JP2006286286A - Heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heating device which allows simple adjustment in a completed product condition and simple failure diagnosis. <P>SOLUTION: This heating device is provided with: a main module 2 with a main microcomputer 4 mounted therein; a control module 3 having a heating means 8, a storage means 9 and a control microcomputer 7; a communication means 12 between the main microcomputer 4 and the control microcomputer 7; a connection means 10 for connecting the main microcomputer 4 to an external maintenance apparatus 11; and a communication means 13 for executing communication between the main microcomputer 4 and the external maintenance apparatus 11. The heating apparatus is so structured that a communication command from the external maintenance apparatus 11 is transmitted to the control microcomputer 7 by both the communication means 12 and 13; and the control microcomputer 7 rewrites control adjustment data stored in the storage means 9. Thereby, adjustment for delivery in a completed product condition and maintenance in failure repairing are simply carried out by rewriting the control adjustment data in the storage means 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating apparatus such as an induction heating system that can set control adjustment data of a control module even in a finished product state.

  Conventionally, this type of heating device has a display unit and an operation unit, and controls the inverter and heater by a main module that controls the entire device, input setting information from the main microcomputer, and various sensor inputs such as a temperature sensor. It consists of a control module with a microcomputer. When the control microcomputer controls the inverter so that a predetermined input power can be obtained, the control is performed with a predetermined value stored in advance in the ROM of the control microcomputer. In addition, as a method for setting the input power of the inverter, a method using a fixed switch and adjusting the manufacturing process has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, since control has become complicated, control modules that control inverters, heaters, and the like based on control adjustment data held by storage means that are nonvolatile memory elements (EEPROM, etc.) have become common. Yes. However, in order to rewrite the storage means in the control module, it is necessary to arrange an interface part from the control module to the device outer part and to wire the interface part. For this reason, when there are a plurality of control modules because there are a plurality of control modules, the control adjustment data is written in the storage means in the state of the control module alone, and then the control module is incorporated in the device.

  Moreover, in the adjustment for the shipment in the factory etc. in the apparatus comprised by several control microcomputers, connecting an external adjustment apparatus to the communication line between control microcomputers is proposed (for example, refer patent document 2). .

Also, with the spread of networks, a device maintenance support system that outputs analysis information in cooperation with a database that stores maintenance information that stores information related to device maintenance has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-136992 JP 2004-234173 A JP 2002-24432 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to rewrite the control adjustment data stored in the storage means of the control module, it is necessary to take out the control module from the apparatus and rewrite it with a dedicated rewriting jig. Before the assembly, it was necessary to rewrite the control module alone. In addition, in order to rewrite in the finished product state, it is necessary to wire the communication line of the nonvolatile memory element that is the storage means from the control module to the connector that is the connection means to the outside of the device, which increases the wiring length, The cost of the equipment has increased, the strength against external noise has been reduced, and there has been a problem that a place for arranging the connector is required, which affects operability and design.

  In addition, when configured with a plurality of control modules, a communication line between the control microcomputers is generated between the control modules. Therefore, in order to connect the external adjustment device to the communication line between the control microcomputers, the external adjustment device A plurality of connectors as connecting means are required.

  Furthermore, in order to identify the cause of the failure and perform appropriate repairs, a method of storing the device usage status and data at the time of the failure can be considered, but for failure analysis stored in the storage means of the control module To read the data, it was necessary to disassemble the device, take out the control module, and read it with a dedicated reading jig.

  In addition, connecting a device to a network also requires an increase in the function of the control microcomputer on the device side, leading to a significant cost increase.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heating apparatus that can easily perform adjustment and failure diagnosis in a finished product state.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a heating device according to the present invention includes a main module in which a main microcomputer that controls the entire apparatus is mounted, a heating unit that heats a pan, a storage unit that stores control adjustment data, and a heating unit. A control module having a control microcomputer for controlling the means, a communication means for performing serial communication between the main microcomputer and the control microcomputer, a connection means for connecting the main microcomputer to an external maintenance device, and an external maintenance device using the connection means Communication means for performing serial communication between the main microcomputer and the external maintenance device in a state where the main microcomputer and the external maintenance device are connected to each other, and a communication command from the external maintenance device is transmitted to the control microcomputer by both communication means. It is configured to rewrite the control adjustment data stored in

  As a result, by rewriting the control adjustment data stored in the storage means of the control module, it is possible to easily perform adjustment for shipment in the finished product state and maintenance at the time of failure repair.

