Device Control Switches and Switch Systems

Abstract

To obtain a device control switch that is easy to operate before maintenance work.SOLUTION: A device control switch 2 includes a power relay 11 that switches on and off a power supply to a connected ventilation fan 1, a power switch 7 that switches a connection state of the power relay 11 by pressing the power switch 7, a wireless signal receiving unit 14 that receives a wireless signal from the outside, and a control unit 13 that switches the connection state of the power relay 11 on the basis of a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit 14, and when first operation is performed by a user, the control unit 13 shifts to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and the connection state of the power relay 11 is forcibly turned off.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an appliance control switch and a switch system that switches on and off the power supply to a load appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] With the spread of IoT (Internet of Things), wall switches used in various load devices such as lighting and ventilation fans are now equipped with communication functions. Ventilation has received increasing attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, wall switches equipped with communication functions are used in combination with remote control terminals equipped with smartphone apps. Combining this wall switch with a remote control terminal makes it possible to remotely control the ventilation fan and also allows for automatic scheduled operation at times when ventilation is required, helping to reduce the effort required to open windows for ventilation.

[0003] In order to ensure proper ventilation, ventilation fans require maintenance such as cleaning the intake grille and replacing filters. During this maintenance, the fan is stopped so that the maintenance personnel does not come into contact with rotating parts such as the fan blades.

[0004] The switch device described in Patent Document 1 controls the opening and closing of a switch element based on a short press of an operation unit or a wireless signal sent by remote control in a normal mode. When the operation unit is pressed and held down, the switch device transitions to a prohibited mode in which the switch element is not controlled to open or close based on a wireless signal even if the switch device receives a wireless signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-003469 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, in the case of the prohibition mode, the switch element is not forcibly turned off to cut off the power supply to the load device connected to the switch element. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as cleaning or replacing parts of the load device, it is necessary to turn off the power to the load device before the maintenance work so that the maintenance person does not come into contact with the parts of the load device. In other words, in the technology of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to press the switch to turn off the switch element, and then press and hold the switch to switch to the prohibition mode to prevent remote operation by a third party, which causes a problem that it is very time-consuming to perform operations before the maintenance work.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a device control switch that is easy to operate before maintenance work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the device control switch of the present disclosure includes a switch element that switches on and off the power supply to a connected load device, a switch that switches the connection state of the switch element by a press operation, a wireless signal receiving unit that receives a wireless signal from the outside, and a control unit that switches the connection state of the switch element based on the wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit. When a first operation is performed by a user, the control unit transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and the connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off. When a second operation is performed by a user during the maintenance mode, the device transitions to a normal mode in which reception of wireless signals is permitted and switching processing by a switch is permitted, and reception of operations other than the second operation is prohibited during the maintenance mode. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The device control switch according to the present disclosure has the effect of simplifying operation before maintenance work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a switch system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a device control switch according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device control switch according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by a device control switch according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the device control switch according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a processing circuit provided in a control unit of a device control switch according to an embodiment when the processing circuit is realized by a processor and a memory. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing circuit in a controller of a device control switch according to an embodiment, the processing circuit being configured with dedicated hardware; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, a device control switch and a switch system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Embodiment 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a switch system according to an embodiment. The switch system 100 includes a device control switch 2 and a ventilation fan 1 connected to the device control switch 2. The switch system 100 also includes a wireless communication router 3, a network 4, a cloud server 5, and a user terminal 6.

[0013] The device control switch 2 is a switch that switches control of the ventilation fan 1, which is an example of a load device. The device control switch 2 is, for example, a wall switch that is attached to a wall inside a room. The device control switch 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a communication function, and can remotely control the ventilation fan 1 using a user terminal 6.

[0014] The switch system 100 may have only one combination of the device control switch 2 and the ventilation fan 1, or may have multiple combinations. That is, the switch system 100 may be configured using one ventilation fan 1, or may be configured using multiple ventilation fans 1. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the switch system 100 has two combinations of the device control switch 2 and the ventilation fan 1. Note that the load device is not limited to the ventilation fan 1, and may be other devices such as lighting equipment.

