JP2001166078A - Timer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a timer device, being provided with a function of a 24-hour timer, and capable of setting a timer without setting the present time by using a clock function. SOLUTION: This timer device is provided with the 24-hour timer, which sets the start or stop time of apparatus operation in a state where the present time is set, and starts or stops the apparatus operation at the set time, a remaining time timer, which sets a time from the present time to the start or stop time of the operation, and starts or stops the operation at the set time, a display part 18, which can selectively display the set time set by the 24-hour timer or the set time set by the remaining time timer, and a control means 12, which compellingly makes the display part 18 display the set time to be set by the remaining time timer when the operation or stop of the apparatus is controlled by the timer without setting the present time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric device having a timer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric appliances such as a heater, an air conditioner, a television, and a video recorder have a 24-hour timer function for starting or stopping the operation of an electric appliance by setting a start or stop time. Are increasing.

When setting this 24-hour timer, it is necessary to set the current time in advance in order to use the function as a clock. If the current time is not set, 2
The time of the 4-hour timer cannot be set, and the 24-hour timer is operated after setting the current time and operating the clock function.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart showing an operation when a 24-hour timer is set, and FIG. 4 is a display example of a current time setting mode.

When the switch for setting the 24-hour timer is O
When N is determined, it is determined whether the current time is set (step S1). If it is determined that the current time has not been set, the process proceeds to step S2. Step S2
Since the current time setting mode is displayed and the current time is not set, the characters "current time" are displayed on the display unit 18 as shown in FIG. "----" is displayed in the bar.

Further, by setting the current time, the current time is displayed as a numeral at the place 18a where "----" is displayed on the bar, and a function as a clock is exhibited.

Next, the flow shifts to step S3 to enter a time setting mode of a 24-hour timer. If the current time has already been set in step S1, step S1
Then, the process proceeds directly to step S3. When the time at which the device is operated or stopped is set, the process proceeds to step S4. If the time of the 24-hour timer has been set in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, where the set time of the 24-hour timer is displayed, and the operation of setting the 24-hour timer ends. As described above, there is a mode for setting the current time before setting the time of the 24-hour timer, and the setting operation of the current time is required.

[0008]

However, depending on the device, the clock function is often canceled when the user disconnects and reconnects the outlet and moves from room to room or when there is a power outage, and the current time is set each time. Then, the clock function had to be operated again, and the troublesome operation for the timer operation increased, which was inconvenient.

In view of the above, the present invention has solved the above-mentioned conventional problems. In addition to providing the function of a 24-hour timer, the setting of the timer can be performed without setting the current time and operating the clock function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a timer device for an electric device which can be used.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A 24-hour timer that sets the operation start or stop time of the device with the current time set and starts or stops the operation of the device at the set time, and sets the time from the current time to the start or stop of the device and A remaining time timer for starting or stopping the operation of the device at the set time, a display unit for selectively displaying the set time set by the 24-hour timer and the set time set by the remaining time timer, A timer device comprising: control means for forcibly displaying the set time display to be set by the remaining time timer on the display unit when the operation or stop of the device is timer-controlled in a state where the setting is not performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the timer device according to the first aspect, when the current time is set, the time is set to 24.
There is provided switching means for switching between setting of a time timer and setting of the remaining time timer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the timer device according to the first or second aspect, when the time is set by the 24-hour timer, it is possible to perform an operation of replacing the time with the remaining time of the remaining time timer. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the timer device according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the time is set by the remaining time timer, it is possible to perform an operation of replacing this time with the time of the 24-hour timer. It was done.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a heater such as an oil fan heater.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an outer case.
An air inlet 3 is provided on the back side of the air conditioner, and a warm air outlet 4 communicating with the air inlet 3 is provided on the front side of the outer case 1. A hot air blower 5 for taking in air and blowing hot air from a hot air outlet 4 is provided.

Further, inside the outer case 1, a burner 10 for burning fuel, a combustion cylinder 11 functioning as a heat exchanger for extracting heat, a control device 12 for controlling the entire oil fan heater, and the like. And a room temperature sensor 13 for measuring room temperature is provided at a lower portion of the rear surface.

On the upper surface of the outer case 1, there is provided an operation section 14 in which switches such as various operation switches necessary for operation control of the heater and a display section for displaying the operation status of the equipment are provided. Have been. The operation unit 14 is connected to the control device 12 and is controlled by a microcomputer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation section of a heater such as an oil fan heater. 15 is an operation switch, 16
Is an operation off switch, 17 is a good morning timer switch, 18 is a display unit, 21 is a timer changeover switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a changeover switch), 22 is a temperature / time adjustment switch, and 23 is a clock switch.

The operation switch 15 is used to start the operation of the oil fan heater.
Is used to stop the operation of the oil fan heater.

The good morning timer switch 17 is used when the switch 17 is pressed to set the operation start time of the equipment by the timer device and start the operation of the equipment at the set time.

