JPH11154917A - Remote input output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote input output device by which a margin of a communication stable state is confirmed. SOLUTION: The remote input output device includes a transmission/reception unit 1, a transmission unit and a reception unit. The transmission reception unit 1 connects with a programmable controller, the transmission unit connects with an input device, and the reception unit connects with an output device. The transmission reception unit 1 has an address display section 50 and a stability display section 60. The stability display section 60 has pluralities of LEDs 65 to display the communication stability of the transmission unit and the reception unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote input / output device (remote I / O device) for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and input / output devices.
About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Programmable controllers are used to sequentially control controlled devices.
Input devices such as switches and sensors and output devices such as switches, electromagnetic switches, relays, solenoids, and motors are connected to the programmable controller.
When the input device and the output device are installed at positions separated from the programmable controller, it is necessary to perform communication between the programmable controller and the input device and the output device. For this purpose, a remote input / output device is used.

[0003] The remote input / output device comprises a transmitting / receiving unit connected to a programmable controller, a transmitting unit connected to an input device, and a receiving unit connected to an output device.

[0004] The transmitting unit transmits an input signal from the input device to the transmitting / receiving unit. The transmission / reception unit receives a signal transmitted from the transmission unit, inputs the signal to the programmable controller, and transmits a signal output from the programmable controller to the reception unit. The receiving unit receives a signal transmitted from the programmable controller and provides the signal to an output device.

[0005] Thus, even when the input device and the output device are installed at positions distant from the programmable controller, signals can be input / output between the programmable controller and the input device and the output device. Becomes

[0006]

The above-mentioned conventional remote input / output device is provided with a display function for displaying two states, a state in which communication is possible and a state in which communication is not possible. Therefore, the transmitting / receiving unit, the transmitting unit, and the receiving unit can be installed while confirming that communication is possible by the display function.

However, even when the communication state is stable when the remote input / output device is installed, the communication state may become unstable due to a change in the surrounding environment or the like when the remote input / output device operates. In such a case, it is necessary to install the remote input / output device again.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote input / output device capable of confirming a margin of a stable state of communication.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention (1)
First invention A remote input / output device according to a first invention is a remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device. A receiving unit is provided. The transmitting / receiving unit is connected to the programmable controller,
A signal provided from the programmable controller is transmitted, and a received signal is provided to the programmable controller. The transmission unit is connected to the input device and transmits a signal from the input device to the transmission / reception unit. The receiving unit is connected to the output device, receives a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit, and provides the signal to the output device. The transmission / reception unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmission unit or the reception unit.

In the remote input / output device according to the present invention,
A signal output from the programmable controller is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the receiving unit and provided to the output device. Further, a signal from the input device is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit by the transmission unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the transmitting / receiving unit and input to the programmable controller.
In this manner, a signal output from the programmable controller can be transmitted to a remote output device, and a signal from a remote input device can be input to the programmable controller.

[0011] In particular, since the transmission / reception unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmission unit or the reception unit, the transmission / reception unit, the transmission unit, and the reception unit are installed when the transmission / reception unit, the transmission unit, and the reception unit are installed. Check the stability of communication with the unit,
It is possible to determine how much margin a stable communication state has with respect to a change in the surrounding environment and the like.

(2) Second invention In the remote input / output device according to the second invention, in the configuration of the remote input / output device according to the first invention, the stability display means is configured to output a signal transmitted from the transmission unit. It displays the stability of communication with the transmission unit based on the reception state.

[0013] In this case, the stability display means determines the stability of communication between the transmitting / receiving unit and the transmitting unit based on the reception state of the signal transmitted from the transmitting unit.

(3) Third invention A remote input / output device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the remote input / output device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the receiving unit comprises a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit. Is received, a response signal is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit, and the stability display means displays the stability of communication with the reception unit based on the reception state of the response signal transmitted from the reception unit.

In this case, the stability display means determines the stability of communication between the transmitting / receiving unit and the receiving unit based on the reception state of the response signal transmitted from the receiving unit.

(4) Fourth invention In a remote input / output device according to a fourth invention, in the configuration of the remote input / output device according to the third invention, the stability display means is provided such that the stability display means receives a signal from the transmission unit within a predetermined time. It includes counting means for counting the number of receptions of a signal or a response signal from the receiving unit, and display means for displaying the stability of communication based on the count value of the counting means.

In this case, the number of receptions of the signal from the transmission unit or the response signal from the reception unit within a predetermined time is counted, and the communication stability is displayed based on the counted value.

