Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – High and low temperature alternate
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-03
2004-02-03
Wayner, William (Department: 3744)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
High and low temperature alternate
C165S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06685098
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an air conditioner set back timer, to an air conditioning system formed by combining such a set back timer and an air conditioner, and to a set back timer display setting method.
BACKGROUND ART
In a typical air conditioner its operating conditions (for example, air conditioning elements such as the amount of air delivery, the direction of wind, and the like) are set by a remote controller provided to an indoor unit, when cooling and heating modes of operation are provided by air conditioned wind delivered from the indoor unit. In addition to the remote controller, a set back timer is provided by which a time period in the day, during which period a normal air conditioning operation is carried out based on a given set temperature, is set (that is, “setting when to start and stop the operation of the air conditioner in the day”), and a time period in the normal air conditioning operation time, during which period a set back operation is carried out, is set (that is, “setting when to perform a control operation for temperature shifting from the set temperature to a preprogrammed set back temperature according to a preselected time of the day so that the air conditioner operates based on the set back temperature). By virtue of execution of such a set back operation, energy saving modes of operation are realized.
Apart from the above, a set back timer is a timer through which a user performs program operations while confirming the contents of a setting. Accordingly, it is required that the contents of a setting and the change in setting be confirmed easily and correctly.
However, conventional set back timers have for example the following drawbacks.
(a) A display of the contents of a setting in a time period in the day is vertically and dividedly displayed in two upper and lower sections. Accordingly, the user may find it difficult to confirm not only the connection of time periods but also a time period that has been set.
(b) A display of a time period is displayed in three hours. Accordingly, time confirmation may be difficult because such a time displaying manner differs from a normal sense of time.
(c) It is arranged in conventional set back timers such that a time period display and a temperature display in a normal operation, and a time period display and a temperature display in a set back operation are selectively displayed using a single time period displaying area and a single temperature displaying area. In addition, it is arranged such that a user can tell the difference between normal operation time period and temperature displays and set back operation time period and temperature displays from such arrangement that each normal operation display is displayed in its “lighting” state when a normal operation is being carried out while when a set back operation is being carried out each set back operation display is displayed in its “flashing” state. Accordingly, the user may find it difficult to confirm the contents of a display, especially during the set back operation. Furthermore, it is impossible for the user to confirm both the contents of a normal operation display and the contents of a set back operation display at the same time, thereby causing the user operational inconveniences.
(d) Although it is common that each day of the week is displayed by their first three letters, each day of the week is displayed by its initial letter in conventional set back timers. Accordingly, the user may find it difficult to confirm the days of the week.
Bearing in mind the above described drawbacks with the conventional set back timers, the present invention was made. Accordingly, a major object of the present invention is to enhance the ease and certainty of confirming the contents of a setting by contriving the way of displaying the contents of a setting in an air conditioner set back timer.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configurations as concrete means for providing solutions to the foregoing problems.
A first invention of the present application is a set back timer for an air conditioner for performing control operations so that there is a temperature shift to a second set temperature only in a specified time period in a time period during which period a normal operation is carried out based on a first set temperature. The air conditioner set back timer of the first invention comprises a display screen (
15
) for the representation of information about normal and set back operations of the air conditioner, wherein a normal operation time period display (
53
) indicating a time period of the day during which period a normal operation is carried out and a set back time period display (
64
) indicating a time period in the normal operation time period during which period a set back operation is carried out are displayed independently of each other on the display screen (
15
).
In a second invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of the first invention is characterized in that the set back time period display (
64
) is displayed adjacently to the normal operation time period display (
53
).
In a third invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of the first invention is characterized in that the set back time period display (
64
) is displayed in the vicinity of the normal operation time period display (
53
).
In a fourth invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of any one of the first to third inventions is characterized in that the normal operation time period display (
53
) and the set back time period display (
64
) are each displayed in a bar chart-like display manner in which time periods of the day are continuously represented.
In a fifth invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of any one of the first to fourth inventions is characterized in that the normal operation time period display (
53
) and the set back time period display (
64
) are made contrastable with each other by hour.
In a sixth invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of any one of the first to fifth inventions is characterized in that the normal operation time period display (
53
) and the set back time period display (
64
) are provided with time indexes (
54
) and (
65
), respectively, for every two hours.
In a seventh invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of any one of the first to sixth inventions is characterized in that the first set temperature (
52
) and the second set temperature (
63
) are displayed in the vicinity of the normal operation time period display (
53
) and in the vicinity of the set back time period display (
64
), respectively.
In an eighth invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of the first invention is characterized in that a day display (
44
) is displayed on the display screen (
15
) which indicates the presence or absence of an air conditioner operation for each day of the week.
In a ninth invention of the present application, the air conditioner set back timer of the eighth invention is characterized in that the day display (
44
) displays each day of the week by its first three letters.
A tenth invention of the present application is an air conditioning system formed by combining any one of the air conditioner set back timers of the first to ninth inventions and an air conditioner.
An eleventh invention of the present application is a display setting method for a set back timer of an air conditioner wherein the set back timer performs control operations so that there is a temperature shift to a second set temperature only in a specified time period in a time period during which period a normal operation is carried out based on a first set temperature, the method comprising the step of independently displaying a normal operation time period display (
53
) indicating a time period of the day during which period a normal operatio
Niki Kentaro
Okano Takashi
Sumida Hisashi
Daikin Industries Ltd.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Studebaker Donald R.
Wayner William
LandOfFree
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