JP3568376B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm both a timer hour and a timer time by a method wherein when a plurality of timer set times are orderly displayed in a timer time display region by a timer time selection means, a timer hour display region is provided to display a timer hour during a lapse of each displayed timer time. SOLUTION: A timer time display region 22a is shared by a set temperature display region to display a set temperature. When a simplified timer button is entirely not pushed, a set temperature is displayed as initial display, and in an adjoining clock display region 22b, a present hour is displayed. But, when the simplified button is depressed, display of a set temperature is erased, and '1H' indicating one hour of an OFF timer hour is displayed in an erased mark in a set temperature display region, i.e., the timer time display region 22a.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless remote control device for remotely controlling the operation of an air conditioner, and more particularly to a timer time reservation method and a display method for stopping or starting the operation of the air conditioner after a desired time has elapsed. It relates to an improved remote control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a remote control device for an air conditioner of this type has a time to stop (or start) the air-conditioning operation when the currently operating air-conditioning operation is stopped (or started) after a required time has elapsed, that is, Timer time is set. Therefore, in order to know how many minutes (minutes) to stop (or start) after the timer reservation, the user must calculate the difference between the current time and the time of the timer, which is troublesome. There is.
[0003]
To reserve the off (on) timer by time, first press the off (on) timer button, and then stop (or start) the air conditioning operation, that is, the off (on) timer. The time is set by, for example, pressing the off (on) timer time setting button or rotating the off (on) timer time setting dial, and then further pressing the reservation button to set the off (on) timer time. I have a reservation.
[0004]
As described above, the conventional reservation method based on the off (on) timer time has many operation procedures such as key (button) operations, and is complicated. There has been proposed an apparatus that can set both an (ON) timer and an OFF (ON) timer time.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional simple off timer button only displays the off (on) timer time and does not display the off (on) timer time until the off (on) timer time. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to easily recognize how many minutes (minutes) the air conditioning operation will be stopped (or started) after the present.
[0006]
Further, in the related art, the display of the off (on) timer time is displayed so as to be written in the clock display area for displaying the current time and the like, so that the notation of the off (on) timer time becomes small, and the visibility is low. There is a problem that.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily reserve a timer time and to confirm both the timer time and the timer time in a small display space. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use remote control device.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The remote control device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a liquid crystal display unit and an operation unit provided in a remote control case, and has a clock and a timer for stopping or starting after a lapse of a desired time, and a timer when the timer time is reserved. A control means for automatically stopping or starting the operation of the air conditioner when the timer reservation time elapses, wherein the operation unit presses an operation button by pressing a plurality of preset timer times. A timer time selecting means for sequentially switching a plurality of timer setting times for each of the plurality of timer setting times, and the liquid crystal display section includes an area for displaying a set temperature of the air-conditioning operation, and a plurality of preset timer times. Area is displayed in sequence, and the set temperature / timer display area displays the timer set time and set temperature alternately. When the plurality of timer set times are sequentially displayed in the set temperature / timer display area by the timer time selection means, the current time is displayed and provided adjacent to the set temperature / timer display area. A time display area for changing the timer time when each of the displayed timer times has elapsed to the current time and displaying the timer time simultaneously with the timer time display, wherein a plurality of timer times preset by the timer time selecting means are set to the timer time. It is configured to sequentially display in the display area, select the displayed timer setting time, and make a reservation by selecting a desired timer time from among the plurality of timer setting times. I do.
[0009]
According to the present invention, since the timer time until the currently operating air conditioning operation is stopped is displayed in the timer time display area, it is possible to determine how many hours and minutes after the currently operating air conditioning operation is stopped (or started). It can be easily recognized.
[0010]
Further, by selecting a desired timer time from a plurality of preset timer setting times by a selecting operation of the timer time selecting means, the timer time can be easily and quickly reserved. That is, the operation procedure for selecting the timer time and making the reservation can be simplified.
[0012]
Further, since the set temperature display area is shared as the timer time display area, and the timer time is alternately displayed with the set temperature, the timer time can be displayed using substantially the entire set temperature display area. For this reason, since the notation of the timer time can be displayed in an enlarged manner, the visibility of the display can be improved.
[0014]
In addition, by visually checking the timer time display area and the off timer time display area, the timer time and the timer time can be visually recognized at the same time. (Or start) can be easily recognized.
