Relay equipment, load systems, duct systems, and power supply systems

Abstract

To reduce possibility of arc generation when removing a relay fixture from a duct.SOLUTION: A relay fixture 1 comprises: a pair of power supply input terminals 11, 12; a pair of power supply output terminals 13, 14; a housing; a fixing latch 30; and a control output terminal 15. A state of the fixing latch 30 is switched between a release state for making the housing be in a state of being removable from a duct and a fixing state for fixing the housing to the duct. The control output terminal 15 outputs a current limit signal to the power supply circuit when the fixing latch 30 is in the release state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a relay device, a load system, a duct system, and a power supply system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a relay device to be attached to a duct for power transmission, and a load system, a duct system, and a power supply system including the relay device. [Background Art]

[0002] The power outlet described in Patent Document 1 includes: a positive electrode outlet contact connected to the positive electrode of a DC power supply; a negative electrode outlet contact connected to the negative electrode of the DC power supply; and a constant voltage element. The constant voltage element is in a cut-off state when a voltage equal to or lower than the set voltage of the DC power supply is applied between the two outlet contacts, and becomes conductive when a high voltage exceeding the set voltage of the DC power supply is applied. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-142768 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The power outlet described in Patent Document 1 suppresses the generation of an arc when the contact is opened by the above configuration. However, the power outlet described in Patent Document 1 is not intended for application to a relay device attached to a duct for power transmission.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a relay device capable of reducing the possibility of arc generation when the relay device is removed from a duct, and a load system, a duct system, and a power supply system including the relay device. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] A relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is attached to a duct. The duct comprises a duct rail and a pair of duct rail wiring held on the duct rail. The relay device comprises a pair of power input terminals, a pair of power output terminals, a housing, a fixing latch, a control output terminal, Discharge circuit and The housing comprises the following: The pair of power input terminals are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wiring. DC power is input to the pair of power input terminals from the pair of duct rail wiring. The pair of power output terminals are electrically connected to a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is electrically connected to a load. The pair of power output terminals output the DC power input to the pair of power input terminals to the load via the power supply circuit. The housing holds the pair of power input terminals and the pair of power output terminals. The locking latch switches between an open state, which makes the housing removable from the duct, and a fixed state, which fixes the housing to the duct. The control output terminal outputs a current limiting signal to the power supply circuit when the locking latch is in the open state. The discharge circuit is electrically connected between the pair of power output terminals and allows current to flow between the pair of power output terminals when the fixed latch is in the open state. The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power supply circuit so that the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the open state is less than the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the fixed state. 。 A relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is attached to a duct. The duct comprises a duct rail and a pair of duct rail wiring held on the duct rail. The relay device comprises a pair of power input terminals, a pair of power output terminals, a housing, a fixing latch, a control output terminal, and an interlocking switch. The pair of power input terminals are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wiring. DC power is input to the pair of power input terminals from the pair of duct rail wiring. The pair of power output terminals are electrically connected to a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is electrically connected to a load. The pair of power output terminals output the DC power input to the pair of power input terminals to the load via the power supply circuit. The housing holds the pair of power input terminals and the pair of power output terminals. The fixing latch switches between an open state, which makes the housing removable from the duct, and a fixed state, which fixes the housing to the duct. The control output terminal outputs a current limiting signal to the power supply circuit when the fixed latch is in the released state. The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power supply circuit so that the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the released state is less than the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the fixed state. When the fixed latch is in the fixed state, it fits into an opening provided in the duct rail, and when the fixed latch moves, it becomes the released state in which it can be removed from the opening. The current limiting signal is output from the control output terminal when the open / closed state of the interlocking switch is switched in conjunction with the movement of the fixed latch.

[0007] A load system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the relay device and the load.

[0008] A duct system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the relay device and the duct.

