JP2003322390A - Electric appliance and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To spare a customer from checking the model name, number, etc., of an electric appliance beforehand in the maintenance or repair service of the electric appliance for general home. <P>SOLUTION: The model name and number of the electric appliance are stored together with the information on the appliance in a model information memory means 3 of an electronic control device of an indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner with an outside communication means 12. Accordingly, the maintenance and other services can be provided by reading the model name and number of the appliance from outside of home by the remote control using the communication means without troubling a customer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electric equipment, particularly electric equipment such as household air conditioners (hereinafter air conditioners) such as household electric equipment products (hereinafter referred to as home electric appliances) used in general households and a method for manufacturing the same. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional home electric appliances, it is necessary to hold device information in an electronic control unit that constitutes the electric device. For example, in the case of an air conditioner, the device information is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the set value of the rotation speed of the compressor according to the ambient temperature environment and the set temperature, the rotation speed of the fan motor in the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit. The operating parameters such as the above correspond to that.

Even if the device information is the same model, different values are set if the capability ranks are different, or different device models having different appearances have the same device information for the purpose of design efficiency. May be used. FIG. 7 shows that the rotation speed settings of the fan motor and the compressor are changed according to the capacity rank of the air conditioner.

In general, the device information needs to have different data depending on the capacity and ability of the home electric appliance even if the same model as described above. Further, even if different models are used, an electronic control device having the same device information may be used for the convenience of design, and in many cases the device information and the model do not necessarily correspond one-to-one.

However, information indicating the model itself,
For example, the model name and model management number have nothing to do with the control contents of home electric appliances so far. Therefore, together with the device information, the model name and model management are stored in the device information storage means typified by nonvolatile memory. I didn't have to remember my number.

Here, the model name and model management number as described above, and at least one of the model code such as the program management number, the device information management number, the control device management number, and the part number of the electric device, and the device. The combination of information is defined as model-specific information. When the model code is stored together with the device information in the device information storage means in this way, it becomes necessary to distinguish the device information that has not been required to be distinguished as the model-specific information.

That is, the model development problem that it becomes necessary for the design department to manage the model individual information having exactly the same contents other than the model code as separate model individual information and the manufacturing process up to that point are distinguished. There is a manufacturing problem, such as frequent switching of model-specific information that was not necessary, resulting in an increase in the possibility of problems such as writing incorrect model-specific information.

In the conventional home electric appliances, when a failure occurs, for example, a failure code corresponding to the failure status is displayed on the display device of the home electric appliance, and the failure status is indicated when the user requests maintenance or repair. I was trying to make it easy to convey.

On the other hand, due to recent advances in information technology and the communication function of home electric appliances, the failure and maintenance information of the home electric appliances can be directly or indirectly reported from outside the home by remote control of the home electric appliances. Contact us to establish a business model for use in home appliance maintenance and services.

Specifically, a remote control function is installed in a home electric appliance, and the function is used to realize the start / stop of operation, the change of the setting of the operation state, the confirmation of the operation state, and the like.
For example, when a failure occurs, the failure code corresponding to the failure status is sent to the outside of the home such as a service center using the remote control function, and the service center prepares the necessary parts according to the failure code. It has become possible to prepare in advance, such as determining the response method.

However, in the above-described conventional model development of home electric appliances and the configuration of the device information to be held, when a failure or maintenance is required, the model of the home electric device and the devices held by the electronic control unit thereof are held. Information does not always correspond one-to-one, and when performing maintenance or repair, there is a problem that it is necessary to check the model and model number with the user or owner of the home electric appliance. It was

