Relay adapter and control system

Abstract

To provide a relay adapter and a control system that can reduce costs.SOLUTION: In a relay adapter 5, a first photocoupler 56 has a first light-emitting unit 561 that emits light in response to reception of an input signal from an input device 2, and a first light-receiving unit 562 that transmits a first relay signal to a first controller 31 in response to the light emitted by the first light-emitting unit 561; and a second photocoupler 57 has a second light-emitting unit 571 that emits light in response to reception of an input signal, and a second light-receiving unit 572 that transmits a second relay signal to a second controller 41 in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit 571. Power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572 from a power supply that supplies power to the second controller 41. Power is supplied to the first light-receiving unit 562 from a power supply that supplies power to the first controller 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay adapter and a control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a signal switching device that outputs signals from a DI process-side circuit to both an old controller-side DI card and a new controller-side DI card during upgrade work on a controller, etc. The signal switching device operates by receiving power from an external drive power supply. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-115805 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional signal switching device disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires separate external power supply devices for driving the old controller-side DI card and the new controller-side DI card, which increases the cost of the signal switching device.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-described problems, and aims to provide a relay adapter and a control system that can reduce costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The relay adapter according to the present disclosure includes a relay adapter main body, and the relay adapter main body has a first photocoupler and a second photocoupler that each receive an input signal from an input device. The first photocoupler has a first light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal and a first light-receiving unit that receives the light from the first light-emitting unit and thereby transmits a first relay signal to a first controller of a first output device in response to the light emitted by the first light-emitting unit. The second photocoupler has a second light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal and a second light-receiving unit that receives the light from the second light-emitting unit and thereby transmits a second relay signal to a second controller of a second output device in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit. Power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit, second light-emitting unit, and second light-receiving unit from a power source that also supplies power to the second controller, and power is supplied to the first light-receiving unit from a power source that also supplies power to the first controller. Also, a control system according to the present disclosure includes an input device, a first output device having a first controller, a second output device having a second controller, and a relay adapter that relays communication from the input device to each of the first and second controllers, the relay adapter having a relay adapter main body, the relay adapter main body having a first photocoupler and a second photocoupler that respectively receive input signals from the input device, the first photocoupler having a first light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal, and a second photocoupler that receives light from the first light-emitting unit. The first photocoupler has a first light-receiving unit that emits light in response to receiving an input signal and a second light-receiving unit that receives light from the second light-emitting unit and transmits a second relay signal to the second controller in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit, and power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit, second light-emitting unit and second light-receiving unit from a power supply that supplies power to the second controller, and power is supplied to the first light-receiving unit from a power supply that supplies power to the first controller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the costs of the relay adapter and the control system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the old control system before the second output device of FIG. 1 is added. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 In a control system in which the operation of an output device is controlled based on a signal from an input device, a new output device may be added as a second output device in addition to an existing first output device. In the control system in which the second output device is added, the first output device and the second output device are each connected to the input device via a common relay adapter so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0011] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a control system according to embodiment 1. The control system 1 has an input device 2, a first output device 3, a second output device 4, and a relay adapter 5.

[0012] The input device 2 has a plurality of signal input devices 21. A switch, a sensor, etc. is used as each signal input device 21. Each signal input device 21 generates an ON / OFF signal, i.e., a digital signal, corresponding to the ON state and OFF state of the signal input device 21.

[0013] The first output device 3 is an existing output device. The first output device 3 has a first controller 31 and a first power supply unit (not shown). The operation of the first output device 3 is controlled by the first controller 31. A programmable logic controller or the like is used as the first controller 31. The first power supply unit is used as a power supply that supplies power to the first controller 31. In this embodiment, the power supply voltage of the first power supply unit is DC 24V. The first controller 31 is able to control the first output device 3 by receiving power from the first power supply unit.

