs an explosion-proof structure, wiring work to the adapter g becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat source machine communication system that is inexpensive and easy to construct.

  In order to achieve the above object, a heat source unit communication system according to the present invention includes a monitoring server, a network control device connected to the monitoring server via a public communication line, and a built-in heat source unit. A first communication interface device communicatively connected to the device, a control device for the heat source device communicatively connected to the first communication interface device, and a power source provided in the heat source device, and the heat source A second communication interface device connected in communication with the control device by being connected to a communication line connection terminal block provided in the machine or in the vicinity thereof, and connected to the second communication interface device. The heat source device is composed of a terminal device with HA terminal which is electrically insulated.

  Here, the public communication line includes not only a public telephone line but also a wide area communication network such as the Internet.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device with HA terminal is controlled based on setting information by a setting means provided in a remote controller for remotely operating the heat source device.

  According to the heat source unit communication system of the present invention, since the terminal device with the HA terminal and the monitoring server are communicatively connected via the heat source unit, it is possible to remotely monitor and control the home equipment in the HA system using the monitoring server. It becomes like this.

  And in this invention, since the 1st communication interface apparatus for transmitting the information of a heat source machine to the monitoring server is incorporated in the heat source machine, an original explosion-proof structure is required for providing this 1st communication interface apparatus. And not. That is, since the heat source unit installed in the pipe shaft door itself has an explosion-proof structure, the first communication interface unit is built in the heat source unit, so that the first communication interface unit is explosion-proof. An explosion-proof structure of a heat source machine can be used as the structure. Therefore, according to the present invention, since an original explosion-proof structure is not required for providing the first communication interface device, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed and a system can be provided at low cost.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control device of the heat source device and the terminal device with HA terminal (specifically, the second communication interface device) are connected via the communication line connection terminal block provided in the heat source device or in the vicinity thereof. Since the connection is made with two core wires, wiring work is easier than the conventional configuration (specifically, the configuration shown in FIG. 2).

  Further, according to the present invention, the terminal device with the HA terminal is connected to the communication connection terminal block provided in or near the heat source device in the same manner as the remote control of the heat source device and is connected to the control device of the heat source device. Therefore, the terminal device with the HA terminal can be controlled based on the setting information set with the operation switch of the remote controller or the like as the setting means. Therefore, for example, the terminal device with the HA terminal can be operated even from a kitchen remote controller, and the convenience of the HA system is improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a heat source machine communication system according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the present invention. The heat source machine communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes a heat source machine 1, a monitoring server 2, a network control device 3, a terminal device 4 with an HA terminal, and a terminal communication interface device (provided on the HA terminal side). The second communication interface device) 5 is configured as a main part.

  In the present embodiment, the heat source unit 1 is composed of a gas water heater configured to be able to supply hot water to a hot water heating terminal device (not shown). And it arrange | positions in a pipe shaft (PS) door like illustration. In addition, since the structure regarding the hot water supply function in this kind of gas water heater and the hot water supply function to a warm water heating terminal device is already known, description about those structures and operation | movement is abbreviate | omitted here, and communication related to this invention The configuration and operation related to the function will be described.

  As shown in the figure, the heat source unit 1 includes a communication interface circuit (first communication interface unit) 11 connected to the network control unit 3, a control unit 12 constituting a controller of the heat source unit 1, and a heat source unit. 1 power supply device 13 and a communication connection terminal block 14 for connecting a remote control RC of the heat source device 1 and the like as main parts.

  The communication interface circuit 11 is communicatively connected to the network control device 3 via a communication line L1, converts information output from the control device 12 into a signal for communication with the network control device 3, and converts the communication line L1. And an interface device that converts a signal input from the communication line L1 via the network control device 3 into a signal that can be read by the control device 12. In the present invention, the communication interface circuit 11 is built in the housing of the heat source unit 1. That is, the communication interface circuit 11 is configured to be sealed by an explosion-proof structure (for example, a sealing member such as a packing provided in the housing of the heat source device 1) provided in the heat source device 1.

