Additional modules and connecting units

Abstract

To provide an additional module and a connection type unit capable of preventing noise from being superimposed and electrical accidents such as poor insulation from occurring between modules of the connection type unit.SOLUTION: An additional module 40 of the present invention is connected between modules of a connection type unit formed by connecting a plurality of modules each consisting of an electronic apparatus and a case that stores the electronic apparatus. The additional module includes conversion units 41 and 42 inside a case 49 to convert an energization method or a communication method between adjacent modules. It is preferable that the conversion units have a function of converting to a non-contact energization method or communication method. The connection type unit of the present invention incorporates the additional module 40 described above between the modules.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an additional module connected between modules of a connected unit and a connected unit incorporating the additional module.

Background Art

[0002] A connected unit in which a plurality of modules each composed of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device are connected is conventionally known as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1. Such a connected unit allows for addition of modules and is used as a measurement unit capable of measuring a plurality of events by measuring different events with each module.

[0003] On the other hand, because it is possible to measure a plurality of events, there has been a risk that noise generated by a signal measured by one module is superimposed on a signal measured by another module, making it impossible to obtain an accurate measurement result. For example, there has been a risk that noise generated from data regarding events obtained from sensors and measuring devices installed in a solar power generation facility (particularly data such as DC current and voltage) is superimposed on data regarding events obtained from other sensors and measuring devices (particularly data such as AC current and voltage). Also, because the modules are connected in series, there has been a risk of an electrical accident such as poor insulation occurring between adjacent modules.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an additional module and a connected unit that can prevent noise from being superimposed between modules of a connected unit and prevent electrical accidents such as insulation failures from occurring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The additional module of the present invention, made to solve the above problems, is an additional module connected between modules of a linked unit formed by linking together multiple modules, each module consisting of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device, Additional modules Inside the case, Within the aforementioned connecting unit It is equipped with a conversion unit that converts the method of power supply or communication method. Power supply or communication between the additional module and the adjacent module is performed by contacting the terminals of the electronic devices housed in each other's cases, the terminals and the converter are electrically connected, and power supply or communication in the converter is performed using a contactless method. It is characterized by the following:

[0007] In addition, The conversion unit is The method of power supply is converted from an electrical method to a magnetic method, and the method of communication is converted from an electrical method to an optical method. It is It is preferable.

[0008] Furthermore, the linked unit of the present invention is a linked unit formed by linking together multiple modules, each module consisting of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device, wherein some modules are connected to adjacent modules. Power is supplied or communication is performed by making contact between the terminals of the electronic devices housed in each other's cases, and a non-contact method of power supply or communication is used inside the case. It is characterized by being an additional module equipped with a conversion unit that performs conversion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, additional modules connected between modules of a linked unit In the conversion unit housed inside the case, The method of power supply was changed from an electrical method to a magnetic method, and the communication method was changed from an electrical method to an optical method. Contactless methodThis converts the signal to a communication signal. Because a current-to-communication conversion unit is placed at least one point between modules, the entire module is no longer electrically connected, preventing electrical accidents such as insulation failures. Furthermore, noise superimposed on the communication signal is absorbed by the conversion unit, thus suppressing inaccuracies in measurement data due to noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view showing the basic configuration of the modular unit. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of a functional module. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the state with the additional module installed. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment incorporating an additional module. [Figure 5] This is a wiring diagram of an embodiment incorporating additional modules. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but first, the basic configuration of a linked unit that does not include additional modules will be explained. (Basic configuration of a modular unit) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a modular unit without additional modules. Base modules 11, functional modules 12, end modules 13, etc., are mounted in series on a rail member 10, in close contact with each other by mounting members 14. As shown in the figure, the base modules 11 and end modules 13 are positioned at both ends, and the functionality of the modular unit can be expanded by inserting the required number of functional modules 12 between them. The modular unit of this embodiment is intended for use in connection with sensors and measuring instruments.

[0012] The base module 11 has at least one of the functions such as a function of communicating with an external device, a function of being powered by the external device and supplying power to other modules, a function of communicating with other modules (a function of transmitting a signal to the function module 12 or receiving data from the function module 12), a function of calculating, storing, and analyzing data obtained from connected sensors and measuring devices or data received from the function module 12.

[0013] The end module 13 has a termination resistor and is for efficiently conducting power and communication between the modules constituting the connection type unit. In addition to this, it may have the same functions as the function module 12.

[0014] The function module 12 is connected to sensors and measuring devices and has at least one of the functions such as a function of acquiring, storing, calculating, analyzing data related to events detected or measured by the sensors and measuring devices, and a function of communicating with other modules (a function of transmitting the acquired data or the calculated and analyzed data to the base module 11 or receiving a signal from the base module 11).

[0015] In order to exhibit the above various functions, each module is composed of an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device. The structure of the case will be described later. The electronic device acquires data related to events detected or measured by connected sensors and measuring devices, and performs operations such as calculation, determination, storage, analysis, and communication, and is an electronic board on which electronic components are mounted or a device equipped with such an electronic board.

