WO2012160432A1

WO2012160432A1 - Time switch

Info

Publication number: WO2012160432A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/000977
Authority: WO
Inventors: 慶川口
Original assignee: パナソニックエコソリューションズ電路株式会社
Priority date: 2011-05-24
Filing date: 2012-05-21
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: CN103563037A; CN103563037B; JP5795876B2; JP2012242349A

Abstract

This invention comprises: a master device (10) including a time setting unit that sets a time and a first relay that is provided in a power-feeding path leading to a first load, the master device having the function of controlling the first relay at the time set by the time setting unit; and at least one slave device (20) including a second relay that is provided in a power-feeding path leading to a second load. The second relay opens or closes the contact point (25ab) of the second relay in synchronization with the operation of opening or closing the contact point (5ab) of the first relay performed by the first relay.

Description

Time switch

The present invention relates to time switches.

Conventionally, a time switch has been proposed which performs timer control of a load to be controlled according to a preset time schedule (for example, Patent Document 1).
The time switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 is installed in a general dwelling unit, an office, a school, etc., and connected to a two-wire signal line Ls in a remote monitoring control system as shown in FIG. Ru.
The remote monitoring control system having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 includes a time switch 71 that performs timer control of the corresponding load (lighting load) according to a preset time schedule, and a relay 72 for turning on and off the power supply to the load. A remote control wiring apparatus 73 to be controlled, and a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) operation switch wiring apparatuses 74 to 76 monitor the operation states of the operation buttons 74a to 76a. A brightness sensor 77 is connected to the time switch 71.
The time switch 71 has a program storage unit (not shown) that stores the above-mentioned time schedule. In the program storage unit, an individual address and the like assigned to the relay 72 to which a load to be controlled is connected is stored together with a time schedule.
The remote control wiring apparatus 73 includes a relay-equipped master (control master) 73 a having eight relays 72 and a relay-equipped slave (control daughter) 73 b having four relays 72. There is. The remote monitoring control system having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a plurality of control slaves 73b. The control master 73a, the plurality of control slaves 73b, the plurality of operation switch wiring devices 74 to 76, and the time switch 71 are connected to the signal line Ls.
Also, in recent years, a relay mounted time switch has been proposed which controls a load connected at a preset time (for example, Patent Document 2).
The time switch disclosed in Patent Document 2 turns on / off power supply from a control unit to a control unit including a microcomputer, a power supply unit generating an operating power, and a load connected via a pair of load connection terminals. And an output unit that turns on and off according to a command. The time switch has a setting switch unit for setting a program for controlling the load at a desired time.
The output unit includes a drive circuit that generates a drive signal according to an on / off command from the control unit, and a relay whose contact is turned on / off by the drive signal. The load is connected to the commercial power supply through the contacts of the relay.
JP 2007-251671 A JP, 2009-54385, A

