GB2028537A - Programmer - Google Patents

Abstract

A programmer for controlling a heating installation comprises a matrix with a series of conducting strips (25) on one face connected to a clock- driven shift register (22) and another (orthogonal) series of strips (26) on the other face connected to respective heating apparatuses (14). Each of the heating apparatuses has regulating means (30) for maintaining a normal temperature during an "on" period of the programme and a restricted temperature during an "off" period of then programme. There may be two shift registers (22, 23), one for hours of the day and one for days of the week. Selecting of "on" periods for a particular apparatus involves inserting electrical connectors at the crossing points between relevant strips of the first series and that strip of the second series which corresponds to the apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Programmer The present invention relates to a programmer.

A known type of programmer for other purposes consists of a clock, at least one shift register which periodically receives pulses from the clock, and a programming matrix, on one side of which there is provided a first series of parallel conducting strips each of which is connected to an output of the abovementioned shift register, and on the other side of which are provided further parallel conducting strips forming a second series which intersects the first series. Each of such strips and further strips is connected to a circuit for controlling an apparatus or group of coupled apparatuses, and there is a hole in the programming matrix at each intersection of a conducting strip of the first series and a conducting strip of the second series, in order to receive an element which ensures the electrical connection between the two faces of the matrix.

The type of programmer first described above has never been applied to a heating installation.

As regards the programming matrices, which are in themselves well-known, they are generally used for carrying out an "all-or nothing" programming, which means that'the presence or absence of a connecting element at the intersection of two conducting strips simply controls the starting or stopping of an apparatus, and the application of such matrices to control of heating apparatus is not satisfactory without special adaptation because it leads to a situation in which only the starting or stopping of heating apparatuses is controlled without any regulation of their operation.

Programming systems for heating apparatuses are already known in which regulation is incorporated, but these systems remain imperfect: if it is desired.to control separately each heating apparatus of a given installation, for example as a function of the temperature measured in the room where that apparatus is located, and as a fraction of at least one pre-set nominal temperature, it is currently necessary to provide a-separate programmer for each apparatus. In view of the cost which this entails, no more than one programmer is generally installed to cover all the rooms, this constituting a kind of "time switch" system. This solution involves a large wastage of energy because it leads to a situation in which all the rooms are heated simultaneously without taking into account whether or not individual rooms are actually occupied.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a programmer which may be applied to an installation for heating buildings, the conducting strips of the first series of the programming matrix, which are connected to the outputs of the shift register, allowing time programming, for example an hourly programming, whereas each conducting strip of the second series is connected to an automatic regulating circuit associated with an electrical heatihg apparatus or a group of coupled apparatuses, the supply of which apparatus or group is controlled by means of an electronic cutout switch as a function of a selected "desired" temperature and the "actual" temperature measured by a sensor, the programming matrix making it possible, for each heating apparatus, to choose, individually and every programme period either a first desired temperature, said to be for "normal" operation, or a second desired temperature, said to be for "restricted" operation, depending on whether or not an electrical connection is made at the crossover between the conducting strip of the first series, which corresponds to the programme period in question, and the conducting strip of the second series, which corresponds to the apparatus or group in question, means for preselecting the two "desired" temperatures being provided for each heating apparatus.

More specifically the invention provides a programmer comprising a clock; at least one shift register connected to receive periodically pulses from the clock; and a programming matrix having on one side parallel conducting strips forming a first series, each of which is connected to an output of the abovementioned shift register, and on the other side further parallel conducting strips forming a second series which are non-parallel with respect to the strips of the first series, each of which further strips is connected to a circuit for controlling a heating apparatus or group of coupled heating apparatuses, means being provided at each crossover between a conducting strip of the first series and a conducting strip of the second series for electrically connecting the two faces of the matrix, each conducting strip of the second series being connected to an automatic regulating circuit associated with a heating apparatus or a group of coupled heating apparatuses the supply of which is controlled by means of an electronic cut-out switch as a function of a preselected or desired temperature and the actual value of that parameter measured by a sensor, whereby the programming matrix makes it possible, for each apparatus, to choose, individually and for every time period selected by said at least one shift register either a first desired temperature said to be for "normal" operation, or a second desired temperature said to be for "restricted" operation, depending on whether or not an electrical connection is made by said connecting means between the conducting strip of the first series, which corresponds to the time period in question, and the conducting strip of the second series, which corresponds to the apparatus or group in question; and means for pre-setting the said two desired temperatures for each apparatus or group.

