Air conditioning controllers and terminal equipment

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning controller capable of preventing easy detachment of a cable connected to an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning controller includes: a casing 2; an accommodation part 11 disposed in the casing 2 and accommodating an electronic component; a mounting plate 24 disposed on a back surface side of the accommodation part 11 to fix a body on a wall surface of a building; and a connector 34 disposed on a back surface side of the casing 2 and connecting the cable. The mounting plate 24 includes: a mounting plate body 25 fixed to the wall surface; and a movable part 26 that couples one side of the body 25 to one side of the casing 2 via a hinge mechanism. The mounting plate body 25 includes an opening part 36 for inserting a cable 38 to be connected to an air conditioner 10. The casing 2 has a front surface side cover 22 and is fixed to the mounting plate body 25 by screws 30a, 30b therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner controller attached to a wall surface of a building and a terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a facility where a whole-building air conditioning system for collectively managing the temperatures of a plurality of rooms is introduced. The whole-building air conditioning system is composed of an air conditioner, an air conditioner controller, and a duct. The air conditioner controller is wired-connected to the air conditioner by a cable, and a command is output to the air conditioner according to an input operation performed by the air conditioner controller. The air conditioner operating according to the command blows air into a duct connected to each room.

[0003] Generally, the air conditioner controller is installed on an indoor wall surface or the like, and the cable connecting the air conditioner controller and the air conditioner runs inside the wall. And the connector for connecting the cable to the air conditioner controller is at a visible position with the lid of the housing open. Normally, since it is thought that there is no one who tries to open the lid of the air conditioner controller and remove the cable connector, there was no problem with the above configuration. Note that Patent Document 1 does not directly correspond to the above configuration, but presents it as an example of a housing structure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in facilities equipped with a whole-house air conditioning system, such as nursing homes where some residents suffer from dementia, there is a possibility that a resident might accidentally open the cover of the air conditioning controller and unplug any cables that come into view. If the cables connected to the air conditioning unit are unplugged from the air conditioning controller, the air conditioning unit will stop, causing the room temperature to rise, especially on hot summer days.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioning controller that can prevent cables connected to an air conditioning system from being easily disconnected, and terminal equipment having a similar configuration with respect to connection to a control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The air conditioning controller according to claim 1 comprises a housing, a housing located inside the housing for housing electronic components, a mounting plate located on the rear side of the housing for fixing the main body to the wall of a building, and a connector located on the rear side of the housing for connecting the cables. The electronic components may include electrical components. The mounting plate has a mounting plate body that is fixed to the wall and a movable part that connects one side of the body to one side of the housing via a hinge mechanism. The mounting plate body has an opening for passing cables connected to the air conditioning device, and the housing has a lid located on the front side and is fixed to the mounting plate body by a fixing part located inside the lid.

[0008] With this configuration, the mounting plate is fixed to the wall, the front cover is opened, and the housing is secured to the mounting plate using the fixing mechanism, resulting in the air conditioning controller being mounted on the wall. Even with the cover open, the connectors to which the cables are connected are located on the back of the housing and are therefore not visible from the front. On the other hand, if the housing is released from its fixed position on the mounting plate, the housing becomes rotatable via the hinge mechanism, making the back visible. Therefore, the aforementioned connectors can be disconnected if necessary. In other words, to disconnect the cable connected to the air conditioning controller, Open the lid of the casing. • Release the casing from its fixed position by the fixing mechanism. Rotate the casing and disconnect the connectors and cables on the back.

[0009] This process is necessary, and it cannot be easily removed without prior knowledge of the above structure. Furthermore, even if one attempts to remove the cable according to the structure of the casing, it is a time-consuming task, increasing the likelihood that someone else will notice suspicious activity during that time. This prevents the cable from being unintentionally removed.

[0010] According to the air conditioning controller described in claim 2, the housing is equipped with a cover that covers the front side of the fixing part. As a result, the presence of the fixing part cannot be immediately seen by simply opening the lid, thus more reliably preventing the cable from being disconnected.

[0011] According to the air conditioning controller described in claim 3, the cover covers a portion of the multiple fixing parts. In other words, if there are multiple fixing parts, it is not necessary to cover all of them at once, but even if only a portion is covered, it is possible to prevent people from easily noticing the existence of other fixing parts other than those that are visible.