(5) Fifth invention A remote input / output device according to a fifth invention is the remote input / output device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the transmission / reception unit transmits data during communication. The apparatus further includes identification information display means for displaying identification information for identifying the unit or the receiving unit.

In this case, the stability display means displays the stability of communication with the transmitting unit or the receiving unit, and the identification information displaying means displays identification information for identifying the transmitting unit or the receiving unit in communication. . Thereby, it is possible to easily confirm the transmitting unit or the receiving unit in communication and the stability of the communication with the transmitting unit or the receiving unit.

(6) Sixth invention A remote input / output device according to a sixth invention is a remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device. It comprises a transmitting / receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting / receiving unit is connected to the programmable controller,
A signal provided from the programmable controller is transmitted, and a received signal is provided to the programmable controller. The transmission unit is connected to the input device and transmits a signal from the input device to the transmission / reception unit. The receiving unit is connected to the output device, receives a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit, and provides the signal to the output device. The transmission unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmission / reception unit.

In the remote input / output device according to the present invention,
A signal output from the programmable controller is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the receiving unit and provided to the output device. Further, a signal from the input device is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit by the transmission unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the transmitting / receiving unit and input to the programmable controller.
In this manner, a signal output from the programmable controller can be transmitted to a remote output device, and a signal from a remote input device can be input to the programmable controller.

In particular, since the transmitting unit has the stability display means for displaying the stability of the communication with the transmitting / receiving unit, the stability of the communication between the transmitting / receiving unit and the transmitting unit can be improved when the transmitting / receiving unit, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are installed. By checking the degree, it is possible to determine how much margin the communication has in a stable state with respect to changes in the surrounding environment and the like.

(7) Seventh invention A remote input / output device according to a seventh invention is a remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device. It comprises a transmitting / receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting / receiving unit is connected to the programmable controller,
A signal provided from the programmable controller is transmitted, and a received signal is provided to the programmable controller. The transmission unit is connected to the input device and transmits a signal from the input device to the transmission / reception unit. The receiving unit is connected to the output device, receives a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit, and provides the signal to the output device. The receiving unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmitting / receiving unit.

In the remote input / output device according to the present invention,
A signal output from the programmable controller is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the receiving unit and provided to the output device. Further, a signal from the input device is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit by the transmission unit. The signal transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit is received by the transmitting / receiving unit and input to the programmable controller.
In this manner, a signal output from the programmable controller can be transmitted to a remote output device, and a signal from a remote input device can be input to the programmable controller.

In particular, since the receiving unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmitting / receiving unit, the stability of communication between the transmitting / receiving unit and the receiving unit can be improved when the transmitting / receiving unit, the transmitting unit, and the receiving unit are installed. By checking the degree, it is possible to determine how much margin the communication has in a stable state with respect to changes in the surrounding environment and the like.

[0026]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote input / output device (remote I / O device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a remote input / output device 10 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 1, one or more transmitting units 2, and one or more receiving units 3. Each transmitting unit 2 and each receiving unit 3 are connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 1 via a communication line 4.

The transmission / reception unit 1 is connected to a programmable controller 20 by a programmable controller bus (hereinafter, referred to as a PLC bus) 5. Each transmission unit 2 is connected to input devices (not shown) such as switches and sensors. Output devices (not shown) such as switches, electromagnetic switches, relays, solenoids, and motors are connected to each receiving unit 3.

In the remote input / output device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the transmission unit 2 transmits a signal from the input device to the transmission / reception unit 1 via the communication line 4. The transmitting / receiving unit 1
A signal transmitted from the transmission unit 2 is received, and the received signal is input to the programmable controller 20 via the PLC bus 5. The transmitting / receiving unit 1 transmits a signal output from the programmable controller 20 via the PLC bus 5 to the receiving unit 3 via the communication line 4. The receiving unit 3 receives the signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 1 and outputs the received signal to an output device.

In this way, even when the input device and the output device are installed at positions remote from the programmable controller 20, signals are input / output between the programmable controller 20 and the input device and the output device. It is possible to do.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the transmitting / receiving unit 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG.
Has an address display unit 50 and a stability display unit 60. The stability display unit 60 includes a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 65, and the transmission unit 2 or the reception unit 3
Displays the communication stability (degree of stability). In the present embodiment, the stability display unit 60 has eight LEDs 61,
Numbers “0” to “7” indicating the degree of stability are assigned to the LEDs 65 in order.

