Control board and wireless communication device

Abstract

To provide a control board capable of improving stability of wireless communication in a wireless communication device used in a wireless lighting control system.SOLUTION: A control board comprises a substrate, a wireless communication module, and one or more highly protruding components. The substrate has a front surface facing forward, and the wireless communication module is arranged on the front surface of the substrate. Each of the one or more highly protruding components is arranged on the front surface of the substrate with a separation distance between itself and the wireless communication module that is equal to or larger than the size of the wireless communication module, and a protruding height of each highly protruding component from the front surface of the substrate to the front side is larger than a protruding height of the wireless communication module from the front surface to the front side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a control board and a wireless communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a wireless lighting control system, wireless communication is performed between multiple types of wireless communication devices, such as lighting devices and sensor devices. The lighting operation of the lighting devices is controlled based on wireless signals transmitted and received between the multiple types of wireless communication devices. For example, a sensor device is provided with a sensor, and the sensor device transmits a wireless signal corresponding to the detection result of the sensor. In the wireless lighting control system, the wireless signal from the sensor device is received by, for example, a lighting device. The lighting device that receives the wireless signal from the sensor device controls its lighting operation based on the received wireless signal.

[0003] In a wireless communication device such as a sensor device, a control board is housed inside a housing, and a wireless communication module is disposed on the front surface of the control board. Furthermore, electronic components other than the wireless communication module are also attached to the front surface of the control board, and some of the electronic components disposed on the front surface of the board have a high protrusion height that protrudes forward from the front surface compared to the protrusion height of the wireless communication module. It is desirable to improve the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module by, for example, reducing the influence of electronic components, including high protrusion components, that protrude forward from the front surface on wireless communication by the wireless communication module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-167411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control board that improves the stability of wireless communication in a wireless communication device used in a wireless lighting control system, and a wireless communication device that includes such a control board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, the control board includes a substrate, a wireless communication module, and one or more highly protruding components. The substrate has a front surface facing forward. The wireless communication module is disposed on the front surface of the substrate and is capable of wireless communication. Each of the one or more highly protruding components is disposed on the front surface of the substrate with a separation distance between the one or more highly protruding components and the wireless communication module that is equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module, and the protruding height of each of the highly protruding components from the front surface of the substrate to the front side is greater than the protruding height of the wireless communication module from the front surface to the front side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control board that improves the stability of wireless communication in a wireless communication device used in a wireless lighting control system, and a wireless communication device that includes the control board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the sensor device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the sensor device according to the embodiment with the cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the sensor device according to the embodiment with the cover and the control board removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power supply system and a transmission system for signals, information, and the like in the sensor device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the control board in the sensor device according to the embodiment, viewed from the front side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the control board in the sensor device according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the control board and its vicinity along the axial direction in the sensor device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a time management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the time management device according to the embodiment with the cover removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power supply system and a transmission system for signals, information, and the like in the time management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the control board as seen from the front side in the time management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the control board seen from the rear side in the time management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the control board and its vicinity along the axial direction in the time management device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The control board (20; 60) of the embodiment includes a board (21), a wireless communication module (31), and one or more highly protruding parts (35, 37, 38, 43). The board (21) has a front surface (45) facing forward. The wireless communication module (31) is disposed on the front surface (45) of the board (21) and is capable of wireless communication. Each of the one or more highly protruding parts (35, 37, 38, 43) is disposed on the front surface (45) of the board (21) with a separation distance from the wireless communication module (31) that is equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module (31), and the protruding height (Lref) of each of the highly protruding parts (35, 37, 38, 43) from the front surface (45) of the board (21) to the front is greater than the protruding height (Lref) of the wireless communication module (31) from the front surface (45) to the front. This configuration reduces the influence on wireless communication of electronic components that protrude forward, including the highly protruding components (35, 37, 38, 43), in the wireless communication device (5; 6), thereby improving the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module (31).

[0010] In the control board (20) of the embodiment, the highest protruding part (35), which has the highest protruding height among the one or more high-protruding parts (35, 37, 38, 43), is arranged on the opposite side of the center of the board (21) from the side on which the wireless communication module (31) is located. This configuration further reduces the influence of the highest protruding part (35) on wireless communication in the wireless communication device (5). This further improves the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module (31) in the wireless communication device (5).

[0011] In the control board (20) of the embodiment, the highest protruding component (35), which has the highest protruding height among the one or more high-protruding components (35, 37, 38, 43), is disposed at a distance from the wireless communication module (31) in a predetermined creeping direction (X1, X2) along the front surface (45) of the board (21). The wireless communication module (31) is disposed at one end of the front surface (45) of the board (21) in the predetermined creeping direction (X1, X2), and the highest protruding component (35) is disposed at an end of the front surface (45) of the board (21) opposite the wireless communication module (31) in the predetermined creeping direction (X1, X2). This configuration further reduces the influence of the highest protruding component (35) on wireless communication in the wireless communication device (5). This further improves the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module (31) in the wireless communication device (5).

[0012] The wireless communication device (5; 6) of the embodiment includes the control board (20; 60) and a housing (11) that houses the control board (20; 60). Therefore, the wireless communication device (5; 6) reduces the influence of electronic components that protrude forward, including the high-protruding components (35, 37, 38, 43), on wireless communication. This improves the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module (31).

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a wireless lighting control system 1 according to an embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 1, multiple types of wireless communication devices are capable of wirelessly communicating with each other via a wireless network 2. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the multiple types of wireless communication devices include multiple lighting devices 3, a sensor device 5, a time management device 6, an operation terminal 7, and a stationary operation device 8.

[0015] Each of the lighting devices 3 includes a light source unit, a wireless communication module, and a control unit (lighting control unit). In each of the lighting devices 3, the light source unit performs lighting operation, and the operating state of the light source unit can be switched between a state in which light (visible light) is emitted and a state in which light emission is stopped. That is, in each of the lighting devices 3, the emission of light from the light source unit can be switched on and off. In one example, in one or more of the lighting devices 3, the intensity of light emitted from the light source unit changes depending on the operating state of the light source unit. In this case, in one or more of the lighting devices 3, the light emitted from the light source unit can be dimmed. In another example, in one or more of the lighting devices 3, the color of light emitted from the light source unit changes depending on the operating state of the light source unit. In this case, in one or more of the lighting devices 3, the color of light emitted from the light source unit can be adjusted.

