JPH08200670A - Abnormal communication state sensing device for combustion equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate judgement of normal or abnormal state in a remote controlled communication of a combustion equipment. CONSTITUTION: Combustion equipment is provided with a communication part 28 for performing a remote controlled communication. A communication state is sensed by a monitor at a communication state sensing part 32. When it is a normal communication state, a normal data is written into a sensing memory part 33 and in turn when it is an abnormal communication, an abnormal data is written into a sensing memory part 33. A data reading-out part 30 reads out data stored in the sensing memory part 33 for every predetermined sampling time and when the normal data is applied, it may output an increment signal and in turn when the abnormal data is applied, it may output a decrement signal. An adding or subtracting counter 34 has an upper limit value and a lower limit value, wherein 1 is added within the range in response to the increment signal and 1 is subtracted in response to the decrement signal. A D/A data conversion part 35 converts the counted values in the adding or subtracting counter 34 into an analogue voltage within a range of an upper limit voltage corresponding to the upper limit value and a lower limit voltage corresponding to a lower limit value and then outputs them to a D/A port 36. A voltage at the D/A port 36 is detected by a tester and the like so as to perform a judgement of normal or abnormal communication state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication abnormality detecting device for a combustion equipment such as a hot water heater for detecting a remote control communication abnormality of the combustion equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A remote controller is signal-connected to a control device for combustion equipment such as a water heater, and communication is performed between the remote control and the combustion equipment. At the time of this remote control communication, the remote control side and the combustion device side confirm that communication is normally performed at every predetermined minute time interval. For example, an inquiry from the combustion device side to confirm normal communication is made. On the other hand, when a correct response signal does not arrive from the remote controller within a predetermined time, it is automatically judged as a communication error and an error is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller or the like. .

[0003]

Generally, when the remote controller communication line is broken or short-circuited, a communication error between the combustion device side and the remote controller side is surely caused, and an error is displayed on the display section of the remote controller or the like. Even if an inspection or inspection worker resets and resets the error display on the remote control etc., the error is immediately displayed, so it is possible to easily identify abnormalities such as disconnection and short circuits. When a large truck passes by or a radio wave from a wireless communication comes in, a communication error will occur, and the transit time of the truck or the time the radio wave is flying continues beyond the specified time. Then, an error message is displayed on the display unit such as the remote controller.

However, the cause of the error is that the noise of passing trucks and the noise of radio waves are temporarily generated. Therefore, an inspection / inspection worker goes to the site to check the remote control etc. When the error display is reset and released, no noise is generated, so the combustion equipment side and remote control side have returned to the normal communication state, and the inspection and inspection workers may have an error display due to what causes it. There was a problem that it was difficult to understand the cause of the error without knowing what it was.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is not only to disconnect or short-circuit a communication line but also to accurately detect a communication abnormality caused by a temporary cause such as noise. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication abnormality detection device for a combustion device that can detect the combustion abnormality.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is constructed as follows. That is, the first aspect of the present invention is, in a combustion device having a communication unit with a remote controller and equipped with a communication unit between the combustion device side and the remote controller, a communication state detection unit for monitoring and detecting the presence or absence of communication abnormality in the communication unit. , A detection memory unit that stores the detection result of the communication state, a data reading unit that reads the data in the detection memory unit and outputs an increment signal when the read data is normal, and a decrement signal when the read data is abnormal, An upper limit value and a lower limit value are set in advance, and an addition / subtraction counter that adds a unit numerical value when receiving the increment signal within the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value and subtracts the unit numerical value when receiving a decrement signal Is configured.

In the second aspect of the present invention, in a combustion device having a communication section for communicating with a remote controller and having means for communicating with the combustion appliance side and the remote controller, a communication state for monitoring and detecting the presence or absence of communication abnormality in the communication section. Data reading that reads the detection unit, the detection memory unit that stores the detection result of the communication status, and the data in the detection memory unit that outputs the increment signal when the read data is normal, and the decrement signal when the read data is abnormal And an upper / lower limit value set in advance, and an addition / subtraction counter that adds a unit numerical value when receiving the increment signal within the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value and subtracts the unit numerical value when receiving a decrement signal. , An upper limit voltage corresponding to the upper limit value of the addition / subtraction counter and a lower limit voltage corresponding to the lower limit value of the addition / subtraction counter are set. It is configured as characterized by having an upper limit voltage and to an analog voltage in the range of a lower limit voltage to output to the D / A port of the output-side D / A data conversion unit the counter value by proportional calculation.

