JP7067122B2 - Water supply equipment system and remote control - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to water supply equipment systems and remote controls.

In order to improve the usability of the equipment around the water, there is a water supply equipment system that can operate a plurality of functional units installed around the water with one remote controller. When connecting one remote controller and a plurality of functional units, there are a method of connecting them wirelessly and a method of connecting them by wire.

Around the water, the space may be covered with a metal such as a steel plate, for example, like a unit bath in a bathroom (hereinafter referred to as UB). In the case of wireless connection, radio waves are reflected by metal such as steel plate, and communication may become unstable. Therefore, in a water supply equipment system installed in equipment such as a bathroom UB, it is desirable that the remote controller and the plurality of functional units are connected by a wired connection.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-65553 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-4215

When the remote controller and a plurality of functional units are connected by wire, if a surge wraps around from one functional unit to another, for example, due to lightning, the functional unit is destroyed.

Here, it may be selectively connected to the remote controller from a plurality of functional units.
As a countermeasure against the wraparound of the surge at this time, it is conceivable to provide an insulating circuit between each functional unit. In this case, an insulation circuit is required when the functional unit and another functional unit are wiredly connected to one remote controller, but when only the functional unit is wiredly connected to one remote controller, insulation is required. No circuit is required. By providing an insulating circuit in the functional unit even when the insulating circuit is unnecessary, the cost of the functional unit increases.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to prepare a functional unit including an insulating circuit and a functional unit not including an insulating circuit. However, in this case as well, which functional unit is selected and connected to the remote controller changes depending on the user, so that the types of functional units (number of product numbers) increase and the management cost increases.

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water supply equipment system and a remote controller capable of preventing surge wraparound between functional units while suppressing an increase in cost.

The first invention comprises a plurality of functional units provided around water and a remote controller connected to the plurality of functional units by wire, and the remote controller includes a part of the plurality of functional units. It is a water supply equipment system provided with an insulating circuit connected between the functional unit and another functional unit.

According to this water supply equipment system, a plurality of functional units around the water can be operated with one remote controller, and the usability is improved.
Further, the remote controller is provided with an insulating circuit connected between some functional units and another functional unit. As a result, one of the plurality of functional units is electrically connected to the remote controller, and power can be supplied between them, while some functional units and another functional unit are electrically isolated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units.
Further, since the remote controller is provided with the insulation circuit, it is not necessary to provide the insulation circuit in the functional unit. That is, it is not necessary to prepare one including an insulating circuit and one not including an insulating circuit for each of the plurality of functional units.
Therefore, according to this water supply equipment system, it is possible to prevent surges from wrapping around between functional units while suppressing an increase in cost, and it is possible to improve usability.

A second invention is, in the first invention, a water supply equipment system further comprising a wireless module connected to at least one of the plurality of functional units and the remote controller.

According to this water supply equipment system, the wireless module can wirelessly communicate with another wireless remote controller or another functional unit having a wireless function. Therefore, the functional unit can be remotely controlled by using these wireless remote controllers or another functional unit.

The third invention comprises a plurality of functional units provided around water, each of which is connected to a power source, and a remote controller which is wiredly connected to the plurality of functional units via a communication hub. Is provided with an insulating circuit connected between a part of the functional units and another functional unit among the plurality of functional units, and the remote controller is provided with any one of the plurality of functional units and the said remote controller. It is a water supply equipment system in which electric power is supplied via a communication hub.

According to this water supply equipment system, a plurality of functional units around the water can be operated with one remote controller, and the usability is improved.
Further, the communication hub is provided with an insulating circuit connected between some functional units and another functional unit. As a result, one of the plurality of functional units is electrically connected to the remote controller, and power can be supplied between them, while some functional units and another functional unit are electrically isolated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units.
Further, since the communication hub is provided with the insulation circuit, it is not necessary to provide the insulation circuit in the functional unit. That is, it is not necessary to prepare one including an insulating circuit and one not including an insulating circuit for each of the plurality of functional units.
Therefore, according to this water supply equipment system, it is possible to prevent surges from wrapping around between functional units while suppressing an increase in cost, and it is possible to improve usability.

A fourth aspect of the invention is, in the third aspect, a water supply equipment system further comprising a wireless module connected to at least one of the plurality of functional units and the communication hub.

According to this water supply equipment system, the wireless module can wirelessly communicate with another wireless remote controller or another functional unit having a wireless function. Therefore, the functional unit can be remotely controlled by using these wireless remote controllers or another functional unit.