By the way, the time switch 71 in the remote monitoring control system having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 controls the control master 73a and the control slaves 73b separately and is provided in each of the control master 73a and the control slaves 73b. The timer control of the load connected to each relay 72 is performed. Therefore, the time switch 71 in the remote monitoring control system having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 needs to set an individual address assigned to each of the relays 72.
In addition, the time switch disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a time switch equipped with one relay. Therefore, when it is desired to control a plurality of loads, generally, a time switch equipped with a plurality of (for example, 2 or 4) relays is used, or the time switch disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used. I needed to use more than one.
However, in a time switch on which a plurality of relays are mounted, for example, in a time switch on which four relays are mounted, one relay is left when controlling three loads. The number of mounted relays may not match, and one relay may be wasted.
In order to control a plurality of loads at the same time when using a plurality of time switches disclosed in Patent Document 2 at the same time, the load is controlled at a desired time by the setting switch unit for each time switch. It was necessary to set up a program.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide as many relays as necessary for the number of loads to be controlled, and a plurality of relays. An object of the present invention is to provide a time switch whose setting operation for controlling a load at the same time is easy.
The time switch according to the present invention comprises a time setting unit for setting a time and a first relay provided on a feed path to a first load, and controls the first relay at the time set by the time setting unit. A master unit having a function, and at least one slave unit having a second relay provided on a feed path to a second load, wherein the second relay includes the first relay corresponding to the first relay. The contact of the second relay is closed or opened in synchronization with the operation of closing or opening the contact of the relay.
In this time switch, the master unit synchronizes an operation of closing or opening the contact point of the second relay of the slave unit with an operation of closing or opening the contact point of the first relay. It has a first connector section having a first signal output terminal for outputting a synchronization signal, and the slave units each have a signal input terminal for inputting a synchronization signal, and are detachably attachable to the first connector section. It has a connectable second connector part and a third connector part provided with a second signal output terminal sent and wired to the signal input terminal, and the second connector part of one slave unit It is preferable that the shape is detachably connectable to the third connector portion of another slave unit.
In this time switch, preferably, the child device is supplied with power from the parent device.
In this time switch, the first connector portion and the third connector portion are each formed with a recess into which the convex second connector portion can be removably inserted and removed, and the insertion port of the recess can be opened and closed. Preferably, a lid is provided.
In this time switch, an operation setting unit capable of setting an operation of closing or opening the contact of the second relay regardless of an operation of closing or opening the contact of the first relay. Preferably, the
Effect of the Invention In the time switch of the present invention, it is possible to provide as many relays as necessary for the number of loads to be controlled, and to control the loads at the same time. Setting work is easy.

The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings and the preferred embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a time switch of Embodiment 1; It is a circuit block diagram of the parent machine of the time switch same as the above. It is a circuit block diagram of a slave unit of the time switch same as the above. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a time switch of Embodiment 2. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the 2nd connector part of the sub_station | mobile_unit in a time switch same as the above. It is related with the 1st connector part of the main | base station in the time switch same as the above, (a) is a schematic perspective view, (b) is a schematic enlarged view of a lid part. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a time switch of Embodiment 3. It is a system block diagram of the remote monitoring and control system using the time switch of a prior art example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present specification. The same reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts throughout the drawings and the description will be omitted.
(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the time switch of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
The time switch of the present embodiment is a time switch that performs timer control of a load (for example, a lighting fixture, an air conditioner, a ventilation fan, etc.) to be controlled at a preset time. The time switch of this embodiment includes the time setting unit 11 for setting the above time, the master unit 10 including the first relay 5a provided in the feed path from the commercial power supply AC to the load L1, and the commercial power supply AC And at least one slave 20 provided with a second relay 25a provided in the feed path to the load L2. The time switch of this embodiment includes a plurality of slaves 20. In addition, the parent device 10 has a function of controlling the first relay 5 a at a time set by the time setting unit 11 (hereinafter, referred to as a set time).
As shown in FIG. 2, the master unit 10 of the time switch of the present embodiment is a power supply electrically connected to the commercial power supply AC via the control unit 1 composed of, for example, a microcomputer and a pair of

power supply terminals

19 and 19. And a first output unit 5 having the first relay 5a described above.
The control unit 1 has a clock unit 7 that counts the current time based on a clock signal output from the clock oscillation unit 16, and a storage unit 6 in which a time schedule for controlling the load L1 at a set time is stored. have. Further, the control unit 1 is connected to an oscillation unit 18 that outputs a system clock signal for operating the control unit 1. In the time switch of this embodiment, the set time preset by the time setting unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 6 as a time schedule.
In addition, when the current time counted by the clock unit 7 reaches the preset time preset by the time setting unit 11, the control unit 1 sets the control signal S1 for controlling the first output unit 5 to the first. Output to the output unit 5.
Power supply unit 2 includes a step-down circuit 2a that steps down an AC voltage input from commercial power supply AC via

