Remote operation device, remote operation system

Abstract

To provide a remote operation device with reduced costs and a remote operation system.SOLUTION: A remote operation device 100 fixed to a wall surface using a mounting plate 200 includes a display panel 10, an operation button 20, and a case 30. The case 30 and / or the mounting plate 200 is configured to enable a groove 31 formed on at least one of the top, bottom, or side surface of the case 30 to mate with a hook shape 303, making it possible to retain a cover 300 to form an external shape larger than the case 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a remote control device and a remote control system.

Background Art

[0002] As a remote control device for a bathroom, there is an example disclosed in Patent Document 1. The remote control system of Patent Document 1 had different outer shapes for the bathroom remote control and the external terminal of the bathroom (kitchen remote control).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the remote control disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the use of different molds to manufacture the case for the in-bathroom terminal and the out-of-bathroom terminal, which has been a factor in cost increase.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a remote control device and a remote control system with reduced costs, focusing on the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A remote control device fixed to a wall surface using a mounting plate, comprising: a display panel; operation buttons; a case configured to be able to visually recognize the display panel from the front and operate the operation buttons; and the case and / or the mounting plate are configured to be able to hold a cover for forming an outer shape larger than the case. Remote control device.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a remote control device with reduced costs can be provided. Further, other effects according to some of the present disclosures will be described later.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, as an aspect of the remote control device of the present disclosure, an example applied to the control of a bathroom water heater will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional remote control device 190. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device 190 includes a display panel 10, operation buttons 20, and a case 30. Further, the remote control device 190 is fixed to a wall surface using a mounting plate 200.

[0011] The display panel 10 displays various information under the control of a control unit 40 described later, and known displays such as a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL panel can be appropriately applied. Note that the display panel 10 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0012] The operation buttons 20 are push-button switches provided in plurality on the case 30, and transmit the detection result of pressing (such as the position and type of the pressed button) to the control unit 40 as an operation signal.

[0013] The case 30 is a housing formed of resin, and is configured such that the display panel 10 can be visually recognized from the front and the operation buttons 20 can be operated. The case 30 may be formed by coupling a front case and a rear case. In addition, a power cord and wiring (not shown) extend from the back of the case 30 of the remote control device 190 and are connected to a through-hole in the wall surface. Note that the remote control device 190 has a waterproof structure by a waterproof member such as the case 30 and packing inside the case 30, and can be used both inside and outside the bathroom.

[0014] The mounting plate 200 is a member for mounting the remote control device 190 on a wall surface. The mounting plate 200 has a plate-like member 201, an opening 202, a fixing hole 203, and a hook portion 204.

[0015] The plate-like member 201 is a plate-like base formed of metal or resin.

[0016] The opening 202 is a hole provided in the plate-like member 201 for passing the power cord and wiring of the remote control device 190 through the wall surface.

[0017] The fixing hole 203 is a hole provided in the plate-like member 201 for fixing the mounting plate 200 to the wall surface with a screw or a nail.

[0018] The hook portion 204 is a hook structure provided on the plate-like member 201 for fixing the remote control device 190 to the mounting plate 200, and fits into a fixing hole (not shown) on the back of the case 30 of the remote control device 190.

[0019] Refer to FIGS. 2 to 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first aspect of the remote control device 100, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a modification of the first aspect of the remote control device 100. For components having the same configuration as those in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used and their descriptions are omitted. In the first aspect, the outer shape of the case 30 of the remote control device 100 is equivalent to that of the mounting plate 200, and the cover 300 is configured to be held by the remote control device 100. The cover 300 has an opening 301 and an exterior 302. The opening 301 is a hole provided to expose the display panel 10 and the operation buttons 20 of the remote control device 100. The exterior 302 is configured to have the same height as the front direction of the case 30 of the remote control device 100, and forms an outer shape larger than the case 30 at least on both sides of the case 30. Note that depending on the aspect and the modification example, the exterior 302 may also be located on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the case 30.

[0020] In FIG. 2, the cover 300 has a convex hook shape 303 in the opening 301, and the remote control device 100 is configured such that a groove 31 formed on at least one of the upper surface, the bottom surface, and the side surface of the case 30 fits with the hook shape 303. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can hold the cover 300 by pushing the cover 300 toward the remote control device 100, reducing the cost and changing the outer shape.

