JPH08249994A - Relay - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent generation of continuity failure of a contact by making a relay in a contactless type, and make check of the normality of the relay possible. CONSTITUTION: A photosensor 8 becomes in a light projecting state when an object is in a non-detection position, and photosensors 9, 10 become in a light projecting state when the object is in a detection position. When the object is in the non-detecting position, a light emitting diode 8D emits light, a photodiode 8T is turned on, and a transistor T1 is turned on. When the object reaches the detection position, the photodiode 8T is turned off, and the transistor 8T is turned off. Since the photosensor uses opening/closing current of the transistor T1 as a power source, dedicated power source of a relay is unnecessary. Since the photosensor and the transistor are integrally formed, replacement with the conventional relay contact is made easy. When the relay is normal, by turning on a phototransistor 13T, the light emitting state of a checking light emitting diode 12D varies.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relay having a function of contactlessly opening and closing a load current in response to the operation of a built-in optical sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a gas-insulated switchgear (hereinafter referred to as "GI
"S". ), An auxiliary switch is used in the operation / control circuit of the gas circuit breaker, which is interlocked with ON / OFF of the main contact of the gas circuit breaker. Further, in various control devices, a position detector is used to detect the position of the controlled object.

As these auxiliary switches or position detectors, contact relays have been used in the conventional GIS.

[0004]

When a conventional contact relay is used as an auxiliary switch or a position detector, the contacts are mechanically and electrically consumed as the number of times of use increases. In particular, when the contact opens and closes an inductive load such as a coil or a motor, electrical consumption becomes significant. Further, in the case of the auxiliary switch of the gas circuit breaker, the opening / closing operation is interlocked with the high speed opening / closing of the gas circuit breaker, so that mechanically significant wear occurs. When a contact failure occurs due to such contact wear, the GIS may not operate normally.

The operation / control circuit of the GIS gas circuit breaker is a standby type device which does not operate in a steady state but operates only during inspection work or when an accident occurs. For this reason, it is important to be able to confirm the soundness of the equipment used in a steady state.
However, the above-mentioned conventional control circuit cannot be provided with means for confirming the soundness of the auxiliary switch and the position detector.

It is an object of the present invention to prevent the occurrence of contact failure in the contact by making the relay non-contact.
A further object of the invention is to make it possible to check the integrity of the relay.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has, as a first aspect, a semiconductor load opening / closing means, an optical sensor for on / off controlling the semiconductor load opening / closing means, and a semiconductor load opening / closing means. A relay is configured by a holding unit that integrally holds the optical sensor. As a second aspect, the present invention uses two terminals, a semiconductor load switching means connected between the two terminals, and a switching current of the semiconductor load switching means as a power source to control the semiconductor load switching means on and off. A relay is configured by the optical sensor, the two terminals, the semiconductor load opening / closing means, and the holding means that integrally holds the optical sensor.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the first two
One terminal, a semiconductor load switching means connected between the two terminals, a second two terminals, and an optical device connected to the second two terminals to control ON / OFF of the semiconductor load switching means. A sensor, the first two terminals and the second
A connecting means for detachably connecting the corresponding terminals of the two terminals, and a holding means for integrally holding the first and second two terminals, the semiconductor load opening / closing means, and the optical sensor to the relay. Make up.

[0009]

The optical sensor comprises a light emitting element and a light receiving element.
When a light blocking plate that is interlocked with the position or movement of the target object is inserted between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the optical path between the elements is blocked. The light receiving element generates a voltage when receiving the output light of the light emitting element. In the first aspect of the present invention, the optical sensor outputs an electric signal according to the position or movement of the target object to control the on / off of the semiconductor load switching means. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relay that performs a contactless operation according to the position or movement of the target object. Further, since the optical sensor and the semiconductor load opening / closing means are integrated, handling is easy.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the semiconductor load switching means is connected between two terminals, and the optical sensor operates using the switching current of the semiconductor load switching means as a power source.
There is no need to provide a power source for the relay. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the insulation of the power source. Further, it becomes easy to replace with a conventional contact relay. Third of the present invention
In this mode, by keeping the connecting means between the two sets of external terminals in the connected state, it can be used similarly to the first mode and the second mode. Further, by setting the connection means in a disconnected state, the optical sensor can be used by being connected to a power source different from the circuit to which the semiconductor load switching means is connected. As a result, the relay of the present invention can
It can be used as SR (solid state relay).

