GB2212947A - Programming devices with openable cover plates - Google Patents

Programming devices with openable cover plates Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2212947A
GB2212947A GB8824875A GB8824875A GB2212947A GB 2212947 A GB2212947 A GB 2212947A GB 8824875 A GB8824875 A GB 8824875A GB 8824875 A GB8824875 A GB 8824875A GB 2212947 A GB2212947 A GB 2212947A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cover plate
programming
programme
mode
programming device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8824875A
Other versions
GB8824875D0 (en
Inventor
John William Shadrach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smith Meters Ltd
Original Assignee
Smith Meters Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smith Meters Ltd filed Critical Smith Meters Ltd
Publication of GB8824875D0 publication Critical patent/GB8824875D0/en
Publication of GB2212947A publication Critical patent/GB2212947A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05BCONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B19/00Programme-control systems
    • G05B19/02Programme-control systems electric
    • G05B19/04Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
    • G05B19/10Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using selector switches
    • G05B19/106Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using selector switches for selecting a programme, variable or parameter
    • G05B19/108Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using selector switches for selecting a programme, variable or parameter characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05BCONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/20Pc systems
    • G05B2219/23Pc programming
    • G05B2219/23025Overlay, template for keys with different meaning
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05BCONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/20Pc systems
    • G05B2219/23Pc programming
    • G05B2219/23162Display real time or time already elapsed or rest time for program
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05BCONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/20Pc systems
    • G05B2219/24Pc safety
    • G05B2219/24158Access only for service, hide, forbidden tamperfree keys, program

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Electric Ovens (AREA)

Abstract

A programmer for controlling central heating and hot water systems has a liquid crystal display on which in normal operation mode is displayed present time, selected room temperature and selected hot water temperature. Manual adjustment buttons (41, 42, 43, 44) provide in this mode an over-ride function and adjust the selected hot water and room temperatures. When it is desired to re-programme, a hinged cover plate (40) is dropped into the position shown, operating a reed switch (57). This changes the operation mode to a re-programming mode in which the liquid crystal display shows a programme time, and an indication of which programme time it is and whether for hot water or central heating. The manual adjustment buttons also change their function and are used to change the programme time displayed. <IMAGE>

