JP2023001611A - Timer device and heating device provided with timer device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve visibility of a display part with respect to a user and to improve operability when a user sets a desired state.SOLUTION: A timer device sets a driving condition of equipment in each of a plurality of time zones into which a 24-hour day is divided, and controls the equipment on the basis of the driving condition set in each time zone. The time device comprises: driving condition setting means which sets the driving condition of the equipment, for each of the plurality of time zone into which a 24-hour day is divided; storage means storing each of the driving conditions set by the driving condition setting means for each time zone; control means controlling the equipment for each time zone on the basis of the driving condition for each time zone stored in the storage means; and display means performing graph display of correspondence between each time zone and each driving condition over 24 hours a day.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a timer device and a heating device provided with the timer device.

In more detail, the present invention is a timer device that can arbitrarily set and control operating conditions individually for each arbitrary time zone divided into a plurality of 24 hours a day, and is a timer device that can be used indoors, outdoors, etc. As operating conditions, such as a movable heating system that can be moved to any location and used, or a heating system that is fixedly installed in a certain location Various operating conditions can be arbitrarily set for each arbitrary time zone in a 24-hour day, such as various temperature control devices that operate by setting temperature and lighting devices that operate by setting illuminance etc. as operating conditions. The present invention relates to a timer device suitable for use in controlling various devices (devices) that are set to be used.

In more detail, the present invention is a heating device equipped with a timer device that can arbitrarily set and control the temperature as an operating condition for each of the arbitrary time periods divided into a plurality of 24 hours a day. Regarding the device.

2. Description of the Related Art As a heating device that can be moved to an arbitrary place such as indoors or outdoors, there have been conventionally known heating devices that perform heating by various methods.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-251494 presented as Patent Document 1 discloses a heating device that performs heating using radiant heat.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-162391 presented as Patent Document 2 discloses a heating device that performs heating using convection.

Here, the above-described heating device that performs heating using radiant heat and the heating device that performs heating using convection have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively control the setting of the operating time and the setting of the heat generation temperature (heating temperature) in the operating time according to the advantages and disadvantages.

Conventionally, as a method for controlling the setting of the operation time of such a heating device and the setting of the heat generation temperature during the operation time, it is possible to set the heat generation temperature as an operating condition individually in each arbitrary time zone in 24 hours a day. There has been known a method of automatically controlling the operating state of a heating device 24 hours a day by using a timer device that can be controlled by setting the timer device.

In general, according to a timer device that can arbitrarily set and control operating conditions for each arbitrary time period in a 24-hour day, any arbitrary 24-hour day in accordance with a user's lifestyle can be used. Once the operation for setting the desired operating conditions in each time period is performed, after that, various devices equipped with the timer device (for example, a heating device) are automatically operated according to the operating conditions set in the timer device. Therefore, it is possible to automatically operate various devices (devices) equipped with the timer device repeatedly every day according to the settings indicating the desired operating conditions that match the lifestyle of the user.

That is, according to the timer device as described above, there is a great advantage that the user can perform the operation for setting the desired operating conditions once, and the subsequent operation by the user becomes unnecessary. A variety of devices (apparatuses) including a heating system equipped with a timer device have been put into practical use.

By the way, for example, a conventional timer provided in a heating device equipped with a heater that is controlled to be turned on/off as a heating element (the heater is energized when it is on, and is not energized when it is off). According to the device, in order to individually set the heater on/off for each arbitrary time zone in 24 hours a day, the heater can be automatically turned on/off by a combination of slide switches provided for each time zone. Alternatively, an electronic timer section was provided to automatically switch the heater on/off depending on the time of day.

However, according to the timer device provided in the conventional heating device, the user can confirm the setting state of the temperature in each arbitrary time zone of 24 hours a day just by looking at the display section of the timer device. There is a problem that it is not easy, and for this reason, it is not easy for the user to set the temperature for each time period. It was a big obstacle when setting.

That is, when the user sets the temperature using the timer device, the user first visually confirms what temperature is set in which time period by visually recognizing the display unit, and then, if necessary, confirms how much temperature is set. However, since the display part of the timer device provided in the conventional heating system has poor visibility, the user has to adjust the display part of the timer device. Since it is not easy to check the temperature setting state for each time period by just looking at the temperature, the operation for checking the temperature setting state for each time period is complicated for the user.

For this reason, it has been pointed out that the user is forced to operate for a long time to set the temperature, and that it is difficult for the user to notice an error in setting the temperature for each time period.

JP 2004-251494 A JP 2009-162391 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the various problems with the conventional techniques as described above. To provide a timer device with improved operability when a person sets desired operating conditions, and a heating device equipped with such a timer device.

In order to achieve the above object, the timer device according to the present invention is provided at predetermined time intervals for 24 hours a day (for example, at arbitrary time intervals such as every hour, every 30 minutes, or every 10 minutes). ), the relationship between the time period and the desired operating conditions such as temperature is collectively displayed on the display unit for 24 hours a day or for every 12 hours obtained by dividing the 24 hours a day into two graphs. By doing so, it is possible to set desired operating conditions for each of the time periods while visually recognizing changes in the graph display on the display unit.

Therefore, according to the timer device of the present invention, the relationship between the time period and the desired operating conditions such as temperature is collectively displayed on the display unit for every 24 hours of the day or every 12 hours obtained by dividing the 24 hours of the day into two. Since the graph is displayed, the user can easily check the setting state of the operating conditions such as the temperature in any time zone of 24 hours a day just by looking at the graph display on the display unit. As a result, the user can easily perform an operation to change the operating conditions such as the temperature in each arbitrary time period.

Further, a heating device provided with a timer device according to the present invention is the above-described heating device provided with a timer device according to the present invention.

Therefore, according to the heating device equipped with the timer device according to the present invention, the user can set the timer at predetermined time intervals (for example, every hour, every 30 minutes, every 10 minutes, etc.) for 24 hours a day. interval.), when setting the temperature of the heating device as an operating condition, the user displays a graph on the display unit showing the relationship between the time period and the temperature setting state. At a glance, the user can easily confirm the state of temperature setting for each time period. This makes it easier for people to notice errors in temperature setting for each time slot.

That is, the timer device according to the present invention sets the operating conditions of the equipment in each of the time periods obtained by dividing the 24 hours of the day into a plurality of time periods, and controls the equipment based on the operating conditions set in each of the time periods. In the timer device, an operating condition setting means for setting operating conditions of the equipment for each time zone into which 24 hours of a day are divided into a plurality of time zones; storage means for storing data, control means for controlling the equipment for each time period based on the operating conditions for each time period stored in the storage means, and each time period for 24 hours a day and display means for graphically displaying the corresponding relationship between the operating conditions and the operating conditions.

Further, in the timer device according to the present invention, in the timer device according to the present invention described above, the graph display on the display means has a scale indicating each time period on one of the intersecting axes and a scale on the other intersecting axis A scale indicating the operating conditions is provided, and the corresponding relationship between the respective time periods and the operating conditions is displayed in the form of a bar graph.

Further, in the timer device according to the present invention, in the timer device according to the present invention described above, the graph display on the display means has a scale indicating each time period on one of the intersecting axes and a scale on the other intersecting axis Scales are provided to indicate the operating conditions, and the corresponding relationship between the respective time periods and the operating conditions is displayed in the form of a line graph.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the above timer device according to the present invention, wherein the display means collectively displays 24 hours a day.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention as described above, wherein the display means divides the 24-hour day into two 12-hour intervals, and displays one of the 12-hour halves. is displayed selectively.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention, wherein the display means divides 24 hours a day into two 12-hour intervals, and collectively displays both of the divided 12 hours. It is designed to

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention described above, wherein the graph display on the display means has a scale indicating each time period for 12 hours equally divided at a central angle of 30° within a circular area. Arranged on the periphery of the circular region, and a scale indicating the operating conditions is arranged radially from the center side of the circular region, and each of the regions equally divided by the central angle of 30 ° A circular graph display is provided to graphically display the corresponding relationship between the time zone and the operating conditions.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention described above, wherein the display means has two circular graph displays, and collectively displays 24 hours a day. .

