JP2022035013A - Time switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a time switch with which it is easy to set elaborate time schedules.SOLUTION: A time switch 10 comprises: a switch unit 12 for turning the electrical connection of a load and a power supply on and off; a setting acceptance unit 13 for accepting the setting of an on time when the switch unit 12 turns on and an off time when the switch unit 12 turns off; and a control unit 16 for turning the switch unit 12 on and off in accordance with the setting accepted by the setting acceptance unit 13. The setting acceptance unit 13 can accept a specific setting where an on time and an off time on a specific date or day of the week can be set and a season setting where the setting of an on time and an off time for one day or longer is accepted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a time switch that turns the load on and off according to a time schedule set by the user.

The time switch is a device that turns the load on and off according to a time schedule set by the user. As such a time switch, Patent Document 1 incorporates data on the sunrise time and the sunset time, so that the load can be turned on at the sunset time and the load can be turned off at the sunrise time. The time switch is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-269387

The present invention provides a time switch that facilitates the setting of a fine time schedule.

The time switch according to one aspect of the present invention sets the switch unit for turning on and off the electrical connection of the load and the power supply, the on time when the switch unit is turned on, and the off time when the switch unit is turned off. The setting reception unit includes a setting reception unit and a control unit that turns on and off the switch unit according to the setting accepted by the setting reception unit, and the setting reception unit has the on time and the off time on a specific date or day. It is possible to accept a special day setting that can be set and a season setting that accepts the setting of the on time and the setting of the off time in a period of one day or more.

According to the present invention, a time switch that makes it easy to set a fine time schedule is realized.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a time switch according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the time switch according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the time switch according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example based on the season setting. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting a special day. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example of the time switch according to the embodiment when the season setting and the special day setting overlap. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of special day settings are duplicated. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the season setting and the plurality of special day settings overlap. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation example 1 when the season setting and the plurality of special day settings of the time switch according to the embodiment overlap. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example 2 when the season setting and the plurality of special day settings of the time switch according to the embodiment overlap. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example of the time switch according to the embodiment when the season setting and the special day setting overlap.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below are comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as arbitrary components.

It should be noted that each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly shown. Further, in each figure, the same reference numerals may be given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the time switch according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a time switch according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the time switch according to the embodiment.

The time switch 10 turns on and off the electrical connection of the load (not shown) and the power supply (not shown) connected to the terminal portion 11 according to the time schedule set through the setting receiving unit 13 (hereinafter,). , Simply described as "turning on (off) the load"). Specifically, the time switch 10 includes a terminal unit 11, a switch unit 12, a setting reception unit 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, a control unit 16, a timekeeping unit 17, and a battery unit 18. To prepare for.

A load and a power supply are connected to the terminal portion 11. Loads are, for example, street lights, lights, and signs. The terminal portion 11 has a structure for fixing the load and the power supply by, for example, a screw. The circuit configuration of the terminal portion 11 is not particularly limited. The circuit configuration of the terminal portion 11 may be a voltage output configuration in which the voltage of the power supply is applied between the terminals to which the load is connected, or a non-voltage to which the voltage of the power supply is not applied between the terminals to which the load is connected. It may be an output configuration. A plurality of loads may be attached to the terminal portion 11.

The switch unit 12 turns on and off the electrical connection of the load and power supply connected to the terminal unit. The switch unit 12 is realized by, for example, a relay element and a drive circuit of the relay element, but may be realized by a power transistor and a drive circuit of the power transistor. The contact configuration of the switch unit 12 is not particularly limited. The switch unit 12 may have a c-contact configuration (that is, a single-pole double-throw) or an a-contact configuration (that is, a single-pole single-throw). When a plurality of loads are attached to the terminal portion 11, the time switch 10 may include a plurality of switch portions 12 corresponding to the plurality of loads.

The setting receiving unit 13 is a user interface that receives various settings related to the time switch 10. Specifically, the setting receiving unit 13 receives the setting of the on time when the switch unit 12 is turned on and the setting of the off time when the switch unit 12 is turned off. The setting receiving unit 13 is realized by, for example, a hardware key (hardware button), a slide switch, or the like, but may be realized by a touch panel or the like.

The display unit 14 is a display panel that displays information for the user to confirm the setting contents and the like. The display unit 14 is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal panel, but may be realized by another display panel such as an organic EL panel.

The storage unit 15 is a storage device that stores various settings received by the setting reception unit 13 as setting information. The storage unit 15 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

The control unit 16 is a control device that controls on and off of the switch unit 12 (that is, on and off of the electrical connection of the load and the power supply). Specifically, the control unit 16 transmits a control signal to the switch unit 12 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 15. The control unit 16 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer or a processor. The storage unit 15 may be built in the control unit 16.

The timekeeping unit 17 is a timer device that measures the current date and time. The timekeeping unit 17 is realized by, for example, a real-time clock.

