EP0495189B1 - Method and installation for assuring and determining the guarantee time of an apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for securing and determining the warranty period for a device, in particular an electrically operated device, the time of the beginning of the warranty period being entered into a tamper-proof electronic device connected to the device and preventing the value once entered from being changed. and an electronic device for performing the method.

In a known method (FR-A-2 568 702) the electrical device contains a memory into which the date of commissioning is entered. This date can later be displayed using a microcomputer and a display. The microcomputer is programmed in such a way that it does not allow a commissioning date which has been entered to be changed. This ensures that the warranty period of the electrical device can be determined in a tamper-proof manner.

The invention has for its object to secure and determine the respectively provided warranty period with relatively simple means.

According to a first solution to this problem, it is provided that a tamper-proof and documentation-safe time counter connected to the device, fed by an independent energy source and running synchronously with the calendar time, is brought to a standstill at the beginning of the warranty period and the counting result is displayed in a display field, and that protective measures prevent the time counter from being started again.

With this solution, the time counter is started, for example, at the time of manufacture or at the time of delivery of the device. For example, the time counter counts the calendar time according to years, months and days. At the time of delivery of the device, which is in particular electrically operated, to an end user, the time counter is stopped by the seller in the presence of the customer, after which it cannot be started again. The counting result remains visible in a display field so that the customer can later determine the individual warranty period from this. The manufacturer can also use the counting result to determine how much time has passed between the delivery of the device and its handover to the end user.

When the timer is started, a previously defined warranty period can also be added. In this case, there is no display while the time counter is still running. The display only becomes visible when the counter is brought to a standstill. It then does not show the day of delivery, but for example the last day of the warranty period.

In another solution of the invention it is provided that at the beginning of the warranty period a tamper-proof and documentation-safe meter connected to the device, powered by an independent energy source and running synchronously with the calendar time, is started, the meter reading as the current status of those still available or if the warranty period has already expired or can be displayed as the end of the warranty period, and that protective measures are used to prevent the counting process from being interrupted until the warranty period has expired.

Since it is an electronic device, the power consumption is low, so that, for example, a small long-term battery for a period of 10 years can be used as an energy source. It is also possible to display the warranty period instead of the calendar time. For example, the time counter starts at zero. He can later use a special indicator to report that the intended and, for example, programmed warranty period has been exceeded. Alternatively, a down counter can also be provided, which begins with the maximum specified warranty period and counts down to zero. In addition to the display field, the corresponding explanations for the function of the counter must be given for the sake of clarity.

In a further embodiment of the invention, to carry out the method by means of an electronic device, an electrical or electronic time counter running in synchronization with the calendar time is provided, which is connected to a long-term battery serving as an independent energy source by means of an irreversibly switching switching device, and that the device is connected to the device with a tamper-proof and documentation-safe protective body.

The protective body can be a housing, a casting compound or, for example, some other type of embedding, which is screwed, for example, to the device for which the defect warranty exists. The screws can be secured against later actuation, for example by seals or stamps. The protective body itself can be secured against unauthorized removal from the device by a seal or by one or more stamps (seals).

The switching device advantageously consists of a switch, either manually or at the time the device is started up for the first time - in this case automatically - which is designed in such a way that it cannot be returned to its starting position after actuation.

In a further development of the invention, the electronic device is integrated in a factory or rating plate, which is permanently labeled with data that is relevant for the operation and origin of the device or is prescribed by law. The integration of the electronic device in a factory or rating plate is particularly advantageous because the measures for tampering and document security then also benefit the factory or rating plate, because the integration is cheaper and because overall less mounting surface and mounting effort is required.

In a further development of the invention, the time counter has a microprocessor and the time display device has an electronically stimulable optical display. Such a microprocessor and such a display are already used in pocket calculators or digital watches, for example.

In a further development of the invention, a tamper-proof setting or programming device is provided for the warranty period. This ensures that the setting or programming can only be carried out by the guarantor or his representative using, for example, certain interlocks or encryption.

