Security relay

Abstract

A security relay (1) is provided with a semiconductor relay comprising: an input unit (100) having a light-emitting element (110) that emits light in response to an input signal; and an output unit (200) having a light-receiving element (210) that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element and generates photovoltaic power and an output circuit (220) and operated by the photovoltaic power generated by the light-receiving element. The security relay comprises: a control unit (300) that receives a signal (S) from the outside, analyzes the received signal, and determines, on the basis of the analysis result, whether or not the input unit can be energized; and a power supply switching unit (400) that selects either the power to the input unit or the power to the output unit or switches therebetween to supply the power to the control unit.

Description

Security Relay

[0001] The present invention relates to a security relay, and more particularly to a security relay having a security function for controlling energization depending on whether or not an instruction to permit energization of the relay is transmitted from an external device.

[0002] Many relays with various designs have been used in the past, and relays with a wide variety of structures with different functions have been developed and used. A relay is a device used to ensure safety when passing large currents and to ensure reliable operation by triggering the flow of current to one terminal of a device and controlling the flow of current to the other terminals. Relays include mechanical relays and semiconductor relays. For example, semiconductor relays, unlike mechanical relays, are configured to control the flow of current to the output side using an optical element such as a photocoupler.

[0003] As a relay technology, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-147022 discloses technology relating to an optical semiconductor relay with a high switching speed and suitable for integration, which includes an output section having a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, and an output MOS transistor in which a photovoltaic power is applied and the gate-source is charged, thereby changing the impedance between the drain and source, a control transistor having a first electrode connected to the gate of the output MOS transistor, a second electrode connected to the cathode of the light-receiving element via a resistor, and a control electrode connected to the cathode, a transistor having a first electrode connected to the gate of the output MOS transistor, a second electrode connected to the source of an insulated-gate output MOS transistor, and a control electrode connected to the second electrode of the control transistor, and a diode connected between the second electrode of the control transistor and the second electrode of a discharge transistor.

[0004] This technology allows for switching control, making it possible to provide a relay with high switching speed and suitable for integration, but it is completely unable to deal with situations where unauthorized power is applied to the relay, and therefore cannot be said to be a sufficient technology from a security perspective.

[0005] It is desirable for a relay's security function to be able to fundamentally prevent unauthorized use by cutting off the power supply, and this function is considered to be essential from a crime prevention perspective, as it protects devices that use relays, such as those used to lock and unlock cars and start engines, from unauthorized operation.Therefore, there has been a demand for the development of a security relay with a security function that allows power to be supplied only after receiving an external command to allow power to be supplied to the relay.

[0006] JP 2009-147022 A

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a security relay, in particular a security relay equipped with a security function that allows the relay to be energized upon receiving an external instruction to allow the relay to be energized using a remote key or the like.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the security relay of the present invention is a security relay comprising a semiconductor relay consisting of an input section having a light-emitting element that emits light in response to an input signal, and an output section having a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element and generates photovoltaic power, and an output circuit, and which operates by the photovoltaic power generated by the light-receiving element, wherein the security relay comprises: a control section that receives a signal from an external source, analyzes the received signal, and determines whether or not to supply electricity to the input section based on the analysis result; a power supply switching section that selects or switches between power to the input section and power to the output section and supplies power to the control section; The control unit has a receiving unit for receiving a signal from an external device, and the receiving unit receives a power-on permission signal from the external device. The control unit analyzes the signal to determine whether or not power can be applied to the input unit, and then applies power to the input unit. The power supply switching unit is connected to both a terminal on the input unit side and a terminal on the output unit side, and in order to ensure power supply for the control unit, when there is no power between the terminals on the input unit side, the power switching unit obtains power from the terminal on the output unit side and supplies power to the control unit for performing the control function, and when there is power between the terminals on the input unit side, the power switching unit obtains power from the terminal on the input unit side and supplies power to the control unit for performing the control function.