[0014] The second output device 4 is a new output device that is added as an additional output device to the first output device 3. The second output device 4 has a second controller 41 and a second power supply unit (not shown). The operation of the second output device 4 is controlled by the second controller 41. A programmable logic controller or the like is used as the second controller 41. The second power supply unit is used as a power supply that supplies power to the second controller 41. In this embodiment, the power supply voltage of the second power supply unit is DC 24V. The second controller 41 is able to control the second output device 4 by receiving power from the second power supply unit.

[0015] The relay adapter 5 relays communication from the input device 2 to each of the first controller 31 and the second controller 41. The relay adapter 5 has a relay adapter main body 51, a receiving relay connector 52, a first transmitting relay connector 53, and a second transmitting relay connector 54. The receiving relay connector 52, the first transmitting relay connector 53, and the second transmitting relay connector 54 are each integrated with the relay adapter main body 51.

[0016] An input connector 22 is connected to the input device 2 via an input communication cable. The input communication cable is a cable that bundles together multiple signal lines electrically connected to each signal input device 21. The input connector 22 can be plugged into a receiving relay connector 52. By plugging the input connector 22 into the receiving relay connector 52, communication between the input device 2 and the relay adapter 5 becomes possible. As a result, digital signals generated in each signal input device 21 can be transmitted from the input device 2 to the relay adapter 5 as input signals.

[0017] The first controller 31 has a first controller main body 32 and a first controller connector 33. The first controller connector 33 is integrated with the first controller main body 32. A first transmission relay connector 53 can be inserted into the first controller connector 33. Inserting the first transmission relay connector 53 into the first controller connector 33 enables communication between the first controller 31 and the relay adapter 5. The relay adapter 5 is attached to the first controller 31 by inserting the first transmission relay connector 53 into the first controller connector 33.

[0018] An output connector 43 is connected to the second controller 41 via an output communication cable 42. The output connector 43 can be plugged into a second transmission relay connector 54. By plugging the output connector 43 into the second transmission relay connector 54, communication between the second controller 41 and the relay adapter 5 becomes possible.

[0019] In the control system 1, the first power supply unit of the first output device 3 and the second power supply unit of the second output device 4 are both used as power supplies that supply power to the relay adapter 5. Power is supplied to the relay adapter 5 from the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit via different power cables.

[0020] The relay adapter main body 51 has a plurality of relay units 55 corresponding to the plurality of signal input devices 21. In this embodiment, 32 relay units 55 are included in the relay adapter main body 51. Each relay unit 55 has a first photocoupler 56 and a second photocoupler 57.

[0021] The first photocoupler 56 has a first light-emitting unit 561 and a first light-receiving unit 562. The first light-emitting unit 561 and the first light-receiving unit 562 are electrically insulated from each other. The second photocoupler 57 has a second light-emitting unit 571 and a second light-receiving unit 572. The second light-emitting unit 571 and the second light-receiving unit 572 are electrically insulated from each other. A light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode is used as the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571. A light-receiving element such as a phototransistor is used as the first light-receiving unit 562 and the second light-receiving unit 572.

[0022] Each relay unit 55 is electrically connected to the corresponding signal input device 21 by inserting the input connector 22 into the receiving relay connector 52. As a result, the relay unit 55 and the signal input device 21 corresponding to the relay unit 55 are electrically connected in series to the second power supply unit. Therefore, the input signal generated in each signal input device 21 can be transmitted to the corresponding relay unit 55.

[0023] In each relay unit 55, the input connector 22 is inserted into the receiving relay connector 52, thereby electrically connecting the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 to the second power supply unit in parallel. As a result, the input signal from each signal input device 21 is transmitted to the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 in the corresponding relay unit 55. In each relay unit 55, the second power supply unit is used as the power source for each of the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571. Power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 from the second power supply unit.

[0024] In each relay unit 55, the second light receiving unit 572 is individually and electrically connected to the second power supply unit via the second transmission relay connector 54. As a result, in each relay unit 55, the second power supply unit is used as the power supply for the second light receiving unit 572. Power is supplied to the second light receiving unit 572 from the second power supply unit.