[0015] In the switch system 100, an equipment control switch 2 is connected to each of the ventilation fans 1. In the switch system 100, the operating state of the ventilation fans 1 is instructed by operating the equipment control switch 2. That is, in the switch system 100, when an operator operates the equipment control switch 2, the ventilation fans 1 perform an operation corresponding to the operation.

[0016] Each of the device control switches 2 is connected by wireless communication to the wireless communication router 3. The device control switches 2 and the wireless communication router 3 are connected by short-range wireless communication such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network, a private network) or a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network).

[0017] The wireless communication router 3 is connected to a network 4. The device control switch 2 is connected to a user terminal 6, such as a smartphone, and a cloud server 5 via the wireless communication router 3 and the network 4. The user terminal 6 is a terminal capable of inputting any control command to a control unit 13 (described later) provided in the device control switch 2.

[0018] In the switch system 100, a plurality of user terminals 6 can be connected to the network 4. Therefore, the device control switch 2 can be remotely controlled from each of the plurality of user terminals 6.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the device control switch according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the device control switch according to the embodiment. The device control switch 2 equipped with a communication function has a power switch 7, an air volume switch 8, and a WPS (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) Protected Setup) button 9. The device control switch 2 also has a power LED (Light Emitting Diode) 7A, an air volume LED 8A, and a wireless LED 9A. The device control switch 2 also has a control unit 13, a power relay 11, an air volume relay 12, a wireless signal receiving unit 14, and a wireless signal transmitting unit 15.

[0020] In the equipment control switch 2, the control unit 13 is connected to the power switch 7, the air volume switch 8, the WPS button 9, the power LED 7A, the air volume LED 8A, the wireless LED 9A, the power relay 11, the air volume relay 12, the wireless signal receiving unit 14, and the wireless signal transmitting unit 15.

[0021] The power supply relay 11 and the air volume relay 12 are connected to the ventilation fan 1. In addition, the wireless signal receiving unit 14 and the wireless signal transmitting unit 15 are capable of being wirelessly connected to the wireless communication router 3.

[0022] The power supply relay 11 is a relay that switches on and off the power supply to the ventilation fan 1. The air volume relay 12 is a relay that switches the air volume of the ventilation fan 1 between strong and weak.

[0023] The power switch 7 is a switch for switching the power supply of the ventilation fan 1 on or off. The power switch 7 can be switched on and off by physically pressing it, like a general wall switch. The power switch 7 can also be remotely operated by the user terminal 6 via the network 4 and the wireless communication router 3. That is, the user terminal 6 can remotely switch the state of a switch element that can be operated by the power switch 7 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a power switch element) via the network 4 and the wireless communication router 3. In the device control switch 2, the control unit 13 controls the state of the power switch element (for example, the open / closed state of the power relay 11) based on a control command from the user terminal 6.

[0024] The air volume switch 8 is a switch for switching the air volume of the ventilation fan 1 between strong and weak. Like a typical wall switch, the air volume switch 8 can be physically pressed to switch between strong and weak air volume. The air volume switch 8 can also be remotely operated by the user terminal 6 via the network 4 and the wireless communication router 3. That is, the user terminal 6 can remotely switch the state of a switch element that can be operated by the air volume switch 8 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an air volume switch element) via the network 4 and the wireless communication router 3. In the device control switch 2, the control unit 13 controls the state of the air volume switch element (for example, the open / closed state of the air volume relay 12) based on a control command from the user terminal 6.

[0025] The WPS button 9 is a button for setting up wireless communication. The device control switch 2 needs to be connected to the wireless communication router 3 in order to be remotely operated by the user terminal 6 via the network 4. For this reason, the device control switch 2 has the WPS button 9. In the switch system 100, for example, pressing the WPS button 9 and a WPS button (not shown) of the wireless communication router 3 enables connection between the device control switch 2 and the user terminal 6.

[0026] The power LED 7A is an LED that allows the operator to determine whether the power is on or off. The power LED 7A lights up in different colors depending on whether the power is on or off, making it possible to determine whether the power is on or off.