[0008]

In the present invention having the above-described structure, for example, when noise or the like is temporarily generated and a remote controller communication abnormality occurs, the communication state detecting unit detects the communication abnormality, and the detection memory unit detects the communication abnormality. Data is written.

The data reading unit reads the data in the detection memory unit, and outputs an increment signal when reading the communication normal data and a decrement signal when reading the communication abnormal data.

The addition / subtraction counter increments the counter value by a unit numerical value (for example, 1) when receiving the increment signal, and subtracts the counter value by the unit numerical value when receiving the decrement signal. The D / A data converter converts the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter into a voltage within the range of the upper limit voltage corresponding to the upper limit counter value and the lower limit voltage corresponding to the lower limit counter value, and outputs the voltage to the D / A port on the output side. As a result, by connecting a general-purpose tester or oscilloscope to this D / A port, the voltage corresponding to the read data is detected from the D / A port, and within the range of the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage, the lower limit voltage side When a voltage in the abnormal voltage range is detected, it can be determined that communication is abnormal, and when the detected voltage is detected as a voltage in the normal range on the upper limit voltage side, communication can be determined to be normal.

Further, when the detection voltage of the D / A port indicates the upper limit voltage, for example, when a large truck passes and the detection voltage of the D / A port decreases, communication abnormality occurs due to noise passing through the truck. Since it is possible to detect the occurrence of the communication error, it is possible to accurately detect the communication abnormality due to noise other than the disconnection or short circuit of the communication line.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a water heater as an example of a combustion device equipped with the communication abnormality detection device of this embodiment. In the figure, the instrument body 2 is housed in the instrument case 1. A combustion surface switching type burner 4 is installed on the lower side of the combustion chamber 3 of the instrument body 2, and a combustion fan 5 for supplying and exhausting air is installed on the lower side of the burner 4. The box-shaped nozzle header 6 is provided with a nozzle for jetting gas to the burner 4, and the nozzle header 6 has capacity switching valves 22a, 22b, 22c for switching the burner combustion surface (switching the burner combustion capacity). Is connected to a gas supply passage 7, and fuel gas is supplied through the passage 7. The gas supply passage 7 is equipped with a source solenoid valve 8 for opening and closing the passage and a proportional valve 10 for controlling the gas supply amount to the burner 4 by the opening amount.

A passage 24 is formed between the air chamber 9 on the lower side of the burner 4 and the combustion chamber 3 on the upper side of the burner by piping or the like, and the passage 24 is formed from the combustion fan 5 to the burner. An air volume detection sensor 23 for detecting the air volume supplied to the air conditioner 4 is provided.

The air volume detection sensor 23 is constructed by using a hot wire type wind velocity sensor, a Karman vortex type wind velocity sensor, a differential pressure sensor and the like.

A hot water supply heat exchanger 11 is installed above the combustion chamber 3, and a water supply pipe 12 is provided at the inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 11.
Is connected, and the hot water supply pipe 13 is provided on the outlet side of the hot water heat exchanger 11.
Is connected. The water supply pipe 12 is provided with a water inlet temperature sensor 14 for detecting the water supply temperature and a flow rate sensor 15 for detecting the water flow rate, and the hot water supply temperature sensor 16 for detecting the hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply flow rate are provided on the hot water supply pipe 13 side. A water control valve 19 for adjusting is provided.

In the figure, 18 is an igniter electrode (ignition plug) for igniting the fuel gas, 20 is a frame rod electrode for detecting the flame of the burner 4, 21 is a Hall IC for detecting the rotation of the combustion fan 5, etc. The fan rotation detection sensor 27 is an air temperature sensor attached to the nozzle header 6 to detect the air temperature inside the device.

