JPH04108298A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quickly restore microcomputers to their normal operating states by providing a signal inspecting means and, when the number of occurring times of such a case that information signals cannot be received continuously exceeds a prescribed number, restarting the power supply to each remote controller after tentatively stopping the power supply. CONSTITUTION:When each remote controller 41 and 42 does not work properly for some reasons, a controller 30 discriminates that abnormality occurs, because the controller 30 cannot receive communication signals SG2 and SG3 in a normal state, and, when the discrimination of the abnormal communication state repeatedly continues by 16 times on the signals SG2 and SG3, stops the power supply to each controller 41 and 42 after fixed time has elapsed from the first transmission of a communication signal SG1 and, at the same time, the transmission of the signal SG1 is also stopped. Therefore, when the power supply is restarted after the tentative stoppage, the microcomputer 41a and 42a of each remote controller 41 and 42 are reset when the hardware is normal. Therefore, the microcomputers 41a and 42a of the remote controllers 41 and 42 can be restored to normal states.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a remote control device for controlling the operating state of equipment from a location hidden from the equipment.

[Prior Art] In water heaters, etc., a remote controller (operator) for setting the hot water temperature and instructing operation to fill the bathtub with water uses electric power supplied from a control device to control the water heater. Some are equipped with a microcomputer that operates them.

In such devices, information set by a remote control is sent to a control device, and display signals for displaying operating conditions, temperature settings, etc. associated with control by the control device are sent from the control device to the remote control.

As the signals used for communication between these control devices and the remote control are serial bit digital signals that are AM-modulated using a predetermined carrier wave, for example, because a microcomputer is installed.

Communication occurs via electrical wires that supply power from the control device to the remote control.

[JR problem to be solved by the invention] However, when communicating using an AM modified digital signal, an external telephone sound overlaps with the received digital signal, and a signal different from the transmitted digital signal is received. I can think of it.

Therefore, if the remote control's microcomputer malfunctions due to external noise, it cannot be reset, and if, for example, it repeatedly sends meaningless information signals, the control device will not be able to determine the correct control target value. However, there are problems in that the operation is hindered because the remote controller is not able to do so, or instructions such as filling the hot water are not given, or the remote controller is determined to be disconnected.

An object of the present invention is to quickly restore the microcomputer to normal operation when an abnormality occurs in the microcomputer installed in an operating device such as a remote controller.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] The present invention provides lI! A remote control device comprising a control device main body for controlling a device and an operating device connected to the control device main body, and controlling the device based on an operation target set by the control device. is equipped with a microcomputer that is operated by power supplied from the control device main body, and the microcomputer is
Converting the written driving target into a predetermined information signal and repeatedly transmitting it to the control device main body, the control device main body comprising a signal inspection means for determining whether or not the information signal has been received in a correct state, If the number of times the information (A) cannot be correctly received in succession exceeds a predetermined number of times, the technical means is to temporarily stop power supply to the operating device and then restart the power supply.

[Operation] In the present invention, the driving target set by the controller is converted into a predetermined information signal and sent to the control device main body, and if the information signal is correctly received, the control device main body adjusts the driving target. The device is controlled based on the target, and if the information signal cannot be received correctly, no control is performed based on the signal.

One possible case in which the information signal cannot be received correctly is that even if the microcomputer in the controller is operating normally, external noise may be mixed into the information signal and the information signal cannot be received correctly. In such cases, the emotion/excitement signal is repeatedly transmitted, so even if it cannot be received correctly, the information signal can be received correctly during the subsequent transmissions, and the device can be activated based on the correctly received information signal. Can be controlled.

On the other hand, there are other cases where the information signal cannot be received correctly.
There may be cases in which the microcomputer of the operating device malfunctions and cannot be restored to normal operation, and in that case, the microcomputer of the operating device may not transmit the correct information signal, or may not transmit any information signal at all.

In such a case, the control device main unit will not be able to correctly receive the information signals that are supposed to be sent repeatedly, and if the number of times exceeds a predetermined number, the power supply from the control device main unit to the operating device will be temporarily stopped. , then resume power supply.

As a result, the microcomputer of the operating device temporarily stops operating when the power supply is stopped, and when the power supply is resumed, the microcomputer of the operating device operates again after 5 no cents. @Restored normal operation! There is a large possibility that this will occur, and it is impossible to escape from malfunction condition 1.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, when correct information signals are no longer being transmitted due to a malfunction of the microcomputer of the operating device, the microcomputer of the operating device can be restored to normal operation by stopping the power supply from the control device main body to the operating device. It can be returned to operation.

Therefore, even if the microcomputer of the operating device malfunctions, the device can be used without malfunctioning.

Embodiment 1 Next, the remote control device of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment of a gas water heater 1 with hot water filling function shown in FIG.

