JP2005218489A - Electric household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric household appliance notifying a user service lives of a product and components and taking account of the use of the product thereafter and replacement of the components. <P>SOLUTION: This electric household appliance is provided with a service life setting means 2 setting the service lives of the components for use in the electric household appliance, a detecting means 3 detecting the use frequency of the components, a storage means 4 storing the use frequency detected by the detecting means 3, a comparison means 5 comparing the service life with the use frequency, a service life determination means 6 determining whether the components reach the service lives or not according to the result by the comparison means 5, a driving stop means 8, when determining the components to reach the service lives by the result of the determination by the service life determination means, forcedly stopping the driving of the electric household appliance, and a release means releasing the stop by the driving stop means 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a household electrical appliance, and more particularly to a household electrical appliance having a function of notifying a user of a replacement time of a used component.

  In this type of conventional home appliances, many mechanical parts, electronic parts, and the like necessary for realizing many functions are used. Some of these mechanical parts and electronic parts have a lifetime, and when a predetermined time elapses from the start of use, the functions inherent to the parts deteriorate, and as a result, the performance of the home appliance itself deteriorates. Or may break down.

  Therefore, conventionally, in an electronic apparatus such as a liquid crystal projector, the usage time of a component having a lifetime as described above is measured, and when the measurement time exceeds a predetermined lifetime, a display indicating the replacement timing of the component is performed. In the refrigerator, for example, the usage time is measured, and when the lifetime of the refrigerator has passed, the display means informs the user that the lifetime has come (for example, Patent Literature 2). However, in the above conventional device, even if the user can recognize the replacement timing of the product or parts, it is left up to the user to use the product after that. If the user continues to use the product, There is a risk of serious failure. In addition, when the product or part has reached the end of its life, it is necessary to replace the corresponding part. However, especially when replacing the part mounted on the microcomputer board that stores the usage time of the part. The microcomputer itself is also replaced at the same time as the part, and the use time and use count data stored in the corner microcomputer is wasted.

JP-A-10-191192 JP 2000-121238 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the household appliances which alert | reported the lifetime of the product and components to the user, and also considered the subsequent use of the product and component replacement.

  1st invention is a lifetime setting means which sets the lifetime of the components used for household electrical appliances, a detection means which detects the usage frequency of the said components, a storage means which memorize | stores the usage frequency detected by the said detection means, The comparison means for comparing the life and the use frequency, the life determination means for determining whether or not the part has reached the life as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the result of the determination by the life determination means, the part If the home appliance is determined to have reached the end of its life, it has drive stop means for forcibly stopping the drive of the home appliance, and drive stop release means for releasing the stop by the drive stop means is provided in the home appliance. Providing home appliances to be used.

  Specifically, the drive stop release means is a fire-resistant switch that operates only in the direction in which it is turned on.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide the said drive stop cancellation | release means in the place fully away from the operation part of the said household appliances.

  The second invention includes a life setting means for setting a life of a part used in the home appliance, a detection means for detecting a use frequency of the part, a storage means for storing a use frequency detected by the detection means, The comparison means for comparing the life and the use frequency, the life determination means for determining whether or not the part has reached the life as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the result of the determination by the life determination means, the part And informing means for informing the user when it is determined that the life has been reached, the part is a part on the circuit board provided with the storage means, and the whole circuit board is replaced when the part is replaced. Provided is a home electric appliance characterized by transferring the use frequency stored in the storage means at the time of parts replacement to the storage means after parts replacement.

  In this case, it is desirable to reset or not transfer the usage frequency of the replaced part that has reached the end of its life.

