JP3333374B2 - Appliance with timer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus having a function of performing a timer operation in a plurality of time zones.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an appliance such as a heater, a switch operation is performed by pairing an operation start time and an operation end time in order to perform an automatic operation (timer operation) of the appliance at a time desired by a user. There is known a device provided with timer operation means for automatically performing a timer operation of the appliance in an operation time zone between the set operation start time and operation end time, for example. In addition, this type of timer-equipped instrument includes two or more timer operation means, for example, for use when the user wakes up and returns home, or for weekdays and holidays, and each timer operation means. On the other hand, there is also known an apparatus in which a pair of an operation start time and an operation end time can be individually set and a timer operation is performed in an operation time zone of each timer operation means.

On the other hand, in such a device with a timer, generally, the timer operation is performed by a user selecting a timer operation mode from a variety of operation menus of the device with a switch or the like to activate a timer operation means (standby state). In the timer operation mode, the appliance is operated only in the set operation time period. Therefore, if the user wants to start the operation of the appliance at a time other than the time period of the timer operation, the user must temporarily release the timer operation mode and perform a normal operation operation, and thereafter, When the timer operation is performed again, the timer operation mode must be selected again. In addition, even if the operation of the appliance is stopped during the timer operation, the user must release the timer operation mode to stop the timer operation, and thereafter, to perform the timer operation again, Again, the timer operation mode must be selected.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application has provided a so-called override function to a device, and if a user operates a switch for the override function during the timer operation, the timer operation is limited to the current timer operation. Suspend (cancel the override function at the end time of timer operation),
Further, if the user operates the switch in a standby state in which the timer operation has not yet been performed in the timer operation mode, the appliance is forcibly operated until the normal timer operation is started (regular timer operation). (The overriding function is released at the start time) (for example, see Japanese Patent Application No. 6-140022). According to such an override function, the user can operate or stop the appliance as desired by simply operating the switch without releasing the timer operation mode, thereby improving the usability of the appliance.

By the way, when such an override function is provided in a device having, for example, two timer operation means, conventionally, for example, when the timer operation is performed in the operation time zone of each timer operation means, the override function is provided. When the switch is operated, the timer operation is interrupted at that time, and when one of the operation time zones of the timer operation means elapses (when the time reaches one of the two operation end times). ), The override function was canceled.

However, such a method has the following disadvantages.

That is, for example, when the user sets the timer operation time zones for the two timer operation means for weekdays and holidays, respectively, the time zones are as follows:
In many cases, they have overlapping portions. And
In such a case, if the timer operation mode is selected for the two timer operation means due to a user's erroneous operation or the like, the user operates the appliance during the operation of the appliance in the above-described overlapping portion. When the override function switch operation is performed to interrupt, the operation of the appliance is interrupted at the time of the operation, but the interruption is caused by the lapse of the earlier operation time period of the operation end time of the two operation time periods. Canceled at time. Then, when the interruption of the operation of the appliance due to the override function is released, the operation of the appliance is restarted by the timer operation means which has not yet reached the operation end time.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
The operation time zones of the two timer operation means (referred to as a first timer and a second timer in FIG. 11) are each from 6:00 to 12
Hour, set from 8:00 to 17:00, and their operation time zone is 8:00
In the case where the time overlaps from hour to 12 o'clock, the operation of the appliance starts at 6:00 by the first timer.

During this operation, if the user operates the override function switch, for example, at 10:00 to interrupt the operation of the appliance, the operation of the appliance is stopped at that point. It is released at 12:00, which is the operation end time of the timer. And at 12 o'clock,
Since the device belongs to the operation time zone of the second timer, the operation of the appliance is restarted by the second timer.

