JP2001082871A - Controller for instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller for an instrument which is capable of drastically improving productivity and reducing the cost by standardizing parts and simplifying wiring and enables data communication with a remote location. SOLUTION: The controller comprises a signal wire 22 wired for an instrument such as cooling/storage chamber, main control means connected with the signal wire 22, and a temperature sensor 27 connected with the signal wire 22. The temperature sensor 27 comprises a temperature detector element, storage means that keeps an ID code of itself, transmission/reception means for transmitting and receiving data it to and from the main control means through the signal wire 22, and sensor side control means for incorporating data detected by the temperature detector means and transmitting the data to the main control means through the transmission/reception means. The control means comprises an interface and a controller for ensuring the connection to internet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a refrigerator for home use, a low-temperature showcase, a prefabricated refrigerator, a cooling storage such as a vending machine, an air conditioner and other various devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, low-temperature showcases and commercial refrigerators installed in, for example, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, hotels, and the like have built-in compressors, condensers, coolers, and the like that constitute a cooling device, or The compressor and condenser are placed separately. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor is condensed by the condenser, decompressed by the decompression device, and then supplied to the cooler to exhibit the cooling effect, and cooled by this cooler The cooled air is circulated in the refrigerator by a cooling fan to cool to a predetermined low temperature.

Further, a condenser fan is installed around the compressor and the condenser, and the condenser and the compressor are air-cooled by the condenser fan.

[0004]

In such a low-temperature showcase or the like, temperature sensors according to various applications such as control of the temperature in a refrigerator or protection of a compressor or a condenser are attached. different. Also,
Since the number of fans and the number of dew-prevention heaters for preventing dew condensation also differ depending on the model, the wiring of an electrical system including a switch for controlling them and the configuration of a control device for controlling these also differ depending on the model.

[0005] For this reason, especially in the case of this type of business equipment which is produced in small quantities by other models, the productivity is remarkably reduced, and improvement has been desired. In this type of business equipment, maintenance and management are the most important issues. For this reason, it is desirable that maintenance companies and store headquarters can exchange data and monitor operating conditions from remote locations. there were. On the other hand, today, when the information communication network has developed, data communication using the Internet has been activated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and it is possible to remarkably improve productivity and reduce costs by sharing parts and simplifying wiring. The present invention also provides a control device for a device that enables data communication with a remote place.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device including a signal line wired to a device, main control means connected to the signal line, and a sensor connected to the signal line. The sensor includes a detection element, storage means having its own ID code, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the main control means via a signal line, and transmission / reception means for receiving data detected by the detection element. A sensor-side control unit for transmitting to the main control unit; and the main control unit includes an interface and a controller that enable connection to the Internet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device, comprising: a signal line wired to a device; main control means connected to the signal line; and a switching element connected to the signal line for controlling operation of a mounting part. The switching element comprises a switching unit, a storage unit having its own ID code, a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the main control unit via a signal line, and a switching unit based on data from the transmission / reception unit. And a switching element-side control means for controlling the means, and the main control means includes an interface and a controller for enabling connection to the Internet.

According to the present invention, the sensor-side control means of the sensor transmits the data detected by the detecting element to the main control means via the signal line by the transmission / reception means. Can be captured.

In this case, the sensor stores its own ID in the storage means.
Since the code is retained, the main control means can identify the sensor by connecting the sensor to the signal line, and the wiring of the sensor is completed. Thereby, it is possible to wire the sensor by a so-called plug-in, and it is possible to significantly simplify the wiring. Further, since the common software can be used for the main control means regardless of the number of sensors, the cost can be remarkably reduced by sharing the main control means.

The switching element side control means of the switching element for controlling the operation of the mounting component controls the switching means based on the data from the main control means received by the transmission / reception means via the signal line. The control means can control the attachment parts of the device without any trouble.

In this case, since the switching element has its own ID code in the storage means, the main control means can identify the switching element by connecting the switching element to the signal line, and the wiring of the switching element. Is completed. This makes it possible to wire the switching elements by a so-called plug-in,
Significant simplification of wiring can be achieved. Further, since common software can be used for the main control means regardless of the number of switching elements, it is also possible to significantly reduce the cost by sharing the main control means.

