JPH11270231A - Motor-operated partioning equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize reliable traveling only for a particular panel by external remote control. SOLUTION: When a light signal is transmitted from an external remote control 23 for traveling a particular panel 3, this light signal cannot be received by other panels 3 as long as receiving windows 24 for other panels located near the particular panel are closed by shield plates 26 so that malfunction of other panels 3 can be definitely prevented. Also, each panel 3 can be definitely controlled for traveling by receivers 20 common to each panel and the external remote control 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric partitioning device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electric partitioning device which can partition a predetermined portion of a room by a panel by automatically moving a panel by a traveling device provided in a guide rail so as to be able to travel, for example, May be individually operated by an external remote controller.

[0003]

However, when a travel control signal to each panel is transmitted from an external remote controller as an optical signal such as infrared light, the signal is transmitted from the external remote controller to a predetermined panel. In some cases, not only a predetermined panel but also other adjacent panels may be received. In such a case, there is a problem that the other panel unexpectedly malfunctions and is dangerous.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric partitioning device capable of reliably operating only a specific panel by an external remote controller.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an electric partitioning device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of panels suspended by a traveling device which runs along a guide rail fixed to a ceiling. In the electric partitioning device, in each of the panels, a control device for controlling the traveling of its own traveling device, and an external remote controller connected to this control device for externally performing the traveling operation of the traveling device of each panel. And a receiving window for transmitting an optical signal transmitted from the external remote controller into the panel at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the panel, and the receiving window is provided with the external remote controller. It is characterized in that it can be opened and closed by a shielding plate capable of blocking an optical signal transmitted from the device. According to this feature, when an optical signal is transmitted from the external remote controller to operate the specific panel, the receiving window of another panel near the specific panel can be closed by a shielding plate. Since the other panel does not receive the optical signal, malfunction of the other panel can be reliably prevented. In addition, it is possible to reliably and individually control the running of each panel with a receiver common to each panel and an external remote controller.

[0006] The electric partitioning device according to the present invention comprises the receiving window,
Preferably, a shielding plate is provided on both side surfaces of the panel, and the two shielding plates are opened and closed in conjunction with each other via a connection mechanism. With this configuration, the external remote controller can be operated from both sides of the panel, so that the operability is improved, and the shield plates on both sides can be opened and closed from one side of the panel.

[0007] In the electric partitioning device of the present invention, it is preferable that the receiving window is provided with a polarizing filter that transmits only an optical signal in a predetermined frequency band. In this way, not only the unspecified optical signal, radio wave, and the like are blocked, but also the intrusion of dust and the like into the panel is prevented.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an entire system of an electric partitioning device as an embodiment of the present invention. Rails fixed to the ceiling, 2 denotes a traveling device that travels in the rails, and 3 denotes a panel suspended by the traveling device 2. In these panels 3, the traveling device 2
And a control unit 5 including a microcomputer (not shown) as a control device.

On the front and rear end surfaces of each panel 3, a projection 21 and a recess 22 are formed.
Alternatively, by fitting into the concave portion 22 at the rear end of the preceding panel 3, it is closely supported by the preceding panel 3 at the partition position.

Various devices in the drive unit 4 and the control unit 5 are connected via a communication unit 6 to a power supply / signal bar 7 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the rail 1. Power and signals can be transmitted and received.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a host computer as an external control device for integrally controlling each of the panels 3, which is connected to the power supply / signal bar 7 via a communication unit 8,
Furthermore, a turning rail drive unit 1 of a turning rail 10 for turning the direction of the traveling device 2 provided at a predetermined position in the rail 1
Connected to 1. Note that the rotation control of the rotation rail 10 according to the present embodiment is performed by the host computer 9.

The running device 2 for the panel 3 and the turning device for the rotating rail 10 are described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 6-335661 and Hei 7-1000473 filed by the present applicant. Stuff is used,
The description here is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the traveling device 2 includes a light receiving device 12 as a sensor for detecting a panel position, a light emitting / receiving device 13 as a sensor for detecting a state of the rotating rail 10,
And the micro switch 14 as an obstacle detection sensor
Are provided respectively.

