JP7002035B2 - Wiring fixtures and wiring fixture systems - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to wiring fixtures and wiring fixture systems, and more particularly to wiring fixtures and wiring fixture systems to which electrical equipment is electrically connected.

Conventionally, as a wiring device, an outlet having a plug blade insertion port into which a plug blade of a power plug of an electric appliance is inserted is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an outlet provided with a sensor device such as a motion sensor in order to supply power to an electric appliance and stop power supply depending on the presence or absence of a person.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-161724

In the outlet described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to control the power supply to the electric appliance (electrical apparatus) connected to the wiring appliance according to the detection result of the motion sensor mounted on the outlet. However, in the wiring device described in Patent Document 1, since the power supply is simply controlled according to the detection result of the motion sensor, it is difficult for the manager of the wiring device to grasp the detection result of the sensor, that is, There was a problem that it was difficult to grasp the state of the wiring equipment.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wiring device and a wiring device system in which a wiring device manager can easily grasp the state of the wiring device.

The wiring device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a processing unit, a connection unit, a detection unit, and a communication unit. The connection portion can be electrically connected to an electric device. The detection unit detects the state of the environment in which the connection unit is placed. The communication unit can communicate with an external device different from the electric device. The processing unit has a communication function for controlling the communication unit so as to transmit a detection signal including the detection result of the detection unit to the external device. The processing unit has a detection mode for executing the control signal from the external device as a trigger. When the temperature sensor as the detection unit detects that the room temperature of the place where the wiring device is installed is out of the preset range in the detection mode, the processing unit executes the communication function. .. The control signal is based on a voice input to the voice interface.

The wiring equipment system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned wiring equipment, a receiving device, and an output device. The receiving device is the external device and receives the detection signal from the wiring device. The output device outputs information according to the detection signal received by the receiving device.

The present disclosure has an advantage that the manager of the wiring device can easily grasp the state of the wiring device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wiring device and a wiring device system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the wiring device of the same.

(1) Overview Hereinafter, an outline of the wiring appliance 1 and the wiring appliance system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the broken line represents the signal flow. In the present embodiment, the wiring device 1 has a function of an outlet (Outlet) to which a plug of the electric device A1 is connected to supply electric power to the electric device A1. Here, it is assumed that the wiring device 1 is for AC 100V and is a two-port type outlet to which two plugs can be connected at the same time. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the wiring device 1 is an indoor outlet attached to the inner wall of the building. The building in which the wiring device 1 is installed is, for example, a detached house, an apartment house, a factory, an office, a store, a nursing facility, or the like.

The wiring device 1 of the present embodiment includes a processing unit 14, a connection unit 11, a detection unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The connection portion 11 can be electrically connected to the electric device A1. In the present embodiment, the plug of the electric device A1 is connected to the connection portion 11 of the wiring device 1, so that power can be supplied from the wiring device 1 to the electric device A1. Then, in the present embodiment, the wiring device 1 is used to supply electric power to various electric devices A1 such as a lighting device, an air conditioning facility, and a refrigerator.

The detection unit 12 detects the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed. For example, if the detection unit 12 is a temperature sensor, the detection unit 12 detects the temperature of the connection unit 11 as the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed. Further, for example, if the detection unit 12 is a current sensor, the detection unit 12 detects the current flowing through the connection unit 11 as the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed. The communication unit 13 can communicate with an external device 2 (reception device 3) different from the electric device A1. Then, the processing unit 14 has a communication function of controlling the communication unit 13 so as to transmit the detection signal including the detection result of the detection unit 12 to the external device 2.

As described above, since the wiring device 1 of the present embodiment has a communication function, not only the detection unit 12 detects the state of the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed, but also the detection result of the detection unit 12 is externally detected. It is possible to transmit to the device 2. Therefore, for example, the manager of the wiring device 1, such as a resident of a building in which the wiring device 1 is installed, obtains the detection result of the detection unit 12 through the external device 2 without directly examining the wiring device 1. , It is possible to grasp the state of the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed. That is, in this embodiment, there is an advantage that the administrator of the wiring appliance 1 can easily grasp the state of the wiring appliance 1.

(2) Details Hereinafter, the wiring appliance 1 and the wiring appliance system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The wiring device system 100 of the present embodiment includes a wiring device 1, a receiving device 3 as an external device 2, a voice interface 5 as an output device 4, a mobile terminal 7, and a server 8. Further, the wiring device 1 includes a blocking unit 15 in addition to the connection unit 11, the detection unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the processing unit 14 already described. In the present embodiment, the connection unit 11, the detection unit 12, the communication unit 13, the processing unit 14, and the blocking unit 15 are all housed in the housing of the wiring device 1.

