JP2006162112A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device of a water heater capable of reducing electric power consumption in a display part. <P>SOLUTION: This remote control device 1 has a power-saving switch 17 for switching " an ordinary display mode " for putting an operation state display part 30 in the turn-on state when stopping hot water supply operation of the water heater 50 in an operation state capable of operation of the water heater 50 and " a power-saving display mode " for putting the operation state display part 30 in the turn-off state when stopping the hot water supply operation of the water heater 50 in the operation state; and has a time display changeover switch 13 for switching " a time display mode " for putting a time display part 31 in the turn-on state in the operation state and a standby state impossible in operation of the water heater 50 and " a time undisplayed mode " for putting the time display part 31 in the turn-off state in the operation state and the standby state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller for a water heater that performs power saving processing of a display unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, remote control devices that remotely operate a water heater have been provided with display means for displaying the operating state and time of the water heater. In order to reduce power consumption in the display means, a remote control device that turns on / off the display means when a preset time is reached, or the display means is turned on at the start of automatic hot water operation. A remote control device has been proposed in which the lighting means is turned off at the end of the automatic filling operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to such a conventional remote control device, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the lighting display means by limiting the timing when the lighting display means is turned on, but there is a demand for further reduction of power consumption.
JP 2000-220886 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background, and an object thereof is to provide a remote controller for a water heater that can reduce power consumption in a display unit.

  The present invention has been made in order to achieve the above object, and is a remote control device for remotely operating a water heater, wherein the hot water heater can be operated in a hot state and the hot water heater cannot be operated in a standby state. An operation switch for switching the state, a time measuring means, an operation state display section for lighting and displaying the operation state of the water heater, and a display means for lighting and displaying the time measured by the time measuring means, and the operation When the hot water supply operation of the water heater is stopped in the state, the “normal display mode” in which the operation state display unit is turned on, and when the hot water supply operation of the water heater is stopped in the operation state Further, the present invention relates to an improvement of a remote control device including a power saving switch that switches between a “power saving display mode” in which the operation state display unit is turned on or off according to a predetermined condition.

  And a time display changeover switch for switching between a “time display mode” in which the time display unit is turned on in the operation state and a “time non-display mode” in which the time display unit is turned off in the operation state. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, a user who has determined that the time display by the time display unit is unnecessary is operated by the time display changeover switch to be in the “time non-display mode”, and the time display unit is turned on in the driving state. Since the light can be turned off, the usability is improved and the power consumption of the display means can be reduced. Further, in the remote control device that performs the power saving process of the display unit, the power saving switch can be used to switch presence / absence of the power saving process of the operation state display unit in the operation state, and the operation state can be switched by the time display changeover switch. It is possible to switch on and off the time display section. Therefore, the user can separately set the presence or absence of the power saving process of the operation state display unit and the time display unit, and improve the user's convenience and reduce the power consumption of the display unit. Can do.

  Further, when the hot water supply operation of the water heater is stopped in the state set to the “time display mode” by the time changeover switch and set to the “power saving display mode” by the power saving switch. And a time display prohibiting means for prohibiting the time display in the time display section and turning off the time display section.

  According to the present invention, the user gives priority to the operation of the power saving switch by operating the power saving switch and setting the power saving display mode in the “time display mode”. When the water heater stops the hot water supply operation in the operation state, the time display unit is turned off together with the operation state display unit, and the power consumption of the display means can be further reduced.

  A time setting switch for setting a time starting time by the time measuring means; and in the “time non-display mode”, the time display when the time setting start time is not set by the time measuring means by the time setting switch. And a time non-setting display means for performing a display indicating that the time-measurement start time is not set with the part in a lighting state.