Therefore, in the prior art, when the operation time zones of the two timer operation means overlap as described above, for example, the user is provided with an override function in order to interrupt the timer operation of the appliance at the overlapping portion. Even if it is operated, there is an inconvenience that the operation of the appliance is restarted against the intention of the user by the timer operation means on the trailing side at the operation end time of the timer operation means preceding the operation time zone.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems by solving two or more timer operation means and performing a predetermined switch operation or the like during timer operation by each timer operation means. In an appliance with a timer provided with timer operation interrupting means for interrupting the operation of the appliance only for operation, when the operation time zones of these timer operation means have overlapping portions, the user can operate the timer operation by the timer operation interruption means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a timer-equipped appliance that can avoid a situation in which the operation of the appliance is restarted in a time zone contrary to the user's intention when the operation is interrupted.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the operation start time and the operation end time of the appliance are separately set as a pair, and the time between the set operation start time and the operation end time is set. A plurality of timer operation means for performing timer operation of the appliance in an operation time zone, and timer operation interruption means for interrupting the timer operation when a predetermined operation is performed during timer operation of the appliance by each timer operation unit. In the appliance with a timer, the timer operation interrupting means, when two or more operation time zones among the operation time zones of the timer operation means are continuous with an overlapping portion, When the predetermined operation is performed during the timer operation in any one of the two or more consecutive operating time zones, the two or more consecutive operating time zones It is configured to continue the interruption of the timer operation, respectively until the lapse of the slowest operation end time of the corresponding said operation end time and wherein the are.

According to the present invention, when two or more operation time zones among the operation time zones of the timer operation means are continuous with an overlapping portion, they are continuous. When a predetermined operation of the timer operation unit is performed during the timer operation in any one of the two or more operation time zones, the timer operation interruption unit is configured to output two or more continuous operation time periods. Since the interruption of the timer operation is continued until the latest operation end time of the operation end times respectively corresponding to the operation time zones, the interruption of the timer operation by the timer operation interruption means is performed by two or more timers. The operation is performed by regarding two or more continuous operating time zones of the operating means as a single operating time zone.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the appliance is restarted in an unexpected time zone, contrary to the user's intention to interrupt the timer operation.

According to the present invention, more specifically, there is provided an operation state grasping means for grasping, at every moment, whether or not each of the timer operation means is in an operation state in each operation time zone, and the timer operation interruption means is provided. When the timer operation is interrupted by the predetermined operation during the timer operation by any of the plurality of timer operation means, the operation state grasping means determines that one of the plurality of timer operation means is in the operating state. While it is determined that there is a timer operation, the timer operation is continued to be interrupted, and when the operation state determination means determines that any of the plurality of timer operation means has become inactive, the timer is stopped. It is characterized in that the suspension of driving is released.

According to the present invention, when the timer operation is interrupted by performing a predetermined operation of the timer operation interruption means at an arbitrary time in two or more consecutive operation time zones, the continuous operation is started from that time. Until the latest operation end time of the two or more operation time zones, any one of the timer operation means is in the operating state, and this is grasped by the operation state grasping means. Therefore, the interruption of the timer operation in the two or more continuous operation time zones continues. Then, when the latest operation end time of the two or more continuous operation time zones is reached, all the timer operation means are in an inactive state at that time, which is grasped by the operation state grasping means, At this point, the timer operation interrupting means cancels the interruption of the timer operation. This allows
The interruption of the timer operation by the timer operation interruption means continues until the latest operation end time of the two or more continuous operation time zones has elapsed.

Further, in the present invention, the timer operation interrupting means includes means for canceling the interruption by a predetermined canceling operation when interruption of the timer operation is continued, and the plurality of timer operation means include a timer operation interrupter. The timer operation means corresponding to the operation time zone to which the suspension release point belongs is configured to restart the timer operation.

According to this, after the timer operation of the appliance is interrupted by the timer operation interrupting means, a predetermined canceling operation of the timer operation interrupting means is performed to correspond to the operating time zone to which the cancellation time point belongs. The timer operation can be resumed by the timer operation means.

Further, according to the present invention, when a predetermined operation is performed in a state in which all of the plurality of timer operating means are in a standby state in a non-operating state, the earliest of the plurality of timer operating means is provided. A forced operation means for forcibly operating the appliance until the timer operation by the timer operation means corresponding to the operation start time is started.