[0009] A power supply system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the relay device and the power supply circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This disclosure has the advantage of reducing the possibility of arcing when removing the relay device from the duct. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a relay device, duct, and load equipment according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the relay device, duct, and load equipment shown above, with the duct shown in cross-section. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the entire system, including the relay equipment, ducts, and load equipment mentioned above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a circuit block diagram of the relay device described above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a circuit block diagram of the same load device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a circuit block diagram of the relay device according to Modification Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] (Embodiment) The relay equipment, load system, duct system, and power supply system according to the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are only one of many embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiments described below can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. In addition, the figures described in the embodiments below are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0013] (overview) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the relay device 1 of this disclosure is used by being attached to a power transmission duct 5. The duct 5 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of a facility or on a piece of furniture.

[0014] The type of facility is not particularly limited. Examples of facilities include residences or offices.

[0015] The term "furniture and fixtures" is a general term for appliances such as furniture and equipment used in residential or non-residential buildings. Examples of furniture and fixtures include desks, workbenches, shelves, boxes, dressers, beds, whiteboards, screens, partitions, and sofa benches, etc.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the relay device 1 of the present embodiment is attached to a duct 5. The duct 5 comprises a duct rail 53 and a pair of duct rail wires 51, 52 held by the duct rail 53. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the relay device 1 comprises a pair of power input terminals 11, 12, a pair of power output terminals 13, 14, a housing 20, a fixing latch 30, and a control output terminal 15. The pair of power input terminals 11, 12 are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wires 51, 52. DC power is input to the pair of power input terminals 11, 12 from the pair of duct rail wires 51, 52. The pair of power output terminals 13, 14 are electrically connected to a power circuit 7 (see Figure 3). The power circuit 7 is electrically connected to a load 8 (see Figure 3). The pair of power output terminals 13, 14 output the DC power input to the pair of power input terminals 11, 12 to the load 8 via the power circuit 7. The housing 20 holds the pair of power input terminals 11, 12 and the pair of power output terminals 13, 14. The state of the fixing latch 30 switches between a released state in which the housing 20 can be removed from the duct 5 and a fixed state in which the housing 20 is fixed to the duct 5. The control output terminal 15 outputs a current limiting signal to the power circuit 7 when the fixing latch 30 is in the released state. The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power circuit 7 such that the current supplied from the power circuit 7 to the load 8 when the fixing latch 30 is in the released state is smaller than the current supplied from the power circuit 7 to the load 8 when the fixing latch 30 is in the fixed state.

[0017] According to the present embodiment, when the relay device 1 is removed from the duct 5, the current supplied from the power supply circuit 7 to the load 8 is a relatively small current. Therefore, even if the relay device 1 is removed from the duct 5 when the pair of duct rail wires 51 and 52 are in a live state, there is an advantage that arcing is less likely to occur. Accordingly, the load 8 and the power supply circuit 7 can be protected from arcing.

[0018] Further, the load system X1 (see FIG. 3) of the present embodiment includes the relay device 1 and the load 8.

[0019] The duct system X2 of the present embodiment includes the relay device 1 and the duct 5.

[0020] The power supply system X3 of the present embodiment includes the relay device 1 and the power supply circuit 7.

[0021] (Details) (1) Overall Configuration Hereinafter, the relay device 1 of the present embodiment and the configuration related to the relay device 1 will be described in more detail. In the following description, it is assumed that the duct 5 is installed on the ceiling of a facility.

[0022] As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the facility is provided with the relay device 1, the duct 5, the power supply circuit 7, the load 8, and the converter circuit 9. The facility also receives power from the power source PS1.

[0023] The power source PS1 is, for example, a commercial power source. The power source PS1 outputs AC power. The converter circuit 9 converts the AC power output from the power source PS1 into DC power, and outputs the converted DC power. The DC power output from the converter circuit 9 is input to the load 8 via the duct 5, the relay device 1, and the power supply circuit 7. A DC voltage of a predetermined magnitude (for example, a voltage of DC 48V) is applied between the pair of duct rail wires 51 and 52 of the duct 5.

[0024] Although not shown in Figure 3, a distribution board may be installed between the power supply PS1 and the converter circuit 9. Additionally, a circuit breaker may be installed between the power supply PS1 and the duct 5.

[0025] Power supply PS1 may output DC power instead of AC power. In that case, the converter circuit 9 is omitted. Also, power supply PS1 is not limited to commercial power, but may be, for example, a private power generation system or a storage battery.