power supply terminals

19 and 19, and a DC conversion circuit 2b that converts the AC voltage downed by step-down circuit 2a into a DC voltage. It consists of Further, the power supply unit 2 outputs a direct current voltage from the direct current conversion circuit 2 b to the control unit 1 and the first output unit 5.
Further, parent device 10 detects a power failure detection unit 4 that detects a power failure of commercial power supply AC due to a drop in the output voltage of power supply unit 2, and a power failure compensation power supply unit 3 that outputs a DC voltage to control unit 1 when a commercial power supply AC fails. And have. Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, the clock unit 7 of the control unit 1 can maintain the clock function by outputting the DC voltage from the power failure compensation power supply unit 3 to the control unit 1 when the commercial power supply AC fails. It becomes. The blackout compensation power supply unit 3 may be configured of, for example, a storage battery.
The first output unit 5 includes the first relay 5 a described above and a drive circuit 5 b that drives the first relay 5 a based on the control signal S 1 output from the control unit 1. The first relay 5a has a contact 5ab formed of a c-contact having an a-contact and a b-contact. In the present embodiment, the a-contact of the contact 5ab is provided in the feed path from the commercial power source AC to the load L1. In the time switch of this embodiment, the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a is a voltage contact, but may be a non-voltage contact.
Moreover, in the time switch of this embodiment, the load L1 is electrically connected to two

load connection terminals

21a and 21b among the three

load connection terminals

21a, 21b and 21c. The two

load connection terminals

21a and 21b among the three

load connection terminals

21a, 21b and 21c are electrically connected to the a-contact of the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a. Further, two

load connection terminals

21a and 21c among the three

load connection terminals

21a, 21b and 21c are electrically connected to the b-contact of the contact 5ab in the first relay 5a. Hereinafter, an operation in which the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a is closed or opened in the time switch of the present embodiment will be described as an operation in which the a contact of the contact 5ab is closed or opened. The contact 5ab of the relay 5a will be described as a voltage contact.
In addition, the control unit 1 performs an operation of closing or opening the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a when the current time measured by the clock unit 7 reaches a preset time preset by the time setting unit 11. A synchronization signal is generated to synchronize the operation of closing or opening the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a of the slave 20.
Also, the master unit 10 transmits the synchronization signal generated by the control unit 1 to the slave unit 20 via the two-wire signal line Ls, the above-mentioned time setting unit 11, and the day of the week And a day setting unit 12 for setting the.
The synchronization signal transmission unit 8 is electrically connected to the signal line Ls via the pair of first

signal output terminals

22, 22.
The time setting unit 11 sets a time at which the load L1 connected to the pair of

load connection terminals

21a and 21b is turned on or off according to the operation by the circular operation unit 17. Here, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the time setting unit 11 sets the time for turning on or off the load L1 according to the operation of the circular operation unit 17, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The time at which the load L1 is turned on or off may be set according to the operation by the push-type operation unit. In this case, the time switch according to the present embodiment preferably includes, for example, a display unit including a liquid crystal display.
The day setting unit 12 sets the day of the set time preset by the time setting unit 11. For example, it is possible to set a time schedule to turn on the load L1 at 8 am every Monday. Become.
Also, from the plurality of light emitting diodes, the master unit 10 sets a first operation setting unit 13 for setting any one of an automatic operation, a continuous ON operation, a continuous OFF operation, a temporary ON operation, and a temporary OFF operation. And a reset unit 15 that resets the operation of the control unit 1.
The first operation setting unit 13 is, for example, any one of an automatic operation, a continuous ON operation, a continuous OFF operation, a temporary ON operation, and a temporary OFF operation according to an operation by an operation switch (not shown) which is a slide switch. Set one operation.
Here, the automatic operation is an operation state in which the control unit 1 operates based on the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6. The control unit 1 compares the current time measured by the clock unit 7 with the set time preset by the time setting unit 11, and when the current time coincides with the set time, the control signal S1 is output as the first control signal S1. It is output to the output unit 5 to close or open the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a. The continuous on operation is an operation state in which the control unit 1 closes the contacts 5ab of the first relay 5a continuously regardless of the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6. The continuous disconnection operation is an operation state in which the control unit 1 continuously opens the contacts 5ab of the first relay 5a regardless of the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6. Further, with the temporary entry operation, regardless of the time schedule stored in storage unit 6 by control unit 1, contact point 5ab of first relay 5a is temporarily stored (for example, the current time measured by clock unit 7 is It is an operation state to close until the set time preset by the time setting unit 11). The temporary disconnection operation is an operation state in which the control unit 1 temporarily opens the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a regardless of the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6.
Here, when the operation of the temporary entry operation or the temporary disconnection operation is set by the first operation setting unit 13, the control unit 1 presets the current time clocked by the clock unit 7 by the time setting unit 11. When the set time is reached, the operation is performed based on the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6.
The LED display unit 14 includes an output state display unit (not shown) that lights up when the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a is in a closed state, and a conduction state display unit (not shown) that lights up when power is supplied from the power supply unit 2. And).
As shown in FIG. 3, the slave unit 20 in the time switch of this embodiment is a power supply electrically connected to the commercial power supply AC via the control unit 23 formed of, for example, a microcomputer and a pair of