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the above timer device according to the present invention, wherein the two circular graph displays indicate 12 hours in the morning and 12 hours in the afternoon, respectively.

The timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention described above, wherein the two circular graph displays are respectively 12 hours in the daytime from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and 12 hours in the daytime from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am the next day. It is designed to show the 12 hours of the night until the hour.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention, wherein the storage means stores the operation status of the device in each time period as a history of the device, and the display means is the storage means. The history stored in is displayed.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the above-described present invention, wherein the operating condition setting means is configured to set a and the storage means updates the operating conditions to the changed operating conditions when setting is made to change the operating conditions of the equipment for each of the time periods.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention, in which the device is operated based on the operating conditions for each of the time periods stored in the storage means. and an operating condition changing means for changing the operating conditions during the time zone in the control means, when the operating conditions are changed by the operating condition changing means, in the time zone during operation of the equipment. controls the equipment according to the operating conditions changed by the operating condition changing means.

Further, the timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention, wherein the storage means stores a plurality of the operating conditions set by the operating condition setting means for each of the time zones, and Selecting means for selecting the plurality of operating conditions stored in the storing means, and the controlling means controls the equipment for each time zone based on the operating conditions selected by the selecting means. It is designed to

Further, a timer device according to the present invention is the above timer device according to the present invention, further comprising a remote controller having the operating condition setting means and the display means.

A timer device according to the present invention is the timer device according to the present invention described above, in which the operating condition setting means and the display means are provided on a touch panel of a portable communication terminal.

Further, the heating device equipped with the timer device according to the present invention is equipped with a timer device for setting the temperature in each of the plural time periods divided into a plurality of 24 hours in a day and controlling the temperature to reach the set temperature. A heating device, wherein the timer device is the timer device according to the present invention, the device is a heating device including a heating element, and the operating condition is a set temperature of the heating device. It is what I did.

Further, a heating device equipped with a timer device according to the present invention is a heating device equipped with a timer device according to the above-described invention, further comprising temperature detection means for detecting a heating temperature of the heating device, The condition is the heating temperature of the heating device detected by the temperature detecting means.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to improve the visibility of the display unit for the user, thereby improving the operability when the user sets the desired driving conditions. It has an excellent effect that it can be improved.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of an external appearance configuration schematically showing an example of an embodiment of a heating device provided with a timer device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional configuration explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of a main part in the vertical cross section of the heating device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block configuration explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the entire system controlled by the timer device constructed using the computer system in the heating device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration explanatory view schematically showing the operation panel unit provided in the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the initial display state on the display unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation panel section provided in the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the display state when the timer program is set on the display section. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation panel section provided in the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the display state during timer program operation on the display section. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a remote controller for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of a display state when the timer program is set on the display section. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a remote controller for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and an example of a display state during timer program operation is shown on the display section. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. It is shown. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. It is shown. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. An example display state is shown. FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. An example display state is shown.

An example of an embodiment of a timer device and a heating device provided with the timer device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(I) Description of the overall configuration of the timer device and the heating device provided with the timer device according to the present invention

Here, FIG. 1 shows a perspective external configuration explanatory view schematically showing an example of an embodiment of a heating device provided with a timer device according to the present invention.

Also, FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional configuration explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the essential parts in the vertical cross section of the heating device shown in FIG.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a block configuration explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the entire system controlled by the timer device constructed using the computer system in the heating apparatus shown in FIG.

The heater 32 (the heater 32 includes four heaters 32a) serving as heat generating elements constituting the heater unit 24 is connected to the heater 32 (the heater 32 includes four heaters 32a) through a power cord (not shown). , a heater 32b, a heater 32c, and a heater 32d) to operate the heater 32 to generate heat (heating).

The heating device 10 includes a housing 12 having a substantially square tubular shape in which various components such as a heater unit 24 to be described later are arranged, and an upper end 12b side of one side end 12a of the housing 12. caster mounting plates 16 disposed at the four corners of the lower end portion 12c of the housing 12; and casters 18 disposed on the lower surface 16a of the caster mounting plate 16. It is configured.

Therefore, the user can easily move the heating device 10 to a desired location by using the casters 18 .

The operation panel unit 14 includes a display unit 14a having various display areas (see FIGS. 3 to 6) and an operation unit 14b having various operators (see FIGS. 3 to 6). ).

The detailed configuration, operation, and effects of the display portion 14a and the operation portion 14b of the operation panel portion 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent drawings.

Here, an air inlet grille 20 having an air inlet 20a is arranged on the side of the lower end portion 12c of the housing 12 to introduce air into the housing 12 from the outside.

On the other hand, on the side of the upper end portion 12b of the housing 12, an air outlet grill 22 having an air outlet 22a for releasing the air inside the housing 12 to the outside is arranged.

A heater unit 24 and a temperature sensor 26 arranged near the air inlet grill 20 to detect the temperature are arranged inside the housing 12 .

The temperature sensor 26 outputs a voltage corresponding to the detected temperature to the temperature detection unit 48 (see FIG. 3), and the temperature detection unit 48 converts the voltage input from the temperature sensor 26 into temperature information. , controller 42 (see FIG. 3) and heater controller 50 (see FIG. 3).

Such temperature information acquisition processing is repeatedly executed at preset time intervals (for example, every one minute), and the control unit 42 causes the memory device 44 to store the temperature information.

The temperature information from the current time to 24 hours ago is sequentially updated and stored in the memory device 44 .

The heater unit 24 described above is arranged with a predetermined gap G from the inner wall surface 12 d of the housing 12 . An air flow path 28 is formed through which air can flow.

More specifically, the heater unit 24 is composed of a pair of radiator plates 30a and 30b arranged facing each other so as to extend in the vertical direction, and a heat generator such as a sheathed heater. The heater 32 consists of four heaters 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d.

A heater 32a and a heater 32b are attached to the radiator plate 30a, while a heater 32c and a heater 32d are attached to the radiator plate 30b.

A plurality of partition plates 34 are arranged between the radiator plates 30a and 30b. is formed in

The heating device 10 is configured to control the entire operation including control of energization of the heater 32 using a timer device 40 constructed by a computer system.

In this embodiment, the timer device 40 includes a control unit 42, a memory device 44, a timer control unit 46, a temperature detection unit 48, a heater control unit 50, an operation panel unit 14, and a remote controller 52. , and a smartphone 54 as an example of a mobile communication terminal.

Here, the control unit 42 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the execution of preset overall processing.

A memory device 44 is connected to the controller 42 . The memory device 44 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) storing various programs executed by the control unit 42, and various buffers and registers necessary for executing various programs by the control unit 42. It is configured with a random access memory (RAM) or the like as a set working area.

Such a memory device 44 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, for example, and even when the power supply of the heating device 10 is cut off (OFF), various stored timer programs and the like can be stored. is configured to be able to hold the memory content, which is the setting information of the .

Note that the timer program is a program set in advance as a program for automatically operating the heating device 10 by the timer device 40 .

When the heating device 10 is turned on (ON) and energized, various setting information such as a timer program (described later) stored in the memory device 44 is sent to the control unit 42. loaded and processed.

A timer control unit 46 that counts time and manages time in the timer device 40 is connected to the control unit 42 .

