JP7507129B2 - Hot water supply system, hot water supply control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to hot water supply systems, etc.

For example, in relation to home appliances such as water heaters, Patent Document 1 describes that when the distance between a communication terminal and the home appliance falls within a predetermined distance, the fixed sound output unit of the home appliance emits a predetermined fixed sound.

Patent No. 6365338

The technology described in Patent Document 1 relates to voice guidance for home appliances, but there is room for further improvement in convenience for users.

The hot water supply system according to the present disclosure includes a control unit that notifies the mobile device of a water heater to perform a water filling operation before the user returns home when the distance from a reference position near the water heater to the user's mobile device becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value while the user is away from home, and when the control unit receives a command to start a water filling operation from the mobile device after performing the notification , the control unit starts the water filling operation by the water heater, and when the notification setting for the water filling operation before the user returns home is set and there is a shortage of hot water in the hot water storage tank of the water heater, the control unit performs a boiling operation to make up for the shortage of hot water, regardless of whether the user is away from home or not . Other details will be explained in the embodiments.

1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water heater provided in a water heating system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a water heater provided in a water heating system according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile terminal provided in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to applications of a mobile terminal provided in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart relating to setting a notification for hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system of the first embodiment. 13 is an example of a display screen of a mobile device regarding notification settings for the hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system of the first embodiment. 13 is an example of a display screen of a mobile device regarding notification settings for the hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system of the first embodiment. 13 is an example of a display screen of a mobile device regarding notification settings for the hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system of the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart relating to the hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart relating to the hot water filling operation before returning home in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. 13 is a display example in the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment, in which a prior notification indicating that a user is returning home is given via a kitchen remote control. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply system according to a reference embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a heating operation using solar power generation in a hot water supply system according to a reference embodiment. 13 is a display example of a setting screen of a kitchen remote control for setting the use of solar power generation in the hot water supply system of the reference embodiment. 13 is an example of a setting screen for setting an allowable range of a time period for heating operation using solar power generation in the hot water supply system according to the reference embodiment. 13 is an example of a setting screen for setting an allowable range of a time period for heating operation using solar power generation in the hot water supply system according to the reference embodiment. 11 is a flowchart relating to a water heating operation using solar power generation in a hot water supply system according to a reference embodiment. 11 is a flowchart relating to a water heating operation using solar power generation in a hot water supply system according to a reference embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a time period during which a water heating operation using solar power generation is performed in the hot water supply system according to the reference embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a time period during which a water heating operation using solar power generation is performed in the hot water supply system according to the reference embodiment.

First Embodiment
<Hot water supply system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply system 100 according to the first embodiment.
In addition, the thick solid lines in Fig. 1 indicate pipes through which hot water flows. Also, the dashed lines in Fig. 1 indicate communication lines (including wireless communication). The hot water supply system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a system that performs heating operation, reheating operation, water filling operation, etc. based on the operation of a bath remote control R1 (remote control) and a kitchen remote control R2 (remote control) as well as signals from a mobile terminal 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 100 includes a hot water supply unit W1, a communication unit 1, a router 2, multiple mobile terminals 3, and a server 4. In addition to a bathtub B1 to which hot water is supplied from the hot water supply unit W1, a bath remote control R1, a kitchen remote control R2, the communication unit 1, the router 2, etc. are installed inside a building H1.

The water heater W1 is a device that performs operations such as boiling, reheating, and filling the water. As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater W1 includes a heat pump unit U1, a hot water tank unit U2, a bath remote control R1, and a kitchen remote control R2. Each component of the water heater W1 will be described later.

The communication unit 1 is a device that is interposed between the water heater W1 and the router 2 and performs communication. For example, a wireless adapter is used as such a communication unit 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication unit 1 is connected to the kitchen remote control R2 and also to the router 2. Note that wireless communication or wired communication may be performed between the communication unit 1 and the router 2.

The router 2 is a device that relays communications based on a specific communication protocol. In the example of FIG. 1, the router 2 is connected to the communication unit 1 and is also connected to the server 4 via the networks N1 and N2 in that order.

The mobile terminal 3 is a device such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, or wearable device, and performs predetermined communication with the server 4 via the network N2. The user of the mobile terminal 3 is, for example, a person who uses the water heater W1 on a daily basis (such as a resident of the building H1). Each mobile terminal 3 is associated with the water heater W1 by inputting an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and performing WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), etc. In other words, the user operates the mobile terminal 3 in a predetermined manner to change the settings of the water heater W1, start a water heating operation, etc.

In addition to managing data related to the water heater W1, the server 4 has the function of communicating between the mobile terminal 3 via the network N2, and communicating with the communication unit 1 via the networks N2, N1, and router 2 in sequence.

<Water heater>
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the water heater W1.
As shown in Fig. 2, the water heater W1 includes a heat pump unit U1, a hot water storage tank unit U2, and a remote control R. The heat pump unit U1 is a device that heats low-temperature hot water flowing in from the hot water storage tank 21 during boiling operation and additional boiling operation. Note that the "boiling operation" is an operation in which the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 is heated by the heat pump unit U1. Also, the "additional boiling operation" is an operation in which the heat pump unit U1 is operated to increase the amount of high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 21 when there is little high-temperature water (residual hot water) in the hot water storage tank 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump unit U1 includes a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates sequentially through a compressor 11, a liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and an air heat exchanger 14, as well as a blower fan 15, a pump 16, and a control unit 17. The heat pump unit U1 also includes a temperature sensor 18 provided in the hot water pipe 68 upstream of the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 12, a temperature sensor 19 provided in the hot water pipe 69 downstream of the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 12, and a temperature sensor 20 that detects the outside air temperature.

