Operating device

Abstract

To provide an operating device that can later provide an opening / closing function using an electric drive unit and an interlocking function with a water heater to an existing drain plug device.SOLUTION: An operating device 11 is attached to an existing drain plug device 200 that includes a plug lid 210 that opens and closes a drain port 100 formed in a tank body B, and an operating unit 220 that operates the plug lid 210. The operating device 11 includes an electric drive unit 13 that is driven by energization, and an actuation unit 14 that is disposed near the operating unit 220 and protrudes by the electric drive unit 13. The operating device 11 drives the electric drive unit 13 based on an operating instruction from the user, and causes the actuation unit 14 to operate the operating unit 220.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device that can be attached to a drain plug device for opening and closing a drain port formed in a tank body.

Background Art

[0002] The drain plug device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plug lid (valve body) that covers a drain port formed in a tank body, and has a structure in which the drain port is opened and closed by raising and lowering the plug lid. Further, the raising and lowering operation of the plug lid is performed by an operation unit attached to the edge of the tank body. The operation unit includes a displacement unit (button member) that is displaced up and down by manual operation by a user, a transmission unit (release wire) that transmits the displacement of the displacement unit to the plug lid, and a lock mechanism (lock mechanism unit) that holds the raised state of the plug lid. When the displacement unit is pushed by the user, the plug lid moves up and down via the transmission unit, and the raised and lowered state of the plug lid is held by the lock mechanism. The drain plug device described in Patent Document 2 can open and close the drain port without the user directly pushing the displacement unit by displacing the displacement unit by an electric drive unit disposed inside the operation unit. Further, by communicating the drain plug device with a water heater, it is possible to automatically open and close the drain port in conjunction with an operation such as a water filling operation of the water heater.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The drain plug device described in Patent Document 1 cannot open or close the drain unless a predetermined amount of stress is directly applied to the displaced part by manual operation, making it difficult for some users to open and close the drain. In particular, when hot water is stored in the tank, the water pressure applied to the plug cover increases the stress required to displace the displaced part, making it even more difficult to open and close the drain. On the other hand, in the drain plug device described in Patent Document 2, the drain port can be easily opened and closed without applying strong stress to the displaced part by driving the electric drive unit. However, the electric drive unit is built into the drain plug device, and it has been difficult to later add the opening and closing function by the electric drive unit to a drain plug device that does not have an electric drive unit. Furthermore, although the drain plug device described in Patent Document 2 has a function to operate in conjunction with the water heater, it has been difficult to add such an interlocking function to an existing drain plug device after the fact.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an operating device that can later add an electric drive function for opening and closing, as well as a function for linking with a water heater, to an existing drain plug device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a stopper cover for opening and closing a drain port formed in the tank body, It has a displacement part that opens and closes the drain port by being displaced in a predetermined direction. Equipped with an operating unit Existing An operating device that can be attached to a drain plug device, An electric drive unit that is driven by the application of electricity, A control unit that controls the electric drive unit, It comprises an operating unit located near the operating unit and which operates the operating unit by the drive of the electric drive unit. 、 The operating part protrudes in the predetermined direction from the mounting surface of the displacement part or the mounting surface of the operating device, and displaces the displacement part. This is an operating device characterized by the following:

[0008] The two The invention is characterized in that the amount by which the operating part protrudes in the predetermined direction is adjustable. 1 This is the operating device described in [reference].

[0009] The invention of three is characterized in that it includes a detection unit for detecting contact or non-contact operations by the user. 、 The control unit controls the drive of the electric drive unit based on the contact operation or the non-contact operation. This is the operating device according to claim 1. or Claim 2 described in.

[0010] The invention of four is characterized in that it includes a sensor mechanism for detecting either or both of the open / closed state of the drain outlet and the operating state of the electric drive unit. 、 The control unit transmits the open / closed state of the drain outlet or the operating state of the electric drive unit detected by the sensor mechanism to the water heater or a portable terminal. This is the operating device according to claim 1. or Claim 2 described in.

[0011] The invention of Five is characterized in that it includes a sensor mechanism for detecting either or both of the open / closed state of the drain outlet and the operating state of the electric drive unit. 、 The control unit transmits the open / closed state of the drain outlet or the operating state of the electric drive unit detected by the sensor mechanism to the water heater or a portable terminal. This is the operating device according to claim 3 described in.

