GB2215518A

GB2215518A - Electrical control unit

Info

Publication number: GB2215518A
Application number: GB8804479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Gregory
Original assignee: VANDERHOFF COMMUNICATIONS LIMI; VANDERHOFF COMMUNICATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: VANDERHOFF COMMUNICATIONS LIMI; VANDERHOFF COMMUNICATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1988-02-25
Filing date: 1988-02-25
Publication date: 1989-09-20
Also published as: GB8804479D0

Abstract

An electrical control unit for controlling the operation of a domestic central heating/hot water supply comprises a number of switches 23 for programming a microchip 12 and a movable control member 22 for operating a further switch 20 which selects a programming function of the microchip 12 so that the position of the control member 22 determines the function performed by each programming switch 23. A display 28, 29 describes the function that will be performed when each programming switch 23 is operated and is changed when the control member 22 is moved so as to indicate the new control function selected. <IMAGE>

Description

Electrical Control Unit This invention relates to electrical control units and in particular, but not exclusively, to control units for programming the starting and stopping times for central heating/ho water systems.

Domestic central heating/hot water systems are conventionally controlled by a control unit which is capable of showing inter alia the start and stop times for the central heating and/or the hot water and includes switch means for adjusting such times. In some units the functions which may be adjusted are numerous and a multiplicity of controls need to be shown to the user in order that the correct function for adjustment may be selected.

An object of the invention is to provide a control unit in which the programming of the unit is simplified.

Accordingly the invention provides an electrical control unit which comprises one or more first switch means, a display means adjacent each switch means, and a movable control member associated with further switch means, the further switch means being connected to select two or more control functions according to the position of the control member,and movement of the control member also changing the display means according to the control function selected so that the first switch means is each able to effect different switch functions according to the matter displayed by the display means.

Preferably the control member carries the display means comprising two or more sets of data for each switch means, only one set of data being displayed for each switch means and for each position of the control member.

Conveniently the sets of data are each associated with a window through which the selected set of data is revealed.

The control member may be slidable between different positions and in each position the member effects electrical contact with one of two or more of said further switch means each associated with one of said control functions. Alternatively the control member may execute a rotary movement.

Preferably the control functions include programmable control means and the control means is programmed according to the operation of the first switch means.

The movable control member may include a manually engageable operating member located adjacent an indicator for indicating the control function selected.

The unit may include an electronic display unit operable according to the control function selected and according to the operation of the first switch means to display information to the user.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of part of a control unit, Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the unit in one mode of operation, and Figi 3 and 4 are views corresponding to Fig. 2 in other modes of operation.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows a control unit intended for controlling and programming a domestic central heating and hot water supply. Only those parts of the unit which are relevant to the present invention are shown.

The unit includes a back plate (not shown), which is normally secured to a wall or other upright supporting surface, and a body or casing 11 which is in use secured in relation to the back plate 10.

The back plate and casing 11 between them support a circuit board carrying a programmable electronic circuit 12 in the form of'a microchip which includes switch means for switching the central heating/hot water supply (not shown) on and off in accordance with a preprogrammed sequence. The microchip 12 also includes connections 13 formed on the circuit board 14 for supplying information carried on the microchip to an electronic visual display unit 15 of known form which is seen through a window 16 in the casing 11.

Further connections 17 to the microchip 12 are carried on the printed circuit board 14 to supply information to the microchip for programming the microchip.

Some of the connections 17A are made to a set of switch contacts 20 and some of the connections 17B are made to a set of push button switches 21. The switches 20 and 21 are indirectly operated by a slider 22 and by push buttons 23 respectively.

The front of the casing 11 is apertured to provide two vertical rows of openings 24 and 25, three openings in each row, with one push button 23 protruding through each of the openings 24 and 25. Adjacent each push button opening 24 and 25 is located a further opening 26 and 27 respectively through which is displayed portions 28 and 29 of the slider 22 on which legends are carried.

Above the openings 24 and 25, 26 and 27 is provided a further opening 31 in the casing 11 through which an operating member 32 of the slider protrudes. The slider 22 is slidably mounted on the casing for movement up and down relative to the casing between three positions, such positions being marked on the casing 11, in this case as "OFF", "sex" and "RUN" positions. Detents (not shown) assist the user in ensuring that the slider is accurately registered in one or other of these positions, as required.

