KR101772500B1

KR101772500B1 - Time switch

Info

Publication number: KR101772500B1
Application number: KR1020150180944A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 마사히로 야마기시; 료타 우치다; 가즈오 야나기타
Original assignee: 파나소닉 아이피 매니지먼트 가부시키가이샤
Priority date: 2014-12-26
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-08-29
Also published as: CN105742117B; CN105742117A; JP6350870B2; KR20160079672A; JP2016126862A; EP3043218B1; EP3043218A1; TWI638377B; TW201630020A

Abstract

The time switch 1 includes a case 10, a timer mechanism 60, a battery holder 20, a lead 30, and a tool insertion hole 40. The case 10 accommodates the driving source 50. The timer mechanism (60) is driven by the driving source (50). The battery holder 20 may receive a power failure backup battery that provides power to the drive source 50 during a power failure. The battery holder 20 includes an opening 22 that opens at the front or side of the case 10. The lid 30 can open and close the opening 22. [ The tool insertion hole 40 allows the tool 100 to be inserted between the case 10 and the lid 30.

Description

Time switch {TIME SWITCH}

The present invention relates to a time switch including a power failure backup battery.

A time switch disposed in a power line that electrically connects the power supply and the electrical device manages the time at which power is supplied from the power supply to the electrical device and the time at which power is supplied from the power supply to the electrical device. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei. 2005-63923 discloses an example of a conventional time switch including a contact mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a timer mechanism. The contact mechanism is switched between an active state in which the contact mechanism closes the power line and an inactive state in which the contact mechanism opens the power line. The cam mechanism changes the operating state of the contact mechanism. The timer mechanism operates the cam mechanism according to the measured time. The time switch further includes an electric motor for driving the timer mechanism with electric power supplied from a commercial power supply, and an active pin and an inactive pin attached to the timer mechanism to switch the operation state of the contact mechanism. The active pin and the inactive pin are detachably coupled to the timer mechanism.

In the above time switch, the timer mechanism to which the active pin and the inactive pin are attached is driven to change the rotational position of the active pin and the inactive pin with respect to the cam mechanism over time. For example, when the contact pin is in contact with the cam mechanism when the contact mechanism is inactive, the torque of the timer mechanism moves the cam mechanism such that the operating state of the contact mechanism is switched from the inactive state to the active state. Whereby the supply of electric power from the power supply to the electric device is started. When the inactive pin comes into contact with the cam mechanism when the contact mechanism is activated, the torque of the timer mechanism moves the cam mechanism so that the operating state of the contact mechanism is switched from the active state to the inactive state. Thereby stopping the supply of electric power from the power supply to the electric device.

However, when a power failure occurs, the electric motor of the time switch is stopped. This also stops the timer mechanism. Therefore, the timer mechanism can not measure the current time. Even if the power supply is restored, the time measured by the timer mechanism is later than the current time. In this case, the time when the active pin or the inactive pin comes into contact with the cam mechanism becomes shorter than the predetermined time, so that the time to start or stop the supply of electric power from the power supply to the electric device becomes later than the scheduled time.

To solve this problem, the time switch may include, for example, a power failure backup battery that powers the electric motor during a power failure. In a time switch including a power failure backup battery (hereinafter referred to as a "reference time switch"), the timer mechanism continues to operate even if a power failure occurs. Therefore, the time switch accurately measures the current time. This reduces the situation in which the time at which the supply of electric power from the power supply to the electric device is started or stopped is later than the predetermined time.

If the power failure backup battery is not replaced in consideration of the operating efficiency, the reference time switch may have the following problems. For example, if an opening is located at the back of the time switch in the battery holder that holds the power failure backup battery, a lead that closes the opening is placed on the back of the time switch. Since the time switch is normally attached to the wall, the user must disconnect the time switch from the wall when replacing the power failure backup battery.

This problem can be solved, for example, by installing a battery holder that includes openings at the front of the time switch. However, the lead is more noticeable when placed on the front of the time switch than when placed on the back of the time switch. Therefore, someone may separate the leads into errors. The same problem arises when the opening of the battery holder is located on the side of the time switch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a time switch which can easily replace the power failure backup battery so as not to separate the lead from the battery holder into an error.

