JP5072738B2 - Remote controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote controller including a display unit with a backlight.

  In recent years, with the diversification of functions of water heaters, remote controllers used in the water heaters have also become multi-functional, with many input switches on the operation section and many display segments on the display section. Has been. In order to prompt the user to confirm the content input from the operation unit, a function of notifying the input content by a predetermined synthesized voice or synthesized sound corresponding to the input content, or a function of displaying the input content on the display unit is provided. A remote controller has also been developed. In such a remote controller having multiple functions, in many cases, a display unit is configured using a liquid crystal display with a backlight.

  In a remote controller in which a display unit is configured by using a liquid crystal display with a backlight, power consumption increases when the backlight is always turned on. For this reason, for example, in the remote control device described in Patent Document 1, when the operation is not performed, the operation mode of the liquid crystal display unit is set to the energy saving mode and the backlight is turned off. In addition, since the time when the user desires to turn on / off the backlight differs for each user, the operation mode in which the backlight is always turned on (hereinafter referred to as “always-on mode”) and a certain time from when the operation unit is operated, etc. There is also a remote controller in which an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as “automatic extinguishment mode”) in which the backlight is turned on and thereafter the backlight is turned off can be appropriately switched by a user with a dedicated switch.

  If the above-mentioned dedicated switch is provided in the remote controller, the user can switch the operation mode of the backlight according to his / her preference, so the convenience of the remote controller is improved. Therefore, the density of the input switches increases, making it difficult to operate the individual input switches, or increasing the manufacturing cost.

  For example, when a unit of a physical quantity to be displayed on a remote controller is selected by the remote controller in the hot water supply system described in Patent Document 2, long-pressing an existing input switch used for setting or selecting another function By making it possible to switch the operation mode of the backlight, it is possible to prevent an increase in the total number of input switches in the remote controller.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-127641 JP 2006-308143 A

  In a remote controller in which a display unit is configured using a liquid crystal display with a backlight, the user performs a switching operation of the operation mode of the backlight regardless of whether the backlight is in a constantly lit mode or an automatic extinguishing mode. Sometimes lights up. For this reason, without configuring a dedicated switch for switching the operation mode of the backlight in the remote controller, simply configuring the remote controller to switch the operation mode of the backlight by long pressing the existing input switch, It becomes difficult for the user to confirm that the operation mode of the backlight has been switched.

  If a dedicated display segment for displaying the current backlight operation mode is provided in the display unit, the user can be notified that the backlight operation mode has been switched. Since the total number of segments for use increases, the visibility of each display segment is likely to be reduced, such as the display contents being difficult to see and the display location being difficult for the user to find. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the remote controller increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a display unit with a backlight and a function of switching an operation mode of the backlight, and the operability and the visibility of display contents on the display unit are respectively provided. The object is to obtain a remote controller that is easy to obtain a good one at a low cost.

The remote controller of the present invention that achieves the above-described object always includes an operation unit having a plurality of input switches, a display unit with a backlight, and a backlight operation mode when a predetermined command is input from the operation unit. A remote controller having a control unit that switches between a lighting mode and an automatic extinguishing mode, the control unit from a specific input switch based on the operation status of a specific input switch of a plurality of input switches When the determination unit determines whether a command for switching the backlight operation mode is input or another command is input, and the determination unit determines that the command for switching the backlight operation mode is input, the backlight operation The mode is switched from one of the current operation mode, which is always lit mode and automatic extinguishing mode, to the other mode. When switching from the lighting mode to the automatic off mode, a mode switching unit for notifying the display unit that the operation mode by changing over the operating state of the backlight a predetermined time is switched, the operation of the backlight And a mode switching unit that turns off the backlight immediately after the command is input when the mode is switched from the always-on mode to the automatic off mode .