Description

PROGRAMMING DEVICES.
This invention relates to devices for ccntrolling programmed operation of central heating and/or hot water systems. Such devices have become mcre sophisticated and now are required to provide more flexible programme variations. With this increased sophistication it has become more difficult for a user to operate the devices.
The invention provides a programming device for central heating and/ or hot water systems having a cover plate which may be manually closed or opened and electrical switch means operated by the closing or opening of the cover plate, said switch means being connected into electrical circuit means of the device and operating to change the mcde of operation of the device. The change may be from a normal operation mode in which the programme times cannot be altered when the cover plate is closed to a re-programming mcde in which the programme times can be changed when the cover plate is opened.
When in the re-programming mcde, the device may be stopped from sending any new control signals to change the existing operation of the central heating and/or hot water system.
When the cover plate is closed it may hide manual re-programming means.
The device may have a liquid crystal display, which when the cover plate is closed displays present time, but which can be changed tc display selected programme times when the cover plate is opened.
Said liquid crystal display may display a selected room temperature when the cover plate is closed which can be changed to an indication of which programme time is being displayed when the cover plate is opened.
The ccver plate may be hinged to open or close and said electrical switch means may be a reed switch or a microswitch. Alternatively, the cover plate may slide between open and closed positions.
Specific examples of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the front face of a programmer with a cover closed uF, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the programmer of Figure 1 with the cover opened, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the front face of another programmer with the cover closed up, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the programmer of Figure 3 with the cover opened.
Referring first to Figure 1, a programmer for controlling both central heating and hot water has a liquid crystal (11) or. which is displayed present time. at (12) and the day of the week at (14). To the right of the present time at (15) is displayed the desired room temperature which the system is commanded to achieve. Two buttons (16, 17) may be used to alter this desired room temperature, button (16) being pressed to increase the temperature selected and button (17) being pressed to reduce the temperature selected. The temperature so selected is thus programmed into the internal circuits (not shown) of the programmer so that the programmer will then control a central heating circuit whereby the temperature is achieved.There may be an externally mounted room temperature sensor which informs the programmer of current room temperature or the programmer may have an internal sensor.
Below the liquid crystal are mounted two pairs of buttons (18) and (19), the uFper pair (18) relating to hot water control and the lower pair (19) relating te central heating control. Of each pair, one button operates to over-ride the mode of operation at the mcment in action, while the other operates to advance temporarily the programme by one hour.
Legends surrounding the buttons indicate the nature of their operation, as discussed in more detail hereinafter.
To the left of the programmer, two slider switches (21, 22) each are movable between four positions marked "OFF", "ONCE", "TWICE", and "CONT". Selection of these positions brings into operation a programme in which respectively there is no operation, once a day operation, twice a day operation, and continuous operation. The upper slider switch (21) relates to the operation of the hot water circuit and the lower slider switch (22) relates to the operation of the central heating circuit.
The front face of the programmer as seen in Figure 1 is partly comprised by a hinged cover plate (25) having shaped openings (26, 27, 28) [seen best in Figure 2 ]. The openings are located so that buttons (16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22) and the liquid crystal (11) are uncovered and protrude through the plate (25). However, the legends describing the operation of buttons (16), (17), (18) and (19) are on the outer surface of the cover plate.
The programmer as shown in Figure 1 is in its mode of normal use, the only adjustments available being the programme selection, over-ride and one hour advance, and room temperature selection.
In order to carry out more fundamental programme adjustments, the hinged cover plate (25) is opened and dropped into the position shown in Figure 2. In this opening movement a switch (29, 29') is operated.
This switch may be a reed switch (29) operated by a magnet (29') or may be a microswitch. The effect of the operation of the switch is to change the programmer circuits into a programme adjustment mode.
In the programme adjustment mode buttons (16) and (17) when operated change the time display (12), button (16) advancing the time, button (17) reversing this. Above the buttons the legend "SET TIME" on the face of the programmer is revealed when the cover plate is opened as seen in Figure 2. Buttons (18) and (19) also change their effect as indicated by the legends on the programmer face revealed when the cover plate is opened. As shown, one of the buttons (18) is now referenced CH. When this button is pressed, the time displayed at (12) changes to a display of the first programme time at which the central heating is to be switched on. The selected room temperature display at (15) is replaced by an indication (31) of which time is being displayed, i.e. 1 ON. Further pressing of the CH button changes the displayed time to the first programme time at which the central heating is switched off (indicated at (31) by 1 OFF). Repeated pressing of the CH button produces displays of the second programme times 2 ON and 2 OFF. While each time is being displayed it can be adjusted by buttons (16, 17).
The other of buttons (18) is now referenced by DAY. Repeated pressure on this button steps the day indication (14) through the days of the week. The programme times can be different for each day of the week, and are set in by using DAY button (18) to cause the display to show the day being programmed. Button (19) now referenced "CCPY YESTERDAY" is included to speed the programming process if the same programmes are required for several consecutive days.
The remaining button (19) is referenced HW and when pressed steps the time display through a series of programme times for use in the hot water heating programme, in a similar manner to that for the CH button.
Thus it will be seen that provision is made for different programmes to be made for central heating and water heating, and that different programmes for each day of the week can be set in.
At the left of the programmer, a hot water temperature sliding switch selector (33) is unccvered when the cover plate (25) is opened.
This can be manually moved to select higher or lower temperatures for the hot water system. A remote temperature sensing device (not shown) feeds information to the programmer of the measured temperature of the hot water, and the circuits of the programmer initiate apppropriate action to achieve the selected temperature when the programmer demands it.
After the programming is adjusted as desired, the cover plate is closed, thus operating switch (29, 29'). This returns the circuit operation to the mode of normal use, the time display at (12) reverting to present time ar.d the day display at (14) to present day.
The programme selection (21, 22) is not affected by the movement of the cover plate, staying visible and the same in operation at all times.
Preferaby the cover plate is held by a releasable spring clip (not shown).
It will be seen that in the mode of normal use, i.e. with the ccver plate closed, it is not possible to alter the programme times or to alter present time, or to alter hot water temperature selection. The adjustments available are limited to those that can be easily carried out, and are similar to those of the simplest kind of programmer. Thus, an unskilled user can operate it in this mode and there is no danger of inadvertant and unwanted changes being made to the programmer - for instance, by pressing the wrong button.
Referring ncw to the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, a programmer has similar functions to those of the programmer of Figures 1 and 2. A hinged cover plate (40) extends across the lower section only of the face of the programmer and has four elongated openings (45) through which elongated buttons (41), (42), (43) and (44) protrude when the cover plate is closed, as seen in Figure 3.
