JP5603215B2 - Load control switch and load control switch system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control switch and a load control switch system that can be easily replaced even if they are not qualified as an electrician.

  Load control switches that are installed on the walls of buildings and control the on and off of loads such as ventilation fans and lighting devices, as well as simple on / off controls, display functions, delay functions, dimming functions, radio signals Those having a reception function, a sensor function, and the like are known. For example, when a lighting device is replaced, a simple on / off switch may be replaced with a switch having a dimming function, or a switch of a lighting device such as a front door may be replaced with one equipped with a human body sensor. There may be cases. In the conventional system, the entire load control switch must be replaced, and wiring work is required. Therefore, the user cannot replace the load control switch himself, and must ask a qualified electrician. There wasn't.

  On the other hand, in recent years, as called DIY (Do It Yourself), it has become popular for users to purchase parts at home centers and to replace parts themselves. In the current system, for example, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, the user can only select the color and design of the operation handle in a home center and the like, and the load control switch body cannot be freely replaced. The annoyance remains.

Panasonic Electric Works Electrical Equipment Catalog 2010-2012 Page 19

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example, and includes a load control switch and a load control switch system that can be freely replaced by a user with a load control switch having a different function without wiring work. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a load control switch according to an aspect of the present invention is directly attached to a mounting frame installed on a wall surface of a building, and is detachable from the terminal module to which an electric wire is connected. And an opening / closing function module having a switch function for controlling at least on and off of a load, and an operation handle detachably attached to the opening / closing function module, wherein the opening / closing function module includes a semiconductor switch element as a main switch element. A push-on / push-off switch operated by the operation handle is provided on a mounting surface of the opening / closing function module to which the operation handle is mounted. At least two first contacts are provided on the surface, and the open / close function module is provided. At least two second contacts that contact the first contact point are provided on the back surface of the operation handle that faces the mounting surface of the tool, and the first contact point and the second contact point are provided inside the operation handle. An external electronic circuit connected to the control circuit of the electronic switch is provided .

  The external electronic circuit includes a human body sensor and an illuminance sensor, and the control circuit of the electronic switch controls on and off of a load according to a detection signal output from the human body sensor and the illuminance sensor. preferable.

  The control circuit of the electronic switch or the external electronic circuit includes a delay circuit, and when the push-on / push-off switch is turned off according to the operation of the operation handle, the load may be turned off after a predetermined time elapses. preferable.

  Preferably, the control circuit of the electronic switch includes a dimming circuit, and the external electronic circuit includes a dimming volume that is operated by a user and forms a part of the dimming circuit.

  The external electronic circuit preferably includes a display element.

  Preferably, the terminal module is a three-wire type, and an outlet is provided on the mounting surface of the open / close function module.

The load control switch system according to one aspect of the present invention is directly attached to a mounting frame installed on a wall surface of a building, and is detachably attached to a terminal module to which an electric wire is connected, and the terminal module, respectively. A plurality of open / close function modules having at least a switch function for controlling on / off of a load, and a plurality of operation handles detachably attached to the open / close function module. The terminal module includes a plurality of open / close function modules. One load control switch is configured by mounting one selected opening / closing function module and one operation handle selected from the plurality of operation handles, and one of the plurality of opening / closing function modules includes a semiconductor switch An electronic switch having an element as a main switch element, and the operation handle is A push-on / push-off switch operated by the operation handle is provided on the mounting surface of the opening / closing function module to be worn, and at least two contacts are provided on the mounting surface of the opening / closing function module. The operation handle adapted to the open / close function module is provided with at least two contact pieces in contact with the contact on the back surface facing the mounting surface of the open / close function module. An external electronic circuit connected to the control circuit of the electronic switch through the contact piece and the contact point is provided .

  According to the present invention, the load control switch is separated into at least a terminal module to which an electric wire is connected and an opening / closing function module that is detachably attached to the terminal module. Only the terminal module needs to be installed. Then, the user can freely select only the opening / closing function module or a combination of the opening / closing function module and the operation handle without performing wiring work, and can install or replace it by himself / herself.

The figure which shows the structure of the load control switch which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the modification of the said load control switch. The figure which shows the structure of the other modification of the said load control switch. The figure which shows the structure of the further another modification of the said load control switch.

