WO2009113390A1

WO2009113390A1 - Component identification system, component identification method, and component for identification

Info

Publication number: WO2009113390A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/053355
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宣夫坂井; 昭弘笹畑; 至上田; 修二椿; 吉高長尾; 和義中谷
Original assignee: 株式会社村田製作所
Priority date: 2008-03-13
Filing date: 2009-02-25
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: JP2011129542A

Abstract

Disclosed are a component identification system and a component identification method that enable a component to be simply and reliably selected from among a mixture of different components, and also disclosed is a component for identification. The component identification system comprises a component for identification having a PTC element whose characteristics change according to the applied voltage, and also comprises an identification device for detecting the characteristics of the PTC element to which the voltage has been applied and evaluating whether or not the detected characteristics conform to pre-stored characteristics. The component identification method comprises detecting the ambient temperature, and employing characteristics corresponding to the detected temperature to evaluate the conformity of the detected characteristics of the PTC element.

Description

Component identification system, component identification method, and identified component

The present invention relates to a component identification system, a component identification method, and a component to be identified that select a component to be identified having PTC elements having different resistance-temperature characteristics.

Generally, a PTC element having a positive resistance temperature characteristic has a characteristic that a resistance value increases rapidly when the Curie temperature is exceeded. Utilizing such characteristics, for example, it is often used as an overcurrent protection element of an electronic circuit or as a temperature detection element.

Such a PTC element may have a characteristic defect due to, for example, contamination of impurities during the manufacturing process. Therefore, the quality of the manufactured PTC element is determined before shipment. As a PTC element pass / fail determination method, for example, there is a method of measuring the impedance of a PTC element and determining pass / fail based on the measured resistance component value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As another determination method, there is a method of setting an inrush current value and a steady current value during energization and identifying a PTC element having an inrush current and a steady current that does not exceed the set current value as a non-defective product (for example, a patent) Reference 2).

On the other hand, in order to meet market demands, PTC elements having various resistance temperature characteristics are now on the market, and the PTC elements themselves are being miniaturized. Recently, for example, microchip components of about 1.6 × 0.8 mm and 0.6 × 0.3 mm have been developed.

JP-A-7-294568 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-92504

By the way, even when PTC element management is performed, a PTC element having a different characteristic may be erroneously mixed due to an unexpected cause. In such a case, it is necessary to select PTC elements having mixed different characteristics. However, it is difficult to select PTC elements having different resistance temperature characteristics even if any of the above conventional methods is adopted. There was a point.

Moreover, in order to prevent mixing of different parts, marking for identification is also applied to the PTC element, but it is difficult to mark microchip parts as chip miniaturization progresses, For this reason, the difference in resistance temperature characteristics cannot be determined from the appearance. In fact, even if resistance values and breakdown voltages that can be measured in a short time are used, the characteristics cannot be determined. Therefore, in order to select the mixed PTC elements having different characteristics, it is necessary to measure the resistance temperature characteristics of each PTC element by the total number check, and there is a problem that a lot of time and labor are required.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a component identification system, a component identification method, and a component to be identified that can be easily and reliably selected when different types of components are mixed. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, a component identification system according to a first aspect of the present invention detects a component to be identified having a PTC element whose characteristics fluctuate due to application of a voltage, voltage applying means for applying voltage, and characteristics of the PTC element. An ambient temperature is detected in a component identification system comprising: a detection unit; and an identification device having a determination unit that determines whether or not a characteristic detected by the detection unit matches a characteristic stored in advance. Temperature detection means, and the determination means determines whether or not the characteristics of the PTC element detected by the detection means are compatible, using characteristics corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. It is characterized by the above.

The component identification system according to the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the identified component has the temperature detecting means.

In the component identification system according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the identified component has a resistance element, and the detection means detects the output voltage divided by the resistance element. The determination means determines whether or not the output voltage characteristic detected by the detection means is suitable using the output voltage characteristic corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. It is characterized by being.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the component identification system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the identified component includes a switching unit that turns on and off the voltage application by the voltage application unit. To do.

Further, in the component identification system according to the fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the PTC element is a thermistor.

