JP2012190732A - Operation panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation panel at low costs by making a constitution with a high degree of freedom of distribution of a parallel signal line and a serial signal line between the operation panel and a control device for a general purpose to commonly use the operation panel for various equipment.SOLUTION: An operation panel 30 has a switch part 16 comprising a plurality of switches actuating equipment, and is connected to a PLC 40 controlling an actuation of the equipment. The operation panel 30 comprises: a parallel signal line 42 for parallely connecting signals of the switch part 16 to the PLC 40; a communication control part 11 for converting the parallel signals of the switch part 16 to be connected into serial signals; serial signal lines 31, 41 for connecting the communication control part 11 and the PLC 40; and a switching part 14b for switching some of the signals of the switch part 16 connectable to any of the parallel signal line 42 and the communication control part 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel used by being connected to a control device of an equipment machine.

  Generally, an operation panel of an equipment machine includes an operation switch for operating the equipment machine, a lamp that displays an operation state of the equipment machine, and an operation display device, and is parallel to a control device that controls the operation of the equipment machine. They are connected by a signal line and a serial signal line (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the parallel signal line is a signal line for directly connecting an operation switch, a lamp, or the like to the control device in parallel. The serial signal line is a signal line that serially transmits signals such as operation switches and lamps to and from the control device.

  On the screen of the operation display device, a touch switch that can operate the equipment machine by a touch operation on the screen and a screen lamp that displays the operating state of the equipment machine on the screen are provided to create a display screen. The software allows the touch switch and the screen lamp to be freely set according to the object to be operated and the operation state to be displayed. The signals of the touch switch and the screen lamp are transmitted to the control device through a serial signal line.

The signal lines used to connect the operation panel to the control device are operation switches and lamps necessary for basic operation of equipment and machinery, such as switches that perform operation preparation operations, lamps that indicate operation, etc. Parallel signals are used for operations related to high importance, and serial signal lines are used for operation display devices.
This reduces the number of signal lines and saves wiring.

JP 2000-738 A

  However, the operation panel described above differs in basic driving operation and highly important operation depending on the equipment machine, and accordingly, the arrangement of operation switches and lamps is different. Thereby, the operation panel cannot be generalized because the distribution of the parallel signal line of the operation switch and the lamp and the serial signal line of the touch switch and the screen lamp differs depending on the equipment machine with the control device. Some equipment machines require a dedicated operation panel. As a result, the cost of the operation panel is high, and the cost reduction of the operation panel used for various equipment machines has been an issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in order to make it more versatile, the degree of freedom in distributing the parallel signal lines and the serial signal lines between the operation panel and the control device is increased. An object is to provide a low-cost operation panel by sharing it with various equipment machines.

The structural feature of the operation panel according to claim 1 has a switch group including a plurality of operation switches for operating the equipment machine,
In an operation panel used by connecting to a control device for controlling the operation of the equipment machine,
A parallel signal line for connecting the signals of the switch group to the control device in parallel;
A communication control unit that converts a signal of the connected parallel switch group into a serial signal;
A serial signal line connecting the communication control unit and the control device;
And a switch switching unit that switches a part of the signals of the switch group so as to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit.

  According to the operation panel of claim 1, a part of the signals of the switch group can be switched so as to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the serial signal line. The degree of freedom of distribution between the parallel signal line and the serial signal line of the operation switch can be increased.

The structural features of the operation panel according to claim 2 are a switch group consisting of a plurality of operation switches for operating the equipment machine,
A lamp group comprising a plurality of lamps for displaying the state of the equipment machine,
In an operation panel used by connecting to a control device for controlling the operation of the equipment machine,
A parallel signal line for connecting a signal of the switch group in parallel to the control device and a lamp display signal output from the control device in parallel to the lamp group;
A communication control unit that converts a signal of the connected parallel switch group into a serial signal, and converts the lamp display signal of the serial signal into a parallel signal and connects to the lamp group;
A serial signal line connecting the communication control unit and the control device;
A switch switching unit that switches a part of the signals of the switch group to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit;
And a lamp switching unit that switches a part of the signals of the lamp group so as to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit.

  According to the operation panel of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the operation panel of claim 1, a part of the signals of the lamp group can be switched so as to be connectable to either a parallel signal line or a serial signal line. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in distributing the lamp parallel signal lines and serial signal lines between the operation panel and the control device.

