Shutter control device

Abstract

This invention improves the ease of setting the shutter's operating mode by utilizing the connection and disconnection states of multiple power sources. [Solution] The shutter control device comprises an opening / closing mechanism, a control unit that controls the shutter operation via the opening / closing mechanism, a first power supply, and a second power supply, wherein the control unit is configured to operate selectively between a maintenance mode and a normal mode, and the maintenance mode is set when only the second power supply is connected to the control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shutter control device.

Background Art

[0002] Electric shutters equipped with a plurality of different power sources are known. For example, there is an electric shutter equipped with a solar panel as the first power source and a battery as the second power source. Alternatively, there is an electric shutter equipped with a commercial power source as the first power source and a battery as the second power source (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The shutter device is selectively operable in a maintenance mode for performing initial settings and the like and a normal mode for performing normal shutter opening and closing operations, and it is necessary to appropriately switch the mode during shutter operation. It is known that when remotely operating the shutter with an operation unit, the operation unit and the shutter are paired and registered (Patent Document 2).

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve the workability of setting the operation mode of a shutter by using the connection state and non-connection state with a plurality of power sources.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The technical means adopted by the present invention to solve such problems are an opener / closer, a control unit that controls the shutter operation via the opener / closer, a first power source, a second power source, and are provided with The control unit is configured to operate selectively between maintenance mode and normal mode. The maintenance mode is set when only the second power supply is connected to the control unit. It is a shutter control device.

[0006] In one embodiment, the maintenance mode is deactivated when the second power supply is disconnected.

[0007] In one embodiment, the maintenance mode is deactivated and the normal mode is set when the first power supply is connected to the control unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second power source is a battery. In one embodiment, the first power source is a solar panel. In one embodiment, the first power supply is a commercial power supply.

[0009] In one embodiment, in the maintenance mode, the control unit is activated by a first operation from the first operating unit, In the normal mode described above, the control unit is activated by a second operation from the second operation unit. The first and second operation units store applications for operating the control unit. The application is switchable between a first mode in which the first operation can be performed and a second mode in which the second operation can be performed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In this invention, the operation mode of the shutter can be set by utilizing the connection and disconnection states of the first and second power supplies, thereby improving work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a shutter device in this embodiment (driven by a first power source consisting of a solar panel and a second power source consisting of a battery). [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the shutter control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] The setting screen (maintenance screen) of the first operation unit according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] The operation screen (open / close operation screen) of the second operation unit according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the setting of the maintenance mode related to the first form and the pairing registration / unpairing of the first control unit. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the setting of the maintenance mode related to the second form and the pairing registration / unpairing of the first control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [A] Overview of the shutter control device according to this embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the shutter control device according to this embodiment includes an opener / closer, a control unit that controls the shutter operation via the opener / closer, a solar panel as a first power source, and a battery as a second power source. The battery is an electrostatic storage device, and the electricity generated by the solar panel charges the battery. Under normal circumstances, the opener / closer is driven by the battery as a power source to open and close the shutter. Alternatively, the electricity generated by the solar panel may be used directly to drive the opener / closer.

[0013] The shutter according to this embodiment is a window shutter (but is not limited to this), in which a window opening is formed between left and right guide rails, a winding shaft (not shown) is provided inside a shutter case located above the window opening, the upper end of the shutter curtain is connected to the winding shaft, and by rotating the winding shaft in a first direction using an opening / closing mechanism, the shutter curtain is unwound from its wound state on the winding shaft to close the window opening, and by rotating the winding shaft in a second direction using the opening / closing mechanism, the shutter curtain is wound onto the winding shaft to open the window opening.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit of the shutter control device (in the description of this specification, the "control unit of the shutter control device" and the "control unit" are synonymous) mainly includes a main control unit that controls the shutter operation, a charging control unit that controls the charging of the battery with the power generated by the solar panel, a memory that stores the upper limit position, lower limit position, operation history, etc., and a receiving circuit unit that receives a wireless signal from the operation unit. The control unit can be composed of a computer equipped with a processor and a memory, and the processor is configured to execute various controls.

