JP2008271432A - Time switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a time switch with raised operability. <P>SOLUTION: An operation block 2 includes: an operation input part 21 for receiving an operation input to set the content of a control program; and a communication part 23 for transmitting the control program inputted to the operation input part 21. The body block 1 includes: a communication part 11 for receiving the control program from the operation block 2 via a cable 30; and a transmission part 14 for transmitting a prescribed operation signal to a transmission line at prescribed time, based on the control program received by the communication part 11. The operation block 2 for receiving the input operation of the control program is connected via the cable 30 to the body block 1 connected to the transmission line, thereby freely displacing the operation block 2 with respect to the body block 1. Thus, the input operation of the control program is easy wherever the body block 1 is arranged, so as to raise operability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a time switch.

  Conventionally, remote monitoring control in which a transmission control device, at least one load-side terminal, and at least one control-side terminal are connected to each other via a transmission line such as a two-wire signal line. A system is provided. The control-side terminal has at least one trigger means such as a switch for generating a trigger under a predetermined condition with an address set in advance. When any of the trigger means generates a trigger, the trigger means The operation signal including the address is output to the transmission control device. When an operation signal is input from one of the control side terminals, the transmission control device loads a control signal including a load address previously associated with the trigger unit that generated the trigger and instructing control of the load. Output to the terminal on the side. The load-side terminal is connected to at least one load, each of which has an address set in advance, and when the control signal input from the transmission control device includes the address of the load that the terminal has, The load is controlled. The operation signal and the control signal are transmitted by, for example, a time division multiplexing method.

  The load is, for example, a lighting fixture or a ventilation fan, and the trigger means is, for example, a wall switch or a human body detection sensor. In addition, some transmission control devices include a relay that is integrated with a load-side terminal and is inserted into a power supply path to a load, and the load is turned on and off by turning the relay on and off. Furthermore, the trigger means may be integrated with the control terminal.

As a control-side terminal used in this type of remote monitoring and control system, there is one called a time switch capable of a program operation that automatically outputs an operation signal in accordance with a time schedule. As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the time switch is a program storage unit in which a control program composed of a combination of a time to be controlled and an address to be included in an operation signal output at the time is stored. (Not shown), an operation input unit 21 that receives an operation input for setting the contents of the control program, and a display unit 22 that displays an operation input to the operation input unit 21 and an operation state according to the operation input. A holding housing H is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-16987 A

  By the way, the time switch is mainly installed in an empty space in the distribution board in order to connect to the transmission line. However, in the distribution board, empty space is often located at a low position close to the floor or, conversely, at a high position close to the ceiling. To operate a time switch installed in such a place, an operator It was necessary to bend down and to prepare a step, making it difficult to input control programs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object thereof is to provide a time switch with improved operability.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one load-side terminal connected with at least one load, each addressed, and at least one load having each address and generating a trigger under a predetermined condition At least one control-side terminal that has a trigger means and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the trigger means when any of the trigger means generates a trigger, each load-side terminal, and each control-side terminal; When the operation signal is input from any one of the control side terminals, the load control is performed on the load side terminal to which the load previously associated with the trigger unit that generated the trigger is connected. A transmission control device for outputting a control signal for instructing a transmission line, a load side terminal device, a control side terminal device, and a transmission control device are connected to each other, and a transmission path that mediates a trigger, an operation signal, and a control signal, respectively. The load side terminal is a time switch used in a remote monitoring control system that controls the load according to the control signal input from the transmission control device, and sets the contents of the control program including the control time and the control address. An operation input unit having program input means for receiving an operation input to be performed, a display unit displaying according to the operation input received by the operation input unit, and an electric signal indicating the contents of the control program input to the operation input unit An operation side communication unit that transmits a control unit, an operation side control unit that controls the display unit and the operation side communication unit according to an operation input received by the operation input unit, and an operation input unit And an operation block having an operation side housing each holding a display unit and an operation side communication unit, and the operation side communication of the operation block via a signal line. A main body side communication unit that is electrically connected to the unit and receives an electric signal transmitted from the operation side communication unit of the operation block via the signal line, a program storage unit that can store at least one control program, and a time The timekeeping unit that keeps track of time, and updates the contents of the program storage unit according to the electrical signal received by the main body side communication unit, and the time measured by the timekeeping unit is the control program stored in the program storage unit When the control time is reached, the main body side control unit that generates the same operation signal as when the trigger means having the control address set in the control program generates a trigger, and the main body side control unit A transmission unit that is controlled and connected to the transmission line and that is generated by the control unit on the main body side through the transmission line to the transmission control device, a program storage unit, a timer unit, and a main unit A body block that houses a body side control unit and has a body side housing that holds a body side communication unit and a transmission unit, respectively, and at least one of the operation side housing and the body side housing includes an operation side A coupling means for detachably coupling to the other of the housing and the main body side housing is provided, and the operation side housing is detachably held by the coupling means with respect to the main body side housing.

