JPH08304536A - Ultrasonic switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To set a detecting set distance easily and simply without any possibility of causing a difference and further to change the combination of a set value of a detecting operation distance with an output part freely. CONSTITUTION: This ultrasonic switch has a measuring mode setting button 10, a set mode setting button 11, an operation mode setting button 12 and a software selecting button 13 and has a plurality of switch devices 7 being output parts. By repeating an operation of making the ultrasonic switch itself set a detecting operation distance directly, while an operator sees the position of an object of detection with the eyes actually, a large number of detecting operation distances are recorded in a recording part D of an internal memory of a microcomputer 2. Then, the detecting operation distance stored in the recording part D is called and set in a setting part A of the internal memory corresponding to each output number (number of the output part) for setting the detecting operation distance. In the case of changing the setting thereof, too, an arbitrary detecting operation distance value in the recording part is called and set in the setting part corresponding to an arbitrary output number to which the setting is to be changed, in the same way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention periodically transmits an ultrasonic wave pulse to a detection object to be detected and receives an ultrasonic pulse reflected from the detection object to detect the distance to the detection object. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic switch for measuring a measurement value, determining whether or not the measured value is within a preset distance (inspection operation distance), and outputting a switch signal, and particularly to setting the detection operation distance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic switch as described above is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the ultrasonic switch 1 includes a one-chip microcomputer 2, operating distance setting volumes 3-1 and 3-2, an oscillator circuit device 4,
The ultrasonic transducer 5, the receiving circuit device 6, and the switch devices 7-1 and 7-2 are included. The ultrasonic pulse periodically transmitted via the transmitting circuit device 4 and the ultrasonic transducer 5 hits the displacement or moving detection body 18, is reflected, and is received by the receiving circuit 6 via the ultrasonic transducer 5.

The microcomputer 2 measures the distance to the detection body 18 by measuring the elapsed time (signal propagation time) from the transmission of the ultrasonic wave to the reception thereof, and presets it with the operating distance setting volumes 3-1 and 3-2. The determined set distance is compared with the measured value, it is determined whether the measured value is within the preset distance, and the switch signal as the determination result is not shown from the switch devices 7-1 and 7-2. Output to load (external device).

As described above, in the conventional ultrasonic switch, the detection operation distance is set by adjusting the setting volume from the outside. Also, the combination of this setting and the output section (switch device) is fixed, and in order to change the set of the output section after wiring once, adjust the setting volume or reset it, or Had to change the connection to the load.

[0005]

However, in the conventional ultrasonic switch as described above, the operator purposely adjusts the operation distance setting volume using an instrument such as a driver to adjust the detection setting distance. It was troublesome to set up. Moreover, there is a possibility that a setting error or a setting error may occur. Furthermore, it has not been possible to easily change the combination of the detection operation distance and the output unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily and easily set a detection setting distance without causing a setting error or a setting error. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic switch in which the combination of the detection operation distance set value and the output unit can be freely changed to improve usability.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a first mode of an ultrasonic switch according to the present invention is such that an ultrasonic wave pulse is periodically transmitted from an ultrasonic vibrator, and the ultrasonic pulse is detected by a detector. The distance to the detection body is measured by measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic wave is reflected and received by the ultrasonic transducer, and whether the measured value is within a preset distance distance set in the storage means. In the ultrasonic switch that outputs a switch signal in accordance with the determination, setting mode instructing means for instructing a setting mode, and an ultrasonic transducer that periodically transmits ultrasonic waves in response to an instruction from the setting mode instructing means. A distance to the detection body by transmitting an ultrasonic wave pulse and measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic wave pulse hits the detection body placed at the detection operation distance to be set and is reflected by the ultrasonic transducer. To A distance measuring means for measuring, characterized in that it comprises a detection operation distance setting means for setting in the storage means the measured value measured by said distance measuring means as a detected operating distance setting.