[0012] According to the air conditioning controller described in claim 4, when the cover having a sliding mechanism is slid, the fixed part that was covering it is exposed, and the cover is placed over other fixed parts. With this configuration, the same effect as in claim 3 is achieved, and an operator who is familiar with the structure and has the authority to access the interior can easily release the fixed state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is one embodiment, a front view of the air conditioning controller. [Figure 2]Diagram showing the inside of the enclosure with the front cover open. [Figure 3] The diagram shows the rear side of the housing and the front side of the mounting plate after removing the screws and rotating the housing. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view corresponding to the state in Figure 1 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional and side view corresponding to the state in Figure 2 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional side view with the enclosure rotated 90 degrees relative to the mounting plate. [Figure 7] Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the air conditioning controller. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning controller 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2 that is formed in a thin, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape from, for example, a resin material. The air conditioning controller 1, which is a terminal device, is used with its rear side attached to an installation surface such as a wall in a room that is to be air-conditioned, such as a room in an office or a nursing home. A touch panel unit 21 with a touch panel function on an LCD screen is arranged on the front of the housing 2.

[0015] As shown in Figure 7, the housing 2 contains a control unit 3, a storage unit 4, a display unit 5, an operation unit 6, a communication unit 7, an internal temperature sensor 8, and a heat source temperature sensor 9. The air conditioning controller 1 is used to perform operations such as setting the target temperature and displaying the room temperature for the air conditioning unit 10. The display unit 5 and the operation unit 6 correspond to the touch panel unit 21. However, the configuration of the controller 1 shown in Figure 1 is just an example and is not limited thereto.

[0016] The control unit 3 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. not shown in the figure. This control unit 3 controls the air conditioner controller 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the storage unit 4. For example, the control unit 3 executes processes such as instructing the start / stop of the operation of the air conditioner 10 according to the operation input to the operation unit 6, and instructing the target temperature. Also, inside the housing 2, electrical and electronic components such as the control unit 3, the internal temperature sensor 8, and the heat source temperature sensor 9 are housed in the housing unit 11 shown in FIG. 2 etc.

[0017] The storage unit 4 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example, and stores a program for controlling the controller 1 and various data. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 4 uses the one built in the control unit 3, but it may also be configured as an external unit to the control unit 3. The display unit 5 performs displays related to the operation of the air conditioner 10 and operation inputs on the touch panel unit 21 described above. In the operation unit 6, operations such as the start / stop of the operation of the air conditioner 10, the setting and change of the target temperature, etc. are input. Without using the touch panel unit 21, the display unit 5 and the operation unit 6 may be separated, and the operation unit 6 may be composed of mechanical switches.

[0018] The communication unit 7 is communicably connected to the air conditioner 10, and communicates control signals such as instructions for starting / stopping the operation of the air conditioner 10 and instructions for the target temperature with the air conditioner 10. This communication unit 7 assumes a wired communication method. The internal temperature sensor 8 is composed of well-known ones such as a resistance temperature detector type, a thermistor type, a thermocouple type, an integrated circuit type, etc., and measures the temperature of the place where it is installed, that is, the temperature inside the housing 2.

[0019] The heat source temperature sensor 9 is composed of well-known types such as a resistance temperature detector type, a thermistor type, a thermocouple type, an integrated circuit type, etc., and measures the temperature of the heat source, that is, the control unit 3. Specifically, the heat source temperature sensor 9 directly measures the temperature of the heat source by being arranged near the control unit 3 or attached to the package of the control unit 3. The air conditioner 10 is assumed to be a so-called central heating type in this embodiment. The air cooled or heated by the air conditioner 10 is supplied from the air outlet 13 opening into the room via the duct 12 as indicated by the arrow F.