One aspect of the present invention is a time switch including a case, a timer, a battery holder, a lead, and a tool insertion hole. The case houses the drive source. The timer mechanism is driven by the drive source. The battery holder can house a power failure backup battery that powers the drive source during a power failure. The battery holder includes openings that open at the front or side of the case. The lid can open and close the opening. The tool insertion hole allows the tool to be inserted between the case and the lead.

The time switch according to the above-mentioned viewpoint can easily replace the power failure backup battery so that the lead from the battery holder is not separated from the error. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, together with objects and advantages thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a time switch.
2 is a front view showing an example of the time switch of Fig.
3 is a front view of the lead shown in Fig.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D4-D4 in Fig.
5 is a perspective view of the tool inserted into the tool insertion hole shown in Fig.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the lead of Fig. 2 when separated from the case; Fig.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship among main components of the time switch 1 according to one embodiment. In Fig. 1, a solid line indicates a mechanical connection between components of the time switch 1, and a broken line indicates an electrical connection between components of the time switch 1.

The time switch 1 is disposed in a power line that electrically connects the power supply 2 and the electric device 3. [ An example of the power supply 2 is a commercial power supply. An example of the electric device 3 is an electric locking device installed in a building. When the contact mechanism 80 of the time switch 1 is activated, the power supply 2 and the electric device 3 are electrically connected. When the contact mechanism 80 of the time switch 1 is deactivated, the power supply 2 and the electric device 3 are electrically disconnected.

In addition to the contact mechanism 80, the time switch 1 includes a cam mechanism 70 for switching the operating state of the contact mechanism 80, a timer mechanism 60 for operating the cam mechanism 70 according to the measured time, And a drive source (50) for driving the timer mechanism (60). An example of the driving source 50 is an electric motor. The timer mechanism (60) includes a dial (61) rotated by the driving force of the driving source (50). Dial 61 is essentially a clock that measures the current time.

The time switch 1 includes a case 10 forming an appearance of the time switch 1, a setting pin 63 for operating the cam mechanism 70 using the torque of the timer mechanism 60, And a knob 90 which is operated to switch the operating state of the switch (not shown). The contact mechanism 80, the cam mechanism 70, the timer mechanism 60, and the driving source 50 are accommodated in the case 10.

The setting pin 63 detachably coupled to the dial 61 rotates integrally with the dial 61 when attached to the dial 61. [ The timer switch 1 includes two types of setting pins 63, namely an active pin 63A and an inactive pin 63B. The active pin 63A is attached to the dial 61 to switch the operating state of the contact mechanism 80 to the active state. The inactive pin 63B is attached to the dial 61 to switch the operating state of the contact mechanism 80 to the inactive state.

The case 10 includes a battery holder 20 capable of housing the battery 25 therein. The battery 25 is a power failure backup battery that supplies power to the driving source 50 during a power failure. When the time switch 1 is used, the user attaches the battery 25 to the battery holder 20. The battery 25 attached to the battery holder 20 is electrically connected to the driving source 50. When a power failure occurs in the power supply 2, the power of the battery 25 drives the driving source 50. Thus, even if a power failure occurs in the power supply 2, the timer mechanism 60 continues to function as a timer.

Knob 90 may be located at a first operating position and a second operating position wherein knob 90 sets the operating state of contact mechanism 80 to an active state and at a second operating position, The knob 90 sets the operating state of the contact mechanism 80 to an inactive state. The operation position of the knob 90 can be changed by the user. When the operating position of the knob 90 is set to the first operating position, the cam mechanism 70 operates regardless of the rotational position of the active pin 63A. Whereby the operating state of the contact mechanism 80 is switched to the active state. When the operating position of the knob 90 is set to the second operating position, the cam mechanism 70 operates regardless of the rotational position of the inactive pin 63B. Whereby the operating state of the contact mechanism 80 is switched to the inactive state.

2 is a front view showing an example of the time switch 1. Fig.

The case 10 includes a main wall 11 forming a front surface of the case 10, a side wall 12 forming a side surface of the case 10, and a dial arrangement portion 13 ). The dial arrangement portion 13 is a recess formed in the substantially middle portion of the case 10 and opened in the peripheral wall 11. [ The battery holder 20 is a concave portion that is opened diagonally from the dial arrangement portion 13 in the case 10 and opens at the peripheral wall 11. [

The time switch 1 further includes a terminal group 14 to which a power supply wiring (not shown) and a device wiring (not shown) are connected. The power supply wiring is connected to the power supply 2 (see Fig. 1), and the device wiring is connected to the electric device 3 (see Fig. 1). The terminal group 14 located under the case 10 includes a first terminal 14A, a second terminal 14B, a third terminal 14C and a fourth terminal 14D.