A device is thus produced which allows both a centralised programming of all the apparatuses and a choice of different desired temperatures for each apparatus or group, and therefore for each room, in "normal" operation and in "restricted" operation, and this is possible during programming period e.g. at any hour of the day.

The invention provides a considerable saving, both in its production, especially if the programming matrix with its two series of conducting strips consists of a double-sided printed circuit, and in its use, because it allows an energy saving by individually heating the rooms depending on whether or not they are occupied. It is self-evident that the invention offers maximum flexibility of programming, and this flexibility can easily be increased by providing the programmer with at least two said shift registers, such as a daily register and a weekly register, and logic circuits to combine the sub-daily (e.g. hourly) programming, made on those of the conducting strips which are connected to the outputs of a first of the shift registers, with a programming made on the conducting strips connected to the outputs of a second of the shift registers, such as a weekly programming.In one particular embodiment, the abovementioned logic circuits comprise, for each apparatus or group of coupled apparatuses, a NAND gate having one input connected to a first conducting strip of the second series which first strip is adapted to be connected to those of the conducting strips of the first series which are associated with the first shift register, and having its other input connected to a second conducting strip of the second series, which second strip is adapted to be connected to those of the conducting strips of the first series which are associated with the second shift register, the two inputs of said NAND gate also being connected to a change-over switch operable to render the programming temporarily ineffective.This changeover switch makes it possible, if desired, to control the apparatuses by by-passing the matrix, thereby further increasing the flexibility of use of the programmer. It should also be pointed out that the means for preselecting the two desired temperatures, for each apparatus, can be placed either on the central device next to the matrix or near the apparatus in question.

Since the programming is predetermined by selecting appropriate electrical connections between the front and the back of the matrix, it will be understood that as the clock associated with the shift register advances the shift register it automatically effects switching of the regulating circuits of each apparatus of either "normal" operation or "restricted" operation, as desired, without any simultaneous or subsequent manual intervention, hour by hour and also, in the case where a weekly shift register is provided, as a function of the days of the week.It is therefore possible to heat each room under "normal" operating conditions only during the hours when it is envisaged that the room will be occupied, and under "restricted" operating conditions during the remainder of the time, in order to maintain a predetermined minimum temperature, and, if appropriate, to keep the entire installation under "restricted" operating conditions during days of the week when no room is occupied, for example at the weekend. Said change-over switch to render the programming temporarily ineffective, is advantageously arranged so that in one position it controls the "normal" operation of each apparatus, regardless of the time of day.This makes it possible to ensure an adequate temperature in all the rooms, in case of unforeseen or exceptional use outside the preestablished programme, without it being necessary to change the states of the individual electrical connecting means on the programming matrix. It should be noted that, in this case, each heating apparatus or group remains regulated at the appropriate temperature for "normal" operation which was preselected for that apparatus or group. According to a complementary arrangement, a second changeover switch can further be provided in order to render the programming temporarily ineffective and to control the supply of all the heating apparatuses from a single common thermostat.

In a preferred embodiment, the programming matrix has a conducting zone on the double-sided printed circuit at each crossover between a conducting strip of the first series and a conducting strip of the second series, which conducting zone is connected to one of the conducting strips by way of an isolating diode, a hole provided at the intersection passing through both the other conducting strip and the said conducting zone.