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to impose a burden on the user or owner of an electric home appliance to confirm the model, model number and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric device and a method for manufacturing the same, which enables remote maintenance and service with high accuracy.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a model code corresponding to the model of an electric device or information corresponding to the model code to the electronic control device in the manufacturing process. As a part, the present invention provides an electric equipment device written and held in the equipment information storage means and a manufacturing method thereof. Therefore, it becomes possible to obtain the model code of the electric device by remote control from outside the house, and in addition to utilizing the device status information such as the failure code, provide highly accurate maintenance service corresponding to the information age. Is possible.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The above-mentioned object of the present invention can be achieved by using the structures and manufacturing methods described in each claim as embodiments. Therefore, the structure of each claim will be described below. And the action of the manufacturing method,
At the same time, detailed description will be added to specific terms that require an explanation among the configurations and manufacturing methods described in the claims, and the description will be made as an embodiment of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling the electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information peculiar to the electric equipment. In the device information storage means, a model name of the electric device, a model management number allocated to each model for managing the type of the model, and a control program written in the arithmetic processing means are allocated. A program management number, a device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to a device control device in which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or the electrical equipment. At least one of model codes such as part numbers assigned to the parts of the device information storage means, The external communication means is an electric equipment device that can transmit the information stored in the device information storage unit to the outside of the electrical equipment device.

According to the above-described embodiment, it becomes possible to hold the model code or information corresponding to it, which is indispensable for maintenance and service of electric equipment, as a part of the model-specific information, and thereby from outside the house. It becomes possible to obtain the model code of electrical equipment by remote control, and in addition to utilizing the information on the equipment status such as a failure code, provide home appliances corresponding to the information age and quick and highly accurate maintenance services. Is possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information peculiar to the electric equipment device. And a model management number of electric equipment, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the electrical equipment, a program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to the device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a component of the electric equipment device. Assign at least one of the model codes such as the assigned part number to a specific step in the manufacturing process for manufacturing the electric device. Is a method of manufacturing the electrical equipment unit and writes the device information storage means at any stage.

According to the above-described embodiment, the model code can be obtained by remote operation from the outside of the house, and it is possible to utilize the information in the device status such as the failure code and the like, and it is highly accurate corresponding to the information age. It is possible to provide an electric device that enables maintenance services.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information peculiar to the electric equipment device. And a model management number of electric equipment, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the electrical equipment, a program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to the device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a component of the electric equipment device. Enter at least one of the model codes such as assigned part numbers, etc., and specify the name on the surface or inside of the electric equipment. From the above, by using the device information selection means for reading the model code described on the nameplate by the nameplate information reading means at a specific step or an arbitrary step in the manufacturing process and selecting the device information based on the read information. Select the device information and write the device information in the device information storage means by combining the selected device information with at least one of the model codes in the device information storage means. It is a manufacturing method of an electric equipment device characterized by writing.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to write the subdivided model-specific information into the corresponding model without fail, and further, even if the electric equipments passing through the manufacturing process are different for each machine. , It is possible to automatically select the corresponding model-specific information and write it in the device information storage means.

The invention according to claim 4 is a method of manufacturing an electric device using a bar code for displaying the information described on the nameplate, and using a bar code reader for the device information reading means. It becomes possible to surely write a large amount of subdivided information to a corresponding model by using a bar code and a bar code reader, which are inexpensive and versatile means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the electric equipment device is a home air conditioner, and in particular, there are a large number of models such as an air conditioner, and even if the same model has different capabilities, a plurality of model individual information exists. Furthermore, even for electrical equipment that has a large number of model-specific information, such as having to have separate model-specific information for indoor units and outdoor units, enter the symbol indicating the model code on the nameplate as described above. By reading it and selecting the model-specific information, the model-specific information can be surely written.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 2 to 4.
It is an electric equipment device manufactured by the manufacturing method described in any one of the above, and it becomes possible to obtain the model code by remote control from outside the house, and the utilization of information in the device status such as a failure code and the age of informationization. It is possible to provide an electric equipment device capable of highly accurate maintenance service corresponding to.

The invention according to claim 7 is an air conditioner manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 5, wherein the model code can be obtained by remote operation from outside the house, and the device status such as a failure code can be obtained. It is possible to provide an air conditioner that enables highly accurate maintenance and services compatible with the information age in addition to the utilization of information in Japan.

