JPS62191726A - Switch turning on/off by temperature change - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable rapid and certain operation, by comparing the temp. signal from a temp. detection sensor receiving the supply of heat from a heat source to convert said beat to the temp. signal with a first reference value. CONSTITUTION:At first, when the power source switch provided to a control box 6 is turned ON, the temp. signal Ti from a temp. detection sensor 4 and the room temp. signal Tr from a reference sensor 14 being a first reference value are inputted and the difference Ti-Tr between both signals is taken and the value thereof is stored in the predetermined address of CPUA as a relative temp. value Ts. When this temp. value Ts is calculated, the change quantity of the temp. value Ts per a unit time, that is, a temp. change gradient dTs/dt is calculated and stored. CPUA determines a second reference value being a value lower than the value taken by the gradient dTs/dt corresponding to the change in the temp. value Ts when heat was applied to the sensor 4 and outputs an ON-signal when the gradient dTs/dt at that time is larger than the second reference value to the temp. value Ts at that time while outputting an OFF-signal when the gradient dTs/dt is smaller than the second reference value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a switch that detects a change in ambient temperature and turns on/off an arbitrary electrical signal or the like based on the change in ambient temperature. Such switches can be used in various industrial fields.

(Prior art) As the above switch, the so-called EC5 for disabled people
There are some things that are used for. This EC3 is an environmental control system (Enviror++wentCont
It is an abbreviation for "Rol System" and is a device used when a disabled person wants to control equipment around them, such as a television or radio.

Generally, in this type of EC3, the switches for controlling various devices around the person are placed centrally near the handicapped person, so that the handicapped person can control the devices without having to go to the trouble of visiting each device. It allows you to control.

In addition, there is an EC3 that uses a so-called temperature switch as a switch placed nearby, especially for people with disabilities who are unable to freely use commonly used mechanical switches. The temperature switch referred to here includes a temperature sensing element such as a diode or a thermistor. If you change the temperature of the temperature sensing element by touching this temperature switch or blowing on it,
The electrical characteristics of this element change, and various devices such as televisions are controlled based on this change.

In conventional temperature switches, a certain reference value is set, and the switch is turned on when the electrical pressure of the sensor using a temperature sensing element, such as a voltage value, is greater than the reference value, and when it is smaller than the reference value, the switch is turned on. A switching operation such as turning off the switch is performed.

However, in a sensor using a diode or other temperature sensing element, when the environmental temperature changes, a voltage change corresponding to the change in environmental temperature does not immediately appear at the output terminal, but at t2 as shown in Figure 9. Only after the sensor reaches a thermal equilibrium state after the saturation time has elapsed does a voltage change ΔV commensurate with the change in the temperature of its environment be obtained. The output voltage gradually increases from the start of the temperature change until reaching the saturation time (t2).

Generally, in a temperature switch using a sensor having output characteristics as shown in Fig. 9, a reference value such as the voltage value Vr shown in Fig. 9 is set, and the switch is turned on when the output voltage of the sensor exceeds this Vr. I am planning to send a signal. Therefore, even if a handicapped person touches the sensor, the output voltage curve will change to the reference value V.
The ON operation of the switch does not start until r is exceeded, that is, until the response time of t has elapsed, making it impossible to quickly control each device.

Further, the ECS is generally installed indoors. Therefore, the temperature switch sensor is also placed indoors. Therefore,
Under normal conditions, when a disabled person does not touch or blow on the temperature switch, the sensor is exposed to room temperature. In this state, the sensor is generating a voltage across its terminals that corresponds to room temperature.

In this case, if the temperature is low and there is a large difference between the temperature and the body temperature, there will not be much of a problem, but if the temperature rises and there is not much difference between the temperature and the body temperature, the output voltage will change to the standard depending on the temperature even if you do not touch it. A situation may occur where the value is exceeded and the switch is turned on.

