JP4950452B2 - Detection sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection sensor.

Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a master unit and a plurality of sensor units are connected by an input / output connector, and setting information such as sensitivity setting set in the master unit is transmitted to each sensor unit. There is something to set. With such a configuration, there is an advantage that the same setting work need not be performed for each sensor unit, and the setting work can be performed efficiently.
JP 2000-294097 A

  However, in the conventional apparatus, when setting information is received from the master unit, it is necessary for an operator to perform a switching operation from a detection mode for executing a detection operation to a reception mode, for example, on each sensor unit side, and workability is poor. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a detection sensor capable of easily performing setting work of setting information.

As means for achieving the above object, the detection sensor according to the invention of claim 1 comprises detection means for detecting a physical quantity change in the detection region, and setting means for setting setting information relating to the detection operation. In the detection sensor that performs the detection operation based on the setting information set by the setting means, the input means connected to the external connection terminal that can be electrically connected to the connection terminal of the setting information output external device that outputs the setting information; A switching means for selectively switching between the master mode and the slave mode; an output means connected to an external connection terminal; and when switched to the master mode by the switching means, functions as the setting information output external device, and the output means To output its own setting information via the external connection terminal connected to it, and by the switching means, the slave mode When switched, based on the fact that the power is turned on, it is detected whether or not the transmission signal of the setting information is input to the external connection terminal, and on condition that the input of the transmission signal is detected. A control means for operating the input means to acquire the setting information via its external connection terminal connected to an external connection terminal of another detection sensor switched to the master mode and set the setting information in the setting means; , characterized in that it comprises a.
The “detection sensor” of the present invention is, for example, a pressure sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like as long as it detects a change in physical quantity and outputs an output signal based on the detection. included.
In addition, the “output signal” may be a detection signal (analog signal or digital signal) corresponding to a change in physical quantity, or a signal corresponding to a comparison result between a detection level and a threshold value.
“Setting information” includes, for example, setting values such as a threshold value for detection, a response speed, and a timer.

A second aspect of the present invention, the detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the input means includes a command input circuit for inputting a command signal from the outside, and the setting information input circuit for inputting the setting information Selection means for selectively enabling the input operation of the command input circuit and the input operation of the setting information input circuit; and the input side of both input circuits is commonly connected to the external connection terminal The control means enables the input operation of the setting information input circuit by the selection means based on the power-on, and on condition that the input of the transmission signal is detected. The setting information is acquired.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the detection sensor according to the first or second aspect , the control means is configured to detect when the input of the transmission signal is not detected during a predetermined standby time from the power-on time. Shifts to a detection operation of the detection means.

<Invention of Claim 1>
According to this configuration, the setting information output from the external device is automatically input via the input unit and set in the setting unit when the external device is connected and the power is turned on. The Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration, the operator does not need to perform switching work from the detection mode to the reception mode. One detection sensor can be switched between a type that functions as a setting information output external device and outputs setting information (master mode) and a type that acquires setting information from the setting information output external device (slave mode). it can. Thereby, setting information can be sequentially sent and set from one detection sensor to another detection sensor and from another detection sensor to another detection sensor.

<Invention of Claim 2 >
The setting information input circuit for inputting the setting information requires a configuration such as reading the pulse width of the input signal, while the command signal from the outside (for example, zero adjustment command signal, auto reference command, etc.) A command input circuit for inputting a signal, an auto teaching command signal, etc.) can be configured to detect only the high / low level of the input signal. Moreover, the setting information is not acquired so frequently. Therefore, in this configuration, the setting information input circuit and the command input circuit are provided as separate circuits, and the input operation of the command input circuit is validated only when the setting information is acquired (when the power is turned on).

<Invention of Claim 3 >
According to this configuration, when a standby time is provided after the power is turned on and a transmission signal is not received even after the standby time has elapsed, the detection operation is shifted to the detection operation and the detection operation based on the currently set setting information is performed. I tried to run.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1. Appearance Configuration of Pressure Sensor The pressure sensor (corresponding to the “detection sensor” of the present invention) 10 of the present embodiment is, for example, a degree of vacuum in a cavity (corresponding to the “detection region” of the present invention) when performing vacuum forming. Is used to measure As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor 10 includes a box-shaped sensor main body 11 that is long in the front-rear direction. On the front surface of the sensor main body 11, a display unit 12 as display means for displaying setting information such as measurement results and detection thresholds, a mode change switch 13 for switching modes to be described later, and a display of the display unit 12 An up / down switch 14 for switching contents is provided.