[0026] (2) Power supply circuit and load As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the power supply circuit 7 is electrically connected to the load 8. DC power is input from the power supply circuit 7 to the load 8. The load 8 operates using DC power.

[0027] The type of load 8 is not particularly limited. Load 8 may be, for example, a lighting device, a display, or a fan motor. In this embodiment, the case where load 8 is a lighting device will be described as an example. Load 8 includes a light-emitting element 80. The light-emitting element 80 is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting element 80 emits light when supplied with DC power.

[0028] The power supply circuit 7 is a DC / DC conversion circuit. That is, the power supply circuit 7 converts the voltage of the input DC power to a predetermined voltage and outputs the converted DC power.

[0029] The power supply circuit 7 in this embodiment is a switching power supply circuit. The power supply circuit 7 includes a conversion circuit 71 and a control circuit 72.

[0030] The control circuit 72 includes a computer system such as a microcontroller. The control circuit 72 controls the operation of the conversion circuit 71. The control circuit 72 also includes a control input terminal 720.

[0031] A well-known configuration can be adopted for the conversion circuit 71. Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the conversion circuit 71. As shown in Figure 5, the conversion circuit 71 is a step-down switching power supply circuit having, for example, a pair of power input terminals 711 and 712, switches Q1 and Q2, a resistor R1, a diode D1, an inductor L1, and a capacitor C1.

[0032] Switch Q1 and Switch Q2 are each semiconductor switching elements. Switch Q1 and Switch Q2 are, for example, MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors).

[0033] The pair of power input terminals 711 and 712 are electrically connected to the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 (see Figure 4) of the relay device 1, respectively. Power input terminal 711 is the positive terminal, and power input terminal 712 is the negative terminal.

[0034] A diode D1 is electrically connected between a pair of power input terminals 711 and 712. Diode D1 is connected such that its cathode is on the power input terminal 711 side and its anode is on the power input terminal 712 side. Switch Q1 is connected between diode D1 and power input terminal 711.

[0035] Inductor L1 is electrically connected between the wiring between switch Q1 and diode D1 and the first terminal of capacitor C1. The second terminal of capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the power input terminal 712.

[0036] The series circuit of the light-emitting element 80, switch Q2, and resistor R1 is connected in parallel with capacitor C1.

[0037] The open / closed state of switch Q1 is switched according to the control signal input from control circuit 72. When switch Q1 is ON, current flows through inductor L1 and energy is stored in inductor L1. When switch Q1 is OFF, inductor L1 generates an electromotive force, and current flows through inductor L1 through diode D1. As a result, the current flowing through inductor L1 is smoothed by capacitor C1, and DC power is output from conversion circuit 71 to load 8.

[0038] Furthermore, the control input terminal 720 of the control circuit 72 is electrically connected to the control output terminal 15 (see Figure 4) of the relay device 1. The control input terminal 720 receives the input of a current limiting signal output from the control output terminal 15. The current limiting signal is a signal to the power supply circuit 7 to suppress arc generation. When the current limiting signal is input to the control output terminal 15, the control circuit 72 controls the switch Q2 to reduce the output current of the conversion circuit 71.

[0039] Hereinafter, the configuration including the power supply circuit 7 and the load 8 will be referred to as the load device 6. As shown in Figure 1, the load device 6 further includes a main body 61 and a connector 62 (plug). The main body 61 houses the power supply circuit 7 and the load 8. The connector 62 is connected to the main body 61. The connector 62 is detachably attached to the relay device 1. That is, the connector 62 is electrically and mechanically connected to the relay device 1, and is also electrically and mechanically disconnected from the relay device 1. The connector 62 is provided with a pair of power input terminals 711, 712 and a control input terminal 720 (see Figure 5).

[0040] In this embodiment, a relay device 1 is attached to the underside of a duct 5 installed on the ceiling, and a load device 6 is suspended from the relay device 1.

[0041] (3) Duct As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the duct 5 comprises a pair of duct rail wirings 51 and 52, and a duct rail 53.

