JP7812151B2 - Control device for hot water supply device, control method, program, control unit, remote control device, and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control unit used for displaying and operating various devices, such as a remote control device for a water heater.

A water heater remote control is used to remotely control the water heater. The water heater remote control is installed in the bathroom, outside the bathroom, in the kitchen, etc. The display of this water heater remote control displays images such as characters that change depending on the operation of the water heater.
It is known that with regard to this remote control for a water heater, images such as characters that change in response to operations related to the operation of the water heater are displayed on the display unit, allowing the operator to visually recognize the changes in appearance and attract their interest (Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-068521 A

As hot water heaters become more sophisticated, their remote control devices assign complex operating functions to multiple switches, and display information corresponding to the operations on the display. For example, in addition to basic functions such as operation, combustion, automatic bath, reheating, and communication, various functions are included, such as communication, heating, clock display, clock backup, and intercom, as well as clock display setting, date display setting, and volume adjustment. To realize these functions, operating functions are assigned to multiple switches, and the display changes according to the switch operation.
However, when multiple functions are assigned to one switch, displaying those functions on the front panel hinders the compactness of the remote control device, and concentrating multiple function displays in one place hinders the visibility of each function.
Even if the function display on the front panel is limited to the main functions, the content displayed on the display unit becomes complicated, which causes a problem of making the operation cumbersome for the user.
Furthermore, even if the change in display mode, as in the case of the water heater remote control described in Patent Document 1, makes the operator interested in the remote control, there is a problem in that the sense of cumbersomeness caused by the multiple display functions cannot be eliminated.
The inventors of the present application have found that the same problem occurs not only in remote control devices but also in operation panel sections of various devices such as home appliances and control units equipped with operation panels.

In view of the above problems and findings, an object of the present invention is to simplify the function display and operation functions of a controller and to improve user convenience.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the control device for a water heater of the present invention, there is provided a control device for a water heater that supplies hot water by supplying water, the control unit including a control unit for controlling the water heater, the control unit including a light source, a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, the control unit including an operation panel unit that causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch indicator to reveal the first switch indicator, and causes the second switch indicator to be revealed with the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch indicator, the control unit being set to one of a sleep state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state, and in the sleep state the first switch indicator, the second switch indicator, and the information display screen are paused, and the operation panel The power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit, and by turning on the power from the switch on the power switch display , the unit transitions to the first operating state, displaying the information presentation screen and presenting an operable switch display on the first switch display unit , and while the unit is operating in the first operating state, a switch selected from the switch display transitions to the second operating state , presenting selectable switches or operable modes on the second switch display unit , and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state, the unit displays information such as the bath temperature and water level on the information presentation screen in a power saving mode , and the display on the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit is stopped, and the unit transitions to the standby state in which the power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of a control method for a water heating apparatus of the present invention, a control device for a water heating apparatus that receives supply water and supplies hot water is provided with a control unit including a light source, a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, and the control unit including an operation panel unit that causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch indicator to reveal the first switch indicator, and causes the second switch indicator to be revealed with the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch indicator, and the control unit is set to one of a sleep state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state, and in the sleep state, the first switch indicator, the second switch indicator, and the information display screen are paused, and the power switch indicator is displayed on the operation panel unit. a step of transitioning to the first operating state by turning on the power from the switch of the power switch display and displaying the information presentation screen and the operable switch display of the first switch display unit ; a step of transitioning to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display while in operation in the first operating state and presenting the selectable switches or operable modes of the second switch display unit ; and a step of displaying information such as bath temperature and water level on the information presentation screen in a power saving mode on the operation panel unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state , stopping the display of the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitioning to the standby state in which the power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, there is provided a program to be executed by a computer controlling a water heating apparatus having a control unit including a light source, a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, the control unit including an operation panel unit which causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch indicator to reveal the first switch indicator, and causes the second switch indicator to be revealed with the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch indicator, the program having a function to set the control unit to one of a sleep state, a first operating state, a second operating state, or a standby state, and in the sleep state, causes the first switch indicator, the second switch indicator, and the information display screen to be paused, and causes the power switch indicator to be displayed on the operation panel unit The computer is caused to execute the following functions: a function of transitioning to the first operating state by turning on the power from the switch of the power switch display , and displaying the information presentation screen and presenting the operable switch display of the first switch display unit ; a function of transitioning to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display while in operation in the first operating state , and presenting the selectable switches or operable modes of the second switch display unit ; and a function of displaying information such as bath temperature and water level on the information presentation screen in a power saving mode on the operation panel unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state, stopping the display of the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitioning to the standby state in which the power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the control unit of the present invention, there is provided an operation panel unit including a light source, a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, wherein the light source is illuminated by a switch on the power switch indicator to display the first switch indicator, and the second switch indicator is displayed with the light from the light source by a switch included in the first switch indicator; and a control unit configured to set one of a sleep state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state, wherein the first switch indicator, the second switch indicator, and the information display screen are paused in the sleep state, and the power switch indicator is displayed on the operation panel unit, and when power is turned on by the switch on the power switch indicator, The control unit includes a control unit that transitions to the first operating state and displays the information presentation screen and presents an operable switch display on the first switch display unit , and while the first operating state is in operation, transitions to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display and presents a selectable switch or operable mode on the second switch display unit , and when a predetermined time has elapsed from the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the second operating state, displays information such as bath temperature and water level on the information presentation screen on the operation panel unit in a power saving mode , stops displaying the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitions to the standby state in which the power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the hot water supply system of the present invention, the system includes a control unit that controls a hot water supply unit that supplies hot water using water supply or a reheating unit that reheats bath water in a bathtub supplied with hot water from the hot water supply unit, and a control unit that is connected to the control unit and performs coordinated control of the hot water supply process or the reheating process .

