JPH0291348A - Sensor device for awning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a sensor device to be installed in an optional position, and to facilitate the change of its position by providing with a transmission circuit for transmitting via a radio a control signal based on the signal sent by a sensor device having an independent power supply to an awning device. CONSTITUTION:The motor M for an awning part 1 is connected to a controller part 2 with wires, so that it can be operated so as to be opened or closed by a manual switch 3 in the controller part 2. Then, a sensor device 4 comprises a wind sensor and a light sensor, and the physical quantities therefrom are compared with a reference signal and calculated to output and transmit via a radio a prescribed control signal to a transmission circuit. And the sensor part 4 comprises solar batteries 20 and a secondary battery 21 as independent power supplies. Further, received sensor signals and manual signals are output to a motor driving circuit in the order of priority to drive the motor M so as to control the awning part 1. Thus, the installation work of wiring or the like in installing the sensor part 4 can be dispensed with.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an awning device installed on the outer wall of a building such as a store, building, or residence for the purpose of shade, etc. The present invention relates to a sensor device for an awning device that detects changes in environmental conditions such as the above and outputs a control signal for controlling opening and closing of the awning device.

(Prior Art) First, the configuration of a numerical awning will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. A base pipe 102 is horizontally fixed to an outer wall 100 of a building via mounting brackets 101, 101.

End brackets 10 are attached to both ends of the base pipe 102.
A winding pipe 104 is rotatably provided between both end brackets 103 and 103.Although not shown, one end bracket 103 serves as a driving means. This motor M is interlocked and connected to the winding pipe 104. Then, on this winding pipe 104, a winding gear 105 as a day covering material bar 1 is fixed at one end thereof and wound around the winding pipe 104.
A pair of arms 107, 1 are connected to the base pipe 102 inwardly from the base pipe 103 via arm brackets 106, 106.
07 is installed. The arm 107 has a flexible structure at its joints, and is biased in the direction of extension by a built-in biasing member (not shown). In addition, a front frame 108 is connected to the tips of the arms 107, 107, and the front frame 108 includes the canvas 105 and other parts.
4 edges are attached.

In the above configuration, when winding up the camber≠105, if the motor M is driven to rotate the winding pipe 104 in the winding direction, the front frame 108 will move backward as the canvas 105 is rolled up, and both The arms 107, 107 are bent at joints.

Such winding up of the campus 105 is called a closing operation, and the rolled up state is called a closed state. In addition, when extending the canvas 105, if the motor M is reversed, the front frame 108 moves forward as the two arms 107, 107 extend, so that the campus 105 is placed between the front frame 108 and the winding pipe
05 will be stretched. Campus like this 1
The overhang of 05 is called an open operation, and the extended state is called an open state.

By the way, the awning is not strong against wind due to its structure, so it is better to keep it in the closed state when the wind is strong. It would also be convenient if the opening and closing operations could be performed automatically depending on the strength or weakness of sunlight. In response to such demands, awning devices equipped with sensors that detect environmental conditions have already been proposed. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional awning device equipped with such a sensor. In the figure, 111 and 112 are the awning 110
These are wind sensors and optical sensors that detect environmental conditions. In addition, 113 in the figure is the motor M of the awning 110.
This is a controller that controls the drive of the This controller 113 is installed, for example, at a predetermined location indoors, and is connected to a power source (not shown) to be supplied with electricity. and,
Each of the sensor devices IIT, 112 and the controller 113
is connected to the controller 113 via wiring.
motor M receives signals from each sensor 111, 112.
is under control.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

According to the conventional device, installation work must be performed for each sensor, and wiring must be connected between each sensor and the controller. Therefore, the locations where each sensor 111, 112 and controller 113 can be installed are restricted. - There was a problem that once installed, it could not be easily moved. Further, in wiring work, there is a problem in that it is difficult to completely eliminate wiring errors.

(Means for solving iJ!I) A sensor device for an awning device according to the present invention includes a sensor, an independent power source, and a transmitting circuit that wirelessly transmits a control signal based on a signal from the sensor to the awning device. It is characterized by the following:

According to one aspect of the present invention, when the signal from the sensor satisfies a set condition, the control circuit may be caused to output a control signal, and the control signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the awning device by a transmitting circuit.

Further, at least a part of the sensor is an optical sensor made of a PN type photodiode, the independent power source is a PN type solar cell, and the optical sensor and the PN type solar cell are housed in a common case to form an integrated structure. Good too.

[For production]

Signals from the sensor are input to a control circuit. When the signal satisfies the set condition, the control circuit outputs the control signal. The control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the awning device by a transmitting circuit.

(Example) Embodiment i of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an awning device including a sensor device 4 of this embodiment. The awning part 1 of the awning device has the same structure as the conventional awning, so a description thereof will be omitted. The motor M of the awning section 1 is connected to the controller section 2 by wire, and the awning section 1 can be opened and closed by a manual switch 3 of the controller section 2.

The sensor device 4 is equipped with an independent power source and is capable of wirelessly transmitting sensor signals to the controller section 2, and can be installed at any location since no wiring is required. The remote control operation section 5 is equipped with an independent power source, and transmits operation signals of the awning section 1 from the push button switch 6 to the controller section 2 wirelessly.
can be sent to.