To avoid this, it is possible to install a separate sensor to monitor the temperature and change the reference value according to the temperature so that the reference value is always higher than the temperature, but as the temperature rises, the difference between If there is no longer much of a difference, you may only be able to operate in an uncertain manner, such as sometimes turning on and not turning on when you touch it, or taking an extremely long time to turn on. There is.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch that utilizes temperature changes and that operates quickly and reliably.

(Means for solving problems) The above objective is achieved by adopting the following configuration.

A temperature sensor that receives heat from a heat source and converts it into a temperature signal that is an electrical signal, and a temperature signal (Ti) from the temperature sensor
and a first reference value (Tr) to calculate a relative temperature value (Ts=Ti-Tr), which is the difference between the two, and an amount of change in the relative temperature value (Ts) per unit time. A means for calculating a temperature change gradient (dTs/dt), and a temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) lower than the value taken in response to a change in relative temperature value (Ts) when heat is applied to the temperature sensor. a temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) with respect to the relative temperature value (Ts) at the time when heat is applied to the temperature sensor;
outputs an ON signal when is larger than the second reference value for the relative temperature value (Ts) at that time, and outputs an OFF signal when the temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) is smaller than the second reference value. A means to do so shall be provided. The timing for outputting the OFF signal may be at the moment when dTs/dt falls below the second reference value, or at a predetermined point at which it falls below the second reference value by an appropriate value.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on Examples.

FIG. 1 shows the entire EC3 when the switch according to the present invention is used in the EC8. The EC5 is mainly intended to enable disabled persons and other patients to control various devices while lying in bed.

In the embodiment, the devices to be controlled include a buzzer 15 placed in a nurse's station (nursing center), and a television, radio, and electric light (all not shown) placed near the patient. shall be taken as a thing. Each of these devices is connected to four output channels CHI, CH2, CH3° and CH4 provided in the control box 6. The figure shows a state in which the buzzer 15 is connected to the first channel CHI. Although not shown in detail, the TV is on the second channel CH2, the radio is on the third channel CH3, and the lights are on the fourth channel CH4.
are connected to each.

The control box 6 is connected via a cable 5 to a sensor box 2 fixed to the upper part of the support part 1b of the stand 1. The stand 1 has a substrate 1a, and the entire stand is fixed by inserting the substrate 1a under a futon or the like on the bed on which the patient is sleeping.

A flexible tube 3 of an appropriate length is fixed to the sensor box 2. Flexible tube 3 is
It can be transformed into any state including the state shown in the figure,
Moreover, it is now possible to maintain their arbitrary shape state.

A temperature sensor 4 is fixed to the tip of the flexible tube 3. When the patient wants to control the above-mentioned devices such as a buzzer, the temperature of the sensor 4 is increased by touching the sensor 4 with a hand, face or other body temperature part, or by blowing on the sensor 4. The temperature sensor 4 is a temperature sensing element whose electrical characteristics change depending on its own temperature.
For example, it includes a diode and a thermistor. Therefore, when the temperature changes due to a touch or the like, the temperature change is detected by a change in the output of the temperature sensor 4, and each device is controlled as described below based on the detection result.

The flexible tube 3 is hollow, and the input/output wires of the temperature sensor 4 are guided through this hollow part to the sensor box 2 and further into the control box 6 via the cable 5.

Inside the control box 6, as shown in FIG. 2, there are a temperature switch unit 7, a central control unit CPU (B), a driver 8 for driving various devices such as a buzzer, etc. An amplifier 10 for a speaker 9 built into the sensor box 2 is provided. The temperature switch unit 7 includes an A/D converter 11 and a central control unit CPU (A
)have. Information from the temperature sensor 4, that is, a temperature signal Ti, is sent to the A/D converter 11 via the amplifier 12, A/D converted, and then input to the CPU (A). In addition, the CPU (A) includes an amplifier 13 and an A/D
Information Tr from the reference sensor 14 is also input via the converter 11 . This CPU (A) functions as a switch according to the present invention, which will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reference sensor 14 is attached to a part of the flexible tube 3 closer to the base than the part to which the temperature sensor 4 is attached, and outputs an electrical signal, for example, a voltage signal, corresponding to the room temperature. The configuration itself of the reference sensor 14 is the same as that of the temperature sensor 4. Reference sensor 1
The signal from temperature sensor 4 serves as a reference value (first reference value) when checking whether the temperature signal Ti from temperature sensor 4 has changed.

