U.S. patent application number 14/242301 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for electric equipment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Hideki IHARA, Kazunori MATSUMOTO, Kousuke TAKEMURA, Yoshiaki TANAKA.
Application Number | 20140211390 14/242301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48043386 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140211390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IHARA; Hideki ; et
al. |
July 31, 2014 |
ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
An input/output device inputting and outputting information to
an external device includes a control section for communicating
with an external controller. Electric equipment for communicating
with the input/output device includes an input/output assignment
storing section for storing which port of an input circuit an input
from the external device is assigned to, and which port of an
output circuit an output is assigned to. The electric equipment
also includes an electric-equipment-side input/output control
section for operating a function of the electric equipment based on
information from the control section, or transmitting, to the
control section, the information indicating which port of the
output circuit an output of the electric equipment is output to.
The electric equipment, using the external controller, stores the
information related to the assignment in the input/output
assignment storing section, or alters the information related to
the assignment stored in the input/output assignment storing
section.
Inventors: |
IHARA; Hideki; (Hyogo,
JP) ; MATSUMOTO; Kazunori; (Osaka, JP) ;
TANAKA; Yoshiaki; (Osaka, JP) ; TAKEMURA;
Kousuke; (Hyogo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Corporation |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Panasonic Corporation
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
48043386 |
Appl. No.: |
14/242301 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2012/005827 |
Sep 13, 2012 |
|
|
|
14242301 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23K 9/1087 20130101;
G05B 2219/1208 20130101; G05B 19/054 20130101; G05B 2219/45135
20130101; B23K 9/10 20130101; G06F 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.4 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/00 20060101
G06F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2011 |
JP |
2011-221625 |
Claims
1. An electric equipment system comprising: an input/output device
having a function of inputting and outputting information to an
external device; and electric equipment for communicating with the
input/output device, wherein the input/output device includes: a
general-purpose input circuit section for inputting information
from the external device; a general-purpose output circuit section
for outputting information to the external device; and an
input/output control section for communicating with at least one of
the general-purpose input circuit section, the general-purpose
output circuit section, and the electric equipment, wherein the
electric equipment includes: an input/output assignment storing
section for storing which input channel of the general-purpose
input circuit section an input signal from the external device is
assigned to, and which output channel of the general-purpose output
circuit section an output signal to the external device is assigned
to; and an electric-equipment-side input/output control section for
operating a function of the electric equipment based on a signal
transmitted from the input/output control section, or transmitting,
to the input/output control section, a signal indicating which
channel of the general-purpose output circuit section an output
signal from the electric equipment is output to, wherein at least
one of the input/output control section and the
electric-equipment-side input/output control section communicates
with an external controller, and wherein the electric equipment
system stores the information related to the assignment in the
input/output assignment storing section using the external
controller, or alters the information related to the assignment
stored in the input/output assignment storing section using the
external controller.
2. The electric equipment system of claim 1, the electric equipment
including: a first rectifying section for rectifying an input AC
voltage; an inverter for converting an output of the first
rectifying section into a high frequency wave; a transformer for
varying a voltage of an output of the inverter; a second rectifying
section for rectifying an output of the transformer; and an output
terminal for outputting an output of the second rectifying section
to between an electrode for welding and a welding object, wherein
the external controller being a personal computer for communicating
with the electric equipment via the input/output device.
3. The electric equipment system of claim 1, the electric equipment
including: a first rectifying section for rectifying an input AC
voltage; an inverter for converting an output of the first
rectifying section into a high frequency wave; a transformer for
varying a voltage of an output of the inverter; a second rectifying
section for rectifying an output of the transformer; and an output
terminal for outputting an output of the second rectifying section
to between an electrode for welding and a welding object, wherein
the external controller being a setting device for setting a
welding condition for the electric equipment.
4. The electric equipment system of claim 1, wherein the
input/output device is disposed on a surface of the electric
equipment, the input/output device is disposed at a position
separate from the electric equipment, or the input/output device is
disposed inside the electric equipment.
5. The electric equipment system of claim 2, wherein the
input/output device is disposed on a surface of the electric
equipment, the input/output device is disposed at a position
separate from the electric equipment, or the input/output device is
disposed inside the electric equipment.