Each part will be explained below.

2 is a block diagram of the sensor device 4, and FIG. 5 is a drive timing chart thereof. The sensor device 4 of this embodiment includes a wind sensor 7 that detects wind speed or wind pressure, and an optical sensor 8. are doing. Physical quantities such as wind force and illuminance to be detected are converted into electrical signals via these sensors 7.8 and each conversion circuit 9.10.Next, each conversion circuit 9.10 constitutes a control circuit. Setting circuits 11 and 12, comparison circuits 13 and 14, and transmission control circuits 15 and 16 are connected. Each installed circuit it, 12 outputs a reference signal according to the reference wind force and illuminance, which are setting conditions. The electrical signals and reference signals from each of the conversion circuits 9 and 10 are
Comparison operations are performed in the comparison circuits 13 and 14, and predetermined control signals are sent from the transmission control circuits 15 and 16 to the transmission circuit 1.
7.

For example, in Fig. 5, when the signal AO on the wind sensor 7 side exceeds the set wind force, the close signal A1 winds up the awning.
is output. Then, when the wind weakens and falls below the set wind force, a stop signal A2 is issued, the wind sensor section is released, and the awning section 1 can be operated manually or by a signal from the optical sensor 8.

Similarly, in FIG. 5, when the signal BO on the optical sensor 8 side detects sunlight exceeding a set value due to strong sunlight, for example, an open signal Bl for extending the awning is output. When the sunlight weakens and falls below the set value, a close signal B2 is output and the awning is rolled up.

A closing signal At which is a control signal for the awning section 1.

Stop signal A2. The open signal Bl and the close signal B2 are transmitted by the transmitting circuit 17
The signal is sent to the carrier, placed on a carrier wave at a predetermined timing, and transmitted wirelessly. During wireless transmission, the address setting circuit 19
The address signal set in is also sent at the same time, making it possible to identify the recipient and prevent interference. Further, the sensor section 4 includes a solar cell 20 and a secondary battery 21 charged by the solar cell 20 as an independent power source. Therefore, the sensor device 4 can operate without being supplied with electricity from the outside, and has excellent maintainability.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the sensor device 4 of this embodiment, the solar cell 20 and the optical sensor 8 are housed in a common case 30 and have an integral structure 7. This optical sensor 8 is a PN type photodiode. This solar cell 20 is also of the PN type, and a large number of elements are connected in series or in parallel to obtain the required voltage and current capacity.

In this way, since the solar cell 20 and the optical sensor 8 are integrally formed from the beginning using the same material, it is cheaper than assembling them using ready-made elements, and they can be made thinner and smaller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the remote control operation section 5. The remote control operation unit 5 is a device that an operator can freely carry and operate the awning unit 1 wirelessly from any location. 6 in the figure is a push button switch that outputs an awning opening/closing signal, and this opening/closing signal is wirelessly transmitted by the transmitting circuit 22. In this case, like the sensor device 4, the address signal set by the address setting circuit 23 is also transmitted at the same time. This remote control operation section 5 also has an independent power source 24 (for example, a battery).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the controller section 2. As shown in FIG. 2 in the diagram
Reference numeral 5 denotes a receiving circuit that receives wireless transmission from the sensor device 4 and the remote control operation section 5. An address setting circuit 26 is connected to this receiving circuit 25, so that the address information contained in the transmitted signal can be identified. The light sensor signal/wind sensor signal received by the receiving circuit 25 is prioritized by the timer circuit 18 along with the remote control signal when the signal indicating the open/close/stop state continues for a predetermined period of time (when no reverse signal is received). The calculation circuit 27 is operated manually. For example, even if the wind sensor signal becomes a stop signal, the timer circuit 18 outputs the stop signal only when there is no open signal for a predetermined period of time. Further, the controller section 2 has a manual switch 3 that outputs a manual signal for opening and closing the awning, and the manual signal is also input to the priority calculation circuit 27. The priority calculation circuit 27 outputs each of the input signals to the motor drive circuit 28 according to the priority order, and drives the motor M to control the awning.

This priority calculation circuit 27 is provided with a selection switch 29 for changing the combination of signals to be used.

The names of the selected positions of the selection switch 29, the signals used at each selected position, and their priorities are as shown in the following table.

Although the remote control signal and the manual signal have the same priority, the motor M is designed to stop when the remote control signal open and the manual signal close are input at the same time.

Next, the functions and effects of the sensor device 4 and the awning device configured as described above will be explained along with how to use them.

First, in this embodiment, the sensor device 4 is separated from the awning device. That is, since the sensor family A4 includes a solar cell 20 and a secondary battery 21, it does not require connection to an external power source, and since it roughly transmits sensor signals wirelessly, it does not require a wired connection to the controller section 2. be. Therefore, the sensor device 4 can be installed at any position without having to worry about wiring or connection work, and the installation position can be easily changed. The sensor device 4 may be installed near the awning part 1 or may be attached to the awning itself, but in any case, a position can be selected where the physical quantity to be detected can be most accurately detected.