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) This control unit simplifies the display on the operation panel, and can be integrated or balanced with the wall on which the control unit is installed or the housing surface of the equipment, allowing for the creation of a highly convenient operation system.
(2) The light source can be turned off when the control unit is not in operation, so unnecessary displays can be omitted and power consumption can be reduced.
(3) Since unnecessary operation parts are not displayed, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as malfunctions caused by careless touching.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a control unit according to the first embodiment. 1A is a diagram showing the resting state of the control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the standby state of the control unit. 1A is a diagram showing an operating state 1 of the control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an operating state 2 of the control unit. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of line IV-IV of A in FIG. 2. 5A is an enlarged view of a part of the switch display of the control unit, B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB of FIG. 5A, and C is a view showing the state of the switch display. 1A is a diagram showing the housing section, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the operation panel section. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of LEDs and switches on a substrate. 1A is a diagram showing a switch detection circuit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an LED light emission circuit. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a control unit. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for display switching control. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flame display of a control unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a control unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a battery display of a control unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a control unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a control unit according to a fourth embodiment. 1A is a diagram showing the resting state of the control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the standby state of the control unit. 1A is a diagram showing an operating state 1 of the control unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an operating state 2 of the control unit. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating hardware of the hot water supply system. 1A is a diagram showing an operating state 1 of the bathroom remote control device, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an operating state 2 of the bathroom remote control device.

First Embodiment
Fig. 1 shows a control unit according to a first embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
The control unit 2 is provided with a housing 4, and a fixed housing 5 is provided on the rear side of the housing 4. The housing 4 and the fixed housing 5 are integrally molded from a light-blocking synthetic resin or the like and are detachable. The fixed housing 5 is fixed to a wall surface of a bathroom or the like or to a device housing by fixing means such as fixing screws. By combining the housing 4 with the fixed housing 5 fixed to the wall surface or the device housing, the housing 4 is fixed to the wall surface of a bathroom or the like by the fixed housing 5.
An operation panel 6 is provided on the front surface of the housing 4. The operation panel 6 is made of a light-transmitting material that is transparent, semi-transparent, or otherwise flexible. The operation panel 6 is equipped with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display window 8, a sensor window 10, switch display units 12, 14, and 16, and a mode display unit 18.