  According to this invention, the operation block that receives the input operation of the control program is connected to the main body block connected to the transmission line via the signal line, so that the operation block can be freely displaced with respect to the main body block. Therefore, wherever the main body block is placed, the input operation of the control program is easy and the operability is improved. Further, when the operation block is not operated, the operation side housing can be held on the main body side housing by the coupling means.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that at least one load-side terminal connected to at least one load each addressed and at least one trigger each having an address and generating a trigger under a predetermined condition At least one control-side terminal that has a trigger means and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the trigger means when any of the trigger means generates a trigger, each load-side terminal, and each control-side terminal; When the operation signal is input from any one of the control side terminals, the load control is performed on the load side terminal to which the load previously associated with the trigger unit that generated the trigger is connected. A transmission control device for outputting a control signal for instructing a transmission line, a load side terminal device, a control side terminal device, and a transmission control device are connected to each other, and a transmission path that mediates a trigger, an operation signal, and a control signal, respectively. The load side terminal is a time switch used in a remote monitoring control system that controls the load according to the control signal input from the transmission control device, and sets the contents of the control program including the control time and the control address. An operation input unit having program input means for receiving an operation input to be performed, a display unit for displaying according to the operation input received by the operation input unit, and a wireless signal indicating the contents of the control program input to the operation input unit An operation side communication unit that transmits a control unit, an operation side control unit that controls the display unit and the operation side communication unit according to an operation input received by the operation input unit, and an operation input unit And an operation block each having an operation side housing holding the display unit and the operation side communication unit, and an operation side communication unit of the operation block A main body side communication unit that receives the transmitted wireless signal, a program storage unit that can store at least one control program, a time measuring unit that measures time, and a program according to the electrical signal received by the main body side communication unit The control address set in the control program when the content of the storage unit is updated and the time measured by the time measuring unit becomes one of the control times stored in the program storage unit The main body side control unit that generates the same operation signal as when the trigger means has generated the trigger, and the operation signal that is controlled by the main body side control unit and connected to the transmission path and is generated by the main body side control section through the transmission path. A transmission unit, a program storage unit, a timing unit, and a main body side control unit, and a main body side communication unit and a transmission unit. A main body block each having a main body housing held therein, and at least one of the operation side housing and the main body side housing is detachably coupled to the other of the operation side housing and the main body side housing The operation side housing is detachably held by the coupling means with respect to the main body side housing.

  According to the present invention, communication between the operation block that receives an input operation of the control program and the main body block connected to the transmission path is performed by the wireless signal, so that the operation block is freely displaced with respect to the main body block. Therefore, the input operation of the control program is easy regardless of where the main body block is arranged. When the operation block is not operated, the operation housing can be held on the main body housing by the coupling means. Further, in comparison with the first aspect of the present invention, the operability is improved because the signal line is unnecessary. Further, when there is no plan to change the control program, it is possible to prevent the control program from being changed due to mischief by removing the operation block from the main body block.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the wireless signal transmitted and received between the operation side communication unit of the operation block and the main body side communication unit of the main body block uses infrared light as a medium. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the wireless signal transmitted and received between the operation side communication unit of the operation block and the main body side communication unit of the main body block uses radio waves as a medium. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the wireless signal transmitted by the operation side communication unit includes an identifier preset for each operation block, and the main body side control unit is connected to the main body side communication unit. Of the received wireless signals, only wireless signals containing a specific identifier set in advance as a registration identifier are accepted, and the main body block is held in the main body housing and is used for operation input for setting the registration identifier It has the registration operation part which accepts.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of units are used in close proximity to each other, if the registration identifier is different for each main body block, the control program is executed in the unintended main body block by the wireless signal transmitted from the operation block. It can be prevented from being rewritten. Further, by operating the registration operation unit, one operation block can be used for a plurality of main body blocks.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, a magnet is fixed to the operation side housing, and a magnet is magnetically attached to the main body side housing and coupled with the magnet. An adsorption portion constituting the means is provided.

  According to the present invention, unlike the case where the operation side housing and the main body side housing are coupled by fitting, no operation force is required when the operation side housing is attached to the main body side housing, and the holding force is reduced due to wear. Does not occur. Furthermore, the operation side housing can be magnetically attached to an iron housing such as a distribution board.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the operation block and the main body block are electrically connected via a detachable power supply connector, and the main body block is held by the main body housing and is supplied with power. A power supply unit configured to supply power to the operation block via the connector; the operation block is held by the operation housing and is supplied with power from the power supply unit of the main body block via the power supply connector; and a battery housed in the operation housing; Each of the operation side control unit and the display unit of the operation block uses the power supply unit of the main body block as a power source when the power reception unit is supplied with power from the power supply unit of the main body block, and the power reception unit from the power supply unit of the main body block. The battery is a power source when power is not supplied.

  According to the present invention, when the operation block is used separately from the main body block, power is supplied from the main body block when the operation block and the main body block are connected via the connector while the battery is used as a power source. Thus, battery consumption can be suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the main body side control unit of the main body block receives an instruction to update the control program from the communication unit of the operation block in a state where the power feeding connector is connected. When no other power is supplied, the power is supplied from the battery of the operation block via the power supply connector, and the control program is written in the program storage unit.