  In the remote controller of the present invention, a dedicated switch for switching the operation mode of the backlight can be omitted. Further, a dedicated display segment for displaying the backlight operation mode in the display unit can be omitted. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is easy to obtain a product with good operability and visibility of display contents on the display unit at low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a remote controller of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a water heater provided with a remote controller of the present invention. A water heater 200 shown in the figure is for boiling low-temperature water such as city water into hot water using a heat source machine and supplying hot water to a hot water supply destination, such as a water heater main body 110, a heat pump unit 120, a bathroom remote controller 150A, a kitchen remote. A controller 150B is provided. The bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B are one form of the remote controller of the present invention. Since these remote controllers 150A and 150B have the same configuration although they are installed at different locations, common components will be described using the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, each component of the water heater 200 will be described.

  The water heater main body 110 includes a hot water storage tank (not shown) and the main controller 10. A water supply pipe (not shown) for supplying low-temperature water such as city water from a water source such as water supply is connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank. In addition, a boiling circulation line for returning water taken from the lower part of the hot water storage tank to the upper part of the hot water storage tank via the heat pump unit 120, and hot water stored in the hot water storage tank are taken from the upper part of the hot water storage tank to take a bath or kitchen. A hot water supply pipe (both not shown) for supplying to a desired hot water supply destination is also connected to the hot water storage tank. Main controller 10 is connected to a commercial power source (not shown), and supplies power to each of heat pump unit 120, bathroom remote controller 150A, and kitchen remote controller 150B through power line PL and performs power line communication with them.

  The heat pump unit 120 is one of heat source machines that boil water into hot water, and includes a refrigeration cycle system (not shown) and a control device 20. Control device 20 is connected to power line PL and receives a command from main control device 10. For example, when the control device 20 receives an operation command from the main control device 10 via the power line PL, the control device 20 operates the above-described refrigeration cycle system, and a heat exchanger (not shown) in the refrigeration cycle system. To boil the water in the boiling circulation line into hot water. The boiled hot water further flows through the boiling circulation line, returns to the hot water storage tank, and is stored therein. Further, when the control device 20 receives an operation stop command from the main control device 10, the control device 20 stops the refrigeration cycle system.

  The bathroom remote controller 150A includes an operation unit 25 having a plurality of input switches, a display unit 30 having a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and the main controller 10 when a predetermined command is input from the operation unit 25. A control device (not shown) for controlling communication, the operation of the display unit 30, the operation of the backlight, and the like are provided, and are installed on the wall surface of the bathroom, for example. This bathroom remote controller 150A is connected to the above-described power line PL, receives power from the power line PL, and performs power line communication with the main controller 10 of the water heater main body 110 via the power line PL. The user can input from the operation unit 25 a command for instructing the start of the boiling operation, the hot water temperature to the bathtub, the amount of hot water, the hot water temperature, the priority order between the remote controllers 150A and 150B, and the like.

  As described above, the kitchen remote controller 150B has the same configuration as the bathroom remote controller 150A. For example, the kitchen remote controller 150B is installed on the wall surface of the kitchen and connected to the above-described power line PL. The kitchen remote controller 150B is supplied with power from the power line PL and is connected to the main controller 10 of the water heater main body 110 and the power line via the power line PL. Communicate. The user can input a command for instructing the hot water temperature, the amount of hot water, the hot water temperature, the priority between the bathroom remote controllers 150A and 150B, and the like from the operation unit 25 of the kitchen remote controller 150B.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a control system in the water heater shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the water heater main body 110 includes the main control device 10, the heat pump unit 120 includes the control device 20, and each of the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B includes the control device 40. is doing. In addition to the control device 40 and the operation unit 25 and the display unit 30 described above, the remote controllers 150A and 150B notify the input content by a predetermined synthesized speech or synthesized sound corresponding to the input content from the operation unit 25. It also has the guide part 45 to do.

The main controller 10 of the water heater main body 110 includes a power supply unit 1, a communication circuit unit 2, and a control unit 3. The power supply unit 1 is connected to a commercial power source (not shown), converts power obtained from the commercial power source into power of a predetermined magnitude, a communication circuit unit 2, a control unit 3, and two positive and negative The power lines PL ₁ and PL ₂ are supplied to each of the power lines PL.

