JP2005051728A - Load control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a load control system for performing communication between a main station 14 and sub stations 15 by radio transmission, in which one of the sub stations 15 can be disposed in a place where direct communication to the main station 14 cannot be established and can communicate to the main station 14. <P>SOLUTION: The main station 14 and the sub stations 15 are designed to communicate each other by radio communication. One of the sub stations 15 is designed to communicate to one of host stations including the main station 14 and one of sub stations 15 capable of communicating to the main station 14, and to relay communication between one of the host stations and one of subordinate sub stations 15 which cannot establish communication to the host stations. Since one of the subordinate sub stations 15 can function as a relay station, the sub stations 15 can be disposed at the place where direct communication to the main station 14 cannot be established, and can communicate to the main station 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control system for remotely controlling a plurality of loads.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in office buildings, lighting control systems that remotely control lighting devices installed on each floor or each area have been adopted. In this lighting control system, a plurality of slave stations that can communicate with each other via a transmission line are connected to a central station that is centrally controlled, and a lighting apparatus connected to the slave station is controlled by a command from the master station.

  However, during interior construction of an office building or the like, the lighting device is often installed last after the air-conditioning equipment, air-conditioning ducts, and other ceiling structures are installed on the ceiling. For this reason, a duct or the like becomes an obstacle, making it difficult to wire the transmission line, and the construction becomes complicated.

There is also an illumination control system in which a master station and a slave station communicate with each other by wireless transmission. In this illumination control system, a method is adopted in which the master station and each slave station communicate directly in a one-to-one relationship (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-151780 (5th page, FIG. 1)

  As described above, when the master station and the slave station communicate with each other by a wired connection using a transmission line, there is a problem that the transmission line is difficult to wire due to a failure such as a duct already installed on the ceiling, and the construction becomes complicated. is there.

  Also, when the master station and slave stations communicate by wireless transmission, the master station and slave stations communicate directly in a one-to-one relationship, so there are obstacles that shield radio waves between the master station and slave stations. There is a problem that a slave station cannot be installed in a place where communication is not possible or in a place where the master station is far away and cannot communicate directly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The master station and the slave station can communicate with each other by wireless transmission, and the slave station can be installed in a place where direct communication with the master station is impossible. An object is to provide a load control system capable of communicating with a station.

  The load control system according to claim 1 includes: a master station that communicates by radio transmission and commands load control; and a plurality of slave stations that communicate by radio transmission and control loads according to commands from the master station; The slave station communicates with the master station and any one of the slave stations capable of communicating with the master station, and the slave station is incapable of communicating with the host station and the host station. It relays communication with.

  In this configuration, since the master station and the slave station communicate with each other by wireless transmission, construction is simplified, and the slave station can communicate with either the master station or the slave station that can communicate with the master station. To communicate with the upper station and relay communication between the upper station and the lower slave station that cannot communicate with the upper station, that is, the slave station also functions as a relay station. Thus, a slave station can be installed in a place where direct communication is impossible, and the slave station can communicate with the master station, and the application range of the load control system is expanded.

  The load control system according to claim 2 communicates by wireless transmission, commands load control, and obtains detection information from a detection unit used for load control determination; communicates by wireless transmission; A plurality of slave stations for controlling the load in response to a command from the slave; a slave station for the detector that communicates by wireless transmission and transmits detection information from the detector to the master station; Communicates with a higher-level station that can communicate with a station and a slave station that can communicate with this master station, and relays communication between a higher-order station and a lower-order slave station that cannot communicate with this higher station. To do.

  In this configuration, the master station and the slave station for the load and the detection unit communicate with each other by wireless transmission, so that the construction can be simplified, and the slave station can communicate with the master station and the master station. In order to communicate with a higher-level station that can communicate with any one of the slave stations, and to relay communication between the higher-level station and a lower-level slave station that cannot communicate with the higher-level station, that is, even if the slave station is a relay station. In order to function, a slave station is installed in a place where direct communication with the master station is not possible, so that the slave station can communicate with the master station, and the application range of the load control system is expanded.

  A load control system according to a third aspect is the load control system according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a main operation panel that communicates with a plurality of main stations and instructs the main stations to control the load. .