A fifth invention is a remote controller provided with a plurality of communication interfaces connected to a plurality of functional units around water, and an isolated circuit is provided in a part of the plurality of communication interfaces.

According to this remote controller, it is possible to operate a plurality of functional units, which improves usability. By providing a communication interface including an isolated circuit and a communication interface not including an isolated circuit, it is possible to appropriately select the communication interface to be connected depending on the presence or absence of the insulated circuit in the functional unit.
Therefore, according to this remote controller, usability can be improved and it is possible to support a wider variety of water supply equipment systems.
In addition, an isolated circuit is provided in a part of the plurality of communication interfaces. As a result, the functional unit connected via another part of the plurality of communication interfaces and the remote controller are electrically connected to each other, and power can be supplied between them, while the above-mentioned part of the plurality of communication interfaces. As a result, another functional unit and the remote controller are electrically isolated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surge from sneaking from one functional unit to another. Further, since the remote controller is provided with the insulation circuit, it is not necessary to provide the insulation circuit in the functional unit. That is, it is not necessary to prepare one including an insulating circuit and one not including an insulating circuit for each of the plurality of functional units.
Therefore, by using this remote controller for the water supply equipment system, it is possible to prevent surge wraparound between functional units and reduce the cost of the water supply equipment system.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply equipment system and a remote controller capable of preventing surge wraparound between functional units while suppressing an increase in cost.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water supply equipment system which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the application example of the water-related equipment system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water supply equipment system which concerns on a reference example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water-related equipment system which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water-related equipment system which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water-related equipment system which concerns on the 3rd modification of embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water supply equipment system according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply equipment system 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of functional units 11 to 13 and a remote controller 21. The functional units 11 to 13 are provided around water. The remote controller 21 is wiredly connected to the functional units 11 to 13 via a plurality of cables 31 to 33, respectively.

The functional units 11 to 13 each have an electrical substrate 11a to 13a. The electrical boards 11a to 13a include communication interfaces (hereinafter referred to as communication IFs) 11c to 13c, respectively. The remote controller 21 has a control unit 21a, a communication IF21c, and a communication IF21i. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication IF 11c of the functional unit 11 is wiredly connected to the communication IF 21c. The communication IFs 12c and 13c of the functional units 12 and 13 are each wiredly connected to a plurality of communication IFs 21i.

When the remote controller 21 is operated, the control unit 21a generates a control signal. The control signal is input to any of the communication IFs 11c to 13c of the functional units 11 to 13 via either the communication IF21c or the communication IF21i. The operation of any of the functional units 11 to 13 is controlled by this control signal.
The control signal may be specified to be transmitted as a common signal from the control unit 21a of the remote controller to all the communication IFs 11c to 13c.

The functional units 11 to 13 are connected to the power supplies 11s to 13s, respectively, and are driven by the electric power supplied from these power supplies. Further, the communication IF21i is provided with an insulating circuit. Therefore, the space between the functional unit 11 and the function unit 12 and the space between the function unit 11 and the function unit 13 are electrically isolated.

On the other hand, the communication IF 21c is not provided with an insulating circuit. Therefore, the functional unit 11 and the remote controller 21 are electrically connected, and electric power is supplied to the remote controller 21 via the functional unit 11. The remote controller 21 is driven by the electric power supplied via the functional unit 11.

In the present application, the "insulation circuit" has a plurality of terminals, and while electrically insulating between one terminal and the other terminal, it is possible to transmit a signal between those terminals. Point to. As the insulation circuit, for example, a photocoupler is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of the water supply equipment system according to the embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the water supply equipment system 1 according to the embodiment is provided in the bathroom 91 and the washroom 92.

For example, the functional unit 11 is a dryer that ventilates, heats, or dries the bathroom 91. The functional unit 12 is a cleaning unit that cleans the floor of the bathroom. The functional unit 13 is a dryer that ventilates or heats the washroom 92.

In addition to the examples shown in FIG. 2, the functional unit includes a bathtub filled with hot water in the bathroom 91, a water heater for repelling hot water in the bathtub, a washing unit for washing the bathtub, a lighting unit for the bathroom, or a washbasin. It may be a lighting unit in a place. The functional unit may be provided around other water such as a kitchen and a toilet. For example, some of the functional units 11-13 are provided in one of the bathroom, washroom, kitchen, and toilet, and another part of the functional units 11-13 is in the bathroom, washroom, kitchen, and toilet. It is provided in another one. The operation of these functional units 11 to 13 provided around a plurality of waters can be controlled by one remote controller 21.