The connecting portion 11 is, for example, a blade receiving member to which the plug of the electric device A1 is connected. The connection portion 11 is electrically connected to a power source B1 such as a commercial power source via an electric wire. Therefore, the electric device A1 is electrically connected to the power supply B1 via the connection portion 11 by connecting the plug to the connection portion 11. Then, the power supply B1 supplies electric power to the electric device A1 connected to the connection portion 11.

The detection unit 12 is configured to detect an abnormality related to the connection unit 11 as a state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 12 has a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing of the wiring device 1. For example, if the contact resistance of the connection portion 11 increases due to a mechanical abnormality caused by inserting and removing the plug more than the expected number of times of use, or foreign matter such as dust adhering to the connection portion 11, the amount of heat generated by the connection portion 11 becomes large. As a result, the temperature inside the housing of the wiring device 1 rises. By detecting this temperature rise with the temperature sensor, the detection unit 12 can detect an electrical abnormality such as a deterioration in the life of the wiring device 1 and the insulation performance as an abnormality related to the connection unit 11. The temperature sensor is preferably installed in a portion where the temperature tends to rise when an abnormality occurs, such as in the vicinity of the connection portion 11.

In the present embodiment, the abnormality is related to a decrease in the insulation performance of the connection portion 11. At the stage where the insulation performance of the connection portion 11 is lowered, the temperature inside the housing of the wiring fixture 1 is higher than usual. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection unit 11 deteriorates by detecting the temperature that is higher than the normal time by the detection unit 12.

The communication unit 13 is a communication interface for communicating with the first communication unit 31 (described later) of the receiving device 3. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 13 is a low-power radio communication interface that does not require a license for a radio station. For this type of low-power radio, specifications such as frequency band and antenna power to be used are specified in each country according to the application. In Japan, low-power radios (specified low-power radios) that use radio waves in the 920 MHz band or 420 MHz band are specified.

The processing unit 14 controls the detection unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the blocking unit 15. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 14 is composed of a microcomputer whose main configuration is a processor and a memory. The same applies to the control unit 34 of the receiving device 3 described later. That is, the processing unit 14 (control unit 34) is realized by a computer system having a processor and a memory. Then, when the processor executes an appropriate program, the computer system functions as the processing unit 14 (control unit 34). The program may be recorded in advance in a memory, may be recorded in a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded in a recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

The processing unit 14 is configured to acquire a detection result from the detection unit 12. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 14 acquires the temperature inside the housing of the wiring device 1 detected by the detection unit 12 as the detection result. The processing unit 14 compares the detection result (temperature) of the detection unit 12 with the threshold temperature stored in advance. When the detection result exceeds the threshold temperature (including "being equal to or higher than the threshold value"), the processing unit 14 determines that the detection unit 12 has detected an abnormality related to the connection unit 11. Here, the processing unit 14 determines that the detection unit 12 has detected an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection unit 11 deteriorates. In this case, the processing unit 14 generates a detection signal including the abnormality related to the connection unit 11 as the detection result of the detection unit 12. Then, the processing unit 14 controls the communication unit 13 so as to transmit the generated detection signal to the receiving device 3 (external device 2). That is, when the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality, the processing unit 14 executes a communication function that controls the communication unit 13 so as to transmit the detection signal to the receiving device 3 (external device 2).

Further, when the processing unit 14 determines that the detection unit 12 has detected an abnormality related to the connection unit 11, the processing unit 14 executes a blocking function. The blocking function is a function of blocking the electric circuit L1 (described later) by controlling the blocking unit 15. In other words, the processing unit 14 has a blocking function of controlling the blocking unit 15 so as to interrupt the electric circuit L1 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the predetermined condition includes that the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality related to the connection unit 11. Further, in the present embodiment, the processing unit 14 executes the blocking function when the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality. That is, in the present embodiment, only the detection of the abnormality by the detection unit 12 is a predetermined condition. When the processing unit 14 detects an abnormality in the detection unit 12, the processing unit 14 may immediately execute the blocking function, or the processing unit 14 may execute the blocking function after a certain period of time.

The blocking unit 15 is housed in the housing of the wiring device 1. The cutoff unit 15 is connected between the connection unit 11 and the power supply B1. The cutoff unit 15 includes a contact that electrically connects the connection unit 11 and the power supply B1, and a mover that opens and closes the contact. The blocking unit 15 is controlled by the processing unit 14 to operate the mover to open the contacts. As a result, the cutoff unit 15 cuts off the electric circuit L1 between the connection part 11 and the power supply B1. The electric circuit L1 is a power supply path from the power supply B1 to the connection portion 11 (or the electric device A1 connected to the connection portion 11).

Further, in the present embodiment, the cutoff unit 15 has a switch for returning from the state in which the electric circuit L1 is cut off to the original state. This switch is provided so as to be exposed from the housing of the wiring device 1, for example. Therefore, in a state where the electric circuit L1 is cut off, for example, when a person operates a switch, the cutoff by the cutoff unit 15 is released, and the electric line L1 returns to the original state.