[0021] In FIG. 3, the cover 300 is composed of a first exterior 302A held on the side surface of the case 30 and a second exterior 302B held on the opposite side surface, and has a convex piece 304 on the side in contact with the case 30. The remote control device 100 has a slide fixing structure 32 on the case 30. After inserting the convex piece 304 of the cover 300 into the inside of the slide fixing structure 32, the cover 300 is held by sliding the remote control device 100 in a specific direction (downward in FIG. 3). Thereby, the remote control device 100 can hold the cover 300 with the case 30, reduce costs, and change the outer shape.

[0022] Refer to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second aspect of the remote control device 100, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are perspective views showing modified examples of the second aspect of the remote control device 100. For the same configuration as in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. In the second aspect, the outer shape of the case 30 of the remote control device 100 is smaller than that of the mounting plate 210, and the cover 300 is configured to be attached to the mounting plate 210. The cover 300 has an opening 301 and an exterior 302. The opening 301 is a hole provided to expose the display panel 10 and the operation buttons 20 of the remote control device 100. The exterior 302 is configured to be equal in height to the front direction of the case 30 of the remote control device 100, and forms an outer shape larger than the case 30 at least on both side surfaces of the case 30. Note that, depending on the aspect and the modified example, the exterior 302 may also be located on the upper surface or the bottom surface of the case 30 for the cover 300.

[0023] In FIG. 4, ribs 211 are provided at the four corners of the plate-like member 201 of the mounting plate 210, and hooks 211A are formed on the ribs 211. The cover 300 is positioned by the ribs 211 and held by fitting the groove 305 with the hooks 211A. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can reduce costs and change the outer shape with the mounting plate 210 and the cover 300.

[0024] In FIG. 5, the cover 300 has a convex hook shape 303 at the opening 301, and the remote control device 100 is configured such that a groove 31 formed on at least one of the upper surface, bottom surface, and side surface of the case 30 fits into the hook shape 303. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can securely hold the cover 300 by the groove 31 of the case 30 and the rib 211 of the mounting plate 210.

[0025] In FIG. 6, the remote control device 100 has a recessed step 33 on the front outer periphery of the case 30. The height of the step 33 is configured to be equal to the height of the end face 306 of the opening 301. Thereby, when the cover 300 is attached, the case 30 and the cover 300 are flush, and the appearance quality of the remote control device 100 can be improved. Note that the remote control device 100 may similarly have a step 23 in the operation button 20.

[0026] In FIG. 7, the remote control device 100 has an inclination 34 that narrows from the outside to the inside on the front outer periphery of the case 30. The cover 300 has an inclined surface 307 that widens from the inside to the outside at the opening 301, and the inclination 34 and the inclined surface 307 are configured to overlap. Thereby, when the cover 300 is attached, the case 30 and the cover 300 are flush, and the appearance quality of the remote control device 100 can be improved. Note that the remote control device 100 may similarly have an inclination 24 in the operation button 20 and may slightly present a truncated square pyramid in its front view.

[0027] Refer to FIGS. 8 to 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a third aspect of the remote control device 100, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the third aspect of the remote control device 100. For the same configuration as in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. In the third aspect, the cover 310 of the remote control device 100 is integrally formed with the mounting plate 200. The cover 310 is configured to have a plate-like member 311, an opening 312, and fixing holes 313 corresponding to the plate-like member 201, the opening 202, and the fixing holes 203 of the mounting plate 200, and exterior parts 315 are provided in two outward directions extending therefrom. The cover 310 is configured such that the height of the exterior parts 315 is equivalent to the height of the case 30 of the remote control device 100.

[0028] In FIG. 8, the cover 310 is provided with a hook portion 314 on the plate-like member 311 and is fitted into a fixing hole (not shown) of the case 30 of the remote control device 100. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can reduce the number of components and lower the cost.

[0029] In FIG. 9, the cover 310 has a convex piece 316 on the side in contact with the case 30 of the exterior parts 315 instead of the hook portion 314. The remote control device 100 has a slide fixing structure 32 in the case 30, and after inserting the convex piece 316 of the cover 300 into the inside of the slide fixing structure 32, the remote control device 100 slides in a specific direction (downward in FIG. 9) to hold the cover 300. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can reduce the number of components and lower the cost. Note that the remote control device 100 may not be provided with fixing holes (not shown) on the back surface of the case 30 in this embodiment.

