JP7000869B2 - Wireless switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless switch that wirelessly transmits a signal relating to an operation of a switch that is operated in response to an operator's operation, contact of a member, or the like.

Patent Document 1 provides an operation information wireless transmission device that does not require a power source such as a battery by providing a DC generator that generates power by the movement of a movable member and a wireless transmitter that operates by the generated power of the DC generator. It is shown.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-237911

For example, at various manufacturing sites, a more free and flexible production system is required as the number of products is reduced in quantity and the number of setup changes is increased. By using wireless switches for various switches used at such manufacturing sites, it is possible to construct a manufacturing line with a high degree of freedom in layout, it is easy to add switches, and the switches can be attached to moving parts. There are advantages such as.

When an unexpected impact is applied to such a wireless switch, for example, when it falls on the floor, the impact causes the same operation (trigger action) as during normal operation of the switch, resulting in an unintended wireless signal. May be sent. That is, there is a risk that the equipment will malfunction even though the operation unit of the switch is not actually operated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless switch that prevents erroneous transmission of a wireless signal due to an impact.

The wireless switch as an example of the present disclosure is
In addition to the movable part, the power generation part that generates power according to the displacement of this movable part, and the wireless transmission part that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the power generation by this power generation part, shock detection that detects an impact and outputs a detection signal. A unit and a wireless transmission control unit that invalidates the wireless transmission of the wireless transmission unit by the detection signal are provided.

According to this configuration, even if the wireless switch is accidentally dropped on the floor or the like, a detection signal is output by detecting an impact, and the wireless transmission is invalidated by this detection signal.

Further, in one example of the present disclosure, the impact detection unit includes a sensor that detects acceleration in the displacement direction of the movable unit.

In this configuration, among the accelerations due to the impact, the component in the direction in which the wireless switch malfunctions is detected, so that a substantial threshold value for disabling wireless transmission can be set with high accuracy.

Further, in one example of the present disclosure, the wireless transmission control unit is a voltage supply control circuit that cuts off the voltage supply from the power generation unit to the wireless transmission unit by the detection signal.

According to this configuration, the configuration of the wireless transmission unit is not complicated, and the operation of the wireless transmission unit is forcibly suppressed.

Further, in one example of the present disclosure, the impact detection unit operates on the generated voltage of the power generation unit, and the voltage supply control circuit is for a voltage supply line for supplying voltage from the power generation unit to the wireless transmission unit and a voltage supply line. A switch element, which is connected to a shunt and cuts off the voltage supply to the wireless transmitter by conduction, is included. Then, the switch element receives the detection signal and conducts conduction.

According to this configuration, the voltage supply control circuit is configured with a small number of circuit elements, and the cost is reduced.

Further, in one example of the present disclosure, the wireless transmission unit receives a voltage from a power generation unit, and the wireless transmission control unit receives a detection signal to invalidate the operation of the wireless transmission unit.

According to this configuration, even if the impact is strong and the voltage supplied from the power generation unit to the wireless transmission unit becomes high, the wireless transmission is surely stopped.

In addition, the wireless switch as an example of the present disclosure is
Wireless transmission that wirelessly transmits a moving part, a power generation unit that generates power according to the displacement of this movable part, an impact detection unit that detects an impact, and a signal corresponding to the power generation by this power generation unit and the impact detection by the impact detection unit. A unit and a wireless reception control unit that receives a signal wirelessly transmitted from this wireless transmission unit and invalidates control based on reception of the wirelessly transmitted signal when the signal is a signal due to impact detection. Be prepared.

According to this configuration, even if the wireless switch is accidentally dropped on the floor or the like, the control based on the reception of the wireless signal is invalidated.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a wireless switch that prevents erroneous transmission of a wireless signal due to an impact.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the wireless switch 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless switch 101. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the wireless switch 101 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a more specific circuit configuration of the wireless switch 101 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of the generated voltage of the power generation unit of the wireless switch 101 and the current consumption of the wireless transmission unit 2. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 101 receives an impact. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless switch 102 different from the wireless switch shown in FIG. 2. 8 (A) and 8 (B) are diagrams showing an example of the circuit configuration of the wireless switch 102, respectively. FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 102 receives an impact. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless switch 103. FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 103 receives an impact. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless transmission unit of the wireless switch 103. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless receiving unit of the wireless switch 103. FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 103 receives an impact. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless receiving unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to some figures.