  On the other hand, on the rear surface of the sensor main body 11, a connection connector 15 for connecting to a control device 30 as a host device and other pressure sensors 10 and a pressure introduction port 16 are arranged side by side as will be described later. A tube (not shown) is connected to the pressure introduction port 16 via a joint so that the internal pressure in the cavity is taken into the sensor body 11 through the tube and the pressure introduction port 16. It has become.

2. Next, an electrical configuration of the pressure sensor 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, a state in which the pressure sensor 10 is connected to the control device 30 is shown.

  In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes a pressure detection unit (corresponding to “detection means” of the present invention), which is composed of a pressure sensitive element using a semiconductor diaphragm, and is stored in the sensor main body 11 together with the CPU 18. When the internal pressure in the cavity is taken in through the pressure introduction port 16, the pressure detector 17 outputs a detection signal Sa as an analog signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure value, and the A / D converter (not shown) outputs the detection signal Sa. / D converted and provided to the CPU 18.

  The CPU 18 is connected to a memory 19 (corresponding to “setting means” of the present invention). For example, a first threshold value and a second threshold value for detection, and a timer value for execution timing of the detection operation are connected to the memory 19. Various setting information such as response speed is stored.

  In the detection mode to be described later, the CPU 18 repeatedly reads the detection signal Sa at an execution timing corresponding to the timer value set in the memory 19, and detects the detected pressure value and the detection first value set in the memory 19. The first threshold value and the second threshold value are respectively compared. Then, an output signal corresponding to the comparison result is output at an output timing corresponding to the response speed set in the memory 19. Specifically, an output signal Sb based on the comparison result between the detected pressure value and the first threshold value is output via the first output circuit 20 (corresponding to “output means” of the present invention), and the detected pressure value and the first threshold value are output. An output signal Sc based on the magnitude comparison result with the two threshold values is output via the second output circuit 21 (corresponding to “output means” of the present invention).

  The connection connector 15 includes four connection terminals, two of which are a power supply terminal 15a and a ground terminal 15b for supplying power, and the other two are first output circuits, respectively. 20 and external connection terminals 15 c and 15 d connected to the output side of the second output circuit 21.

  Further, an input circuit 22 (corresponding to "input means" of the present invention) is commonly connected to the external connection terminal 15d (corresponding to "external connection terminal" of the present invention). The input circuit 22 is originally provided for inputting a command signal from the control device 30. Specifically, the second output circuit 21 and the input circuit 22 each have built-in open / close switches 21a and 22a.

  The CPU 18 closes the open / close switch 21a of the second output circuit 21 (validates the output operation of the second output circuit 21) at each execution timing, for example, in the detection mode described later, while the input circuit The open / close switch 22a of 22 is opened (invalidating the input operation of the input circuit 22), and the detection operation (comparison operation of the detected pressure value and the threshold value) is executed, and output signals Sb and Sc are output. On the other hand, between each execution timing, the opening / closing switch 21a of the second output circuit 21 is opened (invalidating the output operation of the second output circuit 21), while the opening / closing switch 22a of the input circuit 22 is closed (input circuit). 22 is validated) to determine whether or not the command signal Sd is received based on the potential level of the external connection terminal 15d. When the command signal Sd is received, the command signal Sd is received via the external connection terminal 15d and the input circuit 22. To enter. In this embodiment, the input circuit 22 is also used in a copy mode in which setting information from another pressure sensor 10 is input as will be described later.

  The command signal Sd includes, for example, a zero adjustment command signal, an auto reference command signal, and an auto teaching command signal. When the command signal Sd is a zero adjustment command signal, the detected pressure value at that time is stored in the memory 19 as a reference level, and in the subsequent detection operation, the relative pressure value obtained by subtracting the reference level from the detected pressure value. Is displayed on the display unit 12, so-called zero adjustment function is executed.

  When the command signal Sd is an auto-reference command signal, a so-called auto-reference function is performed in which the first threshold value and the second threshold value are shifted and corrected by the variation of the original pressure of the device to be measured. When the command signal Sd is an auto teaching command signal, a so-called auto teaching function is executed in which the first threshold value and the second threshold value are reset based on the detected pressure value at that time.

  Further, the display unit 12 and the operation unit 23 are connected to the CPU 18. The display unit 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various modes (detection mode, copy mode, setting information input mode, etc.) when the mode is switched. In the detection mode, the current detected pressure value, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the like are displayed. In the copy mode, which will be described later, characters / symbols indicating whether setting information has been input are displayed.