A display panel 16 is attached to a portion of the flexible tube 3 near the reference sensor 14. This display panel 16 displays each output channel CH of the control box 6.
It functions to inform the patient which channel is selected from I to CH4, or in other words, which of the various devices such as the buzzer and television is to be controlled. Therefore, on this display panel 16, as shown in FIG. 3, name tags 17a of the corresponding devices are placed at the positions where each output channel CHI to CH4 is written.

17b, 17c, and 17d are attached, and one 0N10FF status confirmation LED 18 and one selected channel confirmation LED 19 are provided respectively.

These LED groups 18 and 19 are selectively turned on based on commands from the CPU (B) in the control box 6, as shown in FIG. LEDs that are selectively lit in this way
The patient controls each device while observing 18.19.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows each step executed by the CPU (A) in the temperature switch unit 7. This flowchart will be explained below.

First, turn on the power switch 2 installed in the control box 6 shown in FIG.
This flowchart starts by turning 0 ON. In step ■, the temperature signal Ti from the temperature sensor 4 is
and the room temperature signal Tr from the reference sensor 14 which is the first reference value.
(hereinafter simply referred to as the first reference value) is input. Then, in step ■, the difference between the two signals (T i - T r )
is taken, and the value is stored at a predetermined address as the relative temperature value Ts. Note that this routine shown in FIG. 4 is to be repeated every predetermined short period of time.
The relative temperature value Ts was also calculated in the previous operation Δ hours ago, and is stored at the above-mentioned predetermined address.

Therefore, the relative temperature value T in the current operation after the time Δ is
In order to memorize s, in step ■, the previous relative temperature value Ts
is moved to another address as Tso. The reason why the room temperature signal Tr was selected as the first reference value is to prevent the slight operation of this device from being affected by changes in the room temperature.

When the relative temperature value Ts=Ti-Tr is calculated, step ■
is the amount of change in relative temperature value per unit time.

In other words, the temperature change gradient d T s/d t=(T 5
-Tso)/Δt is calculated and the value is stored as MATA.

Thereafter, this temperature change gradient X=dTs/dt is compared with the second reference value A in step (2). Temperature change gradient d
If T s / d t is larger than the second reference value A (X
>A), an ON signal, for example, an H signal among binary signals consisting of high (H) and low (L), is output from the CPU (A) to the C'PU (B).

In this way, the second reference value A is a value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not an ON signal should be output. In this embodiment, this second reference value A is stored in advance in a predetermined location as a function of the relative temperature value Ts in step (3). The second reference value A will be explained below.

First, the relative temperature value (T s =
A general function of T i −T r ) and the corresponding temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) will be explained.

In conclusion, this general relationship is brought about by the temperature measurement curve Q in FIG. In this case, the temperature measurement status becomes P as time passes. -+P engineering → P2 → P1 → P.

It changes like this. In Figure 5, the horizontal axis is the relative temperature value (Ts=Ti-Tr), and the vertical axis is the temperature gradient (dTs/
dt).

The characteristics shown in Figure 5 are closely related to the terminal-to-terminal output characteristics of a temperature sensing element such as a diode shown in Figure 9.
When heat is not applied to the temperature sensor 4 (Fig. 1), the temperature sensor 4 is exposed to room temperature, so the output Ti of the temperature sensor 4 and the output Tr of the reference sensor 14 are the same, so Ts= It is Q. Also, at this time, dTs/dt,=o. Therefore, this state (state where no heat is applied) is P on the coordinates. Represented by a point (origin).