[0025] On the other hand, in each relay section 55, the first light receiving section 562 is individually and electrically connected to the first power supply unit. As a result, in each relay section 55, the first power supply unit is used as the power source for the first light receiving section 562. Power is supplied to the first light receiving section 562 from the first power supply unit.

[0026] In each relay unit 55, a first photocoupler 56 and a second photocoupler 57 receive an input signal from a signal input device 21 corresponding to the relay unit 55. In each of the first photocoupler 56 and the second photocoupler 57, a first light-emitting unit 561 and a second light-emitting unit 571 receive an input signal from the corresponding signal input device 21. Each of the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 emits light in response to receiving an input signal from the corresponding signal input device 21. Therefore, the light emissions of the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 are synchronized.

[0027] In each relay unit 55, the first light receiving unit 562 receives light from the first light emitting unit 561 and transmits a first relay signal to the first controller 31 in accordance with the light emitted by the first light emitting unit 561. Therefore, the first relay signal is an ON / OFF signal, i.e., a digital signal, in accordance with the input signal from the signal input device 21. The first relay signal is transmitted from the relay unit 55 to the first controller main body 32 via the first transmission relay connector 53 and the first controller connector 33.

[0028] In each relay unit 55, the second light receiving unit 572 receives light from the second light emitting unit 571 and transmits a second relay signal to the second controller 41 in accordance with the emission of the second light emitting unit 571. Therefore, the second relay signal is an ON / OFF signal, i.e., a digital signal, in accordance with the input signal from the signal input device 21. The second relay signal is transmitted from the relay unit 55 to the second controller 41 via the second transmission relay connector 54, the output connector 43, and the output communication cable 42. The operation of the second output device 4 is controlled by the second controller 41 based on the second relay signal from each relay unit 55.

[0029] The first controller main body 32 has a plurality of first controller receiving photocouplers 321 that correspond to the plurality of signal input devices 21. Therefore, each first controller receiving photocoupler 321 also corresponds to each relay unit 55. In the first controller main body 32, a first power supply unit is used as a power source that supplies power to each first controller receiving photocoupler 321.

[0030] Each first controller receiving photocoupler 321 is electrically connected to the first light receiving unit 562 of the corresponding relay unit 55 by inserting the first transmission relay connector 53 into the first controller connector 33. This enables each first controller receiving photocoupler 321 to communicate with the first light receiving unit 562 of the corresponding relay unit 55. The first relay signal from each relay unit 55 is transmitted to the corresponding first controller receiving photocoupler 321.

[0031] The first controller 31 receives the first relay signal from each relay unit 55 via each first controller receiving photocoupler 321. The operation of the first output device 3 is controlled by the first controller 31 based on the first relay signal from each relay unit 55.

[0032] Next, a procedure for adding the second output device 4 to the old control system before the second output device 4 is added will be described. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the old control system before the second output device 4 is added in Fig. 1. In the old control system 1a before the second output device 4 is added, the same first power supply unit as in the control system 1 after the addition is used as a power supply for supplying power to the first controller 31.

[0033] In the old control system 1a, by inserting the input connector 22 into the first controller connector 33, each signal input device 21 is electrically connected to the corresponding first controller receiving photocoupler 321. As a result, the signal input device 21 and the first controller receiving photocoupler 321 corresponding to the signal input device 21 are electrically connected in series to the first power supply unit. Therefore, in the old control system 1a, input signals from each signal input device 21 in the input device 2 can be transmitted directly to the first controller 31 via the input communication cable, the input connector 22, and the first controller connector 33.

[0034] When adding a second output device 4 to the old control system 1a, first, the input connector 22 is removed from the first controller connector 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are each electrically connected to the relay adapter 5, and the second power supply unit is electrically connected to the input device 2 via the relay adapter 5.