  The operation unit 23 gives a signal to the CPU 18 according to the operation of the mode switch 13 or the up / down switch 14 described above. By switching the mode changeover switch 13 to the “setting information input mode”, the value of each setting information currently set is displayed, and the up / down switch 14 is operated to change the display value to a desired display value (for example, up By pressing the down switch 14 at the same time, the display value can be set in the memory 19 as setting information.

3. 2. Control contents of CPU of pressure sensor (1) Detection mode When performing a normal detection operation, the pressure sensor 10 is connected to a control device 30 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the control device 30 is also provided with a connection connector 31, which is provided with four connection terminals, two of which are a power supply terminal 31a and a ground terminal 31b connected to the power supply circuit 33. The connector cable 32 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal 15a and the ground terminal 15b of the pressure sensor 10. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 36 to each pressure sensor 10.

  The other two connection terminals 31c and 31d are connected to the CPU 34 and are also electrically connected to the external connection terminals 15c and 15d of the pressure sensor 10 by the connector cable 32, respectively. The output signal Sb from the first output circuit 20 of the pressure sensor 10 is input to the connection terminal 31 c and is taken into the CPU 34. The connection terminal 31d normally receives the output signal Sc from the second output circuit 21 of the pressure sensor 10 and takes it into the CPU 34. When outputting a command, the command signal Sd is output by an input / output switching circuit (not shown). The

  The pressure sensor 10 is powered on by being connected to the control device 30 and the CPU 18 executes the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, the detection mode is set. When the pressure sensor 10 is in the master mode (“Y” in S1), the detection mode repeats a series of operations such as the above-described detection operation. Is executed (S2). That is, at each execution timing corresponding to the currently set timer value, the detection signal Sa is read, and a comparison operation between the detected pressure value and the currently set first and second threshold values for detection is performed. Then, the output signals Sb and Sc corresponding to the comparison result are output by enabling the first output circuit 20 and the second output circuit 21 at the output timing corresponding to the currently set response speed. As a result, the control device 30 receives the output signals Sb and Sc at each execution timing.

  Then, between the detection operation and the output operation and before the next execution timing, the input operation of the input circuit 22 is validated while the output operation of the second output circuit 21 is invalidated, and the command signal Sd is sent from the control device 30. If it is received, a command signal is acquired, and a function corresponding to the command signal Sd is executed.

(2) Copy Mode Now, when it is desired to acquire setting information already set in other pressure sensors 10, the pressure sensors 10 are connected to each other via a connector cable 35 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the power supply terminals 15a and the ground terminals 15b of both pressure sensors 10 are electrically connected to each other. The external connection terminal 15c of one pressure sensor 10 is cross-connected to the external connection terminal 10d of the other pressure sensor 10, and the external connection terminal 15d of one pressure sensor 10 is cross-connected to the external connection terminal 10c of the other pressure sensor 10, respectively. Has been.

  Here, the pressure sensor 10 of the present embodiment is set to the master mode when it is desired to function as a copy source by the operation of the mode switch 13 and the up / down switch 14, and is set to the slave mode when it is desired to function as a copy destination. It can be switched selectively. In the figure, the right pressure sensor 10a is switched to the master mode, and the left pressure sensor 10b is switched to the slave mode.

(Master mode)
In the pressure sensor 10a switched to the master mode, the detection mode is executed after the power is turned on as described above. However, in S3, the CPU 18 determines whether or not there is an interruption of the switching operation to the copy mode between the respective execution timings. If there is no interrupt ("N" in S3), the detection mode is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if there is an interrupt ("Y" in S3), execution of the detection mode is stopped, the copy mode is entered, and copy transmission is performed. Is executed (S4).

  Specifically, the CPU 18 of the master mode pressure sensor 10a executes a copy transmission routine shown in FIG. In S31, the output operation of the second output circuit 21 is invalidated while the input operation of the input circuit 22 is validated. Next, in S32, the copy mode pulse Se (corresponding to the “transmission signal” of the present invention) is output from the first output circuit 20 via the external connection terminal 15c. As a result, the copy mode pulse Se is applied to the external connection terminal 15d of the pressure sensor 10b in the slave mode.

  In S32, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the answerback signal Sf has been received via the input circuit 22 that has already been enabled, and waits until the answerback signal Sf is received (“N” in S33). When received ("Y" in S33), the setting information data D set in the memory 19 and the CRC data for collation are output via the first output circuit 20 (S34). Thereby, the setting information data D and CRC data are given to the external connection terminal 15d of the pressure sensor 10b in the slave mode. The transmission operation of the setting information data D and CRC data is repeatedly executed until a reception completion signal described later is received by the input circuit 22 (S35).

