JPH10178709A - Distribution panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to visually recognize the situation of use of electric power by varying the displayed color on a light emitting element mounted on a panel surface or display time depending on the results of detection. SOLUTION: A comparative circuit 13 compares the magnitudes with a voltage converted by a current.voltage comparative circuit 12 based on a small voltage Vra, and a comparative circuit 14 compares based on a large voltage Vrb respectively as references and, if the magnitude of converted voltage is higher than each reference voltage, the a drive current is output to an output section 7. The output section 7 is attached to a panel surface with two light emitting diodes 15 and 16 placed in adjacent to each having a different color emitted. The light emitting diode 15 is operated with a drive current output from a comparative circuit 13 and emits green color, for example, and the light emitting diode 16 is operated with a drive current output from a comparative circuit 14 and emits red color, for example. Also, the brightness of the light emitting diodes 15 and 16 is proportional to each drive current. By doing this, the user is able to directly recognize the situation of the use of electric power.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power distribution board having a function of notifying the power use status of a circuit connected to a breaker to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Although a distribution board has a function of distributing electricity drawn indoors and blocking an overcurrent from flowing into an electric device, a supply current is unexpectedly cut off during use of the electric device. This may cause irreparable damage to equipment and cause of failure. For this reason, conventional switchboards are equipped with an analog pointer or a meter consisting of light-emitting elements on the panel surface, and by touching the pointer or changing the lighting position of the light-emitting elements arranged in a bar graph, or by numerical display using a digital light-emitting element. The magnitude of the current flowing through the breaker is displayed and output to notify the user of the danger of operating the breaker (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-72725, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3 (1995)).
-117304).

[0003]

Among the conventional distribution boards, touch panels and bar graph-shaped displays require a large display area. If there are a large number of branch circuits, the pointers and the light emitting elements are branched. It was difficult to arrange each circuit on the panel surface. The digital light-emitting element display requires a small display area, but requires a complicated display circuit, and the numerical display indicates the relative difference between the actual power consumption and the rated power and the power margin. It was difficult to judge visually and the visual effect was low. Furthermore, any of the bar-graph and digital light-emitting displays requires a large number of light-emitting elements, and the number of components must be increased.

[0004] Further, since all of the above-mentioned devices are for displaying and outputting on the panel surface of the distribution board, it is necessary to go to the installation position of the distribution board and recognize the power usage status without directly looking at the display. However, it is impossible to notify a person working at a position distant from the distribution board, a low vision person, a visually impaired person, and the like of the power use situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a distribution board having a notifying means for notifying and outputting the power usage status of a circuit to the outside. With a small display area and a small number of components, a power distribution board that can easily and intuitively notify the user of the power usage status visually, and to a person at a remote location or a visually impaired person through hearing without using vision Another object of the present invention is to provide a power distribution board capable of notifying the power usage status.

[0006]

To solve the above-mentioned problems, a distribution board according to the present invention comprises a detecting means for detecting a current flowing through a breaker, and a notification for notifying and outputting the power use status of a circuit connected to the breaker to the outside. Means for notifying the display device provided on the panel surface in accordance with the detection result of the detection means, and changing the display color or display time of the light-emitting element, thereby changing the power usage status. Is characterized by being visually recognizable. As a detecting means, a detecting element such as a current transformer or a Hall element for detecting a current flowing in the breaker is used, and as a display element, a light emitting lamp or a light emitting diode,
Display by liquid crystal is used. As the panel surface on which the light emitting elements are installed, an appropriate panel surface installed at a position distant from the distribution board is used in addition to the cover surface of the distribution board.

Further, the distribution board of the present invention has a detecting means for detecting a current flowing through the breaker, and a notifying means for notifying and outputting the power use status of a circuit connected to the breaker to the outside. However, an output unit for outputting a signal sound is provided, and the power usage state can be recognized through hearing by changing any of the intensity, the tone, and the tone of the signal sound according to the detection result of the detection means. It is characterized by being. In this case, a voice synthesizing circuit may be incorporated in the notification means so that the power usage status is notified by voice information.

[0008] The notifying means combines the two functions of light emission display and signal sound output, and at least two of the display color or display time of the light emitting element, the intensity of the signal sound, the pitch of the sound or the timbre, or the voice information change. It can also be provided as follows. Further, the notifying means can be provided integrally with the distribution board, but can also be separately provided at a position away from the distribution board main body in which the breaker is housed. If it is provided separately from the distribution board, it is possible to notify even those who are in a position where the distribution board cannot be seen, which is preferable.

