JPS6222116B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in a timer operation function added to a device for controlling air conditioners and the like.

Regarding the timer operation functions that are part of conventional air conditioning control devices, most of them are on-delay timers that turn on devices after a certain period of time (for example, a good morning timer), and off-delay timers that turn off devices after a certain period of time (for example, a good morning timer). For example, a sleep timer), the structure is a spring type, because it is easy to operate, the display is easy to understand, and the price is low.
The motor timer method, CR timer method, and IC (digital) method are used.

In this type of timer, for example, when considering an on-delay timer, when the timer starts operating, it is necessary to roughly calculate and set the remaining time until the desired start time.

This setting method is very convenient for short-term timer operation, and is expected to continue to be the mainstream method for timer operation in the future, but when it comes to long-term settings such as the Good Morning timer, Calculating the elapsed time until the target time becomes complicated, and the accuracy of the timer itself may deteriorate, so that it may not be possible to fully achieve its purpose.

In recent years, as a solution to the above-mentioned inconveniences,
You can see a timer control device that includes a function that allows you to enter the desired time for both on and off times using a 24-hour (12-hour) clock, run the timer, and change the operating mode when it matches the current time. I'm getting used to it.

Figure 1 shows an operating state diagram in which timer operation is started with both on-time and off-time set to valid. A problem arises in that the operation pattern differs depending on whether the engine is started in the 'operation start' state, even though the same on/off time is set.

In other words, (a) starts operating normally at input time A, but (b)
is already on, so it will be ignored. This problem is solved if the user (b) sets the current time < entry time < cut-off time (indicating that the time elapses from the current time to the entry time and cut-off time), and the user's desired driving pattern. This is caused by performing a different on-start operation.

In addition to the operational problems mentioned above, there is a drawback that if the timer operation pattern changes, such as canceling the "on time" or "off time" during operation, it is not possible to determine the appropriate operation pattern. .

The present invention was made in order to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional ones as described above, and it uses a timer operation control device based on a 24-hour or 12-hour clock to turn on or off equipment at a certain time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device that includes a timer operation start command, a timer operation start command, a timer operation start time setting section, and a storage section, and determines the order of the current time, on time, and off time, and generates an appropriate operation pattern.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a driving pattern determination circuit which is the gist of the present invention. 1 is a 24-hour (or 12-hour) counting circuit having a reference clock, 2 is a current time storage section, 3 is an input time storage section, 4 is an off time storage section, and 5 is a temporary saver for the current time data 2. Current time storage section, 6 is an input section for setting the current time 2, entry time 3, and off time 4, respectively, 7 is an addition circuit used for pattern judgment, and 8 is a complete data set for current time 2 and entry time 3. a first match circuit that determines a match;
Reference numeral 9 denotes a second matching circuit for determining complete coincidence of data between current time 2 and off time 4; 10 indicates a pattern determination circuit for determining the driving pattern based on the outputs of the first and second matching circuits; and 11 indicates an output. This is the driving part.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 2.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

By operating the keys on the input unit 6 in FIG. 2, the current time, the on-time at which the timer operation is desired to be started, and the off-time at which the timer operation is desired to be stopped are stored in the current time storage unit 2, the on-time storage unit 3, and the off time. It is assumed that each of them has been input into the storage unit 4.

In this state, when the program timer operation is started by operating the timer operation start switch (not shown) included in the input section 6, the contents of the current time storage section 2 remain unchanged, and the current time temporary storage section 5
At the same time, at the same time, at least one of the current time storage section 2 and input time storage section 3, as well as the current time storage section 2 and off time storage section 4, match completely, and the first matching circuit 8 Or, until a coincidence output appears in the second coincidence circuit 9, the addition circuit 7 and the counting circuit 1 add 1 to the current time storage section 2, including carry processing for minutes, hours, and AM/PM.

After several addition processes, the first matching circuit 8,
If it is detected that at least one of the second matching circuits 9 has output, and the first matching circuit 8 outputs the output earlier than the other, the input time reaches earlier than the time when the timer operation is started. Therefore, if the second coincidence circuit 9 outputs an output earlier than the other one (or at the same time), the pattern judgment circuit determines an operation pattern in which the timer operation starts from an off-start, and the timer operation starts from an on-start. 10
The output drive unit 11 ultimately controls the air conditioning equipment.