The display screen of the LCD display unit 20 is arranged in the LCD display window 8. This LCD display unit 20 is an example of an information presentation unit, and stops displaying when the control unit 2 is in the sleep state (A in FIG. 2). When the control unit 2 is in the standby state (B in FIG. 2) or in the operating state 1 (A in FIG. 3), the LCD display unit 20 displays information such as the bath temperature and water level.
A human sensor or the like for detecting bathers or the like is disposed in the sensor window portion 10.
Switch display units 12 and 14 are examples of a first switch display unit. Switch display unit 12 includes, as examples, a power switch display 12-1 and a setting switch display 12-2. Power switch display 12-1 indicates the power supply status to control unit 2 and controlled devices, for example, power ON/OFF. Setting switch display 12-2 indicates the position of a setting switch for revealing switch display unit 16. Switch display unit 14 includes, for example, a call switch display 14-1, a reheating switch display 14-2, and an automatic bath switch display 14-3, which are revealed when illuminated from the back and serve as switches for transitioning to the respective operations.

The switch display section 16 is an example of a second switch display section, and is revealed when illuminated from the rear side (B in FIG. 3). The switch display section 16 includes a plurality of switch displays 16-1, 16-2, ..., 16-7.
The mode display unit 18 indicates the position of the mode switch for switching to, for example, calorie measurement mode, body fat measurement mode, or half-body bathing mode. The mode display unit 18 includes mode displays 18-1, 18-2, and 18-3, and the mode display is revealed when light is irradiated from the back side (see B in Figure 3). At this time, the mode can be switched.
Regarding the arrangement of the power switch display 12-1, setting switch display 12-2, switch displays 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, switch displays 16-1, 16-2, ..., 16-7, mode displays 18-1, 18-2, 18-3 and switches, the power switch display 12-1 corresponds to the switch 120-1, the setting switch display 12-2 corresponds to the switch 120-2, the switch displays 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 correspond to the switches 140-1, 140-2, 140-3, the switch displays 16-1, 16-2, ..., 16-7 correspond to the switches 160-1, 160-2, ..., 160-7, and the mode displays 18-1, 18-2, 18-3 correspond to the arrangement positions of the switches 180-1, 180-2, 180-3 (A in Figures 7 and 8).

<Hibernation>
2A shows the resting state of the control unit 2. In this resting state, electrical and optical displays are stopped, and only the switch display section 12 is displayed. The LCD display window section 8 and the sensor window section 10 are visible through the operation panel section 6.

<Standby state>
2B shows the standby state of the control unit 2. After a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on or operation completion, the control unit 2 enters the standby state. In this standby state, the LCD display 20 displays information such as the bath temperature and water level in a power-saving mode.

<Operation state 1>
3A shows the operation state 1 of the control unit 2. After power is turned on, the operation state is entered and the switch display section 14 is displayed.

<Operation state 2>
Fig. 3B shows the operation state 2 of the control unit 2. After transitioning to the operation state 1, when a predetermined switch is selected from the switch display section 12 or the switch display section 14, one or more displays are selected and displayed from the switch display section 16 and the mode display section 18. For ease of explanation, Fig. 3B shows all of the displays on the switch display section 16 as a display in the standby state. When a predetermined switch is selected from the switch display section 16, information based on the operation of the switch display section 16 is displayed on the LCD display section 20.

<Internal mechanism of control unit 2>
FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along line IV-IV of A in FIG. 2. In FIG. 4, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. The housing 4 has an operation panel 6 on the front side, and a board 22 is disposed on the rear side of the operation panel 6. Functional components such as an LCD element 24, multiple switches 26, multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 28 (FIG. 5B), and a control unit control unit 30 (FIG. 9) are mounted on the board 22. The LCD element 24 is an example of an information display element. The switch 26 may be a switch that opens and closes when pressed, or may be a touch sensor such as an electrostatic switch. The LED 28 is an example of a light source or a light-emitting element that constitutes a light source.
Light-shielding walls 32 protruding from the housing 4 abut against the substrate 22, forming a plurality of partitions 34 with switch and display functions as units. Each partition 34 is surrounded by the light-shielding walls 32. Light leakage between the partitions 34 surrounded by the light-shielding walls 32 is prevented. Silicon mats 36 are installed between the light-shielding walls 32. The silicon mats 36 are an example of an elastic member and, for example, an example of a white, translucent light-guiding member.

