Input circuit and switching method

Abstract

To provide an input circuit for controlling an actuator and the like, which can be installed by a similar installation method whether an output circuit is connected via a wet contact or a dry contact.SOLUTION: An input circuit 1 is connected to an output circuit. The output circuit includes a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contact terminals provided corresponding to the plurality of contacts, and a common terminal provided in common to the plurality of contacts. The input circuit 1 includes a control device 5, a first switching device, and a second switching device. The control device 5 connects a wire 6 to one of the contact terminals. The first switching device 13 switches whether a power supply 11 is connected to a wiring end 9. The second switching device 19 switches whether the wiring end 9 is connected to the other wire of the control device 5 or grounded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an input circuit and a switching method, and more particularly to an input circuit connected to an output circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] Contacts (electrical contacts) are devices that open and close electric circuits. When a contact is closed, electricity flows (energized state), and when a contact is open, electricity stops flowing (non-energized state).

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1, non-voltage contacts and voltage contacts are known. Non-voltage contacts are contacts that do not have voltage applied to them when the contacts are closed. Voltage contacts are contacts that have voltage applied to them when the contacts are closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-284518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional output circuit and input circuit.

[0006] The output circuit is a non-voltage contact and includes a fifth contact 101 and a sixth contact 103. A control device 113 outputs a signal to a central processing unit (CPU) 111 when the fifth contact 101 is energized.

[0007] The control device 113 is connected to the fifth contact 101 by one wire, and to a DC power supply 115 by another wire. The fifth contact 101 and the sixth contact 103 are connected to a wiring grounding section 117 by a common terminal 105 provided in common with each other, and are grounded.

[0008] Fig. 6 shows an example of a specific configuration of the conventional output circuit and input circuit of Fig. 5. The output circuit 121 has a plurality of contacts for remotely operating an actuator to open and close a water gate, etc. In the input circuit, the control device 125 outputs a signal to the CPU 123 in response to an operation on the contacts for instructing the actuator to open.

[0009] When updating equipment, there are cases where the output circuit is used as is and the input circuit is updated. If the output circuit is a non-voltage contact, the updated input circuit can be easily installed.

[0010] However, if the output circuit is a voltage contact, the input circuit in Figure 6 cannot be used as is. Therefore, additional work had to be done on-site. For example, additional work would involve removing the power supply unit in the control panel of a remote control device and replacing it with a voltage-free contact. This required a lot of cost and man-hours on-site.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input circuit for controlling an actuator, etc., which can be installed by similar construction regardless of whether the output circuit has a voltage-applied contact or a non-voltage-applied contact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is an input circuit connected to an output circuit, the output circuit comprising a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contact terminals corresponding to each of the contacts, and a common terminal common to the plurality of contacts, the input circuit comprising a control device in which one of the wirings is connected to one of the contact terminals, a first switching device, and a second switching device, the first switching device switching whether to connect a power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device switching whether to connect the common terminal to another wiring of the control device or to ground it.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is an input circuit of the first aspect, wherein if the output circuit is a voltage-free contact, the first switching device connects a power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device grounds other wiring of the control device.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention is an input circuit of the first or second aspect, wherein if the output circuit is a voltage-applied contact, the first switching device does not connect a power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device connects the common terminal to another wiring of the control device.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an input circuit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second switching device includes a third switching device and a fourth switching device, and the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device switch between a powered state and a non-powered state, the first switching device connects the power source to the common terminal in the powered state and does not connect the power source to the common terminal in the non-powered state, the third switching device grounds other wiring of the control device in the powered state and does not ground the other wiring of the control device in the non-powered state, the fourth switching device connects the common terminal to other wiring of the control device in the powered state and does not connect the common terminal to the other wiring of the control device in the non-powered state, and the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device are in a powered state, a powered state and a non-powered state, respectively, when a designated device is in a first state, and are in a non-powered state, a non-powered state and a powered state, respectively, when the designated device is in a second state.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a switching method for an input circuit, the input circuit being connected to an output circuit, the output circuit comprising a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contact terminals corresponding to each of the contacts, and a common terminal provided in common to the plurality of contacts, the input circuit comprising a control device having one of its wirings connected to one of the contact terminals, a first switching device, and a second switching device, the method including a switching step in which the first switching device switches whether or not a power source is connected to the common terminal, and the second switching device switches whether the common terminal is connected to another wiring of the control device or is grounded, wherein, in the switching step, if the output circuit is a non-voltage contact, the first switching device connects the power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device grounds the other wiring of the control device, and, if the output circuit is a voltage contact, the first switching device does not connect the power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device connects the common terminal to the other wiring of the control device.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the switching method of the fifth aspect, wherein the second switching device includes a third switching device and a fourth switching device, and the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device switch between a powered state and a non-powered state, the first switching device connects the power source to the common terminal in the powered state and does not connect the power source to the common terminal in the non-powered state, the third switching device grounds other wiring of the control device in the powered state and does not ground the other wiring of the control device in the non-powered state, the fourth switching device connects the common terminal to other wiring of the control device in the powered state and does not connect the common terminal to the other wiring of the control device in the non-powered state, and in the switching step, the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device are in a powered state, a powered state and a non-powered state, respectively, when a designated device is in a first state, and are in a non-powered state, a non-powered state and a powered state when the designated device is in a second state. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to each aspect of the present invention, whether the output circuit is a non-voltage contact or a voltage contact can be switched by changing the input circuit settings (e.g., the settings on the built-in board), thereby reducing on-site construction work and reducing costs and labor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A shows an example of the configuration of an input circuit relating to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B shows an example of the configuration of an output circuit of a non-voltage contact to which the input circuit of FIG. 1A is connected, and FIG. 1C shows an example of the configuration of an output circuit of a voltage-applied contact to which the input circuit of FIG. 1A is connected. [Diagram 2] 1(a) is connected to the output circuit of FIG. 1(b), and the control device 5 outputs a signal to the CPU 3 in response to the operation of the first contact 25. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1(a) is connected to the output circuit of FIG. 1(c), and the control device 5 outputs a signal to the CPU 3 in response to the operation of the third contact 35. FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) and (b) are diagrams showing examples of specific circuit configurations of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional output circuit and input circuit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the conventional output circuit and input circuit of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. EXAMPLES