[0016]
Further , a desired timer time can be easily and quickly selected and reserved at the same time by pressing one operation button of the timer time setting means, so that the timer time can be easily selected and reserved. it can. Also, since only one operation button is required, it is possible to suppress an increase in parts.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 is configured by connecting an outdoor unit 3 to an indoor unit 2 via a refrigerant pipe 4, and transmits a control signal to a receiving unit 5 of the indoor unit 2 from a remote controller 6, which is a wireless remote control device, by infrared rays or the like. By transmitting, the operation of the air conditioner 1 is remotely controlled as instructed by the control signal.
[0021]
The indoor unit 2 has a suction port 9 formed in the upper front part of a front panel 8 mounted on the rear panel body 7 and an air outlet 10 for conditioned air formed in the lower front part. The outlet 10 is provided with a left and right wind direction adjusting plate 10a and a vertical wind direction adjusting plate 10b so as to be swingable. The outdoor unit 3 has, for example, an air outlet 11 at its front surface and an inlet 12 at its rear and side surfaces.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a refrigeration cycle diagram of the air conditioner 1 configured as described above. In this air conditioner 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 16 having a compressor 13, a four-way valve 14, and an outdoor fan 15, an expansion valve 17, and an indoor heat exchanger 19 having an indoor fan 18 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 4 also shown in FIG. A refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant is reversibly circulated by sequentially communicating with each other is configured. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a room temperature sensor for detecting room temperature.
[0023]
In this refrigeration cycle, a cooling operation is performed by circulating the refrigerant in the direction of the solid line arrow in the figure by switching operation of the four-way valve 14, and a heating operation is performed by circulating the refrigerant in the direction of the broken line arrow in the figure.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is an external front view of the remote controller 6. In the remote controller 6, a liquid crystal display unit 22 is provided on one front end of a slender flat rectangular remote controller case 21, and an operation unit 23 is provided slightly below the figure. And a built-in clock (not shown).
[0025]
The operation unit 23 includes an air conditioner button 24 of a reversing switch button, a temperature setting button 25 for temperature rise, a temperature setting button 26 for temperature decrease, a healthy dehumidification (dry) operation button 27, which repeatedly selects an air conditioning operation and a stop each time the button is pressed. A clear button 28, an operation switching button 29 for sequentially switching each time a basic operation mode such as cooling, heating, or drying is pressed, a wind direction setting button 30, an air volume setting button 31, a simple off timer button 32 serving as off timer time selection means, FIG. It includes a timer setting unit 33 and the like of a time input method indicated by oblique lines.
[0026]
The timer setting unit 33 includes an ON timer button 34, an OFF timer button 35, a timer time setting button 36, and a timer reservation button 37, respectively. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 38 denotes a battery which is a power source of the remote controller 6.
[0027]
In order to stop the air conditioner that is currently operating after a desired time, the timer setting unit 33 of the time input method first presses the off timer button 35 and then presses the up / down buttons of the timer time setting button 36 to turn off. The timer time is set, and then the timer reservation button 37 is pressed to reserve the off timer time.
[0028]
In order to start the operation of the currently stopped air conditioner after a desired time, first press the ON timer button 34, and then press the UP / DOWN buttons of the timer time setting button 36 to set the ON timer time. Thereafter, the timer reservation button 37 is pressed to set the input timer time.
[0029]
When the on / off timer reservation time thus reserved arrives, the operation of the air conditioner is started or stopped by control means (not shown).
[0030]
On the other hand, the simple timer button 32 displays a plurality of preset off (on) timer times, for example, three timer times of 1 hour 1H, 2 hours 2H, and 3 hours 3H for each pressing operation. 22 are sequentially displayed in the timer time display area 22a, and by pressing the timer reservation button 37 during the display, the displayed (off) timer time is selected and reserved.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the timer time display area 22a, and reference numeral A in FIG. 4 indicates an initial display of the timer time display area 22a.
[0032]
That is, the timer time display area 22a is shared with the set temperature display area for displaying the set temperature (in FIG. 4, A is displayed at 24 ° C.), and when the simple timer button 32 is not pressed at all, the initial display is performed. Is displayed, and the current time (3:10 pm in FIG. 4) is displayed in the adjacent clock display area 22b.
[0033]
However, when the simple timer button 32 is pressed once, the display of the set temperature (24 ° C.) is erased as shown by the symbol B, and “1H” indicating, for example, one hour of the off timer time is displayed at the trace thereof. It is displayed in the area, that is, the timer time display area 22a.
[0034]
Almost at the same time, the off timer time (4:10 pm in B in FIG. 4) obtained by adding the displayed one hour timer time to the current time (3:10 pm) is displayed in the timer time display area. It is displayed in a certain clock display area 22b, and for example, “cut at 4:10 pm” is displayed.
