JP2000294999A - End unit for multiple-type sensor system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an end unit for relay for a multiple-type sensor system for securely establishing the electrical connection between a sensor unit and a group of units and between the group of units without changing the sensor units. SOLUTION: An end unit 14 for relay of a multiple-type sensor system is provided with a connector 20 for connection that is connected to the I/O connector of a sensor unit at a sidewall 19L of a case body 19 of the end unit for relay and a connector 22 for relay, where a relay cable is connected, whereas a fixing mechanism for fixing the case body 19 is removably incorporated into a substrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiple sensor system, and more particularly, to a case where a group of sensor units in the sensor system or a master unit in the sensor unit and a group of units are arranged apart from each other. For example, the present invention relates to a relay end unit of a multiple sensor system for establishing an electrical connection therebetween.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sensor unit used in a sensor system of this type is provided with input / output connectors on both side walls. Such an input / output connector enables close arrangement of sensor units on a base and at the same time establishes electrical connection between adjacent sensor units, so that higher-level devices (terminal blocks, sequencers, etc.)
It is not necessary to make the wiring connection between each sensor unit as in the case of the non-sequential sensor system. As a result,
Significant reduction in wiring man-hour and wiring space can be achieved.

[0003]

For example, when a continuous sensor system is used for detecting a workpiece in a coating machine,
The sensor unit in the sensor system is used to detect the presence or absence of a work at a stage before the coating machine, and to check whether or not the work is coated at a stage after the coater. In the case where the workpiece detection locations are provided at the front and rear stages of the coating machine in this way, these detection locations are separated from each other, so that the sensor unit group of the continuous sensor system is disposed at either the front stage or the rear stage of the coating machine. Even for some sensor units in the sensor unit group, the distance between these sensor units and their detection ends increases, and it is necessary to connect the sensor units and the detection ends with long sensor cables. .

When optical fibers are used for sensor cables, these optical fibers are less susceptible to bending than electrical cables, and are not easily routed. Also,
If the optical fiber has many bent portions, the detection characteristics of the sensor unit are also deteriorated. In order to solve such a problem, the sensor units of the continuous sensor system are arranged separately for each detection location, and these sensor units are electrically connected by a relay cable with a connector that can be inserted into the input / output connector. It is possible.

However, since the connection strength between the input / output connector and the relay cable is weak against pulling, the relay cable is easily pulled out from the input / output connector, and the electrical connection between the sensor unit group and the relay cable is reliably maintained. Can not. In order to prevent the relay cable from coming off, it is conceivable to provide a special lock mechanism on the input / output connector of each sensor unit.However, such a lock mechanism involves forming a protrusion on the outer wall of the sensor unit. Therefore, not only cannot the sensor units be closely juxtaposed, but also the outer surface structure of each sensor unit becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in cost.

It is also conceivable to screw the connector on the relay cable side to the side wall of the sensor unit. In this case, however, it is necessary to provide a female screw in each sensor unit. The internal structure of the unit becomes complicated, and the width of the sensor unit increases. Further, it is conceivable to provide a relay unit electrically connected to each sensor unit group or a master unit in the sensor unit via an input / output connector, and to provide the relay unit with a dedicated connector for a relay cable. However, such a relay unit dedicated to the relay cable not only increases the space required for installing the sensor unit group, but also increases the cost of the entire sensor system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make sure that electrical connection by a relay cable is ensured without changing individual sensor units. An object of the present invention is to provide a relay end unit of a multiple sensor system that can reduce the number of points.

[0008]

The above object has been achieved by the present invention, and a relay end unit (claim 1) of a continuous sensor system according to the present invention comprises a box-shaped case main body disposed on a base. , A connecting connector provided on the side wall of the case body and connectable to an input / output connector of an adjacent unit, and provided on an outer wall other than the side wall of the case body and electrically connected to the connecting connector inside the case body. On the other hand, a relay cable connecting portion to which a relay cable outside the case main body is connected, and fixing means provided on the case main body and for detachably fixing the case main body to the base are provided.

