JP2008187634A - Remote control device for hot-water supplier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient remote control device capable of easily confirming where in a display unit of the remote control device operation contents of a corresponding function are being displayed, and further capable of easily confirming corresponding display contents, when implementing a change in the operation contents after shifting to a corresponding change mode through an operation unit of the remote control device in order to instruct the change in the operation contents of the certain function of a hot-water supplier in the remote control device for the hot-water supplier. <P>SOLUTION: When instructing a change in operation contents of a certain function of a hot-water supplier body 1, when the shift to a corresponding change mode is operated by an operation unit 7 provided in a remote control device 2 connected to the hot-water supplier body 1, a corresponding changeable indication on a display unit 8 provided in the remote control device 2 is flickered and the ON time in a cycle of flickering is made longer than the OFF time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device capable of remotely operating a water heater.

  Conventionally, when a predetermined switch operation is performed on a remote control device of a water heater, the display location corresponding to the switch operation is displayed brighter than other display locations or blinked, thereby causing the switch operation. In some cases, it is possible to more clearly distinguish the display location corresponding to the other display locations (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-128268 A (page 4, FIG. 1)

  As a method of instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function of the water heater in the remote control device of the water heater, first, the operation unit shifts to the corresponding change mode, and in general, during this change mode, Since the operation content of the corresponding function is displayed on the display section while clearly indicating that it can be changed, the user then checks the operation content display of the corresponding function displayed on the display section. There is a method of changing the operation content.

  In carrying out such an operation method, in the method of Patent Document 1 as shown in the background art above, when the operation mode is changed to the corresponding change mode, the operation content display of the corresponding function of the display unit is a display other than this. However, as described in the embodiment of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the lighting of a plurality of display locations is switched at a speed that cannot be sensed by human eyes. In the dynamic lighting system that makes it appear that all the display locations are lit, when the display brightness of the operation contents of the corresponding function is made brighter than normal, the display other than the corresponding location is darker than normal in proportion to it. Therefore, there is a problem that the visibility of the display other than the corresponding part is lowered.

  In addition, during the change mode, in order not to significantly impair the visibility of the display other than the corresponding part, if the display other than the corresponding part is not made too dark, the operation content display of the corresponding function and the display other than the corresponding part are not performed. There is a problem in that it is difficult to confirm where the operation content of the corresponding function is displayed because there is no great difference in display brightness.

  Furthermore, as a background art, there is a method of blinking the operation content display of the corresponding function during the change mode. However, since the display content cannot be confirmed during the extinguishing period of the blinking blinking cycle, the corresponding function is displayed. There was a problem that it was difficult to confirm the operation content display.

  In addition, when an operation to shift to the corresponding change mode is performed by the operation unit in order to instruct to change the operation content of a function of the hot water heater, the operation content display of the corresponding function is not found instantaneously or However, if it is not possible to confirm that the operation content display can be changed, it may be misunderstood that the operation cannot be transferred to the corresponding change mode, and an operation to exit from the corresponding change mode may be performed. there were.

  The present invention solves the problems as described above, and as a method for instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function of the water heater, first, the operation unit performs a transition operation to the corresponding change mode, When adopting the method of changing the operation content, in order to make the operation content display of the corresponding function more conspicuous than usual, it is no longer difficult to see the display other than the corresponding part than usual. Not only the operation content display of the function to be performed, but also the visibility of the display other than the corresponding part is maintained at a high level, and the operation function display of the corresponding function and the display other than the corresponding part are clearly differentiated, and the corresponding function It is possible to easily check where the operation content is displayed, and it is not difficult to check the operation content display of the corresponding function. And its object is to provide a good remote control user-friendly that can confirm the content easily.

  In addition, when trying to instruct to change the operation content of a certain function of the water heater, when the operation unit is operated to shift to the corresponding change mode, the operation content display of the corresponding function can be found instantaneously, In addition, it is possible to confirm that the operation content display can be changed, and there is no possibility of performing an operation to exit from the corresponding change mode by misunderstanding that the change mode cannot be entered. The purpose is to provide an easy-to-use remote control device.