According to this, if the predetermined operation of the forced operation means is performed while each timer operation means is on standby (a state in which the timer operation of the appliance is not performed by each timer operation means),
Until the timer operation by the timer operation means corresponding to the earliest operation start time is started, the appliance is forcibly operated by the forced operation means, and from the operation start time of the earliest timer operation means. Then, the timer operation by the timer operation means starts. Therefore, if necessary, the appliance can be operated continuously before the start of the regular timer operation.

In this case, the interruption of the timer operation of the appliance by the timer operation interruption means and the forced operation of the appliance by the forcible operation means are preferably performed by operating the same unlock switch.

According to this, by operating the same unlock switch, it is possible to interrupt the timer operation as desired and to operate the appliance from the time before the regular timer operation,
The usability of the device can be improved.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a device with a timer according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel of the device, FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the device, and FIGS. 5 is a graph for explaining the operation of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the appliance with a timer according to the present embodiment is, for example, a hot air heater, and controls the operation panel 1 including various switches, which will be described later, and the overall operation of the hot air heater. The vehicle includes a microcomputer 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer 2), a combustion device 3 for heating indoor air, and a blower 4 for blowing hot air heated by the combustion device 3. In this case, the blower 4 blows warm air while convection of the room air by a convection fan (not shown). Then, the combustion device 3 uses the combustion heat of a burner (not shown) that uses fuel gas or oil as fuel to blow the
Is heated in the middle of the convection.

The microcomputer 2 has, as its functional configuration, a clock section 5 for measuring the present time instantaneously, and a pair of an operation start time and an operation end time of the hot air heater by operating a switch on the operation panel 1 described later. A first timer operation unit 6 and a second timer operation unit 7 which are timer operation units that are set and perform timer operation of the hot air heater in the operation time period between the set operation start time and operation set end time, respectively. (Hereinafter, these are referred to as a first timer 6 and a second timer 7, respectively)
An EEPROM 8 for storing and holding an operation start time, an operation end time, and the like set for each of the timers 6 and 7, and an override processing unit for performing a process for an override function described later when each of the timers 6 and 7 performs a timer operation. 9 and
An operation control unit 10 for controlling the operation of the combustion device 3 and the blower 4 is provided. In this case, the override processing unit 9 includes an operation state grasping unit 11 (operation state grasping unit) that grasps the operation states of the first timer operation unit 6 and the second timer operation unit 7 and a switch operation of the operation panel 1 described later. The air conditioner includes a timer operation interrupting unit 12 (timer operation interrupting means) and a forced operating unit 13 (forced operating means) for respectively interrupting and forcibly operating the timer operation of the hot air heater.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 1 performs an operation switch 14 for performing a normal operation / stop operation of the hot air heater and a timer operation by the first timer 6 and the second timer 7. Timer operation selection switches 15 and 16 for selecting operation modes respectively, an override switch 17 for selecting an override function by the override processing unit 9, a heating set temperature, a clock time,
A setting mode changeover switch 18 for switching and selecting a setting mode for setting an operation start time and an operation end time for a timer operation, and a heating set temperature, a clock time, and a timer operation in the selected setting mode. Two temperature / time setting switches 19 and 20 for newly setting or changing the start time and the operation end time are provided. Each of the switches 14 to 20 is constituted by a non-locking type switch.

The operation panel 2 has an operation confirmation lamp 21 for indicating whether or not the hot air heater is in operation, and whether or not the first and second timers 6 and 7 are in operation mode. Timer operation confirmation lamps 22 and 23, an override confirmation lamp 24 indicating whether an override switch 17 for operating the override function by the override processing unit 9 is in an ON state, and a display of a set temperature and time. When setting the clock time, the operation start time and the operation end time for the timer operation of each of the timers 6 and 7, the setting mode confirmation lamps 26 to 3 indicating which setting mode is used.
0.

In this case, the operation confirmation lamp 21, the timer operation confirmation lamps 22 and 23, and the override confirmation lamp 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation state of the hot air heater (including an operation state by the timer operation), and an operation mode state of the first and second timers 6 and 7 (a state in which the first and second timers 6 and 7 are on standby outside the operation time period of the timer operation). ), And lights when the override function is in operation (the ON state of the override switch 17).