The display 18 indicates "Temperature control" during the combustion operation.
Is displayed, and the numerical value of the set temperature and the current temperature and the combustion amount are displayed. In the display example of FIG. 3, as shown in the figure, for example, the set temperature is 20 ° C., the current temperature is 18 ° C., and the combustion amount is “automatic”, and the automatic combustion amount is the difference between the set temperature and the room temperature. The equipment automatically determines the amount of combustion. When the current time is not set while the operation is stopped, the display section 18 displays the characters “current time” and a bar “−−−−” as shown in FIG. When the current time is set, the current time is displayed as a number at the location 18a where the bar "----" is displayed.

In this embodiment, a so-called 24-hour timer function and a remaining time timer function are added to the timer device. The 24-hour timer is a timer for setting the operation start or stop time of the device with the current time set and starting or stopping the operation of the device at the set time. The remaining time timer is a timer for starting the operation from the current time. A timer for setting a time until start or stop and starting or stopping the operation of the device after the set time.

When the switch 21 is pressed once, the switch 21 is switched from the time setting mode of the 24-hour timer to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer.
The mode can be switched from the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer to the time setting mode of the 24-hour timer. Further, after the timer is set, when the switch 21 is pressed once, the display can be switched from the timer time display to the remaining time display, and when the switch 21 is pressed again, the display can be switched from the remaining time display to the timer time display and displayed.

The clock switch 23 can operate the clock function by setting the current time, and is used before using the 24-hour timer.

When the good morning timer switch 17 is pressed, and the remaining time timer is selected, as shown in FIG.
The numerical value of the remaining time and the characters “after minute” are displayed, and the remaining time within 24 hours is displayed. When the 24-hour timer is selected, as shown in FIG.
, The set time is displayed together with the display of "timer time", and is displayed in a 24-hour time display.

The temperature / time adjustment switch 22 is operated after the good morning timer switch 17 is pressed.
In the case of a 4-hour timer, the time of operation start can be set, and in the case of the remaining time timer, the time until operation start can be set. The + button 22a and the-button 22b are paired. When the + button 22a is pressed, the time or time advances, and when the-button 22b is pressed, the time or time returns.

When the timer is not set, the + button 22a and the-button 22b are used as temperature control buttons, and the set temperature can be adjusted with the + button 22a, the-button, and the automatic button. Pressing the + button 22a increases the set temperature, and pressing the-button 22b decreases the set temperature.
When the automatic button 24 is pressed, the automatic operation mode is set.

Since the oil fan heater according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, the following operation is performed when operating the timer.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the timer device of the present invention when setting the time of the timer. FIG. 5 shows an example of the display of the remaining time timer display after setting, and FIG. 7 shows a display example after setting a timer.

When the good morning timer switch 17 is pressed, the control device 12 checks whether or not the current time is set (step S11). If the current time is set, the display unit 18 switches to the time setting mode of the 24-hour timer (step S12). Here, when the operation start time of the device is set, it is checked whether or not the time has been set (step S13). If it is determined that the time has been set, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14,
As shown in FIG. 6, the start time of the operation of the device is displayed,
The setting of the 24-hour timer ends.

In step S11, the control device 12
Is switched to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer when it is determined that the current time has not been set (step S
15) As shown in FIG. 5, the time until the start of operation is displayed (step S16).

As described above, the timer device of the present invention has both the 24-hour timer and the remaining time timer when the user presses the good morning timer switch 17 to set the operation start time of the device by the timer. When the time is set and the clock function is not activated, the mode is forcibly switched to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer,
The remaining time timer can be used. When the current time is not set, it switches to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer, so the timer can be set even if the operation of setting the current time is omitted, and the timer setting procedure is simplified for some users. It is easy to use.

Even if the current time has been set, the user can select and set the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer and the time setting mode of the 24-hour timer by pressing the changeover switch. The timer can be set in the setting mode which is easier to use, and the usability of the user is improved.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when the changeover switch is operated. In the time setting mode of the 24-hour timer (step S21), when the changeover switch 21 is pressed (step S22), the mode is switched to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer (step S23), and the timer setting with the remaining time timer can be performed. Become.

When the set time of the 24-hour timer is displayed, the changeover switch 21 is pressed (step S2).
2), the display switches to the remaining time display of the remaining time timer (step S23), and the number of minutes after which the operation of the device is started is displayed as the remaining time display, so that the time can be confirmed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation when the changeover switch is operated. In the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer (step S31), when the changeover switch 21 is pressed (step S32), the control device 12 checks whether or not the current time is set (step S3).
3). When the control device 12 determines that the setting has been made, 2
The mode is switched to the time setting mode of the 4-hour timer (step S34). If it is determined that the current time has not been set (step S33), the process returns to the remaining time setting mode of the remaining time timer (step S31).