The notifying means includes a main body for accommodating a plurality of branch breakers provided corresponding to the main breaker and the branch circuit, and a linear light emitting section having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a row at least of the branch breaker. A display unit having the same number of installed light emitting units and arranging the linear light emitting units radially, and emitting a bar graph of the power usage status of each branch circuit to the linear light emitting units according to the detection result of the detection unit. The present invention is also applicable to a distribution board formed so as to be displayed.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A distribution board according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a distribution board according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a main breaker connected to a single-phase two-wire type or single-phase three-wire type power line that is led indoors via a watt hour meter. 2, a trunk line connected to the load side terminal of the main breaker 1; 3, a branch line branched from the trunk line 2 to each branch circuit;
Is a branch breaker connected to each branch line and attached to each branch circuit, 5 is a detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the branch breaker 4, 6 is a control unit for processing an output signal of the detection unit 5, and 7 is a control unit. 6 is an output unit controlled by 6 to output a signal to the outside. The above-mentioned detecting means corresponds to the detecting section 5, and the notifying means corresponds to the control section 6 and the output section 7, respectively. Through these sections, the power use status of the branch circuit can be output as a signal. These units may be provided in the main breaker 1 in order to output a signal of the power usage status of the entire circuit.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a light emitting diode is used as an output unit 7 and the light emitting diode is installed on a housing panel surface, and the power consumption of the circuit is monitored. The display is configured to be output based on the change in the emission color of the diode. In the figure, the detection unit 5 is configured by connecting a current transformer 11 in series from the power supply side of the branch breaker 4 to the load side to detect a current flowing in the breaker. Another sensor such as a Hall element may be used instead of the current transformer. The control unit 6 compares the converted voltage with voltages Vra and Vrb having different preset magnitudes from the current / voltage conversion circuit 12 that converts the secondary current of the current transformer 11 into a voltage via a resistor. Comparison circuit 1
3 and 14. The two comparing circuits compare the magnitudes of the voltage (hereinafter, referred to as “converted voltage”) converted by the current / voltage converting circuit 12 with the small voltage Vra as the reference and the large voltage Vrb as the reference. When the converted voltage is larger than each reference voltage, a driving current is output to the output unit 7.
Also, the comparison circuit 13 performs conversion when the conversion voltage is higher than the reference voltage Vrb so that the drive current value decreases as the conversion voltage increases when the conversion voltage is higher than the reference voltage Vra. The drive current value is configured to increase as the voltage increases. The output unit 7 includes two light emitting diodes 15 having different emission colors,
16 is formed adjacent to the panel surface, and the light emitting diode 15 emits, for example, green light by the driving current output from the comparison circuit 13.
Numeral 6 emits, for example, red light by the drive current output from the comparison circuit 14. The light emission intensity (luminance) of both light emitting diodes is proportional to the magnitude of each drive current.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the magnitude of the current flowing through the branch breaker 4, that is, the power use state of the circuit can be displayed and output by the change in the emission color of the light emitting diodes 15 and 16. Specifically, for example, the rated current of the branch breaker 4 is set to 20 A, and the current / voltage conversion circuit 12 converts the rated current into a voltage at a maximum of 10 VP-P. The reference voltage is set to 4 V for Vra and 6 V for Vrb. When the comparison circuits 13 and 14 are set to compare the converted voltages, first, when the converted voltage is smaller than Vra, both light emitting diodes are turned off. As the load on the circuit increases,
As shown in (2), when the conversion voltage is higher than 4 V, the driving current is output from the comparison circuit 13 to turn on the light emitting diode 15, and a green light emission display is output on the panel surface. When the current consumption of the circuit increases and the conversion voltage gradually increases, the driving current output from the comparison circuit 13 decreases and the light emission intensity of the light emitting diode 15 decreases, while the conversion voltage becomes higher than 6V. Then, the driving current is output from the comparison circuit 14, and the light emitting diodes 16 are turned on, the two light emitting diodes are turned on, the light emitting colors are mixed, and an orange light emitting display is output.
When the current consumption further increases, the driving current from the comparison circuit 13 is stopped, the light emitting diode 15 is turned off, the light emitting intensity is gradually increased, and only the light emitting diode 16 continues to be turned on, and a red light emission display is output. . Therefore, the user sees the light-emitting display that changes from the light-off state to green, orange, and red, and determines whether the electric device connected to the circuit is currently unused (light-off) or used in the safety area ( It is possible to intuitively recognize whether the device is used in a danger area where there is a possibility that the breaker may be activated due to overload due to overload (green, orange). In this way, by using two light emitting diodes, at least three types of information of unused, safe area and dangerous area can be displayed and output, so that necessary information is accurately output with a small display area and a small number of components, It becomes possible to communicate. If a large number of light-emitting diodes of different colors are adjacent to each other, the color change increases and more detailed information can be displayed. However, since the number of components increases, at least two light-emitting diodes may be used.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a light emitting diode is used as the output section 7 and the light emitting diode is installed on the surface of the housing panel, and the power usage of the circuit is illuminated. It is configured to display and output according to a change in the blinking cycle of the diode. In the drawing, the detection unit 5 is configured by connecting a current transformer 21 in series from the power supply side of the branch breaker 4 to the load side in order to detect a current flowing in the breaker, as in the above embodiment. The control unit 6 includes a bridge diode circuit 22 that performs double-wave rectification of the secondary current of the current transformer 21, a converter circuit 23 that converts the frequency of the rectified current, and a frequency dividing circuit 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the converter circuit 23 includes operational amplifiers 23a and 23b and an integrating capacitor 23.