  The communication circuit unit 2 operates under the control of the control unit 3 to generate a command signal addressed to the heat pump unit 120 created by the control unit 3 and a command signal addressed to each of the remote controllers 150A and 150B, for example, the hot water heater main body 110. A command signal or the like for instructing display of the driving situation is converted into a predetermined command signal carrier wave, and the signal is superimposed on the power line PL and transmitted. Further, an information signal carrier wave transmitted from the heat pump unit 120 via the power line PL, for example, an information signal carrier wave indicating an operation state, and a command signal transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 150A or the kitchen remote controller 150B via the power line PL. The carrier wave is received, the command signal carrier wave is converted into a predetermined signal and sent to the control unit 3.

  In addition to being connected to the communication circuit unit 2, the control unit 3 is a functional component in the hot water supply body 110, for example, a circulation pump provided in a boiling circulation line or an electric valve provided in a hot water supply line (Both not shown) are also connected. This control unit 3 creates a command signal addressed to the heat pump unit 120 and sends it to the communication circuit unit 2 in accordance with a command signal received and sent from the bathroom remote controller 150A or the kitchen remote controller 150B by the communication circuit unit 2. A command signal to the functional component is created and sent to the functional component. In addition, based on the detection results of a sensor (not shown) provided in the hot water storage tank, the boiling circulation line, and the hot water supply line, an operation status signal of the water heater main body 110 is created and the communication circuit unit 2 is provided. send.

  The control device 20 of the heat pump unit 120 includes a power supply unit 11, a communication circuit unit 12, and a control unit 13. The power supply unit 11 is connected to a commercial power source (not shown) via the power line PL, converts the power obtained from the commercial power source into a predetermined amount of power, the communication circuit unit 12, the control unit 13, And is supplied to each of the refrigeration cycle systems described above.

  The communication circuit unit 12 operates under the control of the control unit 13 and converts an information signal generated by the control unit 13 and addressed to the main control device 10, for example, an operation status signal of the refrigeration cycle system, into a predetermined information signal carrier wave. Then, the signal is superimposed on the power line PL and transmitted. Further, it receives a command signal carrier wave transmitted from the main controller 10 via the power line PL, converts the command signal carrier wave into a predetermined command signal, and sends it to the control unit 13.

  In addition to being connected to the communication circuit unit 12, the control unit 13 is also connected to the refrigeration cycle system described above. This control part 13 produces the command signal to a refrigerating cycle system according to the command signal which the communication circuit part 12 receives and sends from the main control apparatus 10, and sends this command signal to a refrigerating cycle system. In addition, an operation status signal of the heat pump unit 120 is created based on a detection result of a sensor (not shown) provided in the refrigeration cycle system and is sent to the communication circuit unit 12.

  Each control device 40 of the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B includes a power supply unit 31, a communication circuit unit 32, and a control unit 33. The power supply unit 31 is connected to the power line PL, converts the power obtained from the power line PL into power of a predetermined magnitude, and each of the display unit 30, the communication circuit unit 32, the control unit 33, and the guide unit 45. Is supplied with predetermined power.

  The communication circuit unit 32 operates under the control of the control unit 33, and transmits a command signal addressed to the main control device 10 created by the control unit 33 with the signal superimposed on the power line PL. Further, it receives a command signal carrier wave transmitted from main controller 10 through power line PL, converts the command signal carrier wave into a predetermined command signal, and sends it to control unit 33.

  The control unit 33 is connected to the operation unit 25, the display unit 30, and the guide unit 45 in addition to being connected to the communication circuit unit 32. The control unit 33 creates a command signal for the display unit 30 according to the command signal received and sent from the main control device 10 by the communication circuit unit 32, and sends the command signal to the display unit 30. In addition, an input signal corresponding to a command input by the user from the operation unit 25 is received from the operation unit 25 to generate a command signal addressed to the main control device 10 or a command signal to the display unit 30. The command signal is sent to the communication circuit unit 32, and the command signal to the display unit 30 is sent to the display unit 30, respectively. Further, when the user inputs a command from the operation unit 25, a command signal is generated for instructing the guide unit 45 to output a predetermined synthesized speech or synthesized sound corresponding to the input content, and the command signal is transmitted to the guide unit. 45. Further, when the communication circuit unit 32 receives a command signal carrier wave instructing the display of the driving situation from the main controller 10 and the communication circuit unit 32 sends the driving situation instruction signal, a predetermined synthesized voice or synthesized voice is also generated. A command signal for instructing the guide unit 45 to output sound or the like is created, and the command signal is sent to the guide unit 45.