[0009] Furthermore, a security relay according to the present invention is a security relay comprising a transformer-coupled relay consisting of an input unit that receives an input signal and an output unit that operates in response to the signal received by the input unit, wherein the security relay comprises a control unit that receives a signal from an external device, analyzes the received signal, and determines whether or not to energize the input unit based on the analysis result, and a power supply switching unit that selects or switches between power to the input unit and power to the output unit and supplies power to the control unit, and the control unit is a receiver for receiving a signal from an external device. The power supply switching unit is configured to be connected to both the terminals on the input side and the terminals on the output side, and to ensure power supply to the control unit, when there is no current between the terminals on the input side, the power supply switching unit obtains power from the terminals on the output side and supplies power to the control unit for performing the control function, and when there is current between the terminals on the input side, the power supply switching unit obtains power from the terminals on the input side and supplies power to the control unit for performing the control function.

[0010] The present invention has the configuration described above in detail, and therefore has the following advantages. 1. The configuration includes a semiconductor relay having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, which enables miniaturization and makes it possible to provide a relay with a security function that has a longer service life and fewer failures than mechanical types, is high-speed, and has high voltage resistance. Furthermore, the security relay is provided with a control unit, which makes it possible to ensure security by controlling whether or not power is supplied to the input unit. Furthermore, the provision of a power supply switching unit makes it possible to switch the power supply for the control unit between the input unit side and the output unit side, thereby ensuring a reliable power supply for the control unit. 2. The configuration includes a transformer-coupled relay, which makes it possible to provide a relay with a security function that has a longer service life and fewer failures than mechanical types.

[0011] The security relay according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the security relay according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the mechanism of power supply switching operation, and Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a security relay equipped with a transformer-coupled relay.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the security relay 1 of the present invention is composed of an input unit 100, an output unit 200, a control unit 300, a power supply switching unit 400, and an external device 500, and is a security relay with a security function that enables switching between energized and de-energized states of the output unit 200 by controlling the supply of electricity to the input unit 100 based on a signal S from the outside.

[0013] The input unit 100 is a member for switching between energized and de-energized states on the output unit 200 side, and in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, is made up of an input circuit including a light-emitting element 110. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 110 is made up of an LED, and when the LED is energized, it emits light to generate an optical signal.

[0014] The output unit 200 is a component for supplying power to an electronic device in which the security relay 1 of the present invention is installed, and in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, includes a light-receiving element 210. When an optical signal is transmitted by energizing the light-emitting element 110 of the input unit 100, the light-receiving element 210 detects the optical signal, causing a current to flow, which drives the drive circuit 230, enabling the output circuit 200 to be energized, energizing the terminals (terminals C and D) on the output unit 200 side, and supplying power to the electronic device. Furthermore, when the power supply to the input unit 100 is cut off, the optical signal from the light-emitting element 110 is released, the power supply between terminals C and D is cut off, and the power supply to the electronic device is stopped.

[0015] In this embodiment, the input unit 100 and output unit 200 that make up the security relay 1 can be configured as solid-state relays (SSRs). The light-emitting element 110 and light-receiving element 210 can be configured as appropriate, such as a photocoupler, a phototriac, or a combination of an LED and a photodiode array. The drive circuit 230 can be configured as a zero-cross circuit and a trigger circuit. Furthermore, the output circuit 220 of the output unit 200 can be configured as appropriate, such as a thyristor, a triac, or a MOSFET.

[0016] By using semiconductor relays with the above-described structure for the input section 100 and output section 200 of the security relay 1 according to the present invention, the service life is extended compared to mechanical configurations, and it is possible to prevent the relay from breaking down and becoming unusable for a long period of time. Furthermore, because of its high-speed operation, it is possible to provide a security relay with a security function that operates quickly. Furthermore, because it can be made smaller, there are fewer restrictions on installation locations, making it possible to provide a highly convenient security relay.

[0017] Another embodiment of the security relay according to the present invention may be a security relay 2 in which the relay formed by the input section 600 and the output section 700 is a transformer-coupled relay.

[0018] The input unit 600 is a component for switching the output unit 700 side between energized and de-energized. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the input unit 600 is a component for supplying power to an electronic device in which the security relay 2 of the present invention is installed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the output unit 700 is a component for supplying power to an electronic device in which the security relay 2 of the present invention is installed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the output unit 700 includes a secondary coil 710 of a relay. That is, when current is applied to the primary coil 610 of the transformer, current flows through the secondary coil 710 due to electromagnetic induction. This allows current to flow through the output unit 700 side, energizing the terminals (terminals C and D) on the output unit 700 side and supplying power to the electronic device. Furthermore, when the power supply to the input unit 600 is cut off, the electromagnetic induction effect disappears, so that the power supply to the secondary coil 710 side is stopped, the power supply between terminals C and D is cut off, and the power supply to the electronic device is stopped. In this embodiment, the input section 600 and output section 700 constituting the security relay 2 are made up of transformers, and have a structure in which a primary coil 610 and a secondary coil 710 are wound around an iron core (not shown).