  A load control switch and a load control switch system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a load control switch 1 according to the present embodiment. The load control switch 1 includes a terminal module 2 to which an electric wire 5 such as a VVF (Vinyl insulated Vinyl sheathed Flat-type cable) is connected, an opening / closing function module 3 having a switch function, and an operation handle 4. It consists of

  The terminal module 2 includes an inlet 21 into which the core wire 51 of the electric wire 5 from which the insulation coating has been removed is inserted, and an outlet 22 into which the socket 31 of the open / close function module 3 is inserted. The inlet 21 is the same as that of a conventional load control switch that is automatically locked when the core wire 51 of the electric wire 5 is inserted. The structure of the outlet 22 is not particularly limited, and may be a simple electrical contact or a structure like an outlet. In the latter case, a sliding shutter may be provided on the outlet 22 in order to prevent electric shock. In FIG. 1, the terminal module 2 is exemplified by a two-wire type, but may be a three-wire type. The terminal module 2 is installed by an electrician who has specialized knowledge, such as an electrician. According to the configuration of this embodiment, once the terminal module 2 is installed, it is not normally replaced. Note that the terminal module 2 is smaller than the conventional load control switch because the open / close function module 3 is separated. For this reason, the adapter 6 or the like is used when it is attached to a conventional attachment frame.

  As the open / close function module 3, for example, an electronic switch having a semiconductor switch element as a main switch element is illustrated. A push-on / push-off switch 33 operated by the operation handle 4 is provided on the mounting surface 32 to which the operation handle 4 of the opening / closing function module 3 is mounted. Further, on the mounting surface 32 of the opening / closing function module 3, a support shaft 34 that is fitted to a bearing 42 provided on the back surface 41 of the operation handle 4 is provided. The back surface 41 of the operation handle 4 is in contact with the push-on / push-off switch 33 in a state where the bearing 42 is fitted to the support shaft 34, that is, in a state where the operation handle 4 is mounted on the opening / closing function module 3. A projection 43 is provided. The operation handle 4 is normally held biased in one direction by a spring of a push-on / push-off switch 33 formed asymmetrically with respect to the support shaft 34 (or the bearing 42).

  As is well known from Non-Patent Document 1, the size of the operation handle 4 is determined by the number of load control switches attached to the attachment frame. For example, when only one load control switch is attached to the attachment frame, an operation handle having a size substantially the same as a rectangular opening formed in the decorative plate is used so as to be called a single. In addition, when two load control switches are attached to the attachment frame, an operation handle having a size that is ½ of the height dimension of the rectangular opening formed in the decorative plate is used (width), as called double. Directional dimensions are the same). Furthermore, when three load control switches are attached to the attachment frame, an operation handle having a size of 1/3 of the height dimension of the rectangular opening formed in the decorative plate is used as a triple. Needless to say, you can choose from multiple colors and designs as before.

  A circuit board 35 is provided inside the open / close function module 3, and a control circuit 36 composed of a semiconductor switch element such as a triac is mounted on the circuit board 35. When the operation handle 4 is operated by the user, the push-on / push-off switch 33 is turned on or off, and the load is turned on or off accordingly. When the open / close function module 3 is an electronic switch, various functions can be realized in combination with various sensors such as a human body sensor and an illuminance sensor, and electronic circuits such as a delay circuit, a timer circuit, and a wireless communication circuit. Below, the modification of the load control switch 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 44 is also provided inside the operation handle 4, and an external electronic circuit 45 and a slide type volume 46 operated by a user are mounted on the circuit board 44. Further, a plurality of (for example, two) first contact points 37 are provided on the mounting surface of the open / close function module 3, and a plurality of (general) contacts the first contact point 37 on the back surface 41 of the operation handle 4. The same number of second contacts (spring pieces) 47 are provided. Thereby, the control circuit 36 of the electronic switch and the external electronic circuit 45 are connected via the first contact 37 and the second contact 47.

  For example, when a lighting device such as an incandescent lamp or an LED is connected as a load, it is effective to give the load control switch a dimming function. In this case, the volume 46 may be used as a dimming volume that forms part of the dimming circuit, and the main part of the dimming function may be provided on the control circuit 36 side of the electronic switch. Further, when a bathroom ventilation fan or the like is connected as a load, it is effective to provide a timer function for the load control switch. In this case, the volume 46 may be used as a time setting volume of the timer circuit, and the main part of the timer function may be provided on either the control circuit 36 side of the electronic switch or the external electronic circuit 45 side of the operation handle 4. Further, when a toilet fan or the like is connected as a load, it is effective to provide a delay function to the load control switch. When the constant delay function is used, a delay circuit is provided on the control circuit 36 side of the electronic switch, and when the push-on / push-off switch 33 is turned off according to the operation of the operation handle 4, a predetermined time elapses. What is necessary is just to turn off a load. The circuit board 44 of the operation handle 4 may be provided with a display device 48 such as an LED for indicating that the operation is delayed. Furthermore, the function selection switch 49 may be provided on the circuit board 44 because the timer function or the delay function may not be used.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 3, a human body sensor 61 and an illuminance sensor 62 are further provided inside the operation handle 4. The function selection switch 49 functions as a changeover switch for determining whether or not to use automatic load on / off control by the human body sensor 61, and the volume 46 is used as a time setting volume for maintaining the load in. When the human body sensor 61 detects the presence of a person within a predetermined range, and the illuminance sensor detects that the brightness is below a certain level, the illumination device as a load is turned on for a certain period of time.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing function module 3 is provided with an outlet 38, and the outlet 38 can be used when the operation handle 4 is removed or rotated 90 degrees or more in a predetermined direction. ing. Although the terminal module 2 is limited to a three-wire type, a power source can be secured from the load control switch 1 in an emergency.