<Switch mechanism>
Figure 5A shows an enlarged view of the "add hot water" switch display 16-3 as part of the switch display sections 12, 14, 16 and mode display section 18 of the control unit 2. Figure 5B shows a cross section taken along line VB-VB of Figure 5A. In Figure 5B, parts that are common to Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals.
The silicon mat 36 is disposed between the operation portion 38 of the switch 26 and the operation panel portion 6. A support step portion 40 is formed on the light-shielding wall 32, and the silicon mat 36 is held between the support step portion 40 and the operation panel portion 6.
With this configuration, the operation panel portion 6 and the silicone mat 36 are elastic, so when the operation panel portion 6 is pressed, the pressing force is transmitted from the silicone mat 36 to the operation portion 38 of the switch 26, allowing the switch 26 to be operated, opened or closed.

<Display mechanism>
A plurality of LEDs 28 are mounted on the board 22 around the periphery of the switch 26. A silicone mat 36 arranged above each LED 28 is, for example, an example of a white translucent light-guiding member. Each LED 28 may comprise, for example, a single LED element or multiple LED elements, and may emit a single color (red, green, blue) when lit alone, or a composite color (such as white) when lit multiple times. This allows for operation guides such as operation selections, or temperature increases and decreases, to be displayed in a single color or multiple colors.
As shown in Fig. 5B, the operation panel 6 has a translucent member 6-2 on the back surface of a light-transmitting member 6-1, and a printed display layer 6-3 formed by printing on the back surface of the translucent member 6-2. The printed display layer 6-3 has a light-blocking portion 6-31 and a light-transmitting portion 6-32 that forms characters.
With this configuration, when each LED 28 is lit, light from each LED 28 passes through the silicone mat 36 and reaches the back side of the operation panel unit 6, causing the display characters on the printed display layer 6-3 to appear on the operation panel unit 6. Because the housing unit 4 and the light-shielding wall 32 are light-shielding members, the diffusion area of the light from the LED 28 is limited to within the partitions 34, preventing light leakage between the partitions 34.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the operation panel unit 6 displays, for example, "add hot water" displayed on the print display layer 6-3 only by the light in the partitioned portion 34.

<Housing unit 4>
6A, the housing 4 is formed with an LCD display window 8, a sensor window 10, and a plurality of display windows 42, 44, and 46. The above-mentioned light-shielding walls 32 are formed integrally with the housing 4 at the edges of the windows 8, 10, 42, 44, and 46.

<Operation panel section 6>
As shown in FIG. 6B, the operation panel 6 has transparent windows 8, 10, 42, 44, and 46 corresponding to the switch display sections 12, 14, and 16 and the mode display section 18, and as described above, the back side of the operation panel 6 is provided with a translucent member 6-1 and a semi-transparent member 6-2, and the semi-transparent member 6-2 has the printed display layer 6-3 formed thereon (FIG. 5B).

<Substrate 22>
7, an LCD element 24 and an LED 28 are arranged on the board 22. Although not shown, the board 22 also has functional sections (see FIG. 9) such as a control unit control section 30, an LCD driving section 48, a switch detection section 50, and an LED driving section 52.

<Switch detection circuit 54>
8A shows an example of a switch detection circuit 54. This switch detection circuit 54 detects the ON/OFF states of multiple switches 26 and outputs a switch signal indicating the ON or OFF state. This switch detection circuit 54 is equipped with a switch section 56 including multiple switches 26 and a switch detection section 50. The switch section 56 is equipped with multiple row lines 60X and multiple column lines 60Y, and the switches 26 described above are arranged at their intersections. The switch detection section 50 detects the ON/OFF states of the row lines 60X and column lines 60Y and outputs a switch signal indicating their positions.

<LED Light Emitting Circuit 62>
8B shows an example of an LED light emitting circuit 62. This LED light emitting circuit 62 turns on or off the plurality of LEDs 28.
The LED light-emitting circuit 62 includes an LED circuit section 64 and an LED drive section 52. The LED circuit section 64 has a plurality of LEDs 28 arranged on the substrate 22. The LED drive section 52 passes a drive current through the corresponding LED 28 when the LED is turned on, and stops the drive current when the turned-on LED 28 is switched off.