In this operating mode the elongated buttons have the functions described by the legends appearing on the cover plate adjacent the buttons. Each button is a centrally pivoted self-returning lever, such that pressure on one end operates a switch beneath it, while pressure on the other end operates a different switch. Thus each button has two functions, depending on which end of it is pressed.
A liquid crystal (46) is located in the upper part of the face of the programmer and is not covered by the plate (40). In the operating mode which obtains when the cover plate is closed, the liquid crystal displays the information shown in Figure 3. This is the present time (50), day of the week (51), room temperature to be achieved (52), water temperature to be achieved (53). An arrow (54) indicates against one of legends "CONT", "TIMED", "OFF" adjacent the liquid crystal to show which programme the hot water is following, while an arrow (55) at the oFposite end of the liquid crystal indicates which programme the central heating is following. It will be noted that the water temperature indicator (53) appears as a stylized tank, increased temperature being shown as an increase in apparent water level.
In this operating mode, the only adjustments to the programmer are very simple. Repeated operation of the top end of button (43) increases the demanded water temperature, as shown by indicator (53), while operation of the bottom end of button (43) decreases the temperature.
Similar operation of button (42) adjusts the room temperature (52).
A temporary over-ride of the existing operation of the hot water circuit is achieved by pressing the top end of button (44). An extended heating period can be provided by pressing the bottom end of button (44), once for one hour, twice for two hcurs, and three times for three hours.
Similar operation of button (41) provides temporary changes to the central heating operation. It will be appreciated that these over-ride adjustments operate just once, after which the programme is returned to normal.
It is considered that the programme controls described above are those mcst usually needed. When, however, permanent programming is required, the cover plate (40) is opened, dropping into the pcsition shown in Figure 4. The opening mction operates an electrical reed switch (57) which changes the mode of operation of the programmer into a re-programming mode in which the functions of buttons (41, 42, 43, 44) are changed. Legends now uncovered by the opening of plate (40) describe the new functions, as seen in Figure 4.
With the opening of the plate (40), the liquid crystal is wiped clean of all indicators, with the exception of arrows (54) and (55).
To alter the position of the arrows, and thus alter the programme selection, repeated pressing of the top end of button (41) steps the arrow through its selection positions. Similarly, repeated pressing of the bottom end of button (41) steps arrow (55) through its positions.
If it is desired to correct the present time indication or the day of the week indication, then the top end of button (42) marked "SET" is pressed. This causes the liquid crystal to display present time and the word "CLOCK" and day. The time may then be corrected by operation of button (43), the top end te advance the displayed time, the bottom end to put the time back. The day may be corrected by repeated pressing of the top "DAY" end of button (44), until the day displayed is correct.
If the programme times are te be changed, "SET" button (42) is pressed again. The liquid crystal then displays the first "ON" time for the hot water on Monday, as shown in Figure 4. Adjustment to this time is achieved by operating button (43) in the same way as described above.
Repeated pressing of "SET" button (42) displays each of the Monday programme times which can then be adjusted. Up to three heating periods can be set in for the day. Further pressing of "SET'i button (42) changes the display to the central heating programme times for Monday, which can be adjusted if desired. When the Monday programme is correct, the "DPY" button (44) is pressed, at which the Tuesday programme times may be cycled. If, however, it is desired that the Tuesday times are the same as Monday's, then the bottom end of button (44) marked "COPY" is pressed. Thus the whole week can be programmed with different programme times for each day if desired.
In order to return the liquid crystal to normal operating mode, the cover plate (40) is closed, operating reed switch (57) and restoring the first described functions of the buttons.
A further function is the ability to programme a one-off advance of the next mc.rning heating periods for one hour. This is done by opening the cover plate, and pressing "SET" button (42) repeatedly until at the end of the cycle the word "RUN" appears on the liquid crystal.
If the bottom end of button (42) marked "FACILITY" is then pressed, the word "MORNING" appears on the liquid crystal. If normal running is now resumed by closing the plate, then the first hot water and central heating periods for the next day will be advanced by one hour. A single automatic over-ride can also be set in up to one week in advance for either central heating or hot water, or both. To do this, the "SET' button (42) is pressed once, so that the time of day and day of the week are displayed. If the bottom "FACILITY" end of button (42) is now pressed, the word "EXTRA" is displayed on the liquid crystal. Further operations of the "SET" button bring first "HW" then "CH", then both, onto the display, to decide whether hot water, central heating, or both are to be over-ridden. The "DAY" button (44) is oFerated to change the day indication to that on which the over-ride is to oFerate, and the button (43) is operated to select a time for the over-ride. Light emitting diodes (60, 61) are energized when the hot water and central heating circuits respectively are in operation.
In another embodiment (not shown) the programmer has a cover plate which operates a switch which locks the programmer circuits, i.e. prevents any operation from altering the programmes set in. Opening of the cover plate then renders these buttons or other manual adjustments effective on the programmer circuit. Thus, inadvertant programme changes are prevented. The cover plate may, in an alternative, slide over the face of the programmer, rather than be hinged.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:
1. A programming device for central heating and/or hot water systems having a cover plate which may be manually closed or opened and electrical switch means operated by the closing or opening of said cover plate, said switch means being connected into electrical circuit means of the device and operating to change the mode of operation of the device.
2. A programming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said change is from a normal operating mcde to a re-programming mode in which programme times set into the device can be changed.
3. A programming device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ccver plate is hinged to pivot between its open and closed positions.
4. A programming device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cover plate is slidable between its open and closed positions.
5. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which said electrical switch means is a reed switch.
6. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the cover plate, when closed, covers part only of a front face of the device.
7. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, having a liquid crystal display visible when the cover is both opened and closed and which in normal operating mode displays present time, but which can be made to display a selected programme time in the re-programming mode.
8. A programming device as claimed in claim 7, in which said liquid crystal also shows a selected room temperature in normal operating mode which is changed to an indication of which programme time is being displayed in the re-programming mode.
9. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein there are manual programme adjustment buttons, each of which has one function in normal operating mode and another function in re-programming mode, said cover plate bearing legends describing these functions appropriately in both its open and closed positions.
10. A programming device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cover plate when closed hides adjustment means used in the re-programming mode.
11. A programming device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hidden adjustment means comprises a hot water temperature selection means.
12. A programming device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said cover plate has apertures through which manual adjustment means on the front face of the device protrude when the cover plate is closed
13. A programming device having a cover plate substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8824875A 1987-11-28 1988-10-24 Programming devices with openable cover plates Withdrawn GB2212947A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB878727904A GB8727904D0 (en) 1987-11-28 1987-11-28 Programming devices