[0015] The control unit of the shutter control device is selectively operable in a maintenance mode and a normal mode. The maintenance mode is a mode used when the installer of the shutter uses his own operation unit to perform initial settings (such as limit settings for setting the upper and lower limit positions) and check the operation history. At this time, the operation unit is referred to as the first operation unit (FIG. 2), and the operation from the first operation unit is referred to as the first operation. The normal mode is a mode used when the user of the shutter uses his own operation unit to open and close the window opening. At this time, the operation unit is referred to as the second operation unit (FIG. 2) or the opening / closing operation unit (FIG. 1), and the operation from the second operation unit is referred to as the second operation. In this embodiment, the first operation and the second operation are performed by transmitting a wireless signal.

[0016] The first device constituting the first operation unit and the second device constituting the second operation unit are composed of a computer equipped with a processor and a memory, have a communication function, and are capable of wireless communication with the control unit of the shutter control device. Although it is exceptional, the same device (for example, the same smartphone) may function as the first device as the first operation unit and the second device as the second operation unit.

[0017] The memory of the first device constituting the first operation unit and the memory of the second device constituting the second operation unit store a common application for operating the control unit of the shutter control device. This common application has a structure comprising a layer for first operation (for service personnel) and a layer for second operation (for users), and can be switched between a first mode in which the first operation can be performed and a second mode in which the second operation can be performed. Figure 3 shows the initial screen of the first mode (display unit of the first device), and Figure 4 shows the initial screen of the second mode (display unit of the second device).

[0018] In other words, a common application is downloaded and stored on both the first and second devices. When the control unit of the shutter control device is in maintenance mode, the first device receives information from the control unit of the shutter control device (that maintenance mode is set), and the initial screen of the first mode (Figure 3) is displayed on the display of the first device. When the control unit of the shutter control device is in normal mode, the second device receives information from the control unit of the shutter control device (that normal mode is set), and the initial screen of the second mode (Figure 4) is displayed on the display of the second device. In this way, by making the application necessary for operation from the device (smartphone) common to both the user and the service technician, it is prevented that the user may accidentally download the application for the service technician. In this embodiment, when the solar panel as the first power source is connected to the control unit of the shutter control device, it will be in normal mode and will not be in maintenance mode, regardless of whether the battery as the second power source is connected to the control unit or not.

[0019] Remote operation from the first operation unit is performed by pairing the first device constituting the first operation unit with the shutter control device, and remote operation from the second operation unit is performed by pairing the second device constituting the second operation unit with the shutter control device. This pairing registration becomes effective when the identification information of the device as an operation unit is registered (stored) in the memory of the control unit of the shutter control device. It is known that wireless communication is performed by pairing devices and registering each other's pairing information when wirelessly connecting devices (see Patent Document 2), and the identification information of the device that is an operation unit is registered in the memory of the control unit of the shutter control device, and the identification information of the shutter control device is registered in the memory of the device that is an operation unit.

[0020] [B] Operation in normal mode In normal mode, the shutter is opened and closed by instructions from a second operating unit, i.e., the opening / closing operating unit. The opening / closing operating unit is typically a second device consisting of a smartphone or remote control, and its operating screen has buttons for raising, lowering, and stopping (see Figure 4). When the window opening is fully closed, touching or pressing the lowering button on the opening / closing operating unit sends a closing signal to the control unit. Based on the closing signal received by the receiving circuit, the control unit rotates the motor of the opening / closing mechanism via the main control unit, rotating the winding shaft in the first direction and lowering the shutter curtain. When the shutter curtain has descended to the set lower limit position, a lower limit signal is generated, and the main control unit stops the power supply to the opening / closing mechanism, stopping the operation of the opening / closing mechanism and stopping the descent of the shutter curtain.

[0021] When the window opening is fully open, touching or pressing the up button on the opening / closing operation unit sends an open signal to the control unit. Based on the open signal received by the receiving circuit, the control unit's main control unit rotates the motor of the opener, rotating the winding shaft in the second direction and raising the shutter curtain. When the shutter curtain rises to the set upper limit position, an upper limit signal is generated, and the main control unit stops the power supply to the opener, stopping the drive of the opener and stopping the rising of the shutter curtain. If the stop button is touched or pressed while the shutter curtain is moving (rising or falling), a stop signal is sent to the control unit. Based on the stop signal received by the receiving circuit, the control unit's main control unit stops the motor drive of the opener, stopping the movement of the shutter curtain.

