JP2008072346A - Wiring appliance for power line communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiring appliance for power line communication (PLC) that can perform excellent power line communication by a plurality of communication devices by reducing noise while securing power supply for the other device. <P>SOLUTION: The wiring appliance A1 for power line communication is connected to a power line of a building by inserting and connecting a power supply plug 4a to an outlet to perform PLC. The wiring appliance for power line communication includes a coupling circuit 6, a PLC modem with a transmitter receiver 7 and a modem 8, a plurality of connectors where communication cable connecting communication devices are inserted so that they can freely be extracted, a plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2 connected to a power line through a power cable 4, a common mode choke coil 12 which cuts off the common mode noise of the PLC modem, and a filter circuit 13 which cuts off a communication band of the PLC. The common mode choke coil 12 is interposed between the power cable 4 and the PLC modem, and the filter circuit 13 is interposed between the power cable and the plurality of blade receivers 2 and 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power line carrier communication wiring device for performing data communication using a power line wired to a building such as an office or a house.

In recent years, a local area network (hereinafter abbreviated as “LAN”) in which a plurality of computers are connected is rapidly spreading in offices and houses. A communication cable (a so-called LAN cable) is usually used as a communication medium for connecting computers in such a LAN. However, when a new LAN is introduced into an existing office or house, the labor and cost of wiring work are required. In some cases, a radio system using radio waves is employed in consideration of the above (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-79977 A

  By the way, power line communication transmission (Power Line Communication, hereinafter abbreviated as “PLC”) that performs data communication using a power supply wiring (power line) has been proposed. A device (PLC modem) that superimposes and transmits a PLC communication signal having a higher frequency than the commercial frequency on the power waveform of the commercial frequency and separates and receives the PLC communication signal of the higher frequency from the power waveform is required. In addition, such a PLC modem is connected to an outlet provided on a wall surface via a power cord and connected to a communication device such as a computer via a communication cable. However, if the PLC modem occupies the outlet, it becomes difficult for the computer and other devices to use the outlet, so that it is difficult to receive the power supply. Further, when connecting a plurality of communication devices, a separate line concentrator such as a hub is necessary.

  Moreover, since the power line is designed on the assumption that a current of a commercial frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz flows, when a PLC communication signal having a high frequency flows, the PLC communication signal radiates to generate radiation noise, It affects other equipment. In particular, in recent years, relaxation of laws and regulations has been studied for the purpose of making it possible to support high-speed communication such as the Internet. Conventionally, in addition to the frequency band of 10 kHz to 450 Hz that can be used in PLC, higher frequency The use of a frequency band of 2 MHz to 30 MHz has been studied. In a high-speed PLC that performs PLC using a communication signal in the frequency band of 2 MHz to 30 MHz, radiation from the power line due to the communication signal of the PLC increases compared to a low-speed PLC that performs PLC using a communication signal in the frequency band of 10 kHz to 450 kHz. .

  Conversely, noise caused by other equipment such as equipment connected to the power line through an outlet or equipment placed near the power line may get on the power line, and countermeasures against such noise are also necessary. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wiring device for power carrier communication capable of satisfactorily performing PLC with a plurality of communication devices by reducing noise while securing the power supply of other devices. For the purpose.

As a result of various studies, the present inventor has found that the above object can be achieved by the following present invention. That is, a power line carrier communication wiring device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a power cable connected to a power line wired to a building by plugging and connecting a power plug attached to a tip to an outlet, and the power cable a housing but drawn therein is housed in the housing, the common mode is connected to a pair of paths which are connected to the power line via the power cable, the pair of paths while being housed in the housing A power line carrier communication modem that modulates and demodulates a communication signal of power line carrier communication via the power line, housed in the housing and connected to the pair of electric paths via the common mode choke coil ; A communication interface that is housed in a housing and interfaces between the power line carrier communication modem and a communication device. And over scan, provided on a surface of the housing, a plurality of connectors communication cable connecting the said communication device the communication interface is inserted freely insertion, Rutotomoni the pair of paths housed in said housing A filter circuit for cutting off a communication band of the power line carrier communication, and a plurality of the circuit connected in parallel to each other and housed in the housing and connected to the pair of electric circuits via the filter circuit A pair of blade receivers , the common mode choke coil for blocking common mode noise of the power line communication modem, and inserting a plug blade of a power plug of another device to connect to the blade receiver A plurality of pairs of plug blade insertion openings are provided on the surface of the housing.

