Control device

Abstract

A control device according to the present disclosure comprising a body portion (11) which includes a rail attachment surface (111) for attachment to a rail for device attachment and a terminal wiring surface (112) used to wire a terminal and a device operation portion (12) which can input and output predetermined information and can be attached to and detached from the rail attachment surface (111) and the terminal wiring surface (112).

Description

Control Equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to control panels and control equipment that can be mounted on equipment mounting rails.

[0002] Control devices are broadly divided into two types: those that are operated directly from the control device panel, and those that are controlled via other control devices such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). In the former, an operation panel is mounted on the front of the control device, and the control device is fixed to the control panel and operated directly via the operation panel. In the latter, the control device is fixed to, for example, a DIN rail and is connected to other control devices via wiring and controlled from the other connected control devices. A DIN rail is a standardized rail for mounting devices.

[0003] Control devices typically have a mounting structure that is compatible with one of the two types. Having a mounting structure that is compatible with both types is important from the perspective of reducing development costs. Various techniques have been proposed for achieving a mounting structure that is compatible with both types. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a mounting jig for mounting a panel-mounted electronic device with a display and an operation panel on the front to a DIN rail.

[0004] JP 2012-146934 A

[0005] However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 requires a separate mounting jig in addition to the electronic device itself, and the terminal connection part is located on the rear side. Therefore, when mounting the DIN rail, it is necessary to detach the electronic device itself when checking the wiring work or when rewiring, and further, the wiring work must be done with the electronic device itself unmounted. In other words, there is room for improvement in terms of workability and maintainability.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a control device that is easy to install and maintain while reducing development costs.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the control device of the present disclosure comprises a main body having a rail mounting surface for mounting to an equipment mounting rail and a terminal wiring surface for wiring terminals, and an equipment operating unit capable of inputting and outputting specified information and which is detachable from the rail mounting surface and the terminal wiring surface.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a control device that is easy to install and maintain while reducing development costs.

[0009] A first perspective view showing a configuration example of a control device according to an embodiment. A second perspective view showing a configuration example of a control device according to an embodiment. A third perspective view showing a configuration example of a control device according to an embodiment. A diagram for explaining a manner in which a control device according to an embodiment is attached to a control panel. A perspective view of a control device according to an embodiment attached to a control panel. A side view of a control device according to an embodiment attached to a control panel and wired. A perspective view of a control device according to an embodiment attached to a DIN rail. A side view of a control device according to an embodiment attached to a DIN rail and wired.

[0010] Hereinafter, a control device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0011] 1, 2, and 3 are diagrams illustrating an example configuration of a control device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a first perspective view illustrating an example configuration of the control device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second perspective view illustrating an example configuration of the control device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a third perspective view illustrating an example configuration of the control device 10 according to an embodiment. The control device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is not limited to, for example, a device that controls all or part of a system, but refers to electronic devices and electrical devices in general that have input or output parts. Control devices include, for example, signal input / output devices such as computers and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), displays such as LCDs (liquid crystal displays), power supply devices such as stabilized power supplies and transformers, protective devices such as electromagnetic contactors and fuses, electronic devices such as relays and switches, and measuring devices such as sensors and measuring instruments.

[0012] The control device 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 has a main body section 11 and a device operation section 12.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the main body 11 has a rail mounting surface 111 for mounting to an equipment mounting rail, and a terminal wiring surface 112 for wiring terminals. The rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112 are located opposite each other. That is, in the main body 11, the terminal wiring surface 112 is located on the surface opposite the rail mounting surface 111. The equipment mounting rail is, for example, a DIN rail, which is a mounting rail standardized by German Industrial Standards. The main body 11 also has a control circuit (not shown) inside its housing for performing measurement and control.

[0014] The main body 11 also has four first engaged portions 113 on the rail mounting surface 111 side and four second engaged portions 114 on the terminal wiring surface 112 side. The first engaged portions 113 and second engaged portions 114 each have a groove shape with a protrusion near the center of the groove shape. The main body 11 also has a first connector 115 on the rail mounting surface 111 side and a second connector 116 on the terminal wiring surface 112 side.