c, a detection diode 23d, a constant current source 23e, an analog switch 23f, and the like.
a, the output terminal of the bridge diode circuit 22 is connected to the input terminal of the capacitor 23c.
And when the voltage exceeds a threshold value set by the detection diode 23d, the output of the operational amplifier 23b is controlled to be inverted. As the input current increases, the output interval of the pulse from the operational amplifier 23b narrows. Output. The frequency dividing circuit 24 is configured to divide the pulse output from the converter circuit 23 at an appropriate frequency dividing ratio and output the pulse. Although the current rectified by the bridge diode circuit 22 is not smoothed by the converter circuit 23, the current is averaged over time by dividing the frequency by the frequency dividing circuit 24. As a result, the current is smoothed. The output unit 7 is configured by attaching a light emitting diode 25 to a panel surface.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the power use status of the circuit can be displayed and output by changing the display time of the light emitting diode 25. That is, the controller 6 outputs a pulse proportional to the magnitude of the current flowing through the breaker, a low-frequency pulse when the current is small, and a high-frequency pulse when the current is large, and the light emitting diode 25 turns on and off according to the pulse cycle. It emits light repeatedly.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the user starts blinking from the unlit state, gradually accelerates the blinking cycle, and finally sees the light-emitting display that appears to be lit, and is connected to the circuit. Whether the electrical equipment being used is currently unused (turned off), used in a safe area (blinking), or used in a danger area where an overload is likely to cause the breaker to operate ( Lighting) can be intuitively recognized. Thus, at least unused, by one light emitting diode,
Since it is possible to display and output three kinds of information of the safety area and the danger area, it is possible to accurately output and transmit necessary information with a small display area and a small number of components. In the first and second embodiments, the panel surface on which the light emitting element is installed may be a panel surface mounted on a wall separated from the power distribution panel, in addition to the panel surface of the housing of the distribution board. What is necessary is just to be attached in the position where can be seen.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a speaker for outputting a signal sound is used as the output unit 7, and the power use status of the load circuit is notified by the loudness of the output sound. It is configured to do so. In the figure, the detecting unit 5
As in the first embodiment, a current transformer 31 is connected in series from the power supply side to the load side of the branch breaker 4 in order to detect the current flowing in the breaker. Control unit 6
Is composed of a bridge diode circuit 32 for performing both-wave rectification of the secondary current of the current transformer 31, a smoothing circuit 33 for smoothing the rectified current, and a self-excited oscillation circuit 34 including an electromagnet or the like. The smoothing circuit 33 is configured to average a rectified current into a direct current by a capacitor having an appropriate capacity, and the self-excited oscillation circuit 34 oscillates by the current output from the smoothing circuit 33 and causes the output unit 7 to vibrate. Is configured to be output. The self-excited oscillation circuit 34 is set so as not to oscillate below a predetermined current, and the oscillation frequency through the speaker is in the audible range. The output unit 7 uses the speaker 35, connects the self-excited oscillation circuit 34 to a terminal of the diaphragm, and sounds the diaphragm by vibration transmitted from the self-excited oscillation circuit 34 to output a signal sound. I have. The speaker 35 can be installed at an appropriate position inside or on the surface of the distribution board.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, the speaker 35 sounds at a volume proportional to the magnitude of the current flowing through the breaker. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the user hears the signal sound of the speaker 35 that sounds at a large volume from the non-sounding state, and determines whether the electric device connected to the current circuit is unused ( (Non-sounding), use in the safety area (small volume), or use in the danger area where overload is likely to cause the breaker to operate (high volume). Even in the position, it can be easily and intuitively known. Further, since there is no need to provide a display output unit on the panel surface, the size of the housing can be reduced, and the number of components can be reduced.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a speaker for outputting a signal sound is used as the output unit 7, and the power usage status of the load circuit is determined by the level of the output sound.
In other words, the notification is made based on a change in pitch. In the figure, the detection unit 5 is configured by connecting a current transformer 41 in series from the power supply side of the branch breaker 4 to the load side in order to detect a current flowing in the breaker, as in the above embodiment. The control unit 6 includes a bridge diode circuit 42 for performing double-wave rectification of the secondary current of the current transformer 41, a converter circuit 43 for converting the frequency of the rectified current, and a frequency dividing circuit 44. 2 are the same components as the control unit. The frequency dividing circuit 44 is set so as not to output a pulse below a predetermined frequency. The output unit 7 uses a speaker 45 having an oscillating unit composed of an electromagnet or the like, connects a frequency dividing circuit 44 to an input terminal of the oscillating unit, and makes a diaphragm in the oscillating unit ring according to an output pulse of the frequency dividing circuit 44. It is configured to output a signal tone.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, a pulse having a period proportional to the magnitude of the current flowing through the breaker is output from the frequency dividing circuit 44, and a ringing sound having a pitch corresponding to the period of the output pulse is generated. It is output from the speaker 45. That is, when the current flowing through the breaker is small, a low-frequency pulse is input, so that the speaker 45 emits a low-pitched sound such as "boo". When the current is large, a high-frequency pulse is input. And emit a high clear sound. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the user listens to the signal sound of the speaker 35 that changes the pitch from the non-ringing state and sounds, and determines whether the electric device connected to the circuit is currently unused. (Non-sounding), use in a safe area ("boo" sound area), or use in a dangerous area where overload is likely to cause the breaker to operate ("beep" sound area) Can be easily and intuitively known even if the user is away from the distribution board. As in the third embodiment, the size of the housing can be reduced and the number of parts can be reduced.