[0021] FIG. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of an input circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] 1(a), an input circuit 1 outputs a signal for controlling the operation of a control target such as an actuator in response to the operation of a contact in an output circuit. The input circuit 1 includes a control device 5, a first switching device 13, and a second switching device 19. The second switching device 19 includes a third switching device 21 and a fourth switching device 23.

[0023] The first switching device 13, the third switching device 21, and the fourth switching device 23 are electrical contacts that can be switched between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and are realized by, for example, a switch, a relay, a connector, a breaker, or the like.

[0024] The first switching device 13, the third switching device 21, and the fourth switching device 23 are designated to be in a powered state or a non-powered state by operating a designation device (not shown). The designation device is, for example, a dip switch. When the designation device is in a first state (e.g., OFF), the first switching device 13, the third switching device 21, and the fourth switching device 23 are in a powered state, a powered state, and a non-powered state, respectively. When the designation device is in a second state (e.g., ON), the first switching device 13, the third switching device 21, and the fourth switching device 23 are in a non-powered state, a non-powered state, and a powered state, respectively.

[0025] When one of the multiple contacts provided in the output circuit is operated, the control device 5 outputs a signal to a processing device (such as a central processing unit (CPU)) in response to this operation. The control device 5 has two wires 6 and 15 for connecting to the output circuit side. Wiring end 7 is the end of the wire 6 on the opposite side to the control device 5. Wiring 15 connects the opposite side to the control device 5 with the third switching device 21 and the fourth switching device.

[0026] The wiring end 9 is connected to the first switching device 13 and the fourth switching device 23 .

[0027] The first switching device 13 can be connected to a DC power source 11. When the first switching device 13 is in a conducting state, a voltage is supplied from the DC power source 11 (which supplies a positive voltage in this example) to the wiring end 9. When the first switching device 13 is in a non-conducting state, no voltage is supplied from the DC power source 11 to the wiring end 9. Note that when the first switching device 13 is in a non-conducting state, it is not necessary to connect the DC power source 11 to the first switching device 13. In addition, the power source is not limited to DC, and may be one that supplies voltage, etc. as necessary.

[0028] The third switching device 21 can be connected to the signal ground unit 17. When the third switching device 21 is in a conducting state, the wiring 15 is grounded. When the third switching device 21 is in a non-conducting state, the wiring 15 is not grounded. Note that when the third switching device 21 is in a non-conducting state, there is no need to connect the signal ground unit 17 to the third switching device 21.

[0029] When the fourth switching device 23 is in a conducting state, the wiring 15 is connected to the wiring end 9. When the fourth switching device 23 is in a non-conducting state, the wiring 15 is not connected to the wiring end 9.

[0030] In the second switching device 19, when one of the third switching device 21 and the fourth switching device 23 is in a conducting state, the other is in a non-conducting state, and they are never in a conducting state or a non-conducting state at the same time. Therefore, the second switching device 19 switches between connecting the wiring end 9 or connecting the signal ground part 17 to the wiring 15 of the control device 5.

[0031] FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of an output circuit of a non-voltage contact to which the input circuit of FIG. 1(a) is connected.