The model-specific information referred to in the present embodiment means the model name of an electric device, the model management number assigned to each model to manage the model type, and the control program written in the arithmetic processing means. Control number assigned to the device, the device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, the control device management number assigned to the device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or electrical equipment. This is a combination of device information with at least one of a device number assigned to a device component or a model code such as information corresponding thereto.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an electric equipment device and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an air conditioner indoor unit as an example of an electric equipment device, and arithmetic and control means 2 for controlling the same and a device for storing device information such as operating parameters of the air conditioner indoor unit 1. The information storage means 3, an indoor fan motor 4 that drives the indoor fan, a stepping motor 5 that drives an air flow deflector that controls the air from the indoor fan, and the like. The arithmetic control unit 2 and the device information storage unit 3 are composed of a microcomputer, and are mounted on a device control device that controls the entire electric device apparatus.

Further, in the device information storage means 3, a model name of the electric device 1, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the electric device, and a control program written in the arithmetic processing means 2 are allocated. Program management number, the device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage unit 3, the control unit management number assigned to the device control unit in which the arithmetic processing unit 2 and the device information storage unit 3 are mounted, or electrical. The model-specific information including at least one of a part number assigned to a part of the device 1 or a model code such as information corresponding thereto and the device information is stored.

An air conditioner outdoor unit 6 is composed of an outdoor unit arithmetic control means 7 for controlling the outdoor unit, an outdoor fan motor 8 for an outdoor fan, a compressor motor 9, an expansion valve 10 for adjusting the capacity, and the like. Reference numeral 11 is an internal / external communication means in which the air conditioner indoor unit 1 and the air conditioner outdoor unit 6 are connected by wire to control the entire electric equipment, and 12 is a wired or wireless external communication means for realizing communication between the entire air conditioner and external equipment. The air conditioner indoor unit 1 is provided with a connection terminal (not shown) for connecting to an external device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how to store data in the device information storage means 3 in the present embodiment. As a typical device information, a) (device information 1) setting of rotation speed of fan motor And b) (device information 2) shows a table of setting values of angles in the wind direction deflecting plate. The device information storage means 3 stores the c) model code in addition to the information related to the operation of the air conditioner as described above.

In the electric equipment device 1 having the equipment information storage means 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the information held in the equipment information storage means 3 is stored using the external communication means 12 of the electric equipment device 1. For example, the service company 13 who is in charge of maintenance and management of the electric equipment device can transmit the data, and the public line 14 such as a telephone line is used to bother the owner and the user of the electric equipment device 1. Instead, it becomes possible to acquire the model code, which is one of the model-specific information, from the device information storage means 3 of the electric device 1, and it can be utilized for service activities for the electric device.

(Embodiment 2) This embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing the electric equipment device 1 of the present invention described in the first embodiment and an electric equipment device by this manufacturing method. FIG. The process of writing the device information and the model code to the electric device in the process is described, and the air conditioner indoor unit will be described as an example as in the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 15 writes device information or model-specific information into the device information storage means 3 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 at a specific stage of the manufacturing process or at any stage, and writes device information such as a personal computer including an input means and a monitor. By the means, it becomes possible to write device information or model-specific information according to the model of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 on the manufacturing process 21.

In the above embodiment, the cable 15a which is the write information transmission line of the device information writing means 15 is connected to the connection terminal of the external communication means 12 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 which is placed on the conveyor and flows in the manufacturing process 21.
Then, the device information writing unit 15 inputs and writes at least one of the model codes in the device information storage unit 3 at a specific stage or an arbitrary stage in the manufacturing process 21 for manufacturing the electric device. It is a waste. In this way, the cable 5a is reconnected and written into each of the air conditioner indoor units 1 which is placed on the conveyor and flows.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the device information writing means can input the model code into the device information storage means at a specific stage or an arbitrary stage in the manufacturing process for manufacturing the electric device, and the failure code can be input. It is possible to manufacture an electric device and an electric device that enable highly accurate maintenance service corresponding to the information age, as well as utilizing information in the device state.

(Embodiment 3) This embodiment also relates to the method of manufacturing the electric equipment device 1 of the present invention described in the first embodiment and the electric equipment device according to this manufacturing method, similarly to the invention described in the second embodiment. 5 shows a state in which the information written on the nameplate of the electric equipment device 1 is read in the manufacturing process of the electric equipment device 1 and is written in the equipment information storage means. As in the first embodiment, an air conditioner indoor unit is shown as an example. A description will be mainly given of a process different from the second embodiment.