The control unit 17 controls the compressor 11, expansion valve 13, blower fan 15, pump 16, etc. based on signals received from the control unit 50 of the hot water storage tank unit U2 and detection values of temperature sensors 18, 19, 20, etc. When the pump 16 is driven, the low-temperature hot water stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 21 is guided to the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 12 via piping 68, and further, the high-temperature hot water that has been heat exchanged in the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger 12 is guided to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 21 via piping 69.

The hot water storage tank unit U2 is a device that stores the hot water heated by the heat pump unit U1 in the hot water storage tank 21, and also adjusts the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 appropriately before supplying it to the bathtub B1 or a hot water supply terminal (a faucet, etc.: not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water storage tank unit U2 includes the hot water storage tank 21, a strainer 22, a pressure reducing valve 23, a hot water supply mixing valve 24, a filling mixing valve 25, a filling opening/closing valve 26, and a backflow prevention device 27.

In addition to the above components, the hot water tank unit U2 also includes a circulation adjustment valve 28, a bath circulation pump 29, a reheating heat exchanger 30, a three-way valve 31, a drain valve 32, a relief valve 33, flow meters 34 and 35, and a water level sensor 36. The hot water tank unit U2 also includes check valves 41-47, a control unit 50, and temperature sensors 51-60.

The hot water tank 21 stores hot water and has a cylindrical outer shape. Temperature sensors 51-56 are installed at different height positions on the outer periphery of the hot water tank 21. The amount of high-temperature water and medium-temperature water in the hot water tank 21 is calculated based on the detection values of these temperature sensors 51-56. The hot water tank 21 is always full.

Tap water supplied from a water supply source (water pipe) flows through a strainer 22 and a check valve 41 shown in FIG. 2 in sequence, and is then reduced in pressure by a pressure reducing valve 23. The reduced pressure tap water is guided to the hot water supply mixing valve 24 through a check valve 42, and is also guided to the filling mixing valve 25 through another check valve 43, and is also supplied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 21. When tap water is supplied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 21, the high-temperature water at the top of the hot water storage tank 21 is pushed up. As a result, high-temperature water is supplied to the hot water supply mixing valve 24 through the pipe 61 connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 21 and the check valve 44 in sequence, and high-temperature water is supplied to the filling mixing valve 25 through another check valve 45.

The hot water mixing valve 24 mixes low-temperature water (tap water) flowing in through a check valve 42 with high-temperature water flowing in through another check valve 44 to produce hot water at a specified hot water supply temperature. The hot water mixed in this way by the hot water mixing valve 24 is supplied to a hot water supply terminal (not shown) via a flow meter 34. The flow meter 34 detects the supply of hot water to the hot water supply terminal (not shown).

The filling mixing valve 25 mixes low-temperature water (tap water) flowing in through a check valve 43 with high-temperature water flowing in through another check valve 45 to produce hot water at a specified hot water supply temperature. The hot water mixed in this way by the filling mixing valve 25 is supplied to the bathtub B1 via the filling opening/closing valve 26, check valve 46, flow meter 35, check valve 47, water level sensor 36, and circulation adapter 37 in sequence. The filling opening/closing valve 26 opens when it receives a hot water supply command from the control unit 50 and closes after hot water supply is completed. The flow meter 35 detects the supply of hot water to the bathtub B1.

The water level sensor 36 shown in Figure 2 detects the water level in the bathtub B1. The backflow prevention device 27 prevents the hot water in the bathtub B1 from flowing back upstream of the filling opening and closing valve 26. The control unit 50 controls each valve and each pump based on signals from the remote control R or the mobile terminal 3 (see Figure 1). This control unit 50 is connected via wiring to the control unit 17 of the heat pump unit U1.

The hot water tank unit U2 also includes a reheating heat exchanger 30 that heats the hot water flowing in from the bathtub B1 with high-temperature water from the hot water tank 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the reheating heat exchanger 30 is provided in the upper space inside the hot water tank 21. When the bath circulation pump 29 is driven, the hot water in the bathtub B1 is guided to the reheating heat exchanger 30 and then returned to the bathtub B1. Specifically, the hot water is returned from the bathtub B1 to the bathtub B1 via the piping 62, the water level sensor 36, the bath circulation pump 29, the piping 63, the circulation adjustment valve 28, the piping 64, the reheating heat exchanger 30, and the piping 65 and 66 in that order.

The circulation adjustment valve 28 shown in FIG. 2 is a valve that adjusts the mixing ratio of the low-temperature water flowing through the pipe 63 and the high-temperature water flowing through the pipe 67. The control unit 50 adjusts the opening degree of the circulation adjustment valve 28 based on the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub B1 detected by the temperature sensor 59 and the temperature of the high-temperature water detected by the temperature sensor 60 so that the hot water returned to the bathtub B1 is at a predetermined temperature.

The three-way valve 31 is a valve for preventing freezing of the pipes connecting the heat pump unit U1 and the hot water storage tank unit U2. In other words, it circulates high-temperature water heated by the heat pump unit U1 so that it is returned to the heat pump unit U1 again, thereby preventing freezing of the pipes. The drain valve 32 is a valve that is opened and closed manually, and is used when draining hot water from the hot water storage tank 21 during maintenance. The relief valve 33 opens when the pressure of the hot water reaches a predetermined value, releasing it to the atmosphere (outside air).

