JP2930876B2 - Sun position detector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar position detecting device capable of detecting the position of the sun with high accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, there is a demand for automatically opening and closing a shutter provided in a window in order to adjust the amount of sunlight entering a room. In such a case, if the position of the sun can be appropriately detected, the opening and closing operation of the shutter can be controlled based on the detection result.

[0003]

However, from the viewpoint of economy and scale, there has been no known solar position detecting device suitable for use in such a shutter opening / closing operation.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a solar position detecting device which is small-scale and economical and can detect the position of the sun with high accuracy.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to achieve the above-mentioned object, the sun position detecting apparatus of the present invention comprises a maximum of a plurality of detection ranges which are divided in advance. A first light detection unit that specifies a detection range in which the amount of sunlight is detected, and an elevation angle direction of the sun in which a shadow by a light shielding unit is projected onto a partial area when sunlight is incident from almost the front. A pair of first light detection units for detecting, and a pair of first light detection units for detecting the azimuth direction of the sun where the shadows of the light shielding units are respectively projected to some regions when sunlight is incident from almost the front. A second light detection unit having a second light detection unit; and the second light detection unit based on at least a detection result of the second light detection unit from the first light detection unit.
First driving means for driving the rotation of the light detecting means in the elevation direction, the detection range specified by the first light detecting means, and the first light detecting section of the second light detecting means. Second driving means for driving the rotation of the second light detection means in the azimuth direction based on the detection result, a pressed part for switching a switch by being pressed, and rotation of the second light detection means And a projection having a tapered surface capable of pressing the pressed portion regardless of whether the rotation is in the normal or reverse direction. The predetermined rotation is performed based on the switching of the switch. A rotation angle detecting means for controlling the rotation of the second light detecting means so that the rotation of the second light detecting means is performed within the area.

Preferably, the pressed portion of the sun position detecting device according to the present invention includes at least two first pressed portions located along the rotation path of the projection, and at least one second pressed portion. A first pressed portion is disposed so as to define a rotation area of the second light detection means, and the second pressed portion is provided by the second light detection means. It is arranged to stop at least one of the first driving means and the second driving means when located in the danger area beyond the rotation area.

[0007] In the sun position detecting device of the present invention, preferably, at least the tapered surface of the protrusion is formed using an elastic member.

Further, the first pressed portion of the sun position detecting device of the present invention preferably has a lever having one end fixed, and switches when the lever is pressed by the projection.

Further, the second pressed portion of the sun position detecting device of the present invention preferably has a hemispherical convex portion, and the first pressed portion is pressed when the convex portion is pressed by the projecting portion. And at least one of the second driving means and the second driving means is stopped.

The solar position detecting device of the present invention preferably further includes a first elastic member for urging the azimuthal rotation of the second light detecting means in one direction.

Further, the sun position detecting device of the present invention preferably further includes a second elastic member for urging the rotation of the second light detecting means in the elevation direction in one direction.

Further, the first driving means of the sun position detecting device of the present invention preferably has a worm gear in a final reduction section for transmitting rotation in the elevation direction to the second light detecting means.

[0013] The second driving means of the sun position detecting device of the present invention preferably has a worm gear in a final reduction portion for transmitting azimuth rotation to the second light detecting means.

Further, the solar position detecting device of the present invention preferably controls one or more other objects based on the detected solar position.

[0015]

In the solar position detecting device according to the present invention, of the plurality of detection ranges preliminarily divided by the first light detecting means,
A detection range in which the maximum amount of sunlight is detected is specified. Then, based on the detection range specified by the first light detecting means, for example, the first driving means and the second driving means allow the sun to be located in a range detectable by the second light detecting means. Then, the second light detecting means moves in the elevation and azimuth directions. At this time, when the position of the sun is detected by the second light detecting means, when the sunlight is not incident on the second light detecting means from the front, different suns are detected in the paired light detecting units. By detecting the difference in the amount of light, it is possible to detect how much the position of the sun deviates from the attitude of the second light detecting means.

Then, the second light detecting means is moved in the elevation direction and the azimuth direction by the first driving means and the second driving means so as to reduce the detected deviation. Then, the light amounts of the sun detected by the paired light detection units are made equal. Then, the position of the sun is detected from the attitude of the second light detecting means when the amounts of light of the sun detected by the paired light detecting units become equal.

