JP7829424B2 - Utility-related equipment systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a utility-related equipment system comprising multiple utility-related devices installed in the same facility and related to the use of utilities supplied to said facility.

With the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) devices, communication modules are being incorporated into fuel cell systems, heat source devices, and remote control devices that communicate with them, allowing them to communicate with servers and exchange various types of data. Furthermore, the latest software is being distributed from the server to the remote control devices, updating their software.

For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-185352) describes multiple utility-related devices, such as a fuel cell unit, a hot water storage tank, a heat source unit, and a remote control device, which are installed in the same facility and related to the use of gas as a utility supplied to the facility. Furthermore, the control software for the fuel cell unit, hot water storage tank, and heat source unit is updated to the latest version received from the control software management server.

Although not mentioned in Patent Document 1, a device undergoing a software update cannot communicate with other devices. Therefore, if a device is undergoing a software update—that is, a device unable to communicate—other devices may mistakenly perceive a malfunction or other abnormality in that device.

For example, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-46572) describes a method for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in information communication between a fuel cell and a remote control. If an abnormality is detected in the information communication, actions such as stopping the power supply from the power conditioner connected to the fuel cell to the outside are taken.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-185352 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-46572

The software installed on utility-related devices, as described above, tends to be large in size. For example, if the software installed on a remote control device includes image files for display on the remote control's screen and audio files for output from the speaker, its size becomes larger. Therefore, the time required for software updates on utility-related devices increases. This also increases the period during which the utility-related device cannot communicate with other devices, i.e., the period during which it cannot properly cooperate with other utility-related devices. As a result, the likelihood of malfunctions occurring, such as the power supply from the power conditioner connected to the fuel cell to the outside being stopped (i.e., the utility-related device ceasing to operate), increases, as seen in the system described in Patent Document 2.

Thus, in a system like the one described in Patent Document 2, software updates on utility-related equipment installed in a facility can cause inconvenience to facility users, such as the shutdown of other utility-related equipment.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a utility-related equipment system that can minimize the disadvantages caused to users of facilities where utility-related equipment is installed. In this application, "utility" refers to energy or materials supplied to a facility and consumed by its users, such as gas, electricity, and water.

A characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention for achieving the above objective is a utility-related equipment system that is installed in the same facility and comprises a plurality of utility-related devices related to the use of utilities in said facility,
If one of the plurality of utility-related devices satisfies a communication failure condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with the other utility-related devices, and it is not during a scheduled communication interruption period in which the other utility-related devices are expected to be unable to communicate information with the one utility-related device, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the other utility-related devices being unable to communicate information normally. If the communication failure condition is met and it is during the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation.
If one of the aforementioned utility-related devices satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with one of the aforementioned utility-related devices, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the one utility-related device is expected to be unable to communicate information with the other utility-related devices, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the inability to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation.
When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun.
When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
The other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the software installation should begin .
Here, the combination of one utility-related device and the other utility-related device may be a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit and the gas-consuming power generation device.
Alternatively, the combination of one utility-related device and the other utility-related device may be a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit and the hot water storage tank.

According to the above configuration, if a communication abnormality condition is met during a period other than the predetermined communication interruption period, one utility-related device (or another utility-related device) will perform an abnormality operation corresponding to the fact that the other utility-related device (or one utility-related device) will be unable to perform information communication normally. In other words, one utility-related device (or another utility-related device) will perform an abnormality operation when an unexpected problem occurs in the coordination with the other utility- related device (or one utility-related device ), ensuring that the one utility-related device (or the other utility-related device) can operate safely.
In contrast, one utility device (or another utility device) will not perform any abnormal operation if the communication abnormality conditions are met during a predetermined period of communication interruption, that is, if the operation of the other utility device (or the first utility device ) is assumed to be normal. In other words, one utility device (or another utility device ) will not perform any abnormal operation, such as stopping its own operation, if the operation of the other utility device (or the first utility device) is assumed to be normal.
In addition, one utility device (another utility device) can determine that it is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving information from the other utility device (one utility device) indicating that it will start installing software, and if a communication abnormality condition is met during that scheduled communication interruption period, that is, if the operation of the other utility device (one utility device) is assumed to be normal, it can refrain from performing abnormal operation.
Therefore, we can provide a utility-related equipment system that minimizes the disadvantages caused to users of facilities where utility-related equipment is installed.

