WO2017168587A1

WO2017168587A1 - Programmable logic controller

Info

Publication number: WO2017168587A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/060232
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大揮原田
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2016-03-29
Filing date: 2016-03-29
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: CN108885437A; JPWO2017168587A1

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a programmable logic controller which is capable of causing a display unit to display much information with a simple configuration. Provided is a programmable logic controller (10A), comprising: an LED (2) which displays a display subject (5); a switch operation unit (3) which accepts a switch instruction from a user by a switch operation which is performed by the user; a display subject storage unit (8) which stores, in association with the switch instruction, subject identification information for identifying the display subject (5) which corresponds to the switch instruction; and an LED control unit (6A) which reads out from the display subject storage unit (8) the subject identification information which corresponds to the switch instruction which the switch operation unit (3) has accepted, and causes the LED (2) to display the display subject (5) which corresponds to the subject identification information which has been read out.

Description

Programmable logic controller

The present invention relates to a programmable logic controller that displays a display target designated by an operation on a display unit.

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller: Programmable Logic Controller) is required to reduce the number of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) mounted on the PLC with the recent miniaturization. On the other hand, the functions installed in the PLC are increasing year by year, and the items that are desired to be displayed using LEDs on the units that realize the functions of the PLC are also increasing.

However, there are cases where the user wants to check a function state or an operation state that is not assigned to the LED. In such a case, it is necessary to check by installing a monitor on the system or by connecting a PLC to a PC (Personal Computer) and checking via an engineering tool.

For this reason, for system maintenance, it is desirable to display a large number of function states or operation states by LEDs that can be confirmed at the site where the system is installed. On the other hand, in patent document 1, the display apparatus switches the display object allocated to LED using a changeover switch, and, thereby, displays many information with limited LED.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-11003

In Patent Document 1, which is the above-described conventional technique, the LED display control circuit receives an on / off state of a contact signal sent from a signal input / output unit. Then, the LED display control circuit switches contacts assigned to the LEDs by a changeover switch. Thereby, the LED display control circuit displays the on / off state of the contact signal on the LED.

However, in Patent Document 1, which is the above-described conventional technology, the relay contact information is directly connected to the LED, so that a lot of information cannot be displayed on the LED with a simple configuration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain a programmable logic controller capable of displaying a large amount of information on a display unit with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a display unit that displays a display target, a switching operation unit that receives a switching instruction from a user by a switching operation by the user, and switching A display target storage unit that stores target identification information for identifying a display target corresponding to the instruction in association with the switching instruction; Moreover, in the programmable logic controller of the present invention, the display for reading the target identification information corresponding to the switching instruction received by the switching operation unit from the display target storage unit and displaying the display target corresponding to the read target identification information on the display unit A control unit is provided.

The programmable logic controller according to the present invention has an effect that a large amount of information can be displayed on the display unit with a simple configuration.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a programmable logic controller according to a first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of the programmable logic controller concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the correspondence of operation information and object identification information concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows that the component with which PLC of Embodiment 1 is provided is a processing circuit The figure which shows the structural example of the control circuit with which PLC of Embodiment 1 is provided. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a programmable logic controller according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a programmable logic controller according to the third embodiment. Block diagram showing a configuration of a programmable logic controller according to a fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, a programmable logic controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of the programmable logic controller according to the first embodiment. The control system 100A includes a machine 20 that is a controlled device, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 10A that controls the machine 20, and a network NT connected to the PLC 10A. The PLC 10A is a programmable controller defined by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) B 3502: 2011.

In the control system 100A, the PLC 10A is connected to the machine 20. In the control system 100A, the PLC 10A is connected to an external device (not shown) via the network NT. The PLC 10 A controls the machine 20 and holds information indicating the state of the control system 100 A that changes according to the operation state of the machine 20.

PLC10A which is a control apparatus is provided with LED (Light Emitting Diode) 2 which displays the display object 5, and LED control part 6A which is a controller which controls LED2. Moreover, PLC10A is provided with the switching operation part 3 which receives the switching instruction | indication of the display target 5 from a user. In addition, the PLC 10A includes a display target storage unit 8 that stores target identification information for identifying the display target 5 and a switching operation that is a switching instruction in association with each other. The PLC 10A of the first embodiment displays the display object 5 uniquely determined by the switching operation from the user using the LED 2. The PLC 10A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) unit (not shown).