Setting mode confirmation lamps 26 to 30
Are the time setting (clock setting) of the clock unit 5, the operation start time setting of the first timer 6, and the first timer 6 respectively.
Are turned on at the time of the operation end time setting, the operation start time setting of the second timer 7, and the operation end time setting of the second timer 7.
Each time the button 8 is pressed, it is switched in order. in this case,
When the setting mode confirmation lamps 26 to 30 are lit, the corresponding time is displayed on the display 25. When the temperature / time setting switch 19 or 20 is operated in the display state, the display time is set to a desired value. It is designed to decrease or increase at the time. If the user does not operate the temperature / time setting switch 19 or 20 at a desired time, the display time is used as the current time of the clock unit 5 or the operation start time or operation end time of each of the timers 6 and 7. Is set in the microcomputer 2. The set operation start time and operation end time of each of the timers 6 and 7 are stored in the EEPROM of the microcomputer 2.
8 is stored.

Each setting mode confirmation lamp 26-30
Is off at normal times, and in this off state,
While the set temperature of the heating operation is displayed on the display 25,
In the displayed state, the temperature / time setting switch 19 or 2
By operating 0, the display temperature decreases or increases, respectively. If the user leaves the apparatus at the desired temperature without operating the temperature / time setting switch 19 or 20, the displayed temperature is set as the heating set temperature by the microcomputer 2.
And stored in the EEPROM 8.

Next, the operation of the warm air heater will be described.

First, the timer operation of the warm air heater by the timers 6 and 7 will be described.

As described above, after the time setting of the clock section 5 and the setting of the operation start time and operation end time of each of the timers 6 and 7 are performed, the first timer 6
Is pressed, the timer operation confirmation lamp 22 is turned on, and the operation mode of the warm air heater becomes the timer operation mode by the first timer 6.

At this time, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the first timer 6 reads the current time of the clock unit 5 from time to time (STEP 1), and the current time is stored in the EEPROM 8 in correspondence with the first timer 6. It is determined whether or not the operation time zone is between the operation start time and the operation end time stored and held (STEP 2). In this determination, when the current time is not in the above-mentioned operation time zone, the first timer 6 continues the processing of STEPs 1 and 2 in a standby state.
In this state, the operation control unit 10 does not operate the combustion device 3 or the blower 4 and the hot air heater is in a stopped state.

On the other hand, if the present time is in the above-mentioned operation time zone in the judgment of STEP 2, the first timer 6 outputs an operation command to the operation control unit 10 (STEP 3). Then, while the current time is in the above-mentioned operation time zone, the output of the operation command is continued after repeating STEP1 and STEP2.
Further, when the operation command is given in this way, the operation control unit 10 operates the combustion device 3 and the blower 4 so that the hot air at the set temperature is blown while the operation command is given. Let it.

Thus, the timer operation of the hot air heater is performed in the operation time period between the operation start time and the operation end time corresponding to the first timer 6. In addition, within the above-mentioned driving time zone,
When the timer operation mode by the first timer 6 is selected,
From that point, the first timer 6 outputs an operation command to start the timer operation of the warm air heater, and the timer operation is performed until the operation end time of the first timer 6.

Such timer operation is similarly performed by the second timer 7 even when the timer operation mode of the second timer 7 is selected by operating the timer operation selection switch 16. Also, when the timer operation mode of both timers 6 and 7 is selected, the timer operation by each timer 6 and 7 is the same in the operation time zone between the operation start time and operation end time of each timer 6 and 7 respectively. Done in

When the timer operation mode of the timers 6 and 7 is selected, the operation control unit 10 outputs the combustion device 3 and the air blower if the operation command is output from one of the timers 6 and 7. Activate the device 4. Therefore, when the operation time zones of the timers 6 and 7 have overlapping portions,
The timer operation of the warm air heater is started in one of the operation time zones and is continuously performed until the operation time zone on the later side of the operation end time elapses.

Next, the operation when the override switch 17 is operated while the timer operation mode is selected as described above will be described.