  The heating device of the present invention can easily perform adjustment for shipment in a finished product state and maintenance at the time of failure repair.

  A first invention includes a main module having a main microcomputer for controlling the entire device, a heating means for heating a pan, a storage means for storing control adjustment data, and a control module having a control microcomputer for controlling the heating means, Communication means for performing serial communication between the main microcomputer and the control microcomputer, connection means for connecting the main microcomputer and an external maintenance device, and the main microcomputer and the external maintenance in a state of being connected to the external maintenance device by the connection means A communication means for performing serial communication between the devices, a communication command from the external maintenance device is transmitted to the control microcomputer by both communication means, and the control microcomputer rewrites the control adjustment data stored in the storage means; The memory module of the control module Rewriting of stored control calibration data, it is easily perform maintenance during adjustment or repair for shipping the finished product state becomes possible.

  In particular, according to a second invention, in the first invention, a plurality of control modules and communication means for performing serial communication between control microcomputers between the control modules are provided, and communication commands from an external maintenance device are transmitted to the communication means. With this configuration, the external control device is configured to rewrite the control adjustment data stored in the other storage means from one control microcomputer to the other control microcomputer. It is possible to rewrite the control adjustment, which is another storage means connected to another control microcomputer by communicating with another control microcomputer. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect all the control microcomputers to the main microcomputer, the wiring length is short, the cost is low, and the maintainability is improved. Become. The configuration of each control module can be configured in the same way, and can be configured with the same printed circuit board, the number of parts can be reduced, and the efficiency of development and manufacturing can be improved.

  In particular, in the first or second invention, the third invention is provided with communication means in which the communication line between the connection means and each microcomputer is connected to the shared communication line in place of each communication means for performing serial communication. This makes it possible to use one communication system from the main microcomputer and each control microcomputer, to adopt a low-function control microcomputer that has only one serial interface function, and to include external maintenance equipment. Communication between microcomputers can be performed using the same protocol, so that development costs can be reduced and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the external maintenance device communicates directly with each control microcomputer, the communication speed can be greatly improved, and the operability of the external maintenance device is improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the main module or the control module stores equipment maintenance information such as usage status and error information in the storage means, and the equipment is stored in the external maintenance equipment. By adopting a configuration that transmits maintenance information, external maintenance equipment can read failure analysis data stored in each storage means provided in each module, making it easy to diagnose failures in the state of finished products. Can be done.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the equipment maintenance information is information that the control microcomputer controls heating means such as an inverter and a heater, and the control microcomputer is sequentially continuous. Since the control information during operation can be acquired by providing a monitoring function for outputting to an external maintenance device, the accuracy of failure diagnosis can be improved.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, a wireless module is connected to the main module, and the main module communicates wirelessly with an external maintenance device including the wireless module. As a result, it is possible to communicate with an external maintenance device without disposing a connector as an interface part on the outer shell of the device, so that maintenance of the device can be performed without impairing operability and design. it can.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the ROM of the control microcomputer is used as a flash memory, and rewrite flash rewriting means for rewriting the ROM of the control microcomputer from the main microcomputer or another control microcomputer is provided. As a result, the external maintenance device can rewrite the ROM of the control microcomputer that is not directly connected to the external maintenance device even in the finished product state, and can rewrite the microcomputer program itself, greatly increasing the adjustment range of the device. In addition, the function can be improved after shipment.

  According to an eighth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, the main module has a display unit and an operation unit, and the failure stored in the storage means of the control module by the operation of the main module. By reading the analysis data or rewriting the control adjustment data, it is possible to rewrite the control adjustment data of the control module and check the failure analysis data without preparing an external maintenance device, and no external maintenance device is required. Maintenance costs can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show a heating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an induction heating device as an example of the heating device 1 of the present embodiment. The main module 2, the first control module 3, the connection means 10, and the first and second communication means 12 and 13. It has.

  The main module 2 includes a main microcomputer 4 that controls the entire device, and includes a display unit 5 such as a liquid crystal display element or an LED display element, and an operation unit 6 that performs setting input using a key SW.

  The first control module 3 is equipped with a first control microcomputer 7 for controlling the first heating means 8, the first heating means 8 for heating the pan and the like, and a nonvolatile memory (this embodiment) In the embodiment, the first storage means 9 which is an EEPROM) storage element having a serial communication function is provided. The first control microcomputer 7 is connected to the first storage means 9, communicates by serial communication, and reads / writes data in the first storage means 9.

