Remote control device

Abstract

To provide a remote controller which can secure a clearance between a case and a light receiving element and can be used for a long time without anxiety.SOLUTION: A remote control device (25) for facility equipment includes a case (50) forming an outer periphery of a main body of the remote control device (25), a substrate (51) housed inside the case (50), a switch element (52) disposed on the substrate (51), a light receiving lens (53) disposed on the substrate (51) adjacent to the switch element (52) and disposed inside the case (50), a light receiving element (54) receiving an infrared signal condensed by the light receiving lens (53) and controlling the facility equipment, and a switch pressing portion (55) disposed in the case (50) in front of the switch element (52) and pressing the switch element (52). An opening part 56 is provided in a case 50 in front of a light receiving lens 53, and the inner periphery of the opening part 56 is formed into a mortar shape expanding toward the light receiving lens 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control device used in facility equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a remote control device used in facility equipment such as a water heater or a hot water heating system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in hot water heating systems such as those described in Patent Document 1, one heat source unit is connected to one wall-mounted remote control device and one or more floor heating panels or fan convectors, and each room in which the heater is installed is heated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6666808 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This conventional system is not operated by a wireless infrared remote control, and therefore neither the heat source machine nor the remote control device is equipped with an infrared receiver. As a result, it was not possible to meet the demand for remote control of this hot water heating system using smart remote controls, which have become increasingly popular in recent years for separate air conditioners, televisions, lighting equipment, etc., and there was room for consideration in improving convenience.

[0005] Therefore, the inventors thought that it would be possible to modify existing remote control devices to enable operation with a smart remote control by installing an infrared receiving element. However, the front of the case of the remote control device already has a display such as an LCD and multiple switches that are pressed to operate the heat source unit or hot water heating system, and when forming a light-receiving hole for the light-receiving element on the front of this case, if the diameter of this hole is increased to ensure a certain light-receiving angle (for example, 50°), there is a possibility that the strength of the case will not be ensured when the switch is pressed.Conversely, if the diameter of the hole is reduced, the light-receiving angle will narrow, reducing convenience for the user.In addition, there is a concern that the periphery of the light-receiving hole (case) will come into contact with the light-receiving element (specifically the light-receiving lens that covers the light-receiving element) when the switch is pressed, causing a malfunction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of this background, and aims to provide a remote control device that can be used safely for a long period of time, without introducing a complex configuration, that can ensure the strength of the case when pressed while ensuring a constant light receiving angle, and that can ensure a clearance (preferably 1 millimeter or more) between the case and the light receiving lens, thereby reducing the risk of the periphery of the light receiving hole coming into contact with the light receiving lens when the switch part is pressed, causing a malfunction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, and claim 1 provides a remote control device for equipment comprising: a case forming the outer periphery of the main body of the remote control device; a board housed inside the case; a switch element arranged on the board; a light-receiving lens arranged on the board adjacent to the switch element and arranged inside the case; a light-receiving element that is focused by the light-receiving lens and receives an infrared signal that controls the equipment; and a switch pressing portion that is arranged on the case in front of the switch element and presses the switch element, wherein an opening is provided in the case in front of the light-receiving lens, and the inner periphery of the opening is shaped like a mortar that widens toward the light-receiving lens.

[0008] In claim 2, the outer periphery of the opening is formed into a cone shape narrowing toward the light receiving lens. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote control device that can be used safely for a long period of time, without introducing a complex configuration, by ensuring the strength of the case when pressed while ensuring a constant light receiving angle and by ensuring the clearance between the case and the light receiving lens. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a floor heating system showing a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a floor heating system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] Block diagram of a floor heating system showing a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view of a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front view of a case of a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] AA end view of the remote control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] AA end view of a remote control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] 1 is a heat source unit (equivalent to equipment) of a hot water heating system installed outdoors, and this heat source unit 1 is divided into two chambers, upper and lower, by a horizontal partition plate 2 installed inside. Of these, the upper chamber is equipped with a hot water circuit chamber 4 in which a hot water circuit 3 consisting of hot water piping through which hot water circulates is installed, and the lower chamber is equipped with a refrigeration circuit chamber 6 in which a refrigeration circuit 5 as a heat pump device consisting of refrigerant piping through which refrigerant circulates is installed.

[0013] Reference numeral 7 denotes a supply hot water pipe that connects the hot water circuit room 4 with a heating terminal 8, which is composed of a floor heating panel or the like installed in the room, and sends hot water heated in the hot water circuit 3 to the heating terminal 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a return hot water pipe that returns hot water whose temperature has dropped due to heat dissipation in the heating terminal 8 to the hot water circuit 3. Hot water circulates within the hot water pipe, which is composed of the supply hot water pipe 7 and the return hot water pipe 9, enabling heating operation by the heating terminal 8. In addition, the heating terminal 8 can be installed in multiple rooms, and by connecting the supply hot water pipe 7 and the return hot water pipe 9 to each of the multiple heating terminals 8, heating operation can be performed in each of the multiple rooms in which the heating terminal 8 is installed.