  A configuration characteristic of the operation panel according to claim 3 is that the serial signal line includes a USB cable or an Ethernet cable.

  According to the operation panel of the third aspect, since a general-purpose USB cable and Ethernet cable are used as the serial signal line, wiring work is easy.

  According to the present invention, a part of the signals of the switch group can be switched so as to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the serial signal line, so that the parallel signal line between the operation panel and the control device The degree of freedom in distribution with the serial signal line can be increased. Thereby, it is possible to provide a low-cost operation panel by making it universal and sharing it with various equipment machines.

It is a hardware block diagram of the operation panel of embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the operation panel of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the switching part of the operation panel of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the switching part of the operation panel of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an operation panel of the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the operation panel 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The operation panel 30 is connected to a control device that controls the operation of an equipment machine (not shown), for example, a programmable controller (PLC) 40, and outputs a signal to the PLC 40 based on the operation of the operator. Display based on the input signal.

  The operation panel 30 connects the operation panel 10 to which a push button switch (operation switch) or the like is mounted, a panel computer (operation display device) 20 capable of touch operation on the screen, and the operation panel 10 and the panel computer 20. Serial signal lines, for example, USB cable 31, serial signal lines for connecting panel computer 20 and PLC 40, for example, an Ethernet cable ("Ethernet" is a registered trademark) 41, and a push button attached to operation panel 10. A parallel signal line 42 that connects the button switch and the PLC 40 is configured.

  The operation panel 10 includes a lamp unit 15 (lamps) composed of lamps for displaying the state of the equipment machine, a selection switch (operation switch) that is operated to perform a selection operation to operate the equipment machine, and a push operation to operate the equipment machine. The switch part 16 (switches) which consists of a pushbutton switch operated in order to operate is provided.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the operation panel 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The operation panel 10 is connected to the lamp unit 15, the switch unit 16, some lamps of the lamp unit 15, and some operation switches of the switch unit 16, and signals of these lamps and operation switches are transmitted to the panel computer 20. A communication control unit 11 that transmits and receives serial signals by communication, a communication connection unit 12 that is interposed between the communication control unit 11 and the panel computer 20 and is connected to each other by a USB cable 31, and a lamp unit 15. Connected to the PLC 40 and the parallel signal line 42, a part of the lamp 15 and a part of the switch 16. The connection destination of the operation switch is configured by a switching unit 14 that switches between the communication control unit 11 and the connection unit 13.
The lamps and operation switch signals of the operation panel 10 are sent and received by the USB cable 31 via the communication connection unit 12 for serial signals and the PLC 40 via the parallel signal line 42 via the connection unit 13 for parallel signals. The

The lamp unit 15 includes a lamp LP1 capable of switching the connection destination, lamps LP2 and LP3 connected to the communication control unit 11, and a lamp LP4 connected to the connection unit 13.
The lamp LP1 displays based on the lamp display signal from the selected connection destination. The lamps LP2 and LP3 are displayed based on a lamp display signal from the communication control unit 11. The lamp LP4 displays based on a lamp display signal from the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  The switch unit 16 is connected to the selection switch SS1 capable of switching the connection destination, the selection switch SS2 connected to the communication control unit 11, the push button switches PB1 and PB2 capable of switching the connection destination, and the communication control unit 11. And a push button switch PB4 connected to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

The switching unit 14 includes a lamp switching unit 14a that switches the connection destination of the lamp LP1, and a switch switching unit 14b that switches the connection destination of the selection switch SS1 and the push button switches PB1 and PB2. The lamp switching unit 14a includes SW1 that switches the connection destination of the lamp LP1. The switch switching unit 14b includes a switch SW2 that switches a connection destination of the selection switch SS1 and a switch SW3 and SW4 that switches a connection destination of the push button switches PB1 and PB2.
The changeover switch SW1 is connected to either the connection point P1a with the communication control unit 11 or the connection point P1b with the connection unit 13 so that the connection point of the lamp LP1 is switched. Similarly to the changeover switch SW1, the changeover switches SW2 to SW4 change the connection destinations of the selection switch SS1 and the push button switches PB1 and PB2, respectively.
The number of changeover switches included in the lamp changeover unit 14a and the number of changeover switches included in the switch changeover unit 14b are determined as appropriate from the specifications of the target facility machine to which the operation panel 30 is applied.