  In the home appliance of the present invention, when the product or part has reached the end of its life, the operation is completely stopped or the user is notified, so there is no possibility of causing a serious failure due to continuous use of the product. Also, if the user wants to use it afterwards, it can be used by operating a switch that operates only in the ON direction, and the user can easily confirm that the switch has been used. Even if the component that has reached the end of its life is a component on the microcomputer board, the data stored in the microcomputer is transferred at the same time as the replacement of the component. Since the data is reset or not transferred for the part, it is possible to accurately determine the life after the part replacement.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a home electric appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that this function can be used for a wide variety of home appliances such as rice cookers, electric pots, and bread makers.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a control means such as a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the home appliance. In this control means 1, a life setting means 2, a detection means 3, a storage means 4, a comparison means 5, a life determination means 6, a display mode determination means 7, a drive stop means 8 and a drive control means 11 described later are incorporated. doing.

  The lifetime setting means 2 is a means for setting the lifetime of components such as heaters, belts, packings, etc. used in home appliances. The life of a part is set according to the rating and characteristics of the part, such as the usage time, the number of times used, the number of days used, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “usage frequency”). For example, as shown in Table 1, the first life set value and the second life set value are set for the parts A, B, and C. Here, the first life set value is a value immediately before the life of the component is completely exhausted, and is a value serving as a reference for displaying on the display means 13 that the replacement time of the component has come, as will be described later. . The second life set value is a value indicating that there is a risk of serious damage to the product if parts are used any more, and as will be described later, it is a reference value for completely stopping the drive of the product. is there.

  The detecting means 3 is a means for detecting the frequency of use of each component. The detecting means 3 detects the usage frequency and the number of days of use by a timer, detects the number of times the switch contacts are opened and closed, and detects the frequency of use in the storage means 4. Remember. In this embodiment, the storage unit 4 is built in the control unit 1, but may be provided separately from the control unit 1 using an external storage device (for example, FIG. 8B or FIG. 8C). reference).

  The comparison means 5 is a means for comparing the life of the parts with the frequency of use. The life determination means 6 is a means for determining whether or not the life of the component has come as a result of the comparison by the comparison means 5. The display mode determination means 7 is a means for determining what mode the display means 13 displays in the result of determination by the determination means 6. The drive stop means 8 is means for completely stopping the drive of the product when the use frequency of the component is equal to or higher than the second life set value as a result of the determination by the determination means, and is provided in the product, for example. Do not accept any operation switches. Further, the drive control means 11 is a means for controlling the drive means 13 to perform various control of the product (for example, rice cooking control, heat retention control, etc.).

The drive stop release means 9 is a means for releasing the product drive stop by the drive stop means 8 when operated by the user, like a switch.
The reset means 12 in FIG. 1 is a means for resetting the frequency of use of a part and transmitting it to the storage means 4 when the part is replaced, and the display means 13 is a means for displaying the operating state of the product. The driving means 10 is means for actually driving a product, and is represented by a relay or the like for driving a heater or a motor.

  Next, a control operation in the home appliance will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Note that description of various drive controls is omitted.

  First, in step S1, the second life T2 of the part is set by the life setting means 2, and the process proceeds to step S2. In this embodiment, T2 can be displayed for each component, and the flow will be described later. In step S2, the first life T1 of the part is set by the life setting means 2, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the product power is reset from OFF to ON. If it is ON, in step S4, the component usage frequency t1 is read from the storage means 4 and the process proceeds to step S5. move on. When the product is used for the first time or the part is replaced, t1 is 0. If it has not been reset, that is, if the power is on, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the use frequency t1 is counted, and then in step S6, the use frequency t1 is stored in the storage unit 4 and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, t1 and T1 are compared by the comparison means 5. If t1> T1, the process proceeds to step S8, and if not t1> T1, the process returns to step S3. In step S8, a display indicating that the first life has come is displayed on the display means 13, and the process proceeds to step S9. As a display example, the display “F01” as shown in FIG. Note that the display example is not limited to the above example, and the user can understand the point.

