JP5312377B2 - Wireless remote control system for water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless remote control system for remotely operating a water heater by a wireless remote controller.

  Conventionally, in a wireless remote control system in which a water heater installed outdoors is remotely controlled by a wireless remote controller installed in a kitchen or bathroom, the intensity of the radio wave received by the wireless remote controller is displayed on the display means provided in the wireless remote controller and used by the installer What enables a person to confirm the intensity of a radio wave is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  According to this, when the intensity of the radio wave displayed on the wireless remote controller is weak, for example, the installation position of the wireless remote controller is moved to a position where sufficient radio wave intensity can be obtained, and communication failure between the water heater and the wireless remote controller is reduced. It can be solved.

JP 2004-132671 A

  By the way, when a hot water heater equipped with a wireless remote control system is newly installed, or when a wireless remote control system is added to an existing water heater, a battery is usually set in the wireless remote controller at the time of construction. Later, the wireless remote controller may not be activated by operating the power switch or the hot water heater by the wireless remote controller operation. In this case, since the wireless remote controller is in an energized state and not activated, the radio field intensity is not measured or displayed, and it is easy to forget to check the radio field intensity immediately after the completion of construction. When communication failure occurs between the water heater and the wireless remote controller, there is a disadvantage that the discovery is delayed due to forgetting to confirm the radio wave intensity.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote control system for a water heater that can prevent forgetting to check the radio wave intensity and can quickly detect a communication failure between the water heater and the wireless remote controller.

  The present invention includes a water heater having a first wireless communication means, a second wireless communication means, an operation means for input operation, and a display means capable of selectively displaying a plurality of information. A wireless remote control system for a water heater having a wireless remote controller for remotely operating the water heater by performing wireless communication with the wireless remote controller, wherein the wireless remote controller determines the intensity of the radio wave received by the second wireless communication means Radio frequency strength measuring means for measuring, and control means for performing communication confirmation processing for measuring the radio wave intensity by the radio wave intensity measuring means and displaying the measured radio wave intensity by the display means, and driven by a dry cell as a power source, The control means starts the communication confirmation process at the start of energization when the wireless remote controller is connected to a dry battery, and the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means is communicable. And if the minimum of the radio field intensity above made, characterized by terminating the communication confirmation processing after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to the present invention, since the control means of the wireless remote controller starts the communication confirmation process at the start of energization due to dry cell connection, it is possible to immediately confirm the radio field intensity without waiting for the wireless remote controller to be manually activated. . As a result, it is possible to prevent forgetting to check the radio wave intensity, and to detect a communication failure between the water heater and the wireless remote controller at an early stage. In this specification, “energization” refers to a state in which a power source (dry cell) is connected, and “start-up” refers to a state in which the power source (dry cell) is driven (for example, a state in which a power switch is turned on). It is.

  Furthermore, the control means determines that a sufficient radio field strength is obtained when the radio field intensity measured by the radio field intensity measurement unit is equal to or higher than the minimum radio field intensity at which communication is possible. The communication confirmation process ends. Thereby, the power consumption of the wireless remote controller can be reduced, and the shortening of the life of the dry battery that drives the wireless remote controller can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present invention, the wireless remote controller includes notification means for notifying by one or both of sound and light, and the control means has the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measurement means in the communication confirmation process. When the signal strength is less than the minimum radio wave intensity at which communication is possible, notification by the notification means is performed.

  When the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means is less than the minimum radio wave intensity at which communication is possible, there is a possibility that communication between the water heater and the wireless remote controller may be poor. At this time, not only displaying on the display means but also notifying by the notifying means, for example, it is possible to reliably prevent the builder from forgetting to see the display on the display means.

  In the present invention, the control unit accumulates the energization time from the initial energization of the wireless remote controller, and energization by the dry cell connection of the wireless remote control is started until the predetermined accumulated energization time is reached. Only in this case, the communication confirmation process is performed.

  According to this, it is possible to limit the time when the communication confirmation process is performed with the start of energization of the wireless remote controller to only the initial stage when the wireless remote controller is newly installed, and the power consumption of the wireless remote controller can be suppressed. .

  Further, for example, when the dry battery set in the wireless remote controller reaches the end of its life, it is replaced with a new dry battery. Then, when the dry battery is set in the wireless remote controller, energization by the dry battery connection is started. However, such a replacement of the dry battery is a case where the wireless remote controller has been used for a long period of time, and during this period, it is considered that the water heater and the wireless remote controller are normally communicated. Therefore, for example, by setting the predetermined cumulative energization time shorter than the battery life, it can be considered that the start of energization of the wireless remote controller after the predetermined cumulative energization time has passed is due to the replacement of the dry battery. It is possible to avoid the communication confirmation process.