In a second mode of the ultrasonic switch of the present invention, an ultrasonic pulse is periodically emitted from an ultrasonic transducer,
The distance to the detection body is measured by measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the detection body and received by the ultrasonic transducer, and the measured value is a preset distance set in the storage means. In an ultrasonic switch that determines whether or not it is within a distance and outputs a switch signal according to the determination, a measurement mode instructing unit that instructs a measurement mode, and an ultrasonic wave in response to an instruction from the measurement mode instructing unit Measurement of the elapsed time until the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the vibrator, reflected by the ultrasonic pulse hitting the detection object placed at the detection operation distance to be recorded, and received by the ultrasonic vibrator. A distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the detection body, and a plurality of measurement values measured by the distance measurement means along with the displacement of the detection body to a desired position as detected movement distance recorded values. A distance value recording means for recording in the first storage means, a setting mode instructing means for instructing a setting mode, a plurality of output sections provided for each detected operation distance set value and outputting the corresponding switch signals, Number selection means for selectively inputting the identification number of the output section, distance value reading means for selectively reading the detected movement distance recorded value recorded in the first storage means, and instruction for the setting mode instruction means The detected operation distance record value selectively read from the distance value reading means as a detected operation distance set value, and stored in the second storage means corresponding to the identification number selectively input by the number selecting means. And a detection operation distance setting means for setting the detection operation distance in a predetermined area.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operator actually places the detector at a desired position to be set while visually observing the detector, causes the ultrasonic switch to measure the distance information, and performs the detection operation with the measured distance value. Set the distance. As a result, there is no risk of making operational mistakes in setting, and setting errors are less likely to occur, and setting work can be performed easily and easily.

Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, while the operator actually looks at the detection object, the ultrasonic switch itself repeats the operation of directly setting the detection operation distance, whereby a large number of detection operation distances are detected. In the recording section of the internal memory,
Next, the previous detection operating distance stored in the recording unit is called and set in the setting unit of the internal memory corresponding to each output number (output unit number) for setting the detection operating distance. When the setting is changed, similarly, an arbitrary detection operation distance value of the recording unit is called and set in a setting unit corresponding to an arbitrary output number to be changed. This allows you to freely change the combination of the detection operating distance setting value and the output unit,
Very easy to use.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows the structure of an ultrasonic switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to the first mode of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a one-chip microcomputer that controls the arithmetic operation of the ultrasonic switch and has a built-in memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The detection operation distance setting unit A and the distance measurement by software stored in the internal memory in advance. A section B and a distance value reading section C are provided. Reference numeral 8 is a setting mode set button for instructing the microcomputer 2 to set mode, and 9 is an operation mode set button for instructing the microcomputer 2 to operate mode. Further, 4 is an oscillator circuit device, 5 is an ultrasonic transducer, 6 is a receiver circuit device, and 7 is a switch device, and the functions of these constituent elements 4 to 7 are the same as in the conventional example.

FIG. 2 shows an operation procedure in the detection operation distance setting mode in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows an operation procedure in the operation mode. In the figure, S such as S1, S2 ... Represents a step.

After the power of the ultrasonic switch of FIG. 1 is turned on, when the operator (user) presses the setting mode set button 8,
The mode for setting the detection operation distance shown in FIG. 2 is entered. First, the operator places the detection object at the desired position to be set (see 18 in FIG. 8).
(S1). The microcomputer 2 of the ultrasonic switch periodically transmits ultrasonic pulses to the detection body via the transmission circuit device 4 and the ultrasonic transducer 5 (S
2). The ultrasonic pulse reflected by the detection body is received by the reception circuit 6 via the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the microcomputer 2 measures the elapsed time from the transmission of the ultrasonic wave (signal propagation time) to the detection body. The distance to is measured (S3). Since the measured distance value is read without change unless the position of the detection object is changed, the microcomputer 2 uses the measured value (measured value) as the detected operation distance to set a predetermined detection operation distance setting area (in the internal memory). The data is stored in the setting unit A) (S4).

When the detection operation distance is further set (for example, when a pair of detection operation distances is set), the above S1 is set.
Returning to the step, the above operation is repeated. When the setting is completed (S5), the operator sets the operation mode setting button 9
Press. This returns the setting mode set button 8,
The control shifts to the operation mode shown in FIG. 3 (S6).

The operation mode of FIG. 3 is almost the same as the conventional example. First, the microcomputer 2 transmits an ultrasonic pulse to the detection body via the transmission circuit device 4 and the ultrasonic transducer 5 (S11). The ultrasonic pulse reflected by the detector is received by the receiving circuit 6 via the ultrasonic transducer 5,
The microcomputer 2 measures the distance to the detection object by the propagation time of the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves (S12). Subsequently, the microcomputer 2 compares the measured value (measured value) with the detection operation distance (set distance) stored in a predetermined area (setting unit A) of the internal memory, and the measured value is within the set distance. It is determined whether or not there is (S13), and if the measured value is within the set distance, the switch device 7, which is the determination result, is turned on and output (S1).
4) If the measured value is not within the set distance, the switch signal is turned off and output (S15).

