JP2699830B2 - Wireless communication device for water heater - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication device for a water heater equipped with a wireless remote controller for remotely controlling a household gas water heater using radio waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The configuration of a conventional radio communication apparatus of this type will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional wireless remote controller and a water heater wireless device.
The power supply on one side is a dry cell 19, and its life is finite. Therefore, a single battery change requires more than a predetermined period (for example,
In order to guarantee the operation (operation, display, transmission and reception of radio waves ) for one year or more, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of the wireless remote controller R1 itself. For example, as the means, an intermittent communication method may be adopted for wireless communication, or a wireless remote control R
1 is restricted to a predetermined time (for example,
If the wireless remote control is not operated for a certain period of time,
(E.g., stopping the communication operation and display operation of the wireless remote control) to save power consumption. The above intermittent communication method
As an expression, for example, a certain time for remote control operation
Communication is performed every time, and a state signal of the water heater main body is transmitted to the wireless remote controller R1 via the transmission means 15 by the polling means 17 at every predetermined time period C (hereinafter, referred to as a polling period).

[0004]

However, if the power supply on the side of the wireless remote controller is changed from a dry cell to an AC AC power supply that can always supply power, there is no need to worry about the battery life as in the case of a wired remote controller. Inui can be displayed at all times the status display
Challenge battery operated wireless remote control is to resolve, but usability can be improved (a certain time or more wireless remote control
Operation of the wireless remote control even if there is no operation
It is no longer necessary to stop the operation) , and if the power supply of the wireless remote controller is changed to an AC AC power supply that can always be energized and the conventional communication method (communication every polling cycle C) is adopted, the status signal from the water heater main body is obtained. The wireless remote control operates to transmit data at relatively short polling intervals.
The frequency of generating radio waves increases as much as the stop state has disappeared. For example, the radio wave environment deteriorates in apartment buildings,
Interference makes it difficult to perform normal communication between the water heater body using the same frequency band and the wireless remote controller. You
That is, it repeats a predetermined number of times until communication ends normally
Communication is performed, and communication is performed normally even if the predetermined number of communication is performed.
If it cannot be done, it will be in communication error state
Communication operation from to the wireless remote controller stops. communication
When an error occurs, the display on the remote control indicates a predetermined communication error.
The code display flashes, and other remote control displays
Turn off the light. To clear the communication error,
It is necessary to operate the operation switch of the remote control. Therefore, the remote control display is turned off due to a communication error.
In this state, the user can use the wireless remote control water heater
The display of the status such as the set temperature of the main unit cannot be seen.
If the temperature is set higher than expected by the user
There is even a risk of burns when using the water heater body. Ma
In addition, communication is performed a predetermined number of times until communication ends normally.
Start the operation of the water heater body in response to the switch operation
But there is a problem that rather use wins <br/> hand, such as slower only time to redo the communication is poor.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is a transmitting means for transmitting a state signal of a water heater main body to a wireless remote controller using radio waves, and a control from the wireless remote controller. Receiving means for receiving a signal, and whether the power supply of the wireless remote controller is AC or DC
Power setting means for setting the power,
Polling cycle for AC or DC depending on source setting
A cycle switching means for switching to use, have a polling period for the AC and DC, the cycle switching unit
Yes and polling means for applying a timing for to transmit a status signal of the water heater body more per polling period for AC or DC is set to the wireless remote control
And, in a period longer than the case of the direct current when the power supply is AC of the wireless remote control, the field of alternating current in the case of direct current
The polling cycle is switched to a shorter cycle .

[0006] A second means of the present invention is a polling method.
The means shall be at least one of DC and AC ports.
It has multiple ring periods and is abbreviated to the above polling signal.
Radio wave monitoring means for constantly monitoring the frequency of occurrence of wireless communication between another water heater main body using the same frequency band and the wireless remote controller is provided, and the radio wave monitoring means comprises a plurality of polling units.
Between the other water heater body and the wireless remote controller in the cycle
The polling cycle is automatically switched to a polling cycle other than the cycle similar to the communication frequency of the communication .

The third means of the present invention has a power source recognizing means for recognizing a power supply on a wireless remote controller side and a power source information discriminating means for recognizing information of the power supply in a water heater main body. The information of the power supply of the wireless remote controller recognized by the recognition means is added as information in the wireless communication packet and transmitted to the water heater main body. It is configured to determine whether the current is AC or DC, and the water heater body automatically recognizes the power by the power supply determination unit.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power supply setting means sets the supply power of the wireless remote controller by the power supply setting means, and the power supply determination means determines this. The cycle switching means recognizes the determination result (for example, the use of the AC power supply) of the power supply determination means, switches the cycle to the AC power supply, and transmits the cycle to the polling means. The polling means counts a polling cycle at the time of the AC power supply, and issues a request for transmitting a state signal of the water heater main body after a predetermined time has elapsed. The transmitting means recognizes the transmission request and transmits a status signal to the wireless remote controller.