The combustion operation of this kind of equipment is carried out by a control device 17, which is usually connected to a remote controller for setting the hot water supply temperature and displaying the set temperature. There is. The combustion device 17 is, as shown in FIG.
It has a combustion control unit 25 and a memory 26 such as a RAM or a non-volatile EEPROM or the like in which data can be freely written and erased by electric signals. The memory 26 is used for various sensors.
Detection data of 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 21, 23, 27, etc., operation data of the combustion fan 5, various valves 8, 10, 19, 22a-22c, various activators such as igniters, etc. , Data of various switches, etc. are captured and stored every moment during the operation of combustion operation. The combustion control unit 25 has a built-in sequence program, and according to the sequence program for combustion operation,
The data in the memory 26 is read out and the combustion operation is controlled as follows.

First, when a hot water tap (not shown) provided on the tip side of the external hot water supply pipe connected to the hot water supply pipe 13 is opened, water enters from the water supply pipe 12, and the flow of this water is detected by the flow rate sensor 15. When detected, the combustion control unit 25 of the control device 17 rotates the combustion fan 5 to detect the fan rotation detection sensor.
After confirming that the fan 21 is rotating and the air volume detection sensor 23 has detected the air volume, the discharge of the igniter electrode 18 is started.
Then, the original solenoid valve 8, the capacity switching valves 22a to 22c, and the proportional valve 10 are opened to perform burner ignition. Frame rod electrode 20
Has detected the flame, open / close the capacity switching valves 22b and 22c according to the combustion capacity, and control the valve opening drive current of the proportional valve 10 so that the hot water temperature reaches the set temperature. In order to control (the valve opening amount of the proportional valve 10) and to supply the air corresponding to the gas supply amount, the rotation control of the combustion fan 5 is performed.

When hot water is used up and the hot water tap is closed, water flow to the hot water supply heat exchanger 11 is stopped, and when the stop of the flow of water is detected by the signal of the flow sensor 15, each valve 8 , 22a to 22c, 10 are closed, and after that, when a post-purge period in which exhaust of exhaust gas in the combustion chamber 3 ends is completed, the rotation of the combustion fan 5 is stopped to prepare for the next hot water discharge.

The communication abnormality detection device 37 in this embodiment is
The data reading unit 30, the timer 31, and the communication state detecting unit 32
A detection memory unit 33, an addition / subtraction counter 34, a D / A data conversion unit 35, and a D / A port 36.

The communication unit 28 communicates between the combustion device side and the remote controller, and has a well-known communication system configuration. Communication is normally performed with the remote controller side at predetermined small time intervals. Make sure they are done.

The communication state detecting section 32 monitors the communication state of the communication section 28 and detects whether or not a communication abnormality has occurred. That is, in response to an inquiry from the communication unit 28 to the remote control side that the communication is being performed at a small time interval is normally performed, if the remote control side does not receive a correct response, it is detected that the communication is abnormal. Otherwise, the communication status is detected as normal. Then, when it is detected that the communication state is abnormal, the communication abnormal data (data of 0 in this embodiment) is written in the detection memory unit 33, and when the communication is detected as normal, the communication normal data (in this embodiment, 1 data) is written.

The data reading unit 30 uses the timer 31 to read the data in the detection memory unit 33 at a set sampling time interval of 0.3 seconds, for example, and when the read data is normal, an increment signal is output, and when the read data is abnormal, Adds a decrement signal to the addition / subtraction counter 34.

An upper limit value and a lower limit value are given to the addition / subtraction counter 34 in advance. In this example, the upper limit is
The numerical value of 24 is given as the lower limit value of 0,
The addition / subtraction counter 34 adds a unit numerical value (1 in this embodiment) when an increment signal is added from the communication state detection unit 32, and counts a unit numerical value 1 when a decrement signal is added from the communication state detection unit 32. Subtract from the value. That is, when the read data is normal, the communication state detection unit 32 intermittently outputs an increment signal at the sampling time interval, and the count value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is incremented by one each time the increment signal is added. However, after reaching the upper limit value of 24, the upper limit value of 24 is maintained. When the read data is abnormal, the communication state detection unit 32 intermittently outputs the decrement signal at the sampling time intervals. As a result, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is decremented by 1 each time the decrement signal is added. After reaching the lower limit value 0, the value of the lower limit value 0 is maintained. The counter values of the addition / subtraction counter 34 are added to the D / A data converter 35.