-Application example First, an example to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the wireless switch 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The wireless switch 101 according to the present embodiment includes a housing and a push button-shaped operation unit 10 movably held in the housing. The switch is operated by pressing the operation unit 10 along the Z-axis direction. The operation unit 10 is an example of the "movable unit" according to the present invention.

The wireless switch 101 includes a power generation unit that generates power by operating the operation unit, a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the power generated by the power generation unit, and an impact detection unit that detects an impact and outputs a detection signal. A unit and a wireless transmission control unit that invalidates the wireless transmission of the wireless transmission unit by the detection signal are provided.

If the wireless switch 101 is accidentally dropped on the floor or the like, for example, the impact may cause power generation in the power generation unit. However, the erroneous wireless transmission is invalidated by the detection signal output from the impact detection unit.

Configuration Example FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless switch 101. The wireless switch 101 detects an impact, the operation unit 10, the power generation unit 1 that generates power by operating the operation unit 10, the wireless transmission unit 2 that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the power generated by the power generation unit 1. It includes an impact detection unit 4 that outputs a detection signal, and a wireless transmission control unit 3 that invalidates the wireless transmission of the wireless transmission unit 2 by the detection signal.

Normally, the electric power (voltage) generated by the power generation unit 1 is supplied to the wireless transmission unit 2 by the operation of the operation unit 10, and the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 2.

When an impact is applied to the wireless switch 101, even if the power generation unit generates the same power generation as when the operation unit 10 is pressed, if the impact detection unit 4 detects the impact, a detection signal is output. When the wireless transmission control unit 3 has the detection signal, the wireless transmission control unit 3 invalidates the operation of the wireless transmission unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the wireless switch 101 of the present embodiment.

The wireless switch 101 of the present embodiment includes an impact detection circuit 40, a switch element 32, a diode D1, and the like, in addition to the power generation unit 1 and the wireless transmission unit 2. The operation of the power generation unit 1 is as described above. The diode D1 rectifies the voltage output from the power generation unit 1 and supplies the power supply voltage to the wireless transmission unit 2 and the like. When the power generation unit 1 generates a voltage of the opposite polarity when the operation unit 10 returns by the spring force after pressing the operation unit 10, the diode D1 outputs the voltage of the opposite polarity to the voltage supply lines 31H and 31L. To prevent.

The wireless transmission unit 2 operates using this power supply voltage as a power source and wirelessly transmits a signal. When the impact detection circuit 40 detects an impact, the impact detection circuit 40 outputs a detection signal to the switch element 32. The switch element 32 is turned on by this detection signal.

The impact detection circuit 40 corresponds to the impact detection unit 4 shown in FIG. 2, and the switch element 32 corresponds to the wireless transmission control unit 3 shown in FIG.

Normally, since the switch element 32 is in the off state, when the operation unit 10 is operated, the power supply voltage generated by the power generation unit 1 is supplied to the wireless transmission unit 2 (the normal current shown in FIG. 3 flows). The wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 2.

When an impact is applied to the wireless switch 101, the impact detection unit 4 detects the impact and outputs a detection signal. That is, the switch element 32 is turned on. Since this switch element 32 is connected to a shunt between the voltage supply lines 31H and 31L, when the switch element 32 is turned on, the impact detection current shown in FIG. 3 flows, and the power supply voltage is supplied to the wireless transmission unit 2. Is blocked. This invalidates the operation of the wireless transmission unit 2. The switch element 32 is an example of the "voltage supply control circuit" according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a more specific circuit configuration of the wireless switch 101 of the present embodiment. The impact detection circuit 40 includes a shock sensor 41, an amplifier 42, a resistance element R1, a capacitor C1, and the like.

The shock sensor 41 is an electronic component that converts an impact (acceleration) into an electric signal by using, for example, the piezo effect. The shock sensor 41 particularly detects the acceleration of the operation unit 10 in the pressing direction.

The amplifier 42 is an operational amplifier for charge amplification, and an amplifier circuit is composed of the amplifier 42, a resistance element R1 inserted in the negative feedback path thereof, and a capacitor C1. When a negative pulse voltage is output from the shock sensor 41, a positive pulse voltage is output from the amplifier 42, and the switch element 32 is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of the generated voltage of the power generation unit of the wireless switch 101 and the current consumption of the wireless transmission unit 2. The waveform G is the generated voltage waveform of the power generation unit 1, and the waveform C is the current consumption waveform of the wireless transmission unit 2. In this example, power generation is started at time t0, and wireless transmission is performed at time t1.

