JP6121188B2 - Charging cradle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging cradle for a wireless communication device such as a portable operating device used in a factory where an industrial machine is operated.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a robot control system that operates while performing wireless communication between a portable controller called a teach pendant and a robot controller. The wireless teach pendant used in such a system often has a rechargeable secondary battery. The secondary battery is charged by attaching a teach pendant to a charging cradle equipped with an AC / DC adapter. There are AC / DC adapters that are externally attached to the cradle or built into the cradle.

  Although not related to a wireless teach pendant, Patent Document 1 is known regarding a charging cradle for a small portable terminal device. In Patent Document 1, the small portable terminal device is mounted on a cradle body, an external AC / DC adapter separated from the cradle body can be built in, and the cradle is connected by connecting the AC / DC adapter to a commercial power source. The secondary battery built in the mobile terminal device can be charged via In Patent Document 1, an AC / DC adapter can be accommodated inside the cradle so as to save space and improve the appearance.

JP 2012-147344 A

  By the way, a wireless teach pendant used for industrial purposes and a charging cradle for other wireless communication devices are often used in a factory in a high temperature state. When charging the secondary battery of the teach pendant using a charging cradle, the AC / DC adapter itself generates heat in addition to the high temperature state, so the specified performance of the adapter cannot be exhibited. There is a risk of failure. The reason why the AC / DC adapter generates heat is that power loss that occurs during conversion from AC to DC is released in the form of thermal energy. Further, in recent years, those in which a stabilized power supply circuit using a series regulator is mounted on an AC / DC adapter also has a heat loss at this portion.

  The charging cradle proposed in Patent Document 1 is premised on, for example, use in general homes, not on industrial use, and no measures for heat generation of the AC / DC adapter are proposed. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a charging cradle that can be charged normally even in a factory in a high temperature state.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the charging cradle is supported by the cradle including a housing having a cradle for supporting the wireless communication device and a conversion circuit for converting alternating current into direct current in the case. In the charging cradle having an AC / DC adapter for supplying DC power to the wireless communication device, a heat radiating part for radiating heat from the conversion circuit to the outside and a magnet are provided on a common side surface of the case, and the magnet When the case is adsorbed by the object to be adsorbed, heat is transferred by causing the heat dissipating part to be opposed to the object to be adsorbed. The housing includes a plurality of attachment portions for attaching the AC / DC adapter, and the AC / DC adapter is detachably attached to any one of the plurality of attachment portions.

It is preferable that the heat dissipating unit is disposed so as to be able to contact the adsorption object when the AC / DC adapter is adsorbing the adsorption object by the magnet .

  The AC / DC adapter includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the surrounding environment of the conversion circuit, and the casing transmits a detection signal from the temperature detection unit to a wireless communication device. It is preferable to have.

  According to the charging cradle of the present invention, it is possible to normally charge a wireless communication device such as a teach pendant even in a high temperature factory.

The schematic sectional drawing of the cradle for wireless teach pendants of 1st Embodiment which actualized this invention. Sectional drawing of an AC / DC adapter. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing of the state which attached the AC / DC adapter to the support member. The schematic sectional drawing of the cradle for wireless teach pendants of 2nd Embodiment. The rear view of the housing | casing of a cradle similarly. The schematic sectional drawing of the cradle for wireless teach pendants of 3rd Embodiment. The rear view of the housing | casing of a cradle similarly.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a charging cradle embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A cradle for charging a wireless teach pendant (hereinafter simply referred to as a cradle) includes a cradle housing 10 and an AC / DC adapter 30 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the size of the AC / DC adapter 30 is exaggerated and larger than the size of the housing 10 for convenience of explanation. The wireless teach pendant corresponds to a wireless communication device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 includes a back side wall 11 extending in the vertical direction and a receiving base 13 having a receiving recess 12 provided on the lower front surface of the back side wall 11 and having an open upper surface. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the housing 10 and the teach pendant TP are viewed in cross-section, and the circuit and functional blocks are simplified and illustrated.

  The receiving recess 12 is provided so that the lower part of the teach pendant TP can be stored, and when the lower part of the teach pendant TP is received in the recess 12, the back side wall 11 supports the back surface of the teach pendant TP.