Furthermore, the control unit 42 has heaters 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d constituting the heater 32 according to the temperature (heat generation temperature) set by the timer program and the temperature information input from the temperature sensor 26. A heater control unit 50 is connected to manage on (ON)/off (OFF) control of each.

That is, the heater control section 50 is connected to the heaters 32 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c, and heater 32d) constituting the heater unit 24, and the heater control section 50 outputs an ON signal. and the heater 32 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c, and heater 32d) are energized to perform output control, and the heater control unit 50 outputs an off (OFF) signal to the heater 32 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c and heater 32d) are de-energized.

Furthermore, an operation panel unit 14 having a display unit 14a and an operation unit 14b is connected to the control unit 42 by wired communication.

Then, when the user operates various operators constituting the operation portion 14b of the operation panel portion 14, operation information indicating the operation is output from the operation panel portion 14 to the control portion 42, and the control portion 42 , display control information for controlling the display area of the display section 14a of the operation panel section 14 is output to the display section 14a in accordance with the operation information.

Furthermore, the control unit 42 includes a display unit 52a corresponding to the display unit 14a of the operation panel unit 14, and a remote controller 52 having an operation unit 52b corresponding to the operation unit 14b of the operation panel unit 14. Instead, it is connected by wireless communication such as infrared communication.

Furthermore, the control unit 42 has a display unit 54a corresponding to the display unit 14a of the operation panel unit 14, and a smartphone 54 having an operation unit 54b corresponding to the operation unit 14b of the operation panel unit 14. Connected by wireless network.

Also, the control unit 42 is connected to a server 56 via a wireless network, and the control unit 42 and the server 56 appropriately exchange information.

Similarly, the smart phone 54 is connected to a server 56 via a wireless network, and the smart phone 54 and the server 56 exchange information as appropriate.

(II) Description of the overall operation of the heating device equipped with the timer device according to the present invention

In the heating device 10 described in (1) above, when the heater 32a and the heater 32b of the heater 32 constituting the heater unit 24 are energized and generate heat, the radiator plate 30a to which the heater 32a and the heater 32b are attached is heated. When the heater 32c and the heater 32d of the heater 32 constituting the heater unit 24 are energized and generate heat, the radiator plate 30b to which the heater 32c and the heater 32d are attached is heated.

When the radiator plates 30a and 30b are heated in this way, the plurality of partition plates 34 connecting the radiator plates 30a and 30b are also heated by heat conduction, and the entire heater unit 24 is heated. is heated and generates heat.

A heater controller 50 controls whether the heaters 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d constituting the heater 32 are energized.

Therefore, in the heating device 10, the heater controller 50 selectively controls the energization of the heaters 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d constituting the heaters 32 to increase or decrease the number of heaters 32 to be energized. Thereby, temperature adjustment (output control) of the heat generation temperature of the heater unit 24 can be performed.

The number of heaters 32 to be energized is 4 at maximum (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c and heater 32d are all energized), and minimum 0 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32d). 32c and heater 32d are not energized).

As described above, when the heater unit 24 generates heat, the air in the vicinity of the heater unit 24 in the housing 12 is heated and the density of the air decreases, causing the air in the air flow path 28 to rise. do.

As a result, air is taken into the housing 12 from the air inlet 20a of the air inlet grille 20 located on the lower end 12c side of the housing 12, and the temperature of the taken-in air is maintained near the air inlet grille 20. measured by the temperature sensor 26 located in the

The air taken into the inside of the housing 12 rises in the air flow path 28, and when the air passes near the heater unit 24, it is warmed and further rises to reach the air outlet grill 22. The air is emitted from the outlet 22a to the outside of the heating device 10, and the surroundings of the place where the heating device 10 is arranged are heated.

Here, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 is close to the temperature of the air near the surface where the heating device 10 is arranged (for example, the floor surface indoors and the ground surface outdoors). , the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 26 is the temperature around the place where the heating device 10 is installed, and the heating temperature indicates the operating status of the heating device 10 (the heating temperature is the temperature when the heating device 10 is installed indoors). is the room temperature of the room where the heating device 10 is placed, and when the heating device 10 is placed outdoors, it is the outside air temperature around the placed heating device 10), and is measured by the temperature sensor 26 The heating temperature, which is the operating condition of the heating device 10, is compared with the set temperature, which is the desired heating temperature preset as the operating condition by the timer device 40 (the setting operation of the set temperature by the timer device 40 will be described later). For example, the control unit 42 controls the heater control unit 50 using a feedback control technique such as PDI control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller), and the operation of the heating device 10 measured by the temperature sensor 26 Temperature adjustment (output control) of the heat generation temperature when the heater unit 24 is heated to generate heat so that the heating temperature, which is the situation, and the set temperature, which is the desired heating temperature preset as the operating condition by the timer device 40, match. I do.

In the present specification and claims, the "heating temperature, which is the operating state of the heating device 10 measured by the temperature sensor 26" is simply referred to as "heating temperature", and the term "timer The "set temperature" which is the desired heating temperature set in advance as the operating condition by the device 40 is simply referred to as "set temperature" as appropriate.

(III) Explanation of detailed configuration and operation of the operation panel section and display section of the timer device according to the present invention

Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation panel section provided in the heating device shown in FIG. .

The display section 14a and the operation section 14b of the operation panel section 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As will be described in detail later, the display section 14a of the operation panel section 14 displays the temperature set as the set temperature in each time zone with 1 hour as the unit time for 24 hours a day, and displays the off setting of the heater 32. etc. are collectively displayed in graphs for the entire 24 hours a day or in units of 12 hours obtained by dividing the 24 hours a day into two.

Note that the example shown in FIG. 4 represents a case where the entire 24 hours in a day are collectively displayed in a graph.

In other words, the display unit 14a of the operation panel unit 14 graphically displays the temperature set as the set temperature, the heater 32 off setting, and the like in each time zone with 1 hour as the unit time for 24 hours a day. The user can check the setting state of the set temperature for each time slot, the off setting of the heater 32, and the like, simply by looking at the display section 14a of the operation panel section 14. FIG.

Further, while visually recognizing the graph display displayed on the display unit 14a, the user operates the operation unit 14b of the operation panel unit 14 so as to edit the graph display, thereby setting the set temperature for each time period. Since it is possible to perform a change operation and an off-setting operation for the heater 32, it becomes easier for the user to visually recognize the operation status of the setting operation of the set temperature for each time period, and the user can intuitively check the setting operation. A person can easily and reliably set the set temperature for each time zone without error.

Various display areas and various operators provided in the display section 14a and the operation section 14b of the operation panel section 14 will be described below.

First, the display section 14a of the operation panel section 14 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

In the display area on the upper side of the display unit 14a, a bar graph is displayed in which a temperature display scale 62 is arranged on one of the intersecting vertical axes and a time display scale 64 is arranged on the other intersecting horizontal axis. A section 60 is provided.

In this embodiment, the time display scale 64 on the vertical axis and the temperature display scale 62 on the horizontal axis are perpendicular to each other.

Here, on the temperature display scale 62 located on the vertical axis of the bar graph display section 60, the heater 32 is set to OFF (energization of the heater 32 is stopped) at the origin position (the position of the intersection of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis). A heater-off scale of “OFF” is arranged, and “5° C.”, “10° C.”, “12° C.”, “14° C.”, “16° C.”, “18° C.” is arranged upward from the heater-off scale. , 20° C., 22° C., 24° C., 26° C., 28° C. and 30° C. there is

On the other hand, on the time display scale 64 located on the horizontal axis of the bar graph display section 60, a time scale indicating the time of "0 o'clock" is arranged at the origin position, and "1 hour", "2 o'clock", "3 o'clock", "4 o'clock", "5 o'clock", "6 o'clock", "7 o'clock", "8 o'clock", "9 o'clock", "10 o'clock", "11 o'clock" hour", "12:00", "13:00", "14:00", "15:00", "16:00", "17:00", "18:00", "19:00", "20:00", "21" Time scales indicating the times of "Hour", "22:00" and "23:00" are sequentially arranged toward the right in order of time.