[0015] The four first engaged portions 113 and the first connector 115 are an example of a first connecting portion in the claims. The four second engaged portions 114 and the second connector 116 are an example of a second connecting portion in the claims.

[0016] 1, the main body 11 has two grooves 117 and a fixing hook 118 on the rail mounting surface 111 side. The two grooves 117 are provided for, for example, locking the equipment mounting rail from above and below. The fixing hook 118 is slidable in the X direction, i.e., the vertical direction, and has the function of fixing the equipment mounting rail locked in the groove 117.

[0017] 2 or 3, the main body 11 has a terminal block 119 and an opening 120 on the terminal wiring surface 112 side. A plurality of cables can be plugged into the terminal block 119, and the control device 10 can be connected to other control devices, etc. via the cables plugged into the terminal block 119. The opening 120 is provided so that the cables plugged into the terminal block 119 can be pulled out from the bottom surface of the main body 11.

[0018] 1, 2, or 3, the device operation unit 12 is, for example, a so-called operation panel, and is a user interface that can input and output predetermined information for the control device 10. The device operation unit 12 has an operation surface 121. A display unit such as a segment display or an LCD is arranged on the operation surface 121. Also arranged on the operation surface 121 are operation units such as switches for issuing device operation commands. The switches are not limited to mechanical switches, and may be something like a touch panel.

[0019] 1, 2, or 3, the device operation unit 12 has four engaging portions 122 that are detachable from the rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112. The engaging portions 122 have holes for engaging with the protrusions of the first engaged portion 113 or the protrusions of the second engaged portion 114. The device operation unit 12 also has a third connector 123 that is detachable from the first connector 115 and the second connector 116.

[0020] 1, the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body 11 of the control device 10 is facing forward, and the device operation unit 12 is about to be attached to the rail mounting surface 111. In Fig. 2, the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11 of the control device 10 is facing forward, and the device operation unit 12 is about to be attached to the terminal wiring surface 112. Fig. 3 is a view of the control device 10 of Fig. 1 seen from the opposite direction, i.e., from the terminal wiring surface 112 side.

[0021] 1 , the device operation unit 12 is attached to the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body 11 by engaging the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 with the first engaged portion 113 of the main body 11 and mating the third connector 123 of the device operation unit 12 with the first connector 115 of the main body 11. Specifically, the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 is inserted toward the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body 11 using the groove-shaped portion of the first engaged portion 113 of the main body 11 as a guide, and the hole formed in the engaging portion 122 engages with a protrusion formed in the center of the groove of the first engaged portion 113. At this time, the protrusion of the first engaged portion 113 has, for example, a tapered structure on the side facing the device operation unit 12. This tapered structure allows the tip of the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 to be inserted deep into the groove-shaped first engaged portion 113, making it easier to engage with the protrusion. Furthermore, the male structure of the third connector 123 of the device operation unit 12 mates with the female structure of the first connector 115 of the main body 11. As a result, the device operation unit 12 and the main body 11 are mechanically and electrically coupled to each other at the rail mounting surface 111.

[0022] 2 , the device operation unit 12 is attached to the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11 by engaging the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 with the second engaged portion 114 of the main body 11 and mating the third connector 123 of the device operation unit 12 with the second connector 116 of the main body 11. Specifically, the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 is inserted toward the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11 using the groove-shaped portion of the second engaged portion 114 of the main body 11 as a guide, and the hole formed in the engaging portion 122 engages with a protrusion formed in the center of the groove-shaped second engaged portion 114. At this time, the protrusion of the second engaged portion 114 has, for example, a tapered structure on the side facing the device operation unit 12. This tapered structure allows the tip of the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12 to be inserted deep into the groove-shaped second engaged portion 114, making it easier to engage with the protrusion. Furthermore, the male structure of the third connector 123 of the device operation unit 12 is mated with the female structure of the second connector 116 of the main body 11. As a result, the device operation unit 12 and the main body 11 are mechanically and electrically coupled on the terminal wiring surface 112.

