JP2822601B2 - Waterproof wireless remote control for bathroom - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waterproof remote control device for operating various electric and electronic devices such as a television and lighting in a bathroom.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to the original purpose of enriching life and taking a bath simply by removing dirt and sweating, it has become desirable to enjoy bathing or to make effective use of bathing time. Various system buses with various functions have begun to be announced.

As one example of this, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-160929, a television set installed in a bathroom has been proposed and has begun to appear on the market.

However, these electric and electronic devices are originally disgusting with respect to water, and must be installed outside the bathroom or placed in a completely waterproof box for use.

On the other hand, with regard to home appliances, the use of wireless devices such as televisions, audio and video devices has been progressing, and it has become common sense to operate devices at hand.

Therefore, even if various devices are installed in the bathroom as described above,
The operation section also requires waterproof measures. Conventionally, a waterproof remote controller as shown in FIG. 5 has been used to solve this problem. In FIG. 5, a printed circuit board 2 on which operation switches 1 are mounted is housed in outer boxes 3 and 4. The outer boxes 3 and 4 are connected via a sealing material 5 to prevent moisture from entering the inside. The operation button 6 of the operation switch 1 is provided on the outer box 3.
A small hole 7 is formed opposite to the outer case 3, and the tip of the button 6 is arranged to protrude slightly from the outer box 3.

A waterproof seal 8 is attached to the front surface of the outer box 3 so that the button 6 can be operated from above while maintaining waterproofness.

The outer box 4 is fixed to a bathroom wall 10 via a prevention packing 9. The bathroom wall 10 is provided with a through-hole 11 in advance, and the rear box 12 of the outer box 4 is mounted so as to face the hole. From the rear hole 12, a lead wire 13 for supplying power to the printed circuit board 2 and outputting an operation signal of the operation switch 1 is led out of the bathroom wall 10, and is connected to the main body of the device.

Here, the temperature of the bathroom changes drastically together with the humidity, which causes the pressure inside the remote controller to rise and fall. For this reason, in a structure without the rear hole 12, the change in pressure causes air to flow through the gap between the sealing material 5 and the waterproof seal 8 (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as respiration). It flows into the inside and damages the printed circuit board 2, the operation switch 1 mounted thereon, and electronic components.

At the same time as the rear hole 12 is pulled out to the lead wire 13, the inside of the remote control is opened to a dry atmosphere outside the bathroom to prevent a change in the internal pressure and prevent the occurrence of respiratory action.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention With the configuration shown in FIG. 5, a remote control device that does not adversely affect the internal electronic circuit even when used in a bathroom can be realized, but it must be used by being attached to the bathroom wall 10 without fail. This has the problem that the original performance and convenience of the remote control, which can be operated from any location, which is a major feature of the remote control operation of recent home appliances, cannot be utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device that satisfies the above-mentioned functions of the remote control and that prevents respiration even when used in a bathroom.

Means for Solving the Problems A waterproof wireless remote control device for a bathroom of the present invention includes at least an operation input device of a device, a transmitting device that wirelessly transmits a signal corresponding to an input signal of the operation input device to the device, and A remote control circuit unit having a dry cell power supply for driving the remote control circuit unit, and an outer case including the remote control circuit unit therein, wherein the outer case is a box body and a seal member that isolates the remote control circuit unit from the outside air, and one of them. It has a configuration in which a diaphragm is mounted inside the box body facing the outside air and expands and contracts in accordance with a pressure difference between the inside and the outside air, and a protection portion that protects a surface of the diaphragm that contacts the outside air while maintaining communication with the outside air. .

Operation With the above-described configuration, the waterproof wireless remote control device for a bathroom of the present invention has an operation of absorbing the pressure fluctuation inside the remote control and preventing the respiration by changing the internal volume by the diaphragm.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

In the following drawings, the components having the same operations as those in FIG. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a waterproof wireless remote control device for a bathroom according to the present invention. The outer case 16 is constituted by the outer boxes 14 and 15 sealed with the sealing material 5, and the printed circuit board 2 is included inside. Various operation switches 1 are arranged on the printed circuit board 2 as in FIG. Reference numeral 17 denotes a light-emitting diode which converts an input of the operation switch 1 into a transmission signal by a signal transmission integrated circuit 18 and transmits it as an optical signal from a window 19 provided in the outer case 14 to a device main body (not shown) such as a television. is there. Reference numeral 20 denotes a dry battery for supplying power to various electronic circuits on the printed circuit board 2.

The operation button 6 of the operation switch 1 is the outer box as in FIG.
It protrudes from a small hole 7 provided in 14 and can be operated from the outside via a waterproof seal 8.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a diaphragm attached to an opening 22 provided in the outer box 15 with its outer periphery sealed.

The diaphragm 21 is the main point of the present invention, and absorbs pressure fluctuations in the outer case 16 due to temperature changes in the bathroom to prevent the occurrence of a respiratory action.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the diaphragm 21. In the figure, the operation of the diaphragm is exaggerated for easy understanding, and the outer case 16, the sealing material 5, and the diaphragm are illustrated.
Only 21 is noted.

FIG. 2a shows a normal state, in which the internal pressure Pi of the outer case 16 and the external (bathroom) pressure Po are substantially equal,
The temperature in the bathroom also indicates that it is almost at room temperature.

Fig. b shows the state when the temperature in the bathroom rises. The external pressure Po hardly changes due to some degree of ventilation in the bathroom, but the internal pressure Pi increases due to the temperature rise. At this time, as shown in the figure, the diaphragm
The pressure 21 is expanded to increase the volume in the outer case, thereby returning the pressure to Pi = Po and returning to the same pressure state as in FIG.