  According to this configuration, since a plurality of pairs of blade receivers are provided, power can be supplied to other devices via a plurality of pairs of blade receivers, and a plurality of connectors can be used to communicate with a plurality of communication devices. Since the mode choke coil is provided, the common mode noise generated in the power line communication modem is suppressed from flowing out to the power cable and the power line, and the radiation noise is reduced. The noise generated in the other device when connected via the receiver is suppressed from flowing into the power line communication modem via the pair of blade receivers. For this reason, it is possible to satisfactorily perform PLC by a plurality of communication devices by reducing noise while securing the power supply of other devices.

  In the above power line carrier communication wiring device, the filter circuit blocks common mode noise and normal mode noise.

  According to this configuration, since the filter circuit blocks common mode noise and normal mode noise, common mode noise and normal mode generated in the other device when the other device is connected through a pair of blade supports. The noise is suppressed from flowing into the power line carrying communication modem via the pair of blade receivers.

And in these above-mentioned power line carrier communication wiring devices, the power line carrier communication is a high-speed power line carrier communication that performs communication using a communication signal in a frequency band of 2 MHz to 30 MHz. Item 3. The power line carrier communication wiring device according to Item 2 .

  In the power line carrier communication wiring device of the present invention, noise can be reduced while ensuring the power supply of other devices, and a PLC by a plurality of communication devices can be satisfactorily performed.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a power line carrier communication wiring device according to the first embodiment. 1A shows a top view, FIG. 1B shows a front view, and FIG. 1C shows a bottom view. FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the power line carrier communication wiring device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power line carrier communication wiring device according to the first embodiment is magnetically attached to the construction surface.

  The power line carrier communication wiring device A1 according to the first embodiment is a power cable that is connected to a power line wired to a building by plugging and connecting a power plug 4a attached to the tip to an outlet as shown in FIG. 4 and a housing 1 formed in a substantially box shape into which the power cable 4 is drawn. In the following description, the vertical and horizontal directions are defined with reference to FIG. 1B, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is defined as the front-rear direction.

  The housing 1 is formed of a flat, substantially box-shaped synthetic resin molded product, and the power cable 4 is drawn from the left side surface. As shown in FIG. 1C, a communication cable (for example, a CAT5 LAN cable) is provided on the lower surface. And a plurality of (eight in the example shown in FIG. 1) receiving-side connectors (in the example shown in FIG. 1) to which connectors (for example, RJ-45 modular plugs) attached to the tip of the LAN cable of CAT6 or the like are removably connected. RJ-45 modular jack) 3 is exposed in a row. As shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of pairs (four pairs in the example shown in FIG. 1) of plug blade insertion openings 2a into which plug blades of power plugs of other devices are inserted on the upper surface of the housing 1. 2a are arranged, and a plurality of pairs (four pairs in the example shown in FIG. 1) for receiving the blades inserted into the blade insertion slot 2a are housed in the housing 1. Further, a plurality of display elements (for example, light emitting diodes) LD are exposed at the lower front surface of the housing 1.

  In addition, permanent magnets 14 and 14 are respectively exposed at both left and right end portions of the back surface of the housing 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 1 can be fixed to the construction surface (side surface of the desk D) by magnetically attaching the permanent magnets 14 and 14 to the side plate or the like of the steel desk D.

  In FIG. 2, a plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2, 2 (four pairs in the example shown in FIG. 2) connected in parallel to each other are connected to a pair of electrical paths connected to the power line via the power cable 4, A coupling circuit 6 is connected, and a power supply unit 5 is further connected.

  The coupling circuit 6 includes capacitors C1 and C2 that cut commercial frequency components, and an insulating transformer T. The primary side of the insulating transformer T is connected to the pair of electric circuits via the capacitors C1 and C2, and 2 of the insulating transformer T. The next side is connected to the transmission / reception unit 7.

  The transmission / reception unit 7 is a circuit that transmits and receives PLC communication signals to and from the power line by being connected to the secondary side of the insulation transformer T, and is connected to the modem 8. The transmission / reception unit 7 includes a reception circuit 7a and a transmission circuit 7b. The reception circuit 7a is connected to, for example, the secondary side of the insulation transformer T, and transmits a PLC communication frequency band. An amplifier that amplifies the output of the bandpass filter and outputs it to the modem 8, and the transmission circuit 7 b is connected to the modem 8 and transmits a PLC communication frequency band, for example, and a bandpass And an amplifier that amplifies the output of the filter and outputs the amplified output to the secondary side of the isolation transformer T.

