JP7522707B2 - Communication device for water heater - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device for a water heater.

For example, a conventional water heater communication device is described in Patent Document 1. The water heater communication device described in Patent Document 1 has a network transceiver that is placed near the operation remote control, a connection wire that connects the operation remote control and the network transceiver, and an angle change unit for fixing the network transceiver.

Patent No. 6572436

However, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 had issues in that when a general-purpose embedded switch box was used to attach the operation remote control, it was not possible to position it if there was an angle change unit for fixing the network transceiver, and it was sometimes impossible to attach it without using a special jig.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a communication device for a water heater, comprising an operation remote control for operating a water heater, a wireless module arranged in the vicinity of the operation remote control , a switch box for housing the wireless module, and a remote control locking portion attached to the switch box and to which the operation remote control is locked, wherein the operation remote control and the wireless module are constructed separately and connected by a connecting cord, the wireless module is housed in the switch box, the operation remote control is locked to the remote control locking portion, and the antenna of the wireless module is arranged so that part or all of it is located inside an opening provided in the remote control locking portion for passing the connecting cord.
Other means will be described later.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of use of the hot water heater communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective development view of the hot water heater communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic internal configuration diagram of the hot water heater communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a case and a wireless module of the hot water heater communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the communication device for the water heater according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of a switch box in the hot water heater communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (1) illustrating a layout configuration of a wireless module within a case of a communication device for a water heater according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (2) showing the layout of the wireless module in the case of the communication device for the water heater according to the embodiment; 4 is a chart showing radio wave intensity of a wireless module in the communication device for a water heater according to the embodiment. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure merely shows a schematic view to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in each figure, common components or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations thereof will be omitted.

<Configuration of communication device for water heater>
The configuration of the water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of use of the water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an oblique development view of the water heater communication device 11. Fig. 3 is a schematic internal configuration diagram of the water heater communication device 11. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the case 23 and wireless module 13 of the water heater communication device 11. Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the water heater communication device 11. Fig. 6 is a front view of the inside of the switch box 21 in the water heater communication device 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment is a communication device that controls the water heater 10, and includes a kitchen remote control 12 and a wireless module 13.

The water heater 10 is a control device controlled by the water heater communication device 11. In this embodiment, the water heater 10 is described as being a natural refrigerant heat pump water heater such as "Ecocute (registered trademark)." "Ecocute" refers to an electric water heater that can boil water with the heat of the air using heat pump technology, and that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant instead of freon.

The kitchen remote control 12 is an operation remote control that operates the water heater 10 as a control device. The kitchen remote control 12 is connected to the water heater 10 wirelessly or via a wire so as to be able to communicate with the water heater 10.

The wireless module 13 is a transceiver that is placed near the kitchen remote control 12 and wirelessly communicates with the wireless router 14, which is an information collection device.

Figures 2 and 3 show the main components of the disassembled hot water heater communication device 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hot water heater communication device 11 includes the kitchen remote control 12, a switch box 21, positioning members 22a and 22b, a case 23, the case 23 housing the wireless module 13, and a remote control locking portion 25.

The switch box 21 is a container that houses the wireless module 13. The switch box 21 is embedded in a wall of a building (in the kitchen wall in this embodiment). The switch box 21 is made of metal or resin and has a hollow structure.

The switch box 21 has an opening 21a on the front side, and the positioning members 22a, 22b and the case 23 are attached to the inside of the switch box 21 through the opening 21a.

A remote control cord 32 (see FIG. 2) is pulled out from the switch box 21. The remote control cord 32 has a connection terminal 32a at its tip connected to the kitchen remote control 12, electrically connecting the kitchen remote control 12 to a power supply unit (not shown) provided inside the switch box 21.

The positioning members 22a and 22b are members that position the case 23. The positioning members 22a and 22b are made of, for example, synthetic resin, and are attached to the inner bottom surface of the switch box 21 with double-sided tape, adhesive, or the like (not shown). Hereinafter, the positioning members 22a and 22b will be collectively referred to as "positioning members 22."