As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control R of the water heater W1 includes a bath remote control R1 and a kitchen remote control R2. The bath remote control R1 is provided near the bathtub B1. The kitchen remote control R2 is provided near the water heater terminal (not shown). When the user performs a specific operation on the bath remote control R1 or the kitchen remote control R2, specific operation commands are issued and the water supply temperature and water filling temperature are set. Note that the configuration of the water heater W1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example and is not limited to this.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the water heater W1.
As shown in Fig. 3, the water heater W1 includes a memory unit 71, a communication unit 72, an operation unit 73, and a control unit 74 as functional components related to control. The memory unit 71 stores a predetermined program in advance, as well as setting information of the water heater W1 and detection values of each sensor. The communication unit 72 has a function of performing predetermined communication via a communication unit 1 (see Fig. 1). The operation unit 73 is a bath remote control R1 (see Fig. 1) and a kitchen remote control R2 (see Fig. 1) operated by a user. The control unit 74 includes a control unit 17 (see Fig. 2) of the heat pump unit U1 and a control unit 50 (see Fig. 2) of the hot water tank unit U2.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 3.
As shown in Fig. 4, the mobile terminal 3 is configured with a storage unit 3a, a communication unit 3b, a processor 3c, an input unit 3d, and an output unit 3e, which are connected via a bus 3f. The storage unit 3a stores a predetermined program in advance, and also stores setting information of the mobile terminal 3. The communication unit 3b performs a predetermined communication with the server 4 via the network N2 (see Fig. 1). The processor 3c executes a predetermined calculation process based on the program stored in the storage unit 3a. The input unit 3d is a touch display or a button operated by a user. The output unit 3e is a display that displays a predetermined image or a speaker that outputs sound.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram relating to applications of a mobile terminal.
The functional configuration realized by the application 80 of the mobile terminal 3 (see FIG. 4) includes a graph creation unit 81, a notification output unit 82, a setting unit 83, and an access support processing unit 84, all of which are shown in FIG. 5. The graph creation unit 81 creates a graph showing, for example, the progress of hot and cold water consumption in the water heater W1 (see FIG. 1).

The notification output unit 82 issues a predetermined notification based on the settings of the mobile device 3. Details will be described later, but in the first embodiment, when a user who is out returns home, the notification output unit 82 issues a notification of the water heating operation. The setting unit 83 makes various settings based on the user's operation of the mobile device 3. The access support processing unit 84 outputs (displays) a predetermined support screen that shows how to use the water heater W1 (see FIG. 1), etc.

<Processing in hot water supply system>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for setting a notification for the water heating operation before returning home (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 as appropriate).
For example, if the bathtub B1 (see FIG. 1) has already been filled with water when the user arrives home, the user can take a bath immediately after arriving home. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the user's mobile device 3 is notified and asked whether or not to start the bathtub filling operation before arriving home. At the time of "START" in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the mobile device 3 and the water heater W1 have already been associated (paired) by inputting the SSID, WPS, or the like.

In step S101 of FIG. 6, the setting unit 83 (see FIG. 5) of the mobile terminal 3 registers a reference position. That is, based on the user's operation of the mobile terminal 3, the setting unit 83 registers the location information in the vicinity of the water heater W1 associated with the mobile terminal 3 (the location information of the building H1) as the reference position.

7A, 7B, and 7C are examples of display screens of a mobile device related to notification settings for the hot water filling operation before returning home. Note that the setting screens are assumed to transition in the order of the arrows in Fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C according to the user's operation.
In the example of Fig. 7A, when setting up the water filling operation before returning home, the user operates the mobile device 3 to select "Settings" (K1), then "Remote Control Settings" (K2), and further "GPS Notification Settings" (K3). Here, the "GPS Notification Settings" refers to a setting that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to identify the location of the mobile device 3 (i.e., the user's location) and notifies the user of the water filling operation when he or she returns home.

After the "reference position" (K4) shown in FIG. 7B is selected by the user, when the "start measurement" (K5) button is pressed, the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal 3 at that time are measured by GPS. Note that when measuring the "reference position", it is assumed that the user carrying the mobile terminal 3 is near the water heater W1 (near building H1: see FIG. 1). The user may also operate the mobile terminal 3 to input the address of building H1 (see FIG. 1) as the reference position. In this manner, the process of step S101 in FIG. 6 is performed.

Next, in step S102 of FIG. 6, the setting unit 83 (see FIG. 5) of the mobile device 3 sets the timing of the notification. For example, based on the user's operation of the mobile device 3, the setting unit 83 sets whether the notification of the water filling operation before returning home is to be sent only once, or whether the notification is to be sent continuously. In the example of FIG. 7B, "always" (K7), which allows for continuous notification before returning home, is selected as the "notification timing" (K6).

Next, in step S103 of FIG. 6, the setting unit 83 (see FIG. 5) of the mobile device 3 sets the notification destination. For example, based on the user's operation of the mobile device 3, the setting unit 83 sets whether or not to include the mobile device 3 as a notification destination for filling the bathtub before returning home, and also sets whether or not to include the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 1) and kitchen remote control R2 (see FIG. 1) at home as notification destinations. In the example of FIG. 7B, the "application" (reference symbol K10) of the mobile device 3 is selected as the "notification setting" (reference symbol K8) for the notification destination for filling the bathtub before returning home, and the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 1) and kitchen remote control R2 (see FIG. 1) at "home" (reference symbol K9) are also selected. In this way, by including the bath remote control R1 and kitchen remote control R2 as notification destinations, family members at home can clean the bathroom or check to see if they forgot to close the plug of the bathtub B1 (see FIG. 1) while the user is returning home.