[0019] By using the input section 600 and output section 700 of the security relay 2 according to the present invention as a transformer-coupled relay having the above-described structure, the service life is extended compared to a mechanical configuration, and it is possible to prevent the relay from breaking down and becoming unusable for a long period of time, thereby making it possible to provide a highly convenient security relay.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the security relays 1 and 2 each include a control unit 300. The control unit 300 controls the flow of electricity between the terminals (terminals A and B) on the input unit 100 / 600 side. In this embodiment, the control unit 300 receives a signal S from an external device and analyzes the signal S. The control unit 300 analyzes whether the received signal S is an authentication-enabled signal. If authentication is enabled, the control unit 300 initiates the flow of electricity between the terminals (terminals A and B) on the input unit 100 / 600 side. As a result, the light-receiving element 210 detects the optical signal from the light-receiving element 110, and the output circuit 200 is energized via the drive circuit 230. This energizes the terminals (terminals C and D) on the output unit 200 side, enabling the electronic device to start up. Alternatively, electromagnetic induction can energize the terminals (terminals C and D) on the output unit 700 side, enabling the electronic device to start up.

[0021] In other words, electronic devices equipped with the security relays 1 and 2 cannot be activated unless the signal S is authenticated, thereby making it possible to maintain security.

[0022] 1 and 3, the security relays 1 and 2 are further configured to include a power supply switching unit 400. The power supply switching unit 400 is a component for ensuring power for the control unit 300, and in this embodiment, is configured to select or switch between power to the input units 100 and 600 (power applied between terminals on the input unit 100 and 600 side) or power to the output units 200 and 700 (power applied between terminals on the output unit 200 and 700 side) as the power supply for the control unit 300, and supply power as the power supply for the control unit 300.

[0023] 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the power supply switching unit 400 is connected to both the terminals (terminals A and B) on the input unit 100 / 600 side and the terminals (terminals C and D) on the output unit 200 / 700 side. When no current is conducted between the terminals (terminals A and B) on the input unit 100 / 600 side, the power supply switching unit 400 obtains power from the terminals on the output unit 200 / 700 side and supplies the power to the control unit 300 to perform its control function. This power is weak and does not have a significant effect on the electronic device that uses the security relay 1.

[0024] When current is flowing between the terminals (terminals A and B) on the input units 100 and 600 side, it becomes impossible to obtain power from the terminals on the output units 200 and 700 side. Therefore, the power supply switching unit 400 obtains power from the terminals on the input units 100 and 600 side, thereby supplying power to the control unit 300 to perform its control function.

[0025] With the above configuration, it is possible to select or switch the power supply of the control unit 300 between the input unit 100 / 600 side and the output unit 200 / 700 side, making it possible to reliably secure power supply for the control unit 300.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the control unit 300 is configured to include a receiving unit 310. The receiving unit 310 is a component for receiving a signal emitted by an external device 500 such as a smartphone or a smart key. The receiving unit 310 receives and analyzes a power-on permission signal from the external device 500 to determine whether or not to power on the input units 100 and 600. When the power-on permission signal from the external device 500 is authenticated, the control unit 300 controls the input units 100 and 600 to be powered on.

[0027] In this embodiment, communication between the control unit 300 and the external device 500 uses Bluetooth (registered trademark) encrypted communication, and authentication and communication between the control unit 300 and the external device 500 is performed by pairing, but this configuration is not limited to this, and it is of course possible to use other communication standards such as Wi-Fi.

[0028] With the above configuration, for example, if an authenticated smart key or an authenticated smartphone is not held when unlocking or locking the car or starting the engine, communication with the car is not possible, so power is not turned on inside the car and the car cannot be moved at all, making it easy to ensure security, such as preventing car theft.In addition, because the power required by the control unit 300 is minimal, there is no need to worry too much about battery consumption.