After the above pattern determination operation is completed, the contents of the current time temporary save section 5 are transferred to the current time storage section 2 again, and normal operation is started.

After that, the contents of the moment-to-moment changes caused by the clock signal sent from the counting circuit 1 are compared with the on-time storage section 3 and the off-time storage section 4, and when they match, the terminal equipment is turned on or off, respectively, and the normal timer is activated. Continue sequence operation.

Figure 3 describes the above-mentioned operation more clearly. First, the current time when starting the timer operation is temporarily saved (in other words, +1 is added and the final value becomes a value that has no relation to the current time). ), then check to see if it matches the input time. If they do not match, it is next checked to see if they match the cut-off time, and if they do not match, +1 is added to the current time memory (at this point, the contents of the current time memory are no longer related to the current time). (becomes unbearable). If there is a carry (minute, hour, AM/PM), it is corrected and the same operation as above is repeated again, and if it matches the off time first, a start command is issued and the pattern judgment operation is completed. Conversely, if the on-time matches first, then it is checked whether the off-time also matches at the same time, and if it only matches the on-time, an operation stop command is issued and the pattern judgment operation ends, but the off-time is also checked. If the time matches, a driving command will be issued. In reality, it is impossible to turn on and off at the same time, but in order to prevent this kind of erroneous operation due to user error, we incorporate the nature of air conditioning equipment whose purpose is safety first. The specifications are such that the final process ends with a cutting action.

The above is an example of a means for automatically determining the operation mode of a program timer by considering the context of the current time, on time, and off time at the time of starting timer operation.
Although the explanation has been made with reference to FIGS. 3 and 3, it is clear that in addition to the method described above, a means for performing the above control using so-called microcomputer control using a stored program method is extremely effective. .

As for the method of finding a match, the above-mentioned method of adding +1 including carry processing from the current time is convenient for microcomputers, but
Furthermore, from the viewpoint of shortening execution time, it is effective to find a match from the upper digits.

Based on the above invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the input section 6 is newly provided with a release key 12, a second off time storage section 13, an on time set storage section 14, an off time set storage section 15, By adding the on-time set display section 16, the off-time set display section 17, and the third matching circuit 18, other effects can be expected. The operation will be explained below.

Normally, there are three types of timer operation modes: (a) program timer mode as shown in FIG. 1, (b) good morning timer mode, and (c) good night timer mode. Since a timer that incorporates the above three types simultaneously is considered to be the most effective, the timer mode determination circuit (FIG. 2), which is the gist of the present invention, is the main component. On/off time setting storage sections 14, 15, on/off time setting display sections 16, 17, and release key 1
2 is provided and when both are lit during timer operation, it is the program timer mode of (a) above,
When entering the early morning mode (b), operate the release key 12 to erase the unnecessary contents of the off time memory 4, or leave it as is and clear the off time set memory 15. Clear the contents.

Similarly, in the sleep timer mode (c), the entry time setting storage section 14 is erased. Release key 12
When activated, the contents of the on-time storage section 8 and off-time storage section 4 are erased at the same time, but whether or not they are retained is determined by how the on-time and off-time are used thereafter, but it is usually a habitual process. It would be more effective to keep the contents of the entry and cut-off times as they are so that users who are living their daily lives do not have to feel the trouble of setting the same time slot every day. The aforementioned on-time setting storage section 14 and off-time setting storage section 15
is not cleared only when the release key 12 is pressed, but also when the time matches the current time during normal timer operation, so it is possible to determine which mode the timer is currently in, that is, when the next time will start. This has the advantage that the progress of the timer operation mode can be determined at a glance, such as whether the current time is coming, whether the cut-off time is coming, or whether the cut-off time has already passed.

Next, the effect obtained by adding the second cut-off time storage section 13 and the third matching circuit 18 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

The second off-time storage section 13 is configured to store the current time when the timer operation starts. Therefore, when all timer operations are completed 24 hours later,
Since the third matching circuit 18 which checks the coincidence between the current time storage section 2 and the second off time storage section 13 outputs the signal, it is possible to turn off all the terminals by the signal.

