JP3501575B2 - Showcase controller - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller for controlling an open showcase and other frozen / refrigerated showcases.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Freezing / refrigerating showcases currently used for displaying foods are classified into a built-in type and a separate type depending on the installation position of the refrigerator. Further, as the shape of the case portion, there are multi-stage, semi-multi-stage, and flat type open showcases, as well as reach-in showcases, event flat type showcases, and other types of applications. When a large number of models exist in this way, a controller for controlling them has been dedicated to each model of the showcase according to its specifications.

[0003]

Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture various kinds of controllers in accordance with the model of the showcase in the production factory, and the number of kinds of parts and products increases, resulting in an increase in management burden. was there. Also,
Even if the user changes the controller for each model of the showcase, there is the trouble of having to newly learn the operation method each time.

[0004]

In order to solve these problems, the invention of claim 1 inputs a detection signal from a key input means and a sensor installed on the showcase and refrigerator side. An input terminal, an output terminal that outputs an operation instruction signal to each operating unit of the showcase and the refrigerator, an output terminal that outputs an alarm signal when an abnormality occurs, and a control procedure for each model for multiple showcase models beforehand. A memory that stores various set values that serve as a reference for control operation, a means that changes the set values in the memory based on key operations from the key input means, and a showcase model were specified by key operations from the key input means. In this case, read the control operation procedure and the set value of the corresponding model from the memory and execute the input / output signal control based on them, and the key input method. By the input operation contents or / and output signal values and / or display panel for displaying the set value of memory from, configure the controller for the showcase. As a result, this controller can be used in common for a plurality of types of showcases simply by connecting to the showcase and setting the respective models.

Here, it is possible to use a model code consisting of one letter for designating the showcase model by the key input means. In that case, setting and display of the model becomes easy.

Similarly, the set value for each model stored in advance in the memory can be set as a standard value for that model. In that case, when connecting to the showcase, it is possible to start using the device only by setting the model without inputting detailed setting values.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are external views of an embodiment of a controller according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, and FIG. 1C is a rear view. As shown in the drawing, the input terminal 2 of the sensor is provided on the upper stage of the front surface of the controller main body 1, the output terminal 3 to the display unit is provided on the middle stage, and the output terminal 4 to the sub display unit is provided on the lower stage. The output terminals 5 to the central control unit are arranged on the right side. Similarly, a defrost signal output terminal 6, a controller power supply case I / O terminal 7, a fuse 8 and a nameplate 9 are arranged on the rear surface. In addition, reference numeral 10 in the drawing denotes a fitting.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the main body 1 of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the arrangement | sequence of the output terminals 2-7. As shown in the figure, sensor input terminals to which the temperature control sensor 21, the defrost sensor 22, the inside temperature sensor 23, and the outside air temperature sensor 24 are respectively connected are arranged in this order from the top on the right side. Next, central control panel output, display input / output, sub-display input /
Each terminal of output is arranged. On the left side, terminals for defrost signal input, lighting signal input, mechanical abnormality input, temperature control output, defrost output, alarm output, and power supply input are arranged from the top.
In this embodiment, the display unit 11 and the sub-display unit 12 are provided separately from the main body 1 and are connected by signal lines.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the display unit 11 of FIG. A switch key 13, a feed key 14, and a return key 15, which are key input means, are arranged on the right side of the display unit 11. A display panel 16 is arranged in the left portion, and various characters indicating a display code and a 7-segment element 17 are arranged in the display panel 16. Next, a specific operation and control operation of this controller will be described. In this controller, the model of the freezing / refrigerating case having the contents shown in Table 1 and its control contents are stored in advance in a memory such as an internal ROM.

[0010]

[Table 1]

That is, the model code A consisting of one letter for eight typical models of the refrigerator, which is either a separate type or a built-in type, the showcase arrangement is multi-stage or flat type, and the application is refrigeration or freezing. ~ H are assigned respectively. Further, the use of the temperature sensor used, the temperature setting temperature, the defrosting interval, the drainage time, and the necessary temperature for detecting the filter clogging are set for each model. In other words, the user who uses this controller can select the model, omit the troublesome input operation of the set value, and start using the controller. Of course, if necessary, the user can change the set value according to the usage status of each showcase.

The control operation itself such as the internal temperature control, defrost control, alarm output, setting, temperature monitor, etc. for each model provided in the controller is the same as the control content in the conventional dedicated type controller. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. Next, the panel display and key input operation of this controller will be described. First, in order to switch from the normal mode to the setting mode, after the illumination signal input is turned off, the switching key 13 is pressed to switch to the setting mode. Then, the data display section consisting of the 7-segment element 17 becomes a blinking display of "...".