The case 23 is a container that houses the wireless module 13 inside. In this embodiment, the case 23 has a hollow rectangular shape. The wireless module 13 is housed in the case 23, and is housed together with the case 23 in the switch box 21. The installation position of the case 23 in the up, down, left and right directions is determined by positioning members 22a and 22b, and the case 23 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the switch box 21 by a fixing member such as a fixing tape 24 or an adhesive (not shown). The case 23 is made of synthetic resin and can transmit radio waves transmitted and received between the wireless module 13 and the wireless router 14.

The surface of the case 23 is provided with a nameplate section 23a on which a nameplate such as the manufacturer's name and model number of the wireless module 13 is displayed. In addition, a hole (not shown) is formed on the side of the case 23 (the left side in the illustrated example) for passing a connection cord 31 (see FIG. 2) that connects the wireless module 13 and the kitchen remote control 12. The connection cord 31 electrically connects the kitchen remote control 12 and the wireless module 13 by connecting a connection connector 31a provided at the tip of the connection cord 31 to the kitchen remote control 12.

The remote control locking part 25 is a plate-like member to which the kitchen remote control 12 is locked. The remote control locking part 25 is attached to the switch box 21. The remote control locking part 25 is made of metal such as iron to meet the required strength, and has an opening 25a formed inside for passing the connection cord 31 (see Figure 2). The remote control locking part 25 has a remote control locking claw 25b at any position to lock the kitchen remote control 12, and the kitchen remote control 12 is supported by the remote control locking claw 25b. The remote control locking part 25 is a plate-like member with a window, with the opening 25a provided as a window by punching the outside and inside of a metal plate, for example.

The wireless module 13 has an antenna 13b, which will be described later. The antenna 13b of the wireless module 13 is arranged so that a part or all of it is located inside the opening 25a provided in the remote control locking part 25. In other words, the antenna 13b is arranged so that a part or all of the antenna 13b can be seen through the opening 25a (window) when viewed from the front.

Figure 4 shows the internal structure of the case 23. As shown in Figure 4, the case 23 has a nameplate 23a on its surface (the surface facing the kitchen remote control 12) and a hollow section 23b inside. The hollow section 23b houses the wireless module 13 that serves as a transmitter/receiver. The wireless module 13 incorporates a wireless board 13a equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The surface of the wireless board 13a (the surface facing the kitchen remote control 12) is provided with an antenna 13b that emits radio waves into the air and receives radio waves traveling through the air.

Figure 5 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the water heater communication device 11 as viewed from the side (right side). As shown in Figure 5, the water heater communication device 11 is configured to output radio waves output from the kitchen remote control 12 to the outside via the opening 21a of the switch box 21, the opening 25a of the remote control locking portion 25, and the kitchen remote control 12.

Figure 6 shows the internal structure of the switch box 21 as seen from the front. As shown in Figure 6, the wireless module 13 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the switch box 21 with fixing tape 24. Therefore, the wireless module 13 is attached inside the switch box 21 in a state where the angle cannot be changed.

<Radio wave characteristics of wireless module>
Hereinafter, the radio wave characteristics of the wireless module 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the layout of the wireless module 13 in the case 23 as viewed from the front. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the layout of the wireless module 13 in the case 23 as viewed from the side (right side). Fig. 9 is a radio wave intensity chart of the wireless module 13 in the hot water heater communication device 11.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the case 23 has a nameplate portion 23a on the surface and a hollow portion 23b inside. The wireless module 13 is housed in the hollow portion 23b, which is the internal space of the case 23. The antenna 13b of the wireless module 13 is provided on the surface of the wireless board 13a built into the wireless module 13 that faces the kitchen remote control 12 (the surface of the case 23 that faces the nameplate portion 23a).

Figure 9 shows the antenna characteristic waveform XZ (solid line) in the XZ plane and the antenna characteristic waveform YZ (dashed line) in the YZ plane of the wireless module 13 in the hot water heater communication device 11. The XZ plane is the plane formed by the X axis (left-right axis) and Z axis (front-back axis) shown in Figure 8. The YZ plane is the plane formed by the Y axis (up-down axis (see Figure 7)) and Z axis (front-back axis).