Each transmitting unit 2 and each receiving unit 3
Is assigned an address (channel number) as identification information. In the address display section 50,
The address of the transmitting unit 2 or the receiving unit 3 communicating with the transmitting / receiving unit 1 is displayed. That is, the transmission unit 2 or the reception unit 3 displaying the stability on the stability display unit 60 is displayed on the address display unit 50.
Is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transmitting / receiving unit 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission / reception unit 1 includes a transmission circuit 11, a reception circuit 12, an encoding circuit 1
3, decoding circuit 14, memory arbitration circuit 15, memory 16
And a PLC bus interface circuit 17. The transmission circuit 11 and the reception circuit 12 are connected to the communication line 4. Further, the PLC bus interface circuit 17
Connected to C bus 5.

The receiving circuit 12 receives the serial signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 2 via the communication line 4 and supplies the serial signal to the decoding circuit 14. The decoding circuit 14 decodes (demodulates) the serial signal from the receiving circuit 12 and supplies the signal to the memory arbitration circuit 15 as a parallel signal.

The memory arbitration circuit 15 writes the parallel signal from the decoding circuit 14 into the memory 16 as a reception signal, reads the reception signal as a parallel signal from the memory 16 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the signals to the PLC bus interface circuit 17 and the PLC bus. 5 to the programmable controller 20.

The memory arbitration circuit 15 writes a parallel signal output from the programmable controller 20 via the PLC bus 5 and the PLC bus interface circuit 17 into the memory 16 as a transmission signal,
The transmission signal is read from the memory 16 at a predetermined timing, and is provided to the encoding circuit 13. The encoding circuit 13 encodes (modulates) the transmission signal and supplies it to the transmission circuit 11 as a serial signal. The transmitting circuit 11 transmits the serial signal from the encoding circuit 13 to the receiving unit 3 via the communication line 4.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transmission unit 2 of FIG. As shown in FIG.
Are input circuit 21, encoding circuit 22, and transmission circuit 23
including. The input circuit 21 is connected to an input device. The transmission circuit 23 is connected to the communication line 4.

The input circuit 21 receives a signal from an input device and supplies it to the encoding circuit 22 as a parallel signal.
The encoding circuit 22 encodes (modulates) the parallel signal from the input circuit 21 and supplies the signal to the transmission circuit 23 as a serial signal. The transmission circuit 23 transmits the serial signal from the encoding circuit 22 to the transmission / reception unit 1 via the communication line 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiving unit 3 of FIG. As shown in FIG.
Are a receiving circuit 31, a decoding circuit 32 and an output circuit 33
including. The receiving circuit 31 is connected to the communication line 4. Also,
The output circuit 33 is connected to an output device.

The receiving circuit 31 receives a serial signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 1 via the communication line 4 and supplies the serial signal to the decoding circuit 32. The decoding circuit 32 includes the receiving circuit 31
Is encoded (demodulated) and supplied to the output circuit 33 as a parallel signal. The output circuit 33 outputs the parallel signal from the decoding circuit 32 to an output device.

The receiving unit 3 transmits a response signal to the transmitting / receiving unit 1 via the communication line 4 when receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 1.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the stability display section in the transmitting / receiving unit 1 of FIG. FIG.
7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the stability display section of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stability display section 60
It includes a timer 61, a counter 62, a data holding circuit 63, a display circuit 64, and a plurality of LEDs 65.

The receiving circuit 12 outputs a reception success signal RS when receiving a signal transmitted from the transmission unit 2 or a response signal transmitted from the reception unit 3. The counter 62 counts the number of pulses of the reception success signal RS, and outputs the count value as a counter output signal CD.

On the other hand, the timer 61 supplies the data holding circuit 63 with a holding request signal LC composed of pulses at regular time intervals, and also gives the holding request signal LC to the counter 62 as a clear signal. The data holding circuit 63 holds the counter output signal CD output from the counter 62 in response to the holding request signal LC given from the timer 61, and outputs the held counter output signal CD to the communication state signal TS.
To the display circuit 64. The display circuit 64 lights the number of LEDs 65 corresponding to the count value of the counter 62 among the plurality of LEDs 65 based on the communication state signal TS.

In the example of FIG. 7, in cycle CY1,
Five pulses are generated in the reception success signal RS output from the reception circuit 12. Thereby, the final value of the counter output signal CD output from the counter 62 becomes “5”.
And the data holding circuit 63 holds “5” as the communication state signal TS. In this case, the display circuit 64 turns on the five LEDs 65.

In the cycle CY 2, two pulses are generated in the reception success signal RS output from the reception circuit 12. Thereby, the final value of the counter output signal CD output from the counter 62 becomes “2”, and the data holding circuit 63 outputs “2” as the communication state signal TS.
2 "is held. In this case, two LEDs 65 are turned on by the display circuit 64.