Each electrical connecting means between the two faces of the matrix may consist of a rod which is formed of an electrically conducting material and is integral with a flange and an insulating control button, a contact washer slidably mounted on the rod, and a spring exerting a force which both holds the said contact washer flat against one of the faces of the matrix and holds the flange flat on the other face, the said hole being an oblong slot which opens at at least one of its ends, into one of the conducting strips of one series and also into one of the said conducting zones which is electrically connected to a conducting strip of the other series. The rod can thus be moved along the slot and can be brought to one or other of the ends thereof. In one of its positions, the rod establishes the electrical connection between the two superposed strips of the two series, through contact between the strips and the flange and washer, respectively, of the rod. In the other position, the rod is not in contact with any strip or only with one of the strips of one of the series and does not therefore ensure the electrical connection with any strip of the other series. In addition to their contact function, the flange and the washer perform a locking function and prevent any separation of the rod from the matrix. The various rods of the contact means thereby remain permanently on the matrix, whether or not they ensure contact, and they cannot therefore be lost.

Alternatively each connecting means comprise a detachable pin consisting of a metal wire whch forms a spring and has two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which are capable of abutting both the conducting strip and the said conducting zone to be connected. This solution is extremely simple, but the use of such detachable pins can prove less convenient and the pins are likely to be lost.

In another embodiment, each electrical connecting means may include a detachable pin consisting of: an insulating plate which is fixed to a metal angle piece suitable for ensuring contact with one of the conducting strips, and which carries a resilient metal wire having two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which are suitable both for passing through the hole proivided at the crossover of two conducting strips and for ensuring contact with the other conducting strip; and an isolating diode on a conductor whose one end is soldered to the angle piece and the other end is soldered to the elastic wire.In this case, the structure of the pins is somewhat more complex because they incorporate isolating diodes, but the omission of the diodes from the printed circuit makes the latter very simple to produce, more especially as the abovementioned conducting zones are also rendered unnecessary, and this reduces the cost of this circuit.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood the following description is given; merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing which shows some embodiments of this programmer. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of an installation which is to be automatically regulated by the programmer according to the invention, this view showing in particular the external appearance of the programming matrix; Figure 2 is a partial view of the said matrix, showing the arrangement of its conducting strips in one embodiment; Figure 3 is a sectional view, on a eniarged scale, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 i.e. through the printed circuit carrying the conducting strips, this view also showing a possible embodiment of a detachable pin for electrically connecting the two faces of the printed circuit.

Figure 4 shows, in perspective, a variant of this pin with an incorporated diode; Figure 5 is a sectional view, somewhat similar to Figure 3, illustrating the anchoring of the pin of Figure 4 to the printed circuit of the programming matrix; Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of a regulating circuit associated with an apparatus, and of that part of the programming matrix which is connected to this regulating circuit; Figure 7 is a partial view of another embodiment of the matrix showing the arrangement of its conducting strips and of the electrical connecting elements between these strips; Figure 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along 8-8 of Figure 7, and showing especially the connecting elements in their two extreme positions; Figure 9 is a partial sectional view showing a different embodiment of the connecting elements; and Figures 10 and 11 are partial views showing two other different embodiments of the matrix.

The programmer described in this Application is applied to an installation for heating buildings with automatic regulation, which has separate programming for the temperature of each room.

A probe 11 senses the temperature in that part of each room which it is to control and sends the information to a panel 12, the outer appearance of which is shown in Figure 1. This panel 12 is connected to electronic cut-out switches 1 3 such as "triacs", which are equal in number to the probes 11 and each of which controls the supply of a respective electrical heating apparatus 14 in the same room as the corresponding probe 11.

The example chosen involves ten probes 11, ten electronic cut-out switches 13 and the same number of apparatuses 14, shown symbolically in Figure 1 by means of bqxes numbered from 1 to 10.

The panel 1 2 comprises a programming matrix which makes it possible, for each of the ten rooms, to individually choose the temperature for each hour of the day and night. On the outside, this matrix looks like a grid having 24Q divisions 1 5 which are arranged as ten cclumns representing the ten apparatuses 14 and twenty-four rows representing the 24 hours of a day, numbered from 0 to 23 hours.

Each apparatus 14 is associated with two thermostats, one of which makes it possible to set the temperature said to be for "normal" operation at between, for example, 180C and 25do, and the other of which makes it possible to set the temperature said to be for "restricted" operation at between, for example, 5 and 180C. In order to select these "normal" and "restricted" temperatures, two sliding contacts, 1 6 and 1 7 respectively, are provided above each column and can be moved in front of sets of graduations, one of which sets corresponds to the range of temperatures for "normal" operations and the other of which sets corresponds to the range of temperatures for "restricted" operation.