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8824875D0 GB8824875D0 (en) 1988-11-30
GB2212947A true GB2212947A (en) 1989-08-02

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GB878727904A Pending GB8727904D0 (en) 1987-11-28 1987-11-28 Programming devices
GB8824875A Withdrawn GB2212947A (en) 1987-11-28 1988-10-24 Programming devices with openable cover plates

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB878727904A Pending GB8727904D0 (en) 1987-11-28 1987-11-28 Programming devices

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2225451A (en) * 1988-09-14 1990-05-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Remote controller
GB2233119A (en) * 1989-04-07 1991-01-02 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Air conditioning control
EP0683446A1 (en) * 1994-05-19 1995-11-22 Landis &amp; Gyr Technology Innovation AG Operating apparatus for a domestic installation
EP0685781A3 (en) * 1994-06-01 1996-02-28 Honeywell Inc Device for programming an electronic thermostat.
GB2302419B (en) * 1995-06-14 1997-09-24 Toshiba Machine Co Ltd Control value-setting apparatus for process controller
WO2008007058A2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-01-17 Rotork Controls Limited Improvements to valve actuators
WO2008119640A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2008-10-09 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A household appliance

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0033056A1 (en) * 1980-01-23 1981-08-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electronic control apparatus
EP0069046A1 (en) * 1981-06-30 1983-01-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electronic control apparatus
EP0176383A1 (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-04-02 Telemecanique Device for programmable time switching

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0033056A1 (en) * 1980-01-23 1981-08-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electronic control apparatus
EP0069046A1 (en) * 1981-06-30 1983-01-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electronic control apparatus
EP0176383A1 (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-04-02 Telemecanique Device for programmable time switching

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
EP0069046 A1 is equivalent to US4514 *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2225451A (en) * 1988-09-14 1990-05-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Remote controller
GB2225451B (en) * 1988-09-14 1992-11-04 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Remote controller
GB2233119A (en) * 1989-04-07 1991-01-02 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Air conditioning control
GB2233119B (en) * 1989-04-07 1993-07-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Air conditioner and a drive apparatus therefor
EP0683446A1 (en) * 1994-05-19 1995-11-22 Landis &amp; Gyr Technology Innovation AG Operating apparatus for a domestic installation
EP0685781A3 (en) * 1994-06-01 1996-02-28 Honeywell Inc Device for programming an electronic thermostat.
GB2302419B (en) * 1995-06-14 1997-09-24 Toshiba Machine Co Ltd Control value-setting apparatus for process controller
WO2008007058A2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-01-17 Rotork Controls Limited Improvements to valve actuators
WO2008007058A3 (en) * 2006-07-10 2009-01-15 Rotork Controls Improvements to valve actuators
US8118276B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2012-02-21 Rotork Controls Limited Valve actuators
RU2461039C2 (en) * 2006-07-10 2012-09-10 Роторк Контролз Лимитед Improved valve power drive
WO2008119640A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2008-10-09 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A household appliance
CN101652726A (en) * 2007-03-30 2010-02-17 阿塞里克股份有限公司 Household appliance
US9453298B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2016-09-27 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Household appliance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8727904D0 (en) 1987-12-31
GB8824875D0 (en) 1988-11-30

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