[0030] In the first to third aspects described above, when the cover 300 is attached to the remote control device 100, it is preferably equal to or larger than the outer shape of a commercially available in-bathroom remote control. Thereby, the remote control device 100 can reduce the cost and change its outer shape, and when used as a replacement for an existing in-bathroom remote control, it can cover and hide the installation traces remaining on the wall surface (holes drilled in the wall and waterproofing materials attached to the wall) with the cover 300. Also, the remote control device 100 can create visual enjoyment and harmony with the in-bathroom decoration by attaching a cover 300 of any color.

[0031] Refer to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the remote control system 500. The remote operation system 500 includes a remote operation device 100A outside the bathroom, a remote operation device 100B inside the bathroom, and a bathroom water heater 400. For example, the remote operation device 100A outside the bathroom is used in the kitchen without attaching the cover 300 to the remote operation device 100, and the remote operation device 100B inside the bathroom is used in the bathroom with the cover 300 attached to the remote operation device 100.

[0032] The remote operation device 100 includes a control unit 40 that controls the remote operation device 100. The control unit 40 is applied, for example, to a microcomputer having an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, a timing circuit, a communication circuit, etc., and is stored in the case 30. The remote operation device 100 is connected to the bathroom water heater 400 via the control unit 40 so as to be communicable, either wired or wirelessly.

[0033] The control program 41 is stored in the control unit 40, controls the display panel 10 based on the detection result (operation signal) of the operation button 20, and outputs a device control signal for causing the bathroom water heater 400 to perform a predetermined operation. The remote operation device 100 can distinguish between the remote operation device 100A outside the bathroom and the remote operation device 100B inside the bathroom by the control program 41 stored in the control unit 40 during manufacturing. Note that the control program 41 may be realized by a combination of an outside-bathroom program 41A that performs control peculiar to the remote operation device 100A outside the bathroom, such as a reservation operation function, an inside-bathroom program 41B that performs control peculiar to the remote operation device 100B inside the bathroom, such as a reheating function, and a common program 41C that performs common control, such as power control.

[0034] The bathroom water heater 400 is, for example, a bathroom water heater having a reservation operation function, a reheating function, a hot water supply temperature setting function, etc. The bathroom water heater 400 determines the device control signal transmitted from the remote operation device 100 and can perform control based on this.

[0035] The remote operation system 500 can make the structures of the remote operation device 100A outside the bathroom and the remote operation device 100B inside the bathroom common, and can provide a remote operation device 100 with reduced costs.

[0036] The above aspect has the following effects.

[0037] The remote control device 100 is a remote control device 100 fixed to a wall surface using a mounting plate 200, a display panel 10, operation buttons 20, and a case 30 configured to be able to visually recognize the display panel 10 from the front and operate the operation buttons 20. The case 30 and / or the mounting plate 200 are configured to be able to hold a cover 300 for forming an outer shape larger than that of the case 30.

[0038] The remote control device 100 can reduce costs with the cover 300, change its outer shape, and cover up the installation traces remaining on the wall surface. Also, by attaching a cover 300 of any color, it is possible to create visual enjoyment and harmony with the bathroom interior.

[0039] In the remote control device 100, the case 30 has the same outer shape as the mounting plate 200, the cover 300 has an opening 301 that exposes the display panel 10 and the operation buttons 20, the opening 301 has a convex hook shape 303, and the case 30 has a groove 31 that fits into the hook shape 303 on at least one of the upper surface, bottom surface, and side surface.

[0040] The remote control device 100 can hold the cover 300 by pushing the cover 300 toward the remote control device 100, and can reduce costs and change its outer shape.

[0041] In the remote control device 100, the case 30 has the same outer shape as the mounting plate 200, the cover 300 is composed of a first exterior 302A held on the side surface of the case 30 and a second exterior 302B held on the opposite side surface of the case 30. The first exterior 302A and the second exterior 302B have convex pieces 304 on the side in contact with the case 30, and the case 30 has a slide fixing structure 32 that holds the convex pieces 304 inside and then slides in a specific direction.