[0035]
When the simple timer button 32 is pressed again during the display of "1H", "2H" indicating a 2-hour off timer time is displayed in the timer time display area 22a as indicated by reference numeral C in FIG. On the other hand, in the timer time display area 22b, an off timer time (5:10 pm), which is obtained by adding the two-hour off timer time 2H to the current time, is displayed. Is displayed.
[0036]
Further, by pressing the simple timer button 32, as shown by the reference symbol D, the off timer time of "3H" indicating the off timer time of 3 hours and the off timer time (6:10 pm) are similarly displayed. For example, "It expires at 6:10 pm" is displayed. Thereafter, the display returns to the initial display of the code A again, and is thereafter displayed cyclically, for example, every three seconds.
[0037]
By pressing the timer reservation button 37 while these off timer times 1H to 3H are displayed, the off timer times 1H to 3H being displayed can be selected and reserved. These timer reservation times are displayed in the timer time display area 22a, and the timer reservation times are displayed in the clock display area 22b.
[0038]
Therefore, according to the remote control device 1, the off (on) timer time at which the air-conditioning operation is stopped (or started) is displayed in the clock display area 22b which is the timer time display area. It is easy to recognize how many hours and minutes later the program will stop (or start).
[0039]
In addition, by selecting a desired off (on) timer time from a plurality of off (on) timer set times 1H to 3H preset by pressing the simple timer button 32, the off (on) timer time is set. Can be booked easily and quickly. That is, it is possible to simplify the operation procedure of selection and reservation of the off (on) timer time.
[0040]
Furthermore, since the set temperature display area 22a is shared as the timer time display area, and the off (on) timer time is displayed alternately with the set temperature, the off (on) timer time uses almost the entire area of the set temperature display area 22a. Can be displayed. For this reason, the notation of the off (on) timer time can be enlarged and displayed, so that the visibility of the display can be improved.
[0041]
Furthermore, by visually checking the timer time display area 22b and the timer time display area 22a, the off (on) timer time and the off (on) timer time can be visually recognized at the same time. It is possible to easily recognize the time at which the selective reservation is made, and how many hours and minutes the air-conditioning operation will be stopped.
[0042]
Then, by pressing one operation button of the simple timer button 32, a desired off (on) timer time can be easily and quickly selected and simultaneously reserved, so that the off (on) timer time can be selected. And reservations can be made easily. Further, since only one simple timer button 32 is required for the off timer (or for the on timer), the number of components can be suppressed. In the above embodiment, the timer time display area 22a is shared with the set temperature area. However, the timer time display area 22a may be alternately displayed with the timer time display area 22b.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the timer time for stopping the currently operating air-conditioning operation is displayed in the timer time display area, so that the air-conditioning operation currently being operated is stopped (or started) after how many minutes (minutes). Can be easily recognized.
[0044]
Further, by selecting a desired timer time from a plurality of preset timer setting times by a selection operation of the timer time selecting means, the timer time can be easily and quickly reserved. That is, the operation procedure for selecting the timer time and making the reservation can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a partially omitted overall configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a refrigeration cycle diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary front view showing the entire remote controller shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of a remote control display unit shown in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
6. Remote control (remote control device)
22 Liquid crystal display section 22a Off timer time display area (set temperature display area) of liquid crystal display section
22b Off timer time display area (clock display area) on liquid crystal display
32 Simple timer button 33 Time setting timer setting section

Claims (1)

A liquid crystal display unit and an operation unit are arranged in a remote control case, and a clock and a timer for stopping or starting after a desired time elapses inside the remote control case, and when the timer time is reserved, the air conditioner is operated when the timer reservation time elapses. Control means for automatically stopping or starting operation in a remote control device,
The operation unit includes timer time selection means for sequentially switching a plurality of timer setting times for each of a plurality of preset timer times and pressing the operation button, and reserving the timer setting time,
The liquid crystal display unit has an area for displaying the set temperature of the air-conditioning operation and an area for sequentially displaying a plurality of preset timer times. The set temperature / timer alternately displays the timer set time and the set temperature. A time display area,
Provided adjacent to the set temperature / timer display area, displays the current time, and when a plurality of timer set times are sequentially displayed in the set temperature / timer display area by the timer time selecting means, A time display area that changes the timer time at the elapse of each displayed timer time to the current time and simultaneously displays the timer time display,
A plurality of timer times preset by the timer time selecting means are sequentially displayed in the timer time display area, and by selecting the displayed timer setting time, a desired timer time can be selected from among the plurality of timer setting times. Make a reservation by selecting
A remote control device characterized by being configured as follows .

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