Sensor and actuator modules that can be easily connected to educational microcomputer boards

Abstract

We provide sensor and actuator modules that children can easily connect to educational microcomputer boards. [Solution] The educational microcomputer board equipped with a general-purpose microcomputer 14 is equipped with a board body 11 and a USB male terminal-shaped connection terminal 15 printed on the board body with copper foil, so that connection can be completed simply by inserting it into a female connection terminal attached to the educational microcomputer board. The connection terminal can be easily attached and detached even by a child, preventing connection errors.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a sensor and actuator module that can be easily connected to an educational microcomputer board. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0002] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Arduino Basics Introduction! Summary for Electronics Beginners (Part 1)" https: / / deviceplus.jp / arduino / arduino-listicle-01 / [Non-patent document 2] "Grove System Signals and Representative Microcontroller Boards" https: / / lab.seeed.co.jp / entry / 2019 / 10 / 25 / 120432 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An educational microcomputer board is a circuit board equipped with a general-purpose microcomputer, to which various sensors and actuators are connected and controlled by a program, making it a teaching material for programming. Conventionally, methods for connecting educational microcomputer boards to sensors and actuators include wiring using a breadboard and jumper cables, as in [Non-Patent Document 1], or using connectors, as in [Non-Patent Document 2]. However, when used by elementary school children or younger, there are issues with using breadboards and jumper cables, which are prone to connection errors, and with connectors, which are small and require force to connect and disconnect, making them difficult for children to handle. This invention aims to solve these issues. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] To solve the above problems, this device modularizes the sensors and actuators, and uses male connection terminals on the circuit boards so that connection can be completed simply by inserting them into the female connection terminals attached to the dedicated educational microcomputer board. This makes the connection terminals easy to attach and detach even for children, and also prevents connection errors. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] This invention allows children to easily handle educational microcomputer boards, sensors, and actuators, making programming education for children more efficient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an actuator module according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an educational microcomputer board according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a combination of an educational microcomputer board and a sensor and actuator module according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Students learn how to use sensors and actuators by inserting the sensor and actuator modules into the connection terminals of a dedicated educational microcomputer board, then connecting the educational microcomputer board to a computer and programming the microcomputer board. [Example]

[0008] An embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows an optical sensor module, which is one example of a sensor module. 1 is the main board of the module. 2 is the connection terminal, which is printed with copper foil on the main board and has the same dimensions as a standard USB male terminal. 3 is the group of components that make up the module. 4 is the optical sensor. 5 is a step on the board, and by placing a finger on this part, children can easily pull the module out of the microcomputer board. Figure 2 shows a motor driver module, which is one example of an actuator module. 6 is the main circuit board of the module. 7 is the connection terminal, which is printed with copper foil on the main board and has the same dimensions as a standard USB male terminal. 8 is the group of components that make up the module. 9 is the connection terminal for the motor lead wire. 10 is a step on the circuit board, and by placing a finger on this part, children can easily pull the module out of the microcomputer board. Figure 3 shows an example of an educational microcomputer board. 11 is the main board of the microcomputer board. 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are terminals for connecting sensor and actuator modules, and are the same size as standard USB female terminals. The connection terminals exchange control signals with the modules and supply power to them. In this example, four terminals are provided, allowing up to four sensor and actuator modules to be connected. 13 is a group of components that make up the microcomputer board, and 14 is a general-purpose microcomputer that can be programmed by connecting to a computer via the built-in wireless function or the USB terminal for connecting to a computer (15). 16 is the power connection terminal. Figure 4 shows an example of a combination of an educational microcomputer board and sensor and actuator modules. 15 is an educational microcomputer board, and the illustration shows the state in which the optical sensor module 18 and the motor driver module 19 are inserted into the connection terminals of the microcomputer board. The sensor and actuator can be controlled by connecting to a PC via the wireless function of the general-purpose microcomputer 14 or the USB terminal for PC connection 15. It is possible to perform programming. [Explanation of symbols]

[0009] 1 Sensor module board 2 Sensor module connection terminal 3 Sensor module components 4. Light Sensor 5 Step for removing the sensor module 6 Actuator module board 7 Actuator module connection terminal 8 Actuator module components 9 Motor connection terminal 10 Step for removing the actuator module 11 Educational Microcomputer Board 12a Module connection terminal 12b Module connection terminal 12c module connection terminal 12d Module connection terminal 13 Educational Microcomputer Board Components 14 General-purpose microcomputer 15 USB terminal for connecting to a computer 16 Power connection terminal

Claims

1. This sensor and actuator module is characterized by being easily connectable by children to an educational microcomputer board equipped with a general-purpose microcomputer.

2. Scope of utility model registration claims [ 10. An educational microcomputer board equipped with a general-purpose microcomputer, characterized in that the sensor and actuator module according to claim 1 can be easily connected by children.

Images