In a further development of the invention, it is provided that components already present in any case for the purposes of the device for securing and in particular the electrically operated device Determine the warranty period. For example, a microprocessor already present on the device is advantageously used as such for the device for securing and determining the warranty period. There are also special line connections between the device and the electronic device, which can be implemented, for example, as tamper-proof plug connections.

The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. On the basis of these exemplary embodiments, the invention is described and explained in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows the view of an electrically operated device.

2 to 4 show block diagrams of the invention.

The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 represents a hot water heater. The water entering the device 1 through the pipe socket 2 is electrically heated inside. For this purpose, the device 1 is provided with a flexible connecting line 4, which ends in a plug 5, which can be inserted into a wall socket, not shown here. The heated water can be removed through a second pipe socket 3. In the interior of the device 1, in addition to heating cartridges, there are electrically and hydraulically operating devices which ensure that the heating cartridges are only flowed through by electricity when water is drawn off via the pipe socket 3 and a sufficiently high pressure is present in the supply line. A position switch 6 allows the setting of certain heat levels by hand.

The protective body 8 of an electronic device 9 shown in FIG. 4 as a block diagram is connected to the device 1 by four fastening means 7. The connection is Tamper-proof and documentation-safe, because an embossing die 12 also connects the protective body 8 to the device 1 in such a way that after loosening the fastening means 7, the protective body 8 cannot be lifted off the device 1 without destroying the embossing die 12.

4, the electronic device 9 has an electronic time counter 13 with a time display device 16. A long-term battery 21 is used as the energy source, which is connected to the time counter 13 via an irreversibly switching switching device 24.

The guarantee period relevant for the end consumer from the date of sale is permanently programmed in the electronic time counter 13. The time display device 16, which is clearly visible on the device 1 behind a pane, is at zero. A commercially available microprocessor is used as the time counter 13 and a likewise commercially available electronically stimulable optical display is used as the time display device 16.

When the device 1 is handed over to the end user, the seller presses a button 27 which is also visible in FIG. 1 on the protective body 8, as a result of which the switching device 24 is switched on irreversibly and the electronic time counter 13 starts to run. The switching device 24 has a dropout lock shown symbolically in FIG. 4 in the form of a latching device. In most cases, it is sufficient to show on the display 16 the days and months past from the time the device 1 was handed over. If the warranty period is longer, it is advisable to also indicate the years. Provision can also be made to automatically stop the time counter 13 after the warranty period has expired or to display a display on the display 16 of the expiry of the warranty period, for example by the lettering "warranty period expired".

In Fig. 1 is also indicated that the electronic device 9 or its protective body 8 is integrated in a factory and rating plate, which receives in the display field 28 relevant and legally prescribed data for the operation and origin of the device 1.

In an alternative embodiment of the electronic device 9, it is provided that the switch 24 is not designed as an irreversibly switching on switch, but rather as an irreversibly switching off switch. In the manufacturing plant, the time counter 13 is set to the calendar-based time, and if the key 27 is pressed at the time of delivery to the end user, the switching device 24 interrupts the connection between the long-term battery 21 and the electronic time counter 13. However, the time 16 remains on the display 16 exist because either the power supply of the display 16 via the line 29 indicated by dashed lines is maintained, or because the time display device 16 receives its own power supply.

Alternatively, it can be provided that, by depressing the key 27, only the electronic time counter 13 is influenced directly, but not the connection between the time counter and the battery.

The embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in the following ways:

A symbolically represented hot water heater 30 can be connected to a power source 33 via a line 31 and a switch 32. A line 34 branching off from the line 31 leads via a drive system 35 to a ground point 36. The drive system 35 serves to actuate a switching device 25 which first interrupts a line 37 leading from the long-term battery 22 to an electronic time counter 14.