[0014] The hot water circuit 3 installed in the hot water circuit chamber 4 is equipped with a refrigerant-water heat exchanger 10 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing in the refrigeration circuit 5 and the water flowing in the hot water circuit 3; a cistern tank 11 that separates bubbles generated in the hot water due to cavitation etc. (air-water separation function) and absorbs expanded hot water in the hot water circuit 3 and replenishes chilled hot water; a circulation pump 12 that circulates the hot water in the hot water circuit 3 and supplies it to the heating terminal 8 via the hot water piping; a thermal valve 13 installed at the connection between the hot water circuit 3 and the supply hot water piping 7 and opens and closes the valve to change whether or not hot water is supplied to the heating terminal 8; a return temperature sensor 14 installed at the connection between the return hot water piping 9 and the hot water circuit 3 and detects the temperature of the hot water returned from the heating terminal 8; a supply temperature sensor 15 that detects the temperature of the hot water heated in the refrigerant-water heat exchanger 10; and a refrigerant-water heat exchange sensor 16 installed in the refrigerant-water heat exchanger 10 and detects the surface temperature of the heat exchanger.

[0015] The thermal valve 13 and return temperature sensor 14 are configured to be installed one for each of the four heating terminals 8 on sides A to D. For example, if a heating terminal 8 is installed in each of the four rooms, one thermal valve 13 and one return temperature sensor 14 are installed at the connection between the supply hot water pipe 7 and return hot water pipe 9 connected to each heating terminal 8 and the hot water circuit 3.

[0016] The refrigeration circuit 5 installed in the refrigeration circuit chamber 6 is equipped with a compressor 17 that compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure, an expansion valve 18 that decompresses the refrigerant to a low temperature, an air heat exchanger 20 that heats the refrigerant with the heat of the air blown by a blower fan 19, an air heat exchange sensor 21 that is installed in the air heat exchanger 20 and detects the surface temperature of the heat exchanger, and a discharge temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 17, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 is guided to the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 10 in the hot water circuit chamber 4 via a refrigerant connection valve 23, and the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the hot water of the hot water circuit 3 in the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 10 flows into the expansion valve 18 via the refrigerant connection valve 23, thereby circulating the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit 5.

[0017] In addition, an outside air temperature sensor 24 is installed in the refrigeration circuit chamber 6 to detect the temperature around the heat source unit 1, and whether or not to perform defrosting operation is determined based on the difference between the temperature detected by the air heat exchange sensor 21 and the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 24.

[0018] Reference numeral 25 denotes a remote control (corresponding to a remote control device) installed on a wall or the like in the room where the heating terminal 8 is placed. This remote control 25 is equipped with a switch section, specifically, an operation switch 26 that can determine whether or not heating operation is started by the heating terminal 8, a cross key 32 with an up switch 28, a down switch 29, a right switch 30, and a left switch 31 arranged above, below, left and right around a central decision switch 27, an operation changeover switch 33 that switches the operation mode, a return switch 40, a timer switch 41, and a display section 34 that displays whether or not heating operation is being performed by the heating terminal 8, the current set temperature, the operation mode, etc.

[0019] Display unit 34 displays the operating status of the four connected heating terminals 8 on sides A to D, and in Fig. 4 it displays the operating status of side A. In the center of display unit 34, the location where heating terminal 8 is installed, "living room" (this name will not be described in detail, but can be freely changed according to the user's preference), is displayed, and the fact that it is currently "operating." If it is stopped, "stopped" is displayed.

[0020] The bar graph and level numbers on the right side show the room temperature during heating operation of the heating terminal 8 on side A, and multiple setting values ​​can be selected by pressing the up switch 28 or down switch 29 of the cross key 32. A to D displayed at the top of the display 34 are provided to indicate which heating terminal 8 the current display content corresponds to, and the "A" display is connected to the center of the display 34, meaning that the current display indicates the operating status of side A.

[0021] From this state, pressing the right switch 30 of the cross key 32 will switch the display between side B, side C, and side D in sequence, and pressing the left switch 31 will return the display to side A in sequence. With each side displayed, the settings for each side can be changed using the operation switch 26, up switch 28, and down switch 29.

[0022] When the operation changeover switch 33 is pressed, the screen on the display unit 34 switches to an operation mode selection screen, and the operation mode can be changed by pressing the up switch 28 or the down switch 29 of the cross key 32.