In the present embodiment, the wiring device 1 further includes a power supply unit. The power supply unit is configured to receive power supply from the power supply B1 via an electric circuit different from the electric circuit L1. Then, the power supply unit receives the power supply from the power supply B1 to generate the operating power, and supplies the generated operating power to the detection unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the processing unit 14. Therefore, the detection unit 12, the communication unit 13, and the processing unit 14 operate regardless of the opening and closing of the electric circuit L1.

The receiving device 3 is provided in the building where the wiring device 1 is installed. In the present embodiment, the receiving device 3 is an external device 2 and receives a detection signal from the wiring device 1. The receiving device 3 includes a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, a third communication unit 33, and a control unit 34.

The first communication unit 31 is a communication interface for communicating with the communication unit 13 of the wiring device 1. In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 31 is a low-power radio communication interface that does not require a license for a radio station. The second communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the mobile terminal 7 or the server 8 via the router 6 or the network N1 such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the second communication unit 32 is a communication interface compliant with the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, and is connected to the router 6 by a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. The third communication unit 33 is a communication interface for communicating with the voice interface 5. In the present embodiment, the third communication unit 33 performs short-range wireless communication based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the voice interface 5.

The control unit 34 is configured to control each of the first communication unit 31, the second communication unit 32, and the third communication unit 33. When the control unit 34 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 in the first communication unit 31, the control unit 34 relays the received detection signal from the second communication unit 32 to the mobile terminal 7 and the server 8. Further, when the control unit 34 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 in the first communication unit 31, the control unit 34 relays the received detection signal from the third communication unit 33 to the voice interface 5.

The voice interface 5 is provided in the building where the wiring device 1 is installed. The voice interface 5 mainly includes a computer system (including a microcomputer) including, for example, a processor and a memory. That is, the computer system functions as the voice interface 5 by executing an appropriate program on the processor. The voice interface 5 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 by communicating with the third communication unit 33 of the receiving device 3. When the voice interface 5 receives the detection signal, the voice interface 5 reproduces the information included in the detection signal according to the detection result by voice from the speaker.

The mobile terminal 7 is a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone. The mobile terminal 7 mainly includes, for example, a computer system (including a microcomputer) having a processor and a memory. The mobile terminal 7 functions as a communication device that receives at least a detection signal from the wiring device 1 by installing a dedicated application software and activating the application software. The mobile terminal 7 communicates with the second communication unit 32 of the receiving device 3 via the router 6. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 performs short-range wireless communication with the router 6 in accordance with Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a speaker in addition to the communication interface. When the mobile terminal 7 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 via the receiving device 3 and the router 6, the mobile terminal 7 displays information according to the detection result included in the detection signal on the display or reproduces it by voice from the speaker. It has a function to do.

The server 8 is a facility owned by a place away from the building where the wiring equipment 1 is installed, for example, a provider of the wiring equipment 1 (such as a housing company) or a provider of services using the wiring equipment 1 (such as a management company). It is provided in. The server 8 communicates with the second communication unit 32 of the receiving device 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, as the communication method between the server 8 and the receiving device 3, a wireless communication method using the network N1 is applied. The server 8 mainly includes a computer system (including a microcomputer) including, for example, a processor and a memory. That is, the computer system functions as the server 8 by executing an appropriate program on the processor.

When the server 8 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 via the receiving device 3, the server 8 displays information according to the detection result included in the detection signal on the display connected to the server 8 or connects to the server 8. It has a function to reproduce by voice from the speaker. Further, the server 8 actually targets a monitoring target group composed of a plurality of buildings as a monitoring target. In this case, a plurality of wiring fixtures 1 provided in each of the plurality of buildings belonging to the monitoring target group communicate with one server 8. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the monitoring target of the server 8 is one wiring device 1 in one building. That is, in the present embodiment, the server 8 and the wiring device 1 have a one-to-one relationship.

As described above, the voice interface 5, the mobile terminal 7, and the server 8 all receive the detection signal from the wiring device 1 via the receiving device 3, and receive information according to the detection result included in the detection signal. It has a function to display and play by voice. That is, in the wiring equipment system 100 of the present embodiment, the voice interface 5, the mobile terminal 7, and the server 8 are all output devices 4 that output information according to the detection signal received by the receiving device 3. Here, the information according to the detection result is, for example, a warning message indicating that an abnormality related to the connection portion 11 (here, an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection portion 11 is deteriorated) has occurred. The warning message is stored in advance in, for example, the output device 4, and is associated with the detection result included in the detection signal on a one-to-one basis.