Therefore, if the detection signal is output from the impact detection circuit 40 from the start of power generation due to the impact until the time t1 is reached, the erroneous signal due to the impact will not be transmitted wirelessly.

When the shock sensor 41 is, for example, a sensor by MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), there is almost no delay in the sensor, so that the delay in the amplifier circuit by the amplifier 42 becomes dominant. The delay time from t0 to t1 is, for example, several ms. It is feasible to set the delay time until the detection signal is output from the impact detection circuit 40 to several ms or less.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 101 receives an impact. If there is an impact at time t0, the power generation unit generates electricity, but at time t1, the impact detection unit outputs a detection signal. Therefore, the power supply voltage is applied to the wireless transmission unit 2 only for the time from t0 to t1. Moreover, the power supply voltage applied to the wireless transmission unit 2 during this period is a low voltage until it reaches the maximum value. As a result, the wireless transmission unit 2 is not supplied with an operable power supply voltage and does not transmit a wireless signal. Therefore, the receiver does not work.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless switch 102 different from the wireless switch shown in FIG. 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the configurations of the wireless transmission unit 2 and the wireless transmission control unit 3 are different from those shown in FIG. In the wireless switch 102, the wireless transmission unit 2 directly receives the voltage from the power generation unit 1. Then, the wireless transmission control unit 3 receives the detection signal output from the impact detection unit 4 and invalidates the operation of the wireless transmission unit 2.

The wireless unit 20 is composed of the wireless transmission unit 2 and the wireless transmission control unit 3. That is, normally, the wireless unit 20 receives the power supply voltage generated by the power generation unit 1 and performs wireless transmission, but when the impact detection unit 4 outputs a detection signal, wireless transmission is not performed.

8 (A) and 8 (B) are diagrams showing an example of the circuit configuration of the wireless switch 102. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the wireless switch 102 includes a power generation unit 1, a wireless unit 20, an impact detection circuit 40, a switch element 32, a resistance element R2, a diode D1, and the like. The operations of the power generation unit 1, the diode D1, and the impact detection circuit 40 are as described above. The wireless unit 20 receives the power supply voltage and performs wireless transmission when the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 is "effective". Further, even if the wireless unit 20 receives the power supply voltage, if the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 is "invalid", the wireless unit 20 does not perform wireless transmission.

In the state where the impact is not detected, the output voltage of the impact detection circuit 40 is 0V, so the switch element 32 is off. As a result, the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 of the wireless unit 20 becomes a high level (“effective”). When the impact detection circuit 40 detects an impact, it outputs a positive voltage and turns on the switch element 32. As a result, the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 of the wireless unit 20 becomes low level (“invalid”).

In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the wireless switch 102 includes a power generation unit 1, a wireless unit 20, an impact detection circuit 40, and the like. The operations of the power generation unit 1, the diode D1, and the impact detection circuit 40 are as described above.

In the state where no impact is detected, the output voltage of the impact detection circuit 40 is 0V, so that the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 of the radio unit 20 becomes low level (“effective”). When the impact detection circuit 40 detects an impact, a positive voltage is output, and the potential of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 of the wireless unit 20 becomes a high level (“invalid”).

The relationship between "valid" and "invalid" between the state and the operation of the state confirmation signal input unit of the wireless unit 20 is opposite between FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B).

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 102 receives an impact. If there is an impact at time t0, the power generation unit generates electricity, but at time t1, the impact detection unit outputs a detection signal. As a result, the wireless transmission unit 2 does not transmit the wireless signal, and the receiver does not operate.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless switch 103 having a configuration further different from that of the wireless switch described so far. The wireless switch 103 includes a transmitting unit that transmits a wireless signal and a receiving unit that receives the wireless signal.

The transmission unit includes a power generation unit 1, a diode D1, an impact detection circuit 40, and a radio unit 20. The receiving unit is composed of a wireless receiving unit 5 and a control unit 6.

The configuration of the impact detection circuit 40 is the same as that of the impact detection circuit 40 shown in FIG. The impact detection circuit 40 detects an impact and outputs a detection signal to the state confirmation signal input unit P1 of the wireless unit 20. The wireless unit 20 wirelessly transmits a signal indicating the state of the state confirmation signal input unit P1.

The wireless receiving unit 5 detects a signal indicating the state of the state confirmation signal input unit P1 from the received signal. The wireless receiving unit 5 controls the control unit 6 according to the signal indicating the state of the state confirmation signal input unit P1.