The light receiver 12 is provided as a sensor for detecting that the panel 3 has reached the storage, partition, branch (rotation rail 10) position, etc., and is provided at a predetermined location on the rail 1. By receiving light from a light emitter (not particularly shown), it is possible to confirm that the light reaches a predetermined position. Here, a photoelectric sensor is used, but a magnetic or contact-type sensor can be used instead. still,
The light receivers 12 are provided on both sides of the traveling device 2 at a substantially central position on the upper side thereof.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an emitter / receiver as a sensor for detecting whether or not the rotating rail 10 is in a state where the traveling rail 2 can enter when the traveling device 2 reaches the front of the rotating rail 10. Recognition can be made by detecting only an appropriate indicator (not particularly shown) provided on the side surface of the moving rail 10. The light emitting / receiving device 13 is provided at the front and rear positions of the front and rear traveling devices 2 and 2, respectively.

The microswitch 14 is provided as a sensor for knowing that the traveling device 2 has approached an obstacle such as the side surface of the rotating rail 10, and may be replaced with a photoelectric or magnetic sensor. Is possible.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a light projector as an obstacle detecting sensor for detecting that the panel 3 has approached another panel 3, a wall, a person, or the like when the panel 3 moves.
It is provided on both left and right end surfaces of the panel 3. Reference numeral 17 denotes a microswitch as a panel partition detection sensor, which is provided for confirming that the side end surface of the panel 3 is in close contact with a wall or another side end surface of the panel 3 at the partition position. .

Reference numeral 18 denotes a drive unit such as a floppy disk, which is used to start a program for performing maintenance and inspection of a program running on a microcomputer for driving the panel 3. Reference numeral 19 denotes a connector for connecting an input device (keyboard), a display device, and the like when performing maintenance and inspection as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
Transmitter 23 of external remote controller 23 that operates panel 3
a of the signal transmitted from the receiver 20a.
Are provided so as to face the receiving window 24 provided at the lower part of the front and rear plates 3a constituting the front and rear surfaces of the panel 3, respectively. In this embodiment, the operation signal is transmitted using infrared rays.
The signal received by the receiving section 20a is transmitted to a microcomputer in the control unit 5 via a signal line 25.

As shown in FIG. 4, a shielding plate 26 for opening and closing the receiving window 24 is provided on the receiving window 24.
The receiving window 24 and a housing 27 provided on the side of the receiving window 24 are provided so as to be slidable in the left-right direction via a concave groove 28. The shielding plate 26 is a manual type, and can be opened and closed via a handle 29.

Further, a polarizing filter 30 is mounted inside the shielding plate 26 of the receiving window 24. The polarizing filter 30 cuts off communication between the inside of the panel 3 and the outside of the panel 3 to prevent intrusion of dust and the like from the outside, as well as external light other than infrared light in a specific frequency band,
Noise such as electromagnetic waves from communication devices and the like is cut off.

The above-described various sensors provided in the traveling device 2 and the panel 3 are mainly connected to a microcomputer (not shown) in the control unit 5 and are under the control of the microcomputer. .

In the electric partitioning device configured as described above, the microcomputer mounted in each panel 3 receives the input signals from the various sensors described above and the communication information from the host computer 9 to determine the situation. After making the determination, the host computer 9 via the communication units 6 and 8
The traveling unit 2 can be started and stopped traveling via the drive unit 4 when the communication is performed and the command signal is appropriately received.

Here, for example, in order to make each panel 3 self-propelled as described above, it is necessary to previously store the running pattern of the own panel 3 through a microcomputer in a storage device (not shown) in each panel 3. When the teaching operation is performed, each of the panels 3 is individually operated by the external remote controller 23 as shown in FIG.

At this time, with all the shielding plates 26 of the other panels 3 closed, only the shielding plate 26 of the receiving window 24 of the specific panel 3 '(left side in the figure) is opened for running operation. Then, the user drives the panel 3 ′ through the external remote controller 23,
The driving pattern is stored.

Here, even if the panel 3 'operated for traveling is located near the other panel 3, the receiving section 20a of the other panel 3
Since no appropriate signal sent from the external remote controller 23 is received, the other panel 3 does not malfunction due to an appropriate operation command of the external remote controller 23.