The power supply wiring connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 2 is connected to the first terminal 14A. The power supply wiring connected to the negative terminal of the power supply 2 is connected to the second terminal 14B. The device wiring connected to the negative terminal of the electric device 3 is connected to the third terminal 14C. The device wiring connected to the positive terminal of the electric device 3 is connected to the fourth terminal 14D. The first and second terminals 14A and 14B may be referred to as power input terminals. And the third and fourth terminals 14C and 14D may be referred to as a power output terminal.

The time switch 1 also includes a transparent protective cover 15 detachably coupled to the case 10, a lid 30 detachably coupled to the case 10, And a tool insertion hole 40 (see Fig. 5). The protective cover 15 is attached to the case 10 so as to cover the front surface of the case 10. The lid 30 is attached to the case 10 so as to close the opening of the battery holder 20.

The timer mechanism 60 includes a dial 61 and a time plate 62, which represent the current time. In one example, the dial 61 rotates once every 24 hours. On the front face of the dial 61, there is a time mark (not shown) indicating the time of 24 hours.

The time plate 62 includes a current time indicator 62A indicating the current time and a rotation direction indicator 62B indicating the rotation direction of the dial 61 as an arrow. If the rotational position of the dial 61 with respect to the tie plate 62 is set so that the time mark indicating the current time on the dial 61 is aligned with the current start indicator 62A of the time plate 62, And the time measured by the time counter 18 corresponds to the current time. 1), the time mark of the dial 61 corresponding to the current time indicator 62A of the time plate 62 becomes the current time point of the current time indicator 62A, It will point to time.

The contact mechanism 80 (see FIG. 1) includes a first metal plate (not shown) and a second metal plate (not shown) forming a contact. In one example, the first rapid plate is electrically connected to the fourth terminal 14D, and the second rapid plate is electrically connected to the first terminal 14A. Each of the metal plates partially contacts the cam mechanism 70 (see Fig. 1).

When the active pin 63A comes into contact with the cam mechanism 70 when the dial 61 rotates, the torque of the dial 61 rotates the cam mechanism 70 so that the contacts of the metal plate are connected to each other. Whereby the power supply 2 and the electric device 3 are electrically connected. When the inactive pin 63B comes into contact with the cam mechanism 70 when the dial 61 rotates, the torque of the dial 61 rotates the cam mechanism 70, so that the contacts of the metal plate are separated from each other. Whereby the power supply 2 and the electric device 3 are electrically disconnected.

The time switch 1 electrically connected to the power supply 2 and the battery 25 further includes a control circuit (not shown). The control circuit switches the electrical connection state between the battery 25 and the driving source 50. [ The control circuit does not electrically connect the battery 25 and the driving source 50 unless the control circuit receives a signal indicating the occurrence of a power failure in the power supply 2. [ When the control circuit receives a signal indicating the occurrence of a power failure in the power supply 2, the control circuit electrically connects the battery 25 and the driving source 50 to each other.

3 is a front view of the lid 30. Fig.

The lead 30 has a flat main body 31, a hook 32 (see Fig. 2) protruding from the rear surface of the main body 31 to the rear side of the case 10, (Not shown). The main body 31 is pentagonal.

A first side face 31A, a second side face 31B, a third side face 31C, a fourth side face 31D and a fifth side face 31E are provided around the main body 31. [ The first side face 31A is close to the side wall 12 (see Fig. 2) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the case 10. Fig. The third side 31C is parallel to the first side 31A but shorter. A second side surface 31B extending in the lateral direction of the case 10 connects the first side surface 31A and the third side surface 31C. The fourth side 31D is parallel to the second side 31B but shorter. The arcuate fifth side face 31E, which is curved in conformity with the shape of the dial arrangement portion 13 (see Fig. 2), connects the third side face 31C and the fourth side face 31D.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the battery holder 20. Fig.