The gas water heater 1 with hot water filling function shown in FIG. 2 supplies hot water to several hot water ports equipped with hot water taps (not shown) and automatically fills hot water into the bathtub B, and is controlled by a control device 1t30. .

The control device 30 includes a bath remote controller 41 and a main remote controller 4.
2, and hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, and hot water pouring operation are performed according to the operation of each remote controller.

In each operation, the control device ff130 determines the required heating amount based on the hot water temperature set by each remote controller and the detection signals of the thermistors 12 and 13 provided in the wood conduit 11 and the flow rate sensor 14, and based on that. Controls the amount of fuel supplied to the burner 3.

Further, the hot water filling operation and the hot water pouring operation are performed in response to instructions from the bath remote controller 41, and these operations are performed only when the flow rate sensor 14 detects that the hot water supply operation is not being performed. be exposed.

In addition, when hot water filling operation or hot water pouring operation is being performed, the bypass valve 15 is open, and if hot water is being supplied during these operations, it is detected by the water flow switch 16, and the operation is performed in a predetermined sequence. The hot water filling solenoid valve 17 is closed, the hot water filling operation or the hot water pouring operation is interrupted, and the hot water supply operation is switched to. When the flow rate sensor 14 detects that the hot water supply operation has ended, each operation is restarted.

In addition, in FIG. 2, 4 is a fuel supply path to the burner 3;
5 is a blower for supplying combustion air to the burner 3, 1
0 is a heat exchanger heated by the burner 3, and 18 is a hot water flow rate servo for adjusting the flow rate passing through the wood pipe channel 11.

Next, regarding the relationship between the control device f30 and each remote control,
This will be explained based on FIG.

Each remote controller 4L 42 is connected to the control device 30 by a two-core connecting wire 31-32.

The control device 30 mainly includes a microcomputer 33 for performing the above control and a drive circuit 34 for driving each part of the gas water heater 1 with hot water filling function, and communicates with each remote controller. In addition, in this embodiment, a connection 11'31 is provided for transmitting driving information including driving targets with each remote controller.
．． Since 32 also serves as the power supply to each node controller, the switch 32 is used to control the power supply to the connection line 3L32.
A switching circuit 36 is provided.

A power supply circuit 37 for supplying power to each of these circuits.
When the power plug is connected to an outlet (not shown), a predetermined voltage is supplied to each circuit.

When the microcomputer 33 operates in response to the start-up of the power supply circuit 37, it controls the switching circuit 36 after 1.5 s (seconds) and connects each remote controller 41.
42.

Here, as the operating power for each remote control 41, 42,
12V DC is supplied.

After this power supply, 1. After O8, the communication signal SG1 modulated into a predetermined carrier wave by the modulation/demodulation circuit 35 is transmitted to the control device 3.
0 to each remote controller.

Communication signals can be sent in two ways: one is transmitted from the control device 30 to each remote controller, and the other is transmitted from each remote controller to the control device 30. , the origin of the f-word, hot water supply temperature, hot water filling temperature, hot water filling amount, operation mode, remote control display data,
A communication signal is used in which other parity check data, etc. are arranged in a predetermined order and packetized as a 30m5 serial hit digital signal.
They are superimposed on the voltage of V and transmitted respectively.

Each remote control has an operation switch for hot water supply operation, an operation switch for setting the hot water temperature, the operation status,
A liquid crystal display device is provided to display the setting status, and the bath remote control 41 is further provided with a liquid crystal display device for displaying the setting status.

An operation switch for performing hot water filling operation or hot water pouring operation, an operation switch for setting hot water filling temperature, hot water filling amount, hot water filling time, etc., and a switch for preferentially operating the main remote controller 42. A priority switch is provided, and each remote controller is equipped with a microcomputer 41a, 42a, respectively, which converts operating information according to the operation of each of the above switches into communication signals SG2, SG3, and transmits them to the control device 30. , controls the display of arrogant driving.

Communication signal SG2 from the control device 30 and each remote controller,
Regarding the transmission of SG3, when the communication signal SGI is transmitted from the control device 30, the bath remote controller 41 and the main remote controller 42 transmit respective communication signals S02 and SG3 after a predetermined period of time in that order.

Here, if the control device 30 and each remote controller are operating normally, as shown in A in FIG. Communication signal SG2 by
However, after the same <80 m5, the main remote controller 42 transmits the communication signal SG3.

That is, when the bath remote control 41 receives the communication signal SQL from the control device 30, it determines whether or not the communication signal SGI transmits each data in the correct state. If it is determined that the communication signal S
Display is performed based on each data of the GI, and data corresponding to the operation status of each operation switch/reset is baguetted and the communication signal SG2 is transmitted JQms after the transmission 12 of the communication signal SGI is started.