  The control device 12 is composed of a control circuit equipped with a microcomputer and constitutes the controller of the heat source unit 1 as described above. In the present invention, as will be described later, the terminal device 4 with HA terminal, the monitoring server 2, It is programmed to also serve as a communication control device that controls communication between the two. As shown in the figure, the control device 12 is connected to the communication interface circuit 11 and also connected to the communication connection terminal block 14 via a two-core interface circuit 15 for two-core communication.

  The power supply device 13 is a power supply circuit for supplying power to each part of the heat source unit 1. In this embodiment, the power supply device 13 is also connected to the remote control RC and the terminal communication interface device 5 connected to the communication connection terminal block 14. It is configured to supply DC power. That is, the two-core interface circuit 15 is configured by an interface circuit capable of transmitting a power superimposed signal, and DC power is supplied from the power supply device 13 to the remote controller RC and the terminal communication interface device 5 through the two-core interface.

  The communication connection terminal block 14 is used for various terminal devices (for example, the remote controller RC of the heat source unit 1 or the controller of the hot water heating terminal unit) that communicates with the control device 12 of the heat source unit 1 through the two-core interface circuit 15. A terminal block for connecting to the heat source unit 1 using a two-core communication line (two-core line) L4 and provided in or near the casing of the heat source unit 1.

  In the present embodiment, the communication connection terminal block 14 is built in the housing of the heat source unit 1, and the communication connection terminal block 14 and the two-core interface 15 are connected by a two-core communication line L5. . In addition, by incorporating the communication connection terminal block 14 in the heat source unit 1 in this way, the explosion-proof structure of the heat source unit 1 can be used also for the communication connection terminal block 14. Further, in the present invention, the connection between the communication connection terminal block 14 and the terminal communication interface device 5 is performed by the two-core communication line L4, so that it is compared with the conventional wiring configuration (specifically, the configuration shown in FIG. 2). And connection work becomes easy.

  The remote controller RC is mainly a remote controller for remotely operating the heat source unit 1 and is not particularly shown, but this remote controller RC inputs a microcomputer constituting the control means and various operations such as a remote operation. And a display device that constitutes display means for displaying operation contents and the like.

  In this embodiment, the remote controller RC includes an internal clock as a time measuring means in connection with the control of the terminal device 4 with HA terminal described later. The setting means is provided with an operation switch for remote operation with respect to the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal. Note that the operation switch for the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal can be configured such that a dedicated operation switch for operating the terminal device with the HA terminal is provided on the remote controller RC. It is also possible to use an operation switch for operating the heat source device as an operation switch for a terminal device with an HA terminal. Moreover, this remote control RC is comprised so that power supply may be received from the power supply device 13 of the heat source machine 1 so that it may mention later.

  The monitoring server 2 is configured by a computer system that can be connected to a plurality of heat source devices via a public telephone line (public communication line) L2. That is, the monitoring server 2 is installed in a service center of a gas company, for example, and centrally manages information obtained from the heat source apparatus 1 installed in each household, and the heat source apparatus 1 ( And it is comprised so that a remote control command may be output individually or uniformly with respect to the hot-water heating terminal device connected to the heat source device 1 or the terminal device 4 with HA terminal. That is, the monitoring server 2 acquires information on the individual heat source devices 1 and the hot water heating terminal devices connected to the heat source devices 1 and the terminal devices 4 with HA terminals through the public telephone line L2, while the individual heat source devices 1 In addition, a control command such as on / off control is given to the hot water heating terminal device connected to the heat source device 1 or the terminal device 4 with HA terminal.

  The remote control command output from the monitoring server 2 to the heat source device 1 (and the hot water heating terminal device connected to the heat source device 1 or the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal) of each household is sent to the monitoring server 2. In addition to being output on a regular basis based on a predetermined time or period set in the control program, commands from a communication terminal (not shown) connected to the monitoring server (such as a mobile phone or a mobile personal computer) Can be output based on

  The network control device 3 is a communication terminal device that is communicatively connected to the monitoring server 2 via the public telephone line L2. Specifically, the network control device 3 is a telephone terminal (telephone) (not shown). A communication switching function for switching between communication and data communication by the communication interface circuit 11 to use the public telephone line L2 is provided. In the present embodiment, a T-NCU is preferably used as the network control device 3.

