JP3488964B2 - Load control device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a load control device in which an operation other than the original function is performed by a plurality of keys for operating the original function, such as a functional test of each component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been various control devices provided with a large number of keys for a user to operate, and how to carry out a functional test of them has been a problem.

A conventional load control device will be described below. Generally, when a load control device is produced, it is necessary to inspect whether or not the function and performance of the load control device are as designed, and to electrically adjust variations in parts and the like. In this case, the load control device is caused to perform its original operation (hereinafter, referred to as a normal mode) so that the inspection and adjustment of the function and performance can be reasonably performed in the shortest possible time.
Therefore, at the time of inspection and adjustment, the operator sets the test mode by keying in the determined procedure,
Perform inspections and adjustments. The key input according to this decided procedure is an operation to input a plurality of keys for operating the original function in a predetermined order without providing a dedicated key for setting the test mode. Since the test mode can be set without doing so, there is no cost increase and it is very easy and workable.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of an automatic heating cooker provided with such a load control device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a key row provided with a plurality of keys for selecting a cooking menu. The door 2 is opened to put food in and the start key 3 is pressed to automatically control heating of food.
The start key 3 can also be regarded as one of the operating keys.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the construction of the automatic heating cooker. In the figure, the food 6 placed on the turntable 5 in the heating chamber 4 is high-frequency heated by the high-frequency heating source 7. On the other hand, the heating chamber 4 is provided with a sub-heating chamber 9 partitioned by a perforated plate 8, and a heater 10 is provided in the sub-heating chamber 9.
And a circulation fan 11 for sending hot air into the heating chamber 4. In addition, 12 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the heating chamber 4, 13 is a steam sensor that detects the water vapor discharged from the heating chamber 4, 14 is a cooling fan that cools the high-frequency heating source 7, and the like, and 15 is the turntable 5. Is a turntable motor for rotating, and 16 is a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the food 6 placed on the turntable 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the automatic heating cooker. The same components as those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are given the same numbers. However, the start key is also 1-1 as one of the key rows 1. In the figure, a controller 17 controls the heater 10 to be turned on / off based on the temperature information in the heating chamber 4 obtained from the temperature sensor 12 to control the temperature of the heating chamber to a desired temperature, and the heated food 6 The automatic heating is realized by controlling the output of the high-frequency heating source 7 and the irradiation time based on the information detected by the vapor sensor 13 and the information detected by the weight sensor 16 for the steam generated from the steam sensor 13. In addition to the start key 1-1, the key row 1 includes a microwave key 1-2, an oven key 1-3, a grill key 1-4, a cancel key 1-5, an automatic menu key 1-6, and the like. When the operator inputs each key, the control unit 17 controls the high frequency heating source 7, the heater 10, the circulation fan 11, the cooling fan 14, and the turntable motor 15 which are the corresponding loads.
These operations are the original operations of the load control device, that is, the normal mode operations.

In the above automatic heating cooker, the high frequency heating source 7, the heater 10, the circulation fan 11, the cooling fan 1
4, the inspection and the operation and performance of the load, such as a turntable motor 15, the temperature sensor 12, the vapor sensor 13, for performing the shortest possible time in adjusting the production process of the variation in the sensor, such as a weight sensor 16, the inspection And the operation only for adjustment is performed. Hereinafter, the operation mode for this test will be referred to as a test mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic heating cooker. When the operation of the apparatus is started by pressing the start key 1-1, in step 1, it is always checked whether or not there is a key input and whether or not the key input specifies the test mode. Here, the key input for shifting to the test mode is the cancel key 5 times, followed by the start key 5 times. Only when this key input operation is performed, it is determined that there is a key input for designating the test mode, the process proceeds to step 3 , the test mode is set, and the test is executed. When the test is completed, the process proceeds to step 4, and a key input for canceling the test mode (for example, three times of the cancel key) is detected to return from the test mode to the initial state. When a key other than the key for setting the test mode is detected in step 1, the process proceeds to step 3, the normal mode is set, and the normal operation is executed.

[0009]