Next, in step S104 of FIG. 6, the setting unit 83 of the mobile device 3 (see FIG. 5) sets the distance (first predetermined value) from the reference position when sending the notification. For example, in the example of FIG. 7C, after the "notification setting distance" (symbol K11) is selected by the user's operation, the distance (first predetermined value) from the reference position (home) to the mobile device 3 when sending the notification to fill the bath before returning home is set to 3 km (symbol K12).

After performing the process of step S104 in FIG. 6, the setting unit 83 (see FIG. 5) of the mobile terminal 3 ends the series of processes related to the notification settings (END). Note that the order of the processes of steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 6 may be changed as appropriate. In addition, data related to the notification settings is transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 to the server 4 (see FIG. 1) via the network N2 (see FIG. 1) and stored in this server 4.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart relating to the water filling operation before returning home (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 as appropriate).
It is assumed that the notification setting for the hot water filling operation (the series of processes in FIG. 6) has already been completed at the time of "START" in Fig. 8. It is also assumed that the water heating operation using nighttime power has already been performed at the time of "START" in Fig. 8, and a predetermined amount of high-temperature water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 21 (see Fig. 2).
In step S201, the control unit 74 of the water heater W1 (see FIG. 3) determines whether or not there is a homecoming notification setting for that day (a notification setting for the hot water filling operation before arriving home). In step S201, if there is a homecoming notification setting for that day (S201: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if there is no homecoming notification setting for that day (S201: No), the control unit 74 ends the process related to the homecoming notification (END).

In step S202, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the current amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 21 (see FIG. 2) is sufficient. In step S202, if the current amount of hot water is sufficient (S202: Yes), the process of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the current amount of hot water is insufficient (S202: No), the process of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S203.
In step S203, the control unit 74 performs a heating operation to make up for the shortage. This ensures that there is a sufficient amount of high-temperature water in the hot water storage tank 21. After performing the process of step S203, the control unit 74 proceeds to the process of step S204. Note that the processes of steps S202 and S203 may be performed before step S201.

In step S204, the control unit 74 determines whether the user has gone out. For example, the control unit 74 determines that the user has gone out when the distance from the reference position (home) set by the user's operation to the user's mobile terminal 3 becomes equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. Note that the location information of the mobile terminal 3 is acquired by the server 4 (see FIG. 1) using, for example, GPS, and is transmitted from the server 4 to the control unit 74 via the communication unit 1 (see FIG. 1) or the like. The second predetermined value is a distance threshold that is the criterion for determining whether the user has gone out, and is set to a value greater than the first predetermined value.

As a specific example, if the first predetermined value is set to 3 km (symbol K12 in FIG. 7C) by the user operating the mobile device 3, the second predetermined value is set to a distance longer than the first predetermined value (for example, 4 km). This makes it possible to prevent the mobile device 3 from frequently sending notifications of the water heating operation before returning home, even if the user repeatedly travels back and forth near the inner and outer boundaries of a circle (not shown) whose center is the reference position (home) and whose radius is the first predetermined value.

In step S204, if the user is out (S204: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if the user is not out (S204: No), the control unit 74 ends the process related to the return home notification (END).

In step S205, the control unit 74 determines whether the user is returning home. Specifically, the control unit 74 determines that the user is returning home when the distance from the reference position (home) set by the user's operation to the user's mobile terminal 3 becomes equal to or less than the first predetermined value. As described above, the first predetermined value is set by the user's operation of the mobile terminal 3 (reference symbol K12 in FIG. 7C). In step S205, if the user is returning home (S205: Yes), the process of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the user is not returning home (S205: No), the control unit 74 repeats the process of step S205.
In step S206, the control unit 74 performs a water heating operation in preparation for returning home. The details of the process in step S206 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart relating to the water filling operation before returning home.
In step S206a, the control unit 74 notifies the mobile device 3 of the start of the water filling operation in advance while the user is returning home (notification process). That is, while the user is out, if the distance from the reference position (home) near the water heater W1 to the user's mobile device 3 becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value (S205: Yes in FIG. 8), the control unit 74 notifies the mobile device 3 of the water filling operation by the water heater W1. Specifically, the control unit 74 sends a push notification to the user's mobile device 3 via the communication unit 1 or the like, and causes a screen related to the water filling operation to be displayed. As such a screen, for example, a home screen including a button for "Automatic bath start" (symbol K13) in FIG. 7A may be displayed on the mobile device 3.

To explain in more detail the conditions for providing advance notification of the water heating operation, if the distance from the reference position (home) near the water heater W1 to the user's mobile device 3 becomes equal to or greater than a second predetermined value (S204: Yes in FIG. 8) and then becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value (S205: Yes in FIG. 8), the control unit 74 provides a notification of the water heating operation by the water heater W1 to the mobile device 3. As described above, the second predetermined value is greater than the first predetermined value.

In step S206b, the control unit 74 determines whether or not a notification setting is made on the remote control R (see FIG. 2) of the water heater W1. That is, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the notification destinations for the water filling operation before returning home include the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 2) and the kitchen remote control R2 (see FIG. 2). In step S206b, if a notification setting is made on the remote control R (S206b: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S206c. On the other hand, if a notification setting is not made on the remote control R (S206b: No), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S206d.

In step S206c, the control unit 74 issues a prior notification via the remote control R (see FIG. 2). For example, the control unit 74 issues a prior notification that the user is returning home by displaying a specific display on the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 2) or the kitchen remote control R2 (see FIG. 2) or outputting a sound. In this way, when the distance from the reference position (home) near the water heater W1 to the user's mobile terminal 3 becomes equal to or less than a first specific value while the user is out, the control unit 74 issues a notification to the mobile terminal 3 of the water heater W1 to start the water heating operation (S206a), and also issues a notification to the remote control R of the water heater W1 that the out-of-home user will soon be returning home. As described above, whether or not to issue a notification to the remote control R that the out-of-home user will soon be returning home is set by the user's operation on the mobile terminal 3 ("Notification setting" at symbol K8 in FIG. 7B).

