JP2001133567A - Timer device and electrical and electronic device having it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a timer device capable of setting a desired time surely by simple operation. SOLUTION: Among numerals 1-10, 15 and sub-division symbols 'O' provided on the surface of a transparent or translucent display sheet 7 along the circumferential direction, corresponding ones to the time to be preset are selected and pressed from above them. Whereupon, a time signal corresponding to the pressed part is generated and input to a microcomputer 12. The microcomputer 12 sets the time according to an input signal, and among plural light emitting diodes disposed in the rear of the numerals and sub-division symbols of the display sheet 7, the diodes corresponding to the above time and the diodes on the shorter time side are all lighted to illuminate the display sheet 7 from the back, thereby lighting the preset time to be displayed. After that, count-down to the preset time is executed by a clock means built in the microcomputer 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timer device for setting a time and an electric / electronic device provided with the timer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Microwave ovens, electric washing machines, clothes dryers,
Electric and electronic devices such as dishwashers and air conditioners are provided with a timer device for setting the operation time or the time until the start of operation. For example, Japanese Utility Model Application 1-6483
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-106131 discloses a timer device for an electric washing machine, in which a set time is displayed by using a light emitting element (LED). As shown in FIG. 13, the timer device includes a plurality of indicators 42 disposed around a rotary knob 41, and a time indicator 43 provided outside the plurality of indicators 42. You.

As shown in FIG. 14, the display of the set time is performed by sequentially turning on the display 42 in accordance with the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 41. The number represents the set time. Then, the time is simultaneously measured with the start of the operation of the washing machine by the time measuring means built in the control device for controlling the operation of the washing machine. The remaining time of the timekeeping means is displayed by sequentially turning off those indicating numbers in a counterclockwise direction.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional timer device, since the operating time of the washing machine is determined by the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 41 as described above, for example, the longest settable time (in this case, Is 15
In the case of setting to (minutes), the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 41 inevitably increases, and in some cases, there is a problem in operability that the rotary knob 41 must be rotated several times. In particular, many elderly people are not accustomed to such a rotation operation, so it is difficult to set a desired time because they feel uncomfortable with the operation. Further, since the time display section 43 of the timer device and the plurality of indicators 42 are provided separately and independently, when the use environment is dark, the indicator 42 is not required.
Can be recognized, but it was difficult to correctly grasp the remaining time of the timing means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a timer device which can set a desired time reliably with a simple operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a timer device with improved visibility that allows the remaining time to be easily grasped even when the use environment is dark.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in a timer device according to the present invention, a predetermined time is registered corresponding to each of a plurality of pressing operation members,
The method is characterized in that one of the plurality of pressing operation members is selected and pressed to measure the time corresponding to the pressing operation member. According to this, the timer device starts measuring the time corresponding to the pressed pressing operation member only by selecting and pressing the one corresponding to the target time from the plurality of pressing operation members.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention includes a plurality of pressing members, a plurality of indicators provided corresponding to each of the pressing members, and one of the pressing members. Control that has a time signal generating means for generating a time signal corresponding to the pressing operation member by pressing and pressing, and a time counting means for performing time measurement based on the time signal, and turns on an indicator corresponding to the pressing operation member. It is characterized by comprising an apparatus.

According to this configuration, when a member corresponding to a target time is selected and pressed from among a plurality of pressing members, a time signal corresponding to the pressed member is generated and input to the control device. You. The control device measures the time by the time measuring means based on the time signal, and turns on the display corresponding to the pressed pressing member to notify the user of the set time.

In addition, a timer device according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of pressing members arranged on a surface in a descending order from a short time to a long period and a corresponding time for each of these pressing members. A plurality of indicators provided, time signal generating means for generating a time signal corresponding to the pressing operation member by selecting and pressing one of the pressing operation members, and counting the time based on the time signal. And a control device for turning on a display corresponding to the remaining time of the time counting means.

According to this configuration, by selecting and pressing one of the plurality of pressing operation members corresponding to the target time, a time signal corresponding to the pressed pressing operation member is generated and transmitted to the control device. Is entered. Based on the time signal, the control device measures the time by the timer means, and turns on a display corresponding to the remaining time of the timer means to notify the user of the remaining time at any time.