Here, the 0:00 time scale indicates a one-hour time period from 0:00 to 1:00, and the 1:00 time scale indicates a one-hour time period from 1:00 to 2:00. The same applies to each time scale after the 2 o'clock time scale.

Each temperature scale of the temperature display scale 62 and each time scale of the time display scale 64 are set so that the display mode can be changed by lighting, blinking, extinguishing, or changing the lighting color.

At each intersection of each temperature scale on the temperature display scale 62 except for the heater-off scale and each time scale on the time display scale 64, the display mode is changed by lighting, blinking, turning off, or changing the lighting color. , are arranged respectively.

These temperature display segments 66 are also arranged at each intersection of the temperature scale position corresponding to 11°C between 10°C and 12°C and each time scale of the time display scale 64, and 12°C and 12°C. The same is true for each temperature scale position, such as between 14°C.

That is, the temperature display segments 66 are arranged independently for each 1° C. in the temperature range of 10° C. or higher.

In addition, at each intersection of the heater-off scale on the temperature display scale 62 and each time scale on the time display scale 64, the display mode can be changed by lighting, blinking, turning off, or changing the lighting color. heater-off indication segments 67 are arranged respectively.

At the leftmost position on the lower side of the bar graph display section 60, there is provided a timer program display section 68 that indicates the type of timer program preset as a program for automatically operating the heating device 10 by the timer device 40. .

In the present embodiment, two types of timer programs, "timer program 1 (P1)" and "timer program 2 (P2)", can be set as timer programs.

During operation by the timer program in the timer device 40, which will be described later, only the timer program selected for automatically operating the heating device 10 (either timer program 1 (P1) or timer program 2 (P2)). ) is displayed.

Further, on the right side of the timer program display section 68, a timer running display section 70 is provided to indicate that the automatic operation is being performed by either the timer program 1 or the timer program 2. As shown in FIG.

Furthermore, a clock display section 72 is provided on the right side of the timer running display section 70 to display the current time and the time selected by the user.

An output display section 74 for displaying the output of the heater 32 is provided below the timer program display section 68 and the timer running display section 70 .

On the other hand, below the clock display section 72, a heating temperature display section 76 is provided for displaying the heating temperature, which is the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 26, or the temperature selected by the user.

Next, various operators provided on the operation section 14b of the operation panel section 14 will be described. In the present embodiment, these various operators are configured by push button switches.

Various operating elements constituting the operating section 14b are arranged below the display section 14a, and from the left side to the right side, there are a power switch 80, a timer switch 82, a setting switch 84, and a return switch. 86, a forward switch 88, a high switch 90, a low switch 92, and a decision switch 94 are provided in sequence.

Here, in the heating device 10, the power is switched between on (power on) and off (power off) each time the power switch 80 provided in the operation portion 14b of the operation panel portion 14 is pressed.

When the power switch 80 is pressed to turn on the power, the output of the heater 32 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 becomes the temperature indicated by the heating temperature display section 76 without using the timer device 40. Driving is started.

In normal operation without using the timer device 40, the temperature shown in the temperature display section 76 rises by 1° C. each time the high switch 90 is pressed, while the temperature shown in the temperature display section 76 increases each time the low switch 92 is pressed. Decrease by 1°C.

When the timer switch 82 is pressed during normal operation in which the timer device 40 is not used, the timer operation display section 74 lights up and the selected timer program is displayed in the timer program display section 68. , automatic operation is started by a timer program controlled by the timer device 40 for 24 hours.

In the timer device 40, a plurality of timer programs can be stored in the memory device 44. In this embodiment, as described above, two timer programs, timer program 1 (P1) and timer program 2 (P2), are stored. A set of timer programs can be stored in the memory device 44 .

In the heating device 10, either timer program 1 (P1) or timer program 2 (P2) can be selected for automatic operation.

Each time the timer switch 48 is pressed, "timer program operation by timer program 1 (P1)" → "timer program operation by timer program 2 (P2)" → "normal operation without timer device 40" → " Timer program operation by timer program 1 (P1)" → "timer program operation by timer program 2 (P2)" → "normal operation without timer device 40" → .

(IV) Explanation of how to set the timer program in the timer device according to the present invention

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation panel section provided in the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the display state when the timer program is set on the display section.

A method of setting a timer program in the timer device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Sets the current time.

Here, as a method of setting the current time in the timer control section 46 of the timer device 40, for example, the user can use an operator ( (not shown)), or the current time information set in the remote controller 52 is transmitted from the remote controller 52 by wireless communication to the timer. A method of transferring to the control unit 46, a method of directly transferring the current time information set in the smartphone 54 from the smartphone 54 to the timer control unit 46 by wireless communication, or a method of transferring the information set in the smartphone 54 A method of transferring current time information from the smartphone 54 to the timer control unit 46 via a network by wireless communication, or a method in which the timer control unit 46 of the timer device 40 receives the current time information from the server 56 via the network Various methods can be used as appropriate, such as a method of obtaining .

The method for setting the current time in the timer control unit 46 of the timer device 40, which has been variously described above, can use a conventionally known technique, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the heating device 10 is automatically operated by the timer program (timer program 1 or timer program 2) (the example shown in FIG. 5 shows automatic operation by the timer program 1). ), the display of the timer running display section 70 is extinguished and disappears, and the setting processing of the timer program currently in automatic operation (the example shown in FIG. 5 is timer program 1). transition to

At this time, the setting of the timer program currently in automatic operation (the example shown in FIG. 5 is timer program 1) is displayed in the form of a bar graph in the bar graph display section 60 .

Specifically, when the temperature is set in the time zone indicated by each time scale in the time display scale 64, the temperature display segment corresponding to the temperature scale of the temperature set in the time zone indicated by the time scale Up to the position of 66, all the temperature display segments 66 corresponding to each temperature scale in the time zone indicated by the time scale are lit and displayed in the form of a bar graph, and the heater-off display segments 67 are turned off.

On the other hand, when the temperature is not set in the time zone indicated by each time scale on the time display scale 64, all the temperature display segments 66 corresponding to the time zone indicated by the time scale are turned off, and the heater-off display segment 67 is turned off. Light.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, if a temperature of 20° C. is set in the time zone indicated by the 9 o'clock time scale on the time display scale 64, the set temperature scale of 20° C. to the position of the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to each temperature scale in the time period starting from 9:00 to 10:00 when the temperature of 20° C. corresponding temperature display segments 66) are turned on, the other temperature display segments 66 are turned off to display like a bar graph, and the heater-off display segment 67 is turned off.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, if the temperature is not set in the time zone indicated by the 11 o'clock time scale on the time display scale 64, all the temperature display segments 66 corresponding to the time zone indicated by the 11 o'clock time scale The light is turned off and the heater off display segment 67 is turned on.

Here, when changing the temperature setting, the user presses the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 to select the time scale of the time zone in which the temperature setting is desired to be changed.

Each time the user presses the return switch 86, the time zone to be changed can be selected by sequentially switching from the time scale of 23:00 to the time scale of 0:00 to the previous time zone. Each time the user presses forward switch 88, the time zone to be changed from the time scale of 0:00 to the time scale of 23:00 can be selected by sequentially switching to the next time zone.

The time scale selected by the user by pressing the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 is blinking and displayed, and all the temperature display segments 66 of the time zone corresponding to the time scale are also blinking. This improves the visibility of the time selected by the user.