[0012] The invention of Six is characterized in that the control unit can control the electric drive unit based on an instruction by remote operation. This is the operating device according to claim 1. or Claim 2 described in.

[0013] The invention of seven is characterized in that the control unit can control the electric drive unit based on an instruction by remote operation. This is the operating device according to claim 3 described in.

[0014] The invention of eight is characterized in that the control unit can control the electric drive unit based on an instruction by remote operation. This is the operating device according to claim 4 described in.

[0015] The Nine The invention is that the control unit is The electric drive unit can be controlled based on instructions given via remote operation. 5 This is the operating device described in [reference]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to add an electric drive function for opening and closing, as well as a function for linking with a water heater, to an existing drain plug device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the operating part protruding from Figure 1(a). [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the equipment and operating device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a bathroom according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device according to the first embodiment in a mounted state. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating part in a protruding state. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing a drainage system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing a drainage system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the operating device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] (a) is a perspective view showing the operating device according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the operating part in a protruding state. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing existing equipment and facilities. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing an existing drain plug device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The invention described below is intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] 1. First Embodiment Using Figures 10 and 11, an existing piece of equipment to which the operating device 11 of the present invention is attached will be described.

[0020] Tank body B is a bathtub located within the bathroom unit (UB), adjacent to the washing area where the user washes their hair, etc. Tank body B has a drain opening 100 formed on its bottom surface, and this drain opening 100 can be opened and closed by a drain plug device 200. The water heater 120 is connected to the bathtub B by a supply pipe and a return pipe (not shown), and performs functions such as filling the bathtub and reheating the water when operated on the control panel 130. The control panel 130 is installed inside the bathroom unit and in a room adjacent to the bathroom unit, and the control panel 130 installed outside the bathroom unit can communicate with the repeater 21 via the internet, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0021] As shown in Figure 11, the drain plug device 200 is an existing piece of equipment installed on the tank body B, and comprises a plug cover 210, an operating unit 220, and a transmission unit 230. The stopper cover 210 is a disc-shaped cover that covers the drain opening 100, and a packing is fitted around its periphery. The stopper cover 210 can be raised and lowered by the operating part 220, and when lowered, the packing comes into contact with the periphery of the drain opening 100. At this time, the drain opening 100 is closed by the packing, and hot water can be stored inside the tank body B. On the other hand, when the stopper cover 210 is raised, the packing moves away from the periphery of the drain opening 100, thereby discharging the hot water stored inside the tank body B to the sewer side. The operating unit 220 is attached to the edge of the tank body B and has a displacement unit 221 that is directly pressed by the user and a locking mechanism 222 that maintains the displacement state of the displacement unit 221. The displacement part 221 is disc-shaped with its upper surface exposed inside the bathroom unit (UB), and is displaceable in a predetermined direction (up and down in this embodiment). A locking mechanism 222 is fitted to its back surface. The upper surface of the displacement part 221 is substantially flush with the edge of the tub body B when the drain opening 100 is closed, and is displaceable downwards. When the drain opening 100 is open, it is located below the edge of the tub body B. The locking mechanism 222 has an upper end fitted to the displacement part 221 and a shaft part 223 that can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement part 221, and a transmission part 230 is connected to its lower end. The locking mechanism 222 also has a rotating gear and a fixed gear (not shown) inside, and each time the shaft part 223 is displaced by a predetermined amount, the meshing and disengagement of the rotating gear and the fixed gear are switched, thereby maintaining the position of the displaced shaft part 223. The transmission section 230 is a power transmission member consisting of an outer tube made of resin and an inner wire made of metal. One end of the transmission section 230 is connected to the locking mechanism 222 and the other end is connected to the plug cover 210. As the shaft portion 223 is displaced, the inner wire slides inside the outer tube, causing the plug cover 210 to move up and down.