In this case, if the indicator corresponding to the remaining time of the clock means and all the indicators shorter than the indicator are turned on, the remaining time can be easily grasped visually. .

The plurality of pressing members may be arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
Further, they may be arranged in a band shape, and furthermore, may be arranged vertically and horizontally in any number of rows and columns.

The time signal generating means includes a switch for closing a specific contact from among a plurality of contacts according to the pressed pressing member, and a plurality of switches provided corresponding to each of the pressing members. A switch can be suitably used. In the case of the latter, if a plurality of switches are provided corresponding to each of the pressing operation units and incorporate the display, the number of parts is smaller than when a display is provided separately from the switches. , The cost is reduced accordingly.

By providing such a timer device in the electric / electronic equipment, a desired time can be reliably set by a simple operation, and the operation state of the equipment is maintained while the time is measured by the timer device. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use electric / electronic device capable of causing the operation of the device to start simultaneously with the end of the time measurement.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a microwave oven, which is an example of an electric / electronic device according to the present invention, and includes an operation panel 1 disposed on the front right side.
A timer device 2 for setting a heating time is provided, and a start button 3 for starting microwave heating is provided below the timer device 2;
A cancel button 4 for canceling the set heating time or canceling the microwave heating is provided, and an output switching knob 5 for switching the microwave heating output between “strong” and “weak” is provided above the cancel button 4. Reference numeral 6 in the figure denotes a door that opens and closes a front opening of the heating chamber.

As shown in FIG. 2, the timer device 2 comprises a display sheet 7 made of a transparent or translucent film member. On the surface of the display sheet 7, numerals are provided with fluorescent paint at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction,
A subdivision symbol and a unit time symbol are given. That is, "minutes" indicating the unit of the set time and numbers from "0" to "10" are continuously displayed, and "0" to "5" are between adjacent numbers. A symbol “○”, which is a subdivision symbol for subdividing a unit time (“minute” in the present embodiment), is given. The subdivision symbol does not necessarily have to be “○”, but instead of “○”, for example, “*”,
"☆", "▽", etc. can also be used. This subdivision symbol indicates half a minute, that is, 30 seconds. Therefore,
In this timer device 2, the operation time can be set at intervals of 30 seconds up to 5 minutes.

After the numeral "10", a numeral "15" is displayed. Between the numeral "10" and the numeral "15", a unit time symbol "O" similar to the subdivision symbol is substantially used. Four are provided at equal intervals above. Therefore, this timer device 2
Can set up to 15 minutes maximum operation time.
The operation time can be set in units of one minute from 0 minutes to 15 minutes. At this time, the display is in units of minutes, but is not a number but a unit time symbol “○”.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the timer device. The display sheet 7 is adhered to the surface of the operation panel 1 via a membrane key switch 8 with an adhesive or the like. A plurality of (two in FIG. 3) support projections 1a projecting rearward are provided on the rear surface of the operation panel 1, and a mounting screw 9 is provided on each end face of the support projections 1a.
The circuit board 10 is attached. In addition, 11
Is a light-emitting diode fixed to the circuit board 10, and all numerals from “0” to “15” displayed on the display sheet 7 and all subdivision symbols “O” (total 21 in this embodiment) ).

As shown in FIG. 4, the membrane key switch 8 is composed of two electrodes 81 and 82 having different patterns. The membrane key switch 8 is provided with 21 contacts “A” to “U” corresponding to the numbers and subdivision symbols (see FIG. 2) displayed on the display sheet 7. That is, in the order of the contacts “A”, “B”, “C”,..., The respective contacts are numbers “0”, subdivision symbols “O”,
.., And the last contact point “U” corresponds to the number “15”. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode 81 is provided with six terminals 81-a to 81-f, and the contacts “A”, “B” to “E”, respectively.
"F" to "I", "K" to "M", "N" to "Q",
It is connected to "R" to "U". The other electrode 82 is provided with five terminals 82-a to 82-e,
Contact "A", "B""F""J""N"
"R", "C""G""K""O""S","D"
"H""L""P""T","E""I""M""Q"
Connected to "U". It should be noted that the electrode pattern shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