The display target 5 is information indicating the state of the control system 100A. Specifically, the display target 5 is information indicating a function state of the control system 100A or an operation state of the control system 100A. There are a plurality of types of display objects 5, and the display object 5 to be displayed is selected by the user. In other words, the display target 5 is a candidate to be displayed on the LED 2, and the display target 5 to be displayed is selected by the user from the candidates.

The state of the function that the control system 100A has includes the state of the function that the PLC 10A has, or the state that the machine 20 has. The function which PLC10A has is a network function, a positioning control function, a motion control function, or a communication function with an external recording medium.

The network function is a function for performing data communication with an external device via the network NT. The positioning control function is a function for controlling the positioning of the components included in the machine 20. The motion control function is a function for controlling the operation of the constituent elements of the machine 20. The communication function with the external recording medium is a function for performing data communication with the external recording medium.

In addition, the operation state of the control system 100A is the operation state of the PLC 10A, the operation state of the machine 20, the communication state performed between the PLC 10A and the machine 20, or the communication performed between the PLC 10A and an external device. The state of is included. The display target 5 may be stored in any area in the control system 100A.

The LED 2 that is a display unit is also called a light emitting diode, and displays the display target 5 by turning on, blinking, or turning off. The LED 2 is turned on, blinked, or turned off according to an instruction from the LED control unit 6A. One to a plurality of LEDs 2 are arranged in the PLC 10A.

The switching operation unit 3 includes an operated mechanism (not shown). The user who is the operation subject performs a switching operation on the operated mechanism of the switching operation unit 3. The switching operation unit 3 receives a switching instruction that is a switching operation to the operated mechanism. In this way, the switching operation that is a switching instruction of the display target 5 to be displayed is performed on the switching operation unit 3.

The user performs a switching operation on the switching operation unit 3 when switching the display target 5. The content of the switching operation to the switching operation unit 3 is determined by the operation result, the operation time, or the number of operations when the switching operation unit 3 is operated. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the switching operation by the user to the LED control unit 6A. Specifically, the switching operation unit 3 sends operation information indicating an operation result, an operation time, or the number of operations to the LED control unit 6A. The operation information is information for identifying a switching operation for designating the display target 5. The operation information is uniquely determined by a switching operation that is an operation method by the user.

The operation result to the switching operation unit 3 corresponds to the state of the operated mechanism being set to one of a plurality of states. When the operated mechanism is a button or a switch, the button or switch is set to one of a plurality of states. When the operated mechanism is an operation panel, any setting instruction is input to the operation panel. In other words, the operation result is a state setting or instruction input that is an operation unit accepted by the switching operation unit 3. An operation unit for the switching operation unit 3 is one state setting or one pressing operation. Thus, the operation result includes information on the type of operation unit and the state after the operation.

The operation information indicating the operation time is information indicating how long the operation has been performed on the operated mechanism. The operation information indicating the operation time includes information indicating whether or not the operation mechanism has been operated for a time longer than the reference time. Specifically, the operation information indicating the operation time includes information on whether or not the operated mechanism has been pressed for a long time.

The operation information indicating the number of operations is information indicating how many operations have been performed on the operated mechanism during one operation process. When the operated mechanism is a button or an operation panel, the operation information indicating the number of operations is information indicating how many times the button or the operation panel is pressed continuously. The operated mechanism may be any mechanism as long as it can be operated repeatedly by the user.

The display target storage unit 8 has a display target register 7 for storing information. The display target register 7 is a register that stores target identification information for identifying the display target 5. The object identification information is a numerical value that identifies the display object 5. In this way, the display target 5 is associated with the target identification information that is a unique value. Therefore, the display target 5 is uniquely determined when the target identification information is determined.

Further, the display target storage unit 8 stores correspondence information in which operation information is associated with a storage position of the target identification information in the display target register 7. Therefore, the target identification information is information that is uniquely determined when the operation information is determined. Thus, since the display target storage unit 8 stores the correspondence information and the target identification information, the operation information and the target identification information are associated with each other in the display target storage unit 8 by the correspondence information.