  The terminal device 4 with an HA terminal is a housing equipment (for example, a lighting fixture, an air conditioner, an electric lock, etc.) compatible with HA, and specifically, an HA terminal that conforms to the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association standard JEM1427. HA terminal for connecting a 4-core signal line L3 so that it can be connected to a home controller (specifically, an interface unit for communication with the home controller) in a general mode. (Not shown).

  Further, although not particularly illustrated, these terminal devices 4 with HA terminals are each configured to independently acquire a power source. That is, in the present embodiment, the remote controller RC and the terminal communication interface device 5 to be described later are configured to receive power supply from the heat source unit 1 via the communication line L4, but the terminal device 4 with HA terminal is illustrated. The power source is independently supplied from an external power source (for example, a commercial power source), and is electrically insulated from the heat source unit 1 for communication with the heat source unit 1.

  The terminal communication interface device 5 is an interface circuit on which a microcomputer (not shown) is mounted. Specifically, the terminal communication interface device 5 is interposed between the communication connection terminal block 14 and the terminal device 4 with HA terminal, and the communication connection terminal. It functions as an interface between a two-core communication line (two-core line) L4 connected to the base 14 and a four-core communication line L3 connected to the HA terminal of the terminal device 4. In other words, the terminal communication interface device 5 converts the data sent from the 2-core wire into data for the 4-core wire and outputs it to the 4-core wire, while the data sent from the 4-core wire is converted to the data for the 2-core wire. It has a function to convert and output to a 2-core wire.

  The microcomputer mounted on the terminal communication interface device 5 controls the operation of the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal based on a control signal input via the communication line L4, and also via the communication line L3. The operation status of the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal is monitored based on the input signal, and the operation status is output to the remote controller RC and the control device 12 of the heat source unit 1. As described above, the terminal communication interface device 5 is configured to receive power supply from the power supply device 13 of the heat source unit 1 via the communication line L4.

  As described above, in the heat source communication system according to the present invention, the remote controller RC and the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal are communicatively connected via the communication connection terminal block 14 and the terminal communication interface device 5 equipped with the microcomputer. The terminal unit 4 with the HA terminal can be remotely operated and set by the setting means, while the terminal communication interface unit 5 and the monitoring server 2 are connected to each other via the heat source unit 1 and the network control unit 3. Therefore, the monitoring server 2 obtains information from the heat source unit 1 and issues a remote control command to the heat source unit 1 (and the hot water heating terminal device connected to the heat source unit 1 and the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal). It becomes possible to output.

  Then, next, as an embodiment of the present invention, an application example in the case where the terminal device 4 with HA terminal is an electric lock device will be described.

  When the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal is an electric lock device, for example, the following can be performed by setting the microcomputer mounted on the terminal communication interface device 5 to which the remote control RC and the electric lock device are connected. .

  That is, the user of this system sets the time of going out in advance with the operation switch of the remote controller RC when going out. That is, in this embodiment, the operation switch of the remote controller RC is used as a means for setting the lock time (setting information) of the electric lock device. This time setting can be configured to be set in 24-hour notation, for example, “4:30 pm”, and a grace period until locking is set, such as “after 30 minutes”. It is also possible to make it constitute. When the internal clock of the remote controller RC reaches the set time, the remote controller RC transmits a predetermined control signal (in this case, a lock confirmation request signal) to the terminal communication interface device 5 to which the electric lock device is connected.

  Upon receiving the lock confirmation request signal, the terminal communication interface device 5 monitors the state of the electric lock device according to the program of the installed microcomputer, and if not yet locked, a signal (lock signal) that instructs the electric lock device to lock. ).