FIG. 5 is a control circuit diagram of a microwave oven according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") for controlling the entire microwave oven, and reference numeral 25 denotes a microwave generation source. A magnetron,
26 is a lamp for heating room illumination, 27 is a magnetron 25
, A high-voltage transformer for supplying high-voltage power to the power supply, 28 a fan motor for cooling the magnetron 25 and the high-voltage transformer 27, 29 a power plug, 30 a door switch for detecting opening and closing of a door, 31 a current fuse, and 32 a current fuse. This is a relay switch for controlling the heating operation. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrodes 81 and 82 of the membrane key switch 8 are connected to the microcomputer 12. Each of the light emitting diodes 11, 11,... Has its anode connected to a + 5V power supply terminal via a current limiting resistor, and its cathode connected to a microcomputer 12, which is controlled to be turned on by the microcomputer 12. You.

In the microwave oven having such a configuration, for example, when the numeral “1” on the display sheet 7 is pressed, the electrode 8 is pressed.
The contacts “C” (see FIG. 4) of 1 and 82 are in contact with each other, and the respective terminals 81-b and 82-c are in a conductive state,
A time signal is generated and input to the microcomputer 12. At this time, the microcomputer 12 recognizes which part of the membrane key switch 8 has been pressed based on the input signal, and sets a corresponding time (in this case, one minute) to a timer (not shown) built in the microcomputer 12. Further, an operation of turning on the light emitting diodes 11 corresponding to this time and all the light emitting diodes 11 on the shorter time side is performed. As a result, the numbers and subdivision symbols applied to the surface of the display sheet 7 with a fluorescent paint or the like are illuminated from behind by the light of the light-emitting light emitting diode 11 and lit and displayed. If the user wants to change the set time, he or she can select a corresponding one of the numbers or subdivision symbols on the display sheet 7 and press it.

Then, when the start button 3 is pressed,
The microcomputer 12 holds the relay switch 32 in the ON state, and the heating operation starts. Heating operation is magnetron 2
5 oscillates to microwave heat the food housed in the heating chamber, and the lamp 26 is turned on to illuminate the heating chamber so that the heating condition of the food can be seen through the viewing window of the door 6.
The fan motor 28 rotates to cool the magnetron 25 and the high voltage transformer 27.

At the same time as the heating operation is started, the time measuring means is operated, and the remaining time is displayed on the timer device 2 while counting down from the set heating time.
That is, immediately after the start, if the remaining time is less than one minute, the lighting of the number “1” disappears and the lighting shifts to a subdivision symbol “O” representing 30 seconds. More time has passed and the remaining time is 30
When the seconds are cut, the number “0” lights up. In this way, the time counting of the remaining time by the time counting means is started simultaneously with the start of heating, and the light emitting diode 11 corresponding to the largest number or the subdivision symbol of the display sheet 7 illuminated according to the remaining time is rotated counterclockwise. An operation of displaying the remaining time is performed by sequentially turning off the lights.

When the remaining time becomes zero, the relay switch 32 is turned off, and the heating operation ends. still,
When the door 6 is opened during the heating operation, the door switch 30 is turned off.
In the F state, the heating operation is completed. When the cancel button 4 or the number “0” on the display sheet 7 is pressed during the heating operation, the microcomputer 12 turns off the relay switch 32 and immediately ends the heating operation. Zero the remaining time of the means. Also, for example, when the number “5” on the display sheet 7 is pressed during the heating operation, the microcomputer 1
The heating time is reset to 5 minutes by 2 and the heating operation is continued. As a method of displaying the remaining time, for example, if the remaining time is not less than 4 minutes and less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds, other than the method of lighting all numbers and subdivision symbols below “4” on the display sheet 7 as described above. In addition, a method of blinking "4" and lighting everything below it is also conceivable.