[0016] In each of the lighting devices 3, the wireless communication module is capable of wireless communication with the outside. Therefore, in each of the lighting devices 3, the wireless communication module transmits wireless signals to other wireless communication devices and receives wireless signals from other wireless communication devices via the wireless communication module. In each of the lighting devices 3, the control unit controls the lighting operation of the light source unit based on the information, commands, etc. indicated in the wireless signals received by the wireless communication module. Therefore, in each of the lighting devices 3, the control unit switches on and off the emission of light from the light source unit and adjusts the brightness and color of the light emitted from the light source unit based on the information, commands, etc. indicated in the received wireless signals.

[0017] The operation terminal 7 is, for example, a remote control for lighting, and the stationary operation device 8 is, for example, a wall switch installed on a wall. Each of the operation terminal 7 and the operation device 8 includes an operation input unit, a control unit, and a wireless communication module. In each of the operation terminal 7 and the operation device 8, a user of the wireless lighting control system 1 can input operations related to the lighting operation of one or more lighting devices 3 to the operation input unit. In each of the operation terminal 7 and the operation device 8, the control unit generates a command corresponding to the operation input to the operation input unit and causes the wireless communication module to transmit a wireless signal including the generated command. In one example, in one or more lighting devices 3, the wireless communication module receives a wireless signal from either the operation terminal 7 or the operation device 8, and the control unit controls the lighting operation of the light source unit based on the command indicated in the wireless signal from either the operation terminal 7 or the operation device 8.

[0018] Furthermore, an operation to set setting information for each of the lighting devices 3 and the sensor devices 5 can be input to the operation input unit of the operation terminal 7. Then, the control unit of the operation terminal 7 causes a wireless communication module to transmit a wireless signal including the setting information to each of the lighting devices 3 and the sensor devices 5. In each of the lighting devices 3 and the sensor devices 5, the control unit stores the setting information indicated by the wireless signal from the operation terminal 7 in a storage medium or the like. In each of the lighting devices 3 and the sensor devices 5, an identifier such as an address is set as the setting information.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a sensor device 5 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 5 includes a housing 11 that forms an exterior. In the sensor device 5 and the housing 11, an imaginary central axis C is defined, and the direction along the central axis C is the axial direction (the direction indicated by arrows C1 and C2). In the sensor device 5 and the housing 11, the axial direction is also referred to as the "front-rear direction." In the sensor device 5 and the housing 11, one side in the axial direction is the front side (the side indicated by arrow C1), and the side opposite the front side in the axial direction is the rear side (the side indicated by arrow C2). The front side is also referred to as the "front side" or "front side," and the rear side is also referred to as the "rear side," "back side," or "rear side." In the sensor device 5 and the housing 11, the direction around the central axis C is the circumferential direction.

[0020] The sensor device 5 includes a cover (first cover) 12, and in the sensor device 5, the cover 12 is attached to the housing 11 from the front side. In the sensor device 5, an internal space is formed inside the housing 11, and the internal space of the housing 11 opens toward the front side at an opening 13. The housing 11 includes a front end surface 15, and the front end of the housing 11 is formed by the front end surface 15. In the housing 11, the front end surface 15 forms the opening edge of the opening 13 over the entire circumferential direction. In the sensor device 5, the cover 12 is attached to the housing 11 while connected to the front end surface 15 of the housing 11. In the sensor device 5, the opening 13 of the housing 11 is closed by the cover 12. Therefore, the cover 12 covers the internal space of the housing 11 from the front side.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the sensor device 5 according to the embodiment with the cover 12 removed. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the sensor device 5 as seen from the front side. As shown in FIG. 3, a board 21 is housed inside the housing 11. A plurality of electronic components are attached to the board 21, and the board 21 and the plurality of electronic components attached to the board 21 form a control board 20. In the sensor device 5, the board 21 is disposed rearwardly away from the front end surface 15 of the housing 11 and the cover 12. In one example, the board 21 is disposed rearwardly away from the front end surface 15 of the housing 11 by approximately 10 mm. Furthermore, the board 21 and the control board 20 have a defined thickness direction. In the sensor device 5, the board 21 and the control board 20 are disposed with their thickness directions aligned with the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the sensor device 5 according to the embodiment with the cover 12 and the control board 20 removed. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the sensor device 5 as viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the control board 20, a power supply board 22 is housed inside the housing 11. The power supply board 22 is arranged on the rear side of the control board 20 inside the housing 11. The power supply board 22 has a defined thickness direction. In the sensor device 5, the power supply board 22 is arranged such that the thickness direction is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0023] 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power supply system and a transmission system for signals, information, and the like in a sensor device 5 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, a control board 20 has a process execution unit (control unit) 30, a wireless communication module 31, and a storage medium 32, such as a ROM, arranged on a board 21 as electronic components. In addition, in the control board 20, an illuminance sensor 33, such as a phototransistor, and a human presence sensor 35, which serve as sensors serving as electronic components, are arranged on the board 21. In the example of FIG. 5, in addition to the electronic components described above, an indicator light source 36, such as an indicator LED, connectors 37 and 38, regulators 41 and 42, and a DIP switch 43 are arranged on the board 21 as electronic components.

[0024] In the sensor device 5, power from a commercial power source such as an AC power source is supplied to the power supply board 22 as external power, and the power from the commercial power source is converted into DC power by a power conversion circuit formed on the power supply board 22. The DC power converted by the power supply board 22 is then supplied to each of the regulators 41 and 42 of the control board 20. Each of the regulators 41 and 42 adjusts the voltage of the power (DC power) from the power supply board 22.