Also, the operation information includes an operation result, an operation time, or the number of operations. As described above, the operation information and the target identification information are associated with each other. Therefore, in the display target storage unit 8, the operation result, the operation time, or the number of operations is associated with the target identification information.

The display target register 7 stores correspondence information for each LED 2. When the display target register 7 is composed of a plurality of registers, correspondence information of one LED 2 is stored in one register.

The LED control unit 6A that is a display control unit performs display control on the LED 2 that is a display unit. The LED control unit 6 A includes an operation register 4 that stores operation information from the switching operation unit 3. The operation register 4 stores a numerical value indicating operation information. The LED control unit 6 A controls the LED 2 based on the operation information stored in the operation register 4.

The LED control unit 6A reads operation information from the operation register 4 when controlling the LED 2. The LED control unit 6 A reads the correspondence information with reference to the display target storage unit 8. Further, the LED control unit 6A reads the storage position of the target identification information corresponding to the operation information based on the correspondence information. The storage position read by the LED control unit 6 A is a position where the target identification information is stored in the display target register 7.

The LED control unit 6A reads the target identification information of the read storage position from the display target register 7. The LED control unit 6A causes the LED 2 to display the current state of the display target 5 corresponding to the acquired target identification information.

The current state of the display target 5 displayed on the LED 2 by the LED control unit 6A is the current state of the function of the control system 100A or the current operation state of the control system 100A. The current state of the display target 5 is the latest information that the LED control unit 6A acquires at the present time. For this reason, the current state of the display target 5 may be information generated before the timing when the switching operation unit 3 is operated by the user.

In addition, although Embodiment 1 demonstrates the case where the display object memory | storage part 8 and LED control part 6A are separate structures, the display object memory | storage part 8 may be arrange | positioned in LED control part 6A. . Further, the display unit included in the PLC 10A may be a device other than the LED 2.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation processing procedure of the programmable logic controller according to the first embodiment. In step S1, the control system 100A is activated during LED display control. Thereby, PLC10A starts.

When the switching operation unit 3 is switched by the user, the switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the switching operation from the user to the LED control unit 6A. The switching operation performed by the user is an operation for switching the display target 5. The user performs a switching operation for displaying the desired display target 5 on the switching operation unit 3.

The operation information sent from the switching operation unit 3 to the LED control unit 6A is uniquely determined by the operation result, operation time, or number of operations by the user. The operation information sent to the LED control unit 6A is stored in the operation register 4.

In step S2, the LED control unit 6A reads the operation information from the operation register 4. In step S 3, the LED control unit 6 A refers to the display target storage unit 8. In step S4, the LED control unit 6A reads the correspondence information in the display target storage unit 8. Further, the LED control unit 6A reads the storage position of the target identification information corresponding to the operation information based on the correspondence information. Then, the LED control unit 6A reads target identification information from the display target register 7 based on the read storage position. Thus, in step S4, the LED control unit 6A reads the target identification information corresponding to the read value of the operation register 4 from the display target register 7.

Here, the correspondence between operation information and target identification information will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence relationship between operation information and target identification information according to the embodiment. The operation information is information stored in the operation register 4. In FIG. 3, “00d”, “01d”, “02d”, and “03d”, which are operation information, are shown.

The target identification information is information stored in the display target register 7. When n is a natural number, when the LEDs 2 arranged in the PLC 10A are a plurality of LEDs_A0 to LED_An, the display target register 7 has n + 1 registers. The n + 1 registers included in the display target register 7 correspond to LED_A0 to LED_An.

The target identification information corresponding to the operation information “00d” includes “target 0-0” of LED_A0, “target 1-0” of LED_A1, and “target 2-0” of LED_A2. Further, the target identification information corresponding to the operation information “01d” includes “target 0-1” of LED_A0, “target 1-1” of LED_A1, and “target 2-1” of LED_A2. Further, the target identification information corresponding to the operation information “02d” includes “target 0-2” of LED_A0, “target 1-2” of LED_A1, and “target 2-2” of LED_A2. Further, the target identification information corresponding to the operation information “03d” includes “target 0-3” of LED_A0, “target 1-3” of LED_A1, and “target 2-3” of LED_A2.