When the notification means for outputting a signal tone is used,
In addition to the notification based on the strength of the signal sound as in the third embodiment and the height of the signal sound as in the fourth embodiment, the notification can also be performed based on the tone (type of sound) of the signal sound. These may be appropriately combined as a signal sound.

FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a speaker for outputting a signal sound is used as the output unit 7, and a voice synthesizing circuit 54 is incorporated in the control unit 6 to use the power of the load circuit. It is configured to notify the situation by voice information. In the figure, the detection unit 5 is configured by connecting a current transformer 51 in series from the power supply side of the branch breaker 4 to the load side in order to detect a current flowing in the breaker, as in the above embodiment. The control unit 6 includes an A / D converter circuit 52 that converts a secondary current of the current transformer 51 into a digital signal, a microcontroller 53, and a voice synthesis circuit 54.
Microcontroller 5 according to the current value converted in 2
3 outputs a control signal to the voice synthesizing circuit 54. The voice synthesizing circuit 54 synthesizes a desired information into a voice waveform, and outputs a signal to the output unit 7. As the speech synthesis circuit 54, those of various speech synthesis systems can be used. For example, as a text voice, a natural voice is stored at a word or segment level, and extracted and connected as needed, or a voice is separated into various characteristics such as vocal tract characteristics and stored as a parameter time series. In this case, a method of extracting this as necessary and synthesizing a speech waveform through a synthesizer is used. The output unit 7 includes a speaker 55, and is configured to sound a diaphragm and output sound by a sound waveform signal output from the sound synthesis circuit 54.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to output audio information corresponding to the magnitude of the current flowing through the breaker, so that the user can use the electrical equipment even if the user is away from the distribution board. The connection status, usage status, etc. can be accurately, reliably and quickly known. That is, when the notification is made based on the sound intensity or the like as in the above-described embodiment, only one type of information such as the use state of the electric device can be notified. In order not to operate the breaker, not only the information that it is used normally, but also the information that specifies the circuit where the breaker might operate, the current value that flows in the breaker, and how much time is left before the breaker operates In addition, various kinds of information necessary for continuing the normal operation of the electric device, such as measures to be taken, can be notified more specifically. Therefore, the user hears the output sound to know the current usage state, and when there is a possibility of the breaker operation, by immediately taking action according to the sound, it is possible to prevent the breaker operation beforehand. Become. In the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, each speaker of the output unit 7 can be provided at a position away from the distribution board.