  According to the present invention, even in the “time non-display mode”, when the timing start time by the timing means is not set, the time display section is turned on and the timing start time is not set. By displaying “”, it is possible to prompt the user to set the timing start time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a remote controller for a water heater according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 3 are operation flowcharts of the remote controller shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, remote control device 1 remotely operates water heater 50, and includes a display unit having an operation state display unit 30 that displays an operation state of water heater 50 and a time display unit 31 that displays a time. 10. An operation switch 11 for switching between an operation state in which the hot water supply operation of the water heater 50 can be performed and a standby state in which the hot water supply operation cannot be performed, and an instruction to start an automatic filling operation for supplying a predetermined amount of hot water to a bathtub (not shown). An automatic switch 12, a clock switch 13 for instructing switching of turning on / off of the time display unit 31 and a transition to the time setting mode, a time setting switch 14 for setting a current time and a reserved time for automatic hot water operation in the time setting mode; Minute setting switch 15, bath reservation switch 16 for setting automatic hot water filling reservation, save switch 17 for switching on / off of operation state display section 30 (of the present invention Corresponding to the power switch), and a UP switch 20 and DOWM switch 19 for instructing the sound volume switch 18, and the raising and lowering of the hot water supply temperature change the output level of the speaker 21.

  The operation of the remote control device 1 is controlled by the microcomputer 40 built in the remote control device 1, and the microcomputer 40 transmits and receives control signals to and from the water heater 50 via the communication circuit 45. The microcomputer 40 controls the operation of the remote control device 1 according to the operation content when each switch is operated, and transmits a control signal according to the operation content to the water heater 50 via the communication circuit 45. To do.

  For example, each time the operation switch 11 is operated, the microcomputer 40 switches between an operation state in which the water heater 50 can perform a hot water supply operation and a standby state in which the water heater 50 cannot perform a hot water supply operation. Here, the operation of each switch is valid in the operation state, but the operation of the switches other than the operation switch 11 is invalid in the standby state, and the user operates the automatic switch 12 to instruct the start of the automatic filling operation. Etc. cannot be performed.

  Further, each time the save switch 17 is operated, the microcomputer 40 has a “normal display mode” in which the operation state display unit 30 is turned on when the hot water supply operation of the water heater 50 is not performed in the operation state. When the hot water supply operation of the water heater 50 is not executed in the operating state, the “power saving display mode” is switched to turn on or off the operating state display unit 30 according to a predetermined condition.

  In the “power saving display mode”, the operating state display unit 30 is turned on or off according to a predetermined condition. For example, the operating state display unit is operated only for a predetermined time from when any switch is operated. There are a mode in which 30 is turned on and a mode in which the operation state display unit 30 is turned on only during a user's activity time zone (from the time of getting up to bedtime).

  In response to the operation of the clock switch 13, the microcomputer 40 turns off the time display unit 31 in the "time display mode" in which the time display unit 31 is turned on in the operation state and the standby state, and the operation state and standby state. Switch to the “time non-display mode”.

  Further, the microcomputer 40 includes a time measuring means 41 that measures the current time, a time display prohibiting means 42, and a time non-setting display means 43. The time display prohibiting means 42 and the time non-setting display means 43 will be described later.

  Next, the turning on / off control of the timepiece display unit 31 by the microcomputer 40 will be described according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  When the water heater 50 is turned on, the remote control device 1 starts to operate with the power supplied from the water heater 50. Then, the microcomputer 40 determines whether or not the timing start time of the timing means 41 is already set and the timing by the timing means is being executed in STEP 1, and when the timing by the timing means 41 has not been executed, Branch to STEP10.

  STEP 10 is a process by the time non-setting display means 43. The time non-setting display means 43 is in the “normal display mode” regardless of whether it is “time display mode” or “time non-display mode”. Regardless of whether it is in the “power saving display mode” or not, the time display unit 31 is turned on, and a display for notifying that the time measurement start initial value of the time measuring means 41 is not set (for example, [−: −− ] Blinking).

  Here, when the operation of the microcomputer 40 is stopped due to a power failure, the time measurement by the time measuring means 41 is also stopped. When the power is restored, the time measurement start initial value of the time measuring means 41 is not set, so the time measurement means is not timed. It becomes a state. If no display is performed on the time display unit 31 in the “time non-display mode”, the user recognizes that the time is not measured by the time measuring means 41 as described above. I can't.

  When the time keeping means 41 is not counting the time, the automatic hot water filling operation cannot be reserved. Therefore, even if the user operates the bath reservation switch 16, the automatic hot water filling operation is reserved. Can not be set, and it is considered that the user is anxious. In addition, if a dedicated means for displaying that the time measuring means 41 has not timed is provided, the cost of parts increases.

  Thus, even when the “time non-display mode” and the “power saving display mode” are set as described above, the time display unit 31 is turned on and the time measurement start initial value of the time measuring means 41 is not set. This notification is given priority, and the user is prompted to set the initial value for timing start, thereby preventing the user from feeling uneasy and improving the usability of the user.