  On the other hand, the electric lock device locks the electric lock by receiving the lock signal. Thus, the electric lock device can be automatically locked (controlled) at a desired time using the remote controller RC of the heat source device 1.

  Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, an application example in the case where the terminal device 4 with HA terminal is a lighting device will be described.

  When the terminal device 4 with the HA terminal is a lighting device, the lighting device is turned on / off at a predetermined time, for example, by setting a microcomputer mounted on the remote controller RC and the terminal communication interface device 5 to which the lighting device is connected. Can be done.

  That is, the user of this system sets the lighting device in the crime prevention mode in advance using the operation switch of the remote controller RC when he / she is away on a trip or the like. That is, in this embodiment, the operation switch of the remote controller RC is used as setting means for the crime prevention mode (setting information). This crime prevention mode is a mode for turning on the lighting device for a fixed time, and the setting is to set a lighting start time and a lighting end time (light-off time), for example, from 6 pm to 2 am However, it is also possible to configure the lighting start time and lighting time such as 8 hours from 6 pm.

  In this way, when the crime prevention mode is set in the remote controller RC, the remote controller RC sets a predetermined value for the terminal communication interface device 5 to which the illumination device is connected when the internal clock reaches the set time (lighting start time). Control signal (in this case, a lighting request signal) is transmitted.

  Then, the terminal communication interface device 5 that has received the lighting request signal monitors the state of the lighting device in accordance with the program of the installed microcomputer, and if the lighting device is not yet turned on, a signal for instructing the lighting device to turn on ( A lighting signal) to turn on the lighting device.

  Then, when the internal clock reaches the turn-off time (or when the turn-on time elapses), the remote controller RC transmits a predetermined control signal (in this case, a turn-off request signal) to the terminal communication interface device 5. Thereby, the terminal communication interface device 5 transmits a signal (light-off signal) instructing the lighting device to turn off, and the lighting device is turned off.

  Note that the above-described embodiments merely show preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various design changes can be made within the scope thereof.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication connection terminal block 14 is built in the heat source unit 1 is shown, but the communication connection terminal block 14 may be provided near the heat source unit 1 (for example, inside the PS door). Good. In this case, since it is necessary to adopt an explosion-proof structure separately for the communication connection terminal block 14, the communication connection terminal block 14 is disadvantageous in terms of cost compared to the above-described embodiment, but the communication connection terminal block 14 is connected to a two-core communication line. Since this is the same as the above embodiment, it is more advantageous than the conventional wiring configuration (specifically, the configuration shown in FIG. 2) in terms of facilitating wiring connection work.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection between the monitoring server 2 and the network control device 3 is shown by the public telephone line L3. However, the connection between them is another public communication line, for example, wide area communication such as the Internet. It is also possible to carry out via a network. In this case, as a matter of course, a device other than the T-NCU is appropriately selected as the network control device 3 according to the mode of the communication line to be used.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the heat-source equipment communication system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the heat-source equipment communication system used as the premise technique of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat source machine 2 Monitoring server 3 Network control apparatus 4 Terminal apparatus with HA terminal 5 Terminal communication interface apparatus (2nd communication interface apparatus)
11 Communication interface circuit (first communication interface device)
12 Control Device 13 Power Supply Device 14 Communication Connection Terminal Block 15 2-core Interface Circuit L2 Public Telephone Line (Public Communication Line)

Claims (2)

  A monitoring server, a network control device connected to the monitoring server via a public communication line, a first communication interface device built in the heat source unit and connected to the network control device, and the first communication interface device The control device of the heat source unit that is communicably connected to the communication interface device, and a power supply from the power supply unit provided in the heat source unit, and connected to the communication line connection terminal block provided in the heat source unit or the vicinity thereof by a two-core wire And a terminal device with an HA terminal that is communicatively connected to the second communication interface device and electrically insulated from the heat source device. It is comprised from these. The heat source machine communication system characterized by the above-mentioned.   2. The heat source apparatus communication system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device with the HA terminal is controlled based on setting information provided by setting means provided in a remote controller for remotely operating the heat source apparatus.

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