  According to the present invention, even when power supply from a power source such as a commercial power source to the main body block is stopped, the control block is written in the program storage unit in the main body block using the battery of the operation block as a power source. It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operation block has an auxiliary storage unit capable of storing at least one control program, and the operation side control unit is received by the operation input unit. The content of the auxiliary storage unit is updated according to the operation input, and when a predetermined operation input instructing transfer of the control program from the auxiliary storage unit to the program storage unit of the main body block is received by the operation input unit, Controls the side communication unit to send the control program stored in the auxiliary storage unit to the main block along with an instruction to update the control program, and instructs the transfer of the control program from the program storage unit of the main unit block to the auxiliary storage unit When a predetermined operation input is received by the operation input unit, the operation side communication unit is controlled to transmit a control program transmission instruction to the main body block. After that, when the contents of the control program are received by the operation side communication unit, the contents of the auxiliary storage unit are rewritten with the contents of the control program, and in the main body block, the main body side control unit is instructed to update the control program. When it is received by the side communication unit, the content of the control program stored in the program storage unit is rewritten with the content of the next received control program, and an instruction to transmit the control program is received by the main body side communication unit The main body side communication unit is controlled to transmit the contents of the control program stored in the program storage unit to the operation block.

  According to the present invention, it is only necessary that the operation side communication unit and the main body side communication unit can communicate with each other only when the control program stored in the auxiliary storage unit is transmitted, and the operation side communication unit and the main body side communication unit do not communicate. Since it is possible to input a control program even in a possible state, operability is improved. Further, by transferring the control program stored in the program storage unit of the main body block to the auxiliary storage unit of the operation block, the control program can be transported or backed up.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation block that receives the input operation of the control program is connected to the main body block connected to the transmission line via the signal line, so that the operation block can be freely attached to the main body block. Since it can be displaced, the input operation of the control program is easy regardless of where the main body block is arranged, and the operability is improved. Further, when the operation block is not operated, the operation side housing can be held on the main body side housing by the coupling means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication between the operation block that receives an input operation of the control program and the main body block connected to the transmission path is performed by a wireless signal, so that the operation block can be freely displaced with respect to the main body block. Therefore, the control program can be easily input regardless of the position of the main body block. When the operation block is not operated, the operation housing can be held on the main body housing by the coupling means. Further, in comparison with the first aspect of the present invention, the operability is improved because the signal line is unnecessary. Further, when there is no plan to change the control program, it is possible to prevent the control program from being changed due to mischief by removing the operation block from the main body block.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the wireless signal transmitted by the operation side communication unit includes an identifier preset for each operation block, and the main body side control unit includes the wireless signal received by the main body side communication unit. Since only a wireless signal including a specific identifier set in advance as a registration identifier is accepted, when a plurality of units are arranged close to each other, if the registration identifier is different for each main body block, the operation block It is possible to prevent the control program from being rewritten in an unintended main body block due to the transmitted wireless signal (radio wave). In addition, one operation block can be used for a plurality of main body blocks by operating a registration operation unit provided for registering a registration identifier.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the magnet is fixed to the operation side housing, and the main body side housing is made of a magnetic material, and the magnet of the operation side housing is magnetically attached, and the adsorbing portion constituting the coupling means is provided together with the magnet. Unlike the case where the operation side housing and the main body side housing are coupled by fitting, no operation force is required when the operation side housing is attached to the main body side housing, and the holding force does not decrease due to wear. Furthermore, the operation side housing can be magnetically attached to an iron housing such as a distribution board.

  In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation block and the main body block are electrically connected via a detachable power supply connector, and the main body block is held by the main body housing and includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the operation block via the power supply connector. The operation block includes a power reception unit that is held in the operation housing and is fed from the power supply unit of the main body block via the power supply connector, and a battery that is housed in the operation housing. Each of the display units uses the power supply unit of the main body block as a power source when power is supplied from the power supply unit of the main body block to the power reception unit, and uses the battery as a power source when power is not supplied from the power supply unit of the main body block to the power reception unit. When using the operation block separately from the main unit block, connect the operation block and main unit block to the connector while using the battery as a power source. When to use the connected can conserve battery power by being powered from the main block.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the main body side control unit of the main body block supplies power to the communication unit when an instruction to update the control program is received from the communication unit of the operation block in a state where the power feeding connector is connected. If not, power is supplied from the battery of the operation block via the power supply connector and the control program is written to the program storage unit, so power supply from the power supply such as a commercial power supply to the main body block is stopped. Even in the state, it is possible to write the control program to the program storage unit in the main body block using the battery of the operation block as a power source.