power supply terminals

32 and 32. And a unit 24. In addition, the slave unit 20 uses the second output unit 25 having the above-described second relay 25a and the synchronization signal transmitted from the synchronization signal transmission unit 8 of the master unit 10 via the pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34. And a sync signal receiver 27 for receiving the signal.
The control unit 23 is connected to an oscillating unit 31 that outputs a system clock signal for operating the control unit 23.
Further, the control unit 23 outputs a control signal S2 for controlling the second output unit 25 to the second output unit 25 in accordance with the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27.
The power supply unit 24 includes a step-down circuit 24a that steps down an AC voltage input from a commercial power source AC via the

power supply terminals

32, 32 and a DC conversion circuit 24b that converts the AC voltage stepped down by the step-down circuit 24a into a DC voltage. It consists of Further, the power supply unit 24 outputs a DC voltage from the DC conversion circuit 24 b to the control unit 23 and the second output unit 25.
The second output unit 25 includes the above-described second relay 25 a and a drive circuit 25 b that drives the second relay 25 a based on the control signal S 2 output from the control unit 23. The second relay 25a has a contact 25ab formed of a c-contact having an a-contact and a b-contact. The a-contact of the contact 25ab is provided in the feed path from the commercial power source AC to the load L2. In the time switch of this embodiment, the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is a voltage contact, but may be a non-voltage contact.
Further, in the time switch according to the present embodiment, the load L2 is electrically connected to two

load connection terminals

33a and 33b among the three

load connection terminals

33a, 33b and 33c. The two

load connection terminals

33a and 33b among the three

load connection terminals

33a, 33b and 33c are electrically connected to the a-contact of the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a. Further, two

load connection terminals

33a, 33c among the three

load connection terminals

33a, 33b, 33c are electrically connected to the b-contact of the contact 25ab in the second relay 25a. Hereinafter, the operation of closing or opening the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a in the time switch of the present embodiment will be described as the operation of closing or opening the a contact of the contact 25ab. The contact 25ab of the relay 25a will be described as a voltage contact.
The second relay 25a closes or opens the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a in synchronization with the operation of the first relay 5a closing or opening the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a. In the time switch according to the present embodiment, for example, when the plurality of loads L1 and L2 are turned on at the set time preset by the time setting unit 11, the first relay 5a of the second relay 25a is the first relay. The contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is closed in synchronization with the operation of closing the contact 5ab of 5a. Specifically, in the time switch of this embodiment, when the control unit 23 of the slave unit 20 outputs the control signal S2 to the second output unit 25 according to the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27, The drive circuit 25b of the 2 output unit 25 immediately drives the second relay 25a based on the control signal S2 output from the control unit 23 to close the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a.
Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, when controlling a plurality of loads L1 and L2 at the same time, the second relay 25a of the slave unit 20 and the first relay 5a of the master unit 10 are the first relay 5a. Since the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is closed or opened in synchronization with the operation of closing or opening the contact 5ab, the setting operation for controlling the load L2 at the same time as the load L1 becomes unnecessary. That is, in the time switch according to this embodiment, the plurality of loads L1 and L2 are compared to the case where a plurality of time switches disclosed in Patent Document 2 of the conventional example are used.
Setting work to control at the same time becomes easy. Further, in the time switch of this embodiment, the second relay 25a of the slave unit 20 synchronizes with the operation in which the first relay 5a of the master unit 10 closes or opens the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a. Since the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is closed or opened, it is not necessary to assign an individual address to each