(3) Operation Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the wiring device and the wiring device system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection portion 11 deteriorates occurs as an abnormality related to the connection portion 11 of the wiring device 1. In this case, when the detection result (temperature) of the detection unit 12 exceeds the threshold temperature, the processing unit 14 determines that the detection unit 12 has detected an abnormality related to the connection unit 11 (step S101). Then, the processing unit 14 executes the blocking function (step S102). Further, the processing unit 14 executes a communication function so as to transmit a detection signal including the abnormality related to the connection unit 11 as a detection result of the detection unit 12 to the receiving device 3 (step S103).

In the receiving device 3, the first communication unit 31 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1 (step S104). Then, the control unit 34 relays the received detection signal to the output device 4 (step S105). In the present embodiment, the control unit 34 relays the received detection signal from the second communication unit 32 to the mobile terminal 7 and the server 8. Further, the control unit 34 relays the received detection signal from the third communication unit 33 to the voice interface 5.

When the output device 4 receives the detection signal from the receiving device 3 (step S106), the output device 4 outputs information according to the received detection signal (step S107). For example, when the voice interface 5 which is the output device 4 receives the detection signal, a warning message such as "The wiring equipment is hot. Stop using the electrical equipment and replace the wiring equipment" is sent from the speaker. Reproduce. Further, for example, when the mobile terminal 7 and the server 8 which are the output devices 4 receive the detection signal, the above warning message is displayed on the display or reproduced from the speaker.

As described above, since the wiring device 1 of the present embodiment has a communication function, it not only detects the state of the environment in which it is placed by the detection unit 12, but also receives the detection result of the detection unit 12. It is possible to transmit to the device 3 (external device 2). Therefore, the administrator of the wiring device 1 can acquire the detection result of the detection unit 12 through the receiving device 3. For example, when the administrator is around the voice interface 5, the administrator can acquire the detection result of the detection unit 12 by listening to the warning message reproduced by the voice interface 5. Further, for example, when the administrator owns the mobile terminal 7, the administrator obtains the detection result of the detection unit 12 by looking at the display of the mobile terminal 7 or listening to the warning message reproduced by the mobile terminal 7. It is possible to do. In this way, the manager can grasp the state of the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed without directly examining the wiring device 1. That is, in this embodiment, there is an advantage that the administrator of the wiring appliance 1 can easily grasp the state of the wiring appliance 1.

Then, the manager can take various measures by grasping the state of the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed. In the present embodiment, the administrator can easily grasp the abnormality of the wiring device 1 at the stage where the insulation performance of the connection portion 11 deteriorates. Therefore, for example, if the manager is a housing company that provides the wiring equipment 1, the manager dispatches an electrician to repair the wiring equipment 1 or replace the wiring equipment 1 with a new one. It is possible to take measures against the abnormality of the wiring device 1.

That is, the wiring device 1 of the present embodiment is different from the wiring device having a power feeding function, such as the outlet described in Patent Document 1. That is, since the wiring device 1 of the present embodiment has the function of transmitting the detection result of the detection unit 12 as described above, there is an advantage that further added value can be expected in addition to the power feeding function.

(4) Modifications The above embodiment is only one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Hereinafter, modified examples of the embodiments are listed. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, the abnormality detected by the detection unit 12 may be divided into a plurality of stages. Then, the processing unit 14 may execute the communication function when the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality in a stage prior to the abnormality in the stage in which the cutoff function is executed. That is, the processing unit 14 does not execute both the communication function and the blocking function when an abnormality that should execute the blocking function occurs, but executes only the communication function before the abnormality that should execute the blocking function occurs. You may. For example, the processing unit 14 may execute the communication function when the detection unit 12 detects the first temperature, and may execute the cutoff function when the detection unit 12 detects the second temperature higher than the first temperature. In this case, the administrator has encountered some abnormality in the wiring device 1 when the detection unit 12 detects the first temperature, that is, at a stage before the stage where the insulation performance of the connection unit 11 deteriorates. It is possible to grasp that.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection unit 11 deteriorates by detecting the temperature inside the housing of the wiring device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. .. For example, the detection unit 12 may be configured to detect the current flowing through the connection portion 11 by the current sensor, or may be configured to detect the gas generated in the housing of the wiring device 1 by the gas sensor. Regardless of the configuration, the detection unit 12 can detect an abnormality at a stage where the insulation performance of the connection unit 11 deteriorates.

In the present embodiment, the abnormality detected by the detection unit 12 relates to the deterioration of the insulation performance of the connection unit 11, but is not limited to this. For example, the abnormality detected by the detection unit 12 may be shaking of a predetermined seismic intensity or higher due to an earthquake. This abnormality can be detected by the detection unit 12 having an acceleration sensor. Specifically, when the detection result (acceleration) by the acceleration sensor exceeds a preset predetermined acceleration, the processing unit 14 generates an earthquake having a predetermined seismic intensity or higher in the environment where the connection unit 11 is placed. It is judged that it has been done, and the communication function is executed. At this time, it is preferable that the processing unit 14 also executes the blocking function.