In such a conventional load control device, for example, if the cancel key is input five times and then the start key is input five times in a predetermined order,
Since the test mode can be set at any time, even after the load control device reaches the user's hand, the user may mistakenly set the test mode, which causes a problem that the functions and performance of normal operation cannot be exhibited. Was.
In addition, in the load control device that releases the test mode by key operation, the manufacturer usually does not disclose the operation of the key to release the test mode to the user. When shifting to the test mode, it is almost impossible for the user to return to the normal mode by himself, which is a very big problem.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the operation of the operator at the time of setting the test mode in the manufacturing process is simple and reliable. On the other hand, when the user operates, the test mode is erroneously set. It is an object of the present invention to provide a load control device with a reduced probability of occurrence.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of keys for a user to input an instruction, a control unit for controlling a load in response to the operation of the keys, and a commercial power source. A power supply unit connected to supply power to the control unit, the control unit controlling the operation of the load;
Control mode and a second control mode different from the first control mode, and after operating a specific key among the plurality of keys, the first control mode is instructed by the plurality of keys. The sensor is controlled only by a predetermined operation of a key other than the specific key during the period before the operation of the specific key from the start of the power supply of the power supply unit.
For adjusting the variation of
A load control device that shifts to the second control mode to perform an operation dedicated to inspection and adjustment, and shifts to the first control mode after ending the control of the second control mode. The present invention according to claim 2 provides a plurality of keys for a user to input an instruction, a control unit that controls a load in response to the operation of the keys, and the control unit that is connected to a commercial power source. A first power supply unit that supplies power to the unit, and a timer unit that counts a predetermined fixed time from the power supply start time of the power supply unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the load. Mode and a second control mode different from the first control mode, and after the count of the timer unit is finished, control is performed in the first control mode by an instruction of the plurality of keys, and the timer is operated. Tone variation of the sensor only by a predetermined operation of said plurality of keys in the count
Inspection and adjustment for quick adjustment in the production process
The load control device shifts to the second control mode so as to perform a dedicated operation, and shifts to the first control mode after ending the control of the second control mode.

[0012]

In the present invention according to claim 1, the control section includes:
The second control mode is set corresponding to only a predetermined key operation from the start of power supply to the operation of the specific key. Further, in the present invention according to claim 2, the control unit sets the second control mode in response only to a predetermined key operation from the power supply start during the predetermined count of the timer over portion.

[0013]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the load control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In addition,
The same components as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present embodiment is different from the conventional example in that the control unit 17 starts supplying power to the control unit 17 via a power supply unit 18 connected to a commercial power source, and then a specific key among the plurality of keys, For example, only when a predetermined key operation (for example, the cancel key 5 times and then the start key 5 times) similar to that described in the conventional example is performed during the period until the operation of the automatic menu key 1-6. The reason is that the test mode, which is the control mode of, is set.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. First, when the supply of power from the power supply unit 18 to the control unit 17 is started, the key input is always checked in step 1, and if there is a key input, it is said that "cancel key 5 times, then start key 5 times". Whether it is key input to set the test mode or "Auto menu key 1-
It is determined whether the input is a specific key input of "6" or another operation key input. If the key input is the key input for setting the test mode which is the second control mode,
After shifting to step 3, the test mode is set, the test is executed and then shifting to step 4, the key input is checked. Key input releases test mode "Cancel key 3
If it is the "time" key input, the test mode is canceled at that point, and the process shifts to step 5 to wait for the key input in the normal mode.

When it is detected in step 1 that the key input is the specific key input, the process shifts to step 2 to set the normal mode, and then shifts to step 5 to wait for the key input in the normal operation. After the key input of the normal operation is performed in step 5, the corresponding normal operation is executed, and then the process returns to step 2 to set the normal mode. As is clear from the above processing, the test mode is entered only when there is a key input to the test mode before power is supplied from the power supply unit 18 and a specific key is input to set the normal mode. Then, after the test mode is once terminated, the mode shifts to the normal mode loop and the test mode cannot be set again. Therefore, the period during which the mode can be shifted to the test mode which is the second control mode is extremely limited, and the possibility that a normal user mistakenly sets the test mode can be greatly reduced.

As described above, according to the load control apparatus of this embodiment, the test mode is entered in response to only a predetermined key operation until the specific key operation after the power supply is started. The probability of accidentally shifting to the test mode due to a user's operation is very small, and therefore the probability of malfunction can be very small, and the setting of the test mode in the manufacturing process can be ensured without providing a special key.

The specific key need not be limited to the operation of one key as in this embodiment. For example, the automatic menu key 1-6 and other microwave oven keys 1-2 and oven keys 1-3 are available. It goes without saying that it is also possible to operate a plurality of keys by combining and.

(Embodiment 2) An embodiment of the load control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. Incidentally, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for the same components as in Example 1 and the conventional example to impart No. identical marks. This embodiment differs from example 1 in that, a timer over portion 19 the power supply unit 18 counts the predetermined fixed time from the time of starting the power supply to the control unit 17, a predetermined only during predetermined count It is possible to switch to the test mode by key operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. When the power supply unit 18 starts supplying power data <br/> timer over unit 19 moves the start of the counting step 1. Step 1 In the timer over unit 19 is checked whether it is counting, if the counting proceeds to step 2 to check the key input, if there is no key input returns to step 1, If the key input is the input for designating the test mode, the process shifts to step 3 to set the test mode, the process shifts to step 4 to wait for the key input for the test, and the key input releases the test mode in step 4. If it is an input, the process proceeds to step 6 to wait for key input in the normal mode. Also, step 1
Timer count over portion 19 if it is after completion of the predetermined count number becomes a key input waiting in the normal mode shifts to step 6 in.