Next, as explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the sensor device 4 includes a transmission control circuit 15.8 for each sensor 7.8.
It has 16. Therefore, only when the wind force or illuminance exceeds the set value or falls below the set value, the sensor device 4
wirelessly transmits control signals such as opening and closing to the controller section 2. At other times, no wireless signal is transmitted from the sensor device 4. Note that without providing the transmission control circuits 15 and 16 in the sensor group M4, the signals AO and BO after comparison in FIG. 5 are constantly transmitted wirelessly from the sensor device 4,
It is also conceivable that the controller unit 2 generates signals such as open and idle signals. However, if the transmission control circuits 15 and 16 are provided on the sensor device 4 side as in this embodiment, the sensor signal does not have to be transmitted all the time, so power consumption is reduced and interference can be prevented. . Note that the timer circuit 18 may be provided on the sensor device 4 side.

Next, the control signal wirelessly transmitted from the sensor device 4 is received by the controller section 2. Further, a remote control signal wirelessly transmitted from the remote control operation unit 5 as necessary by operating the push button switch 6 is also received by the controller unit 2. In this embodiment, the sensor device 4 on the transmitting side
and a remote control operation section 5 and a controller section 2 on the receiving side.
There are address setting circuits 19, 23, and 26 in each of the terminals, and since the combination of the transmitting side and the receiving side is determined, there is no risk of interference.

When the selection switch 29 of the controller unit 2 is set to "auto", the wind sensor signal is given top priority, and if the wind blows at the set value or higher for more than the set time (for example, about 3 seconds), the wind sensor signal close signal is activated. The awning is immediately closed. After that, when the wind weakens and remains lower than the set wind force for more than a set time (for example, 10 minutes), the close signal is canceled by the stop signal of the wind sensor signal, and the close signal is activated by a manual signal, remote control signal, or optical sensor signal. becomes possible. Hey, in this selected position, the manual signal (
Since the awning (or remote control signal) has priority, the awning can be opened or closed by the manual switch 3 of the controller section 2 or the push button switch 6 of the remote control operation section 5, regardless of the state of solar radiation.

When the selection switch is set to "manual", the signal from the sensor device 4 is not used at all, and the awning can be operated freely by operating the manual switch 3 of the controller section 2 or the push button switch 6 of the remote control operation section 5. Can be opened and closed.

When the selection switch is set to "night", the light sensor 8 is in a released state and the awning is controlled by the wind sensor signal, manual signal and remote control signal.

This selected position is mainly used when leaving the awning open at night. If the selected position is "Auto", the awning will be raised at night, but if you switch to the "Night" position, the awning can be raised even at night while taking advantage of the wind sensor 7. can. Since it is nighttime, the awning is not used as a sunshade, but rather as a fashionable item.

As explained above, the controller unit 2 uses the control signal from the sensor device 4 having a plurality of sensors and the manual signal from the manual switch according to the priority order, and switches the usage signal according to the purpose of use of the awning. You can also do that. Also, during maintenance inspection, select switch 29
The functions of each sensor, manual switch, etc. of the sensor device 4 can be confirmed by performing the inspection while appropriately switching the .

〔Effect of the invention〕

The sensor device of the present invention includes a sensor, an independent power source, and a transmission circuit, and is capable of wirelessly transmitting a control signal from the sensor to an awning device.

Therefore, according to the present invention, installation work such as wiring is not required when installing sensors that control the awning device.
The aesthetic appearance of the installation location is also maintained.

In addition, by providing a control circuit in the sensor device so that the control signal is output only when the signal from the sensor satisfies the setting conditions, the average current consumption can be saved and the independent power supply can be made smaller. .

Moreover, if both the photodiode as a light sensor and the solar cell as an independent power source are made of PN type and integrated into a common case, it is possible to reduce component costs and achieve miniaturization.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor section in the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote control operation section in the same embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the controller section in the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a drive timing chart of the sensor section in the same embodiment, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a conventional general awning, and FIG. An enlarged cross-sectional view along the ■-■ cutting line of
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional awning device and sensor. 1...Awning part of the awning device. 4-Sensor device. 7--Wind sensor, 8-Light sensor. 11.12 - Setting circuit forming the control circuit. 13.14-Comparison circuit forming one control circuit. 15.16-Transmission control circuit forming the control circuit. 17-... Transmission circuit. 20 - Solar cells as an independent power source. 21 - Secondary battery as an independent power source. 30-・case. AI--Close signal as control signal. A2--Stop signal as a control signal. B1--Open signal as control signal. B2 - Close signal as control signal. Fig. Fig./

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A sensor device for an awning device, comprising a sensor, an independent power source, and a transmission circuit that wirelessly transmits a control signal based on a signal from the sensor to the awning device. (2) An awning device comprising a sensor, an independent power source, a control circuit that outputs a control signal when a signal from the sensor satisfies a set condition, and a transmission circuit that wirelessly transmits the control signal to the awning device. sensor device. (3) Optical sensor consisting of PN type photodiode and PN
3. A sensor device for an awning device according to claim 1, wherein an independent power source comprising a solar cell is housed in a common case.