JP2001108296A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller which prevents size increase and cost increase and further enhance handiness by enabling the user to optionally select the information to indicate, and rises the safety and usability by preferentially indicating the temperature information indispensable for the user when the user operates a heater. SOLUTION: In a remote controller which is equipped with an operation switch for performing the remote control of a heater, including an operation switch for controlling the operation and stoppage of the heater, and an indicator for indicating each kind of information such as the operation status of the heater, the operation status by the operation switch, etc., and is further equipped with an indicator for indicating the temperature information of the heater and the time information in combination, an indication changeover switch to select the information to indicate on the above indicator is provided. Moreover, it is so arranged that the temperature information is indicated preferentially on the indicator when the heater is operated or high temperature is set, and that the temperature information is indicated preferentially for a specified time from the point of time of turning-on operation when the operation switch is turned on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device, and more particularly, to a remote control device for remotely controlling a heater such as a water heater, a bathtub, a hot air heater, and the like. And a remote control device for displaying temperature information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various remote control devices for remotely controlling a water heater have been proposed. Such a remote control device usually includes at least an operation switch for controlling at least operation and stop of a heater, and a heater. And a display unit for displaying various information such as the operation status of these heaters and the operation status of the operation switches.

[0003]

In such a remote control device, for example, an operation switch for temperature setting is used.
The temperature of the supplied hot water and the temperature of the room to be heated are set, but a temperature indicator is required to confirm the set temperature at the time of setting. On the other hand, a reserved operation of the heater is often performed, and clock information is required to perform the reserved operation. Therefore, if a new display for displaying the clock information is provided, the installation space for the display is required, and the size of the remote control device is increased, and the cost is increased by newly providing the display. Become. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-12089 discloses such a problem.
The problem is solved by alternately displaying the temperature information and the clock information on a single display as time passes.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-12089.
In the remote control device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-209, the size and cost of the remote control device can be avoided, but since the temperature information and the clock information are displayed alternately with the passage of time, the recognition of the temperature information and the clock information is performed. However, there is room for improvement in the usability as a remote control device, since it is not possible to meet a demand that the user needs only one of the information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a remote controller for a heater as a temperature information display and a clock information display. Prevents the remote controller from increasing in size and cost, further enhances convenience by allowing the user to freely select the information to be displayed, and prioritizes temperature information that is indispensable to the user when operating the heater. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device with improved safety and usability by displaying the remote control device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote controller according to the present invention includes an operation switch for controlling the operation and stop of the heater, and an operation switch for performing remote control of the heater, A remote control including a display unit for displaying various information such as an operation status of a heater and an operation status of the operation switch, and a display unit for displaying both the temperature information and the clock information of the heater on the display unit. The apparatus is characterized in that a display changeover switch for selecting information to be displayed on the display is provided.

That is, in the remote control device according to the present invention,
The user can arbitrarily select whether the information displayed on the display is temperature information or clock information of the heater by operating a display changeover switch.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, when the heater is operated or when a high temperature is set, the temperature information is preferentially displayed on the display.

In other words, even if the user needs the clock information and selects to display the clock information on the display, he / she must pay attention to the operating condition during the operation of the heater and the specific operating condition of the heater (high temperature setting). Since it evokes, it is possible to prevent the heater from being used carelessly under unexpected conditions, and the safe use of the heater becomes possible.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention, when the operation switch is turned on, the temperature information is preferentially displayed at least for a predetermined time from the time when the operation switch is turned on.

That is, even when the user needs the clock information and selects to display the clock information on the display, when the operation switch of the remote control device is turned on to put the heater in the operation standby state, Since the set temperature of the heater is displayed to the user for at least the predetermined time, the user can check the set temperature of the set heater without performing any special operation, and the usability is improved and Safety is also increased.

Further, in the remote control device of the present invention,
An operation switch for performing remote control of the heater including an operation switch for controlling operation and stop of the heater, and a display unit for displaying various information such as an operation state of the heater and an operation state of the operation switch. A remote control device that includes a display for displaying both the temperature information and the clock information of the heater on the display unit, and that turns off the display unit when the operation switch is turned off, wherein the clock information is displayed on the display unit by a specific operation. Is displayed.