When the traveling operation of the predetermined panel 3 'is completed, the shielding plate 26 is closed, and the panel 3 to be operated next is closed.
, And the traveling operation can be performed by the same external remote controller 23.

As described above, even when the same receiver 20 is provided in each panel 3 and the traveling of these panels 3 by the same external remote controller 23 is attempted,
By simply opening and closing the shielding plate 26, the panels 3 can be identified and individually operated without giving an ID or the like to each panel 3, and a signal can be sent from the common external remote controller 23 at a position near the other panels 3. Is sent, the other panel 3
Does not malfunction.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the shielding plates 2 provided on the front and rear surfaces of the panel 3 are respectively provided.
6 is that it is interlocked via the connecting rod 31. In this way, the shield plates 26 on both sides are opened only by opening and closing the shield plate 26 from one side of the panel 3, and operation from both sides of the panel 3 becomes possible, and operability is improved.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that only one receiver 20 is provided at a substantially middle position in the vertical direction in the panel 3, and the signal transmitted from the external remote controller 23 passes through the reception window 24. The point is that the light is reflected via a reflector 32 provided on a lower portion of the panel 3 via a base 33, and is received by the receiver 20a of the receiver 20 located above.

As described above, through the receiving window 24, the panel 3
The signal that has entered inside may be received by the receiver 20a via the reflector 32 without using a signal line. Further, the receiving window 24 may be formed only on one of the front and rear plates 3a of the panel 3.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and even if there are changes and additions without departing from the gist of the present invention. Included in the invention.

For example, the method of opening and closing the shielding plate 26 may be a method such as a rotation method using a hinge or the like in addition to the sliding method, and may be variously modified.

The signal transmission from the external remote controller 23 may be performed using not only infrared light but also laser light such as visible light or ultraviolet light.

[0035]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an optical signal is transmitted from the external remote controller to operate a specific panel, the reception window of another panel near the specific panel is shielded. If the optical signal is blocked by the plate, the optical signal is not received by another panel, so that malfunction of the other panel can be reliably prevented. In addition, it is possible to reliably and individually control the running of each panel with a receiver common to each panel and an external remote controller.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, the external remote controller can be operated from both sides of the panel, so that the operability is improved and the shielding plates on both sides can be opened and closed from one side of the panel. .

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, not only a non-specific optical signal, a radio wave and the like are cut off, but also the intrusion of dust and the like into the panel is prevented.

[0039]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system of an electric partitioning device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a structure in a panel.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the panel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the panel showing the vicinity of a receiving window.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a traveling operation state of a specific panel.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a shielding plate as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a panel as a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rail (guide rail) 2 Traveling device 3 Panel 3a Front / rear plate 4 Drive unit 5 Control unit 6, 8 Communication unit 7 Power supply / signal wiring (power supply / signal bar) 9 Host computer 10 Rotation rail 11 Rotation rail Drive unit 12 Light receiver 13 Emitter / receiver 14 Micro switch 16 Emitter 17 Micro switch 18 Drive unit 19 Connector 20 Receiver 20a Receiver 21 Projection 22 Depression 23 External remote controller 23a Transmitter 24 Receiving window 25 Signal line 26 Shielding plate 27 Housing 28 concave groove 29 handle 30 polarizing filter 31 connecting rod (connecting mechanism) 32 reflector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electric partitioning device comprising a plurality of panels suspended by a traveling device which travels along a guide rail fixed to a ceiling, wherein traveling control of its own traveling device is performed in each of the panels. A control device and a receiver connected to the control device and receiving an optical signal transmitted from an external remote controller for externally performing a traveling operation of the traveling device of each panel are provided. A receiving window for transmitting an optical signal transmitted from the external remote controller into the panel is formed, and the receiving window can be opened and closed by a shielding plate capable of blocking an optical signal transmitted from the external remote controller. Electric partitioning device. 2. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving window and the shielding plate are respectively provided on both side surfaces of the panel, and the two shielding plates are opened and closed in conjunction with each other via a coupling mechanism. Electric partitioning device. 3. A polarization filter that transmits only an optical signal in a predetermined frequency band is provided in the reception window.
Or the electric partition device according to 2.