[0013] In particular, since the main control means includes an interface and a controller which enable connection to the Internet, data relating to the operation state of the equipment and data for operating the equipment can be exchanged with the remote place via the Internet. Can be transmitted and received. This makes it possible to manage the operation of the equipment remotely smoothly and easily.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a low-temperature showcase 1 as an embodiment of a device to which the present invention is applied,
FIG. 2 shows an electrical wiring diagram of the low-temperature showcase 1. In FIG. 1, a low-temperature showcase 1 is installed in a store such as a convenience store, for example. It is configured. The front opening of the storage room 3 is closed by a glass door 4 so that it can be opened and closed.

In the storage room 3, a cooler 6 constituting a refrigeration cycle of a cooling device and a cooling fan 7 driven by a motor are provided. A dew-proof heater 8 for preventing dew condensation is provided at the opening edge of the heat-insulating box 2, and a door 4 is provided.
An operation panel 11 of a control box 9 constituting a main control means is mounted on a front surface of the control box 9.

On the other hand, a machine room 12 is formed below the heat-insulating box 2, and in the machine room 12, the compressor 1 constituting a refrigerating cycle of a cooling device together with the cooler 6 is provided.
3, a condenser 14, a condenser fan 16, and the like.

When the compressor 13 is operated, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 13 radiates heat in the condenser 14 to be condensed, decompressed by a decompression device (not shown), and then supplied to the cooler 6. Is done. In the cooler 6, the refrigerant evaporates and exerts a cooling function. Thereafter, the low-temperature gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 13 again. When the cooling fan 7 is operated, the cool air cooled by the cooler 6 is circulated into the storage room 3, whereby the storage room 3 is cooled. In addition, when the condenser fan 16 is operated, outside air flows through the condenser 14 and the compressor 13, so that these are air-cooled. Further, when the dew-proof heater 8 is energized, the opening edge of the heat insulating box 2 is heated to prevent dew condensation.

Next, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an AC power supply line wired in the main body 5 of the low-temperature showcase 1, and reference numeral 22 denotes a signal line for transmitting and receiving data. The control box 9 is connected to the AC power supply line 21 and the signal line 22, and the drive board 23 of the compressor 13, the power supply board 24 of each of the fans 7, 16 and the power supply board 26 of the anti-dew heater 8 are connected to an AC power supply. Connected to line 21. In addition, a public line (ISDN line) L is connected to the control box 9.

The signal line 22 has a chip-shaped temperature sensor 27 and a chip-shaped switching element 28 attached to the drive board 23 and the power supply boards 24 and 26, respectively.
Are connected via connectors. here,
Although one switching element 28 is shown on the power supply board 24, it is actually provided for each of the fans 7 and 16.

In the embodiment, the drive board 23 and the power supply boards 24 and 26 are composed of the compressor 13, the fans 7, 1
6 and the dew-proof heater 8, the drive board 23 and the power supply boards 24 and 26 are combined with the respective switching elements 28 together with the compressor 1
3, a configuration in which each of the fans 7 and 16 and the dew-proof heater 8 are built-in. In a model such as the compressor 13 which needs to detect the temperature, the temperature sensor 27 is also built in the compressor 13.

According to such a configuration, the wiring of these mounting parts can be achieved simply by connecting the switching elements 28 and the temperature sensors 27 incorporated in the compressor 13, the fans 7, 16 or the dew-proof heater 8 to the connector of the signal line 22. Since it is completed, assembly and wiring workability is further improved.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the control device 36 provided in the control box 9. That is, the control box 9 provided in the low-temperature showcase 1 is provided with a small board-shaped control device 36. The controller 36 includes a CPU (microcomputer) 31 serving as a controller, a memory 38 serving as storage means, an I / O interface 34 serving as transmission / reception means, a storage battery 39, a clock circuit 40, a firmware program for Internet connection, and images. Each of the memories 32 and 33, the Internet interface 35, the converter 37, and the like recorded therein are configured.

The terminal 2 of the I / O interface 34 is connected to the signal line 22, and exchanges data with the temperature sensor 27 and the switching elements 28 through the signal line 22. Further, the converter 37 is connected to the public line L. The memory 32 of the control device 36 has a predetermined communication protocol for performing data communication with the temperature sensor 27, the switching element 28, and the like.
It is assumed that software for identifying the switching element 28 and the switching element 28 is set.