[0022] In the drain plug device 200 described above, when the plug cover 210 is in the lowered position, the drain port 100 is closed by the plug cover 210, and hot water can be stored inside the tank body B. When a pushing operation is applied to the displacement part 221, the displacement part 221 and the shaft part 223 are displaced downward, and this displacement is transmitted by the transmission part 230, causing the plug cover 210 to rise. At this time, the rotating gear and the fixed gear located inside the locking mechanism 222 mesh, and the raised state of the plug cover 210 and the lowered state of the displacement part 221 are maintained. On the other hand, when the stopper cover 210 is raised and the drain port 100 is open, if a pushing operation is applied to the displacement part 221 again, the engagement between the rotating gear and the fixed gear located inside the locking mechanism 222 is released, and the stopper cover 210 is lowered by a spring (not shown) located in the locking mechanism 222 and its own weight, and the drain port 100 is closed again.

[0023] As described above, the existing drain plug device 200 can only open and close the drain port 100 formed in the tank body B by manual pushing operation.

[0024] Next, we will describe the operating device 11 that is attached to the existing drain plug device 200 mentioned above.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1(a), the operating device 11 comprises a casing 12, an electric drive unit 13, an operating unit 14, a detection unit 15, a sensor mechanism 16, a control unit 18, and a power supply 17. The operating device 11 is also capable of communicating with a repeater 21 or a mobile terminal 31 via short-range wireless technology such as Bluetooth®. The casing 12 is cylindrical, with an outer diameter larger than that of the displacement section 221, and can be placed over the operating section 220 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Furthermore, the casing 12 is waterproofed by a packing (not shown) or the like to prevent hot water from flowing into the interior. The electric drive unit 13 is a motor that is driven by the supply of electricity, and its drive is controlled by the control unit 18. The electric drive unit 13 is also connected to the operating unit 14, and when the electric drive unit 13 is operated, the operating unit 14 is displaced in the vertical direction. Here, as shown in Figure 1(b), when the operating part 14 is displaced by the drive of the electric drive unit 13, its lower end penetrates downward from the center of the lower surface of the casing 12 and protrudes below the mounting surface of the operating device 11 (the edge of the tank body B). Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the operating part 14 is controlled by the control unit 18 and can be changed as appropriate depending on the drain plug device 200 to be attached. The detection unit 15 is positioned above the casing 12 and detects contact or non-contact operations by the user, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 18. Contact operations can be detected by pressure-sensitive or electrostatic methods, while non-contact operations can be detected by optical methods such as infrared light; any method is acceptable. Furthermore, the detection unit 15 may be designed to detect only contact operations, or only non-contact operations. Alternatively, a button that is pressed by a contact operation may protrude from the top surface of the casing 12, and the detection unit 15 may detect the pressing of this button. The sensor mechanism 16 detects the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 18. The detection method by the sensor mechanism 16 may be magnetic, optical, contact, or other detection methods. The sensor mechanism 16 may also detect the open / closed state of the drain port 100 based on the position (protrusion amount) of the operating part 14, or based on the position of the displacement part 221. Furthermore, the sensor mechanism 16 may detect an abnormality in the operating state of the electric drive unit 13 when the operating part 14 is at a position (protrusion amount) different from a predetermined position (protrusion amount), or when the displacement part 221 is at a position different from a predetermined position. In other words, the sensor mechanism 16 only needs to be able to detect the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13, and there are no limitations on the detection method or detection target. Power supply 17 is a battery that is removablely placed inside the casing 12. The size and type of the battery are not limited. Alternatively, power supply 17 may be supplied from an external source. The control unit 18 is a circuit board capable of controlling the operation of the electric drive unit 13, and controls the operation of the electric drive unit 13 based on contact or non-contact operations detected by the detection unit 15. The control unit 18 also functions as a communication unit capable of communicating with the repeater 21 or mobile terminal 31 via short-range wireless communication, and can control the operation of the electric drive unit 13 based on remote operations transmitted from the repeater 21 or mobile terminal 31. Furthermore, the control unit 18 can transmit the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13, detected by the sensor mechanism 16, to the repeater 21 or mobile terminal 31 via short-range wireless communication.

[0026] The repeater 21 is located on the wall of one of the rooms outside the bathroom (UB) and can communicate with the control device 11 via short-range wireless communication, as well as with the control panel 130 of the water heater 120 and the mobile terminal 31 via the internet. The repeater 21 can also detect the water filling signal transmitted from the control panel 130 and instruct the control device 11 to shut off the valve. In this embodiment, the repeater 21 is located near the control panel 130, but its location is not limited in any way and can be placed anywhere as long as it is within a distance from the control device 11 that it can communicate with via short-range wireless communication.