  In this configuration, the main operation panel communicates with a plurality of main stations to centrally control a plurality of loads.

  A load control system according to claim 4 is the load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main control unit responds to the communication status between the master station and the slave station and between the upper slave station and the lower slave station. It has a link information acquisition means for acquiring link information capable of communicating from a station to a lower slave station.

  In this configuration, the link information acquisition unit can communicate link information from the master station to the lower slave station according to the communication status between the master station and the slave station and between the upper slave station and the lower slave station. Acquire and grasp the communication path between the master station and each slave station.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the load control system according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a communication path designating unit for designating a communication path for the slave station to be communicated based on the link information.

  In this configuration, the communication path designating unit designates the communication path for the slave station to be communicated based on the link information, and appropriately gives a command to the slave station to be communicated.

  A load control system according to a sixth aspect is the load control system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising monitoring means for communicating with each slave station and monitoring the status of each slave station at regular intervals.

  In this configuration, the monitoring unit communicates with each slave station at regular intervals to monitor the status of each slave station, and detects a communication state, an abnormality in the slave station, and the like.

  A load control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the load control system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the main station and the slave station have an antenna disposed in a ceiling space.

  In this configuration, since the antennas of the master station and the slave station are arranged in the ceiling space and the wireless transmission communication is performed using the ceiling space, it is often possible to improve the performance of the wireless transmission communication compared to the room. The influence of other radio waves from the room is reduced, and stable wireless transmission communication is possible.

  The load control system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the load control system according to the seventh aspect, wherein at least the slave antenna has an extension cable and an antenna body connected to the tip of the extension cable.

  In this configuration, even if there is an obstacle in the ceiling space that obstructs wireless transmission communication or an obstacle that makes it difficult to install the antenna directly on the slave station side, the antenna main body has good radio wave conditions via the extension cable. It can be installed in places where obstacles and obstacles can be avoided.

  According to the load control system of claim 1, since the master station and the slave station communicate with each other by wireless transmission, the construction can be simplified, and the slave station is a slave station that can communicate with the master station and the master station. Communicates with any communicable upper station and relays communication between the upper station and a lower slave station that cannot communicate with the upper station, that is, the slave station also functions as a relay station Therefore, a slave station can be installed in a place where direct communication with the master station is not possible, and the slave station can communicate with the master station, and the application range of the load control system can be expanded.

  According to the load control system of claim 2, since the master station and the slave station for the load and the detection unit communicate with each other by wireless transmission, the construction can be simplified, and the slave station is the master station and the master station. To communicate with any one of the upper stations that can communicate with the upper station and relay the communication between the upper station and the lower slave station that cannot communicate with the upper station, that is, Since the slave station also functions as a relay station, the slave station can be installed in a place where direct communication with the master station is not possible, and the slave station can communicate with the master station, and the application range of this load control system can be expanded.

  According to the load control system of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the load control system according to the first or second aspect, the main operation panel communicates with the plurality of main stations, so that a plurality of loads can be centrally controlled.

  According to the load control system of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the load control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the link information acquisition unit causes the link between the master station and the slave station and the upper slave station and the lower station. Link information that enables communication from the master station to the subordinate slave station according to the communication status with the slave station can be acquired, and the communication path between the master station and each slave station can be grasped.

  According to the load control system of claim 5, in addition to the effect of the load control system of claim 4, the communication path designating unit can designate the communication path for the slave station to be communicated based on the link information. It is possible to give appropriate commands to the slave stations.

  According to the load control system of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the load control system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the monitoring unit communicates with each slave station at regular intervals to monitor the state of each slave station. Can monitor and detect abnormalities such as communication status and slave stations.

  According to the load control system of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the load control system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the antennas of the main station and the slave station are arranged in the ceiling space and the ceiling space is used. Thus, since the wireless transmission communication is performed, the performance of the wireless transmission communication can be improved as compared with the room, and the influence of other radio waves from the room is reduced, and the stable wireless transmission communication can be performed.