Further, in the component identification system according to the sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the temperature detecting means is an NTC thermistor.

Next, in order to achieve the above object, a component to be identified according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a voltage applying means for applying a voltage, and a detecting means for detecting the characteristics of a PTC element whose characteristics vary due to the application of voltage by the voltage applying means. , And connected to an identification device having determination means for determining whether or not the characteristic detected by the detection means is compatible with the characteristics of the PTC element associated with the temperature stored in advance. The part to be identified having the PTC element has temperature detection means for detecting an ambient temperature, and the PTC element and the temperature detection means are sealed with a synthetic resin.

The part to be identified according to an eighth aspect of the invention includes a switching means for controlling on / off of voltage application in the seventh aspect, and the switching means is sealed with a synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element. It is characterized by being.

Further, the identified component according to the ninth invention is characterized in that, in the seventh or eighth invention, the resistance element is sealed with a synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element.

Further, the identified component according to the tenth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the seventh to ninth inventions, the PTC element is a thermistor.

Further, the identified component according to the eleventh invention is characterized in that, in any one of the seventh to tenth inventions, the temperature detecting means is an NTC thermistor.

Next, in order to achieve the above object, the component identification method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention applies a voltage to a component to be identified having a PTC element whose characteristics fluctuate when a voltage is applied, and detects the characteristics of the PTC element. In the component identification method for determining whether or not the detected characteristic matches the characteristic stored in advance, the ambient temperature is detected, and the detected characteristic is detected using the characteristic corresponding to the detected temperature. Further, it is determined whether or not the characteristics of the PTC element are suitable.

In the first invention and the twelfth invention, an identified component having a PTC element whose characteristics fluctuate when a voltage is applied, and the characteristics of the PTC element are detected when a voltage is applied, and the detected characteristics are stored in advance. And an identification device that determines whether or not the characteristic matches. When determining whether or not the characteristic matches with the characteristic stored in advance, the characteristic of the detected PTC element is detected using the characteristic corresponding to the detected temperature after detecting the temperature around the identified component. It is determined whether or not. By storing the characteristic information corresponding to the temperature of the PTC element in advance, it is possible to change the characteristic that is the basis of the determination according to the ambient temperature of the PTC element, and to have a different characteristic with high accuracy. It becomes possible to identify the element.

In the second invention, since the part to be identified has the temperature detection means, the temperature around the part to be identified can be detected more accurately, and the characteristics corresponding to the detected temperature are used, and the difference is high. It becomes possible to identify a PTC element having characteristics.

In the third invention, the component to be identified has a resistance element, and the output voltage divided by the resistance element is detected. Using the output voltage characteristic corresponding to the detected temperature, it is determined whether or not the detected output voltage characteristic is suitable. A change in resistance of the PTC element due to the voltage can be detected as a change in voltage, and PTC elements having different characteristics can be identified with high accuracy.

In the fourth invention, the identified component includes a switching unit that turns on and off the application of voltage by the voltage application unit, so that the identification device can execute the identification method only by updating the operation control software.

In the fifth invention and the tenth invention, by using a thermistor as the PTC element, it is determined whether or not a PTC element having a different characteristic is erroneously mixed due to a sudden voltage rise characteristic after the Curie point. Becomes easy.

In the sixth and eleventh inventions, by using an NTC thermistor as the temperature detecting means, it becomes possible to acquire a temperature change around the PTC element as a change in the output voltage value.

In the seventh invention, the characteristic of the PTC element whose characteristic is changed by applying a voltage is detected, and whether or not the detected characteristic matches the characteristic of the PTC element associated with the temperature stored in advance. The PTC element connected to the identification device for determining whether or not and the temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature are included, and the PTC element and the temperature detection means are sealed with synthetic resin. By storing the characteristic information corresponding to the temperature of the PTC element in advance, it is possible to change the characteristic that is the basis of the determination according to the ambient temperature of the PTC element, and to have a different characteristic with high accuracy. It becomes possible to identify the element.

