JP2013098039A - Receiver and load control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain the occurrence of problems associated with radio signal confirmation work.SOLUTION: When receiving a radio signal for reception confirmation purpose (radio signal containing a reception confirmation control command) from a transmitter 2, a reception control unit 11 of a receiver 1 executes only notification by a notification unit 17 without opening or closing a switch element 12. Therefore, the switch element 12 can be avoided from being opened or closed while the stored electric power (charged electrical charge) of a capacitor included in a voltage conversion unit 16 of the receiver 1 is insufficient. As a result, the occurrence of a problem such as shortage of electric power, etc. in the receiver 1 can be restrained no matter how many times an operation unit 23 of the transmitter 2 is operated on during radio signal confirmation work.

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiver that receives a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter, and a load control system including the transmitter and the receiver.

  As a conventional example of a load control system including a transmitter and a receiver, there is a wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1. This conventional example detects a surrounding brightness or the presence of a human body, and transmits a detection result by a radio signal using radio waves as a medium, and according to the detection result obtained by receiving a radio signal. And a receiver for controlling (flashing) a load (for example, a lighting load). The receiver includes a switching element connected in series with the lighting load with respect to the commercial power source, and blinks the lighting load by opening and closing the switching element according to the detection result.

  For example, a transmitter and a receiver are installed on the wall of a room, and when there are people in the room, the transmitter detects the presence of the person and transmits it with a radio signal for lighting the lighting load, and receives the radio signal In the receiver, the switch element is turned on and the illumination load is turned on. Then, when there is no person in the room, the transmitter transmits a radio signal for turning off the lighting load, and the switch element is turned off in the receiver that has received the radio signal, and the lighting load is turned off.

  Here, the receiver needs a power source for turning on / off the switch element and operating a receiving circuit for receiving a radio signal. As a method of securing this operating power supply, there are a method of providing a dedicated wiring for obtaining an operating power supply from a commercial power supply, and a wiring connected to a commercial power supply and a load (lighting load) without providing a dedicated wiring. There is a method to obtain from commercial power. In the latter method, the operating power source is obtained from the current (load current) flowing in the closed circuit formed between the commercial power source, the receiver, and the lighting load while the switch element is on. On the other hand, while the switch element is off, a small amount of current (operating current) flows through a path that bypasses the switch element, and the operating power is obtained by storing the operating current in a capacitor. However, since the light flux may be slightly emitted from the illumination load due to the operation current flowing, it is preferable that the operation current is as small as possible.

JP 2011-198654 A

  By the way, when the transmitter and the receiver are installed on a wall or the like as in the above-described conventional example, it is confirmed that the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter can be received by the receiver during the installation work. There is a need. For example, a manually operated operation unit (such as a pushbutton switch) is provided in the transmitter, and when the operation unit is operated, a wireless signal is forcibly transmitted, and a receiver that receives the wireless signal lights the illumination load. The reception of the wireless signal may be confirmed by switching from OFF to OFF or from OFF to ON.

  However, when the operation unit of the transmitter is operated many times in a short time, the power consumption increases because the switch element is repeatedly turned on and off in the receiver. There is a risk that the charge of the capacitor for the power supply buffer for operation decreases, and it becomes difficult to secure a sufficient power supply for operation, resulting in a malfunction (for example, lighting load inconvenience).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to suppress the occurrence of problems associated with wireless signal confirmation work.

  The receiver of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a radio signal, a switch element that is inserted into a power feeding path from an external power source to a load to open and close the power feeding path, and a control included in the radio signal received by the receiving unit A reception control means for controlling the switch element in response to a command; a first power supply means for generating and supplying an operating power for the reception control means from a current flowing in the power supply path when the switch element is closed; A second power supply means for taking in an electric current from the power supply path when the switch element is open to create and supply an operating power supply for the reception control means, and a notifying means for notifying by sound or light, When the control command is a control command for load control, the reception control means opens and closes the switch element according to the control command, and the control command receives a radio signal. When a control command for confirmation, characterized thereby notifying that the control commands for said acknowledgment without opening and closing the switch element is received in the notification means.

  In this receiver, the receiver includes a measuring unit that measures a signal strength of a radio signal including the control command for confirmation of reception received by the receiving unit, and the reception control unit includes the signal strength measured by the measuring unit. Is preferably notified by the notification means.

  In this receiver, it is preferable that the notification means notifies the user by sounding a buzzer.

  In this receiver, it is preferable that the notification means notifies the light emitting element by emitting light.

  In this receiver, it is preferable that the notification means has a liquid crystal display and displays the notification on the liquid crystal display.

  The load control system according to the present invention includes any one of the receivers and a transmitter that transmits a radio signal including the control command.

  The receiver and the load control system of the present invention have an effect that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems associated with wireless signal confirmation work.

It is a block diagram which shows the receiver and load control system which concern on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the receiver in the same as the above.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a receiver and a load control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in the present embodiment, the external power source is a commercial AC power source and the load is a lighting load. However, the external power source and the load are not limited to the commercial AC power source and the lighting load, respectively.