[0027] The mobile terminal 31 is a device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the user, and can communicate with the repeater 21 via the internet, as well as directly with the operating device 11 via short-range wireless communication, using a dedicated application. The dedicated application also allows the user to adjust the amount, speed, and duration of protrusion of the operating part 14 in a predetermined direction, and can display the open / closed status of the drain port 100 transmitted from the control unit 18. Furthermore, the dedicated application can communicate with the water heater 120 via the repeater 21 and give instructions for operations such as filling the bathtub.

[0028] The operating device 11 is directly fixed to the edge of the tank body B by double-sided tape attached to the lower surface of the casing 12. At this time, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the actuation unit 14 is positioned directly above the displacement unit 221 and is mounted in a position where it can push the displacement unit 221 and operate the operating unit 220 when the electric drive unit 13 is driven. In this embodiment, the operating device 11 is mounted directly above the operating unit 220, but the mounting position is not limited to directly above the operating unit 220 as long as it is in the vicinity of the operating unit 220 and the actuation unit 14 can push the displacement unit 221.

[0029] The following describes how to operate using the above-mentioned operating device 11.

[0030] [Operation method 1] As shown in Figure 4, the stopper cover 210 is lowered, and the drain port 100 is closed. At this time, the operating part 14 is not protruding downwards and is in its initial position. When a direct or non-contact operation is applied to the detection unit 15 of the operating device 11, as shown in Figure 5, the electric drive unit 13 is driven, causing the operating unit 14 to protrude downward and displace the displacement unit 221. At this point, when the locking mechanism 222 holds the raised state of the plug cover 210 and the lowered state of the displacement unit 221, the operating unit 14 returns to its initial position. When the detection unit 15 of the operating device 11 is again subjected to direct or non-contact operation, the operating unit 14 protrudes downward again, and the drain plug device 200 is activated. At this time, the gears located inside the locking mechanism 222 are disengaged, and the plug cover 210 descends due to the spring's repulsion and its own weight, closing the drain port 100. The operating unit 14 also returns to its initial position. In this way, the user can open and close the drain port 100 without directly pressing the displacement part 221 of the operating part 220.

[0031] [Operation method 2] The following describes the operation method of the drainage system using the repeater 21 and the operation of the operating device 11 according to this operation method, as shown in Figure 6. First, as shown in Figure 4, the stopper cover 210 is lowered, closing the drain port 100. The open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating status of the electric drive unit 13 are transmitted to the repeater 21 via short-range wireless communication. Furthermore, the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating status of the electric drive unit 13 are transmitted from the repeater 21 to the mobile terminal 31 via the internet, and the user can check this information through the app screen. Next, when an operation is performed on the mobile terminal 31, remote control instructions are transmitted from the relay unit 21 to the control unit 18 via the internet. Next, the control unit 18, having received instructions from the repeater 21, drives the electric drive unit 13 based on those instructions. At this time, as shown in Figure 5, the operating unit 14 protrudes downward and pushes down the displacement unit 221, causing the plug cover 210 to rise via the transmission unit 230 and opening the drain port 100. At this point, the locking mechanism 222 holds the raised state of the plug cover 210 and the lowered state of the displacement unit 221, and the operating unit 14 returns to its initial position. Next, the sensor mechanism 16 detects the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13. The control unit 18 transmits the open / closed state of the drain port 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13 to the repeater 21 via short-range wireless communication. The repeater 21 then transmits the open / closed state of the drain port 100 to the mobile terminal 31 via the internet. At this time, the mobile terminal 31 displays the current open / closed state of the drain port 100. Furthermore, if the sensor mechanism 16 detects an abnormality in the operating state of the electric drive unit 13, error information is displayed on the mobile terminal 31. Then, when the drain port 100 is in the open position, if an operation instruction is transmitted again from the detection unit 15 or the relay unit 21 to the control unit 18, the control unit 18 drives the electric drive unit 13, causing the operating unit 14 to protrude downward again and push down the displacement unit 221. At this time, the gears located inside the locking mechanism 222 are released, and the plug cover 210 descends due to the spring's repulsion and its own weight, closing the drain port 100. The operating unit 14 also returns to its initial position. Next, the sensor mechanism 16 detects the open / closed state of the drain outlet 100 and the operating state of the electric drive unit 13. This open / closed state is then transmitted via the Internet to the water heater 120 and the mobile terminal 31 by the control unit 18 through the repeater 21. At this time, the current open / closed state of the drain outlet 100 is displayed on the mobile terminal 31.