In addition, the time corresponding to the time scale selected by the user by pressing the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 is displayed in blinking on the clock display section 72 as well, so that the visibility of the time selected by the user is further improved. be.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, for example, when the user presses the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 to select the time scale of "23", the clock display section 72 displays "23:00". The temperature display segment 66 corresponding to 5° C. to 20° C. located above the time scale of "23" is also blinking. displayed.

Therefore, the user can easily confirm that the time zone selected for changing the temperature setting is the time zone indicated by the time scale at 23:00 just by looking at the display section 14a of the operation panel section 14. can be done.

Next, the user performs an operation to change the temperature in the selected time zone in order to change the temperature setting. This change operation is performed by the user pressing the high switch 90 or the low switch 92. .

That is, each time the user presses the high switch 90, the temperature set in the selected time period is increased by 1°C, while each time the user presses the low switch 92, the temperature is set in the selected time period. The temperature is lowered by 1°C.

Each time the user presses the high switch 90 or the low switch, the blinking display of the temperature display segment 66 and the heating temperature display section 76 changes.

That is, when the user presses the high switch 90 or the low switch, the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to the specified temperature flashes and is displayed, and the display of the heating temperature display section 76 changes to the specified temperature. do.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, for example, the user presses the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 to select the time scale of "23", and then the user presses the high switch 90 twice. When pressed, the blinking display of the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to 5°C to 20°C is switched to the blinking display of the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to 5°C to 22°C, and the display of the heating temperature display section 76 is turned off. Switch from 20°C to 22°C.

On the other hand, for example, if the user selects the time scale of "23" by pressing the back switch 86 or the forward switch 88, then the user presses the low switch 92 twice, corresponding to 5°C to 20°C. The blinking display of the temperature display segment 66 is switched to the blinking display of the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to 5°C to 18°C, and the display of the heating temperature display section 76 is switched from 20°C to 18°C.

In the present embodiment, the lowest temperature setting is 5°C. If the low switch 92 is pressed with the temperature set at 5°C, the temperature display segment 66 is extinguished and the heater-off display segment 67 is flashed. The display is switched to display, and the heater 32 is always set to be off during the set time period regardless of the heating temperature (room temperature).

As described above, the user changes the setting of the desired temperature for the desired time period, and when the user presses the decision switch 94 after that, the timer program (shown in FIG. 5) specifying the changed setting is displayed. In the example, it is timer program 1.), and the process of setting the timer program is completed.

Note that the timer program (in the example shown in FIG. 5, timer program 1) that specifies the changed settings stored in the memory device 44 is updated to a timer program that reflects the changed settings. remembered.

(V) Explanation of operation by the timer program in the timer device according to the present invention

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation panel section provided in the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of the display state during timer program operation on the display section.

Here, during the automatic operation by the timer program, as shown in FIG. 6, the timer operation display section 70 is illuminated and displayed, and the timer program display section 68 displays the timer program during automatic operation (see FIG. 6). In the example shown, it is timer program 1.) is illuminated and displayed.

The current time is displayed on the clock display section 72 ("16:08" is displayed in the example shown in FIG. 6), and the output of the heater 32 is displayed on the output display section 74 ( In the example shown in FIG. 6, "1500 W" is displayed.), and the heating temperature display unit 76 displays the current heating temperature at the current time ("14° C." in the example shown in FIG. 6). ) is displayed.

The current heating temperature is obtained by converting the voltage output according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 into temperature information by the temperature detector 48 .

In the bar graph display section 60, the temperature display segment 66 and the heater-off display segment 67 are turned on, blinked, turned off, or changed in lighting color to change the display mode. The set temperature set for each hour, the heating temperature at the current time, and the history of the heating temperature showing the operation status in the time period going back up to the past 24 hours from the current time are displayed.

Here, the display mode of the bar graph display unit 60 will be described in detail. For the set temperature set in the band, only the temperature display segment 66 (temperature display segment 66-1) corresponding to the set temperature is lit, while other than the current time are displayed above the time scale. The set temperature set in the time zone of the time scale is displayed by lighting all the temperature display segments 66 located above the time scale, and by changing the display mode of both, the temperature set at the current time is displayed. Improved temperature visibility.

Furthermore, regarding the temperature display segment 66 in the time zone of the time scale shown above the time scale corresponding to the current time, the temperature display segment 66 corresponding to 5° C., which is the temperature display segment 66 immediately above the time scale, is displayed. All temperature display segments 66 (temperature display segment 66-2) from (temperature display segment 66-2) to the heating temperature at the current time (in the example shown in FIG. 6, it is 14° C.) are blinking. Displayed as a bar graph.

Here, in the bar graph display section 60, the history of the heating temperature in the time zone going back from the current time to the past 24 hours is displayed in the temperature display segment 66 (temperature display segment) of the heating temperature 24 hours ago corresponding to each time scale. 66-3) is lit and displayed, and its history is displayed in the form of a line graph.

When displaying the history of the heating temperature in the form of a line graph, the color used when the temperature display segment 66 is lit may be changed from that in other cases.

For example, when displaying the temperature set as a timer program in a bar graph, the temperature display segment 66 is lit in red. light up in blue.

As for the history of the heating temperature, the current temperature obtained most recently in the time zone corresponding to each scale time is updated and stored in the memory device 44 as needed, and the heating temperature stored in the memory device is stored. It is preferable to read out and display. .

(VI) Explanation when setting the timer program in the remote controller according to the present invention

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a remote controller for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and shows an example of a display state when the timer program is set on the display section.

In the detailed description of the remote controller 52 below, various display areas and various Configurations and actions that are the same as or corresponding to the configurations and actions of the manipulators are indicated by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. are omitted.

A method of setting a timer program using the remote controller 52 will be described below. It is difficult to provide such a large display area.

On the other hand, if a large amount of information is to be displayed in a small display area, the size of the display becomes small and the visibility deteriorates. Instead of the bar graph display part 60 having the time display scales 64 corresponding to the time zones, a bar graph display part 100 having the time display scales 104 corresponding to the time zones of 12 hours arranged on the horizontal axis is provided to display 24 hours a day. The setting contents of the timer program set over a period of time are divided into 12 hours in the morning and 12 hours in the afternoon, and the bar graph display section 100 switches between 12 hours in the morning and 12 hours in the afternoon.

In the time display scale 104, a time scale indicating the time of "0 o'clock" is arranged at the origin position, and "1 o'clock", "2 o'clock", "3 o'clock" are arranged toward the right from the time scale of 0 o'clock. hour, 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock. They are arranged in sequence.

Further, in the bar graph display section 100, instead of the temperature display scale 62, there is provided a temperature display scale 102 in which "L" (Low) is arranged at the position of 5° C. on the temperature display scale 62. FIG.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an am/pm display section for indicating whether the display on the bar graph display section 100 is 12 hours in the morning or 12 hours in the afternoon.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the morning/afternoon display section 106 displays the morning, and the bar graph display section 100 displays 12 hours in the morning.

Reference numeral 108 denotes an infrared transmission section that transmits all setting information set by the remote controller 52 to the control section 42 of the heating device 10 .

In the above-described remote controller 52, when the switch 86 to return to the setting of the 0:00 clock of the timer program is pressed, the setting is switched to 11:00 clock for 12 hours, which is different from the 12 hours including the 12:00 clock. On the other hand, when the switch 88 to proceed while the timer program is set to 11:00 is pressed, the setting is switched to 0:00 for 12 hours different from the 12 hours including the 11:00.

Then, in the same manner as in the operation panel unit 14 described above, when the timer program is set on the remote controller 52 and the decision switch 94 is pressed, the current time is set and the timer program for 24 hours a day is set. All the setting information set by the remote controller 52 is transmitted from the infrared transmitting section 108 to the control section 42, further transmitted from the control section 42 to the memory device 44 and stored, and automatic operation by the timer program is started.