(Slave mode)
In FIG. 4, the CPU 18 of the pressure sensor 10b in the slave mode becomes “N” in S1, and without executing the detection mode, first, the CPU 18 automatically shifts to the copy mode in S5 and receives the copy (copy reception routine shown in FIG. 6). Execute. In FIG. 6, in S41, the output operation of the second output circuit 21 is invalidated while the input operation of the input circuit 22 is validated. Next, in S42, it is determined whether or not the copy mode pulse Se is input to the input circuit 22. If there is an input (“Y” in S42), the answerback signal Sf is sent from the first output circuit 20 in S43. Output. As a result, the answer back signal Sf is supplied to the input circuit 22 of the pressure sensor 10a in the master mode.

  In S44, the setting information data D and CRC data transmitted from the first output circuit 20 of the pressure sensor 10a in the master mode are received via the input circuit 22. Here, the CPU 18 functions as input detection means for determining whether or not the reception of these data has been completed, and when the reception is completed, causes the display unit 21 to display characters / symbols or the like indicating that.

  In step S45, the received setting information data D is CRC-converted. In step S46, it is determined whether the converted CRC data matches the received CRC data. If they match (“Y” in S46), it is assumed that the setting information data D has been normally received from the pressure sensor 10a in the master mode, and characters / symbols or the like indicating this on the display unit 21 (eg, “OK”). Is displayed (S47), and a reception completion signal is output via the first output circuit 20. Then, the acquired setting information is updated and set in the memory 19. At this time, the CPU 18 functions as a “control unit” of the present invention. After that, when the mode is switched again to the detection mode by the mode switch 13, the CPU 18 of the pressure sensor 10b repeatedly executes a detection operation based on the newly updated setting information.

  On the other hand, if they do not match (“N” in S46), an error signal indicating that is output from the first output circuit 20. The master mode pressure sensor 10 a that has received this via the input circuit 22 transmits setting information data D and CRC data via the first output circuit 20. If there is no coincidence three times (“Y” in S48), a character / symbol (eg, “ERR”) indicating an error is displayed on the display unit 21 in S49.

  If the copy mode pulse Se is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the power is turned on ("N" in S42 and "Y" in S50), the mode automatically shifts to the detection mode (S51). For example, when the slave mode pressure sensor 10b is connected to the control device 30 as shown in FIG. 2 and the power is turned on, the copy mode pulse Se is not input even if a predetermined time elapses. After the elapse of time, the mode is automatically shifted to the detection mode, and the detection operation is executed based on the setting information currently set in the memory 19.

4). Effects of the present embodiment (1) According to the present embodiment, the slave mode pressure sensor 10b automatically performs copy reception when the connector is connected to the master mode pressure sensor 10a and the power is turned on. Data D can be acquired and set in the memory 19. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration, the operator does not need to perform switching work from the detection mode to the reception mode.

(2) One pressure sensor 10 can be switched to either a master as a copy source or a slave as a copy destination.
(3) A standby time is provided after the power is turned on, and if the copy mode pulse Se is not received even after the standby time elapses, the detection mode is shifted to the detection mode and the detection operation based on the currently set setting information is executed. I tried to do it.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment (corresponding to the invention of claim 3). In addition, the same part as Embodiment 1 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different part is demonstrated below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure sensor 60 includes an output circuit 63 similar to the first output circuit of the first embodiment, a command input circuit 61, and a setting information input circuit 62. These input circuits 61 , 62 are commonly connected to the external connection terminal 15d.

  In order to set and change the setting information, as shown in FIG. 7, a connection connector 53 of a control device 52 (corresponding to “setting information output external device” of the present invention) is connected to the connection connector 15. The setting information is acquired from the control device 52.

  By this connector connection, power is turned on to the pressure sensor 60 via the power supply terminals 53a and 53b connected to the power circuit 54 of the control device 52, and the mode automatically shifts to the copy mode. In the copy mode, the CPU 18 opens the open / close switch 61a of the command input circuit 61 to invalidate the input operation, and closes the open / close switch 62a of the setting information input circuit 62 to validate the input operation. . Then, setting information data D transmitted from the CPU 55 of the control device 52 via the connection terminal 53 d is acquired via the command input circuit 62 and set in the memory 19.