  According to the load control system of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effect of the load control system according to the seventh aspect, it is difficult to directly install the antenna on the obstruction that obstructs the radio transmission communication or the slave station in the ceiling space. Even if there is a serious obstacle, the antenna body can be installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good or where the obstacle can be avoided via the extension cable.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a link connection relationship between a master station and a slave station of a load control system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the load control system, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a master station of the load control system, and FIG. Is a block diagram of the slave station of the load control system, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the initial operation of the main operation panel of the load control system, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the initial operation of the master station of the load control system, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the installation state of the load control system, FIG. 9 is an illumination device of the load control system, (a) is a side view, (b) is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement configuration viewed from the lower surface side, FIG. 10 shows the installation state of the lighting device of the load control system, (a) is a side view in a normal case, (b) is a side view in the case of an obstacle, and FIG. 11 shows a sensor device of the load control system. , (A) side view, (b) bottom side Description of visual arrangement diagram, Figure 12 shows the installation state of the sensor device of the load control system, (a) shows the side view of the case of normal, (b) is a side view of a case where there is an obstacle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the load control system 11 is, for example, a terminal device installed in a plurality of floors or areas such as office buildings, and includes a lighting device 12a as a load and a sensor device 12b as a detection unit. The main control panel 13 is used for centralized control, and a plurality of main stations 14 capable of communicating by a wired LAN (network) connection are connected to the main operation panel 13. In addition, a plurality of loads (for lighting devices) slave stations 15 for controlling lighting, extinguishing, dimming state, etc. of the lighting device 12a are installed on each floor and each area such as an office building. Subordinate stations 15 for a plurality of detection units that transmit detection information detected by the sensor device 12b for use in the control determination of 12a to the master station 14 are installed. The master station 14 and the slave station 15, and the slave station 15 and the slave station 15 can communicate with each other by a wireless transmission method. The sensor device 12b includes an optical sensor that detects the light intensity that is the brightness of the illumination space, a human body detection sensor that detects the presence of a human body based on the infrared intensity of the illumination space, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main station 14 includes a radio unit 20, and a LAN transmission unit 22 connected to the LAN and a database 23 for registering data including link information in the main station control unit 21 of the radio unit 20. And a radio control unit 24 for controlling radio transmission is connected. The radio control unit 24 transmits the transmission data to be output from the radio transmission / reception unit (RF unit) 25 through the antenna 26 and inputs the transmission data to be received through the antenna 26 to the radio transmission / reception unit 25. Each main station 14 is set with a unique address.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slave station 15 has a wireless unit 30, and a slave device control unit 31 of the wireless unit 30 is connected to a terminal device control unit 32 to which the illumination device 12a or the sensor device 12b is connected, and wireless transmission is performed. A wireless control unit 33 to be controlled is connected. The terminal device control unit 32 converts the digital signal from the slave control unit 31 into a dimming signal to the lighting fixture 12a, or converts the detection signal from the sensor device 12b into a digital signal to the slave control unit 31 Has the function of the part. The radio control unit 33 transmits the transmission data to be output from the radio transmission / reception unit (RF unit) 34 through the antenna 35 and inputs the transmission data to be received through the antenna 35 to the radio transmission / reception unit 34. Each slave station 15 is set with a unique address.

  The slave station control unit 31 of the slave station 15 controls the radio control unit 33 to communicate with the master station 14 and any one of the communicable upper stations of the slave station 15 capable of communicating with the master station 14. 36 has a function of the relay means 37 for relaying communication between the upper station and the lower slave station 15 that cannot communicate with the upper station.

  In addition, the master station controller 21 of the master station 14 controls the radio controller 24 to communicate with the slave station 15, and functions as a master station communication means 41, between the master station 14 and the slave station 15, and between the master station 15 and the slave station 15. Function of link information acquisition means 42 for acquiring link information that can be communicated from the master station 14 to the subordinate slave station 15 in accordance with the communication status with the slave station 15, communication to the slave station 15 to be communicated based on the link information It has a function of a communication route designating means 43 for designating a route and a function of a monitoring means 44 for communicating with each slave station 15 and monitoring the state of each slave station 15 at regular intervals.