[0025] The regulator 41 supplies power that has been voltage-adjusted or the like to the wireless communication module 31, and the wireless communication module 31 is operated by the power supplied through the regulator 41. Furthermore, the regulator 42 supplies power that has been voltage-adjusted or the like to each of the processing execution unit 30, the storage medium 32, the illuminance sensor 33, the human presence sensor 35, the indicator light source 36, etc. Therefore, on the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, the electronic components other than the wireless communication module 31, such as the processing execution unit 30, the storage medium 32, the illuminance sensor 33, the human presence sensor 35, and the indicator light source 36, are operated by the power supplied through the regulator 42.

[0026] The processing execution unit 30 is configured from a processor or an integrated circuit. The processor or integrated circuit that configures the processing execution unit 30 includes any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processing execution unit 30 may include only one integrated circuit or multiple integrated circuits. The storage medium 32 stores processing programs to be executed by the processing execution unit 30 as software, and for example, stores a processing program corresponding to the sensor device 5. The processing execution unit 30 is capable of reading information from the storage medium 32 and writing information to the storage medium 32.

[0027] In the control board 20, the process execution unit 30 can exchange signals and the like with the wireless communication module 31 by performing two-way communication with the wireless communication module 31. This allows the process execution unit 30 to exchange information with the wireless communication module 31. The wireless communication module 31 converts a signal transmitted from the process execution unit 30 into a wireless signal and transmits the converted wireless signal to the outside. Therefore, in the sensor device 5, a wireless signal including either information or a command from the process execution unit 30 is transmitted from the wireless communication module 31 to the outside.

[0028] Furthermore, the wireless communication module 31 receives wireless signals from the outside. Then, the wireless communication module 31 performs signal conversion on the received wireless signals and transmits them to the process execution unit 30. Therefore, in the sensor device 5, the process execution unit 30 acquires information and the like indicated in the wireless signals received by the wireless communication module 31. In the sensor device 5, which is a wireless communication device, the wireless communication module 31 transmits and receives wireless signals as described above, thereby enabling wireless communication with the outside.

[0029] In the sensor device 5, the illuminance sensor 33 detects illuminance such as brightness, for example, within an area illuminated by light from one of the lighting devices 3. The human presence sensor 35 detects the presence or absence of a person, for example, within an area illuminated by light from one of the lighting devices 3. The process execution unit 30 acquires the detection results of the illuminance sensor 33 and the human presence sensor 35. The process execution unit 30 transmits information and commands corresponding to the detection results of the sensors such as the illuminance sensor 33 and the human presence sensor 35 to the wireless communication module 31, and causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit wireless signals corresponding to the detection results of the sensors.

[0030] In one example, the process executing unit 30 causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit a wireless signal indicating a detection result from any of the sensors. In another example, the process executing unit 30 generates a command related to lighting operation of one or more of the lighting devices 3 based on the detection result from any of the sensors. Then, the process executing unit 30 causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit a wireless signal including the generated command. In the wireless lighting control system 1, in one or more of the lighting devices 3, the control unit controls the lighting operation of the light source unit based on the information and command indicated in the wireless signal from the sensor device 5.

[0031] In the sensor device 5, the indicator light sources 36 notify the user of the sensor device 5 and the wireless lighting control system 1 of the operating state of the sensor device 5 and the occurrence of an abnormality in the sensor device 5. The process execution unit 30 controls the supply of power to each of the indicator light sources 36 and the operation of each of the indicator light sources 36 based on the operating state of the sensor device 5 and whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the sensor device 5. In this way, each of the indicator light sources 36 is switched on and off (on and off) in accordance with the operating state of the sensor device 5 and whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the sensor device 5.

[0032] Furthermore, on the control board 20, cables can be connected to each of the connectors 37 and 38. On the control board 20, information related to the processing by the processing execution unit 30 can be written to the storage area of ​​the processing execution unit 30 and the storage medium 32, etc., using an external device connected via the connector 37 and the cable. On the control board 20, information related to the processing by the wireless communication module 31 can be written to the storage area of ​​the wireless communication module 31, etc., using an external device connected via the connector 38 and the cable.

[0033] Furthermore, in the control board 20, a predetermined operation can be inputted into the DIP switch 43 by a user of the sensor device 5 and the wireless lighting control system 1 or the like. In one example, an operation to reset setting information such as an identifier set for the sensor device 5 can be inputted into the DIP switch 43. When a predetermined operation is inputted into the DIP switch 43, the process execution unit 30 performs a process corresponding to the predetermined operation of the DIP switch 43.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the control board 20 in the sensor device 5 according to the embodiment, viewed from the front side, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the control board 20 in the sensor device 5 according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the control board 20 and its vicinity in a cross section along the axial direction in the sensor device 5 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, etc., in the control board 20, the board 21 has a front surface 45 and a rear surface 46. In the board 21, the front surface 45 faces one side in the plate thickness direction, and the rear surface 46 faces the side opposite to the side to which the front surface 45 faces in the plate thickness direction. In the sensor device 5, the board 21 is disposed with the front surface 45 facing the front side and the rear surface 46 facing the rear side. The front surface 45 is also referred to as the "front surface," and the rear surface 46 is also referred to as the "rear surface" or "back surface."

[0035] In the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, a wireless communication module 31 is attached to a front surface 45 of the board 21, and sensors such as an illuminance sensor 33 and a human presence sensor 35 are attached. In addition, in the control board 20, an indicator light source 36, connectors 37, 38, and a DIP switch 43 are arranged as electronic components on the front surface 45 of the board 21. In the control board 20, component mounting portions 51, 52 are formed as first component mounting portions on the front surface 45 of the board 21. A sensor can be attached as the first electronic component to each of the component mounting portions 51, 52 of the board 21. In the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, the illuminance sensor 33 is attached to the component mounting portion 51 of the board 21, and the human presence sensor 35 is attached to the component mounting portion 52 of the board 21.