A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that when the other utility-related equipment has finished installing the software, it transmits information to the one utility-related equipment indicating that the installation of the software has been completed.
After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that the software installation has been completed, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has not yet begun.
When one of the utility-related devices finishes installing the software, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed.
The other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has not yet begun after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the software installation has been completed .

According to the above configuration, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) can determine that it is not a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving information from the other utility-related device (the first utility-related device) indicating that the software installation has been completed. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this period, the device can perform an abnormality detection action.

A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that when the other utility-related equipment initiates software installation, it transmits information to the one utility-related equipment indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
The aforementioned utility-related device determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the said scheduled communication interruption period ,
When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software.
The other utility-related device determines that the period after receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating the start of the software installation is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the said scheduled communication interruption period, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .

According to the above characteristic configuration, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) can determine that a predetermined period is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) indicating that software installation will begin. If a communication abnormality condition is met during that scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., if the operation of the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) is assumed to be normal, the abnormality detection operation can be prevented.
Furthermore, one utility-related device (or another utility-related device) can determine that after a predetermined period has elapsed since receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (or another utility-related device) indicating the start of software installation, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this period, the device can then perform an abnormality detection action.

A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that, when the other utility-related equipment initiates software installation, it transmits to the one utility-related equipment information indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the capacity of the software.
The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .
When one utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the other utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating software installation and the size of the software.
The other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that the period after the installation period has elapsed is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .

According to the above configuration, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) , upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) indicating the start of software installation, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the software capacity, is a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality conditions are met during this scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., if the operation of the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) is assumed to be normal, the abnormality operation can be prevented.
Furthermore, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) can determine that after receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (the other utility-related device) indicating the start of software installation, and after the above-mentioned installation period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality conditions are met during this period, the device can then perform an abnormality detection action.

A further characteristic configuration of the utility-related equipment system according to the present invention is that, when the other utility-related equipment initiates software installation, it transmits information to the one utility-related equipment indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period for the software.
The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .
When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period.
The other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .

According to the above configuration, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) can determine that the period required for installation is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) indicating that software installation should begin. If a communication abnormality condition is met during that scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., if the operation of the other utility-related device (one utility-related device) is assumed to be normal, the abnormality operation can be prevented.
Furthermore, one utility-related device (another utility-related device) can determine that after receiving a notification from the other utility-related device (the other utility-related device) indicating the start of software installation, and after the above-mentioned installation period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If the communication abnormality conditions are met during this period, the device can then perform an abnormality detection action.

This diagram shows the configuration of the management server device and the utility-related equipment systems installed at each facility. This is a flowchart explaining the abnormality detection process. This diagram shows the configuration of the management server device and the utility-related equipment systems installed at each facility.

<First Embodiment>
A utility-related equipment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management server device 10 and the utility-related equipment system installed in each facility 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, two facilities 2A and 2B (2) are depicted, but the number of facilities 2 connected to the management server device 10 can be changed as appropriate. Each facility 2 where the utility-related equipment system is installed is connected to the management server device 10 via an information communication line 1 so that they can communicate with each other. In this application, "utility" refers to energy or goods supplied to the facility 2 and consumed by its users, such as gas, electricity, and water. In the first embodiment, gas will be used as an example. That is, the utility-related equipment 4 described in the first embodiment is gas-related equipment.

Facility 2 is supplied with gas, such as city gas, as a utility via a gas supply line 3. The utility-related equipment system is installed within the same facility 2 and comprises multiple utility-related devices 4 related to gas use within that facility 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, each facility 2 is equipped with a heat source unit 30, a fuel cell device 40, and a remote control device 20 as utility-related devices 4.

The heat source unit 30 is a device that generates heat (for example, by burning gas supplied via the gas supply passage 3) to produce hot water. In the example shown in Figure 1, the heat source unit 30 includes a combustion unit 31 for burning the supplied gas, a control unit 32 for controlling the operation of the combustion unit 31, a storage unit 33 for storing information handled by the heat source unit 30, and a communication unit 34 for communicating information with other devices.

The fuel cell device 40 includes a reforming unit 41 that reforms the supplied gas to produce a fuel gas such as hydrogen, a fuel cell unit 42 that generates electricity using the fuel gas produced in the reforming unit 41, a control unit 43 that controls the operation of the reforming unit 41 and the fuel cell unit 42, a storage unit 44 that stores information handled by the fuel cell device 40, and a communication unit 45 for communicating information with other devices.

The remote control device 20 can communicate with the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40. The remote control device 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the remote control device 20, a storage unit 22 that stores information handled by the remote control device 20, an information output unit 23 that outputs information to the user, an input receiving unit 24 that receives information input from the user, and a communication unit 25 for communicating information with other devices.