  The operation unit 25 has a plurality of input switches including, for example, push button switches. The display unit 30 is configured using a backlit liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display panel 30a and a backlight 30b disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel 30a. A drive circuit (not shown) controlled by the control device 40 is connected to each of the liquid crystal display panel 30a and the backlight 30b.

  The guide unit 45 includes an audio circuit unit 45a (indicated as “audio IC” in FIG. 2), an amplifier 45b, and a speaker 45c. When the voice circuit unit 45a receives a command signal from the control unit 33, the voice circuit unit 45a reads out synthesized voice data or synthesized sound data corresponding to the command signal from a storage unit (not shown), creates a sound signal, and sends it to the amplifier 45b. send. The amplifier 45b amplifies the sound signal received from the audio circuit unit 45a and sends it to the speaker 45c, and the speaker 45c reproduces the synthesized speech or synthesized sound according to the sound signal received from the amplifier 45b.

  The water heater 200 configured as described above is characterized by processing when switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b in each of the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a process for switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b in each of the remote controllers 150A and 150B will be described in detail.

  3 and 4 are front views specifically showing the bathroom remote controller in the water heater shown in FIG. 3 shows the bathroom remote controller 150A when the backlight 30b shown in FIG. 2 is in a lighting state, and FIG. 4 shows the bathroom remote controller 150A when the backlight 30b shown in FIG. Show.

  As shown in these drawings, in the bathroom remote controller 150A, a total of 15 push button switches, each functioning as an input switch, are laid out in a predetermined pattern to constitute the operation unit 25. In addition, the liquid crystal display panel 30a constituting the display unit 30 has a rectangular display surface, and the contents of commands input by the user and the operation status of the water heater main body 110 (see FIG. 1) are displayed by a number of display segments. indicate. A backlight 30b (see FIG. 2) is disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel 30a, but the backlight 30b itself cannot be visually recognized. However, whether the backlight 30b is turned on or off can be easily determined based on whether or not the display surface of the display unit 30 is bright.

  This bathroom remote controller 150A does not have a dedicated input switch for instructing the operation mode of the backlight 30b. However, the push button switch 25a for instructing the priority order between the remote controllers 150A and 150B, that is, the push button switch for instructing to give priority to the command input from the bathroom remote controller 150A over the command input from the kitchen remote controller 150B. 25a also functions as an input switch for instructing switching of the operation mode of the backlight 30b.

  The control unit 33 (see FIG. 2) of the bathroom remote controller 150A instructs whether the command for switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b is input from the pushbutton switch 25a based on the operation state of the pushbutton switch 25a. It has a judgment part (not shown) which judges whether or not was inputted. The determination unit counts the duration when the pushbutton switch 25a is pressed, and determines that the command for instructing the priority is input when the duration is less than a predetermined time. When the push button switch 25a is pressed for a long time and the duration exceeds a predetermined time, it is determined that the command for instructing the change of the operation mode is input, and the predetermined process is performed. The command signal is sent to the display unit 30 and a predetermined command signal is sent to the guide unit 45.

  The operation mode of the backlight 30b includes an always-on mode in which the backlight 30b is always turned on, and an automatic operation in which the backlight 30b is turned off after the backlight 30b is turned on for a certain time since the operation unit 25 is operated. There is a light-off mode, and the backlight 30b operates in the always-on mode or the automatic light-off mode under the control of the control unit 33.

  When the pushbutton switch 25a is pressed for a long time when the operation mode of the backlight 30b is the always-on mode, the control unit 33 sets the operation mode of the backlight 30b to the automatic light-off mode, and pushes the button when the operation mode of the backlight 30b is the automatic light-off mode. When the switch 25a is held down for a long time, it has a mode switching section (not shown) for setting the operation mode of the backlight 30b to the constant lighting mode. The mode switching unit changes the operation state of the backlight 30b for a predetermined time immediately after switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b or before switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b. This is notified to the display unit 30.