[0027] The air volume LED 8A is an LED that allows the operator to distinguish the air volume. The air volume LED 8A lights up in different colors depending on whether the air volume is strong or weak, making it possible to distinguish between strong and weak air volumes.

[0028] The wireless LED 9A is an LED that allows the operator to determine whether or not the wireless connection is in progress. The wireless LED 9A lights up in different colors depending on whether the wireless connection is in progress or not, making it possible to determine whether the wireless connection is in progress or not.

[0029] In the normal mode, the wireless signal receiving unit 14 receives a wireless signal from the wireless communication router 3. That is, in the normal mode, the wireless signal receiving unit 14 receives a control command transmitted from the user terminal 6 via the wireless communication router 3 and the network 4. The control command transmitted from the user terminal 6 is a command to turn the power on or off, a command to increase or decrease the airflow, etc.

[0030] The normal mode is a mode different from the maintenance mode described later. The normal mode is a mode that accepts operations by an operator and remote operations. The normal mode includes an operating state in which the ventilation fan 1 is operating and a stopped state in which the ventilation fan 1 is stopped.

[0031] The wireless signal transmitting unit 15 transmits information about the device control switch 2 (for example, status information indicating the status of the device control switch 2) to the wireless communication router 3. As a result, the wireless signal transmitting unit 15 transmits the information about the device control switch 2 to the user terminal 6 or the cloud server 5 via the wireless communication router 3 and the network 4.

[0032] The control unit 13 controls the power switch element, the air volume switch element, the power relay 11, the air volume relay 12, the power LED 7A, or the air volume LED 8A based on the operation of the power switch 7 or the air volume switch 8. The control unit 13 also controls the wireless signal receiving unit 14, the wireless signal transmitting unit 15, or the wireless LED 9A based on the operation of the WPS button 9.

[0033] Based on a control command received by wireless signal receiving unit 14, control unit 13 controls the power switch element, the air volume switch element, power relay 11, air volume relay 12, power LED 7A, or air volume LED 8A.

[0034] When the front panel portion of the power switch 7 is physically pressed, the control unit 13 switches the state of the power switch element from the state before pressing to another state. The control unit 13 switches the power supply to the ventilation fan 1 connected to the power relay 11 between on and off by switching the power relay 11, which is the power switch element. The control unit 13 switches the power supply to the ventilation fan 1 between on and off sequentially each time the power switch 7 is pressed. The control unit 13 controls the power LED 7A based on the state of the power supply to the ventilation fan 1.

[0035] When the front panel of the air volume switch 8 is physically pressed, the control unit 13 switches the state of the air volume switch element from the state before pressing it to another state. The control unit 13 switches between strong and weak air volumes connected to the air volume relay 12 by switching the air volume relay 12, which is the air volume switch element. The control unit 13 switches the air volume of the exhaust fan 1 between strong and weak in sequence each time the air volume switch 8 is pressed. The control unit 13 controls the air volume LED 8A based on the state of the air volume to the exhaust fan 1.

[0036] When the front panel of the WPS button 9 is physically pressed, the control unit 13 controls the wireless signal receiving unit 14 and the wireless signal transmitting unit 15 so as to enable wireless communication between the wireless communication router 3 and the device control switch 2. The control unit 13 controls the wireless LED 9A based on whether or not wireless communication with the wireless communication router 3 is possible.

[0037] Next, the maintenance mode will be described. The design panel (intake port) of the ventilation fan 1 is periodically cleaned. Furthermore, if the ventilation fan 1 is equipped with a filter, the filter is periodically cleaned or replaced. When the ventilation fan 1 is to be maintained, the operation of the ventilation fan 1 is stopped and the maintenance is started afterwards so that the maintenance worker does not come into contact with rotating objects such as the fan.

[0038] The device control switch 2 of this embodiment can be remotely operated via wireless communication, and unlike a typical wall switch, can remotely start and stop the operation of the ventilation fan 1. For this reason, the device control switch 2 is configured not to accept remote operation via wireless communication during maintenance.