The programming matrix thus makes it possible, for each apparatus 14, to choose individually and every hour either "normal" operation or "restricted" operation, by simply placing contact pins in holes 1 8 in each of the divisions 1 5 or removing contact pins from these holes. In principle, "normal" operation is chosen for the hours when the room corresponding to the apparatus in question is to be occupied, and "restricted" operation is chosen for the hours during which the room is not occupied.

The panel 12 comprises an internal mechanical or electronic clock which is indicated symbolically by 19 in Figure 6. In order to facilitate adjustments, this clock has, on the outside, a timedisplay device 20 and time reset buttons 21, as shown in Figure 1.

The clock 1 9 delivers a pulse every hour. This pulse causes an advance in the state of a daily shift register 22 (Figure 6) having twenty-four outputs. In the example of Figure 6, this register 22 controls another or "weekly"shift register 23 having seven outputs. This second register 23 makes it possible to impose "restricted" operation for any room, at any hour, during the day or days of the week when the room is not occupied.

The daily shift register 22 is connected to a double-sided printed circuit 24, partially shown in Figures 2 and 3, and placed just below the external plate of the panel 12 which carries the divisions 1 5. On its rear face, for example, this printed circuit 24 carries twenty-four horizontal conducting strips 25 which are all parallel and equidistant. On its front face, the same printed circuit 24 carries ten other vertical conducting strips 26 which are all parallel and equidistant A small conducting zone 27, which is located on the rear face of the printed circuit 24 and connected to the adjacent horizontal strip 25 via an isolating diode 28, is provided at each crossing of a horizontal strip 25 over a vertical strip 26.

Each crossing of a horizontal strip 25 over a vertical strip 26 corresponds to a hole 18; each hole 1 8 extends inside the panel 12, passing through both a vertical strip 26 and a conducting zone 27, as shown in Figure 3. The same Figure shows a possible embodiment of a pin 29 which is introduced into one hole 1 8. This pin consists of a metal wire which forms a spring and has two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which rest both on the conducting strip 26 and the conducting zone 27, therefore ensuring their electrical connection. Thus, a pin 29 ensures, via one of the diodes 28, the electrical connection between one of the horizontal conducting strips 25 corresponding to a given hour, and one of the vertical conducting strips 26 corresponding to one of the ten apparatuses 14 of the installation in question.In fact, as shown in Figure 6, each horizontal conducting strip 25 is connected to one output of the daily shift register 22, and each vertical conducting strip 26 is connected to a regulating circuit 30 which is associated with one of the apparatuses 14.

Figure 2 shows that the printed circuit 24 can have an additional vertical conducting strip 31 which is connected to each of the horizontal strips 25 by means of a conductor on which a light indicator 32 is inserted. The indicator 32 are situated opposite each row of the programming matrix (see Figure 1) and make it possible, at any time, to know which of these rows is being selected by the daily shift register 22.

In a variant (see Figure 5) the printed circuit 24 carries only two orthogonal series of parallel conducting strips 25 and 26, located respectively on its rear face and its front face, and the holes 18 pass directly through their crossover points, the conducting zones 27 being omitted. The isolating diodes 28 are then carried by the pins 29 as shown in Figure 4 which depicts one possible embodiment of such a pin 29 and its incorporated diode 28. An insulating plate 33 is fixed to a metal angle piece 34 which has two lugs ensuring the "upper" contact with one of the vertical conducting strips 26. On the plate 33 is an elastic metal wire 35 which has two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which pass through the hole 1 8 and ensure the "lower" contact with one of the horizontal conducting strips 25.The diode 28 is inserted on a conductor 36, one end of which is soldered to the angle piece 34 and the other end of which is soldered to the spring wire 35.

In the case where a weekly shift register 23 is included, each output of the latter is connected to one of seven other horizontal conducting strips 25' as shown in Figure 6. Other pins 29', which are similar to the above pins and incorporate, for example, isolating diodes 28', provide electrical connection between the conducting strips 25' and a vertical conducting strip 26' located in the extension of the strip 26.