<Control unit control section 30>
9 shows hardware including the control unit control section 30 and various functional sections, in which the same parts as those in A and B of FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals.
The control unit control section 30 is configured as a computer equipped with a communication function, and includes a processor 68, a memory section 70, an input/output (I/O) section 72, and a communication section 74.

The processor 68 executes programs stored in the memory unit 70 and controls the aforementioned switch operations and display switching. The memory unit 70 includes storage elements such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) for storing programs and control data.
Under the control of the processor, the I/O 72 receives detection signals from the switch detection unit 50, the motion sensor 76, and the like, and outputs drive signals to functional units such as the LCD drive unit 48 and the LED drive unit 52.
Under the control of the processor 68, the communication unit 74 communicates with the hot water supply system 90 (FIG. 18) and various devices to send and receive control information.

<Processing procedure>
10 shows the processing procedure of the control unit 2. This processing procedure is an example of a program or control method of the present invention. In this processing procedure, S indicates a process, and the symbols attached to S indicate an example of the order of the processes.
In this processing procedure, if the control unit 2 is in a pause state (S100) after initial setting, it is determined whether the switch 120-1 has been operated (S101). If the switch 120-1 has not been operated (NO in S101), the control unit 2 remains in the pause state (S100).
When the switch 120-1 is operated (YES in S101), the LCD display, the switch display sections 12 and 14, which are the first switch display section, are displayed as shown in FIG. 3A (S102).
Thereafter, if the switch 120-1 is operated (YES in S103), the process returns to the inactive state (S100), and if not (NO in S103), the process continues to S104.

When the switch 120-2 is operated (YES in S104), the switch display section 16 appears (S105).
If switch 120-2 is not operated (NO in S104) and one of switches 140-1 to 140-3 is operated (YES in S106), the operation of one of switches 140-1 to 140-3 that was operated is performed (S107).
If a predetermined time has passed without any switch operation (YES in S108), the device enters a standby state (S109), and if the predetermined time has not passed (NO in S108), the device returns to S103.

<Advantages of the First Embodiment>
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The display on the control unit's operation panel can be simplified.
(2) The control unit can be more closely matched to the installation surface and the equipment housing.
(3) The control unit can be kept in an off state, eliminating unnecessary displays and reducing power consumption.
(4) It is possible to omit displays on unnecessary operating parts, thereby preventing inexperienced users from accidentally touching the parts and causing malfunctions.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 11 shows a flame display in a control unit according to the second embodiment, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 2A are given the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, flame detection information is provided as combustion information, and a flame display 78 appears on the operation panel unit 6. Other displays are omitted.

Fig. 12 shows the hardware of the control unit according to the second embodiment, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 9 are given the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, a flame indicator 80 is provided as an example of a status indicator. When flame detection information is provided to communication unit 74 from, for example, a hot water supply control unit (not shown), a lighting signal is sent from I/O 72 to flame indicator 80, and flame indicator 80 displays the combustion status (FIG. 11).

<Effects of the Second Embodiment>
According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
(2) A flame display is provided on the simplified operation panel 6, and the combustion state can be easily known as an example of status information.

Third Embodiment
Fig. 13 shows a battery display in a control unit according to the third embodiment, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 2A are given the same reference numerals.
In the third embodiment, battery consumption information or replacement information is received as an example of detected information, and a battery display 82 appears on the operation panel unit 6. Other displays are omitted.

Fig. 14 shows the hardware of a control unit according to the third embodiment, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 9 are given the same reference numerals.
In the third embodiment, a battery display 84 is provided as an example of an information display unit. The control unit control unit 30 determines the power consumption state of a battery 88 connected to a power supply unit 86, for example, as a voltage level. When this power consumption state drops to a level where the battery 88 needs to be replaced, a battery display signal indicating the power consumption state of the battery 88 is output from the I/O 72 to the battery display 84. The battery display 84 displays battery replacement information (FIG. 13).

<Effects of the Third Embodiment>
According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
(2) The simplified operation panel 6 displays a battery status, which provides an example of status information that allows the user to easily know when to replace the battery.