[0036] In the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, the processing execution unit 30 is attached to the rear surface 46 of the board 21. In addition, in the control board 20, component mounting sections 55, 56 are formed as second component mounting sections on the rear surface 46 of the board 21. In the board 21, each of the component mounting sections 55, 56 is formed in a position different from the component mounting sections (first component mounting sections) 51, 52. A type of electronic component different from the sensor (first electronic component) can be attached to each of the component mounting sections 55, 56 of the board 21 as a second electronic component. In the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, no electronic components are attached to the component mounting sections 55, 56 of the board 21.

[0037] As described above, in the sensor device 5, the process execution unit 30 causes a wireless signal corresponding to the detection result of the sensor to be transmitted from the wireless communication module 31. Therefore, in the sensor device 5, which is a wireless communication device, the process execution unit 30 performs a process corresponding to the function of the sensor (first electronic component) attached to the component mounting units (first component mounting units) 51, 52, and performs a process based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0038] 7 and other examples, an antenna pattern unit 47 is formed in the wireless communication module 31. In the wireless communication module 31, a communication circuit or the like converts a signal from the processing execution unit 30 into a wireless signal. Then, in the wireless communication module 31, the converted wireless signal is transmitted to the outside from the antenna pattern unit 47, which serves as an antenna. In the wireless communication module 31, a wireless signal from the outside is received by the antenna pattern unit 47, which serves as an antenna. Then, in the wireless communication module 31, the communication circuit or the like converts the received wireless signal into a signal to be transmitted to the processing execution unit 30.

[0039] Furthermore, for each of the electronic components attached to the front surface 45 of the circuit board 21, such as the wireless communication module 31, the illuminance sensor 33, and the motion sensor 35, a protruding height from the front surface 45 of the circuit board 21 to the front side is specified. For each electronic component attached to the front surface 45, the dimension from the front surface 45 to the protruding end is the protruding height. Here, the protruding height of the wireless communication module 31 is defined as the reference protruding height Lref. On the control board 20, one or more electronic components are disposed on the front surface 45 of the circuit board 21, the protruding height of which is greater than the reference protruding height Lref of the wireless communication module 31. Electronic components whose protruding height is greater than the reference protruding height Lref are also referred to as "high-protruding components." As shown in FIG. 8 and other figures, on the control board 20, the motion sensor 35, the connectors 37 and 38, and the DIP switch 43 are disposed on the front surface 45 of the circuit board 21 as high-protruding components whose protruding height is greater than the reference protruding height Lref.

[0040] On the front surface 45 of the substrate 21, each of the highly protruding components is spaced from the wireless communication module 31 by a distance equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module 31. Therefore, each of the highly protruding components is disposed away from the wireless communication module 31 in the creeping direction along the front surface 45 by a distance equal to or greater than the dimension of the wireless communication module 31 along the front surface 45. One or more electronic components having the same or substantially the same size as the wireless communication module 31 can be disposed between each of the highly protruding components and the wireless communication module 31. On the front surface 45 of the substrate 21, the distance from the wireless communication module 31 within a range α1 (see FIG. 6 ) is smaller than the size of the wireless communication module 31. Therefore, each of the highly protruding components, such as the human sensor 35, the connectors 37 and 38, and the DIP switch 43, is disposed outside the range α1.

[0041] The size of the wireless communication module 31 corresponds to the overall size of the wireless communication module 31, including the antenna pattern portion 47, and corresponds to the dimension along the front surface 45 from one end to the other end of the wireless communication module 31. Furthermore, in the control board 20 and the board 21, a first creeping direction (indicated by arrows X1 and X2), which is one of the directions along the front surface 45, and a second creeping direction (indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2), which is along the front surface 45 and is orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to the first creeping direction, are defined. The first creeping direction is also referred to as a "predetermined creeping direction." In the board 21 and the control board 20, the first and second creeping directions are orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to the plate thickness direction. In the sensor device 5, the first and second creeping directions are orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to the axial direction of the housing 11.

[0042] In one example, the dimension of the wireless communication module 31 along the first creepage direction is different from the dimension of the wireless communication module 31 along the second creepage direction. Each of the highly protruding components has a separation distance from the wireless communication module 31 that is equal to or greater than the larger of the dimension of the wireless communication module 31 along the first creepage direction and the dimension of the wireless communication module 31 along the second creepage direction.

[0043] Furthermore, among the aforementioned highly protruding components, the electronic component that protrudes the highest from the front surface 45 is referred to as the highest protruding component. On the control board 20, the human presence sensor 35 is the highest protruding component with the highest protruding height. On the front surface 45 of the board 21, the human presence sensor 35, which is the highest protruding component, is disposed on the opposite side of the center position of the board 21 from the side on which the wireless communication module 31 is located. On the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, the human presence sensor 35 is disposed at an angular position of 180° or approximately 180° away from the wireless communication module 31 in the circumferential direction of the housing 11 (the direction around the central axis C).

[0044] Furthermore, on the control board 20, the human presence sensor 35, which is the most protruding component, is disposed in a first creeping direction (a predetermined creeping direction) on the front surface 45 of the board 21, at a distance from the wireless communication module 31. On the front surface 45 of the board 21, the wireless communication module 31 is disposed at one end in the first creeping direction, and the human presence sensor 35, which is the most protruding component, is disposed at an end opposite to the wireless communication module 31 in the first creeping direction.

[0045] 2, 8, etc., in the sensor device 5, the human presence sensor 35, which is one of the first electronic components, protrudes forward relative to the cover (first cover) 12 and the front end surface 15 of the housing 11. The protruding height of the human presence sensor 35 is greater (higher) than the distance forward from the front surface 45 of the board 21 to the cover 12, and is greater (higher) than the distance forward from the front surface 45 of the board 21 to the front end surface 152 of the housing 11. The cover 12 attached to the housing 11 in the sensor device 5 is formed with a through-hole 53, a light detection window 57, and a light exit window 58. The human presence sensor 35 is inserted through the through-hole 53 and protrudes forward from the through-hole 53 relative to the cover 12.