Further, according to the present invention, the receiving means always receives a radio wave from the outside (the wireless remote controller of the other wireless communication device for the water heater), and the radio wave monitoring means constantly determines the presence or absence of the radio wave. I do. Then, the result of the radio wave monitoring means determining the state of the radio wave is transmitted to the cycle switching means, and the polling cycle is switched as needed. The polling means counts a polling cycle that switches as needed, and issues a request for transmission of a state signal of the water heater main body after a lapse of a predetermined time. The transmitting means recognizes the transmission request and transmits a status signal to the wireless remote controller.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the power supply is recognized by the power source recognition means on the wireless remote controller side, and the recognition result information is added to the control signal communication packet and transmitted to the water heater main body side. The receiving means of the water heater main body receives this, and the power information determining means determines the power information. The power determining means determines this, and the cycle switching means recognizes the determination result of the power determining means, switches the cycle, and transmits it to the polling means. The polling means counts the polling cycle at the time of the corresponding power supply, and gives a transmission timing of the status signal of the water heater main body after a lapse of a predetermined time. The transmitting means recognizes the transmission timing and transmits a status signal to the wireless remote controller.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a hot water <br/> device for wireless communication device as a first embodiment of the present invention, 1 is the transmitting unit, 2 is a receiving unit. A switch 3 (for example, a dip switch or a lead switch ) determines whether the power supply of the wireless remote controller R is a dry cell (DC power supply) or an AC power supply.
Switch, etc.) or a non-volatile memory, etc., and reference numeral 4 denotes a power supply determination unit for automatically recognizing the setting contents of the power supply setting unit 3. 5 is the power determination means 4
Automatically determines the polling cycle for AC based on the
Or period switching means for switching and fixing for DC.
Is for AC or DC switched by cycle switching means
This is a polling means for giving a timing for transmitting the status signal of the water heater main body to the wireless remote controller R at every polling cycle. Also, K including the above means is a wireless communication device.

For example, the polling means has a period A7 or
Counts the cycle B8 for a predetermined time, and then
Tie to send status signal to wireless remote control R
Is given to the transmitting means 1. Here, the relationship between the period A7 and the period B8, which are the polling periods, will be described. Period A> period B, and the time is, for example, period A = 10 minutes period B = 2 minutes.

The power supply of the wireless remote controller R is AC A
In the case of a C power supply, the power supply setting means 3 is connected to the AC
No) and set the polling cycle to "Cycle A7".
I do. Unlike the conventional dry battery type, the AC remote control R does not need to consider the battery life and always displays the status of the water heater main body (that is, the remote control for a certain period of time).
Remote control operation can be stopped even when there is no
Not), can improve the reliability of remote control display
You. In addition, by increasing the polling cycle ( making the polling cycle longer than the cycle B), it is possible to reduce the frequency of radio wave generation and suppress the influence on the radio wave environment.

When the power supply of the wireless remote controller R is a dry battery, the power setting means 3 is connected to the DC side (not shown).
) And the polling cycle adopts “Cycle B8”.
You. In this case, it is necessary to consider the life of the dry battery as in the past, and a limit is imposed on the operation period of the remote controller (that is, one time).
Stops remote control operation even when there is no remote control operation for a fixed time
Stop). In addition, the polling cycle is set to “cycle B8”, which is shorter than in the case of AC, and the cycle for updating the status display is shortened and replaced.
The reliability of the display contents of the remote control can be improved.

[0016] Although Figure 2 shows the hot water <br/> device for wireless communication device as a second embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given only differences from Fig.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a radio wave monitoring unit that constantly monitors the receiving unit 2 and determines the state of the received radio wave. Numeral 10 receives information on the presence / absence of a radio wave determined by the radio wave monitoring means 9 and uses it for AC or DC according to the frequency of radio wave generation.
Multiple polling period sac Chi, communication frequency of the radio wave use
This is a cycle switching means for switching to a polling cycle other than the polling cycle having many polling cycles . Even with the same AC power supply,
For example, considering a water heater installed in an apartment house, rather than fixing the polling cycle, observe the status of the generated radio waves and switch to a polling cycle other than the polling cycle with high communication frequency, and the timing when the frequency of radio wave generation is low Since polling transmission is used, more efficient use of radio waves is possible.

