JPH02161502A - Load control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a load control device excellent in operability by connecting the 2nd control means between the 1st control means for directly connecting a load and a main control means. CONSTITUTION:Blocks B1 to Bn are formed by the groups A1 to An of lighting loads L and the set of the groups A in each room and circuit switches K are connected to the loads L in the same group A. Respective groups A1 to an are provided with respective switches 4a to 4n, the blocks B1 to Bn are provided with respective switches 3 and the switches 3, 4 and the switches K are connected to a main operation board 2 through a common line (m) to form tree structure. The switches 3, 4, K enter control information coincident with an address in a control signal R outputted from the main operation board 2 to the line (m). The switch K opens/closes an AC power source and the switches 3, 4 display the switch states on display lamps (b), (c) and send response signals Q, P to the main operation board 2. The main operation board 2 can monitor the states of the loads L included in the groups A and the blocks B controlled by itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a load control device, and more particularly to a load control device that can control a plurality of load groups from one location using a card reading method.

Conventional technology For example, a large number of lighting lights arranged over a wide area are grouped by room, factory, etc., and the 0N10FF of each group of lighting lights can be controlled from one location using a card reading method (load control). 1 device is used.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a load control device 51 according to the prior art. For example, a maximum of 3 lights per room, factory, or floor.
Group Ql every 20 pieces.

G 2 , G 3 , ... (generally referred to as G) are formed, and a plurality of lighting lights arranged in the same group G are connected to the nearest terminal K as appropriate. . The terminal device is implemented using relays, semiconductor switching elements, etc.

Each group G1, G2, G3,...
Group switches Sl, S2, 33 . ...
(When collectively referred to as reference mark S) is provided.

The terminal device and the group switch S are commonly connected to the main operation panel 52 via a control line IO. Each terminal device and group switch S has a unique address (
address) is assigned, and the address data included in the control signal rO derived from the main operation panel 52 and the ON10
FF command is decoded, and when the address data matches its own address, the control data contained in the control signal rO is taken in.

The terminal device uses this control data to drive internal relays and semiconductor switching elements, supply or cut off commercial power AC, and control the blinking of the illumination lights. Further, the group switch S takes in the above control data and lights up one of the indicator lights c indicating the operating state of the group switch S. For example, the indicator light is green to indicate that the switch is ON, and the indicator light C is red to indicate that the switch is OFF.

At the same time, the group switch S sends return signals q1, (12, . . .
... (when collectively referred to as reference mark q), on the main operation panel 5
2. The control signal r0 is provided with a reply period at a fixed timing, and the reply signal (I is
A reply is sent to the main operation panel 52 at the timing of the reply period.

The main board 52 has a built-in central processing unit (CPLI) consisting of a microprocessor, clock generator, memory, timer, etc. (not shown), and a display board 52 a that displays the ON10 PF status of each group G.
, keyboard 52b, and card reader 52 (N, for example, 320) switches S can be managed. Now, from the outside, switch number, ON time, OFF
When the mark card 53 on which schedule information such as time is written is inserted into the card reader 52c, the central processing unit reads and stores the schedule information written therein, and thereafter performs processing according to the stored information. Execute.

For example, a built-in timer detects a lighting time or a lighting-off time of a predetermined group switch S, and a control signal rO is output from the main control panel 52 at that time. control signal ro
It is confirmed by the reply signal q whether or not it has been executed. Is this the main/sub tna52? , 0N10FFiIIItn of the illumination light is performed.

The mark card 53 includes, for example, 10 switches S, that is, 10 glue points 7'G (7) ON/O.
It is possible to write down the FF time individually using a mark sheet method. Further, the main control panel 52 includes, for example, 32
It is possible to take a large number of group switches S such as 0[, and as mentioned above, ON1 for each group switch S
By using the mark card 53 in which the 0FF time is stored, a large number of illumination lights can be automatically turned on at a desired time.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention With the mark card system, once information is recorded on a card, the same card can be used repeatedly until it is changed, and the mark card 53 can always be kept at hand by the operator. , the recorded contents can be searched as needed without having to go all the way to the main operation panel 52.