  For example, when the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched from the always-on mode to the automatic-off mode, the display surface of the display unit 30 is displayed by turning off the backlight 30b until a predetermined time elapses from the time of switching. As shown in FIG. 4, it is darkened to notify the user that the operation mode of the backlight 30b has been switched. Further, when the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched from the automatic extinguishing mode to the constant lighting mode, the backlight 30b is kept in the lighting state from the time of switching until the next switching to the automatic extinguishing mode.

  As described above, in the automatic light-off mode, the backlight 30b is turned off after a lapse of a certain time since the operation unit 25 is operated. However, the backlight is turned off before this time elapses, or this time is reduced. Since the backlight 30b continues to be lit even after the time has elapsed, the user has switched the operation mode of the backlight 30b from the always-on mode to the auto-off mode or from the auto-off mode to the always-on mode. Can be confirmed.

  Further, when the control unit 33 switches the operation mode of the backlight 30b, a predetermined control signal is sent from the control unit 33 to the guide unit 45 to notify that the operation mode of the backlight 30b has been switched. Alternatively, the bathroom remote controller 150A may be configured so that the synthesized sound is output from the guide unit 45. With this configuration, the user can more easily confirm that the operation mode of the backlight 30b has been switched. .

  As already described, the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B (see FIG. 2) have the same configuration, although the installation locations are different from each other. The operation mode of the backlight 30b (see FIG. 2) can also be switched from the remote controller 150B.

  As described above, in each of the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B, the operation of the backlight 30b from the push button switch 25a based on the operation state of the specific input switch in the operation unit 25, that is, the push button switch 25a. Since the control unit 33 determines whether a command for switching the mode or a command for instructing the priority order is input, it is possible to omit providing a dedicated switch for switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b in the operation unit 25. Become. Since the operation mode of the backlight 30b can be switched without increasing the total number of input switches in the operation unit 25, the total number of input switches increases, making it difficult to operate individual input switches, and increasing manufacturing costs. It can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched from the always-on mode to the automatic extinguishing mode, the display unit 30 is notified that the operation mode has been switched by changing the operation state of the backlight 30b over a predetermined time. Therefore, providing the display unit 30 with a dedicated display segment for displaying the operation mode of the backlight 30b can be omitted. Since it is possible to notify the user that the operation mode of the backlight 30b has been switched without increasing the total number of display segments on the display unit 30, each individual segment increases as the total number of display segments increases. It is possible to easily prevent the visibility from being deteriorated, for example, the display segment is downsized so that it is difficult for the user to see the display content or the display location is difficult for the user to find. In addition, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Therefore, each of the bathroom remote controller 150A and the kitchen remote controller 150B has a function of switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b, and has good operability and visibility of display contents on the display unit 30 at low cost. easy.

  Each of the operation control by the control device 40 in the bathroom remote controller 150A and the operation control by the control device 40 in the kitchen remote controller 150B, which exhibit the above-described technical effect, can be performed under various procedures. Hereinafter, a specific example of a procedure when each control device 40 switches the operation mode of the backlight 30b will be described with reference to FIG. 5 with appropriate reference numerals used in FIG. 2 or FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a procedure performed when the controller of the bathroom remote controller in the water heater shown in FIG. 2 switches the operation mode of the backlight. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 33 (see FIG. 2) of the bathroom remote controller 150 </ b> A or the kitchen remote controller 150 </ b> B performs Steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 8 to switch the operation mode of the backlight 30 b (see FIG. 2).

In step S1, which is performed first, when a predetermined push button switch in the operation unit 25, that is, a push button switch 25a (see FIG. 3) used for switching the operation mode of the backlight 30b is pressed, the control unit 33 starts measuring the duration (pressing time) T ₁ .