According to the above relay end unit, the connection connector is relatively inserted into the input / output connector of the sensor unit located at the end of the master unit or the sensor unit group, while being relayed to the relay cable connection portion. The connection of the cable establishes an electrical connection between the master unit or the group of sensor units and the relay cable. Since the case body has a fixing means for the base in the case body itself, the relay end unit also functions as an end plate for fixing the master unit and the sensor unit group to the base.

Preferably, the sensor unit and the case main body have a sensor cable attaching portion and a relay cable connecting portion on their front walls (claim 2). In this case, the relay cable extends from the sensor cable attaching portion. They share the space for cable overhang and are routed.
More specifically, the fixing means is provided on the bottom wall of the case main body, and can be engaged with the base, and is housed in the case main body and partially exposed to the upper wall side of the case main body. The exposed portion is operated from the outside of the case main body, and is constituted by a fastening member capable of holding the base between the engaging portion and the engaging portion.

In this case, the relay cable connecting portion and the exposed portion of the fastening member are provided on different outer walls of the case main body, and the exposed portions of the relay cable connecting portion and the fastening member do not interfere with each other in design. A wide connector (for example, a flat cable connector or the like) can be used as a relay cable connecting portion without excessive design. Further, even if the relay cable extends from the relay cable connecting portion to the side of the case main body, since the fastening member is accessed from the upper wall side of the case main body, the operation of the fastening member without interfering with the relay cable, that is, Fixing of the relay end unit to the base and release of the fixation are performed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a continuous sensor system comprises a master unit 2 and two unit groups 4,
6 is provided. The unit groups 4 and 6 are composed of a plurality of sensor units 8 having a substantially rectangular shape, and these sensor units 8 are arranged side by side in a row on a so-called DIN rail 10 as a base with their side walls in close contact with each other. More specifically, each sensor unit 8 of each unit group has a male input / output connector on one of its outer walls and a female input / output connector on the other outer wall, and is in close contact with each other. The two sensor units 8 are electrically connected to each other by fitting their male and female input / output connectors.

As shown in FIG. 2, each sensor unit 8 has a detection circuit 9 therein, and this detection circuit 9 is electrically connected to the sensor cable mounting portion 7,
The sensor cable attachment part 7 is provided on a front wall of the sensor unit 8. A sensor cable 11 extends from the sensor cable attachment part 7, and the tip of the sensor cable 11 is guided to a predetermined detection position. here,
As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor cable 11 is a pair of optical fiber cables 11a or an electric signal cable 11b. In the case of the optical fiber cable 11a, their ends are opposed to each other. In the case of the signal cable 11b, these ends are electrically connected to the opposing light projecting element 11c and light receiving element 11d, respectively. FIG. 1 shows the sensor cable 11 only for one sensor unit 8 in the unit groups 4 and 6.

On the other hand, the detection circuit 9 is connected to a communication control circuit 13, and this communication control circuit 13
Are inserted between the male and female input / output connectors 15 and 17. When the detection signal transmitted to the detection circuit 9 through the sensor cable 11 is an optical signal, the detection signal is converted into an electric signal and then output to the communication control circuit 13. Communication control circuit 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a detection signal from the detection circuit 13 and an input / output connector 1
For example, it is possible to output the detection signal received from the female input / output connector 17 from the male input / output connector 15 and output the detection signal from the female input / output connector 17. Accordingly, in the sensor unit groups 4 and 6, each sensor unit 8 can sequentially transmit its detection signal via the rightmost sensor unit 8. It goes without saying that the input / output connectors 15 and 17 include an input terminal and an output terminal of the power supply, respectively.

An indicator lamp 8a (see FIG. 1) is provided on the upper wall of each sensor unit 8, and the indicator lamp 8a is turned on, blinks, or turned off based on the operation state of the sensor unit 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit groups 4 and 6 are electrically connected via a relay device 12. The relay device 12 includes a first relay end unit 14 on the sensor unit group 4 side and a second relay end unit 16 on the sensor unit group 6 side. 8 has a substantially rectangular shape.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first relay end unit 14 has a case body 19,
The case body 19 has a side wall of the one, that is, left side wall 19 when relative to the direction toward its front wall 19 _F
L has a male first connecting connector 20. First
The connection connector 20 is fitted to the female input / output connector 17 of the sensor unit 8 and can be electrically connected to the input / output connector 17. That is, the first connecting connector 20
Has the same structure as the male input / output connector 15 of the sensor unit 8. FIG. 6 shows the first connecting connector 20.
Is shown more specifically.