  In the invention of claim 9, the operation block has an auxiliary storage unit capable of storing at least one control program, and the operation side control unit determines the contents of the auxiliary storage unit according to the operation input received by the operation input unit. In addition to updating, when a predetermined operation input instructing transfer of the control program from the auxiliary storage unit to the program storage unit of the main body block is received by the operation input unit, the operation side communication unit is controlled to update the control program. The control input stored in the auxiliary storage unit together with the instruction is transmitted to the main body block, and a predetermined operation input for instructing transfer of the control program from the program storage unit of the main body block to the auxiliary storage unit is received by the operation input unit And control the communication unit on the operating side to send an instruction to send the control program to the main body block, and then the contents of the control program are operated The content of the auxiliary storage unit is rewritten to the content of the control program when received by the communication unit, and in the main body block, the main body side control unit reads the program when an instruction to update the control program is received by the main body side communication unit The content of the control program stored in the storage unit is rewritten to the content of the next received control program. When an instruction to transmit the control program is received by the main body side communication unit, the main body side communication unit is controlled to program Since the contents of the control program stored in the storage unit are transmitted to the operation block, it is only necessary to enable communication between the operation side communication unit and the main body side communication unit only when transmitting the control program stored in the auxiliary storage unit. Since the control program can be input even when the side communication unit and the main body side communication unit cannot communicate, the operability is improved. Further, by transferring the control program stored in the program storage unit of the main body block to the auxiliary storage unit of the operation block, the control program can be transported or backed up.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
This embodiment is used in the remote monitoring and control system described in the conventional example, and as shown in FIG. 1, a main body block connected to a two-wire signal line (not shown) as a transmission line 1 and an operation block 2 that is detachably coupled to the main body block 1 and receives an operation input. In this embodiment, the main body block 1 and the operation block 2 are inserted into the flexible cable 30 having one end connected to the operation block 2 and provided with a plug 31 at the other end, and the plug 31 held by the main body block 1. It is connected via a receptacle 32 that is connected and constitutes the connector 3 together with the plug 31. The plug 31 is detachable from the receptacle 32 by, for example, fitting. Since such a connector 3 can be realized by a known technique, detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  The main body block 1 includes a communication unit 11 that is connected to the receptacle 32 and communicates with the operation block 2 via a signal line included in the connector 3 and the cable 30, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. A program storage unit 12 to be stored, a time measuring unit 13 for measuring time, and a transmission terminal T1 connected to a two-wire signal line as a transmission path to a signal line connected to the transmission terminal T1 A transmission unit 14 that transmits and receives transmission signals, and a control unit 15 that stores a control program received by the communication unit 11 in the program storage unit 12 and controls the transmission unit 14 by a timer operation based on the control program. .

  The timer operation will be described in detail. The control program stored in the program storage unit 12 includes a control time that is a time at which control is to be performed and a control address that corresponds to a load to be controlled at the control time. The control unit 15 controls the transmission unit 14 when the time measured by the time measuring unit 13 becomes the control time of any control program stored in the program storage unit 12, and is included in the control program. An operation signal including a control address is transmitted to a transmission control device (not shown). That is, when viewed from the transmission control device side, the trigger means having the control address as an address performs the same operation as the control side terminal when the trigger is generated at the control time.

  Here, in order to match (synchronize) the reference time of operation when a plurality of the present embodiments are used together, the main body block 1 has a synchronization input terminal T3 and is connected to the synchronization input terminal T3. A synchronization input unit 17a connected to a timer unit 13 of another main body block 1 and a reference clock means such as a reference clock via a signal line (not shown), and a synchronization output terminal T4. A time signal that is connected to another main body block 1 via a signal line (not shown) connected to the output terminal T4 and that is controlled by the control unit 15 and timed by the time measuring unit 13 is synchronously output. And a synchronous output unit 17b that outputs to a signal line connected to the terminal T4. When the time signal is input to the synchronization input unit 17, the control unit 15 adjusts the time in the time measuring unit 13 to the time signal. That is, the timepiece or one main body block 1 capable of outputting the time signal is used as a reference time measuring means, and this reference time measuring means is connected to the synchronous output unit 18 of each main body block 1 other than the reference time measuring means via a signal line. As a result, the time of each main body block 1 can be matched with the reference time measuring means.

  Further, the main body block 1 includes a power supply terminal 16 that has a power supply terminal T2 to which, for example, an AC 24V power supply line is connected and is supplied with power through the power supply terminal T2 to generate power for each part of the main body block 1. .

  Further, the main body block 1 is provided with an operation mode switching button 18a to 18c for designating an operation mode and a light emitting diode which is provided corresponding to the operation mode switching button 18a to 18c on a one-to-one basis and is driven by the control unit 15 respectively. And a mode indicator lamps 19a to 19c indicating the designated operation mode by lighting of the light emitting diode, and a power indicator lamp 19d that is driven by the control unit 15 and displays on / off of the power supply of the main body block 1. For example, there are two special day modes in which the timer operation is performed by a control program set in advance as a special operation on a specific day such as a holiday, and the timer off mode in which the timer operation according to the control program is not performed. There are three ways.

  The operation block 2 includes a plurality of (in the figure, 12) pushbutton switches 21a to 21l, which receives an operation input for setting the contents of the control program, and an operation received by the operation input unit 21. A display unit 22 for displaying in accordance with an input; a communication unit 23 for transmitting and receiving electrical signals to and from the communication unit 11 of the main body block 1 via the signal line 30a included in the cable 30 and the connector 3; A control unit 24 that controls the display unit 22 and the communication unit 23 according to an operation input received by the input unit 21, and a power supply unit 25 that generates power for the display unit 22, the communication unit 23, and the control unit 24. Prepare.

  The power supply unit 25 of the operation block 2 includes a battery BT, and the battery BT is used as a power source when the plug 31 is not connected to the receptacle 32. The battery BT includes, for example, two dry batteries connected in series with each other. In addition, the power supply unit 25 of the operation block 2 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 16 of the main body block 1 via the power supply line 30 b included in the cable 30 and the connector 3 when the plug 31 is connected to the receptacle 32. That is, the power supply unit 16 of the main body block 1 is a power supply unit in the claims, and the power supply unit 25 of the operation block 2 is a power reception unit in the claims. Thereby, compared with the case where the battery BT is always used as a power source, consumption of the battery BT can be suppressed. Conversely, the power supply unit 16 of the main body block 1 uses the battery BT of the operation block 2 as a power supply when the connector 3 is connected in a state where power is not supplied to the power supply terminal T2. As a result, the program storage unit 12 can be rewritten even when power is not supplied to the power supply terminal T2.