This circuit is indispensable when the program timer operates in an on->off->on pattern. That is, after 24 hours, regardless of the condition, the device is turned off once and the timer is operated in the above mode to avoid various dangers that may arise from being away for a long time.

As explained in detail in the drawings and text above, according to the present invention, after setting the on-time and off-time independently, the mode of program timer operation is automatically determined by simply commanding the timer operation mode, and the timer operation mode is automatically determined. The progress can be read at a glance through the display section that shows the setting status and progress status of the on-time and off-time, and also
We believe that its effects will be great, as it can be used not only as a timer for air conditioners, but also for other home appliances, such as ensuring that all power is turned off after 24 hours to increase safety. It will be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a program timer operation waveform diagram showing the relationship between current time, on time, and off time, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a program timer operation mode discrimination circuit showing an example of the present invention. Circuit, 2...
Current time storage section, 3... Input time storage section, 4... Off time storage section, 5... Current time temporary save section, 6... Input section, 7... Addition circuit, 8... First coincidence circuit , 9
. . . second matching circuit, 10 . . . pattern determination circuit, 11 . . . output driver. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example in which the specific example of the invention shown in FIG. 2 is developed, and the same numbers in the figures indicate the same parts. 12... Release key, 13... Second off time storage section, 14... On time set storage section, 15... Off time set storage section, 16... On time set display section,
17 . . . indicates a cut-off time setting display section; 18 . . . indicates a third matching circuit. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Current time storage means for counting 24 hours (one day) and storing the result, and start time storage means for storing data for starting operation of the controlled device at a preset time. a shut-off time storage means for storing data for stopping the operation of the controlled device at a preset time; a timer starting means for issuing a command signal to start timer operation control of the controlled device; When a command signal is issued from the means, the data content stored in the current time storage means is compared with the data content stored in the input time storage means, and when the data contents match, a first coincidence signal is issued. A first comparing means compares the data content stored in the current time storage means when the command signal is issued from the timer starting means with the data content stored in the off time storage means. a second comparison means that outputs a second coincidence signal when the command signals match, and when the first coincidence signal is received after the command signal is output, the timer operation is entered from "stop operation" and the command signal is and pattern determination means for issuing an operation control signal from "start operation" to enter timer operation when the second coincidence signal is received for the first time. 2. The timer operation control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the start time storage means is provided with a start time confirmation display section that indicates that the start time has been set. 3. The timer operation control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the off-time storage means is provided with an off-time confirmation display section that indicates that the off-time has been set. 4. When a command signal is issued to the current time storage means, a signal for fast forwarding the time is sent, and when a matching signal is issued from either the first comparison means or the second comparison means, the current time storage means stores the signal. The timer operation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for restoring the data content to the current time. 5. Current time storage means for counting 24 hours (one day) and storing the results; input time storage means for storing data for starting operation of the controlled device at a preset time; an off-time storage means for storing data for stopping the operation of the controlled device according to a time; a timer starting means for issuing a command signal to start timer operation control of the controlled device; and a command signal is output from the timer starting means. a first comparing means that compares the data content stored in the current time storage means and the data content stored in the entry time storage means and outputs a first coincidence signal when the data contents match; Compare the data content stored in the current time storage means when the command signal is issued from the timer starting means with the data content stored in the off time storage means, and when the data contents match, a second a second comparing means for outputting a coincidence signal; and a second comparison means for storing the current time when the command signal was outputted.
a time storage means; and a third comparison means that compares the data content stored in the current time storage means and the time content stored in the 24-hour storage means and outputs a third coincidence signal when the data content matches. When the command signal is issued and the first coincidence signal is received, the timer operation is started from "stop operation", and when the command signal is issued and the second coincidence signal is received for the first time, the timer operation is started. a pattern determining means that outputs an operation control signal that enters timer operation from "Start"; and when the command signal is issued and the third matching signal is received, the pattern determining means always selects the controlled device regardless of the operation mode. A timer operation control device comprising: timer operation canceling means for issuing a timer operation canceling command signal.