[0046] In the sensor device 5, the light detection window 57 faces the illuminance sensor 33 from the front side. The illuminance sensor 33 detects illuminance by detecting light that enters the housing 11 from the outside through the light detection window 57. In the sensor device 5, each of the light exit windows 58 faces a corresponding one of the indicator light sources 36 from the front side. Each of the indicator light sources 36 emits light to the outside of the housing 11 through a corresponding one of the light exit windows 58.

[0047] In the sensor device 5 in which sensors (illuminance sensor 33 and human presence sensor 35) that are first electronic components are attached to the substrate 21, a cover (first cover) 12 is attached to the housing 11. Because a through-hole 53 is formed in the cover 12, the cover 12 can be attached to the housing 11 even in a configuration in which the human presence sensor 35 that protrudes forward from the front end face 15 of the housing 11 is attached to the substrate 21. Furthermore, because the through-hole 53 is formed in the cover 12, it is possible to make the human presence sensor 35 protrude forward from the cover 12. Because the human presence sensor 35 protrudes from the cover 12, the human presence sensor 35 can appropriately detect the presence or absence of a person within the irradiation range of light from any of the lighting devices 3.

[0048] Furthermore, by forming light detection window 57 in cover 12, light from outside housing 11 is appropriately incident on illuminance sensor 33 through light detection window 57, enabling illuminance sensor 33 to appropriately detect illuminance. Therefore, in sensor device 5, which is a wireless communication device, attaching cover 12 to housing 11 enables the sensor, which is the first electronic component, to appropriately function. In other words, cover 12 attached to housing 11 in sensor device 5 is formed in a shape that allows the sensor to appropriately function.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a time management device 6 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the time management device 6 includes a housing 11 similar to that of the sensor device 5. Therefore, similar to the sensor device 5, the time management device 6 also includes an imaginary central axis C, and an axial direction (the direction indicated by arrows C1 and C2) and a circumferential direction. Similarly to the sensor device 5, the time management device 6 also includes a front side (the side indicated by arrow C1) and a rear side (the side indicated by arrow C2). Similarly to the sensor device 5, the time management device 6 also includes a power supply board 22. The time management device 6 includes the power supply board 22 housed inside the housing 11 in the same position, orientation, etc. as the power supply board 22 of the sensor device 5.

[0050] In time management device 6, a cover (second cover) 62 separate from cover (first cover) 12 of sensor device 5 is attached to housing 11. Cover 62 is different from cover 12 in terms of shape and other configurations, and is distinguishable from cover 12. However, in time management device 6 as well, cover 62 is attached to housing 11 from the front side, and is attached to housing 11 in a state where it is connected to front end surface 15 of housing 11. In time management device 6 as well, opening 13 of housing 11 is blocked by cover 62, and cover 62 covers the internal space of housing 11 from the front side.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a time management device 6 according to an embodiment with the cover 62 removed. FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the time management device 6 as seen from the front side. As shown in FIG. 10, the time management device 6 also has a board 21 similar to that of the sensor device 5 housed inside the housing 11. The time management device 6 also has the board 21 housed inside the housing 11 in the same position and orientation as the board 21 of the sensor device 5. However, in the time management device 6, some of the multiple electronic components attached to the board 21 are different from those in the sensor device 5. Therefore, in the time management device 6, instead of the control board 20, a control board 60 is formed from the board 21 and the multiple electronic components attached to the board 21.

[0052] 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a power supply system and a transmission system for signals, information, and the like in a time management device 6 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11 and other figures, in the control board 60, similar to the control board 20 of the sensor device 5, a process execution unit (control unit) 30, a wireless communication module 31, a storage medium 32, an indicator light source 36, connectors 37 and 38, regulators 41 and 42, and a DIP switch 43 are arranged as electronic components on the board 21. However, in the control board 60, sensors such as the illuminance sensor 33 and the human presence sensor 35 are not attached to the board 21, and instead, a time notification component 63 such as an RTC (real-time clock) and a power storage component 65 such as a supercapacitor are arranged as electronic components on the board 21.

[0053] In the time management device 6, the power supply board 22 also converts power from a commercial power source into DC power, and the DC power converted by the power supply board 22 is supplied to each of the regulators 41 and 42 on the control board 60. The regulator 41 then supplies power after adjusting the voltage, etc. to the wireless communication module 31, and the wireless communication module 31 is operated by the power supplied through the regulator 41. The regulator 42 also supplies power after adjusting the voltage, etc. to the process execution unit 30, the storage medium 32, the indicator light source 36, the time notification component 63, etc. Therefore, in the control board 60 of the time management device 6, the electronic components other than the wireless communication module 31, such as the process execution unit 30, the storage medium 32, the indicator light source 36, and the time notification component 63, are operated by the power supplied through the regulator 42.

[0054] In the control board 60, the power storage component 65 can store power supplied through the regulator 42. When the supply of external power to the time management device 6 is stopped, the power stored in the power storage component 65 is supplied to the time notification component 63. Therefore, even if the operation of the processing execution unit 30 is stopped because the supply of external power to the time management device 6 is stopped, the time notification component 63 is operated by power from the power storage component 65. Furthermore, in the control board 60, a diode 66 is arranged as an electronic component in the power supply path to the power storage component 65 and the time notification component 63. When the power stored in the power storage component 65 is supplied to the time notification component 63, the diode 66 suppresses reverse current flow from the power storage component 65 to the regulator 42, etc.

[0055] In the control board 60, the processing execution unit 30 and storage medium 32 have the same hardware configuration as the control board 20 of the sensor device 5. However, in the control board 60, the processing execution unit 30 performs processing corresponding to the time management device 6, and the processing, etc. that it executes is different from that of the processing execution unit 30 of the control board 20. For this reason, in the control board 60, processing programs, etc. corresponding to the time management device 6 are stored in the storage medium 32 as software.