When the first relay end unit 14 is disposed on the DIN rail 10 of the unit group 4 as shown in FIG. 1, the first relay end unit 14 is located at the right end in the unit group 4. In this state, the first connection connector 20 and the input / output connector 17 are fitted to each other, and the first relay end unit 14 and the sensor unit 8, ie, the unit The group 4 is electrically connected to each other.

The first relay end unit 14 includes, in addition to the first connecting connector 20, a further connector, that is, a relay connector 22, as a relay cable connecting portion. The relay connector 22 is connected to the front wall 1 of the case body 19.
It provided 9 _F, and is electrically connected to the first connecting connector 20 in the case body 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the relay connector 22 is a male or female square connector having a pair of lock levers 24.

Meanwhile, a second connecting connector 26 on the side wall 19 _R of the female right of the second relay end unit 16 that the case body 19 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The second connector 26 is connected to the sensor unit 8.
, And can be electrically connected to the input / output connector 15. That is, the second connecting connector 26 has the same structure as the female input / output connector 17 in the sensor unit 8. FIG. 9 specifically shows the second connection connector 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the second relay end unit 16 is arranged on the DIN rail 10 of the unit group 6, the second relay end unit 16 is located at the left end of the unit group 6. It is juxtaposed and juxtaposed to the sensor unit 8, and in this state, the second relay end unit 1
6 is connected to the male input / output connector 15 of the sensor unit 8, and the second relay end unit 16 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 8, that is, the unit group 6. You.

Furthermore, the second relay end unit 16 is also similar to the case of the first relay end unit 14 has a relay connector 22 to the front wall 19 _F with lock lever 24 of the case body 19, In the case body 19, the relay connector 22 is electrically connected to the second connection connector 26. As shown in FIG. 1, between the relay connector 22 of the first relay end unit 14 and the relay connector 22 of the second relay end unit 16 is electrically connected via a relay cable 28 with a connector. The relay cable 28 is connected to the sensor unit 8 described above.
The sensor cable 11 is routed by sharing the overhang space of the sensor cable 11.

In this embodiment, the relay cable 28 is a flat cable, and the relay connector 22 is provided at both ends thereof.
Each of the connectors 30 has a pair of lock levers 24 of the relay connector 22 when the connectors 30 are fitted to the relay connectors 22 of the relay units 14 and 16. Is prevented from coming off. Note that the lock lever 2 is attached to each relay connector 22.
Needless to say, a mechanism (not shown) for releasing the lock of 4 is provided.

As described above, the first and second relay end units 14 and 16 have the relay connectors 22 separately from the connection connectors 20 and 26, respectively. Lock mechanism can be provided. That is, since the relay connector 22 can be configured as a rectangular connector with a lock lever as described above, the connection between the relay connector 22 and the connection connectors 20 and 26 has sufficient strength against pulling. Thus, the relay cable 28 can be reliably prevented from coming off.

The relay device 12 is connected between the unit groups 4 and 6.
, The detection signals of the sensor units 8 in the unit group 6 can be transmitted to the unit group 4, and the transmitted detection signals can be transmitted to the sensors in the unit group 4. Further transmission is possible through the unit 8. As is clear from FIG. 1, the unit group 4 and the master unit 2 are also electrically connected via the same relay device 12. More specifically, Master Unit 2
Is arranged on the corresponding DIN rail 10 and has an input / output connector similar to the female input / output connector 17 on one of its side walls. Therefore, in this case, the relay device 12
Is the first relay end unit 1 on the master unit 2 side.
4, and the second relay unit 16 on the unit group 4 side
And these first and second relay end units 1
4 and 16 are electrically connected via a relay cable 28. Therefore, the master unit 2 includes the unit groups 4 and
6 from the sensor units 8 to the relay device 1
2 can be received.