relay

5a, 25a as in the time switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 of the conventional example, and a plurality of loads The setting operation for controlling L1 and L2 becomes easy.
In addition, the slave unit 20 can set an operation to close or open the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of an operation to close or open the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a of the parent unit 10. Operation setting unit 28 of FIG. Specifically, the slave unit 20 includes a second operation setting unit 28 configured to set any one of an automatic operation, a continuous ON operation, a continuous OFF operation, a temporary ON operation, and a temporary OFF operation. There is.
The second operation setting unit 28 is, for example, one of an automatic operation, a continuous ON operation, a continuous OFF operation, a temporary ON operation, and a temporary OFF operation according to an operation by an operation switch (not shown) which is a slide switch. Set one operation.
Here, the automatic operation is an operation state in which the control unit 23 operates based on the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27. When the synchronization signal is received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27, the control unit 23 outputs the control signal S2 to the second output unit 25 to close or open the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a. The continuous input operation is an operation state in which the control unit 23 continuously closes the contacts 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27. The continuous disconnection operation is an operation state in which the control unit 23 continuously opens the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27. The temporary entry operation is an operation state in which the control unit 23 temporarily closes the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27. The temporary disconnection operation is an operation state in which the control unit 23 temporarily opens the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27.
Here, when the operation of the temporary entry operation or the temporary disconnection operation is set by the second operation setting unit 28, the control unit 23 measures the current time measured by the clock unit 7 in the control unit 1 of the parent device 10. When the time set by the time setting unit 11 comes in advance, the operation is performed based on the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27.
Therefore, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the slave unit 20 closes or opens the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a regardless of the operation of closing or opening the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a of the parent unit 10. When it is desired to temporarily turn off the operation state of the load L2 connected to the pair of

load connection terminals

33a and 33b of the slave unit 20, for example, because the second operation setting unit 28 capable of setting the operation to be performed is provided. It is possible to cope with cases where it is desired to turn on continuously.
In addition, the slave unit 20 is sent and wired to the pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34 by the LED display unit 29 composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes, the reset unit 30 that resets the operation of the control unit 23, and the pair of wires Lp. And a pair of second

signal output terminals

35, 35.
The LED display unit 29 includes an output state display unit (not shown) that lights up when the contact 25 ab of the second relay 25 a is in a closed state, and a conduction state display unit (not shown) that lights up when electricity is supplied from the power supply unit 24. And).
Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, since the master unit 10 having the time setting unit 11 and the first relay 5a and the at least one slave unit 20 having the second relay 25a are separately configured. It is possible to provide as

many relays

5a and 25a as necessary for the number of loads L1 and L2 to be controlled. Further, in the time switch of this embodiment, since the slave unit 20 is provided with the pair of second

signal output terminals

35, 35 which are sent and wired to the pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34, these second By connecting the two-line signal line Ls to the