  In the present invention, the control means terminates the communication confirmation process when the operation means of the wireless remote controller is operated during the communication confirmation process.

  According to this, for example, after the operator confirms the radio wave intensity, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary display of the radio wave intensity from being continued by operating the operation means of the wireless remote controller, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the dry battery. be able to. Further, by operating the operating means of the wireless remote controller during the communication confirmation process, it is possible to immediately display other information on the display means, so that the usability of the wireless remote controller is improved.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the principal part of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the communication confirmation process of the wireless remote controller in this embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless remote control system of the present embodiment includes a water heater 1, a communication unit 2 attached to the water heater 1, and a wireless remote controller 3 that remotely operates the water heater 1.

  The operation of the water heater 1 is controlled by a hot water supply control unit 4 constituted by a microcomputer or the like. The hot water supply control unit 4 is connected to the communication unit 2 via the communication cable 5 and can communicate with each other. The communication unit 2 and the wireless remote controller 3 perform data communication with each other wirelessly. A plurality of wireless remote controllers 3 can be provided. A unique ID code is assigned to the wireless remote controller 3 in advance to prevent malfunction due to interference.

  The water heater 1 is mainly installed outdoors. The communication unit 2 is installed on the side wall of the water heater 1 or in the vicinity of the water heater 1. The wireless remote controller 3 is installed on the wall surface of the bathroom or the wall surface of the kitchen. The communication unit 2 and the wireless remote controller 3 are installed at the same time when a new water heater 1 is newly installed, or are added to the existing water heater 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless remote controller 3 includes a display unit 6 such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying various information, a notification unit 7 such as a speaker for performing external notification by voice or alarm, and a plurality of operation switches. And operating means 8 are provided. Although only the main operation means 8 is shown in FIG. 1, for example, the power switch 8 a of the wireless remote controller 3, the mode selection switch 8 b for the water heater 1, the temperature setting UP switch 8 c for the water heater 1, and DOWN This is a switch group including the switches 8d and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the communication unit 2 and the wireless remote controller 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the communication unit 2 performs wireless data communication between a wireless communication unit 3 and wired communication means 9 for performing wired data communication with the hot water supply control unit 4 of the water heater 1. Wireless communication means 10 (corresponding to the first wireless communication means of the present invention) and storage means 11 for storing the ID code of the wireless remote controller 3 and other information.

  The wired communication means 9 and the wireless communication means 10 are controlled by a control means 12 constituted by a microcomputer or the like. Although not shown in the figure, the control means 12 is a water heater data analysis section that analyzes data received from the water heater 1 via the wired communication means 9, a data conversion section that performs wired / wireless data format conversion, and wireless communication. An ID confirmation unit for confirming the ID code included in the data received by the means 10 and identifying the wireless remote controller 3 as a communication partner, and a remote control data analysis unit for analyzing the data received from the wireless remote controller 3 are functionally provided. ing. Further, the control unit 12 appropriately reads out necessary information from the storage unit 11 and performs various controls.

  The wireless communication means 10 of the communication unit 2 includes a transmission unit 13 that transmits information such as operation data on the water heater 1 side to the wireless remote controller 3 and a reception unit 14 that receives information such as operation data from the wireless remote controller 3. And an antenna 15. The communication unit 2 is driven by a household AC power source that is supplied via a water heater 1 from an outlet (not shown) provided in the house.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the wireless remote controller 3 includes a wireless communication unit 16 (for performing wireless data communication with the communication unit 2 in addition to the display unit 6, the operation unit 8, and the notification unit 7 described above. (Corresponding to a second wireless communication means of the present invention), a radio wave intensity measuring means 17 for measuring the intensity of the radio wave received by the wireless communication means 16, and a storage means 18 for writing and reading various information. .

  The wireless communication means 16 and the radio wave intensity measurement means 17 are controlled by a control means 19 constituted by a microcomputer or the like. Although not shown, the control unit 19 identifies a communication unit 2 that is a communication partner by confirming an ID code included in data received by the wireless communication unit 16 and a data conversion unit that performs conversion of a wired / wireless data format. ID confirmation unit to perform, water heater data analysis unit to analyze data received from the communication unit 2, energization detection unit to detect energization start, energization time timing unit to count the energization time, energization time to accumulate the measured energization time The accumulation part etc. are functionally provided. The control unit 19 stores, for example, the accumulated energization time and various setting information in the storage unit 18, and appropriately reads necessary information from the storage unit 18 to perform various controls.