[0039] When a specific operation (first operation) is performed by a user, the device control switch 2 transitions to a maintenance mode in which a maintenance person performs maintenance on the ventilation fan 1. For example, when the power switch 7 is pressed and held for a specific period of time or longer, the device control switch 2 transitions from the normal mode to the maintenance mode.

[0040] In the maintenance mode, the equipment control switch 2 prohibits the acceptance of remote control via wireless communication from the user terminal 6, and forcibly opens (off) the switching relays (power relay 11 and air volume relay 12), which are switch elements within the equipment control switch 2. Through these processes, the equipment control switch 2 turns off the power to the connected ventilation fan 1, forcibly stopping the ventilation fan 1, and stops remote control of the ventilation fan 1.

[0041] This allows the equipment control switch 2 to disable remote control via wireless communication and stop the ventilation fan 1 with a single action, enabling the maintenance person to start maintenance with a simple operation. It also prevents the maintenance person from starting maintenance under the mistaken belief that the ventilation fan 1 has been forcibly stopped because remote control has been disabled. This prevents the ventilation fan 1 from operating during maintenance, and prevents the maintenance person from coming into contact with the fan.

[0042] Furthermore, during the maintenance mode, the device control switch 2 may notify a maintenance person that the device is in the maintenance mode by simultaneously lighting or blinking the power LED 7A, the air volume LED 8A, the wireless LED 9A, etc. When prohibiting the acceptance of remote control, the device control switch 2 may execute control to disable remote control while keeping the wireless communication connected, rather than only cutting off the wireless communication connection.

[0043] During the maintenance mode, the equipment control switch 2 does not accept a press of the power switch 7. In other words, during the maintenance mode, the equipment control switch 2 does not accept any operations other than an operation to return to the normal mode, which will be described later. During the maintenance mode, even if the power switch 7 is briefly pressed, the equipment control switch 2 maintains the open state (off state) of the switching relay, which is a switch element within the equipment control switch 2, and keeps the power to the connected ventilation fan 1 off.

[0044] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the equipment control switch 2 does not accept a pressing operation of the power switch 7 during the maintenance mode, but the equipment control switch 2 may accept a pressing operation of the power switch 7 during the maintenance mode. That is, to simplify control and make it easier to check the operation of the ventilation fan 1 during maintenance, the equipment control switch 2 may accept a pressing operation of the power switch 7 even in the maintenance mode.

[0045] When the device control switch 2 is in the maintenance mode, for example when used in a home, it is possible to register multiple user terminals 6, and the device control switch 2 notifies all user terminals 6 that maintenance is in progress and remote operation is disabled. This allows people other than the maintenance person performing the maintenance work to know that the ventilation fan 1 is stopped for maintenance and cannot be remotely operated.

[0046] Furthermore, the user can arbitrarily input usable period T (not shown) of the filter, design panel, etc. attached to the ventilation fan 1 to the user terminal 6. The user inputs the usable period T, which is the time during which the filter, design panel, etc. attached as standard can be used, to the user terminal 6. The usable period T is, for example, three months.

[0047] Meanwhile, the device control switch 2 stores information on the date and time when the device control switch 2 transitioned to the maintenance mode (hereinafter referred to as date and time information). The device control switch 2 records the date and time information, for example, in a recording medium included in the control unit 13. The device control switch 2 may store the date and time information in the cloud server 5.

[0048] The control unit 13 of the device control switch 2 calculates date and time difference information as the difference between the current date and time and the most recent date and time information (most recent date and time information) last recorded among the date and time information stored in the recording medium or cloud server 5. The control unit 13 compares the date and time difference information with a specific period (for example, usable period T), and if the date and time difference information exceeds the usable period T, notifies the user terminal 6 that it is time for maintenance.

[0049] The control unit 13 may have a built-in timer. In this case, the control unit 13 operates the timer when the maintenance mode ends, and compares the elapsed time measured by the timer with the usable period T. Then, when the elapsed time measured by the timer exceeds the usable period T, the control unit 13 notifies the user terminal 6 that it is time for maintenance. In other words, when a specific time has passed since the most recently performed maintenance, the control unit 13 notifies the user terminal 6 that the next maintenance is necessary.