The battery unit 18 is composed of a battery and a battery accommodating unit (recessed portion in which the battery is accommodated) accommodating the battery, and supplies electric power to each component (control unit 16 and the like) included in the time switch 10. The battery may be a dry battery or a storage battery (a rechargeable battery).

[basic action]
Next, the basic operation of the time switch 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the time switch 10.

First, the setting receiving unit 13 receives the initial setting from the user (S11). The initial setting includes the setting of the current time, the setting of the area where the time switch 10 is used, and the like.

Next, the setting reception unit 13 receives from the user the setting of the on time when the switch unit 12 is turned on (S12). When the setting of the on time is received by the setting reception unit 13, the setting information of the on time is stored in the storage unit 15.

The on-time setting options include three settings: sunset setting, sunrise setting, and scheduled setting. The sunset setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on at the sunset time. The sunrise setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on at the time of sunrise. The fixed time setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on at a time specified by the user.

Next, the setting receiving unit 13 receives the setting of the off time when the switch unit 12 is turned off (S13). When the setting of the off time is received by the setting reception unit 13, the setting information of the off time is stored in the storage unit 15.

The options for setting the off time include three settings: sunset setting, sunrise setting, and scheduled setting. The sunset setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned off at the sunset time. The sunrise setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned off at the sunrise time. The fixed time setting is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned off at a time specified by the user.

Next, the control unit 16 controls the on / off of the switch unit 12 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 15 (S14). Specifically, the control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 when the current time measured by the time measuring unit 17 becomes the on time set in step S12. Further, the control unit 16 turns off the switch unit 12 when the current time measured by the time measuring unit 17 reaches the off time set in step S13. That is, the switch unit 12 is in the on state from the on time to the off time.

[Season setting function and special day setting function]
The time switch 10 has a season setting function capable of setting an on time and an off time in a period of one day or more (for example, a period of two days or more) specified by the user.

When the season is set, the setting reception unit 13 receives, for example, the setting of the start date of the period, the setting of the end date of the period, the setting of the on time, and the setting of the off time from the user, and the storage unit 15 receives the setting. , Setting information indicating such a season setting is stored. For example, if the start date of the period is set to May 1, the end date of the period is set to May 31, the sunset is set as the on time, and the off time is set to 22:00. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 every day from May 1st to May 31st from sunset to 22:00 based on the setting information. .. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example based on the season setting.

Further, the time switch 10 has a special day setting function capable of setting the on time and the off time only for a specific date or day of the week. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting a special day. The method of using the priority shown in FIG. 5 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the special day setting is performed, the setting reception unit 13 sets, for example, a year setting (yearly or specific year), a month setting (monthly or specific month), and a day setting (day of the week or a specific month). (Specific day)) is received from the user, and the storage unit 15 stores setting information indicating such a special day setting. The control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 on a specific date or day of the week from the set on time to the set off time based on the setting information.

Generally, the time switch having a season setting function and the time switch having a special day setting function are different models. On the other hand, the time switch 10 has both a season setting function and a special day setting function. As a result, the user can easily set a fine time schedule by using the season setting and the special day setting together as compared with the case of using only one of the season setting and the special day setting.

[Action when season setting and special day setting overlap]
By the way, when both the season setting function and the special day setting function are enabled in the time switch 10, there is a possibility that the settings are duplicated. For example, a period of one or more days in a season setting may include a particular date or day of the week in a special day setting. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the season setting is set to be on from May 1st to May 31st, every day, from sunset to 22:00, This is a case where the special day setting is set to be on from 9:00 to 17:00 on May 5th.

In such a case, there is room for consideration as to whether the control unit 16 operates according to the season setting or the special day setting on May 5, when the settings are duplicated. On May 5 (the day of a specific date or day of the week that is the target of the special day setting), the time switch 10 turns on and off the switch unit 12 according to the special day setting. As a result, the operation of the time switch 10 shown in FIG. 4 is changed as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example (how the operation example of FIG. 4 is changed) when the season setting and the special day setting overlap.

In this way, when the season setting and the special day setting overlap, if the special day setting is prioritized, the user can set an exception (special day setting) in the target period of the season setting in principle. .. That is, the user can set a fine time schedule relatively easily.

The time switch 10 may give priority to the season setting when the season setting and the special day setting overlap. That is, when the control unit 16 includes a specific date or day of the week in the special day setting in the period of one day or more in the season setting, the control unit 16 turns on and off the switch unit 12 according to the season setting on the specific date or day of the week. You may. In this case, since the special day setting cannot be substantially set during the target period of the season setting, there is an advantage that the setting content is simplified and the user can easily grasp the setting content. In this case, the time switch 10 may be configured not to accept a special day setting that overlaps with the season setting in the first place.

