JP7424151B2 - slave device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slave device.

In the field of factory automation (FA), various types of devices that share work processes are controlled. An industry called field network that connects various controllers, control devices that control sensors, actuators, and manufacturing equipment used in processes within a certain area such as a factory facility in order to operate these devices in a coordinated manner. A network has been established for

A typical field network employs a master-slave system consisting of various slave devices and a master device. An example of a slave device is a gateway device that connects devices such as sensors, controllers, and actuators to a field network via the slave device. The master device is, for example, a device called (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller) that centrally manages such slave devices.

In such a field network, a large number of communication cables are stretched between each device to construct a network. Ethernet/IP is an example of such a field network system (ETHERNET: registered trademark).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-316770

In gateway devices for FA, it is necessary to be able to easily connect and disconnect cables at the site for process changes, setup changes, and the like. In order to easily understand the connection relationships of cables, in gateway devices for FA, connectors for various cables are provided on the front panel.

Further, a gateway device for FA is usually provided with a lamp display such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) so that the operating state can be confirmed on site. For managers and workers of processes to which field networks are applied (hereinafter referred to as managers), in the event of an abnormality in the operation or connection of a device connected to a gateway device, or an abnormality in the gateway device itself, It is important to be able to recognize this early on-site.

However, since many cables for connecting to the field network and cables for linking with devices are connected to the gateway device for FA, the lamp display for notifying abnormalities is obstructed by the cables and cannot be seen. The problem was that it was difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a slave device in which a lamp indicating an abnormality can be easily recognized even when a large number of cables are connected to the slave device. .

The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. One aspect of the present invention is a slave device that connects to a network and communicates with a master device, the slave device including a plurality of cable connectors, a substantially rectangular front panel on which the plurality of cable connectors are arranged, and the front panel. an orthogonal surface that is connected to each of the four sides of the front panel and is substantially orthogonal to the front panel, and an indicator lamp that is arranged on each of the four sides of the front panel, and each of the indicator lamps is connected to the front panel. a light emitting surface on a panel, a light emitting surface on the orthogonal surface, and a light emitting surface on a surface different from the front panel and the orthogonal surface, the light emitting surface being formed at a connecting portion between the front panel and the orthogonal surface. Equipped with a configuration.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a slave device in which a lamp that notifies an abnormality is easily visible even when a large number of cables are connected to the slave device.

In the slave device according to the above aspect, a surface different from the front panel and the orthogonal surface, which is formed at a connection portion between the front panel and the orthogonal surface, is a chamfered surface between the front panel and the orthogonal surface. It may also include a configuration. According to the above configuration, the different surfaces can be specifically configured.

In the slave device according to the above aspect, the plurality of cable connectors may include a plurality of device connectors for connection to devices. According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a slave device as a gateway device that can connect multiple devices such as sensors, actuators, controllers, etc. to a network via the slave device.

In the slave device according to the above aspect, each of the display lamps may be arranged at a position spaced apart from a vertex of the front panel. According to the above configuration, the respective display lamps are arranged at positions apart from each other on each side of the substantially rectangular front panel, increasing the possibility that any one of the display lamps can be visually recognized in various directions except the rear side.

In the slave device according to the above aspect, at least one of the orthogonal surfaces may be a surface that is set back from a side surface of the slave device that is substantially orthogonal to the front panel. According to the above configuration, by locking the fixing member between the side surface and the retreated surface and fixing the slave device, it is possible to avoid the display lamp from being hidden by the member. become.

The slave device according to the above aspect may include a configuration in which a through hole is disposed between the side surface and the retreated surface. According to the above configuration, by using the through hole, the slave device can be reliably fixed to a wall surface, etc., and the indicator lamp can be prevented from being hidden by the fixing member. .

In the slave device according to the above aspect, each of the display lamps may be configured to blink in synchronization when the slave device detects an abnormality. According to the above configuration, the observer can better recognize the importance of notifications such as warnings using the display lamp.

According to the slave device according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a slave device in which a lamp that notifies an abnormality can be easily visually recognized even when a large number of cables are connected to the slave device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a slave device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") according to one aspect of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

§1 Application Example First, an example of a situation where the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slave device 1 of this embodiment. The slave device 1 of this embodiment is a field network terminal that connects to a field network and communicates with a master device.

The slave device 1 includes a plurality of cable connectors arranged on a substantially rectangular front panel 12. Some of the plurality of cable connectors may be communication connectors 41 for connection to a field network. Further, some of the plurality of cable connectors may be device connectors 42 for connection with a device.