This configuration is effective, for example, when the manager is a resident of the building and is out in a remote place. In other words, since the seismic intensity that the manager can know from news etc. is a seismic intensity in a relatively wide range, it is difficult for the manager to grasp whether or not there was an earthquake that would affect the building. On the other hand, in this configuration, the manager can know that the shaking has occurred at a predetermined seismic intensity or higher by the detection signal from the wiring fixture 1 installed in the building. Therefore, the manager has an advantage that it is easy to grasp whether or not there has been an earthquake that affects the building.

Further, the abnormality detected by the detection unit 12 may be ultraviolet rays. This abnormality can be detected by the detection unit 12 having an ultraviolet sensor. Specifically, when the detection result (ultraviolet amount) by the ultraviolet sensor exceeds a preset predetermined ultraviolet amount, the processing unit 14 has a relatively large amount of ultraviolet rays in the environment where the connection unit 11 is placed. And execute the communication function.

This configuration is effective, for example, when the manager is a resident of the building and the wiring fixture 1 is installed outdoors. That is, the wiring device 1 can call attention to the resident in the building according to the amount of ultraviolet rays outdoors. For example, when the administrator owns the mobile terminal 7, the administrator listens to a warning message such as "Because the amount of ultraviolet rays is large, let's wear a hat" played by the mobile terminal 7 when going out. It is possible to prepare clothes in advance.

In addition, the abnormality detected by the detection unit 12 may be a sound such as noise. This abnormality can be detected by the detection unit 12 having a sound sensor. Specifically, when the detection result (volume of the specific sound) by the sound sensor exceeds a predetermined volume set in advance, the processing unit 14 may invade a suspicious person in the environment where the connection unit 11 is placed. Judges that some abnormality has occurred and executes the communication function. Here, the specific sound is, for example, the sound of glass breaking, the sound of a person falling, or the like. The sound sensor is preferably configured to mainly detect sound in a specific frequency band (here, sound of glass breaking, etc.).

This configuration is effective, for example, when the manager is a resident of the building and the wiring fixture 1 is installed indoors. That is, in this configuration, for example, a resident who is away from the wiring device 1 such as outdoors has some abnormality such as an intrusion of a suspicious person or a fall of a family living together due to the detection signal from the wiring device 1. Is easy to grasp.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cutoff unit 15 is configured to cut off the electric circuit L1 by being controlled by the processing unit 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cutoff unit 15 may be configured to cut off the electric circuit L1 when the electric leakage is detected, regardless of the control by the processing unit 14. Further, the cutoff unit 15 may be configured to cut off the electric circuit L1 when an overcurrent or a short circuit is detected, regardless of the control by the processing unit 14. Leakage, overcurrent, or short circuit can all be detected by the current sensor (detection unit 12). In this case, when the current sensor detects the occurrence of either leakage, overcurrent, or short circuit, the processing unit 14 executes the communication function. The current sensor may be integrated with the device constituting the cutoff unit 15 or may be a separate body.

Here, the detection unit 12 may have at least one of the above-mentioned temperature sensor, current sensor, gas sensor, acceleration sensor, ultraviolet sensor, and sound sensor. That is, the detection unit 12 may have a sensor corresponding to the state to be detected among the states of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed. Further, the detection unit 12 may detect a plurality of states. For example, when the detection unit 12 has a temperature sensor and a sound sensor, the detection unit 12 determines the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed, such as the temperature inside the housing of the wiring device 1 and the noise inside the room. Is detected.

By the way, the wiring device 1 may be assigned unique identification information such as a serial number. In this case, the processing unit 14 may execute the communication function by including the identification information of the wiring device 1 to which the processing unit 14 belongs in the detection signal. In other words, the detection signal may include identification information for identifying the wiring device 1 from which the detection signal is transmitted. This configuration is effective when a plurality of wiring devices 1 are present. That is, in this configuration, the administrator can easily grasp which wiring device 1 the abnormality has occurred from the detection signal from the wiring device 1.

Here, it is preferable that the identification information is associated with the electric device A1 connected to the wiring device 1 by, for example, a setting work by a builder or a manager. For example, when the electric device A1 is a refrigerator, the identification information of the wiring device 1 to which the refrigerator is connected is associated with the refrigerator. Then, the processing unit 14 includes the identification information and the information of the electric device A1 associated with the identification information in the detection signal, and executes the communication function. In this configuration, the administrator can easily grasp the wiring appliance 1 in which the abnormality has occurred and the electric appliance A1 connected to the wiring appliance 1 by the detection signal from the wiring appliance 1.