  Thereafter, the mode automatically shifts to the detection mode after the elapse of a predetermined time since the power is turned on, this time, the input operation of only the command input circuit 51 is validated, and the command signal Sd from the control device 52 is inserted between the execution timings of the detection operation. Is also input via the external connection terminal 15d.

Here, the setting information input circuit 62 for inputting the setting information data D needs to be configured to read the pulse width and the like of the input signal, whereas the command signal Sd from the outside (for example, zero) The command input circuit 61 for inputting an adjustment command signal, an auto reference command signal, an auto teaching command signal, etc.) can also have a simple configuration in which only the high / low level of the input signal is detected. Moreover, the setting information is not acquired so frequently. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the setting information input circuit 62 and the command input circuit 61 are made separate circuits, and the input operation of the setting information input circuit 62 is validated only when the setting information is acquired (when the power is turned on). did.

  Even in such a configuration, setting information from the control device 52 can be automatically copied to the pressure sensor 60 by connecting the pressure sensor 60 to the control device 52.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) In the first embodiment, the switching means between the master mode and the slave mode is not limited to the configuration using the mode switching switch 13 and may be a dip switch that can be selectively specified in advance before the power is turned on.

  (2) In contrast to the first embodiment, the external connection terminals 15d of the master mode pressure sensor 10a and the slave mode pressure sensor 10b are connected to each other, and the master mode pressure sensor 10a is simply the second output circuit 21. And the setting information data D and copy mode pulse Se are output to the external connection terminal 15d, and the pressure sensor 10b in the slave mode enables the input circuit 22 to copy the setting information data D and copy from the external connection terminal 15d. The configuration may be such that only the mode pulse Se is input.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the transmission signal is the copy mode pulse Se transmitted first by the setting information data D. However, the transmission signal is not limited to this, and may be the leading rising pulse of the setting information data D, for example.

  (4) In the second embodiment, the output circuit 63 that outputs the detection signal Sa as a digital signal is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an analog output circuit that outputs the detection signal Sa as an analog signal may be used.

The perspective view of the pressure sensor which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pressure sensor (connection state with external equipment) Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pressure sensor (connection between pressure sensors) A flowchart showing a main routine executed by the CPU of the pressure sensor Flowchart showing a copy transmission routine executed by the CPU of the pressure sensor Flowchart showing a copy reception routine executed by the CPU of the pressure sensor The block diagram which showed the electric constitution of the pressure sensor of Embodiment 2.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Pressure sensor (detection sensor)
13 ... Mode changeover switch (switching means)
14 ... Up-down switch (switching means)
15d ... External connection terminal 17 ... Pressure detection part (detection means)
18 ... CPU (control means)
19 ... Memory (setting means)
20 ... 1st output circuit (output means)
21 ... Second output circuit (output means)
22 ... Input circuit (input means)
30 ... Control device (setting information output external device)
61 ... Command input circuit 62 ... Setting information input circuit 61a, 62a ... Open / close switch (selection means)
Se: Copy mode pulse (transmission signal)

Claims (3)

Detection means for detecting a physical quantity change in the detection region;
Setting means for setting setting information related to the detection operation,
In the detection sensor that performs the detection operation based on the setting information set by the setting means,
An input means connected to an external connection terminal that can be electrically connected to a connection terminal of a setting information output external device that outputs the setting information;
Switching means for selectively switching between master mode and slave mode;
Output means connected to the external connection terminal;
When switched to the master mode by the switching means, it functions as the setting information output external device, operates the output means to output its own setting information via the external connection terminal connected thereto, and by the switching means When the mode is switched to the slave mode, it is detected whether the transmission signal of the setting information is input to the external connection terminal based on the power-on, and the input of the transmission signal is detected. On condition that the input means is operated, the setting information is acquired and set in the setting means via its own external connection terminal connected to the external connection terminal of another detection sensor switched to the master mode. And a control means . The input means includes a command input circuit for inputting a command signal from the outside and a setting information input circuit for inputting the setting information, and the input sides of both input circuits are commonly connected to the external connection terminal. The configuration is
A selection means for selectively enabling the input operation of the command input circuit and the input operation of the setting information input circuit,
The control means activates the input operation of the setting information input circuit by the selection means based on the power-on, and sets the setting information on the condition that the input of the transmission signal is detected. The detection sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the detection sensor is acquired. The control means shifts to a detection operation of the detection means when the input of the transmission signal is not detected during a predetermined standby time from the time when the power is turned on. Item 3. The detection sensor according to Item 2.

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