6. The electric equipment system of claim 3, wherein the
input/output device is disposed on a surface of the electric
equipment, the input/output device is disposed at a position
separate from the electric equipment, or the input/output device is
disposed inside the electric equipment.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an electric equipment
system including an input/output device for inputting/outputting
information and electric equipment such as a welding apparatus used
in a connecting state to the input/output device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a welding apparatus as an example of conventional
electric equipment, a dedicated input/output circuit performs the
input from the outside of the welding apparatus or the output to
the outside (for example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication
No. H04-17977). The input/output function is restricted and has no
flexibility, and addition or modification of a circuit is required
in order to alter the function of the welding apparatus.
[0003] FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of conventional
welding apparatuses. FIG. 12 describes only a section for receiving
information from the outside, and omits a configuration such as a
welding output section that is required for arc welding.
[0004] Hereinafter, the welding apparatus of FIG. 12 is described.
Only the input operation is described and drawn.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 12, welding apparatus 101 includes sequence
control circuit 103. An on-off signal of trigger switch 102 is
input to sequence control circuit 103 via wire feeder 105 having
wire feeding motor 106. Welding apparatus 101 thus recognizes the
state of trigger switch 102. Generally, welding apparatus 101
includes several input sections for receiving such a signal or the
like. Similarly, welding apparatus 101 includes several output
sections for outputting a signal or the like. Sequence control
circuit 103 controls the wire feeding motor of wire feeder 105 via
wire-feed control circuit 104.
[0006] Each of the above-mentioned input sections is dedicated to
each function. Signals from trigger switch 102, for example, are
input to sequence control circuit 103. In other words, the signals
are input to the other circuit only when the connection is
changed.
[0007] When the welding apparatus is applied to a production line
of a factory, it is required that various input signals are
transmitted to the welding apparatus to control the operation. In
order to make a worker in the outside know the operation of the
welding apparatus, various signals need to be output from the
welding apparatus to the outside.
[0008] However, the external input/output section of the
conventional welding apparatus is formed of dedicated input/output
circuits. A case where the indication of an input on-off signal is
intended to be inverted is taken as an example. Each circuit is
designed dedicatedly, so that the circuit is difficult to be
modified. A new device for inverting the indication of the on-off
signal needs to be disposed in the outside. Also for the output,
each circuit is designed dedicatedly, so that a new device for
inverting the indication of the on-off signal needs to be disposed
in the outside.
[0009] Also when the phenomenon having occurred in the welding
apparatus is intended to be obtained as a plurality of outputs, a
new device needs to be disposed in the outside. Also when a
plurality of phenomena having occurred in the outside is made to
undergo a logical operation and the result of the logical operation
is intended to be input as an input signal, a new device needs to
be disposed in the outside or the wiring needs to be modified.
[0010] Therefore, whenever a production line is newly constructed
or modified, a new device for external input/output needs to be
introduced.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention provides an electric equipment system
that does not require that a new device for external input/output
is introduced whenever a production line is newly constructed or
modified, and can establish complex input/output requirements in a
production line.
[0012] In order to address the above-mentioned problem, the
electric equipment system of the present invention includes an
input/output device having a function of inputting and outputting
information to an external device and electric equipment for
communicating with the input/output device. This input/output
device includes the following elements:
[0013] a general-purpose input circuit section for inputting
information from the external device;
[0014] a general-purpose output circuit section for outputting
information to the external device; and
[0015] an input/output control section for communicating with at
least one of the general-purpose input circuit section, the
general-purpose output circuit section, and the electric
equipment.
The electric equipment includes an input/output assignment storing
section and an electric-equipment-side input/output control
section. The input/output assignment storing section stores which
input channel of the general-purpose input circuit section an input
signal from the external device is assigned to, and which output
channel of the general-purpose output circuit section an output
signal to the external device is assigned to. The
electric-equipment-side input/output control section operates a
function of the electric equipment based on the signal transmitted
from the input/output control section, or transmits, to the
input/output control section, a signal indicating which channel of
the general-purpose output circuit section an output signal from
the electric equipment is output to. At least one of the
input/output control section and the electric-equipment-side
input/output control section communicates with an external
controller. The electric equipment system of the present invention
stores the information related to the assignment in the
input/output assignment storing section using the external
controller, or alters the information related to the assignment
that is stored in the input/output assignment storing section using
the external controller.