If heat is applied to the temperature sensor 4 in this state, the temperature sensor 4
should output a temperature difference signal commensurate with the temperature of the heat source. However, as explained in connection with FIG. 9, the temperature sensor 4, that is, the temperature sensing element does not output a voltage commensurate with the temperature of the heat source immediately after heating, but the temperature sensor 4, that is, the temperature sensing element, does not output a voltage commensurate with the temperature of the heat source immediately after heating. , and gradually increase the voltage. In this case, the slope of this voltage curve is t
→ It is maximum at O and becomes zero at t-+t□. That is, the slope decreases with the passage of time.

P in FIG. The curved portion from to P2 is.

This will be explained based on the phenomenon described above. That is, at the moment when the temperature sensor 4 is heated, the temperature sensor 4 should still be outputting a voltage approximately corresponding to the room temperature, so the relative temperature value Ts can be considered to be zero. On the other hand, the temperature change gradient of the temperature sensor 4 at this time (dTs/dt)
depends on the slope of the voltage increase curve at t-+O in FIG. Therefore, 21 points in FIG. 5 correspond to this state.

After reaching the P0 point, if you continue to heat the temperature sensor 4, the output voltage of the temperature sensor 4, that is, the temperature sensing element will gradually increase to an output voltage value commensurate with the heating temperature (
VO+ΔV). In this case, since the output voltage Ti of the temperature sensor 4 gradually increases, the relative temperature value Ts shown in FIG. 5 gradually increases. That is, the temperature measurement state gradually moves toward the right on the horizontal axis. At this time, the slope of the output voltage increase curve in Figure 9 gradually decreases, so the 8 degree change slope (dTs/d
t) also gradually becomes smaller. That is, the temperature measurement state gradually moves downward on the vertical axis.

As a result of the above, a curved portion from Pl to P2 in FIG. 5 is obtained. This part is almost a straight line.

The 22 points are the temperature change gradient (dTs/d
t) becomes zero. This corresponds to the point in FIG. 9 where the temperature sensing element is in an equilibrium state. In other words, two hours have passed since heating of the temperature sensor 4 started. After the temperature measurement state reaches 22 points, if the temperature measurement sensor 4 continues to be heated at a constant heating temperature, T s = T
i - T r is constant, and d T s /
Since d t = O, the temperature measurement state remains at P2. When the application of heat to the temperature sensor 4 is interrupted, the output voltage of the temperature sensing element in the temperature sensor 4 initially drops rapidly and then gradually becomes more gradual, as shown by the broken line in FIG. As a result, the temperature measurement state in FIG. 5 shifts along the curve Q, such as P2→P, →P. The portions P and →Po are also approximately straight lines.

The above explanation has clarified the general temperature measurement characteristics of the temperature measurement sensor 4. The second reference value A is determined as follows based on this temperature measurement characteristic (Q in FIG. 5). That is, when heat is applied to the temperature sensor 4, the relative temperature value (Ts)
A value that the temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) takes in response to a change in , that is, a value that is appropriately lower than the value on the straight line portion P, P2 from P□ to P2 of the temperature measurement curve Q is selected. If this second reference value A is always set to a value lower than the value of the straight line portion P1P2 by a constant value λ, then the set of this reference value A will be the same as the straight line portion PLP2, as shown by the broken line A in FIG. is given as a straight line translated downward by a constant value λ.

In step ■ of Fig. 4, the temperature change gradient (X =
When comparing d T s / d t ) with the second reference value A, if X is larger, an ON signal is output from the CPU (A) (FIG. 2). In this case, in FIG. 5, the transition from Po to P□ in the temperature measurement state is very rapid as described above, and is accomplished within an extremely short time (in an ideal state, it is zero time). Therefore, when the patient touches the temperature sensor 4, the temperature measurement state of the temperature sensor 4 changes from Po to PE in a short period of time, so the temperature change gradient (X = dT
s/dt) instantly becomes larger than the second reference value A. As a result, the CPU (A)
○N signal is output from. In other words, it is possible to quickly issue an ON signal in response to a switch ON command from the patient.