In the eighth invention, the switching means for controlling the on / off of voltage application is also sealed with synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element, so that the identification device simply updates the operation control software. Can be executed.

In the ninth invention, the resistance element is also sealed with a synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element. Thereby, a resistance change of the PTC element due to the voltage can be detected as a change in the output voltage, and it can be determined whether or not a PTC element having a different characteristic is erroneously mixed.

With the above configuration, by storing characteristic information corresponding to the temperature of the PTC element in advance, it is possible to change the characteristic that is the basis of determination according to the ambient temperature of the PTC element, which differs with high accuracy. It becomes possible to identify a PTC element having characteristics.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the components identification system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the PTC element which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an illustration figure of the data structure memorize | stored in a characteristic information storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU of the identification device of the components identification system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an illustration figure of the graph which shows the change with respect to the surrounding temperature change of the time transition of the output voltage of a PTC element. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline | summary of the to-be-identified component formed as a component built-in board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the components identification system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of CPU of the identification device of the components identification system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline | summary of the to-be-identified component formed as a component built-in board | substrate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Identification component 2 Identification apparatus 3 Power supply 11

PTC element

12, 15, 29, 30 Switch mechanism (switching means)
13, 16 Resistance element 14 NTC thermistor (temperature detection means)
17 Synthetic resin layer 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 Storage device

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a component identification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The component identification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an identification device 2 that identifies whether or not the characteristics of a PTC element included in a component are different from previously stored characteristics, and an identification target. And the identified component 1 including the PTC element.

The identified component 1 includes a PTC element 11 that is a target of characteristic detection. The PTC element 11 is connected to a switch mechanism 29 serving as a switching unit that controls whether or not a voltage is applied from a power source 3 serving as a voltage applying unit, which is provided in the identification device 2. Further, a resistance element 13 is provided between the PTC element 11 and the switch mechanism 29 so as to output a divided output voltage. Since the PTC element 11 itself has an impedance, the resistance element 13 may be connected or may not be connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the PTC element 11 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in the PTC element 11 according to the first embodiment, internal electrodes (not shown) are embedded in a substantially rectangular semiconductor ceramic 1a, and each internal electrode is formed at both ends of the semiconductor ceramic 1a. The

external electrodes

1b and 1b are connected. As for the size of the PTC element 11, for example, L × W × T is 1.6 × 0.8 × 0.8 mm, respectively, and both external electrode widths are 0.4 mm.

In the first embodiment, a thermistor is used as the PTC element 11. When a thermistor is used, self-heating due to Joule heat occurs by applying a voltage, and the temperature of the PTC element 11 gradually increases. When it reaches the vicinity of the Curie temperature, it exhibits a negative current characteristic (current decreases as the voltage increases), and the output voltage rapidly increases. Therefore, when different types of PTC elements 11 are mixed, they can be easily identified by the rising tendency of the output voltage. Of course, it is also possible to identify by the downward trend of the current.

Returning to FIG. 1, the identified component 1 includes an NTC thermistor 14 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature around the PTC element 11. The NTC thermistor 14 is connected to a switch mechanism 30 that is provided in the identification device 2 and that controls whether or not a voltage is applied from the power source 3. Further, a resistance element 16 is provided between the NTC thermistor 14 and the switch mechanism 30 so as to output the divided output voltage. Since the NTC thermistor 14 itself has an impedance, the resistance element 16 may be connected or may not be connected.

It should be noted that the NTC thermistor 14 that is a temperature detecting means is not limited to being provided in the identified component 1 but may be provided in the identification device 2. For example, when the ambient temperature of the part to be identified 1 (PTC element 11) is substantially the same as that of the identification device 2, the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detection means provided in the identification device 2 is the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11. It can be used as a temperature.

When the NTC thermistor 14 is used, self-heating due to Joule heat occurs when a voltage is applied, the temperature of the NTC thermistor 14 gradually increases, and the current increases as the voltage increases. Show. Therefore, the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11 can be detected based on the degree of decrease in the output voltage of the NTC thermistor 14. Further, the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11 may be detected based on the degree of increase in current.