Similarly, from the main remote controller 42, the communication signal SG
If it is determined that I was transmitted in the correct state,
At the same time, 80 m5 after the start of transmission of the communication signal S01, the data corresponding to the operation state of each operation switch is bucketed and the communication signal SG3 is transmitted.

In each remote controller 41, 42, if it is determined that the communication signal SG1 is not being transmitted in the correct state, each data of the communication signal SGI received at that time is ignored and the
Since it only continues displaying based on each data received last time and does not transmit communication signals SG2 and SG3, it does not respond to communication signal SGI from control device 30. As a result, as shown in B in Fig. 3, only one communication language SGI is connected to the connecting lines 31 and 32, and 40 m S
j table or 80 m s r* communication 1 language SG2.
SG3 is not superimposed.

The duration of each communication signal SGI, SG2, SG3 is 30 m5 as described above, and the repetition period T of communication signal SG1 by the control device 30 is Q, 2s, regardless of the presence or absence of communication signals SG2, SG3. Connection line 31.3
It is always transmitted when power is being supplied to 2.

Next, communication control regarding each remote controller by the control device 30 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

The control device vl130 receives communication signals SG2, SG3 transmitted from each remote controller 41, 42 in response to the communication signal SGI.
When receiving, each communication signal SG2, like each remote controller,
It is determined whether both SG3 have been transmitted in the correct state.

This determination is performed whether the parity incorporated as data is normal or not, and whether the data indicating "11" or "0" as a fixed digital signal is Whether or not the communication signal S from the control device 30 is detected at a predetermined position within the communication signal
Each communication signal 'S' within the time limit after 01 is sent.
This is done based on whether or not G2 and SG3 are received.

As a result of the above determination, if both the communication signals SG2 and SG3 are normal (in step 1, the NOi control unit 30 operates the priority switch of the bath remote control 41 based on the data of the communication signals SG2 and SG3). If the priority switch is not operated, the control target value is updated based on each data of the bath remote controller 41. In step 2), the determined control value is updated based on each data of the main remote controller 42. The target value is incorporated as display data on each remote controller, and the next communication signal SG1 is transmitted.

Therefore, when an operation is performed using each remote controller, the control target value or operating state is changed in the control device 30 after the control device 30 receives communication signals SG2 and SG3 from each remote controller, and the changed data is is transmitted to each remote controller again to display control target values such as new set values and operating status. However, the time it takes to complete this process is determined by 200m5 is set as the repetition period, which is a very short time, so in reality, when you perform operations such as changing settings on each remote control, the display contents of each remote control will be immediately changed according to the second setting. You can check the new operating status.

After updating the control target value in step 2, step 10 (described later)
Clear the minute timer (step 3).

On the other hand, if the result of determining whether or not each communication signal SG2, SG3 was transmitted in the correct state is that it is not in the correct state and is determined to be a communication abnormality (YES in step 1).
), it is determined whether an IO timer that measures the elapsed time after restarting power supply, which will be described later, is in operation.

If the 10-minute timer is in operation (YES in step 4 & indicates that it has been within 10 minutes since the power supply was temporarily stopped in step 6 and the subsequent power supply was resumed, and after this power supply re-rfR) 5 in 10 minutes
Since the power supply is not stopped even if a communication abnormality is repeatedly determined, the following steps are omitted. 6. If the 10-minute timer has not started counting and is not operating, skip step 4. No) It is considered that the communication abnormality determination result in step 1 was not received in the correct state due to some influence such as external noise, so the control target value should be changed while ignoring the communication signal at that time. etc., and proceed to step 5.

If the number of communication errors is less than 16 times in a row (
If NO in step 5), the process moves to step 1 and waits for reception of a communication signal corresponding to the next communication signal SGI transmitted in accordance with the repetition period.

At this time, if there is a communication error due to external wlf, etc.,
During the several receptions before the communication error reached 16 times in a row,
Normal reception is possible.

In step 4, if the 10-minute timer has timed out and is inactive, the above-mentioned prohibition of power supply stop has been lifted, so the process moves to step 5.

On the other hand, if the communication signal from the remote control is determined to be abnormal over and over again, it is possible that the remote control is not connected or that the remote control is malfunctioning and will not return to normal operation. Conceivable.

In such a case, for example, if one remote control is not actually connected, communication signals related to the unconnected remote control will not be received, so that remote control will be determined to be unconnected and the other connected remote control will be connected. Control is performed based on communication signals.

If communication signals from each remote controller cannot be received properly at all due to poor connection or malfunction of each remote controller, the control device 30 continuously determines that there is a communication abnormality.

In such a case, if there is a communication error even though the remote control is connected, it is considered that the microcomputer of the remote control is unable to escape from the malfunction.

Therefore, if the normal number of times reaches 1 (3 times) in a row (YE', S in step 5), each remote controller's microcomputer will return to normal operation. Then, the switching circuit 36 is opened to stop power supply to each remote controller for 15 seconds (Step 7A6).