In the solar position detecting device of the present invention, the second
The projection rotates in accordance with the rotation of the light detecting means. Then, when the second light detection means reaches the boundary point of the predetermined rotation area, the pressed part is pressed and the switch is turned on. When the switch is turned on, at least one of the first driving means and the second driving means performs the rotation driving by reversing the rotation direction. This allows the second
Is rotated within a predetermined rotation area.

Further, in the sun position detecting device of the present invention, both the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion provided along the rotation path of the protrusion are pressed by the single protrusion. You. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a projection corresponding to each pressed portion, and the apparatus can be simplified.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a sun position detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a case is described in which the shutter opening / closing operation drive unit is controlled based on the position of the sun detected by using the sun position detection device. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration on the front side of the sun position detection device, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration on the side surface of the sun position detection device, and FIG. 3 is an elevation angle rotation drive unit of the sun position detection device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration on the plane side, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration on the plane side of the azimuth rotation drive unit of the sun position detection device and the arrangement of the limit switch and the return switch, and FIG. It is a figure for explaining a control system of an apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the sun position detecting device 1 mainly includes a fine detection optical sensor unit 2, a coarse detection optical sensor unit 4, an elevation rotation drive unit 6, and an azimuth rotation drive unit. 8,
The azimuth direction rotation area defining unit 9 and the control unit 125 are configured. The fine detection optical sensor unit 2 can detect the position of the sun with high accuracy, but the detection range in the azimuth direction is relatively narrow. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical sensor unit 4 for coarse detection
a, 80b, and 80c, which can only roughly detect the position of the sun, but have a wide detection range in the azimuth direction. The azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8 drives the rotation of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 in the azimuth direction.

The elevation direction rotation drive unit 6 is fixed to the upper part of the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8, rotates in the azimuth direction by the drive from the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8, and rotates in the elevation direction of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2. Drive the rotation of. The azimuth direction rotation area defining unit 9 has a return switch and a limit switch, and turns on these switches when the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 rotates beyond a predetermined azimuth direction rotation area. The control unit 125 calculates the position of the sun based on the angle data from the elevation rotation drive unit 6 and the azimuth rotation drive unit 8, as shown in FIG. The control signal S125 is output to the unit 5. The shutter opening / closing drive section 5 drives a shutter opening / closing operation based on the control signal S125.

In the solar position detecting device 1, the position of the sun is roughly detected by using the optical sensor unit 4 for coarse detection. Then, based on the detection result of the coarse detection optical sensor unit 4, the fine detection optical sensor is driven by the elevation rotation drive unit 6 and the azimuth rotation drive unit 8 so that the sun is positioned within the detection range. Rotate part 2 in elevation and azimuth directions. Thereafter, based on the detection result of the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection, the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection moves by the drive from the elevation rotation drive unit 6 and the azimuth rotation drive unit 8, and the optical sensor unit for fine detection. 2 faces the sun with high precision. Then, the elevation angle and azimuth direction angle data of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 at that time are output from the elevation direction rotation drive unit 6 and the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8 to the control unit 125. The control unit 125 detects the position of the sun based on the angle data,
Based on the detection result, a control signal S125 is output to the shutter opening / closing operation driving section 5, and the opening / closing operation of the shutter is controlled. The angle in this case is an angle input according to the purpose of use, and is, for example, both azimuth angle data, elevation angle data, azimuth angle data, and elevation angle data.

Hereinafter, each component of the solar position detecting device 1 will be described in detail. First, the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. The azimuth rotation drive unit 8 has a motor 10, and a gear 12 is fixed to a drive shaft of the motor 10. The gear 14 is provided on the rotating shaft 17.
And the worm 19 are fixed. The rotating shaft 17 is supported by bearings 72 and 73 provided on the frame 56. The gear 14 meshes with the gear 12 and the worm 19 meshes with the wheel 18.
Is fixed to the rotating shaft 11. An elevation rotation drive unit 6 is fixed above the rotation shaft 11, and the fine detection sensor unit 2 rotates in the azimuth direction together with the elevation rotation drive unit 6 in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8 receives azimuth drive signals S2a and S4a from the fine detection sensor unit 2 and the coarse detection sensor unit 4, and based on these signals, the motor 10 Is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed in a predetermined rotation direction. The rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 10
The gear 12, the gear 14, the rotating shaft 17, the worm 19 and the wheel 18 are sequentially transmitted to the rotating shaft 11 through
The elevation rotation drive unit 6 rotates according to the rotation of the rotation shaft 11. As described above, in the azimuth direction rotation drive unit 8, since the worm 19 and the wheel 18 are used in the final reduction unit of the path for transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 10 to the rotation shaft 11, The effect of the generated backlash can be reduced, and the deviation of the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 11 can be suppressed.
As a result, the positioning of the fine detection sensor unit 2 in the azimuth direction can be performed with high accuracy, and the sun position can be detected with high accuracy.