After that, if the setting mode is not set (S
16) Then, the process returns to S11 and the above operation is repeated. However, when the operator presses the setting mode set button 8, the operation mode set button 9 returns, and the control shifts to the operation mode described above with reference to FIG. 2 again (S17).

In the present embodiment, as described above, the operator actually places the detector at a desired position to be set while visually observing it, and the ultrasonic switch is made to measure the distance information, and the measured distance value is used. Since the ultrasonic switch itself directly sets the detection operation distance without setting the conventional volume, that is, the detection operation distance is set, there is no risk of operating mistakes in setting, and there is no setting error. It does not easily occur, and setting work can be done easily and easily.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows the structure of an ultrasonic switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the second mode of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the one-chip microcomputer 2 includes a distance value recording unit D in addition to the detection operation distance setting unit A, the distance measuring unit B, and the distance value reading unit C. 10 is a measurement mode set button, 11 is a setting mode set button, 1
Reference numeral 2 is an operation mode set button, and 13 is a soft selection button, and the states of these buttons are read by the microcomputer 2. Further, reference numerals 7-1, 7-2,
, 7-n, there are a plurality of switch devices (n is an integer) corresponding to the output part of the ultrasonic switch, and predetermined output numbers are given in advance in the order of arrangement, for example. The transmitting circuit device 4, the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the receiving circuit device 6 are the first
It operates similarly to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows the operation procedure in the detection operation distance measurement mode in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 shows the operation procedure in the setting mode, and FIG. 7 shows the operation procedure in the operation mode. .

When the operator presses the measurement mode setting button 10 after turning on the power source of the ultrasonic switch shown in FIG. 4, the mode for measuring the detection operation distance for measuring and recording the distance shown in FIG. 5 is set. First, the operator places the detection body at a desired position to be set (S21). The microcomputer 2 of the ultrasonic switch periodically transmits ultrasonic pulses to the detection body via the transmission circuit device 4 and the ultrasonic transducer 5 (S2).
2). The ultrasonic pulse reflected by the detection body is received by the reception circuit 6 via the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the microcomputer 2 measures the distance to the detection body by measuring the elapsed time of transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave (S23). ). Since the measured distance value is read without change unless the position of the detection object is changed, the microcomputer 2 uses the measured value (measured value) as a detection operation distance in a predetermined area (recording section D) of the internal memory. (S24).

With this, one detection operation distance is recorded.
By this repetition including changing the position of the detection body, the necessary several detection operation distances are recorded in the recording section of the internal memory.

When the distance measurement and recording are completed in this way (S25), the operator returns the measurement mode set button 10 and presses the setting mode set button 11. As a result, the control shifts to the setting mode shown in FIG. 6 (S26).

In the setting mode shown in FIG. 6, the number (output number) of each output unit for setting the detection operation distance is first called by inputting the soft selection button 13 (S31) and recorded in the recording unit of the internal memory. The detected detection distance values are read (S32), and the read detection distance values are set in the setting section A corresponding to each output number of the internal memory (S33). When changing the setting of the detection movement distance, the same operation is performed, and the detection movement distance value of the recording unit is called and set in the setting unit corresponding to the arbitrary output number to be changed.

After setting the detection operation distance by the number of output units desired to be set (S34), the operator returns the setting mode set button 11 and presses the operation mode set button 12. As a result, the control shifts to the operation mode shown in FIG. 7 (S3
5).

The basic operation of the operation mode of FIG. 7 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. First, the microcomputer 2 transmits an ultrasonic pulse to the detection body via the transmission circuit device 4 and the ultrasonic transducer 5 (S41). The ultrasonic pulse reflected by the detection body is received by the receiving circuit 6 via the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the microcomputer 2 measures the distance to the detection body by the propagation time of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave (S42). Subsequently, the microcomputer 2 compares the measured value (measured value) with a plurality of detection operation distances (set distances) stored in the setting unit of the internal memory, and determines whether or not the measured value is within the set distances. (S43), and if the measured value is within any of the set distances, the determination result is obtained from the corresponding switch device in the switch devices 7-1 to 7-n having the number corresponding to the set distance. A certain switch signal is turned on and output (S44), and if the measured value is not within the set distance, the switch signal is turned off and output (S45).

Thereafter, if the setting mode or the measurement mode is not set (S46, S48), the process returns to S41 and the above-described operation is repeated. However, when the operator presses the setting mode set button 11, the control shifts to the setting mode described above in FIG. 6 (S47), and when the measurement mode set button 10 is pushed, the control shifts to the measurement mode described above in FIG. Do (S
49).