[0042] The duct rail wiring 51 and 52 are electrically conductive. Each of the duct rail wiring 51 and 52 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped. The duct rail 53 is electrically insulating. The duct rail 53 is shaped like a hollow rectangular parallelepiped. Each of the duct rail wiring 51 and 52 and the duct rail 53 is formed to be elongated in one direction (the depth direction of the paper in Figure 2).

[0043] The duct rail 53 has an opening 531 on one of its surfaces (the bottom surface).

[0044] A pair of duct rail wirings 51 and 52 are held inside the duct rail 53. When the relay device 1 is attached to the duct 5, a pair of power input terminals 11 and 12 enter the internal space of the duct rail 53 through the opening 531 and make contact with the duct rail wirings 51 and 52, respectively.

[0045] Multiple ducts 5 may be provided and connected to each other. In other words, the duct rail wiring 51 of each of the multiple ducts 5 may be electrically connected to each other, and the duct rail wiring 52 of each may be electrically connected to each other.

[0046] (4) Relay equipment As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the relay device 1 comprises a pair of power input terminals 11 and 12, a pair of power output terminals 13 and 14, a housing 20, a fixed latch 30, and a control output terminal 15. The relay device 1 also further comprises a device circuit 40.

[0047] The shape of the housing 20 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 20 houses the device circuit 40.

[0048] A pair of power input terminals 11 and 12, a pair of power output terminals 13 and 14, and a control output terminal 15 are held in the housing 20.

[0049] A pair of power input terminals 11 and 12 protrude from the housing 20.

[0050] A pair of power output terminals 13, 14 and a control output terminal 15 are exposed on the outer surface of the housing 20. For example, the housing 20 has a connection port 201 on its outer surface. The connection port 201 is a recess into which a connector 62 is inserted. The pair of power output terminals 13, 14 and the control output terminal 15 are located on the bottom surface of the connection port 201. When the connector 62 is inserted into the connection port 201 and the connector 62 is attached to the relay device 1, the pair of power input terminals 711, 712 and the control input terminal 720 of the power circuit 7 and the pair of power output terminals 13, 14 and the control output terminal 15 of the relay device 1 are electrically connected, respectively.

[0051] The fixed latch 30 is located on the outer surface of the housing 20. The fixed latch 30 is configured to slide along the outer surface of the housing 20. The relay device 1 further includes an elastic body (spring) that holds the fixed latch 30 in its initial position. When no force is applied to the fixed latch 30 from outside the relay device 1, the elastic force of the elastic body holds the fixed latch 30 in its initial position. The initial position is, as shown in Figure 2, when the tip of the fixed latch 30 protrudes from the housing 20. By operating the fixed latch 30 and sliding it in the direction of arrow Y1, the amount of protrusion of the fixed latch 30 from the housing 20 decreases.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the relay device 1 is attached to the duct 5 and the fixing latch 30 is not operated, the tip of the fixing latch 30 fits into the opening 531 of the duct rail 53. In this state, even if the relay device 1 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow Y2 (i.e., around an axis along the vertical direction), the tip of the fixing latch 30 catches on the periphery of the opening 531, preventing the relay device 1 from rotating. However, when the fixing latch 30 is operated and the amount of protrusion of the fixing latch 30 from the housing 20 decreases, the catch between the tip of the fixing latch 30 and the periphery of the opening 531 is released, allowing the user to rotate the relay device 1 in the direction of arrow Y2.

[0053] Furthermore, the relay device 1 is further equipped with a stopper 22 to prevent the relay device 1 from coming off the duct 5. As shown in Figure 1, when the tip of the fixed latch 30 is fitted into the opening 531 of the duct rail 53, the stopper 22 catches on the duct 5, restricting the downward movement of the relay device 1. When the relay device 1 rotates 90° in the direction of arrow Y2, the catch between the stopper 22 and the duct 5 is released, and the relay device 1 can be removed from the duct 5.

