JPH0861672A - Controller for heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To confirm the content of abnormality and to facilitate the initialization. CONSTITUTION: The controller for a heater comprises a abnormality content memory 15, calling means 16 for calling the abnormality content back to past, a display unit 13 for lighting the entire display of the unit 13 when calling is conducted and displaying the content of the called memory 15, and initializing means 18 for initializing the content stored in the memory 15. At the time of the initializing, the entire display of the unit 13 is primarily lit, and the storage of the unit 15 is erased by the initialization. Accordingly, the effective calling can be confirmed by the lighting of the entire display of the unit 13, the completion of the initialization of the stored abnormality content can be also confirmed by the lighting of the unit 13. Thus, the confirmation of the content and the initialization are facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heater control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a control device of this type detects a failure by a self-diagnosis function when a failure occurs, and stores the content of the failure in a volatile memory (for example, RA of a microcomputer).
M) has the function of storing and displaying.

However, the power supply for the control device of the warm air heater is usually supplied from the commercial power supply, and when the volatile memory as described above is used, the power supply for the control device is shut off to store the data at all. There was a problem that the details of the trouble that had been set aside would be erased.

Therefore, recently, the contents of failure have been stored using a non-volatile memory even when the power is cut off. For example, FIG. 7 shows a block configuration of an example of a conventional control device in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2125/1990.

Reference numeral 1 is a control device for a combustion appliance, which has a writing means 1a for writing the details of a failure in the non-volatile memory 3 and a failure content reading means 1b. Reference numeral 2 is a failure detection device, 4 is an erasing means for erasing the failure content stored in the non-volatile memory 3, and 5 is a switch for activating the erasing means.
Reference numeral 8 is a failure content display means, and 9 is a switch for reading and displaying the failure content. According to this configuration, since the failure content is stored in the non-volatile memory, the failure content continues to be stored even when the power is cut off, and if it is no longer necessary by the erasing means 4, all the failure content can be erased for repeated use. . Further, since the failure content can be easily known through the failure content display means 8 and the previous failure content can be known by repeatedly pressing the switch 9, it is possible to appropriately determine the cause of the failure.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when the display unit itself is out of order when trying to check the failure content, it is not possible to accurately check the failure content. In particular, when checking by turning on / off a light emitting diode or the like, the content becomes random. Further, when the stored contents are initialized after confirming the failure content, it is necessary to read the failure content again when trying to confirm whether or not the initialization setting is actually accepted, which requires a plurality of operations. However, there is a drawback in that it is necessary to confirm whether or not the connector is securely connected because the connector is used.

Further, after the service person confirms the failure content, the failure content is memorized even if the failure repair is not perfect even in the process of repairing the failure, and the service side (service bench) Not only will the fault content of the failure be erroneously stored and returned to the customer requesting the repair, but if a failure condition frequently occurs during the repair process and reading / writing to / from the non-volatile memory each time, the memory itself may deteriorate. There were some drawbacks.

[0008] When it is attempted to check the details of past failures a plurality of times, it is necessary to count the number of past abnormalities, which is not only inconvenient to use, but also for confirming the stored contents or initialization. There is also a drawback that the cost is high because a special switch for doing so is required.

The present invention solves the problems of the above-described conventional configuration. Even after the power of the control unit is cut off, the failure before the power is cut off (equipment failure and simple dust). The first purpose is to confirm and initialize the contents reliably and easily, including maintenance such as cleaning alarm, etc.), and to improve the usability when confirming the contents of the abnormalities. A third object is to realize an improvement in the operability of setting / releasing the confirmation of abnormality at a low cost.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above first and second objects, the present invention provides a control unit for controlling a load such as a combustion unit, and at least one of the control unit and the load is abnormal. When an abnormality occurs, an abnormality detection unit that detects the abnormality, a storage unit that stores the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, a calling unit that retroactively calls the contents stored in the storage unit, and the calling unit A first timer unit that is activated when the means is performed, and a display unit that displays the contents of the called storage unit while lighting all the displays of the display unit while the first timer unit is operating, An initialization unit that initializes the contents stored in the storage unit, a second timer unit that is activated when the initialization unit is performed, and all the display units when the second timer unit is operating. Illuminated display In addition, when this initialization means is performed, the memory in the storage unit is erased and new failure contents are not stored, and the storage unit has a nonvolatile memory or a volatile memory with a backup power source. It is composed of.