  The load control system of the present embodiment includes a transmitter 2 and a receiver 1 as shown in FIG. The receiver 1 includes a radio reception unit 10, a reception control unit 11, a switch element 12, a current transformer 13, two rectifiers 14 and 15, a voltage conversion unit 16, a notification unit 17, a pair of connection terminals 18 and 19, and the like. . The radio receiving unit 10 has, for example, a radio communication circuit and an antenna that perform radio communication with a specific low power radio station specified by the Radio Law, and receives radio signals using radio waves as a medium. However, since such a wireless receiving unit 10 can be realized using a conventionally known wireless communication technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  An external power source (commercial AC power source) 3 and a lighting load 4 are connected to the pair of connection terminals 18 and 19 via electric wires, respectively. The switch element 12 includes, for example, a latching mechanical relay, and is inserted into a power supply path from the external power source 3 to the lighting load 4 via a pair of connection terminals 18 and 19 to open and close the power supply path (open <off>).・ Close (ON)). The current transformer 13 has a primary winding inserted into the feed path and a rectifier 14 connected to the secondary winding. The rectifier 14 rectifies an alternating voltage (alternating current) induced in the secondary winding of the current transformer 13 when the switch element 12 is on, and outputs the rectified voltage to the voltage converter 16. The rectifier 15 rectifies the AC voltage applied to both ends of the switch element 12 when the switch element 12 is off, and outputs the rectified voltage to the voltage conversion unit 16. However, the current rectified by the rectifier 15 is limited to such a small value that the luminous flux emitted from the illumination load 4 can be ignored.

  The voltage conversion unit 16 includes a storage capacitor (electrolytic capacitor) (not shown) and a power supply circuit. The DC voltage rectified by the rectifier 14 and smoothed by the capacitor is used as an operating power source for the radio reception unit 10 and the reception control unit 11. It is converted to voltage. Further, the voltage conversion unit 16 converts the DC voltage rectified by the rectifier 15 and smoothed by the capacitor when the switch element 12 is off to the operating power supply voltage of the radio reception unit 10 and the reception control unit 11. . That is, in the present embodiment, the current transformer 13, the rectifier 14 and the voltage converter 16 constitute a first power supply means, and the rectifier 15 and the voltage converter 16 constitute a second power supply means.

  The reception control unit 11 includes a microcontroller and opens / closes (turns on / off) the switch element 12 in accordance with a control command included in a radio signal received by the radio reception unit 10 as described later. The notification unit 17 has at least one of a light emitting element such as a buzzer or a light emitting diode, and is controlled by the reception control unit 11 to sound a buzzer or to emit a light emitting element to notify by sound or light. Do.

  On the other hand, the transmitter 2 includes a transmission control unit 20, a detection unit 21, a wireless transmission unit 22, an operation unit 23, and the like. The wireless transmission unit 22 includes, for example, a wireless communication circuit and an antenna conforming to the standard of a specific low power wireless station specified by the Radio Law, and transmits a wireless signal using radio waves as a medium. However, since such a wireless transmission unit 22 can be realized using a conventionally known wireless communication technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The detection unit 21 corresponds to a trigger detection unit that detects a predetermined trigger.For example, a human body detection sensor that detects the presence of a person by detecting heat rays radiated from the human body, and ambient brightness (ambient illuminance). It has a brightness sensor to detect. That is, the detection unit 21 uses a person's presence or ambient illuminance below a predetermined value as a trigger, and outputs a trigger signal to the transmission control unit 20 when the trigger is detected. The operation unit 23 includes, for example, a push button switch (not shown), and accepts an operation input when the push button switch is pressed, and outputs an operation signal to the transmission control unit 20.

  The transmission control unit 20 is composed of a microcontroller or the like, and generates a control command (control command for lighting the illumination load 4) based on the trigger signal output from the detection unit 21 and the operation signal output from the operation unit 23. It passes to the wireless transmission unit 22. Note that the transmission control unit 20 adds information on the lighting holding time to the control command based on the trigger signal. The radio transmission unit 22 transmits a radio signal including the control command passed from the transmission control unit 20. When the receiver 1 receives the radio signal, the reception control unit 11 turns on the switch element 12 according to the control command, and does not turn off the switch element 12 during the lighting holding time added to the control command. . When receiving the control command to which the lighting holding time is added during the lighting holding time, the reception control unit 11 restarts the lighting holding time, and when the lighting holding time is finished, the switch element 12 To turn off the illumination load 4.

  Here, the operation of the transmission control unit 20 will be described in detail. The transmission control unit 20 waits for input of the operation signal output from the operation unit 23, and turns on the lighting load 4 when the trigger signal output from the detection unit 21 is input while waiting for input of the operation signal. Control command (load control command) is generated. Then, the transmission control unit 20 causes the radio transmission unit 22 to transmit a radio signal including the generated load control control command.

  On the other hand, when the operation signal output from the operation unit 23 is input, the transmission control unit 20 generates a control command for confirming reception of the radio signal, and wirelessly transmits the radio signal including the generated control command for confirmation of reception. The data is transmitted from the unit 22.