  Alternatively, the simplest configuration of the open / close function module 3 includes a mechanical switch having a movable contact and a fixed contact. For example, if the operating handle is rotated in one direction around the spindle, the movable contact contacts the fixed contact, and if the operating handle is rotated in the reverse direction, the movable contact moves away from the fixed contact, or A mechanical push-on / push-off switch or the like is conceivable (not shown because of public knowledge). These mechanical switches are simple in function only to turn the load on or off, but at a low cost.

  According to the load control switch configured as described above, if only the terminal module 2 is installed in advance, the user purchases the opening / closing function module 3 suitable for his / her purpose and the operation handle 4 corresponding thereto at a home center or the like. Thus, the load control switch can be replaced by itself. For example, when the user wants to use the dimming function of the lighting device on the assumption that the cheapest mechanical switch is mounted as the opening / closing function module 3 at the time of occupancy, the dimming function opening / closing function module 3 and the operation corresponding thereto Buy handle 4 and replace it yourself. As a result, for example, it is not necessary to request a construction contractor to perform electrical work, and the function of the load control switch can be improved or changed at a low cost and at any time. The load control switch system of the present invention includes, for example, two types of terminal modules 2 of two-wire type and three-wire type, a plurality of types of opening / closing function modules 3 exemplified in the above embodiment, and a plurality of types of operation handles adapted thereto. 4 etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Load control switch 2 Terminal module 21 Inlet 22 Outlet 3 Open / close function module 31 Socket 32 Mounting surface 33 Push-on / push-off switch 34 Support shaft 35 Circuit board 36 Control circuit 37 1st contact 38 Outlet 4 Operation handle 41 Back surface 42 Bearing 43 Projection 44 Circuit board 45 External electronic circuit 46 Volume (dimming volume / time setting volume)
47 Second contact point 48 Display device (LED)
49 Function selection switch 5 Electric wire 51 Core wire 61 Human body sensor 62 Illuminance sensor

Claims (7)

A terminal module that is directly attached to a mounting frame installed on the wall of a building and to which an electric wire is connected, and an opening / closing function module that is detachably attached to the terminal module and has a switching function that controls at least on and off of a load. And a load control switch having an operation handle detachably attached to the open / close function module ,
The open / close function module is an electronic switch having a semiconductor switch element as a main switch element,
A push-on / push-off switch operated by the operation handle is provided on a mounting surface of the opening / closing function module to which the operation handle is mounted,
The mounting surface of the open / close function module is provided with at least two first contacts,
At least two second contacts that contact the first contacts are provided on the back surface of the operation handle that faces the mounting surface of the open / close function module;
An external electronic circuit connected to the control circuit of the electronic switch through the first contact and the second contact is provided inside the operation handle . The external electronic circuit includes a human body sensor and an illuminance sensor,
The load control switch according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit of the electronic switch controls on and off of a load in accordance with detection signals output from the human body sensor and the illuminance sensor . The control circuit of the electronic switch or the external electronic circuit includes a delay circuit,
2. The load control switch according to claim 1 , wherein when the push-on / push-off switch is turned off according to an operation of the operation handle, the load is turned off after a predetermined time elapses . The control circuit of the electronic switch includes a dimming circuit,
The load control switch according to claim 1 , wherein the external electronic circuit includes a dimming volume that is operated by a user and forms a part of the dimming circuit . The load control switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the external electronic circuit includes a display element . The terminal module is a three-wire type,
The load control switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outlet is provided on a mounting surface of the open / close function module . A terminal module that is directly attached to a mounting frame installed on the wall surface of the building and to which an electric wire is connected, and a plurality of switch modules that are detachably attached to the terminal module and that control at least on and off of the load, respectively. An opening / closing function module; and a plurality of operation handles removably attached to the opening / closing function module, wherein the terminal module has one opening / closing function module selected from the plurality of opening / closing function modules, and the plurality of operation handles. A load control switch system in which one load control switch is configured by mounting one operation handle selected from
One of the plurality of open / close function modules is an electronic switch having a semiconductor switch element as a main switch element,
A push-on / push-off switch operated by the operation handle is provided on a mounting surface of the opening / closing function module to which the operation handle is mounted,
At least two contacts are provided on the mounting surface of the open / close function module,
At least two contact pieces that come into contact with the contact point are provided on the back surface of the operation handle adapted to the open / close function module, facing the mounting surface of the open / close function module,
An external electronic circuit connected to a control circuit of the electronic switch via the contact piece and the contact is provided inside the operation handle .

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