[0032] [Operation method 3] Next, we will explain the operation method using the drainage system when the repeater 21 is not used. If the repeater 21 is not used, as shown in Figure 7, the mobile terminal 31 communicates directly with the operating device 11 via short-range wireless communication and operates the operating unit 220 of the drain plug device 200 based on instructions from the dedicated application. The operation of the operating device 11 is the same as the operation method described earlier, so it will be omitted here.

[0033] The operation method of the operating device 11 of the present invention is as described above. The operating device 11 of the present invention can communicate with the control panel 130 of the water heater 120 via the internet through the relay 21. Therefore, the operating device 11 can be linked to the water filling operation. For example, when the water filling operation is instructed by the control panel 130, an instruction to close the drain port 100 is transmitted to the operating device 11 via the relay 21, and the water heater 120 is instructed to perform the water filling operation. In addition, the open / closed state of the drain port 100 is transmitted from the operating device 11, and the status of the water filling operation is transmitted from the water heater 120, and these are displayed on the mobile terminal 31 by a dedicated application.

[0034] The first embodiment of the present invention is as described above. The operating device 11 of the present invention makes it possible to add an opening and closing function by an electric drive unit 13 to an existing drain plug device 200. Therefore, since it is no longer necessary to directly push the displacement unit 221 when opening and closing the drain port 100, any user can easily open and close the drain port 100. Furthermore, by using the relay 21 to enable communication between the water heater 120, the mobile terminal 31, and the control unit 18 via the internet, it becomes possible to add functions to the existing drain plug device 200, such as the ability to open and close the drain outlet 100 remotely from outside the bathroom, and a function to link with the water filling operation of the water heater 120. Furthermore, the operating device 11 can control the electric drive unit 13 based on instructions given remotely by communicating directly with the mobile terminal 31 via short-range wireless communication without using the repeater 21. Furthermore, while existing drain plug devices 200 may have different displacement amounts required to operate the operating unit 220 depending on the device, the operating device 11 in the present invention can accommodate any existing drain plug device 200 by adjusting the amount that the operating unit 14 protrudes using a dedicated application.

[0035] 2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, using Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figure 8, in the second embodiment, the operating device 11 is attached via the adapter 41. The adapter 41 is attached to the edge of the tank body B by adhesive or other means so that it cannot be detached from its lower surface, and the upper surface has an engaging part (not shown) so that the operating device 11 can be detachably attached. This makes it possible to easily remove the operating device 11 when cleaning or maintaining the operating device 11 or when replacing the power supply 17. The method of attaching the adapter 41 can be any method such as adhesive, tape, or screws, and the adapter 41 and the operating device 11 may be detachable by means other than engagement. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the operating part 14 of the operating device 11 was configured to protrude from below the casing 12, but in the second embodiment, the operating part 14 is substantially L-shaped and protrudes from the side of the casing 12, and is configured to be displaced vertically by the electric drive unit 13. Also, in the first embodiment, the operating device 11 was placed directly above the displacement part 221 and covered the entire surface of the displacement part 221, but in the second embodiment, the operating device 11 is positioned adjacent to the displacement part 221 in the vicinity, and is configured so that a part of the displacement part 221 is exposed. This makes it possible to push the displacement part 221 from the exposed part, and makes it possible to operate the operating part 220 manually.

[0036] 3. Other Embodiments Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] For example, in the first embodiment described above, the operation of filling the water heater 120 with hot water was linked to the operation device 11 by a dedicated app, but it may also be linked to the automatic cleaning operation of the tank body B. In this case, when the dedicated app instructs the cleaning of the tank body B, an instruction is transmitted to the operation device 11 to open the drain port 100, and the cleaning device is instructed to start cleaning. This ensures that the drain port 100 is opened when cleaning starts, and that the cleaning water is discharged from the drain port 100.

[0038] Furthermore, unnecessary structures may be omitted from each of the above embodiments. For example, the sensor mechanism 16 may be omitted from the operating device 11, and the open / closed state of the drain port 100 may be determined by the number of operations of the electric drive unit 13.