[0029] It is also possible to configure the system so that the security relays 1 and 2 are constantly monitored from a smart key or the like serving as the external device 500, and as necessary, instruct the smart key from a smartphone or the like to issue a power-on permission signal to the security relays 1 and 2, thereby enabling the security relays 1 and 2 to operate. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the system so that the smartphone serving as the external device 500 instructs the security relays 1 and 2 to directly issue a power-on permission signal to the security relays 1 and 2, thereby enabling the security relays 1 and 2 to operate. In either case, strong security can be achieved, ensuring security in which power cannot be turned on without a signal from an authenticated external device 500.

[0030] The security relays 1 and 2 according to the present invention can be used not only in the above-mentioned automobiles, but also in all kinds of devices such as machine tools, home appliances, and locking and unlocking buildings, and can easily add security functions by simply replacing various relays such as existing semiconductor relays.

[0031] The security relay according to the present invention uses a semiconductor relay or a transformer-coupled relay as the relay composed of the input section 100 / 600 and the output section 200 / 700, but is not limited to this, and any relay having a structure that performs control by an electrically isolated coupling method can be selected and used as appropriate.

[0032] Conceptual diagram of a security relay according to the present invention. Circuit diagram showing the mechanism of power supply switching operation. Conceptual diagram of a security relay equipped with a transformer-coupled relay.

[0033] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 security relay 2 security relay 100 input section 110 light emitting element 200 output section 210 light receiving element 220 output circuit 300 control section 310 receiving section 400 power supply switching section 500 external device 600 input section 610 primary coil 700 output section 710 secondary coil S signal

Claims

1. A security relay (1) comprising a semiconductor relay including an input section (100) having a light-emitting element (110) that emits light in response to an input signal, a light-receiving element (210) that receives light emitted by the light-emitting element and generates a photovoltaic power, and an output circuit (220), and an output section (200) that operates by the photovoltaic power generated by the light-receiving element, the security relay (1) comprising: a control section (300) that receives a signal (S) from the outside, analyzes the received signal, and determines whether or not to supply electricity to the input section (100) based on the analysis result; and a power source switching section (400) that selects or switches between power to the input section (100) and power to the output section (200) and supplies power to the control section (300), The control unit (300) includes a receiving unit (310) for receiving a signal from an external device (500), and the receiving unit (310) receives a power supply permission signal from the external device (500), and the control unit (300) analyzes the power supply permission signal to determine whether or not power can be supplied to the input unit (100), and then supplies power to the input unit (100). The power supply switching unit (400) is configured to be connected to both a terminal on the input unit (100) side and a terminal on the output unit (200) side, and in order to ensure a power supply for the control unit (300), when there is no power between the terminals on the input unit (100) side, the power supply switching unit (400) obtains power from the terminal on the output unit (200) side and supplies power to the control unit (300) for performing a control function, and when there is power between the terminals on the input unit (100) side, the power supply switching unit (400) obtains power from the terminal on the input unit (100) side and supplies power to the control unit (300) for performing a control function.

2. A security relay (2) including a transformer-coupled relay consisting of an input unit (600) that receives an input signal and an output unit (700) that operates according to the signal received by the input unit, the security relay (2) including a control unit (300) that receives a signal (S) from the outside, analyzes the received signal, and determines whether or not to energize the input unit (600) based on the analysis result, and a power source switching unit (400) that selects or switches between power to the input unit (600) and power to the output unit (700) and supplies power to the control unit (300), the control unit (300) including a receiving unit (310) for receiving a signal from an external device (500), the receiving unit (310) receiving a power-on permission signal from the external device (500), the control unit (300) analyzing the signal, and determining whether or not to energize the input unit (600), and energizing the input unit (600), The power supply switching unit (400) is configured to be connected to both a terminal on the input unit (600) side and a terminal on the output unit (700) side, and in order to ensure power supply for the control unit (300), when there is no current between the terminals on the input unit (600) side, it obtains power from the terminal on the output unit (700) side and supplies power to the control unit (300) for performing its control function, and when there is current between the terminals on the input unit (600) side, it obtains power from the terminal on the input unit (600) side and supplies power to the control unit (300) for performing its control function. This security relay is characterized by the above.

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