  The main microcomputer 4 and the first control microcomputer 7 perform serial communication by the first communication means 12. The connecting means 10 is arranged outside the heating device 1, and performs serial communication by the second communication means 13 between the main microcomputer 4 and the external maintenance equipment 11 in a state where the connecting means 10 is connected to the external maintenance equipment 11. .

  Then, the communication command from the external maintenance device 11 is transmitted to the first control microcomputer 7 by the first and second communication means 12 and 13, and the first control microcomputer 7 is stored in the first storage means 9. The control adjustment data is rewritten.

  Although not shown, a top plate made of glass or ceramic is disposed on the top of the heating device 1, and a pan placed on the top plate is induction-heated by the first heating means 8. . The first heating means 8 is controlled by an inverter composed of a heating coil, a resonance capacitor, a switching element, and the like, a sensor that detects the state of the inverter, and a sensor that detects the temperature of each part such as the temperature of the top plate.

  The display unit 5 displays the operating state of the first control module 3 such as the set heating power and the timer time. The operation unit 6 includes a power supply SW for supplying power to the heating device 1, an on / off switch for starting or stopping heating of the first control module 3, an up SW and a down SW for setting heating power, and timer time. It consists of a timer SW to be set.

  The first control microcomputer 7 reads EEPROM control adjustment data, which is the first storage means 9 stored in advance, and determines various control values when the power of the heating device 1 is turned on. Various control values relating to temperature control and inverter control are stored in advance in the ROM of the first control microcomputer 7, but values to be corrected are stored in the first storage means 9. To decide. For example, when the control temperature is determined, the temperature control temperature is stored as 180 in the ROM of the first control microcomputer 7 in advance, and if 5 is stored as the value of the first storage means 9, 180 Add 5 to get 185.

  The main microcomputer 4 communicates with the first control microcomputer 7 and the first communication means 12, and transmits an operation information command to the first control microcomputer 7 based on the setting information input from the operation unit 6. . The first communication means 12 is a three-wire clock synchronous communication system, and the first control microcomputer 7 performs transmission and reception based on the clock output from the main microcomputer 4.

  In the present embodiment, the external maintenance means 11 uses a general-purpose personal computer, is connected to a voltage conversion circuit (not shown) from the personal computer through an RS-232C connector, and is further connected to the connection means 10. Therefore, the second communication means 13 performs communication at 9800 BPS by full-duplex UART serial communication.

  The operation and action of the heating apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a communication sequence. First, when an input for changing the control adjustment data in the first storage unit 9 is made in the external maintenance device 11, the control adjustment data in the first storage unit 9 is sent from the external maintenance device 11. A rewrite request command 14 is transmitted by the second communication means 13 via the connection means 10 and received by the main microcomputer 4. Further, the main microcomputer 4 transmits the received rewrite request command 14 by the first communication means 12 and the first control microcomputer 7 receives it. Further, the first control microcomputer 7 rewrites the control adjustment data in the first storage means 9, and after the rewrite is completed, the first control microcomputer 7 reads the control adjustment data in the first storage means 9 and completes the rewrite. The command 15 is transmitted and the main microcomputer 4 receives it. Further, the main microcomputer 4 transmits the received rewrite completion command 15 to the external maintenance device 11, and the external maintenance device 11 completes the communication sequence when receiving it.

  The rewrite request command 14 includes an address and data for rewriting the EEPROM serving as the first storage means 9. The rewrite completion command 15 also includes the address and data in which the EEPROM as the first storage means 9 has been rewritten, like the rewrite request command 14.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the external maintenance device 11 transmits a communication command to the main microcomputer 4, and the first control microcomputer 7, the first communication unit 12, and the second that are not directly connected. By communicating via the connection means 13, the control adjustment data in the first storage means 9 can be rewritten, so that the shipment adjustment can be easily performed in the finished product state.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st control module 3 which has the 1st heating means 8 is shown, also when there are two or more control modules, each control module is connected with the main microcomputer 4, By communicating, the control adjustment data stored in the storage means of each control module can be rewritten, so the connection means 10 with the outside is limited to one place, the structure is simple, and it does not take up space. Designability and operability are not impaired, and maintainability at the time of shipment adjustment and repair at the factory is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the first heating means 8 performs induction heating, but it may be a radial heater, a grill heater, or another heat source. In addition, it is common to perform error checking by adding additional information such as checksum and parity to communication commands such as the rewrite request command 14 and the rewrite completion command 15.