However, as the number of groups G increases, the number of mark cards 53 naturally increases. Furthermore, the ON and /OFF times recorded on these cards are often the same time in most cases.

In other words, the 0N10FF times are concentrated at specific times.

For example, suppose a certain business office and a plurality of groups G formed within the business office, and the office lights on at 8:00 a.m. and at 7:00 p.m., for example. If a schedule is to be executed in which the lights are turned off at 6:30 a.m., the location of one group switch S is written on the mark card 53 in a mark sheet format as shown in Table 1. 001 consists of group switch S
Indicates a unique number. Hereinafter, the numbers of group switch S, that is, group G, are sequentially written in the same manner, but they all contain the same information [0800 18
30] will be repeatedly described.

Even if information is written in 10 places on one mark card 53, 32 mark cards 53 in 32,020 places are required, and it is quite difficult for the parties to write the same information on all of these mark cards 53. It is a simple task. For this reason, there are many opportunities for mistakes to be made in writing the time, and it can be said that the possibility of this happening is relatively high. Furthermore, if we were to imagine a situation in which people had to work overtime until 9 p.m., it goes without saying that the amount of work required to make changes and rewrites would be a huge burden on the parties involved. Due to the dramatic increase in scale and number of loads, the above-mentioned problems have arisen in the mark card system. Therefore, solving these problems has become a technical challenge.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve such technical problems, to reduce the labor involved in inputting control information to the main control means, and to efficiently control a large number of loads at once or individually. It is an object of the present invention to provide a load control device that achieves the following.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a first control means that is provided for each group of a plurality of loads divided into a plurality of groups and drives and controls each load in the group; A second control means is provided for each group of first control means and individually controls each first control means in the group to drive and control the load; The control means and the second control means are individually controlled to drive and control the load, and the second
This is a load control device characterized in that it includes a main control means to which control information is input for each control means.

Operation According to the present invention, when controlling a plurality of loads, control information is input to the main control means for each second control means. A plurality of first control means are connected to each second control means, and a plurality of loads are respectively connected to each first control means. The control information of the second control means includes control information of the first control means and each load, and the main control means controls and drives the second control means to respectively drive the first control means and the loads. can be controlled.

In this way, since the second control means is provided between the first control means that directly controls and drives the load and the main control means, it is extremely complicated to input control information for the number of first control means. A load control device with excellent operability can be realized.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a load control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main operation panel 2 used therein. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals. Referring to FIG. 1, a group Al of negative RL, such as lighting, is set in units of one room, factory, or one floor.

A2. A3. --., Arn, --., An (generally referred to as reference mark A) are formed, and a plurality of blocks Bl, . . . , Brrt are formed by gathering these plurality of groups A.

... Br+ (indicated by reference mark B when used collectively) is formed. A terminal device K is provided for a plurality of lighting lamps arranged in the same group A. The terminal device is equipped with a circuit switch and a signal circuit realized by relays, semiconductor switching elements, etc.

1 group switch 4 corresponding to 1 load group A
a,..., 4 rl (when using generic terms, refer to FF 4
) is placed. Also, 1 for each block B
Block control switches 3ii, 3b, . . . are arranged. Furthermore, the main operation l that centrally controls all of these
A2 is provided, and a control line m is wired to commonly connect the main operation panel 2, a plurality of block control switches 3, a plurality of group switches 4, and a plurality of terminal devices. In this way, the connection relationship from the main operation panel 2 to the illumination lights of the terminal is set from block B to group A, with the main operation panel 2 at the top.
It is formed into a so-called tree structure that extends to one terminal device, and is placed under the control of the main operation panel 2. Hereinafter, the block control switch 3 which is an upper switch will be called a parent switch, and the group switch 4 which is a lower switch will be called a child switch.

The master switch 3, slave switch 4, and terminal device 1 are each assigned a unique address (address) as described below, and are included in the control signal R derived from the main operation panel 2 to the control line rn. The control data included in the control signal R is checked if they match.

The control signal R will be described later. In the terminal device, relays and semiconductor switching elements are driven according to the control data, and commercial power AC is supplied or cut off to turn on or turn off the illumination light.