FIG. 10 shows an example of a display when a prior notification indicating that the user is returning home is given by the kitchen remote control R2.
In the example of FIG. 10, the display 91 of the kitchen remote control R2 indicates that "user 1" (a user who is returning home and carrying the mobile terminal 3) will soon return home. The same indication is also given on the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 1). In addition to such indication, a predetermined sound may be output from the bath remote control R1 or the kitchen remote control R2. This allows family members at home to know that "user 1" will soon return home. This allows them to clean the bathroom or check that they have not forgotten to close the plug of the bathtub B1 (see FIG. 1). Even if there is no particular command to start the bath filling operation from the mobile terminal 3, another user at home can start the bath filling operation by operating the kitchen remote control R2 or the bath remote control R1.

Returning to FIG. 9 again, the explanation will be continued.
In step S206d, the control unit 74 determines whether or not a command to start the water filling operation has been received. That is, the control unit 74 determines whether or not a command to start the water filling operation based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3 has been received via the communication unit 1, etc. In step S206d, if a command to start the water filling operation has been received (S206d: Yes), the processing of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S206e.

In step S206e, the control unit 74 executes the water filling operation (operation process). In this way, after notifying the mobile terminal 3 of the water filling operation (S206a in FIG. 9), if the control unit 74 receives a command to start the water filling operation from the mobile terminal 3 (S206d: Yes), the control unit 74 starts the water filling operation by the water heater W1 (S206e). As a result, when the user returns home, the bathtub B1 (see FIG. 1) will have been filled with water, so the user can take a bath immediately.

Furthermore, in step S206d, if there is no command to start the water filling operation (S206d: No), the processing of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S206f.
In step S206f, the control unit 74 stops the water filling operation. In other words, after notifying the control unit 74 of the water filling operation (S206a), the control unit 74 does not start the water filling operation by the water heater W1 until it receives a command to start the water filling operation from the mobile terminal 3 (S206d: No, S206f). This makes it possible to appropriately reflect the user's intention not to perform the water filling operation before returning home. After performing the processing of step S206e or step S206f, the control unit 74 ends the series of processes related to the water filling operation (END).

9, it is preferable that the control unit 74 stops the water filling operation by the water heater W1 when a command to stop the water filling operation is received from the mobile terminal 3 after the water heater W1 starts the water filling operation based on a command to start the water filling operation from the mobile terminal 3. For example, when the user operates the mobile terminal 3 to press the "Automatic bath start" button (symbol K13 in FIG. 7A), the display of this button may be changed to a water filling operation stop button (not shown). Then, when the user presses the water filling operation stop button, a stop command may be sent from the mobile terminal 3 to the water heater W1 via the server 4 or the like. This allows the water filling operation to be stopped, for example, when the user remembers that the bathtub B1 was not plugged after the command to start the water filling operation, or when the user mistakenly presses the "Automatic bath start" button (symbol K13 in FIG. 7A).

＜Effects＞
According to the first embodiment, the control unit 74 starts the bath filling operation before the user arrives home, so that the user can take a bath immediately after arriving home. This improves the convenience and comfort for the user. In addition, when the distance from the user's home to the mobile terminal 3 becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value, the control unit 74 notifies the mobile terminal 3 in advance of the bath filling operation (S206a in FIG. 9), and starts the bath filling operation when a start command is received from the mobile terminal 3 (S206d: Yes, S206e). In this way, by asking the user whether or not to start the bath filling operation before arriving home, the user's intention can be appropriately reflected.

<Reference form>
The reference embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the hot water supply system 100A (see FIG. 11) includes a solar power generation panel 5 (see FIG. 11) and a power conditioner 6 (see FIG. 11). The reference embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the hot water heater W1 performs boiling operation during the day (daytime) using power generated by solar power generation. The rest of the reference embodiment (such as the configuration of the hot water heater W1: see FIGS. 2 and 3) is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and explanations of overlapping parts will be omitted.

<Hot water supply system configuration>
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply system 100A according to a reference embodiment.
A hot water supply system 100A shown in FIG. 11 includes a solar power generation panel 5 and a power conditioner 6 in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).
The photovoltaic power generation panel 5 generates solar power and is configured with a plurality of solar cells 5a mounted on a predetermined frame (not shown). The power conditioner 6 has a function of converting DC power output from the photovoltaic power generation panel 5 into AC power, etc. The power conditioner 6 is electrically connected to the water heater W1 and is also connected to the power system E1.

It is also possible to use the power generated by the solar power generation panel 5 to perform water heating operations of the water heater W1, and this generated power can also be supplied (sold) to the power grid E1. In the reference embodiment, the user sets the allowable range of time periods when the water heater W1 performs water heating operations using power generated by solar power generation by operating the mobile terminal 3.

<Processing in hot water supply system>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the water heating operation using solar power generation (see FIG. 11 as appropriate).
It is assumed that information indicating the installation location of the solar power generation panel 5 (such as the address of the building H1) is stored in the server 4, etc. In step S301 in Fig. 12, the user operates the bath remote control R1 or the kitchen remote control R2 to set up the use of solar power generation. A specific example of this step S301 will be described with reference to Fig. 13.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a setting screen display of a kitchen remote control for setting the use of solar power generation (see FIG. 11 as appropriate).
Note that Fig. 13 illustrates the display 91 (see Fig. 10) of the kitchen remote control R2 (see Fig. 10), and omits other parts. Also, the setting screen of the kitchen remote control R2 transitions sequentially in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13 in response to the user's operation. In the example of Fig. 13, when the user operates the kitchen remote control R2 to select "Solar power generation usage setting" (symbol K14) on the menu screen, a message "Do you want to set up boiling water using solar power?" is displayed.