The water heater communication device 11 is arranged so that the wireless module 13, which functions as a network transceiver, fits inside the general-purpose switch box 21, and the wireless module 13 is arranged so that part or all of the antenna 13b of the wireless module 13 is located inside the opening 25a provided in the remote control locking portion 25 (iron plate). As shown in Figure 9, such a water heater communication device 11 can output radio waves to the outside of the water heater communication device 11 with almost no obstruction. Therefore, the water heater communication device 11 can output radio waves to the outside in an optimal state.

<Main features of the communication device for water heaters>
(1) As shown in Fig. 2, the water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment includes a kitchen remote control 12 (operation remote control) that operates the water heater 10, a wireless module 13 arranged near the kitchen remote control 12, a connection cord 31 that connects the kitchen remote control 12 and the wireless module 13, a switch box 21 that stores the wireless module 13, and a remote control locking part 25 that is attached to the switch box 21 and locks the kitchen remote control 12. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the antenna 13b of the wireless module 13 is arranged so that a part or the whole of it is located inside an opening 25a provided in the remote control locking part 25 for passing the connection cord 31 therethrough.

The water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment uses a wireless module 13 as a transmitter/receiver, which improves the ease of installation of the transmitter/receiver and optimizes the radio wave output of the transmitter/receiver. The water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment can easily install the kitchen remote control 12 (operation remote control) to a general-purpose switch box 21 without using an angle changing section or special tools. This reduces component costs and eases the burden on the installer.

(2) As shown in FIG. 6, in the hot water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment, the wireless module 13 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the switch box 21 with the fixing tape 24. Therefore, the wireless module 13 is attached inside the switch box 21 in a state where the angle cannot be changed. Note that the wireless module 13 may be fixed to the inner bottom surface of the switch box 21 with an adhesive (not shown) instead of or in addition to the fixing tape 24.

The water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment can mount the wireless module 13 inside the switch box 21 using a fixing tape 24, which is low cost and easy to install. This also reduces component costs and the burden on the installer.

(3) As shown in FIG. 2, in the hot water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment, the wireless module 13 is housed in a hollow case 23 having a nameplate portion 23a on its surface, and is housed together with the case in the switch box 21.

The water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment protects the wireless module 13 with the case 23 and can display a nameplate with any information written on it.

As described above, the water heater communication device 11 according to this embodiment uses a wireless module 13 as a transmitter/receiver, which improves the ease of installation of the transmitter/receiver and optimizes the radio wave output of the transmitter/receiver. Such a water heater communication device 11 allows the operation remote control (kitchen remote control 12) to be conveniently installed without using an angle changing section or special tools. As a result, it is possible to reduce component costs and ease the burden on the installer.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of the embodiment with another configuration, and it is also possible to add another configuration to the configuration of the embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of each configuration with another configuration.

10. Water heater (control device)
11 Water heater communication device 12 Kitchen remote control (operation remote control)
13 Wireless module (transmitter/receiver)
13a Wireless board 13b Antenna 14 Wireless router (information collection device)
15 wall 21 switch box 21a, 25a opening 22 (22a, 22b) positioning member 23 case 23a nameplate portion 23b hollow portion 24 fixing tape (fixing member)
25 Remote control locking part (metal plate)
25b Remote control locking claw 31 Connection cord 31a Connection connector 32 Remote control cord 32a Connection terminal section XZ, YZ Antenna characteristic waveform

Claims (4)

A remote control for operating the water heater;
A wireless module disposed near the operation remote control ;
a switch box that houses the wireless module;
a remote control locking portion that is attached to the switch box and to which the operation remote control is locked;
The operation remote control and the wireless module are configured separately and are connected by a connection cord,
the wireless module is housed in the switch box;
The operation remote control is engaged with the remote control engaging portion,
A communication device for a water heater, characterized in that the antenna of the wireless module is arranged so that part or all of it is located inside the opening for passing the connection cord provided in the remote control engaging portion. The hot water heater communication device according to claim 1,
The communication device for a water heater, wherein the wireless module is attached inside the switch box in a state in which the angle cannot be changed. The hot water heater communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The communication device for a water heater is characterized in that the wireless module is housed in a hollow case having a nameplate on its surface, and is housed together with the case in the switch box. The hot water heater communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The communication device for a water heater, wherein the wireless module is fixed with a fixing tape or adhesive as a fixing member.

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