  The main operation panel 13 has a database for registering data including LAN transmission units connected to the LAN, link information, and the like. Further, as with the master station 14, the master control panel 13 is connected to the slave station from the master station 14 to the slave station below the slave station 15 according to the communication status between the master station 14 and the slave station 15 and between the slave station 15 and the slave station 15 below. Function of link information acquisition means for acquiring up to 15 communicable link information, function of communication path specification means for specifying a communication path to the slave station 15 to be communicated based on link information, and communication with each slave station 15 at regular intervals Thus, it has a function of monitoring means for monitoring the state of each slave station 15.

  Next, an initial operation when the load control system 11 is started will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the load control system 11, the main operation panel 13 may or may not be connected to the main station 14, and when the main operation panel 13 is connected to the main station 14, the main operation panel 13 is connected. Performs system control, and when the main operation panel 13 is not connected to the main station 14, the main station 14 performs system control on behalf of the main operation panel 13. For this reason, the main operation panel 13 and the main station 14 have the same functions as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the system of the load control system 11 is started, it is confirmed whether the link information is registered in the database of the main operation panel 13 by turning on the power of the main operation panel 13 (step 1). If so, the operation proceeds to normal operation (step 2). If not registered, the link information is acquired to construct the link (step 3), and the link information is registered in the database of the main operation panel 13 (step 4).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when the system is started, the main station 14 is turned on to check whether the link information is registered in the database 23 of the main station 14 (step 11). Move (step 12). If it is not registered, it is confirmed whether it is registered in the database of the main operation panel 13 (step 13). If it is registered, link information is downloaded by LAN connection communication and registered in the database 23 (steps 14 and 15). ). If neither the database 23 of the main station 14 nor the database of the main operation panel 13 is registered, or if the main operation panel 13 is not connected, the link information is acquired by the main station 14 to establish a link. (Step 16), link information is registered in the database 23 of the main station 14.

  Next, a method for acquiring link information by the function of the link information acquiring means 42 of the main operation panel 13 or the main station 14 and constructing a link will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a call command is transmitted in turn along with the address of each slave station 15 from the master station 14 using radio waves of a frequency for direct communication, i.e., a direct link, and the slave station 15 that has responded is recognized as a slave station 15 that can be directly linked, It is registered in the database of the main operation panel 13 or the database 23 of the main station 14 (step 21). Note that the address of each slave station 15 to be linked is input and set in advance in the master operation panel 13 or the master station 14.

  Subsequently, a call command is transmitted in turn along with the address of each remaining slave station 15 from each slave station 15 that is directly linked to the primary link, and the slave station 15 that has responded can be connected to the primary link. 15 is registered in the database of the main operation panel 13 or the database 23 of the main station 14 (step 22). The frequency for the primary link transmitted from each slave station 15 is different for each slave station 15.

  Subsequently, a call command is transmitted in sequence along with the address of each remaining slave station 15 from each slave station 15 connected to the primary link using radio waves of the frequency for the secondary link, and the slave station 15 that has responded can be connected to the secondary link. The slave station 15 is recognized and registered in the database of the master operation panel 13 or the database 23 of the master station 14 (step 23). The frequency for the secondary link transmitted from each slave station 15 is different for each slave station 15.

  Subsequently, the optimal communication path, that is, link information, is obtained so that the communication sharing is equalized between the acquired slave station 15 of the direct link connection, the slave station 15 of the primary link connection, and the slave station 15 of the secondary link connection. Is created (step 24).

  Here, an example up to the secondary link connection will be described. However, a link connection such as a tertiary link connection, a quaternary link connection,.

  Further, when there is a slave station 15 that cannot be linked (step 25), a warning is given as unconnected information (step 26).

  In this way, from the master station 14 to the lower slave station 15 according to the communication status between the master station 14 and the slave station 15 and between the upper slave station 15 and the lower slave station 15 by the function of the link information acquisition means 42 Can be acquired, and the communication path between the master station 14 and each slave station 15 can be grasped.

  When the lighting device 12a of the slave station 15 is controlled, the communication path to the slave station 15 to be communicated is specified based on the link information by the function of the communication path specifying means 43 of the main operation panel 13 or the master station 14.

  When controlling the illuminating device 12a of the direct link connected slave station 15, transmission data (control data) is transmitted from the master station 14 with radio waves having a direct link frequency together with the address of the direct link connected slave station 15 to be communicated. The slave station 15 of the direct link connection of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address and controls the lighting device 12a.