In this embodiment, the output voltage range of the D / A port 36 is set in the range of 0V to 5V. As shown in FIG. 3, this output voltage range is hexadecimal 1 byte is decimal. The values are converted to numerical values and assigned, and the values of 0V to 5V are assigned to the numerical values of 0 to 255. Also, the lower limit value 0 of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is made to correspond to 0V, and the upper limit value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is set to 24V.
The value corresponding to the value of 3.3 V and the hexadecimal 1 byte converted to decimal gives a value of 168 by proportional calculation of this 3.3 V. In this way, the D / A data conversion unit 35 sets the range of the lower limit value 0 and the upper limit value 24 of the addition / subtraction counter to 10 bytes of hexadecimal.
It is given as a value of 0 to 168 according to the value converted into a base number, and this value is converted to an analog output voltage of 0V to 3.3V.

That is, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is converted into hexadecimal 1-byte decimal conversion data by proportional calculation, and the value is further converted into an analog voltage by proportional calculation to convert it to the D / A port 36. Output to. For example, when the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter is 23, the hexadecimal 1-byte decimal conversion data is 161, and the value is converted to an analog voltage of 3.16 V by proportional calculation. When the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is 22, similarly, the hexadecimal 1-byte decimal conversion data has a value of 154, which is converted to an analog voltage of 3.025 V and output to the D / A port 36.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the data read from the detection memory unit 33 is normal, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is incremented by one. When the read data is abnormal, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is decremented by 1 step by step and reaches the lower limit value of 0. Then, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is converted into hexadecimal 1-byte decimal conversion data, further converted into an analog voltage within the range of 0V to 3.3V, and output to the D / A port 36. .

By connecting a tester or an oscilloscope to the D / A port 36, the voltage is detected, and the detected voltage is 3.3 which is the upper limit value of the counter.
If it is V, it can be judged to be normal, and if it is 0 V, it can be judged to be abnormal. In this embodiment, when the count value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 is in the range of 5 to 24, it is judged to be normal, and 0 to
In the range of 4, it is judged to be abnormal. Therefore, the voltage detected by the D / A port 36 is 0.6875V to 3.3V.
V is normal, and abnormal in the range of 0V to 0.55V, and normal or abnormal is determined by the read data before the count value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 reaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value. I am able to Of course, it is of course possible to judge whether the read data is normal or abnormal by confirming that the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 has reached the upper limit value or the lower limit value.

According to this embodiment, since the signal for judging whether the read data is normal or abnormal is converted into an analog voltage and output to the D / A port 36, a general-purpose tester or oscilloscope is used. , The abnormality of communication can be determined by detecting the voltage of the D / A port 36.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only a clear communication abnormality such as a disconnection or short circuit of a communication line, but also a communication abnormality caused by noise due to radio waves of radio communication or noise caused by passing a large truck. It is also possible to accurately detect.

In addition, for example, when a communication abnormality due to passage of a truck is detected, when shield means for preventing noise is provided in the remote control communication line, and when a large truck passes, D / A port 36 By providing the shield means by detecting the voltage change of
You can judge how much shielding effect is obtained,
When the shield effect is low, other shield means can be taken, which is very convenient for taking measures against communication abnormality due to noise interference.

Moreover, simply use the tester as the D / A port 36.
It is possible to judge whether the communication is normal or abnormal by just applying it, and it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that even a worker who does not require skill can easily judge whether the communication is normal or abnormal.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the above embodiment, the read sampling time of the data reading unit 30 was set to 0.3 seconds, but of course, this read sampling time can be set arbitrarily, and
The upper limit value and the lower limit value of the addition / subtraction counter 34 can be appropriately changed and set, and the range of the analog voltage converted and output to the D / A port 36 can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications.