  The modem 8 is a circuit that demodulates a data signal from the PLC communication signal Rx from the transmission / reception unit 7 and modulates transmission data to a PLC communication signal Tx, and is connected to the control circuit 10.

  A power line carrier communication modem is configured to include at least the coupling circuit 6, the transmission / reception unit 7, and the modem 8, and a PLC communication signal having a frequency higher than the commercial frequency is superimposed on the power waveform of the commercial frequency and transmitted. At the same time, a communication signal of this high frequency PLC is separated from the power waveform and received.

  The housing 1 also houses a LAN controller 9 for performing data transmission with a communication device in accordance with a standard such as 100BASE-TX via a communication cable connected to each modular jack 3. The LAN controller 9 is connected to the control circuit 10.

  The control circuit 10 includes, for example, a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and is a circuit that controls the transmission / reception unit 7, the modem 8, the LAN controller 9, and the like in order to perform PLC. For example, the control circuit 10 controls the display circuit 11 in order to notify the security function such as filtering of data (packets) exchanged between the modem 8 and the LAN controller 9 and that data transmission is in progress. Has a function of causing a plurality of display elements LD to emit light.

  The power source unit 5 generates a DC power source from a commercial AC power source that is fed from the power line connected by plugging and connecting the power plug 4a to an outlet. For example, the transmitter / receiver unit 7, the modem 8, This circuit supplies DC power to each circuit such as the LAN controller 9, the control circuit 10, and the display circuit 11 in order to operate these circuits. The power supply unit 5 includes, for example, an impedance upper circuit 5a that has a high impedance with respect to a PLC communication frequency band, and a power supply circuit 5b that includes an AC-DC converter.

  It should be noted that, in order to suitably correspond to the high-speed PLC, this is between the power cable 4 and the power line carrier communication modem (including at least the coupling circuit 6, the transmission / reception unit 7, and the modem 8, the same applies hereinafter). That is, a common mode choke coil 12 for interrupting common mode noise of the power line communication modem is interposed. More specifically, a common mode choke coil 12 is interposed between the power cable 4 and the coupling circuit 6. Also, it should be noted that a filter for blocking the communication band of the PLC between the power cable 4 and a plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2 connected in parallel to each other in order to suitably correspond to a high-speed PLC. The circuit 13 is interposed.

  A plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2, a power supply unit 5, a power line carrier communication modem (coupling circuit 6, transmission / reception unit 7, modem 8), LAN controller 9, control circuit 10, display circuit 11, common mode choke coil 12, and The filter circuit 13 is accommodated in the housing 1.

  Thus, the power line carrier communication wiring device A1 of the first embodiment also functions as a line concentrator (hub) by including a plurality of modular jacks 3 connected in parallel to the LAN controller 9. PLC can be performed by a plurality of communication devices such as a computer via communication cables connected to the plurality of modular jacks 3, and a device such as a computer is inserted in the plug blade insertion openings 2 a and 2 a provided on the upper surface of the housing 1. If the plug blade of the power plug is inserted, power can be supplied to the device via the pair of blade receivers 2 and 2 and the power cable 4 in the housing 1. Further, the common mode noise generated in the power line carrier communication modem is suppressed from flowing out to the power cable and the power line by the common mode choke coil, and the radiation noise is reduced. This is particularly effective for high-speed PLCs. When another device is connected via the pair of blade receivers 2, 2, noise generated in the other device flows into the power line carrying communication modem via the pair of blade receivers 2, 2. It is suppressed. This is particularly effective for high-speed PLCs. For this reason, the power line carrier communication wiring device A1 of the present embodiment can reduce the noise while ensuring the power supply of the other devices, and can satisfactorily perform PLC by a plurality of communication devices. In particular, in the case of a high-speed PLC, the PLC can be satisfactorily performed.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a power line carrier communication wiring device according to the second embodiment. 2A shows a top view, FIG. 2B shows a front view, and FIG. 2C shows a bottom view. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power line carrier communication wiring device according to the second embodiment.