In the display target register 7, “target 0-0” is stored in the first position, “target 0-1” is stored in the second position, and “target 0” is stored in the third position. -2 "is stored, and" Target 0-3 "is stored at the fourth position. In the LED_A1 register, “target 1-0” is stored at the first position, “target 1-1” is stored at the second position, and “target 1-2” is stored at the third position. The “target 1-3” is stored in the fourth position. In the register of LED_A2, “target 2-0” is stored at the first position, “target 2-1” is stored at the second position, and “target 2-2” is stored at the third position. The “target 2-3” is stored in the fourth position.

Also, in the correspondence information, storage positions corresponding to “00d” to “03d” of the operation information are set. For example, the storage position corresponding to “00d” of the operation information is a position where the target identification information corresponding to “00d” is stored. Specifically, the first position in the display target register 7 is set as the storage position corresponding to “00d” of the operation information. Similarly, the second position in the display target register 7 is set at the storage position corresponding to “01d” of the operation information. A third position in the display target register 7 is set as the storage position corresponding to “02d” of the operation information. A fourth position in the display target register 7 is set as the storage position corresponding to “03d” of the operation information.

When the operation information is “00d”, the LED control unit 6A reads the first position that is the storage position corresponding to “00d” of the operation information from the correspondence information. Therefore, the LED control unit 6A reads “target 0-0” that is target identification information of LED_A0 from the first position of the register corresponding to LED_A0. In addition, the LED control unit 6A reads “target 1-0” that is target identification information of the LED_A1 from the first position corresponding to the LED_A1. Further, the LED control unit 6A reads “target 2-0” that is target identification information of the LED_A2 from the first position of the register corresponding to the LED_A2. As described above, the LED control unit 6A reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information using the display target register 7 and the response information.

The object identification information is stored in advance in the display object register 7 according to user settings. Therefore, the value indicated by the target identification information is a user set value. The user sets which display object 5 is assigned to each LED 2 using the display object register 7 when the control system 100A is constructed. If the display target 5 can be uniquely determined by the value of the display target register 7, the user may set the allocation of the display target 5 by any method. Correspondence information is stored in advance in a memory or the like in the LED control unit 6A according to user settings. The user sets correspondence information at the time of system construction.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. When the LED control unit 6A reads the target identification information from the display target register 7, the LED control unit 6A reads the display target 5 based on the target identification information that is a read value. Specifically, in step S 5, the LED control unit 6 A reads the current state of the display target 5 corresponding to the read value of the display target register 7.

Then, the LED control unit 6A displays the read current state of the display target 5 on the LED 2. Specifically, in step S6, the LED control unit 6A outputs the read value of the current state of each display target 5 to the LED 2. Thereby, LED2 displays the read value of each display object 5 in the current state. The PLC 10A repeats the processing from step S2 to S6 by the LED control unit 6A while the control system 100A is operating.

Note that some or all of the functions of the constituent elements included in the PLC 10A of the first embodiment may be realized by the processing circuit 50 described later. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating that the constituent element included in the PLC according to the first embodiment is a processing circuit. The processing circuit 50 is dedicated hardware. The processing circuit 50 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. . Some of the constituent elements constituting the PLC 10A may be dedicated hardware separate from the remaining part.

Some or all of the constituent elements included in the PLC 10A may be realized by a processor 52 described later that executes a program. In this case, functions of some or all of the constituent elements included in the PLC 10A are realized by the processor 52 using the memory as the main memory.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control circuit included in the PLC according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a control circuit 55 that is a part or all of the components included in the PLC 10A. The processor 52 is a CPU, a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processor 52 executes a program stored in the memory 51.

When some or all of the components included in the PLC 10A are the processor 52, the function of the PLC 10A is realized by the control circuit 55. That is, the functions of at least some of the constituent elements that make up the PLC 10A are realized by the processor 52 and the program. The program is either software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software or firmware is described in a program and stored in the memory 51. The processor 52 reads out and executes the program stored in the memory 51, thereby realizing the functions of the components constituting the PLC 10A.