[Operation when multiple special day settings are duplicated]
Further, in the time switch 10, the setting receiving unit 13 can receive a plurality of special day settings. Then, it is possible that multiple special day settings are duplicated. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of special day settings are duplicated.

The special day setting 1 in FIG. 7 is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on from 12:00 to 20:00 on May 5 every year. The special day setting 2 in FIG. 7 is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on from 9:00 to 17:00 on May 5, 2025. In such a case, there is room for consideration as to whether the control unit 16 operates according to the special day setting 1 or the special day setting 2 on May 5, 2025, when the settings are duplicated.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the special day setting, the priority is predetermined according to the specific strictness of the date or the day of the week in the setting. Specifically, the priority is higher for the special day setting where the date is strictly specified. Strictly specified can be rephrased as being specified in detail or being specified in detail.

When the dates or days of the week that are the targets of the plurality of special day settings overlap, the control unit 16 turns on and off the switch unit 12 based on this priority. In the example of FIG. 7, since the priority of the special day setting 1 is 5th and the priority of the special day setting 2 is 1st, the special day setting 2 has priority, and on May 5, 2025, the priority is given. , The control unit 16 operates according to the special day setting 2.

In this way, the time switch 10 can make use of both a plurality of special day settings having overlapping settings. When multiple special day settings are duplicated, if the special day setting whose date is strictly specified is prioritized, the user can use a certain special day setting as a basis and make an exception (special date whose date is strictly specified). It is possible to set a time schedule with a setting). The method of determining the priority is not limited to the example of FIG.

[Operation when the season setting and multiple special day settings overlap]
It is possible that the season setting and multiple special day settings overlap. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the season setting and the plurality of special day settings overlap.

The season setting in FIG. 8 is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on from May 1st to May 31st, every day from sunset to 22:00. The special day setting 1 in FIG. 8 is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on from 12:00 to 20:00 on May 5 every year. The special day setting 2 in FIG. 8 is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on from 9:00 to 17:00 on May 5, 2025.

In such a case, on May 5th of a year other than 2025, the season setting and the special day setting 1 overlap, and the special day setting 1 has priority, so it is between 12:00 and 20:00. , The switch unit 12 is turned on. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation example on May 5 of a year other than 2025.

Also, on May 5, 2025, the season setting, the special day setting 1 and the special day setting 2 overlap, and the special day setting 2 has the highest priority, so it is between 9:00 and 17:00. , The switch unit 12 is turned on. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example on May 5, 2025.

[Operation when the season setting across dates and the special day setting overlap]
In the season setting, it is possible to set the switch unit 12 to be turned off the day after the switch unit 12 is turned on. Hereinafter, the operation when the season setting across dates and the special day setting overlap in this way will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example when the season setting and the special day setting overlap.

In the season setting shown in FIG. 11A, the switch unit 12 is turned on from January 1st to January 2nd, the switch unit 12 is once turned off, and then January 2nd to January 2nd. The switch unit 12 is set to be on for 3 days. Further, the special day setting shown in FIG. 11B is a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on and off on the day of January 2. When such a season setting and a special day setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on and off on the day of January 2 overlap, the control unit 16 controls the switch unit 12 as follows.

The season setting includes a setting in which the switch unit 12 is turned on on the day before a specific date (or day of the week) to be set as a special day, and the switch unit 12 is turned off on that day. In such a case, the control unit 16 turns off the switch unit 12 at 0 o'clock on the day to prepare for turning on the switch unit 12 based on the special day setting.

Further, the above-mentioned season setting includes a setting that the switch unit 12 is turned on on the day of a specific date (or day of the week) that is the target of the special day setting and the switch unit 12 is turned off the next day. In such a case, the control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 based on the season setting at 0:00 on the next day instead of the current day.

Then, the control unit 16 turns on and off the switch unit 12 according to the special day setting on the day of the date (or the day of the week) that is the target of the special day setting. As a result, the switch unit 12 is turned on and off as shown in FIG. 11 (c). That is, on the day of the date (or day of the week) that is the target of the special day setting, the switch unit 12 is appropriately turned on and off according to the special day setting.

[Modification example]
If the on time and the off time are set to the same time in the time switch 10, no operation is performed, so that there is basically no meaning. Here, when only the special day setting, the on time, and the off time are set to the same time, the control unit 16 has the switch unit 12 all day on the date or day of the week to be the target of the special day setting. The switch unit 12 may be controlled so as to be in the off state. This makes it easy to set a rest day (a day when the switch unit 12 is not turned on) in the season setting by combining the season setting and the special day setting.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the time switch 10 sets the switch unit 12 for turning on and off the electrical connection of the load and the power supply, the on time for the switch unit 12 to turn on, and the off time for the switch unit 12 to turn off. The setting receiving unit 13 is provided with a setting receiving unit 13 and a control unit 16 for turning on and off the switch unit 12 according to the setting received by the setting receiving unit 13. The setting reception unit 13 can accept a special day setting that can set the on time and the off time on a specific date or day of the week, and a season setting that accepts the setting of the on time and the off time for a period of one day or more. can.