At that one of its outputs which corresponds to the relevant hour the daily shift register 22 maintains a logic level of 1 for one hour, the other twenty-three outputs being at the logic level 0.

Likewise, at one of its outputs the weekly shift register 23 maintains a logic level of 1 throughout each day, the other six outputs being at the logic level 0.

The two corresponding vertical conducting strips 26 and 26' are connected respectively to the two inputs of a first NAND gate 37. During every hour for which a pin 29 is in place, the strip 26 receives information of logic level 1, and during every hour for which the pin is absent, it receives information of logic level 0. Likewise, throughout every day for which a pin 29' has been positioned, the strip 26' receives information of logic level 1, and every day for which the pin is absent, it receives information of logic level 0. If the two inputs of the NAND gate 37 are at the level 1, the output of this gate is at the level 0 and this state holds energised in a first branch 38 forming a voltage divider, which branch is joined to the sliding contact 1 6 and is used for regulation under "normal" operation. In this state, a change-over switch 39, connected to the output of the NAND gate 37, simultaneously holds inoperative a second branch 40 forming a voltage divider, which branch is mounted in parallel on the first and is joined to the sliding contact 17 which is used for regulation under "restricted" operation. When one or both of the inputs of the gate 37 are at the level 0, the converse takes place; the branch 38 is inoperative and the branch 40 is energised.

The two circuit branches 38 and 40 which form voltage dividers are connected to the same input of a comparator 41 , the other input of which is connected to another voltage divider including the temperature probe 11 which is, for example, a probe of the "NTC" (negative temperature coefficient) type. The comparator 41 thus effects a comparison of the preset temperature for the, apparatus 14 in question, this temperature being given by the respective branch 38 or 40, with the actual temperature of the room in which the apparatus is located, as measured by the probe 11. For as long as an imbalance exists between the voltages at its two inputs, the comparator 41 delivers, at its output, a logic signal of level 1 which is amplified at 42 and brought to an input of a NAND gate 43.The other input of the gate 43 is connected to a horizontal conductor forming a row 44 of the matrix which is common to all the other similar regulating circuits 30 as well as that which is described in this case. The logic level in this matrix row 44 can be switched to O or 1 by means of an "automatic/manual" change-over switch 45.

If the change-over switch 45 is in the "automatic" position, this being the position which can be seen in Figure 6, the logic level is 1 in the row 44 and therefore 0 at the output of the NAND gate 43, this still applying to the case where there is imbalance between the pre-set and measured temperatures. The output signal from the NAND gate 43 is converted into a signal of level 1 at the output of a last NAND gate 46, the function of which will become apparent later. The signal which is present at the output of the NAN D gate 46 energises a transistor 47 which is connected to the gate of the "triac" 1 3 associated with the apparatus 14 in question. The "triac" 1 3 is caused to conduct and allows the passage of the alternating current which supplied the apparatus 14.When the voltages at the two inputs of the comparator 41 are balanced, the converse takes place; this comparator delivers a signal of level 0, the NAND gate 43 delivers a signal of level 1 and the NAND gate 46 delivers a signal of level 0, which blocks the "triac" 1 3 and.thus interrupts the supply of the apparatus 14.

If the change-over switch 45 is in the "manual" position, the logic level in the row 44 is 0 and consequently the outputs of all the NAND gates 43 are at the level 1, regardless of the state of the outputs of the. comparators 41. A general thermostat 48 is then switched in. This thermostat is connected to a common row 49 which is in turn connected to the second inputs of all the NAND gates 46. For as long as the contact of the thermostat 48 is closed, the row 49 is kept earthed; in other words, all the second inputs of the NAND gates 46 will be at the level 0. Since the output of each NAND gate 46 is then at the level 1, it keeps the corresponding "triac" 1 3 in the conducting state. When the contact of the thermostat 48 is opened, the row 49 changes two the level 1.The output of each NAND gate 46 changes to the level 0 and all the "triacs" 1 3 become blocked.