The identification device 2 includes at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM 22, a storage device 23, an output interface 24, an input interface 25, an input device 26, an output device 27, and an internal bus 28 for connecting the hardware described above. Yes.

The CPU 21 is connected to the above-described hardware units of the identification device 2 via the internal bus 28, controls the operation of the above-described hardware units, and according to a computer program stored in the storage device 23, Perform various software functions. The RAM 22 is composed of a volatile memory such as SRAM, SDRAM, etc., and a load module is expanded when the computer program is executed, and stores temporary data generated when the computer program is executed.

The storage device 23 includes a built-in fixed storage device (hard disk), a ROM, and the like. The computer program stored in the storage device 23 is downloaded from an auxiliary storage device (not shown) from a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM in which information such as programs and data is recorded. It is expanded and executed. Of course, a computer program downloaded from an external computer by connecting a communication device (not shown) may be used.

The storage device 23 also includes a characteristic information storage unit 231 that stores characteristic information in which the characteristic of the PTC element 11 is associated with the temperature. In the characteristic information storage unit 231, an allowable range of characteristic values of the PTC element 11 used for the identified component 1 is stored for each predetermined sampling temperature.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a data configuration stored in the characteristic information storage unit 231. As shown in FIG. 3, the sampling temperature is stored, and the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the characteristic value corresponding to each temperature are stored. If the characteristic value corresponding to the detected temperature is between the stored lower limit value and upper limit value by inquiring the characteristic information storage unit 231, the same type of PTC element 11 as the assumed PTC element 11 is used. Can be determined to be incorporated. That is, the characteristic information storage unit 231 constitutes a determination unit that determines whether or not the detected characteristic of the PTC element 11 matches a characteristic stored in advance. When the temperature is a value between the sampling temperatures, the lower limit value and the upper limit value may be calculated by interpolating the lower limit value and the upper limit value by an appropriate method.

Returning to FIG. 1, the output interface 24 is an interface for outputting an on / off signal for controlling on / off of the

switch mechanisms

29, 30 to the

switch mechanisms

29, 30. The input interface 25 is an interface for acquiring a characteristic value that varies by applying a voltage to the PTC element 11 and the NTC thermistor 14, and constitutes a detection unit that detects the characteristic of the PTC element 11.

The input device 26 is an input medium such as a keyboard and a mouse, or an instruction button, and receives input of various instruction information. The output device 27 is a device that outputs an arithmetic processing result or the like, and may be a display device such as a CRT or LCD, or may be a printing device such as a printer. Further, like the touch panel, the input device 26 and the output device 27 may be integrated.

Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the component identification system having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 21 of the identification device 2 of the component identification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

4, the CPU 21 of the identification device 2 receives a start signal of identification processing of the identified component by the user via the input device 26 (step S401). The CPU 21 transmits instruction information for turning on the switch mechanism 30 via the output interface 24 (step S402). The switch mechanism 30 that has received the instruction information is turned on, and a voltage is applied to the NTC thermistor 14. The CPU 21 acquires the output voltage of the NTC thermistor 14 as an ambient temperature signal via the input interface 25 (step S403).

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the acquired ambient temperature signal is within the usable range from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the characteristic value stored in the characteristic information storage unit 231 of the storage device 23 (step S404). . When the CPU 21 determines that it is not within the usable range (step S404: NO), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S403 and repeats the above-described process.

When the CPU 21 determines that it is within the usable range (step S404: YES), the CPU 21 transmits instruction information for turning on the switch mechanism 29 via the output interface 24 (step S405). The switch mechanism 29 that has received the instruction information is turned on, and a voltage is applied to the PTC element 11.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S406), and when the CPU 21 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S406: NO), the CPU 21 enters a time elapsed waiting state. Become. When the CPU 21 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S406: YES), the CPU 21 acquires the characteristic value of the PTC element 11 via the input interface 25 (step S407).

The characteristic value to be acquired is not particularly limited. For example, when the switch mechanism 29 is turned on, a voltage is applied to the PTC element 11 and an output voltage divided with the connected resistance element 13 is acquired as a characteristic value. Further, the current flowing through the PTC element 11 may be acquired as a characteristic value.