[0054] The relay device 1 can be attached to the duct 5 by following the reverse procedure described above. First, the top surface of the relay device 1 is brought close to the bottom surface of the duct rail 53, and the stopper 22 is inserted into the opening 531 of the duct rail 53. At this time, the orientation of the relay device 1 is rotated 90° in the direction of arrow Y2 from the orientation shown in Figure 1. From here, while keeping the fixed latch 30 in the direction of arrow Y1, the relay device 1 is rotated 90° in the opposite direction of arrow Y2. Then, the stopper 22 catches on the duct 5, and the tip of the fixed latch 30 fits into the opening 531 of the duct rail 53. By following these steps, the relay device 1 is attached to the duct 5.

[0055] As described above, the fixing latch 30 switches between a released state, which allows the housing 20 to be removed from the duct 5, and a fixed state, which fixes the housing 20 to the duct 5. The switching between the released and fixed states occurs when the force applied to the fixing latch 30 changes. More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fixed state is when no force is applied to the fixing latch 30 from outside the relay device 1. On the other hand, the released state is when force is applied to the fixing latch 30, and the amount of protrusion of the fixing latch 30 from the housing 20 is reduced compared to the amount of protrusion in the fixed state.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed position, it fits into the opening 531 provided in the duct rail 53. From there, the movement of the fixed latch 30 releases it into a state where it can be removed from the opening 531.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the device circuit 40 of the relay device 1 includes, for example, an interlocking switch 41, a changeover switch 42, a resistor 43, and a resistor 44.

[0058] The interlocking switch 41 is a mechanical switch, such as a limit switch. The interlocking switch 41 switches between open and closed states in conjunction with the movement of the fixed latch 30. Specifically, when the fixed latch 30 is in the open state, the interlocking switch 41 is off. Also, when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed state, the interlocking switch 41 is on.

[0059] The changeover switch 42 is a semiconductor switching element. In this example, the changeover switch 42 is a MOSFET.

[0060] Power input terminal 11 is electrically connected to the duct rail wiring 51 (see Figure 2). Power input terminal 12 is electrically connected to the duct rail wiring 52 (see Figure 2).

[0061] The power output terminal 13 is electrically connected to the power input terminal 711 of the power supply circuit 7 (see Figure 5). The power output terminal 14 is electrically connected to the power input terminal 712 of the power supply circuit 7. The control output terminal 15 is electrically connected to the control input terminal 720 of the power supply circuit 7.

[0062] Furthermore, the power input terminal 11 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 13. The power input terminal 12 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 14.

[0063] The interlocking switch 41 has a first contact 411 and a second contact 412. The ON state of the interlocking switch 41 is a state in which the first contact 411 and the second contact 412 are short-circuited. A resistor 43 is electrically connected between the wiring between the power input terminal 11 and the power output terminal 13 and the first contact 411. A resistor 44 is electrically connected between the wiring between the power input terminal 12 and the power output terminal 14 and the second contact 412.

[0064] The wiring between the second contact 412 and the resistor 44 is electrically connected to the gate of the changeover switch 42 (MOSFET). The drain of the changeover switch 42 is electrically connected to the control output terminal 15. The source of the changeover switch 42 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 14.

[0065] When the interlocking switch 41 is ON, the control output terminal 15 and the power output terminal 14 are short-circuited via the drain and source of the changeover switch 42. The control circuit 72 of the power supply circuit 7 then monitors a signal (hereinafter referred to as the monitoring signal) corresponding to the potential difference between the control output terminal 15 and the power output terminal 14. In other words, the control circuit 72 monitors a signal corresponding to the potential difference between the control input terminal 720 and the power input terminal 712. When the interlocking switch 41 is ON, the monitoring signal is a low signal.

[0066] When the interlocking switch 41 is off, the control output terminal 15 and the power output terminal 14 are electrically isolated via the drain and source of the changeover switch 42. The monitoring signal is a signal that depends on the circuit configuration of the control circuit 72. In this embodiment, the control input terminal 720 is pulled up, and when the interlocking switch 41 is off, the monitoring signal is a high signal.

[0067] As the fixed latch 30 moves, the interlocking switch 41 switches between open and closed states, causing a current limiting signal to be output from the control output terminal 15. More specifically, when the fixed latch 30 is open, the interlocking switch 41 is off. As a result, the monitoring signal becomes a high signal. In this embodiment, the high signal corresponds to the current limiting signal. When the control circuit 72 of the power supply circuit 7 detects the current limiting signal, it controls the conversion circuit 71 so that the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8 is less than the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8 when the current limiting signal is not detected.

