GB2212946A

GB2212946A - Programming devices wlth multifunction controls

Info

Publication number: GB2212946A
Application number: GB8824874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John William Shadrach
Original assignee: Smith Meters Ltd
Current assignee: Smith Meters Ltd
Priority date: 1987-11-28
Filing date: 1988-10-24
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Also published as: GB8824874D0

Abstract

A device for controlling programmed operation of central heating and hot water systems has a liquid crystal display and four multifunction pivoting switch operating buttons (41, 42, 43, 44). A cover plate (40) (shown open) can be pivoted closed to cover the lower half of the face of the device. When the cover plate is closed the device is in a normal operating mode and the switches operated by the buttons have one set of functions. When the cover plate is opened the device is in a re-programming mode in which the switches have another set of functions, providing for adjusting programme times. A switch (57) changes over the operating modes. The liquid crystal display when in the normal operation mode displays present time and when in the reprogramming mode displays a selected programme time set up for adjustment as required. <IMAGE>

Description

PROGRAMMING DEVICES.

This invention relates tc devices for ccntrolling programn,ed operation of central heating and/or hot water systems. Such devices are referred to hereinafter as "programming devices". Programming devices have become more sophisticated and are ncw required to provide many more functions, for instance different programmes for different days of the week and/or temperature controls. These new functions all require control means on the programming device which can lead to a very complicated array of controls.

The invention provides a programming device having a plurality of manual control buttons, some at least of which have dual functions, controlling one function in one mode and another function in another mcde. Thus the number of manual control buttons is reduced.

There may be switch means for changing over the functions of said dual function buttons. Prefereably there are alternative legends relating to each dual function button describing the dual functions, and these are changed over when said switch means is operated.

One of said operating modes is preferably a normal operating mode and the other a re-programming mode, the functions of the manual control buttons relating to re-programming when in the re-programming mode.

Said manual control means may include a plurality of pivoted levers, each selectively operating a pair of switches having one pair of functions in one mode and another pair of functions in the other mode.

Specific examples of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the front face of a programmer with a cover closed uF, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the programmer of Figure 1 with the cover opened, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the front face of another programmer with the cover closed up, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the programmer of Figure 3 with the cover opened.

Referring first to Figure 1, a programmer for controlling both central heating and hot water has a liquid crystal (11) on which is displayed present time at (12) and the day of the week at (14). To the right of the present time at (15) is displayed the desired room temperature which the system is commanded to achieve. Two buttons (16, 17) may be used to alter this desired room temperature, button (16) being pressed to increase the temperature selected and button (17) being pressed to reduce the temperature selected. The temperature so selected is thus programmed into the internal circuits (not shown) of the programmer so that the programmer will then control a central heating circuit whereby the temperature is achieved.There may be an externally mounted room temperature sensor which informs the programmer of current room temperature or the programmer may have an internal sensor.

Below the liquid crystal are mounted two pairs of buttons (18) and (19), the uFper pair (18) relating to hot water control and the lower pair (19) relating tc central heating control. Of each pair, one button operates to over-ride the mode of operation at the mcment in action, while the other operates to advance temporarily the programme by one hour.

Legends surrounding the buttons indicate the nature of their operation, as discussed in more detail hereinafter.

To the left of the programmer, two slider switches (21, 22) each are movable between four positions marked "OFF", "ONCE", "TWICE", and "CONT". Selection of these positions brings into operation a programme in which respectively there is no operation, once a day operation, twice a day operation, and continuous operation. The upper slider switch (21) relates to the operation of the hot water circuit and the lower slider switch (22) relates to the operation of the central heating circuit.

The front face of the programmer as seen in Figure 1 is partly comprised by a hinged cover plate (25) having shaped openings (26, 27, 28) [seen best in Figure 2 ]. The openings are located so that buttons (16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22) and the liquid crystal (11) are uncovered and protrude through the plate (25). However, the legends describing the operation of buttons (16), (17), (18) and (19) are on the outer surface of the cover plate.

The programmer as shown in Figure 1 is in its mode of normal use, the only adjustments available being the programme selection, over-ride and one hour advance, and room temperature selection.

In order to carry out more fundamental programme adjustments, the hinged cover plate (25) is opened and dropped into the position shown in Figure 2. In this opening movement a switch (29, 29') is operated.

This switch may be a reed switch. (29) operated by a magnet (29') or may be a microswitch. The effect of the operation of the switch is to change the programmer circuits into a programme adjustment mode.

In the programme adjustment mode buttons (16) and (17) when operated change the time display (12), button (16) advancing the time, button (17) reversing this. Above the buttons the legend "SET TIME" on the face of the programmer is revealed when the cover plate is opened as seen in Figure 2. Buttons (18) and (19) also change their effect as indicated by the legends on the programmer face revealed when the cover plate is opened. As shown, one of the buttons (18) is now referenced CH. When this button is pressed, the time displayed at (12) changes to a display of the first programme time at which the central heating is to be switched on. The selected room temperature display at (15) is replaced by an indication (31) of which time is being displayed, i.e. 1 ON.Further pressing of the CH button changes the displayed time to the first programme time at which the central heating is switched off (indicated at (31) by 1 OFF). Repeated pressing of the CH button produces displays of the second programme times 2 ON and 2 OFF. While each time is being displayed it can be adjusted by buttons (16, 17).