[0022] [C] Operation in maintenance mode In maintenance mode, initial setup and operation history confirmation are performed based on instructions from the first control unit. The first control unit is typically a first device consisting of a smartphone or remote control. Figure 3 shows an example of the setting menu screen of the first device, displaying the connection destination (A000001 is the identification information of the target shutter, for example, a combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols), limit setting mode button, operation history button, normal operation button, and complete button. Touching or pressing the limit setting mode button transitions to the limit setting screen, where the upper and lower limit positions are set. Touching or pressing the normal operation button transitions to the normal operation screen (similar to Figure 4), where the operation of the up button, down button, and stop button can be confirmed, as well as confirmation of stopping at the upper and lower limit positions. Once all settings are complete, pressing the complete button confirms the settings.

[0023] [D] Setting / Disabling Maintenance Mode [D-1] Maintenance Mode Settings The control unit of the shutter control device is configured to operate selectively between maintenance mode and normal mode. In this embodiment, the maintenance mode is set when only the battery, which is the second power source, is connected to the control unit.

[0024] The "connection state" between the control unit and the power supply of a shutter control device means, for example, a state in which power can be supplied from the power supply to the control unit. If power is automatically supplied from the power supply when the power lines electrically connecting the control unit and the power supply are physically connected, the connection is considered to occur when the control unit and the power supply are physically connected by the power lines, and the "connection state" occurs at this time. For example, when the power lines on the control unit side and the power lines on the power supply side are connected with a connector, the control unit and the power supply become "connected," and when the connector is removed, the control unit and the power supply become "disconnected." Alternatively, if the control unit and the power supply are physically connected by power lines, and the power supply from the power supply can be switched ON / OFF by a switch, the connection may be considered to occur when the switch is ON, and the "connection state" occurs at this time, and the connection is broken and the "disconnected state" occurs when the switch is OFF.

[0025] The control unit of the shutter control device can detect whether the power supply and the control unit of the shutter control device are in a "connected state" or a "disconnected state". The connection between the control unit of the shutter control device and the solar panel, which is the first power supply, is referred to as the first connection, and the connection between the control unit of the shutter control device and the battery, which is the second power supply, is referred to as the second connection. The control unit of the shutter control device can detect whether the first connection is in a connected state (ON) or a disconnected state (OFF). The control unit of the shutter control device can detect whether the second connection is in a connected state (ON) or a disconnected state (OFF).

[0026] Maintenance mode is set when the second power source, the battery, is connected to the control unit of the shutter control device (for example, when the power lines on the control unit side and the power lines on the battery side are connected with a connector), but the first power source, the solar panel, is not connected to the control unit of the shutter control device. In other words, maintenance mode is set when the control unit of the shutter control device detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and the second connection is connected (ON).

[0027] For example, when the battery and the control unit are connected in a way that allows power to be supplied from the battery to the control unit, and the solar panel (the first power source) and the control unit are not physically connected by power lines, the maintenance mode is set. Alternatively, when the battery and the control unit are connected in a way that allows power to be supplied from the battery to the control unit, and the solar panel (the first power source) and the control unit are physically connected by power lines, and the power supply from the solar panel to the control unit is cut off (i.e., the control unit and the solar panel (the first power source) are physically connected by power lines, and the power supply from the first power source can be switched ON / OFF by a switch or the like), the maintenance mode may also be set.

[0028] [D-2] Disable maintenance mode There are two ways to deactivate maintenance mode. In one way (first mode), when the second power source, the battery, and the control unit change from a connected state to a disconnected state, the control unit detects that the battery has changed from a connected state to a disconnected state, and deactivates maintenance mode. For example, the maintenance mode is deactivated by physically disconnecting the wires connecting the battery and the control unit (for example, by disconnecting the connector that connects the power lines on the control unit side and the power lines on the battery side). In other words, the maintenance mode is deactivated when the control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and that the second connection has changed from a connected state (ON) to a disconnected state (OFF).

[0029] In one embodiment (second embodiment), when the battery, which is the second power source, and the control unit are connected, the solar panel, which is the first power source, is connected to the control unit. When the control unit detects that the solar panel has changed from a disconnected state to a connected state, the control unit cancels the maintenance mode and sets the normal mode. That is, when the control unit detects that the second connection is connected (ON) and that the first connection has changed from a disconnected state (OFF) to a connected state (ON), the maintenance mode is canceled and the normal mode is set.