When the wiring device 1 has a current sensor, the processing unit 14 uses, for example, a disaggregation technique or the like to obtain an electric device A1 connected to the wiring device 1 from the waveform of the current flowing through the connection unit 11. It may be specified. That is, the processing unit 14 may automatically identify the electric device A1 connected to the wiring device 1 and associate the identified electric device A1 with the identification information. In this case, it is not necessary to associate the identification information with the electric device A1 connected to the wiring device 1.

In the present embodiment, the communication between the wiring device 1 and the receiving device 3 (external device 2) is one-way communication from the wiring device 1 to the receiving device 3, but may be bidirectional communication. .. Specifically, the communication unit 13 may be configured to receive a response signal to the detection signal from the receiving device 3 (external device 2). The predetermined condition for the processing unit 14 to execute the blocking function may include the communication unit 13 receiving the response signal. That is, the processing unit 14 does not execute the blocking function even if the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality, but executes the blocking function after receiving the response signal.

In this configuration, the administrator makes a judgment by himself / herself by performing a remote operation of transmitting a response signal to the wiring appliance 1 via the mobile terminal 7 or the server 8 after confirming the detection signal from the wiring appliance 1. It is possible to cut off the electric circuit L1 of the wiring device 1 by the method. Further, when the voice interface 5 is a voice assistant device (described later), the administrator can also cut off the electric circuit L1 of the wiring device 1 by performing a voice operation via the voice interface 5.

In the present embodiment, the voice interface 5 may be a voice assistant device having a function of recognizing a voice emitted by a person. In this case, the voice interface 5 may be configured to analyze the voice emitted by the administrator and transmit a control signal according to the analysis result to the wiring device 1 via the receiving device 3. For example, suppose the administrator makes a voice saying "Stop using the wiring equipment of the air conditioner". Then, the voice interface 5 analyzes this voice and generates a control signal including a command instructing the cutoff of the electric circuit L1 of the wiring device 1 to which the air conditioner is connected. Then, the voice interface 5 transmits the generated control signal to the wiring device 1 to which the air conditioner is connected via the receiving device 3. Upon receiving the control signal from the voice interface 5, the processing unit 14 of the wiring device 1 to which the air conditioner is connected executes the cutoff function. In this configuration, it is possible to remotely control the wiring device 1 using the voice interface 5.

Here, the processing unit 14 may have a detection mode for executing the control signal from the receiving device 3 (external device 2) as a trigger. Then, when the detection unit 12 detects that the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed is out of the preset range in the detection mode, the processing unit 14 may execute the communication function. .. Hereinafter, specific examples will be described. In the following, it is assumed that the voice interface 5 is a voice assistant device and is installed in the living room. Further, in the following, it is assumed that the wiring device 1 is installed in the dressing room and the wiring device 1 has a temperature sensor as the detection unit 12.

For example, the administrator emits a voice such as "to take a bath" toward the voice interface 5. Then, the voice interface 5 analyzes this voice and transmits a control signal according to the analysis result to the wiring device 1 in the dressing room via the receiving device 3. When the processing unit 14 of the wiring device 1 in the dressing room receives the control signal, the processing unit 14 shifts to the detection mode. The detection unit 12 detects the temperature of the dressing room as the state of the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed. Then, in the detection mode, the processing unit 14 determines whether or not the state of the environment in which the connection unit 11 is placed is out of the preset range (here, whether the temperature of the dressing area is lower than the predetermined temperature). Whether or not) is judged.

When the processing unit 14 determines that the temperature of the dressing room is lower than the predetermined temperature, the processing unit 14 includes that fact in the detection signal and executes the communication function. When the voice interface 5 receives the detection signal from the wiring device 1, it reproduces a warning message such as "the temperature of the dressing room is low". In this configuration, the manager can know that the temperature of the dressing room is low before taking a bath, so that it is easy to prevent the occurrence of heat shock. In the above specific example, the voice interface 5 is the source of the control signal, but the mobile terminal 7 may be the source of the control signal.

In the present embodiment, when the processing unit 14 detects an abnormality related to the connection unit 11 by the detection unit 12, the processing unit 14 executes the communication function, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processing unit 14 may periodically execute the communication function regardless of whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the connection unit 11. In this case, the administrator can monitor the environment in which the wiring device 1 is placed through the receiving device 3 (external device 2).

Further, when the detection unit 12 has a current sensor, the detection unit 12 indirectly detects the operating state of the electric device A1 connected to the connection unit 11 by detecting the current flowing through the connection unit 11. It is possible to detect. Then, the processing unit 14 may periodically execute the communication function regardless of whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the connection unit 11. In this case, the administrator can periodically grasp the operating state of the electric device A1.

In the present embodiment, the cutoff unit 15 has a switch for returning to the original state from the state in which the electric circuit L1 is cut off, but it is arbitrary whether or not this switch is provided. For example, the cutoff unit 15 may be configured so as not to return to the original state once the electric circuit L1 is cut off.