[0050] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the device control switch according to the embodiment. When the power switch 7 is pressed, the device control switch 2 starts the operation of the ventilation fan 1 in the normal mode (step S10). Note that in the normal mode, the ventilation fan 1 may be stopped.

[0051] The control unit 13 of the device control switch 2 determines whether the power switch 7 has been pressed and held down (step S20). If the power switch 7 has not been pressed and held down (step S20, No), the device control switch 2 continues to operate the ventilation fan 1 in the normal mode.

[0052] If the power switch 7 is pressed and held (step S20, Yes), the control unit 13 transitions to a maintenance mode (step S30). Then, the control unit 13 prohibits the acceptance of remote control via wireless communication from the user terminal 6, and forcibly opens the switching relays (the power relay 11 and the air volume relay 12) in the device control switch 2 (step S40). After this, maintenance of the ventilation fan 1 is performed by a maintenance person.

[0053] In this embodiment, the device control switch 2 transitions to the maintenance mode by pressing and holding the power switch 7 for a long time, but the device control switch 2 may also transition to the maintenance mode by continuously pressing the power switch 7. Also, a dedicated button for transitioning to the maintenance mode may be provided on the device control switch 2. That is, any operation method for transitioning the device control switch 2 to the maintenance mode may be used.

[0054] When a specific operation (second operation) is performed by the user in the maintenance mode, the device control switch 2 transitions from the maintenance mode to the normal mode. For example, when the power switch 7 is pressed and held for a specific period of time or longer, the device control switch 2 returns from the maintenance mode to the normal mode.

[0055] In the normal mode, the device control switch 2 accepts remote operation by wireless communication from the user terminal 6, and sets the switching relays (power relay 11 and air volume relay 12), which are switch elements in the device control switch 2, to an on state. In other words, in the normal mode, the control unit 13 of the device control switch 2 permits reception of wireless signals from the wireless communication router 3, and permits switching processing by the power relay 11 and air volume relay 12.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the device control switch 2 transitions to the normal mode by pressing and holding the power switch 7 for a long time, but the device control switch 2 may also transition to the normal mode by continuously pressing the power switch 7. Also, a dedicated button for transitioning to the normal mode may be provided on the device control switch 2. In other words, any operation method for transitioning the device control switch 2 to the normal mode may be used.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the device control switch according to the embodiment. Among the components in Fig. 5, components that achieve the same functions as those in the device control switch 2 shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0058] 5 includes a mode switching button 21, which is a dedicated button for switching whether or not to switch to the maintenance mode. That is, the device control switch 2X of the different configuration example includes a power switch 7, an airflow switch 8, a WPS button 9, and the mode switching button 21.

[0059] Furthermore, the device control switch 2X has a mode display LED 21 A. That is, the device control switch 2X includes a power LED 7A, an air volume LED 8A, a wireless LED 9A, and a mode display LED 21A.

[0060] The mode display LED 21A is an LED that allows the operator to determine whether or not the device is in the maintenance mode. The mode display LED 21A lights up in different colors for the maintenance mode and the normal mode, making it possible to determine the operation mode. The control unit 13 switches the operation mode between the maintenance mode and the normal mode in sequence each time the mode switching button 21 is pressed once. The control unit 13 controls the mode display LED 21A based on the operation mode.

[0061] The equipment control switch 2X transitions to a maintenance mode when the mode switching button 21 is pressed and held for a specific period of time or longer. When the equipment control switch 2X transitions to the maintenance mode, like the equipment control switch 2, it does not accept any remote control operation and also cuts off the power supply to the ventilation fan 1, forcibly stopping the ventilation fan 1.

[0062] When performing maintenance such as cleaning the ventilation fan 1 or replacing parts, the equipment control switches 2, 2X stop the ventilation fan 1 so that the maintenance person does not come into contact with rotating objects such as the blades, and disable remote operation so that a third party cannot remotely operate it. This allows the maintenance person to disable remote operation and stop the ventilation fan 1 with a single operation, improving convenience for the maintenance person. Also, even if it is difficult to tell whether the ventilation fan 1 has stopped just by appearance, unlike lighting, the maintenance person can be prevented from mistakenly thinking that the ventilation fan 1 has stopped just by disabling remote operation alone. This allows the equipment control switches 2, 2X to prevent the maintenance person from coming into contact with rotating objects.