Then, by pressing the switching key 13 again, the characters in the display panel 16 are displayed in order. That is, "temperature control, defrosting, draining, high temperature, low temperature, DIFF, S
Only the character indicating the code in the set state is lit and displayed from among the "B amount / SB value". At this time, the default value is first displayed on the 7-segment element 17. The displayed setting To change the value, feed key 1
4. Press the return key 15 to increase / decrease the set value, and then press the switch key 13 to switch to another code for confirmation. In this way, the value displayed on the 7-segment element 17 is confirmed while switching the display code by the switching key 13, and if necessary, the feed key 14 and the return key 15 are pressed to change the set value.

When a code unrelated to the model being set is selected in these setting operations, "---" is displayed on the 7-segment element 17. In addition, when setting the model in which "y" is displayed as the display code, after setting the model, by pressing the feed key 14 and the return key 15 and further pressing the switch key 13, other than the model code The default value of the model is automatically entered as the setting value. When the setting is completed, the switch key 13 is pressed again to switch to the normal mode. If the switch key 13 is left unpressed during the operation for changing the set value, the setting mode is continued for 30 seconds after the last key operation, and then the normal mode is automatically returned to the display at that time. The value that has been read is confirmed as the set value.

In the normal mode, pressing the feed key 14 switches to the temperature sensor display mode. afterwards,
By pressing the send key 14 and the return key 15 to change the display code, the temperature detected by the sensor corresponding to the corresponding code is displayed on the 7-segment element 17. After confirming the temperature, the return key 15 is pressed to return to the normal mode. If the set value data that was input by key operation once and stored internally is destroyed due to a memory failure, etc., each display will blink and the default value of that model will be entered instead. The control with the default value is executed until it is set again.

In this embodiment, as described above,
By providing a single controller with a control function for multiple types of showcases, it is possible to use a common controller for multiple types of showcases. As a result, in factories that produce multiple models of showcases, by sharing the controllers that are connected to them, the lot size during controller production is increased, which reduces costs and the types of controller parts. As the number of parts decreases, parts management becomes easier. Further, as for the showcases, by sharing the controller, the types of sensors installed in each of the various showcases are limited, and similarly, component management becomes easy.

Even if the user changes the model of the showcase, since the controller is the same model, the operation method is not changed and the usability is improved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the model code consisting of one letter is used to set the model of the showcase, the model setting operation is simple and the display is also simple. Furthermore, by preparing a typical set value for each model of the showcase as a default value in advance, the user's setting operation becomes easy. Although eight types of showcase models are incorporated in the controller of this embodiment, other models such as a flat two-temperature zone case can also be incorporated.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to control the showcases of different models by the common controller, so that the controller models are unified in the production factory. As a result, the burden on the controller for managing parts and products can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, even if the user changes the model of the showcase, the controller is the same, which facilitates handling and operation. Further, since the model code consisting of one letter is used to specify the model of the showcase by the key input means, the model can be set easily and the structure of the display section can be simplified. Furthermore, since the setting values for each model stored in memory in advance are standard values for that model, you only need to set the model when connecting the controller without inputting individual setting values. It becomes possible to start the use, and the usability for the user is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of input / output terminals arranged on the main body of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display unit in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Controller body 2 sensor input terminals 3-5 output terminals 6 Defrost signal output terminal 7 Controller power supply case I / O terminal 8 fuse 9 nameplate 10 Mounting bracket 11 Display 12 Sub display 13 Switch key 14 Forward key 15 Return key 16 Display panel 17 7-segment element 21 Temperature control sensor 22 Defrost sensor 23 Internal temperature sensor 24 Outside temperature sensor

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Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A key input means, an input terminal to which a detection signal from a sensor installed on the showcase and refrigerator side is input, and an operation instruction signal to each operation part of the showcase and refrigerator. An output terminal, an output terminal that outputs an alarm signal when an error occurs, a memory that stores in advance control procedures for multiple showcase models and various set values that serve as a reference for control operation, and keys from the key input means. A means to change the set value in the memory based on the operation, and when the showcase model is specified by the key operation from the key input means, the control operation procedure and the set value of the corresponding model are read from the memory and based on them. Means for executing control of input / output signals and contents of input operation from key input means and / or input / output signal values or / and memo Controller for showcases, characterized in that it and a display panel for displaying the set value of. 2. The showcase controller according to claim 1, wherein a model code consisting of one letter is used for designating the showcase model by the key input means. 3. The showcase controller according to claim 1, wherein the set value for each model stored in the memory in advance is a standard value for the model. controller.