When the operation unit of the wireless switch 103 is operated, the power supply voltage generated by the power generation unit 1 is supplied to the wireless unit 20, so that the wireless unit 20 transmits a normal wireless signal. When the wireless receiving unit 5 receives this signal, the control unit 6 performs normal control.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 103 receives an impact. When there is an impact at time t0, the power generation unit 1 generates power and the radio unit 20 transmits a normal radio signal, but the impact detection unit outputs a detection signal at time t1 so that the radio unit 20 detects the impact. Send the signal wirelessly. When the wireless receiving unit 5 shown in FIG. 10 receives this impact detection signal, the above-mentioned normal control is not performed. That is, a malfunction due to an impact is prevented.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless transmission unit of the wireless switch 103, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless reception unit of the wireless switch 103.

As shown in FIG. 12, the wireless transmission unit transmits a wireless signal when activated (S11), and then, if the detection signal is output from the impact detection unit, wirelessly transmits the impact detection signal (S12 → S13). ..

As shown in FIG. 13, the wireless receiving unit first receives the wireless signal (S21), then determines whether or not the impact detection signal is received, and if the impact detection signal is not received, performs predetermined control (S22 → S23). ). If the impact detection signal is received, the process ends as it is (S22 → END).

In the example shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the normal radio signal and the impact detection signal are transmitted separately, but this is transmitted as a single radio signal and is transmitted on the receiving unit side. The control may be enabled / disabled according to the content of the received signal. 14 and 15 are examples of such cases.

FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when the wireless switch 103 receives an impact. When there is an impact at time t0, the power generation unit 1 generates power, and the radio unit 20 transmits a radio signal. This radio signal is a signal depending on the presence or absence of a detection signal output from the impact detection unit.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the wireless receiving unit 5 shown in FIG. The wireless receiving unit 5 determines whether or not the received signal is an impact detection signal (S31 → S32). If the received signal is not an impact detection signal, normal control is performed (S32 → S33). If the received signal is an impact detection signal, the above normal control is not performed (S32 → END). This prevents malfunction due to impact.

Finally, the description of the embodiments described above is exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. Modifications and changes can be made as appropriate for those skilled in the art.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a wireless switch having a push button type operation unit operated by an operator, but the same applies to a wireless switch whose movable portion is displaced by contact with a limit switch dog, for example. Applicable.

Further, as the sensor for detecting the acceleration, for example, a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance may be used in addition to the sensor using the piezo effect.

C1 ... Capacitor D1 ... Diode P1 ... Status confirmation signal input unit R1, R2 ... Resistance element 1 ... Power generation unit 2 ... Wireless transmission unit 3 ... Wireless transmission control unit 4 ... Impact detection unit 5 ... Wireless reception unit 6 ... Control unit 10 ... Operation unit 20 ... Wireless unit 31H, 31L ... Voltage supply line 32 ... Switch element 40 ... Impact detection circuit 41 ... Shock sensor 42 ... Amplifier 101, 102, 103 ... Wireless switch

Claims (6)

Moving parts and
A power generation unit that generates electricity according to the displacement of the movable part,
A wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the voltage supply from the power generation unit,
An impact detection unit that operates by the generated voltage of the power generation unit, detects an impact, and outputs a detection signal.
A wireless transmission control unit that invalidates the wireless transmission of the wireless transmission unit by the detection signal,
A wireless switch equipped with. The wireless switch according to claim 1, wherein the impact detection unit includes a sensor that detects acceleration in the displacement direction of the movable unit. The wireless transmission control unit is a voltage supply control circuit that cuts off the voltage supply from the power generation unit to the wireless transmission unit by the detection signal.
The wireless switch according to claim 1 or 2. The voltage supply control circuit is
A voltage supply line that supplies voltage from the power generation unit to the wireless transmission unit,
A switch element, which is connected to a shunt with respect to the voltage supply line and cuts off the voltage supply to the radio transmission unit by conduction, includes.
The switch element receives the detection signal and conducts conduction.
The wireless switch according to claim 3. The wireless transmission unit receives the voltage from the power generation unit and receives the voltage.
The wireless transmission control unit receives the detection signal and invalidates the operation of the wireless transmission unit.
The wireless switch according to claim 1 or 2. Moving parts and
A power generation unit that generates electricity according to the displacement of the movable part,
Impact detector that detects impact and
A wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a signal corresponding to the power generation by the power generation unit and the impact detection by the impact detection unit.
A wireless reception control unit that receives a signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission unit and invalidates control based on reception of the wirelessly transmitted signal when the signal is a signal due to the detection of the impact.
A wireless switch equipped with.

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