The program executed by the processor 52 is a computer program product having a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium including a plurality of instructions for controlling the LED 2 that can be executed by a computer. The program executed by the processor 52 causes the computer to execute that the plurality of instructions control the LED 2.

The program executed by the processor 52 is stored in the memory 51. It can be said that the program stored in the memory 51 causes the computer to execute the procedure or method of the components constituting the PLC 10A. The memory 51 may be a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or a volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 51 may be a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory). The memory 51 may be a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD.

The functions of a plurality of constituent elements constituting the PLC 10A may be partially realized by dedicated hardware and the remaining part may be realized by software or firmware. As described above, the functions of a plurality of components constituting the PLC 10A can be realized by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Note that the user may input parameters that are operation information to the switching operation unit 3. In other words, the switching operation unit 3 may accept input of parameters. The parameter input to the switching operation unit 3 indicates operation information to be stored in the operation register 4. The switching operation unit 3 sends parameters from the user to the LED control unit 6A. Thus, the LED control unit 6A stores operation information, which is a parameter from the user, in the operation register 4. Then, the LED control unit 6A reads target identification information from the display target storage unit 8 based on the operation information.

As described above, the PLC 10A displays the display object 5 corresponding to the operation information on the LED 2. Thereby, PLC10A becomes possible to display many types of display objects 5 on LED2 with a limited area. Further, the PLC 10A can display various types of display objects 5 without installing a display monitor in the control system 100A. Further, the PLC 10A can display various types of display objects 5 without connecting the PLC 10A to the PC. In addition, since the number of display objects 5 that can be confirmed at the site where the PLC 10A is installed increases, the user can reduce the installation cost or labor of the control system 100A. Therefore, the PLC 10A can improve the maintainability of the control system 100A.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the LED control unit 6A reads the target identification information for identifying the display target 5 based on the operation information designated by the user. Then, the LED control unit 6A causes the LED 2 to display the display target 5 corresponding to the target identification information. Thereby, PLC10A can display on LED2 the display target 5 corresponding to operation information from the various display targets 5. FIG. Accordingly, the PLC 10A can display a large amount of information on the LED 2 with a simple configuration.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the display object 5 is acquired by the circuit, and the acquired display object 5 is read from the circuit and displayed on the LED 2. In other words, in the second embodiment, information acquired by the circuit is the display target 5.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the configuration of the programmable logic controller according to the second embodiment. Among the constituent elements of the PLC 10B shown in FIG. 6, the constituent elements that achieve the same functions as those of the PLC 10A of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The control system 100B is a system having the same function as the control system 100A, and includes a machine 20, a PLC 10B, and a network NT connected to the PLC 10B. The PLC 10B has the same LED display control function as that of the PLC 10A, and displays the display target 5 by the same processing procedure as the PLC 10A.

The PLC 10B includes an LED 2, an LED control unit 6B, and a switching operation unit 3. The PLC 10B according to the second embodiment includes a battery 11 that can supply electric energy and a remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 that monitors the remaining energy of the battery 11. The PLC 10 B includes a component 13 whose life is monitored and a life monitoring circuit 14 that monitors the life of the component 13.

The LED control unit 6B includes a display target storage unit 8 and an operation register 4. As described above, in the second embodiment, the display target storage unit 8 is arranged in the LED control unit 6B. The display object storage unit 8 and the LED control unit 6B may have different configurations.

The battery 11 supplies electric energy to the components in the PLC 10B as necessary. The remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 is connected to the LED control unit 6 B and the battery 11. The remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 is a circuit that monitors the remaining energy of the battery 11. The remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 generates remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of energy of the battery 11. The remaining amount information generated by the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 is read by the LED control unit 6B. Note that when the LED control unit 6B requests the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 to acquire remaining amount information, the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 may send the remaining amount information to the LED control unit 6B. As described above, the LED control unit 6B may acquire the remaining amount information from the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 by any method.

The part 13 is a part with a limited life and is a part to be monitored for life. The component 13 may be any component in the PLC 10B. The life monitoring circuit 14 is connected to the LED control unit 6 B and the component 13. The life monitoring circuit 14 is a circuit that monitors the component 13 and calculates the lifetime of the component 13. The life monitoring circuit 14 generates life information indicating the life of the component 13. The life information generated by the life monitoring circuit 14 is read by the LED control unit 6B. Note that when the LED monitoring unit 6B requests the lifetime monitoring circuit 14 to acquire lifetime information, the lifetime monitoring circuit 14 may send the lifetime information to the LED control unit 6B. Thus, the LED control unit 6B may acquire the life information from the life monitoring circuit 14 by any method.