[0023] 35 is a control unit consisting of a microcomputer that controls the operation of driving parts such as the circulation pump 12 and thermal valve 13 installed in the heat source unit 1, and when an instruction to start heating operation is issued by the remote control 25, it appropriately determines whether to operate the circulation pump 12 depending on the detected temperatures by the return temperature sensor 14 and the supply temperature sensor 15, etc., and opens and closes the thermal valve 13 corresponding to the operating status of the four heating terminals 8 on sides A to D.

[0024] Reference numeral 36 denotes a hot water temperature setting section provided in the control section 35, which sets the hot water temperature corresponding to each heating terminal 8 set by operating the cross key 32 on the remote controller 25. Reference numeral 37 denotes an operation mode setting section provided in the control section 35, which sets an operation mode corresponding to each heating terminal 8 set by operating the operation changeover switch 33 and the cross key 32 of the remote controller 25. A storage unit 38 stores the history of the operation mode corresponding to each heating terminal 8 set by the operation mode setting unit 37 .

[0025] Reference numeral 39 denotes a signal line that electrically connects the remote control 25 and the control unit 35, and enables various instructions issued by the remote control 25 to be transmitted to the control unit 35 as electrical signals. When the user makes a mistake in operating the remote controller 25, pressing the return switch 40 returns the user to the previous operation screen. In addition, by pressing the return switch 40 for 3 seconds or more, all switch operations are canceled, and the return switch 40 also functions as a child lock to prevent erroneous operations. The timer switch 41 is a switch for selecting whether to perform timer operation according to a preset timer time. The power supply for supplying power to the heat source unit 1 is connected to a commercial power supply such as single-phase 100V, single-phase 200V, or three-phase 200V via a power line (not shown).

[0026] Reference numeral 50 denotes a case that forms the outer periphery of the body of the remote control 25, which is molded from resin. The external appearance of the remote control 25 is formed by attaching a dial 50a, the back of which is coated with adhesive, to the front side of this case 50. Reference numeral 51 denotes a resin substrate that is housed inside the case 50 and on which electronic components are attached. Reference numeral 52 denotes a switch element that is disposed on substrate 51 and detects switch operation by user pressure, 53 denotes a hemispherical light-receiving lens for receiving infrared signals that is disposed adjacent to switch element 52 on substrate 51 and is disposed inside case 50, 54 denotes a light-receiving element that receives the infrared signal that is focused by light-receiving lens 53 and controls heat source machine 1, 55 denotes a switch pressing portion that is disposed on case 50 in front of switch element 52 and presses switch element 52 when the user presses the switch portion, and 56 denotes an opening opened in case 50 in front of light-receiving lens 53. The shape of opening 56 is circular or rectangular when viewed from the front, and the horizontal opening width R is, for example, 5 millimeters.

[0027] Switch pressing portion 55 has a generally U-shaped cutout in resin-molded case 50, and transmits the user's pressing operation to switch element 52 by utilizing elastic deformation of the resin. Therefore, case 50 receives pressure that bends case 50 toward board 51 every time the user operates the switch.

[0028] Case 50 needs to have sufficient strength against the pressure of switch pressing portion 55 and a certain degree of resin width m and thickness at each point of case 50 due to molding conditions as a resin molded product, so the opening width R of opening 56 is made as small as possible, while the distance between light receiving lens 53 and case 50 is made as close as possible to ensure that the light receiving angle of light receiving lens 53 is equal to or greater than the target light receiving angle (for example, 50°) for convenience. Furthermore, in the present invention, an inner inclined portion 56 a is provided around the inner periphery of opening 56 , and inner inclined portion 56 a has a cone shape that widens toward light receiving lens 53 .

[0029] Next, the operation will be described.

[0030] First, when the operation switch 26 of the remote control 25 in the room where the heating terminal 8 is installed is operated, the control unit 35 drives the compressor 17 and the blower fan 19 at a predetermined rotation speed based on the temperatures detected by the air heat exchanger sensor 21 and the discharge temperature sensor 22 of the refrigeration circuit 5, and controls the valve opening of the expansion valve 18 to a predetermined opening, so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 flows through the refrigerant-water heat exchanger 10, the expansion valve 18, and the air heat exchanger 20 in that order.

[0031] As a result, the gaseous refrigerant drawn in at low temperature and low pressure is compressed by the compressor 17 to become a high temperature and high pressure gas, and then changes to a high pressure liquid in the refrigerant water heat exchanger 10 (functioning as a condenser) while releasing heat to the water in the hot water circuit 3. The refrigerant that has become a liquid in this way is reduced in pressure by the expansion valve 18 to become a low pressure liquid that is easy to evaporate. The low pressure liquid then evaporates in the air heat exchanger 20 (functioning as an evaporator) and changes to a gas, absorbing heat from the outside air. The refrigerant then flows back into the compressor 17 as a low temperature and low pressure gas, where it changes to a high temperature and high pressure gas.

