JP2006250805A - Time switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a time switch enabling easy change of a program without resetting the program. <P>SOLUTION: By setting a plurality of programs for a single loading (step n2), each program is stored individually correspondingly in each of a plurality of banks. By changing the bank in operation mode, the program is changed to the program of a changed bank, and the ON/OFF of the loading is controlled according to the program (step n3). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a time switch for controlling a load on or off according to a set program.

  For example, in an industrial air conditioning system, heat source equipment is operated using cheap nighttime electricity, ice is stored in a heat storage tank in the summer, ice in the winter, and ice stored in the heat storage tank in the daytime, or Some have reduced running costs by cooling or heating using hot water.

  In such an air-conditioning system, the night time zone for storing ice or hot water can be set to the same time zone where the electricity bill is cheaper in summer and winter. The time zone is the peak time zone for cooling in summer, for example, from 13:00 to 16:00, while the winter season is for heating up, for example, from 8 to 9 o'clock. The band will be different.

  As described above, a time switch may be used for on / off control of loads in different time zones.

  As the time switch, there is a weekly time switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1) in which a program can be set on a weekly basis for each day of the week, or an annual time switch in which a program can be set on a yearly basis for each date.

  When the weekly time switch is used in the air conditioning system described above, it is necessary to change the daytime load on / off control period in summer and winter, and the summer cooling program and winter heating It is necessary to set the program for the program twice a year.

On the other hand, when the annual time switch is used in the air conditioning system described above, it is not basically necessary to set the program again, but it is necessary to set the yearly program. However, since there is a difference in temperature between years, the timing for switching between cooling and heating may fluctuate and the program must be reset.
JP 2001-281373 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a time switch that can easily change a program without resetting the program.

  The present invention is configured as follows in order to achieve the above-described object.

  That is, the present invention provides an electronic time switch for controlling on / off of a load according to a set program, a program setting means capable of setting a plurality of programs for a single load, and the program setting means. A storage means for storing a plurality of set programs; a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of programs in the storage means based on an external input or a setting input; and a load on / off operation according to the selected program. And a control means for controlling OFF.

  The plurality of programs are for a single load, that is, one load whose on / off is controlled by one output circuit that provides an on / off control output.

  Therefore, for example, when there are a plurality of output circuits, it is preferable that a plurality of programs can be set for each of a plurality of loads individually corresponding to each output circuit. It is only necessary to set a plurality of programs for one load. Note that there may be one output circuit that controls only a single load.

  In addition, for example, in the case of a week type in which the program can be set in units of one week for each day of the week, the program means a program for one week, and in the case of an annual type in which the program can be set for one year for each date Refers to a year-long program.

  According to the present invention, by setting a plurality of programs, it is possible to select a desired program and control on / off of the load by an external input or setting input when necessary. There is no need to correct the load, and the on / off of the load can be controlled by simply switching and selecting the program by an external input or setting input.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage means has a plurality of banks and stores each program individually corresponding to each bank, and the selection means specifies the external device that designates a bank. The program corresponding to the designated bank is selected based on the input or the setting input.

  It is preferable that a bank is specified by cyclic switching when an external input such as a pulse input is given, but by short-circuiting or opening between input terminals to which an external input is given, The bank designation may be switched.

  Further, it is preferable that the bank of the storage means for storing the program can be designated by the external input or the setting input, but the program may be stored in a predetermined bank according to the order in which the program is set. Good.

  According to this embodiment, when a plurality of programs are set, each program is stored in each corresponding bank of the storage means, and the program of the specified bank is specified by specifying the bank by external input or setting input during operation. Is selected and load on / off control is performed.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, display means for displaying the selected bank is provided.

  It is preferable that the display means is also used as a display means for displaying the day of the week and the time.

  According to this embodiment, the bank selected and executed can be easily confirmed.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided timing setting means for setting a start time of load on / off control according to a selected program, and the control means is a time point set by the timing setting means. The load on / off control according to the selected program is started.

  The timing setting means selects the program at the time immediately after the program is selected, when the time immediately after the program is selected is 00 seconds, and when the time immediately after the program is selected is 00 minutes. It is possible to set at least one time point such as the time point of the first operation step immediately after the time point, or immediately after the program is selected, such as each time point after the set time has elapsed since the program was selected. preferable.