In the first to third aspects of the present invention, a means for monitoring the on / off state of the semiconductor load opening / closing means based on the applied voltage is provided which is connected in parallel with the semiconductor load opening / closing means. it can. A low voltage is applied to the monitor means when the semiconductor load switching means is on, and a high voltage is applied when the semiconductor load switch means is off. The monitor means displays the on / off state of the semiconductor load switching means based on the applied voltage. The present invention can further be provided with means for switching the operating state of the optical sensor from the outside. By switching the state of the optical sensor using this means, the state of the semiconductor load switching means is switched. Thus, when the switching means is operated, if the display on the monitor means changes, the relay is sound, and if there is no change, it can be confirmed that the relay has a failure.

In the first to third aspects of the present invention, when the ON / OFF state of the semiconductor load opening / closing means is switched by the control of the optical sensor, a holding means for holding the state can be provided. . With this, when the relay operates, the state can be maintained until the control power supply is reset. In this case,
By providing the means for releasing the holding state of the holding means, it is possible to drive the load even when the relay is operating.

[0013]

Embodiments of the relay of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 shows a circuit inside the relay, FIG. 2 shows a circuit using the relay of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows on / off timings of the optical sensor used in FIG.
In each figure, T is a transistor, D is a diode, and R is
Represents resistance.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a relay, and the relay 1 includes first external terminals 2 and 3 and second external terminals 4 and 5.
Is provided. Then, the positive and negative electrodes 2 and 4 and the negative electrodes 3 and 5 of the first and second external terminals are jumper wires 6 and 6, respectively.
It is connected via 7. These jumper wires 6 and 7 are the first
The external terminals 2 and 3 can be separated from the second external terminals 4 and 5.

Reference numerals 8, 9 and 10 denote optical sensors, and 8D and 9
D and 10D are light emitting diodes of the optical sensor, 8T, 9T,
10T represents a phototransistor of the optical sensor. The on / off timing of the optical sensor will be described later with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 11 denotes an optical thyristor, which is composed of a driving light emitting diode 11D and a light receiving side thyristor 11S.

A transistor T1 serving as a semiconductor load switching means is connected to the first external terminals 2 and 3 side. Phototransistors 8T and 9T of the photosensor are connected in parallel to the base side of the transistor T1 via a transistor T2. Further, in parallel with the transistor T1, the light emitting diode 11D for driving the optical thyristor and the transistor T5 are connected.
And the monitor light emitting diode 12D are connected in series. Then, the phototransistor 10T of the photosensor is connected to the base side of the transistor T5.

The output light of the monitor light emitting diode 12D is transmitted to the outside of the relay 1 by the optical fiber 19. The light emitting diode 8D of the photosensor, the transistor T6, and the light emitting diode 9D of the photosensor are connected in series between the second external terminals 4 and 5. The light emitting diode 9D of the photosensor is connected to the base side of the transistor T6 so as to supply a base current. Also, the transistor T6
Base and emitter and light-emitting diode 10D of photosensor
Check phototransistor 13 so that it is short-circuited between
T is connected.

An optical signal is externally supplied to the inspection phototransistor 13T by an optical fiber 18. Figure 2
Shows a control circuit using the relay 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 is a control power supply, and the control power supply 15 includes a command contact 16, a relay 1, and a load 2 such as a coil or a motor.
0s are connected in series.

A current limiting resistor R21 is connected in parallel to the command contact 16, and an inspection contact 17 is further connected via a resistor R22. Further, the light emitting diode 13D is connected to the inspection contact 17 in parallel for inspection. The output light of the inspection light emitting diode 13D is transmitted to the inspection phototransistor 13T of the relay 1 of FIG. 1 by the optical fiber 18.

A resistor R23, a light emitting diode D21, and a phototransistor 12T are connected in series to the monitor power supply 21. The output light of the light emitting diode 12D of FIG. 1 is transmitted to the phototransistor 12T through the optical fiber 19. 3A shows the positional relationship between the optical sensor and the light shielding plate, and FIG. 3B shows the ON / OFF timing of each optical sensor.

The three photosensors 8, 9 and 10 are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. A light shielding plate 24 is attached to a rotating shaft 23 that rotates in association with the movement of the controlled object.
The light shielding plate 24 goes in and out between the light emitting diode and the phototransistor of each photosensor. When the light blocking plate 24 exits from the inside of the optical sensor, the output light of the light emitting diode is projected onto the phototransistor, and when the light blocking plate 24 enters, the output light of the light emitting diode is blocked.