According to such a time switch 10, the user can set a fine time schedule relatively easily by using the season setting and the special day setting together.

Further, for example, when the control unit 16 includes a specific date or day of the week in the special day setting in the period of one day or more in the season setting, the control unit 16 is a switch unit according to the special day setting on the day of the specific date or day of the week. 12 is turned on and off.

According to such a time switch 10, the user can set an exception (special day setting) in the target period of the season setting in principle. That is, the user can set a fine time schedule relatively easily.

Further, for example, when the season setting includes a setting such that the switch unit 12 is turned on on the day before a specific date or day of the week and the switch unit 12 is turned off on that day, the control unit 16 turns off the switch unit 12 at 0 o'clock on the day. do.

Such a time switch 10 can appropriately turn on and off the switch unit 12 according to the special day setting on the day of the date (or the day of the week) subject to the special day setting.

Further, for example, when the season setting includes a setting such that the switch unit 12 is turned on on the day of a specific date or day of the week and the switch unit 12 is turned off the next day, the control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 based on the season setting. Is performed at 0:00 on the next day instead of the current day.

Such a time switch 10 can appropriately turn on and off the switch unit 12 according to the special day setting on the day of the date (or the day of the week) subject to the special day setting.

Further, for example, the setting receiving unit 13 can receive a plurality of special day settings, and the control unit 16 can receive a plurality of special day settings. , The switch unit 12 is turned on and off according to any of a plurality of special day settings based on a predetermined priority.

According to such a time switch 10, the user can set a time schedule utilizing both of a plurality of special day settings having overlapping settings.

Further, for example, in a predetermined priority, the higher the order is, the higher the special date setting in which the date is strictly specified.

According to such a time switch 10, the user can set a time schedule with an exception (a special day setting in which a date is strictly specified) based on a certain special day setting.

Further, for example, when the control unit 16 includes a specific date or day of the week in the special day setting in the period of one day or more in the season setting, the control unit 16 turns on the switch unit 12 according to the season setting on the specific date or day of the week. And turn off.

In such a time switch 10, the special day setting cannot be substantially set during the target period of the season setting. Therefore, there is an advantage that the setting contents are simplified and the user can easily understand the setting contents.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, although the time switch according to the above embodiment has been described as having a solar function, the time switch may not have a solar function. That is, the time switch may be a time switch in which the sunset setting and the sunrise setting are not possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, another processing unit may execute the processing executed by the specific processing unit.

Further, the order of processing described in the flowchart of the above embodiment is an example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

Further, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

In addition, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits from each other. Further, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

In addition, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be realized in a recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. In addition, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be realized by any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs and recording media.

In addition, it is realized by a form obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art can think of, or by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment within the range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. Also included in the present invention.

10 Time switch 12 Switch unit 13 Setting reception unit 16 Control unit

Claims (7)

A switch that turns on and off the electrical connection of the load and power supply,
A setting reception unit that accepts the setting of the on time when the switch unit is turned on and the off time when the switch unit is turned off.
A control unit for turning on and off the switch unit according to the setting received by the setting reception unit is provided.
The setting reception unit has a special day setting that allows the setting of the on time and the off time on a specific date or day of the week, and a season setting that accepts the setting of the on time and the off time for a period of one day or more. A time switch that can accept. When the specific date or day of the week in the special day setting is included in the period of one day or more in the season setting, the control unit may perform the control unit according to the special day setting on the day of the specific date or day of the week. The time switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch unit is turned on and off. If the season setting includes a setting such that the switch unit is turned on and the switch unit is turned off on the day before the specific date or day of the week, the control unit turns off the switch unit at 0 o'clock on the day. The time switch according to claim 2. When the season setting includes a setting such that the switch unit is turned on on the day of the specific date or day of the week and the switch unit is turned off the next day, the control unit turns on the switch unit based on the season setting. The time switch according to claim 2 or 3, which is performed at 0:00 on the next day instead of the current day. The setting reception unit can receive a plurality of the special day settings.
When a plurality of dates or days subject to the special day setting overlap, the control unit may use the control unit according to any one of the plurality of special day settings based on a predetermined priority on the date or the day of the week. The time switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch unit is turned on and off. The time switch according to claim 5, wherein in the predetermined priority order, the higher the order is, the higher the order is as the special day setting in which the date is strictly specified. When the specific date or day of the week in the special day setting is included in the period of one day or more in the season setting, the control unit operates the switch unit in accordance with the season setting on the specific date or day of the week. The time switch according to claim 1, which is turned on and off.

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