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view around the timer device of the microwave oven according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, behind the portion of the display sheet 7 on which the numbers and the subdivision symbols are given, an immersed portion 1b is integrally formed with the operation panel 1 via a thin and narrow elastic portion 1c. Is formed. The circuit board 10 is provided with a plurality of tact switches 8 'at locations located behind the immersion portion 1b.

Therefore, when a number or a subdivision symbol corresponding to a target time on the display sheet 7 is pressed in the direction of arrow F, the immersion portion 1b is sunk to the back with the elastic portion 1c as a fulcrum, and the tact switch 8 'is pressed. When the switch is turned on and the pressing is released, the elastic member 1c returns to the original position by the restoring force and the tact switch 8 'is turned off. A plurality of corresponding light emitting diodes 11 are fixed inside each tact switch 8 ′ of the circuit board 10.

FIG. 7 is a control circuit diagram of the microwave oven according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of each of the plurality of tact switches 8 'is grounded via a resistor, connected to the microcomputer 12 via a resistor, and the other end is connected to a + 5V power supply. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In the microwave oven having such a structure, for example, when the numeral "1" on the display sheet 7 is pressed, the corresponding contact of the tact switch 8 is closed and turned on. Accordingly, a time signal is generated and input to the microcomputer 12. At this time, the microcomputer 12 recognizes which tact switch 8 'has been pressed based on the input signal,
The corresponding time (in this case, one minute) is set in a timer means (not shown) built in the microcomputer 12, and the light emitting diodes 11 corresponding to this time and all the light emitting diodes 11 on the shorter time side are set. The lighting operation is performed. As a result, the numbers and subdivision symbols applied to the surface of the display sheet 7 with a fluorescent paint or the like are illuminated from behind by the light of the light-emitting light emitting diode 11 and lit and displayed. Subsequent operations of the microwave oven and a method of displaying the remaining time are based on the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the same members as those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view around a timer device of the microwave oven according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the immersed portion 1 b is integrally formed with the operation panel 1 behind the portion of the display sheet 7 on which the numerals and the subdivision symbols are provided, via a thin and narrow elastic portion 1 c. Is formed. In the circuit board 10, a plurality of tactile switches 8 '' with a built-in light emitting diode are arranged at a position located behind the immersion portion 1b. This tact switch with built-in light emitting diode 8 ''
As shown in FIG. 10, the telescopic movable contact portion 8 ″ a
And a light emitting diode 11 provided inside.

Therefore, when a numeral or a subdivision symbol corresponding to a target time on the display sheet 7 is pressed in the direction of arrow F, the immersion portion 1b is sunk to the back with the elastic portion 1c as a fulcrum, and the light emitting diode built-in tact. The switch 8 ″ is turned on. When the pressing is released, the elastic portion 1c is released.
The immersion portion 1b returns to the original position by the return force of the above, and the light emitting diode built-in tact switch 8 '' is turned off. As a result, a time signal corresponding to the set time is generated and input to the microcomputer 12. At this time, the microcomputer 12 recognizes which tact switch 8 ′ has been pressed based on the input signal, sets a corresponding time to the timer means built in the microcomputer 12, and furthermore, the light emitting diode 11 corresponding to this time and the light emitting diode 11. All light emitting diodes 11 on the shorter time side
And the operation of turning on.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line xx in FIG. Although the light emitting diode 11 is located behind the immersion part 1b, as shown in FIG. 9, the immersion part 1b is provided with an opening 1d that penetrates in the horizontal direction, so that the light of the lighted light emitting diode 11 is emitted. The light passes through the opening 1d without being blocked by the immersion part 1d. Thereby, the display sheet 7
Numerals and subdivision symbols applied to the surface of the device with a fluorescent paint or the like are illuminated from behind and lit. In addition, since the circuit configuration, operation, and method of displaying the remaining time of the microwave oven are the same as those of the first or second embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the display sheet 7 of the time setting / setting device 2 is circular and numbers and the like are arranged along the circumferential direction has been described, but as shown in FIG. Of course, these may be arranged in a strip shape in the vertical direction. In this case, the operation panel 1 of the timer device 2
, The operation panel 1 itself can be made compact. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the numbers and the like may be two-dimensionally arranged in an arbitrary number of rows and columns, such as a push button of a telephone. In this case, the time can be set by an operation similar to a familiar telephone, so that even a first-time user can easily set the time without a sense of incongruity.