  Further, when the “time non-display mode” is set in STEP 2 and when the water heater 50 is in the standby state in STEP 3, the process branches to STEP 20. In STEP 20, the microcomputer 40 turns off the time display unit 31, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display means 10.

  The next STEP 4 and STEP 30 branched from STEP 4 are processing by the time display prohibiting means 42. The time display prohibiting means 42 branches to STEP 20 when it is in the “power saving display mode” in STEP 4 and the hot water heater 50 stops the hot water supply operation in STEP 30. Thus, even when the “clock display mode” is set, when the “power saving display mode” is set, the time display unit 31 is turned off while the hot water supply operation is stopped. The power consumption of 10 can be further reduced.

  On the other hand, if the “normal display mode” is set in STEP 4, the process proceeds to STEP 5, and the microcomputer 40 lights the time display unit 31 and displays the current time measured by the time measuring means. Then, the process proceeds to STEP 6 in FIG. 3 and branches to STEP 40 when any one of the switches is operated.

  In STEP 40, when the switch operation is the time adjustment operation by the clock switch 13, the hour setting switch 14, and the minute setting switch 15, the process proceeds to STEP 41, where the microcomputer 40 sets the time starting time by the time measuring means 41, In STEP42, the time measuring means 41 starts to measure and proceeds to STEP7. In STEP 40, when the switch operation is an operation other than the time adjustment operation, the process branches to STEP 50, executes processing corresponding to each operation, and proceeds to STEP 7.

  In STEP 7, the microcomputer 40 determines whether or not the state of the power supplied from the water heater 50 is normal. If the power state is normal, the microcomputer 40 returns to STEP 1 in FIG. On the other hand, when the power supply state is not normal in STEP 7, the process proceeds to STEP 8 and the microcomputer 40 stops operating.

  In this embodiment, the time non-setting display means 43 is provided, and when the time measuring means 41 has not started time measurement in STEP 1 of FIG. However, the effect of the present invention can be obtained even when the time non-setting means 43 is not provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the time display prohibiting means 42 is provided, and when the “power saving display mode” is set in STEP 4 of FIG. 2 and the water heater 50 stops the hot water supply operation in STEP 30, STEP 20 However, even if the time display prohibiting means 42 is not provided, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

The block diagram of the remote control apparatus of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the remote control apparatus shown in FIG. The operation | movement flowchart of the remote control apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control device, 10 ... Display means, 11 ... Operation switch, 13 ... Clock switch, 17 ... Power saving switch, 30 ... Operation state display part, 31 ... Time display part, 40 ... Microcomputer, 41 ... Time measuring means, 42 ... Time display prohibition means, 43 ... Time non-setting display means, 50 ... Water heater

Claims (3)

A remote control device for remotely operating a water heater,
An operation switch for switching between an operation state in which the hot water supply operation of the water heater is possible and a standby state in which the hot water supply operation of the water heater is impossible;
Timekeeping means,
Display means having an operation state display unit that lights up and displays the operation state of the water heater, and a time display unit that lights up and displays the time measured by the time measuring means;
When the hot water supply operation of the water heater is stopped in the operation state, the “normal display mode” in which the operation state display unit is turned on, and the hot water supply operation of the water heater is stopped in the operation state. Sometimes, in a remote control device comprising a power saving switch for switching between the `` power saving display mode '' for turning on or off the operating state display section according to a predetermined condition,
A time display changeover switch for switching between a “time display mode” in which the time display unit is lit in the operation state and a “time non-display mode” in which the time display unit is turned off in the operation state; A remote controller for water heaters.   In the operating state, the “time display mode” is set by the time switch, and the “power saving display mode” is set by the power saving switch, and the operation state display unit is turned off according to the predetermined condition. 2. The remote control device for a hot water heater according to claim 1, further comprising time display prohibiting means for prohibiting time display in the time display unit and turning off the time display unit when the time display is reached. A time setting switch for setting a time starting time by the time measuring means;
In the “time non-display mode”, when the time setting start time is not set by the time measuring means by the time setting switch, the time display unit is turned on to indicate that the time start time is not set. The remote control device for a hot water heater according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a time non-setting display means for performing the operation.

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