As understood from the above explanation, as long as the second reference value A is set as small as possible with respect to the straight part P2 of the curve Q, that is, no matter how small the value is, λ As long as CP exists as a positive value, theoretically CP
U (A) performs normal switching operation. However, if the value of λ is too small, the temperature measurement state may not reach PiP2 for some reason, for example, the patient may not be touching the temperature sensor 4 enough, or the patient may not be touching it due to other reasons. There is an inconvenience that the CPU (A) cannot issue an ON signal if sufficient heat cannot be supplied to the CPU (A). The reason why the value of λ is set to an appropriate value in this embodiment is to prevent the above-mentioned malfunctions and ensure reliable switching operations.

From the above explanation, it has become clear that the ON signal can be quickly and reliably outputted from the CPU (A) based on the command from the temperature sensor 4 given by the patient in FIG.

However, it has not yet been explained at what point the CPU (A) outputs the OFF signal once it has issued the ○N signal. The explanation is below.

Most simply, the temperature change gradient d T s / d t
When the CPU (A) falls below the second reference value A, the CPU (A)
It can be programmed to output an FF signal. In this case, for example, if the patient releases his/her hand from the temperature sensor 4 after reaching the 22 point in FIG. 5, that is, after the patient touches the temperature sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 4 reaches an equilibrium state, Time point R when the temperature measurement curve Q falls below the second reference value A (
from CPU (A) to O
An FF signal is generated.

However, other methods may be considered regarding the timing of generating the OFF signal. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows an example.

That is, in step ■, the temperature change gradient (X = dTs/
dt) is smaller than the second reference value A, instead of immediately issuing an OFF signal from the CPU (A), the temperature change gradient (X = dTs/dt
) is again compared with the third reference value B, and when X becomes smaller than B, an OFF signal is output.

The third reference value B, like the second reference value A, is determined in step (2) as a function of the relative temperature value Ts. This third
In this embodiment, the reference value B is determined as a value on the straight line B shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, and is written in advance at a predetermined location. This straight line B extends δ upward from the straight line part P3I)o of the cooling curve (pz → P3 → Po) of the temperature measurement curve Q.
It is a straight line translated in parallel by .

If we consider the case where the temperature measurement sensor 4 is heated until it reaches an equilibrium state (until two hours have elapsed in FIG. 9), the temperature measurement curve Q in FIG. 5 is P. -+P engineering→P2→P3→P0. Therefore, if the third reference value B is set as described above, after the temperature measurement state of the temperature measurement sensor 4 reaches 22 points (equilibrium state), the patient releases his/her hand from the temperature measurement sensor 4, and as a result, the temperature measurement state While transitioning like P2 → P, → pHl,
Since the temperature change gradient dTs/dt is almost entirely smaller than the third reference value B, the CPU (A)
The OFF signal continues to be output. Of course, the temperature measurement status is 2.
From the two points until reaching the intersection S with the straight line B, dTs/d
Since t is larger than B, the OFF signal is not output, but
The time required for the state change from P2 to S is extremely short. Therefore, in this case as well.

When the patient wishes to turn off the switch and takes his hand off the temperature sensor 4, an OFF signal is output from the CPU (A) in a short period of time, ensuring prompt switching operation. Furthermore, if the value of δ related to the third reference value B is maintained at an appropriate size, for the same reason as in the case of λ in the second reference value A,
Reliable switching operation that prevents malfunctions is guaranteed.

As can be easily understood from the above explanation, the third standard value B
is a value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not an OFF signal should be output. Therefore, this third reference value B is not limited to the straight line B in FIG. 5, but can be understood as the following general value. That is, after the application of heat is cut off to the temperature sensor 4 which has reached an equilibrium state due to the application of heat, the temperature change gradient d T s / d is determined according to the relative temperature value Ts.
This value is higher than the value taken by t (line P and Po in FIG. 5) and lower than the second reference value (line A in FIG. 5).

As described above, according to this embodiment, if the temperature change gradient d T s / d t of the temperature sensor 4 is larger than the second reference value A, an ON signal is output, whereas if it is smaller than the third reference value B, the ON signal is output. An OFF signal is output.