  According to this embodiment, after selecting a program by external input or setting input, it is possible to set a point in time when the control means shifts to the selected program and starts on / off control of the load according to the program. The input timing of the external input or setting input for designating can be selected relatively freely.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided selection setting means for selecting whether to set a plurality of programs or a single program by the program setting means. When the program setting is selected, a single program set by the program setting means can be stored across the plurality of banks of the storage means.

  According to this embodiment, when a single program is set, since the program can be stored across a plurality of banks of the storage means, the program cannot be stored in one bank due to the large number of operation steps. However, the storage area of the storage means can be used effectively and stored.

  According to the present invention, by setting a plurality of programs, it is possible to select a desired program and control on / off of the load by an external input or setting input when necessary. There is no need to reset the program, and the load can be turned on and off by simply switching and selecting the program.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a time switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The time switch 1 of this embodiment is a so-called weekly time switch in which a program can be set on a weekly basis for each day of the week. The time switch 1 includes a microcomputer 2 that performs various arithmetic controls. The microcomputer 2 has a CPU 3, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, an LCD driver 6, and various ports.

  A program for realizing each function is stored in the ROM 4, and a program set for controlling on / off of the load is stored in the RAM 5 as a storage unit.

  The microcomputer 2 is set by measuring time based on a clock signal supplied from a clock generator 7 for a clock provided with a crystal resonator and determining on / off time based on a set program. When the time comes, the output relay 9 is controlled via the output amplifier circuit 8 to perform load on / off control. The load is controlled according to the selection means for selecting the program stored in the RAM 5 and the selected program. It has a function as a control means for performing on / off control.

  The output relay 9 is inserted into the power supply path of the load. In this embodiment, the output circuit including the output amplifier circuit 8 and the output relay 9 is two systems (2CH) of circuits 1 and 2. ing.

  Further, the microcomputer 2 is supplied with the reference voltage from the LCD reference voltage generation circuit 10 and controls the LCD display unit 11 that displays various information such as the current time and day of the week.

  Further, the microcomputer 2 includes a manual-automatic switching circuit 12 for setting whether the load on / off control is performed manually or automatically, an output setting switching circuit 13 for switching the timer output or the pulse output, and the operation. The operation mode switching circuit 14 for switching modes, the key switch input circuit 15 to which operation signals from various key switches are given, the output of the system clock generation circuit 16 and the power failure detection circuit 17 are given, and the outputs corresponding to these outputs are given. Perform control action. The microcomputer 2 is backed up by a backup battery 18 in the event of a power failure.

  The above configuration is basically the same as that of the conventional time switch.

  In this embodiment, in order to be able to change the program easily without resetting the program, the RAM 5 as the storage means has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) banks. A plurality of programs can be stored individually corresponding to each bank, and a desired program can be read from the bank and the load on / off can be controlled as described later. ing.

  In this embodiment, as described above, since two systems of output circuits 1 and 2 are provided, programs corresponding to both circuits 1 and 2 are stored for each bank.

  In this embodiment, a bank key input circuit 20 for designating any one of a plurality of banks, a bank input terminal 21 for receiving an external input for designating any one of the plurality of banks, the bank And a bank input circuit 22 to which an output of the input terminal 21 is given.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the time switch 1 of FIG. 1, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  A power supply connection terminal 23 and a connection terminal 24 of the control output circuit 1 for the first load are provided below the housing 26, and a control output circuit 2 for the second load is provided above the housing 26. Connection terminal 25 and bank input terminal 21 for external input for designating the above-mentioned bank.

  A rectangular LCD display unit 11 is provided at the upper part of the housing 26, and a mode changeover switch for switching the setting mode or the operation mode of the circuits 1 and 2 is provided on the right side of the LCD display unit 11. 27 is provided.

  Also, below the LCD display unit 11, day setting keys 31 to 37 for setting the day of the week from Sunday to Saturday, a holiday key 40, and “ON” and “OFF” setting switches 38 for the outputs of the circuits 1 and 2. , 39, keys 28, 29 for setting time, on / off time width and pulse width, set key 30 for setting the setting contents, output setting changeover switch 19, bank key 15, and time adjustment key 41, a cycle / test key 42, and a reset 43 for erasing setting contents and the like.