In the present embodiment, the wiring device 1 may include a light emitting unit having a light emitting element such as a speaker or a light emitting diode. In this case, when the detection unit 12 detects an abnormality, the processing unit 14 may control to notify the surroundings of the abnormality by, for example, reproducing a voice from a speaker or causing a light emitting unit to emit light. With this configuration, it is possible to notify a person around the wiring device 1 of the occurrence of an abnormality.

The wiring device 1 is not limited to indoor use, and may be used outdoors, for example, outside a building such as a parking lot. Further, the wiring device 1 is not limited to an outlet having no grounding electrode, and may be an outlet having a grounding electrode. Further, the wiring device 1 is not limited to an AC 100V outlet, and may be, for example, an AC 200V or DC outlet. Further, the wiring device 1 is not limited to the A type outlet, and may be an outlet to which a plug having a pin-shaped plug blade can be connected, such as B type and C type. In addition, the wiring device 1 is not limited to a two-port type outlet, and may be, for example, a one-port type or a three-port type outlet.

Further, the wiring device 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned outlet, and may be, for example, an information outlet to which a LAN (Local Area Network) cable connector can be connected, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) outlet, or the like. .. That is, the wiring device 1 may have a connection portion 11 to which the electric device A1 can be electrically connected. The wiring device 1 may be used to supply electric power from the power source B1 to the electric device A1 as in the present embodiment, or may be used to connect the electric device A1 to the network N1.

The communication method between the wiring device 1 and the receiving device 3 is not limited to the specified low power radio, and may be other wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Further, the communication method between the wiring device 1 and the receiving device 3 may be a wired communication method such as power line communication.

In the present embodiment, the receiving device 3 may be a local device used for, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System). Further, in the present embodiment, the receiving device 3 and the output device 4 may be configured by one device. For example, the mobile terminal 7 may be configured as an external device 2 to receive a detection signal from the wiring device 1 without going through the receiving device 3. In this case, the communication method between the communication unit 13 of the wiring device 1 and the mobile terminal 7 is wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 communicates with the receiving device 3 via the router 6 by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile terminal 7 may be configured to communicate with the receiving device 3 via the network N1 without going through the receiving device 3. In this case, the mobile terminal 7 is connected to the network N1 via the mobile phone network (carrier network) provided by the telecommunications carrier. The mobile phone network includes, for example, a 3G (third generation) line, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) line, and the like. In addition, the mobile terminal 7 may be connected to the network N1 via a public wireless LAN.

In the present embodiment, the server 8 may have a function of transmitting a signal to the wiring device 1. For example, the server 8 transmits a signal for alive check (survival confirmation), a signal for inquiring about the state of the wiring device 1, a signal for controlling the processing unit 14 of the wiring device 1, and the like to the wiring device 1. It may have a function to perform.

The wiring equipment system 100 of the present embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a voice interface 5, a mobile terminal 7, and a server 8 as an output device 4. For example, the wiring equipment system 100 may include at least one of the voice interface 5, the mobile terminal 7, and the server 8.

In the present embodiment, the wiring device system 100 includes one wiring device 1, but the present disclosure is not limited to the quantity of the wiring device 1. For example, the wiring equipment system 100 may include a plurality of wiring equipments 1. Further, there may be a plurality of electric devices A1 connected to the wiring device 1.

The execution subject of the wiring device 1 or the wiring device system 100 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the execution subject of the device or the system in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, hard disk drive, etc. that can be read by the computer system. May be provided. The processor of a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be distributed on a plurality of chips. A plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices.

(summary)
As described above, the wiring device (1) according to the first aspect includes a processing unit (14), a connection unit (11), a detection unit (12), and a communication unit (13). The connection portion (11) can be electrically connected to the electric device (A1). The detection unit (12) detects the state of the environment in which the connection unit (11) is placed. The communication unit (13) can communicate with an external device (2) different from the electric device (A1). The processing unit (14) has a communication function for controlling the communication unit (13) so as to transmit a detection signal including the detection result of the detection unit (12) to the external device (2).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the manager of the wiring device (1) can easily grasp the state of the wiring device (1).

The wiring device (1) according to the second aspect further includes a blocking portion (15) in the first aspect. The cutoff unit (15) cuts off the electric circuit (L1) between the power supply (B1) that supplies electric power to the electric device (A1) connected to the connection part (11) and the connection part (11). The processing unit (14) has a blocking function of controlling the blocking unit (15) so as to cut off the electric path (L1) when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition includes detecting an abnormality related to the connection unit (11) by the detection unit (12). When the processing unit (14) detects an abnormality in the detection unit (12), the processing unit (14) executes a communication function.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy to prevent an unfavorable influence on the environment in which the connecting portion (11) is placed when an abnormality occurs in the connecting portion (11).