  A remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention is a remote control device capable of remotely operating a water heater, the remote control device of the present invention includes an operation unit that instructs to change the operation content of various functions of the water heater, A display unit for displaying the operation content of the operation unit and the operation state of the water heater, and a transition operation to the corresponding change mode by the operation unit when instructing to change the operation content of a function of the water heater. Is performed, the corresponding changeable display of the display unit is blinked, and the lighting time of the blinking period is longer than the extinguishing time.

  According to the remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention, as a method for instructing a change in the operation content of a certain function of the water heater, first, the operation content is changed to the corresponding change mode by the operation unit, and then the operation content. When adopting the method of implementing the change of the above, in order to make the operation content display of the corresponding function more noticeable than usual, it is no longer difficult to see the display other than the corresponding part than usual, and the corresponding function In addition to the operation content display, the visibility of the display other than the corresponding location is maintained at a high level and the operation of the corresponding function is clearly differentiated between the operation content display of the corresponding function and the display other than the corresponding location. It is possible to easily check where the content is displayed, and it is not difficult to check the operation content display of the corresponding function. It is possible to easily check the contents.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote controller for a hot water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a water heater main body 1 connected to a remote control device 2 through a communication line 3 includes a heat exchanger for general hot water supply, a hot water supply, etc., various heaters, various valves, etc. (all not shown) Including a tank unit 4, a control unit 5 that controls the overall operation of the water heater main body 1, and a communication unit 6 for communicating with the remote control device 2.

  On the other hand, the remote control device 2 can remotely operate the water heater main body 1, and includes an operation unit 7 for instructing change of operation contents of various functions of the water heater main body 1, A display unit 8 for displaying the operating state of the water heater main body 1 and various processes in response to the operation content of the operation unit 7 or a display unit based on the operation content of the operation unit 7 and information of the water heater main body 1 8 includes a control unit 9 that controls the content displayed on the display unit 8 and a communication unit 10 that performs communication with the water heater main body 1.

  The communication line 3 connects the water heater main body 1 and the remote control device 2 and is a two-core wire for supplying power (for example, 12 V) from the water heater main body 1 to the remote control device. Data from the water heater main body 1 is modulated by the communication unit 6 of the water heater main body 1, superimposed on the power supply voltage, and transmitted to the remote control device 2 via the communication line 3. The data signal is demodulated in the communication unit 10 of the remote control device 2 and sent to the control unit 9 of the remote control device 2. Further, data from the remote control device 2 is modulated by the communication unit 10 of the remote control device 2 and transmitted to the water heater main body 1 via the communication line 3. The data signal is demodulated in the communication unit 6 of the water heater main body 1 and sent to the control unit 5 of the water heater main body 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a remote controller 2 for a water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the first embodiment, as a method of instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function of the water heater main body 1, first, the operation unit 7 performs an operation for shifting to the corresponding change mode, and then the operation content is changed. A menu-type operation method is implemented. That is, the operation unit 7 of the remote control device 2 includes, for example, a menu switch 7a, a selection plus switch 7b, a selection minus switch 7c, a decision switch 7d, and the like. When the menu switch 7a is pressed once, the main body of the water heater For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a function that can be changed to a menu item display area 8a provided in the display unit 8 is entered. The item is displayed, and the operation content is similarly displayed in the operation content display area 8 b provided in the display unit 8.

  After that, every time the menu switch 7a is pressed, the item display in the menu item display area 8a is switched in order as shown in FIGS. The operation content display displayed in the display area 8b is also switched. Finally, when the function items that can be selected with the menu switch 7a are cycled, the normal mode is restored and the change mode is terminated. During this change mode, the operation content display displayed in the operation content display area 8b can be changed by pressing the selection plus switch 7b or the selection minus switch 7c, and further changed by pressing the decision switch 7d. The details of the operation performed can be determined.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control operation of the remote controller for the hot water heater showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, for example, when setting the hot water temperature in a hot water beam function for supplying hot water to a bathtub at a predetermined hot water temperature, which is one of the functions of the hot water supply main body 1, first, the user uses a remote control device. The menu switch 7a provided in the second operation unit 7 is pressed to select the hot water temperature changing mode (step 20). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the menu item display area 8a of the display unit 8 displays the hot water temperature item (for example, “bath temperature”) in a lit state, and the operation content display area 8b. Since the hot water temperature (for example, “42 ° C.”) is displayed in a blinking manner (step 21), the user sees these displays and is currently in the change mode and the hot water as an item to be changed. It is possible to confirm that the beam temperature is selected. Next, when the user confirms that the hot water temperature can be changed, the hot water temperature is changed with the selection plus switch 7b and the selection minus switch 7c (steps 22 and 23), and the decision switch 7d is pressed. The setting of the hot water temperature is completed (step 24).