[0056] In the control board 60, the process execution unit 30 can also exchange signals with the wireless communication module 31 by performing bidirectional communication with the wireless communication module 31. This allows the process execution unit 30 to exchange information with the wireless communication module 31. In the time management device 6, which is a wireless communication device, the wireless communication module 31 also wirelessly communicates with the outside in the same manner as the wireless communication module 31 of the sensor device 5. In the time management device 6, the indicator light source 36, the connectors 37 and 38, and the DIP switch 43 have the same functions as those of the sensor device 5. That is, in the time management device 6, the indicator light source 36 is operated in the same manner as in the sensor device 5, and the connectors 37 and 38 and the DIP switch 43 are used in the same manner as in the sensor device 5.

[0057] In the time management device 6, a time notification component 63 such as an RTC generates time information including real-time and notifies the process execution unit 30 of the generated time information. Furthermore, in the control board 60, schedule information regarding the lighting operation of one or more lighting devices 3 is stored in the storage medium 32. The schedule information indicates, for one or more lighting devices 3, one or more of the following: a time to start emitting light, a time to stop emitting light, and a time to change either the light intensity or the light color. In one example, the operation terminal 7 transmits a wireless signal including the schedule information to the time management device 6, whereby the schedule information is stored in the storage medium 32. In another example, the schedule information is stored in the storage medium 32 by transmitting a signal including the schedule information to the time management device 6 using an external device connected via the connector 37 and a cable.

[0058] In the time management device 6, the process execution unit 30 generates a command for lighting operation of one or more lighting devices 3 based on the time information notified by the time notification component 63 and the schedule information related to the lighting operation. Then, the process execution unit 30 causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit a wireless signal including the generated command. In the wireless lighting control system 1, in one or more lighting devices 3, the control unit controls the lighting operation of the light source unit based on the command or the like indicated by the wireless signal from the time management device 6. For example, assume that the schedule information indicates that light emission by one or more lighting devices 3 is to stop at a specified time. In this case, when the real-time time notified by the time notification component 63 reaches the specified time, the process execution unit 30 causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit a command to stop the lighting operation to the corresponding lighting device 3.

[0059] Furthermore, the process execution unit 30 of the time management device 6 periodically acquires time information from the outside, for example, by receiving a wireless signal containing time information from an external device or the like using the wireless communication module 31. The process execution unit 30 then compares the time information from the outside with the time information notified by the time notification component 63. At this time, it is determined whether or not the real-time indicated by the time information from the outside differs from the real-time indicated by the time information notified by the time notification component 63. If there is a difference between the two compared times, the process execution unit 30 corrects the difference between the two compared times by, for example, adjusting the time indicated by the time information from the time notification component 63.

[0060] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the control board 60 in the time management device 6 according to the embodiment, viewed from the front side, and Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the control board 60 in the time management device 6 according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the control board 60 and its vicinity in a cross section along the axial direction in the time management device 6 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the board 21 in the control board 60 also has a front surface 45 and a rear surface 46, and in the time management device 6, similar to the sensor device 5, the board 21 is arranged with the front surface 45 facing forward and the rear surface 46 facing rearward.

[0061] Similarly to the control board 20, the control board 60 of the time management device 6 has the following electronic components mounted on the front surface 45 of the board 21: the wireless communication module 31, the indicator light source 36, the connectors 37, 38, and the DIP switch 43; and the process execution unit 30 mounted on the rear surface 46 of the board 21. In the control board 60, the process execution unit 30, the wireless communication module 31, the indicator light source 36, the connectors 37, 38, and the DIP switch 43 are each disposed on the board 21 in the same positions and orientations as those on the control board 20. Similarly to the control board 20, the control board 60 also has component mounting portions 51, 52 formed on the front surface 45 of the board 21 as first component mounting portions, and component mounting portions 55, 56 formed on the rear surface 46 of the board 21 as second component mounting portions. In the control boards 20 and 60, the component mounting portions 51, 52, 55, and 56 are formed at the same or substantially the same positions on the board 21.

[0062] However, in the control board 60 of the time management device 6, no sensor (first electronic component) is attached to the component mounting portions (first component mounting portions) 51, 52 of the board 21. Also, in the control board 60, a time notification component 63 is attached to the component mounting portion 55 of the board 21, and an electricity storage component 65 is attached to the component mounting portion 56 of the board 21. Therefore, in the control board 60, a second electronic component of a type different from the sensor (first electronic component) is attached to each of the component mounting portions (second component mounting portions) 55, 56 of the board 21.

[0063] As described above, in the time management device 6, the process execution unit 30 generates a command related to the lighting operation based on the time information notified by the time notification component 63, and causes a wireless signal including the generated command to be transmitted from the wireless communication module 31. Therefore, in the time management device 6, which is a wireless communication device, the process execution unit 30 performs a process corresponding to the function of the second electronic component attached to the component mounting units (second component mounting units) 55, 56, and performs a process based on the time information notified by the time notification component 63.

[0064] Similarly, the control board 60 of the time management device 6 also has one or more highly protruding components disposed on the front surface 45 of the board 21, the protruding height of which is greater than the reference protruding height Lref of the wireless communication module 31. As shown in FIG. 14 and other figures, the control board 60 has connectors 37, 38 and a dip switch 43 disposed on the front surface 45 of the board 21 as highly protruding components having a protruding height greater than the reference protruding height Lref. Similarly to the control board 20, the control board 60 has each highly protruding component disposed on the front surface 45 of the board 21 at a distance equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module 31. Within a range α2 (see FIG. 12 ) on the front surface 45 of the board 21, the distance from the wireless communication module 31 is smaller than the size of the wireless communication module 31. Therefore, on the control board 60, each of the highly protruding components, such as the connectors 37, 38 and the dip switch 43, is disposed outside the range α2.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9 and other figures, a cover (second cover) 62 attached to the housing 11 of the time management device 6 has a light exit window 68 similar to the light exit window 58 formed therein. In the time management device 6, each of the light exit windows 68 faces a corresponding one of the indicator light sources 36 from the front side. Each of the indicator light sources 36 emits light to the outside of the housing 11 through the corresponding one of the light exit windows 68. However, the cover 62 does not have the through-hole 53 and the light detection window 57, etc., that are provided in the cover 12. Therefore, the cover 62 differs in configuration, such as shape, from the cover (first cover) 12 used in the sensor device 5.