[0032] The output circuit of Figure 1 (b) comprises a first contact 25, a first contact terminal 29 provided corresponding to the first contact 25, a second contact 27, a second contact terminal 31 provided corresponding to the second contact 27, and a first common terminal 33 provided in common to the first contact 25 and the second contact 27.

[0033] The wiring ends 7 and 9 in FIG. 1(a) are connected to a first contact terminal 29 and a first common terminal 33, respectively.

[0034] In Fig. 1(b), even when the first contact 25 is closed and conductive, no voltage is applied between the first contact terminal 29 and the first common terminal 33. Even when the second contact 27 is closed and conductive, no voltage is applied between the second contact terminal 31 and the first common terminal 33. Therefore, the output circuit in Fig. 1(b) is a non-voltage contact.

[0035] FIG. 1(c) shows an example of the configuration of an output circuit of a voltage contact to which the input circuit of FIG. 1(a) is connected.

[0036] 1(c) includes a third contact 35, a third contact terminal 41 provided corresponding to the third contact 35, a fourth contact 37, a fourth contact terminal 43 provided corresponding to the fourth contact 37, a DC power supply 39, and a second common terminal 45 provided in common to the third contact 35 and the fourth contact 37. The DC power supply 39 is located between the third contact 35 and the fourth contact 37 and the second common terminal 45. In this example, the positive electrode is connected to the third contact 35 and the fourth contact 37, and the negative electrode is connected to the second common terminal 45.

[0037] The wiring ends 7 and 9 in FIG. 1(a) are connected to a third contact terminal 41 and a second common terminal 45, respectively.

[0038] In Fig. 1(c), when the third contact 35 is closed and energized, a voltage difference occurs between the third contact terminal 41 and the second common terminal 45. When the fourth contact 37 is closed and energized, a voltage difference occurs between the fourth contact terminal 43 and the second common terminal 45. Therefore, the output circuit in Fig. 1(c) is a voltage contact.

[0039] In the present invention, the number of contacts included in the output circuits of FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) may be three or more.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining that the input circuit of FIG. 1(a) is connected to the output circuit of FIG. 1(b) and the control device 5 outputs a signal to the CPU 3 in response to the operation of the first contact 25. In FIG.

[0041] In Fig. 2, since the output circuit in Fig. 1(b) is a non-voltage contact, it is necessary to supply a voltage to the input circuit. Therefore, the designated device is set to the first state, and the first switching device 13 is set to the energized state. Since the first switching device 13 is in the energized state, a voltage is supplied from the DC power source 11 to the wiring end 9.

[0042] Since the designated device is in the first state, the third switching device 21 and the fourth switching device 23 are in a conducting state and a non-conducting state, respectively. Therefore, the wiring 15 is grounded and is not connected to the wiring end 9.

[0043] In Fig. 2, when the first contact 25 is operated to be in a conducting state, the wiring 15 is grounded and the DC power source 11 is supplied to the control device 5 through the wiring ends 9 and 7. Therefore, Fig. 2 can realize substantially the same state as Fig. 5.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining that the input circuit of FIG. 1(a) is connected to the output circuit of FIG. 1(c) and the control device 5 outputs a signal to the CPU 3 in response to the operation of the third contact 35. In FIG.

[0045] In Fig. 3, since the output circuit in Fig. 1(c) is a voltage contact, there is no need to supply voltage to the input circuit. Therefore, the designated device is set to the second state, and the first switching device 13 is set to a non-energized state. There is no need to connect the DC power source 11 to the first switching device 13.

[0046] Since the designated device is in the second state, the third switching device 21 and the fourth switching device 23 are in a non-energized state and an energized state, respectively. Therefore, the wiring 15 is not grounded and is connected to the wiring end 9.

[0047] In Fig. 3, when the third contact 35 is operated to be in a conducting state, the DC power source 39 generates a voltage difference between the wiring ends 7 and 9. Therefore, even in Fig. 3, the control device 5 operates normally.

[0048] Therefore, the input circuit in Figure 1(a) can be switched between non-voltage and voltage-applied contacts by changing the input circuit settings (e.g., the settings on the built-in board), thereby reducing on-site construction and reducing costs and labor.

[0049] Figures 4(a) and (b) show examples of specific circuit configurations of Figures 2 and 3, respectively. The output circuit has a plurality of contacts for remotely operating the actuator to open and close the floodgates, etc. In the input circuit, the control device 59 outputs a signal to the CPU 67 in response to an operation on the contacts for instructing the actuator to open. The control device 59 has the same configuration as the control device 125 in Figure 6, and can maintain the same configuration as before.