[0020] The air conditioner controller 1 of this embodiment has a characteristic configuration inside the housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 2 consists of a front side cover 22 and a rear side cover 23, and the touch panel portion 21 constitutes a part of the front side cover 22 corresponding to a lid. When the front side cover 22 is opened, the accommodation portion 11 arranged inside the housing 2 appears. The accommodation portion 11 is fixed to the rear side cover 23.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting plate 24 has a mounting plate main body 25 and a movable portion 26. Four screw holes 27 for mounting the air conditioner controller 1 to the wall surface are formed in the mounting plate main body 25. The movable portion 26 is on the left side in FIG. 3 of the mounting plate main body 25 and is fixed to one side of the rear side cover 23. The movable portion 26 connects the mounting plate main body 25 and the housing 2 via a hinge mechanism. Four screw holes 28a to 28d are formed in the rear side cover 23 at four locations, and corresponding to those positions, four screw holes 29a to 29d are also formed in the mounting plate 24. As shown in FIG. 2, by screwing four screws 30a to 30d from the inside of the housing 2 into the screw holes 28a to 28d respectively, the housing 2 is fixed to the mounting plate 24.

[0022] Screws 30c and 30d secure the housing 2 to the movable part 26. Figure 3 shows the state where only screws 30a and 30b are removed, and the housing 2 is rotated by the movable part 26 so that the back side of the rear cover 23 is visible. A screw cover 31 is positioned on the front side of screws 30a and 30b, which are an example of a detachable fixing part. The screw cover 31 has a sliding mechanism and normally covers the head of screw 30b, which is located below it, so that it is not visible from the front. When an operator places their finger or the like on the screw cover 31 and slides it upwards, the head of screw 30a below it is covered, and the head of screw 30b becomes visible.

[0023] From the housing section 11, a portion of the circuit board, which is housed inside and has electronic components mounted on it, is exposed to the outside as an extension section 32. Two connectors 33 and 34 are mounted on the rear side of the extension section 32. An opening 35 is formed in the rear cover 23 corresponding to the positions of these connectors 33 and 34. Connector 33 is for power supply, and connector 34 is for communication with the air conditioning unit 10.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, an opening 36 is also formed in the mounting plate 24, and a power cable 37 and a communication cable 38 are introduced to the front side from the back side of the mounting plate 24 through this opening 36. The power cable 37 is connected to connector 33, and the communication cable 38 is connected to connector 34. Connectors 33 and 34 are either male or female, and the other type of connector is located on the extension portion 32 side, and the two are electrically connected when mated together. However, the connector on the extension portion 32 side is not shown.

[0025] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. To remove the connectors 33 and / or 34 from the extension 32 from the state shown in Figures 1 and 4, the following procedure will be followed. Open the front cover 22 of the housing 2 to the state shown in Figure 2. Remove screw 30a. Slide the screw cover 31 upwards and remove screw 30b. Rotate the housing 2 to the state shown in Figure 3. Remove connectors 33 and / or 34 from the extension 32.

[0026] Only someone who is already thoroughly familiar with the structure of the housing 2 of the air conditioning controller 1 can smoothly execute the above steps (1) to (5). For someone who does not understand the structure, the connectors 33 and 34 on the back side of the extension 32 are not visible in the state shown in Figure 2, so they would not even think of rotating the housing 2 to the state shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, even if screw 30a is removed, the existence of screw 30b on the back side of screw cover 31 cannot be immediately noticed.

[0027] Furthermore, even someone who is already familiar with the structure of enclosure 2 would need a considerable amount of time to complete steps (1) to (5) above. Therefore, if someone without permission to access the inside of air conditioning controller 1 attempts to perform steps (1) to (5), there is a very high probability that someone else will notice during the process. Consequently, it is possible to prevent connectors 33 and / or 34 from being disconnected from air conditioning controller 1 by unauthorized persons.

[0028] As described above, according to this embodiment, the air conditioning controller 1 comprises a housing 2, a housing 11 located inside the housing 2 for housing electronic components, a mounting plate 24 located on the rear side of the housing 11 for fixing the main body to the wall of a building, and a connector 34 located on the rear side of the housing 2 for connecting the cables. The mounting plate 24 has a mounting plate body 25 fixed to the wall and a movable part 26 that connects one side of the body 25 to one side of the housing 2 via a hinge mechanism. The mounting plate body 25 has an opening 36 for passing cables 37 and 38 connected to the air conditioning device 10, and the housing 2 is fixed to the mounting plate body 25 by screws 30a and 30b inside the front side cover 22.