Suppose that for some reason the temperature change gradient d T s/dt
is smaller than the second reference value A and larger than the third reference value B (B<X<A), other actions than ON/OFF can be performed.

For example, it can be programmed to maintain a previously issued signal state. If programmed in this way, even if the state B<X<A occurs due to some disturbance, the output from the CPU (A) will be maintained at the previous state.

Malfunctions can be prevented.

Note that the above explanation describes the output of the OFF signal after the temperature sensor 4 is once warmed to an equilibrium state.

However, in some cases, the patient may remove his/her hand from the temperature sensor 4 before the temperature sensor 4 reaches an equilibrium state. In such a case, as shown by the chain line C in FIG. 5, the temperature measurement curve Q begins to draw a cooling curve at point P, for example, before reaching the equilibrium state of point 22. Even in this case, the temperature change gradient d T s /
At a time point U when dt falls below the third reference value B, an OFF signal is output. In addition, after the patient releases the temperature sensor 4 and the temperature measurement curve Q begins to shift along the cooling curve (P, → P3 → Po), but before reaching Po, that is, the temperature measurement sensor 4 is in an equilibrium state. It is conceivable that the patient may touch the temperature sensor 4 again before the temperature sensor 4 outputs a voltage commensurate with the room temperature.

In this case, as shown by the chain line, the temperature measurement curve Q begins to draw a heating curve at point P3, for example, before reaching the equilibrium state of point 20. Even in this case, the ON signal is output at the time point W when the temperature change gradient dTs/dt exceeds the second reference value A.

According to the above explanation, when the patient warms the temperature sensor 4, the CPU (A) and therefore the temperature switch unit 7 outputs the ○N signal, while when the patient stops warming the temperature sensor 4, the OF signal is output.
It is understood that the F signal is output. This 0N-OF
The F signal is input to the CPU (B) in FIG. 2, and is used to control various devices such as the buzzer 15 (FIG. 1) as described later.

In this embodiment, a signal corresponding to the room temperature from the reference sensor 14 is used as the first reference value Tr with which the temperature Ti from the temperature sensor 4 is compared. Therefore, even when the room temperature changes, an accurate relative temperature value Ts can be obtained. However, if the desired switching operation can be obtained without obtaining an accurate relative temperature value, it is not necessary to take the first reference value Tr from the reference sensor 14. It can simply be a constant value. In this case, the reference sensor 14 may be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the steps performed by CPU (B). Control box 6 in Figure 1
When the power switch 20 is turned on, the outputs of all output channels CHI to CH4 are set to OF1:'. Further, all the LED groups 18 and 19 of the display panel 16 shown in FIG. 3 are turned off. This initializes the entire EC8.

Thereafter, in step O, it is checked whether the output of the temperature switch unit 7 (FIG. 2) is ON or OFF, in other words, whether the temperature sensor 4 is warmed up. ON
That is, if it is warmed up, a click sound A is emitted from the speaker 9, indicating that the operation for controlling each device has started according to an instruction from the patient. Next, the output of the temperature switch unit 7 is checked again, and if it is OFF, 1'1" is entered in the scan number counter SK, and at the same time, the output is entered in the selected channel counter CH. II I I
Enter I. When a numerical value is specified in the selected channel counter CH, the CPU (B) confirms the same number of selected channels as the number indicated by the counter CH, and lights up the ED19. In this case, since it is 1'', the LED 19a (FIG. 3) corresponding to the first channel lights up. At the same time, the speaker 9 emits a click sound B.

If the patient wishes to ring the buzzer 15 placed in the device corresponding to the first channel, in this embodiment the nurse center, the patient warms the temperature sensor 4 again using the click sound B as a signal.

Then, in step O, the output of the temperature switch unit 7 is turned on, and the output control routine of the EC3 is entered.