[0066] In a time management device 6 in which sensors (illuminance sensor 33 and motion sensor 35) that are first electronic components are not attached to board 21, cover (second cover) 62 is attached to housing 11. Because cover 62 does not have through-hole 53, it cannot be attached to housing 11 in a configuration in which motion sensor 35 that protrudes forward from front end face 15 of housing 11 is provided. Furthermore, because cover 62 does not have light detection window 57, in a configuration in which cover 62 is attached to housing 11, it is impossible for light from outside housing 11 to be incident on electronic components attached to component mounting portion 51. For this reason, cover 62 has a different configuration from cover 12, which is formed in a shape that allows the sensors to function appropriately.

[0067] As described above, in the embodiments, each of the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6 has a circuit board 21 housed inside a housing 11, and the circuit board 21 includes component mounting sections (first component mounting sections) 51, 52 to which a first electronic component (sensor) can be attached, and component mounting sections (second component mounting sections) 55, 56 to which a second electronic component different from the first electronic component (e.g., a time notification component 63 and a power storage component 65, etc.) can be attached. In each of the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, which are wireless communication devices, a wireless communication module 31 and a process execution unit 30 are disposed on the circuit board 21, and the process execution unit 30 performs at least one of a process corresponding to the function of the first electronic component attached to the component mounting sections 51, 52 and a process corresponding to the function of the second electronic component attached to the component mounting sections 55, 56.

[0068] With this configuration, the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, which are different types of wireless communication devices, share the housing 11, the board 21, the wireless communication module 31, and the integrated circuit that serves as the processing execution unit 30. In other words, some components are shared among multiple types of wireless communication devices. This reduces the effort required for developing and manufacturing each of the multiple types of wireless communication devices in the wireless lighting control system 1 that uses multiple types of wireless communication devices.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor device 5 has sensors attached to the component mounting portions 51 and 52 of the substrate 21, and the processing execution unit 30 performs at least processing based on the detection results of the sensors. Therefore, the processing execution unit 30 can execute processing corresponding to the function of the sensor (first electronic component) by using the substrate 21, processing execution unit 30, wireless communication module 31, etc., which can be shared with wireless communication devices of different types than the sensor device 5.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, etc., in the time management device 6, a time notification component 63 is attached to the component mounting portion 55 of the board 21, and the processing execution unit 30 performs at least processing based on the time information notified by the time notification component 63. Therefore, by using the board 21, processing execution unit 30, wireless communication module 31, etc. that can be shared with wireless communication devices of types different from the time management device 6, the processing execution unit 30 can execute processing corresponding to the function of the time notification component 63 (second electronic component).

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the same (common) housing 11 is used for the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6. Therefore, the time management device 6 can be installed at a position on the wall of an environmental space such as a room where the sensor device 5 can be installed.

[0072] Furthermore, the control board 20 of the sensor device 5 and the control board 60 of the time management device 6 have wireless communication modules 31 attached to their boards 21 at the same or approximately the same positions relative to each other. This makes the reception sensitivity of wireless signals in the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6 comparable to each other. Since the reception sensitivity of the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6 is comparable, when using multiple sensor devices 5 and multiple time management devices 6 in the wireless lighting control system 1, the sensor devices 5 and the time management devices 6 can be installed side by side at regular intervals on a wall.

[0073] In the embodiment, a cover (first cover) 12 is attached to the housing 11 of a sensor device 5 having a sensor (first electronic component) attached to a board 21. A cover (second cover) 62 is attached to the housing 11 of a time management device 6 having no sensor attached to the board 21. Therefore, even if the housing 11 is common to multiple types of wireless communication devices, users of the wireless lighting control system 1 can identify the type of wireless communication device based on which of the covers 12 and 62 is attached to the housing 11. In other words, users of the wireless lighting control system 1 can identify the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6 based on which of the covers 12 and 62 is attached to the housing 11.

[0074] Since the cover 62 does not have the through-hole 53, it is not possible to attach the cover 62 to the housing 11 of the sensor device 5 in which the human sensor 35 is attached to the substrate 21. This effectively prevents the use of the cover (second cover) 62 for the sensor device 5.

[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiment, in each of the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, one or more highly protruding components are disposed on the front surface 45 of the substrate 21, and the protruding height of each of the one or more highly protruding components from the front surface 45 is greater than the protruding height (reference protruding height Lref) of the wireless communication module 31. Furthermore, on the front surface 45 of the substrate 21, each of the one or more highly protruding components is separated from the wireless communication module 31 by a distance equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module 31. With this configuration, in each of the wireless communication devices, the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, the influence of electronic components that protrude forward, including the highly protruding components, on wireless communication is reduced. This improves the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module 31 in each of the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6.

[0076] Furthermore, in the sensor device 5, which is a wireless communication device, the highest protruding component (human presence sensor 35) having the highest protruding height among the one or more highly protruding components is disposed on the opposite side of the center position of the substrate 21 from the side on which the wireless communication module 31 is located. In the sensor device 5, the wireless communication module 31 is disposed at one end of the front surface 45 of the substrate 21 in the first creepage direction (predetermined creepage direction), and the highest protruding component is disposed at the end opposite the wireless communication module 31 in the first creepage direction. With this configuration, the influence of the highest protruding component on wireless communication is further reduced in the sensor device 5, which is a wireless communication device. This further improves the stability of wireless communication by the wireless communication module 31 in the sensor device 5.