[0018] Although Figure 3 illustrates a third hot water <br/> device for wireless communication device as an embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given only differences from Fig.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a power source recognition unit for recognizing or setting the power supply of the wireless remote controller R. Reference numeral 11 denotes a control signal packet P received by the reception unit 2 of the water heater main body.
This is power supply information determination means for extracting power supply information of the wireless remote controller R. Reference numeral 12 denotes a power source determining unit that determines the supply power information of the wireless remote controller R extracted by the power source information determining unit 11.

Power source recognition means 14 of wireless remote controller R
Is set or recognized by using, for example, an externally changeable operation switch or a nonvolatile memory. The recognized power information is transmitted to the transmitting means 14a of the wireless remote controller R.
Is transmitted to the receiving means 2 of the water heater main body via. The receiving means 2 stores the received control signal packet P, and the power source determining means 11 analyzes this. As a result of the analysis, information on the supply power is extracted, and the power determination unit 12 determines whether the power supply is AC or DC. Thereafter, as in the embodiment of the first means, the polling cycle according to the power supply (the cycle A7 in the case of AC).
Alternatively, in the case of direct current, a cycle B8) is determined, and a transmission request is given to the transmitting means 1 for each cycle. Then , the status signal is transmitted to the wireless remote controller R.

[0021]

As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, to set the power supply of the wireless remote control to an AC or DC in water heater main body, if for example an AC power source wireless Time limit for remote control operation
Always display the status of the water heater body without installing
Allows the user to see the set temperature of the water heater body
Prevent burns from eternity beyond what the user thinks
And improve usability.
You. Also, determine the frequency of radio waves as the frequency of interference with other water heaters.
And a long polling cycle, mixed with other water heaters
Without communication, communication may become unavailable due to interference.
Absent.

According to the second means of the present invention, the radio wave monitoring means constantly monitors the use condition of the radio wave to obtain the same AC or AC.
Is a port that frequently communicates even when using DC power.
Since the polling period is changed to a period other than the ring period, the location where more devices using the same frequency band are installed (for example,
If, condominiums such as collective housing) or the like of, the occurrence of radio frequent
Radio waves can be transmitted at less frequent timings, allowing efficient use of radio waves.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a water heater is provided.
Set the power supply for the wireless remote control on the main unit.
Inability, since it sets a supply power using the wireless remote control itself, the power supply to the wireless remote control with the same water heater body freely choose Runode, for example in a manufacturing process for a water heater body
Communication with a wireless remote control dedicated to inspection using AC as the power source.
When connected to an ordinary battery-operated wireless remote control
However, it is necessary to set the power supply on the remote control side for each water heater
Automatically polling cycle for AC or DC without
It can automatically recognize and provide
Efficient production that does not depend on the power supply can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless device for a water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a water heater wireless device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a water heater wireless device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional water heater wireless device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 transmitting means 2 receiving means 3 power setting means 4, 12 power determining means 5, 13 cycle switching means 6 polling means 9 radio wave monitoring means 10 cycle switching means 11 power information discriminating means 14 power recognition means K wireless communication device R wireless remote control

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Yoshihiro Ueda, Inventor 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-132397 (JP, A)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmitting means for transmitting a status signal of the water heater body to the wireless remote control using radio waves, receiving means for receiving a control signal from the wireless remote control, the word
A cycle switching means for switching a polling cycle between AC and DC according to whether the power supply of the earless remote controller is AC or DC ; and a polling cycle for AC and DC , and the cycle switching means. Set for AC
Or the timing for transmitting the status signal of the water heater main body to the wireless remote controller at every DC polling cycle
And a polling means for applying a supply power of the wireless remote control is longer than the case of direct current in the case of AC
The polling period is shorter for direct current than for alternating current
A wireless communication device for a water heater that switches the polling cycle during a polling cycle. 2. The polling means for DC and AC is less.
Have multiple polling cycles of either one, and
The radio monitoring means for continuously monitoring the occurrence frequency of the wireless communications between other water heater body and a wireless remote control that uses substantially the same frequency band as the polling signal provided, the radio monitoring means
Is the other water heater body of the plurality of polling cycles
After a period similar to the communication frequency between
The wireless communication device for a water heater according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device automatically switches to an external polling cycle . 3. A power supply recognizing means provided on a wireless remote controller for recognizing a power supply, and a power supply information discriminating means provided on a main body of the water heater for recognizing information on the power supply, wherein the power supply recognizing means recognizes. The information of the power supply of the wireless remote controller is added as information in a wireless communication packet and transmitted to the water heater main body, and in response to a control signal received from the wireless remote controller by the power information determining means, the power supply is The wireless communication device for a water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water heater main body is automatically recognized by the power supply determination means while determining whether the current is AC or DC.