  The display unit 22 includes a liquid crystal display unit 22a made of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal control unit 22b that is controlled by the control unit 24 to drive the liquid crystal display unit 22a.

  Further, the operation block 2 is provided with an auxiliary storage unit 26 which is made of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM and can store a control program.

  When the input of the control program is completed in the operation input unit 21 in a state where the plug 31 is not connected to the receptacle 32, that is, in a state where the communication unit 23 cannot communicate with the main body block 1, the control unit 24 receives the input control. The program is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26.

  When the plug 31 is connected to the receptacle 32, the control unit 24 of the operation block 2 detects whether or not a control program is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26, and controls the communication unit 23 to control the main unit block 1. It communicates with the control unit 15 and detects whether or not a control program is stored in the program storage unit 12. If a control program is stored in one or both of the auxiliary storage unit 26 and the program storage unit 12, the display unit 22 is controlled, and the contents of the auxiliary storage unit 26 and the program storage unit 12 are matched with each other. In addition, if a control program is stored in both the auxiliary storage unit 26 and the program storage unit 12, an operation input for selecting which of the auxiliary storage unit 26 and the program storage unit 12 is matched is prompted.

  If matching is selected and the program storage unit 12 of the main body block 1 is matched, a transfer request signal for requesting transfer of the control program by controlling the communication unit 23 is sent to the main body block 1. Send it. In the main body block 1, when the transfer request signal is received by the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 controls the communication unit 11 to transmit all control programs stored in the program storage unit 12 to the operation block 2. The In the operation block 2, the control program received by the communication unit 23 after transmitting the transfer request signal is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26.

  If matching is selected and the auxiliary storage unit 26 of the operation block 2 is matched, the control unit 24 controls the communication unit 23 to update the control program together with an instruction to update the control program. The control program stored in is sent to the operation block 2. In the main body block 1, when the control program is received together with the control program update instruction to the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 updates the contents of the program storage unit 12 to the received control program.

  When matching is selected, and when the control program is not stored in either the program storage unit 12 or the auxiliary storage unit 26, the operation input to the operation input unit 21 is thereafter accepted. The control program is updated in both the auxiliary storage unit 26 and the program storage unit 12. That is, in the operation block 2, when a control program is input to the operation input unit 21, the control unit 24 stores the input control program in the auxiliary storage unit 26 and controls the communication unit 23 to control the control program. Is transmitted to the main body block 1. In the main body block 1, the control program received by the communication unit 11 is stored in the program storage unit 12.

  If it is selected not to match, the control program is updated only by the auxiliary storage unit 26 according to the operation input to the operation input unit 21 thereafter.

  In the present embodiment, since the auxiliary storage unit 26 is provided in the operation block 2, only when the control program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 is transmitted, the plug 31 and the receptacle 32 are connected and the communication units 11 and 23 are connected. Since the control program can be input in the operation block 2 even when the communication units 11 and 23 cannot communicate with each other, the operability is improved. Further, by transferring the control program stored in the program storage unit 12 of the main body block 1 to the auxiliary storage unit 26 of the operation block 2, the control program can be transported and backed up.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation block 2 includes a control unit substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped operation-side housing that houses a liquid crystal control unit 22b, a communication unit 23, a control unit 24, a power supply unit 25, and an auxiliary storage unit 26, respectively. 20 Hereinafter, the vertical and horizontal directions are based on FIG. 2A, and the horizontal direction in FIG. The liquid crystal display unit 22 a and the push buttons 21 a to 21 k that the operation input unit 21 has and is used for inputting a control program are respectively held on the front surface of the operation side housing 20. Further, the cable 30 is drawn from the right side surface of the operation side housing 20. In the operation-side housing 20, a battery housing recess (not shown) for housing the battery BT of the power supply unit 25 is provided at the lower end of the rear wall, and the housing 20 closes the battery housing recess. A battery lid 20a is detachably attached. Here, among the push buttons 21a to 21l included in the operation input unit 21, the reset button 21l that is pressed to reset the control unit 24 is covered with, for example, a battery lid 20a. Further, a magnet 20 b for mounting on the main body block 1 is held near the rear wall of the operation side housing 20.