[0039] Furthermore, the operating device 11 may be provided with a display unit that shows the open / closed status of the drain port 100. The display unit is not limited to displaying information by emitting light or by displaying words such as "Open" or "Closed".

[0040] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the existing drain plug device 200 to which the operating device 11 is attached had an operating section 220 attached to the edge of the tank body B, and a displacement section 221 that was capable of being displaced vertically. However, the existing drain plug device 200 to which the operating device 11 of the present invention is attached may have an operating section 220 attached to the side of the tank body B. In this case, the displacement section 221 of the existing drain plug device 200 will be capable of being displaced horizontally, the operating device 11 will also be attached to the side of the tank body B, and the operating section 14 will protrude horizontally.

[0041] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the operating device 11 was attached in a way that made it impossible to remove using double-sided tape, but it may also be attached by methods other than double-sided tape, such as screw fastening or adhesive. Furthermore, it may be attached in a detachable manner using weights, adhesive sheets, suction cups, magnets, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the control unit 31 controlled the electric drive unit 13 based on instructions transmitted via the transmission line by the mobile terminal 31, but instructions may be given by means other than the mobile terminal 31. For example, operation instructions input by a voice input device may be transmitted to the control unit 31 via the relay 21, and the electric drive unit 13 may be controlled by this.

[0043] Furthermore, the layout and operation buttons displayed in the dedicated application described above are not limited. For example, when the dedicated application is launched, "Open" and "Close" buttons may be displayed on the screen of the mobile device 31, and the user may perform an operation by selecting the desired button as appropriate. In this case, the dedicated application may be configured to compare the selected operation instruction with the open / closed state of the drain port 100 detected by the detection unit 15, and if the selected instruction differs from the current open / closed state of the drain port 100, the control unit 18 may drive the electric drive unit 13.

[0044] Furthermore, the tank to which the operating device 11 is attached is not limited to a bathtub; it may also be attached to a kitchen sink or washbasin. In addition, it may be attached to the opening and closing buttons of outdoor gates or garage shutters. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 11 Operating device 12 Casing 13 Electric drive unit 14 Operating part 15 Detection unit 16 Sensor mechanism 17 Power supply 18 Control Unit 21 Repeater 31 Mobile devices 41 Adapter 100 drain 120 water heaters 130 Control Panel 200 Drain plug device 210 Bottle lid 220 Operation section 221 Displacement section 222 Locking mechanism 223 Shaft 230 Transmission section B Tank body UB Bathroom

Claims

1. An operating device that can be attached to an existing drain plug device, comprising a plug cover for opening and closing a drain port formed in a tank body, and an operating unit having a displacement part that opens and closes the drain port by being displaced in a predetermined direction, An electric drive unit that is driven by the application of electricity, A control unit that controls the electric drive unit, It comprises an operating unit located near the operating unit and operating the operating unit by the drive of the electric drive unit, The operating part is characterized in that it protrudes in the predetermined direction from the mounting surface of the displacement part or the mounting surface of the operating device, and displaces the displacement part.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount by which the operating part protrudes in the predetermined direction is adjustable.

3. It is equipped with a detection unit that detects whether the user is performing a contact operation or a non-contact operation. The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit controls the drive of the electric drive unit based on the contact operation or the non-contact operation.

4. The system includes a sensor mechanism that detects either the open / closed state of the drain port or the operating state of the electric drive unit, or both. The control unit transmits the open / closed state of the drain outlet or the operating state of the electric drive unit detected by the sensor mechanism to the water heater or a portable terminal, as described in claim 1 or 2.

5. The system includes a sensor mechanism that detects either the open / closed state of the drain port or the operating state of the electric drive unit, or both. The control unit transmits the open / closed state of the drain outlet or the operating state of the electric drive unit detected by the sensor mechanism to the water heater or a portable terminal, as described in claim 3.

6. The control unit, The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is capable of controlling the electric drive unit based on instructions given by remote operation.

7. The control unit, The operating device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is capable of controlling the electric drive unit based on instructions given by remote operation.

8. The control unit, The operating device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is capable of controlling the electric drive unit based on instructions given by remote operation.

9. The control unit, The operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is capable of controlling the electric drive unit based on instructions given by remote operation.

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