When the override switch 17 is pressed in a state where one or both of the first and second timers 6 and 7 or both timer operation modes are selected, the override confirmation lamp 24 is turned on. The unit 9 performs a process as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the override processing section 9 first determines whether or not each of the timers 6 and 7 is in an operating state by the operating state grasping section 11, for example, by issuing an operation command to the operation control section 10 from each of the timers 6 and 7. It is determined based on whether or not it is output (STEP 1 and STEP 2). In addition, such timers 6,
For example, when the current time of the clock unit 5 is
You may make it grasp | ascertain by whether it is in the driving | operation time zone corresponding to each timer 6,7.

Here, for example, when the first timer 6 is operating (YES in STEP 1), in other words, the operation control unit 10 operates the combustion device 3 and the blower 4 according to the operation command of the first timer 6. When the timer operation by the first timer 6 is started or performed, the override processing unit 9 starts outputting the operation interruption command to the operation control unit 10 by the timer operation interruption unit 12 (STEP 3). At this time, the operation control unit 10 stops the operation of the combustion device 3 and the blower 4 irrespective of the output of the operation command of the first timer 6. Thereby, the timer operation by the first timer 6 is interrupted. At this time, the timer operation mode by the first timer 6 continues.

Next, the override processing section 9 grasps whether or not the second timer 7 is in operation by the operation state grasping section 11 (STEP 4), and when the second timer 7 is not in operation (STEP 4). NO), whether or not the first timer 6 that was operating in STEP 1 has been changed from the active state to the inactive state, that is, the current time of the clock unit 5 has passed the operation end time of the first timer 6 The operating state grasping unit 11 determines whether or not the 1 timer 6 is in an inactive state (standby state).
(STEP 5).

At this time, if the first timer 6 is in the inactive state (YES in STEP 5), the override processing unit 9
Stops the output of the operation interruption command from the timer operation interruption unit 12 (STEP 6), releases the override function, and automatically turns the override switch 17 off.
The state is changed to the F state (STEP 7).

If the first timer 6 is still operating in STEP 5 (NO in STEP 5), the override processing section 9 determines whether or not the override switch 17 has been operated to turn it off. (STEP 8) If the override switch 17 is still in the ON state (STEP 8)
(NO in EP8), and returns to STEP4. And ST
If the override switch 17 is turned off in EP8 (YES in STEP8), the process proceeds to STEP6.
Then, the output of the operation interruption command from the timer operation interruption unit 12 is stopped, and the override function is released in STEP7.

By the above processing, the timer operation mode of only the first timer 6 is selected, or
When the timer operation modes of the timers 6 and 7 are not selected and the first timer 6 is operating (when the timer operation of the warm air heater by the first timer 6 starts or When the override switch 17 is turned on during the operation, the timer operation by the first timer 6 is interrupted by the output of the operation interruption command of the timer operation interrupting unit 12 at that time, and the interruption is performed by the first timer. Until the operation end time of the operation time period of the timer 6 elapses and the first timer 6 becomes inactive (standby state), or until the override switch 17 is turned off in the operation time period of the first timer 6 Done. When the interruption of the timer operation of the first timer 6 by the timer operation interruption unit 12 is performed until the operation end time in the operation time zone of the first timer 6 elapses, the override function is activated when the operation end time elapses. Although the timer is released, the first timer 6 is in a standby state in which the operation command is not output at that time. Therefore, until the time of the clock unit 5 reaches the operation start time of the first timer 6 again, or Until the operation start time of the second timer 7 is reached, the hot air heater is maintained in the stopped state.

If the interruption of the timer operation of the first timer 6 by the timer operation interruption unit 12 is performed until the override switch 17 is turned off during the operation time period of the first timer 6, at the time of the OFF operation. Since the output of the operation interruption command of the timer operation interruption unit 12 stops and the first timer 6 still outputs the operation command,
The operation control unit 10 restarts the operation of the combustion device 3 and the blower 4, and the timer operation by the first timer 6 is restarted until the corresponding operation end time.