In addition, in the water supply equipment system 1 according to the embodiment, another remote controller connected to any of the functional units 11 to 13 may be further provided in addition to the remote controller 21.

Like the UB in the bathroom, the space around the water may be covered with metal such as steel plate. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom 91 is surrounded by the steel plate 91a. When connecting the remote controller 21 to the functional units 11 to 13, it is conceivable to wirelessly connect these devices. However, if the steel plate is provided, radio waves are reflected by the steel plate, so that communication between the remote controller and each functional unit may become unstable. Therefore, it is desirable to connect the remote controller 21 to the functional units 11 to 13 by wire around water.

On the other hand, when the remote controller 21 is connected to the functional units 11 to 13 by wire, when a surge (for example, due to lightning) is applied to the power supplies 11s to 13s, the surge is transmitted to another device via the remote controller 21. As a result, the functional unit may be destroyed.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an insulating circuit between at least a part of the functional units 11 to 13 and the remote controller 21. In the water supply equipment system 1 according to the embodiment, the remote controller 21 is provided with a communication IF 21c that does not include an insulating circuit and a communication IF 21i that includes an insulating circuit.

The communication IF 11c is connected to the communication IF 21c, and the communication IFs 12c and 13c are connected to a plurality of communication IF 21i, respectively. That is, an insulating circuit is connected between the functional unit 11 and the functional unit 12 and between the functional unit 11 and the functional unit 13. This makes it possible to prevent the surge from sneaking into the functional units 12 and 13 when a surge is applied to the voltage supplied from the power supply 11s while supplying electric power to the remote controller 21 via the functional unit 11.

The effect of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the water supply equipment system according to the reference example.

FIG. 3A shows a case where only one functional unit is selected from a plurality of functional units and connected to the remote controller. The water supply equipment system 1a shown in FIG. 3A includes a functional unit 15 and a remote controller 22. The functional unit 15 is connected to the power supply 15s and has a communication IF 15c that does not include an insulating circuit and a communication IF 15i that includes an insulating circuit. The remote controller 22 has only a control unit 22a and a communication IF 22c that does not include an insulation circuit. The communication IF 22c of the remote controller 22 is wiredly connected to the communication IF 15c of the functional unit 15.

In the water supply equipment system 1a, one remote controller is connected to one functional unit. Since the surge does not wrap around between the functional units, the communication IF15i including the insulation circuit is not used. When the communication IF15i including the insulation circuit is used, the remote controller 22 does not operate because the power is not supplied to the remote controller 22.

FIG. 3B shows a case where a plurality of functional units are selected and connected to the remote controller. The water supply equipment system 1b shown in FIG. 3B includes functional units 15 to 17 and a remote controller 22. The functional units 16 and 17 are connected to the power supplies 16s and 17s, respectively, and have communication IFs 16c and 17c not including an insulating circuit and communication IFs 16i and 17i including an insulating circuit. The communication IF 22c of the remote controller 22 is connected to the communication IF 15c of the functional unit 15, the communication IF 16i of the functional unit 16, and the communication IF 17i of the functional unit 17. Power is supplied to the remote controller 22 via the functional unit 15. On the other hand, since an insulating circuit is provided between the functional unit 15 and the functional unit 16 and between the functional unit 15 and the functional unit 17, it is possible to prevent the surge from sneaking between the functional units.

By providing a communication IF including an insulation circuit and a communication IF not including an insulation circuit in the functional unit, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the configuration of the water supply equipment system can be configured. Select the communication IF to use accordingly.

However, in this method, even when the insulation circuit is not required as shown in FIG. 3A, the insulation circuit is provided in the functional unit. Therefore, the cost of the functional unit increases. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to prepare a functional unit including an insulating circuit and a functional unit not including an insulating circuit. However, in this case as well, the types of functional units (number of product numbers) increase, and the management cost increases.
Further, each functional unit is provided with two types of connection portions, a communication line connection portion for communication IF and a communication line connection portion for communication IF including an insulating circuit. For example, when the installer tries to connect the remote controller and the functional unit, there are two types of connection portions in both cases of FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Therefore, there is a risk that the installer will connect to the wrong connection part.