  Since the basic configuration of the power line communication wiring device A2 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the power line communication wiring device A1 of the first embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted. Moreover, since the perspective view of wiring apparatus A2 for power line carrier communication which shows a mode fixed to the construction surface (side surface of the desk D) is substantially the same as FIG. 3, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

  The second embodiment is characterized in that USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used instead of 100BASE-TX in the first embodiment as an interface between the power line carrier communication modem and the communication device.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface of the housing 1 (see FIG. 4C) is attached to the tip of a communication cable (in this embodiment, a USB cable) instead of the insertion port 3 a of the modular jack 3. The receiving side (hereinafter referred to as “USB jack”) of a plurality of (8 in the example shown in FIG. 4) USB connectors to which the insertion side of the USB connector (hereinafter referred to as “USB plug”) is detachably connected. ) 15 insertion ports 15a are exposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a USB controller 16 for performing data transmission with a communication device in accordance with the USB standard via a communication cable (USB cable) connected to the USB jack 15 is a LAN controller 9. It is provided instead of.

  Thus, the power line carrier communication wiring device A2 of the second embodiment has the power line carrier communication wiring of the second embodiment in addition to the effects of the power line carrier communication wiring device A1 of the first embodiment. If the USB jack 15 of the appliance A2 and the USB jack of the personal computer are connected by a USB cable, the personal computers can perform PLC via the USB cable.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a power line carrier communication wiring device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power line carrier communication wiring device according to the third embodiment.

  The power line carrier communication wiring device A3 of the third embodiment is characterized in that the power line carrier communication wiring device A1 of the first embodiment further includes a television outlet. Hereafter, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as power line carrier communication wiring instrument A1 of 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the power line carrier communication wiring device A <b> 3 of the third embodiment is formed in a substantially box shape and includes a housing 1 ′ into which the power cable 4 and the coaxial cable 22 are drawn. The coaxial cable 22 is a cable for transmitting a television reception signal, and a plug (for example, an F-type plug) 22a is attached to the tip.

  The housing 1 ′ is made of a flat, substantially box-shaped synthetic resin molded product, and the power cable 4 and the coaxial cable 22 are respectively drawn from the right side, and a connector attached to the tip of the communication cable is provided on the right side of the upper surface. A plurality of (three in the example shown in FIG. 6) receptacle-side connectors 3 that are detachably connected to each other are exposed in a row, and on the left side of the upper surface are plug blades of power plugs of other devices. A plurality of pairs (three pairs in the example shown in FIG. 6) of plug blade insertion openings 2a, 2a are arranged in a row, and a plug (for example, an F-type connection) attached to the tip of another coaxial cable is provided at the center of the upper surface. The insertion ports 21a of a plurality of (three in the example shown in FIG. 6) receiving-side connectors (for example, F-type plug connectors) 21 to which plugs (plug plugs) are detachably connected are exposed in a line. In the housing 1, a plurality of pairs (three pairs in the example shown in FIG. 6) of blade receivers 2 and 2 for receiving the plug blades inserted in the plug blade insertion ports 2a and 2a are housed. Further, a display element (for example, a light emitting diode) LD is exposed on the upper side surface (not shown in FIG. 6) of the housing 1.

  In FIG. 7, a plurality of receiving connectors 21 are connected in parallel to a pair of electric paths connected to the coaxial cable 22. A television outlet is configured by including the coaxial cable 22 provided with the plug 22a and a plurality of receiving-side connectors 21. Plural pairs of blade receivers 2, 2, plural modular jacks 3, power cable 4, power supply unit 5, coupling circuit 6, transmission / reception unit 7, modem 8, LAN controller 9, display circuit 11, common mode choke coil 12 and filter Since the circuit configuration of the circuit 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, the power line carrier communication wiring device A3 of the third embodiment distributes the reception signals of the television (including branches) in addition to the effects of the power line carrier communication wiring device A1 of the first embodiment. can do.

  In the third embodiment, the power line carrier communication wiring device A3 may further include a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying each of the distributed received signals, and further include a booster function.

  In the first to third embodiments, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A1 to A3 further include a first switch (not shown) for turning on / off the power supply from the power cable 4 to the power line carrier communication modem. It may be provided. For example, the first switch is provided between the power cable 4 and the common mode choke coil 12 except between the power cable 4 and the filter circuit 13. By being configured in this way, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A1 to A3 maintain the function as a table tap, and the first switch is used when the use of the power line carrier communication modem is not planned. The standby power of the power line carrier communication modem can be made zero by setting the power supply to the off state.