In the second embodiment, the remaining amount information or the life information is the display target 5. In the PLC 10 B, when the user wants to display the remaining amount information, the user performs a switching operation for designating the remaining amount information on the switching operation unit 3. Thereby, the switching operation part 3 receives the switching operation which designated residual amount information. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the designation of the remaining amount information to the LED control unit 6B.

Further, in the PLC 10B, when the user wants to display the life information, the user performs a switching operation for designating the life information on the switching operation unit 3. Thereby, the switching operation part 3 receives the switching operation which designated lifetime information. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the designation of the life information to the LED control unit 6B.

In the PLC 10B, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information in the operation register 4 from the display target register 7, and reads the remaining amount information or the life information corresponding to the target identification information. The LED control unit 6B reads the remaining amount information from the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 when the display target 5 corresponding to the target identification information is the remaining amount information. Further, the LED control unit 6B reads the life information from the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12 when the display target 5 corresponding to the target identification information is the life information.

The LED control unit 6B displays the remaining amount information on the LED 2 when the remaining amount information is read. Moreover, the LED control part 6B displays life information on LED2 when reading life information. The LED 2 displays remaining amount information or life information by turning on, blinking, or turning off.

Thus, when the switching operation unit 3 receives a switching operation for designating the remaining amount information, the LED control unit 6B causes the LED 2 to display the remaining amount information. Further, when the switching operation unit 3 receives a switching operation for designating the life information, the LED control unit 6B causes the LED 2 to display the life information.

The PLC 10B may not include the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12. In this case, the life information is the display object 5. When the PLC 10B does not include the remaining amount monitoring circuit 12, the PLC 10B does not need to include the battery 11. Further, the PLC 10B may not include the life monitoring circuit 14.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information, and causes the LED 2 to display the remaining amount information or the life information corresponding to the target identification information. Therefore, the PLC 10B can display a large amount of information on the LED 2 with a simple configuration, like the PLC 10A.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the display object 5 is stored in a register in the arithmetic circuit, and the stored display object 5 is read from the register and displayed on the LED 2. In other words, the information stored in the register in the arithmetic circuit is the display object 5 in the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the configuration of the programmable logic controller according to the third embodiment. Of the constituent elements of the PLC 10C shown in FIG. 7, constituent elements that achieve the same functions as those of the PLCs 10A and 10B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The control system 100C is a system having the same function as the

control systems

100A and 100B, and includes the machine 20, the PLC 10C, and the network NT connected to the PLC 10C. The PLC 10C has the same LED display control function as that of the PLC 10A, and displays the display target 5 by the same processing procedure as that of the PLC 10A.

The PLC 10C includes an LED 2, an LED control unit 6B, and a switching operation unit 3. Further, the PLC 10C of the third embodiment includes an arithmetic circuit 21 that calculates operation information used for the operation of the PLC 10C.

The arithmetic circuit 21 is a circuit that calculates the operation information of the PLC 10C using a program. An example of the arithmetic circuit 21 is a control unit that controls the machine 20 that is a controlled device. The arithmetic circuit 21 includes a calculation result storage register 22 for storing a calculation result, and a program processing time storage register 23 for storing a processing time of a program used when calculating operation information. The operation result storage register 22 and the program processing time storage register 23 are connected to the LED control unit 6B.

The calculation result stored in the calculation result storage register 22 is read by the LED control unit 6B. Note that when the calculation circuit 21 receives a calculation result acquisition request from the LED control unit 6B, the calculation circuit 21 may send the calculation result to the LED control unit 6B. As described above, the LED control unit 6B may acquire the calculation result from the calculation result storage register 22 by any method.

The processing time stored in the program processing time storage register 23 is read by the LED control unit 6B. Note that when the processing time is requested from the LED control unit 6B to the arithmetic circuit 21, the arithmetic circuit 21 may send the processing time to the LED control unit 6B. Thus, the LED control unit 6B may acquire the processing time from the program processing time storage register 23 by any method.