[0030] [E] Pairing registration / deletion for the first control unit Remote operation from the first control unit is performed by pairing the first device constituting the first control unit with the control unit. This pairing registration becomes effective when the identification information of the first device as the first control unit is registered (stored) in the control unit's memory. As previously described, it is known that wireless communication is performed by pairing devices and registering each other's pairing information when wirelessly connecting devices (see Patent Document 2), and the identification information of the first device is registered in the control unit's memory, and the identification information of the shutter control unit is registered in the first device's memory.

[0031] The first operation from the first device is enabled when the maintenance mode is set, by registering the identification information of the first device constituting the first operation unit in the control unit's memory. In this embodiment, when the maintenance mode is deactivated, the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory. This prevents security problems that may arise if a service technician temporarily registers the identification information of the first device in the control unit for initial setup and then forgets to delete the registered identification information after the setup is complete.

[0032] The identification information for the first device is registered when the solar panel, as the first power source, is not connected to the control unit, and the battery, as the second power source, is connected to the control unit. In other words, when the shutter's control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF), and then detects that the second connection has changed from disconnected (OFF) to connected (ON), the identification information for the first device is registered in the control unit's memory, and pairing registration between the first device and the control unit is performed. Note that the identification information for the first device is not registered when the control unit and the solar panel, as the first power source, are connected, even if the battery, as the second power source, is connected to the control unit.

[0033] Two modes of undoing the pairing registration between the first device and the control unit are described below. In one mode (first mode), when the first device and the control unit are paired, the identification information of the first device is deleted from the control unit's memory when the battery becomes disconnected. That is, when the shutter control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and that the second connection has changed from connected (ON) to disconnected (OFF), the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory, and the pairing registration between the first device and the control unit is canceled.

[0034] In one embodiment (second embodiment), the identification information of the first device is registered when the solar panel, as the first power source, is not connected to the control unit, and the battery, as the second power source, is connected to the control unit. When the solar panel becomes connected, the identification information of the first device is deleted from the control unit's memory, and the normal mode is set. That is, when the shutter's control unit detects that the second connection is connected (ON), and detects that the first connection has changed from a disconnected state (OFF) to a connected state (ON), the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory, the pairing registration between the first device and the control unit is canceled, and at the same time, the maintenance mode is canceled and the normal mode is set.

[0035] The second operation from the second device is enabled when the normal mode is set, by registering the identification information of the second device constituting the second operation unit in the control unit's memory. In normal mode, the identification information of the second device registered in the control unit's memory of the shutter control device is not deleted when normal mode is deactivated, when maintenance mode is set, or when maintenance mode is deactivated.

[0036] After the normal mode is set, the identification information of the first device as the first operating unit is not registered in the control unit's memory. When maintenance is performed after the normal mode is set and normal use of the shutter has started, the solar panel and battery are disconnected from the control unit. The control unit then detects the connection status between the control unit and the battery, and the disconnection status between the control unit and the solar panel, sets the maintenance mode, registers the identification information of the first device in the control unit's memory, performs pairing registration, and enables the first operation from the first device.

[0037] Alternatively, by disconnecting the solar panel and battery from the control unit, and then connecting the battery to the control unit, the control unit detects the connection status between the control unit and the battery, and the disconnection status between the control unit and the solar panel, setting a maintenance mode, registering the identification information of the first device in the control unit's memory, performing pairing registration, and enabling the first operation from the first device.

[0038] [F] Procedure for setting and canceling maintenance mode [F-1] First form Referring to Figure 5, the operation flow for setting and deactivating the maintenance mode in the first configuration will be explained. First, the control unit of the shutter control device and the battery are connected. The maintenance mode is set on the condition that the control unit of the shutter control device and the solar panel are not connected. That is, the maintenance mode is set when the control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and the second connection is connected (ON). The first operation becomes possible when the first device constituting the first operation unit and the control unit of the shutter control device are paired and registered. When the first device receives information (that the maintenance mode is set) from the control unit of the shutter control device, the initial screen of the first mode (Figure 3) is displayed on the display unit of the first device. Initial settings (upper limit position setting, lower limit position setting, etc.) are performed by the first operation from the first operation unit.

[0039] When the connection between the shutter control unit and the battery is disconnected, the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory. In other words, when the shutter control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and that the second connection has changed from connected (ON) to disconnected (OFF), the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory, and the pairing registration between the first device and the control unit is canceled.