[0042] The remote control device 100 can hold the cover 300 with the case 30, reducing costs and changing the outer shape.

[0043] In the remote control device 100, the case 30 has an outer shape smaller than that of the mounting plate 210, the mounting plate 200 has ribs 211 for positioning and holding the cover 300 at the four corners, the cover 300 has an opening 301 that exposes the display panel 10 and the operation buttons 20, and an exterior 302 located at least on both sides of the case 30, and the height of the case 30 in the front direction is the same as that of the exterior 302 of the cover 300.

[0044] The remote control device 100 can reduce costs and change the outer shape with the mounting plate 210 and the cover 300.

[0045] In the remote control device 100, the cover 300 has a convex hook shape 303 in the opening 301, and the case 30 has a groove 31 that fits into the hook shape 303 on at least one of the upper surface, bottom surface, and side surface.

[0046] The remote control device 100 can securely hold the cover 300 with the groove 31 of the case 30 and the rib 211 of the mounting plate 210.

[0047] In the remote control device 100, the case 30 has a step 33 on the outer periphery of the front, and its height is the same as that of the end face 306 of the cover 300.

[0048] When the cover 300 is attached to the remote control device 100, the case 30 and the cover 300 are flush with each other, and the appearance quality of the remote control device 100 can be improved.

[0049] In the remote control device 100, The case 30 has an inclination 34 on the outer periphery of the front surface and is configured to overlap with the inclined surface 307 of the opening 301 of the cover 300.

[0050] When the cover 300 is attached to the remote control device 100, the case 30 and the cover 300 are flush with each other, and the appearance quality of the remote control device 100 can be improved.

[0051] In the remote control device 100, The cover 310 is integrally formed with the mounting plate 200 and has an exterior 302 in two outer directions extending from the mounting plate 200. The height of the case 30 in the front direction is equivalent to that of the exterior 302 of the cover 300.

[0052] The remote control device 100 can reduce the number of parts, reduce costs, and change the outer shape.

[0053] In the remote control device 100, The exterior 302 has a convex piece 316 on the side in contact with the case 30. After inserting the convex piece 316 into the case 30, the case 30 has a slide fixing structure 32 that is held by sliding in a specific direction.

[0054] The remote control device 100 can reduce the number of parts, reduce costs, and change the outer shape.

[0055] The remote control system 500 includes a bathroom water heater 400, a remote control device 100A used outside the bathroom, and any one of the above-mentioned remote control devices 100B used inside the bathroom.

[0056] The remote control system 500 can share the structures of the outdoor remote control device 100A and the indoor remote control device 100B, and can provide a remote control device 100 with reduced costs.

[0057] Note that the devices to be operated by the remote control device 100 of the present disclosure may include not only the bathroom water heater 400 but also an air conditioner, a sanitary cleaning device, etc.

[0058] Note that the remote control device of the present disclosure has been described by taking the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modified examples as examples, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure in other configurations.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 10 Display panel 20 Operation button 30 Case 31 Groove 32 Slide fixing structure 33 Step 34 Inclination 40 Control unit 41 Control program 100, 190 Remote control device 100A Outdoor remote control device 100B Indoor remote control device 200, 210 Mounting plate 211 Rib 300, 310 Cover 301 Opening 302, 315 Exterior 302A, 302B First exterior, second exterior 303 Hook shape 304, 316 Tab 306 End face 307 Inclined surface 400 Bathroom water heater 500 Remote control system

Claims

【Claim 1】 A remote control device fixed to a wall surface using a mounting plate, comprising: a display panel; operation buttons; a case configured to be able to visually recognize the display panel from the front and operate the operation buttons; the case is capable of holding a cover for forming an outer shape larger than the case; the cover has a convex shape for fitting with the case; the case has a concave shape for holding the cover on at least one of the upper surface, the bottom surface, and the side surface; the case has the same outer shape as the mounting plate; the cover consists of a first exterior held on one side surface of the case and a second exterior held on the opposite side surface of the case; the convex shape of the cover is a convex piece provided on the side of the first exterior and the second exterior in contact with the case; the concave shape of the case is a slide fixing structure provided on the side surfaces on both sides of the case, which holds the convex piece by sliding it in a specific direction after inserting the convex piece inside; a remote control device.

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