The input receiving unit 24 of the remote control device 20 can receive information from the user, such as the operating settings for the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40. Examples of operating settings for the heat source unit 30 include the temperature of the water it generates. Examples of operating settings for the fuel cell device 40 include instructions to start or stop power generation. The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 can transmit the operating settings received from the user by the input receiving unit 24 to the heat source unit 30, the fuel cell device 40, and the management server device 10 via the communication unit 25.

The remote control device 20 communicates with the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 via its communication unit 25 at predetermined timings, receiving information about the operating status of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 from each. The information output unit 23 of the remote control device 20 can then output information such as the operating status of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell device 40 to the user in the form of voice information, text information, or image information. Information about the operating status of the heat source unit 30 includes, for example, whether the heat source unit 30 is in a gas combustion state, and error information regarding malfunctions. Information about the operating status of the fuel cell device 40 includes, for example, whether the fuel cell device 40 is generating power, the current power generation, and error information regarding malfunctions.

The management server device 10 comprises an information processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, and can communicate information with the utility-related equipment 4 of each facility 2. For example, the information processing unit 11 can store information regarding the operating status received from each utility-related equipment 4 via the communication unit 13 in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the information processing unit 11 can transmit the software programs for each utility-related equipment 4 stored in the storage unit 12 to each utility-related equipment 4 via the communication unit 13 at an appropriate time.

As described above, multiple utility-related devices that make up the utility-related device system communicate with each other. However, communication errors may occur that prevent this communication from proceeding normally. For example, if utility-related device 4 malfunctions, it will be unable to communicate normally with other devices. Additionally, while utility-related device 4 is installing software received from the management server device 10, it will be unable to communicate normally with other devices.

Furthermore, even if a communication error occurs that prevents normal information communication between multiple utility-related devices, the appropriate response will vary depending on the cause of the error. For example, if one utility-related device 4 has malfunctioned and is unable to communicate normally with other utility-related devices 4, it may be preferable to perform an error-causing action such as stopping the operation of the other utility-related devices 4. Conversely, if, as mentioned above, one utility-related device 4 is performing software installation and is unable to communicate normally with other utility-related devices 4, i.e., if one utility-related device 4 is functioning normally, there is no need to stop the operation of the other utility-related devices 4. In other words, even if a communication error occurs that prevents normal information communication between multiple utility-related devices, if the communication error is due to a planned software installation, there is no need to perform an error-causing action such as stopping the operation of the other utility-related devices 4.

Next, the abnormality detection process performed by the utility-related device 4 will be described. In this embodiment, if one of the multiple utility-related devices 4 satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with the other utility-related devices 4, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the other utility-related devices 4 are expected to be unable to communicate information with the one utility-related device 4, then the utility-related device 4 performs an abnormality detection operation corresponding to the other utility-related devices 4 being unable to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then no abnormality detection operation is performed. In this embodiment, the combination of one utility-related device 4 and the other utility-related devices 4 is a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit 30 that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a fuel cell unit 40 as a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device 20 that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit 30 and the fuel cell unit 40.

The following explanation describes an example of abnormality detection processing performed by the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, where one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20.

Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the abnormality detection process.
In step #10, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether or not the communication abnormality condition is met. If the communication abnormality condition is not met (if the result is "No" in step #10), the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 terminates this flowchart; if the communication abnormality condition is met (if the result is "Yes" in step #10), it proceeds to step #11.

For example, the fuel cell device 40 periodically transmits information about the power it generates to the remote control device 20. In this case, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that it can communicate information with the remote control device 20 normally if it receives information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received. If it does not receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received, it determines that it cannot communicate information with the remote control device 20 normally (i.e., it determines that the communication abnormality condition is met).

The content of the communication failure conditions can be set as appropriate. For example, the fuel cell device 40 may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received, even once. Alternatively, it may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received multiple times (a predetermined number of times). Alternatively, the fuel cell device 40 may determine that the communication failure condition is met if it fails to receive information from the remote control device 20 indicating that the transmitted information has been successfully received, for a predetermined period of time.

If the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met due to a malfunction of the remote control device 20, it is preferable for the fuel cell device 40 to perform an abnormality operation, such as stopping power generation. However, if the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met for a reason other than a malfunction of the remote control device 20, the fuel cell device 40 may not need to perform an abnormality operation, such as stopping power generation. For example, if the above-mentioned communication abnormality conditions are met because, for example, a software update process is being performed on the remote control device 20, the fuel cell device 40 may not need to perform an abnormality operation.

