JPH04373397A - Remote controller for hot water supply machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a safer remote controller which does not puzzle a user and is easy to use by preventing the complication of an operation part at the time of switching between permission/inhibition of special operation for the hot water temperature or the like for the purpose of eliminating erroneous setting. CONSTITUTION:The remote controller is provided with a mode changeover switch 3 for switching of plural operation modes an operation function changing part, which changes the function of the operation part to a preliminarily determined function in accordance with the operation mode, with respect to setting of the operation condition of a hot water supply machine. Since the operation mode is switched by the mode changeover switch 3 without passing the hot water supply machine, permission/inhibition of the operation is not arbitrarily switched by the request from another remote controller.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device for a water heater, and in particular, it relates to the ease of use of the remote control device, which reduces the risk of erroneous operation and the difficulty of operating the remote control device due to its multiple functions.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a conventional remote control device of this type. Generally, in a remote control device for a water heater, when an operation section 2 for setting operating conditions of the water heater is operated, an operation processing section 5
sets the operating state of the water heater 13 via the transmitting/receiving section 6, and the display section 7 displays the operating state of the water heater 13 obtained via the transmitting/receiving section 6. As far as water heaters are concerned, even if there are multiple remote control devices for hot water heaters, the temperature can only be set using predetermined conditions on one of them, since incorrect operation can lead to burns when handling hot water. The other remote control devices have a request switch 11, and by operating this request switch 11, the water heater requests permission to set the hot water temperature via the transmitting/receiving section 6, and the water heater sets the hot water temperature. If the setting is permitted, the permission switching section 12 allows the setting of the water temperature.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional configuration described above, the request switch 11 only requests the main body of the water heater to switch whether or not to set the hot water temperature. There was a risk that the setting would not be made, or that the hot water temperature setting could be changed without permission based on a request from another remote control device. In addition, if the hot water temperature cannot be set, the hot water temperature operation section 2 may confuse the user because it cannot actually be operated even though there is an operation section.
It made operation difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device that is easy to use and eliminates the risk of erroneous operation.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of operation modes according to the purpose for setting the operating conditions of a water heater, and includes a mode changeover switch for switching the operation mode, and a mode changeover switch for switching the operation mode. The configuration includes an operation function changing section that changes the function of the operation section to a predetermined function according to the operation mode.

Furthermore, in place of the mode changeover switch, a clock part for keeping time and a mode changeover part for switching to a predetermined operation mode based on the time are provided.

[0007] Also, instead of the clock section, a calendar section for measuring the season is provided.

[0008]

[Operation] With the above configuration, the present invention selects one of a plurality of operation modes by switching the mode changeover switch, and the operation function changing section changes the function of the operation section according to the operation mode. Switches according to the purpose, and there are no operation parts other than those intended, making the operation parts simple and eliminating user confusion.
The risk of erroneous operation and incorrect settings is also reduced.

Further, the mode switching section automatically switches to a predetermined operation mode according to the time measured by the clock section, and the operation function changing section operates to switch the function of the operation section according to the operation mode. There is no need to change the operation mode, which improves usability.

Further, the mode switching section automatically switches to a predetermined operation mode according to the season measured by the calendar section, and the operation function changing section operates to switch the function of the operation section according to the operation mode. It is easier to use as there is no need to change the operation mode every time your lifestyle changes.

[0011]

Embodiments An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention. 1 to 2, 1 is a remote control device for the water heater, 2 is an operation section, 3 is a mode changeover switch, 4 is an operation function change section, 5 is an operation processing section, 6 is a transmitting/receiving section, and 7 is a display section. .

In this embodiment, the mode changeover switch 3 is
It switches between three operation modes: lock, bath, and tableware, and the operation section 2 is composed of keys K1 to K4.
It is assumed that the functions shown in Table 1 can be assigned to each operation mode.

[0014]

[Table 1]

The operation function change section 4 detects the setting of the mode changeover switch 3, determines the operation mode, and assigns the functions shown in FIG. 3 to the operation section keys K1 and K4 according to the operation mode, so that the operation section 2 Then, the assigned function is transmitted to the operation processing unit 5. The operation processing section 5 sets the operating conditions of the water heater via the transmitter/receiver section 6 according to the function transmitted from the operation function change section 4.

Assuming that the operation mode of the mode changeover switch 3 is currently set to "tableware", the key K of the operation section 2 is pressed.
Key 1 is a function for "driving", key K2 is a setting for "high temperature", keys K3 and K4 are for setting the water temperature to "hot" or "lukewarm" respectively, but mode selector switch 3 is for "bath". In the operation mode, key K2 is "high temperature"
Instead of setting the bathtub temperature, you can switch the temperature of the shower/bathtub, eliminating the risk of accidentally setting a high temperature while taking a bath.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show other embodiments of the present invention, with FIG. 3 showing the external appearance of the remote control device, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a remote control device. 1 is a remote control device for the water heater, 2 is an operation section, 4 is an operation function change section, 5 is an operation processing section, 6 is a transmitting/receiving section, 7 is a display section, 8 is a clock section, and 9 is a mode switching section.

The operations of the operation processing section 5, the transmitting/receiving section 6, and the display section 7 are the same as in the previous embodiment. The mode switching section 9 switches from the time measured by the clock section 8 to four operation modes of "wake up,""daytime,""evening," and "night" as shown in Table 2. 4 is the operation part 2
Keys K4 and K5 are assigned functions as shown in Table 2 according to their respective operation modes.