  Moreover, the main body block 1 has a main body side housing 10 as shown in FIG. 3 in which a communication unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a transmission unit 13, a timing unit 14, a control unit 15, and a power supply unit 16 are stored. 3A is used as a reference, and the left-right direction of FIG. 3B is described as the front-rear direction. The mounting recess into which the operation-side housing 20 is fitted in the front surface of the body-side housing 10 is opened up and down. 10a is provided. The vertical dimension of the main body side housing 10 is approximately the same as that of the operation side housing 20, and the left and right width dimensions of the mounting recess 10 a are slightly larger than the left and right width dimensions of the operation side housing 20. At the rear side of the wall constituting the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a, the adsorbing body 10b made of a magnetic material such as iron and constituting the coupling means together with the magnet 20b is located at the rear side of the magnet 20a of the operation block 2. Is retained. That is, the operation block 2 is detachably held by the main body block 1 by magnetizing the magnet 20b to the attracting body 10b. By using the magnet 20b and the attracting body 10b, unlike the case of holding by fitting, the holding force does not decrease due to wear, and the operation block 2 is made of not only the body block 1 but also an iron such as a distribution board. It can also be magnetically attached to the case. Further, the operation mode switching buttons 18a to 18c are held side by side at the lower end of the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a, and the mode indicator lights 19a to 19c emit light from the upper side of the corresponding operation mode switching buttons 18a to 18c, respectively. So that it is held. The power indicator lamp 19d is also held so that light is emitted from the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a.

  Furthermore, at the left and right ends of the front surface of the main body-side housing 10, there are provided four terminal storage recesses 10c that are opened to the outside in the left-right direction and forward, respectively, and each of the terminals T1 to T4 are stored. . Each of the terminals T1 to T4 is composed of a set of two screw terminals arranged side by side, and an insulating wall 10d that insulates the screw terminals from the bottom of each terminal storage recess 10c. ing.

  Further, at the upper right end portion of the front surface of the main body side housing 10, there is provided a wire recess 10e that communicates with the mounting recess 10a and is opened upward and to the right, and the receptacle 32 is a bottom surface of the wire recess 10e. Is held in. When the operation block 2 is housed in the mounting recess 10a as shown by the arrow A1 and the plug 31 is connected to the receptacle 32 as shown by the arrow A2, the cable 30 is housed in the wire recess 10e.

  According to the above configuration, the operation block 2 that receives an input operation of the control program and the main body block 1 connected to the transmission path are connected to each other via the cable 30, so that the operation block 2 is connected to the main body block 1. Therefore, regardless of where the main body block 1 is disposed, the input operation of the control program is easy, and the operability is improved. If the operation block 2 is removed from the main body block 1 when there is no plan to change the control program, the control program can be prevented from being changed due to mischief.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description of the common parts is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the communication units 11 and 23 communicate by wireless communication using infrared light as a medium. As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting diode for transmitting a wireless signal and the reception of the wireless signal, respectively. And optical transceivers 11a and 23a including a photodiode for use. The optical transmission / reception unit 23a of the operation block 2 is provided on the upper surface of the operation housing 20 as shown in FIG. 5, and the optical transmission / reception unit 11a of the main body block 1 is provided at the upper right end of the front surface of the main body housing 10 as shown in FIG. Is provided.

  In addition, a reception lamp 19e that is controlled by the control unit 15 and is turned on during communication of the communication units 11 and 23 is provided on the front surface of the main body housing 1 above the optical transmission / reception unit 11a.

  Furthermore, the power supply unit 16 of the main body block 1 and the power supply unit 25 of the operation block 2 are electrically connected to the power supply unit 16 of the main body block 1 instead of the connector 3 and the cable 30 of the first embodiment, and are operated. The receptacle 42 provided on the upper surface of the magnet 20b on the rear surface 20 and the power supply portion 25 of the operation block 2 are electrically connected to protrude forward from the position corresponding to the receptacle 42 on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a of the main body housing 10. Thus, they are electrically connected to each other via the connector 4 constituted by the plug 41 inserted and connected to the receptacle 42, and can supply power to each other as in the first embodiment. The plug 41 is detachable from the receptacle 42 by, for example, fitting. Since such a connector 4 can be realized by a well-known technique, detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  The timing at which the control program is transferred between the auxiliary storage unit 26 of the operation block 2 and the program storage unit 12 of the main body block 1 instructs the transfer of the control program at the operation input unit 21 of the operation block 2. It is the timing when a predetermined operation input is accepted.

  According to the above configuration, the communication between the operation block 2 that receives an input operation of the control program and the main body block 1 connected to the transmission path is performed by a wireless signal using infrared light as a medium, whereby the operation block 2 Can be freely displaced with respect to the main body block 1, so that the input operation of the control program is easy regardless of where the main body block 1 is arranged, and the operability is improved. Furthermore, compared with Embodiment 1, the operability is further improved because the cable 30 does not get in the way.

  In this embodiment, communication between the communication units 11 and 23 is impossible while the connector 4 is connected, but the optical transmission / reception unit 23a of the operation block 2 is provided on the rear surface of the operation side housing 20. In addition, if the optical transmission / reception unit 11a of the main body block 1 is provided on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a, communication between the communication units 11 and 23 can be performed even when the connector 4 is being connected. Alternatively, the communication units 11 and 23 may be connected to each other via the connector 4 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and communication with an electrical signal via the connector 4 may be performed during the period in which the connector 4 is connected. Communication between the communication units 11 and 23 during connection of the connector 4 can be made possible.