[0077] In one modification, the wireless lighting control system 1 is provided with a wireless communication device having the functions of both the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6. In this case, the wireless communication device also includes a housing 11, a circuit board 21, a processing execution unit 30, a wireless communication module 31, and a storage medium 32, similar to the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6. However, in the wireless communication device, a sensor (first electronic component) is attached to component mounting units (first component mounting units) 51 and 52 of the circuit board 21, similar to the sensor device 5, and second electronic components (a time notification component 63 and a power storage component 65) different from the sensor are attached to component mounting units (second component mounting units) 55 and 56 of the circuit board 21, similar to the time management device 6. In this modification, the processing execution unit 30 of the wireless communication device can execute both a process corresponding to the function of the sensor (first electronic component) and a process corresponding to the function of the time notification component 63 (second electronic component). Therefore, the storage medium 32 stores both a processing program corresponding to the sensor device 5 and a processing program corresponding to the time management device 6 as software.

[0078] Note that a wireless communication device having the functions of both the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6 may be capable of operating in multiple operation modes. In this case, an operation to switch the operation mode to be operated can be input using the DIP switch 43. In one example, the wireless communication device can operate in two operation modes: an operation mode in which only processing corresponding to the sensor function can be performed, and an operation mode in which only processing corresponding to the function of the time notification component 63, etc. can be performed. In another example, the wireless communication device can operate in an operation mode in which, in addition to the two operation modes described above, both processing corresponding to the sensor function and processing corresponding to the function of the time notification component 63, etc. can be performed.

[0079] Furthermore, in a wireless communication device having the functions of both the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, a cover 12 similar to that of the sensor device 5 may be attached to the housing 11, or a cover having a different shape or configuration from the covers 12 and 62 may be attached to the housing 11. However, since the wireless communication device is provided with a human presence sensor 35 as a sensor, the cover 62 similar to that of the time management device 6 cannot be attached to the housing 11. Even when a cover other than the covers 12 and 62 is used, the cover must have a through-hole similar to the through-hole 53 and a light detection window similar to the light detection window 57. The human presence sensor 35 is inserted through the through-hole, and the illuminance sensor 33 detects light that enters the housing 11 from the outside through the light detection window.

[0080] In this modification, in a wireless communication device having the functions of both the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6, the housing 11, the substrate 21, the wireless communication module 31, and the integrated circuit serving as the processing execution unit 30 are common to the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6. Therefore, in this modification as well, some components are common to multiple types of wireless communication devices. Therefore, in this modification as well, as in the above-described embodiment, the effort required for developing and manufacturing multiple types of wireless communication devices is reduced.

[0081] In another modified example, a control device such as an area controller is provided as a wireless communication device in the wireless lighting control system 1. The control device serving as a wireless communication device also uses the housing 11, the board 21, the processing execution unit 30, the wireless communication module 31, and the storage medium 32, similar to the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6. Therefore, in this modified example, some components are common among multiple types of wireless communication devices. Therefore, in this modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, the effort required for developing and manufacturing multiple types of wireless communication devices is reduced.

[0082] In a control device such as an area controller, a wireless communication module 31 receives wireless signals from other wireless communication devices such as the operation terminal 7, the sensor device 5, and the time management device 6. In the control device, the process execution unit 30 generates control commands for lighting operation of one or more lighting devices 3 based on information and commands contained in the wireless signals received from the other wireless communication devices. The process execution unit 30 then causes the wireless communication module 31 to transmit the wireless signals containing the generated control commands. In a wireless lighting control system 1 provided with a control device such as an area controller, one or more lighting devices 3 receive wireless signals containing control commands from the control device. In the one or more lighting devices 3, lighting operation is controlled based on the control commands contained in the wireless signals from the control device.

[0083] In one example, in a control device such as an area controller, a sensor (first electronic component) is attached to component mounting sections (first component mounting sections) 51, 52 of the circuit board 21. In this case, the control device also has the function of the sensor device 5. In another example, in the control device, second electronic components (a time notification component 63 and a power storage component 65) different from the sensor are attached to component mounting sections (second component mounting sections) 55, 56 of the circuit board 21. In this case, the control device also has the function of the time management device 6. In another example, in the control device, both the sensor and the time notification component 63 are attached to the circuit board. In this case, the control device also has the function of both the sensor device 5 and the time management device 6.

[0084] According to at least one of these embodiments, each of the one or more highly protruding components is disposed on the front surface of the substrate with a distance between the one or more highly protruding components and the wireless communication module that is equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module. The protruding height of each of the highly protruding components from the front surface of the substrate to the front side is greater than the protruding height of the wireless communication module from the front surface to the front side. This makes it possible to provide a control substrate that improves the stability of wireless communication in a wireless communication device used in a wireless lighting control system, and a wireless communication device that includes the control substrate.

[0085] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...wireless lighting control system, 3...lighting equipment, 5...sensor device, 6...time management device, 11...housing, 12...cover (first cover), 20...control board, 21...board, 30...processing execution unit, 31...wireless communication module, 32...storage medium, 33...illuminance sensor, 35...human presence sensor, 37, 38...connector, 43...dip switch, 45...front, 46...rear, 51, 52...component mounting section (first component mounting section), 55, 56...component mounting section (second component mounting section), 60...control board, 62...cover (second cover), 63...time notification component, 65...energy storage component, Lref...reference protrusion height.

Claims

1. a substrate having a front surface facing forward; a wireless communication module disposed on the front surface of the substrate and capable of wireless communication; one or more high-protruding components that are each disposed on the front surface of the substrate with a separation distance between the wireless communication module and the wireless communication module that is equal to or greater than the size of the wireless communication module, and each protruding height from the front surface of the substrate toward the forward side is greater than the protruding height of the wireless communication module from the front surface toward the forward side; A control board comprising:

2. The control board of claim 1 , wherein the highest protruding component among the one or more highly protruding components is located on the opposite side of the center position of the board from the side on which the wireless communication module is located.

3. a highest protruding component having the highest protruding height among the one or more highly protruding components is disposed at a distance from the wireless communication module in a predetermined creeping direction along the front surface of the substrate; the wireless communication module is disposed on the front surface of the substrate at one end in the predetermined creeping direction; the highest protruding component is disposed on the front surface of the substrate at an end portion opposite to the wireless communication module in the predetermined creeping direction; The control board of claim 1.

4. A control board according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a housing in which the control board is housed; A wireless communication device comprising:

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