  In the first to third embodiments, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A1 to A3 are connected to the power line carrier communication modem through the filter circuit 13 such that the plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2 are connected to the power line carrier communication modem. A second switch (not shown) for switching whether to connect to the power line carrier communication modem without using the circuit 13 may be further provided. For example, the second switch is connected to the filter circuit 13 in parallel, and a plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2, 2 connected in parallel with each other bypass the filter circuit 13 to supply power to the common mode choke 12. On the cable 4 side, it is connected to a pair of electric paths connected to the power line via the power cable 4. By being configured in this way, when the communication device is connected to the pair of blade receivers 2, 2, the plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2, 2 are connected to the filter circuit 13. By switching the second switch so that it is connected to the power line carrier communication modem without intervening, PLC with the communication device becomes possible. Of course, the communication device connected to the pair of blade receivers 2 and 2 includes a PLC modem.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A1 to A3 may be configured such that the second switch is provided for each of the plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2. For example, the plurality of second switches are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of pairs of blade receivers 2 and 2 so as to be connected to the filter circuit 13 in parallel. Each of the second switches is connected to the power line via the power cable 4 on the power cable 4 side of the common mode choke 12 with the pair of blade receivers 2 and 2 corresponding to the second switch bypassing the filter circuit 13. Connected to a pair of electrical circuits. With this configuration, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A1 to A3 are connected to the power line carrier communication modem via the filter circuit 13 for each pair of blade receivers 2. It can be switched whether the power line carrier communication modem is connected without going through the filter circuit 13. For this reason, when the communication device is connected to the pair of blade receivers 2, the power line carrier communication wiring devices A <b> 1 to A <b> 3 having such a configuration are configured so that the pair of blade receivers 2 do not pass through the filter circuit 13. By switching the second switch corresponding to the pair of blade receivers 2 so as to be connected to the carrier communication modem, the communication device and the PLC can be used. Furthermore, when a device is connected to the other pair of blade receivers 2, the other pair of blade receivers 2 are connected to the power line carrier communication modem via the filter circuit 13. By switching the second switch corresponding to the blade receiver 2, it is possible to suppress the noise generated in the device from flowing into the power line carrying communication modem via the other pair of blade receivers 2.

  In the first to third embodiments, the filter circuit 13 may be configured to block common mode noise and normal mode noise. For example, the filter circuit 13 is configured by connecting a common mode choke coil for blocking common mode noise and a filter circuit for blocking the frequency band of the PLC in series. With this configuration, the power line communication wiring devices A1 to A3 are configured such that the filter circuit 13 blocks common mode noise and normal mode noise, so that other devices are connected via the pair of blade receivers 2 and 2. In this case, the common mode noise and the normal mode noise generated in the other device are suppressed from flowing into the power line carrying communication modem via the pair of blade receivers 2 and 2.

  In order to express the present invention, the present invention has been properly and fully described through the embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art can easily change and / or improve the above-described embodiments. It should be recognized that this is possible. Accordingly, unless the modifications or improvements implemented by those skilled in the art are at a level that departs from the scope of the claims recited in the claims, the modifications or improvements are not limited to the scope of the claims. To be construed as inclusive.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 1st Embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which magnetically attached to the construction surface the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the wiring device for power line carrier communication in 2nd Embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 3rd Embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the wiring apparatus for power line carrier communication in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'housing 2 Blade receptacle 2a Plug blade insertion port 3 Modular jack 3a Insertion port 4 Power cable 5 Power supply part 6 Coupling circuit 7 Transmission / reception part 8 Modem 9 LAN controller 10 Control circuit 21 Reception side connector 22 Coaxial cable

Claims (2)

A power cable connected to the power line wired to the building by plugging and connecting the power plug attached to the tip to the outlet,
A housing into which the power cable is drawn;
A power line carrier communication modem that modulates and demodulates a communication signal of power line carrier communication via the power line housed in the housing and connected to the power cable;
A common mode choke coil housed in the housing and interposed between the power cable and the power line carrier communication modem for blocking common mode noise of the power line carrier communication modem;
A communication interface housed in the housing and performing an interface between the power line carrier communication modem and a communication device;
A plurality of connectors provided on a surface of the housing, into which a communication cable for connecting the communication device and the communication interface is removably inserted;
A plurality of pairs of blade receivers housed in the housing and connected in parallel to each other and connected to the power line via the power cable;
A filter circuit that is housed in the housing and interposed between the power cable and the plurality of pairs of blade receivers, and cuts off a communication band of the power line carrier communication,
A power line carrier communication wiring device, wherein a plurality of pairs of plug blade insertion ports for inserting a plug blade of a power plug of another device and connecting to the blade receiver are provided on the surface of the housing. The wiring device for power line carrier communication according to claim 1, wherein the filter circuit blocks common mode noise and normal mode noise.

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