In the wiring device (1) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, when the processing unit (14) detects an abnormality in the detection unit (12), the processing unit (14) executes a blocking function.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easier to prevent an unfavorable influence on the environment in which the connecting portion (11) is placed when an abnormality occurs in the connecting portion (11).

In the wiring device (1) according to the fourth aspect, in the second or third aspect, the abnormality is divided into a plurality of stages. When the detection unit (12) detects an abnormality in a stage prior to the abnormality in the stage in which the cutoff function is executed, the processing unit (14) executes the communication function.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the administrator of the wiring device (1) can easily grasp that some abnormality has occurred before the abnormality at the stage where the cutoff function should be executed occurs.

In the wiring device (1) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the abnormality relates to the deterioration of the insulation performance of the connection portion (11).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the manager of the wiring device (1) can easily take measures such as repairing the wiring device (1) or replacing it with a new one.

In the wiring device (1) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the abnormality is shaking of a predetermined seismic intensity or more due to an earthquake.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is easy for the manager of the wiring equipment (1) to grasp whether or not there has been an earthquake to the extent that it affects the building in which the wiring equipment (1) is installed.

In the wiring device (1) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the detection signal includes identification information for identifying the wiring device (1) from which the detection signal is transmitted.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the manager of the wiring device (1) can easily grasp which wiring device (1) the abnormality has occurred in.

In the wiring device (1) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the second to sixth aspects, the communication unit (13) is configured to receive a response signal to the detection signal from the external device (2). Ru. The predetermined condition includes that the communication unit (13) receives the response signal.

According to this aspect, after the administrator of the wiring appliance (1) confirms the detection signal from the wiring appliance (1), the administrator decides to cut off the electric circuit (L1) of the wiring appliance (1). Has the advantage of being possible.

In the wiring device (1) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the processing unit (14) has a detection mode for executing the control signal from the external device (2) as a trigger. is doing. When the detection unit (12) detects that the environment state is out of the preset range in the detection mode, the processing unit (14) executes the communication function.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the manager of the wiring device (1) can easily grasp the state of the environment in which the wiring device (1) is placed at an arbitrary timing.

The wiring appliance system (100) according to the tenth aspect includes any one of the first to ninth wiring appliances (1), a receiving device (3), and an output device (4). The receiving device (3) is an external device (2) and receives a detection signal from the wiring device (1). The output device (4) outputs information according to the detection signal received by the receiving device (3).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the manager of the wiring device (1) can easily grasp the state of the wiring device (1).

The configuration according to the second to ninth aspects is not an essential configuration for the wiring device (1) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 Wiring equipment 11 Connection unit 12 Detection unit 13 Communication unit 14 Processing unit 15 Blocker 2 External device 3 Receiver 4 Output device 100 Wiring equipment system A1 Electrical equipment B1 Power supply L1 Electric circuit

Claims (9)

Processing unit and
Connections that can be electrically connected to electrical equipment,
A detector that detects the state of the environment in which the connection is placed, and a detector.
A wiring device including a communication unit capable of communicating with an external device different from the electric device.
The processing unit has a communication function for controlling the communication unit so as to transmit a detection signal including the detection result of the detection unit to the external device.
The processing unit has a detection mode that executes a control signal from the external device as a trigger.
When the temperature sensor as the detection unit detects that the room temperature of the place where the wiring device is installed is out of the preset range in the detection mode, the processing unit executes the communication function. ,
The control signal is based on a voice input to the voice interface.
Wiring equipment. Further provided with a cutoff unit that cuts off the electric circuit between the power supply that supplies electric power to the electric device connected to the connection part and the connection part.
The processing unit has a blocking function for controlling the blocking unit so as to cut off the electric circuit when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
The predetermined condition includes detecting an abnormality related to the connection portion by the detection unit.
The wiring device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit executes the communication function when the detection unit detects the abnormality. The wiring device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit executes the blocking function when the detection unit detects the abnormality. The abnormality is divided into multiple stages.
The wiring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the detection unit detects an abnormality in a stage prior to the abnormality in the stage of executing the cutoff function, the processing unit executes the communication function. The wiring device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the abnormality is the deterioration of the insulation performance of the connection portion. The wiring device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the abnormality is shaking of a predetermined seismic intensity or higher due to an earthquake. The wiring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection signal includes identification information for identifying the wiring device from which the detection signal is transmitted. The communication unit is configured to receive a response signal to the detection signal from the external device.
The wiring device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the predetermined condition includes the communication unit receiving the response signal. The wiring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the wiring device.
The external device, which is a receiving device that receives the detection signal from the wiring device, and
It is provided with an output device that outputs information according to the detection signal received by the receiving device.
Wiring equipment system.

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