Further, in order to achieve the second object,
When the calling means is accepted, the latest abnormality content is displayed on the display unit, and when the display is performed retroactively, the order of occurrence of what happened in the past is stored in the storage unit, and the occurrence The order of the abnormal contents is displayed simultaneously or alternately.

Further, in order to achieve the second and third objects, the reception of the calling means is allowed only when the heater is stopped, and when it is released, it is released by the operation signal of the operation unit. The acceptance of the calling means is configured to be accepted and released by a switch operation provided on the operation unit of the device body, and the acceptance of the initialization means is performed by a switch operation provided on the operation unit of the device body.
It is configured so that it can be accepted and the cancellation cannot be canceled by operating a switch provided on the operation unit of the device body. Further, the switch also serves as one of a plurality of switches for instructing operating conditions such as set temperature and timer operating time, and the display unit displays any of operating conditions such as setting temperature display and timer operating time display. It is also used as a configuration.

[0013]

According to the present invention, since the entire display of the display unit is turned on before the abnormality content is displayed by the above configuration, it is possible to confirm the failure of the display unit itself and the completion of the setting of the calling means. become. Further, even when the stored abnormality content is initialized, it is possible to confirm that the acceptance of the initialization means is completed by turning on all the display sections. Also,
After initialization, the contents of the abnormality during the repair are not stored, so that the abnormality during the repair will not be mistakenly returned to the repair requester and the deterioration of the storage unit will be prevented.
It is possible to confirm and initialize the details of the abnormality reliably and easily.

In addition, it becomes possible to simultaneously check the information about what kind of abnormality has occurred in the past, and the usability is improved. Further, by alternately displaying the information about how many times in the past and the abnormality content, a large number of display content can be displayed with a small number of display elements, which further improves usability.

Further, the confirmation of the abnormality content can be accepted only when the heater is not in operation, so that it can be confirmed safely, and after confirming the abnormality content, it can be easily released by the operation signal of the equipment. You will be able to move to the next repair step. In addition, once the initialization means has been set, it cannot be easily released by the switch on the operation section of the device body, so even if various switch operations are performed during the repair, the initialization means will not be released. It is possible to prevent the contents of the abnormality that occurred from being remembered, improving usability.

The operability is improved by setting and operating the initialization means and the abnormality content confirmation means by operating the switches provided on the operation section of the device body. In addition, a special switch and display are required by combining the switch and the display for displaying the details of abnormality with one of the multiple switches for instructing operating conditions such as set temperature and timer operating time and the display for displaying the operating state. Without this, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be realized.

[0017]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram, and 10 includes a load such as a blower fan (not shown) that discharges the heat generated in a combustion unit that generates heat for heating to a room.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit for controlling 10 combustion units, 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit for instructing the combustion unit 10 to operate / stop or to operate a timer through 11 control units, and 13
Is a display unit that displays the operating state in which the control unit 11 operates based on the information instructed by the operating unit 12, and displays a clock during timer operation and a lamp (not shown) that indicates the operating / stopping state. And a group of lamps indicating the operation mode (not shown)
It is composed of 14 is a combustion unit 10 or a control unit 1.
It is an abnormality detection unit that detects the abnormality of No. 1 and stops the combustion unit 10 through the control unit 11 or directly and displays the content of the abnormality on the display unit of 13 in order to notify that the abnormality has occurred. Reference numeral 15 denotes a storage unit for storing the details of the abnormalities detected by the abnormality detection unit 14 and the number of times of the abnormalities.
It is composed of a non-volatile memory (not shown) such as OM or a volatile memory (not shown) such as SRAM backed up by a lithium battery or the like, and stored contents even when the power supply of the entire control device is cut off. Is designed to hold. Reference numeral 16 is a calling unit for calling the contents stored in the storage unit 15 and displaying the called contents on the display unit 13. The calling unit is set / released by operating the switch of the operation unit 12. Reference numeral 17 denotes a first timer unit that is activated at the same time when the calling unit 16 is set, and all the display of the display unit 13 is turned on while the first timer unit 17 is activated. Reference numeral 18 denotes an initialization unit for initializing the contents stored in the storage unit 15, and setting / cancellation of the calling unit is performed by a switch operation of the operation unit 12. Reference numeral 19 denotes a second timer unit that is activated at the same time when the initialization unit 18 is set, and all the display of the display unit 13 is turned on while the second timer unit 19 is activated.