  These key switches have functions as setting means such as program settings.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, first, an initial setting relating to a bank is performed (step n1). For example, the initial setting mode is set by, for example, pressing and holding the time adjustment key 41 for a long time. In this mode, for example, by operating the time adjustment key 41, setting of the bank valid / invalid, The number of used keys, the setting of the bank switching method, and the setting of the bank switching timing described later can be sequentially performed. In each setting, the setting is performed by operating a required key.

  In the bank valid / invalid setting, if valid is selected, multiple banks can be validated and multiple programs can be set for a single load. If invalid is selected, the bank is invalidated to a single load. On the other hand, a single program can be set.

  In the case where the bank is enabled, in this embodiment, the number of banks used is set to determine whether the number of banks is two banks A and B or four banks A to D.

  Furthermore, in the setting of the bank switching method, it is set whether the bank to be switched is designated by operating the bank key 45 on the front or by external input to the bank input terminal 21.

  These initial settings may be performed by a plurality of dip switches or the like.

  Next, in the program setting mode, the program is set. When the bank is enabled, the program is set for each designated bank as in the conventional case (step n2).

  The bank is specified as follows, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a bank key switching mode is established by long-pressing the bank key (step n10), and the LCD display unit 11 displays, for example, a bank A as shown in FIG. Four banks of -D are displayed.

  Next, the day of week setting keys 34 to 37 or the bank key 45 corresponding to the banks A to D are operated to designate the bank (step n11). As a result, the designated bank, for example, bank A is displayed on the LCD display unit 11 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the designated bank is confirmed by operating the set key 30 (step n12). It should be noted that the designated bank may be automatically determined when there is no operation for a certain period of time after the bank is designated.

  Further, the bank may be designated as follows by an external input to the bank input terminal 21.

  For example, when two banks A and B are selected, the bank A is designated by short-circuiting the bank input terminals 21 and the bank B is opened by opening the bank input terminals 21. You may make it specify.

  Further, when four banks are selected, every time a pulse input is given to the bank input terminal 21, the cycle is as follows: bank A → bank B → bank C → bank D → bank A → bank B. Switching may be specified, and a bank in which no program is stored may be skipped.

  After the bank is designated in this way, the program is set on a weekly basis for each day of the week as in the conventional case.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation mode is shifted to, and load on / off is controlled according to the program corresponding to the bank designated first. In this operation mode, the bank can be switched by specifying another bank in the same manner as in FIG. 4, and the program is changed by switching to the specified bank, and the load is turned on / off according to the changed program. Is controlled (step n3).

  The time point when the program is stored in the switched bank and the on / off control is started may be immediately after the bank switching is confirmed, or at 00 seconds immediately after the bank switching is confirmed, For example, if the bank switching is confirmed at 9:28:35, the bank is switched from 9:29:00 and load on / off control according to the program stored in the bank is started. Alternatively, if the bank switching is confirmed at 00 minutes immediately after the bank switching is confirmed, for example, 9:28:35, the bank is switched from 10:00:00. The load on / off control may be started according to the program stored in the bank, or the first operation step immediately after the bank switching is confirmed. It may be switched from.

  The timing for starting the on / off control is set as the bank switching timing in the initial setting mode. As another embodiment, for example, the timing setting mode may be set by long pressing a specific key, and in this timing setting mode, the operation may be performed by operating a required key.

  Next, the case where the time switch 1 having the above configuration is used in the above-described industrial air conditioning system will be described.

  Operate loads such as heat source equipment using nighttime electricity and store ice in the summer, warm water in the heat storage tank in the winter, and cool or heat using the ice stored in the heat storage tank or hot water in the daytime In the system, the night time zone for storing ice or hot water is the same throughout the season from 22:00 to 8:00, for example, while the daytime time zone using ice or hot water is ice The summer season is the peak time zone for cooling, for example, from 13:00 to 16:00, and the winter season when hot water is used is the heating startup time zone, for example, from 8 to 9 o'clock. The bands are different.

  Therefore, using two banks A and B, a summer cooling program is set in one bank, for example, bank A, and a winter heating program is set in bank B.

  That is, the bank is enabled, the number of banks is set to two, and bank A is designated.

  As for the bank A, in the same way as in the prior art, a program for one week that is turned on at 22:00 and turned off at 8:00 is set in the circuit 1 for controlling the night load.

  Further, the circuit 2 for controlling the daytime load is set with a program for one week which is turned on at 13:00 and turned off at 16:00, which is the peak time zone of cooling.