[0035] Thereafter, the first transmitting relay connector 53 of the relay adapter 5 is inserted into the first controller connector 33. Also, the input connector 22 is inserted into the receiving relay connector 52. Furthermore, the output connector 43 connected to the second output device 4, which is an additional output device, is inserted into the second transmitting relay connector 54. In this way, the second output device 4 is added to the old control system 1a, and the control system 1 is completed.

[0036] In this relay adapter 5, the first light-emitting unit 561 and the second light-emitting unit 571 each emit light in response to receiving an input signal from the input device 2. The first light-receiving unit 562 transmits a first relay signal to the first controller 31 of the first output device 3 in response to the light emitted by the first light-emitting unit 561. The second light-receiving unit 572 transmits a second relay signal to the second controller 41 of the second output device 4 in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit 571. Power is supplied to the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572 from the power supply that supplies power to the second controller 41, i.e., the second power supply unit. Power is supplied to the first light-receiving unit 562 from the power supply that supplies power to the first controller 31, i.e., the first power supply unit. This eliminates the need to prepare a new power supply unit to supply power to the relay adapter 5. This reduces the cost of the relay adapter 5. Furthermore, the burden of installing a new power supply unit can be reduced, and the burden of installing the relay adapter 5 can be reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, when a second output device 4 is added to an existing first output device 3, power can be supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572 from the power supply of the newly added second output device 4. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the amount of power supplied by the power supply of the existing first output device 3, even when the second output device 4 is added. The capacity of the power supply of the newly added second output device 4 can be determined on the premise that power will be supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572. Therefore, even when the second output device 4 is added, it is possible to suppress an excessive load on the capacity of the power supplies of the first output device 3 and the second output device 4.

[0038] Furthermore, the power supplies that supply power to the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572 can be electrically separated from the power supply that supplies power to the first light-receiving unit 562. Therefore, even if a problem such as damage due to a lightning strike or an electrical short occurs in the first output device 3, it is possible to prevent the problem in the first output device 3 from adversely affecting the input device 2 and the second output device 4.

[0039] Furthermore, the first transmission relay connector 53 is integrated with the relay adapter main body 51. The first controller connector 33 is integrated with the first controller main body 32. By inserting the first transmission relay connector 53 into the first controller connector 33, a first relay signal can be transmitted from the first light receiving unit 562 to the first controller main body 32. This eliminates the need for a communication cable that communicatively connects the relay adapter 5 and the first controller 31. This suppresses increases in costs due to the communication cable, further reducing the cost of the relay adapter 5. Furthermore, by simply inserting the first transmission relay connector 53 into the first controller connector 33, the relay adapter 5 can be communicatively connected to the first controller 31. This allows the relay adapter 5 to be easily connected to the first controller 31, further reducing the burden of installation work for the relay adapter 5.

[0040] Furthermore, in this control system 1, power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit 561, the second light-emitting unit 571, and the second light-receiving unit 572 from the power supply that supplies power to the second controller 41. Power is supplied to the first light-receiving unit 562 from the power supply that supplies power to the first controller 31. This eliminates the need to prepare a new power supply unit to supply power to the relay adapter 5. This reduces the cost of the control system 1. It also reduces the workload of installing a new power supply unit, thereby reducing the workload of installing the control system 1. Furthermore, even when a second output device 4 is added, it is possible to prevent the load from becoming excessive relative to the capacity of the power supplies of the first output device 3 and the second output device 4. Furthermore, even if a problem such as damage due to a lightning strike or an electrical short occurs in the first output device 3, it is possible to prevent the problem from adversely affecting the input device 2 and the second output device 4.

