JP7194618B2 - water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water heater.

Home appliances in recent years are not only high-performance and high-value-added, but also connect to networks represented by the Internet, link with mobile terminals (smartphones, etc.), and operate devices from outside. is required.

Patent Literature 1 proposes a system capable of turning ON/OFF electrical appliances in the home using the user's location information (reference example 8: 0157 to 0168).

JP 2018-160931 A

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 describes ON/OFF of lighting and the like. However, for devices such as water heaters that take a certain amount of time from the start of operation to the completion of operation, or cannot be completed normally if, for example, the bathtub plug is unplugged during operation, please advise the user. However, Patent Literature 1 does not pay attention to this point.

The water heater of the present invention, which has been devised in view of the above circumstances, starts filling hot water using the obtained or estimated estimated return time of the user , and notifies the portable terminal of the user of the start of filling hot water. determining whether or not the user is in a building in which the hot water heater is installed by the time according to a schedule prepared in advance, and determining whether the user is in the building by using the location information of the user; When it is determined that the hot water filling is to be started, an output prompting a selection as to whether or not to start the hot water filling is performed on the portable terminal .

Schematic diagram of the hot water supply system of the embodiment Functional block diagram of the hot water supply system of the embodiment Schedule setting screen 1 for hot water filling operation of the embodiment Schedule setting screen 2 for hot water filling operation of the embodiment Control flow diagram for determination of operation start of hot water filling operation of the embodiment Control flow diagram of hot water filling operation while the user of the embodiment is out Control flow diagram of hot water filling operation while the user of the embodiment is at home The figure explaining the reminder on the home terminal screen of embodiment. The figure explaining the remind notification to the portable terminal of embodiment. The figure explaining the remind notification to the portable terminal of embodiment.

Details of the embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Hot water system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hot water supply system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the hot water supply system.
The hot water supply system includes a hot water supply machine having a hot water storage unit 1 and a heat source machine 2, an in-home terminal 3, a router 4 and a bathtub 9 arranged in a building 5, a wide area network 6, and a portable terminal 7.

The water heater is connected to the router 4 by wire or wirelessly, and can exchange information with the mobile terminal 7 via the wide area network 6 as necessary.

The water heater receives location information of the building 5 and the portable terminal 7, changes in the location information, instructions from the user, etc. via the wide area network 6 as necessary. For example, position information is acquired using the GPS function of the mobile terminal 7, and the time required for the mobile terminal 7 to reach the building 5 from its current position is estimated using the position information of the mobile terminal 7 and its changes. Alternatively, the estimated result is received, and the time information is used to determine the start timing of the hot water filling operation.

[Going home information]
The water heater acquires the home-coming schedule information from the mobile terminal 7 (that is, the user) outside the building 5 . The expected return home information can be the expected return time estimated using the location information of the mobile terminal 7 and its change, or the expected return home time input to the schedule created in advance. However, since these estimated return times are based on estimation based on location information, etc., or are times input in advance based on predictions by the user, for example, it is possible to predict that the user will soon be returning home by using location information, etc. or a schedule. If it can be estimated that the user is starting to go home or is about to start going home, the user may be prompted to enter the estimated time of coming home. For example, when the scheduled return time entered in the schedule arrives, the user may be prompted to input the estimated return time again to the portable terminal 7 of the user.

When estimating using the position information of the mobile terminal 7, etc., it is preferable to detect the current user's position information and its changes while using change data of the past user's position information, and When it is estimated that the building 5 is located, the time required to reach the building 5 from the current position is estimated. It is preferable to use map data with which information such as roads and public transportation can be referred. In this way, it is possible for the water heater to obtain (estimate) the estimated return time without the user performing a specific operation.

When using the estimated return time based on a schedule created in advance, the estimated return time can be input through a schedule setting screen, which will be described later. In this case, the estimated return time may be handled as it is, or when the estimated return time arrives, the portable terminal 7 may be caused to output an output that prompts the user to re-estimate and input the expected return time for the current day. At this time, if no prediction is input, the estimated return time based on the schedule can be used as the detailed estimated return time.