signal output terminals

35, 35, it is possible to add the slave unit 20.
Hereinafter, an example of timer control of the several loads L1 and L2 by the time switch of this embodiment is demonstrated. Here, the case where two slaves 20 are provided will be described. Further, in the storage unit 6, it is assumed that the set time preset by the time setting unit 11 is stored as a time schedule.
The control unit 1 of the parent device 10 operates based on the time schedule stored in the storage unit 6 when the operation state is set to the automatic operation by the operation switch of the fourth operation setting unit 13. Specifically, first, the control unit 1 compares the current time kept by the clock unit 7 with the set time stored in the storage unit 6. Next, when the current time coincides with the set time, the control unit 1 outputs the control signal S1 to the first output unit 5 and generates the above-mentioned synchronization signal. The drive circuit 5b of the first output unit 5 drives the first relay 5a based on the control signal S1 output from the control unit 1 to close or open the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a. Here, when the contact 5ab of the first relay 5a is in the closed state, the control unit 1 lights the above-mentioned output state display unit. Also, the synchronization signal transmission unit 8 transmits the synchronization signal generated by the control unit 1 to the slave 20 via the signal line Ls.
On the other hand, when the operation state is set to the automatic operation by the operation switch of the second operation setting unit 28, the control unit 23 of the slave unit 20 receives the synchronization signal transmitted from the synchronization signal transmission unit 8 of the base unit 10. When received by the synchronization signal receiving unit 27, the control signal S 2 is output to the second output unit 25. The drive circuit 25b of the second output unit 25 drives the second relay 25a based on the control signal S2 output from the control unit 23 to close or open the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a. Here, when the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is in the closed state, the control unit 23 lights the above-mentioned output state display unit.
In addition, the slave unit 20 transmits the synchronization signal transmitted from the synchronization signal transmission unit 8 of the master unit 10 and input to the pair of

signal input terminals

34 and 34 via the signal line Ls via the above-described pair of wires Lp. Then, the signal is sent to the pair of second

signal output terminals

35, 35. In other words, the slave unit 20 is connected to the two-line signal line Ls via the pair of second

signal output terminals

35, 35 with the synchronization signal input to the pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34. It sends it to the post-stage slave unit 20. The timer control of the load L2 by the post-stage slave unit 20 is the same as the timer control of the load L2 by the post-stage slave unit 20, so the description will be omitted.
By the way, when the operation state is set to the continuous on operation or the continuous off operation by the operation switch of the second operation setting unit 28, the control unit 23 of the slave unit 20 receives the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal receiving unit 27. The control signal S2 is output to the second output unit 25 regardless of. The drive circuit 25b of the second output unit 25 drives the second relay 25a based on the control signal S2 output from the control unit 23 to continuously close or open the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a. .
In addition, when the operation state of the control unit 23 of the slave unit 20 is set to the temporary ON operation or the temporary OFF operation by the operation switch of the second operation setting unit 28, the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal reception unit 27 The control signal S2 is output to the second output unit 25 regardless of. The drive circuit 25b of the second output unit 25 drives the second relay 25a based on the control signal S2 output from the control unit 23 to temporarily close or open the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a. . Then, the control unit 23 is received by the synchronization signal receiving unit 27 when the current time clocked by the clock unit 7 in the control unit 1 of the parent device 10 comes to a set time preset by the time setting unit 11. It operates based on the synchronization signal.
Thus, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the master unit 10 and at least one slave unit 20 are provided, and the second relay 25a of the slave unit 20 and the first relay 5a of the master unit 10 are the first relay. Since the contact 25ab of the second relay 25a is closed or opened in synchronization with the operation of closing or opening the contact 5ab of 5a, the number required for the number of the plurality of loads L1 and L2 to be controlled is The

relays

5a and 25a can be provided without excess and deficiency, and setting work for controlling the plurality of loads L1 and L2 at the same time can be facilitated.
Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the time switch of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
The basic configuration of the time switch of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, the part connecting the master unit 10 and the slave unit 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
The parent device 10 has a first connector portion 37 having a pair of first

signal output terminals

22, 22.
The slave unit 20 has a pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34 and is detachably connectable to the first connector portion 37 of the master unit 10, and a pair of second signal output terminals 35. , 35, and a third connector portion 45.
The second connector portion 36 is provided with a pair of