When the output control routine of the EC3 is entered, the number of channels is confirmed as shown in FIG. In this case, the number of channels indicated by the selected channel counter CH is '1'', so in step O, the ON/OFF status confirmation LED 18a corresponding to the first channel is displayed (Figure 3).
lights up. At the same time, in step O2O, the output of the first channel CH1 (FIG. 1) is turned on to sound the buzzer 15, while the speaker 9 emits a click sound C to notify the patient. After that, regardless of whether or not there is an instruction from the patient, after a waiting time of about 1 second has elapsed, the output of the first channel CHI is turned OFF, the sound of the buzzer 15 is stopped, and at the same time
Turn off the channel display LED 18a (step Q,
@, @).

If the patient is using a device that supports channels other than the first channel, e.g.
If you want to turn on the TV corresponding to the channel, select the first channel confirmation LE in step @, O in Figure 6.
When D19a lights up and click sound B sounds, no operation is performed to warm up the temperature sensor 4 again. Then, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the first channel confirmation LE
D19a goes out and the selected channel counter CH shows LL.
I II is added (step O, @), [phase].

O). As a result, in step O9O, the second channel confirmation LED 19b lights up and a click sound B is produced.

Since the patient wants to turn on the device corresponding to the second channel, that is, the TV, the second channel confirmation LED 19
Warm the temperature sensor 4 once again using the lighting of b. Then, the EC3 output control routine is entered from step O in the same manner as described above. In this case, select channel counter C
Since H indicates “2”, the control flow goes to step O
2nd channel ON/0FF-LEDI8b
Invert. The term "reversal" here refers to switching between lighting and non-lighting of the LED. If we are thinking about this now, the second channel 0N-OFFLED-18b has been turned off before then, so the LED 18b is turned on in this step O.

Further, at the same time as the second channel ON-OFF-LED 18b is turned on, the output state of the second channel CH2 is inverted in step ◎. The inversion here has the same meaning as the above inversion. That is, the output state of each channel is switched between ON and OFF. If you are thinking about it now, the second channel CH2 is OF before then.
Since it is F, the second channel CH2 is turned ON in this step O. This turns on the compatible device, that is, the television.

If you want to turn off the television once it has been turned on, you can repeat the operations described above again.

By doing this, when the control flow moves to step 0°0 in FIG. 7, the output of the second channel CH2 is inverted,
In other words, it is turned OFF, and at the same time the second channel is turned ON.
0FF-LEDL8b turns off.

When the radio corresponding to the third channel CH3 and the electric light corresponding to the fourth channel CH4 are to be controlled 1-roll, that is, ON-OFF, the same operation as in the case of the television described above is performed.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified in various ways.

In the embodiment, a relative temperature value (Ts=T i −T
r), the temperature change gradient d T s /
means for calculating dt, means for determining and outputting a second reference value A, and a temperature change gradient dT s / d.
All of the means for comparing t with the second reference value A and outputting ON/OFF signals are provided as computer chips within the CPU (A). On the other hand, each of the above-mentioned means can also be configured by a so-called discrete system by wiring various electronic elements such as transistors on a wiring board. In addition, as in this embodiment, the CPU (A) for controlling the ON-OFF output of the switch
Alternatively, when a CPU (B) for device control role is used, the functions of CPU (A) and CPU (B) can be performed by one CPU.

The second reference value A, which is the standard for determining whether to issue an 0N-OFF signal, etc., is determined from the straight line part of the heating curve (P0 → P → P2) of the temperature measurement curve Q in Figure 5 - lower 2. It was mentioned above that it can be determined based on 11. In this case, it is particularly desirable to set the second reference value A as described below.

When the first reference value Tr is a signal corresponding to the room temperature from the reference sensor 14, the temperature measurement curve Q shown in FIG. 5 changes as shown in Q' and Q'' in FIG. 8 as the room temperature decreases. That is, As the room temperature decreases, the upper limit P4 of the rise at the beginning of heating becomes P'.

P2''.The linear portion of the heating curve of each temperature measurement curve Q, Q', Q'' is PiP2. P engineering LP2L.

P□′P2# are substantially parallel to each other. Also, the straight line part of the cooling curve P, Po, P,' P,, P,'
P.

forms almost a straight line. The reason why the point P rises as the room temperature decreases is that the lower the room temperature is, the larger the difference from the body temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 becomes. This is thought to be due to the increase in the slope of the curve.