[0023] In the main body 11, the first connector 115 on the rail mounting surface 111 side and the second connector 116 on the terminal wiring surface 112 have the same shape. Furthermore, the four first engaged portions 113 on the rail mounting surface 111 side and the four second engaged portions 114 on the terminal wiring surface 112 have the same shape. Therefore, the device operating unit 12 can be easily attached and detached to either the rail mounting surface 111 or the terminal wiring surface 112 in the same manner. This improves not only productivity but also ease of installation and maintenance.

[0024] Next, the procedure for attaching the control device 10 to a control panel will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining how the control device 10 according to the embodiment is attached to a control panel. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the control device 10 according to the embodiment attached to a control panel. Figure 6 is a side view of the control device 10 according to the embodiment attached to a control panel and wired. The control panel 20 shown in Figure 4, 5, or 6 has a front surface 21, a back surface 22, and an opening 23.

[0025] First, the device operation unit 12 is attached to the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body 11 to couple them together. Next, the control device 10 is fixed to the control panel 20. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the coupled control device 10 is inserted from the front surface 21 into an opening 23 formed in the control panel 20. After the insertion is complete, only the operation surface 121 of the device operation unit 12 is exposed on the front surface 21 side of the control panel 20. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device 10 is fixed to the control panel 20 with two fixing brackets 24. Specifically, for example, pieces 241 of the fixing bracket 24, which have holes for inserting screws, are inserted into grooves (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 11, and in this inserted state, the screws provided on the fixing bracket 24 are tightened, thereby sandwiching the control panel 20 between the fixing bracket 24 and the protruding portion of the device operation unit 12 on the operation surface 121 side, as shown in Fig. 6, thereby attaching the control device 10 to the control panel 20. Finally, as shown in Fig. 6, wiring is performed on the back surface 22 of the control panel 20 using a cable group 99 to the terminal block 119 of the main body 11.

[0026] Here, in the case of control devices 10 that are more often attached to control panels 20 than to equipment mounting rails, i.e., that are relatively likely to be used by being mounted on control panels 20, by performing the procedure of mounting the device operation unit 12 to the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body 11 in advance before shipping the product, this mounting procedure can be omitted, and it becomes possible to mount using approximately the same mounting procedure, i.e., with the same effort, as compared to conventional control devices that have a dedicated mounting structure for the control panel 20. Furthermore, when rewiring, the terminal block 119 on the back surface 22 of the control panel 20 is easily accessible when mounted on the control panel 20, so that wiring work can be performed using the same procedure as conventional control devices that have a dedicated mounting structure for the control panel 20.

[0027] Next, the procedure for attaching the control device 10 to a DIN rail will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the control device 10 according to the embodiment attached to a DIN rail. Fig. 8 is a side view of the control device 10 according to the embodiment attached to a DIN rail and wired.

[0028] First, as shown in Fig. 7, the groove 117 of the main body 11 is hooked onto the DIN rail 30, and the fixing hook 118 is slid to fix the DIN rail 30 to the rail mounting surface 111 of the main body. Next, wiring is performed on the terminal block 119 without the device operation unit 12 being attached to the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11. Finally, the device operation unit 12 is attached to the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11 for coupling. In this way, since wiring can be performed without the device operation unit 12 being attached to the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11, the worker can easily perform, for example, wiring work, rewiring work, and wiring check work.

[0029] At this time, the cable group 99 used for wiring is pulled downward from an opening 120 provided on the underside of the main body 11, as shown in Fig. 8. After the control device 10 is attached to the DIN rail 30, the device operation unit 12 is attached to the terminal wiring surface 112 of the main body 11, and the terminal wiring surface 112 side is blocked. Therefore, it is necessary to pull out the cable group 99 from a side other than the terminal wiring surface 112 side. However, by providing the opening 120 in the main body 11, for example, a worker can easily pull out the cable group 99 connected to the terminal block 119 from the control device 10 during wiring work. This allows for improved wiring efficiency.

[0030] Here, in conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to device mounting rails, the final step of attaching device operation unit 12 to terminal wiring surface 112 of main body 11 is not required, but this mounting step can be completed in an extremely short time by a simple operation that combines engagement and fitting. Therefore, it can be said that control device 10 of this embodiment has mountability similar to that of conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to device mounting rails.

