JPH06351064A - Wireless remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unnecessitate the peraodical battery exchange by a user, in a wireless remote controller which is used for a hot-water supply device, etc. CONSTITUTION:This controller is provided with a switch 5 performing an operation instruction to an instrument 1 which is remotely installed, transmission and reception means 3 and 4 for performing the information exchange with the instrument 1 by a wireless signal, a display means 6 displaying operation information and a power source supply means 8. The power source supply means 8 is provided with a solar battery 7 and a accumulating means 10 storing generated power. In the solar battery 7, while power is generated all day long, this power is stored in the accumulating means 10 and the stored power is discharged for a short time when power is required as necessary.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless remote control device for transmitting and receiving operation information of a water heater and the like as a wireless signal to and from the water heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a remote controller for a water heater, there is known a wireless signal transmitter as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-347453 in order to reduce installation work.

A dry battery is used as a power supply means of a conventional wireless remote controller, and it has been necessary to replace the battery about every year due to the relationship between the battery capacity and the power consumption of the dry battery.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Equipment products such as water heaters are used every day, and the inability to use them causes a great hindrance to daily life. The fact that its life is only one year was a big drawback for the user.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and an object thereof is to provide a wireless remote controller which uses a solar cell as a power supply means and does not require replacement of the battery.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the wireless remote controller of the present invention comprises a solar battery as a power supply means and a power storage means for storing the electric power generated by the solar cell. Even when the amount of power generation is insufficient, the power stored in the power storage means covers the required power.

Further, the power supply line opening / closing means for opening / closing the power supply line from the power supply means is provided.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned structure, the solar cell constantly generates power except the darkness at night by the lighting of the fluorescent lamp in the room where the remote control is installed and the sunlight, and the power is stored in the power storage means. By using the stored electric power and the electric power generated by the solar cell as a power source, it is not necessary to replace the battery.

Further, after the installation of the device, the power supply path opening / closing means is opened until the user actually uses the device or when the device is not used for a long period of time such as a long absence, thereby eliminating wasteful power consumption. In the meantime, the power generated by the solar cell is stored in the power storage means without waste.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the wireless remote control device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 (a) shows a wireless remote control device of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a domestic gas water heater, and 1 is a water heater, which is operated by a remote controller 2. Water heater 1
The remote control 2 is provided with a main body transmission / reception means 3 and a remote control transmission / reception means 4 for transmitting / receiving mutual radio signals.
On the remote controller 2, a switch 5 for input operation for giving a driving instruction to the water heater 1, display means 6 for displaying driving instruction contents by the switch 5 and operation information such as a hot water temperature signal from the water heater 1, and a solar cell Equipped with 7.

FIG. 1 (b) shows an electric circuit diagram of a power supply means of a wireless remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 8 is a power supply means, and 9 is a remote controller control means for controlling the operation of the remote controller. The power supply means 8 is composed of a solar cell 7, a power storage means 10, and a diode 11 for preventing a backflow of current from the power storage means 10 to the solar cell 7, and supplies power to the remote controller control means 9 via the power path opening / closing means 12. Is supplied.

An outline of the operation will be described based on the above configuration. When the switch 5 is operated while the power supply path opening / closing means 12 is closed and power is supplied to the remote controller control means 9, the signal is transmitted via the remote controller transmitting / receiving means 4 to the water heater 1.
Sent to. When the water heater 1 is in the operating state, the main body transmitting / receiving means 3 transmits the operating information, and the remote control transmitting / receiving means 4 receives the operating information and displays the operating information on the display means 6.

It has been confirmed that the above-mentioned operation, that is, the operation time of the water heater 1 is statistically about 4 hours a day, and the time required for transmission and reception, which occupies most of the power consumption, is further increased. Since it is about 0.3%, electric power is generated by the solar cell 7 that exhibits the power generation capacity with the illuminance that the user can live, including the stop time of the water heater 1, and the electric power is stored in the power storage means 10. By operating the remote controller control means 9 with the stored electric power, the electric power generated by the solar cell 7 can be used without waste and stable power supply can be performed. Here, the diode 11 is used to prevent the reverse flow of current from the power storage unit 10 to the solar cell 7.

Further, by opening the power supply path opening / closing means 12 until the user actually uses the equipment after installing the equipment, or when the equipment is not used for a long time due to a long absence or the like, the remote control means 9 is opened. By stopping the power supply and cutting off the standby current consumption consumed by the remote controller control means 9 even when the water heater 1 is stopped, the generated power of the solar cell 7 can be used more effectively.

Further, by providing a means for automatically opening / closing the power supply path opening / closing means 12, it is possible to more reliably exhibit the power saving effect.

In this way, the generated power of the solar cell 7 is stored in the power storage means 10, and by utilizing this power, the generated power of the solar cell 7 is used without waste, and a stable remote control means having a semi-permanent life is provided. 9 can be supplied with power.

[0018]

As is clear from the above description, the wireless remote control device of the present invention includes the solar cell and the power storage means in the power supply means, so that the solar cell can generate electric power for almost all day at the illuminance of the normal living level. By performing this operation, storing this electric power in the power storage means, and discharging the stored electric power only for the short time required for the actual operation of the device, it is possible to eliminate the need for battery replacement.

Further, since the power supply path opening / closing means is provided, a power saving effect can be exhibited, and more stable power supply can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A is a schematic side view of a wireless remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an electric circuit diagram of a power supply unit of the remote control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater (apparatus) 2 Remote control 3 Main body transmission / reception means 4 Remote control transmission / reception means 5 Switch 6 Display means 7 Solar cell 8 Power supply means 10 Storage means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A switch for instructing a remotely installed instrument to drive, a transmitting means for exchanging information with the instrument by a wireless signal, a display means for displaying operating information, and a power supply means. The power supply means includes a solar cell and a power storage means for storing electric power generated by the solar cell, and the power storage means stores the power even when the amount of power generated by the solar cell is insufficient. A wireless remote control device that is covered by electric power. 2. The wireless remote controller according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply path opening / closing means for opening / closing a power supply line from the power supply means.