The other of buttons (18) is now referenced by DAY. Repeated pressure on this button steps the day indication (14) through the days of the week. The programme times can be different for each day of the week, and are set in by using DAY button (18) to cause the display to show the day being programmed. Button (19) now referenced "CCPY YESTERDAY" is included to speed the programming process if the same programmes are required for several consecutive days.

The remaining button (19) is referenced HW and when pressed steps the time display through a series of programme times for use in the hot water heating programme, in a similar manner to that for the CH button.

Thus it will be seen that provision is made for different programmes to be made for central heating and;water heating, and that different programmes for each day of the week can be set in.

At the left of the programmer, a hot water temperature sliding switch selector (33) is unccvered when the cover plate (25) is opened.

This can be manually moved to select higher or lower temperatures for the hot water system. A remote temperature sensing device (not shown) feeds information to the programmer of the measured temperature of the hot water, and the circuits of the programmer initiate apppropriate action to achieve the selected temperature when the programmer demands it.

After the programming is adjusted as desired, the cover plate is closed, thus operating switch (29, 29'). This returns the circuit operation to the mode of normal use, the time display at (12) reverting to present time and the day display at (14) to present day.

The programme selection (21, 22) is not affected by the movement of the cover plate, staying visible and the same in operation at all times.

Preferaby the cover plate is held by a releasable spring clip (not shown).

It will be seen that in the mode of normal use, i.e. with the ccver plate closed, it is not possible to alter the programme times or to alter present time, or to alter hot water temperature selection. The adjustments available are limited to those that can be easily carried out, and are similar to those of the simplest kind of programmer. Thus, an unskilled user can operate it in this mode and there is no danger of inadvertant and unwanted changes being made to the programmer - for instance, by pressing the wrong button.

Referring ncw to the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, a programmer has similar functions to those of the programmer of Figures 1 and 2. A hinged cover plate (40) extends across the lower section only of the face of the programmer and has four elongated openings (45) through which elongated buttons (41), (42), (43) and (44) protrude when the cover plate is closed, as seen in Figure 3.

In this operating mode the elongated buttons have the functions described by the legends appearing on the cover plate adjacent the buttons. Each button is a centrally pivoted self-returning lever, such that pressure on one end operates a switch beneath it, while pressure on the other end operates a different switch. Thus each button has two functions, depending on which end of it is pressed.

A liquid crystal (46) is located in the upper part of the face of the programmer and is not covered by the plate (40). In the operating mode which obtains when the cover plate is closed, the liquid crystal displays the information shown in Figure 3. This is the present time (50), day of the week (51), room temperature to be achieved (52), water temperature to be achieved (53). An arrow (54) indicates against one of legends "CONT", "TIMED", "OFF" adjacent the liquid crystal to show which programme the hot water is following, while an arrow (55) at the oFposite end of the liquid crystal indicates which programme the central heating is following. It will be noted that the water temperature indicator (53) appears as a stylized tank, increased temperature being shown as an increase in apparent water level.

In this operating mode, the or.ly adjustments to the programmer are very simple. Repeated operation of the top er.d of button (43) increases the demanded water temperature, as shown by indicator (53), while operation of the bottom end of button (43) decreases the temperature.

Similar operation of button (42) adjusts the room temperature (52).

A temporary over-ride of the existing operation of the hot water circuit is achieved by pressing the top end of button (44). An extended heating period can be provided by pressing the bottom end of button (44), once for one hour, twice for two hours, and three times for three hours.

Similar operation of button (41) provides temporary changes to the central heating operation. It will be appreciated that these over-ride adjustments oFerate just once, after which the programme is returned to normal.

It is considered that the programme controls described above are those mcst usually needed. When, however, permanent programming is required, the cover plate (40) is opened, dropping into the pcsition shown in Figure 4. The opening mction operates an electrical reed switch (57) which changes the mode of operation of the programmer into a re-programming mcde in which the functions of buttons (41, 42, 43, 44) are changed. Legends now uncovered by the opening of plate (40) describe the new functions, as seen in Figure 4.

With the opening of the plate (40), the liquid crystal is wiped clean of all indicators, with the exception of arrows (54) and (55).

To alter the position of the arrows, and thus alter the programme selection, repeated pressing of the top end of button (41) steps the arrow through its selection positions. Similarly, repeated pressing of the bottom end of button (41) steps arrow (55) through its positions.