Above the interruption point, a line 38 branches off from line 37, which leads to a further electronic time counter 15. A time display device 17 is connected to the counter 14, and a time display device 18 is connected to the counter 15. The electronic time counter 14 is also connected to a setting and programming device 39 for the warranty period. The whole is enclosed by a sealed protective body 40, which is indicated by dash-dotted lines. In Fig. 2 it is shown symbolically that the mechanical connection between the operating system 35 and the switching element of the switching device 25 has a dropout lock in the form of a latch, so that the switch once switched on can no longer be switched off.

In the manufacturing plant, the time counter 15 is set to the calendar-based time, which is continuously displayed clearly on the time display device 18. When the hot water heater 30 is started up for the first time, the drive system 35 is automatically flowed through by a current flowing to the ground point 36, as a result of which the switching device 25 is switched on and the time counter 14 begins to count from zero. The warranty period that has already elapsed is continuously displayed on the time display device 17.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the full guarantee period becomes visible on the time display device 17 at the time the switching device 25 is switched on and the counter 14 counts down. The number zero then appears after the warranty period.

The following other alternatives are available:

On the one hand, the drive system 35 is provided with a button 42 which is led out of the protective body 40. The button 42 can be actuated by the seller at the time the device 30 is handed over, so that it can alternatively be provided that the warranty period runs from the time of the handover.

Alternatively, an irreversible switching switch 26 can be provided in line 38 as a further switching device. The switch 26 could be equipped irreversibly at the beginning of the warranty period, as a result of which the time display on the time display device 18 would come to a standstill and would be fixed in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 4. This would fix the point in time at which the device 30 was handed over to the end user, and a time display device 17 could also be used to display the remaining guarantee time when the counter 14 was running backwards.

The training according to FIG. 3 differs from the training according to FIG. 2 in the following ways:

The hot water heater 30 requires a microprocessor 43 for its operation, which is also used as such for the device 11 for securing and determining the warranty period. In it, for example, the switching device 25, the counters 14, 15 and the setting and programming device 39 for the guarantee period are integrated.

In the case of the designs according to FIGS. 2 and 3, all settings and start-ups made in the manufacturing plant can no longer be changed without authorization because the sealed protective body 40 prevents this.

Claims (6)

1. Method for permanently recording and ascertaining the warranty period, in particular for an electrically operated appliance (1, 30), such that the time when the warranty period begins is entered into an interference-proof electronic device (9, 10, 11) connected to the appliance, and such that once the value has been entered it cannot be changed, characterized in that an interference-proof and documentation-secured timer (13, 14, 15) connected to the appliance (1, 30), supplied from an independent energy source (21, 22) and running synchronously with calendar time, is stopped at the beginning of the warranty period and the resultant time reading is displayed in a display field (16, 17, 18), and in that protective measures are in place to prevent the timer from being started again.
2. Method for permanently recording and ascertaining the warranty period, in particular for an electrically operated appliance (1, 30), such that the time when the warranty period begins is entered into an interference-proof electronic device (9, 10, 11) connected to the appliance, and such that once the value has been entered it cannot be changed, characterized in that an interference-proof and documentation-secured timer (13, 14, 15) connected to the appliance (1, 30), supplied from an independent energy source (21, 22) and running synchronously with calendar time, is started at the beginning of the warranty period, whose time reading can be displayed to show the current situation in respect of warranty time still available or already lapsed, or whether the warranty period has come to an end, and in that protective measures are in place to prevent any interruption of the timing process until the warranty period has lapsed.
3. Electronic device implementing the method according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an electric or electronic timer (13, 14, 15) running synchronously with calendar time and associated with a display field (16, 17, 18), which is connected to a longlife battery (21, 22) serving as an independent energy source via an irreversible switching device (24, 25, 26), and in that the device, enclosed in a protective body (8, 40) to prevent interference and secure its documentation, is connected to the appliance (1, 30).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the timer (13) is associated with an irreversible switching device (24, 27) which can be activated manually.
5. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the timer (14, 15) is associated with an irreversible switching device (25, 35) which can be activated automatically when the appliance (30) is first started up.
6. Device according to any of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it is integrated into a factory or power-rating indicator plate (8) which permanently displays relevant data or information required by law concerning the operation and origin of the appliance (1).

Images