Fourth Embodiment
Fig. 15 shows a control unit according to a fourth embodiment, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals.
The control unit 2 according to the fourth embodiment is a more compact version of the control unit 2 according to the first embodiment, with some of its functions eliminated, and can be used, for example, as a kitchen remote control. In this case, in addition to the switch displays 16-5 to 16-7, switch displays 16-8, 16-9, 16-10, 16-11, and 16-12 are also displayed.

<Hibernation>
16A shows the resting state of the control unit 2. In this resting state, electrical and optical displays are stopped, and only the switch display section 12 is displayed. The LCD display window section 8 is merely visible through the operation panel section 6.

<Standby state>
16B shows the standby state of the control unit 2. When a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on or operation completion, the control unit 2 enters the standby state. In this standby state, the LCD display 20 displays information such as the hot water temperature and time in a power-saving mode.

<Operation state 1>
17A shows the operation state 1 of the control unit 2. After power is turned on, the operation state is entered and the switch display section 14 is displayed.

<Operation state 2>
Fig. 17B shows the operation state 2 of the control unit 2. After transitioning to the operation state 1, when a predetermined switch is selected from the switch display section 12 or 14, one or more of the switches in the switch display section 16 are displayed. For ease of explanation, Fig. 17B shows all of the switches in the switch display section 16 as a display in the standby state.

<Effects of the Fourth Embodiment>
According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the control unit can be made smaller and lighter.

<Hot water supply system>
Fig. 18 shows a hot water supply system according to one embodiment. This hot water supply system is an example of equipment that uses a control unit 2, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 18.
This hot water supply system 90 is provided with a hot water supply section 92 that heats tap water W to supply hot water, and a reheating section 96 that reheats bath water BW in a bathtub 94.
The hot water supply section 92 is equipped with a primary heat exchanger 98, a secondary heat exchanger 100, and a burner section 102. Clean water W flows from a water supply pipe 104 to the secondary heat exchanger 100, where it exchanges heat with the latent heat of the combustion exhaust gas 106, and then flows to the primary heat exchanger 98, where it is heated to hot water HW by heat exchange with the sensible heat of the combustion exhaust gas 106. This hot water HW is supplied from a hot water supply pipe 108, and when hot water is poured into the bathtub 94, it is poured into the bathtub 94 from a hot water pouring pipe 110 through a reheating circulation path 112. In this case, the primary heat exchanger 98 and the secondary heat exchanger 100 are heated by the heat of combustion of fuel gas G flowing from a gas supply pipe 113 to the burner section 102.

The reheating section 96 is equipped with a heat exchanger 114 and a burner section 116. The bath water BW is circulated to the heat exchanger 114 by a circulation pump 118, and exchanges heat with the heat of combustion in the burner section 116.
This hot water supply system 90 is provided with a hot water supply control unit 119, which is linked to a bathroom remote control 120 and a kitchen remote control 122 (Figure 19).

<Hot water supply control unit 119, bathroom remote control 120, and kitchen remote control 122>
FIG. 19 shows the hardware of the hot water supply control unit 119, bathroom remote control 120, and kitchen remote control 122.
The hot water supply control unit 119 is composed of a computer with communications capabilities and controls the hot water supply of the hot water supply system 90. This hot water supply control unit 119 is equipped with a processor 124, a memory unit 126, an input/output (I/O) unit 128, and a remote control communication unit 130. The processor 124 executes programs and the like stored in the memory unit 126 to control the hot water supply and to control linkage with the bathroom remote control 120 and the kitchen remote control 122. The memory unit 126 is equipped with storage elements such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and stores programs and control data. Under the control of the processor 124, the I/O 128 receives detection signals from sensors in the hot water supply system 90, such as a water flow switch 132, a water level sensor 134, a hot water supply amount sensor 136, and a flame sensor 141, and outputs control signals to drive units such as a water control valve 138, a circulation pump 118, and a hot water supply solenoid valve 140.

The bathroom remote control 120 uses the control unit 2 (Figure 1) already described and is equipped with a bathroom remote control control unit 142. The configuration of the bathroom remote control control unit 142 is the same as that of the control unit control unit 30, so common reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted.