The operation of the above structure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and (Table 1) and (Table 2). It is shown in the list of (Table 1) assuming that the abnormality occurs four times.

[0020]

[Table 1]

The first abnormality content is the oxygen deficiency detection and its abnormality number is 35, the next abnormality is the misfire detection of the combustion portion and its abnormality number is 30, and the next abnormality content is the load abnormality of the combustion portion. If the abnormality number that occurred in the 4th time (latest abnormality) is 62 and the abnormality number is 12, and the abnormality number is 12, the abnormality content and the occurrence number in the storage unit are as shown in (Table 2). .

[0022]

[Table 2]

That is, 01 is assigned to the address N = 0 in the storage unit.
35 data, 0230 data at address N = 1,
Data 0362 for address N = 2, data 0412 for address N = 3, etc.
The value and the abnormal number will be stored.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the operation of the calling means 16, confirming ON / OFF of the operation switch in S1.
If the operation switch is not OFF, the calling means is released in S2, the operation information such as the clock or room temperature is displayed on the display unit in S3, and the process proceeds to the next step. Operation switch is open in S1
In the case of F, in S4, it is confirmed whether or not the calling means is the calling means at present, and when it is not the calling means, the "timer" switch is checked in S5 and the "-" switch is checked in S6. If is pressed, the acceptance timer is started in S7, the time-up of the acceptance timer is confirmed in S8, and if not, the process proceeds to S2 and the calling means is not set. S if the time is up
At 10, the calling means is set. Normally, the "timer" switch and the "-" switch are not pressed at the same time, and if either one of them is not pressed, the S
At 9, the acceptance timer is initialized and the calling means is no longer set. Since the calling means can be set only by continuously operating the switch operation under the condition that cannot be normally operated for the duration of the reception timer (for example, 5 seconds), it is possible to accidentally enter the calling means in normal use. Can be prevented.

Therefore, not only the structure can be simplified by also using a plurality of switches provided in the operation section, but also the setting operation of the calling means can be simplified. Further, since the calling means can be easily released by turning on the operation switch, the setting of the calling means is automatically released when the operation switch is turned on and the driver tries to operate after confirming the abnormality content, and the display unit is Usability is further improved because the display switches to normal driving information.

Next, the first timer is started in S11, and S1
Confirm the time-up of the first timer in 2, and if not, turn on all the display on the display in S13,
Check the lighting of the display. If the first timer has timed up in S12, the address N of the storage unit is n-
1 is set, and the content of the abnormality and the number of times of abnormality n are displayed on the display unit in S15.

Further, the specific processing of S15 is as shown in FIG. In S15-a1, the abnormality number n of the storage unit address N is set to the 10 o'clock and 1 o'clock digits of the clock display, and S15-
The abnormal number of the address N of the storage unit is displayed at the digits of 10 minutes and 1 minute with a2. That is, since the number of occurrences of abnormality is 4,
Abnormal number n = 4 as data at address N = 3 in the storage unit
And the abnormality number 35 is displayed as 4:35 on the clock display. Here, when the calling means is set, the lighting of all the displays is checked before displaying the contents of past abnormalities, so it is possible to confirm the exact abnormal display and also display the abnormal number and the number of abnormalities at the same time. Therefore, usability is also improved.

In the configuration of S15 as shown in FIG. 4, the number of abnormalities in the storage section is displayed on the clock display in S15-b1, the display timer (for example, 2 seconds) is activated in S15-b2, and S15-b3 is activated. Then, the generation number is displayed until this display timer expires, and then the abnormal number from the storage section is displayed on the clock display section at S15-b4.
The display timer (for example, 2 seconds) is started at b5, and S15-
If the abnormal number is displayed until the time of the display timer expires in b6, more information can be displayed on the clock display unit.

For example, the abnormality number is not a two-digit number, and the abnormality can be easily dealt with by the user of the equipment depending on the content of the abnormality, U, H when specialized knowledge is required, and only the manufacturer can repair it. It is also possible to display 3 digits including English letters as in the case of abnormalities that are classified into F, etc.
Usability is further improved.