If it is desired to correct the present time indication or the day of the week indication, then the top end of button (42) marked "SET" is pressed. This causes the liquid crystal to display present time and the word "CLOCK" and day. The time may then be corrected by operation of button (43), the top end to advance the displayed time, the bottom end to put the time back. The day may be corrected by repeated pressing of the top "DAY" end of button (44), until the day displayed is correct.

If the programme times are te be changed, "SET" button (42) is pressed again. The liquid crystal then displays the first "ON" time for the hot water on Monday, as shown in Figure 4. Adjustment to this time is achieved by operating button (43) in the same way as described above.

Repeated pressing of "SET" button (42) displays each of the Monday programme times which can then be adjusted. Up to three heating periods can be set in for the day. Further pressing of "SET" button (42) changes the display to the central heating programme times for Monday, which can be adjusted if desired. When the Monday programme is correct, the 'DPY" button (44) is pressed, at which the Tuesday programme times may be cycled. If, however, it is desired that the Tuesday times are the same as Monday's, then the bottom end of button (44) marked "COPY" is pressed. Thus the whole week can be programed with different programme times for each day if desired.

In order to return the liquid crystal to normal operating mode, the cover plate (40) is closed, operating reed switch (57) and restoring the first described functions of the buttons.

A further function is the ability to programme a one-off advance of the next nxsrning heating periods for one hour. This is done by opening the cover plate, and pressing "SET" button (42) repeatedly until at the end of the cycle the word "RUN" appears on the liquid crystal.

If the bottom end of button (42) marked "FACILITY" is then pressed, the word "MORNING" appears on the liquid crystal. If normal running is now resumed by closing the plate, then the first hot water and central heating periods for the next day will be advanced by one hour. A single automatic over-ride can also be set in up to one week in advance for either central heating or hot water, or both. To do this, the "SET'; button (42) is pressed once, so that the time of day and day of the week are displayed. If the bottom "FACILITY" end of button (42) is now pressed, the word "EXTRA" is displayed on the liquid crystal. Further operations of the "SET" button bring first "HW" then "CH", then both, onto the display, to decide wether hot water, central heating, or both are to be over-ridden. The "DAY" button (44) is operated to change the day indication to that on which the over-ride is to oFerate, and the button (43) is operated to select a time for the over-ride. Light emitting diodes (60, 61) are energized when the hot water and central heating circuits respectively are in operation.

In another embodiment (not shown) the programmer has a cover plate which operates a switch which locks the programmer circuits, i.e. prevents any operation from altering the programmes set in. Opening of the cover plate then renders these buttons or other manual adjustments effective on the programmer circuit. Thus, inadvertant programme changes are prevented. The cover plate may, in an alternative, slide over the face of the programmer, rather than be hinged.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A programming device for ccntrolling programmed operation of cental heating and/or hot water systems having a plurality of manual control means, some at least of which have dual functions controlling or.e function in one mode and another function in another mode.

2. A programming device as claimed in claim 1, having switch means for changing the operation from one of said modes to the other.

3. A programming device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one mode is a normal operating mode and the other mode is a re-programming mode, the functions of said manual control means relating to reprogramming when in the re-programming mode.

4. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein there are alternative legends describing the two functions of each manual control means, which legends are changed appropriately when the mode of operation changes.

5. A programming device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 as appendant tc claim 3, wherein said manual control means includes manual press button means which in the normal operation mcde adjust a selected room temperature and in the re-programming mode adjust a selected programme time.

6. A programminy device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 as appendant to claim 3, or claim 5, wherein said manual control means includes manual press button means which in the normal operation mode provide an over-ride function and in the re-programming mode select which programme time is to be adjusted.

7. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, comprising also a liquid crystal which in the normal operation mode displays present time and the selected room temperature and in the re-programming mode is changed to display a selected programme time for adjustment.

8. A programming device as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 as appendant to claim 3, wherein said manual control means includes a plurality of pivoted levers, each selectively operating a pair of switches, having or.e pair of functions in one mode and another pair of functions in the other mode.

9. A programming device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a first or.e of said pivoted levers in normal operating mode provides an over-ride function and in the re-programming mode selects which of the programme times is set up for adjustment and a second one of said pivoted levers provides in the re-programming mode for advancing and/or retarding the programme time so selected.

10. A programming device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second pivoted lever in the normal operating mode controls increasing and decreasing a selected temperature.

11. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein there are four pivoted levers, which in the normal operation mode provide for independent temperature adjustment and over-ride of central heating and hot water functions, while in the re-programming mode provide for selection of programme times for adjustment and for adjustment of the programme times so selected.

12. A programming device as claimed in claim 11, comprising also a liquid crystal which in the normal operation mode displays present time and selected temperatures and in the re-programming mode displays the programme time selected for adjustment.

13. A programming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said liquid crystal also displays an indication of whether the programming device is following a timed programme or is operating continuously or is turned off, one of said pivoted levers operating in the re-programming mode to change this indication as required.

14. A programming device for controlling programmed operation of central heating and/or hct water systems substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.