CPU21 reads the characteristic information corresponding to the ambient temperature which the acquired ambient temperature signal shows from the characteristic information memorize | stored in the characteristic information storage part 231 of the memory | storage device 23 (step S408). The CPU 21 collates the acquired characteristic value with the characteristic information read from the characteristic information storage unit 231 of the storage device 23 (step S409), and determines whether the characteristic value is within a predetermined range (step S410). . Since the characteristic information storage unit 231 stores the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the characteristic value for each temperature around the PTC element 11 as described above, the acquired characteristic value is not less than the lower limit value and not more than the upper limit value. It is determined whether it is within the range.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a graph showing a change in the time transition of the output voltage of the PTC element 11 with respect to an ambient temperature change. As shown in FIG. 5, the change in the output voltage V at the standard temperature T2 is as shown in the graph T2, and the output voltage value exists in the range of ΔV2 between the upper limit value V2 and the lower limit value V1. In this case, the PTC element 11 is identified as the same type.

However, when the ambient temperature changes to T1 or T3, the output voltage V from the PTC element 11 also varies as shown in the graphs T1 and T3, respectively. In this case, when the range of ΔV2 between the upper limit value V2 and the lower limit value V1 at the standard temperature T2 is determined as a determination criterion, it is an output voltage value that should be determined as a heterogeneous PTC element 11 originally. There is a high possibility that the PTC element 11 of the same type is erroneously identified.

Therefore, the degree of change of the output voltage V is changed for each temperature, and a criterion of ΔV1 between the upper limit value and the lower limit value at the temperature T1 or ΔV3 between the upper limit value and the lower limit value at the temperature T3 is determined. As described above, it is determined whether or not the PTC element 11 is the same type. By doing in this way, even if the temperature around the PTC element 11 changes, the possibility of being erroneously identified becomes low, and it becomes possible to identify with higher accuracy.

The characteristic information storage unit 231 stores a temperature and an upper limit value and a lower limit value at the temperature. Therefore, when the temperature is a value between the stored temperatures, for example, the latest temperature across the detected temperature, and the upper limit value and the lower limit value at that temperature are read, and the lower limit values and the upper limit values are read. What is necessary is just to define the range of the characteristic value used as a criterion by performing primary interpolation (linear interpolation) between them.

When the CPU 21 determines that the characteristic value is outside the predetermined range (step S410: NO), the CPU 21 determines that the PTC element 11 used in the identified component 1 is a different type PTC element (step S412). The result is displayed on the output device 27, for example, a liquid crystal display device (step S413). When the CPU 21 determines that the characteristic value is within the predetermined range (step S410: YES), the CPU 21 determines that the PTC element 11 used in the identified component 1 is the same type PTC element (step S411). The result is displayed on the output device 27, for example, a liquid crystal display device (step S413). It should be noted that step S406 to step S410 are repeated a plurality of times, characteristic values are acquired at a plurality of timings, and collation with pre-stored characteristic information enables identification with higher accuracy.

At the time of mounting, the identified component 1 is formed as a component built-in substrate. In this case, the PTC element 11 is embedded in the synthetic resin layer. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the identified component 1 formed as a component-embedded substrate.

As shown in FIG. 6, the PTC element 11, the NTC thermistor 14, and the

resistance elements

13 and 16 are sealed inside the synthetic resin layer 17. Each component is mounted on a wiring pattern 18, and the wiring pattern 18 is connected to the input / output terminal 20 via an interlayer connection conductor 19 (via conductor or through-hole conductor) formed on the substrate 19a. The substrate 19a may be a resin substrate or a ceramic substrate. By doing so, it is possible to stabilize the external environment, and it is possible to accurately detect the characteristic variation due to the temperature change of the PTC element 11 itself while suppressing the influence of the external environment. In addition, since the NTC thermistor 14 can be disposed in the same environment as the PTC element 11, more accurate ambient temperature detection is possible and high-precision identification can be performed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the characteristic information corresponding to the temperature of the PTC element 11 is stored in advance, so that the characteristic serving as a basis for determination according to the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11 Thus, it is possible to identify the PTC elements 11 having different characteristics with high accuracy.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a component identification system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The component identification system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes an identification device 2 that identifies whether or not the characteristics of a PTC element included in a component are different from the characteristics stored in advance, and an identification target And the identified component 1 including the PTC element.