Further, in the above embodiment, the addition / subtraction counter is
I converted the count value of 34 into an analog voltage and output it,
It is also possible to take out the count value in the state of a digital signal to detect communication abnormality and normality. Also in this case, if the count value is within the normal determination range (the value within the range of 5 to 24 in the embodiment), communication can be determined to be normal, and the count value is within the abnormal determination range (the range from 0 to 4 in the embodiment). Value), it can be determined that the communication is abnormal. It is more preferable to provide a means for displaying the count value on the display unit so that the determination of normality and abnormality of the communication state can be seen at a glance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the combustion equipment, a single-function water heater as shown in FIG. 2 (a water heater having only a hot water supply function) has been described, but the present invention is a combined water heater (hot water heater). Function and hot water heater with bath reheating and heating functions), and other various burner combustion type heating devices such as heating, cooling, heating and cooling, and air conditioners. Also applies to.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the communication state between the combustion equipment side and the remote controller is detected by monitoring, and when the communication abnormality occurs, the detection data of the communication abnormality is detected in the detection memory portion, and when the communication is normal, the communication normality is detected. Write the data, read the data in this detection memory unit, and if the read data is normal, increment the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter by a unit numerical value.If the read data is abnormal, add / subtract the counter of the addition / subtraction counter by the decrement signal. The value is subtracted by the unit value, the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter is converted into an analog voltage within the range of the upper limit voltage corresponding to the upper limit value of the addition / subtraction counter and the lower limit voltage corresponding to the lower limit value of the addition / subtraction counter, and the output side Since it is configured to output to the D / A port of It is possible to detect the analog voltage of the D / A port just by connecting the voltage detection end of the oscilloscope by contact. Therefore, if the detection voltage is in the abnormal judgment range, communication error and detection voltage When the voltage is within the normality determination range, it is possible to accurately determine that the communication is normal.

Further, according to the present invention, by detecting and monitoring the analog voltage of the D / A port, when the noise of the radio wave is temporarily scattered or when the noise is temporarily scattered by the passage of a large truck. Since the detection voltage is lowered, it is possible to easily find out that the communication abnormality is caused by the noise such as the radio wave or the passing of the truck, and it is possible to take appropriate measures against it.

Further, even when noise-shielding means is provided on a communication line or the like, when noise is generated when passing a truck, etc., when the noise-preventing means is provided,
By detecting and monitoring the analog voltage at the D / A port, the effect of shield prevention can be confirmed, and if the shield effect is low, other shield measures can be taken, such as noise prevention shield measures. It is very convenient to do.

Thus, according to the present invention, simply D /
It is possible to detect normality and abnormality of communication simply by applying a general-purpose tester to the A port, and its utility value is enormous.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a water heater equipped with the device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method of converting a counter value of an addition / subtraction counter in the present embodiment into an analog voltage.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a change state of a counter value of an addition / subtraction counter and a conversion mode thereof into an analog voltage together with a normal / abnormal determination region of data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 26 Memory 30 Data reading unit 32 Communication status detection unit 33 Detection memory unit 34 Addition / subtraction counter 35 D / A data conversion unit 36 D / A port 37 Communication error detection device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Obayashi 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture Gaster Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A combustion device having a communication unit with a remote controller and comprising means for communicating with a combustion device and a remote controller, the communication condition detecting unit for monitoring and detecting the presence or absence of communication abnormality in the communication unit, and the communication condition detecting unit. A detection memory unit that stores the detection result, a data reading unit that reads the data in the detection memory unit, outputs an increment signal when the read data is normal, and outputs a decrement signal when the read data is abnormal, and an upper limit value in advance. Communication error of a combustion device having a lower limit value and an addition / subtraction counter that adds a unit numerical value when receiving the increment signal within the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value and subtracts the unit numerical value when receiving the decrement signal Detection device. 2. A combustion state equipment having a communication section with a remote control unit and a communication means for communicating with the combustion equipment side and the remote control unit, wherein a communication state detection section for monitoring and detecting the presence or absence of communication abnormality in the communication section, and a communication state detection section A detection memory unit that stores the detection result, a data reading unit that reads the data in the detection memory unit, outputs an increment signal when the read data is normal, and outputs a decrement signal when the read data is abnormal, and an upper limit value in advance. When the lower limit value is set and the increment signal is received within the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value, the unit numerical value is added and the unit numerical value is subtracted when the decrement signal is received. The corresponding upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage corresponding to the lower limit value of the addition / subtraction counter are set, and the counter value of the addition / subtraction counter is proportionally calculated. And a D / A data conversion unit for converting to an analog voltage within the range of the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage and outputting the analog voltage to the output side D / A port.