JP2008181194A - Electronic circuit board, electrical product and production system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic circuit board, an electrical product, and a production system capable of shortening the time required for production are provided.
For example, an electronic circuit board 1 mounted on an outdoor unit includes a CPU 4 and an electronic tag 3. The CPU 4 controls the operation of the outdoor unit based on the control constant recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 included in the electronic tag. When the electronic circuit board 1 is produced, the control constant is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 included in the electronic tag 3 by wireless communication using a reader / writer. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the work of connecting the external device for recording the control constant to the input connector 7a and the output connector 7b, and the time required for production can be shortened.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic circuit board, an electric product, and a production system, and more particularly to a technique for shortening the time required for production.

  For example, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a mechanism such as a fan for realizing cooling and heating operations, and a control board (printed circuit board) that controls the mechanism. Control constants such as the number of rotations of the fan are recorded in the nonvolatile memory provided on the control board, and the CPU provided on the control board also reads the control constants recorded in the nonvolatile memory to The mechanism is controlled.

  Such information such as control constants is input to the control board when the outdoor unit or the control board is produced. Specifically, the worker inputs a control constant by connecting a dedicated cable to the control board.

  A technique related to the present invention is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2006-242736 A

  However, since a worker connects and inputs a dedicated cable to the control board, there is a problem that the time required for production is long.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic circuit board, an electrical product, and a production system that can shorten the time required for production.

  A first aspect of an electronic circuit board according to the present invention comprises a control circuit (4) for controlling the operation of an electrical product (11), and an electronic tag (3) electrically connected to the control circuit, The electronic tag includes an antenna (31) that wirelessly receives a control constant based on when the control circuit controls the operation of the electrical product, and a first nonvolatile recording medium (33) that records the control constant. ).

A second aspect of the electronic circuit board according to the present invention is the electronic circuit board according to the first aspect, and a second nonvolatile recording medium (5) on which a program instructing a control procedure of the electric product is recorded.
The control circuit reads the program and controls the operation of the electrical product.

  A third aspect of the electronic circuit board according to the present invention is the electronic circuit board according to the first aspect, wherein the control constant recorded in the first nonvolatile recording medium is recorded by the control circuit. 2 further comprises a non-volatile recording medium (5).

  A fourth aspect of the electronic circuit board according to the present invention is the electronic circuit board according to the third aspect, wherein the electronic tag is detachably provided on the electronic circuit board.

  A fifth aspect of the electronic circuit board according to the present invention is the electronic circuit board according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control constant is information different for each model of the electrical product. .

  A first aspect of the electrical product according to the present invention includes the electronic circuit board according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the operation is controlled by the control circuit.

  According to a first aspect of the production system of the present invention, there is provided a control circuit (4) for controlling the operation of the electric product (11) on the electronic circuit board (1), and an electronic tag (3) capable of communicating with the control circuit. Control constant based on when the control circuit controls the operation of the electrical product on the first nonvolatile recording medium (33) of the electronic tag by performing wireless transmission from the outside to the electronic tag Record.

  A second aspect of the production system according to the present invention is the production system according to the first aspect, wherein the second nonvolatile recording medium (5) in which a program instructing a control procedure of the electric product is recorded Provided on the electronic circuit board.

  A third aspect of the production system according to the present invention is the production system according to the first aspect, wherein a second nonvolatile recording medium (5) connected to the control circuit is provided on the electronic circuit board. The control circuit records the control constant recorded on the first nonvolatile recording medium on the second nonvolatile recording medium.

  A fourth aspect of the production system according to the present invention is the production system according to the third aspect, wherein the electronic tag is detachably provided on the electronic circuit board, and the second nonvolatile recording medium includes the electronic tag. After the control constant is recorded, the electronic tag is removed.

  A fifth aspect of the production system according to the present invention is the production system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control constant is information different for each model of the electrical product.

  According to the first aspect of the electronic circuit board and the first aspect of the production system according to the present invention, when producing the electronic circuit board, an external device for writing the control constant to the electronic circuit board and the electronic circuit board Cable connection can be eliminated and the time required for production can be shortened.