  The bottom surface 14 of the receiving recess 12 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 15, 16, and 17 for supplying power and inputting signals to the teach pendant TP. The connection terminals 15, 16, and 17 can be connected to connection electrodes 20, 21, and 22 provided on the lower surface of the teach pendant TP, respectively. The connection terminals 15, 16, and 17 are connected to the AC / DC adapter 30 through power lines L 1 and L 2 and a signal line L 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the AC / DC adapter 30 includes a conversion circuit 34 that is provided in a case 32 and performs conversion processing of alternating current into direct current of a predetermined voltage. The conversion circuit 34 may be a known transformer system or switching system. The input side of the conversion circuit 34 has a plug 36 that is plugged into a power outlet (not shown) via an input cord 35 extended from the case 32. A secondary output terminal (not shown) of the conversion circuit 34 is connected to the power lines L1 and L2 via an output cord 38. The output code 38 and the input code 35 are shown in a short form for convenience of explanation.

  The case 32 is made of metal and has, for example, a rectangular box shape, and is insulated from the conversion circuit 34. The shape of the case 32 is not limited to a square box shape, and may be other shapes. Although one side wall 33 of the case 32, for example, the lower side wall is formed in a flat plate shape, the side wall 33 is not limited to the lower side wall, but is preferably formed in a flat plate shape. The conversion circuit 34 is disposed closer to the inner surface of the side wall 33 than the other side surface of the case 32. As a result, heat transfer from the conversion circuit 34 to the side wall 33 is facilitated. The side wall 33 is used when the AC / DC adapter 30 is attached to the iron support plate 50 or the iron support wall 60 provided in the factory as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Used for. In the side wall 33, a region 33a adjacent to the conversion circuit 34 corresponds to a heat radiating portion.

  Further, in the vicinity of the conversion circuit 34, a temperature sensor 31 as a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the surrounding environment of the conversion circuit 34 is disposed, and is electrically connected to the signal line L3. The signal line L3 and the connection terminal 17 correspond to a transmission unit.

  One or a plurality of storage recesses 40 are formed on the outer surface of the side wall 33, and a magnet 42 is fixed to the storage recess 40 in the storage state. In the present embodiment, a plurality of, for example, a pair of storage recesses 40 are provided. The method of fixing the magnet 42 to the storage recess 40 may be any appropriate method and is not limited. For example, the fixing method includes fixing with an adhesive. In a state where the magnet 42 is housed in the housing recess 40, the surface on which the magnet 42 is exposed to the outside is formed so as to be flush with the side wall 33. The outer surface of the side wall 33 corresponds to a common side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the teach pendant TP whose lower part is housed in the receiving recess 12 of the cradle housing 10 is wireless, and can wirelessly communicate with a robot controller (not shown) that controls the robot. ing.

  The teach pendant TP includes a charging circuit 70 that is electrically connected to the connection electrodes 20 and 21, and a battery 72 that is a secondary battery that is charged by the charging circuit 70. The teach pendant TP includes a warning control unit 74 that is electrically connected to the connection electrode 22 and a warning unit 76 that is controlled by the warning control unit 74. The warning unit 76 is, for example, a warning light, a liquid crystal display device, or a sound generation device (for example, a buzzer or a synthesized voice generation unit device). When the detection signal from the temperature sensor 31 provided in the AC / DC adapter 30 exceeds the warning level threshold, the warning control unit 74 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 31 is a warning level temperature, and When the warning unit 76 is activated and the threshold value is not exceeded, the warning unit 76 is not activated by assuming that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 31 is below the warning level. In the present embodiment, the warning level threshold value is insufficient for heat radiation from the region 33a in a place where the AC / DC adapter 30 is placed or supported (hereinafter referred to as an attachment place), that is, a current heat radiation place. Is a threshold value for prompting a change in the mounting location of the AC / DC adapter 30.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Now, the operation of the cradle configured as described above will be described.
Although not shown, the cradle housing 10 is attached to a wall in the vicinity of the support wall 60 shown in FIG. Further, the AC / DC adapter 30 is supported by being attracted by the magnet 42 with the side wall 33 opposed to the support wall 60 with respect to the iron support wall 60 of FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, on a support plate 50 made of iron like a tabletop, the side wall 33 is opposed to the support plate 50 and is attracted by the magnet 42 and placed (supported). ) In the present embodiment, in the state where the magnet 42 is stored in the storage recess 40, the surface of the magnet 42 exposed to the outside is formed so as to be flush with the side wall 33. When the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 is adsorbed, the region 33 a of the side wall 33 comes into contact with the support wall 60 or the support plate 50. When the AC / DC adapter 30 is attached to the support wall 60 with the magnet 42, it is assumed that the attracting force of the magnet 42 has an attracting force that does not fall from the support wall 60 due to the weight of the AC / DC adapter 30.

