JPH0321112Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] This invention relates to a remote control device used, for example, in an air conditioner.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Generally, some air conditioners are equipped with a wireless remote control device. This remote control device operates on battery power, reads key input data from the key input unit, indoor temperature data from the indoor temperature sensor, etc., and sends it to the control unit on the air conditioner main unit by blinking a light emitting diode. There are things to be transmitted, an example of which is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a battery power source, and the battery power source 1 is connected to a power terminal of a microcomputer 2, which is a control section. Connected to the microcomputer 2 are a key input section 3 for setting operating conditions and an oscillation circuit 4 for generating a clock signal. Further, a series circuit of a resistor 5 and a timer-on switch 6 is connected to the battery power source 1, and an interconnection point between the resistor 5 and the timer-on switch 6 is connected to an input port a of the microcomputer 2. The timer input switch 6 is provided in the key input section 3 to enable the remote control device to function. Furthermore, a series circuit of an indoor temperature sensor (thermistor) 7 and a resistor 8 is connected to the battery power source 1.
The interconnection point between and the resistor 8 is connected to the input port d of the microcomputer 2. The positive output terminal (+) of the battery power source 1 is connected to a cathode of a light emitting body, such as a light emitting diode 10, via a resistor 9, and the anode of the light emitting diode 10 is connected to the positive output terminal (+) of the battery power source 1.
It is connected to the negative output terminal (-) of the battery power source 1 via the collector and emitter of the NPN transistor 11. The base of transistor 11 is resistor 1
2 to the output port c of the microcomputer 2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user turns on the timer input switch 6, the input signal to the input port a becomes logic "O". Then, the microcomputer 2 reads the key input data (operation mode, air flow rate, indoor temperature, timer setting, etc.) in the key input unit 3, and further reads the key input data (operation mode, air flow rate, indoor temperature, timer setting, etc.)
The device reads indoor temperature data from the computer, converts the read data into a several-bit code, and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the code from output port c. When this signal is output, the transistor 11
turns on and off, and accordingly the light emitting diode 1
0 blinks, and the above data is transmitted to the control unit on the air conditioner main body side by this blinking light. When the data transmission is completed (after time _t0 ), the microcomputer 2 starts a counting operation using an internal timer. Then, when the internal timer counts a certain period of time _t1 , reading and transmitting operations are performed again, and this is repeated thereafter.

In this way, by performing main control operations (t ₀ ) such as reading and sending at fixed time intervals t ₁ ,
The power consumption is reduced and the life of the battery power source 1 is extended.

However, when considering the overall power consumption,
The microcomputer 2 performs timer operations in addition to main control operations such as reading and sending.
In other words, it is always in the operating state, and since the timer input switch 6 is in the on state during the function, power consumption occurs in the resistor 5, and furthermore, power is constantly consumed in the indoor temperature sensor 7 and the resistor 8.
In reality, it cannot be said that a sufficient effect on improving the life of the battery power source 1 can be obtained.

[Purpose of invention]

This idea was created in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a highly practical and reliable remote control device that can significantly extend the life of battery power. be.

[Summary of the idea]

This invention includes a battery power source, a CR circuit having a self-discharge time constant, a charging switch circuit forming a charging path from the battery power source to the CR circuit, a timer input switch, and when the timer input switch is turned on,
When the charge switch circuit is inactive, the CR
A discharge switch circuit is turned on when the self-discharge voltage of the circuit reaches a certain value, and forms a discharge path for the CR circuit. and a control section that operates the charging switch circuit for a predetermined period of time upon completion of the transmission, and main control operations such as reading and transmission of the control section are performed from the CR circuit, the charging switch circuit, and the discharging switch circuit. The control section is configured to perform the timer operation at predetermined time intervals using a timer consisting of the following.

(Embodiment of the invention) An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, in the drawings, the same parts as in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base and emitter of a PNP transistor 20 are connected to the connection surface between the positive output terminal (+) of the battery power source 1 and the indoor temperature sensor 7,
The base of this transistor 20 is connected to the output port f of the microcomputer 2. On the other hand, 30
is a CR circuit, which consists of a parallel circuit of a capacitor 31 and a resistor ((resistance value "large") 32, and has a self-discharge time constant due to the resistor 32.
The circuit 30 is connected to the battery power source 1 via a charging switch circuit 40. This charging switch circuit 40
consists of a series circuit of a resistor (low resistance value) 41 and an NPN transistor 42. When the output signal of the output port e of the microcomputer 2 becomes logic "1", the transistor 42 is turned on and the CR circuit is connected through the resistor 41. 30. 50 is a discharge switch circuit which connects the series circuit between the resistor 51 and the collector-emitter of the NPN transistor 52 to the battery power supply 1, and connects the positive output terminal (+) of the battery power supply 1 to the battery power supply 1.
A resistor 5 is connected between the base of the transistor 52 and the base of the transistor 52.
3. Connect the collector and emitter of the NPN transistor 54, a diode 55, and a series circuit of the timer input switch 6, and further interconnect the base of the transistor 54 with the resistor 41 and the collector of the transistor 42 via the resistor 56. connected to the dots. Then, the collector voltage of the transistor 52 is input to the input port a of the microcomputer 2.
We are trying to supply it to Here, the input port a of the microcomputer 2 is specially provided for controlling the operation of the microcomputer 2, and if the input signal is logic "0", the microcomputer 2 operates and the input signal is logic "0". If it is "1", the operation of the microcomputer 2 is stopped.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained with reference to the time chart shown in FIG.