The case 10 includes a main wall 11, a side wall 12, an inner wall 16 extending from the rear surface of the main wall 11 to the rear side of the case 10 and an inner wall 16 connected to the side wall 12 and the inner wall 16. [ And a bottom wall 17. The inner bottom wall 17 is pentagonal. One side of the inner bottom wall 17 is connected to the side wall 12. The inner wall 16 extends forward of the case 10 from the other four sides of the inner bottom wall 17. The battery holder 20 includes an accommodation cavity 21 and an opening 22. The accommodating portion 21 is surrounded by the side wall 1, the inner wall 16, and the inner bottom wall 17 of the case 10. The opening portion 22, which is an opening of the housing portion 21, is opened in the peripheral wall 11 of the case 10. The battery 25 is disposed in the accommodating portion 21.

A fitting hole (23) extends through a portion of the side wall (12) forming the battery holder (20). When the hook 32 of the lid 30 is caught in the latching hole 23, the lid 30 is aligned with the case 10 and the opening 22 is closed. The hole 24 extends a portion of the interior 16 facing the side wall 12. When the lid 30 is attached to the case 10, the inserting portion 33 is first inserted into the hole 24. Then, the hook 32 is fixed to the locking hole 23. The tool 100 (see FIG. 5) can be inserted into the engagement hole 23, which functions substantially in the same manner as the tool insertion hole 40. Therefore, the engagement hole 23 can be used as the second tool insertion hole.

The tool insertion hole 40 extends between the hook 32 of the lid 30 and the inner surface of the side wall 12. A portion of the inner surface of the side wall 12 forming the tool insertion hole 40 defines a guide surface 22A. The guide surface 22A is wider than the deep portion of the insertion hole 40 in the opening of the tool insertion hole 40 in the tool insertion hole 40. [ When the tool 100 is inserted into the tool insertion hole 40, the inclination of the guide surface 22A guides the distal end of the tool 100 smoothly.

Replacement of the battery 25 will be described below with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig.

The battery 25 of the time switch 1 is replaced, for example, in the following manner. First, the tool 100 is inserted into the tool insertion hole 40. In Fig. 5, a flat blade screwdriver, which is an example of the tool 100, is inserted into the tool insertion hole 40. Fig. Second, the tool 100 is tilted. That is, the handle of the tool 100 is tilted toward the side wall 12. As a result, the hook is separated from the retaining hole 23 and the lead 30 is lifted from the case 10.

6), the lead 30 is separated from the case 10 and the opening 22 is opened (see Fig. 6) . Figure 6 shows the opening 22 when opened. Fourth, the battery 25 is separated from the storage portion 21, and a new battery is attached to the battery holder 20.

Fifthly, the insertion portion 33 is inserted into the hole 24, and the hook 32 is guided by the guide surface 22A (see Fig. Whereby the lid 30 is attached to the case 10 and the opening 22 is closed.

The time switch 1 has the following advantages.

(1) The time switch 1 includes a battery 25 that supplies power to the driving source 50 during a power failure. In this structure, the timer mechanism 60 is continuously driven even when power failure occurs. Thereby, the timer mechanism 60 can accurately measure the current time. Thus, the delay from the scheduled time decreases while the supply of power from the power supply 2 to the electric device 3 is started or stopped.

(2) The battery holder 20 includes an opening 22 that opens at the peripheral wall 11. [ This makes it easier to replace the battery 25 when the battery holder 20 is opened at the rear side of the case 10. [

(3) The structure of the lead configured to close the opening of the battery holder 20 is used to separate the lead from the battery holder 20, for example, in addition to the lead 30 separated by the tool 100 Handles. In such a handle-attached lead, when the handle is pulled and pulled, the lead can be separated from the case 10. The handle acts as an indicator to show how to separate the handle attachment leads. When the user recognizes the handle, this causes the user to disconnect the handle attachment lead. In contrast, the time switch 1 includes a tool insertion hole 40 used to separate the lid 30, and the lid 30 does not include the above-described handle. In such a configuration, the user is less urged to separate the lid 30. In addition, even if the user recognizes the lead 30, the user will need the tool 100 to disconnect the lead 30. Therefore, the time switch 1 does not separate the lead 30 into an error.

(4) As described in Advantages (2) and (3), the battery 25 of the time switch 1 can be easily replaced. The time switch 1 contributes to reducing the situation in which the lead 30 is separated by an error.

(5) The battery holder 20 includes an engagement hole 23. The lead (30) includes a hook (32). With this structure, the lid 30 can be more easily separated from the case 10 than when the lid 30 is fixed, for example, by a fastener separated from the lid 30.