Next, the processing for retroactive display will be described. In step S16 of FIG. 2, the address N of the storage unit is 0.
If it is 0, proceed to the next step without doing anything. If it is not 0, it is confirmed in S17 whether the address N is the final address. If it is the final address, the acceptance of the "-" switch is confirmed in S18, and if the "-" switch is pressed, the address N is determined in S19. Decrement.
If it is not the final address in S19, "+" is obtained in S20.
The acceptance of the switch is confirmed, and if the "+" switch is pressed, the address N is incremented in S21. S20
If the "+" switch is not pressed at, "-" at S22
The acceptance of the switch is confirmed, and if the "-" switch is pressed, the address N is decremented in S19. S22
If the "-" switch has not been pressed, proceed to the next step without doing anything.

As described above, when the contents of the abnormality are checked retroactively, the switch for setting the temperature of the device also serves as, for example, the "+" and "-" switches, and the "-" switch traces back to the past. In this case, the operability can be improved.

Next, the initialization means will be described with reference to FIG. If the timer switch is confirmed in S20 and the clock switch is confirmed in S22, and both switches are pressed, the reception timer is started in S23, and the time-up of the reception timer is confirmed in S24. In step S21, the acceptance timer is initialized and the initialization mode is not entered, and the process directly proceeds to the next step. S2
If the time is up in 4, the initialization mode is set in S25. Here, the normal timer switch and the clock switch are not simultaneously pressed, and if either one of the switches is not pressed, the acceptance timer is initialized in S21 and the initialization mode is not set. Therefore,
The initialization mode can be set only by continuously operating the switch operation under conditions that cannot normally be operated for the duration of the reception timer (for example, 5 seconds). You can prevent entering.

Next, the second timer is started in S26, and S2
Confirm the time-up of the second timer at 7, and if not, turn on all the display on the display at S28,
Check the lighting of the display. Next, if the second timer has timed up in S27, all the storage sections are initialized in S29, the number of abnormalities n is also initialized to 1, and the process proceeds to the next step.

As described above, even when the initialization mode is set, the display unit is fully lit for a certain period of time, so that it is possible to confirm not only that the initialization mode has been set, but also the operation of the operation unit and the display unit. become. For example, if the initialization mode is released when the control unit is powered off, even if the initialization mode is set on the service side, the repair is completed and the When the device is returned to, the power is cut off once, so the initialization mode will be canceled naturally.

Next, the storage processing when an abnormality occurs in the equipment will be described with reference to FIG. In S30, check the device for abnormalities. If there is no abnormality in the device, the storage process is ended without doing anything. If there is an abnormality in the device, it is determined in S31 whether or not it is currently in the initialization mode, and if it is in the initialization mode, the process ends without performing the storage process as in the case where there is no abnormality in the device. To do. If it is not the initialization mode, S3
In step 2, set the address N of the storage unit to n-1 and
At S33, the content of the abnormality currently occurring and the number n of occurrences of the abnormality are simultaneously stored as the data of the address N. Next, in S34, it is confirmed whether or not the address N is the final address. If it is the final address, an abnormality more than the storage capacity has occurred. Therefore, n is set to 1 and the failure content stored first is set. Try to overwrite from. If it is not the final address, n is incremented to end the storage process.

That is, since the abnormality of the device is not stored during the initialization mode, if the initialization mode is set on the service side and the repair is performed, the abnormality during the repair cannot be stored. It is possible to prevent the device from being returned to the repair requester while keeping the memory. In addition, even when detecting abnormalities in the equipment many times during the repair process, reading and writing operations to the storage unit are not performed at all, so
It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the storage unit itself (generally, the E2PROM has an upper limit on the number of times of reading and writing, and in the case of a structure such as an SRAM and a lithium battery, reading and writing consumes a large amount of current and shortens the backup life).

[0037]

As is apparent from the above-described embodiments, according to the present invention, the entire display of the display unit is turned on for the time of the first timer before the abnormality content is displayed by the calling means.
It becomes possible to confirm the failure of the display unit itself and the completion of the setting of the abnormality content display. In addition, when initializing the stored abnormality content, the confirmation that initialization has been completed is turned on by turning on all the display parts for the time of the second timer, so confirming that the initialization has been set correctly. You can Also, if the device is repaired after initialization, not only will the abnormal contents during repair not be remembered, but it will not be possible to release it with the switch on the operation section of the device body, so even if various repairs are performed Not only does the error not be memorized and accidentally returned to the person who requested the repair, but it does not deteriorate the storage unit because it does not read or write to the storage unit. Can be confirmed and initialized.