Next, the details of the display operation in the display unit 8 when setting the hot water temperature will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the display operation on display unit 8 when setting the hot water beam temperature in the remote control device for a hot water heater showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, for example, when setting the hot water temperature, when the user presses the menu switch 7 a provided on the operation unit 7 of the remote control device 2 and selects the hot water temperature change mode, the display unit 8. In the menu item display area 8a, “Bath temperature” is lit up and the hot water temperature value (for example, “42 ° C.”) is flashed in the operation content display area 8b.

  At this time, the control unit 9 of the remote control device 2 counts a periodic timer for flashing display that has a lighting period longer than the extinguishing period (for example, lighting 750 msec, extinguishing 250 msec), and displays it in the operation content display area 8b. The hot water beam temperature value is displayed blinking by using this blinking cycle timer. That is, during the hot water temperature change mode, the hot water temperature value displayed in the operation content display area 8b continues to flash on / off at 750 msec / off 250 msec.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as a method for instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function of the water heater main body 1, first, the operation unit 7 performs an operation for shifting to the corresponding change mode. Then, when the operation method of changing the operation content is adopted, the operation content display displayed on the display unit 8 is blinked during this change mode. It is possible to easily confirm where the operation content of the corresponding function is displayed without making it difficult to see the display other than the corresponding part.

  In addition, regarding the blinking display operation of the operation content display displayed on the display unit 8 in the change mode, the operation content display is turned off because the lighting period of the blinking cycle of the blinking display is set to be appropriately longer than the extinguishing period. This makes it less likely that the display content cannot be confirmed. In particular, the operation content display confirmation in the change mode and the operation content change operation are facilitated, and the usability is very good.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, in the remote control device showing the second embodiment of the present invention, the details of the display operation in the display unit 8 when setting the hot water temperature will be described with reference to FIG.
Note that the configuration and control operation flow of the second embodiment are the same as the configuration and control operation flow of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a display operation in display unit 8 when setting the hot water beam temperature in the remote control device for a hot water heater showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, for example, when setting the hot water temperature, when the user presses the menu switch 7 a provided on the operation unit 7 of the remote control device 2 and selects the hot water temperature change mode, the display unit 8. In the menu item display area 8a, “Bath temperature” is lit up and the hot water temperature value (for example, “42 ° C.”) is flashed in the operation content display area 8b.

  At this time, the control unit 9 of the remote control device 2 is set so that the lighting period is longer than the extinguishing period (for example, lighting 750 msec, extinguishing 250 msec), and blinking display is started from the extinguishing period at 0 second timing. The blinking cycle timer is counted, and when the menu switch 7a is pressed to enter the hot water temperature change mode, the blinking cycle timer counter is cleared to 0. Thereafter, the operation content display area The value of the hot water temperature displayed in 8b is displayed blinking by using this blinking cycle timer.

  In other words, when the menu switch 7a is pressed to shift to the hot water temperature changing mode, the hot water temperature value displayed in the operation content display area 8b is turned off for 250 msec, and thereafter flashing display of lighting 750 msec / lighting off 250 msec is performed. Will continue.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as a method for instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function of the water heater main body 1, first, the operation unit 7 performs an operation for shifting to the corresponding change mode. Then, when the operation method of changing the operation content is adopted, the operation content display displayed on the display unit 8 blinks during the change mode, and the blinking display blinks. For the user, the lighting period of the cycle is made moderately longer than the extinguishing period, and at the same time the change mode is entered, the blinking display of the operation content display starts from the extinguishing period of the blinking cycle. When the operation to shift to the corresponding change mode is performed by the operation unit 7, it can be confirmed that the change mode can be instantaneously transferred to the corresponding change mode. Te, the less that will be carried out the operation to exit the change mode applicable, be very good ease of use.