  In the present embodiment, the first communication means 12 is assumed to perform full-duplex communication by three-wire clock synchronous communication, but may be half-duplex communication by a UART communication method or a one-wire method. In addition, the second communication means 13 is assumed to perform full-duplex communication by a two-wire system, but may be one-wire or half-duplex communication when there is little communication data.

  In the present embodiment, the RS-232C interface is used for communication between the personal computer that is the external maintenance device 11 and the main microcomputer 4, but a USB interface may be used.

(Embodiment 2)
3 and 4 show a heating apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heating device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a second control module 16, which is a second control microcomputer 17, a second heating means 18, and a second memory. It is constituted by means 19. Furthermore, the third maintenance means 20 for performing serial communication between the first control microcomputer 7 and the second control microcomputer 17 is provided, and the external maintenance device 11 includes the first communication means 12 and the second communication means. The control adjustment data in the second storage means 19 is rewritten by the 13 and the third communication means 20. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The operation and action of the heating apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a communication sequence. First, in the external maintenance device 11, when an input for changing the control adjustment data in the second storage unit 19 is performed, the control adjustment data in the first storage unit 9 is transmitted from the external maintenance device 11. A rewrite request communication command with receiver 21 for changing the transmission destination is transmitted by the second communication unit 13 through the connection unit 10. The main microcomputer 4 transmits the reception destination rewrite request command 21 received by the second communication means 13 by the first communication means 12 and receives it by the first control microcomputer 7. Information indicating the destination to be received is added to the rewriting request command with receiving destination 21. In this embodiment, the identification number of the main microcomputer 4 is 1, the identification number of the first control microcomputer 7 is 2, The identification number of the control microcomputer 17 is 3. The first control microcomputer 7 identifies the destination information of the received rewrite request command with receiver 21, determines that it is not a communication command for itself, and transmits it by the third communication means 20. The second control microcomputer 17 identifies the destination information of the rewrite request command with recipient 21 received by the third communication means 20, determines that it is a communication command to itself, and controls the second storage means 19. Rewrite the adjustment data.

  The second control microcomputer 17 transmits a rewriting completion command 22 with a transmission source from the third communication unit 20 after the rewriting of the control adjustment data in the second storage unit 19 is completed. Information for identifying the transmission source that has started transmission is added to the rewriting complete command with sender 22, and the identification number is the same as the rewriting request command with recipient 21. Next, the first control microcomputer 7 transmits from the first communication unit 12 the rewrite completion command 22 with a transmission source received from the third communication unit 20. The main microcomputer 4 transmits the rewriting completion command 22 with a transmission source from the first communication means 12 from the second communication means 13 and is received by the external maintenance device 11, and the communication sequence is completed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the external maintenance device 11 can rewrite the control adjustment data in the second storage means 19 connected to the second control microcomputer 17 that is not connected to the main microcomputer 4. As a result, the wiring between the main module 2 and the first control module 3 becomes common, and the wiring between the main module 2 and the second control module 16 is reduced, so that the cost can be reduced and further errors in communication can be achieved. Decreases and stability increases.

  In addition, the control modules can be configured in the same manner, and can be configured with the same printed circuit board. The number of parts can be reduced, and development and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

  The same applies to two or more control modules, and is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a heating device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the heating device 1 of the present embodiment replaces the communication means 12, 13, and 20 for performing serial communication in the first and second embodiments with the connection means 10 and each of the microcomputers 4, 7, and 17. The fourth communication means 23 is provided with the communication line connected to the shared communication line.

  With this configuration, the main module 2, the first control microcomputer 7, and the second control microcomputer 17 receive the rewrite request command with receiver 21 shown in FIG. 4 transmitted from the external maintenance device 11, respectively. The second control microcomputer 17 having the same number rewrites the control adjustment data in the second storage means 19.

  Further, the second control microcomputer 17 rewrites the control adjustment data in the second storage means 19, then transmits a rewrite completion command 22 with a transmission source, and the external maintenance device 11 receives the rewrite completion command transmission source. Is the second control microcomputer 17, and the communication sequence is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the communication system from the main microcomputer 4 and the control microcomputers 7 and 17 can be integrated into one, and the low-function control microcomputer having only one serial interface function. In addition, communication between the microcomputers including the external maintenance device 11 can be performed using the same protocol, so that development costs can be reduced and costs can be reduced. Further, since the external maintenance device 11 communicates directly with each control microcomputer, the communication speed can be greatly improved, and the operability of the external maintenance device is improved.