  The wireless communication means 16 of the wireless remote controller 3 includes a transmission unit 20 that transmits information such as operation data to the communication unit 2, a reception unit 21 that receives information such as operation data on the water heater 1 side from the communication unit 2, and an antenna. 22. The wireless remote controller 3 is driven by a dry battery (not shown) and is energized when the dry battery is set. The wireless remote controller 3 is activated when the power switch 8a, which is one of the operation means 8, is turned on, and can be remotely operated with respect to the water heater 1.

  Furthermore, when the wireless remote control 3 of the present embodiment is newly installed on a wall surface of a bathroom, etc., when a contractor or the like sets a dry battery and starts energization, even if the power switch 8a is not turned ON, In this state, a communication confirmation process (to be described later) is performed.

  Further, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 activates the energization time counting unit when the dry battery is connected and the energization detection unit detects energization, and when the dry battery is set again after the dry battery is taken out from the wireless remote control 3, The energization time accumulating unit accumulates the energization time and stores it in the storage means 18.

  Next, communication confirmation processing in the wireless remote controller 3 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when energization of the wireless remote controller 3 is started in STEP 1, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 causes the accumulated energization time at the start of energization in STEP 2 to be stored in the storage means 18 and a predetermined predetermined accumulated energization. It is determined whether or not it is within time (for example, 6 hours).

  The start of energization in STEP 1 is due to the setting (connection) of the dry batteries in the wireless remote controller 3. The battery is set on the wireless remote controller 3 by an operator or the like immediately after the wireless remote controller 3 is installed in a bathroom or the like. In addition, the battery set to the wireless remote controller 3 is used not only immediately after installation in a bathroom or the like, but also, for example, at the time of confirming the operation performed before shipment after the manufacture of the wireless remote controller 3, or after being used for a while after the installation. It is also performed at the time of replacement when it becomes. Therefore, a predetermined cumulative energization time is determined in advance, and it is determined in STEP 2 whether the energization start is within a predetermined cumulative energization time set in advance. The cumulative energization time set in advance may be set shorter than the lifetime of the dry battery, but considering the energization time at the time of confirming the operation of the wireless remote controller 3 before shipment, it is about several tens of minutes to several hours. It is preferable to set it.

  In STEP 2, when the energization start time is within a predetermined cumulative energization time set in advance, the process proceeds to STEP 3, and the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 forcibly receives by the receiving unit 21 of the wireless communication means 16. Start. Further, if the energization start time in STEP2 is not within a predetermined accumulated energization time set in advance, the process proceeds to STEP10 and becomes a normal operation state. Here, the normal operation state is a state in which communication confirmation processing is not performed.

  When reception is started in STEP 3, the control unit 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 proceeds to STEP 4, and the received radio wave intensity measuring unit 17 measures the received radio wave intensity. Next, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 proceeds to STEP 5 and displays the measured radio wave intensity on the display means 6. As the display at this time, it is possible to adopt a display suitable for strength confirmation such as a number indicating the strength of radio waves or a band-like figure that expands and contracts according to the strength of radio waves. If the radio wave intensity displayed on the display means 6 is confirmed, for example, the installer can determine whether the installation position is good or not immediately after the wireless remote controller 3 is installed.

  Next, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 proceeds to STEP 6 and proceeds to STEP 7 if the measured radio field intensity is a predetermined value (for example, 25 dBm) or more, and proceeds to STEP 11 if the measured radio field intensity is less than the predetermined value. . Note that the predetermined value of the radio wave intensity used in STEP 6 may be a minimum radio wave intensity that enables communication, and is appropriately set based on the modulation method, frequency, and the like of the radio wave to be used.

  When proceeding to STEP 7, the communication unit 2 and the wireless remote controller 3 have successfully communicated with sufficient radio field intensity. When proceeding to STEP 11, the radio field intensity received by the wireless remote controller 3 is extremely low. Alternatively, the radio wave from the communication unit 2 does not reach the wireless remote controller 3 and communication is poor. The processing after STEP 11 will be described later.

  When proceeding to STEP 7, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 uses the elapsed time from the start of energization of STEP 1 measured by the energization time measuring unit, and this elapsed time is stored in the storage means 18 and is set to a preset predetermined time. If it is (for example, 3 minutes) or more, the process proceeds to STEP 9, and if this elapsed time does not satisfy the predetermined time set in advance, the process proceeds to STEP 8. Note that the predetermined time stored in the storage unit 18 for use in STEP 7 may be a few minutes (for example, 1 to 10 minutes).

  In STEP 8, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 determines whether any switch of the operation means 8 has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to STEP 9, and if there is no operation, proceeds to STEP 4. Return and repeat the processing after STEP4.