convex portions

36 a, 36 a which individually cover the side portions of the signal input terminals 34. Here, in the first connector portion 37, a pair of

concave portions

37a, 37a are formed, to which the pair of

convex portions

36a, 36a of the second connector portion 36 can be detachably inserted and removed. Further, the pair of first

signal output terminals

22 and 22 are housed and arranged in the pair of

concave portions

37 a and 37 a of the first connector portion 37.
Further, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the pair of

convex portions

36 a and 36 a in the second connector portion 36 of the slave device 20 is inserted into the pair of

concave portions

37 a and 37 a in the first connector portion 37 of the parent device 10. The pair of first

signal output terminals

22 and 22 of the master unit 10 and the pair of

signal input terminals

34 and 34 of the slave unit 20 are electrically connected.
Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, the pair of

convex portions

36a, 36a in the second connector portion 36 of the slave unit 20 can be detachably connected to the pair of

concave portions

37a, 37a in the first connector portion 37 of the master unit 10. As compared with the time switch of the first embodiment, the connection work between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 20 is easier.
Further, the third connector portion 45 of the slave unit 20 is formed with a pair of

concave portions

45 a, 45 a which can detachably insert and remove the pair of

convex portions

36 a, 36 a in the second connector portion 36 of the latter slave unit 20. There is. In other words, the second connector portion 36 of the post-stage slave unit 20 has a shape that can be detachably connected to the third connector portion 45 of the front-stage slave unit 20. Further, a pair of second signal output terminals 35 are accommodated in the pair of concave portions 45 a of the third connector portion 45.
Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, the pair of

convex portions

36a, 36a in the second connector portion 36 of the post-stage slave unit 20 is attached to and detached from the pair of

concave portions

45a, 45 a in the third connector portion 45 of the front-stage slave unit 20. Since connection is freely possible, the connection work between the slave unit 20 of the former stage and the slave unit 20 of the latter stage becomes easier than that of the time switch of the first embodiment.
In addition, a circular lid 38 is provided in each recess 37a of the first connector 37 of the base unit 10 so that the insertion opening of the recess 37a can be opened and closed by the projection 36a of the second connector 36 of the slave 20. ing. The outer dimensions of the lids 38 are set to be slightly smaller than the opening dimensions of the recesses 37a.
Further, the third connector portion 45 of the slave unit 20 is the same as the structure of the first connector portion 37 as shown in FIG. The external dimensions of the lids of the third connector 45 are set to be slightly smaller than the opening dimensions of the recesses 45a.
Therefore, in the time switch of the present embodiment, each of the concave portions 37a of the first connector portion 37 and each concave portion 45a of the third connector portion 45 can be opened and closed by the pair of

convex portions

36a and 36a of the second connector portion 36. Since the lid portion 38 and the lid portion are provided, foreign matter (for example, ant, dust, dust, etc.) enters each recess 37a of the first connector portion 37 and each recess 45a of the third connector portion 45. Can be prevented.
(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, the time switch of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the time switch of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 7, the slave 20 is different from that of the second embodiment in that power is supplied from the parent device 10. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 2, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
The parent device 10 includes a pair of power

supply output terminals

39, 39 electrically connected to the commercial power supply AC through the pair of

power supply terminals

19, 19. Here, one power supply output terminal 39 is electrically connected to one power supply terminal 19 via a power supply contact 40 which is turned on or off according to an operation by an operation unit (not shown).
The slave unit 20 includes a pair of power

supply input terminals

41, 41 electrically connectable to the pair of power

supply output terminals

39, 39 of the parent unit 10, and a pair of power

supply input terminals

41, 41 by the pair of power lines Lv. And a pair of power

supply output terminals

42 and 42 which are wired in advance. The pair of power

supply input terminals

41 and 41 of the slave unit 20 can be electrically connected to the pair of power