[0068] In other words, when the user releases the fixed latch 30 and attempts to remove the relay device 1 from the duct 5, the power supply circuit 7 reduces the current supplied from the power supply circuit 7 to the load 8. This suppresses the generation of arcs when removing the relay device 1 from the duct 5.

[0069] When the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed position, the interlocking switch 41 is on. As a result, the monitoring signal becomes a low signal. The control circuit 72 of the power supply circuit 7 does not detect a current limiting signal (high signal), so it does not perform control to reduce the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8.

[0070] In other words, when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed position and the relay device 1 is fixed to the duct 5, the power supply circuit 7 increases the current supplied from the power supply circuit 7 to the load 8 compared to when the fixed latch 30 is open. This allows the power supply circuit 7 to supply sufficient current to the load 8.

[0071] Reducing the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8 means, specifically, reducing the current within a range greater than 0, or making the current 0.

[0072] (Variation 1) The relay device 1A according to Modification 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 6. Components with the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the basic example) will be omitted from the description.

[0073] In this modified example, the relay device 1A differs from the equipment circuit 40 in the configuration of the equipment circuit 40A in the basic example. Also, unlike the relay device 1 in the basic example, in the relay device 1A of this modified example, the interlocking switch 41 is ON when the fixed latch 30 is open. In other respects, the relay device 1A of this modified example and the relay device 1 in the basic example are the same.

[0074] The appliance circuit 40A, for example, has an interlocking switch 41, a changeover switch 42, a resistor 43, and a resistor 44, similar to the appliance circuit 40. In addition to these, the appliance circuit 40A further has a discharge circuit 45.

[0075] The interlocking switch 41, the changeover switch 42, the resistor 43, the resistor 44, the pair of power input terminals 11 and 12, the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14, and the control output terminal 15 are connected to each other in the same way as in the relay device 1 of the basic example.

[0076] The discharge circuit 45 is configured to allow current to flow between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 when the fixed latch 30 is open. In other words, the discharge circuit 45 is configured to discharge the charge from the load 8 when the fixed latch 30 is open. The discharge circuit 45 includes, for example, a resistor 46 and a changeover switch 47. The changeover switch 47 is a semiconductor switching element. Here, as an example, the changeover switch 47 is a MOSFET.

[0077] The wiring between the second contact 412 of the interlocking switch 41 and the resistor 44 is electrically connected to the gate of the changeover switch 47 (MOSFET). The drain of the changeover switch 47 is electrically connected to the first terminal of the resistor 46. The source of the changeover switch 47 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 14.

[0078] The second terminal of resistor 46 is electrically connected to the wiring between the power input terminal 11 and the power output terminal 13.

[0079] In this modified example, when the fixed latch 30 is open, the interlocking switch 41 is on, and the monitoring signal (a signal corresponding to the potential difference between the control output terminal 15 and the power output terminal 14) is a low signal. In this modified example, the low signal corresponds to the current limiting signal. On the other hand, when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed position, the interlocking switch 41 is off, and the monitoring signal is a high signal. When the control circuit 72 of the power supply circuit 7 detects the current limiting signal, it controls the conversion circuit 71 so that the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8 is less than the current supplied from the conversion circuit 71 to the load 8 when the current limiting signal is not detected.

[0080] When the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed position, the interlocking switch 41 is off. When the interlocking switch 41 is off, the drain and source of the changeover switch 47 of the discharge circuit 45 are electrically isolated. Therefore, the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 are electrically isolated via the drain and source of the changeover switch 47.

[0081] When the fixed latch 30 is open, the interlocking switch 41 is on. When the interlocking switch 41 is on, the drain and source of the changeover switch 47 of the discharge circuit 45 are short-circuited. Therefore, current flows between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 via the discharge circuit 45. In this way, the discharge circuit 45 is electrically connected between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14, and current flows between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 when the fixed latch 30 is open. Therefore, when the fixed latch 30 is open, the potential difference between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 can be reduced. This further suppresses the generation of arcs.