[0041] In the first embodiment, one relay unit 55 includes only one first photocoupler 56. However, one relay unit 55 may include a plurality of first photocouplers 56. In this case, in one relay unit 55, the first light-emitting units 561 of the first photocouplers 56 are electrically connected in parallel to the second power supply unit. In addition, in this case, in one relay unit 55, the first light-receiving units 562 of the first photocouplers 56 are electrically connected in parallel to the first power supply unit. In this way, multiple systems for transmitting the first relay signal to the first controller 31 can be provided in the relay adapter 5. In other words, the configuration for transmitting the first relay signal in the relay adapter 5 can be duplicated. This improves the reliability of the relay adapter 5.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, one relay unit 55 includes only one second photocoupler 57. However, one relay unit 55 may include a plurality of second photocouplers 57. In this case, in one relay unit 55, the second light-emitting units 571 of the second photocouplers 57 are electrically connected in parallel to the second power supply unit. In this case, in one relay unit 55, the second light-receiving units 572 of the second photocouplers 57 are electrically connected in parallel to the second power supply unit. In this way, multiple systems for transmitting the second relay signal to the second controller 41 can be provided in the relay adapter 5. In other words, the configuration for transmitting the second relay signal in the relay adapter 5 can be duplicated. This improves the reliability of the relay adapter 5.

[0043] Furthermore, in the first photocoupler 56, a bipolar light-emitting unit that allows current to pass in either the forward or reverse direction may be used as the first light-emitting unit 561. In this way, the first light-emitting unit 561 can be electrically connected to a power source without having to worry about the polarity of the first light-emitting unit 561. This reduces the burden of installing the relay adapter 5.

[0044] Furthermore, in the second photocoupler 57, a bipolar light-emitting unit that allows current to pass in either the forward or reverse direction may be used as the second light-emitting unit 571. In this way, the electrical connection of the second light-emitting unit 571 to the power source can be performed without having to worry about the polarity of the second light-emitting unit 571. This reduces the burden of the installation work of the relay adapter 5.

[0045] The configurations described in the above embodiments are merely examples of the contents of the present disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Part of the configuration of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 control system, 2 input device, 3 first output device, 4 second output device, 5 relay adapter, 51 relay adapter main body, 53 first transmission relay connector, 56 first photocoupler, 57 second photocoupler, 561 first light emitting unit, 562 second light receiving unit, 571 second light emitting unit, 572 second light receiving unit, 31 first controller, 32 first controller main body, 33 first controller connector, 41 second controller.

Claims

1. Relay adapter body Equipped with the relay adapter body has a first photocoupler and a second photocoupler that receive an input signal from an input device, the first photocoupler has a first light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal, and a first light-receiving unit that receives light from the first light-emitting unit and transmits a first relay signal to a first controller of a first output device in response to the light emitted by the first light-emitting unit, the second photocoupler has a second light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal, and a second light-receiving unit that receives light from the second light-emitting unit and transmits a second relay signal to a second controller of a second output device in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit, power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit, the second light-emitting unit, and the second light-receiving unit from a power source that supplies power to the second controller; A relay adapter in which power is supplied to the first light receiving unit from a power source that supplies power to the first controller.

2. a first transmitting relay connector integrated with the relay adapter body; Equipped with the first controller has a first controller body and a first controller connector integrated with the first controller body, The relay adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the first relay signal can be transmitted from the first light receiving unit to the first controller main body by inserting the first transmission relay connector into the first controller connector.

3. An input device; a first output device having a first controller; a second output device having a second controller; a relay adapter that relays communication from the input device to each of the first controller and the second controller; Equipped with The relay adapter has a relay adapter main body, the relay adapter body has a first photocoupler and a second photocoupler that respectively receive an input signal from the input device; the first photocoupler has a first light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal, and a first light-receiving unit that receives light from the first light-emitting unit and transmits a first relay signal to the first controller in response to the light emitted by the first light-emitting unit, the second photocoupler has a second light-emitting unit that emits light in response to receiving the input signal, and a second light-receiving unit that receives light from the second light-emitting unit and transmits a second relay signal to the second controller in response to the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit, power is supplied to each of the first light-emitting unit, the second light-emitting unit, and the second light-receiving unit from a power source that supplies power to the second controller; A control system in which power is supplied to the first light receiving unit from a power source that supplies power to the first controller.

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