The master switch 3 and the slave switch 4 turn on an indicator light c indicating the operating state of the switch according to the control data. For example, the indicator light is green to indicate that the switch is OFF, and the indicator light C is red to indicate that the switch is ON. At the same time, the parent switch 3 and child switch 4 send return signals Q1 to Q representing the switch status, as described later.
The main operation is R, P1 to F' n (when collectively referred to as reference mark Q or P)! 2/% Reply. By reading these reply signals Q and P, the main operation panel 2 side
It is possible to monitor the load status of all groups A and blocks B under its control.In this embodiment, if there is even one problem such as forgetting to turn off a light, it can be immediately discovered. can do·.

Referring to FIG. 2, the main operation m2 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) realized by a microprocessor or the like.
6. A ROM (ROM) in which predetermined programs and the like are stored in order to cause the CPU 6 to execute desired operations.
read-only memory) 7, child switch 4 as described later
and multiple RAM8a for registering parent switch 3
, 8t+, a clock IC (integrated circuit) 9 for detecting the coincidence of time with the stored schedule and the passage of time, etc.
A keyboard 10, a card reader 11 into which the mark card 5 is inserted and for reading the information written on the mark card 5, an interface 12 for converting the information read by the card reader 11 into signals necessary for control, and a reader. CR to display the information and input/output status etc.
It consists of a display panel 13 realized by T or liquid crystal, a connection terminal board 14 for connecting the main operation panel 2 and the outside, such as a central control line m, and an interface 15 interposed between the CPU 6 and the connection terminal board 14. ing.

The data of group A or block B shown in FIG. 1 is stored in one RAM 8a on the main operation panel 2 side. For example, as the data capacity of 1M of the parent switch 3, the maximum number of pins for all the child switches 4 arranged in the block B is prepared. If the maximum number of controllable blocks of the main operation panel 2 according to this embodiment is 320 blocks, as shown in the memory map of FIG. A child switch 4 registered in one parent switch 3 can be expressed with 320 bits of information per child switch. As an expression method, each bit of data "1" represents that one child switch 4 is connected to the parent switch 3, and data rQJ represents that it is not connected.

To express the switch number of the child switch 4 on RAM Sa, it is represented by a physical address on RAM Sa. In the example of FIG. 3, 320 corresponds to the parent switch 3a.
Of the bits, the 1st to 10th bits and the 15th and 16th bits are "1", so the 1st to 10th bits and the 15th and 16th bits are "1".
This means that the child switches 4 of No. 67# are grouped and registered in the parent switch 3a. The above registration work is accomplished by inputting using the keyboard 10 or by writing the circuit configuration (connection/cutoff) for each switch on a registration card (not shown) and having the card reader 11 read it. . The switch number of the child switch 4 registered in this way matches the address of the child switch 4.

In addition, a child switch 4 that is subordinate to the parent switch 3
Data is stored in the same way. For example, 11IIl
If the terminal device K that can be connected to the child switch 4 of 1 is 320g, the number of the terminal device belonging to the child switch 4 is 320 bits per child switch 4, and the number of the terminal device belonging to the child switch 4 is It will be stored in . The numbers for these terminals naturally become addresses for the terminals, and become load circuit numbers assigned to the terminals.

Next, the mark card method used in this embodiment will be explained. The control data by the mark card is called time schedule data, and is stored in a predetermined location in the other RAMSb of the main operation panel 2 shown in FIG. 2 above in the order of schedule numbers. The contents of the data include, for example, the switch number, O
N time and OFF time are stored in this order using a 2-byte instruction. In the example in Figure 4, group A corresponding to switch number 1 is turned on at 8 a.m. and turned off at 5 p.m. (5 p.m.).
It is shown that

FIG. 5(a) shows the mark card 14 used in this embodiment.
FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing a part of the description in an enlarged manner. For example, information regarding 10 switches can be written on each mark card 14. On its surface is a column 14a for specifying the switch number, ON
Column 14b for specifying time, 111 for specifying OFF time
4c is provided, and a plurality of units (10 in this embodiment) of columns are printed with these three columns as one unit.