  When controlling the illuminating device 12a of the slave station 15 with primary link connection, the master station is connected to the slave station 15 with direct link connection that functions as a relay in the communication path to the slave station 15 with primary link connection. The transmission data (control data) and the address information of the communication target are transmitted together with the address of the slave station 15 of the direct link connection for relay from the radio wave of the frequency for direct link from 14. The slave station 15 of the direct link connection of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address, and the transmission data (control data) is transmitted from the slave station 15 of the direct link connection with the radio wave of the frequency for the primary link. It is transmitted with the address of the slave station 15 of the primary link connection. The slave station 15 connected to the primary link of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address and controls the lighting device 12a.

  When controlling the illuminating device 12a of the secondary link connection slave station 15, the direct link connection slave station 15 and the primary link connection function as relays in the communication path to the secondary link connection slave station 15 to be communicated. Among the slave stations 15, transmission data (control data) and address information to be communicated are transmitted from the master station 14 to the direct link-connected slave station 15 using radio waves of the direct link frequency. The slave station 15 of the direct link connection of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address, and the transmission data (control data) and the address of the communication target are transmitted from the slave station 15 of the direct link connection with the radio wave of the frequency for the primary link. Information is transmitted together with the address of the slave station 15 of the primary link connection for relay. The slave station 15 connected to the primary link of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address, and the transmission data (control data) is transmitted from the slave station 15 of the primary link connection using the radio wave of the frequency for the secondary link. Is transmitted together with the address of the secondary station 15 of the secondary link connection. The slave station 15 connected to the secondary link of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address and controls the lighting device 12a.

  As described above, the function of the communication path designating unit 43 can designate the communication path for the slave station 15 to be communicated based on the link information, and can appropriately give a command to the slave station 15 to be communicated.

  Further, when transmitting the detection information detected by the sensor device 12b to the master station 14, from the slave station 15 of the sensor device 12b through the transmission route opposite to the transmission from the master station 14 to the slave station 15 of the lighting device 12a described above. The transmission data of the detection information is transmitted directly to the master station 14 together with the address of the master station 14, or is transmitted to the master station 14 via the upper slave station 15. Then, the main station 14 of the corresponding address receives the transmission data of its own address, determines the control of the lighting fixture 12a from the received detection information, and controls the lighting device 12a.

  During operation of the load control system 11, the function of the monitoring means 44 of the master operation panel 13 or the master station 14 communicates with each slave station 15 at regular intervals, for example, every 10 minutes, so that the status of each slave station 15 is changed. Monitor. Therefore, it is possible to detect a communication state with each slave station 15, an abnormality of the slave station 15, the illumination device 12a, the sensor device 12b, and the like.

  For example, if the communication status deteriorates due to the installation of obstacles for wireless transmission, etc., and a slave station 15 that cannot be linked is generated, link construction is attempted again as described above. The other master station 14 and slave station 15 can be linked.

  As described above, in the load control system 11, the master station 14 and the slave station 15 communicate with each other by wireless transmission, so that the construction can be simplified. In addition, the slave station 15 communicates with the master station 14 and any one of the slave stations 15 that can communicate with the master station 14, and communication with the host station and the host station is not possible. In order to relay communication with the lower slave station 15 possible, that is, the slave station 15 also functions as a relay station, the slave station 15 can be installed in a place where direct communication with the master station 14 is not possible, and the slave station 15 Can communicate with the main station 14, and the application range of the load control system 11 can be expanded.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows an installation state of the load control system 11, 51 is a ceiling board, and the main station 14 is installed in the ceiling back space 52 above the ceiling board 51, and the buried board formed in the ceiling board 51 is shown. The illumination device 12a and the sensor device 12b are embedded in the insertion hole 53. The antenna 26 of the main station 14 and the antenna 35 of the slave station 15 of the lighting device 12a and the sensor device 12b are disposed in the ceiling space 52, and wireless transmission communication is performed using the ceiling space 52.

  Thus, by performing wireless transmission communication using the ceiling space 52, for example, the performance of wireless transmission communication can often be improved compared to a room where a partition or the like is installed. The influence of radio waves is reduced, and stable wireless transmission communication is possible.