That is, in the remote control device according to the present invention, the power consumption of the remote control device can be reduced by turning off the display unit when the operation switch is turned off. Clock information is displayed only in the case where the effect of reducing power consumption is achieved and the usability is improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a remote controller according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration as an example of a hot water supply system to which a remote control device 1 according to the present invention is applied. In the hot water supply system shown in FIG. 1, two remote controllers 1a and 1b are used as the remote controller 1. Each of these remote controllers 1a and 1b is a remote controller for remotely controlling water heater body (water heater) 3, and in the illustrated example, these remote controllers 1a and 1b are used.
Is connected to the water heater main body 3 via a two-core transmission line (two-core cable) 2, whereby remote control of the water heater main body 3 is enabled.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a hot water supply pipe, and a shower 5 and a not-shown curan are connected to the tip of the hot water supply pipe 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pipe for pouring water into the bathtub 7, and hot water can be supplied from the water heater body 3 to the bathtub 7 via the pouring pipe 6.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a remote controller 1a used in the above hot water supply system. In FIG. 1, a remote control device 1a is a remote control device (kitchen remote control) installed mainly in a room other than a bathroom such as a kitchen, and a remote control device 1b is a remote control device (bathroom remote control) mainly installed in a bathroom.

As described above, the remote control devices 1a and 1b are different from each other in the location where they are installed. Since the basic functions are the same, in the following description, the remote control device 1a which is a kitchen remote control will be described.

The remote controller 1a includes a plurality of operation switches 8 for remotely controlling the water heater main body 3 described above.
(In the illustrated example, 81 to 86) and a display unit 9 for displaying various information such as an operation state of the operation switch 8 and an operation state of the water heater main body 3 as main parts.

More specifically, this remote control device 1a
An operation switch 81 that enables the operation of the water heater main body 3 by turning on at least the operation switch 8 and stops the operation of the water heater main body 3 by turning off the operation switch 8; Other operation switches 82 to 86 for specifically setting operation commands and the like
(For example, a "bath automatic switch 84" for instructing automatic hot water filling, an "up switch 82" and a "down switch 83" for instructing up / down of hot water supply temperature, a "bath reservation switch 85" for setting a bath reserved operation, "Clock display switch 8" which functions as a display changeover switch described later.
6 "), the content operated by these operation switches 8 is subjected to arithmetic processing by a controller (not shown) built in the remote control device 1a, and given to the water heater as a remote operation command. It is configured as follows.

On the other hand, the display section 9 has a display 91 for displaying predetermined specific information by turning on / off a lamp.
And a display 92 for displaying both the set temperature information and the clock information.

The display 91 turns on / off a light-emitting element such as a built-in light-emitting diode to turn on / off characters and symbols indicating predetermined items set in advance. In 1a, "priority",
Items such as "burn" and "reservation" can be displayed.

On the other hand, the display 92 is constituted by a seven-segment light-emitting display section (seven-segment light-emitting diode or seven-segment fluorescent display tube) represented by numbers and symbols divided into seven segments. The display device 92 can display numbers on the display device 92 by appropriately turning on / off the individual light emitting display units arranged in accordance with an instruction from a controller (not shown).

More specifically, a set temperature and a clock are displayed on this screen. For example, on this screen, “12:39” is displayed in a clock display as shown in FIG. 2 and “42” is displayed in a temperature display as shown in FIG. You. In the clock display, "AM" or "PM" is displayed on the left side of the display "12:39".
Is displayed at the same time, and in the temperature display, the display of “° C.” is simultaneously displayed at the lower right of the display “42”.

The "clock display switch 86" changes the display mode of the display 92 in accordance with the length of the pressing time. The display mode is switched to the initial "temperature display mode" when the hot water supply system is turned on. Is set.
As shown in FIG. 4, as the display mode, in addition to the "temperature display mode", a "clock setting mode" and a "clock display mode" are set, and the "clock display mode" further includes "clock display mode 1". "And" Clock display mode 2 ". In order to change from the "temperature display mode" and the "clock display mode" to the "clock adjustment mode", the "clock display switch 86" should be pressed continuously for two seconds.
In order to change from the “clock adjustment mode” to the mode before the change, the “clock display switch 86” may be pressed once. The change from the "temperature display mode" to the "clock display mode" and vice versa can be made by performing a single operation of pressing the "clock display switch 86". Next, the mutual switching between the "clock display mode 1" and the "clock display mode 2" in the "clock display mode" is performed by the "clock display switch 86".
For 5 seconds.

Next, each mode set by the "clock display switch 86" will be specifically described. In the “temperature display mode”, the set temperature is always displayed on the display 92. When the mode is changed to another mode while the mode is being set to this mode, when the water heater is operating at the time of the change operation and when the high temperature setting state is set. In the case of, the change operation is invalidated.