In the step S43, it is described that the measurement value and the plurality of detected movement distances (set values) are determined. However, it is determined that all the plurality of detected movement distances recorded in the setting section of the internal memory. It is not always necessary, for example, by selecting the output number with the soft selection button 13 in advance,
It is also possible to determine only one selected detection movement distance or a detection movement distance corresponding to several selected output numbers. Further, in this case, instead of selecting the output number by the soft selection button 13, which output unit (switch device) the load (external device) is currently connected to is automatically detected and the load is connected. It is also preferable that only one or a plurality of detection operation distances corresponding to the output numbers of the output units that are present are targets for the determination in S43.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the ultrasonic switch itself directly sets the detection operation distance while the operator actually visually checks the position of the detection body, which is similar to the first embodiment. By repeating the operation, a large number of detection operation distances are recorded in the recording section of the internal memory, and then the recording section is set in the setting section of the internal memory corresponding to each output number (output section number) for setting the detection operation distance. If you want to change the setting by recalling and setting the previous detection operating distance stored in, call the desired detection operating distance value in the recording section to the setting section corresponding to the desired output number you want to change. Since the setting is performed, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the combination of the detection operation distance set value and the output unit can be freely changed, and the usability is greatly improved.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the operator directly sets the detection operation distance by using the ultrasonic switch while actually observing the position of the detection object, there is no possibility of making an error in the setting operation and there is no setting error. Is less likely to occur, and setting work can be performed easily and easily.

(2) Since the combination of the detection operation distance set value and the output section can be freely changed, the versatility is increased and the usability is greatly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic switch according to an embodiment of a first mode of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a detection operation distance setting mode in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in an operation mode in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic switch according to an example of a second mode of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a detection operation distance measurement mode in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a setting mode in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in an operation mode in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a conventional ultrasonic switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic switch 2 One-chip microcomputer 3-1 and 3-2 Operating distance setting volume 4 Oscillation circuit device 5 Ultrasonic transducer 6 Receiving circuit device 7,7-1,7-2, ..., 7-n Switch device 8 Setting mode set button 9 Operation mode set button 10 Measurement mode set button 11 Setting mode set button 12 Operation mode set button 13 Software selection button 18 Detection object A Detection operation distance setting section B Distance measurement section C Distance value reading section D Distance value Recording section

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic transducer, which periodically emits ultrasonic pulses, and which is measured by measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the ultrasonic transducer and received by the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic switch that measures the distance up to and determines whether the measured value is within the preset distance set in the storage means and outputs a switch signal according to the decision And a setting mode instructing means for periodically transmitting ultrasonic pulses from the ultrasonic transducer according to the instruction of the setting mode instructing means, and the ultrasonic pulses are transmitted to the detection object placed at the detection operation distance to be set. Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the detection body by measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic wave is reflected and received by the ultrasonic transducer, and the measured value measured by the distance measuring means is the operating distance. An ultrasonic switch comprising: a detection operation distance setting unit that is set in a storage unit as a set value. 2. The detection body is obtained by periodically transmitting ultrasonic pulses from an ultrasonic transducer, measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the detection body and received by the ultrasonic transducer. In the ultrasonic switch that measures the distance up to, determines whether the measured value is within a preset distance distance stored in the storage means, and outputs a switch signal according to the determination, the measurement mode is instructed. Measuring mode instructing means, and in response to the instruction of the measuring mode instructing means, ultrasonic waves are periodically emitted from the ultrasonic transducer, and the ultrasonic pulse is transmitted to the detection object placed at the detection operation distance to be recorded. Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the detection body by measuring the elapsed time until the ultrasonic wave is reflected and received by the ultrasonic transducer, and the distance according to the displacement of the detection body to a desired position. Distance value recording means for recording a plurality of measurement values measured by the measuring means in the first storage means as detected operating distance recorded values, setting mode instructing means for instructing a setting mode, and detection operating distance set values provided separately A plurality of output units for outputting the corresponding switch signals, number selection means for selectively inputting the identification number of the output section, and the detected operating distance record value recorded in the first storage means selectively. And the number selection means, with the detected operating distance record value selectively read from the distance value reading means in response to an instruction from the setting mode instructing means as the detected operating distance set value. An ultrasonic switch comprising: a detection operation distance setting means for setting a predetermined operation area in the second storage means corresponding to the identification number selected and input in step 1).