In the second embodiment, instead of the

switch mechanisms

29 and 30 for controlling whether or not to apply a voltage from the power supply 3 provided in the identification device 2 in the first embodiment, the switch mechanism is connected to the identified component 1. 12 and 15 are different from the first embodiment. The other components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The identified component 1 includes a PTC element 11 that is a target of characteristic detection, and a switch mechanism 12 that controls whether or not a voltage is applied from the power source 3. Also, a resistance element 13 is provided between the PTC element 11 and the switch mechanism 12 so as to output a divided output voltage. Since the PTC element 11 itself has an impedance, the resistance element 13 may be connected or may not be connected.

Further, the identified component 1 includes an NTC thermistor 14 as temperature detection means for detecting the temperature around the PTC element 11. The NTC thermistor 14 is connected to a switch mechanism 15 that controls whether or not a voltage is applied from the power supply 3. A resistance element 16 is provided between the NTC thermistor 14 and the switch mechanism 15 so as to output a divided output voltage. Since the NTC thermistor 14 itself has an impedance, the resistance element 16 may be connected or may not be connected.

In addition, the NTC thermistor 14 which is a temperature detection means is not limited to being provided in the identified component 1 as in the first embodiment, and may be provided in the identification device 2. For example, when the ambient temperature of the part to be identified 1 (PTC element 11) is substantially the same as that of the identification device 2, the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detection means provided in the identification device 2 is the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11. It can be used as a temperature.

The output interface 24 functions as an interface for outputting an on / off signal for controlling on / off of the

switch mechanisms

12 and 15 to the

switch mechanisms

12 and 15.

Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the component identification system having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the CPU 21 of the identification device 2 of the component identification system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, the CPU 21 of the identification device 2 receives a start signal for identifying the identified component 1 by the user via the input device 26 (step S <b> 801). The CPU 21 transmits instruction information for turning on the switch mechanism 15 via the output interface 24 (step S802). The switch mechanism 15 that has received the instruction information is turned on, and a voltage is applied to the NTC thermistor 14. The CPU 21 acquires the output voltage of the NTC thermistor 14 as an ambient temperature signal via the input interface 25 (step S803).

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the acquired ambient temperature signal is within the usable range from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the characteristic value stored in the characteristic information storage unit 231 of the storage device 23 (step S804). . When the CPU 21 determines that it is not in the usable range (step S804: NO), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S803 and repeats the above-described process.

When the CPU 21 determines that it is within the usable range (step S804: YES), the CPU 21 transmits instruction information for turning on the switch mechanism 12 via the output interface 24 (step S805). The switch mechanism 12 that has received the instruction information is turned on, and a voltage is applied to the PTC element 11.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S806), and when the CPU 21 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S806: NO), the CPU 21 enters a time elapsed waiting state. Become. When the CPU 21 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S806: YES), the CPU 21 acquires the characteristic value of the PTC element 11 via the input interface 25 (step S807).

The characteristic value to be acquired is not particularly limited. For example, when the switch mechanism 12 is turned on, a voltage is applied to the PTC element 11 and an output voltage divided with the connected resistance element 13 is acquired as a characteristic value. Further, the current flowing through the PTC element 11 may be acquired as a characteristic value.

CPU21 reads the characteristic information corresponding to the ambient temperature which the acquired ambient temperature signal shows from the characteristic information memorize | stored in the characteristic information storage part 231 of the memory | storage device 23 (step S808). The CPU 21 collates the acquired characteristic value with the characteristic information read from the characteristic information storage unit 231 of the storage device 23 (step S809), and determines whether or not the characteristic value is within a predetermined range (step S810). . Since the characteristic information storage unit 231 stores the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the characteristic value for each temperature around the PTC element 11 as described above, the acquired characteristic value is not less than the lower limit value and not more than the upper limit value. It is determined whether it is within the range.