  Moreover, the structure of the illuminating device 12a is shown to FIG. 9 and FIG. The lighting device 12a is a lighting fixture that uses, for example, a straight tube fluorescent lamp, and has a fixture main body 61 that is embedded and installed in the ceiling board 51. The fixture main body 61 is wired to the ceiling back space 52. A wiring hole 63 for drawing a power supply line 62 for supplying commercial power (two wires including the feed wiring are shown in FIG. 9B) into the instrument main body 61 is provided, and the power supply line drawn into the instrument main body 61 is provided. 62 is connected to the terminal block 64, the power input side of the inverter lighting device 66 is connected to the terminal block 64 via the wiring 65, and a pair of lamp sockets 68 are connected to each output side of the inverter lighting device 66 via the wiring 67. Is connected.

  The wireless unit 30 of the slave station 15 is attached at a position away from the output side of the inverter lighting device 66 of the appliance body 61, and the output side of the wireless unit 30 that outputs the dimming signal is connected to the inverter lighting device 66 via the wiring 69. Connected to the signal input side. By disposing the wireless unit 30 at a position away from the output side of the inverter lighting device 66, the wireless unit 30 can be less affected by the heat generated by the inverter lighting device 66.

  An antenna connector 70 for removably connecting the antenna 35 is provided on the upper surface of the fixture body 61 in the ceiling space 52 so as to be detachable, and the antenna connector 70 and the wireless unit 30 are connected to the wiring 71. Connected with.

  As the antenna 35, either the direct installation antenna 35a or the extended installation antenna 35b is selectively used. The direct installation antenna 35a includes an antenna body 72 and a connector 73 that is directly connected to and connected to the antenna connector 70. The extension installation antenna 35b includes an antenna main body 72, a connector 73, and an extension cable 74 such as a coaxial cable connecting the antenna main body 72 and the connector 73.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the direct installation antenna 35a is used in the normal case where there is no obstacle or the like at the installation location of the lighting device 12a in the ceiling space 52. Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), when there is an obstacle 75 at the installation location of the lighting device 12a in the ceiling space 52, which is an obstacle to wireless transmission communication, it is directly installed on the lighting device 12a. When the antenna 35a cannot be installed directly, the extension installation antenna 35b is used, and the antenna body 72 is installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good or where the obstacle 75 can be avoided.

  Thus, even if there is an obstacle 75 in the ceiling space 52 that obstructs wireless transmission communication or an obstacle 75 that makes it difficult to directly install the antenna 35a for direct installation to the slave station 15, the extension installation antenna 35b is provided. Therefore, the antenna body 72 can be installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good or where the obstacle 75 can be avoided via the extension cable 74.

  11 and 12 show the configuration of the sensor device 12b. This sensor device 12b is, for example, a light intensity detection sensor that detects the brightness of an illumination space or a human body detection sensor that detects a human body, and has a sensor main body 81 that is embedded in a ceiling board 51. The radio unit 30 of the slave station 15 is accommodated, and an antenna connector 70 that removably connects the antenna 35 protrudes from an upper surface disposed in the ceiling space 52 of the instrument body 61. And are connected.

  As the antenna 35, either a direct installation antenna 35a or an extended installation antenna 35b which is common to the lighting device 12a is selectively used. Also in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the direct installation antenna 35a is used in the normal case where there is no obstacle at the installation location of the sensor device 12b in the ceiling space 52. Also, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), when there is an obstacle 75 at the installation location of the sensor device 12b in the ceiling space 52, which is an obstacle to wireless transmission communication, the sensor device 12b is installed directly. When the antenna 35a cannot be installed directly, the extension installation antenna 35b is used, and the antenna body 72 is installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good or where the obstacle 75 can be avoided.

  Thus, even if there is an obstacle 75 in the ceiling space 52 that obstructs wireless transmission communication or an obstacle 75 that makes it difficult to directly install the antenna 35a for direct installation to the slave station 15, the extension installation antenna 35b is provided. Therefore, the antenna body 72 can be installed in a place where the radio wave condition is good or where the obstacle 75 can be avoided via the extension cable 74.