The slider 22 carries for movement therewith a switch contact member 35 which effects switching between the set of switch contacts 20. The set 20 includes a common contact 36 and three selectively connectable contacts 37A, 37B and 37C and the member 35 is arranged so that as the slider 22, and hence the member 35, is moved the common contact 36 is electrically connected to either one of the contacts 37A, 37B or 37C through the member 35. The contacts selected cause the microchip to be put into a mode capable of being programmed according to the desired programming function determined by the microchip 12.

As the slider 22 is moved the legends on the portions 28 and 29 of the slider revealed through the openings 26 and 27 are changed. Such portions 28 and 29 comprise strips on each of which are three sets of legends.

Thus for each opening 26 and 27 there are three legends, that which is revealed being in accordance with the selected position of the slider 22. In the illustrated unit the legends to be selected are as shown in the drawings, in particular Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in which the legends corresponding to each of the three positions of the slider are seen. Thus, for example, when the slider 22 is located in the 'OFF' position, i.e. with the operating member 32 moved manually to adjacent the word 'OFF' on the casing, the legends on the portions 28 and 29 displayed through the openings 26 and 27 are blank i.e. "......" indicating that no programming of the microchip can be effected in this position. In this position the visual display unit 15, usually a liquid crystal display, shows the word "OFF", all as shown in Fig. 2.

However when the slider 22 is moved to the "SET" or "RUN" position of Figs. 3 and 4 respectively different legends are displayed through the openings 26 and 27 which are in accordance with the functions which can be programmed into the microchip 12. Thus, for example, in the 'SET" position of Fig. 3 the functions "PROGRAM", "FORWARD" and "DAY" are displayed through openings 26 by the legends on the slider portion 28 adjacent the push buttons 23 (on the left hand side), as seen. Adjacent the push buttons 23 (on the right hand side) are displayed the legends "TIMES", "REVERSE" and "COPY" through the openings 27.

With the slider 22 in the other "RUN" position of Fig. 4 a further two sets of legends "CH O/R", "HW O/R" and I? II and "CH + lHR", "HW + lHR" and "........." are displayed to the left and right hand sides respectively.

In either of the Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 positions the position of the slider 22 selects the programming function of the microchip to be operated. Depression of the push button 23 will cause the microchip to be programmed according to the legend displayed alongside the push button by reason of the change of position of the contact member 35. Thus for each slider position the preprogramming of the microchip changes the function performed by each of the push buttons 23 through their associated push button switches 21.

In practice the slider 22 will be moved to the "SET position when it is desired to reset the programme of the control unit. When the unit has been set to the desired programme and the controls are to be operable the slider is moved to the "RUN" position. For nonoperation of the central heating/hot water system the slider is moved to the "OFF" position.

When in the "SEr" position the start and stop times of the central heating and/or the hot water can be altered as required and the actual time shown on the display unit 15 can also be altered.

In the "RUN" position the preset times or programme can be altered to override the preset times for the central heating and hot water and also to allow the hot water and/or central heating to continue to operate for a further hour or hours after the normal programme would otherwise effect switch off.

The invention provides means for enabling the user of the unit to readily operate and programme the system with a minimum of control switches, even when the number of functions which can be altered are numerous.

Claims

1. An electrical control unit which comprises one or more first switch means, a display means adjacent each switch means, and a movable control member associated with further switch means, the further switch means being connected to select two or more control functions according to the position of the control member and movement of the control member, also changing the display means according to the control function selected so that the first switch means is each able to effect different switch functions according to the matter displayed by the display means.

2. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the control member carries the display means comprising two or more sets of data for each switch means, only one set of data being displayed for each switch means and for each position of the control member.

3. A unit according to claim 2 wherein the sets of data are each associated with a window through which the selected sets of data is revealed.

4. A unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the control member is slidable between different positions and in each position the member effects electrical contact with one of two or more of said further switch means each associated with one of said control functions.

5. A unit according to claim 4 wherein the control functions include programmable control means and the control means is programmed according to the operation of the first switch means.

6. A unit according to claim 5 wherein the programmable control means includes a microchip.

7. A unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable control member includes a manually engageable operating member located adjacent an indicator for indicating the control function selected.

8. A unit according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an electronic display unit operable according to the control function selected and according to the operation of the first switch means to display information to the user.

9. A unit according to claim 8 wherein the electronic display unit is electrically connected to programmable control means.

10. A unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable control member carries two rows of data each row carrying at least two sets of data each set being selectively revealed adjacent the respective first switch means.