Alternatively, the user may transmit a declaration of intention such as returning home from the portable terminal 7 to the water heater. In this case, since it is determined that the user is about to return home, for example, map data or the like is used to estimate the required time from the user's current position to the building 5, thereby calculating the return schedule information. can.

[Schedule settings]
3 and 4 are schedule setting screens for the hot water filling operation according to the embodiment. The mobile terminal 7 or the in-home terminal 3 can be used for schedule setting. When setting the schedule, the user operates, for example, an application for operating the water heater installed in the portable terminal 7 in advance, and calls the schedule setting screen 18 . On the schedule setting screen 18, the date conditions to be created can be selected. For example, when the same scheduled return time is set for every day, weekdays, or holidays, "daily", "weekdays only", or "holidays only" can be selected. Also, for example, when it is desired to use the estimated return time for each day of the week, it is possible to select "day of the week". Other patterns or patterns that can be customized by the user as desired may be provided.

When a pattern is selected on the schedule setting screen 18, a detailed schedule setting screen 19 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. Here, as an example, the case of "specify day of the week" is shown, but options such as "GPS", "time", and "none" can be displayed to be selectable in any case. In the example of FIG. 4, on Sunday, the setting is such that the home-coming schedule information is automatically detected using the position information of the portable terminal 7 . On other days of the week, the hot water filling operation is not executed. When "time" is selected, a time setting screen is displayed next, and a tentative return home time can be specified. This time can be handled in various ways. For example, as described above, it is possible to set the time at which a reminder display prompting the mobile terminal 7 to input the expected return home time is displayed, or to set this time as the expected return home time itself. can. Location information may be used in addition to "time".

[Until the start of hot water filling]
FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of the hot water filling operation control unit 106 until the hot water filling operation is started. Before starting this flow, the schedule for the hot water filling operation is set in advance.
When the hot water filling operation execution schedule is set for the current day (step S1, Yes), for example, the hot water filling operation control unit 106 of the water heater calculates the amount of hot water predicted to be required on the day and the amount of remaining hot water in the system (stored hot water amount). A magnitude relation is determined (step S2). If the amount of remaining hot water is less than the expected consumption (step S2, No), the boiling operation for the insufficient amount of hot water is started (step S3). Note that steps S2 and S3 are not required if the hot water supply device is not of the hot water storage type. If there is no execution schedule (step S1, No), this flow ends.

If it is determined that the user is out of the house by using the GPS information of the mobile terminal 7 after the deficit is pumped up as necessary (step S4, Yes), the user is scheduled to return home. Wait until the time approaches (step S5, No). In this embodiment, in addition to GPS information (location information), an example of using a preset schedule and input of the user's intention to return home will be described. You may make it acquire the scheduled time.

For example, if "time" is selected on the schedule setting screen, wait until the scheduled return time approaches, and if the time by the schedule function prompts you to enter the expected return time for the day, After the input is made, it waits until the time approaches. The pre-entered schedule (estimated time of returning home) is input based on the prediction before the start of the schedule, so there is a relatively high possibility that it will be off. It becomes easy to acquire the estimated return time. In this case, if the return home time is not answered, the home arrival time information can be treated as the home home time.

For example, if "GPS" is selected on the schedule setting screen, if it is possible to estimate that you have started returning home from the location information and its change, calculate the estimated return time and wait until the current time approaches this time. (Wait until the current time reaches the time that is at least the time required for filling the hot water before the scheduled return time).

For example, if "none" is selected on the schedule setting screen, the scheduled return time is calculated when the user's declaration of intention is received, and waits until the scheduled return time approaches. You may make it receive the estimated return time.

When the user's scheduled time to return home is approaching (step S5, Yes), control of hot water filling operation for going out is started (step S6).

If the use of GPS information is permitted and the user continues to stay at home even though the execution schedule has been set (step S4, No), when the time set in the schedule is reached, or By the time it reaches (step S7, Yes), control of hot water filling operation for at-home is started (step S8).