  In step S9, t1 and T2 are compared by the comparison means 5. If t1> T2, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not t1> T2, the process returns to step S3. In step S10, a display indicating that the second life has come is displayed on the display means 13, and the process proceeds to step S11. As a display example, the display “E01” as shown in FIG. Note that the display example is not limited to the above example, and the user can understand the point. In step S11, the operation of the product is completely stopped by the drive stop means 8 so that it is not accepted even if the operation switch is pressed, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the switch that is the drive stop canceling means 9. If it is determined that the user has operated, the process proceeds to step S13, the drive stop of the product is canceled, and the process proceeds to step S3. When not operating, it progresses to step S3 as it is.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the usage frequency of a part reaches a predetermined life, the product operation is completely stopped and the state is displayed, so that the safety and convenience of the product are improved. Even in this case, the product can be operated by operating a specific switch, which is convenient when the product is used only once or when the product is operated on a trial basis to investigate the cause of the failure.

  Here, as a specific structure which is an embodiment of the switch which is the drive stop releasing means 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), a highly fire-resistant body 9a such as ceramic is used. The contact 9e is built in and exposed from the bottom of the body 9a. In addition, a switch knob 9c provided with a conductive plate (not shown) that can be conducted by contacting the contact points 9e, 9e is provided in a substantially square hole 9b provided in the upper part of the body 9a. A leaf spring 9d that operates in conjunction with the movement of the switch and is biased toward the center of the switch is provided in the vicinity of the switch knob 9c. In such a switch, when the switch knob 9c is operated in the ON direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 4), the leaf spring 9d is deformed toward the center of the switch, and even if the switch knob 9c is returned to the OFF direction, the leaf spring 9d It is disturbed and cannot return. With the above structure, the switch becomes an irreversible switch that operates only in the ON direction, and it is possible to confirm at a glance that the switch has been operated. The above switch is a temporary switch for urgent use of the product, provided at a location sufficiently away from the operation part of home appliances that cannot be normally operated by the user, such as the back of the product or the back of the decorative sheet. Keep it like that.

  Next, display of usage frequency for each component and control for changing the count value will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, an example of a rice cooker using a liquid crystal display provided with a 4-digit numerical value display unit as the display means 13 will be described. The display of the usage frequency for each component and the control for changing the count value are both performed in the life setting means 2.

  In FIG. 5, whether or not the product is energized in step S101 is detected by the zero cross detection of the AC power source or the like, and the process proceeds to step S102 to detect whether or not a specific operation switch is operated. If it is operated, the process proceeds to step S103, and if it is not operated, a known power failure recovery process is performed to shift to a mode for receiving an operation switch.

  In step S103, the usage frequency t2 of a certain component (component A) is read, the process proceeds to step S104, the usage frequency is displayed on the display means 13, and the mode shifts to the count value change mode. As the display form of the usage frequency t2, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, “10” representing 100,000 and 10,000 digits is displayed on the left side, and “35” is displayed on the right side. (A) “11” meaning thousands and hundreds digit is displayed on the left side, “00” is displayed on the right side, (b), “12” meaning ten and one digit is displayed on the left side, It is sufficient to display “00” on the right side. In this example, it can be seen that the current usage frequency t2 of the part A is 350,000 hours.

  In addition, when changing the value of the use frequency at the time of replacement of the control board, as shown in FIG. 6, is a specific switch (for example, Δ ▽ switch for time change) operated in step S201 in the count value change mode? If it is operated, the process proceeds to step S202. When the △ switch is pressed, the left two digits of the display means 13 are incremented. When the ▽ switch is pressed, the left side 2 of the display means 13 is incremented. The digit is decremented and the process proceeds to step S203. If not, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, it is determined whether or not another specific switch (for example, a reservation switch) has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S204 to display the right two digits (display the actual count value value) of the display means 13. And the process proceeds to step S205. If not, the process proceeds to step S211. In step S205, it is determined whether or not a specific switch (for example, a Δ ▽ switch for changing the time) has been operated, and if it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S206, and if the Δ switch has been pressed, the right side of the display means 13. Two digits are incremented, and when the ▽ switch is pressed, the two digits on the right side of the display means 13 are decremented and the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, it is determined whether or not a specific switch (for example, a cancel switch) has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S208, the right two digits of the display means 13 are reset, and the process proceeds to step S209. If YES in step S209, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, it is determined whether or not the same switch as in step S203 has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S210, the right two digits of the display means 13 are lit, the count value is determined, and the process proceeds to step S211. If not operated, the process returns to step S204.