  Next, the bank B is switched, and for the bank B, a program for one week that is turned on at 22:00 and turned off at 8:00 is set in the circuit 1 that controls the night load in the same manner as in the past. .

  Further, in the circuit 2 that controls the daytime load, a program is set for one week that is turned on at 8 o'clock and turned off at 9 o'clock, which is the heating start-up time zone.

  As a result, the bank A in the RAM 5 stores a summer cooling program, and the bank B stores a winter heating program.

  During operation, bank A is designated in the summer and bank B is designated in the winter by external input or setting input. As a result, in summer, ice is stored in the heat storage tank using nighttime power, and in the daytime, cooling is performed using ice stored in the heat storage tank during the peak hours of cooling. The hot water can be stored in the heat storage tank using it, and during the daytime, the heating cost can be reduced by using the hot water stored in the heat storage tank at the time of starting up the heating.

  Therefore, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to set the program twice a year, such as setting a cooling program in the summer and setting a heating program in the winter, Programs can be easily switched by external input or setting input using keys. For this reason, even if there is a difference in temperature depending on the year, it is possible to easily switch the program at a time according to the temperature of the year.

  If the number of banks is set to 2 so that the storage area of the RAM 5 can be used effectively, the storage areas of the four banks A to D shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the banks A and B are assigned to the two banks and are not used, as shown in FIG. 6C, the banks A to D in FIG. All the storage areas of the four banks may be used.

  Thus, for example, each bank A to D in FIG. 6A has two banks as shown in FIG. 6B, even if the number of operation steps can be stored, for example, only 12 steps. When [1] is selected, it is possible to store a program with the number of operations of 24 steps, and as shown in FIG. 6C, a program with the number of operations of 48 steps is stored when the bank is invalidated. It becomes possible.

  If there is a margin in the number of steps, as shown in FIG. 7C, only the storage area corresponding to the bank A may be used when the bank is not activated.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described air conditioning system, and can be used for on / off control of loads for various applications. For example, the present invention is suitable for the following control.

  For example, in the case of a weekly operation in which a break occurs every other week, a program for a week without a break and a program for a week with a break may be stored in different banks, and the bank may be switched according to the week.

  Also, for example, if there is a monthly break, such as the second Saturday, the program for one week on the second Saturday and the program for the other week are stored in different banks. The bank may be switched according to a certain week and another week.

  Furthermore, it is suitable for control such that the switching timing comes irregularly, for example, for switching control of varieties in electric cultivation.

  In electric cultivation, different varieties are cultivated in the same plastic house depending on the season, but since the illumination patterns differ depending on the variety, multiple programs corresponding to the illumination patterns for each variety are individually assigned to multiple banks. It is possible to store the target and switch to the bank corresponding to the variety to be cultivated for cultivation. Since the time of product change comes in irregularly, it cannot be programmed in advance with an annual time switch, and with the conventional weekly time switch, a program is set every time the product change time comes However, in the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with this by simply switching the bank by a key operation or the like.

  The present invention is useful as a time switch for controlling on / off of a load.

It is a block diagram of the time switch which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the time switch of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a process sequence. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the banking process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the LCD display part corresponding to FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the storage area of RAM. It is a figure for demonstrating the storage area of RAM.

Explanation of symbols

1 Time switch 2 Microcomputer 5 RAM
9 Output Relay 11 LCD Display 19 Bank Setting Selection Switch 21 Bank Input Terminal

Claims (5)

In an electronic time switch that controls on / off of the load according to a set program,
A program setting means capable of setting a plurality of programs for a single load;
Storage means for storing a plurality of programs set by the program setting means;
Selection means for selecting one of the plurality of programs in the storage means based on an external input or a setting input;
Control means for controlling on / off of the load according to the selected program;
A time switch comprising: The storage means has a plurality of banks, and stores each program individually corresponding to each bank,
The time switch according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a program corresponding to the designated bank based on the external input or the setting input that designates a bank.   The time switch according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the selected bank. A timing setting means for setting a start time of load on / off control according to the selected program;
The time switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means starts on / off control of the load according to the selected program from the time point set by the timing setting means. A selection setting means for selecting whether to set a plurality of programs or a single program by the program setting means,
3. When a single program setting is selected by the selection setting means, the single program set by the program setting means can be stored across the plurality of banks of the storage means. The listed time switch.

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