The kitchen remote control 122 uses the control unit 2 (Figure 15) already described and is equipped with a kitchen remote control control unit 144. The configuration of the kitchen remote control control unit 144 is common to the control unit control unit 30, so common reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted.

<Switching the display of the bathroom remote control 120>
A in Fig. 20 shows the above-mentioned operating state 1 of bathroom remote control 120. In A in Fig. 20, the same parts as in A in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals.
Fig. 20B shows the above-mentioned operating state 2 of bathroom remote controller 120. In Fig. 20B, the same parts as in Fig. 3B are given the same reference numerals.
In this example, by selecting automatic bath from operation state 1, the necessary switch displays 16-1, 16-2, 16-5, and 16-7 are displayed on the operation panel 6, and the necessary functions can be selected and set from these displays.

<Effects of the embodiment>
According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.
(2) Necessary functions can be selected from the simplified operation panel 6, and since the panel is kept in a non-display state, malfunctions due to careless selection operations can be prevented.

Other Embodiments
(1) The hot water supply system may have a heating function.
(2) The control unit 2 is used in the bathroom remote control 120 and the kitchen remote control 122, but it may also be applied to other remote controls or operation control parts of other devices.

As explained above, the most preferred embodiment of the configuration of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention as set forth in the claims or disclosed in the detailed description. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included within the scope of the present invention.

According to this invention, the operation panel of the control unit can be simplified, it can be applied to various remote control devices and various equipment, it is possible to avoid inadvertent operation, and it is possible to improve the reliability of the operation function.

2 Control unit 4 Housing 5 Fixed housing 6 Operation panel 6-1 Light-transmitting member 6-2 Semi-transparent member 6-3 Printed display layer 6-31 Light-blocking portion 6-32 Light-transmitting portion 8 LCD display window 10 Sensor window 12, 14, 16 Switch display 18 Mode display 20 LCD display 22 Substrate 24 LCD element 26 Switch 28 LED
30 Control unit control section 32 Light-shielding wall 34 Partition section 36 Silicone mat 38 Operation section 40 Support step section 42, 44, 46 Display window section 48 LCD drive section 50 Switch detection section 52 LED drive section 54 Switch detection circuit 56 Switch section 60X Row line 60Y Column line 62 LED light-emitting circuit 64 LED circuit section 68 Processor 70 Memory section 72 Input/output section 74 Communication section 76 Human presence sensor 78 Flame display 80 Flame display section 82 Battery display 84 Battery display section 86 Power supply section 88 Battery 90 Hot water supply system 92 Hot water supply section 94 Bathtub 96 Reheating section 98 Primary heat exchanger 100 Secondary heat exchanger 102 Burner section 104 Water supply pipe 106 Combustion exhaust 108 Hot water supply pipe 110 Hot water supply pipe 112 Reheating circulation path 113 Gas supply pipe 114 Heat exchanger 116 Burner section 118 Circulation pump 119 Hot water supply control section 120 Bathroom remote control 120-1, 120-2, 140-1, 140-2, 140-3, 160-1, 160-2, 160-3, 160-4, 160-5, 160-6, 160-7, 180-1, 180-2, 180-3 Switch 122 Kitchen remote control 124 Processor 126 Memory section 128 Input/output section 130 Remote control communication section 132 Water flow switch 134 Water level sensor 136 Hot water supply amount sensor 138 Water control valve 140 Hot water supply solenoid valve 141 Flame sensor 142 Bathroom remote control unit 144 Kitchen remote control unit

Claims (7)