[0016] Thus, this configuration does not require that a new device
for external input/output is introduced whenever a production line
is newly constructed or modified, and can establish complex
input/output requirements in a production line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
a welding system including an input/output device and welding
apparatus in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a first memory
region in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of a second memory
region in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an example of a data format in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2D is a diagram showing another example of the data
format in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation
screen of a personal computer for assigning the input and output in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
another welding system including the input/output device and
welding apparatus in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
a welding system including an input/output device and welding
apparatus in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of the outline and
operation screen of a controller in accordance with the second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the operation
screen of the controller in accordance with the second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of the operation
screen of the controller in accordance with the second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
another welding system including the input/output device and
welding apparatus in accordance with the second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
a welding system including an input/output device and welding
apparatus in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a logical
expression memory in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation
screen of a personal computer for assigning the input and output
and inputting a logical expression in accordance with the third
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a logical table
during execution of the logical expression in accordance with the
third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an outline of a
conventional welding apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings, the same elements are denoted with
the same reference marks, and the descriptions of those elements
are omitted.
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0035] An electric equipment system of a first exemplary embodiment
is described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. As an example
of the electric equipment system of a first exemplary embodiment, a
welding apparatus is described. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram
of an essential part of a welding system including an input/output
device and welding apparatus in accordance with the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. Each of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG.
2C, and FIG. 2D is a diagram showing a memory region or a data
format of storing section in accordance with the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an
example of an operation screen of a personal computer (hereinafter
referred to as "PC") for assigning the input and output in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, welding apparatus 18 as electric
equipment is communicably connected to input/output device 17.
Input/output device 17 has a function of inputting or outputting
information to an external device, and is communicably connected to
welding apparatus 18 and PC 19. Input/output device 17 includes
general-purpose input circuit section 11, general-purpose output
circuit section 12, and input/output control section 13.
General-purpose input circuit section 11 receives a plurality of
input signals from a device or the like outside input/output device
17. General-purpose output circuit section 12 outputs a plurality
of output signals to a device or the like outside input/output
device 17. Input/output control section 13 receives the input
signals from general-purpose input circuit section 11, outputs the
output signals to general-purpose output circuit section 12, and
digitally communicates with PC 19 and welding apparatus 18.
[0037] Welding apparatus 18 includes input/output assignment
storing section 14, welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 15, and body control section 16. Input/output assignment
storing section 14 stores an input/output assignment state
(described later in detail). Welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 15 sends data to body control section 16 at the
input time and sends data to input/output control section 13 at the
output time, based on the input data sent from input/output control
section 13 of input/output device 17 or the output data sent from
body control section 16 of welding apparatus 18, and the data
stored in input/output assignment storing section 14. Body control
section 16 controls the operation sequence of welding apparatus 18.
Body control section 16 alters the operation sequence based on the
input data sent from welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 15, or sends data to welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 15 as necessary.
[0038] Input/output device 17 includes general-purpose input
circuit section 11, general-purpose output circuit section 12, and
input/output control section 13. Welding apparatus 18 includes
input/output assignment storing section 14, welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 15, body control section 16, and a
welding output section (not shown). FIG. 1 omits the description of
the welding output section or the like, which is not directly
related to the present invention.
[0039] The operation of the welding system including input/output
device 17 and welding apparatus 18 in the above-mentioned
configuration is described.
[0040] First, using a device such as PC 19 where digital
communication is allowed and predetermined software is operable,
input and output are assigned. As shown in FIG. 2B, input/output
functions of welding apparatus 18 are previously stored in
numerical sequence in the second memory region of input/output
assignment storing section 14 of welding apparatus 18. In response
to a function call from PC 19, the contents in the second memory
region are transmitted to PC 19 via welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 15 of welding apparatus 18 and
input/output control section 13 of input/output device 17.
[0041] PC 19 displays the image shown in FIG. 3 on the screen based
on a program stored and executed in PC 19. In PC 19, by operation
on the screen, an input function and output function are assigned
to each channel of general-purpose input circuit section 11 and
each channel of general-purpose output circuit section 12. It is
determined whether the bit data at the input/output time is set at
low active (0) or high active (1).
[0042] An example of the input functions is to inspect gas output
used for welding or to start the welding with a torch switch for
performing welding output. An example of the output functions is to
detect and output the welding output current, or to detect a
trouble of welding apparatus 18 and inform the outside of the
trouble. As shown in FIG. 3, selecting section 50 selects an input
function to be assigned. Selecting section 51 selects a bit at the
input time. Selecting section 52 selects an output function to be
assigned. Selecting section 53 selects a bit at the output
time.