Next, at step S2 it is carried out, pressing down time T ₁ measured in step S1 the control unit 33 whether it is equal to or larger than the predetermined time _{T A (T 1 ≧ T A} ) is determined. When it is determined that the pressing time T ₁ measured in step S1 is less than the time T _A , the process returns to step S1 after performing processing for increasing the priority of the remote controller, and it is determined that the pressing time T ₁ is equal to or longer than the time T _A. When this is done, a command instructing switching of the operation mode of the backlight 30b has been input, and thus the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the automatic light-off mode has been selected by the user. If the current operation mode of the backlight 30b is the always-on mode, it is determined that the automatic light-off mode has been selected by the user, and the process proceeds to step S4. If the current operation mode of the backlight 30b is the automatic light-off mode, the automatic light-off mode is selected. Is determined not to be selected by the user, in other words, it is determined that the always-on mode has been selected by the user, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S4, for example, the controller 33 switches the operation mode of the backlight 30b to the automatic light-off mode by setting the flag of the automatic light-off mode and clearing the flag of the always-on mode. When the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched to the automatic extinguishing mode, a synthesized voice such as “automatic extinguishing mode is set” is output from the speaker 45c of the guide unit 45 (see FIG. 2) under the control of the control unit 33. It is played back and notified to the user. The control unit 33 backlight 30b under the control of turns off, the backlight 30b turned off duration with extinction of the (off time) T ₂ the control unit 33 begins to measure.

At step S5 subsequently performed, the off time T ₂ is equal to or more than the predetermined time _{T B (T 2 ≧ T B} ) on or becomes whether the control unit 33 determines. Proceeds to step S6 when the off time T ₂ is determined time T _B was above the (T ₂ ≧ T _B), the extinguishing time T ₂ is not a time T _B or (T ₂ <T _B), i.e. the extinguishing time when T ₂ is determined to be smaller than the time T _B repeats step S5. Time T _B, the user visually that it is set to automatic off mode, in order to facilitate intuitively confirmed, for example, it is preferable to set to about 2 seconds.

Step S6 is a step to be performed when a short extinguishing time T ₂ of the in step S5 than the lighting time of the backlight 30b when operating the input switch under the automatic off mode, the input switch under the automatic off mode The backlight is turned on until the lighting time when the is operated. In FIG. 5, the step S6 is simply referred to as “automatic extinguishing mode”. By performing up to step 6, the mode switching process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the automatic light-off mode has not been selected by the user and the process proceeds to step S7, the controller 33 sets, for example, the flag of the normal light-on mode and clears the flag of the automatic light-off mode. By doing so, the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched to the constant lighting mode. When the operation mode of the backlight 30b is switched to the always-on mode, a synthesized voice such as “set to the always-on mode” is reproduced from the speaker 45c of the guide unit 45 under the control of the control unit 33, and the user To be notified. Further, the backlight 30b remains on.

  Thereafter, the backlight 30b continues to be lit even if the lighting time of the backlight 30b when the input switch is operated in the automatic light-off mode is exceeded, and the user can confirm that the mode has been switched to the constantly-lighted mode at this stage. In FIG. 5, the time from when mode switching ends in step S7 until the lighting time when the input switch is operated in the automatic light-off mode is represented by step S8, and step S8 is simply referred to as “always on mode”. It is written. By performing up to step S7, the mode switching process is completed.

  The remote controller of the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The remote controller of the present invention can be applied to various types of water heaters. For example, the remote controller of the present invention can also be applied to a hot water heater that uses a heater disposed in a hot water storage tank as a heat source machine, in addition to a hot water heater that uses a heat pump unit as a heat source machine for boiling water into hot water. Moreover, when using a heat pump unit as a heat source machine, you may provide a dedicated line so that a heat pump unit and a remote controller can communicate directly, without passing through the main controller of a water heater main body. Of course, the remote controller of the present invention can also be used as a remote controller for devices other than the hot water heater.

  In the remote controller of the present invention, a display unit is configured using a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and a command for switching the operation mode of the backlight can be input from a specific input switch capable of inputting another command. In addition, when switching the operation mode of the backlight from the always-on mode to the auto-off mode, the display unit is informed that the operation mode has been switched by changing the operation state of the backlight over a predetermined time. Basically, if there is.