[0020] As apparent from the above process, the key in the normal mode is then the timer over portion 19 of the power supply since the start of the power supply unit 18 can only shift to the test mode in a given count, releases the test since become input waiting a transition to the test mode can not, transition period available to the test mode, is limited during the count of the timer over portion 19 within a certain time after the power supply start of the power supply unit 18, The probability that a normal user will accidentally set the test mode can be greatly reduced.

As described above, according to the load control apparatus of this embodiment, the test mode is entered in response to only a predetermined key operation during the predetermined count of the counter section after the start of the power supply. The probability of accidentally shifting to the test mode by a user's operation is very small, and thus the probability of malfunction can be very small, and the setting of the test mode in the manufacturing process can be ensured without providing a special key.

[0022]

The present invention according to claim 1 provides a plurality of keys for a user to input an instruction, a control unit for controlling a load in response to the operation of the keys, and a commercial power source connected to the control unit. A power supply unit that supplies power to the control unit, wherein the control unit includes a first control mode for controlling the operation of the load, and a second control mode different from the first control mode, After operating a specific key among the plurality of keys, the control is performed in the first control mode according to an instruction of the plurality of keys, and a period from the start of power supply of the power supply unit to the operation of the specific key Of the variation of the sensor only by the predetermined operation of the keys other than the specific key in
Inspections and adjustments to make adjustments in a short time during the production process.
In addition, the second control mode is shifted to perform an operation only for adjustment , and after the control of the second control mode is finished, the control is shifted to the first control mode. The present invention according to item 2, the plurality of keys for a user to input an instruction, a control unit that controls a load in response to the operation of the keys, and a power source that is connected to a commercial power source to supply power to the control unit. And a timer unit that counts a predetermined fixed time from the start of power supply of the power supply unit, wherein the control unit has a first control mode for controlling the operation of the load and the first control mode. The second control mode different from the first control mode is provided, and after the timer unit has finished counting, the control is performed in the first control mode by the instruction of the plurality of keys, and the control is performed while the timer unit is counting. Short time adjustment of variation of the sensor only by a predetermined operation of said plurality of keys in the production process
In order to perform the operation dedicated to the inspection and adjustment for performing the second control mode, the control is transferred to the first control mode after the control of the second control mode is finished. By doing so, in any of the above means, the probability of accidentally shifting to the second control mode by a key operation by the user is significantly reduced to prevent malfunction, and at the same time, in the production process. The operation in the second control mode can be confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

[1] Kazumi load control device of the present invention according to claim 1
Block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[Figure 3] Kazumi load control device of the present invention according to claim 2
Block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a high-frequency heating device including a load control device.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the high-frequency heating device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional load control device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Key row 1-1 Start key 1-2 Microwave key 1-3 Oven key 1-4 Grill key 1-5 Cancel key 1-6 Automatic menu key 2 Door 3 Start key 4 Heating chamber 5 Turntable 6 Food 7 High frequency heating source 8 perforated plate 9 sub-heating chamber 10 a heater 11 circulation fan 12 temperature sensor 13 vapor sensor 14 cooling fan 15 the turntable motor 16 weight sensor 17 the control unit 18 power supply unit 19 timer over portion 20 load

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of keys for a user to input instructions, a control unit for controlling a load in response to the operation of the keys, and a power supply connected to a commercial power supply to supply power to the control unit. And a second control mode different from the first control mode for controlling the operation of the load, and a specific key of the plurality of keys. After the operation, the keys are controlled in the first control mode according to the instructions of the plurality of keys, and a predetermined key other than the specific key is operated in a period from the start of the power supply of the power supply unit to the operation of the specific key. Adjustment of sensor variations can only be performed in a short time during the production process.
In order to perform the operation dedicated to the inspection and adjustment for performing the second control mode, the control is transferred to the first control mode after the control of the second control mode is finished. Load control device. 2. A plurality of keys for a user to input an instruction, a control unit for controlling a load in response to the operation of the keys, and a power supply connected to a commercial power source to supply power to the control unit. A first control mode for controlling the operation of the load, and a first control mode for controlling the operation of the load. A second control mode different from the mode, and after the count of the timer unit is finished, control is performed in the first control mode by an instruction of the plurality of keys, and the plurality of keys of the plurality of keys during counting of the timer unit are controlled. Adjust the sensor variation only by a predetermined operation.
Inspection and adjustment for quick adjustment in the production process
A load control device that shifts to the second control mode to perform a dedicated operation, and shifts to the first control mode after ending the control of the second control mode.