[0043] The data after the assignment and setting has a format of
FIG. 2A, for example. This data is transmitted from PC 19 to
input/output assignment storing section 14 of welding apparatus 18
via input/output control section 13 of input/output device 17 and
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 of welding
apparatus 18. This data is then stored in the first memory region
of input/output assignment storing section 14. In the first memory
region, the function of each channel and the bit (1 or 0) at the
input/output time are stored in the same format as that in FIG. 2A.
In a specific example, input function 5 is assigned to input
channel 1 and bit data "1" at the input/output time is set in
it.
[0044] In the assignment in FIG. 2A, when a signal is input to
input channel 1 of general-purpose input circuit section 11, the
signal is sent to input/output control section 13 via
general-purpose input circuit section 11. Input/output control
section 13 converts the signal into the data format of FIG. 2C. The
obtained data is sent to welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 15 of welding apparatus 18 by digital
communication.
[0045] In the format of FIG. 2C, the data is represented by 0 and 1
in binary notation, and one input circuit of general-purpose input
circuit section 11 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are
eight input circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data
string of FIG. 2C. In the data string, the left end is set as the
highest-order bit, the right end is set as the lowest-order bit,
and input channels 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the
lowest order.
[0046] Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15
refers to the sent data and the input channel memory region of the
first memory region of input/output assignment storing section 14,
and sends a matched function to body control section 16. Body
control section 16 operates the function sent from
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15. FIG. 2A and
FIG.
[0047] 2C are hereinafter described as an example. When the data of
FIG. 2C is compared with the input channels in the input channel
memory region of FIG. 2A, the bit value corresponding to input
channel 1 is "1", and the bit values corresponding to input channel
2 and input channel 4 are "0". Thus, there is an input in input
channel 1, input channel 2, and input channel 4. Therefore,
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 sends input
function 5, input function 6, and input function 2 to body control
section 16, and body control section 16 operates input function 5,
input function 6, and input function 2.
[0048] The case where body control section 16 of welding apparatus
18 outputs input function 1 is described. Body control section 16
sends the fact that input function 1 is operating to
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 refers to
the output channel memory region of the first memory region of
input/output assignment storing section 14, and determines which
output channel input function 1 is assigned to.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 creates data
having the data format shown in FIG. 2D, and sends the data to
input/output control section 13 of input/output device 17.
Input/output control section 13 performs an output to a specified
channel of general-purpose output circuit section 12 based on the
sent data.
[0049] The data in FIG. 2D is represented by 0 and 1 in binary
notation, one output circuit of general-purpose output circuit
section 12 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are eight output
circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data string. In the
data string, the left end is set as the highest-order bit, the
right end is set as the lowest-order bit, and output channels 1, 2,
3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the lowest order.
[0050] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D are hereinafter described as an example.
When sent output function 1 is compared with the output channels in
the output channel memory region of FIG. 2A, output function 1
corresponds to output channel 5. Therefore, welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 15 creates data having the data format
shown in FIG. 2D, and sends the data to input/output control
section 13. Input/output control section 13 performs an output to
channel 5 of general-purpose output circuit section 12 based on the
sent data.
[0051] As discussed above, the electric equipment (here, welding
apparatus 18) of the first exemplary embodiment includes
input/output assignment storing section 14 and
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15.
Input/output assignment storing section 14 stores which input
channel of general-purpose input circuit section 11 an input signal
from the external device is assigned to, and which output channel
of general-purpose output circuit section 12 an output signal to
the external device is assigned to. Welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 15 operates a function of the electric
equipment based on the signal sent from input/output control
section 13, or sends, to input/output control section 13, a signal
indicating which channel of general-purpose output circuit section
12 an output signal from the electric equipment is output to. At
least one of input/output control section 13 and
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 communicates
with an external controller. The electric equipment system of the
first exemplary embodiment then stores the information related to
the assignment in input/output assignment storing section 14 using
the external controller, or alters the information related to the
assignment that is stored in input/output assignment storing
section 14 using the external controller.
[0052] Thus, this configuration allows the input and output of
information to the outside to be set without restraint. Therefore,
this configuration does not require that a new device for external
input/output is introduced whenever a production line is newly
constructed or modified, and can establish complex input/output
requirements in a production line.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
another welding system including input/output device 17 and welding
apparatus 18 in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Another electric equipment system (welding
system) of the first exemplary embodiment is described using FIG.
4.