  The liquid crystal display constituting the display unit may be a transmissive liquid crystal display or a transflective liquid crystal display. In addition, it is possible to appropriately select which input switch in the operation unit is used to input a command for instructing switching of the operation mode of the backlight. The remote controller can be configured such that the operation mode switching command is input by simultaneously pressing a plurality of input switches. As the input switch, a touch switch or the like can be used in addition to the push button switch, and an operation unit can be configured by arranging a touch panel on the liquid crystal display panel.

  The state of the backlight can be selected as appropriate in order to notify that the backlight operation mode has been switched from the always-on mode to the automatic extinguishing mode. For example, the display unit can be blinked by blinking the backlight for a certain period of time, thereby notifying the user that the operation mode of the backlight has been switched from the always-on mode to the auto-off mode.

  Various procedures other than the procedure shown in FIG. 5 can be selected for switching the operation mode of the backlight. In addition, the operation mode of the backlight does not have to be two modes of the always-on mode and the automatic extinguishment mode, but can be a desired number of 3 or more including these operation modes.

  The lighting time of the backlight in the automatic light-off mode can be selected as appropriate, but it is preferable to turn on the backlight until at least a certain time has elapsed since the operation unit was operated. For example, the start of hot water supply from the water heater main body to the hot water supply destination, the display of error codes on the display section of the remote controller, the output of synthesized voice or synthesized sound by the guide section, and the command signal transmitted from the water heater main body The remote controller can also be configured so that the backlight is turned on until a predetermined time elapses after the occurrence of the trigger, based on the display on the display section of the operating status based on the trigger. In addition to the boiling operation and hot water supply operation, the water heater has a function of performing anti-freezing operation and bath water replenishment operation in addition to boiling operation and hot water operation. It is also possible to configure the remote controller so that the backlight is turned on when a certain time elapses after the occurrence of the trigger.

  The connection between the remote controller and the main controller of the water heater main body may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. The present invention can be variously modified, modified and combined in addition to the above.

  The remote controller of the present invention can be suitably used for household or commercial water heaters, and can also be used as a remote controller for devices other than water heaters. In addition, the water heater of the present invention can be suitably used as a home or business water heater.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the water heater of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows roughly the control system in the water heater shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows concretely the bathroom remote controller in the water heater shown in FIG. It is another front view which shows concretely the bathroom remote controller in the water heater shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows roughly an example of the procedure performed when the control part of each remote controller in the water heater shown in FIG. 2 switches the operation mode of a backlight.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply part 2 Communication circuit part 3 Control part 10 Main controller 11 Power supply part 12 Communication circuit part 13 Control part 20 Control apparatus 25 Operation part 25a Pushbutton switch (input switch)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Display part 30a Liquid crystal display panel 30b Backlight 31 Power supply part 32 Communication circuit part 33 Control part 40 Control apparatus 45 Guide part 45a Audio | voice circuit part (audio | voice IC)
45b amplifier 45c speaker 110 water heater body 120 heat pump unit 150A bathroom remote controller 150B kitchen remote controller 200 water heater

Claims (2)

An operation unit having a plurality of input switches, a display unit with a backlight, and the operation mode of the backlight is switched between a constant lighting mode and an automatic light-off mode when a predetermined command is input from the operation unit. A remote controller comprising a control unit,
The controller is
A determination unit that determines whether an instruction to switch the operation mode of the backlight is input from the specific input switch or another instruction is input based on an operation state of the specific input switch among the plurality of input switches. When,
When the determination unit determines that a command to switch the operation mode of the backlight is input, the operation mode of the backlight is switched from one of the normal lighting mode and the automatic light-off mode, which are the current operation modes, to the other. together with the always when the lighting mode switches to the auto oFF mode, the mode switching unit for informing on the display unit that the operation state is switched is the operation mode is changed over a predetermined time period of the backlight And when switching the operation mode of the backlight from the always-on mode to the automatic extinguishing mode, the mode switching unit that turns off the backlight immediately after the input of the command,
A remote controller comprising: The remote controller according to claim 1, further comprising a guide unit that is operation-controlled by the control unit and outputs a synthesized voice or a synthesized sound corresponding to an input content from the operation unit.

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