(VII) Explanation during operation by the timer program in the remote controller according to the present invention

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a remote controller for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. 1, and an example of a display state during timer program operation is shown on the display section.

Here, in the remote controller 52 as well, during automatic operation by the timer program, as shown in FIG. A timer program (timer program 1 in the example shown in FIG. 8) is lit and displayed.

The setting of the timer program set at the current time is displayed on the bar graph display section 100. If the return switch 86 or the forward switch 88 is pressed in this state, 12 hours including the current time is displayed. Another 12-hour timer program is temporarily displayed for a preset time interval (which is, for example, 10 seconds), so that the user can view another 12-hour period from the 12-hour period including the current time. It is possible to visually confirm the setting contents of the timer program.

(VIII) Explanation when setting the timer program in the smartphone according to the present invention

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. It is shown.

Note that in the description of the smart phone 54 described in detail below, the configurations and actions that are the same as or equivalent to the configurations and actions of the various display areas and the various operators that have been described with reference to FIGS. are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 8, and detailed descriptions of their configurations and actions will be omitted.

A method of setting a timer program using the smartphone 54 will be described below. The smartphone 54 includes a touch panel 200 that constitutes a display/operation unit that combines and integrates a display unit 54a and an operation unit 54b.

As such a touch panel 200, touch panels having various configurations such as a liquid crystal touch panel and an organic EL touch panel can be used.

In addition, in order to set the timer program using the smartphone 54 to automatically operate the heating device 10, it is necessary to install application software (application program) on the smartphone 54 and initial settings of the communication network. Since well-known techniques can be used for the initial setting, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, since the touch panel 200 of the smartphone 54 is generally used vertically in many cases, in the graph display operation unit 202, the vertical axis, which is one of the intersecting axes, displays time corresponding to a 24-hour time period. A scale 204 (corresponding to the time display scale 64) is arranged, and a temperature display scale 206 (corresponding to the temperature display scale 62) is arranged on the other horizontal axis which is the other intersecting axis. are doing.

In this embodiment, the time display scale 204 on the vertical axis and the temperature display scale 206 on the horizontal axis are perpendicular to each other.

In addition, when the smartphone 54 is tilted sideways and used, the touch panel 200 also becomes landscape. and the time display scale 204 on the vertical axis.).

When using the smartphone 54 , multiple heating devices 10 can be set.

A plurality of timer programs can be set for each of these plurality of heating devices 10 , and the timer program to be set is selected from the drop-down list of the timer program selection display operating section 210 .

To set the temperature for each time frame and turn off the heater 32, move the temperature adjustment slide button 212 set for each time zone in the graph display operation section 202 to the left or right. 212 is adjusted to the desired temperature position or OFF position on the temperature display scale 206 .

As the temperature adjustment slide button 212 is moved to the right, the temperature display section 213 extends from the OFF position to the position of the temperature adjustment slide button 212. On the other hand, as the temperature adjustment slide button 212 is moved to the left, the temperature is displayed. The portion 213 is shortened from the position of the temperature adjustment slide button 212 toward the OFF position, and by moving the temperature adjustment slide button 212 left and right, the visibility of the temperature being set is improved.

When the set button 214 is pressed, the set timer program is directly transmitted to the control unit 42 by wireless communication, or the set timer program is transmitted to the control unit 42 via a network such as LAN or the Internet. Then, it is output from the control unit 42 to the memory device 44 and stored.

Here, when the timer operation start display operation unit 216 is pressed, automatic operation by the timer program is started.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a cancel display operation unit that is operated when canceling all timer program settings.

Also, settings such as a timer program set by the smartphone 54 and the state of the heating device 10 may be output to the server 56 via the network and stored, and the server 56 may perform various management.

When the server 56 performs various types of management in this way, the heating device 10 and the smartphone 54 are connected to the server 56 periodically at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 minute intervals). Network setup is easy because all you have to do is send and receive data.

(IX) Explanation of timer program operation in smart phone according to the present invention

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. It is shown.

Here, in the smartphone 54 as well, during automatic operation by the timer program, as shown in FIG. A timer program (timer program 1 in the example shown in FIG. 10) is displayed.

In the graph display operation unit 202, the setting temperature set by the timer program is displayed by a solid line line graph 220, and the history of the heating temperature in the time period going back from the current time to the past 24 hours is displayed by a dashed line line graph 222. Display by

In the graph display operation unit 202, by displaying the time zone corresponding to the current time at the bottom, the heating temperature history up to 24 hours before the current time can be displayed entirely in the dashed line graph 222. there is

Here, when the user feels cold or hot during the automatic operation of the heating device 10 by the timer program, the temporary temperature setting slide button 224 can be moved left or right to temporarily By moving the temperature setting slide button 224 to the desired temperature position or OFF position on the temperature display scale 206, the temperature setting for that time period can be changed temporarily.

Note that the temperature setting change using the temporary temperature setting slide button 224 is temporary and does not change the timer program.

Therefore, when the time period in which the temperature setting is temporarily changed using the temporary temperature setting slide button 224 ends and the automatic operation by the timer program is started in the next time period, the temporary temperature setting slide button 224 is pressed. Temporarily change the temperature setting by using the time zone temperature setting, automatically return to the original timer program temperature setting.

During automatic driving by the timer program, a timer operation stop display portion 226, a child lock slide button 228, and an eco-driving setting slide button 230 are displayed on the smartphone 54. FIG.

Here, when the timer operation stop display section 226 is pressed, the automatic operation by the timer program is stopped, and the heating device 10 starts normal operation without using the timer device 40 .

Further, when the child lock slide button 228 is slid leftward from the current position shown in FIG. 10, the child lock function is started, and the state before the operation is maintained even if any display operation unit of the smartphone 54 is operated. be.

On the other hand, when the child lock slide button 228 is slid from the left position to the current position shown in FIG. When operated, the operation is reflected.

Also, when the eco-driving setting slide button 230 is slid to the right from the current position shown in FIG. 10, a preset eco-driving function program is activated, and the temperature setting by the timer program is maintained while minimizing power consumption. Automatic operation is controlled so that

On the other hand, when the eco-driving setting slide button 230 is slid from the above-described right position to the current position shown in FIG. return.

As for the eco-driving function program, conventionally known application software (application program) that can be used for energy saving can be used, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(X) Explanation of timer program operation according to another example of the smartphone according to the present invention

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. An example display state is shown.

In addition, in the description of the smart phone 54 described in detail below, the configurations and functions of the various display areas, various operators, and the display/operation unit described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 are the same as or correspond to The same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 10 are given to the configurations and operations, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and operations are omitted.

Comparing the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 11 with the smartphone 54 described above with reference to FIGS.

That is, on the touch panel 200 of the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 11, the timer program for 24 hours a day is divided into 12 hours in the morning and 12 hours in the afternoon, and the timer program for the 12 hours in the morning is displayed in the morning circular graph display operation. A timer program for 12 hours in the afternoon is displayed in the afternoon circular graph display operation section 302 .

In other words, the touch panel 200 of the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 11 has two graph displays, the morning ring graph display operation section 300 and the afternoon ring graph display operation section 302 .

Then, the morning circular graph display operation unit 300 and the afternoon circular graph display operation unit 302 are equally divided into 12-hour time zones with a central angle of 30° in the same manner as the dial of an analog clock within the circular area. Corresponding time display scales 304 (corresponding to the time display scales 64) are arranged around the perimeter of the circular area, and each time of the area with a central angle of 30° between the times indicated by each time display scale 304 is displayed. The operating condition temperature can be set for the band, and the set temperature is displayed graphically by lighting the region with a central angle of 30°.