  In particular, to make it easier to check the operation content display during the change mode and change the operation content, if the lighting period of the blinking display is longer than the extinguishing period, the blinking display starts from the lighting period of the blinking cycle. When it starts, there is a high possibility of exiting the corresponding change mode without noticing that it is blinking, so there is a method to start blinking the operation content display from the extinguishing period of the blinking cycle when entering the change mode. It becomes very effective.

  Further, for example, in the display method in which the same operation content display area of the display unit 8 displays a predetermined operation content in the normal mode and the change target operation content blinks in the change mode. Each time a predetermined switch provided in the unit 7 is pressed, the change mode of the function A, the change mode of the function B, the change mode of the function C,... Are changed in order. 3 (A), (B), and (C) are displayed, and the function change mode that can be selected with a predetermined switch is cycled. Next, when the predetermined switch is pressed, When the mode switching operation of switching to the normal mode is repeated endlessly as many times as the predetermined switch is pressed, the user usually has to go to the target change mode. In order to operate in consideration of how many times the specified switch should be pressed from the normal mode as the base point, in the unlikely event that the predetermined switch is pressed several times, the predetermined switch from the normal mode as the base point is If you forget what you pressed, you often try to return to normal mode.

  In such a case, in the remote control device shown in the second embodiment, the operation content display continues to blink in each change mode, and when the transition to each change mode is made, the blinking display is turned off in the blink cycle. When the mode is changed, if the operation content display turns off for a moment, it is a change mode, and if it does not turn off, it can be recognized that it is a normal mode. When it becomes difficult to know whether the mode is selected, it is possible to easily return to the normal mode as a base point, which is very convenient.

  In the first and second embodiments, the operation content display area 8b is blinked in the change mode, but the menu item display area 8a may be blinked. You may make it blink the display of both the display area 8a and the operation content display area 8b.

  In the first and second embodiments, in the change mode, the display of the operation content display area 8b is blinked. However, not all the display of the operation content display area 8b is blinked, but a numerical value or change is possible. Only the display of the correct value may be blinked, and the display of the unit or the like may not be blinked.

The block diagram of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The general-view figure of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. The example of a display in the display part of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart of control operation | movement of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. The time chart which showed the display operation in the display part of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. The time chart which showed the display operation in the display part of the remote control apparatus of the water heater which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater main body 2 Remote control device 3 Communication line 5 Control part (water heater main body side)
6 Communication section (on the water heater body side)
7 Operation section 7a Menu switch 7b Selection plus switch 7c Selection minus switch 7d Determination switch 8 Display section 8a Menu item display area 8b Operation content display area 9 Control section (remote control device side)
10 Communication section (remote control device side)

Claims (5)

In the remote control device that can remotely control the water heater,
The remote control device includes an operation unit that instructs to change operation contents of various functions of the water heater, and a display unit that displays an operation content of the operation unit and an operation state of the water heater. When instructing the change of the operation content of a certain function, if the operation unit shifts to the corresponding change mode, the corresponding changeable display on the display unit blinks and the blinking cycle is turned on. A remote control device for a water heater characterized in that the time is longer than the turn-off time.   The operation unit includes a menu switch that shifts to an operation content change mode of various functions of the water heater, and is instructed by an operation of the menu switch when instructing to change the operation content of a function of the water heater. The remote control device for a hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein when the operation for shifting to the change mode is performed, the corresponding changeable display on the display unit blinks.   The display unit includes a menu item display area for displaying an item to be changed and an operation content display area for displaying a changeable value, and the menu is used when instructing to change the operation content of a function of the water heater. 3. The hot water heater according to claim 2, wherein, when an operation for shifting to a corresponding change mode is performed by operating a switch, the display of either the menu item display area or the operation content display area is blinked. Remote control device.   The display unit includes a menu item display area for displaying an item to be changed and an operation content display area for displaying a changeable value, and the menu is used when instructing to change the operation content of a function of the water heater. 3. The remote control of a hot water heater according to claim 2, wherein when the operation for shifting to the corresponding change mode is performed by operating a switch, both the menu item display area and the operation content display area are blinked. apparatus.   The hot water supply according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remote control device starts a blinking operation from an extinguishing period of a blinking cycle when blinking a corresponding changeable display on the display unit. Remote control device of the machine.

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