Remote Controller Unit Switching for Hot-Water Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot-water supply systems require multiple remote controllers with different unit specifications to accommodate various countries or areas, leading to increased manufacturing and sales costs, and inconvenience users who need to change unit settings after installation.
Innovation Solution
A hot-water supply system with a remote controller that includes a unit selection switch and indication unit switching means, allowing users to select and change the units of physical quantities displayed, such as temperature and water amount, without the need for multiple remote controllers, using a data transmission mechanism between the water heater and remote controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote controllers with different unit specifications are prepared to accommodate various countries or areas, then the system can provide indications in units familiar to users in respective countries or areas, but the number of remote controllers to be managed during manufacture and selling increases, leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller is designed with a unit selection switch that allows it to display physical quantities in multiple different units (e.g., temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, water amount in liters or gallons). This makes a single remote controller universal and adaptable to different countries and areas, eliminating the need to manufacture and manage multiple types of remote controllers with different unit specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller incorporates a unit selection switch that enables dynamic changing of display units based on user preference or location. The controller can switch between different unit systems (metric and imperial) to accommodate various regional preferences, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-specification controllers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user desires to change the unit of a physical quantity after installation, then the user needs to purchase another remote controller designed for the desired unit as a replacement, but this increases cost and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The unit selection switch on the remote controller allows users to dynamically change the display units of physical quantities at any time after installation. Users can switch between different unit systems (e.g., from Celsius to Fahrenheit) without needing to replace the remote controller, making the system adaptable and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller provides self-service functionality by including a unit selection switch that enables users to change unit settings independently without needing to purchase additional controllers or seek technical assistance. The controller serves itself by incorporating all necessary controls for unit conversion within the same device.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an inexpensive hot-water supply system that allows a user to readily select a desired unit for a physical quantity indicated on a display section of a remote controller. A bathroom-installed remote controller 4 is provided with a indication unit switching device that switches the units of hot-water temperature and hot-water amount represented by data transmitted from a water heater and indicated on a display section 20 between Fahrenheit/gallon (shown in FIG. 3(a)) and Celsius/liter (shown in FIG. 3(b)) depending on the presence or absence of long press of an operational switch 32 while the water heater is in a stand-by state.