  The communication control unit 11 includes a selection switch SS1 via a changeover switch SW2, a push button switch PB1 via a changeover switch SW3, a push button switch PB2 via a changeover switch SW4, a selection switch SS2, and a push button switch PB3. Are connected, and serial signals of these operation switches are output to the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12 and the panel computer 20. The communication control unit 11 is connected to the lamp LP1 via the changeover switch SW1 and the lamps LP2 and LP3, and receives a serial lamp display signal from the PLC 40 by communication via the panel computer 20 and the communication connection unit 12. Input and drive these lamps based on these lamp display signals.

  The panel computer 20 is an operation display unit 21 that can be touch-operated on the screen, and an operation for controlling the touch operation of the operation display unit 21 and the display on the screen by connecting to the PLC 40 with an Ethernet cable 41 and transferring serial signals. Relay processing for connecting the display control unit 22 to the communication connection unit 12 via the USB cable 31 and connecting to the PLC 40 via the Ethernet cable 41 and relaying serial signals between the communication control unit 11 and the PLC 40 Part 23.

  The operation display unit 21 includes a screen lamp (not shown) for displaying the state of the equipment machine on the screen based on a lamp display signal input from the operation display control unit 22 on the screen, and a touch operation by a touch operation on the screen. A touch switch (not shown) capable of operating the equipment machine by outputting a signal to the operation display control unit 22 is provided. These screen lamps and touch switches can be freely set according to a target to be operated and an operation state to be displayed by software (not shown) for creating a display screen.

  The operation display control unit 22 outputs a touch operation signal input from the operation display unit 21 to the PLC 40, and outputs a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 to the operation display unit 21.

  The relay processing unit 23 inputs the signals of the selection switches SS1 and SS2 and the push button switches PB1 to PB3 from the communication control unit 11 and outputs the signals to the PLC 40, and also inputs the lamp display signals for displaying the lamps LP1 to LP3 from the PLC 40. And output to the communication control unit 11.

  Thereby, the operation panel 30 communicates the output destinations of the signals of the selection switch SS1 and the push button switches PB1 and PB2 via the communication control unit 11 and the relay processing unit 23 by switching selection of the switch switching unit 14b. Since switching to either the PLC 40 as a serial signal or direct connection to the PLC 40 as a parallel signal is possible, the parallel signal line 42 and serial signal lines 31 and 41 of the operation switch between the operation panel 30 and the PLC 40 can be switched. The degree of freedom of distribution can be increased.

  Further, the operation panel 30 receives the input of the lamp display signal for displaying the lamp LP1 from the PLC 40 as a serial signal by communication via the communication control unit 11 and the relay processing unit 23 by switching selection of the lamp switching unit 14a. Alternatively, since it can be switched so that it can be directly connected to any of the PLCs 40 as a parallel signal, the degree of freedom of distribution between the parallel signal line 42 and the serial signal lines 31 and 41 of the lamp between the operation panel 30 and the PLC 40 can be increased. Can be high.

Next, the operation of the switching unit 14 will be described based on a first switching example.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the switching unit 14 of the operation panel 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The changeover switch SW1 for switching the connection destination of the lamp LP1 is connected to the connection point P1 and the connection point P1b. Accordingly, the lamp LP1 is connected to the connection unit 13 and is connected to the PLC 40 by the parallel signal line 42. The lamp LP1 displays based on a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  A connection point P2 and a connection point P2b are connected to the changeover switch SW2 for switching the connection destination of the selection switch SS1. Accordingly, the selection switch SS1 is connected to the connection unit 13 and is connected to the PLC 40 by the parallel signal line 42. Then, the signal of the selection switch SS1 is output to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  A connection point P3 and a connection point P3b are connected to the changeover switch SW3 for switching the connection destination of the push button switch PB1. Accordingly, the push button switch PB1 is connected to the connection unit 13 and is connected to the PLC 40 by the parallel signal line 42. Then, the signal of the push button switch PB1 is output to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  The connection point P4 and the connection point P4b are connected to the changeover switch SW4 that switches the connection destination of the push button switch PB2. Accordingly, the push button switch PB2 is connected to the connection unit 13 and is connected to the PLC 40 by the parallel signal line 42. And the signal of pushbutton switch PB2 is output to PLC40 via the connection part 13. FIG.