[0054] In the electric equipment system of the first exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 4, welding apparatus 18 as electric equipment
includes first rectifying section 31, inverter 32, transformer 33,
second rectifying section 34, and output terminal 35. The external
controller may be a personal computer (e.g. PC 19) for
communicating with the electric equipment via input/output device
17. First rectifying section 31 rectifies the alternating current
(AC) voltage that has been input from AC source 36. Inverter 32
converts the output of first rectifying section 31 into a high
frequency wave. Transformer 33 varies the voltage of the output of
inverter 32. Second rectifying section 34 rectifies the output of
transformer 33. Output terminal 35 outputs the output of second
rectifying section 34 to between electrode 37 for welding and
welding object 38.
[0055] Thus, this configuration allows the input and output of
information to the outside to be set without restraint by an
electric operation. Therefore, this configuration does not require
that a new device for external input/output is introduced whenever
a production line is newly constructed or modified, and can
establish complex input/output requirements in a production
line.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
[0056] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of a
welding system including an input/output device and welding
apparatus in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. Each of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C is a
diagram showing an example of the outline and operation screen of a
controller in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment.
[0057] The second exemplary embodiment differs from the first
exemplary embodiment in the configuration of welding apparatus 18.
Welding apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment does not
include welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 15 of
FIG. 1, but includes welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 21 of controller connection type as shown in FIG. 5.
Controller 20 assigns the input and output.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, controller 20 includes several switches,
dials, and indicators, for example, and has a function of
indicating, to welding apparatus 18, welding command current,
welding command voltage, and welding condition. The assignment of
the input and output can be instructed using the dials and
indicators of controller 20.
[0059] FIG. 6A schematically shows an operating section of
controller 20. The description of a part that is not related to the
present invention is omitted. Welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 21 of controller connection type has a function of
creating the assignment table of FIG. 2A in response to the
instruction from controller 20.
[0060] The operation of the welding system including input/output
device 17 and welding apparatus 18 in the above-mentioned
configuration is described.
[0061] An example where the input and output are assigned in
response to the instruction from controller 20 is described.
Whenever first switch 61 of controller 20 of FIG. 6A is pushed, the
data is transmitted from controller 20 to welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21 of controller connection type of
welding apparatus 18. Welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 21 switches between input channel assignment and output
channel assignment based on the data from controller 20. The
switched data is transmitted to controller 20. Controller 20
displays the data on indicator 62. By switching between input
channel assignment and output channel assignment,
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 determines
whether the target of the first memory region is the input channel
memory region or output channel memory region. Similarly,
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 determines
whether the target of the second memory region is the input
function memory region or output function memory region. Controller
20 of FIG. 6A includes second switch 63, first dial 64, second dial
65, and third dial 66.
[0062] Next, the specific assignment of the input/output channels
and input/output operation are described.
[0063] Regarding the input channel assignment, as shown in FIG. 6B,
controller 20 displays, on indicator 62, the channel number, the
input function, and the bit at the input time that have been sent
from welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21. Second
dial 65 is of click type. Whenever the dial is turned by one click,
data that indicates whether the dial has been turned clockwise or
counterclockwise is sent to welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 21. Welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 21 increases or decreases the stored memory address,
sequentially extracts the input functions in the input function
memory region of the second memory region, and transmits the input
functions to controller 20. Controller 20 displays the transmitted
input functions on indicator 62.
[0064] At this time, welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 21 stores the currently extracted input function. An input
channel to which the input function is intended to be assigned is
selected using first dial 64. First dial 64 is of click type.
Whenever the dial is turned by one click, data that indicates
whether the dial has been turned clockwise or counterclockwise is
sent to welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 increases or
decreases the stored channel number, and transmits the current
channel number to controller 20. Controller 20 displays the
transmitted channel number on indicator 62.
[0065] Using third dial 66, a bit (1 or 0) at the input time of the
input channel is selected. Third dial 66 is of click type. Whenever
the dial is turned by one click, data that indicates whether the
dial has been turned clockwise or counterclockwise is sent to
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 sets the
stored bit data at 0 or 1, and transmits the current bit data to
controller 20. Controller 20 displays the transmitted bit data on
indicator 62. When the input channel number intended to be
assigned, the input function, and the bit at the input time are
determined, second switch 63 is pushed.
[0066] In indicator 62 of FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, display section 67
shows that an input channel or output channel is assigned. Display
section 67 shows that pushing first switch 61 switches the
assignment between the input channel and output channel. Display
section 68 shows that the input port number or output port number
is changed with first dial 64. Display section 68 shows that the
input port number or output port number is decreased when first
dial 64 is turned counterclockwise, and the input port number or
output port number is increased when first dial 64 is turned
clockwise (up to eight channels).