Next, the azimuth direction rotation area defining section 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. On the upper part of the frame 56 fixed to the base 70, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 6, a limit switch 13 and return switches 15a and 15b are fixedly provided at predetermined positions around the rotation shaft 11. A protrusion 50 is fixed to the rotating shaft 11 via a ground plate 52. The protrusion 50 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 in the azimuth direction, and the protrusion 5
By 0, the limit switch 13 and the return switches 15a, 15b are turned on / off.

As shown in FIG. 6, the return switch 15
Reference numerals a and 15b denote switches for defining an azimuth rotation region of the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection. The return switches 15a and 15b are turned on when the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 reaches an azimuth rotation angle beyond a predetermined azimuth rotation area, and the on is used as a trigger to cause the control unit 125 to turn on. A control signal for reversing the rotation direction is output to the motor 10.

The return switch 15a has a lever 15a1 having one end fixed, and only when the projection 50 enters when the rotating shaft 11 rotates in the opposite direction.
Is pushed in and turned on. The protrusion 50 has a tapered surface 5.
0a, has 50b, the tapered surface 50 a, pushes the lever 15 a 1. As a material of the protrusion 50, an elastic member such as stainless steel is used, for example. As described above, by using an elastic member as the material of the protrusion 50, the protrusion 50 allows the lever 15 of the return switch 15a to be moved.
When the a1 is pushed in, the protrusion 50 or the lever 15a1 can be prevented from being broken. Return switch 15b has a lever 15b1 of which one end is fixed, the rotation shaft 11 is only lever 15b1 by ingress of projection 50 when rotated in the forward direction is turned on is pushed. At this time, the projection 50 pushes the lever 15 b 1 by the tapered surface 50 b .

When the control of the motor 10 by the return switches 15a and 15b does not function properly and the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection rotates beyond the azimuth rotation region occurs, the limit switch 13 By forcibly turning off the power supply of the power supply 10, the destruction of the solar position detecting device 1 is prevented.

The limit switch 13 has a pressed portion 13a having a hemispherical shape. The tapered surface 50 of the projection 50 when the projection 50 enters by the rotation of the rotating shaft 11 in the forward direction.
The pressed portion 13a is pressed by b and turned on. When the protrusion 50 enters due to the rotation of the rotation shaft 11 in the opposite direction, the limit switch 13 is turned on by the pressed portion 13a being pressed by the tapered surface 50a of the protrusion 50.

As described above, in this embodiment, since both the limit switch 13 and the return switches 15a and 15b are turned on / off by the projection 50, the configuration is simple, the economy is excellent, and the apparatus is excellent. Can be downsized.

Next, the elevation rotation drive section 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. The elevation direction rotation drive unit 6 is fixed to the upper part of the rotation shaft 11,
Rotates in the azimuth direction according to. One end of a spring 53 is fixed to the frame 52 of the elevation rotation drive unit 6, and the other end of the spring 53 is fixed to a frame 56 of the azimuth rotation drive unit 8. The spring 53 is attached so as to urge the elevation rotation drive unit 6 eastward when the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 is located southward.

A gear 28 is fixed to a drive shaft of the motor 26. The gear 22 and the gear 24 are fixed to the rotating shaft 60. The gear 28 and the gear 24 mesh with each other. The gear 20 and the worm 30 are fixed to the rotating shaft 61.
The gear 20 meshes with the gear 22. The wheel 32 and the joint 38 are fixed to the rotating shaft 34.
Are mounted on a frame 41. The wheel 32 and the worm 30 are engaged.