[0082] In this modified example, the discharge circuit 45 does not necessarily have to include the changeover switch 47. However, in this case, current flows between the pair of power output terminals 13 and 14 not only when the fixed latch 30 is open, but also when it is fixed. For power saving purposes, it is preferable for the discharge circuit 45 to include the changeover switch 47.

[0083] (Other modifications of the embodiment) The following lists other modifications of the embodiment. These modifications may be implemented in appropriate combinations. Furthermore, these modifications may be implemented in appropriate combinations with Modification 1 described above.

[0084] It is not essential that the power supply circuit 7 and the load 8 are housed in the same enclosure (main body 61). The load 8 and the power supply circuit 7 may be provided in separate units. For example, the power supply circuit 7 may be externally connected to the load 8, or the load 8 may be provided separately from the power supply circuit 7.

[0085] In the basic example, the load device 6 is detachable from the relay device 1 via the connector 62. However, at least a portion of the load device 6 may be connected to the relay device 1 in a way that makes it impossible to separate.

[0086] In the basic example, when the fixed latch 30 is in the open state, the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 is a high signal, and when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed state, the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 is a low signal. However, the relationship between the open / fixed state and whether the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 is a high or low signal may also be reversed. That is, when the fixed latch 30 is in the open state, the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 may be a low signal, and when the fixed latch 30 is in the fixed state, the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 may be a high signal.

[0087] Furthermore, the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 when the fixed latch 30 is open and the signal output from the control output terminal 15 to the power supply circuit 7 when the fixed latch 30 is fixed only need to be different signals, and are not limited to high and low signals.

[0088] In the basic example, when the interlocking switch 41 is off, the monitoring signal (a signal corresponding to the potential difference between the control output terminal 15 and the power output terminal 14) is a signal that depends on the circuit configuration of the control circuit 72 (for example, whether or not there is a pull-up circuit). In contrast, the relay device 1 may be equipped with a circuit that defines the monitoring signal (for example, a pull-up circuit).

[0089] The power supply circuit 7 is not limited to a switching power supply circuit, but may be a linear regulator, for example.

[0090] The housing 20 does not need to have a connection port 201.

[0091] (summary) Based on the embodiments described above, the following aspects are disclosed.

[0092] The relay device (1, 1A) according to the first embodiment is attached to a duct (5). The duct (5) comprises a duct rail (53) and a pair of duct rail wiring (51, 52) held by the duct rail (53). The relay device (1, 1A) comprises a pair of power input terminals (11, 12), a pair of power output terminals (13, 14), a housing (20), a fixing latch (30), and a control output terminal (15). The pair of power input terminals (11, 12) are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wiring (51, 52). DC power is input to the pair of power input terminals (11, 12) from the pair of duct rail wiring (51, 52). The pair of power output terminals (13, 14) are electrically connected to a power circuit (7). The power circuit (7) is electrically connected to a load (8). A pair of power output terminals (13, 14) output DC power input to a pair of power input terminals (11, 12) to a load (8) via a power supply circuit (7). The housing (20) holds the pair of power input terminals (11, 12) and the pair of power output terminals (13, 14). The locking latch (30) switches between an open state, which allows the housing (20) to be removed from the duct (5), and a fixed state, which fixes the housing (20) to the duct (5). The control output terminal (15) outputs a current limiting signal to the power supply circuit (7) when the locking latch (30) is in the open state. The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power supply circuit (7) so that the current supplied from the power supply circuit (7) to the load (8) when the locking latch (30) is in the open state is less than the current supplied from the power supply circuit (7) to the load (8) when the locking latch (30) is in the fixed state.

[0093] According to the above configuration, when the relay device (1, 1A) is removed from the duct (5), the current supplied from the power circuit (7) to the load (8) is relatively small. Therefore, even if the relay device (1, 1A) is removed from the duct (5) while the pair of duct rail wiring (51, 52) are live, arcing is unlikely to occur.

[0094] Furthermore, the relay device (1A) according to the second embodiment further comprises a discharge circuit (45) in the first embodiment. The discharge circuit (45) is electrically connected between a pair of power output terminals (13, 14). The discharge circuit (45) allows current to flow between the pair of power output terminals (13, 14) when the fixed latch (30) is open.