The lamps LP2 and LP3 are connected to the communication control unit 11 and display based on a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12. The lamp LP4 displays based on a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.
The selection switch SS2 and the push button switch PB3 are connected to the communication control unit 11, and signals from these operation switches are output to the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12. The signal of the push button switch PB4 is output to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  Thus, in the parallel signal table H2 that exchanges parallel signals with the PLC 40 in the connection unit 13, the signals Q10 and Q11 input by the operation panel 10 become the lamp display signals of the lamps LP1 and LP4, respectively, and the signal I10 output by the operation panel 10 ˜I13 are signals of operation switches of the selection switch SS1, push button switches PB1, PB2, and PB4, respectively. These lamps and operation switches are directly connected to the PLC 40 via the parallel signal line 42 to exchange parallel signals.

  Further, in the serial signal table H1 that exchanges serial signals with the PLC 40 in the communication connection unit 12, the signals Q2 and Q3 input by the operation panel 10 become the lamp display signals of the lamps LP2 and LP3, respectively, and the signal I2 output by the operation panel 10 , I5 are the signals of the operation switches of the selection switch SS2 and the push button switch PB3, respectively, and the signals Q1, I1, I3, I4 are none. These lamps and operation switches exchange serial signals by communication with the PLC 40 through the serial signal lines 31 and 41.

Next, the operation of the switching unit 14 will be described based on a second switching example.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the switching unit 14 of the operation panel 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
A connection point P1 and a connection point P1a are connected to the changeover switch SW1 for switching the connection destination of the lamp LP1. Thereby, the lamp LP1 is connected to the communication control unit 11, and displays based on the lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12.

  A connection point P2 and a connection point P2a are connected to the changeover switch SW2 for switching the connection destination of the selection switch SS1. Thereby, the selection switch SS1 is connected to the communication control unit 11, and the signal of the selection switch SS1 is output to the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12.

  A connection point P3 and a connection point P3b are connected to the changeover switch SW3 for switching the connection destination of the push button switch PB1. Accordingly, the push button switch PB1 is connected to the connection unit 13 and is connected to the PLC 40 by the parallel signal line 42. Then, the signal of the push button switch PB1 is output to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  A connection point P4 and a connection point P4a are connected to the changeover switch SW4 for switching the connection destination of the push button switch PB2. As a result, the push button switch PB2 is connected to the communication control unit 11, and the signal of the push button switch PB2 is output to the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12.

The lamps LP2 and LP3 are connected to the communication control unit 11 and display based on a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12. The lamp LP4 displays based on a lamp display signal input from the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.
The selection switch SS2 and the push button switch PB3 are connected to the communication control unit 11, and signals from these operation switches are output to the PLC 40 by communication via the communication connection unit 12. The signal of the push button switch PB4 is output to the PLC 40 via the connection unit 13.

  Accordingly, in the parallel signal table H2a that exchanges parallel signals with the PLC 40 in the connection unit 13, the signal Q11a input by the operation panel 10 becomes the lamp display signal of the lamp LP4, and the signals I11a and I13a output by the operation panel 10 are pressed. It becomes the signal of the operation switch of the button switches PB1 and PB4, and the signals Q10a, I10a and I12a are none. These lamps and operation switches are directly connected to the PLC 40 via the parallel signal line 42 to exchange parallel signals.

  Further, in the serial signal table H1a that exchanges serial signals with the PLC 40 in the communication connection unit 12, the signals Q1a to 3a input by the operation panel 10 become lamp display signals of the lamps LP1 to LP3, respectively, and the signal I1a output from the operation panel 10 , I2a, I4a, and I5a are signals of the operation switches of the selection switches SS1, SS2, pushbutton switches PB2, PB3, respectively, and the signal I3a is not present. These lamps and operation switches exchange serial signals by communication with the PLC 40 through the serial signal lines 31 and 41.

As described above, according to the operation panel 30 according to the present embodiment, the signals of the selection switch SS1 and the push button switches PB1 and PB2 are respectively transmitted to the communication control unit 11 and the relay processing unit 23 by the switching selection of the switch switching unit 14b. Can be switched so as to be connectable to either the PLC 40 or directly to the PLC 40 via the, and the distribution of the parallel signal line 42 of the operation switch and the serial signal lines 31, 41 between the operation panel 30 and the PLC 40. The degree of freedom can be increased.
Further, the lamp display signal of the lamp LP1 can be switched to be connectable to either the PLC 40 or the direct PLC 40 via the communication control unit 11 and the relay processing unit 23 by switching selection of the lamp switching unit 14a. The degree of freedom of distribution between the parallel signal line 42 of the lamp and the serial signal lines 31 and 41 between the PLC 30 and the PLC 40 can be increased.
As a result, the operation panel has parallel signal lines 42 that are signals of the operation switch and the lamp to and from the PLC 40 even if the arrangement of the operation switch and the lamp relating to operations with high importance may differ depending on the equipment machine. And the serial signal lines 31 and 41 have a high degree of freedom. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost operation panel by making it universal and sharing it with various equipment machines.