Next, the structure of the temperature sensor 27 is shown in FIG.
Shown in The temperature sensor 27 is connected to the CPU 43 as sensor-side control means, the memory 44 as storage means, an I / O interface 46 as transmission / reception means, an A / D converter 47, and this A / D converter 47. And a capacitor 49 as a power storage element, a diode 51 as a rectifying element, and the like. Then, a connection point between the diodes 51 and 55 is connected to the signal line 22.

In this case, the capacitor 49 is connected to the diode 5
1, and each element is connected to a connection point between the diode 51 and the capacitor 49. Further, between the input side of the diode 51 of the temperature sensor 27 and the ground,
A diode 55 for signal waveform shaping is additionally connected. A potential (high potential) of, for example, +5 V is applied to the signal line 22, and data is composed of pulses that fall from the high potential to a low potential of 0 V, for example.

When the temperature sensor 27 is connected to the signal line 22, power is supplied to each element as long as the high-potential and low-potential pulse signals constituting data are at the high potential. Is also charged. During the low potential period, the capacitor 49 is discharged from the capacitor 49 to supply power to each element.

The temperature sensor 27 has Vcc (DC + 5)
V) A power supply terminal 45 is also provided, which is connected to a connection point between the diode 51 and the capacitor 49,
Is configured such that if the Vcc power supply terminal 45 is connected to a power supply line, each element can operate also by power supply from the power supply line. That is, in this case, each element operates without filling the capacitor 49, so that the convenience is improved when it is desired to quickly operate the temperature sensor 27 at the time of inspection or the like.

Further, the CPU 43 takes in the temperature data detected by the sensor unit 48 via the A / D converter 47 and temporarily writes it into the memory 44. Then, when polling is performed from the control device 36 via the signal line 22 by the I / O interface 46, the temperature data written in the memory 44 is transmitted to the control device 36 via the signal line 22 by the I / O interface 46. I do.

Here, the memory 44 stores an ID code of the temperature sensor 27 itself, identification data indicating that the sensor is a sensor, set value data such as an alarm temperature, and a protocol for performing data communication with the control device 36. It is remembered. If a failure has occurred in the temperature sensor 27, the failure data is also written into the memory 44, and the controller 3
6 is sent.

If the total extension of the signal line 22 becomes long, the signal will be distorted. However, since the temperature sensor 27 is connected to the diode 55 for waveform shaping, the distortion of the signal waveform is corrected. The transmission and reception of data as described above is performed reliably.

On the other hand, the structure of the switching element 28 is shown in FIG. The switching element 28 includes a CPU 58 as a switching element side control unit, a memory 59 as a storage unit, an I / O interface 61 as a transmission / reception unit, an I / O interface 62 as a driver, and an I / O interface 62 as a driver. , A transistor 63 as a switching means, a capacitor 64 as a power storage element, a diode 66 as a rectifying element, and the like. The connection point between the diode 66 and the I / O interface 61 is the signal line 2
2 is connected.

In this case, the capacitor 64 is connected to the diode 6
6, and each element is connected to a connection point between the diode 66 and the capacitor 64. When the switching element 28 is connected to the signal line 22, power is supplied to each element as long as the high-potential and low-potential pulse signals constituting data are at the high potential as described above, and the capacitor 64 is also supplied to the capacitor 64. Charged. While the potential is low, the capacitor 64 discharges power to supply power to each element.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, the switching element 28 is also provided with a Vcc (DC + 5V) power supply terminal 65 connected to the connection point between the diode 66 and the capacitor 64, and this Vcc power supply terminal 65 is connected to the power supply line. If connected, each element of the switching element 28 can operate even by power supply from the power supply line. That is, in this case, each element operates without filling the capacitor 64.
The convenience is improved when the user wants to operate the camera 8 quickly.

The CPU 58 is controlled by the I / O interface 61 to send an O / O signal from the control device 36 through the signal line 22.
When the N / OFF data is transmitted, the transistor 63 is turned on / off by the I / O interface 62 based on the ON / OFF data.

Here, the memory 59 stores an ID code of the switching element 28 itself, identification data indicating that the element is a switching element, a protocol for performing data communication with the control device 36, and the like. If a failure has occurred in the switching element 28, the data is also written to the memory 59 and transmitted to the control device 36.