[0016] Here, the event means (1) natural phenomena such as earthquakes, lightning, rain, wind, and snow that affect electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes such as distribution boards, switchboards, and high-voltage power reception facilities and their attached equipment, and buildings such as houses and factories, and (2) the state of the internal environment of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, the state of the electrical and electronic equipment housed therein, disasters occurring in the electrical and electronic equipment storage box, etc. However, it is not limited to these as shown below.

[0017] Examples of sensors and measuring instruments include, in the case of (1), boxes for housing electrical and electronic equipment and their accessories, earthquake sensors for detecting earthquakes that affect buildings, seismic sensors, lightning sensors for measuring lightning, rain sensors for detecting rain, rain gauges for measuring rainfall, wind speed meters for measuring wind speed, snow sensors for measuring snow, and snow depth sensors for measuring snow depth. In the case of (2), thermometers for grasping the internal environment of the box for housing electrical and electronic equipment, hygrometers, illuminance sensors for measuring brightness, and barometric pressure sensors. In addition, current sensors, voltage sensors, and power sensors for measuring current, voltage, and power supplied to electrical and electronic equipment, temperature sensors for measuring heat generation in the interior and terminal parts of electrical and electronic equipment, infrared sensors, discharge event detection sensors for detecting spark discharges occurring in the terminal parts and electrical wiring of electrical and electronic equipment, vibration sensors for detecting abnormal vibrations of electrical and electronic equipment, and fire detectors, smoke sensors, odor sensors, heat sensors, etc. for detecting electrical accidents and electrical fires occurring inside the box for housing electrical and electronic equipment can be exemplified. In addition, a human presence sensor and a motion sensor for detecting the movement of people in a building or the movement of small animals that have entered the box for housing electrical and electronic equipment may also be used.

[0018] As described above, the events detected by the electronic equipment housed in the connection type unit of the present embodiment may be any events related to boxes for housing electrical and electronic equipment and their accessories, or buildings, and the measuring unit may be any device that can measure data related to those events.

[0019] Electrical and electronic equipment refers to items that are housed inside or mounted outside the electrical and electronic equipment enclosure, such as circuit breakers, terminal blocks, wires, disconnectors, circuit breakers, switches, transformers, reactors, capacitors, measuring instruments, sensors, communication equipment, display equipment, lighting equipment, heating and cooling equipment, and ventilation equipment. Of course, the sensor module of the present invention is also included. Attached equipment includes not only electrical and electronic equipment but also items outside the scope of electrical and electronic equipment, such as handles, hinges, gaskets, and grommets. In other words, attached equipment includes all equipment attached to the electrical and electronic equipment enclosure, whether inside or outside.

[0020] The various functions described above are performed by electronic devices housed inside each module. These electronic devices are basically mounted on an electronic circuit board, and power supply and communication between modules are achieved by making contact between terminals mounted on the electronic circuit board. As explained below, each module is directly or indirectly connected to form a linked unit, but the structure is such that physical and electrical connections, i.e., connections for power supply and communication, are made simultaneously by the terminals of each module making contact with each other.

[0021] The structure of the case is described below. The case houses electronic equipment inside. The case in this embodiment has an opening that opens across the entire surface in the connecting direction. However, since the base module 11 and the end module 13 are located at the ends, their cases are end cases with an opening on only one side in the connecting direction. In contrast, the case of the functional module 12 is a central case with openings on both sides in the connecting direction. As shown in Figure 2, the central case 21 has a frame shape enclosed by a top surface 22, a bottom surface 23, and left and right side surfaces 24.

[0022] In order to construct the linked unit of the present invention, the cases must be placed in close contact with each other on the rail member 10, and for this to be possible, the cases must be connected to each other. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a sliding engagement part 25 is provided on the outside of the side surface 24 of the central case 21, and a structure is adopted to connect adjacent cases in a close contact state between their openings. However, the means of connecting the cases is arbitrary and is not limited to this.

[0023] The cases can be directly connected to each other, which further increases the flexibility of the internal space size. However, as shown in Figure 2, the cases can also be connected with a covering member 31 placed over the opening of the central case 21, covering the opening. By covering the opening of the case with the covering member 31, the internal space of the case is partitioned, forming a single module.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, an electronic circuit board 30, which is an electronic device, is housed inside the case. The electronic circuit board 30 is equipped with a wire connection section 33 and a terminal section 34. An opening for wire connection is formed in the top plate 22 of the case, allowing the wires connected to the aforementioned sensors and measuring instruments to be connected to the wire connection section 33 through this opening. The terminal section 34 is made by bending and shaping an elastic leaf spring, and is used to connect to adjacent modules for power supply and / or communication. For this reason, a hole 36 is formed in the covering member 31 to expose the terminal section 34. In order to suppress the deterioration of waterproof and dustproof performance, it is preferable that the shape of the hole 36 conforms to the shape of the terminal section 34 and that there are no gaps.