If the setting for heating water using solar power is "ON" (symbol K15), a selection screen for "MANUAL" (symbol K16) and "WEATER-LINKED" (symbol K17) is displayed. Here, "MANUAL" (second setting) is a setting that performs heating water using solar power during the time period set by the user, regardless of the weather forecast for that day. On the other hand, "WEATER-LINKED" (first setting) is a setting that performs heating water using solar power during the time period when the weather forecast predicts clear weather for that day, within the acceptable range set by the user for the time period for heating water using solar power.

In the example of FIG. 13, "weather linkage" (symbol K17) has been selected, so the water heating operation is performed based on weather linkage ("contents set in the app": symbol K18). This setting information is sent from the water heater W1 (see FIG. 11) to the server 4 (see FIG. 11) via the communication unit 1, etc., and stored in this server 4. Note that similar settings can be made not only in the kitchen remote control R2 (see FIG. 11) but also in the bath remote control R1 (see FIG. 11).

In this way, the "first setting" based on weather linkage (reference symbol K17 in FIG. 13) and the "second setting" based on manual setting (reference symbol K16 in FIG. 13) can be switched by operating the bath remote control R1 (remote control) or the kitchen remote control R2 (remote control). This allows the user greater freedom in setting. Note that switching from one of the "first setting" and "second setting" to the other can also be performed using the bath remote control R1 or the kitchen remote control R2, as well as the mobile terminal 3.

Next, in step S302 in FIG. 12, the user operates the mobile terminal 3 to set the permitted time period for boiling water using solar power generation. Such setting by operating the mobile terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B.

14A and 14B are examples of a setting screen for setting the allowable range of the time period for the heating operation using solar power generation. Note that the setting screen transitions in the order of the arrows in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B.
In the example of FIG. 14A, when the allowable time period for the heating operation using solar power generation is set, the user selects "Settings" (symbol K19), then "Remote control settings" (symbol K20), and further selects "Solar power generation usage time" (symbol K21).

Here, the "solar power generation usage time" refers to the permissible range of times when daytime heating operation is performed using solar power generation. The above-mentioned "daytime" refers to the time from when the sun begins to rise to when it sets. In the example of FIG. 14B, the "weather usage start time", which is the start time of the solar power generation usage time, is set to 10:00 (symbol K22), and the "end time", which is the end time of the solar power generation usage time, is set to 14:00 (symbol K23). Daytime heating operation using solar power generation during such a time period (10:00-14:00) is set to be performed "every day" (symbol K24).

In FIG. 14B, the hourly weather forecast for the day is displayed, and the time period set by the user is highlighted (reference symbol K25), but the user does not need to worry about the weather on that day. This is because the control unit 74 (see FIG. 3) sets the schedule for that day so that the daytime heating operation will be performed during the time period when the weather forecast is sunny and within the allowable range of the time period set by the user (for example, 10:00 to 14:00).

15A and 15B are flowcharts relating to the boiling operation using solar power generation (see FIG. 11 as appropriate).
At the time of "START" in Fig. 15A, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 3 and the water heater W1 have already been associated (paired) with each other by an SSID input operation, WPS, etc. Also, it is assumed that the water heating operation using nighttime power has not yet started at the time of "START" in Fig. 15A.

In step S401, the control unit 74 (see FIG. 3) determines whether or not a setting for boiling water using solar power generation has been performed. In the example of FIG. 13, a setting for boiling water using solar power generation ("Solar power generation usage setting" at symbol K14) has been performed. In step S401, if a setting for boiling water using solar power generation has been performed (S401: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if a setting for boiling water using solar power generation has not been performed (S401: No), the control unit 74 ends the series of processes related to boiling water operation using solar power generation ("END" in FIG. 15B).

In step S402 of FIG. 15A, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the solar powered heating operation is set as weather-linked. That is, the control unit 74 determines whether or not a setting (weather-linked) has been made to perform daytime solar powered heating operation during times when the weather forecast predicts clear skies, within the allowable range of the time period set by the user. In the example of FIG. 13, "weather-linked" (symbol K17) has been selected. In step S402, if the solar powered heating operation is set as weather-linked (S402: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S403.

In step S403, the control unit 74 acquires meteorological information (weather forecast information). For example, the control unit 74 acquires meteorological information for the current day from the server 4 (see FIG. 11) via the communication unit 1 (see FIG. 11) etc. This meteorological information includes the forecast weather, forecast sunshine hours, forecast temperature, etc. for the current day.
In step S404, the control unit 74 determines the time period for the daytime heating operation. The process of step S404 will be described with reference to Figs. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a time period during which a water heating operation using solar power generation is performed.
The horizontal axis in Fig. 16A is time. In the example of Fig. 16A, the weather forecast for the day shows cloudy weather from 8:00 to 9:00, sunny weather from 9:00 to 15:00, and cloudy weather from 15:00 to 16:00. In addition, the allowable range of the time period during which the water heating operation is performed during the day (the time period selected by the user) is set to 10:00 to 14:00 by operating the mobile terminal 3. Here, the weather forecast shows that the weather will be sunny during the time period including 10:00 to 14:00, so the control unit 74 decides to perform the water heating operation using solar power generation during this time period (S404 in Fig. 15A).

FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a time period during which a water heating operation using solar power generation is performed.
In the example of FIG. 16B, the weather forecast for the day shows that the weather is cloudy from 8:00 to 10:00, sunny from 10:00 to 12:00, cloudy from 12:00 to 14:00, and sunny from 14:00 to 16:00. In addition, the allowable range of the time period during the day for the water heating operation (the time period selected by the user) is set to 9:00 to 15:00 by operating the mobile terminal 3. Here, the time periods during which the weather is sunny between 9:00 and 15:00 are 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 15:00. Therefore, the control unit 74 determines that the water heating operation will be performed from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 15:00 using solar power generation (S404 in FIG. 15A). This allows the water heating operation to be performed efficiently using solar power generation.

Returning to FIG. 15A again, the explanation will be continued.
After determining the time period for daytime (daytime) boiling operation in step S404 in Fig. 15A, the control unit 74 calculates the start time of nighttime boiling operation in step S405. Specifically, the control unit 74 first calculates the amount of high-temperature water that will be generated when boiling operation is performed using solar power generation during the time period determined in step S404. The control unit 74 then calculates the start time of nighttime boiling operation so that the amount of high-temperature water generated using nighttime power is the total amount of high-temperature water required on the day minus the amount of high-temperature water that would be generated when boiling operation is performed using solar power generation. Note that the control unit 74 may generate more high-temperature water than necessary using nighttime power with a predetermined margin.

Next, in step S406, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the nighttime boiling start time has been reached. In step S406, if the nighttime boiling start time has been reached (S406: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S407. On the other hand, if the nighttime boiling start time has not been reached (S406: No), the control unit 74 repeats the process of step S406.
In step S407, the control unit 74 executes the nighttime heating operation, which allows a predetermined amount of high-temperature water to be stored in the hot water storage tank 21 (see FIG. 2 ) using inexpensive nighttime electricity.

Next, in step S408 of FIG. 15B, the control unit 74 determines whether the current time is within the daytime heating operation time period (the time period determined in step S404 of FIG. 15A). In step S408, if the current time is not within the daytime heating operation time period (S408: No), the control unit 74 repeats the processing of step S408 without performing heating operation using solar power generation.

For example, the control unit 74 prevents solar power generation heating operation from being performed during times when the weather forecast predicts cloudy or rainy weather for the day (e.g., 9:00-10:00 and 12:00-14:00 in FIG. 16B) within the allowable range of times for solar power generation heating operation. This makes it possible to prevent heating operation from being performed using grid power, where daytime electricity rates are relatively high. On the other hand, in step S408 in FIG. 15B, if the time period is for daytime heating operation (S408: Yes), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S409.

In step S409, the control unit 74 executes the solar power generation heating operation. That is, when the solar power generation heating operation is to be performed during the time period when the weather forecast predicts that the weather will be sunny on the day (S402: Yes in FIG. 15A), and the allowable range of the time period for the solar power generation heating operation is set on the mobile terminal 3, the control unit 74 performs the solar power generation heating operation during the time period when the weather forecast predicts that the weather will be sunny on the day within this allowable range (S408: Yes, S409 in FIG. 15B). This not only reduces the amount of power consumed when performing the heating operation using nighttime power, but also reduces the amount of power consumed during the day when the electricity rate is relatively high. As a result, the electricity rate required for the operation of the water heater W1 can be significantly reduced.

Next, in step S410 of FIG. 15B, the control unit 74 determines whether the end time of the daytime boiling operation has been reached. In step S410, if the end time of the daytime boiling operation has been reached (S410: Yes), the processing of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, if the end time of the daytime boiling operation has not been reached (S410: No), the processing of the control unit 74 returns to step S408.

In step S411, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the required amount of hot water is secured in the hot water storage tank 21 (see FIG. 2). In step S411, if the required amount of hot water is secured in the hot water storage tank 21 (S411: Yes), the control unit 74 ends the series of processes (END). On the other hand, if the required amount of hot water is not secured in the hot water storage tank 21 (S411: No), the process of the control unit 74 proceeds to step S412. For example, if the weather forecast for the day predicts sunny weather but it is actually cloudy and rainy, the moment-to-moment power generation by solar power generation may be relatively small.

In step S412, the control unit 74 performs boiling operation using grid power. That is, the control unit 74 generates the shortage of high-temperature water by performing boiling operation using grid power. After performing the process of step S412, the control unit 74 ends the series of processes (END).

In addition, in step S402 of FIG. 15A, if boiling water using solar power generation is not set as linked to the weather (S402: No), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S413. In other words, if boiling water using solar power generation is set manually (reference symbol K16 in FIG. 13), the control unit 74 proceeds to step S413.

In step S413, the control unit 74 executes the boiling operation based on the manual setting. That is, the control unit 74 performs the boiling operation using solar power generation during the time period set by operating the mobile terminal 3, regardless of the weather forecast for that day. For example, if the time period for the daytime boiling operation using solar power generation is set from 10:00 to 14:00 (see FIG. 16A), the control unit 74 performs the boiling operation during the time period from 10:00 to 14:00, regardless of the weather forecast. This allows the user's wishes regarding the boiling operation to be appropriately reflected. Compared to the manual setting, the weather-linked setting has the advantage of making it easier to reduce electricity charges, since there is a higher possibility that the boiling operation using solar power generation will be performed during sunny hours.