[0067] The input display function or output display function of the
welding apparatus is sequentially changed with second dial 65, and
display section 69 shows the changed function. Display section 69
shows the function corresponding to the number. In the other words,
the number is decreased when second dial 65 is turned
counterclockwise, and the number is increased when second dial 65
is turned clockwise. Display section 70 shows that the bit at the
input time is changed with third dial 66. Display section 70 shows
0 when third dial 66 is turned counterclockwise or shows 1 when
third dial 66 is turned clockwise. When second switch 63 is pushed,
a function is set.
[0068] Controller 20 transmits the fact that second switch 63 has
been pushed to welding-apparatus-side input/output control section
21. Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 sends
the currently stored input channel number, input function, and bit
data at the input time to input/output assignment storing section
14. The input function and the bit at the input time are stored in
the place matching with the input channel in the input channel
memory region shown by FIG. 2A of input/output assignment storing
section 14. By performing this operation for each channel, the
input function and the bit at the input time of each channel are
set.
[0069] The input operation is described. In the assignment of FIG.
2A, when a signal is input to input channel 1, the signal is sent
to input/output control section 13 via general-purpose input
circuit section 11. Input/output control section 13 converts the
signal into the data format of FIG. 2C. The obtained data is sent
to welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 by
digital communication.
[0070] In the format of FIG. 2C, the data is represented by 0 and 1
in binary notation, and one input circuit of general-purpose input
circuit section 11 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are
eight input circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data
string. In the data string, the left end is set as the
highest-order bit, the right end is set as the lowest-order bit,
and input channels 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the
lowest order.
[0071] Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21
refers to the sent data and the input channel memory region of the
first memory region, and sends the matched function to body control
section 16. Body control section 16 operates the function sent from
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21. FIG. 2A and
FIG. 2C are hereinafter described. When the data of FIG. 2C is
compared with the input channels in the input channel memory region
of FIG. 2A, it is found that there is an input in input channel 1,
input channel 2, and input channel 4. Therefore,
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 sends input
function 5, input function 6, and input function 2 to body control
section 16, and body control section 16 operates input function 5,
input function 6, and input function 2.
[0072] Regarding the output channel assignment, as shown in FIG.
6C, controller 20 displays, on indicator 62, the channel number,
the output function, and the bit at the output time that have been
sent from welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21.
Second dial 65 is of click type. Whenever the dial is turned by one
click, data that indicates whether the dial has been turned
clockwise or counterclockwise is sent to welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21. Welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21 increases or decreases the stored
memory address, sequentially extracts the output functions in the
output function memory region of memory region 2, and transmits the
output functions to controller 20. Controller 20 displays the
transmitted output functions on indicator 62. At this time,
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 stores the
currently extracted output function.
[0073] Using first dial 64, an output channel to which the output
function is intended to be assigned is selected. First dial 64 is
of click type. Whenever the dial is turned by one click, data that
indicates whether the dial has been turned clockwise or
counterclockwise is sent to welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 21. Welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 21 increases or decreases the stored channel number, and
transmits the current channel number to controller 20. Controller
20 displays the transmitted channel number on indicator 62.
[0074] Using third dial 66, a bit (1 or 0) at the output time of
the output channel is selected. Third dial 66 is of click type.
Whenever the dial is turned by one click, data that indicates
whether the dial has been turned clockwise or counterclockwise is
sent to welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 sets the
stored bit data at 0 or 1, and transmits the current bit data to
controller 20. Controller 20 displays the transmitted bit data on
indicator 62.
[0075] When the output channel number intended to be assigned, the
output function, and the bit at the output time are determined,
second switch 63 is pushed. Controller 20 transmits the fact that
second switch 63 has been pushed to welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21. Welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21 sends the currently stored output
channel number, output function, and bit data at the output time to
input/output assignment storing section 14. The output function and
the bit at the output time are stored in the place matching with
the output channel in the output channel memory region shown by
FIG. 2A of input/output assignment storing section 14. By
performing this operation for each channel, the output function and
the bit at the output time of each channel are set.
[0076] As the output operation, the case where body control section
16 outputs output function 1 is described. Body control section 16
sends the fact that output function 1 is operating to
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 refers to
the output channel memory region of the first memory region of
input/output assignment storing section 14, and determines which
output channel output function 1 is assigned to.
Welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 21 creates data
having the data format shown in FIG. 2D, and sends the data to
input/output control section 13. Input/output control section 13
performs an output to the specified channel of general-purpose
output circuit section 12 based on the sent data.
[0077] The data in FIG. 2D is represented by 0 and 1 in binary
notation, one output circuit of general-purpose output circuit
section 12 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are eight output
circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data string. In the
data string, the left end is set as the highest-order bit, the
right end is set as the lowest-order bit, and output channels 1, 2,
3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the lowest order.
[0078] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D are hereinafter described. When sent
output function 1 is compared with the output channels in the
output channel memory region of FIG. 2A, output function 1
corresponds to output channel 5. Therefore, welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 21 creates data having the format
shown in FIG. 2D, and sends the data to input/output control
section 13. Input/output control section 13 performs an output to
channel 5 of general-purpose output circuit section 12 based on the
sent data.
[0079] As discussed above, the welding system of the second
exemplary embodiment allows input and output of information to the
outside to be set without restraint. Therefore, this system does
not require that a new device for external input/output is
introduced whenever a production line is newly constructed or
modified, and can establish complex input/output requirements in a
production line.
[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an essential part of
another welding system including input/output device 17 and welding
apparatus 18 in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Another electric equipment system (welding
system) of the second exemplary embodiment is described using FIG.
7.
[0081] In the electric equipment system of the second exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 7, welding apparatus 18 as electric equipment
includes first rectifying section 31, inverter 32, transformer 33,
second rectifying section 34, and output terminal 35. The external
controller may be a setting device (e.g. controller 20) for setting
a welding condition for the electric equipment (here, welding
apparatus 18). First rectifying section 31 rectifies the AC voltage
that has been input from AC source 36. Inverter 32 converts the
output of first rectifying section 31 into a high frequency wave.
Transformer 33 varies the voltage of the output of inverter 32.
Second rectifying section 34 rectifies the output of transformer
33. Output terminal 35 outputs the output of second rectifying
section 34 to between electrode 37 for welding and welding object
38.
[0082] Thus, this configuration allows the input and output of
information to the outside to be set without restraint by an
electric operation. Therefore, this configuration does not require
that a new device for external input/output is introduced whenever
a production line is newly constructed or modified, and can
establish complex input/output requirements in a production
line.
Third Exemplary Embodiment
[0083] A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 8 through FIG. 11. FIG. 8 is a
schematic block diagram of an essential part of a welding system
including an input/output device and welding apparatus in
accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a logical
expression memory in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example
of an operation screen of a PC for assigning the input and output
and inputting a logical expression in accordance with the third
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram
showing an example during execution of the logical expression in
accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0084] The electric equipment system of the third exemplary
embodiment differs from that of the first exemplary embodiment in
that the electric equipment system of the third exemplary
embodiment further performs a logical expression operation. For
this purpose, input/output assignment storing section 22 of logical
expression type shown in FIG. 8 is disposed instead of input/output
assignment storing section 14 of FIG. 1, and welding-apparatus-side
input/output control section 23 of logical expression type shown in
FIG. 8 is disposed instead of welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 15 of FIG. 1.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, input/output assignment storing section
22 of logical expression type of welding apparatus 18 stores an
input/output assignment state and the logical expression of each
channel and function. Welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 23 of logical expression type performs an operation based
on the input data sent from input/output control section 13 of
input/output device 17 or the output data sent from body control
section 16 of welding apparatus 18, and the data and logical
expression stored in input/output assignment storing section 22 of
logical expression type. Welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 23 of logical expression type sends the operation
result data to body control section 16 or input/output control
section 13.
[0086] In the third exemplary embodiment, the description of a
welding output section or the like that is not directly related to
the present invention is omitted.
[0087] The operation of the welding system including input/output
device 17 and welding apparatus 18 in the above-mentioned
configurations is described.
[0088] First, using a device such as PC 19 where digital
communication is allowed and predetermined software is operable,
input and output are assigned. As shown in FIG. 2B, the
input/output functions of welding apparatus 18 are previously
stored in numerical sequence in the second memory region of
input/output assignment storing section 22 of logical expression
type shown in FIG. 9. In response to a function call from PC 19,
therefore, the contents in the second memory region of input/output
assignment storing section 22 of logical expression type are
transmitted to PC 19 via welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 23 of logical expression type and input/output
control section 13.