(Embodiment 3)
Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, the description of the common parts is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the communication units 11 and 23 communicate by wireless communication using radio waves as a medium. Instead of the optical transmission / reception units 11a and 23a, as shown in FIG. Antennas 11b and 23b. Since such communication units 11 and 23 can be realized by a well-known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a communication start button 18f and a communication lamp 19f that is controlled by the control unit 15 and lights during communication of the communication units 11 and 23 are held on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, all signals transmitted by the communication unit 23 of the operation block 2 include the identifier of the operation block 2 that is the transmission source, and the control unit 15 of the main body block 1 transmits to the communication unit 11. Of the received wireless signals, only those including an identifier set in advance as a registered identifier are accepted. As a result, when a plurality of units are used in close proximity to each other, if the registration identifiers are made different for each main body block 1, the wireless signal (radio wave) transmitted from the operation block 2 causes the unintended main body block 1 to It is possible to prevent the control program from being rewritten.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a communication start button 18f as a registration operation unit and a communication lamp 19f that is controlled by the control unit 15 and lights during communication of the communication units 11 and 23 are respectively provided on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 10a. The registration identifier can be changed by pressing the communication start button 18f. More specifically, the communication unit 11 receives a wireless signal indicating that a predetermined operation input for instructing addition of a registered identifier in the operation block 2 (for example, pressing and holding a predetermined push button 21k for 3 seconds or more) is made. When the communication start button 18f is pressed during the period, the control unit 15 of the main body block 1 registers the identifier included in the wireless signal as a registration identifier. In addition, the operation block 2 indicates that a predetermined operation input for instructing the operation input unit 21 to delete the registered identifier has been made (for example, the simultaneous pressing of the predetermined two push buttons 21j and 21k for 3 seconds or more). When the communication start button 18f is pressed while the wireless signal is received, and the identifier included in the wireless signal is set as the registration identifier, the identifier is deleted from the registration identifier. With this configuration, for example, one operation block 2 can be used for a plurality of main body blocks 1.

  According to the above configuration, the communication between the operation block 2 that receives an input operation of the control program and the main body block 1 connected to the transmission path is performed by a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium. Since it can be freely displaced with respect to the block 1, the input operation of the control program is easy regardless of where the main body block 1 is arranged, and the operability is improved. Furthermore, when communicating the communication unit 23 of the operation block 2 and the communication unit 11 of the main body block 1, in the second embodiment, the optical transmission / reception unit 23a of the operation block 2 needs to be directed to the optical transmission / reception unit 11a of the main body block 1. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the direction of the operation block 2 is not substantially a problem, so that the operability is further improved as compared with the second embodiment.

It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A)-(d) shows the operation block same as the above, respectively, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view, (c) is a bottom view, (d) is a rear view. (A)-(c) shows the main body block same as the above, respectively, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a plan view. It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. (A)-(d) shows the operation block same as the above respectively, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view, (c) is a top view, (d) is a rear view. (A)-(c) shows the main body block same as the above, respectively, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a plan view. It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention. (A) (b) shows the main body block same as the above, respectively (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view. (A)-(c) each shows a prior art example, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view, (c) is a bottom view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body block 2 Operation block 3, 4 Connector 10 Main body side housing 10a Magnet 11 Communication part 12 Program memory | storage part 13 Timekeeping part 14 Transmission part 15 Control part 16 Power supply part 18f Communication start button 20 Operation side housing 20b Adsorption body 21 Operation input part 22 Display unit 23 Communication unit 24 Control unit 25 Power supply unit 30 Cable 30a Signal line

Claims (9)