The switching element 28 is connected to each drive board 2
3. The switching unit 68 is wired on the power supply boards 24 and 26 as shown in FIG. That is, 69 is a photocoupler comprising a photodiode 69A and a phototriac 69B, 71 is a resistor, 72 is a diode as a rectifying element, and 73 is a capacitor 74 as a power storage element.

In this case, the capacitor 74 is connected to the diode 7
2 is connected between the connection point of the diode 72 and the capacitor 74 and the collector terminal (indicated by S2 in FIG. 5) of the transistor 63 of the switching element 28.
1 and the photodiode 69A are connected in series. The terminal S1 (FIG. 5) of the switching element 28 is connected before the diode 72. The photo triac 69B is interposed between the AC power line 21 and the compressor 13, the fans 7, 15 and the dew prevention heater 8, respectively.

When the diode 72 is connected to the signal line 22, power is supplied to the photodiode 69A via the resistor 71 as long as the high-potential and low-potential pulse signals constituting data are at the high potential. , The capacitor 74 is also charged. While the potential is low, the capacitor 74 is discharged from the capacitor 74 to supply power to the photodiode 69A.

Similarly, the diode 72 and the capacitor 7
Vcc power supply terminal 60 is connected to the connection point
If the power supply terminal 60 is connected to the power supply line, the photodiode 69A can operate even by power supply from the power supply line. That is, in that case, each element operates without filling the capacitor 74.
Convenience is improved when it is desired to operate quickly at the time of inspection or the like.

Here, a management personal computer P is installed at the chain headquarters C of the convenience store located at a remote place. It is also assumed that a management personal computer P is installed in the maintenance company M contracted with the convenience store chain, and that any of them can be connected to the Internet via the terminal adapter TA.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the operation when the assembly of the low-temperature showcase 1 is completed will be described. Each temperature sensor 27 and switching element 28 are connected to the signal line 22.
Are connected to the CPU 31 of the control device 36.
Scans the connection status of each element (temperature sensor 27, switching element 28) to the signal line 22 first.

The CPUs 43 and 58 of the temperature sensor 27 and the switching element 28 return their own ID codes stored in the memories 44 and 59 in response to the polling from the control device 36. The CPU 31 of the control device 36 identifies the connection status between the temperature sensor 27 and the switching elements 28,... Based on the returned ID code, stores the information in the memory 38, and thereafter uses this ID code to transmit data to each element. Will be sent.

Next, the actual operation will be described. The CPU 31 of the control device 36 polls the temperature sensor 27 at a predetermined cycle. This polling is performed based on the above-mentioned ID code. In response to this polling, the CPU 43 of the temperature sensor 27 sends the temperature data as described above to the control device 36.
Send to The CPU 31 of the control device 36 temporarily writes the received temperature data in the memory 38, compares the temperature data with the set temperature, and outputs ON / OFF data to the signal line 22 together with the ID code of the switching element 28 of the drive board 23. Send.

The C of the switching element 28 of the drive board 23
When receiving the ON / OFF data of its own ID code, the PU 58 receives the ON / OFF data of the
Is turned ON / OFF. ON / O of this transistor 63
The photodiode 69A is turned ON (light emission) by the FF /
The photo triac 69B is turned on / off, thereby turning on / off the compressor 13.

Since the fans 7, 15 and the dew-proof heater 8 are continuously energized, ON / OFF data to that effect is
It is transmitted based on the ID code of the switching element 28 of each of the power supply boards 24 and 26. Each switching element 28 operates or energizes each of the fans 7, 15 or the dew-proof heater 8 based on the ON / OFF data.

The CPU 31 of the control device 36 has in the memory 38 data relating to the temperature transition and data relating to the operating rate of the compressor 13 based on the data exchanged with the temperature sensor 27 and the switching elements 28. . If a failure has occurred in the temperature sensor 27 or the switching elements 28,..., The failure data is transmitted from the CPU of each element to the control device 36. When receiving the failure data, the CPU 31 of the control device 36 also writes the failure data into the memory 38.

Then, the CPU 31 of the control device 36 sends the data relating to the operating state of the low-temperature showcase 1 to the Internet via the converter 37 using the program in the memory 32 and the Internet interface 35 via the converter 37. . In this case, the data is transmitted in the form of an e-mail to the chain headquarters C and the maintenance company M, or in the form of an access to a homepage established by them.

The data is transmitted at regular intervals, such as once a day, and when the above-described failure data is generated.