[Hot water filling operation for going out]
FIG. 6 shows the control flow of step S6 of the out-of-home hot-water filling operation in which the hot-water filling operation is started while the user is out. The hot-water filling operation control unit 106, which has acquired the scheduled time to return home and the intention to return home, performs the operation via the wide area network 6 as necessary at an appropriate timing before the time obtained by subtracting the time required for filling the hot water from the estimated time to return home. The mobile terminal 7 of the user is notified that the hot water filling operation has started or will start (step S9). At this time, it is preferable to determine again whether or not the user is out of the house based on the positional information, separately from step S4.

At the same time, a bathtub plug reminder notification window 16 is displayed to remind the user whether or not the bathtub is plugged (step S10; see FIG. 10). Thereby, it is possible to remind the user whether or not the plug was plugged, and to send a request to stop filling hot water if the user forgets.

Confirmation of whether or not there is a request to stop the hot water filling operation (step S11) and confirmation of whether or not the time required for the user to return home is equal to or less than the required hot water filling time (step S12) are repeated. If there is a request from the user to stop the hot water filling operation (step S11, Yes), the hot water filling operation schedule for the day is stopped.

If the user does not request to stop operation (step S11, No) and the time until returning home reaches the required time for hot water filling (step S12, Yes), hot water filling is started (step S13). Then, in parallel with the hot water filling operation, the unplugged detection unit 110 such as a water level gauge checks the state of hot water filling in the bathtub to confirm whether or not the bathtub plug is unplugged (step S14). If hot water does not accumulate in the bathtub, it is assumed that the plug has been removed (step S15, Yes), and the hot water filling operation is stopped (step S24). In addition, it notifies the portable terminal 7 of the user that the bathtub plug is likely to be unplugged and that the hot water filling operation is to be stopped (step S25).

If it is determined that the bathtub plug has not been removed (step S15, No), the hot water filling operation is continued (step S16). Until the hot water filling operation is completed, it is monitored whether or not the user's scheduled return time is pushed back (step S18). When the information regarding the postponement of returning home is received (step S18, Yes), the hot water filling operation is temporarily stopped (step S19), and the hot water filling operation restart command is received from the user. (Step S20). When a command to restart the hot water filling operation is received from the user (step S20, Yes), hot water filling is restarted (step S16). When the hot water filling operation is completed (step S17, Yes), the process shifts to automatic heat retention operation (step S23). If the user has set the heat retention operation not to be performed, the operation is terminated without performing the heat retention operation.

When a hot water filling operation stop command is transmitted instead of a hot water filling operation restart command (step S21, Yes), the hot water filling operation is stopped (step S22).

There are limitations on the interface (application) for the user to issue a command to the water heater to suspend or stop operation, and the screen display format when the water heater notifies the portable terminal 7 of information. Instead, the method shown in this embodiment is an example.

[Hot water filling operation for use at home]
FIG. 7 shows the control flow of the at-home hot water filling operation when there is a schedule for the hot water filling operation (scheduled to go out) but no going out is detected in step S8. For example, on Sundays, the user goes out for a fixed errand every week and wants to take a bath at the same time as returning home. and did not go out. At this time, the hot water filling operation control unit 106 branches to No in step S4, and monitors the current time in step S7. When the current time reaches the scheduled start time of the hot water filling operation of the registered schedule or the average time of the hot water filling start time obtained from the operation results up to that time, control of the hot water filling operation for at-home is started.

In a situation in which the at-home hot-water filling operation is executed, the user does not go out but stays at home. First, it is displayed on the operating terminal screen 12 in the home or on the portable terminal 7 that the scheduled time for the filling of hot water in the schedule has come or is approaching (step S26). At the same time, in order to let the user select whether or not to start the hot water filling operation according to the schedule, options of ``do'' and ``not'' are displayed on the operation terminal screen 12 and the portable terminal 7 to request selection/decision. At this time, in order to make the user aware of the screen display, it is preferable to perform an operation such as blinking the screen or playing a melody.

After the selection request is displayed on the screen, a user's operation such as an instruction to start filling the hot water (step S27) or an instruction to stop (step S28) is awaited. If there is no response from the user after the predetermined time has passed (step S29, Yes), the hot water filling operation schedule is canceled (step S30). This is based on the idea that, when the user is at home, it is more convenient for the user to fill the hot water at the user's preferred time rather than at the time according to the schedule. When the schedule is canceled, the fact that the schedule is canceled is displayed on the screen 12 of the operating terminal 3 or mobile terminal 7 in the house (step S31).