  When proceeding to STEP 9, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 ends the display of the radio wave intensity by the display means 6, ends the communication confirmation process, and enters the normal operation state of STEP 10. By providing STEP 8, it is possible to cancel the communication confirmation processing state only by operating any one of the switches of the operation means 8 (8a to 8d), and further, display other than the radio wave intensity by the display means 6 is performed. It becomes possible.

  Returning to the explanation of STEP 11, when the process proceeds to STEP 11 via STEP 6, the received radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means 17 is very weak or no radio wave is received. Therefore, in STEP 11, the control means 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 drives the notification means 7 to notify that there is an abnormality. Thereby, for example, even if the installer forgets to see the radio wave display displayed on the display means 6 immediately after the installation of the wireless remote controller 3, the communication failure of the wireless remote controller 3 can be reliably confirmed.

  Then, the control unit 19 of the wireless remote controller 3 continues to notify the abnormality by the notification unit 7 until any switch of the operation unit 8 is operated in STEP 12, and when any switch of the operation unit 8 is operated. It progresses to STEP13, the abnormality alerting | reporting by the alerting | reporting means 7 is complete | finished, and it returns to STEP4. This makes it possible to easily cancel the abnormality notification by the notification means 7, but for example, the abnormality notification by the notification means 7 is received until a sufficiently strong radio wave can be received by moving the installation position of the wireless remote control 3 or the like. Done.

  As described above, the communication unit 2 and the wireless remote controller can be connected to the wireless remote controller 3 even if the power switch 8a or the like is not operated just by setting (connecting) the dry battery to the wireless remote controller 3 immediately after the installer or the like installs the wireless remote controller 3 in the bathroom or the like. 3 is performed, it is possible to prevent the operator from forgetting to confirm the radio wave intensity and to detect a communication failure of the wireless remote controller 3 with respect to the water heater 1 at an early stage.

  Note that STEP 2 may not be provided when the communication confirmation process is performed not only at the start of energization by connection of the dry battery immediately after the wireless remote controller 3 is installed but also at the start of energization at the time of replacement of the dry battery.

  Further, when only displaying the received radio wave intensity at the start of energization of the wireless remote controller 3, STEP6 and STEP11-STEP12-STEP13 may not be provided.

  Further, STEP 8 may not be provided if the end operation of the communication confirmation process by the operation of the operation means 8 is unnecessary when the reception radio wave intensity at the wireless remote controller 3 is sufficiently obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment and the like, the one provided with the notifying means 7 such as a speaker for notifying by sound is shown, but other than that, notifying by flashing light using means for generating light such as a lamp. An informing means for performing the above may be provided, and further, both of them may be provided, and for example, it may be configured to carry out informing in which both the blinking of the lamp and the alarm sound are interlocked.

  In the present embodiment and the like, the communication unit 2 is attached to the outside of the water heater 1. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication unit 2 includes the water heater 1. It may be housed inside.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot water heater, 3 ... Wireless remote control, 6 ... Display means, 7 ... Notification means, 8 ... Operation means, 10 ... Wireless communication means (1st wireless communication means), 16 ... Wireless communication means (2nd wireless communication) Means), 17 ... Radio wave intensity measuring means, 19 ... Control means.

Claims (4)

A water heater having a first wireless communication means; a second wireless communication means; an operation means for input operation; and a display means capable of selectively displaying a plurality of information. In a wireless remote control system for a water heater comprising a wireless remote controller for remotely operating the water heater by performing wireless communication,
The wireless remote controller is configured to measure the intensity of the radio wave received by the second radio communication means, measure the radio wave intensity by the radio wave intensity measuring means, and display the measured radio wave intensity on the display means. And a control means for performing communication confirmation processing to be driven with a dry cell as a power source,
The control means starts the communication confirmation process at the start of energization due to the battery connection of the wireless remote controller, and when the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measurement means is equal to or higher than the minimum radio wave intensity at which communication is possible, A wireless remote control system for a water heater, wherein the communication confirmation process is terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed. The wireless remote controller includes an informing means for informing through either or both of sound and light,
The control means performs notification by the notifying means when the radio wave intensity measured by the radio wave intensity measuring means in the communication confirmation process is less than a minimum radio wave intensity at which communication is possible. A wireless remote control system for the hot water heater described.   The control means accumulates the energization time from the initial energization of the wireless remote controller, and only when the energization by the dry cell connection of the wireless remote control is started until the predetermined accumulated energization time is reached. The wireless remote control system for a hot water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a confirmation process is performed.   The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means terminates the communication confirmation process when the operation means of the wireless remote controller is operated during the communication confirmation process. Wireless remote control system.

Images