[0089] In response to the operation on the screen shown in FIG. 10,
PC 19 assigns an input function and output function to each
channel, and determines whether the bit data at the input/output
time is set at low active (0) or high active (1). The data after
the assignment and setting has a format of FIG. 2A, for example.
This data is transmitted from PC 19 to input/output assignment
storing section 22 of logical expression type via input/output
control section 13 and welding-apparatus-side input/output control
section 23 of logical expression type. This data is then stored in
the first memory region of input/output assignment storing section
22 of logical expression type. In the first memory region, the
function for each channel and the bit (1 or 0) at the input/output
time are stored in the same format as that in FIG. 2A.
Specifically, input function 5 is assigned to input channel 1 and
bit data "1" at the input/output time is set in it.
[0090] As shown in logical expression input field 71 in FIG. 10,
the input or output logical expression and the output destination
of the result of the logical expression operation can be specified
using an input device of PC 19. The data of them is transmitted
from PC 19 to input/output assignment storing section 22 of logical
expression type via input/output control section 13 and
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 23 of logical
expression type. This data is then stored in the format shown in
FIG. 9 in a logical expression memory of input/output assignment
storing section 22 of logical expression type. The operand
(variable) and operator are stored in an appropriate form by an
operation by the reverse Polish notation, for example.
[0091] In the assignment of FIG. 2A, when a signal is input to
input channel 1 and input channel 4, the signal is sent to
input/output control section 13 via general-purpose input circuit
section 11. Input/output control section 13 converts the signal
into the data format of FIG. 2C. The obtained data is sent to
welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 23 of logical
expression type by digital communication.
[0092] In the format of FIG. 2C, the data is represented by 0 and 1
in binary notation, and one input circuit of general-purpose input
circuit section 11 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are
eight input circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data
string. In the data string, the left end is set as the
highest-order bit, the right end is set as the lowest-order bit,
and input channels 1, 2, 3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the
lowest order.
[0093] The case where body control section 16 outputs input
function 1 and input function 2 is described. Body control section
16 sends the fact that input function 1 and input function 2 are
operating to welding-apparatus-side input/output control section 23
of logical expression type. Welding-apparatus-side input/output
control section 23 of logical expression type executes the logical
expression memories sequentially from logical expression memory 1,
creates data ("00001100") having a format similar to that of FIG.
2D in response to the contents of the operation result memory, and
sends the data to input/output control section 13. Input/output
control section 13 performs an output to the specified channel of
general-purpose output circuit section 12 based on the sent
data.
[0094] The data in FIG. 2D is represented by 0 and 1 in binary
notation, one output circuit of general-purpose output circuit
section 12 corresponds to one-bit data. When there are eight output
circuits, data is represented as an eight-bit data string. In the
data string, the left end is set as the highest-order bit, the
right end is set as the lowest-order bit, and output channels 1, 2,
3, . . . , 8 are set sequentially from the lowest order.
[0095] Specifically, the data is expressed by logical expression:
(input channel 1+input channel 3).times.(output function 1+output
function 2), and an output is performed in the combination like the
logical table of FIG. 9.
[0096] As discussed above, the welding system of the third
exemplary embodiment allows input and output of information to the
outside to be set without restraint, and allows a logical
expression to be added. Therefore, this system does not require
that a new device for external input/output is introduced whenever
a production line is newly constructed or modified, can establish
complex input/output requirements in a production line, and can
perform the logical operation of a plurality of signals input from
the outside.
[0097] In the first exemplary embodiment through third exemplary
embodiment, input/output device 17 may be attached to a surface of
welding apparatus 18. Alternatively, input/output device 17 may be
disposed at a position separate from welding apparatus 18.
Alternatively, input/output device 17 may be disposed inside
welding apparatus 18. Thus, the electric equipment system such as a
welding system can be downsized, and hence the degree of freedom of
the installation place can be increased.
[0098] Since input/output device 17 can be disposed at a position
separate from welding apparatus 18, the degree of freedom of the
installation place of the electric equipment system can be
increased.
[0099] When input/output device 17 is disposed inside welding
apparatus 18, the casing of input/output device 17 is not formed,
the essential configuration of input/output device 17 is disposed
on a substrate or the like, and the substrate is disposed inside
welding apparatus 18.
[0100] The electric equipment system of the present invention does
not require that a new device for external input/output is
introduced whenever a production line is newly constructed or
modified, and can establish complex input/output requirements in a
production line.
* * * * *