A model code is written on the name plate 16 and is attached to the inside or inside of the air conditioner indoor unit 1. Reference numeral 17 denotes a nameplate information reading means for reading information such as a model code written on the nameplate 16, which is connected to the equipment information writing means 15 via a cable 17a which is a writing information transmission line. Reference numeral 155 denotes the external communication means 1 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1.
A device information writing unit that also writes model-specific information in the device information storage unit 3 via a cable 15a connected to the device 2 and also serves as a device information selection unit. From a nameplate 16 provided on the surface of or inside the air conditioner indoor unit 1, A device in which the model code written on the nameplate 16 is read by the nameplate information reading means 17 at a specific stage or an arbitrary stage on the manufacturing process 21, and is stored in advance based on the read information (model code). The device information is selected by the device information selecting means, and the selected device information is written in the device information storing means 3 together with at least one of the model codes.

In the above embodiment, the model code read by the nameplate information reading means 17 from the nameplate 16 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 is transmitted to the equipment information writing means 155,
The device information writing unit 155 selects the device information to be written based on the transmitted model code, and the device information storage unit 3
The selected device information or model-specific information is written in. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely store the relevant device information or model-specific information without fail in the device information storage means without fail, and at the same time, to store the information in the device state such as the failure code. In addition to utilization, it is possible to manufacture electrical equipment that enables highly accurate maintenance services for the information age.

(Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, a bar code corresponding to a model code is provided on the nameplate in the third embodiment, and a manufacturing method using a bar code reader as a nameplate information reading means and an electric device by the manufacturing method. 6 relates to the device, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the information written on the nameplate of the electric device is read in the manufacturing process of the electric device and is written in the device information storage means, like the first to third embodiments. A machine different from the third embodiment will be mainly described as a machine.

Reference numeral 19 is a nameplate attached to the inside or inside of the air conditioner indoor unit 1, on which the model code is entered in ordinary characters and a bar code. Reference numeral 20 is a bar code reading device for reading the bar code written on the name plate 19.

In the above embodiment, the bar code read by the bar code reader 20 from the nameplate 19 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 is transmitted to the device information writing means 155, and the device information writing means 155 writes based on the transmitted bar code. The device information is selected, and the selected device information or model-specific information is written in the device information storage means 3. In addition, according to this embodiment, by using a versatile and technically stable means such as a bar code and a bar code reader, it is possible to write the model-specific information at a lower cost and with higher accuracy, and to manually It is possible to store the relevant model information in the device information storage means without any intervention and without fail.