As shown in Fig. 5(b), Kusunoki 14a that specifies the switch number marks which one the upper digit is 1.2.3 and the middle digit and lower digit are 0 to 9. This allows switch numbers up to 399 to be written. Similarly, in column 14b for specifying ON time, you can write from 0:05''F to 23:50. Column 14 for specifying OFF time.
Similarly, desired data can be written on the mark card 14 by filling out the mark X of the corresponding number, and the mark card 1 created in this way
4 into the card reader 1o of the main operation panel 2, the data is optically read.

2, the CP Ll 6 in the main operation g12 reads the current time data at a predetermined timing or by an interrupt from the clock IC 9.

If the "second" is O (0 seconds), the time schedule data is searched and the RAM 8b is checked to see if there is an ON time that matches the current time. If it exists, read the switch number (address of the switch) stored in the same location, and read the address data of the child switch 4 or parent switch 3 corresponding to the switch number and the control that is the lighting (ON) command. A control signal R(on) containing data is derived.

Next, the existence of an OFF time that matches the current time is checked. If it exists, read the corresponding switch number in the same way as above, and control signal R(o
ff) is derived. The address data contained in the derived control signal R is decoded by the parent switch 3, slave switch 4 and terminal K as described above.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing the waveform of the control signal R used in this embodiment. Control signal R derived from main operation panel 2
has address data AS, control data BS, and reply standby pulse C8 data in one frame, and for example, the period of 0M communication standby pulse C8 in which "o" and "1" are expressed at pulse intervals is as described above. This is a period during which reply signals Q and P indicating the switch status of the switch are returned from the parent switch 3 side or the child switch 41111.

Next, among the operations according to this embodiment, the operation of controlling the illumination lights to blink by operating the master switch 3 or the slave switch 4 (II) will be explained. R reply waiting pulse C8
is received by the main production board 2 during this period. Main operation! The CPU 6 in the switch 2 checks which parent switch 3 or slave switch 4 the reply signal Q or reply signal P was sent from, and confirms the switch number of the switch.

If the switch is child switch 4, check whether the terminal K is registered in it, and if so, check the data in the RAM a to find out which circuit number it is. Check the operation status of the child switch 4 (ON or OFF operation).

When it is recognized that the switch was operated for the purpose of ON 9% production, for example, if a switch that was previously in the OFF state is pressed, that is, if the switch state is reversed, it is determined that the switch was pressed with the intention of ON production. Therefore, a control signal R (o rr ) containing address data As and a lighting (ON) command is sequentially derived for the terminal device I (which controls the registered circuit), and the terminal device receives this signal. to turn on the lights that belong to it.

The ON command is derived as control data BS in the control signal R. On the other hand, if it is recognized that the child switch 4 was pressed with the intention of turning OFF, the address data AS and OFF are sent to the registered circuit, as in the case of ON described above.
A control signal R(off) containing a command is sequentially derived, and the lights of the circuit are turned off.

In addition, if the switch is the parent switch 3, check whether the child switch 4 is registered in the parent switch 3, and if so, which parent switch 4 is registered. Check the operating status of the parent switch 4.

If it is recognized that the operation was performed for the purpose of ON operation, address data AS and O are sent to the registered child switch 4.
A control signal R(o rr ) including N instructions is sequentially derived. As a result, the illumination light in area A including the child switch 4 is finally turned on. The same applies to OF F18 works.

In this way, according to this embodiment, a plurality of group switches 4 according to the conventional technology are further divided into a plurality of groups to form a new block B, and each of the plurality of grouped child switches 4 is further divided into a plurality of groups. 1 parent switch 3
When the parent switch 3 is operated, it functions in the same way as if all the child switches 4 registered in the parent switch 3 were operated.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the problems described in the section of the prior art are solved. In other words, it is only necessary to write the time schedule on the mark card for one parent switch 3, and the result will be the same as writing the time schedule on all the child switches 4 included in that parent switch 3. By simple calculation, the amount of information written on the mark card l\ can be reduced to, for example, 1/320, which greatly reduces the burden on the person concerned, and also reduces troubles such as writing errors. In addition, due to the occurrence of overtime, etc.
If you need to change your regular time schedule, you can easily handle it.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart ① showing the operation of this embodiment. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 together.