The change-over switch 45 thus makes it possible to cause the entire installation to function temporarily according to conventional "manual" operation, that is to say with a single thermostat 48 which simultaneously controls the heating of all the apparatuses 14.

Another change-over switch 50 is provided which makes it possible to cause the entire installation to function temporarily according to the "normal" operating conditions which have been defined above. By closing the contact of this change-over switch 50, which is normally open, the two inputs of the NAND gate 37 are kept at the logic level 1 , with the result that it is the branch 38, corresponding to "normal" operation, which is switched in, regardless of the hour and the day.

On the front panel of the board 12, the controls of the two change-over switches 45 and 50 which make in possible to render the programming totally or partially ineffective as desired, can be regrouped as indicated by 51 in Figure 1.

It is interesting to point out that the regulating circuit 30 can additionally be used to trigger an alarm 52, which functions in the event of excessive temperature, for example at the start of a fire. For this purpose, the probe 11 is connected, via a circuit branch comprising, in particular, a Zener diode 53, to a transistor 54 which controls the power supply to the alarm 52.

Of course, the wiring diagram of the regulating circuit 30, shown in Figure 6, is given by way of a non-limiting example and other equivalent means, in particular logic circuits utilising other types of gates which are arranged differently but produce the same result, can be used without going outside the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Figures 7 to 11 relate to other embodiments of the programming matrix, and of the contact elements associated therewith, which can advantageously.be used in the application to a heating installation in accordance with the present invention. The matrix still consists of a doublesided printed circuit 24 having two series of conducting strips. The first series consists of vertical conducting strips 60 on the rear face of the matrix. The second series consists of horizontal conducting strips 62 on the front face of the matrix. Each of these strips 60, of which there are 24 is connected to an output of a daily shift register, whereas each strip 62 is connected to a circuit for regulating one of the apparatuses, the functioning of which must be programmed.

Furthermore, a conducting zone 63 is associated with each of the conducting strips 60 in each of its zones of crossing over the conducting strips 62 of the other series; in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, this conducting zone is parallel thereto and partially overlaps the strip 62 on the other face. This zone 63 is connected to the conducting strips 60 via an isolating diode 28.

In this case, the contact elements between the strips 60 and 62 consist of contact components, generally denoted 65, co-operating with an oblong aperture 64 provided in each zone of crossover between the various strips. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, each oblong slot 64 is parallel to the conducting strips 6Q and arranged so that, on the front face of the circuit, the whole slot opens out in the corresponding conducting strip 62, and, on the back of the printed circuit board, only one of its ends opens out in the lower part of the conducting zone 63.

The contact components 65 consist of (a) a rod 66 of an electrically conducting material and shown in Figure 8 as being integral with a flange 67 and (b) a control button 68 made of an insulating material. The rod 66 passes freely through the oblong aperture 64 and supports a washer 69 which may or may not be integral with a shank 70, and helical spring 72. The spring 72, which is arranged around the free end of the rod 66, rests on a groove 71 provided at the free end of this rod. The spring tends to hold the washer 69 flat against one of the faces of the printed circuit and, by reaction, tends to hold the flange 67 flat against the other face of the circuit.

When the component 65 is in the rest position (shown in the upper part of Figure 8) its flange 67 is in contact with the corresponding conducting strip 62, but its washer 69 is not in'contact with the conducting zone 63 which corresponds thereto. As a result, this component does not in the rest state establish electrical connnection between the associated two orthogonal strips 62 and 60. On the other hand, when this component is moved in the direction of the arrow 74 so as to assume the position shown in the lower part of Figure 8, its washer 69 is also in contact with the lower end of the conducting zone 63 and thus ensures the electrical connection between the two strips 60 and 62.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that in order to programme the matrix of Figures 7 and 8 it is sufficient to move the contact components in their respective slot, an operation which is carried out very simply and more conveniently than with the removable pins described previously with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Furthermore, by virtue of its structure, each contact component is joined to the printed circuit 28 and cannot therefore be lost, whether it be in the rest position or in the contacting position; this is not the case with the removable pins which can be lost when they are not being used.