  Next, the operation of the reception control unit 11 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The reception control unit 11 waits for a radio signal to be received by the radio reception unit 10 (step S1). When the radio signal is received by the radio reception unit 10, the reception control unit 11 determines whether or not the control command included in the radio signal is a reception confirmation control command (step S2). When the control command is not a reception confirmation command but a load control command, the reception control unit 11 opens and closes (turns on or off) the switch element 12 according to the load control control command (step S3).

  On the other hand, if the control command is a reception confirmation control command, the reception control unit 11 confirms the reception by causing the notification unit 17 to sound a buzzer sound without causing the switch element 12 to be opened or closed, or by causing the light emitting element to emit light. The control command for use is notified (step S4).

  As described above, in the receiver 1 according to the present embodiment, when receiving a radio signal for reception confirmation (a radio signal including a control command for reception confirmation) from the transmitter 2, the notification unit 17 does not open and close the switch element 12. Only the notification is performed. Therefore, it can be avoided that the switch element 12 is opened and closed in a state where the stored power (charged charge) of the capacitor included in the voltage conversion unit 16 of the receiver 1 is insufficient. As a result, even when the operation unit 23 of the transmitter 2 is operated many times in a short time in the radio signal confirmation work, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as power shortage in the receiver 1. In addition, since the notification unit 17 notifies that the wireless signal for reception confirmation has been received, the operator can easily determine whether or not the wireless signal has arrived at the receiver 1. In addition, when the notification unit 17 notifies by sound (buzzer sound), even if the receiver 1 is installed in a place where it cannot be directly seen from the installation place of the transmitter 2, the operator receives a radio signal by the receiver 1. Can be easily confirmed. On the other hand, when the notification unit 17 notifies by light (light emission of the light emitting element), the power consumption required for notification by the notification unit 17 can be reduced compared to the buzzer, and notification is made even when multiple workers are performing the same confirmation work. There is an advantage that the notification of the part 17 is not easily misidentified.

  However, the notification unit 17 has a liquid crystal display. For example, if a message such as “A wireless signal for reception confirmation has been received from a transmitter” is displayed on the liquid crystal display and notified, the operator can be sure. And it can be easily notified.

  By the way, a general radio communication circuit is usually equipped with a function for measuring the signal strength of a received radio signal, and a received signal strength indication signal (Receiving Signal Strength Indication Signal) which is a DC voltage signal proportional to the magnitude of the received signal strength. : RSSI signal). The radio reception unit 10 in the present embodiment is also equipped with the above signal strength measurement function, and can output an RSSI signal from the radio reception unit 10 to the reception control unit 11. That is, in the present embodiment, the wireless receiving unit 10 serves as both a receiving unit and a measuring unit.

  Then, if the reception control unit 11 informs the notification unit 17 of the reception signal strength (signal level of the RSSI signal) measured by the wireless reception unit 10, the state of wireless communication between the transmitter 2 and the receiver 1 is determined. The operator can grasp in detail. As a result, the installation work of the transmitter 2 and the receiver 1 can be simplified. When the notification unit 17 is notified of the received signal strength, for example, the received signal strength is notified by the number of light emitting elements that simultaneously emit light, or a buzzer sound (sound frequency is determined according to the received signal strength). ) Should be changed. Alternatively, when the notification unit 17 includes a liquid crystal display, a numerical value indicating the received signal strength, a rank of strength, and the like may be displayed on the liquid crystal display.

1 Receiver 2 Transmitter 3 External Power Supply (Commercial AC Power Supply)
4 Lighting load (load)
10 Wireless receiver (reception means)
11 Reception control unit (reception control means)
12 Switch elements
13 Current transformer (first power supply means)
14 Rectifier (first power supply means)
15 Rectifier (second power supply means)
16 Voltage converter (first and second power supply means)
17 Notification section (notification means)

Claims (6)

  Receiving means for receiving a radio signal; a switch element that is inserted into a power supply path from an external power supply to a load to open and close the power supply path; and the switch element according to a control command included in the radio signal received by the receiving means Receiving control means for controlling the power, first power supply means for generating and supplying operating power for the receiving control means from the current flowing in the power supply path when the switch element is closed, and the switch element is opened A second power supply unit that takes in a current from the power supply path and creates and supplies an operating power supply for the reception control unit, and a notification unit that notifies by sound or light, and the reception control unit includes: When the control command is a control command for load control, the switch element is opened / closed according to the control command, and the control command is a control command for confirming reception of a radio signal. If it is de, receiver, characterized in that for informing said that the control commands for the acknowledgment has been received without closing the switch element to said notification means.   Measuring means for measuring the signal strength of a radio signal including the reception confirmation control command received by the receiving means; and the reception control means sends the signal strength measured by the measuring means to the notification means. The receiver according to claim 1, which is notified.   The receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means performs a notification by sounding a buzzer.   The receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means notifies by emitting light.   The receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means includes a liquid crystal display and displays the notification on the liquid crystal display.   A load control system comprising: the receiver according to claim 1; and a transmitter that transmits a radio signal including the control command.

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