FIG. c shows a state in which the temperature in the bathroom is rapidly cooled, contrary to FIG. b, and a state in which the pressure Pi inside the case 16 decreases and becomes lower than the external pressure Po. By expanding in the opposite direction, the internal volume is reduced and the pressure is balanced. In this state, similar to the case where the remote control device is immersed in water such as a bathtub, other than the decrease in the external temperature, the same occurs.
At this time, the external pressure Po becomes the water pressure.

As described above, even if a pressure change occurs inside and outside due to an ambient temperature change, immersion in water, or the like, the diaphragm 21 absorbs all the pressure change and eliminates the pressure difference.

Here, a change in the state when there is no diaphragm 21 will be described. When the diaphragm 21 is not provided, when the external temperature rises, the internal pressure of the case 16 increases in the state shown in FIG.
Pi> Po. If this state continues for a long time, the sealing material 5
Out of the internal air is generated from the minute gaps. When this occurs, even if it returns to the normal state (FIG. A), the inflow of air starts from the gap of the sealing material 5 because the internal pressure Pi has decreased by the amount of the outflow of air, and at this time, When moist air enters the interior, the moisture damages the internal electronics. Conversely, even if the state of FIG. The above is the respiratory action.

Conventionally, in order to create a closed space in a place where the temperature changes drastically and in a humid place like in a bathroom, in order to prevent this respiratory action, the sealing material 5 must be tightly sealed like a diving suit. Practical use as a remote control was difficult in terms of external shape, weight, and the like.

In the present invention, the provision of the diaphragm 21 absorbs pressure fluctuations and realizes complete prevention of respiratory action.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment, in which the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Diaphragm 21 is susceptible to damage because it is usually a thin film, and if it is damaged, there is no internal seal at all. In order to prevent this, in FIG. 3, a protection net is provided at a position facing the opening 22 of the outer case 15 to protect the diaphragm 21.
23, and the outside air pressure Po
The diaphragm 21 is prevented from being damaged by touching the diaphragm 21 with a hand.

In FIG. 4, a protective cover 25 is provided for the same purpose, and an opening 26 is provided.
From the pressure to the diaphragm 21.

As described above, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, even if the diaphragm 21 is touched and broken by hand or the remote control device is dropped, it is possible to prevent the diaphragm from being damaged and the sealing effect from being lost.

In the embodiment of the present specification, an example in which the light emitting diode 17 is used for the remote control transmitting device has been described. However, the remote control transmitting means uses an ultrasonic wave or a radio wave, or a similar device. However, the same effect can be obtained.

In addition to the tact switch type described in the embodiment, the operation switch 1 can also breathe from a seal part such as a shaft part by using various electronic input means such as a touch panel type or an optical type, or mechanical input means such as a rotary switch or a potentiometer. Exactly the same effect can be obtained in preventing the action.

In addition to the dry battery 20, a charging method, a solar battery, or another type may be used. Although the explanation is omitted here, especially in the case of dry batteries, it is necessary to make the structure that ordinary users can easily replace the battery, but it is very difficult to secure a reliable seal at this time, In the present invention, since there is no respiratory action, moisture does not flow into the inside even if the seal is slightly rough.

The diaphragm 21 may have any structure as long as it is a pressure absorbing means such as a bellows other than the thin film structure as in the embodiment.

In the case of a remote control device for a bathroom, the specific gravity of the outer case 16 and other components is reduced so that the remote control device floats on the water, so that it can be immersed in water for a long time and the state of FIG. Needless to say, the reliability of the remote control device is improved by preventing such a situation. Further, it is easy to make the entire outer case made of an elastic material so that the outer case can obtain the same effect as the diaphragm 21.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the waterproof wireless remote control device for bathroom of the present invention has the following effects.

(1) Since the diaphragm absorbs pressure fluctuations inside the remote controller, it does not generate respiratory action even when used in a bathroom where temperature changes rapidly, so the internal electronic circuit can be protected from moisture with a simple seal. , A highly reliable wireless remote controller can be realized.

(2) Even if the remote control device is dropped into the water in the bathtub, the internal pressure is adjusted to be equal to the water pressure, so that seepage of water can be prevented and safety is ensured.

(3) With a very simple configuration, remote control of the device can be easily performed from anywhere in the bathroom, and the usability of the device is improved.

(4) Also, since the remote controller of the present invention can be applied to various devices installed in a bathroom, conventional methods such as opening and closing windows and blinds or operating AV devices, such as switching lights and changing illuminance, are also available. The operation of equipment that was impossible in the bathroom is realized, leading to the creation of a new bathing culture.

In other words, in summary, when the remote control device is a wireless remote control, the internal pressure fluctuation absorbing function is sufficiently exhibited without damaging the diaphragm when being carried, and the convenience as the wireless remote control is fully exhibited, so that it is easy to use. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a waterproof wireless remote control device for a bathroom according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a principle explanatory diagram illustrating an operation principle of the diaphragm, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing still another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional example. 1 ... operation switch (operation input device of equipment) 2 ... printed circuit board (remote control circuit section) 5 ... seal member 1
4, 15 outer box (box), 16 outer case, 17 light-emitting diode (transmitter), 20 dry cell (power supply), 21 diaphragm, 23 protection net (protector) ), 25 ... Protective cover (protective part).

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A remote control circuit unit having at least an operation input device of the device, a transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting a signal corresponding to an input signal of the operation input device to the device, and a dry cell power supply for driving the device; An outer case including a remote control circuit therein; the outer case is attached to the remote control circuit from the outside air, and a sealing member; And a diaphragm that expands and contracts according to the pressure difference between the outside air and
A waterproof wireless remote control device for a bathroom having a protective portion for protecting a surface of the diaphragm which contacts the outside air while maintaining communication with the outside air.