  According to the second aspect of the electronic circuit board and the second aspect of the production system according to the present invention, the capacity of the first nonvolatile recording medium can be made smaller than that of the second nonvolatile recording medium.

  The first nonvolatile recording medium included in the electronic tag may not necessarily satisfy the conditions required during the operation of the electrical product from the viewpoint of reliability, access speed, and the like. According to the third aspect of the electronic circuit board and the third aspect of the production system according to the present invention, the control circuit can control the operation of the electrical product based on the control constant recorded in the second nonvolatile recording medium. Therefore, problems such as reliability and access speed of the first nonvolatile recording medium can be solved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the electronic circuit board and the fourth aspect of the production system of the present invention, when the electronic circuit board is produced, after the control constant is recorded on the second nonvolatile recording medium, the electronic tag is It can be removed and attached to another electronic circuit board. Therefore, an electronic circuit board can be produced by sharing the electronic tag with a plurality of electronic circuit boards. Therefore, production cost can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the electronic circuit board and the fifth aspect of the production system according to the present invention, when producing the electronic circuit board, the external device and the electronic circuit for writing different information for each model on the electronic circuit board Cable connection with the board can be eliminated, and the time required for production can be shortened.

  According to the first aspect of the electrical product of the present invention, an electrical product manufactured with high productivity can be provided.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shows the same or an equivalent part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an electronic circuit board according to the present embodiment. The electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on, for example, an outdoor unit (not shown) of an air conditioner, and controls operations of a fan, a compressor, and the like of the outdoor unit. The electronic circuit board does not necessarily have to be mounted on the outdoor unit, and can be applied to any electrical product including a mechanical or electrical device controlled by the electronic circuit board 1. In the following description, the electronic circuit board 1 will be described as being mounted on an outdoor unit.

  The electronic circuit board 1 includes a board 2, an electronic tag 3, a CPU 4, a nonvolatile memory 5, a power connector 6, an input connector 7a, and an output connector 7b. The electronic circuit board 1 is mounted with other electronic components such as an IC, but is not shown because it differs from the essence of the present invention.

  The substrate 2 is, for example, a copper-clad laminate, and a wiring pattern for appropriately connecting electronic components to be mounted is formed on the copper-clad laminate. The substrate 2 is not limited to a copper-clad laminate, and may be an insulating substrate and may be a flexible substrate.

  The electronic tag 3 is a passive type RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, for example, and is mounted on the substrate 2. The electronic tag 3 includes an antenna 31 and an IC chip 32.

  The antenna 31 can wirelessly communicate with an external reader / writer (not shown). As described later, when the electronic circuit board 1 is produced, a control constant based on when the CPU 4 controls the operation of the outdoor unit can be wirelessly received from an external reader / writer.

  The IC chip 32 rectifies a signal (including a control constant) received by the antenna 31 to generate a power source, and uses the power source as a power source to store the control constant received by the antenna 31 in a nonvolatile memory 33 included in the IC chip 32. Can be recorded. An example of the control constant is the rotational speed of the fan. As will be described later, the CPU 4 controls the fan of the outdoor unit based on the number of fan rotations recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33.

  The nonvolatile memory 5 is mounted on the substrate 2 and is provided so as to be able to send and receive signals to and from the CPU 4 via a part of the wiring pattern (signal line) on the substrate 2. The non-volatile memory 5 stores a program for instructing a control procedure for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit. Specifically, this program describes a control procedure for controlling the outdoor unit based on the control constant recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33.

  The CPU 4 is mounted on the substrate 2 and is electrically connected to the electronic tag 3 and the non-volatile memory 5 via a part of the wiring pattern (signal line) on the substrate 2. Then, the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 5 is read, and the operation of the outdoor unit (such as a fan) is controlled based on the control constant recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33.

  The power connector 6 is a connector that is mounted on the substrate 2 and can be connected to an external power source (not shown). The power connector 6 supplies external power to at least the CPU 4.

  The input connector 7a and the output connector 7b are each mounted on the substrate 2, and are connected so as to be communicable with an external device (not shown). The input connector 7a can output a signal input from an external device to the CPU 4, and the output connector 7b can output a signal from the CPU 4 to the external device.