[0025] (Additional module) As described above, the basic configuration of the linked unit is one in which a functional module 12 is placed between a base module 11 and an end module 13. However, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the linked unit of the present invention has some modules as additional modules 40. In this embodiment, the additional module 40 is inserted between the functional modules 12, but the additional module 40 may also be inserted between the functional module 12 and the base module 11 or the end module 13.

[0026] As shown in the wiring diagram in Figure 5, the additional module 40 includes conversion units 41 and 42 inside the case that convert the method of energizing or communicating between adjacent modules. The energizing circuit 43 between modules is separated by the conversion unit 41, and the communication path 44 between modules is separated by the conversion unit 42. The conversion units 41 and 42 convert the energizing method and communication method from a contact method to a non-contact method. Preferably, the conversion unit 41 converts electric energizing to a magnetic method, and the conversion unit 42 converts electric communication to an optical method.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the conversion unit 41 of the energized circuit 43 is composed of a first conversion unit 45 and a second conversion unit 46, and the conversion unit 42 of the communication path 44 is composed of a third conversion unit 47 and a fourth conversion unit 48. The first conversion unit 45 and the second conversion unit 46 are insulated from each other, and the third conversion unit 47 and the fourth conversion unit 48 are also insulated from each other. The first conversion unit 45 of the energized circuit 43 converts electricity to magnetism, and the second conversion unit 46 converts magnetism to electricity. The third conversion unit 47 of the communication path 44 converts electricity to light, and the fourth conversion unit 48 converts light to electricity. In this way, the conversion units 41 and 42 convert the energization method and communication method from a contact method to a non-contact method, enabling energization and communication between modules while maintaining insulation.

[0028] The structure of the case 49 of the additional module 40 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is preferable to have a structure that has openings on both sides in the connecting direction, similar to the central case 21 of the functional module 12. That is, the conversion units 41 and 42 are housed in the partitioned internal space of the case 49 by covering the openings of the case 49 with the covering member 51. Of course, in order to share parts, the case 49 and covering member 51 of the additional module 40 may have the same structure as the central case 21 and covering member 31 of the functional module 12.

[0029] The additional module 40 is equipped with terminals 52, and by contacting the terminals 34 of the electronic circuit board 30 of the adjacent module, it conducts power and / or communicates with the additional module 40. For this reason, the covering member 51 of the additional module 40 has holes 53 formed to expose the terminals 52. In other words, power conduction and / or communication between the additional module 40 and the adjacent module is performed by a contact method where the terminals touch each other, and power conduction and / or communication is performed internally within the additional module by conversion units 41 and 42 in a non-contact method.

[0030] Furthermore, the case 49 of the additional module 40 is connected to adjacent modules by appropriate connecting means, similar to the central case 21 of the functional module 12. Since the case 49 of the additional module 40 has a different function from the other functional modules 12, it is preferable to make the case shape and color different to make it easy to identify.

[0031] The additional module 40 may include at least one of a conversion unit 41 for converting the power supply method or a conversion unit 42 for converting the communication method, and the conversion unit 41 and the conversion unit 42 may be formed as an integrated unit.

[0032] As described above, according to the present invention, the entire module is no longer electrically connected, thus preventing electrical accidents such as insulation failures. Furthermore, since noise superimposed on the communication signal is absorbed by the conversion unit, there is the advantage that measurement data can be made less inaccurate due to noise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 Rail members 11 Base Modules 12 Function Modules 13 End Modules 14 Mounting components 21 Central Case 22 Top surface 23 Bottom 24 Side view 25 Engaging part 30 Electronic circuit boards 31 Covering member 33 Wire connection section 34 Terminal section 36 Hole 40 Additional Modules 41 Conversion section 42 Conversion section 43 Energized electrical circuit 44 Communication Paths 45 First Conversion Unit 46 Second Conversion Unit 47 Third Conversion Unit 48 Fourth Conversion Section 49. Cases of additional modules 51 Covering member 52 Terminal section 53 Hole

Claims

1. An additional module connected between modules of a linked unit, which is formed by linking together multiple modules consisting of electronic devices and cases for housing the electronic devices, The additional module's case is equipped with a conversion unit that converts the power supply method or communication method within the linked unit. Power supply or communication between an additional module and an adjacent module is achieved by making contact between the terminals of the electronic devices housed in each other's cases. The terminal section and the conversion section are electrically connected. An additional module characterized in that the power supply or communication in the conversion unit is performed by a non-contact method.

2. The additional module according to Claim 1, characterized in that the conversion unit converts the method of energizing from an electrical method to a magnetic method, and converts the communication method from an electrical method to an optical method.

3. A linked unit formed by linking together a plurality of modules, each module comprising an electronic device and a case for housing the electronic device, Some modules achieve power supply or communication between adjacent modules by making contact between the terminals of the electronic devices housed in each other's cases. A modular unit characterized by being an additional module equipped with a conversion unit inside the case that converts to a non-contact method of power supply or communication.

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