The timing chart of (b) shows the rotary shaft 2
When 3 rotates from + 30 ° to −30 °, the optical sensor 8 is in the light projecting state in the range of + 30 ° to + 8 °, and is in the light blocking state outside the range. Further, the optical sensors 9 and 10 are in the projecting state in the range of -30 ° to -8 °,
It indicates that the light is shielded outside the range. Next, FIG.
The operation of the circuit of FIG. 3 will be described.

The relay 1 of this embodiment is normally closed, that is, ON when the object is not at the detection position, and OFF when the object moves to the detection position. Now, it is assumed that the object is at the non-detection position, the optical sensor 8 is in the light projecting state, and the optical sensors 9 and 12 are in the light shielding state. When the control power supply 15 is turned on in this state, a weak current of about 20 to 40 mA is supplied to the external terminals 2 and 3 of the relay 1 through the current limiting resistor R21.

As a result, the base current is supplied to the transistor T6 through the light emitting diode 9D, the transistor T6 is turned on, and the light emitting diode 8D,
10D emits light. In addition, since only the base current of the transistor T6 flows through the light emitting diode 9D, it does not emit light. Further, since the photosensor 10 is in the light-shielded state, the phototransistor 10T remains off.

The output light of the light emitting diode 8D is projected onto the phototransistor 8T, the phototransistor 8T is turned on, the transistor T2 is turned off, and the transistor T1 which is the semiconductor load switching means of the relay 1 is turned on. Although the transistor T1 is turned on, the load 20 does not operate because the current supplied to the load 20 is a minute current passing through the current limiting resistor 21.

In this state, the transistor T1 is on and the monitor light emitting diode 12D has
No light is emitted because only a minute current limited by the resistor R4 flows. Therefore, the monitor light emitting diode D2 of FIG.
1 also does not emit light, indicating that the transistor T1 is conductive. When the command contact 16 is turned on in this state, the load 2 passes through the transistor T1 in the on state.
A current determined by 0, for example, a current of about 5 A is applied to the load 2
It flows to 0. Even if the object moves due to the operation of the load 20, the internal state of the relay 1 does not change while the object is in the non-detection position.

When the object is moved to the detection position, the optical sensor 8 is in the light blocking state, and 9 and 10 are in the light projecting state. When the light emitting diode D8 is turned off, the transistor T1 is turned off and the load 20 is disconnected from the power supply. Since the phototransistor 10T of the optical sensor 10 is turned on, the transistor T5 is turned on, and the light emitting diode 11D of the optical thyristor and the monitor light emitting diode 1 are turned on.
2D emits light. The output light of the light emitting diode 11D turns on the optical thyristor 11S, and the light emitting diode 8 of the optical sensor
Short-circuited between D. The optical thyristor 11S continues to be in the ON state until the current flowing therein becomes equal to or less than the holding current value.

The output light of the monitor light emitting diode 12D is supplied to the phototransistor 1 of FIG.
It is transmitted to 2T. When the phototransistor 12T is turned on, the monitor light emitting diode D22 emits light to indicate that the relay 1 has been operated. The state in which the transistor T1 of the relay 1 is off continues until the relay 1 is disconnected from the control power supply. However, it may be necessary to drive the load 20 with the relay 1 still connected to the control power supply. For example, when the object overruns the detection position, it has to be returned to the detection position. At this time, the inspection contact 17 is operated.

When the inspection contact 17 is turned off, the light emitting diode 13D emits light, the output light is transmitted to the phototransistor 13T by the optical fiber 18, and the phototransistor 13T is turned on. Phototransistor 13
When T is turned on, a large current flows through the light emitting diode 9D, and the photodiode 9D of the photosensor emits light.
At this time, since the optical sensor 9 is in the light projecting state, the phototransistor 9T is turned on and the transistor T1 is turned on. Therefore, by operating the command contact 16 in this state, the load 20 can be driven.

Next, the operation in the case where the soundness of the relay 1 is inspected when the relay 1 is in the steady state (the object is in the non-detection position) will be described. At steady state,
The optical sensor 8 is in a light projecting state, and 9 and 10 are in a light shielding state. Then, the transistor T1 is turned on. Further, the monitor light emitting diode D22 does not emit light.