The support wall 60 or the support plate 50 corresponds to a suction object.
When charging the battery 72 of the teach pendant TP, the plug 36 of the AC / DC adapter 30 is connected to an AC power source (not shown). In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the teach pendant TP is accommodated in the receiving recess 12 of the cradle 13 of the housing 10, and the connection electrodes 20-22 and the connection terminals 15-17 are connected. Then, alternating current is converted into direct current by the conversion circuit 34 of the AC / DC adapter 30, and the battery 72 of the teach pendant TP is charged by the charging circuit 70. The conversion circuit 34 generates heat during charging. This heat generation is, for example, from a transformer or a switching element included in the conversion circuit 34. The heat generated in the conversion circuit 34 is transferred from the region 33 a of the side wall 33 to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50. Since the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 is made of iron, the heat transferred from the region 33a of the side wall 33 to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Alternatively, heat is dissipated by rapidly moving from the portion of the support plate 50 facing the region 33a to another region. As a result, the heat of the conversion circuit 34 of the AC / DC adapter 30 can be radiated well.

  The detection signal of the temperature sensor 31 is received by the warning control unit 74 of the teach pendant TP, and when the detection signal exceeds the warning level threshold, it is determined that the temperature is a warning level, and the warning unit 76 is activated.

  In such a case, a warning is given that the place where the AC / DC adapter 30 is attached is insufficient to dissipate heat. When the warning unit 76 is a warning light, the warning light is emitted. When the warning unit 76 is a liquid crystal display device, the fact is displayed on the liquid crystal display device. Further, when the warning unit 76 is a sound generation device, the fact is notified by warning sound or voice.

The cradle of this embodiment has the following features.
(1) The cradle of the present embodiment is supported by the cradle 13 with the housing 10 having the cradle 13 that supports the teach pendant TP and the conversion circuit 34 that converts alternating current into direct current inside the case 32. An AC / DC adapter 30 that supplies DC power to the teach pendant TP is included. The outer surface (common side surface) of the side wall 33 of the case 32 is provided with a region 33a (heat radiating portion) for radiating heat from the conversion circuit 34 to the outside, and a magnet 42. The magnet 42 is supported by the support wall 60 or the support plate 50. When the (adsorption object) is adsorbed, the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 transfers the heat to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 (adsorption object) by making the region 33a (heat dissipating part) face the (adsorption object). To do.

  As a result, according to the cradle of the present embodiment, the heat of the conversion circuit 34 can be effectively dissipated by transferring heat from the heat dissipating unit to the object to be adsorbed, and it is possible to suppress the charging trouble of the battery. It has the effect of being able to charge normally even in the factory of the state.

  (2) In the cradle of this embodiment, in the case 32 of the AC / DC adapter 30, the (heat radiating part) in the region 33 a of the side wall 33 is supported by the magnet 42 by the AC / DC adapter on the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 (attraction target When the object is adsorbed, the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 is disposed so as to be in contact with the support wall 60 or the support plate 50.

As a result, in the present embodiment, heat can be transferred directly from the (heat dissipating part) of the region 33a of the side wall 33 to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 (adsorption object), so that heat can be efficiently dissipated.
(3) The AC / DC adapter 30 of the cradle of this embodiment is separated from the housing 10. As a result, the AC / DC adapter can be arranged near the outlet of the AC power supply, and the casing can be arranged as close to the worker as possible.

  (4) In the cradle of this embodiment, the AC / DC adapter 30 includes a temperature sensor 31 (temperature detection unit) that detects the temperature of the surrounding environment of the conversion circuit 34, and the housing 10 is attached to the teach pendant TP. The signal line L3 for transmitting the detection signal from the temperature sensor 31 and the connection terminal 17 (transmission unit) are provided.