In the third embodiment, the calculation result stored in the calculation result storage register 22 or the processing time stored in the program processing time storage register 23 is the display target 5. In the PLC 10 C, when the user wants to display the calculation result, the user performs a switching operation for designating the calculation result on the switching operation unit 3. Thereby, the switching operation part 3 receives the switching operation which designated the calculation result. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the designation of the calculation result to the LED control unit 6B.

In the PLC 10C, when the user wants to display the processing time, the user performs a switching operation for designating the processing time on the switching operation unit 3. Thereby, the switching operation part 3 receives the switching operation which designated the processing time. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the designation of the processing time to the LED control unit 6B.

In the PLC 10C, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information in the operation register 4 from the display target register 7, and reads the calculation result or the processing time corresponding to the target identification information. The LED control unit 6B reads the calculation result from the calculation result storage register 22 when the display target 5 corresponding to the target identification information is the calculation result. The LED control unit 6B reads the processing time from the program processing time storage register 23 when the display target 5 corresponding to the target identification information is the processing time.

When the LED control unit 6B reads out the calculation result, the LED control unit 6B displays the calculation result on the LED 2. Further, when the processing time is read, the LED control unit 6B causes the LED 2 to display the processing time. LED2 displays a calculation result or processing time by lighting, blinking, or extinguishing.

Thus, when the switching operation unit 3 receives a switching operation for designating a calculation result, the LED control unit 6B displays the calculation result on the LED 2. When the switching operation unit 3 receives a switching operation for designating the processing time, the LED control unit 6B causes the LED 2 to display the processing time.

Note that the PLC 10C may not include the calculation result storage register 22. In this case, the processing time is the display target 5. Further, the PLC 10C may not include the program processing time storage register 23. In this case, the calculation result is the display object 5.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information, and causes the LED 2 to display the calculation result or the processing time corresponding to the target identification information. Therefore, the PLC 10C can display a large amount of information on the LED 2 with a simple configuration, like the PLC 10A.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the display object 5 is stored in a register in the communication circuit, and the stored display object 5 is read from the register and displayed on the LED 2. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, the information stored in the register in the communication circuit is the display object 5.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the configuration of the programmable logic controller according to the fourth embodiment. Of the constituent elements of the PLC 10D shown in FIG. 8, the constituent elements that achieve the same functions as those of the PLC 10A to the PLC 10C are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The control system 100D is a system having functions similar to those of the control system 100A to the control system 100C, and includes the machine 20, the PLC 10D, and the network NT connected to the PLC 10D. The PLC 10D has the same LED display control function as that of the PLC 10A, and displays the display target 5 by the same processing procedure as the PLC 10D.

The PLC 10D includes an LED 2, an LED control unit 6B, and a switching operation unit 3. The PLC 10D of the fourth embodiment includes a communication circuit 31 that performs communication with an external device via the network NT.

The communication circuit 31 is a circuit that performs communication processing with an external device while managing a communication state with the external device. The communication circuit 31 includes a state storage register 32 that stores a communication state that is a state of communication processing with an external device. The communication state stored in the state storage register 32 is read out by the LED control unit 6B. Note that when the communication state is requested from the LED control unit 6B to the communication circuit 31, the communication circuit 31 may send the communication state to the LED control unit 6B. As described above, the LED control unit 6B may acquire the communication state from the state storage register 32 by any method.

In the fourth embodiment, the communication state stored in the state storage register 32 is the display target 5. In the PLC 10 D, when the user wants to display the communication state, the user performs a switching operation for designating the communication state on the switching operation unit 3. Thereby, the switching operation part 3 receives the switching operation which designated the communication state. The switching operation unit 3 sends operation information corresponding to the designation of the communication state to the LED control unit 6B.

In the PLC 10D, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information in the operation register 4 from the display target register 7, and reads the communication state corresponding to the target identification information from the state storage register 32. When reading the communication state, the LED control unit 6B displays the communication state on the LED 2. LED2 displays a communication state by lighting, blinking, or extinguishing. As described above, when the switching operation unit 3 receives a switching operation for designating the communication state, the LED control unit 6B displays the communication state on the LED 2.