The power cable 38 from the master unit 2
And the master cable 39 extends, and the master cable 39 is connected to a controller (not shown). Therefore, each sensor unit 8 in the unit groups 4 and 6
Is supplied to the controller via the master unit 2. Unlike the sensor unit 8, the master unit 2 described above does not have a sensor function,
It is of course possible to provide a sensor function similarly to the sensor unit 8. Also, an input / output connector can be provided on the other side wall of the master unit 2. In this case, the master unit 2 can be electrically connected to other unit groups arranged on the opposite side to the above-described unit groups 4 and 6 via the same relay device.

The first and second relay end units 14,
16 is a fixing means for the DIN rail 10, that is,
A fixing mechanism is built in.
And in FIG. Fixing mechanism 50 has a pair of engaging portions 52 in the bottom wall 19 _B of the case body 19 in the relay end unit. More specifically, the bottom wall 19
_A recess 54 extending between both side walls of the case body 19 is formed at the center of _B , and the width of the recess 54 is DI.
It is slightly wider than the upper width of the N rail 10. The two opening edges of the recess 54 protrude inward, and these protruding portions are formed as engaging portions 52. Accordingly, the pair of engaging portions 52 are connected to the DIN rail 10
Hold the upper part of the DIN rail 10 from below.
Can be engaged.

A fastening member is disposed in the concave portion 54, and the fastening member is a horizontal and elongated pinch plate 5.
6. The pinch plate 56 has both ends passing through openings formed in both end walls of the concave portion 54, and can be moved up and down by the height of these openings. Then, the pinch plate 56 is fastened is connected to the lower end of the screw 58, the clamping screw 58 while being screwed into the screw hole 60, the recess 62 in which the head is formed in the upper wall 19 of the case body 19 _T It protrudes. Screw holes 60 are formed in the partition wall 64 for connecting the upper wall 19 _T and the bottom wall 19 _B of the case body 19.

In the state shown in FIG.
Is pinched between the engaging portion 52 of the case body 19 and the pinch plate 56, and the pinch plate 56
Is pressed against the DIN rail 10 by screwing in the tightening screw 58, and fixes the case body 19 to the DIN rail 10. When the screwing of the pinch plate 56 is returned, the tightening of the DIN rail 10 by the pinch plate 56 is released, whereby the case body 19, that is, the relay end unit, can be removed from the DIN rail 10.

Here, the relay connector 22 is provided on the front wall 19 _F of the case body 19, and
Can be accessed from the upper wall _19F side of the case body 19, so that the relay connector 22 does not interfere with the design with respect to the access to the tightening screw 58. Therefore,
As described above, a wide connector can be easily used without difficulty for the relay connector 22. Further, when the tightening screw 58 is accessed to perform the screwing or the returning operation, the relay cable 22 is already connected from the relay connector 22.
Even when the relay cable 8 is connected, the relay cable 28 extends to the side of the case body 19, so that the tightening screw 58 can be accessed without interference with the relay cable 28 and the DI
It is possible to easily fix and release the fixation of the relay end unit to the N rail 10.

On the other hand, only the first relay end unit 14 or the second relay end unit 16 is brought into close contact with the unit group 6 or the master unit 2 from one side. As is clear from FIG. 3, the end plate 44 is disposed on the other side, and the DIN rail 10 is disposed between the end plate 44 and the relay end unit.
The upper unit group 6 and the master unit 2 can be sandwiched and fixed from both sides. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the end plate 44 has an engaging portion on its bottom wall for holding the upper portion of the DIN rail 10 from below, and the end portion 44 is engaged by a pair of tightening screws 46. To D
It can be fixed by tightening it to the IN rail 10. The engaging portions of the relay end unit and the end plate 44 are provided so that they can be slidably mounted on the DIN rail 10.