  In step S211, it is determined whether or not the same switch as in step S207 has been operated. If operated, the count value change mode is exited and another mode is entered. If not operated, the process returns to step S201 and the same processing is repeated.

  In addition, when the life of the components on the board on which the control means 1 (microcomputer) is mounted, the parts are replaced together with the board. In this case, the storage means 4 of the control means 1 is replaced. It is necessary to transfer the usage frequency of the stored parts to a new board. As the means, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 8, the old board storage means 4 and the new board storage means 4 are connected via a well-known personal computer PC by the serial communication port of the control means 1. The usage frequency is transferred (a). Further, even when an external storage means 4 separate from the control means 1 such as a memory IC is used, the old board control means 1 and the new board control means 1 are connected by the serial communication port of the control means 1. Then, use frequency data is transferred via the control means 1 (b). Further, when the external storage means 4 is detachable from the control means 1 by a socket or the like, only the external storage means 4 needs to be removed from the control means 1 and connected to the control means 1 on a new substrate (c). . In any case, since all the parts on the board are replaced with new parts by replacing the board, at least the usage frequency data of the parts that have reached the end of their life are reset and transferred, or (a) and (b When using a serial port as in (), do not transfer only the data to be reset. In this way, even when the entire board on which the control means 1 is mounted is exchanged, since the use frequency data up to that time can be used effectively, convenience is improved.

It is a functional block diagram of the household appliances which concern on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of a household appliance. It is a liquid crystal display which shows an example of a display of household appliances. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a switch that is a releasing means. It is a flowchart which shows the component life display control of a household appliance. It is a flowchart which shows the component lifetime display change control of a household appliance. It is a liquid crystal display which shows an example of the component life setting display of a household appliance. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a usage frequency data transfer means. It is a front view which shows the operation panel of the rice cooker which is an example of household appliances.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control means, 2 ... Life setting means, 3 ... Detection means, 4 ... Memory | storage means, 5 ... Comparison means, 6 ... Life determination means, 7 ... Display mode determination means, 8 ... Drive stop means, 9 ... Drive stop cancellation Means (switches), 9c ... switch knob, 9d ... leaf spring, 10 ... drive means, 11 ... drive control means, 12 ... reset means, 13 ... display means.

Claims (5)

  Life setting means for setting the life of a part used in home appliances, detection means for detecting the use frequency of the part, storage means for storing the use frequency detected by the detection means, the life and the use frequency Comparison means, life determination means for determining whether or not the component has reached the life as a result of comparison by the comparison means, and determination by the life determination means that the component has reached the life A home appliance having a drive stop means for forcibly stopping driving of the home appliance when judged, and a release means for releasing the stop by the drive stop means provided in the home appliance.   2. The home electric appliance according to claim 1, wherein the release means is a switch having fire resistance and operates only in a direction to turn on.   The household electrical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the release unit is provided at a location sufficiently away from an operation unit of the household electrical appliance.   Life setting means for setting the life of a part used in home appliances, detection means for detecting the use frequency of the part, storage means for storing the use frequency detected by the detection means, the life and the use frequency Comparison means, life determination means for determining whether or not the component has reached the life as a result of comparison by the comparison means, and determination by the life determination means that the component has reached the life A notification means for notifying a user when the determination is made, and the component is a component on the circuit board provided with the storage means, and the entire circuit board is replaced when the component is replaced. The household appliances characterized by transferring the use frequency memorize | stored in the memory | storage means after components replacement | exchange.   5. The home appliance according to claim 4, wherein among the replacement parts, the usage frequency related to a part that has reached the end of its life is reset or not transferred.

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