Therefore, in step #11, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether the current time is within a scheduled communication interruption period during which information communication with the remote control device 20 is not possible. If the current time is within a scheduled communication interruption period, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 terminates this flowchart; otherwise, it proceeds to step #12.

For example, when the remote control device 20 starts installing software, it transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that it is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the information from the remote control device 20 indicating that it is starting the software installation. When the remote control device 20 finishes installing the software, it transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it has finished installing the software. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the information from the remote control device 20 indicating that it has finished installing the software.
In this way, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines whether the current time is within a scheduled communication interruption period during which information communication with the remote control device 20 is not possible.

In step #12, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 performs an abnormality detection operation, such as stopping the output of power generated from the fuel cell unit 42.

As described above, if the fuel cell unit 40 experiences a communication abnormality condition outside of the predetermined communication interruption period, it will perform an abnormality response (for example, stopping power generation of the fuel cell unit 40) corresponding to the remote control device 20's inability to communicate information normally. In other words, the fuel cell unit 40 will perform an abnormality response when an unforeseen problem occurs in its communication with the remote control device 20, ensuring its safe operation. Conversely, if the communication abnormality condition occurs during the predetermined communication interruption period, i.e., if the remote control device 20 is expected to be operating normally, the fuel cell unit 40 will not perform an abnormality response. That is, if the remote control device 20 is expected to be operating normally, the fuel cell unit 40 will not perform an abnormality response such as stopping its own operation. Therefore, a utility-related equipment system can be provided that minimizes the inconvenience caused to users of the facility 2 where the utility-related equipment 4 is installed.

<Second Embodiment>
The utility-related equipment system of the second embodiment differs from the above embodiment in its method for determining the scheduled period of communication interruption. The utility-related equipment system of the second embodiment will be described below, but the same configuration as in the above embodiment will not be described. In this embodiment as well, we will describe the case in which one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20.

The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 then determines that a predetermined period is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving the notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation, and determines that the period is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period after the predetermined period has elapsed. This predetermined period is a value pre-stored in the memory unit 44 of the fuel cell device 40.

Thus, in the utility-related equipment system of this embodiment, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that a predetermined period is a scheduled communication interruption period after receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this scheduled communication interruption period, i.e., if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal, the control unit 43 can prevent the abnormality detection operation from being performed. Furthermore, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 determines that the period after the predetermined period has elapsed since receiving the notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this period, the control unit can perform the abnormality detection operation.

<Third Embodiment>
The utility-related equipment system of the third embodiment differs from the above embodiment in its method for determining the scheduled period of communication interruption. The utility-related equipment system of the third embodiment will be described below, but the same configuration as in the above embodiment will not be described. In this embodiment as well, the case in which one of the utility-related devices 4 is a fuel cell device 40 and the other utility-related device 4 is a remote control device 20 will be described.

The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation and indicating the software's capacity. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, upon receiving notification from the remote control device 20 that the software installation is starting, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is a scheduled communication interruption period, and that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period.

For example, the memory unit 44 of the fuel cell device 40 stores information about the installation period per unit of software capacity as a numerical value such as "a (minutes) / b (MB)". Therefore, when the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 receives information indicating the software capacity from the remote control device 20, it can derive the installation period based on that information and the information it stores about the installation period per unit of software capacity (such as "a (minutes) / b (MB)").

Thus, in the utility-related equipment system of this embodiment, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, upon receiving a notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software capacity, is a scheduled communication interruption period. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this scheduled communication interruption period—that is, if the operation of the remote control device 20 is assumed to be normal—the control unit 43 can prevent the abnormality detection operation from being performed. Furthermore, the control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40 can determine that the period after the installation period has elapsed, when the notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation, is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period. If a communication abnormality condition is met during this period, the control unit 43 can perform the abnormality detection operation.

<Another Embodiment>
<1>
In the above embodiment, the configuration of the utility-related equipment system and the configuration of multiple types of utility-related equipment 4 were described with specific examples, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate.
In the above embodiment, a remote control device 20, a heat source unit 30, and a fuel cell device 40 were given as examples of utility-related equipment 4, but other equipment may be used as utility-related equipment 4. For example, equipment such as a bathroom dryer or a floor heating system may be used as utility-related equipment 4.
In the above embodiment, a specific example of the operation performed by the utility-related device 4 when an abnormality occurs has been described, but the content of the operation when an abnormality occurs can be set as appropriate. For example, the utility-related device 4 may issue an error alert as an operation when an abnormality occurs.