Regarding these problems, in the water supply equipment system 1 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the remote controller 21 is connected between the functional units 11 and 12 and between the functional units 11 and 13. An insulation circuit is provided. As a result, one of the functional units 11 to 13 and the remote controller 21 are electrically connected, and power can be supplied between them, while the functional units 11 to 13 are electrically isolated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units 11 to 13.
Further, since the remote controller 21 is provided with the insulating circuit, it is not necessary to provide the insulating circuit in the functional units 11 to 13. That is, it is not necessary to prepare one containing an insulating circuit and one not including an insulating circuit for each of the functional units 11 to 13.
Further, by connecting the functional units 11 to 13 to the remote controller 21, the functional units 11 to 13 can be operated by one remote controller 21, and the usability is improved.
Therefore, according to the water supply equipment system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent surges from wrapping around between functional units while suppressing an increase in cost, and it is possible to improve usability.

Alternatively, when constructing the water supply equipment system 1, a certain functional unit may already be provided, another functional unit may be newly provided, and one remote controller 21 may be connected to those functional units.
For example, if the remote controller does not include an isolated circuit and the existing functional unit does not include an isolated circuit, the new functional unit needs to include an isolated circuit. Further, when the remote controller does not include the insulation circuit and the existing functional unit includes the insulation circuit, the newly installed functional unit does not have to include the insulation circuit. In this way, when the remote controller does not include an insulation circuit and the remote controller is connected to the existing functional unit and the new functional unit, the configuration of the new functional unit is selected according to the configuration of the existing functional unit. There is a need.
However, the remote controller 21 according to the present embodiment is provided with an insulating circuit connected between a part of the functional units and another functional unit. Therefore, the communication IF of the remote controller 21 for connecting the existing and new functional units can be appropriately selected according to the configuration of the existing functional units. Therefore, the newly installed functional unit does not have to include an insulation circuit.
Therefore, according to the remote controller 21 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to support a wider variety of water supply equipment systems. Further, by using the remote controller 21 according to the present embodiment for the water supply equipment system 1, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units and reduce the cost of the water supply equipment system 1.

Further, in the water supply equipment system 1, the functional units may be interlocked with each other. As an example, when the functional unit 11 is operated by the remote controller 21, at least one of the functional units 12 and 13 may automatically operate according to the operation of the functional unit 11. By interlocking the functional units in this way, the usability of the water supply equipment system 1 can be further improved.

(First modification)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water supply equipment system according to a first modification of the embodiment.
The water supply equipment system 2 shown in FIG. 4 further includes a communication hub 41 with respect to the water supply equipment system 1. The communication hub 41 has a communication IF 41i including an isolated circuit. The communication IF 12c of the functional unit 12 and the communication IF 13c of the functional unit are each connected to a plurality of communication IF 41i. The cables 31 to 33 connected to the functional units 11 to 13 are concentrated by the communication hub 41, and the communication hub 41 and the communication IF 21c of the remote controller 21 are wiredly connected by the cable 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, an insulating circuit connected between a part of the functional units 11 to 13 and another part may be provided in the communication hub 41. Also in this case, similarly to the water supply equipment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units 11 to 13. Further, it is not necessary to prepare one containing an insulating circuit and one not including an insulating circuit for each of the functional units 11 to 13.
Therefore, according to the water supply equipment system 2 according to the present modification, it is possible to prevent the surge from wrapping around between the functional units while suppressing the increase in cost, and it is possible to improve the usability.

Further, in the water supply equipment system 2, the functional units 11 to 13 are connected to the power supplies 11s to 13s, respectively. In order to supply electric power to the functional units 11 to 13, it is conceivable to connect the communication hub 41 to a power source and supply electric power from the communication hub to a part of the functional units 11 to 13 and the remote controller 21. However, in this case, a device for adjusting the voltage and current supplied to the communication hub to the voltage and current suitable for each functional unit is further required. By connecting the functional units 11 to 13 to the power supplies 11s to 13s, respectively, such an adjusting device becomes unnecessary.

(Second modification)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water supply equipment system according to a second modification of the embodiment.
The water supply equipment system 3 shown in FIG. 5 further includes a wireless module 51 with respect to the water supply equipment system 1. Some of the plurality of functional units have a wireless communication IF. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the functional unit 13 has a wireless communication IF 13e. The wireless module 51 is installed outside the space covered with the steel plate and is connected to the wireless communication IF13e. The wireless module 51 may be provided outside the functional unit 13 or may be mounted inside the functional unit 13. The wireless module 51 performs wireless communication with, for example, a wireless module of another remote controller different from the remote controller 21.

According to the water supply equipment system 3, the wireless module 51 is connected to the functional unit 13 and can perform wireless communication with another wireless remote controller or another functional unit having a wireless function. Therefore, the functional unit 13 can be remotely controlled by using these wireless remote controllers or another functional unit. Further, the signal received by the wireless module 51 is transmitted to another functional unit 11 and 12 via the remote controller 21, so that the functional unit 11 and 12 can be remotely controlled.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the water supply equipment system 3 further includes a wireless module 52. The remote controller 21 has a wireless communication IF 21e, and the wireless module 52 is connected to the wireless communication IF 21e. The wireless module 52 may be provided outside the remote controller 21 or may be mounted inside the remote controller 21. Instead of the wireless module 51, the wireless module 52 may perform wireless communication with another wireless remote controller or a functional unit having a wireless function. Also in this case, the signals received by the wireless module 52 are transmitted to the functional units 11 to 13 via the remote controller 21, so that these functional units can be remotely controlled.
When wireless communication is performed with another device by the wireless module 52, the wireless module 51 may not be provided, but by providing a plurality of wireless modules such as the wireless modules 51 and 52, another device can be provided. Wireless communication with and can be performed more reliably.

(Third modification example)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a water supply equipment system according to a third modification of the embodiment.

The water supply equipment system 4 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a communication hub 41 with respect to the water supply equipment system 3. In the water supply equipment system 4, the communication hub 41 has a communication IF41i including an insulation circuit and a wireless communication IF41e. The wireless communication IF 41e is connected to the wireless module 52. For example, at least one of the wireless modules 51 and 52 is installed outside the space covered with the steel plate and performs wireless communication with another wireless remote controller or another functional unit having a wireless function. As a result, the functional units 11 to 13 can be remotely controlled in the same manner as the water supply equipment system 3.

Further, as in the second modification, since a plurality of wireless modules are provided as in the wireless modules 51 and 52, wireless communication with another wireless remote controller or another functional unit having a wireless function is more reliable. It can be carried out.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. The above-mentioned embodiments which have been appropriately designed by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, materials, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element provided in the equipment system are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed.
Further, the elements included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

1, 1a, 1b, 2-4 water supply equipment system, 11-13, 15-17 functional unit, 11a-13a, 15a-17a electrical board, 11c-13c, 15c-17c, 12i, 13i, 15i, 16i, 17i communication interface, 11s to 13s, 15s to 17s power supply, 13e wireless communication interface, 21, 22 remote control, 21a, 22a control unit, 21c, 21i, 22c communication interface, 21e wireless communication interface, 21g communication conversion unit, 31 to 35 Cable, 41 communication hub, 41e wireless communication interface, 41i communication interface, 51 wireless module, 91 bathroom, 91a steel plate, 92 washroom

Claims (5)

With multiple functional units installed around the water,
A remote controller that is wiredly connected to the plurality of functional units,
Equipped with
The remote controller can be powered via one of the plurality of functional units.
The remote controller is electrically connected to the one of the plurality of functional units without an insulating circuit.
The control unit that controls the plurality of functional units of the remote controller is a water supply equipment system that is electrically insulated from the functional units other than the one among the plurality of functional units by an insulation circuit provided in the remote controller. .. The water supply equipment system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless module connected to at least a part of the plurality of functional units and the remote controller. Multiple functional units installed around the water, each connected to a power source,
A remote controller that is wiredly connected to the plurality of functional units via a communication hub,
Equipped with
The remote controller is
It is electrically connected to one of the plurality of functional units without an insulating circuit.
It is electrically isolated from the functional units other than one of the plurality of functional units by an insulating circuit provided in the communication hub.
A water supply equipment system in which electric power is supplied to the remote controller via any one of the plurality of functional units and the communication hub. The water supply equipment system according to claim 3, further comprising a radio connected to at least a part of the plurality of functional units and at least one of the communication hubs. It is a remote controller equipped with multiple communication interfaces that are connected to multiple functional units around the water.
The remote controller can be powered via one of the plurality of functional units.
One of the plurality of communication interfaces is electrically connected to the one of the plurality of functional units without an isolated circuit.
The control unit for controlling the plurality of functional units of the remote controller is provided in the functional unit other than the one among the plurality of functional units and the communication interface other than the one among the plurality of communication interfaces. A remote control that is electrically isolated by an isolated circuit .

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