[0095] According to the above configuration, when the fixed latch (30) is open, the potential difference between the pair of power output terminals (13, 14) can be reduced. This further suppresses the generation of arcs.

[0096] Furthermore, the relay device (1, 1A) according to the third embodiment further comprises an interlocking switch (41) in the first or second embodiment. When the fixed latch (30) is in the fixed state, it fits into an opening (531) provided in the duct rail (53), and when the fixed latch (30) moves, it becomes open and can be removed from the opening (531). The open / closed state of the interlocking switch (41) is switched in conjunction with the movement of the fixed latch (30), and a current limiting signal is output from the control output terminal (15).

[0097] With the above configuration, it is possible to switch between having or not having a current limiting signal output using a simple configuration.

[0098] Furthermore, in the relay device (1, 1A) relating to the fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments, the power supply circuit (7) is a switching power supply circuit.

[0099] The above configuration can reduce power loss.

[0100] Configurations other than those in the first embodiment are not essential to the relay device (1, 1A) and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0101] Furthermore, the load system (X1) according to the fifth embodiment comprises a relay device (1, 1A) according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, and a load (8).

[0102] Furthermore, the duct system (X2) according to the sixth embodiment comprises a relay device (1, 1A) according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, and a duct (5).

[0103] Furthermore, the power supply system (X3) according to the seventh embodiment comprises a relay device (1, 1A) according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, and a power supply circuit (7). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 1. 1A relay device 5 ducts 7 Power circuit 8 loads 11, 12 Power input terminals 13, 14 Power output terminals 15 Control output terminals 20 cabinets 30 Fixed latch 41 Interlocking switch 45 Discharge circuit 51, 52 Duct rail wiring 53 Duct Rail 531 Opening X1 Load System X2 Duct System X3 Power System

Claims

1. A relay device attached to a duct comprising a duct rail and a pair of duct rail wiring held on the duct rail, A pair of power input terminals are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wirings, and DC power is input from the pair of duct rail wirings. A power supply circuit electrically connected to a load, a pair of power output terminals electrically connected to the power supply circuit, and outputting the DC power input to the pair of power supply input terminals to the load via the power supply circuit, A housing that holds the pair of power input terminals and the pair of power output terminals, A fixing latch that switches between an open state in which the housing can be removed from the duct and a fixed state in which the housing is fixed to the duct, A control output terminal that outputs a current limiting signal to the power supply circuit when the fixed latch is in the open state, A discharge circuit is electrically connected between the pair of power output terminals and allows current to flow between the pair of power output terminals when the fixed latch is in the open state, The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power supply circuit so that the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the open state is less than the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the fixed state. Relay device.

2. A relay device to be attached to a duct comprising a duct rail and a pair of duct rail wiring held on the duct rail, A pair of power input terminals are electrically connected to the pair of duct rail wirings, and DC power is input from the pair of duct rail wirings. A power supply circuit electrically connected to a load, a pair of power output terminals electrically connected to the power supply circuit, and outputting the DC power input to the pair of power supply input terminals to the load via the power supply circuit, A housing that holds the pair of power input terminals and the pair of power output terminals, A fixing latch that switches between an open state in which the housing can be removed from the duct and a fixed state in which the housing is fixed to the duct, A control output terminal that outputs a current limiting signal to the power supply circuit when the fixed latch is in the open state, Equipped with an interlocking switch, The current limiting signal is a signal that controls the power supply circuit so that the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the open state is less than the current supplied from the power supply circuit to the load when the fixed latch is in the fixed state. When the fixed latch is in the fixed state, it fits into the opening provided in the duct rail, and when the fixed latch moves, it becomes the released state in which it can be removed from the opening. The current limiting signal is output from the control output terminal when the interlocking switch is switched open or closed in conjunction with the movement of the fixed latch. Relay device.

3. The power supply circuit is a switching power supply circuit. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned load and, Load system.

5. A relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The duct comprises, Duct system.

6. A relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The power supply circuit is provided, Power supply system.

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