Specifically, for example, when the operation time zones of the timers 6 and 7 are set as shown in FIG.
Timer 6: 6:00 to 10:00, Second timer 7: 15:00 to 18
Hour), when the override switch 17 is turned ON at time 7:00 during the timer operation by the first timer 6 and the ON state is continued, the override function is activated from time 7:00,
By the timer operation interruption unit 12 of the override processing unit 9,
The timer operation by the first timer 6 is interrupted until the operation end time (10:00) corresponding to the first timer 6, and the override function is automatically canceled at the operation end time (10:00). After that, if the timer operation mode of the second timer 6 is selected, the timer operation by the second timer 6 is performed in the operation time zone of the second timer 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the override switch 17 is turned on at time 7 during the timer operation by the first timer 6 and then turned off at 9:00, the time between 7:00 and 9:00 is reached. The timer operation by the first timer 6 is interrupted by the timer operation interrupting unit 12 of the override processing unit 9, and the timer operation by the first timer 6 is restarted between 9:00 and 10:00.

The override function is automatically canceled as described above, or the override switch 17 is turned off.
When released by the operation, the override confirmation lamp 24 is turned off.

Next, in STEP 4 in FIG. 4, the second timer 7 is operating by the operating state grasping unit 11 (the second timer 7 outputs the operation command in the operation time zone). Is known (such a condition,
This occurs when the timer operation mode is selected for both timers 6 and 7 and the operation time zones of both timers 6 and 7 have an overlapped portion). The operation state grasping unit 11 grasps whether the timers 6 and 7 are in the non-operation state (standby state) (STEPs 9 and 10). When both the first and second timers 6 and 7 are in the non-operation state (S
YES in STEPs 9 and 10), override processing unit 9
Stops the output of the operation interruption command from the timer operation interruption unit 12 in STEP6, and further stops the operation of STEP7.
To release the override function (the override switch 17 is automatically turned off).

Also, in STEPs 9 and 10, the first and second
If any one of the timers 6 and 7 is operating (ST
(NO in EP 9 or 10), and then it is determined whether or not the override switch 17 has been turned OFF (STEP 1).
1) If the override switch 17 is still ON (NO in STEP11), the process returns to STEP9. Then, in STEP 11, the override switch 17 is set to O
When the FF operation is performed (YE in STEP 11)
S), the output of the operation interruption command from the timer operation interruption unit 12 is stopped in STEP6, and
7. Release the override function.

When the timer operation mode is selected for both timers 6 and 7 by the processing of STEPs 9 to 11 and the like, and the operation time zones of both timers 6 and 7 are continuous with an overlapped portion. If, for example, the override switch 17 is turned ON during the operation time period of the first timer 6, the timer operation by the first timer 6 is interrupted by the output of the operation interruption command of the timer operation interruption unit 12 at that time, and the interruption is performed. As long as the override switch 17 is not turned off, the operation end time of the operation time period of both timers 6 and 7 elapses until both timers 6 and 7 are inactive (standby state), , 7 until the later operation end time elapses. In this case, the override function is released when the later operation end time of the operation end times respectively corresponding to the timers 6 and 7 elapses. Since the apparatus is in the standby state in which no command is output, the warm air heater is kept stopped until the time of the clock unit 5 reaches the operation start time of the first timer 6 or the second timer again.

After the timer operation in the continuous operation time period was interrupted by the timer operation interruption section 12 as described above, the override switch 17 was turned off in the continuous operation time period. Sometimes that O
At the time of the FF operation, the override function is released, and the interruption of the timer operation ends. In this case, at the time of releasing the override function, either of the timers 6 and 7 has output the operation command, and the operation control unit 10 restarts the operation of the combustion device 3 and the blower 4. , Both timers 6,
The timer operation is continuously restarted until the later operation end time of the operation end times respectively corresponding to 7.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the operation time zones of the timers 6 and 7 are partially set to overlap (first timer 6: 6 to 12 o'clock, 2 timer 7: 8 am to 5 pm), when the override switch 17 is turned on at 10 o'clock during timer operation by both timers 6 and 7 and the ON state is continued, the override function is activated from 10 o'clock to override. The timer operation of the timers 6 and 7 is interrupted by the timer operation interruption unit 12 of the processing unit 9 until the operation end time (17:00) corresponding to the second timer 7, and the override is performed at the operation end time (17:00). The function is automatically canceled. Then, thereafter, when the operation time period of the first timer 6 with an earlier operation start time comes, the timer operation by the first timer 6 is restarted.