  In each of the first to third embodiments described above, the main module 2 or the control modules 3 and 16 stores device maintenance information such as usage status and error information in the storage means, and stores the device maintenance information in the external maintenance device 11. By adopting the transmission configuration, the external maintenance device 11 can read the failure analysis data stored in each storage means provided in each module, and easily perform failure diagnosis in the finished product state. Is possible.

  Further, the equipment maintenance information is information that the control microcomputers 7 and 17 control the heating means 8 and 18 such as an inverter and a heater, and the control microcomputers 7 and 17 are continuously and continuously output to the external maintenance equipment 11. By providing the function, control information during operation can be acquired, so that the accuracy of failure diagnosis can be improved.

  In addition, a wireless module is connected to the main module 2, and the main module 2 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the external maintenance device 11 including the wireless module, thereby arranging a connector that is an interface unit outside the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to perform communication with the external maintenance device 11, so that maintenance of the device can be performed without impairing operability and design.

  Further, the ROM of the control microcomputers 7 and 17 is used as a flash memory, and the external maintenance device 11 is externally provided even in a finished product state by providing rewrite flash rewriting means for rewriting the ROM of the control microcomputer from the main microcomputer 4 or another control microcomputer. It becomes possible to rewrite the ROM of the control microcomputer to which the maintenance device 11 is not directly connected, the microcomputer program itself can be rewritten, the adjustment range of the device is greatly improved, and further improvement of functions is realized after shipment. be able to.

  Further, the main module 2 includes a display unit 5 and an operation unit 6, and by operating the main module, the failure analysis data stored in the storage units 9 and 19 of the control modules 3 and 16 are read out, and control adjustment data is stored. By rewriting, it is possible to rewrite the control adjustment data of the control module and confirm the failure analysis data without preparing the external maintenance device 11, and the maintenance cost can be reduced because the external maintenance device is not necessary.

  These can be appropriately combined as necessary, and are not limited to the embodiment itself.

  As described above, since the heating device according to the present invention can easily perform adjustment for shipment in a finished product state and maintenance at the time of failure repair, a plurality of heating devices including a heating device such as a gas range are provided. The present invention can also be applied to many devices configured by the control module.

The block diagram which shows the heating apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the communication sequence of the heating device The block diagram which shows the heating apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the communication sequence of the heating device The block diagram which shows the heating apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating apparatus 2 Main module 3 1st control module 4 Main microcomputer 5 Display part 6 Operation part 7 1st control microcomputer 8 1st heating means 9 1st memory | storage means 10 Connection means 11 External maintenance equipment 12 1st Communication means 13 Second communication means 16 Second control module 17 Second control microcomputer 18 Second heating means 19 Second storage means 20 Third communication means 23 Fourth communication means

Claims (8)

A main module equipped with a main microcomputer for controlling the entire device, a heating means for heating a pan, a storage means for storing control adjustment data, a control module having a control microcomputer for controlling the heating means, and the main microcomputer and control Communication means for performing serial communication between microcomputers, connection means for connecting the main microcomputer to an external maintenance device, and serial communication between the main microcomputer and the external maintenance device in a state of being connected to the external maintenance device by the connection means A heating device configured to transmit a communication command from the external maintenance device to the control microcomputer by both communication units, and the control microcomputer rewrites the control adjustment data stored in the storage unit. A plurality of control modules and a communication means for performing serial communication between control microcomputers between the control modules are provided. A communication command from an external maintenance device is transmitted from one control microcomputer to another control microcomputer by each communication means. The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other control microcomputer is configured to rewrite the control adjustment data stored in the other storage means. The heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit in which a communication line between the connection unit and each microcomputer is connected to a common communication line, instead of each communication unit that performs serial communication. The main module or the control module is configured to store device maintenance information such as usage status and error information in a storage unit and transmit the device maintenance information to an external maintenance device. Heating device. The device maintenance information is information that the control microcomputer controls heating means such as an inverter and a heater, and the control microcomputer has a monitoring function of sequentially and continuously outputting to an external maintenance device. The heating device according to Item. The heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a wireless module is connected to the main module, and the main module is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external maintenance device including the wireless module. The heating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising rewriting flash rewriting means for rewriting the ROM of the control microcomputer from a main microcomputer or another control microcomputer using a ROM of the control microcomputer as a flash memory. The main module includes a display unit and an operation unit, and reads out the failure analysis data stored in the storage means of the control module or rewrites the control adjustment data by operating the main module. The heating apparatus according to item 1.

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