supply output terminals

42 and 42 of the other slave unit 20. The pair of power

supply input terminals

41 and 41 of the slave unit 20 are electrically connected to the step-down circuit 24 a (see FIG. 3) of the power supply unit 24.
In addition, the child device 20 has a pair of power

supply input terminals

41, 41 in the second connector portion 36. Here, a pair of

power output terminals

39, 39 that can be electrically connected to the pair of

power input terminals

41, 41 in the second connector portion 36 of the slave device 20 is connected to the first connector portion 37 of the parent device 10. Is provided.
Further, in the time switch of the present embodiment, by connecting the second connector portion 36 of the slave unit 20 and the first connector portion 37 of the master unit 10, the pair of power

supply output terminals

39, 39 of the master unit 10 and The pair of power

supply input terminals

41 and 41 of the slave unit 20 are electrically connected.
Therefore, in the time switch of this embodiment, the pair of power

supply input terminals

41 and 41 in the second connector portion 36 of the slave unit 20 are connected to the pair of power

supply output terminals

39 and 39 in the first connector portion 37 of the master unit 10. It can be connected detachably.
Further, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the pair of

power input terminals

41, 41 in the second connector portion 36 of the slave unit 20 are used as the pair of

power output terminals

39, 39 in the first connector portion 37 of the parent unit 10. After the electrical connection, the power supply contact 40 is turned on by the operation of the above-described operation unit, whereby power can be supplied from the master unit 10 to the slave unit 20. As a result, since the slave 20 in the time switch of this embodiment does not require the pair of

power terminals

32 and 32 electrically connected to the commercial power supply AC, the slave 20 can be miniaturized. Become.
Further, in the time switch of the present embodiment, the pair of power

supply input terminals

41, 41 in the second connector portion 36 of the slave unit 20 are used as the pair of power

supply output terminals

39, 39 in the first connector portion 37 of the master unit 10. Since connection can be made detachably and power can be supplied from the parent device 10 to the child device 20, wiring work for power supply in the time switch can be facilitated as compared with the time switch of the second embodiment.
Here, in the time switch of this embodiment, a pair of first

signal output terminals

22, 22 and a pair of

signal input terminals

34, 34 is used, but not limited to this, for example, a pair of power

supply output terminals

39, 39 and a pair of power

supply input terminals

41, 41 may be used. In this case, Power Line Communication (PLC) technology may be employed as a technology for transmitting a synchronization signal using the pair of

power output terminals

39, 39 and the pair of

power input terminals

41, 41. .
All the above-mentioned embodiment, the example of an explanation in an embodiment, and modification can be performed combining with each other.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. It belongs within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A master unit comprising a time setting unit for setting a time and a first relay provided on a feed path to a first load, the master having a function of controlling the first relay at the time set by the time setting unit;
At least one slave provided with a second relay provided in a feed path to a second load;
The second relay closes or opens the contacts of the second relay in synchronization with the operation of the first relay closing or opening the contacts of the first relay. switch.
The master unit outputs a synchronization signal for synchronizing an operation for closing or opening the contact of the second relay of the slave unit to an operation for closing or opening the contact of the first relay. A first connector portion having a first signal output terminal,
The slave unit includes a signal input terminal for inputting the synchronization signal, and a second connector portion detachably connectable to the first connector portion, and a second signal wired to the signal input terminal. And a third connector portion having an output terminal for
The time switch according to claim 1, wherein the second connector portion of one slave unit has a shape that can be detachably connected to the third connector portion of another slave unit.
The time switch according to claim 2, wherein the child device is supplied with power from the parent device.
The first connector portion and the third connector portion are provided with a recess capable of detachably inserting and removing the convex second connector, and a lid capable of opening and closing the insertion opening of the recess is provided. The time switch according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that:
The slave unit includes an operation setting unit capable of setting an operation of closing or opening the contact of the second relay regardless of an operation of closing or opening the contact of the first relay. The time switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that