When the inspection contact point 17 is operated, the inspection contact point 17 is turned off, the light emitting diode 13D emits light, the output light is transmitted to the phototransistor 13T by the optical fiber 18, and the phototransistor 13T is turned on. . When the phototransistor 13T is turned on,
The transistor T6 is turned off because the base current is not supplied, and the light emitting diodes 8D and 10D of the photosensor stop emitting light.

As a result, the phototransistors 8T and 10T of the photosensor are turned off, and since the photosensor 9 is in the light shielding state, the phototransistor 9T is also turned off.
Therefore, turning off the phototransistor T8 turns off the transistor T1. At this time, the load 20 remains in the non-driving state. Transistor T
When 1 is turned off, the current flowing through the monitor light emitting diode 12D increases, and the monitor light emitting diode 12D emits light. This output light is transmitted to the monitor phototransistor 12T through the optical fiber 19 and causes the monitor light emitting diode 23D to emit light.

As is clear from the above description, when the inspection contact 17 is operated, the monitor light emitting diode 23D
If the blinking state of changes, it can be determined that the relay 1 is healthy. In other words, it can be confirmed that there is no short circuit of the elements constituting the relay 1, open failure, consumption of the light emitting diode, disconnection of the load, or the like. Also, this inspection can be performed without operating the load 20.

Furthermore, during the inspection operation,
When the command contact 16 is turned on, the inspection light emitting diode 13D is turned off and the inspection phototransistor 13T is turned off, so that the operation according to the command is immediately performed. As described above, the relay 1 described above uses the current supplied from the external terminals 2 and 3 as the power source of the circuit of the relay 1, and the photo sensor also uses the current that the transistor T1 opens and closes as the power source. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the advantageous effect that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated power source while making the relay 1 contactless. Also, since only two external terminals are used, it is possible to easily replace the contact relay used conventionally.

The relay of this embodiment can be used in various ways other than those described above. For example, the relay 1 shown in FIG.
By separating one or both of them and connecting separate DC power supplies to the external terminals 4 and 5, the sensor part and the load current switching part can be made independent and can be used as a normal SSR. Further, the relay and the load can be directly connected to the power supply without using the command contact, and the relay can be used as a sensor capable of switching the load current.

[0036]

According to the present invention, since the relay can be made contactless, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of contact failure. Further, according to the present invention, the soundness of the relay can be checked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a relay of the present invention.

2 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit using the relay of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an optical sensor used in the circuit of FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an arrangement of optical sensors,
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the on / off timing of the optical sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Relay 2,3,4,5, external terminal 6,7 ... Jumper wire 8,9,10 ... Optical sensor 11 ... Optical thyristor 12D ... Monitor light emitting diode 12T ... Monitor phototransistor 13D ... Inspection light emitting diode 13T … Inspection phototransistor 15… Control power supply 16… Command contact 17… Inspection contact 18, 19… Optical fiber 20… Load 21… Monitor power supply 23… Rotary shaft 24… Light shield plate T… Transistor D… Diode R… Resistance

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A relay comprising a semiconductor load opening / closing means, an optical sensor for ON / OFF controlling the semiconductor load opening / closing means, and a holding means for integrally holding the semiconductor load opening / closing means and the optical sensor. . 2. A semiconductor load switching means connected between the two terminals, a semiconductor load switching means connected between the two terminals, and an optical sensor for controlling ON / OFF of the semiconductor load switching means by using a switching current of the semiconductor load switching means as a power source. A relay comprising: the two terminals, the semiconductor load opening / closing means, and a holding means that integrally holds the optical sensor. 3. A first two terminals, a semiconductor load switching means connected between the first two terminals, a second two terminals, and a second load terminal connected to the second two terminals. An optical sensor for on / off controlling the semiconductor load switching means, a connecting means for detachably connecting the corresponding terminals of the first two terminals and the second two terminals, and the first and the second terminals. 2. A relay comprising two terminals 2 and holding means for integrally holding the semiconductor load opening / closing means and the optical sensor. 4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a device that is connected in parallel with the semiconductor load switching device and monitors an on / off state of the semiconductor load switching device based on an applied voltage. relay. 5. A means for switching the operating state of the optical sensor from the outside is provided, and the state of the semiconductor load switching means is switched by switching the state of the optical sensor,
5. The relay according to claim 4, further comprising means for checking the soundness of the relay by changing a display state of the monitor means. 6. The relay according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding the ON / OFF state of the semiconductor load opening / closing means when the optical sensor operates. 7. The relay according to claim 6, further comprising means for releasing the holding state of the holding means.