[0019]

[Table 2]

If the time on the clock section 8 is now 7:30 AM, the key K1 of the operation section 2 is the function for "driving", and the key K
2 is a setting for "high temperature", and keys K3 and K4 are setting functions for making the water temperature "hot" or "lukewarm", respectively.
Since the operation mode of the mode switching unit 9 is set to "wake up", key K4 and key K5 function as automatic setting functions of "morning shower" and "face wash", respectively. You can automatically set hot water supply settings for personal grooming such as washing your face.

Furthermore, when the time is 10:00 AM, the functions of keys K1 to K3 on the operation section 2 do not change, but since the operation mode of the mode switching section 9 becomes "daytime", the keys K4 and K3 on the operation section 2 do not change. The K5 has automatic settings for ``dishes'' and ``laundry,'' making it easy to set up hot water for housework. Similarly, the functions of the keys K4 and K5 of the operating section 2 are switched in accordance with the operating mode of the mode switching section 9 that matches the time zone of the clock section 8.

[0022] In this way, the operation mode of the mode switching section 9 becomes an operation mode that matches the time of the clock section 8 without having to be set each time, and since the operation section 2 has functions corresponding to the operation mode, the trouble of setting each time is saved. This improves usability.

5 and 6 show other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the remote control device, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a remote control device. 5 to 6, 1 is a remote control device for the water heater, 2 is an operating section, 4 is a switching section, 5 is an operation processing section, 6 is a transmitting/receiving section, 7 is a display section, 9 is a mode switching section, and 10 is a calendar. Department.

The operations of the operation processing section 5, the transmitting/receiving section 6, and the display section 7 are the same as in the previous embodiment. The mode switching unit 9 switches the time measured by the calendar unit 10 to four operating modes of “spring,” “summer,” “autumn,” and “winter,” as shown in Table 3. Functions as shown in Table 3 are assigned to the keys K4 of the operation unit 2 according to the respective operation modes.

[0025]

[Table 3]

If the season on the calendar section 10 is now December, the operation mode on the mode switching section 9 is set to "autumn", and the key K4 on the operation section 2 is set to the "cleaning" automatic setting function. Automatically adjusts hot water settings for deep cleaning.

Furthermore, when the season on the calendar section 10 is January, the operation mode on the mode switching section 9 becomes "winter" and the operation section 2
Key K4 is the automatic setting function for "Wool washing".
You can easily set the hot water supply for washing wool fibers, which is unique to winter. Similarly, the operation mode of the mode switching section 9 is switched according to the season of the calendar section 10, and the function of the operation section 2 is switched according to the operation mode.

[0028] As a result, the operation mode of the calendar unit 10 is set to match the season without having to set the operation mode each time, and since the operation unit 2 has functions corresponding to the seasons, there is no need to set the operation mode each time, and usability is improved.

[0029]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, in the water heater remote control device of the present invention, the mode switching unit switches the operation mode without going through the water heater. This eliminates confusion for the user because the operation is not automatically switched by the ``operation function changing section'', which eliminates confusion for the user, and allows the operation function change section to control the function of the operation section when there are many functions such as setting the hot water temperature or automatic operation. Since the mode can be switched according to the mode, the operation section can be simplified, and it is possible to prevent the decrease in usability and user confusion due to complicated operation sections, and the risk of erroneous operations and incorrect settings due to the presence of redundant operation sections.

[0030]Furthermore, another remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention has a clock section, and the mode switching section automatically sets the operation mode according to the time, making the operation section simpler and easier to use. In addition, it is possible to provide a simple and safe remote control device for a water heater without changing the operation mode each time.

[0031] Furthermore, another remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention has a calendar section, and the mode switching section automatically sets an operation mode according to the season, so that it can be adapted to usage depending on the season. To provide a remote control device for a water heater that is easy to handle and does not require switching operation modes each time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1: External view of a hot water supply switching remote control device in a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Block diagram of the remote control device of the water heater

[Figure 3]
External view of a remote control device for a water heater in another embodiment of the present invention

[Figure 4] Block diagram of the remote control device of the water heater

[Figure 5]
Remote control device for a water heater according to another embodiment of the present invention

[Figure 6] Block diagram of the remote control device of the water heater

[Figure 7]
External view of a conventional water heater remote control device

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Water heater remote control device 2 Operation section 3 Mode changeover switch 4 Operation function change section 5 Operation processing section 6 Transmission/reception section 7 Display section 8 Clock section 9 Mode switching section 10 Calendar section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operation section for setting operating conditions of a water heater, a mode changeover switch for switching between a plurality of operation modes, and when the mode changeover switch is operated, the function of the operation section is changed to a predetermined function. 1. A remote control device for a water heater having an operation function changing section. 2. An operation section for setting operating conditions of the water heater, a clock section for measuring time, and a mode switching section for switching to a predetermined operation mode according to the time measured by the clock section. A remote control device for a water heater, comprising an operation function changing section that changes the function of the operation section to a predetermined function according to the operation mode switched by the mode switching section. 3. An operation section for setting operating conditions of the water heater, a calendar section for timing the season, and a mode switching section for switching to a predetermined operation mode according to the season measured by the calendar section. A remote control device for a water heater, comprising an operation function changing section that changes the function of the operation section to a predetermined function according to the operation mode switched by the mode switching section.