A control device for a hot water supply device that supplies hot water by supplying water,
A control unit for controlling the hot water supply device is provided,
the control unit includes a light source, a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, and includes an operation panel section that causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch indicator, thereby revealing the first switch indicator, and that causes the second switch indicator to be revealed with the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch indicator,
The control unit is set to one of a rest state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state;
in the pause state, the first switch display unit, the second switch display unit, and the information display screen are paused, and the power switch display is displayed on the operation panel unit;
When power is turned on through the power switch indicator, the device transitions to the first operating state , and the information display screen and the operable switch indicator of the first switch indicator are displayed;
During operation of the first operation state, a transition to the second operation state is made by a switch selected from the switch display , and selectable switches or operable modes are presented in the second switch display unit ;
A control device for a water heating device that, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state, displays information such as bath temperature and water level on the information presentation screen on the operation panel unit in a power saving mode , stops displaying the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitions to the standby state in which the power switch display is presented on the operation panel unit. A control method for controlling a hot water supply device that receives water supply and supplies hot water, the control device including a light source, a power switch display, a first switch display unit, a second switch display unit, and an information display screen, the control unit including an operation panel unit that causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch display to reveal the first switch display unit, and causes the second switch display unit to reveal the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch display unit,
The control unit is set to one of a rest state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state;
pausing the first switch display unit, the second switch display unit, and the information display screen in the pause state, and presenting the power switch display on the operation panel unit;
a step of transitioning to the first operating state by turning on the power from the switch indicating the power switch , and displaying the information display screen and an operable switch indication of the first switch display unit ;
a step of transitioning to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display during operation of the first operating state , and presenting selectable switches or operable modes of the second switch display unit ;
a step of displaying information such as bath temperature and water level on the information display screen on the operation panel in a power-saving mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state , stopping the display of the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitioning to the standby state in which the power switch display is displayed on the operation panel;
A method for controlling a water heater, comprising: A control device for a hot water supply device that receives water supply and supplies hot water includes a control unit including a light source, a power switch display, a first switch display unit, a second switch display unit, and an information display screen, and includes an operation panel unit that causes the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch display to reveal the first switch display unit, and causes the second switch display unit to reveal the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch display unit, and a program to be executed by a computer that controls the hot water supply device,
a function of setting the control unit to one of a sleep state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state;
a function of pausing the first switch display unit, the second switch display unit, and the information display screen in the pause state and presenting the power switch display on the operation panel unit;
a function of transitioning to the first operating state by turning on the power from the switch of the power switch display , and displaying the information display screen and an operable switch display of the first switch display unit ;
a function of transitioning to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display during operation of the first operating state , and presenting selectable switches or operable modes of the second switch display unit ;
a function of displaying information such as bath temperature and water level on the information display screen on the operation panel in a power-saving mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state , stopping the display of the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitioning to the standby state in which the power switch display is displayed on the operation panel;
A program for causing the computer to execute the above. A light source and
an operation panel unit including a power switch indicator, a first switch indicator, a second switch indicator, and an information display screen, the operation panel unit causing the light source to emit light in response to a switch on the power switch indicator, thereby revealing the first switch indicator, and causing the second switch indicator to be revealed with the light from the light source in response to a switch included in the first switch indicator;
a control unit which sets one of a resting state, a first operating state, a second operating state, and a standby state, which in the resting state causes the first switch display unit, the second switch display unit, and the information display screen to be paused, and which displays the power switch display on the operation panel unit, which transitions to the first operating state by turning on the power from the switch on the power switch display , and displays the information display screen and displays the operable switches of the first switch display unit , which transitions to the second operating state by a switch selected from the switch display during operation in the first operating state , and displays selectable switches or operable modes of the second switch display unit , and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first operating state or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second operating state, which displays information such as bath temperature and water level on the information display screen on the operation panel unit in a power saving mode , and which stops the display of the first switch display unit and the second switch display unit, and transitions to the standby state in which the power switch display is displayed on the operation panel unit;
a control unit. a power switch indicator that is always visible on the operation panel;
a first switch circuit that supplies power to a light source and the control unit, the first switch display unit being displayed on the operation panel by a switch of the power switch display;
a second switch circuit that supplies power to a light source that causes the second switch display unit to appear on the operation panel unit in response to a switch on the first switch display unit;
The control unit of claim 4, comprising: A remote control device connected to a water heater that supplies hot water from a water supply, the remote control device including the control unit described in claim 4 or claim 5. A control unit that controls a hot water supply unit that supplies hot water by water supply or a reheating unit that reheats bath water in a bathtub supplied with hot water from the hot water supply unit;
The control unit according to claim 4 or 5, which is connected to the control unit and performs coordinated control of hot water supply processing or reheating processing;
Including, hot water system.