As is clear from the above description, since the first and second relay end units 14 and 16 also have the function of the end plate 44, the master unit 2 for the DIN rail 10, the unit group 4, In fixing the number 6, the number of end plates 44 used is reduced, and the number of components in the entire sensor system can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 10, the first and second relay end units 14, 16 are provided.
Is preferably equal to the height of the sensor unit 8, so that the lighting state of the display lamp 8a in each sensor unit 8 is changed to the side of the unit group. It becomes visible even from. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, instead of the pinch plate 56 and the tightening screw 58, the tightening member of the fixing mechanism may be composed of a pair of tightening screws, as in the case of the end plate 44 described above.

Further, the connection between the relay connector 22 and the relay cable side connector may be screwed without depending on the lock lever 24, and the relay cable may be connected to the first and second relay end units 4. , 6 may be a flat cable or a cylindrical cable integrated with one of the relay cable connecting portions 22, or both relay cable connecting portions 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the relay device 12 not only relays signals and power between the sensor unit groups or between the master unit and the sensor unit group, but also relays signals between the master unit and the master unit. Needless to say, it can also be used for relaying between sensor units or between individual sensor units. Further, the first and second relay units 14 and 16 may have both first and second connecting connectors 20 and 26 on both outer walls thereof.

[0035]

As described above, the relay end unit of the multiple sensor system of the present invention (Claim 1) is provided with both the connection connector and the relay cable connection part, so that the sensor unit is modified. Without any trouble between unit groups or between one sensor unit and unit group,
Then, it can be used to reliably connect the individual sensor units electrically. And since the relay end unit is provided with the fixing means in the case main body, it also functions as an end plate, and the number of end plates used, that is, the number of parts can be reduced.

When the sensor cable attaching portion is provided on the front wall of the sensor unit, the relay cable connecting portion is also provided on the front wall of the case body.
In this case, the relay cable can be routed using the wiring space for the sensor cable. Further, since the fastening member of the fixing means is operated from the upper wall side of the case body (claim 3), the relay cable connection portion and the fastening member do not interfere with the layout, and the wide connector is connected to the relay cable connection portion. Can be used. In addition, regardless of whether the relay cable is integral with or attached to the relay end unit, the relay cable may interfere with the relay cable even if it has already been extended to the side from the relay cable connection part. Therefore, the access to the fastening member is possible, and the fixing of the relay end unit to the base can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a continuous sensor system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a sensor unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a first relay end unit.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the first relay end knit.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the first relay end unit.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a first connection connector.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of a second relay end unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the second relay end unit in a partially broken manner.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a second connecting connector.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the relay end unit.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the relay end unit.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the end plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 8 sensor unit 12 relay device 14 first relay end unit 15, 17 input / output connector 16 second relay end unit 19 case body 20 first connection connector 22 relay connector (relay cable connection part) 26 second connection Connector 50 Fixing mechanism (fixing means) 52 Engaging portion 56 Pinch plate (fastening member) 58 Tightening screw (fastening member)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Sugihara 2-12-19 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Takeuchi Shayama (72) Inventor Yosuke Kusano 2-12-19 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Takeyama Shayama

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A continuous sensor system including a box-shaped master unit and a sensor unit, each of which has an input / output connector on at least one side surface and which can be electrically connected to each other via said input / output connector. A relay end unit for electrically connecting between the master unit and the sensor unit or between the sensor units separated from each other, wherein the relay end unit includes a box-shaped case main body disposed on a base. A connecting connector provided on a side wall of the case main body and connectable to an input / output connector of an adjacent unit; and a connecting connector provided on an outer wall other than the side wall of the case main body, and provided in the case main body with the connecting connector. A relay cable connection portion electrically connected to the relay cable outside the case body, and And a fixing means provided on the main body, the fixing means removably fixing the case main body to the base. 2. The relay end unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit and the case main body have a sensor cable attachment portion and the relay cable connection portion on a front wall. 3. The fixing means is provided on the bottom wall of the case main body and is engageable with the base. The fixing means is housed in the case main body and partially fixed to the case main body. A fastening member that is provided so as to be exposed from the upper wall, and that is capable of sandwiching the base between the exposed portion and the engaging portion when the exposed portion is operated from outside the case main body. A relay end unit for the multiple sensor system according to claim 2.