Further, when recalling the contents of the abnormality retrospectively, the information as to how many times the past has occurred is also stored at the same time, and it is possible to simultaneously check what kind of abnormality has occurred in the past. Further, by alternately displaying the information about how many times in the past and the abnormality content, it is possible to display a large amount of abnormality content information with a small number of display elements, which improves usability.

Further, the confirmation of the abnormality content can be accepted only when the operation of the heater is stopped, so that the abnormality can be confirmed safely. Furthermore, by canceling the cancellation of the abnormality content by the operation signal of the device, it is possible to easily proceed to the next repair step. The operability is improved by setting the initialization unit and the calling unit and performing the operation for checking the abnormality content retroactively by operating the switch provided in the operation unit of the device body. In addition, a special switch and display are required by combining the switch and the display for displaying the details of abnormality with one of the multiple switches for instructing operating conditions such as set temperature and timer operating time and the display for displaying the operating state. Without this, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the calling means is set or when the initialization means is set, the display unit is fully illuminated for a certain period of time. By turning off the light, it is possible to more surely confirm the quality of the display unit.

Further, in a device having no display unit, a signal such as a buzzer sound may be used, and the operation unit may be a signal from a remote control such as a remote controller.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of calling means of the control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a display process of the control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a display process of the control device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of initialization means of the control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a storage process of the control device.

FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram showing a conventional control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Combustion Section 11 Control Section 12 Operation Section 13 Display Section 14 Abnormality Detection Section 15 Storage Section 16 Calling Means 17 First Timer Means 18 Initializing Means 19 Second Timer Means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A load such as a combustion unit, a control unit for controlling this load, and an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormality at least in one of the control unit and the load,
A storage unit that stores the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, a calling unit that retroactively calls the contents stored in the storage unit, and a display unit that displays the contents of the called storage unit, A first timer unit that is activated when the calling unit is performed, and a controller for a heater configured to turn on all the displays of the display unit while the first timer unit is operating. 2. A load such as a combustion section, a control section for controlling this load, and an abnormality detection section for detecting an abnormality when at least one of the control section and the load occurs.
A storage unit that stores the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, a calling unit that retroactively calls the contents stored in the storage unit, and a display unit that displays the contents of the called storage unit, An initialization unit that initializes the contents stored in the storage unit, a second timer unit that is activated when the initialization unit is performed, and all the display units when the second timer unit is operating. A heater control device configured to turn on the display. 3. A load such as a combustion section, a control section for controlling this load, and an abnormality detecting section for detecting an abnormality at least in one of the control section and the load,
A storage unit that stores the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit, a calling unit that retroactively calls the contents stored in the storage unit, and a display unit that displays the contents of the called storage unit, An initialization unit for initializing the contents stored in the storage unit, and a heating unit configured to erase the memory in the storage unit and not store new failure contents when the initialization unit is performed. Control device. 4. When the calling means is accepted, the latest abnormality content is displayed on the display unit, and when the data is displayed retroactively, the order of occurrence in the past is stored in the storage unit. In addition, the order of occurrence is configured to be displayed simultaneously or alternately with the above-mentioned abnormality content,
The control device for the heater according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein reception of the calling means is possible only when the heater is stopped, and when it is released, it is released by an operation signal of an operation unit of the device body.
The controller for the heater according to any one of items 2, 3, and 4. 6. The heating according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the reception of the calling means is configured to be performed by the switch operation provided on the operation unit of the device body. Control device. 7. The initialization unit is accepted by a switch operation provided on an operation unit of the apparatus body, and the cancellation cannot be canceled by the switch operation. The control device for the heater according to the item 1. 8. The control device for a heater according to claim 6, wherein the switch also serves as any one of a plurality of switches for instructing operating conditions such as set temperature and timer operating time. 9. The display unit according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the display unit also serves as a display for displaying an operating state such as a display of a set temperature or a timer operating time. Control device for the described heater. 10. The heater control device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is a non-volatile memory such as an E2PROM or a volatile memory with a backup power source.