As shown in FIG. 5, the elevation rotation drive unit 6 receives elevation drive signals S2b and S4b from the fine detection sensor unit 2 and the coarse detection sensor unit 4, and based on these signals, the motor 26 Is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed in a predetermined rotation direction. The rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 26 is
Gear 28, gear 24, gear 22, gear 20, worm 3
0, and sequentially transmitted to the rotating shaft 34 via the wheel 32. The fine detection optical sensor section 2 rotates in the elevation direction according to the rotation axis 34. As described above, in the elevation rotation drive unit 6, since the worm 30 and the wheel 32 are used in the final reduction unit of the path for transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 26 to the rotation shaft 34, the rotation is transmitted when the rotation is transmitted. The displacement of the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 34 due to the generated backlash can be reduced. As a result, positioning of the fine detection sensor unit 2 in the elevation angle direction can be performed with high accuracy, and the sun position can be detected with high accuracy.

A spring 36 is wound around the rotating shaft 34, one end of the spring 36 is fixed to a joint 38, and the other end of the spring 36 is fixed to a frame 41. The rotation of the rotation shaft 34 is urged by a spring 36 in one direction, for example, the direction of arrow C shown in FIG.

The rotating shaft 34 has protrusions 65a, 65b, 6
5c is fixed, and the levers of the return switches 64a and 64b are pushed in by the protrusions 65c, respectively.
As a result, the return switches 64a and 64b are turned on /
Turned off. By appropriately arranging the return switches 64a and 64b, the rotation area of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 in the elevation direction is defined. That is, the return switches 64a and 64b are turned on when the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 reaches a rotation angle in the elevation direction that exceeds a predetermined rotation region in the elevation direction. A control signal for reversing the rotation direction is output from the motor 125 to the motor 26. Limit switch 1
3 is turned on by the pressed portions being pressed by the entry of the protrusions 65a and 65b.

Next, the rough detection optical sensor unit 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the coarse detection optical sensor unit 4 is provided with optical sensors 80a, 80b, and 80c at intervals of about 70 degrees in the azimuth direction from the point O. It is determined that the sun is located in the azimuth direction corresponding to the optical sensor that detected light most strongly.

FIG. 8 shows the optical sensors 80a and 80 shown in FIG.
It is an external view of b, 80c. As shown in FIG.
The optical sensor 80a has a configuration in which a photosensor 81a is embedded inside a “U” -shaped light blocking portion 82a having a predetermined thickness. As shown in FIGS. 8 (B) and 8 (C), the optical sensors 80b and 80c have L having a predetermined thickness.
The photo sensors 81a and 81b are embedded in the letter-shaped light blocking portions 82b and 82c, respectively.

The detection range of the photo sensor 81 in the azimuth direction is the detection range 83 shown in FIG. 9A, and the detection ranges of the optical sensors 80a, 80b, 80c are respectively determined by the light blocking units 82a, 82b, 82c. As a result of blocking the light from the azimuth direction, the detection ranges 84a, 84b, and 84c shown in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D are obtained.

As described above, the light blocking sections 82a, 82b, 8
By providing 2c, the light blocking portions 82a, 82b, 8
By adjusting the shape of 2c, the optical sensors 80a, 80
The detection range overlapping in the azimuth directions b and 80c can be reduced, and the azimuth direction in which sunlight is incident can be appropriately detected. That is, for example, if the two optical sensors have a very wide overlapping detection range in the azimuth direction, when the sunlight is located in this overlapping range, 2
Since each of the two optical sensors senses sunlight with the same level of intensity, it cannot be determined which of the optical sensors corresponds to the sun. According to this, the size of such an overlapping detection range can be reduced. Further, the light blocking portions 82a, 82
In b and 82c, since the light blocking member is not provided in the elevation direction, light can be detected in a wide range in the elevation direction.

When the sun is located in such an overlapping detection range, it is determined that the intermediate position of the optical sensor corresponding to the overlapping detection range is the position of the sun. For example, FIG.
In the detection range 85 shown as 0, it is determined that the intermediate position between the optical sensors 80a and 80c is the position of the sun.

FIG. 11 shows photo sensors 81a, 81b,
It is a figure for explaining processing of a signal outputted from 81c. As shown in FIG. 11, the photo sensors 81a, 81
The output signals from b and 81c are amplified by the amplifier 120, and are output as A / A as output signals S81a, S81b and S81c.
It is output to the D converter 121. In the A / D converter 121, the output signals S81a, S81b, S81c are digitally converted, and the converted output signals S121a, S12
1b and S121c are output to the comparator 122. In the comparator 122, the output signals S121a, S121b, S121
121c, the photo sensor that has detected the light most strongly is specified, and a signal S122 indicating the result is determined by the determiner 1
23.

In the decision unit 123, based on the signal S122, an azimuth drive signal S4a is generated so that the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 is oriented in the azimuth direction corresponding to the photosensor that has detected the light most strongly. The azimuth drive signal S4a is output to the motor 10. At this time, the determination unit 123 performs the fine detection optical sensor unit based on the specified photosensor and data indicating the position of the sun in the elevation direction stored in advance as data corresponding to the specified photosensor. An elevation drive signal S4b is generated so that 2 faces the position in the elevation direction of the sun, and this elevation drive signal S4b is output to the motor 26.

For example, when the photosensor that most strongly detects light is 81a, the determiner 123 sets the elevation angle drive signal S so that the elevation angle of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 becomes 40 degrees.
4b, and the photo sensor that detected light most strongly was 8
In the case of 1b and 81c, the elevation angle drive signal S4b is generated so that the elevation angle of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 becomes 30 degrees. In addition, the determiner 123 includes the photo sensors 81a and 81
When b detects light having the same intensity, and when the photo sensors 81a and 81c detect light having the same intensity, the elevation angle of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 is 35 degrees. The elevation drive signal S4b is generated such that

By providing such a coarse detection optical sensor unit 4, even when the sun is located outside the detection range of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2, the detection result of the coarse detection optical sensor unit 4 is used. By driving the motors 26 and 10 to rotate the fine detection optical sensor unit 2, the sun can be positioned within the detection range of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2.

Next, the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection. As shown in FIG. 12, the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 has a support bar 86 provided on a substrate 87, and a square or round light-shielding plate 70 is attached to the tip of the support bar 86. Photosensors 88a, 88b, 88c, and 8 that output an output signal corresponding to the intensity of the irradiated light are provided at a position corresponding to the center of each side of the light shielding plate 70 on the substrate 87.
8d are provided. That is, when the position of the sun and the light-shielding plate 70 face exactly, the shadow of the light-shielding plate 70 is projected on the inner half of all of the photosensors 88a, 88b, 88c, and 88d. At this time,
For example, the difference between the amounts of light detected by the photo sensors 88a and 88c corresponds to a shift in the azimuth direction of the sun position with respect to the light shielding plate 70, and the difference between the amounts of light detected by the photo sensors 88b and 88d corresponds to the elevation angle with respect to the light shielding plate 70 at the sun position. Corresponding to the deviation.

FIG. 13 shows photo sensors 88a, 88b,
It is a figure for explaining processing of output signals outputted from 88c and 88d. As shown in FIG. 13, output signals S88 from the photo sensors 88a, 88b, 88c, 88d
a, S88b, S88c, and S88d are amplified by the amplifier 89 and output to the A / D converter 110. In the A / D converter 110, the output signals S88a, S88b, S
The output signals S110a and S110c are output to the comparator 111a, and the output signals S110b and S110d are output from the comparator 111c.
b. In the comparator 111a, the output signal S
110a and S110c are compared to determine, for example, which of the photosensors 88a and 88c has detected the strong light, and the difference between the output values of the two photosensors is determined, and a signal indicating the result of the comparison is obtained. S111a is output to the determiner 112a. In the comparator 111b, the output signals S110b and S110d are compared with each other.
As in the case of a, the signal S111b indicating the comparison result is output from the decision unit 1
12b.

In the decision unit 112a, the signal S111a
, An azimuth drive signal S2a for driving the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 to rotate in the azimuth direction is generated such that the light shielding plate 70 faces the sun accurately.
a is output to the motor 10. In the determiner 112b, based on the signal S111b, an elevation drive signal S2b for driving the rotation of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 in the elevation direction is generated so that the light shielding plate 70 accurately faces the sun. S2b is output to the motor 26. The above-described A / D converter 110, comparators 111a and 111b,
The processing in the determiners 112a and 112b is performed using, for example, a microcomputer.

The above-described processing is performed until the light shielding plate 70 accurately faces the sun, that is, the photo sensors 88a and 88a.
c, and until the values of the output signals from the photosensors 88b and 88d become equal. That is, at the time when the above-described processing is completed, the light-shielding plate 70 accurately faces the sun, and the control unit 125 calculates the position of the sun based on the attitude of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 at this time. .

FIG. 14 shows a light shielding plate projected on the photosensors 88a, 88b, 88c, 88d of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 according to the relationship between the position of the sun and the attitude of the fine detection optical sensor unit 2. It is a figure for explaining the shadow of 70. In the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection, when the light shielding plate 70 is correctly pointing in the direction of the sun, the photo sensors 88a, 88b, 88
c, 88d, the light-shielding plate 7
A shadow with 0 is projected.

For example, FIGS. 14A and 14B
14C shows the case where the sun is shifted in the azimuth direction with respect to the light shielding plate 70. FIGS.
This is the case where the sun is shifted in the elevation direction with respect to.

FIG. 14A is a view for explaining the shadow of the light-shielding plate 70 when the sun is located closer to the photosensor 88a with respect to the light-shielding plate 70, and the photosensor 88c is included in the photosensor 88c. The area on which the shadow is projected is larger than that of. In this case, the output value from the photo sensor 88a is larger than the output value of the photo sensor 88c, with a magnitude corresponding to the degree of deviation in the azimuth direction of the sun. FIG. 14B is a diagram for explaining the shadow of the light-shielding plate 70 when the sun is located closer to the photosensor 88 c with respect to the light-shielding plate 70.
In a, the area on which a shadow is projected is larger than that of the photosensor 88c.

FIG. 14C is a diagram for explaining the shadow of the light-shielding plate 70 when the sun is closer to the photosensor 88d than the light-shielding plate 70. The area on which the shadow is projected is larger than that of. In this case, the output value from the photo sensor 88d is larger than the output value of the photo sensor 88b, with a magnitude corresponding to the degree of deviation of the sun in the elevation direction. FIG. 14D is a view for explaining the shadow of the light-shielding plate 70 when the sun is located closer to the photosensor 88 b with respect to the light-shielding plate 70.
The area where the shadow is projected is larger in d than in the photosensor 88b.

According to the optical sensor unit 2 for fine detection, even when the sun and the light shielding plate 70 are slightly displaced from each other, the difference between the output values from the photosensors provided at the opposed positions is the same as the conventional one. As compared with the case, the position of the sun can be detected with high accuracy.

The operation of the sun position detecting device 1 will be briefly described below. FIG. 15 shows the solar position detecting device 1
5 is a flowchart of the process in. Step S1:
The open / close position of the shutter is determined by a user operation. Step S2: The direction of the sun is roughly detected by the coarse detection optical sensor unit 4, and the azimuth drive signal S4a and the elevation drive signal S4b (FIG.
1) is output to the azimuth rotation drive unit 8 and the elevation rotation drive unit 6, and the fine detection optical sensor unit 2 rotates in the direction of the sun.

Step S3: The azimuth direction and the elevation angle direction of the sun are detected with high precision by the fine detection optical sensor unit 2, and the azimuth drive signal S2a and the elevation drive signal S2b (see FIG. 13) corresponding to the detection result are obtained. The fine detection light sensor unit 2 is further output to the directional rotation drive unit 8 and the elevation direction rotation drive unit 6, and further rotates in the azimuth direction and the elevation direction. This process is performed until the light shielding plate 70 correctly faces the sun, and the signal S8 indicating the rotational position in the azimuth direction from the azimuth rotation drive unit 8 and the signal S6 indicating the rotation position in the elevation direction from the elevation rotation drive unit 6. Is output to the control unit 125.

Step S4: When the processing of step S3 is completed, the control unit 125 causes the azimuth direction rotation driving unit 8
And signals S8 and S input from the elevation direction rotation drive unit 6.
6, the position of the sun is calculated.

Step S5: Based on the position of the sun calculated in step S3, the control unit 125 determines, based on the data input in step S1, whether or not it is necessary to open and close the shutter. For example, an opening / closing instruction signal S125 is output to the shutter opening / closing operation driving section 5. Upon input of the open / close instruction signal S125, the shutter 1 closing operation driving unit 5 drives the shutter to open or close based on the signal S125.

As described above, the shutter has been exemplified in the above-described embodiment, but the present invention can be applied to any shutter that can be controlled by the sun position such as a window. Therefore, a single sun position detection device can perform control according to the sun angle, and can simultaneously control a plurality of different products.

[0059]

According to the solar position detecting device of the present invention, the rotation area of the second light detecting means in the elevation direction and the azimuth direction can be appropriately defined by the rotation angle detecting means. Further, according to the sun position detecting device of the present invention, since both the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion can be pressed by a single projection, the device can be simplified, and Excellent economy on a large scale.

Further, according to the sun position detecting device of the present invention, the use of the elastic member for the protrusion prevents the protrusion and the pressed portion from being destroyed by the collision between the protrusion and the pressed portion. it can. According to the solar position detecting device of the present invention, the rotation of the driven elevation angle and azimuth direction is transmitted to the second light detection means using the worm wheel, so that the influence of backlash is reduced, and the rotation angle is reduced. Can be determined with high accuracy. As a result, the position of the sun can be detected with high accuracy. Further, according to the solar position detecting device of the present invention, one device can perform control according to the sun angle, and simultaneously control a plurality of different products (devices).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration on the front side of a solar position detecting device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a side surface side of the sun position detection device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration on a plane side of an elevation angle rotation drive unit of the sun position detection device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a plane side of an azimuth direction rotation drive unit of the sun position detection device and an arrangement of a limit switch and a return switch.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a control system of the sun position detecting device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a return switch and a limit switch.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a coarse detection sensor unit.

FIG. 8 is an external view of the optical sensor shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detection range of a photosensor and an optical sensor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing overlapping detection ranges of adjacent optical sensors.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining processing of an output signal output from a photo sensor of the coarse detection optical sensor unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an optical sensor unit for fine detection.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining processing of an output signal output from the photo sensor of the fine detection optical sensor unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a shadow projected on a photosensor of the fine detection optical sensor unit according to the relationship between the position of the sun and the attitude of the fine detection optical sensor.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process in the sun position detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sun position detection device 2 ... Fine detection sensor part 4 ... Coarse detection sensor part 5 ... Shutter opening / closing operation drive part 6 ... Elevation direction rotation drive part 8 ... Azimuth direction Rotation drive unit 9 Azimuth direction rotation area defining unit 13 Limit switch 15a, 15b Return switch 50 Projection

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ identification symbol FI G05D 3/12 G05D 3/12 W (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01C 1/00-1 / 14

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sun position detecting device for detecting a position of the sun, comprising: a first light detecting means for specifying a detection range in which a maximum amount of sunlight is detected, among a plurality of detection ranges that have been divided in advance; A pair of first light detectors for detecting the elevation direction of the sun, in which the shadows of the light-shielding parts are respectively projected on some areas when light is substantially incident from the front, and sunlight is incident substantially from the front A second light detection unit having a pair of second light detection units for detecting the azimuth direction of the sun in which the shadows of the light-shielding units are projected onto a part of the area, A first driving unit that drives rotation of the second light detection unit in the elevation direction based on a detection result from the first light detection unit of the first light detection unit; The detected detection range and the second optical detection Second driving means for driving the rotation of the second light detection means in the azimuth direction based on the detection result of the first light detection section of the output means; and a pressed part for switching a switch by being pressed. And a projection having a tapered surface that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second light detection means and has a tapered surface capable of pressing the pressed portion regardless of whether the rotation is in the normal or reverse direction. Based on the switching of the switch, the second
A rotation angle detecting means for controlling rotation of the second light detecting means so that the light detecting means is rotated. 2. The pressed portion has at least two first pressed portions located along a rotation path of the projection, and at least one second pressed portion. The pressed portion is disposed so as to define a rotation region of the second light detection means, and the second pressed portion is located in the danger region beyond the rotation region of the second light detection device. The solar position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first driving unit and the second driving unit is arranged to stop. 3. The sun position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the tapered surface of the protrusion is formed using an elastic member. 4. The sun position detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the first pressed portion has a lever having one end fixed, and is switched when the lever is pressed by the projection. 5. The second pressed part has a hemispherical convex part, and when the convex part is pushed in by the projection part, the first driving means and the second driving means have the same shape. The solar position detecting device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the solar position detecting devices is stopped. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first elastic member for urging the azimuthal rotation of the second detecting means in one direction.
The solar position detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The solar position detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a second elastic member for urging the rotation of the second light detecting means in an elevation direction in one direction. 8. The sun position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said first driving means has a worm gear in a final deceleration section for transmitting rotation in an elevation direction to said second light detecting means. . 9. The sun position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein said second driving means has a worm gear in a final reduction portion for transmitting azimuth rotation to said second light detecting means. . 10. The solar position detecting device according to claim 1, wherein one or more other objects are controlled based on the detected solar position.