When the CPU 21 determines that the characteristic value is outside the predetermined range (step S810: NO), the CPU 21 determines that the PTC element 11 used in the identified component 1 is a different type PTC element (step S812). The result is displayed on the output device 27, for example, a liquid crystal display device (step S813). When the CPU 21 determines that the characteristic value is within the predetermined range (step S810: YES), the CPU 21 determines that the PTC element 11 used in the identified component 1 is the same type PTC element (step S811). The result is displayed on the output device 27, for example, a liquid crystal display device (step S813).

At the time of mounting, the identified component 1 is formed as a component built-in substrate. In this case, the PTC element 11 is embedded in the synthetic resin layer. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the identified component 1 formed as a component-embedded substrate.

As shown in FIG. 9, the PTC element 11, the NTC thermistor 14, the

resistance elements

13 and 16, and the

switch mechanisms

12 and 15 are sealed inside the synthetic resin layer 17. Each component is mounted on a wiring pattern 18, and the wiring pattern 18 is connected to the input / output terminal 20 via an interlayer connection conductor 19 (via conductor or through-hole conductor) formed on the substrate 19a. By doing so, it is possible to stabilize the external environment, and it is possible to accurately detect the characteristic variation due to the temperature change of the PTC element 11 itself while suppressing the influence of the external environment. In addition, since the NTC thermistor 14 can be disposed in the same environment as the PTC element 11, more accurate ambient temperature detection is possible and high-precision identification can be performed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a characteristic variation pattern corresponding to the temperature of the PTC element 11 is stored in advance, which becomes a basis for determination according to the ambient temperature of the PTC element 11. The characteristics can be changed, and the PTC elements 11 having different characteristics can be identified with high accuracy. In addition, by incorporating the

switch mechanisms

12 and 15 in the identified component 1, it is possible to execute the discrimination processing of the different PTC elements according to the second embodiment only by updating the computer program on the discrimination device 2 side.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A to-be-identified component having a PTC element whose characteristics are changed by application of a voltage;
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage;
A component identification system comprising: a detection unit that detects a characteristic of the PTC element; and an identification device that includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristic detected by the detection unit matches a characteristic stored in advance. In
Having temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature,
The determination means is configured to determine whether or not the characteristics of the PTC element detected by the detection means are suitable using characteristics corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. Part identification system.
The component identification system according to claim 1, wherein the component to be identified includes the temperature detection means.
The identified component has a resistance element,
The detecting means detects an output voltage divided by the resistance element;
The determining means determines whether or not the output voltage characteristic detected by the detecting means is suitable using an output voltage characteristic corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. The component identification system according to claim 1 or 2.
The component identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component to be identified includes a switching unit that turns on and off the application of voltage by the voltage application unit.
The component identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the PTC element is a thermistor.
The component identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature detection means is an NTC thermistor.
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage;
Detecting means for detecting the characteristics of the PTC element whose characteristics change due to voltage application by the voltage applying means; and the characteristics detected by the detecting means of the PTC element associated with the temperature stored in advance. In a component to be identified including the PTC element, connected to an identification device having a determination unit that determines whether or not the characteristics match.
Having temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature,
A component to be identified, wherein the PTC element and the temperature detecting means are sealed with a synthetic resin.
Switching means for controlling on / off of voltage application,
8. The identified component according to claim 7, wherein the switching means is sealed with a synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element.
9. The identified component according to claim 7, wherein a resistance element is sealed with a synthetic resin adjacent to the PTC element.
10. The component to be identified according to claim 7, wherein the PTC element is a thermistor.
The identified part according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the temperature detection means is an NTC thermistor.
A voltage is applied to a component to be identified having a PTC element whose characteristics change due to the application of the voltage,
Detecting the characteristics of the PTC element;
In a component identification method for determining whether a detected characteristic is compatible with a characteristic stored in advance,
Detect ambient temperature,
A component identification method characterized by determining whether or not the detected characteristic of the PTC element is suitable using a characteristic corresponding to the detected temperature.