When the changeover switch 21 is pressed (step S32) in the display of the set time of the remaining time timer (step S31), the control device 12 checks whether or not the current time is set (step S33). When the control device 12 determines that the time has been set, the display is switched to the set time display of the 24-hour timer (step S34). If it is determined that the current time has not been set, the display returns to the set time display of the remaining time timer (step S31).

Even if the current time is not set when the remaining time of the remaining time timer is set, the current time is set later so that the changeover switch 21 is pressed to switch from the remaining time display to the 24-hour time display. Can be.

Here, for example, at 22:05, when the operation start time of the device is to be set using the remaining time timer, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. When the operation is set to start, the display 1
8, "remaining time", "10:10", and "minutes later" are displayed as shown in FIG. Here, when the changeover switch 21 is pressed in order to confirm the time and the time of the 24-hour time that is 10 hours and 10 minutes later, the display is switched to the 24-hour time display.

Then, “timer time” and “8:15” are displayed, and it can be confirmed that 10 hours and 10 minutes after 22:05 is 8:15 in the morning.

Thus, if the current time is set,
When the remaining time is displayed, by pressing the changeover switch 21, the display is switched to the set time display, so that it is possible to check at a glance when and when the device starts operating, and to use the remaining time timer setting. Ease is improved.

Conversely, when the set time of the 24-hour timer is displayed, the display is switched to the remaining time display by pressing the changeover switch 21, so that it is possible to confirm how many hours later the operation of the equipment is started. For the user, the start time of the device can be known in two ways, and the setting mistake of the timer setting time is reduced.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiment using a heater such as an oil fan heater, the present invention is not limited to this. The timer device of the present invention includes:
It is not limited to a heater such as an oil fan heater, but may be an electric device such as an air conditioner, a television, and an audio device such as a video. Further, the timer is not limited to a timer device that only starts the operation, and a timer that stops the operation. It may be a device or a timer device having both start and stop of operation. Further, a timer device that repeats the operation and stop of the device a plurality of times may be used.

[0045]

According to the timer device of the present invention, a 24-hour timer for setting the operation start or stop time of the device with the current time set and starting or stopping the operation of the device at the set time, A time remaining timer that sets the time from the time to the start or stop of operation and starts or stops operation of the device at the set time is provided.If the current time is not set, the remaining time timer is forcibly set. And the timer can be set.

Thus, the operation for setting the current time can be omitted, or the operation for setting the current time can be performed after setting the remaining time of the remaining time timer.

Further, according to the present invention, two timers, a 24-hour timer and a remaining time timer, are provided, and a switching means (selection switch) for selecting and using these timers is provided. The user can set the time with the timer that is easier for the user to use, and the usability of the user can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the time is set by the 24-hour timer, it is possible to perform an operation of replacing this time with the remaining time of the remaining time timer, and further, the setting time of the 24-hour timer is changed to the remaining time of the remaining time timer. By providing the switching means capable of switching and displaying the time, the set time of the 24-hour timer can be confirmed with the remaining time, so that mistakes in the time setting can be reduced.

Conversely, when the remaining time is set by the remaining time timer in a state where the current time is set, it is possible to perform an operation of replacing the remaining time with the time of the 24-hour timer. By providing the switching means for switching the set time to the remaining time of the 24-hour timer and displaying the remaining time, the remaining time can be easily confirmed by the time of the 24-hour timer, and the time setting mistake of the user can be reduced. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a heater.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the heater.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display example of an operation unit of the heater.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another display example of the operation unit of the heater.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a display example of an operation unit when a timer is set by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another display example of the operation unit when the timer is set by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a timer is set by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a changeover switch is operated by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another operation example of the changeover switch operation by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a timer is set by a conventional timer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Control apparatus (control means) 14 Operation part 17 Good morning timer switch 18 Display part 21 Changeover switch (switching means) 22 Temperature / time adjustment switch 23 Clock switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F002 AA05 BD02 EB01 ED02 EE00 EE03 EE04 EH01 EH03 FA05 FA11 FA31 GA09 GC03 GC06 GC22 3K005 GA15 HA00 HB06

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A 24-hour timer for setting an operation start or stop time of an apparatus with a current time set and starting or stopping operation of the apparatus at the set time, and a time from the current time to an operation start or stop. And a display unit capable of selectively displaying a remaining time timer for starting or stopping operation of the device at the set time and a set time set by the 24-hour timer and a set time set by the remaining time timer. And control means for forcibly displaying the set time display to be set by the remaining time timer on the display unit when timer control of the operation or stop of the device is performed without setting the current time. And a timer device. 2. The timer device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch between setting of a 24-hour timer and setting of the remaining time timer when the current time is set. 3. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein when the time is set by the 24-hour timer, an operation for replacing the time with the remaining time in the remaining time timer is enabled. 4. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein when the time is set by the remaining time timer, an operation of replacing the time with a time of a 24-hour timer is enabled.