<2>
In the third embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 transmits information indicating the software size when it starts installing the software. However, it is also possible to transmit information indicating the time required for software installation.

For example, when the control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 initiates software installation, it transmits information to the fuel cell device 40 indicating that it is starting the software installation and the required installation period. The control unit 43 of the fuel cell device 40, upon receiving the notification from the remote control device 20 indicating the start of software installation, determines that the installation period is a scheduled communication interruption period, and that the period after the installation period has elapsed is no longer a scheduled communication interruption period.

<3>
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the utility-related equipment 4 is gas-related equipment, but it is also acceptable for it not to be gas-related equipment.
Figure 3 shows the configuration of the management server device 10 and the utility-related equipment system installed in facility 2. Facility 2 is supplied with electricity as a utility from the power grid 5. In the example shown in Figure 3, each facility 2 is equipped with a hot water storage tank 50, an electric heat pump unit 60, and a remote control device 20 as utility-related equipment 4. Although only one facility 2 is depicted in Figure 3, the management server device 10 can communicate with multiple facilities 2.

The electric heat pump unit 60 comprises an electric heat pump section 61, a control unit 62 for controlling the operation of the heat pump section 61, a storage unit 63 for storing information handled by the electric heat pump unit 60, and a communication unit 64 for communicating information with other devices.

While a detailed explanation of the specific configuration of the heat pump unit 61 is omitted, the heat pump unit 61 comprises a heat transfer medium circulation path through which the heat transfer medium circulates, an electric compressor that compresses the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path, a condenser that releases heat from the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path, an evaporator that absorbs heat into the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation path, and an expansion valve that expands the heat transfer medium flowing into the evaporator.

The hot water storage tank 50 includes a hot water storage section 51 for storing hot water heated by the heat radiated from the heat transfer medium, a control unit 52 for controlling the operation of the hot water storage tank 50, a storage unit 53 for storing information handled by the hot water storage tank 50, and a communication unit 54 for communicating information with other devices.

The remote control device 20 can communicate with the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60. The remote control device 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the remote control device 20, a storage unit 22 that stores information handled by the remote control device 20, an information output unit 23 that outputs information to the user, an input receiving unit 24 that receives information input from the user, and a communication unit 25 for communicating information with other devices. In the illustrated example, the remote control device 20 communicates information with the electric heat pump unit 60 via the hot water storage tank 50.

The input receiving unit 24 of the remote control device 20 can receive information from the user, such as the operation settings of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60. Examples of operation settings for the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 include setting the temperature of the hot water stored in the storage section 51 of the hot water storage tank 50, stopping the storage of hot water in the storage section 51, and issuing an instruction to heat the hot water stored in the storage section 51. The control unit 21 of the remote control device 20 can transmit the operation settings received from the user by the input receiving unit 24 to the hot water storage tank 50, the electric heat pump unit 60, and the management server device 10 via the communication unit 25. For example, if the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 receives an instruction to heat the hot water from the remote control device 20, it instructs the heat pump unit 61 to start operation. Then, the control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 operates the heat pump unit 61 to heat the hot water.

The remote control device 20 communicates with the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 via the communication unit 25 at predetermined timings, receiving information about the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60, respectively. The information output unit 23 of the remote control device 20 can then output information such as the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 and the electric heat pump unit 60 to the user in the form of voice information, text information, image information, etc.

Information regarding the operating status of the hot water storage tank 50 includes, for example, information about the amount of hot water stored in the storage unit 51, and error information regarding malfunctions. This information is transmitted by the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 via the communication unit 54. Alternatively, the control unit 52 of the hot water storage tank 50 may transmit information from the memory unit 53 of the hot water storage tank 50. Information regarding the operating status of the electric heat pump unit 60 includes, for example, information about whether the heat pump unit 61 is performing hot water storage operation (heating operation), and error information regarding malfunctions. This information is transmitted by the control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 via the communication unit 64. Alternatively, the control unit 62 of the electric heat pump unit 60 may transmit information from the memory unit 63 of the electric heat pump unit 60.

The management server device 10 comprises an information processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, and can communicate information with the utility-related equipment 4 of the facility 2. For example, the information processing unit 11 can store information regarding the operating status received from each utility-related equipment 4 via the communication unit 13 in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the information processing unit 11 can transmit software programs for each utility-related equipment 4 stored in the storage unit 12 to each utility-related equipment 4 via the communication unit 13 at an appropriate time.