The second 15 seconds is the time required for the backup capacitor provided in each remote controller to sufficiently discharge, and can be set depending on the capacity of the backup capacitor.

Note that during the power supply stop in step 6, the control@
Transmission of the communication signal SGI from 7J130 is also stopped.

After the power supply has been stopped for 15 seconds, the power supply is restarted. Step 7) - A timer that measures the elapsed time after the power supply is restarted after the power supply has been stopped is started. Step 8). Step 1 Move to.

In the gas water heater 1 with hot water filling function of this embodiment having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the power plug is inserted and the control unit is activated. When the power supply circuit 37 of P30 starts up and the microcomputer 33 turns on, 5 seconds later, the switching circuit 36 starts supplying power to each remote controller via the connection w131.32, and 1.0 seconds later, the control device 30 Communication signal SG is sent at 200m5 intervals from
Transmission of I is started.

If each remote controller is operating normally, the communication signal SG will be sent from the bath remote controller 41 and the main remote controller 42 4Qms and 80m5 after the start of transmission of the communication signal S01.
Communication signals SG2 and SG3 corresponding to I are transmitted, respectively.

If each remote controller does not operate normally for some reason, the control device 30 determines that there is a communication abnormality because the communication signals SG2 and SG3 cannot be received in the correct state, and If both are determined to be in a communication abnormal state 16 times in a row, the power supply to each remote control will stop 32 seconds after the first communication signal SGI is sent, and the communication signal SGI will also no longer be sent.Power supply for 15 seconds. After stopping, pay tf! - When restarting, if there is no hardware abnormality, the microcontroller of each remote controller will be reset and return to normal operation.

As a result, in response to the communication signal SGI, the communication signal SG2,
SG3 is transmitted, and the control device 30 performs control based on each communication signal.

On the other hand, if each remote controller has a poor connection during installation work, the communication abnormality will be determined 16 times or more, and power supply to each remote controller will be stopped. The power supply will be stopped for 15 seconds, so the power supply will be resumed soon.
In the case of a connection failure, it may not be possible to recover from the connection failure within this time, and a communication abnormality will be determined again.

However, in this embodiment, after -1 power supply is stopped, 1
The power supply will not be stopped until 0 minutes have elapsed, so
Even if there is a connection error during construction, normal operation can be restored immediately as soon as the connection error is resolved.

Therefore, the person in charge of the installation work can quickly check the connections.

In addition, when each remote controller is independently determined to have a communication abnormality during operation, priority is transferred to another remote controller other than the remote controller determined to be abnormal, and operation 3 is performed in accordance with the operation of that remote controller.

However, if the bath remote control 41 is given priority to use, there is a high possibility that the temperature set on the bath remote control 41 is being used as the target temperature, and the hot water in the bathroom is being used. Since it is dangerous if the outflow temperature changes, the hot water supply temperature set by the bath remote controller 41, which has priority, is directly transferred to the main remote controller 42 as the target temperature, and control is continued.

As described above, in the present invention, even if the microcomputer installed in each remote controller malfunctions, normal operation is automatically restored by stopping and restarting the power supply from the control device.

Therefore, even if the operation is temporarily affected by external sound reduction, etc., the influence can be quickly removed and normal operation can be performed, so that the operation of the water heater is not hindered.

In this example, an example of a gas water heater with a hot water filling function is shown, but a water heater without a hot water filling function or a water heater equipped with a heater for reheating may be used, and the gas water heater can be used as a fuel. is not limited to gas, but may also be used with oil.

Further, the device is not limited to a water heater, and may be an air-conditioning device such as a heater or a cooling device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the relationship between the control device and the remote control in a gas water heater with hot water filling function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gas water heater with hot water filling function of this embodiment. 3 is a time chart showing the relative relationship between communication signals from the control device and the remote control, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining communication control of the control device, and FIG. 5 is an operation explanation regarding communication control of the control device. This is a time chart for. In the figure, 1... Gas water heater with hot water filling function (Il device),
30...Control device (control device main body), 33...Microcomputer (signal sound detection means), 41...Bath remote control (operator), 42...-Main remote controller (operator), 41a...・Microcomputer, 42a...
Microcomputer, SG2...communication signal (information signal), SG3...communication signal (information signal).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A remote control device comprising a control device main body for controlling a device and an operating device connected to the control device main body, and controlling the device based on a driving target set by the control device, the above-mentioned The operating device is equipped with a microcomputer operated by electric power supplied from the control device main body, and the microcomputer converts the driving target into a predetermined information signal and repeatedly transmits it to the control device main body, The control device main body includes a signal inspection means for determining whether or not the information signal can be received in a correct state, and when the number of consecutive times the information signal cannot be received correctly exceeds a predetermined number, the control device A remote control device that is characterized by temporarily stopping power supply to a device and then restarting power supply.