[0040] Furthermore, by reconnecting the battery, which serves as the second power source and has been disconnected from the control unit, to the control unit, and by connecting the solar panel, which serves as the first power source, to the control unit of the shutter control device, the normal mode is set, and the second device constituting the second operation unit and the control unit of the shutter control device are paired and registered, enabling the second operation. When the second device receives information (that the normal mode is set) from the control unit of the shutter control device, the initial screen of the second mode (Figure 4) is displayed on the display unit of the second device. The shutter is opened and closed by the second operation from the second operation unit.

[0041] [F-2] Second form Referring to Figure 6, the operation flow for setting and deactivating the maintenance mode in the second configuration will be explained. First, the control unit of the shutter control device and the battery are connected. The maintenance mode is set on the condition that the control unit of the shutter control device and the solar panel are not connected. That is, the maintenance mode is set when the control unit detects that the first connection is disconnected (OFF) and the second connection is connected (ON). The first operation becomes possible when the first device constituting the first operation unit and the control unit of the shutter control device are paired and registered. When the first device receives information (that the maintenance mode is set) from the control unit of the shutter control device, the initial screen of the first mode (Figure 3) is displayed on the display unit of the first device. Initial settings (upper limit position setting, lower limit position setting, etc.) are performed by the first operation from the first operation unit.

[0042] When the control unit of the shutter control device and the battery are connected, connecting the solar panel to the control unit of the shutter control device cancels the maintenance mode, sets the normal mode, and deletes the identification information of the first device from the control unit's memory. In other words, when the shutter control unit detects that the second connection is connected (ON) and that the first connection has changed from disconnected (OFF) to connected (ON), the identification information of the first device is automatically deleted from the control unit's memory, the pairing registration between the first device and the control unit is canceled, and at the same time, the maintenance mode is canceled and the normal mode is set.

[0043] When the normal mode is selected, the second device, which constitutes the second operation unit, and the control unit of the shutter control device are paired and registered, enabling the second operation. When the second device receives information (that the normal mode is selected) from the control unit of the shutter control device, the initial screen of the second mode (Figure 4) is displayed on the display unit of the second device. The shutter is opened and closed by the second operation from the second operation unit.

[0044] [Note] Opening and closing mechanism, A control unit that controls the shutter operation via the aforementioned opening and closing mechanism, First power supply and Second power supply and Equipped with, The control unit includes a maintenance mode activated by a first operation from the first operation unit and a normal mode activated by a second operation from the second operation unit. The first operation is activated when the identification information of the first operation unit is registered in the control unit when the maintenance mode is set. When maintenance mode is deactivated, the identification information is deleted from the control unit. Shutter control device.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second power source is a battery. In one embodiment, the first power source is a solar panel. In one embodiment, the first power supply is a commercial power supply.

[0046] In one embodiment, the identification information of the first operating unit is registered when the first power supply is not connected to the control unit and the second power supply is connected to the control unit. When the second power supply is disconnected, the identification information is deleted.

[0047] In one embodiment, the identification information of the first operating unit is registered when the first power supply is not connected to the control unit and the second power supply is connected to the control unit. When the first power supply is connected, the identification information is deleted and the normal mode is set. In one embodiment, the second operation is enabled when the identification information of the second operation unit is registered with the control unit when the normal mode is set. In one embodiment, the identification information of the first operating unit is not registered when the first power supply is connected, even if the second power supply is connected to the control unit.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first and second operating units store applications for operating the control unit. The application is switchable between a first mode in which the first operation can be performed and a second mode in which the second operation can be performed.

Claims

1. Opening and closing mechanism, A control unit that controls the shutter operation via the aforementioned opening and closing mechanism, First power supply and Second power supply and Equipped with, The control unit is configured to operate selectively between maintenance mode and normal mode. The maintenance mode is set when only the second power supply is connected to the control unit. Shutter control device.

2. The maintenance mode is deactivated when the second power supply is disconnected. The shutter control device according to claim 1.

3. When the first power supply is connected to the control unit, the maintenance mode is deactivated and the normal mode is set. The shutter control device according to claim 1.

4. The second power source is a battery. A shutter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first power source is a solar panel. The shutter control device according to claim 4.

6. In the aforementioned maintenance mode, the control unit is activated by a first operation from the first operation unit. In the normal mode described above, the control unit is activated by a second operation from the second operation unit. The first and second operation units store applications for operating the control unit. The application is switchable between a first mode in which the first operation can be performed and a second mode in which the second operation can be performed. A shutter control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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