The slave device 1 is connected to each of the four sides of the front panel 12 and has orthogonal surfaces substantially orthogonal to the front panel 12. Furthermore, the slave device 1 includes display lamps 34 to 37 arranged on each of the four sides of the substantially rectangular front panel 12.

Each of the indicator lamps 34 to 37 is formed at a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on the orthogonal surface, and a connecting portion between the front panel 12 and the orthogonal surface. It has a feature of having a light emitting surface on a plane different from the orthogonal plane.

With the slave device 1 having the above configuration, it becomes easy for an administrator or the like to visually recognize any of the display lamps from various directions except the back side of the slave device 1. Further, even when a large number of cables are connected to the slave device 1, it is possible to realize a slave device in which a lamp that notifies an abnormality is easily visible.

§2 Configuration example <Overview of slave device>
The slave device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained in more detail using FIGS. 1 to 7. Slave device 1 is a terminal in a field network. As a specific example, Ethernet/IP can be applied to the communication method of the field network, but is not limited to this (ETHERNET: registered trademark, Ethernet: registered trademark).

The slave device 1 communicates with the master device through a field network. A programmable logic controller can be applied to such a master device.

Further, a plurality of devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers can be connected to the slave device 1, and the slave device 1 is a gateway device that connects these devices to a field network by relaying them. The slave device 1 allows the master device to control the operations of these connected devices, or allows the master device to collect data.

<Form of slave device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slave device 1. FIG. 2 and 3 are a front view and a rear view of the slave device 1, respectively. 4 and 5 are a left side view and a right side view of the slave device 1, respectively. 6 and 7 are a plan view and a bottom view of the slave device 1, respectively.

As illustrated, the slave device 1 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The back surface 13 is approximately rectangular. The back surface 13 is the side surface that is viewed directly in FIG. 3 (rear view). The side surfaces of the slave device 1 that are in contact with the rectangular short sides of the back surface 13 are a side surface 14 and a side surface 15. The side surfaces of the slave device 1 that are in contact with the long sides of the rectangle of the back surface 13 are a side surface 16 and a side surface 17.

The side surface 14, the side surface 15, the side surface 16, and the side surface 17 are each substantially orthogonal to the back surface 13. The side surface 14, the side surface 15, the side surface 16, and the side surface 17 are viewed approximately directly in FIG. 4 (left side view), FIG. 5 (right side view), FIG. 6 (top view), and FIG. 7 (bottom view), respectively. It is a surface.

A front panel 12 parallel to the back surface 13 is arranged on the front side of the slave device 1 . The front panel 12 is approximately rectangular. The short sides of the front panel 12 are approximately the same length as the short sides of the back surface 13. In this way, each of the side surfaces 16 and 17 is connected to a long side of the front panel 12. The long sides of the front panel 12 are shorter than the long sides of the back surface 13, and the side surfaces 14 and 17 are not connected to the front panel 12.

A step is formed from the side surface 14 to the front panel 12, and an orthogonal surface 14a substantially orthogonal to the front panel 12 is connected to the front panel 12. A parallel surface 12a substantially parallel to the front panel 12 is connected to the orthogonal surface 14a and the side surface 14. The orthogonal surface 14a is a surface receding from the side surface 14 of the slave device 1.

A step is formed from the side surface 15 to the front panel 12, and an orthogonal surface 15a substantially perpendicular to the front panel 12 is connected to the front panel 12. A parallel surface 12b substantially parallel to the front panel 12 is connected to the orthogonal surface 15a and the side surface 15. The orthogonal surface 15a is a surface receding from the side surface 15 of the slave device 1.

Thus, the short sides of the front panel 12 are connected to the orthogonal surfaces 14a and 15a, respectively, and the long sides are connected to the side surfaces 16 and 17, respectively. The side surfaces 16 and 17 are also orthogonal surfaces, each of which is substantially orthogonal to the front panel 12.

In the area where the front panel 12 and the orthogonal surface 14a are connected in a substantially perpendicular manner, a small surface 24 (facet) as a chamfered surface is formed in detail at the connecting portion. Similarly, in the area where the front panel 12 and the orthogonal surface 15a connect in a substantially orthogonal manner, a small surface 25 (facet) is formed as a chamfered surface of the connecting portion. The small surfaces 24 and 25 are elongated surfaces along the short sides of the front panel 12, respectively.

Therefore, the expression that the orthogonal surface 14a is connected to the front panel 12 is an expression that includes the fact that the facet 24, which is a chamfered surface, may be formed therebetween at the connection portion. The same applies to other orthogonal surfaces.

Of the regions where the front panel 12 and the side surfaces 16 are connected substantially orthogonally, in the region spaced apart from the apex of the front panel 12, small surfaces 26 (facets) as chamfered surfaces are formed in detail at these connecting portions. ing. Similarly, in the area where the front panel 12 and the side surface 17 are connected substantially perpendicularly, in the area spaced apart from the apex of the front panel 12, in detail, a small surface 27 (facet) as a chamfer is formed on these connecting portions. is formed. The small surface 26 and the small surface 27 are elongated surfaces along the short sides of the front panel 12, respectively.

A through hole 22 is arranged between the side surface 14 and an orthogonal surface 14a that is a surface receding from the side surface 14. The through hole 22 is bored in the parallel surface 12a forming a step near the side surface 14, and penetrates to the back surface 13. A through hole 23 is arranged between the side surface 15 and an orthogonal surface 15a that is a surface receding from the side surface 15. The through hole 23 is bored in the parallel surface 12b forming a step near the side surface 15 and penetrates to the back surface 13.

Each of the through holes 22 and 23 is used to fix the slave device 1 to a wall surface or the like by screwing with screws or bolts, or using other appropriate members. At that time, the slave device 1 is fixed so that the back surface 13 faces the wall surface and the front panel 12 is exposed.

<Structure on the front panel>
A plurality of cable connectors are arranged on the front panel 12. The configuration in which various cables are connected to the front side of the slave device 1 makes it easier for administrators to change the connections of various cables when changing processes, updating equipment, changing setups, etc. be able to do it. Furthermore, it is possible to facilitate on-site inspections of various cable connections by managers and the like.

Cable connectors on front panel 12 include: Communication connector 41 for connection with a field network. A device connector 42 for connection with a device. A power input connector 43 and a power output connector 44. In the illustrated example, the slave device 1 includes two communication connectors 41. These are arranged side by side within the front panel 12 closer to the side surface 15. That is, these are arranged along one short side of the substantially rectangular front panel 12.

The slave device 1 also includes eight device connectors 42 in a region spaced apart from the short side of the front panel 12. Within the front panel 12, four types are arranged along the side surface 16 and the remaining four types are arranged along the side surface 17. Furthermore, the slave device 1 includes one set of power input connector 43 and one set of power output connector 44. These are arranged side by side within the front panel 12 closer to the side surface 14. That is, these are arranged along the other short side of the substantially rectangular front panel 12.

On the front panel 12 of the slave device 1, an indicator 31 that can display the operational status of the slave device 1 is arranged. The indicator 31 is composed of a plurality of small lamps. Each small lamp indicates various operating states of the slave device 1 by turning on, blinking, or turning off, and by the color of the light emitted. In the illustrated example, the indicator 31 is arranged on the front panel 12 near the communication connector 41 on the side away from the side surface 15.

Specific examples of the operating state of the slave device 1 represented by the indicator 31 include the communication state through each communication connector 41 and the operating state of the power input connector 43 and the power output connector 44. Alternatively, it may be possible to determine whether there is an abnormality in the operation of the slave device 1, whether there is an abnormality in the connection with the device, or whether there is an abnormality in the operation of the device.

A device status lamp 32 is arranged around each device connector 42. The device status lamp 32 has a ring shape with a light emitting surface surrounding the device connector 42 . The device status lamp 32 can indicate the status of connection with a device through the device connector 42 or the operating status of a connected device by turning on, blinking, or extinguishing the light, or by changing the color of the light emitted.

<Display lamp>
The slave device 1 is equipped with a plurality of display lamps that can provide important notifications such as warnings to administrators and the like. An example of an important notification carried out by the indicator lamp is when there is an abnormality in the operation or connection of the slave device 1 itself or a device connected to the slave device 1. In such a case, the device connected to the slave device 1 will not be able to operate normally, and the process to which the slave device 1 is applied will not operate normally.

The indicator lamps are arranged on each of the four sides of the front panel 12 of the slave device 1. An indicator lamp 34 is arranged on the short side connected to the orthogonal surface 14a. An indicator lamp 35 is arranged on the short side connected to the orthogonal surface 15a. An indicator lamp 36 is arranged on the long side connected to the side surface 16. An indicator lamp 37 is arranged on the long side connected to the side surface 17.

Furthermore, each indicator lamp is spaced apart from the top of the front panel 12. As a result, the respective indicator lamps are arranged at positions separated from each other. Preferably, each indicator lamp is placed approximately at the center of each side of the front panel 12.

Characteristically, each indicator lamp has a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on an orthogonal surface, and a light emitting surface on a facet as a chamfered surface at the connection part between the front panel and the orthogonal surface. have. In each indicator lamp, these three light emitting surfaces are formed continuously. Such features are shown in the enlarged view P1 of the indicator lamp 37 inserted in FIG.

That is, the display lamp 34 has a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on the orthogonal surface 14a, and a light emitting surface on the small surface 24. The indicator lamp 35 has a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on the orthogonal surface 15a, and a light emitting surface on the small surface 25. The indicator lamp 36 has a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on the side surface 16, and a light emitting surface on the small surface 26. The indicator lamp 37 has a light emitting surface on the front panel 12, a light emitting surface on the side surface 17, and a light emitting surface on the small surface 27.

Since each display lamp has the above arrangement and configuration, it becomes possible to visually recognize any one of the display lamps from various directions except from the rear side of the slave device 1. In particular, it becomes easier to see when viewing from the side. It also becomes easier to see, especially from directions tilted from the front and side sides.

Furthermore, even if a cable is connected to the cable connector in the front panel 12, since indicator lamps are provided apart from each other on each side of the front panel 12, it is difficult to visually recognize any one of the indicator lamps 34 to 37. It is more likely that you can do it.

At production sites, etc., slave devices 1, which are gateway devices, are installed at various locations and in various directions. However, when the display lamps 34 to 37 are turned on all at once when important notifications such as warnings are to be given, the information can be communicated more reliably by the administrator or the like.

Preferably, the slave device 1 is configured to blink in synchronization when it detects an abnormality and issues an important notification such as a warning. By doing so, the administrator etc. can better recognize the importance of the notification.

Furthermore, a through hole 22 for locking a fixing member is arranged between the side surface 14 and an orthogonal surface 14a that is a surface receding from the side surface 14. Therefore, the member for fixing the slave device 1 can be locked to the slave device 1 at a lower position closer to the back surface 13 than the front panel 12. Therefore, the display lamp 34 is prevented from being hidden by the fixing member. The same applies to the display lamp 35 near the side surface 15.

In the above configuration example, the surfaces formed at the connection portion between the front panel 12 and the orthogonal surface, which are different from the front panel and the orthogonal surface, are not limited to the small surfaces 24 to 37, which are chamfered surfaces. The connection portion between the front panel 12 and the orthogonal surface may be a curved surface formed from the front panel 12 to the orthogonal surface, that is, a so-called R surface.

The present invention is not limited to the application examples and configuration examples described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the respective disclosed technical means. Also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Slave device 12 Front panel 12a, 12b Parallel surface 13 Back surface 14, 15, 16, 17 Side surface 14a, 15a Orthogonal surface 22, 23 Through hole 24, 25, 26, 27 Small surface 31 Indicator 32 Device status lamp 34, 35, 36, 37 Display lamp 41 Communication connector 42 Device connector 43 Power input connector 44 Power output connector

Claims (7)

A slave device that connects to a network and communicates with a master device,
multiple cable connectors and
a substantially rectangular front panel on which the plurality of cable connectors are arranged;
orthogonal surfaces connected to each of the four sides of the front panel and substantially perpendicular to the front panel;
indicator lamps arranged on each of the four sides of the front panel,
Each said indicator lamp is
a light-emitting surface on the front panel, a light-emitting surface on the orthogonal surface, and a light-emitting surface on a surface different from the front panel and the orthogonal surface, which is formed at a connecting portion between the front panel and the orthogonal surface; A slave device with A surface different from the front panel and the orthogonal surface, which is formed at a connection portion between the front panel and the orthogonal surface,
The slave device according to claim 1, wherein the front panel and the orthogonal surface are chamfered. The slave device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of cable connectors include a plurality of device connectors for connecting to devices. Each said indicator lamp is
The slave device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slave device is located at a position spaced apart from the apex of the front panel. At least one of the orthogonal planes is
The slave device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the slave device is a surface that is set back from a side surface of the slave device that is substantially orthogonal to the front panel. The slave device according to claim 5, wherein a through hole is arranged between the side surface and the recessed surface. Each said indicator lamp is
The slave device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slave device blinks in synchronization when the slave device detects an abnormality.

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