[0063] The user terminal 6, which is a mobile terminal or the like, receives and displays the status information transmitted by the device control switch 2. Specifically, the user terminal 6 receives and displays information such as the status of the power relay 11 (power on or off), the status of the air volume relay 12 (strong or weak air volume), the operation mode (maintenance mode or normal mode), the communication status between the device control switches 2 and 2X, and maintenance announcements.

[0064] The contents (control commands) that the user terminal 6 can instruct the device control switches 2, 2X in accordance with information input by the user include the state of the power supply relay 11, the state of the air volume relay 12, and the like.

[0065] Next, the hardware configuration of the control unit 13 will be described. The control unit 13 is realized by a processing circuit. This processing circuit may be a processor and memory that executes a program stored in a memory, or may be dedicated hardware. The processing circuit is also called a control circuit.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a processing circuit in the control unit of the device control switch according to the embodiment, in which the processing circuit is realized by a processor and a memory. The processing circuit 90 shown in FIG. 6 is a control circuit and includes a processor 91 and a memory 92. When the processing circuit 90 is configured with the processor 91 and the memory 92, each function of the processing circuit 90 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program and stored in the memory 92. In the processing circuit 90, each function is realized by the processor 91 reading and executing the program stored in the memory 92. That is, the processing circuit 90 includes a memory 92 for storing a control program that results in the processing of the control unit 13 being executed. This control program can also be said to be a program for causing the control unit 13 to execute each function realized by the processing circuit 90. This control program may be provided by a storage medium in which the program is stored, or may be provided by other means such as a communication medium.

[0067] Here, the processor 91 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. Also, the memory 92 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically EPROM), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.

[0068] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing circuit in the control unit of the device control switch according to the embodiment, which is configured with dedicated hardware. The processing circuit 93 shown in Fig. 7 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these.

[0069] The processing circuits 90 and 93 may be partially implemented by dedicated hardware and partially implemented by software or firmware. In this manner, the processing circuits 90 and 93 can realize the above-described functions by dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0070] Thus, in this embodiment, when a specific operation (e.g., pressing and holding the power switch 7) is performed by the user, the control unit 13 of the device control switch 2 transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of wireless signals is prohibited and the connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off. This allows the maintenance person to keep the operation of the ventilation fan 1 stopped by a simple operation before maintenance work. Therefore, the device control switch 2 simplifies the operation before maintenance work and can prevent contact between the maintenance person and rotating objects such as the fan.

[0071] Furthermore, since the device control switch 2 transmits state information indicating the state of the device control switch 2 to the user terminal 6, the state of the device control switch 2 can be made known to the user.

[0072] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies. Parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0073] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0074] (Appendix 1) A switch element for switching on and off the power supply to a connected load device; a switch that switches a connection state of the switch element by being pressed; a wireless signal receiving unit for receiving a wireless signal from an external device; A control unit that switches a connection state of the switch element based on a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit; Equipped with When a first operation is executed by a user, the control unit transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and a connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off. 1. An equipment control switch comprising: (Appendix 2) When a second operation is performed by a user during the maintenance mode, the control unit transitions to a normal mode in which reception of the wireless signal is permitted and a switching process by the switch is permitted. 2. The device control switch according to claim 1 . (Appendix 3) The control unit prohibits acceptance of operations other than the second operation during the maintenance mode. 3. The device control switch according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) A mode switching button is further provided for switching whether or not to transition to the maintenance mode, The control unit transitions to the maintenance mode when the mode switching button is pressed. 4. The device control switch according to claim 1, (Appendix 5) An appliance control switch according to any one of appendices 1 to 4; A user terminal capable of inputting a control command to be transmitted to the control unit; having the user terminal and the radio signal receiving unit are wirelessly connected via an external network, The wireless signal receiving unit receives the control command transmitted by the user terminal via the network. A switching system comprising: (Appendix 6) the device control switch further includes a wireless signal transmission unit that transmits status information indicating a status of the device control switch to the user terminal via the network; The user terminal receives and displays the status information. 6. A switch system according to claim 5, (Appendix 7) the device control switch stores date and time information indicating the date and time of transition to the maintenance mode, and when the difference between the last stored date and time information and the current date and time exceeds a specific period, notifies the user terminal that it is time for the next maintenance. 7. A switch system according to claim 5 or 6. (Appendix 8) When a specific time has elapsed since the most recently performed maintenance, the device control switch notifies the user terminal that it is time for the next maintenance. 8. A switch system according to any one of claims 5 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Ventilation fan, 2,2X device control switch, 3 Wireless communication router, 4 Network, 5 Cloud server, 6 User terminal, 7 Power switch, 7A Power LED, 8 Airflow switch, 8A Airflow LED, 9 WPS button, 9A Wireless LED, 11 Power relay, 12 Airflow relay, 13 Control unit, 14 Wireless signal receiver, 15 Wireless signal transmitter, 21 Mode switch button, 21A Mode display LED, 90,93 Processing circuit, 91 Processor, 92 Memory, 100 Switch system.