The communication circuit 31 may be a circuit that performs communication without going through the network NT. The communication circuit 31 may be a circuit that performs communication with an external device directly connected to the PLC 10D. The communication circuit 31 may be a circuit that performs communication with the machine 20. The communication circuit 31 may be a circuit that performs communication within the PLC 10D.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information and displays the communication state corresponding to the target identification information on the LED2. Therefore, the PLC 10D can display a large amount of information on the LED 2 with a simple configuration, like the PLC 10A.

Note that Embodiments 1 to 4 may be combined. In this case, the LED control unit 6B reads the target identification information corresponding to the operation information, and causes the LED 2 to display the remaining amount information, the life information, the calculation result, the processing time, or the communication state corresponding to the target identification information.

The configuration described in the above embodiment shows an example of the contents of the present invention, and can be combined with another known technique, and can be combined with other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is also possible to omit or change the part.

2 LED, 3 switching operation unit, 4 operation register, 5 display target, 6A, 6B LED control unit, 7 display target register, 8 display target storage unit, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D PLC, 11 battery, 12 remaining amount monitoring Circuit, 13 parts, 14 life monitoring circuit, 20 machine, 21 arithmetic circuit, 22 arithmetic result storage register, 23 program processing time storage register, 31 communication circuit, 32 status storage register, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D control system, NT network.

Claims

In the programmable logic controller,
A display unit for displaying a display target;
A switching operation unit that receives a switching instruction from the user by a switching operation by the user;
A display target storage unit that stores target identification information for identifying a display target corresponding to the switching instruction, in association with the switching instruction;
A display control unit that reads target identification information corresponding to the switching instruction received by the switching operation unit from the display target storage unit, and causes the display unit to display a display target corresponding to the read target identification information;
A programmable logic controller comprising:
The switching instruction is determined by an operation result, an operation time, or an operation count when the switching operation unit is operated.
The programmable logic controller according to claim 1.
The switching operation unit sends operation information corresponding to the operation result, the operation time, or the number of operations to the display control unit,
The display control unit reads target identification information corresponding to the operation information from the display target storage unit.
The programmable logic controller according to claim 2.
The switching operation unit receives a parameter indicating the switching instruction, and sends the parameter to the display control unit,
The display control unit reads target identification information corresponding to the parameter from the display target storage unit.
The programmable logic controller according to claim 1.
Further comprising a remaining amount monitoring circuit for monitoring a remaining amount of energy of the battery and generating remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of energy
The display object includes the remaining amount information,
When the switching operation unit receives a switching instruction that specifies the remaining amount information, the display control unit acquires the remaining amount information from the remaining amount monitoring circuit and causes the display unit to display the acquired remaining amount information.
The programmable logic controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
A life monitoring circuit that calculates the life of the component by monitoring the life of the component to be monitored and generates life information indicating the life of the component;
The display object includes the life information,
When the switching operation unit receives a switching instruction that specifies the life information, the display control unit acquires the life information from the life monitoring circuit and causes the display unit to display the life information.
The programmable logic controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
An arithmetic circuit for calculating operation information used for the operation of the programmable logic controller using a program;
The arithmetic circuit has an operation result storage register for storing an operation result of the operation,
The display object includes the calculation result,
When the switching operation unit receives a switching instruction for designating the calculation result, the display control unit acquires the calculation result from the calculation result storage register and causes the display unit to display the calculation result.
The programmable logic controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
An arithmetic circuit for calculating operation information used for the operation of the programmable logic controller using a program;
The arithmetic circuit has a program processing time storage register for storing a processing time of the program used when the operation information is calculated.
The display object includes the processing time,
When the switching operation unit receives a switching instruction that specifies the processing time, the display control unit acquires the processing time from the calculation result storage register and causes the display unit to display the processing time.
The programmable logic controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
A communication circuit for performing communication processing;
The communication circuit has a state storage register that stores a communication state that is a state of the communication processing,
The display object includes the communication state,
When the switching operation unit receives a switching instruction for designating the communication state, the display control unit acquires the communication state from the state storage register and causes the display unit to display the communication state.
The programmable logic controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: