JPH04320758A - Hot water feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a wireless remote controlling type hot water feeding device capable of transmitting a signal under a high reliability in which a problem of valley in a radio wave generated under an influence of a positional relation between a hot water feeder in a dwelling and a remote controller and metallic objects present near the remote controller can be solved. CONSTITUTION:A hot water feeder is comprised of a hot water feeding machine 1, a remote controller 6 for remotely controlling the hot water feeding machine, a remote controlled transmitter 8 disposed at the remote controller and for transmitting a radio wave signal having a plurality of carrier frequencies, a remote controlled antenna 9 connected to a remote controlled transmitter and for use in transmitting an radio wave signal, a hot water feeding antenna 4 disposed at the hot water feeding machine and for receiving a radio wave signal from the remote controller, a hot water receiver 3 connected to the hot water feeding antenna and capable of receiving a radio wave signal having a plurality of carrier frequencies transmitted from the remote controlled transmitter and a hot water feeding controller 2 for use in controlling a feeding-out of the hot water from the hot water feeding machine under a control signal got from the remote controller received by the hot water feeding receiver.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater that heats water using gas, oil, electricity, etc., and is equipped with a wireless remote controller that can be easily installed.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional water heater of this type, a controller installed inside the water heater installed outdoors and a remote control installed indoors are connected by a remote control cable that penetrates the wall. Generally, control signals from the remote control are transmitted to the water heater via a remote control cable. Also,
As shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-77671, there is a water heater that remotely controls the water heater and remotely monitors the status of the water heater using a wireless remote control using radio waves, and does not require wiring work for a remote control cable. has already been devised.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, when transmitting signals using radio waves within a residential unit, the radio waves are reflected by nearby metal objects, creating a phase difference, and where the radio waves strengthen each other and where they weaken each other. This creates a so-called radio wave valley. When a receiver is placed in the valley of these radio waves, there is a problem that the signal is difficult to reach or cannot reach. In such cases, it may be possible to escape from the radio wave gap by changing the location of the water heater or remote control. However, in order to find the valleys of these radio waves, a special measuring device such as an electric field strength measuring device is required, and there is a problem in that the water heater cannot be installed without this measuring device.

[0004] Furthermore, even if the water heater was not located in a radio wave valley when it was first installed, the electric field pattern may change as the location of refrigerators, steel furniture, etc. changes, and the receiver may be located in a radio wave valley. It is possible that you may end up doing this. In such cases, it is almost impossible for general users to avoid the gaps in the radio waves. The above-mentioned precedent does not address this point as an issue at all, and naturally there is no disclosure of a specific structure.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a water heater equipped with a wireless remote control that solves the problem of radio wave gaps in residential units and can transmit highly reliable signals. It is something.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the water heater of the present invention includes a water heater, a remote control for remotely controlling the water heater, and a remote controller that is provided on the remote control side and that has a plurality of carrier frequencies. A remote control transmitter for transmitting radio signals to the water heater, a remote control antenna connected to the remote control transmitter for transmitting radio signals, and a remote control antenna installed on the water heater side to receive radio signals from the remote controller. a hot water antenna for the water heater, a hot water receiver connected to the hot water antenna and capable of receiving radio signals of the plurality of carrier frequencies, and a control signal from the remote control received by the hot water receiver to control hot water output from the water heater. The system is equipped with a hot water supply controller for this purpose.

[0007]Furthermore, the present invention is configured to include frequency selection means for matching the carrier frequency of the radio wave signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter with the reception frequency of the water heater receiver.

Furthermore, the present invention is configured to switch the receiving frequency of the hot water heater receiver at predetermined time intervals to receive radio wave signals of a plurality of carrier frequencies from the remote controller, and to receive radio wave signals of a plurality of carrier frequencies from the remote controller. The preamble section is configured to have a longer time interval than the reception frequency switching time interval by the water heater receiver.

[0009]

[Operation] With the above configuration, when the present invention transmits a radio wave signal of a certain carrier frequency from the remote control, the location where the hot water antenna of the water heater is located happens to be in the valley of the radio waves, and the radio wave signal from the remote control is transmitted. Even if the signal cannot be received, if you retransmit it from the remote control using a radio signal with a different carrier frequency with a different wavelength, the signal can be transmitted because the position of the radio wave troughs is shifted and the signal can be received with a stronger radio wave.

[0010] At this time, the carrier frequency of the radio wave signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter and the receiving frequency of the water heater receiver can be matched by the frequency selection means.

[0011] Frequency selection is performed by switching the reception frequency alternately at predetermined intervals and leaving it in a reception waiting state so that the hot water heater receiver can receive multiple carrier frequencies. It can receive radio wave signals of different frequencies. Therefore, it is necessary to add a preamble signal that is longer than the reception frequency switching period of the water heater receiver to the transmission signal from the remote control.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. 1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a water heater, which includes a hot water controller 2, a hot water receiver 3, a hot water antenna 4, a hot water function section 5, and the like. The hot water supply controller 2 controls the hot water supply receiver 3 to receive a control signal from the remote controller 6, and controls the hot water supply function section 5 to perform a hot water supply operation. Further, the hot water supply function section 5 includes a water flow rate detector, an igniter, a fuel setting device, an air flow rate setting device, a fuel sensor, a water level sensor, etc., and supplies hot water based on a control signal from the remote controller.

The remote control 6 is integrally constructed with a remote control controller 7, a remote control transmitter 8, a remote control antenna 9, a display 10, an operating device 11, and the like. FIG. 1 is an external view of a water heater having such a configuration, and the water heater 1 and the remote controller 6 can communicate control signals through a wall 12 using radio waves.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram, and the water heater receiver 3 has a function of selectively switching between the first receiver 13 and the second receiver 14 to operate them. The first receiver 13 and the second receiver 14 have different reception frequencies, and the wavelengths of radio waves at these frequencies are set to have a difference of λ/20 or more from each other. That is, now the receiving frequency of the first receiver 13 is f1, and the receiving frequency of the second receiver 14 is f1.
When the receiving frequency of is set to f2, a frequency difference is provided that satisfies the following relationship.

3×10×|1/f1−1/f2|≧λ1/20 or λ2/20 (cm)……(1) For example,
If f1=280MHz, f2=300MHz, the left side=about 7.1cm, while the right side is λ1/2
Since 0=5.4 cm or λ2/20=5.0 cm, the above formula (1) is satisfied.

[0016] The valley of the radio wave is a steep valley, and it has been confirmed through experiments that the minimum point of the electric field can be avoided by moving at least λ/20, and a practical electric field strength level can be obtained. Reference numeral 15 denotes a receiver switching means, which switches the receiver and selects a receiving frequency according to an instruction from the receiving frequency selecting means 16. The reception frequency selection means 16 is connected to the water heater controller 2
By switching the two receivers alternately at predetermined time intervals under control from the remote controller 6, it is possible to receive radio wave signals of either frequency transmitted from the remote controller 6. 2 and is decoded by a predetermined procedure. With such a configuration, the burden on the water heater controller 2 for receiving and decoding control signals is reduced, and the water heater controller 2 can be realized with a simple configuration and at low cost. As another receiving frequency selection means 16, there is also a simple and inexpensive method of selecting and setting from the outside using a switch or the like.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first receiver 13
Although the water heater receiver 3 is shown configured to selectively switch between the second receiver 14 and the second receiver 14 by the receiver switching means 15 to receive only a radio wave signal of one frequency at a time, the present invention is limited to this. Instead, it is also possible to operate a plurality of receivers with different reception frequencies in parallel to receive radio wave signals of a plurality of carrier frequencies, respectively.

The remote control transmitter 8 has a function of selectively switching and operating the first transmitter 17 and the second transmitter 18. First transmitter 17 and second transmitter 1
8 have different transmission frequencies, and the radio waves of those frequencies are received at reception frequencies f1 and f2 in the water heater receiver 3.
, which satisfies the above-mentioned formula (1). 19 is a transmitter switching means, and the transmission frequency selection means 2
In response to the instruction 0, the transmitter is switched and connected, the frequency of the transmitted radio wave is selected, and the transmitted radio wave is transmitted from the remote control antenna 9. When transmitting a control signal from the remote controller 6 to the water heater 1, the transmission frequency selection means 20 sequentially switches the two transmitters 17 and 18 under control from the remote controller 7 to continuously transmit signals of two frequencies. It is what you send. Alternatively, a method may be used in which the frequency is selected and set in a fixed manner using a switch or the like from the outside.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first transmitter 17
The remote control transmitter 8 is shown having a configuration in which the second transmitter 18 is selectively switched by the transmitter switching means 19 to transmit only a radio wave signal of one frequency at a time. The present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure a configuration in which a plurality of transmitters having different transmission frequencies are operated in parallel to respectively transmit radio wave signals having a plurality of carrier frequencies.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a pattern of electric field strength when transmitting a control signal from the remote controller 6 to the water heater 1. In the figure, 21 is from the first transmitter 17, and 22 is from the second transmitter. It shows an electric field pattern when radio waves are transmitted from the device 18. In this case, it is difficult to receive the radio waves transmitted by the first transmitter 17 at the frequency f1 because the position where the hot water heater antenna 4 is placed corresponds to the position between the valleys of the radio waves. On the other hand, it can be seen that the radio waves transmitted by the second transmitter 18 at the frequency f2 can be received with relatively strong radio waves. Note that the relationship between frequencies f1 and f2 satisfies the above-mentioned equation (1).

FIG. 4 also shows an electric field strength pattern when a control signal is transmitted from the remote controller 6 to the water heater 1. In this case, the electric field pattern 21 due to the radio waves transmitted from the first transmitter 17 and the electric field strength pattern from the second transmitter 17 are shown in FIG. The electric field pattern 22 due to the radio waves transmitted from the antenna 18 has approximately the same electric field strength at the position B of the hot water antenna 4. However, if the other device 23 has the same frequency f as the frequency of the radio wave transmitted from the first transmitter 17,
1 noise, it is difficult for the water heater receiver 3 to receive the transmitted radio waves from the first transmitter 17.

As shown in FIG. 3, even if a so-called radio wave valley occurs in radio waves of a certain frequency and communication becomes impossible, radio waves of another frequency whose wavelength differs by at least λ/20 can be used. can solve this problem. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, even if communication becomes impossible with radio waves of a certain frequency due to noise from other devices, this problem can be solved by using radio waves of another frequency.

FIG. 5 shows a timing diagram of each signal when transmitting control signals from the remote controller 6 to the water heater 1 in the above configuration. In FIG. 5, (a) shows the control signal transmitted from the first transmitter 17 at frequency f1, and (b) shows the control signal transmitted from the second transmitter 18 at frequency f2. (c) shows how the radio wave signal transmitted from the remote controller 6 effectively reaches the hot water antenna 4. In this case, the radio wave signal of frequency f1 from the first transmitter 17 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, there is a gap in the radio waves and they cannot be received effectively.
This shows that only the radio wave signal of frequency f2 from the second transmitter 18 has effectively arrived. (d) is the first receiver 1
3, (e) shows the timing of the receiving operation of the second receiver 14. The second receiver 14 as shown in (e)
captures the signal from the second transmitter 18 at point C and completes the receiving operation at point D.

[0024] Also, the first and second transmitters 17, 18
As shown in (a) and (b), the control signal transmitted from the control signal consists of a preamble section 24 and an address/data section 25, and the time t1 of the preamble section 24 is as shown in (d) and (e).
It is necessary to provide the cyclic reception operation time t3 of the first and second receivers 13 and 14 sufficiently longer than the cyclic reception operation time t3 of the first and second receivers 13 and 14.

[0025]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the water heater of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When transmitting a data signal via radio waves from the remote control to the water heater, the transmitter of the remote control selectively uses a plurality of carrier frequencies for transmission as necessary, and the water heater receiver transmits data using the plurality of carrier frequencies. Since the configuration selectively receives radio wave signals of frequencies that can be effectively reached while avoiding the valleys of radio waves, it is possible to effectively transmit data signals even with weak radio waves.

(2) Since the hot water heater receiver is configured to receive signals by switching the reception frequency at predetermined time intervals, multiple remote controllers can receive data from different carrier frequencies in order to avoid gaps in radio waves caused by their respective positional relationships. Even when radio signals are transmitted, it is possible to reliably receive each radio signal.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1: External view of a water heater in a first embodiment of the present invention

[Figure 2] Same, partial control block diagram

[Figure 3] Same, partial characteristic diagram

[Figure 4] Same and some other characteristic diagrams

[Figure 5] Same, partial timing diagram

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Water heater 2　Hot water controller 3　Hot water receiver 4 Hot water antenna 5　Hot water supply function section 6. Remote control 7 Remote controller 8 Remote control transmitter 9 Remote control antenna

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claims 1: A water heater, a remote control for remotely controlling the water heater, and a remote control transmitter provided on the remote controller for transmitting to the water heater using radio signals of a plurality of carrier frequencies; a remote control antenna connected to a remote control transmitter for transmitting the radio signals; a hot water antenna provided on the water heater side for receiving radio signals from the remote controller; and a hot water antenna connected to the water heater antenna for transmitting the plurality of carrier frequencies. A water heater that is equipped with a hot water receiver that can receive radio signals and a hot water controller that controls hot water output from the water heater based on control signals from a remote control received by the hot water receiver. 2. The water heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising frequency selection means for matching the carrier frequency of the radio wave signal transmitted from the remote control transmitter with the receiving frequency of the water heating receiver. 3. The reception frequency of the water heater receiver is switched at predetermined time intervals to receive radio wave signals of a plurality of carrier frequencies from the remote controller, and the transmission signal from the remote controller transmitter is set at a reception frequency of the water heater receiver. The water heater according to claim 1, further comprising a preamble portion that is longer than the switching time interval.