(6) The battery holder 20 includes a hole 24. The lead 30 includes an inserting portion 33. In this structure, when the lid 30 is attached to the case 10, the insertion portion 33 is first inserted into the hole 24 so as to position the lid 30 with respect to the case 10. Whereby the lid 30 is easily attached to the cap 10.

Although the time switch according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described in the above embodiment, it should not be understood as a limitation. In addition to the embodiments described above, the time switch according to the present invention may include, for example, the following variations and embodiments in which at least two such variations are not mutually inconsistent.

The case 10 of the modification includes a battery holder which opens at the side wall 12 instead of the battery holder 20 which opens at the peripheral wall 11. [

The battery holder 20 of the modified example includes a recess into which the insertion portion 33 is inserted instead of the hole 24 into which the insertion portion 33 is inserted. In one example, the recess is open at the inner surface of the inner wall 16, which is located opposite the side wall 12 and faces the battery holder 20.

The side wall 12 of the modification includes a recess in which the hook 32 is caught in place of the retaining hole 23 in which the hook 32 is caught. In one example, the recesses are open at the inner surface of the side wall 12.

The time switch 1 of the modified example does not include the tool insertion hole 40. The time switch 1 of the modified example includes a latching hole 23 that can function as a tool insertion hole. Therefore, even if the tool insertion hole 40 is not provided, the time switch of the modification has the advantage of the embodiment.

In the time switch 1 of the modified example, the battery holder 20 does not include the hole 24, and the inserting portion 33 does not include the lead 30. In this case, for example, the lid 30 can be connected to the case 10 in such a manner that the lid 30 can open and close the case 10. In one example, the hinge engages the battery holder 20 with the third side 31C of the lid 30.

The structure for separating the lid 30 from the case 10 can be modified into any structure. The time switch 1 of the modified example is structured such that the lead 30 is fastened to the case 10 by a fastener which can be separated by a tool instead of the structure in which the hook 32 of the lead 30 is hooked to the fastening hole 23 of the case 10. [ 10). An example of a fastener is a screw. The time switch 1 of the modified example does not need to include the tool insertion hole 40.

The present invention further encompasses the various examples described below.

[Clause 1] The time switch is:

A case for housing a driving source;

A timer mechanism driven by the driving source;

A battery holder capable of receiving a power failure backup battery that provides power to the drive source during a power failure, the battery holder including an opening opening on the front or side of the case;

A lid capable of opening and closing the opening; And

Tool insert ball to allow insertion

/ RTI >

The tool insertion hole extends a part of the case forming the battery holder.

[Clause 2] Time switch:

A case for housing a driving source;

A timer mechanism driven by the driving source;

A lid capable of opening and closing the opening; And

Fasteners that can be separated by tools

/ RTI >

The fastener secures the lid to the case.

The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above-described example (or one or more aspects of the above example) can be used in combination with each other. Those skilled in the art will be able to use alternative embodiments upon reviewing the foregoing description. Also, in the foregoing detailed description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the present invention. This is not to be construed as an intention that the claimed features which are not claimed are inherent in any claim. Rather, the gist of the invention may be less than all features of the specially disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention may be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

As a time switch,
A case for housing a drive source;
A timer mechanism driven by the driving source;
A battery holder capable of receiving a power failure backup battery that provides power to the drive source during a power failure, the battery holder including an opening opening on the front or side of the case;
A lid capable of opening and closing the opening; And
A first tool inserting hole, which opens at a front surface of the case and permits insertion of a tool as a lead separating tool for separating the lead between the case and the lead,
/ RTI >
The case includes a side wall,
The side wall defining a portion of the battery holder,
Wherein the side wall includes a second tool insertion hole extending through the side wall,
Wherein the lead includes a hook which is engaged with the second tool insertion hole of the side wall of the case,
Said lead being configured not to be disconnected without said tool to limit separation due to an error in said lead,
Time switch.

The method according to claim 1,
The case including an inner wall formed at a position opposite the side wall,
Said inner wall defining a portion of said battery holder,
Wherein the inner wall includes a hole extending through the inner wall or a recess opening in the inner surface of the inner wall facing the battery holder,
Said lead including an insertion portion adapted to be inserted into said hole or said recess.

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