In the "clock display mode 1" of the "clock display mode", the clock information is displayed on the display 92. However, when the water heater is in operation or in the high temperature setting state, the display information is displayed. In 92, the set temperature is displayed with priority.

In the other "clock display mode 2" of the "clock display mode", the display of the clock information on the display 92 is the same as the "clock display mode 1", but the "clock display mode 1". In contrast, the clock information is displayed on the display 92 even when the water heater is in operation and in the high temperature setting state.

In the "clock adjustment mode", the clock can be adjusted by the "up switch 82" and the "down switch 83".

In the "temperature display mode", the operation of changing the set temperature is performed by appropriately operating the "up switch 82" and the "down switch 83" in that state. In this state, the "up switch 82" or "down switch 83" is turned on to display the set temperature on the display 92, and then the "up switch 82" and the "down switch 83" are appropriately operated. After a predetermined time (10 seconds) since the last operation of the "up switch 82" or the "down switch 83", the display returns to the "clock display mode".

Furthermore, the mode set by the "clock display switch 86" is not initialized by the operation of turning off the operation switch 81, but continues until a predetermined time (10 seconds) elapses after the operation of the operation switch 81 is turned on again. Displays the set temperature, and then displays in the already set mode.

When the water heater is stopped by turning off the operation switch 81, the display of the display section 9 including the display 92 is turned off, but the "clock display switch 86" is turned on while the water heater is stopped. Thus, a clock is displayed on the display 92.

A function may be provided for the user to arbitrarily adjust the brightness of the display section 9 including the display 92 by a specific operation of an operation switch. In addition, as a means for recognizing the operation of the water heater when the temperature information is preferentially displayed during operation, the detection output of the minimum operating flow rate of the flow detector built in the water heater may be used. The detection output may be used, or the detection output of a tap water temperature detector built in the water heater may be used.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the remote controller of the present invention, the remote controller for the heater serves both as a display for temperature information and a display for clock information. In addition to preventing the increase in cost and cost, the user can arbitrarily select the information to be displayed on the display device, so that the convenience can be improved. In addition, when the heater is operated or the high temperature is set, the temperature information is displayed on the display with priority, so the user can operate the heater after recognizing the temperature information that is indispensable for use. Can,
Therefore, safety and usability are improved. In addition, when the operation switch is turned on, the temperature information is preferentially displayed for at least a predetermined time from the time when the operation switch is turned on. Since the set temperature of the heater is always recognized, the user does not need to perform any special operation for recognizing the set temperature, and the usability is improved. Furthermore, when the operation switch is turned off, the display unit is turned off, the power consumption of the remote control device is reduced, and clock information can be displayed by a specific operation as required, thereby improving usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system to which a remote control device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the remote control device.

FIG. 3 is an external configuration diagram showing different display states of the display of the remote control device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for changing a display mode of the remote control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b Remote control device 2 Two-core transmission line 3 Water heater main body 4 Hot water supply pipe 5 Shower 6 Pouring pipe 7 Bathtub 8 Operation switch 9 Display section 91 Display section 92 Display section 81 Operation switch 86 Clock display switch (Display switch) )

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yukihiro Kamima 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. (72) Masaaki Taya 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Co., Ltd In Noritsu (72) Inventor Haruaki Mitsuda 93 Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Pref. Inventor Masashi Hisai 93 Noritsu, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture (72) Inventor Toshihiko Ohkita 93 Noritsu, Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo F-term (reference) 3L024 CC05 CC06 EE02 FF07 FF09 GG41

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation switch including an operation switch for controlling operation and stop of the heater, an operation switch for remotely operating the heater, and various information such as an operation state of the heater and an operation state of the operation switch. A display unit for displaying, and a display switch for selecting information to be displayed on the display unit, wherein the display unit includes a display unit for displaying temperature information and clock information of the heater together. A remote control device, characterized in that: 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature information is displayed with priority on the display when the heater is operated or when a high temperature is set. 3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation switch is turned on, the temperature information is displayed with priority given to the temperature information for at least a predetermined time from the time when the operation switch is turned on. 4. An operation switch including an operation switch for controlling operation and stop of the heater, an operation switch for remotely operating the heater, and various information such as an operation state of the heater and an operation state of the operation switch. A display unit for displaying, and a display unit for displaying the temperature information and the clock information of the heater together, wherein the display unit is turned off when the operation switch is turned off. A remote control device wherein clock information is displayed on a display.