Either at least one load-side terminal connected to at least one load each addressed and at least one trigger means each having an address and generating a trigger under a predetermined condition, Are connected to at least one control side terminal that outputs an operation signal corresponding to the trigger means when each trigger means generates, and each load side terminal and each control side terminal, When an operation signal is input from the control-side terminal, a control signal instructing control of the load is output to the load-side terminal connected to a load previously associated with the trigger means that generated the trigger A transmission-side control device, a load-side terminal device, a control-side terminal device, and a transmission control device are connected to each other, and each has a transmission path that mediates a trigger, an operation signal, and a control signal. A time switch for use in remote monitoring and control system for controlling the load in response to the control signal input from the transmission control device,
An operation input unit having program input means for receiving an operation input for setting the content of the control program including the control time and the control address;
A display unit that displays in accordance with the operation input accepted by the operation input unit;
An operation side communication unit for transmitting an electric signal indicating the content of the control program input to the operation input unit;
An operation-side control unit that controls the display unit and the operation-side communication unit in accordance with an operation input received by the operation input unit;
An operation block that houses an operation side control unit and has an operation side housing that holds an operation input unit, a display unit, and an operation side communication unit, respectively.
A main body side communication unit that is electrically connected to the operation side communication unit of the operation block via the signal line and receives an electric signal transmitted from the operation side communication unit of the operation block via the signal line;
A program storage unit capable of storing at least one control program;
A timekeeping section that keeps time,
The content of the program storage unit is updated according to the electrical signal received by the main body side communication unit, and the time measured by the time measuring unit is the control time of any of the control programs stored in the program storage unit A main body side control unit that generates an operation signal similar to when the trigger means having the control address set in the control program generates a trigger,
A transmission unit that is controlled by the main body side control unit and connected to the transmission line and that the operation signal generated by the main body side control unit is transmitted to the transmission control device via the transmission line;
A main body block that stores a program storage unit, a timing unit, and a main body side control unit and has a main body side housing that holds the main body side communication unit and the transmission unit, respectively.
At least one of the operation side housing and the main body side housing is provided with a coupling means detachably coupled to the other of the operation side housing and the main body side housing, and the operation side housing is coupled to the main body side housing. A time switch characterized by being detachably held by. Either at least one load-side terminal connected to at least one load each addressed and at least one trigger means each having an address and generating a trigger under a predetermined condition, Are connected to at least one control side terminal that outputs an operation signal corresponding to the trigger means when each trigger means generates, and each load side terminal and each control side terminal, When an operation signal is input from the control-side terminal, a control signal instructing control of the load is output to the load-side terminal connected to a load previously associated with the trigger means that generated the trigger A transmission-side control device, a load-side terminal device, a control-side terminal device, and a transmission control device are connected to each other, and each has a transmission path that mediates a trigger, an operation signal, and a control signal. A time switch for use in remote monitoring and control system for controlling the load in response to the control signal input from the transmission control device,
An operation input unit having program input means for receiving an operation input for setting the content of the control program including the control time and the control address;
A display unit that displays in accordance with the operation input accepted by the operation input unit;
An operation side communication unit that transmits a wireless signal indicating the content of the control program input to the operation input unit;
An operation-side control unit that controls the display unit and the operation-side communication unit in accordance with an operation input received by the operation input unit;
An operation block that houses an operation side control unit and has an operation side housing that holds an operation input unit, a display unit, and an operation side communication unit, respectively.
A main body side communication unit that receives a wireless signal transmitted from the operation side communication unit of the operation block;
A program storage unit capable of storing at least one control program;
A timekeeping section that keeps time,
The content of the program storage unit is updated according to the electrical signal received by the main body side communication unit, and the time measured by the time measuring unit is the control time of any of the control programs stored in the program storage unit A main body side control unit that generates an operation signal similar to when the trigger means having the control address set in the control program generates a trigger,
A transmission unit that is controlled by the main body side control unit and connected to the transmission line and that the operation signal generated by the main body side control unit is transmitted to the transmission control device via the transmission line;
A main body block that stores a program storage unit, a timing unit, and a main body side control unit and has a main body side housing that holds the main body side communication unit and the transmission unit, respectively.
At least one of the operation side housing and the main body side housing is provided with a coupling means detachably coupled to the other of the operation side housing and the main body side housing, and the operation side housing is coupled to the main body side housing. A time switch characterized by being detachably held by.   The time switch according to claim 2, wherein the wireless signal transmitted and received between the operation side communication unit of the operation block and the main body side communication unit of the main body block uses infrared light as a medium.   3. The time switch according to claim 2, wherein the wireless signal transmitted and received between the operation side communication unit of the operation block and the main body side communication unit of the main body block uses radio waves as a medium. The wireless signal transmitted by the operation side communication unit includes an identifier set in advance for each operation block,
The main body side control unit accepts only a wireless signal including a specific identifier set in advance as a registration identifier among wireless signals received by the main body side communication unit,
5. The time switch according to claim 4, wherein the main body block includes a registration operation unit that is held in the main body housing and receives an operation input for setting a registration identifier.   The magnet is fixed to the operation side housing, and the main body side housing is made of a magnetic material, and the magnet of the operation side housing is magnetically attached to be provided with an adsorbing portion that constitutes a coupling means together with the magnet. The time switch according to any one of? The operation block and the main body block are electrically connected via a detachable power supply connector,
The main body block has a power feeding unit that is held in the main body housing and feeds power to the operation block via the power feeding connector.
The operation block includes a power receiving unit that is held in the operation housing and is fed from the power feeding unit of the main body block via the power feeding connector, and a battery that is housed in the operation housing.
The operation side control unit and the display unit of the operation block are supplied with power from the power supply unit of the main body block when the power reception unit is supplied with power from the power supply unit of the main body block, and are not supplied with power from the power supply unit of the main body block to the power reception unit. The time switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a battery is sometimes used as a power source.   The main body side control unit of the main body block is configured such that when the power supply connector is connected and the communication unit receives an instruction to update the control program from the operation block communication unit, if no other power is supplied, the operation block 8. The time switch according to claim 7, wherein power is supplied from the battery through a power supply connector and the control program is written to the program storage unit. The operation block has an auxiliary storage unit capable of storing at least one control program,
The operation side control unit updates the contents of the auxiliary storage unit in accordance with the operation input received by the operation input unit, and at the same time, instructs the transfer of the control program from the auxiliary storage unit to the program storage unit of the main body block. When the operation input is accepted by the operation input unit, the operation side communication unit is controlled to transmit the contents of the control program stored in the auxiliary storage unit together with an instruction to update the control program to the main body block,
When a predetermined operation input for instructing transfer of the control program from the program storage unit of the main body block to the auxiliary storage unit is received by the operation input unit, the control unit transmits the control program transmission instruction to the main body block by controlling the operation side communication unit. When the content of the control program is received by the operation side communication unit after the transmission, the content of the auxiliary storage unit is rewritten to the content of the control program,
In the main body block, when the control instruction for updating the control program is received by the main body side communication section, the main body side control section changes the contents of the control program stored in the program storage section to the contents of the next received control program. Rewrite,
The control program stored in the program storage unit is transmitted to the operation block by controlling the main unit communication unit when an instruction to transmit the control program is received by the main unit communication unit. The time switch according to any one of -8.

Images