  When the electronic circuit board 1 having such a configuration is produced, the control constant can be recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 using a reader / writer provided in the production line. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a production system of the electronic circuit board 1. The belt conveyor 10 carries the electronic circuit board 1, and all electronic components (electronic tag 3, CPU 4, nonvolatile memory 5, power connector 6, input connector 7 a, output connector 7 b) are mounted on the board 2 through a plurality of mounting processes. To be implemented.

  For example, in a process after all electronic components are mounted on the electronic circuit board 1, the reader / writer 8 a is provided adjacent to the belt conveyor 10. The reader / writer 8 a is controlled by the personal computer 9 a and can perform wireless communication with the electronic tag 3 to record the control constant in the nonvolatile memory 33.

  Specifically, the reader / writer 8a starts wireless communication with the electronic tag 3 by radio waves, electromagnetic waves, microwaves, and the like when the electronic tag 3 mounted on the electronic circuit board 1 comes close to a distance where wireless communication is possible. Then, the reader / writer 8a wirelessly transmits a control constant (for example, the rotational speed of the fan) to the electronic tag 3. The IC chip 32 that has received the control constant via the antenna 31 records the control constant in its own nonvolatile memory 33. For example, the control constant may be a value common to all the electronic circuit boards 1 regardless of the type of the outdoor unit to be mounted, or may be an individual value.

  As described above, since the control constant can be recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 using the reader / writer 8a, an external device and an external power source for inputting the control constant are connected to the input connector 7a, the output connector 7b, It is not necessary to connect the power connector 6 with a cable, and the time required for production can be shortened.

  Note that the timing of performing wireless transmission from the reader / writer 8a to the electronic tag 3 and recording the control constant in the nonvolatile memory 33 is not limited to the process after all electronic components are mounted on the electronic circuit board 1. Any process can be performed as long as it is after the process of mounting the electronic tag 3. Therefore, the design freedom of the production line can be improved.

  Further, since the control constant has a smaller amount of data than program data, the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 33 can be made smaller than that of the nonvolatile memory 5. As a result, the inexpensive electronic tag 3 can be used.

  In addition, it is considered that the nonvolatile memory 33 included in the electronic tag 3 may not satisfy the conditions required during the operation of the outdoor unit in terms of reliability, access speed, and the like. Even in such a case, it is possible to record the control constant in the nonvolatile memory 33 using the electronic tag 3 and satisfy the conditions required during the operation of the outdoor unit. This will be specifically described below.

  Usually, after all electronic components are mounted on the electronic circuit board 1, an inspection process is performed next. The inspection process is generally performed by connecting an external inspection device for inspection, the input connector 7a, and the output connector 7b with a cable, and connecting an external power source and the power connector 6 with a cable. More specifically, the CPU 4 receives input data for inspection from the external inspection device via the input connector 7a, and performs a predetermined operation on the input data, and outputs the result of the external inspection device via the output connector 7b. Output to. Then, the external inspection apparatus determines whether the received result matches a preset value, and inspects the electronic circuit board 1. For example, a process of writing a program to the nonvolatile memory 5 is performed in the inspection process.

  In this inspection process, the CPU 4 that is turned on acquires a control constant from the nonvolatile memory 33 and records it in the nonvolatile memory 5 separately from a predetermined operation in the inspection. After the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on the outdoor unit, the CPU 4 controls the operation of the outdoor unit fan and the like based on the control constant recorded in the nonvolatile memory 5.

  As described above, since the CPU 4 does not refer to the nonvolatile memory 33 after the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on the outdoor unit, problems such as insufficient reliability and access speed of the nonvolatile memory 33 can be solved. it can. That is, problems such as reliability and access speed of the nonvolatile memory can be solved while using the electronic tag. As a result, an inexpensive electronic tag 3 can be used.