[0029] With this configuration, even when the front cover 22 of the air conditioning controller 1 is open, the connectors 33 and 34 connecting cables 37 and 38 are not visible from the front. By removing screws 30a and 30b, the housing 2 is released from its fixation to the mounting plate body 25, allowing the housing 2 to rotate via the hinge mechanism, thus making the rear side visible. Therefore, connectors 33 and 34 can be disconnected if necessary.

[0030] Furthermore, attempting to remove the cables according to the structure of enclosure 2 is a time-consuming process, increasing the likelihood that others will notice suspicious activity during this time. This prevents cables 37 and 38 from being unintentionally removed.

[0031] Furthermore, since the housing 2 is equipped with a cover 31 that covers the front side of the screw 30b, simply opening the front cover 22 does not immediately reveal the presence of the screw 30b, thus more reliably preventing the removal of cables 37 and 38. Moreover, when the cover 31, which has a sliding mechanism, is slid open, the covered screw 30b is exposed, allowing a worker who is familiar with the structure and has the authority to access the interior to easily release the fixed state.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or shown in the drawings, and the following modifications or extensions are possible. The screw cover does not necessarily need to have a sliding mechanism; a structure that fits into the back cover is also acceptable. Furthermore, the screw cover may be configured to conceal both screws 30a and 30b simultaneously. Only one of the screws 30a and 30b may be provided. Furthermore, three or more screws 30 may be provided as fixing points. Furthermore, the fixing part does not have to be a screw 30.

[0033] If power to the air conditioning controller 1 is supplied from the air conditioning unit 10, cables 37 and 38 can be combined into one, and connectors 33 and 34 can also be integrated into one. Furthermore, if the air conditioning controller 1 is battery-powered, cable 38 is not required. This method is not limited to air conditioning controllers; it can be applied to any terminal device connected to a control device via a cable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] In the drawing, 1 is the air conditioning controller, 2 is the housing, 10 is the air conditioning unit, 21 is the touch panel section, 22 is the front cover, 23 is the rear cover, 24 is the mounting plate, 25 is the mounting plate body, 26 is the movable part, 30a and 30b are screws, and 31 is the screw cover.

Claims

1. An air conditioning controller connected to an air conditioning system via a cable, The casing and This enclosure has a housing section for containing electronic components, A mounting plate is located on the rear side of this housing section and is used to fix the main body to the wall of the building. The housing is located on the rear side and includes a connector for connecting the cable, The mounting plate comprises a mounting plate body fixed to the wall surface and a movable part that connects one side of the mounting plate body to one side of the housing via a hinge mechanism. The mounting plate body has an opening for passing the cable through, The aforementioned housing has a lid positioned on the front side and is fixed to the mounting plate body by a detachable fixing part inside the housing, which is an air conditioning controller.

2. The air conditioning controller according to claim 1, further comprising a cover inside the housing that covers the front side of the fixed portion.

3. The air conditioning controller according to claim 2, wherein there are multiple fixing parts, and the cover covers a portion of the multiple fixing parts.

4. The air conditioning controller according to claim 3, wherein the cover has a sliding mechanism, and when slid, the covering fixed part becomes exposed and covers other fixed parts.

5. A terminal device connected to a control device via a cable, The casing and This enclosure has a housing section for containing electronic components, A mounting plate is located on the rear side of this housing section and is used to fix the main body to the wall of the building. The housing is located on the rear side and includes a connector for connecting the cable, The mounting plate comprises a mounting plate body fixed to the wall surface and a movable part that connects one side of the mounting plate body to one side of the housing via a hinge mechanism. The mounting plate body has an opening for passing the cable through, The aforementioned housing has a lid positioned on the front side and is a terminal device fixed to the mounting plate body by a fixing part that is detachable inside the housing.

6. The terminal device according to claim 5, further comprising a cover inside the housing that covers the front side of the fixing portion.

7. The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein there are multiple fixing parts, and the cover covers a portion of the multiple fixing parts.

8. The terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the cover has a sliding mechanism, and when slid, the covering fixed part becomes exposed and covers other fixed parts.

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