  As a result, according to this embodiment, the temperature of the conversion circuit 34 can be transmitted to the teach pendant TP. In the teach pendant TP, based on the temperature of the conversion circuit 34, if the temperature is high, it is possible to warn that the place where the AC / DC adapter 30 is attached is insufficient for heat dissipation.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure as 1st Embodiment, or the structure equivalent, and it demonstrates centering around a structure different from 1st Embodiment. In this embodiment, the place where the AC / DC adapter 30 is integrally assembled to the housing 10 is different from the above-described embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, an adapter housing recess 18 is formed on the side surface opposite to the cradle 13 in the back side wall 11 of the housing 10. The case 32 of the AC / DC adapter 30 is formed so as to be accommodated entirely in the adapter housing recess 18. Flange 37 is extended in the up-and-down direction at both upper and lower edges of the side wall 33.

  At both upper and lower ends of the adapter housing recess 18, stepped portions 18 b having female screw holes 18 c are provided. The AC / DC adapter 30 is fastened and fixed by a plurality of hexagon socket bolts 39 that are screwed into the female screw hole 18c in a state where the flange 37 is in contact with the stepped portion 18b.

  The outer surface of the back side wall 11 of the housing 10 is formed into a flat surface. The outer surface of the back side wall 11, the outer surface of the region 33 a of the side wall 33, the outer surface of the flange 37, and the outer surface of the magnet 42 are flush with each other.

  In the case 32, an insulating member 45 is fixed to a wall portion facing the bottom of the adapter housing recess 18. A pair of female connection terminals 46 and 47 connected to the secondary output terminal of the conversion circuit 34 and a female connection terminal 48 connected to the temperature sensor 31 are fixed to the insulating member 45.

  On the other hand, male connection terminals 51, 52, 53 connected to the power lines L 1, L 2, and the signal line L 3 are provided at the bottom of the adapter housing recess 18. The male connection terminals 51, 52, and 53 are connected to the female connection terminals 46 to 48 so as to be freely separated from each other. As shown in FIG. 5, a storage groove 11a for storing the input cord 35 of the AC / DC adapter 30 is formed on the outer surface of the back side wall 11, and the input cord 35 is formed on the paper surface of FIG. Is extended outward from the housing 10 in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
In the cradle configured as described above, the AC / DC adapter 30 is integrally assembled to the back side wall 11 of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. The outer surface of the back side wall 11, the outer surface of the region 33 a of the side wall 33, the outer surface of the flange 37, and the outer surface of the magnet 42 are flush with each other. Therefore, the housing 10 itself can be attached to the support plate 50 or the support wall 60 by attracting the support plate 50 or the support wall 60 of the first embodiment with the magnet 42.

  When the housing 10 is attached to the support wall 60 with the magnet 42, the attracting force of the magnet 42 does not fall from the support wall 60 due to the total weight of the teach pendant TP, the housing 10, and the AC / DC adapter 30. It shall have power.

  Even in this configuration, in the present embodiment, during charging, the heat of the conversion circuit 34 is transferred from the region 33a of the side wall 33 to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 and rapidly moved to another region. Heat is dissipated. As a result, the heat of the conversion circuit 34 of the AC / DC adapter 30 can be radiated well.

According to the cradle of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (1), (2), and (4) of the first embodiment, there are the following features.
(1) In the cradle of the present embodiment, the AC / DC adapter 30 is arranged integrally with the housing 10. As a result, as compared with the case where the AC / DC adapter is separated from the housing 10, the AC / DC adapter and the housing need not be individually attached to the support plate or the support wall, and the cradle can be easily attached to the support plate or the support wall. Can be attached.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure as 2nd Embodiment, or the structure equivalent, and it demonstrates centering on a different structure from 2nd Embodiment.

  The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that an adapter housing recess 18A having the same configuration as the adapter housing recess 18 is provided on the lower surface of the cradle 13. A female screw hole 18c into which a hexagon socket head bolt 39 can be screwed and screwed is provided in the step portion 18b of the adapter housing recess 18A.

  The adapter storage recess 18A is provided with male connection terminals 51A, 52A, 53A having the same arrangement and configuration as the male connection terminals 51, 52, 53 of the adapter storage recess 18 on the inner top surface. This is different from the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the male connection terminals 51A, 52A, 53A are electrically connected to the power lines L1, L2 and the signal line L3, respectively.
Similarly to the storage groove 11a of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the input cord 35 is stored on the lower surface of the cradle 13 and the input code 35 is orthogonal to the plane of FIG. A storage groove 13a that extends outward from the housing 10 in the direction is provided.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the AC / DC adapter 30 can be selectively assembled and removed from either of the adapter housing recesses 18 and 18A. In the example of FIG. 6, the AC / DC adapter 30 is assembled integrally with the adapter housing recess 18 of the back side wall 11. The adapter housing recesses 18 and 18A correspond to attachment portions.