The configuration of each of the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate and provided so as to notify both visually and auditoryly. For example, the display color of the light emitting element is changed, and at the same time, it is provided so that the notification can be made by the synthesized voice. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a main breaker 1 and a branch breaker 4 are housed in a main body (not shown), and a plurality of lid panel surfaces 61 are provided. Light emitting element 62
And a display unit 64 in which the linear light emitting units 63 are arranged radially in the same number as the number of the branch breakers 4 arranged in a row, and the power use status of each branch circuit is displayed in accordance with the detection result of the detection unit 5. The present invention may be applied to a distribution board configured to cause the light emitting section 63 to emit light in a bar graph shape. That is, in such a distribution board, by arranging the linear light emitting portions 63 corresponding to the respective branch breakers radially, a large number of the linear light emitting portions 63 are compactly integrated in the panel surface 61 having a small area, The objective is to make it possible to easily recognize at a glance the objective power usage of all the branch circuits, and is formed by using a large number of light emitting elements. If the notification means based on the change of the display color or the display time is appropriately combined as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display mode becomes more diversified and the visual appeal can be enhanced. , 5, the signal sound output unit can be alerted by both eyes and ears, and in any case, it is possible to more easily grasp the power use situation.

In the illustrated distribution board, a display portion 64 is provided on a panel surface 61 of a lid for closing the main body, and this panel surface 61 can be provided at a position distant from the main body. The configuration of each embodiment may be provided either integrally with the distribution board main body or at a remote position. In this case, the entire notification unit may be separated from the distribution board, or the control unit 6 may be installed in the distribution board, and only the output unit 7 including a light emitting element and a speaker may be separated. It is preferable that at least the output unit 7 be separately installed at a position away from the distribution board, because it is possible to notify even a person who is in a position where the distribution board cannot be seen.

[0024]

According to the power distribution board of the present invention, the user can easily and intuitively recognize the power use status through the information displayed and output on the panel surface using a small display area and a small number of components. it can. In addition, if the notification means is provided so as to change the signal sound in accordance with the power usage status and output the same, the power usage status can be easily and intuitively provided to a person who is away from the distribution board or a visually impaired person. Can be recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a distribution board according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a signal processing system diagram of the distribution board of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating output characteristics of the comparison circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a signal processing system diagram of a distribution board according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the converter circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating output characteristics of the frequency dividing circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a signal processing system diagram of a distribution board according to a third embodiment.

8 is a diagram showing output characteristics of the speaker of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a signal processing system diagram of a distribution board according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing output characteristics of the frequency dividing circuit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a signal processing system diagram of a distribution board according to a fifth embodiment.

12A and 12B are external views of a housing of another embodiment of a distribution board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main breaker 2 Trunk line 3 Branch line 4 Branch breaker 5 Detection unit 6 Control unit 7 Output unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A distribution board having detection means for detecting a current flowing through a breaker and notification means for notifying and outputting the power use status of a circuit connected to the breaker to the outside, wherein the notification means detects the detection of the detection means. The display device installed on the panel surface is made to emit light according to the result, and the power use status can be visually recognized by changing the display color or display time of the light emitting device. Electric board. 2. A distribution board having a detecting means for detecting a current flowing through a breaker and a notifying means for notifying and outputting the power use status of a circuit connected to the breaker to the outside, wherein the notifying means outputs a signal sound. An output unit, wherein the power usage state can be recognized through hearing by changing at least one of the intensity of the signal sound, the pitch of the sound, and the timbre according to the detection result of the detection means. A distribution board characterized by the following. 3. The distribution board according to claim 2, wherein a voice synthesizing circuit is incorporated in the notifying means so that the power use status is notified by voice information. 4. The notification means according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the display color or display time of the light emitting element, the intensity of the signal sound, the pitch or tone, or the voice information of the light emitting element is changed. Distribution board described in. 5. The distribution board according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means is separately provided at a position away from the distribution board main body in which the breaker is housed. 6. A main body for accommodating a plurality of branch breakers provided corresponding to a main breaker and a branch circuit, and a linear light-emitting portion having a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a row at least as many as the number of branch breakers installed. And a display unit in which the linear light emitting units are radially arranged. The linear light emitting unit displays the power usage status of each branch circuit in a bar graph in accordance with the detection result of the detecting unit. A distribution board provided with the notification means according to any one of claims 1 to 5.