The temperature display scale 206 is arranged so that the OFF position is arranged on the center C side of the circular area and the 30° temperature scale is arranged on the peripheral side of the circular area. Radiating from C.

That is, the morning circular graph display operation unit 300 and the afternoon circular graph display operation unit 302 display the time display scales 304 that show each time zone for 12 hours equally in a circular area with a central angle of 30°. A temperature display scale 206 indicating a set temperature, which is an operating condition, is arranged radially from the center C side of the circular area, and each area is equally divided by a central angle of 30°. , the corresponding relationship between each time zone and the set temperature is displayed in the form of a graph.

The current time short hand indication display portion 306 is displayed at the same angle as the angle indicating the current time with the short hand of the analog clock, and is a temperature display that is lit during the time period overlapping with the current time short hand indication display portion 306. Segment 66 indicates the set temperature at the current time.

A current time long hand instruction display unit 308 is displayed at the same angle as the minute hand of an analog clock indicates the current minute. 302 is not necessarily positioned in the time zone where the current hour hand instruction display portion 306 is positioned, so only the portion corresponding to the tip of the minute hand of the analog clock is displayed so as not to overlap the temperature display segment 66. ing.

As a result, the visibility of the set temperature in the morning ring graph display operation portion 300 and the afternoon ring graph display operation portion 302 is not hindered by the display of the current time long hand instruction display portion 308 .

Reference numeral 310 denotes a temperature setting slide button. When setting the timer program, the temperature setting slide button 310 is moved along the temperature display scale 206 to a desired position on the temperature display scale 206. The temperature set as the timer program is changed by adjusting the temperature position or the OFF position.

Also, during the automatic operation of the timer program, the temperature setting slide button 310 is moved along the temperature display scale 206, which is located in the time zone overlapping the current time short hand instruction display section 306. By adjusting the temperature display scale 206 to a desired temperature position or OFF position, the temperature setting for that time period can be temporarily changed.

Note that the temperature setting change using the temperature setting slide button 310 described above is temporary and does not change the timer program.

Therefore, when the time period in which the temperature setting is temporarily changed using the temperature setting slide button 310 ends and the automatic operation by the timer program is started in the next time period, the temperature setting slide button 310 is used. Temporarily changed the temperature setting by using the timer program automatically returns to the temperature setting of the original timer program.

The current time short hand instruction display section 306, which indicates the important current time during the operation of the timer program for 24 hours a day, is highlighted by changing its color from other displays or blinking. may

(XI) Explanation of timer program operation according to another example in the smartphone according to the present invention

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of a smartphone, which is a type of mobile communication terminal for remotely controlling the heating device shown in FIG. An example display state is shown.

In addition, in the description of the smartphone 54, which will be described in detail below, the configurations and functions of the various display areas, various operators, and display/operation units described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are the same as or correspond to The same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 11 are assigned to the configurations and functions, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and functions are omitted.

Comparing the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 12 with the smartphone 54 described above with reference to FIG.

That is, in the touch panel 200 of the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 12, the timer program for 24 hours a day is programmed for 12 hours in the daytime from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and 12 hours in the nighttime from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am the next day. A timer program for 12 hours in the daytime from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm is displayed on the daytime circular graph display operation unit 400, and a 12-hour program for nighttime from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am the next day is displayed. A timer program is displayed in the nighttime circular graph display operation section 402 .

In the smartphone 54 having the touch panel 200 including the daytime ring graph display operation unit 400 and the nighttime ring graph display operation unit 402, the hour hand of the analog watch is similar to the smartphone 54 described with reference to FIG. The temperature can be set at the same angular position as the time period indicated by .

Here, the daytime ring graph display operation unit 400 and the nighttime ring graph display operation unit 402 are similar to the afternoon ring graph display operation unit 302 and the morning ring graph display operation unit 300, but the daytime ring graph display operation unit 400 In addition, the nighttime circular graph display operation unit 402 indicates a timer program for 24 hours a day divided into 12 hours with 6:00 am and 6:00 pm as boundaries. ), and the visibility at the time of setting is improved.

In the smartphone 54 shown in FIG. 12, the heating device selection display operation unit 208 displays “living room” indicating the heating device 10 selected and set from the drop-down list of the heating device selection display operation unit 208. , the timer program selection display operating section 210 displays “holiday” indicating the timer program selected and set from the drop-down list of the timer program selection display operating section 210 .

(XII) Description of other embodiments and modifications

It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, or modifications can be appropriately made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the above embodiment may be modified as shown in (XII-1) to (XII-10) below.

(XII-1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the timer device 40 according to the present invention is applied to the heating device 10 has been described, but the device to which the timer device 40 can be applied is limited to the heating device 10. Of course not.

That is, the timer device 40 according to the present invention is a movable heating device that can be moved to an arbitrary place such as indoors or outdoors, or a heating device that is fixedly installed in a certain place and used. It can be used by being installed in various temperature control devices that operate by setting temperature as an operating condition, such as various heating devices such as the following.

In addition to the above-described heating devices, such temperature control devices include various devices such as air conditioners and air conditioners.

In addition, the timer device 40 according to the present invention can arbitrarily set operating conditions individually for each arbitrary time zone in 24 hours a day, such as a lighting device that operates by setting illuminance etc. as operating conditions. It can be used by being mounted on various devices (apparatuses) to be used.

(XII-2) In the above-described embodiment, detailed description is omitted, but the time zone (time interval) when dividing 24 hours a day into multiple parts is 1 hour as in the above-described embodiment. Of course, it is not limited to . That is, when dividing the 24 hours in a day into a plurality of time zones (time intervals), it is possible to divide them into arbitrary time zones (time intervals) according to various conditions such as design conditions and usage conditions. Well, for example, it may be divided into 10-minute intervals, 1-minute intervals, or the like.

Also, the 24 hours a day is not limited to being uniformly divided into the same time zone (time interval), and the 24 hours a day may be divided into a plurality of different time zones (time intervals). In other words, the 24 hours in a day are divided into 10-minute time slots (time intervals) from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and from 9:00 p.m. time intervals).

(XII-3) In the above-described embodiment, although detailed description is omitted, each of the crossing vertical and horizontal axes in bar graph display unit 60, bar graph display unit 100, and graph display operation unit 200 is provided with Of course, the scales (the temperature display scale and the time display scale) may be interchanged between the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.

(XII-4) In the above-described embodiment, the heater 32 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c, and heater 32d) is, for example, a sheathed heater, but is not limited to this. Of course.

As the heater 32 (heater 32a, heater 32b, heater 32c, and heater 32d), it is of course possible to use various linear (rod-shaped) heating elements and planar heating elements in addition to sheathed heaters. is.

(XII-5) In the above-described embodiment, the material of the heat sink 30a and the heat sink 30b has been omitted. of non-metallic materials may be used.

(XII-6) In the above embodiment, four heaters 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d are used as heaters 32, but the number of heaters is not limited to four. Of course not.

That is, the heater 32 may be composed of at least one heater, and may be two, three, or five or more.

(XII-7) Although detailed descriptions have been omitted in the above embodiments, only one of the operation panel unit 14, the remote controller 42, and the smartphone 54 may be used in the timer device 40. Alternatively, any two of them may be used together, or all three may be used together as in the above-described embodiment.

(XII-8) In the above embodiments, a smart phone is shown as an example of a mobile communication terminal, but the mobile communication terminal is of course not limited to a smart phone. That is, as a mobile communication terminal, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like may be appropriately used in place of the smart phone.

(XII-9) In the above-described embodiment, although detailed description is omitted, in the timer device 40, instead of the operation panel unit 14, the remote controller 42, or the smartphone 54, a personal device may be used as appropriate. Of course.