The main operation panel 2 constantly monitors the switching state of the child switch 4, and steps rIl-n5 represent its movement fY. In step n1, the content of the reply signal P from the child switch 4 is searched. In step r12, it is determined whether the child switch 4 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process advances to step n3, the switch number is incremented by one, and the shape of the child switch 4 with the next number is searched.

In this way, the search for the ON state of the child switches 4 is continued one after another, and it is determined in step rI4 whether all the child switches 4 (for example, 320 in this embodiment) have been searched. If it is less than that, return to step n l /\ and repeat the same procedure.

When the number of child switches 4 that have been searched reaches the maximum number,
Moving to step n5'\, the switch number is set to 1, that is, the search is performed again from the child switch 4 of the first address.

If a child switch 4 that is in the ON state is found during the above search for the child switch 4, the operations from step ri6 onwards are performed. Step r+6. In rI7, for the first parent switch 3, whether or not the child switch 4 that was turned ON is registered with the parent switch 3,
That is, the child switch of which block B is searched. In step rI8, it is determined whether it is included in the block of the parent switch 3 mentioned above. If it is included, the process moves to step [19], selects the parent switch 3, turns it on, and proceeds to step nlO/\\.

If the child switch 3 is not included in the parent switch 3 in step r113, the process similarly proceeds to step 101\.

Step n 10 increments the number of parent switch 3 by 1,
A search for the next parent switch 3 is performed. Thereafter, the same procedure is repeated, and in step r111, the number of parent switches 3 for which the search has been completed is checked. In this embodiment, the maximum number of parent switches 3 that can be attached is, for example, 320. When the maximum number is reached, the search for the parent switch 3 ends, and the process moves to step n3, where the search for the child switch 4 is executed. If the search for the parent step 3 does not reach the maximum number, the process returns to step [17], the same procedure is repeated, and the search for the child switch 3 is continued.

In this way, even one child switch 4 is ON.
A feature of this embodiment is that if a stronghold occurs, the parent switch 3, which is the upper switch of the child switch 4, is immediately turned on.In this case, the child switch 4 is turned on manually or according to a time schedule. It doesn't matter if it depends.

The reason why the above operation is performed on the main operation panel 2 side of this embodiment is that when the child switch 4 that was turned on by one parent switch 3 is turned off for some reason, the parent switch 3 is also activated at the same time. This is to prevent the light from turning off. For example, when a light turned on by the master switch 3 at 8 a.m. is turned off at noon by a person who gets up from their seat and operates the child switch 4, the master switch 3 If both are turned off at the same time, even if the next OFF command is issued from the main operation panel 2 at 5 o'clock in the evening, the above command will not be executed because the target master switch is already in the OFF state. This is to prevent serious problems such as other lights not turning off.

In the above embodiment, although the control target was a lighting lamp,
The object of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is extremely useful in environments where a large number of loads are managed, such as fire alarm equipment in large buildings and door checks.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the load control device according to the present invention, since the second control means is provided between the first control means and the main control means that directly control and drive the load, the first control means It is possible to prevent extremely complicated situations such as having to input control information as many times as possible, and to realize a load control device with excellent operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a load control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of its main operation panel, and FIG. R inside
FIG. 4 shows an example of switch data stored in AM.
The figure shows an example of time schedule data stored in another RAM of this embodiment, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the shape of a mark card of this embodiment, and No. 6U4 is a waveform diagram showing the waveform of a control signal. , FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a conventional load control device. 1... Load control device, 2... Main operation panel, 3a.~3
n...Block control switch (parent switch), 4a~
4 th...Group switch 1 (child switch), 5
...Mark card, 6...Central processing unit (CPU,
), 8a. 8b...RAM, K...Terminal device,...Lighting light,
m...control line, R...control signal, P, Q...
Reply Signal Agent Patent Attorney Keibu Saikyo Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] First control means provided for each group of a plurality of loads divided into a plurality of groups and driving and controlling each load in the group; and a plurality of grouped first control means. A second control means is provided for each group and drives and controls the load by individually controlling each first control means in the group. The means are individually controlled to drive and control the load, and the second
A load control device comprising: main control means to which control information is input for each control means.