[0031] According to the above embodiment, the control device 10 comprises a main body 11 having a rail mounting surface 111 for mounting to an equipment mounting rail and a terminal wiring surface 112 for wiring terminals, and an equipment operation unit 12 capable of inputting and outputting specified information and which is detachable from the rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112.

[0032] As a result, for example, manufacturers can reduce development costs and maintenance costs because the control device 10 according to the embodiment has a mounting structure that is compatible with both of two types, namely, conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to the control panel 20 and conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to device mounting rails. Also, workers can perform installation work easily and without extra effort, with little difference compared to both conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to the control panel 20 and conventional control devices having a mounting structure dedicated to device mounting rails.

[0033] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a control device that is easy to install and maintain while reducing development costs.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the main body 11 and the device operation unit 12 are coupled using the first engaged portion 113 or the second engaged portion 114 of the main body 11 and the engaging portion 122 of the device operation unit 12. However, this is not limiting. Any structure that allows for mechanical coupling and positioning may be used. For example, the first engaged portion 113, the second engaged portion 114, and the engaging portion 122 may have a vertically longer shape than in the above embodiment, with one on each side. Furthermore, the main body 11 and the device operation unit 12 may be configured so that the upper portions of the main body 11 and the device operation unit 12 are rotatably engaged with each other on both the rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112, and the lower portion of the device operation unit 12 is attached to the lower portion of the main body 11 by rotating the device operation unit 12 about the engaged axis.

[0035] Furthermore, when mounting the control device 10 on the device mounting rail, the groove 117 and the fixing hook 118 are used, but this is not limited thereto, and any structure and method may be used as long as it is possible to mount the control device 10 on the device mounting rail. Furthermore, when mounting the control device 10 on the control panel 20, the two fixing brackets 24 are used, but this is not limited thereto, and any structure and method may be used as long as it is possible to fix the control device 10 to the control panel 20.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control device 10 has the terminal block 119, but this is not limited thereto. The control device 10 may be provided with not only the terminal block 119, but also, for example, other communication ports that enable RS-485 communication, Ethernet communication, etc., a setting changeover switch, a rotary switch, etc. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112 are provided in positions facing each other, but this is not limited thereto. Any positional relationship may be used as long as it is easy for an operator to work with them. For example, the rail mounting surface 111 and the terminal wiring surface 112 may be provided in positions that are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to each other.

[0037] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the opening 120 is provided in the main body 11, but this is not limiting. The opening 120 may be provided on the device operation unit 12 side, for example, as long as it allows the cable group 99 to be drawn out from the control device 10. Furthermore, the opening 120 is provided so as to open on the bottom surface side of the main body 11, but this is not limiting. The opening 120 may be provided so as to open on at least a portion of the top surface side of the main body 11 or a side surface side of the main body 11 other than the terminal wiring surface 112 side.

[0038] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a control device that is easy to install and maintain while reducing development costs.

[0040] 10 Control device, 11 Main body, 12 Device operation section, 111 Rail mounting surface, 112 Terminal wiring surface, 113 First engaged portion, 114 Second engaged portion, 115 First connector, 116 Second connector, 117 Groove, 121 Operation surface, 122 Engagement portion, 20 Control panel, 21 Front surface, 22 Back surface, 23 Opening.

Claims

1. a main body having a rail mounting surface for mounting to an equipment mounting rail and a terminal wiring surface for wiring terminals; an equipment operation unit capable of inputting and outputting predetermined information and detachably attached to the rail mounting surface and the terminal wiring surface; Equipped with The operation surface of the device operation unit has a width and a height equal to those of the rail mounting surface and the terminal wiring surface, respectively. Control equipment.

2. the main body has a first connection portion for connecting to the device operation unit on the rail mounting surface side, and a second connection portion for connecting to the device operation unit on the terminal wiring surface side; 2. The control device of claim 1.

3. The first connection portion and the second connection portion have the same shape.

3. The control device according to claim 2.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the main body has an opening on a side surface for wiring the terminals.