(XII-10) It goes without saying that the above embodiments and the embodiments and modifications shown in (XII-1) to (XII-9) above may be combined as appropriate.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The timer device according to the present invention can be used as a timer device for arbitrarily setting and controlling operating conditions individually in each arbitrary time zone obtained by dividing 24 hours in a day.

The timer device according to the present invention can be used as a movable heating device that can be moved to an arbitrary place such as indoors or outdoors, or as a heating device that is fixedly installed in a certain place and used. It can be used by being installed in various temperature control devices that are operated by setting temperatures as operating conditions, such as various heating devices.

In addition to the heating device described above, such temperature control devices include various devices such as air conditioners and air conditioners.

In addition, the timer device according to the present invention can set the operating conditions individually and arbitrarily in each arbitrary time zone divided into a plurality of 24 hours a day, such as a lighting device that operates by setting the illuminance etc. as an operating condition. It can be used by being installed in various devices (apparatuses) that are set and used.

Moreover, the heating device equipped with the timer device according to the present invention can be used to heat any place such as indoors or outdoors at a desired temperature during a desired time period.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 heating device 12 housing 12a side end 12b upper end 12c lower end 12d inner wall surface 14 operation panel section 14a display section (display means)
14b operation unit (operating condition setting means, operating condition changing means, selecting means)
16 caster mounting plate 16a lower surface 18 caster 20 air inlet grill 20a air inlet 22 air outlet grill 22a air outlet 24 heater unit 26 temperature sensor (temperature detecting means)
28 air flow path 30a radiator plate 30b radiator plate 32 heater 32a heater 32b heater 32c heater 32d heater 34 partition plate 40 timer device 42 control section (operating condition setting means, control means, display means, operating condition changing means, temperature detecting means)
44 memory device (storage means)
46 timer control unit 48 temperature detection unit (temperature detection means)
50 heater control section 52 remote controller 52a display section (display means)
52b operation unit (operating condition setting means, operating condition changing means, selecting means)
54 Smartphones (mobile communication terminals)
54a display unit (display means)
54b operation unit (operating condition setting means, operating condition changing means, selecting means)
56 Server 60 Bar graph display 62 Temperature display scale 64 Time display scale 66 Temperature display segment 66-1 Temperature display segment corresponding to set temperature 66-2 Everything from temperature display segment corresponding to 5°C to heating temperature at the current time Temperature display segment 66-3 Temperature display segment showing history of heating temperature 24 hours ago corresponding to each time scale 67 Heater OFF display segment 68 Timer program display 70 Timer running display 72 Clock display 74 Output display 76 Heating temperature display 80 Power switch 82 Timer switch 84 Setting switch 86 Return switch 88 Forward switch 90 High switch 92 Low switch 94 Decision switch 100 Bar graph display 102 Temperature display scale 104 Time display scale 106 AM/PM display 108 Infrared transmission Part 200 Touch panel 202 Graph display operation unit 204 Time display scale 206 Temperature display scale 208 Heating device selection display operation unit 210 Timer program selection display operation unit 212 Temperature adjustment slide button 213 Temperature display unit 214 Setting button 216 Timer operation start display operation unit 218 Cancel display operation unit 220 Solid line graph 222 Dashed line graph 224 Temporary temperature setting slide button 226 Timer operation stop display unit 228 Child lock slide button 230 Eco-driving setting slide button 300 Morning ring graph display operation unit 302 Afternoon ring graph display operation unit 304 Time display scale 306 Current time short hand instruction display section 308 Current time long hand instruction display section 310 Temperature setting slide button 400 Daytime ring graph display operation section 402 Nighttime ring graph display operation section G Interval C Central part

Claims (18)

A timer device that sets operating conditions for a device in each time zone obtained by dividing a day into a plurality of 24 hours, and controls the device based on the operating conditions that are set in each of the time zones,
an operating condition setting means for setting operating conditions of the equipment for each time zone obtained by dividing 24 hours a day into a plurality of hours;
storage means for storing the operating conditions set by the operating condition setting means for each of the time periods;
control means for controlling the equipment for each time period based on the operating conditions for each time period stored in the storage means;
and display means for graphically displaying the corresponding relationship between the time periods and the operating conditions over 24 hours a day. The timer device of claim 1, wherein
The graph display on the display means has a scale indicating each time period on one intersecting axis and a scale indicating the operating conditions on the other intersecting axis, and shows the time periods and the operating conditions. A timer device characterized in that it displays the correspondence relationship between the two in the form of a bar graph. The timer device of claim 1, wherein
The graph display on the display means has a scale indicating each time period on one intersecting axis and a scale indicating the operating conditions on the other intersecting axis, and shows the time periods and the operating conditions. A timer device characterized in that it displays the corresponding relationship in a line graph. The timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3,
The timer device, wherein the display means collectively displays 24 hours a day. The timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3,
The timer device, wherein the display means divides 24 hours a day into 12 hours, and collectively selectively displays one of the 12 hours divided into 24 hours. The timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3,
The display means divides the 24 hours of the day into two halves of 12 hours each, and collectively displays both of the halves of the 12 hours. The timer device of claim 1, wherein
In the graph display on the display means, a scale indicating each time period for 12 hours is equally divided in a circular area with a central angle of 30° and arranged around the circumference of the circular area, and the operating conditions are indicated. Scales are arranged radially from the center side of the circular area, and the corresponding relationship between the time periods and the operating conditions is displayed graphically for each area equally divided by the central angle of 30°. A timer device characterized by a graph display. A timer device according to claim 7, wherein
The timer device, wherein the display means has two of the circular graph displays and collectively displays 24 hours a day. A timer device according to claim 8, wherein
A timer device, wherein the two circular graph displays indicate 12 hours in the morning and 12 hours in the afternoon, respectively. A timer device according to claim 8, wherein
2. A timer device, wherein said two circular graph displays respectively show 12 hours of daytime from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and 12 hours of night time from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am of the next day. A timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein
The storage means stores the operation status of the equipment in each of the time periods as a history of the equipment,
The timer device, wherein the display means displays the history stored in the storage means. A timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein
The operating condition setting means changes the operating conditions of the equipment for each time period while the equipment is operating based on the operating conditions for each time period stored in the storage means. when
The timer device, wherein the storage means updates the operating condition to the changed operating condition. 13. The timer device of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, further comprising
operating condition changing means for changing the operating conditions in the time period during which the equipment is in operation based on the operating conditions for each of the time periods stored in the storage means;
When the operating conditions are changed by the operating condition changing means, the control means controls the equipment according to the operating conditions changed by the operating condition changing means during the time period during which the equipment is in operation. A timer device characterized by: A timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein
The storage means stores a plurality of the operating conditions set by the operating condition setting means for each of the time periods,
moreover,
selecting means for selecting the plurality of operating conditions stored in the storage means;
The timer device, wherein the control means controls the equipment for each time zone based on the operating conditions selected by the selection means. 15. A timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein
A timer device comprising a remote controller having the operating condition setting means and the display means. 16. A timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein
A timer device, wherein the operating condition setting means and the display means are provided on a touch panel of a portable communication terminal. A heating device equipped with a timer device for setting a temperature in each time zone obtained by dividing a day into a plurality of 24 hours and controlling the temperature to reach the set temperature,
The timer device is a timer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16,
The device is a heating device with a heating element,
A heating device provided with a timer device, wherein the operating condition is a set temperature of the heating device. A heating device comprising the timer device according to claim 17, further comprising:
Having temperature detection means for detecting the heating temperature of the heating device,
A heating device comprising a timer device, wherein the operating status of the device is the heating temperature of the heating device detected by the temperature detecting means.

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