Considering that the linear portion PIP2 of the heating curve of the temperature measurement curve Q changes as the room temperature changes in this way,
It is not very desirable to limit the second reference value A to a fixed straight line like the broken line A in FIG. If PIP2 fluctuates due to changes in room temperature, the value of λ will change accordingly.

This is because even if a patient with a constant body temperature touches the temperature sensor 4 in the same manner, the CPU (A) may or may not issue an ○N signal.

In order to avoid this, instead of setting the second reference value A as a point on one straight line A, we set the temperature measurement curve Q for each room temperature in advance.
Q' and A corresponding to Q', respectively.

You can set the straight lines A' and A'' and program it to select the appropriate straight line according to changes in room temperature.This allows you to touch the temperature sensor in the same way or As long as you keep breathing the same way,
ON/OFF signals can be output reliably. When attempting to change the setting standard of the second reference value in response to changes in room temperature, in step (3) in FIG. 4, the second reference value A is set as a function fA ( Ts.

Tr).

Furthermore, since the linear portions P, P, P3' P, P3''Tpo of the cooling curves of the temperature measurement curves Q, Q', and Q' form almost a straight line, the third reference value B is as shown in Figure 5. All you have to do is consider a single straight line like straight line B.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, the timing of 0N-OFF is not determined simply based on the relative temperature value Ts, but the temperature change gradient dTs/dt is determined, and the timing is determined based on this. Making timing decisions.

Therefore, there is no need to wait until the output of a sensor using a temperature sensing element reaches the reference value for 0N-OFF as in the conventional case.
ON/OFF signals can be issued quickly in response to temperature changes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of an EC8 using the switch according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram of this EC5, Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the display panel, and Fig. 4 is a CPU in Fig. 2.
The control flowchart in (A), Figure 5 is a graph showing the temperature measurement mode by the temperature sensor, and Figure 6 is the control flowchart in Figure 2.
PU (B) control flowchart 1-1 Figure 7 is a control flowchart of the ECS routine, Figure 8 is a graph showing the temperature measurement mode when the room temperature changes, and Figure 9 is a graph showing the output voltage characteristics of the temperature sensor. be. 4...Temperature sensor CPU (A)...Each means 5th
figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A temperature sensor that receives heat from a heat source and converts it into a temperature signal that is an electrical signal, and a temperature signal (T
i) and a first reference value (Tr) to calculate a relative temperature value (Ts=Ti-Tr) that is the difference between the two, and an amount of change in the relative temperature value (Ts) per unit time. A means for calculating a temperature change gradient (dTs/dT) that is greater than the value that the temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) takes in response to a change in the relative temperature value (Ts) when heat is applied to the temperature sensor. A means for determining and timely outputting a second reference value which is a low value, and a temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) with respect to the relative temperature value (Ts) at the time when heat is applied to the temperature sensor.
) is larger than the second reference value for the relative temperature value (Ts) at that time, outputting an ON signal, and outputting an OFF signal when the temperature change gradient is smaller than the second reference value. A switch characterized by: 2) The switch according to claim 1, wherein the first reference value is an output value from a reference sensor that detects the ambient temperature around the heat source. 3) The switch according to claim 2, wherein when the ambient temperature around the heat source changes, the second reference value is changed in accordance with the change. 4) A value higher than the value that the temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) takes in response to a change in the relative temperature value (Ts) after the application of heat is cut off to the temperature measurement sensor that has reached an equilibrium state by application of heat. and a means for determining and timely outputting a third reference value that is lower than the second reference value, and a relative temperature value (Ts) at the time when heat is applied to the temperature sensor.
Claim 1, further comprising means for outputting an OFF signal when the temperature change gradient (dTs/dt) with respect to the relative temperature value (Ts) at that time is smaller than the third reference value with respect to the relative temperature value (Ts) at that time. A switch according to one of clauses 3 to 3.