Thus, in the utility-related equipment system shown in Figure 3, the combination of one utility-related equipment 4 and another utility-related equipment 4 is a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit 60 that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank 50 that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit 60, and a remote control device 20 that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit 60 and the hot water storage tank 50.

In this alternative embodiment, the actions taken by the utility-related equipment 4 in the event of an abnormality can be appropriately configured, such as stopping operation. For example, if the electric heat pump unit 60, as a utility-related equipment 4, satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with other utility-related equipment 4 such as the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20, and the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20 are not within a scheduled communication interruption period in which they are unable to communicate information with the electric heat pump unit 60, the configuration may be set to stop operation as an abnormality action corresponding to the inability of the hot water storage tank 50 and the remote control device 20 to communicate information normally.

<4>
The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

This invention can be used in utility-related equipment systems that minimize the inconvenience caused to users of facilities equipped with utility-related equipment.

2. Facility 4. Utility-related equipment 20. Remote control device (Utility-related equipment 4)
30. Heat source equipment (utility-related equipment 4)
40. Fuel cell equipment (Utility-related equipment 4)
50. Hot water storage tank (Utility-related equipment 4)
60. Electric heat pump unit (Utility-related equipment 4)

Claims (7)

A utility-related equipment system comprising multiple utility-related devices installed in the same facility and related to the use of utilities in said facility,
If one of the plurality of utility-related devices satisfies a communication failure condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with the other utility-related devices, and it is not during a scheduled communication interruption period in which the other utility-related devices are expected to be unable to communicate information with the one utility-related device, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the other utility-related devices being unable to communicate information normally. If the communication failure condition is met and it is during the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation.
If one of the aforementioned utility-related devices satisfies a communication abnormality condition indicating that it cannot communicate information normally with one of the aforementioned utility-related devices, and it is not within the scheduled communication interruption period during which the one utility-related device is expected to be unable to communicate information with the other utility-related devices, then the utility-related device performs an abnormality operation corresponding to the inability to communicate information normally. If the communication abnormality condition is met and it is within the scheduled communication interruption period, then the utility-related device does not perform the abnormality operation.
When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun.
When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
A utility-related device system in which, after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has begun, the other utility-related device determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has begun . The utility-related equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the combination of one utility-related equipment and the other utility-related equipment is a combination of two of the following: a heat source unit that burns gas as a utility to produce hot water, a gas-consuming power generation device that generates electricity using gas as a utility, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the heat source unit and the gas-consuming power generation device. The utility-related equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the combination of one utility-related equipment and the other utility-related equipment is a combination of two of the following: an electric heat pump unit that consumes electricity as a utility to generate hot water, a hot water storage tank that stores the hot water generated by the electric heat pump unit, and a remote control device that communicates information with at least one of the electric heat pump unit and the hot water storage tank. When the aforementioned other utility-related device has finished installing the software, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that the installation of the software has been completed.
After one utility-related device receives information from the other utility-related device indicating that the software installation has been completed, it determines that the scheduled communication interruption period has not yet begun.
When one of the utility-related devices finishes installing the software, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed.
The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device determines that the period of scheduled communication interruption is not yet over after receiving information from one of the utility-related devices indicating that the installation of the software has been completed. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation.
The aforementioned utility-related device determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the said scheduled communication interruption period ,
When one of the utility-related devices initiates the installation of software, it transmits information to the other utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the installation of the software.
The utility-related equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related equipment determines that the period from the time it receives a notification from one of the utility-related equipment indicating that it will start installing the software is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the expiration of the predetermined period it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period. When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the aforementioned utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the size of the software.
The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating the start of the software installation, determines that the installation period, determined according to the software's capacity, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .
When one utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits to the other utility-related device information indicating that it is initiating software installation and the size of the software.
The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will start installing the software, determines that the installation period, which is determined according to the capacity of the software, is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period . When the aforementioned other utility-related device initiates software installation, it transmits information to the aforementioned utility-related device indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period.
The aforementioned utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from the other utility-related device indicating that it will begin installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period .
When one of the utility-related devices initiates software installation, it transmits information to the other utility-related devices indicating that it is initiating the software installation and the required installation period.
The utility-related device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other utility-related device, upon receiving a notification from one of the utility-related devices indicating that it will start installing the software, determines that the installation period is the scheduled communication interruption period, and determines that after the installation period has elapsed, it is no longer the scheduled communication interruption period.