In the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking the air conditioner indoor unit 1 as an example, but the present invention can be applied to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and in addition, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a rice cooker, and the like. The same can be applied to a television or the like.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, claim 1
The invention according to the description comprises external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information specific to the electric equipment device, In the information storage means, a model name of the electric device, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the model, a program management number assigned to a control program written in the arithmetic processing means, the device A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the information storage means, a control device management number assigned to the device control device in which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or assigned to a component of the electric equipment device. At least one of the model codes such as the part number to be stored is stored, and the device information storage unit is stored by the external communication means. The information stored in the device can be transmitted to the outside of the electric device, and the model code of the electric device, such as a model management number, can be obtained by remote operation from outside the house, and the device status information such as a failure code can be obtained. In addition to the utilization of, it is possible to provide highly accurate maintenance services corresponding to the information age.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling the electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information peculiar to the electric equipment device. And a model management number of electric equipment, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the electrical equipment, a program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to the device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a component of the electric equipment device. At least any one of model codes such as assigned part numbers, a specific stage in the manufacturing process for manufacturing the electric device, Alternatively, it is characterized in that it is written in the device information storage means at an arbitrary stage, and it becomes possible to obtain a model code of an electric device, such as a model management number, by remote control from outside the house, and a device such as a failure code. In addition to utilizing state information, it is possible to provide an electric device device that enables highly accurate maintenance service corresponding to the information age.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information peculiar to the electric equipment device. And a model management number of electric equipment, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of the electrical equipment, a program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to the device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a component of the electric equipment device. Enter at least one of the model codes such as assigned part numbers, etc., and specify the name on the surface or inside of the electric equipment. From the above, by using the device information selection means for reading the model code described on the nameplate by the nameplate information reading means at a specific step or an arbitrary step in the manufacturing process and selecting the device information based on the read information. Select the device information and write the device information in the device information storage means by combining the selected device information with at least one of the model codes in the device information storage means. Since it is characterized by writing, it becomes possible to write the subdivided device information or model-specific information to the corresponding model without fail, and further, even if the electric equipment device passing through the process is different for each unit, Device information or model-specific information can be automatically selected and written in the device information storage means.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a bar code is used for displaying the information described on the name plate, and a bar code reader is used as the device information reading means. It is possible to surely write a large number of subdivided device information or model-specific information into a corresponding model using a bar code and a bar code reader, which are inexpensive and versatile means.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the electric equipment device is a home air conditioner, and in particular, there are a large number of models such as an air conditioner, and even if the same model has different capabilities, there are a plurality of models. Device information or model-specific information exists, and it is necessary to have separate device information or model-specific information for indoor units and outdoor units. As described above, by writing a symbol indicating the type of device information or model-specific information on the nameplate, and reading and selecting the symbol, the device information or model-specific information can be surely written.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an electric device apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of model-specific information of an electric device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an application example using the electric device apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing writing of model-specific information of an electric device in a manufacturing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing writing in the manufacturing process of model-specific information of the electric device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing writing of model-specific information of an electric device in a manufacturing process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of device information in a conventional electric device device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Electric equipment (air conditioner indoor unit) 2 arithmetic control means 3 Device information storage means 6 Electric equipment (air conditioner outdoor unit) 12 External communication means 15 Device information writing means 16 nameplate 17 Nameplate information reading means 19 barcode 20 bar code reader 155 Device information writing means (device information selecting means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. The device information comprises: external communication means, arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information specific to the electric equipment device. In the storage means, a model name of the electric device, a model management number assigned to each model for managing the type of model, a program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means,
A device information management number assigned to the device information written in the device information storage means, a control device management number assigned to a device control device in which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a component of the electric equipment device. At least one of model codes such as a part number assigned to the device is stored, and the information stored in the device information storage means by the external communication means can be transmitted to the outside of the electric device. Electrical equipment equipment. 2. An external communication means, an arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and an equipment information storage means for providing information specific to the electric equipment device to the arithmetic control means. The model name of the electric device, the model management number assigned to each model to manage the model type, the program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, and the device information storage means. A model such as a device information management number assigned to device information, a control device management number assigned to a device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a part number assigned to a part of the electric equipment device. At least one of the cords is used to specify the device information at a specific stage or an arbitrary stage in the manufacturing process for manufacturing the electric device. A method for manufacturing an electric equipment device, characterized in that the information is written in a storage means. 3. An external communication means, an arithmetic control means for controlling an electric equipment device, and an equipment information storage means for providing the arithmetic control means with information specific to the electric equipment device. The model name of the electric device, the model management number assigned to each model to manage the model type, the program management number assigned to the control program written in the arithmetic processing means, and the device information storage means. A model such as a device information management number assigned to device information, a control device management number assigned to a device control device on which the arithmetic processing means and the device information storage means are mounted, or a part number assigned to a part of the electric equipment device. Enter at least one of the codes, and use the nameplate provided on the surface or inside of the electric device to identify the characteristics of the manufacturing process. Read the model code described in the nameplate at a fixed stage or any stage by the nameplate information reading means, select the device information using the device information selection means for selecting the device information based on the read information, Electricity characterized in that the selected device information is written in the device information storage means together with at least one of the model codes by using the device information writing means for writing the device information in the device information storage means. Equipment manufacturing method. 4. The manufacturing of an electric equipment device according to claim 3, wherein a bar code is used to display the information written on the name plate, and a bar code reader is used as a device information reading means. Method. 5. The method for manufacturing an electric device according to claim 2, wherein the electric device is a home air conditioner. 6. An electric device device manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 2. 7. An air conditioner manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 5.