In this embodiment, the stability display section 60 corresponds to stability display means, and the address display section 50 corresponds to identification information display means. Further, the timer 61 and the counter 6
2 constitutes a counting means, and includes a display circuit 64 and a plurality of LEs.
D65 constitutes display means.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of display on the address display section 50 and the stability display section 60 of the transmission / reception unit 1. FIG.

In FIG. 8A, the address display section 50 displays "
01 "is displayed, and seven Ls are displayed on the stability display section 60.
ED65 is lit. In this example, the address is "0"
1 ”indicates that the communication state with the transmission unit 2 or the reception unit 3 is good, indicating that there is sufficient margin in the stable state of communication.

In FIG. 8B, the address display unit 50 displays "
01 "is displayed, and three L
ED65 is lit. In this example, the address is "0"
1 ”indicates that the communication state with the transmission unit 2 or the reception unit 3 is bad. In this case, the communication line 4
Check the length and so on, and change the wiring etc. so that the communication state becomes sufficiently stable.

As described above, the remote input / output device 1 of this embodiment
In the case of 0, the stability of the communication can be confirmed by the stability display section 65 when the transmission / reception unit 1, the transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3 are installed. As a result, it is possible to determine how much margin the communication has in a stable state with respect to changes in the surrounding environment. Therefore, the remote input / output device 10 can be installed with high communication stability.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 65
Indicates the communication stability, but the communication stability may be displayed in another form such as a bar graph or a numerical value.

In the above embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 1
Although the transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3 communicate with each other via the communication line 4, the transmission / reception unit 1 may communicate with the transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3 by wireless communication.

Further, the stability display section 6 is provided on the transmission unit 2.
0 may be provided. In this case, the stability display unit 60 of the transmission unit 2 displays the communication stability based on the response signal from the transmission / reception unit 1.

The stability display section 60 is provided on the receiving unit 3.
May be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the transmission / reception unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission / reception unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stability display unit in the transmission / reception unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the stability display section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of display on an address display unit and a stability display unit in the transmission / reception unit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission / reception unit 2 Transmission unit 3 Receiving unit 4 Communication line 5 PLC bus 12 Receiving circuit 50 Address display unit 60 Stability display unit 61 Timer 62 Counter 63 Data holding circuit 64 Display circuit 65 LED

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device, the remote input / output device being connected to the programmable controller and transmitting a signal given from the programmable controller. And a transmitting / receiving unit for providing a received signal to the programmable controller; a transmitting unit connected to the input device, for transmitting a signal from the input device to the transmitting / receiving unit; connected to the output device; A receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit and supplies the signal to the output device, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit includes a stability display unit that displays stability of communication with the transmitting unit or the receiving unit. A remote input / output device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The remote entry device according to claim 1, wherein the stability display means displays the stability of communication with the transmission unit based on a reception state of a signal transmitted from the transmission unit. Output device. 3. The reception unit transmits a response signal to the transmission / reception unit when receiving a signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit, and the stability display unit transmits the response signal transmitted from the reception unit. The stability of communication with the receiving unit is displayed based on the receiving state of the receiving unit.
Or the remote input / output device according to 2. 4. The counting means for counting the number of times of receiving a signal from the transmitting unit or a response signal from the receiving unit within a predetermined time, and communicating based on a count value of the counting means. 4. A remote input / output device according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit for displaying a degree of stability. 5. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein said transmission / reception unit further comprises identification information display means for displaying identification information for identifying a transmitting unit or a receiving unit in communication. I / O device. 6. A remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device, the remote input / output device being connected to the programmable controller and transmitting a signal given from the programmable controller. And a transmitting / receiving unit for providing a received signal to the programmable controller; a transmitting unit connected to the input device, for transmitting a signal from the input device to the transmitting / receiving unit; connected to the output device; A receiving unit for receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit and providing the signal to the output device, wherein the transmitting unit has stability display means for displaying the stability of communication with the transmitting / receiving unit. Remote input / output device. 7. A remote input / output device for inputting / outputting a signal between a programmable controller and an input device and an output device, the remote input / output device being connected to the programmable controller and transmitting a signal given from the programmable controller. And a transmitting / receiving unit for providing a received signal to the programmable controller; a transmitting unit connected to the input device, for transmitting a signal from the input device to the transmitting / receiving unit; connected to the output device; A receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit and supplies the received signal to the output device, wherein the receiving unit includes a stability display unit that displays stability of communication with the transmitting / receiving unit. Remote input / output device.