Claims

1. A switch element for switching on and off the power supply to a connected load device; a switch that switches a connection state of the switch element by being pressed; a wireless signal receiving unit for receiving a wireless signal from an external device; A control unit that switches a connection state of the switch element based on a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit; Equipped with the control unit, when a first operation is performed by a user, transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and a connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off, and, when a second operation is performed by the user during the maintenance mode, transitions to a normal mode in which reception of the wireless signal is permitted and switching processing by the switch is permitted, and during the maintenance mode, reception of operations other than the second operation is prohibited.

1. An equipment control switch comprising:

2. A switch element for switching on and off the power supply to a connected load device; a switch that switches a connection state of the switch element by being pressed; a wireless signal receiving unit for receiving a wireless signal from an external device; A control unit that switches a connection state of the switch element based on a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit; a mode switching button for switching whether to transition to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and the connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off; Equipped with The control unit transitions to a maintenance mode when a first operation is executed by a user, and transitions to the maintenance mode when the mode switching button is pressed.

1. An equipment control switch comprising:

3. An equipment control switch for switching control of a connected load equipment; A user terminal capable of inputting a control command to be transmitted to the device control switch; having The device control switch is A switch element for switching on and off the power supply to a connected load device; a switch that switches a connection state of the switch element by being pressed; a wireless signal receiving unit for receiving a wireless signal from an external device; A control unit that switches a connection state of the switch element based on a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit; Equipped with the user terminal and the radio signal receiving unit are wirelessly connected via an external network, The wireless signal receiving unit receives the control command transmitted by the user terminal via the network, when a first operation is executed by a user, the control unit transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and a connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off; the device control switch stores date and time information indicating the date and time of transition to the maintenance mode, and when the difference between the last stored date and time information and the current date and time exceeds a specific period, notifies the user terminal that it is time for the next maintenance. A switching system comprising:

4. An equipment control switch for switching control of a connected load equipment; A user terminal capable of inputting a control command to be transmitted to the device control switch; having The device control switch is A switch element for switching on and off the power supply to a connected load device; a switch that switches a connection state of the switch element by being pressed; a wireless signal receiving unit for receiving a wireless signal from an external device; A control unit that switches a connection state of the switch element based on a wireless signal received by the wireless signal receiving unit; Equipped with the user terminal and the radio signal receiving unit are wirelessly connected via an external network, The wireless signal receiving unit receives the control command transmitted by the user terminal via the network, when a first operation is executed by a user, the control unit transitions to a maintenance mode in which reception of the wireless signal is prohibited and a connection state of the switch element is forcibly turned off; When a specific time has elapsed since the most recently performed maintenance, the device control switch notifies the user terminal that it is time for the next maintenance. A switching system comprising:

5. the device control switch further includes a wireless signal transmission unit that transmits status information indicating a status of the device control switch to the user terminal via the network; The user terminal receives and displays the status information.

5. The switch system according to claim 3 or 4.

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