(Operation of the third embodiment)
In the cradle configured as described above, the AC / DC adapter 30 is selectively attached to either the adapter housing recess 18 or the adapter housing recess 18A. This increases the degree of freedom of the location where the housing 10 is attached. That is, when the AC / DC adapter 30 is assembled in the adapter housing recess 18, the housing 10 is attached to the support plate 50 or the support wall 60 of the first embodiment on the back side wall 11.

In addition, when the AC / DC adapter 30 is assembled in the adapter housing recess 18A, it is attached to the support plate 50 or the support wall 60 of the first embodiment by the cradle 13.
According to the cradle of this embodiment, in addition to the effects of (1), (2), (4) of the first embodiment and (1) of the second embodiment, there are the following features.

  (1) In the cradle of the present embodiment, the housing 10 includes a pair of adapter housing recesses 18 and 18A (mounting portions) for mounting the AC / DC adapter 30, and the AC / DC adapter 30 includes a pair of adapter housing recesses. It is detachably attached to any one of 18, 18A. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom of the mounting location of the housing can be increased.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may comprise as follows.
In the first embodiment, when the magnet 42 is housed in the housing recess 40, the surface on which the magnet 42 is exposed outward (that is, the attracting surface) is formed to be flush with the side wall 33. Therefore, the side wall 33 comes into contact with the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 in a state where the magnet 42 attracts the support wall 60 or the support plate 50. Instead of this configuration, the attracting surface of the magnet 42 may be slightly protruded from the side wall 33. In this case, in the state where the magnet 42 is attracted to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50, a gap is interposed between the side wall 33 and the support wall 60 or the side wall 33 and the support plate 50, The inhibition of heat transfer from the side wall 33 to the support wall 60 or the support plate 50 is not increased.

Similarly, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the heat dissipating part and the adsorption object may be slightly separated from each other.
In each of the above embodiments, the temperature sensor 31 and the warning control unit 74 are provided, but these may be omitted.

-In 3rd Embodiment, although two attachment parts were provided as the adapter accommodating recessed parts 18 and 18A, three or more attachment parts may be provided according to the magnitude | size of a housing | casing, and a number is not limited. Absent.
In each of the embodiments described above, the warning level threshold value is a threshold value for encouraging the heat radiation location, but has the temperature range (temperature range not reached under normal conditions) caused by heat generation at the time of failure of the AC / DC adapter 30 been reached? It is good also as a threshold value for determining whether or not.

  In the embodiment, the charging cradle is embodied for a wireless teach pendant. However, the charging cradle may be embodied for a charging cradle of another wireless communication device.

10 ... housing, 13 ... cradle, 15, 16 ... connection terminal,
30 ... AC / DC adapter, 31 ... Temperature sensor (temperature detector),
32 ... Case, 33 ... Side wall, 33a ... Area (heat radiation part),
34 ... Conversion circuit, 42 ... Magnet,
L1, L2 ... power line, L3 ... signal line.

Claims (3)

An AC / DC adapter for supplying DC power to the wireless communication device supported by the housing having a housing having a cradle for supporting the wireless communication device and a conversion circuit for converting alternating current into direct current inside the case In a charging cradle having
A heat radiating part for radiating heat from the conversion circuit to the outside and a magnet are provided on a common side surface of the case, and when the case is attracted to the attracting object by the magnet, the heat radiation to the attracting object is performed. Heat is transferred between the two parts ,
The housing includes a plurality of attachment portions for attaching the AC / DC adapter,
The AC / DC adapter is a charging cradle that is detachably attached to any one of the plurality of attachment portions .   2. The charging cradle according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipating part is disposed so as to be able to contact the adsorption object when the AC / DC adapter is adsorbing the adsorption object by the magnet. The AC / DC adapter includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the surrounding environment of the conversion circuit,
The charging cradle according to claim 1 , wherein the casing includes a transmission unit that transmits a detection signal from the temperature detection unit to a mounted wireless communication device.