  Furthermore, after the equipment has been operating for a certain period of time, when a new highly important operation switch is added to the operation panel to improve specifications or improve productivity, a new operation switch has been installed on the operation panel. Remodeling work such as adding a parallel signal line was necessary. According to the operation panel 30 according to the present embodiment, a serial signal operation switch that is not in use can be easily switched to a parallel signal operation switch by switching the connection destination with the changeover switch. As described above, since it is possible to flexibly cope with the modification of the operation panel, it is possible to reduce the cost of the modification of the operation panel when modifying the equipment machine.

  Further, according to the operation panel 30 according to the present embodiment, since a general-purpose USB cable and Ethernet cable are used as the serial signal line, wiring work is easy.

  In the above embodiment, four lamps, two selection switches, and four push button switches are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the specifications of the target equipment machine to which the operation panel of the present invention is applied. It may be provided based on. For example, eight lamps, four selection switches, and twelve push button switches may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the switching unit 14 is provided with one switch for switching the connection destination of the lamp, one switch for switching the connection destination of the selection switch, and two switches for switching the connection destination of the push button switch. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided based on the specifications of the target equipment machine to which the operation panel of the present invention is applied. For example, two switches for switching the connection destination of the lamp, two switches for switching the connection destination of the selection switch, and two switches for switching the connection destination of the push button switch may be provided.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, it was set as the structure which has the panel computer 20 which can be touch-operated, However, It is not restricted to this, When control of operation | movement of the object equipment machine to which the operation panel of this invention is applied is simple, a panel computer A configuration without 20 is also possible.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, four lamps are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which no lamp is provided may be used depending on the specifications of the equipment machine using the operation panel of the present invention.

10: operation panel, 11: communication control unit, 12: communication connection unit, 13: connection unit, 14: switching unit, 14a: lamp switching unit, 14b: switch switching unit, 15: lamp unit (lamps), 16: Switch unit (switches), 20: Panel computer (operation display device), 21: Operation display unit, 22: Operation display control unit, 23: Relay processing unit, 30: Operation panel, 31: USB cable (serial signal line) 40: Programmable controller (control device), 41: Ethernet cable (serial signal line), 42: Parallel signal line, H1, H1a: Serial signal table, H2, H2a: Parallel signal table, LP1 to LP4: Lamp, PB1 PB4: Push button switch (operation switch), SS1, SS2: Selection switch (operation switch) SW1~SW4: the change-over switch

Claims (3)

It has a switch group consisting of a plurality of operation switches that operate the equipment machine.
In an operation panel used by connecting to a control device for controlling the operation of the equipment machine,
A parallel signal line for connecting the signals of the switch group to the control device in parallel;
A communication control unit that converts a signal of the connected parallel switch group into a serial signal;
A serial signal line connecting the communication control unit and the control device;
An operation panel comprising: a switch switching unit configured to switch a part of the signals of the switch group to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit. A switch group consisting of a plurality of operation switches for operating the equipment machine;
A lamp group comprising a plurality of lamps for displaying the state of the equipment machine,
In an operation panel used by connecting to a control device for controlling the operation of the equipment machine,
A parallel signal line for connecting a signal of the switch group in parallel to the control device and a lamp display signal output from the control device in parallel to the lamp group;
A communication control unit that converts a signal of the connected parallel switch group into a serial signal, and converts the lamp display signal of the serial signal into a parallel signal and connects to the lamp group;
A serial signal line connecting the communication control unit and the control device;
A switch switching unit that switches a part of the signals of the switch group to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit;
An operation panel comprising: a lamp switching unit that switches a part of the signals of the lamp group to be connectable to either the parallel signal line or the communication control unit.   The operation panel according to claim 1, wherein the serial signal line is formed of a USB cable or an Ethernet cable.

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