While the selection request screen is being displayed, if the user instructs to start the hot water filling operation (step S27, Yes), the hot water filling operation is started (step S32). The unplugged detection unit 110 checks the state of hot water filling in the bathtub in parallel with the hot water filling operation (step S33), and confirms whether or not the bathtub plug is unplugged. If it is estimated that hot water does not accumulate in the bathtub and the bathtub plug is unplugged (step S34, Yes), the hot water filling operation is temporarily stopped (step S36), and the indoor terminal 3 or mobile terminal 7 is The screen 12 displays that the bathtub is unplugged (step S37). At the same time, after plugging the bathtub, the home terminal 3 or the portable terminal 7 is operated to display a message on the screen urging the user to issue an instruction to resume filling with hot water (step S38), thereby notifying the user. It waits for a hot water filling restart command from the user (step S39).

After receiving the hot water filling restart command (step S39, Yes), the hot water filling operation is restarted (step S40), and the operation is continued until the hot water filling is completed (step S41).

If it is determined that the bathtub is plugged (step S34, No), the process proceeds to completion of the hot water filling operation (steps S35, S41). When the hot water filling operation is completed (step S41, Yes), the automatic heat retention operation is started (step S42).

[Reminder notification screen]
8 shows a screen displayed on the home terminal 3, and FIG. 9 shows a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 7. As shown in FIG. For example, in step S1, when there is an execution schedule for the hot water filling operation, a message 13 for reminder is displayed on the screens 12 and 14 of the home terminal 3 before the user goes out so as not to forget to plug the bathtub. , 15 are displayed.

FIG. 10 is an example of a notification message displayed on the mobile terminal 7 when the hot water filling operation is started in steps S9 and S10. A message 16 is displayed on the screen 14 of the portable terminal 7 in order to notify the user that the hot-water filling operation control unit 106 acquires the information on the schedule for returning home and that the hot-water filling operation will start.

1 hot water storage unit 2 heat source device 3 home terminal 4 device 5 building (house)
6 Wide area network 7 Mobile terminal 9 Bathtub 12 Operation terminal screen 13 Bathtub plug reminder notification window 14 Mobile terminal screen 15 Bathtub plug reminder notification window 16 At the start of hot water filling operation Bathtub plug reminder notification window 18 Hot water filling operation schedule setting screen 19 Schedule by day of the week Setting screen 101 Hot water storage unit control unit group 102 Hot water storage unit functional component group 103 Network communication unit 104 Coming home schedule information detection unit 105 Schedule management unit 106 Hot water filling operation control unit 107 General management unit 108 Home terminal communication unit 109 Heat source unit communication unit 110 Plug Disconnection detector 111 Hot water storage tank temperature sensor 112 Solenoid valve 113 Pump 114 Flow rate sensor 115 Bathtub temperature sensor 116 Bathtub plug state detector

Claims (7)

Using the obtained or estimated estimated return time of the user to start filling hot water, and notifying the mobile terminal of the user of the start of filling hot water,
Determining whether the user is in the building where the water heater is installed by the time according to the schedule created in advance, using the location information of the user;
A water heater, wherein when it is determined that the user is in the building, an output prompting selection of whether or not to start filling the hot water is sent to the portable terminal . 2. The water heater according to claim 1 , wherein a reminder notification of whether the bathtub is closed is sent to the portable terminal. 3. The water heater according to claim 2 , wherein , when receiving a request to stop filling the hot water, the hot water filling is not started or stopped. 4. The water heater according to claim 3 , wherein when the scheduled return time is postponed after the hot water filling is started, the hot water filling is temporarily stopped. When it is determined that the user will be outside the building by the time according to the schedule created in advance, the user is prompted to start filling the hot water or to enter the expected return time. 5. The water heater according to any one of items 1 to 4 . 6. The water heater according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the estimated time of coming home is estimated or calculated using position information of the mobile terminal and information relating to changes in the position information. 7. The water heater according to claim 6 , wherein the estimated return home time is calculated using the user's declaration of intention to start returning home.

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