Normally, the microcomputer 2 has an output port f
The output of the transistor 20 is set to logic "1", and the transistor 20 is maintained in an off state. When the timer input switch 6 is turned on, the collector voltage of the transistor 42 in the charge switch circuit 40 causes the transistor 5 in the discharge switch circuit 50 to be turned on.
4 and 52 are turned on, and the input signal to input port a becomes logic "0". Then, the microcomputer 2 inputs the key input data (operation mode, air flow rate, room temperature, timer setting, etc.) in the key input unit 3.
Further, the output of the output port f is set to logic "0", the transistor 20 is turned on, and the indoor temperature data from the indoor temperature sensor 7 is read, and the read data is converted into a several-bit code and converted into that code. A corresponding pulse signal is output from output port c. When this signal is output, the transistor 11 is turned on and off, and accordingly the light emitting diode 10 blinks, and the above-mentioned data is transmitted to the control section on the air conditioner main body side by means of this blinking light. When the data transmission is completed, the microcomputer 2 outputs a logic "1" pulse from the output port e.

When the output of the output port e becomes logic "1", the transistor 42 in the charging switch circuit 40 is turned on, and a charging path for the capacitor 31 is formed through the resistor 41. In this way, capacitor 3
1 is charged (one end on the upper side in the figure has a positive potential and the other end on the lower side in the figure has a negative potential). Then, the output of the output port e becomes logic "0" and the transistor 4
2 is turned off, the charge in the capacitor 31 is discharged from one end through the resistor 32, and the potential at the other end of the capacitor 31 gradually increases with a time constant due to the resistor 32. During this potential rising process, when the potential reaches a certain value, the transistor 5
4,52 turns on. In this case, the time t ₁ from the start of self-discharge of the CR circuit 30 until the transistors 54 and 52 turn on is the resistance value of the self-discharge time constant resistors 41 and 56 of the CR circuit 30;
55 and the forward voltage drop of the diode 55. When the transistors 54 and 52 are turned on, a discharge path is formed for the capacitor 31, and the input signal to the input port a becomes logic "0". Then, the microcomputer 2 reads and transmits data in the same manner as described above, and outputs a logic "1" pulse from the output port e upon completion of the transmission.

In this way, the charging and discharging of the CR circuit 30 is repeated, and the main control operation of the microcomputer 2 (t ₀ time) is performed every t ₁ hour based on the self-discharge time constant of the CR circuit 30 and the ON operating point of the discharge switch circuit 50. will be carried out.

In this way, the main control operation of the microcomputer 2 is performed every t ₁ hour by the timer consisting of the CR circuit 30, the charge switch circuit 40, and the discharge switch circuit 50, thereby causing the microcomputer 2 to perform the timer operation. In addition, the power consumption of the timer is limited to instantaneous charging of the CR circuit 30, and the indoor temperature sensor 7 is energized only when it is necessary to read indoor temperature data.
power consumption can be significantly reduced. That is, the life of the battery power source 1 can be significantly improved.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the voltage of the battery power supply 1 decreases, the time _t1 becomes longer due to the forward voltage effect of the diode 55, so that consumption of the battery power supply 1 can be suppressed and the service life can be reduced. It can greatly contribute to improvement.

In the above embodiment, only one diode 55 is used in the discharge switch circuit 50, but a plurality of diodes 55 may be connected in series. It is possible to set the rate of change in time _t1 based on the voltage change of battery power source 1 to a desired value as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
The series circuit of 2 is connected to the battery power supply 1, the interconnection point between the timer input switch 6a and the resistor 62 is connected to the input port g of the microcomputer 2, and the base of the transistor 61 is connected to the output port h of the microcomputer 2. If the microcomputer 2 is connected to the output port h
By controlling the output of the timer, it is possible to detect whether or not the timer is in an operating state, and, for example, the display operation of the key input section 3 can be optimally controlled in consideration of power consumption.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without changing the gist.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, this invention includes a battery power source, a CR circuit having a self-discharge time constant, a charging switch circuit forming a charging path from the battery power source to the CR circuit, a timer input switch, and a timer input switch. When the closing switch is turned on, when the self-discharge voltage of the CR circuit reaches a certain value when the charge switch circuit is inactive, it is turned on, and the discharge switch circuit that forms a discharge path for the CR circuit and the turn-on of this discharge switch circuit are turned on. At the same time, a control unit is provided which operates on the battery power supply voltage, reads and transmits data, and operates the charging switch circuit for a predetermined time upon completion of the transmission, thereby greatly improving the lifespan of the battery power supply. It is possible to provide a remote control device that is highly practical and reliable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit showing an embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the battery power supply voltage and timer time in the embodiment. Diagram showing the relationship between
The figure is a configuration diagram of a control circuit showing a modification of the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the conventional device, and FIG. 6 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the conventional device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A battery power source, a CR circuit having a self-discharge time constant, a charging switch circuit forming a charging path from the battery power source to the CR circuit, a timer input switch, and this timer. When the charging switch is turned on, the CR
When the self-discharge voltage of the circuit reaches a certain value, it turns on.
A discharge switch circuit forms a discharge path for the CR circuit, and when the discharge switch circuit is turned on, it is operated by the battery power supply voltage, reads and transmits data, and at the end of the transmission, the charge switch circuit is activated for a predetermined period of time. 1. A remote control device comprising a control section for operating the device. (2) The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge switch circuit includes a timer input switch as a forming element of the discharge path. (3) The discharge switch circuit is characterized in that the ON operating point is variable depending on the voltage level of the battery power source.
Remote control device as described in section.