In this manner, in the reference embodiment, the control unit 74 performs the water heating operation of the water heater W1 during the day using power generated by solar power generation. Then, when the time period during which the water heating operation using solar power generation is performed is set on the user's mobile terminal 3 (or the remote control R of the water heater W1), the control unit 74 performs the water heating operation using solar power generation during at least a part of the time period.

＜Effects＞
According to the reference embodiment, when performing daytime heating operation using solar power generation, the user can set the time period for heating operation by operating the mobile terminal 3, regardless of whether the operation is linked to the weather or manually set. This increases the degree of freedom of setting for the user. In addition, for example, the user can change the settings for daytime heating operation by operating the mobile terminal 3 even when away from home, thereby increasing convenience for the user.

In addition, if "weather-linked" is selected for daytime boiling operation (S402: Yes in FIG. 15A), the control unit 74 performs boiling operation using solar power generation during times when the weather forecast is sunny, within the allowable range of the time period set by the user (S408: Yes, S409 in FIG. 15B). This allows high-temperature water to be generated by boiling operation using solar power generation, thereby reducing the electricity charges required to operate the water heater W1.

<<Variations>>
Although the hot water supply systems 100 and 100A according to the present disclosure have been described in the above with respect to each embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the first embodiment, when the distance from a predetermined reference position (the user's home) to the mobile device 3 becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value while the user is out, the control unit 74 notifies the mobile device 3 in advance of the start of the water filling operation (S206a in FIG. 9 ), but this is not limited to this. That is, the control unit 74 may be configured to notify the mobile device 3 in advance of the water filling operation when the predicted time until the user returns home becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

In the reference embodiment, the time period during which the water heating operation using solar power generation is performed is set by the user operating the mobile terminal 3, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, when the time period during which the water heating operation using solar power generation is performed is set by the remote control R (see FIG. 2) of the water heater W1, the control unit 74 may perform the water heating operation using solar power generation during at least a part of the time period. Specifically, the allowable range of the time period during which the water heating operation using solar power generation is performed may be set by the remote control R (see FIG. 2) of the water heater W1. Furthermore, regardless of the weather forecast for the day, the control unit 74 may perform the water heating operation using solar power generation during the time period set by operating the remote control R (see FIG. 2) of the water heater W1.

The first embodiment and the reference embodiment may be combined to perform the following process. That is, when the distance from a predetermined reference position to the user's mobile terminal 3 becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value, the control unit 74 of the water heater W1 notifies the mobile terminal 3 of the water heating operation (first embodiment), and further, the water heater may perform a daytime heating operation using solar power generation for at least part of the time period set by the user (reference embodiment).

In addition, in each embodiment, a case where one water heater W1 (see FIG. 1) is associated with one mobile terminal 3 (see FIG. 1) has been described, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of water heaters W1 may be associated with one mobile terminal 3.
Further, in each embodiment, the case where the water heater W1 has the configuration shown in FIG. 2 has been described, but each embodiment can also be applied to other types of water heaters.

In addition, the program for causing a computer to execute the hot water supply control method described in each embodiment can be provided via a communication line, or can be written to a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

In addition, the embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of the embodiments with other configurations.
Furthermore, the mechanisms and configurations described above are those considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily show all mechanisms and configurations of the product.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Communication unit 2 Router 3 Mobile terminal 4 Server 5 Photovoltaic power generation panel 6 Power conditioner 71 Memory unit 72 Communication unit 73 Operation unit 74 Control unit 100, 100A Hot water supply system R Remote control R1 Bath remote control (remote control)
R2 Kitchen remote control (remote control)
U1 Heat pump unit U2 Hot water tank unit W1 Water heater

Claims (9)

a control unit that notifies the mobile device of a water heater to perform a water heating operation before the user returns home when a distance from a reference position near the water heater to the mobile device of the user becomes equal to or smaller than a first predetermined value while the user is out;
When the control unit receives a command to start a hot water filling operation from the mobile device after the notification, the control unit starts a hot water filling operation by the hot water heater ,
In this hot water supply system, when a notification setting for hot water filling operation is made before the user returns home, the control unit performs a boiling operation to make up for the shortage of hot water when there is a shortage of hot water in the hot water storage tank of the water heater, regardless of whether the user is out or not. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, after making the notification, does not start a water heating operation by the hot water heater until the control unit receives the start command from the mobile terminal. the control unit, when the distance becomes equal to or less than the first predetermined value after the distance becomes equal to or more than the second predetermined value, performs the notification to the mobile terminal;
The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second predetermined value is greater than the first predetermined value. The hot water supply system of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the distance becomes less than the first predetermined value while the user is out, the control unit sends the notification to the mobile terminal and sends a notification to the remote control of the hot water heater that the user who is out will soon be returning home. The hot water supply system according to claim 4 , wherein whether or not the notification that the user who is out will soon return home is to be sent to the remote controller is set by an operation of the mobile terminal. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined value is set by a user operating the mobile terminal. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit starts a hot water filling operation by the hot water heater based on the start command from the mobile terminal, and then, when a command to stop the hot water filling operation is received from the mobile terminal, stops the hot water filling operation by the hot water heater. When the notification setting for the hot water filling operation before the user returns home is set, if the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank of the water heater is insufficient, the control unit performs a heating operation to make up for the shortage of hot water, regardless of whether the user is out or not;
When the distance from a reference position near the water heater to the user's mobile device becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value while the user is out, the control unit notifies the mobile device of a water heating operation to be performed by the water heater before the user returns home .
A hot water control method including: after the notification, when a command to start hot water filling operation is received from the mobile terminal, the control unit performs an operation process to start hot water filling operation by the hot water heater. A program for causing a computer to execute the hot water supply control method according to claim 8.

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