The interruption of the timer operation as described above is performed in the same manner, for example, when the override switch 17 is turned ON at time 7 during the timer operation by only the first timer 6 and the ON state is continued. Second timer 7 from 7:00
The timer operation is interrupted until 17:00, which is the operation end time.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the override switch 17 is turned on at 10:00 at the time of timer operation by the timers 6 and 7, and then the override switch 17 is turned off at 13:00, the time is from 10:00 to 13:00. The continuous timer operation by the first timer 6 and the second timer 7 is performed by the timer operation interrupting unit 12 of the override processing unit 9.
The timer operation by the second timer 7 is restarted between 13:00 and 17:00.

As described above, when the override switch 17 is turned on while the first timer 6 is operating, the processing by the override processing unit 9 is performed when the override switch 17 is turned on while the second timer 7 is operating. (S
The same is true for STEP 1 (NO and STEP 2 YES) (STEPs 12 to 15, STEPs 9 to 1).
1, and STEPs 6, 7).

As described above, when the operation time zones of the timers 6 and 7 are continuous with an overlapping portion, when the override function is operated in the continuous operation time zone, the continuous operation time zones are obtained. The timer operation is interrupted as if the operating time zone was a single operating time zone.

Therefore, after the user turns on the override switch 17 to interrupt the timer operation, the timer operation by the first timer 6 or the second timer 7 automatically restarts in a time zone not intended by the user. Can be avoided.

When the user turns off the override switch 17 at any time, the timer operation can be restarted. Therefore, the override function can be operated accurately according to the user's intention, and the usability is improved. Good.

Next, when the override switch 17 is turned ON, neither the first timer 6 nor the second timer 7 is in operation, and for example, both timers 6 and 7 are in a standby state. In this case, (N in STEPs 1 and 2
O), the override processing unit 9 starts outputting a forced operation command from the forced operation unit 13 to the operation control unit 10 (S).
TEP16).

At this time, the operation control unit 10 activates the combustion device 3 and the blower 4 to start the heating operation of the hot air heater even if the operation commands are not output from the timers 6 and 7. .

Next, the override processing section 9 determines whether or not each of the timers 6 and 7 is in an inactive state (a state in which the operation command is not output) by the operating state determining section 11 (STEPs 17 and 18). At this time, both timers 6, 7
If any one of the above is activated (STEP 17)
Or NO at 18), after the output of the forced operation command from the forced operation unit 13 is stopped (STEP 19),
The override function is released at P7 (the override switch 17 is automatically turned off).

If both of the timers 6 and 7 are not operated in STEPs 17 and 18, (STE 17)
It is determined whether the override switch 17 has been turned OFF (P17, 18) (STEP 20).
At this time, if the override switch 17 remains ON (NO in STEP20), the process returns to STEP17, and if the override switch is operated OFF (YE in STEP20).
S) After stopping the output of the forced operation command from the forced operation unit 13 (STEP 19), the override function is released in STEP 7 described above.

When the override switch 17 is turned ON at a time other than the operation time period of the timers 6 and 7 by the processing of STEP 16 to STEP 20 and the like,
At that time, the heating operation of the hot air heater is forcibly started,
The forced operation is performed until one of the timers 6 and 7 starts timer operation or until the override switch 17 is turned off before the timer operation starts.

When the forced operation is performed until the timer operation by one of the timers 6 and 7 is started, the override function is released at the end of the forced operation, and Although the output of the forcible operation command from the forcible operation unit 13 is stopped, one of the timers 6 and 7 starts outputting the operation command at this time. The operation of the blower 4 is continued, and the regular timer operation is performed.

When the above-described forced operation is performed until the override switch 17 is turned off, the OF switch is turned off from the time the override switch 17 is turned on.
The operation of the warm air heater by the override function is performed until the point of the F operation. After that, a normal timer operation is performed in the operation time period of either the first timer 6 or the second timer 7.