[0050] 4(a), the output circuit 51 is a non-voltage contact and includes a contact (contact in the OPEN wiring portion) for instructing the actuator to open. In the input circuit, the first switching device 53, the third switching device 55, and the fourth switching device 57 are respectively in an energized state, an energized state, and a non-energized state. By operating in the same manner as in FIG. 2, the control device 59 outputs a signal to the CPU 67 when the contact for instructing the actuator to open is in an energized state.

[0051] 4(b), the output circuit 69 is a voltage contact and includes a contact (contact in the OPEN wiring portion) for instructing the actuator to open. In the input circuit, the first switching device 53, the third switching device 55, and the fourth switching device 57 are respectively set to a non-energized state, a non-energized state, and an energized state. By operating in the same manner as in FIG. 3, the control device 59 outputs a signal to the CPU 67 when the contact for instructing the actuator to open is set to an energized state.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 4, the first switching device 53, the third switching device 55 and the fourth switching device 57 are realized by relays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Input circuit 3 CPU 5. Control device 6 Wiring 7 Wiring end 9 Wiring end 11 DC power supply 13 First Switching Device 15 Wiring 17 Signal grounding section 19 Second switching device 21 Third Switching Device 23 Fourth Switching Device 25 First Contact 27 Second Contact 29 First contact terminal 31 Second contact terminal 33 First common terminal 35 Third Contact 37 Fourth Contact 39 DC power supply 41 Third contact terminal 43 Fourth contact terminal 45 Second common terminal 51 Output circuit 53 First Switching Device 55 Third Switching Device 57 4th Switching Device 59 Control device 67 CPU 69 Output circuit 101 5th Contact 103 6th Contact 105 Common terminal 111 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 113 Control device 115 DC power supply 117 Wiring grounding section 121 Output circuit 123 CPU 125 Control Device

Claims

1. an input circuit coupled to an output circuit, the output circuit includes a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contact terminals provided corresponding to the respective contacts, and a common terminal provided in common to the plurality of contacts; The input circuit includes a control device, a first switching device, and a second switching device, each of which is connected to one of the contact terminals by a wiring. The first switching device switches whether or not a power source is connected to the common terminal; The second switching device is an input circuit that switches between connecting the common terminal to another wiring of the control device or grounding the common terminal.

2. If the output circuit is a non-voltage contact, the first switching device connects a power source to the common terminal; 2. The input circuit of claim 1, wherein the second switching device grounds another line of the control device.

3. If the output circuit is a voltage-carrying contact, the first switching device does not connect a power source to the common terminal; 2. The input circuit of claim 1, wherein the second switching device connects the common terminal to another wiring of the control device.

4. The second switching device includes a third switching device and a fourth switching device, the first switching device, the third switching device, and the fourth switching device switch between a conductive state and a non-conductive state, the first switching device connects a power source to the common terminal in a conducting state and does not connect a power source to the common terminal in a non-conducting state; the third switching device grounds the other wiring of the control device in a conducting state, and does not ground the other wiring of the control device in a non-conducting state; the fourth switching device connects the common terminal to another wiring of the control device in a conducting state, and does not connect the common terminal to the other wiring of the control device in a non-conducting state; 2. The input circuit of claim 1, wherein the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device are in a powered state, a powered state and a non-powered state, respectively, when a designated device is in a first state, and in a non-powered state, a non-powered state and a powered state, respectively, when the designated device is in a second state.

5. A switching method in an input circuit, comprising: The input circuit is connected to an output circuit; the output circuit includes a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contact terminals provided corresponding to the respective contacts, and a common terminal provided in common to the plurality of contacts; the input circuit includes a control device, a first switching device, and a second switching device, each of the wirings being connected to one of the contact terminals; A switching step is included in which the first switching device switches whether or not a power source is connected to the common terminal, and the second switching device switches whether or not the common terminal is connected to another wiring of the control device or is grounded, In the switching step, If the output circuit is a voltage-free contact, the first switching device connects a power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device grounds the other wiring of the control device; If the output circuit is a voltage contact, the first switching device does not connect a power source to the common terminal, and the second switching device connects the common terminal to another wire of the control device.

6. The second switching device includes a third switching device and a fourth switching device, the first switching device, the third switching device, and the fourth switching device switch between a conductive state and a non-conductive state, the first switching device connects the power source to the common terminal in a conducting state, and does not connect the power source to the common terminal in a non-conducting state; the third switching device grounds the other wiring of the control device in a conducting state, and does not ground the other wiring of the control device in a non-conducting state; the fourth switching device connects the common terminal to another wiring of the control device in a conducting state, and does not connect the common terminal to the other wiring of the control device in a non-conducting state; 6. The switching method according to claim 5, wherein in the switching step, the first switching device, the third switching device and the fourth switching device are respectively in a powered state, a powered state and a non-powered state when the designated device is in a first state, and in a non-powered state, a non-powered state and a powered state when the designated device is in a second state.

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