  When the extension installation antenna 35b is used, the antenna main body 72 may be attached downward to a ceiling structure or the like.

  FIG. 13 shows the configuration of another example of the lighting device 12a. The illumination device 12a uses only the extension installation antenna 35b as the antenna 35. In the illumination device 12a, the extension cable 74 is drawn into the instrument body 61 from the wiring hole 63 and directly connected to the wireless unit 30. In this case, one extension installation antenna 35b can cope with the case where there is no obstacle 75 and can be shared, and the wireless unit 30 is arranged in the vicinity of the wiring hole 63 and extended to the wiring hole 63. By passing the cable 74, the existing lighting fixture structure can be used. This configuration can also be applied to the sensor device 12b.

  Note that the configurations of the direct installation antenna 35a and the extension installation antenna 35b can be similarly applied to the antenna 26 of the main station 14.

  Further, in the load control system 11, by using the master operation panel 13, a plurality of slave stations 15 can be centrally controlled by the master operation panel 13 through the plurality of master stations 14, but each master station is not used without the master operation panel 13. A plurality of slave stations 15 may be centrally controlled by 14.

  Further, the load of the load control system 11 is not limited to the lighting device 12a, but can be applied to an air conditioner, a ventilation fan, a blind, and the like.

It is a block diagram explaining the link connection relation of the master station and slave station of the load control system which shows one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the whole structure of a load control system same as the above. It is a block diagram of the main station of a load control system same as the above. It is a block diagram of the slave station of a load control system same as the above. It is a flowchart of the initial operation | movement of the main operation panel of a load control system same as the above. It is a flowchart of the initial operation | movement of the main station of a load control system same as the above. It is a flowchart of link construction of a load control system same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the installation state of a load control system same as the above. The illuminating device of a load control system same as the above is shown, (a) is a side view, (b) is explanatory drawing of the arrangement structure seen from the lower surface side. The installation state of the illuminating device of a load control system same as the above is shown, (a) is a side view in a normal case, and (b) is a side view in the case of an obstacle. It is a side view of the sensor apparatus of a load control system same as the above. The installation state of the sensor apparatus of a load control system same as the above is shown, (a) is a side view in a normal case, and (b) is a side view in the case of an obstacle. The other example of the illuminating device of a load control system same as the above is shown, (a) is a side view, (b) is explanatory drawing of the arrangement structure seen from the lower surface side.

Explanation of symbols

11 Load control system
12a Lighting device as load
12b Sensor device as detector
13 Main control panel
14 Master
15 Slave station
26 Antenna
35 Antenna
42 Link information acquisition means
43 Communication routing method
44 Monitoring means
52 Ceiling space
72 Antenna body
74 Extension cable

Claims (8)

With a main station that communicates by radio transmission and commands load control;
A plurality of slave stations that communicate with each other by wireless transmission and control a load by a command from the master station;
The slave station communicates with the master station and any one of the slave stations that can communicate with the master station, and with the slave station that cannot communicate with the host station. A load control system that relays communications. A main station that communicates by wireless transmission and commands load control and obtains detection information from a detection unit used for load control determination;
A plurality of slave stations for communication that communicate by wireless transmission and control the load by a command from the master station;
A slave station for the detection unit that communicates by wireless transmission and transmits detection information from the detection unit to the master station;
Each slave station communicates with the master station and any one of the slave stations that can communicate with this master station, and the slave station with which the slave station cannot communicate with the host station. A load control system that relays communications with   The load control system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main operation panel that communicates with a plurality of main stations and instructs the main stations to control a load.   Characterized in that it has link information acquisition means for acquiring link information capable of communication from the master station to the lower slave station according to the communication status between the master station and the slave station and between the upper slave station and the lower slave station. The load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The load control system according to claim 4, further comprising a communication path designating unit for designating a communication path for a slave station to be communicated based on link information.   6. The load control system according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring means for communicating with each slave station at regular intervals to monitor the status of each slave station.   The load control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main station and the slave station have antennas arranged in a space behind the ceiling.   8. The load control system according to claim 7, wherein at least the slave antenna has an extension cable and an antenna body connected to a tip of the extension cable.

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