The embodiment shown in Figure 9 differs from the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 in that the spring 72 is disposed between the button 68 and the washer 69. The washer 69 rests on the front face of the printed circuit, and therefore on one of the strips 62, whereas the flange 67 which is integral with the rod 66 rests on the zone 63 on the rear face of this printed circuit 24. In addition to this difference in structure, there is a difference in functioning. In fact, in order to facilitate vertical movement in the direction of the arrow 74, it is necessary, in this case, to depress the control button 68, whereas in the preceding embodiment it was necessary to withdraw the button. With the exception of these differences this contact component functions in the same manner as that described above.

Figures 10 and 11 show different arrangements of the oblong slots which co-operate with the contact components.

In Figure 10, at the point where the oblong slot 64a opens out on the front face only the upper end of this slot passes through the strip 62 associated therewith. Therefore, when the contract components is in it "rest" position at the lower part of the slot 64a, its flange and it washers 69 are not in contact with any conducting surface, whereas in the preceding embodiments when the component 65 is located in its rest position its washer and its flange remain in contact with the strip 62.

It is obvious that the slot which, in this embodiment, is parallel to the strip 60 can form an acute angle therewith, depending on the requirements of the assembly or presentation of the programming matrix.

Figure 11 shows another arrangement of the slot 64b. In this case, which corresponds to the use of a contact component carrying its own isolating diode 28, one end of the slot 64b passes through the strip 60 and the strip 62, at the intersection of these two strips.

Again, in this case, the slot 64b can of course occupy any other angular position relative to the two strips and have a position parallel to one or other of these two strips.

It will be apparent that the invention is not limited only to the embodiments of this programmer which have been described above merely by way of example. On the contary, the invention claimed embraces many variants which comprise equivalent means. Thus, the concept of the connecting element or contact component must be interpreted in a very general sense, and it remains within the scope of the invention to resort to simple commercial cut-out switches. Likewise, the invention is not limited only to the particular application which is described above and illustrated by the drawing; on the contrary, it can form the subject of numerous adaptations. Thus, each regulating circuit can optionally be associated not with a single apparatus, but with a group consisting of several apparatuses which can permanently function in the same manner.

Furthermore, the apparatuses in question are not all necessarily heating apparatuses, but some of them can also be, for example, lighting apparatuses, in which case the programming matrix makes it possible to initially choose the rooms to be lit according to the hours, whilst, in the case of the lighting apparatuses, the temperature probes can be replaced by photoelectric cells.

Claims (14)

1. A programmer comprising a clock; at least one shift register connected to receive periodically pulses from the- clock; and a programming matrix having on one side parallel conducting strips forming a first series, each of which is connected to an output of the abovementioned shift register, and on the other side further parallel conducting strips forming a second series which are nonparallel with respect to the strips of the first series, each of which further strips is connected to circuit for controlling a heating apparatus or group of coupled heating apparatuses, means being provided at each crossover between a conducting strip of the first series and a conducting strip of the second series for electrically connecting the two faces of the matrix, each conducting strip of the second series being connected to an automatic regulating circuit associated with a heating apparatus or a group of coupled heating apparatuses the supply of which is controlled by means an electronic cut-out switch as a function of a preselected desired tempereture and the actual value of that parameter measured by a sensor, whereby the programming matrix makes it possible, for each apparatus, to choose, individually and for every time period selected by said at least one shift register either a first desired temperature said to be for "normal" operation, or a second desired temperature said to be for "restricted" operation, depending on whether or not an electrical connection is made by said connecting means between the conducting strip of the first series, which corresponds to the time period in question, and the conducting strip of the second series, which corresponds to the apparatus or group in question; and means for pre-setting the said two desired temperatures for each apparatus or group.

2. A programmer according to claim 1, wherein the programming matrix with its two series of conducting strips comprises a double-sided printed circuit.

3. A programmer according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprise: a conducting zone on said double-sided printed circuit at each crossover between a conducting strip of the first series and one conducting strip of the second series, said conducting zone being connected to one of the conducting strips via an isolating diode; and a hole provided at the crossover and passing through both the said conducting zone and the other of the conducting strips.

4. A programmer according to claim 3, wherein each connecting means consists of a rod which is formed of an electrically conducting material and is integral with a flange and an insulating control button, a contact washer slidably mounted on the rod, and a spring exerting a force which both holds the said contact washer flat against one of the faces of the matrix and holds the flange flat on the other face, the said hole being an oblong slot which opens at least one of its ends, into one of the conducting strips of one series and also into one of the said conducting zones which is electrically connected to a conducting strip of the other series.

5. A programmer according to claim 4, wherein each oblong slot is parallel to the various strips of one series and opens on one side of the matrix and through only one of its ends into one of said conducting zones electrically connected to one of the strips of the said one series, and on the other side of the matrix and along the length of the slot into one of the strips of the other series.

6. A programmer according to claim 3, wherein said means for electrically connecting the two faces of the matrix comprise a detachable pin consisting of a metal wire which forms a spring and has two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which are capabie of abutting both the conducting strip and the said conducting zone to be connected.

7. A programmer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for electrically connecting the two faces of the matrix includes a detachable pin consisting of: an insulating plate which is fixed to a metal angle piece suitable for ensuring contact with one of the conducting strips, and which carries a resilient metal wire having two symmetrical branches ending in hooks which are suitable both for passing through the hole provided at the crossover of two conducting strips and for ensuring contact with the other conducting strip; and an isolating diode on a conductor whose one end is soldered to the angle piece and the other end is soldered to the elastic wire.

8. A programmer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there is provided, on the programming matrix, an additional conducting strip of the second series which is connected by means of a conductor and an indicator lamp to each of the strips of the first series which are connected to the output of the shift register.

9. A programmer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there are at least two said shift registers, one of which is a daily register and the other a weekly register, and logic circuits in order to combine the programming throughout the day, made on the conducting strips connected to the outputs of said one shift register, with a programming made on the conducting strips connected to the outputs of said other shift register.

10. A programmer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further including.at least one changeover switch operable to render the programming temporarily ineffective by controlling the apparatuses or groups of coupled apparatuses without use of said electrical connecting means between the two faces of the matrix.

11. A programmer according to claims 9 and 10, wherein said logic circuits comprise, for each apparatus or group of coupled apparatuses, a NAND gate having one input connected to a first conducting strip of the second series which first step is adapted to be connected to those of the conducting strips of the first series which are associated with the said one shift register, and having its other input connected to a second conducting strip of the second series which second strip is adapted to be connected to those of the conducting strips of the first series which are associated with the said other shift register, the two inputs of said NAND gate also being connected to said change-over switch which makes it possible to render the programming temporarily ineffective.

12. A programmer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said change-over switch is arranged so that, in one position, it provides said "normal" operation of each apparatus, regardless of the time of day.

13. A programmer according to claim 12, and including a second change-over switch operable to render the programming temporarily ineffective and to control the supply of all the heating apparatuses from a single common thermostat.

14. A programmer constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A programmer comprising a clock; at least one shift register connected to receive periodically pulses from the clock; and a programming matrix having on one side parallel conducting strips forming a first series, each of which is - connected to an output of the abovementioned shift register, and on the other side further parallel conducting strips forming a second series which are non-parallel with respect to the strips of the first series, each of which further strips is connected to a circuit for controlling an apparatus or group of coupled apparatuses, means being provided at each crossover between a conducting strip of the first series and a conducting strip of the second series for electrically connecting the two faces of the matrix, each conducting strip of the second series being connected to an automatic regulating circuit associated with an apparatus or a group of coupled apparatuses the supply of which is controlled by means of an electronic cut-out switch as a function of a preselected desired value of a parameter to be controlled and the actual value of that parameter measured by a sensor, whereby the programming matrix makes it possible, for each apparatus, to choose, individually and for every time period selected by said at least one shift register either a first desired value, said to be for "normal" operation, or a second desired value, said to be for "restricted" operation, depending on whether or not an electrical connection is made by said connecting means between the conducting strip of the first series, which corresponds to the time period in question, and the conducting strip of the second series, which corresponds to the apparatus or group in question; and means for pre-setting the said two desired temperatures for each apparatus or group.