Specifically, for example, when the operation time period of each of the timers 6 and 7 is the same as the time period of FIGS. 7 and 8 and the timer operation mode is selected for both timers 6 and 7, As shown in FIG. 9, at 4 o'clock the override switch 1
7 is turned on and the ON state is continued, the forced operation of the hot air heater is performed by the override function from 4:00 to 6:00, and the timers 6 and 6 are successively operated from 6:00 to 17:00. 7, the timer operation is performed. For example, when the timer operation mode is selected only for the second timer 7, the forced operation of the warm air heater is performed by the override function from 4:00 to 8:00, and continuously from 8:00 to 8:00. The timer operation by the second timer 7 is performed until 17:00.

As shown in FIG. 10, after turning on the override switch 17 at 4 o'clock as described above,
If the override switch 17 is turned off at the time,
From time to 5:00, the forced operation of the warm air heater is performed by the override function. Thereafter, if the timer operation mode is selected for both timers 6 and 7, normal timer operation by both timers 6 and 7 is performed.

As described above, in the warm air heater according to the present embodiment, when the timer operation mode is selected, only the single override switch 17 is operated, and the timer operation mode is not canceled and the optional operation is performed. And each timer 6,7
The timer operation can be interrupted in the operation time period of, or the forced operation of the hot air heater can be performed in the time period in which the timers 6 and 7 are in the standby state, which is convenient. In the embodiment described above, an example having two timer operating means has been described as an example. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus having more timer operating means. It is.

Further, in the present embodiment, a hot air heater has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a rice cooker, an oven, an air conditioner, and the like as long as they have a plurality of timer operation means. Can be.

Further, in the present embodiment, the interruption of the timer operation of the hot air heater and the forced operation are performed by operating the same override switch 17, but may be performed by operating the respective switches. It is also possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a hot air heater that is an embodiment of a timer-equipped appliance of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation panel of the hot air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a graph for explaining the operation of the warm air heater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a graph for explaining the operation of a conventional instrument with a timer.

[Description of Signs] 6, 7: Timer operation section (timer operation means), 11: Operation state grasping section (operation state grasping means), 12: Timer operation interruption section (timer operation interruption means), 13: Forced operation section ( Forced driving means), 17 ... override switch (non-locking type switch).

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of operation start times and operation end times of the appliance are separately set as a pair, and a plurality of timers of the appliance are respectively operated in an operation time zone between the set operation start time and operation end time. A timer-equipped appliance comprising a timer operation unit and a timer operation interruption unit for interrupting the timer operation when a predetermined operation is performed during the timer operation of the appliance by each timer operation unit, wherein the timer operation interruption unit is If two or more operation time zones among the operation time zones of the timer operation means are continuous with overlapping portions, any one of the continuous two or more operation time zones When the predetermined operation is performed during the timer operation in the operation time zone, the latest operation end time of the operation end times respectively corresponding to the two or more continuous operation time zones. A timer-equipped appliance characterized in that the interruption of the timer operation is continued until the end time of the rotation ends. 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation state grasping means for grasping, at every moment, whether or not each of said timer operation means is in an operation state in each of said operation time zones. From the time when the timer operation is interrupted by the predetermined operation during the timer operation by any of the above, while the operation state grasping means determines that any one of the plurality of timer operation means is in the operating state, The interruption of the timer operation is released when the interruption of the timer operation is continued and the operation state grasping means grasps that all of the plurality of timer operation means have become inoperative. The appliance with a timer according to claim 1, wherein 3. The timer operation interrupting means includes means for canceling the interruption by a predetermined canceling operation when the interruption of the timer operation is continued. The timer-equipped device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein timer operation means corresponding to the operation time zone to which the timer operation belongs is configured to restart the timer operation. 4. When a predetermined operation is performed in a state in which all of the plurality of timer operation means are in a standby state in a non-operating state, the earliest operation start of the plurality of timer operation means is started. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: forced operation means for forcibly operating the appliance until the timer operation by the timer operation means corresponding to the time is started.
4. The appliance with a timer according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said timer operation interrupting means interrupts timer operation of said appliance and said forced operation means forcibly operates said appliance by operating the same unlock switch. 4. The appliance with a timer according to 4.