The chain headquarters C and the personal computer P of the maintenance company M receive the data transmitted from the low-temperature showcase 1 via the Internet. Normally, data is analyzed and stored, and when failure data is included, predetermined maintenance work is performed.

Further, data for operation such as the set temperature of the low-temperature showcase 1 can be transmitted from the personal computer P of the chain head office C to the control device 36 via the Internet. Also in this case, the data is transmitted in an e-mail format or the like. Similarly, the CPU 31 of the control device 36 receives the data addressed to itself through the converter 37 using the program in the memory 32 and the Internet interface 35, writes the data to the memory 38, and provides the operation control of the compressor 13 and the like. .

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the low-temperature showcase in the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also effective for home automation and security systems in automobiles and houses.

Furthermore, although the temperature sensor is taken up as a sensor in the embodiment, it is also effective as a humidity sensor or a pressure sensor by using an element for detecting humidity or pressure as the sensor section.

[0053]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the sensor-side control means of the sensor transmits the data detected by the detecting element to the main control means via the signal line by the transmission / reception means. The control means can take in the data without any trouble.

In this case, the sensor stores its own ID in the storage means.
Since the code is retained, the main control means can identify the sensor by connecting the sensor to the signal line, and the wiring of the sensor is completed. Thereby, it is possible to wire the sensor by a so-called plug-in, and it is possible to significantly simplify the wiring. Further, since the common software can be used for the main control means regardless of the number of sensors, the cost can be remarkably reduced by sharing the main control means.

Further, the switching element side control means of the switching element for controlling the operation of the attachment component controls the switching means based on the data from the main control means received by the transmission / reception means via the signal line. The control means can control the attachment parts of the device without any trouble.

In this case, since the switching element has its own ID code in the storage means, by connecting the switching element to the signal line, the main control means can identify the switching element and the wiring of the switching element. Is completed. This makes it possible to wire the switching elements by a so-called plug-in,
Significant simplification of wiring can be achieved. Further, since common software can be used for the main control means regardless of the number of switching elements, it is also possible to significantly reduce the cost by sharing the main control means.

In particular, since the main control means has an interface and a controller that enable connection to the Internet, data on the operating state of the equipment and data for operating the equipment can be exchanged with the remote place via the Internet. Can be transmitted and received. This makes it possible to manage the operation of the equipment remotely smoothly and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a low-temperature showcase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of an electric system of the low-temperature showcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of a control device in a control box.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the temperature sensor.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the switching element.

FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram of a switching unit using a switching element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Low-temperature showcase 6 Cooler 7 Cooling fan 8 Dew-proof heater 9 Control box 13 Compressor 14 Condenser 16 Condenser fan 22 Signal line 27 Temperature sensor 28 Switching element 31, 43, 58 CPU 32, 33, 38, 44, 59 Memory 35 Internet interface 37 Converter 46, 61 I / O interface 48 Sensor unit 49, 64 Capacitor 51, 66 Diode 63 Transistor 69 Photocoupler 69A Photodiode 69B Phototriac C-chain headquarter L Public line M Maintenance company P PC TA Terminal adapter

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shigekazu Kawai 2-5-5-1 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ishii 2-5-2 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 AA20 CA01 CB01 CC08 CC10 DA10 DE01 DE02 EA20 EB01 EB09 FB11 FB14 3L045 AA02 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 GA07 HA01 LA16 MA02 NA19 PA06 3L061 BA05 5H215 AA A11 AB A11 AX CX08 GG02 9A001 BB04 DD06 HZ34 JJ25 KK32

Claims (2)

[Claims] An apparatus comprising: a signal line wired to a device; main control means connected to the signal line; and a sensor connected to the signal line. The sensor includes a detection element and its own ID code. A transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the main control means via the signal line, and a sensor for receiving data detected by the detecting element and transmitting the data to the main control means by the transmitting / receiving means. A control device for a device, comprising: a control unit; and the main control unit includes an interface and a controller that enable connection to the Internet. 2. A signal line wired to a device, main control means connected to the signal line, and a switching element connected to the signal line and controlling operation of a mounting part, wherein the switching element is Switching means, storage means having its own ID code, transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the main control means via the signal line, and controlling the switching means based on data from the transmission / reception means. A control device for a device, comprising: a switching element-side control unit; and wherein the main control unit includes an interface and a controller that enable connection to the Internet.