[0032] At this time, when the circulation pump 12 in the hot water circuit 3 is driven, the hot water in the hot water circuit 3 heated by the refrigerant water heat exchanger 10 flows into the supply hot water pipe 7 leading to one of the multiple heating terminals 8 that is performing heating operation, as the thermal valve 13 is open, and the hot water flows into the heating terminal 8, dissipating heat into the indoor air and raising the indoor temperature, and then passes through the refrigerant water heat exchanger 10 and cistern tank 11 and returns to the circulation pump 12 again. The temperature of each heating terminal 8 is adjusted by appropriately opening and closing the thermal valve 13 corresponding to the temperature settings and operating conditions such as the operating mode of the four heating terminals 8 on sides A to D. In this way, the hot water in the hot water circuit 3 and the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit 5 circulate, and the water in the hot water circuit 3 is heated in the refrigerant-water heat exchanger 10, making it possible to perform heating operation that raises the temperature of the indoor air where the heating terminal 8 is installed.

[0033] Next, the operation of each switch on the remote controller 25 and the display on the display unit 34 will be described. The display unit 34 displays constantly 24 hours a day, whether the unit is running or stopped. Pressing the right switch 30 of the cross key 32 switches the display between side B, side C, and side D in sequence, and pressing the left switch 31 returns the display to side A in sequence. Pressing the operation switch 26 while each side is displayed sets the operation or stop of each side, pressing the up switch 28 or the down switch 29 changes the hot water temperature setting for each side, pressing the operation changeover switch 33 selects the operation course, and pressing the timer switch 41 switches to timer operation. The display on the display unit 34 changes in response to the operation of each switch.

[0034] This remote control 25 is provided with a light receiving element 54 for receiving infrared signals, so that it can receive signals from a wireless remote control (not shown) and perform operations that can be performed with the remote control 25 remotely. This allows remote control using a smart remote control (not shown).

[0035] This ensures a clearance (e.g., 2 mm) between the case 50 and the light receiving lens 53, preventing contact between the case 50 and the light receiving lens 53 when pressed, and while ensuring a constant light receiving angle (e.g., 50°), the strength of the case 50 when pressed can also be ensured, making it possible to provide a remote control device that can be used safely for a long period of time.

[0036] As a result, if this remote control 25 is installed, for example, on a wall in a kitchen, and a smart remote control (not shown) is placed on the kitchen table in front of the remote control 25, the infrared signal emitted by the smart remote control is received by the light receiving element 54, and the heat source unit 1 can be remotely controlled by the smart remote control. Furthermore, even if the smart remote control is not placed directly in front of the remote control 25, a certain light receiving angle (for example, 50°) can be ensured, so that the infrared signal emitted by the smart remote control is reliably received by the light receiving element 54, making it possible to remotely control the heat source unit 1 using the smart remote control.

[0037] Furthermore, by ensuring a clearance between the case 50 and the light receiving lens 53, it is possible to fully absorb dimensional errors during resin molding of the case 50, errors in the mounting position of components on the board 51, and tolerances due to assembly errors of the remote control 25, thereby avoiding defects due to contact between the case 50 and the light receiving lens 53.

[0038] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that an outer inclined portion 56b is provided around the outer periphery of the opening 56 provided in front of the light receiving lens 53, and the outer inclined portion 56b is shaped like a mortar narrowing toward the light receiving lens 53.

[0040] As a result, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, by providing the outer inclined portion 56b in addition to the inner inclined portion 56a, it is possible to ensure a wider light receiving angle (for example, 60°) than in the first embodiment.

[0041] It is also possible to provide outer inclined portion 56b in addition to inner inclined portion 56a, and then further increase the clearance between light receiving lens 53 and case 50.

[0042] Although the remote control device according to the present invention has been described using a hot water heating system that uses a heat pump as a heat source as an example, it can also be applied to hot water heating systems that use other heat sources, and can also be applied to water heaters such as storage tank water heaters, oil water heaters, and gas water heaters.

[0043] It should be noted that the other configurations used in this embodiment are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and the invention can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1:Heat source machine (equipment) 25: Remote control (remote control device) 50: Case 51: Circuit board 52: Switch element 53: Receiving lens 54: Light receiving element 55: Switch pressing part 56: Opening

Claims

1. A remote control device for facility equipment, a case that forms an outer periphery of the main body of the remote control device; a substrate housed inside the case; a switch element disposed on the substrate; a light receiving lens disposed on the substrate adjacent to the switch element and located inside the case; a light-receiving element that receives an infrared signal that is focused by the light-receiving lens and controls the facility equipment; a switch pressing portion that is disposed on the case in front of the switch element and presses the switch element; Equipped with an opening is provided in the case in front of the light receiving lens; The inner periphery of the opening is formed in a cone shape that widens toward the light receiving lens. A remote control device characterized by:

2. The outer periphery of the opening is formed in a cone shape narrowing toward the light receiving lens.

2. The remote control device according to claim 1.

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