In each of the above embodiments, the display sheet 7
Has been described as it is indicating the displayed time as it is (for example, "5" is 5 minutes).
A predetermined time is registered corresponding to each of the numbers and the like, and a time corresponding to the pressed number or the like is timed by selecting and pressing an object corresponding to a target time from among them. It may be.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, a microwave oven has been described as an example of an electric / electronic device. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a microwave oven, and an electric washing machine, an automatic dishwasher,
The timer device according to the present invention may be mounted on an air conditioner or other electronic device that is used by setting an operation time or a time until the start of operation.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, a desired time can be set by simply pressing the pressing operation member of the timer device corresponding to the time, no matter how long the time is to be set. The operability of the timer device is greatly improved as compared with the conventional structure in which the time is adjusted by rotating the rotary knob. Further, since the numbers and the like provided on the surface of the pressing operation section are lit on the display, the visibility is improved and the set time and the remaining time can be easily grasped even when the use environment is dark.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention can freely change the design including the design. For example, if a plurality of pressing operation members are arranged in a belt shape, the ratio occupied by the pressing operation members is reduced and a compact design is provided, so that a timer device having high product value in appearance can be provided. By providing such a timer device in the electric / electronic device, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use electric / electronic device in which the timing of the time is started only by selecting and pressing the pressing operation member corresponding to the target time. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a microwave oven which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an example of a timer device of the microwave oven.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view around a timer device of the microwave oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode pattern of a membrane key switch of the timer device.

FIG. 5 is a control circuit diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view around a timer device of a microwave oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control circuit diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view around a timer device of a microwave oven according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line xx in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a light-emitting diode built-in tact switch of the microwave oven.

FIG. 11 is an external view of another example of the timer device of the electronic apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is an external view of still another example of the timer device of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a timer device in a conventional washing machine.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a setting operation of the timer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation panel 2 Timer device 3 Start button 4 Cancel button 5 Switching knob 6 Door 7 Display sheet 8 Membrane key switch 8 'Tact switch 8 "Tact switch with built-in light emitting diode 9 Mounting screw 10 Circuit board 11 Light emitting diode 12 Microcomputer

Claims (11)

[Claims] A predetermined time is registered corresponding to each of a plurality of pressing operation members, and one of the plurality of pressing operation members is selected and pressed to correspond to the pressing operation member. A timer device for measuring the time to perform. 2. A plurality of press operation members, a plurality of indicators provided corresponding to each of the plurality of press operation members, and one of the press operation members selected and pressed. A time signal generating means for generating a time signal corresponding to the pressing operation member, and a control device having time measuring means for performing time measurement based on the time signal, and lighting a display corresponding to the pressing operation member. A timer device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. A plurality of pressing members arranged on the surface in the order from a short time to a long time and a plurality of pressing members provided corresponding to each of the pressing members. A display, time signal generating means for generating a time signal corresponding to the pressing operation member by selecting and pressing one of the pressing operation members, and timing means for performing time measurement based on the time signal. A timer for turning on a display corresponding to the remaining time of the timer. 4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the control device turns on a display corresponding to the remaining time of the time counting means, and all the displays on a shorter time side than the display. Timer device. 5. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressing operation members are arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction. 6. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressing operation members are arranged in a belt shape. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressing members are arranged vertically and horizontally in an arbitrary number of rows and columns.
The timer device according to claim 4. 8. The switch according to claim 2, wherein said time signal generating means is a switch for closing a specific contact from among a plurality of contacts according to a pressed operation member pressed.
The timer device according to any one of the above. 9. The timer according to claim 2, wherein the time signal generating means is a plurality of switches provided corresponding to each of the pressing operation members. apparatus. 10. The time signal generating means is a plurality of switches provided corresponding to each of the pressing operation sections and incorporating the display.
The timer device according to claim 7. 11. An electric / electronic device comprising the timer device according to claim 1. Description: