JP7582838B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory.

When a flood occurs, electronic devices may be submerged. If an electronic device is submerged, there is a risk that electrolytic corrosion will occur in the current-carrying parts. If electrolytic corrosion occurs, the electronic device will need to be repaired. As a result, it will take time to restore the electronic device. To avoid such situations, it is necessary to provide electronic devices with a mechanism to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion. Patent Document 1 shows a technology that prevents electrolytic corrosion by discharging electricity from a battery to an electrical load when the device is submerged.

Patent No. 6720891

However, even if the charge stored in the battery is discharged to an electrical load after detecting that the battery has been submerged in water, the battery may not be completely discharged, and the electronic device may be submerged in water with a charge remaining in the battery. If the electronic device is submerged in water, it may be difficult to repair, it may take a long time to restore the electronic device, or it may become impossible to use the electronic device.

The present invention aims to provide electronic devices that can be used quickly after a flood occurs.

An aspect of the present invention is an electronic device having a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory, comprising an input/output unit that inputs and outputs information, a detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is submerged or a sign of being submerged based on information input by the input/output unit, a switching unit that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory, and an emergency control unit that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the detection unit detects submersion or a sign of being submerged, and after the cutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit maintains the cutoff of the supply of the backup voltage to the memory until a connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit, even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied.

The present invention allows electronic devices to be used quickly after a flood occurs.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device and peripheral devices according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a processor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device and peripheral devices according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device and peripheral devices according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device and peripheral devices according to a fourth embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[1 First embodiment]
[1.1 Configuration of Electronic Device 10 and Peripheral Devices]
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device 10 and peripheral devices according to a first embodiment. The electronic device 10 is a device equipped with a microcomputer that uses a volatile memory, such as a machine tool, a pulse coder (encoder), a vehicle, etc. In each embodiment described below, the electronic device 10 is assumed to be a machine tool.

The electronic device 10 includes a processor 12, a memory 14, a communication unit 16, a battery 18, and a switching unit 20. The electronic device 10 also includes a drive circuit for an actuator such as a motor (none of which are shown). The electronic device 10 runs on power supplied from an external power source 22.

A submersion sensor 26, an operation button 28, and a server 32 are provided outside the electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 and the submersion sensor 26, and the electronic device 10 and the operation button 28 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wire, wireless communication (e.g., short-range wireless communication or long-range wireless communication), or the Internet. The electronic device 10 and the server 32 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the Internet or a dedicated line.

The submersion sensor 26 is provided at a predetermined position, and when it detects flooding, it outputs a detection signal indicating that the electronic device has been submerged. Therefore, by installing the submersion sensor 26 in a location that is more likely to be submerged than the electronic device 10, the electronic device 10 can detect submersion in advance. The operation button 28 is a button that an operator operates when a flood occurs. The operation button 28 outputs an operation signal when the operator operates the button. The server 32 obtains and stores backup data from the electronic device 10.

The processor 12 is provided on the substrate 34. The processor 12 realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory 14 or other memories. In the first embodiment, the processor 12 functions as a detection unit 36, a main control unit 38, and an emergency control unit 40.

The detection unit 36 detects whether the electronic device 10 is submerged or has signs of being submerged by acquiring at least one of the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26 and the operation signal output by the operation button 28 via the communication unit 16. The communication unit 16 is capable of acquiring weather information via the Internet. In this case, if the weather information includes flood information, the detection unit 36 can detect whether the electronic device 10 is submerged or has signs of being submerged by acquiring the weather information via the communication unit 16.

The main control unit 38 performs the main control of the electronic device 10, such as controlling the actuators. In other words, the main control unit 38 performs control other than that performed by the emergency control unit 40.

The emergency control unit 40 performs a series of controls related to the backup of data stored in the memory 14. The emergency control unit 40 supplies a control signal (e.g., a pulse signal) to the switching unit 20 to switch between supplying and cutting off voltage (backup voltage) from the battery 18 to the memory 14. The emergency control unit 40 maintains the state in which the backup voltage is supplied to the memory 14 until the detection unit 36 detects submersion or a sign of submersion. Furthermore, when the detection unit 36 detects submersion or a sign of submersion, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit 20 to cut off the supply of backup voltage to the memory 14 after backing up the data stored in the memory 14.

The memory 14 is provided on the substrate 34. The memory 14 has a volatile memory. The memory 14 is electrically connected to the battery 18 via the conductor 44 and the switching unit 20. The memory 14 stores data related to the main control of the electronic device 10.

The communication unit 16 is provided on the substrate 34. The communication unit 16 functions as an input/output unit that inputs and outputs information. The communication unit 16 has various communication devices that are communicatively connected to the submersion sensor 26, the operation button 28, and the server 32. The communication unit 16 inputs the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26 and the operation signal output by the operation button 28 and sends them to the processor 12. The communication unit 16 also outputs backup data of the data stored in the memory 14 to the server 32. The communication unit 16 can also obtain weather information via the Internet and send it to the processor 12.

The battery 18 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The battery 18 supplies a voltage (backup voltage) to the memory 14 via the conductor 44 and the switching unit 20. The battery 18 is held in a battery holder 42. The battery holder 42 is provided on the substrate 34.

The switching unit 20 is a device that switches between supplying and cutting off the voltage from the battery 18 to the memory 14 in response to a control signal supplied by the emergency control unit 40. The switching unit 20 switches between electrical connection and disconnection between the conductor 44a on the battery 18 side and the conductor 44b on the memory 14 side. For example, the switching unit 20 is a latching relay that switches from an open state to a closed state when a connection control signal (e.g., a pulse signal) is supplied, and switches from a closed state to an open state when a cutoff control signal (e.g., a pulse signal) is supplied. After a cutoff control signal is supplied from the emergency control unit 40, the switching unit 20 maintains the cutoff of the voltage supply to the memory 14 until a connection control signal is supplied, even if no cutoff control signal is supplied. Since the switching unit 20 separates the battery 18 and the memory 14 when submerged, no electrolytic corrosion occurs in the memory 14.

When no flood has occurred and the main power supply is off, the external power supply 22 does not supply power to the electronic device 10. At this time, the switching unit 20 is in a closed state, so the data stored in the memory 14 is maintained.

[1.2 Operation of the electronic device 10 when a flood occurs]
2 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the processor 12 of the first embodiment. When a flood occurs, the submersion sensor 26 outputs a detection signal. Or, the operator operates the operation button 28. Or, flood information is issued. The communication unit 16 inputs at least one of the detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26, the operation signal output by the operation button 28, and the flood information, and sends it to the detection unit 36.

In step S1, the detection unit 36 monitors the presence or absence of submersion information. Submersion information is a detection signal output by the submersion sensor 26, an operation signal output by the operation button 28, or flood information.

In step S2, the detection unit 36 determines whether the electronic device 10 has been submerged in water or whether there are signs that the electronic device 10 will be submerged in water. If the detection unit 36 detects submersion information in step S1, it determines that the electronic device 10 has been submerged in water or that there are signs that the electronic device 10 will be submerged in water. In this case (step S2: YES), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the detection unit 36 does not detect submersion information in step S2, it determines that the electronic device 10 has not been submerged in water or that there are no signs that the electronic device 10 will be submerged in water. In this case (step S2: NO), the process returns to step S1.

In step S3, the emergency control unit 40 backs up the data stored in the memory 14. Here, the emergency control unit 40 creates the backup data. The communication unit 16 outputs the created backup data to the server 32.

In step S4, after the data backup performed in step S3 is completed, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit 20 to cut off the supply of backup voltage to the memory 14. Having received the cutoff control signal, the switching unit 20 switches from a closed state to an open state, cutting off the supply of backup voltage to the memory 14. After the backup voltage is cut off, the switching unit 20 maintains the open state.

When the electronic device 10 is no longer submerged in water, recovery work for the electronic device 10 is performed. At this time, the emergency control unit 40 outputs a connection control signal to the switching unit 20 in the open state. Then, the switching unit 20 switches from the open state to the closed state, and voltage is supplied from the battery 18 to the memory 14.

According to the first embodiment, even if the electronic device 10 is submerged in water, no voltage is supplied from the battery 18 to the memory 14. Therefore, no electrolytic corrosion occurs in the memory 14, and repair of the memory 14 due to electrolytic corrosion is not required. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can be used quickly after the occurrence of a flood.

Incidentally, the switching unit 20 may be a normally closed relay that maintains an open state by continuing to receive current from the external power source 22, rather than a latching relay. However, when power is no longer supplied from the external power source 22, the normally closed relay switches from the open state to the closed state. This electrically connects the battery 18 and the memory 14, which may cause electrolytic corrosion in the memory 14. In contrast, a latching relay will not switch to the closed state regardless of the presence or absence of power after switching from the closed state to the open state, unless a connection control signal is input. Therefore, the battery 18 and the memory 14 are not electrically connected, and electrolytic corrosion does not occur in the memory 14.

[2 Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, while electrolytic corrosion does not occur in the memory 14, there is a risk of electrolytic corrosion occurring around the battery 18. If electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18, the battery holder 42 needs to be repaired. The electronic device 10 cannot be used while the battery holder 42 is being repaired. The second embodiment allows the electronic device 10 to be used early even if electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 10 and peripheral devices according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The characteristic part of the second embodiment is the battery holder 42. In the second embodiment, the battery holder 42 (second holder) can be attached to and detached from the substrate 34 (first holder).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, if electrolytic corrosion occurs around the battery 18, the electronic device 10 can be used by removing the battery holder 42 from the substrate 34 and attaching a new battery holder 42 to the substrate 34. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can be used soon after the occurrence of a flood.

[3 Third embodiment]
If the external power source 22 breaks down due to a flood or the like, power is no longer supplied to the electronic device 10. In the first and second embodiments, if the power supply from the external power source 22 is cut off before the emergency control unit 40 switches the switching unit 20 to the open state, the emergency control unit 40 cannot switch the switching unit 20 to the open state. In the first place, when the power supply from the external power source 22 is cut off, the emergency control unit 40 and the communication unit 16 no longer function. The third embodiment is intended to enable backup-related processing to be performed even when there is no power supply from the external power source 22.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic device 10 and peripheral devices according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. The characteristic features of the third embodiment are that the functions of the processor 12 in the first embodiment are divided into a main processor 12a and a backup processor 12b, and that the backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 can be driven by the power of a battery 18.

The main processor 12a functions as the main control unit 38. The backup processor 12b functions as the detection unit 36 and the emergency control unit 40. The backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16, like the memory 14, are electrically connected to the battery 18 via the conductor 44 and the switching unit 20. The backup processor 12b, the memory 14, the communication unit 16, the battery 18, and the switching unit 20 constitute the battery-powered unit 46.

The backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16 may be electrically connected to the battery 18 at all times, or may be electrically connected to the external power source 22 under normal circumstances and electrically connected to the battery 18 when the power supply from the external power source 22 is cut off.

In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the battery holder 42 (second holding part) may be attachable and detachable to the substrate 34 (first holding part).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, even if there is no power supply from the external power source 22, power can be supplied from the battery 18 to the backup processor 12b and the communication unit 16. Therefore, the communication unit 16 can input and output information. In addition, the emergency control unit 40 can create backup data of the data stored in the memory 14, and can switch the switching unit 20 to the open state.

[4 Fourth embodiment]
5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 10 and peripheral devices according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The characteristic feature of the fourth embodiment is that the function of the emergency control unit 40 in the first embodiment is divided into a first control unit 40a and a second control unit 40b on the board 34 side and the battery holder 42 side.

The board 34 is provided with a first processor 12c, a first memory 14a, and a first communication unit 16a. Meanwhile, the battery holder 42 is provided with a second processor 12d, a second memory 14b, a second communication unit 16b, a battery 18, and a switching unit 20.

The first processor 12c functions as a first detection unit 36a, a main control unit 38, and a first control unit 40a by executing the programs stored in the first memory 14a. The first detection unit 36a has the same functions as the detection unit 36 in the first embodiment. The first control unit 40a controls the backup of the data stored in the first memory 14a.

The first memory 14a has a volatile memory. The first memory 14a stores data related to the main control of the electronic device 10. The first communication unit 16a has a submersion sensor 26, an operation button 28, and various communication devices that are communicatively connected to the server 32.

The second processor 12d functions as a second detection unit 36b and a second control unit 40b by executing a program stored in the second memory 14b. The second detection unit 36b has the same function as the detection unit 36 of the first embodiment. The second control unit 40b supplies a control signal (e.g., a pulse signal) to the switching unit 20 of the battery holder 42 to switch between supplying and cutting off the voltage (backup voltage) from the battery 18 to the first memory 14a.

The second memory 14b stores programs used by the second processor 12d. The second communication unit 16b has various communication devices that are communicatively connected to the submersion sensor 26 and the operation button 28.

In the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the battery holder 42 (second holding part) may be attachable and detachable to the substrate 34 (first holding part).

The operation of the electronic device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first control unit 40a performs the backup process (the process of step S3), and the second control unit 40b performs the cut-off process (the process of step S4). Therefore, the second control unit 40b needs to perform the cut-off process after the backup process is completed.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the second memory 14b stores a backup time in advance as the time required for backup processing. The second control unit 40b starts timing when the second detection unit 36b detects water damage information, and performs the cutoff process after the backup time has elapsed.

The first control unit 40a or the second control unit 40b may also perform processing for shutting down the electronic device 10 before the supply of power from the external power source 22 is cut off. As a process for shutting down, the first control unit 40a or the second control unit 40b can, for example, back up data stored in the first memory 14a to the server 32 or the second memory 14b. This allows the electronic device 10 to maintain a backup of data related to its main control even if a flood occurs while there is no power supply from the external power source 22.

According to the fourth embodiment, even if there is no power supply from the external power source 22, the second communication unit 16b can input and output information. Also, the second control unit 40b can switch the switching unit 20 to the open state. Also, according to the fourth embodiment, a configuration for performing the switching process is not required on the board 34 side.

[5. Invention Obtained from the Embodiments]
The invention that can be understood from the above embodiment will be described below.

An aspect of the present invention is an electronic device (10) having a battery (18) that supplies a backup voltage to a memory (14), comprising an input/output unit (16) that inputs and outputs information, a detection unit (36) that detects whether the electronic device is submerged or a sign of being submerged based on information input by the input/output unit, a switching unit (20) that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory, and an emergency control unit (40) that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the detection unit detects submersion or a sign of being submerged, and after the cutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit maintains the cutoff of the supply of the backup voltage to the memory until a connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit, even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied.

In the above aspect, the switching unit may include a latching relay that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory.

In the above aspect, the detection unit may detect the submersion or signs of submersion of the electronic device by acquiring at least one of a detection signal from a submersion sensor (26) provided outside the electronic device, flood information acquired from the Internet, and an operation signal from an operation button (28) operated by an operator.

In the above aspect, a main control unit (38) is provided that performs control other than that performed by the emergency control unit, and the detection unit, the switching unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input/output unit are operated by power supplied from an external power source (22), and the battery may supply power to the detection unit, the switching unit, the emergency control unit, and the input/output unit when the supply of power from the external power source is cut off (third embodiment).

In the above aspect, the input/output unit has a first input/output unit (16a) and a second input/output unit (16b), the detection unit has a first detection unit (36a) that detects the electronic device being submerged or a sign of being submerged based on information input by the first input/output unit, and a second detection unit (36b) that detects the electronic device being submerged or a sign of being submerged based on information input by the second input/output unit, and the emergency control unit may have a first control unit (40a) that uses the first input/output unit to output backup data of the data recorded in the memory to an external server (32) of the electronic device when the first detection unit detects submersion or a sign of being submerged, and a second control unit (40b) that cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the second detection unit detects submersion or a sign of being submerged (fourth embodiment).

In the above aspect, a main control unit is provided that performs control other than the control performed by the first control unit and the second control unit, and the first detection unit, the first control unit, the first input/output unit, and the main control unit are operated by power supplied from an external power source, and the second detection unit, the second control unit, the second input/output unit, and the switching unit are operated by power supplied from the battery, and the second control unit may cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory after the backup data is transmitted to the server.

In the above aspect, a first holding section (34) that holds the memory and a second holding section (42) that holds the battery and the switching section may be provided, and the second holding section may be attachable and detachable to the first holding section (second to fourth embodiments).

In the above aspect, a first holding unit (34) that holds the memory, the detection unit, the main control unit, the emergency control unit, and the input/output unit, and a second holding unit (42) that holds the battery and the switching unit may be provided, and the second holding unit may be attachable and detachable to the first holding unit (second and third embodiments).

In the above aspect, a first holding unit (34) that holds the memory, the first detection unit, the first control unit, and the first input/output unit, and a second holding unit (42) that holds the battery, the switching unit, the second detection unit, the second control unit, and the second input/output unit may be provided, and the second holding unit may be attachable and detachable to the first holding unit (fourth embodiment).

The electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can of course have various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10: Electronic device 14: Memory 16: Communication unit (input/output unit) 16a: First communication unit (first input/output unit)
16b... second communication unit (second input/output unit) 18... battery 20... switching unit 22... external power source 26... submersion sensor 28... operation button 32... server 34... circuit board (first holding unit)
36: Detection unit 36a: First detection unit
36b: Second detection unit 38: Main control unit 40: Emergency control unit 40a: First control unit 40b: Second control unit 42: Battery holder (second holding unit)

Claims (4)

An electronic device including a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory,
an input/output unit for inputting and outputting information;
a detection unit that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device based on information input by the input/output unit;
a switching unit that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory;
an emergency control unit that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion;
Equipped with
After the cutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit maintains the cutoff of the supply of the backup voltage to the memory until a connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied,
The input/output unit includes:
A first input/output unit and a second input/output unit are included.
The detection unit is
a first detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is submerged in water or a sign of being submerged in water based on information input by the first input/output unit;
a second detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is submerged in water or a sign of being submerged in water based on information input by the second input/output unit,
The emergency control unit is
a first control unit that, when the first detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion, outputs backup data of the data recorded in the memory to an external server of the electronic device using the first input/output unit;
a second control unit that cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the second detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion,
the electronic device includes a main control unit that performs control other than control performed by the first control unit and the second control unit,
the first detection unit, the first control unit, the first input/output unit, and the main control unit are operated by power supplied from an external power source,
the second detection unit, the second control unit, the second input/output unit, and the switching unit are operated by power supplied from the battery,
The second control unit cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory after the backup data is transmitted to the server. An electronic device including a battery that supplies a backup voltage to a memory,
an input/output unit for inputting and outputting information;
a detection unit that detects submersion or a sign of submersion of the electronic device based on information input by the input/output unit;
a switching unit that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory;
an emergency control unit that outputs a cutoff control signal to the switching unit to cut off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion;
Equipped with
After the cutoff control signal is supplied, the switching unit maintains the cutoff of the supply of the backup voltage to the memory until a connection control signal is sent from the emergency control unit even if the cutoff control signal is not supplied,
The input/output unit includes:
A first input/output unit and a second input/output unit are included.
The detection unit is
a first detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is submerged in water or a sign of being submerged in water based on information input by the first input/output unit;
a second detection unit that detects whether the electronic device is submerged in water or a sign of being submerged in water based on information input by the second input/output unit,
The emergency control unit is
a first control unit that, when the first detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion, outputs backup data of the data recorded in the memory to an external server of the electronic device using the first input/output unit;
a second control unit that cuts off the supply of the backup voltage to the memory when the second detection unit detects submersion or a sign of submersion,
The electronic device includes:
a first holding unit that holds the memory, the first detection unit, the first control unit, and the first input/output unit;
a second holding unit that holds the battery, the switching unit, the second detection unit, the second control unit, and the second input/output unit,
The second holding portion is attachable to and detachable from the first holding portion. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The electronic device, wherein the switching unit includes a latching relay that switches between supplying and cutting off the backup voltage from the battery to the memory. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The detection unit detects whether the electronic device is submerged in water or has signs of being submerged in water by acquiring at least one of the detection signals of a submersion sensor installed outside the electronic device, flood information acquired from the Internet, and an operation signal from an operation button operated by an operator.

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