  The medium on which the control constant is recorded by the CPU 4 does not have to be the nonvolatile memory 5 in which the program is recorded, and another recording medium may be mounted on the substrate 2 and recorded on the recording medium. . The operation in which the CPU 4 records the control constant in the non-volatile memory 5 is not necessarily executed in the inspection process, but the CPU 4 needs to be powered on, and thus the process of connecting the external power supply to the electronic circuit board 1. It is desirable to be executed in combination.

  Further, as long as the control constant is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 5, it is possible to cope with a case where the operating voltage of the nonvolatile memory 33 and the operating voltage of the CPU 4 are different. Since the electronic tag 3 is a passive type, the operation power supply is small, and the nonvolatile memory 33 may be a type of memory that writes information at a low voltage (for example, 1.5 V).

  In this case, the operating voltage of the nonvolatile memory 33 is lower than the operating voltage (for example, 5 V) of the CPU 4. Therefore, each time the control constant recorded in the non-volatile memory 33 is referred to, the CPU 4 needs to correct the difference in operating voltage, or accesses beyond the optimum operating voltage range. Is big.

  On the other hand, since the non-volatile memory 5 is normally selected (or formed on the substrate 2) according to the operating voltage of the CPU 4, if the control constant is recorded in the non-volatile memory 5, the CPU 4 The control constant can be read from the nonvolatile memory 5 without considering the difference in operating voltage.

  Further, after the control constant is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 5, the electronic tag 3 is not necessary. Therefore, the electronic tag 3 may be detachably mounted on the substrate 2. That is, after the CPU 4 records the control constant in the nonvolatile memory 5, the electronic tag 3 is removed from the electronic circuit board 1, and the electronic tag 3 is mounted on another electronic circuit board 1, whereby the electronic tag 3 is attached to a plurality of electronic tags. The circuit board 1 can be shared. Therefore, production cost can be reduced.

  In addition, without removing the electronic tag 3, the management information (for example, a manufacturing number, a model number, etc.) regarding the production management of the electronic circuit board 1 may be recorded on the electronic tag 3, and the electronic tag 3 may be used for production management.

  Then, the case where the electronic circuit board 1 produced as mentioned above is mounted in an outdoor unit and an outdoor unit is produced is demonstrated. It is assumed that the electronic tag 3 is not removed from the electronic circuit board 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a production system when the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on an outdoor unit. There are a plurality of types of outdoor units 11 on which the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted, and information such as cooling (heating) capability differs for each model.

  On the other hand, the same configuration is used for the electronic circuit board 1 across a plurality of types of outdoor units. Therefore, it is necessary for the electronic circuit board 1 (CPU 4) to control the operation of the outdoor unit 11 (for example, a compressor) based on information (for example, rated cooling (heating) capability) that differs for each model. For example, when the outdoor unit 11 is in operation, it is necessary to limit the rotation speed of the compressor according to the rated cooling capacity. Information that differs depending on the type of the outdoor unit 11 can be recorded in the electronic tag 3 (nonvolatile memory 33) in a predetermined process of the production line.

  Specifically, for example, in a process after the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on the outdoor unit 11, the reader / writer 8 b is provided adjacent to the belt conveyor 10. The reader / writer 8b is controlled by the personal computer 9b. Then, different information for each model is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 by using the reader / writer 8b by the same operation as described in the production system of the electronic circuit board 1. Therefore, the time required for production can be shortened, and by extension, an outdoor unit manufactured with high productivity can be provided.

  Further, after the electronic circuit board 1 is mounted on the outdoor unit 11, different information can be recorded for each model in an arbitrary process. Therefore, the design freedom of the production line can be improved.

  In the inspection process of the outdoor unit 11, the electronic circuit board 1 is turned on via the power connector 6. At this time, the CPU 4 may read out different information for each model recorded in the nonvolatile memory 33 and record it in the nonvolatile memory 5. Note that not only the nonvolatile memory 5 but another recording medium may be mounted on the substrate 2 and recorded. Moreover, it does not necessarily need to be performed at an inspection process, and should just be performed at the arbitrary processes after mounting the electronic circuit board 1 in the outdoor unit 11.

  In this case, problems caused by the non-volatile memory 33 of the electronic tag 3 in terms of reliability, access speed, and the like and the operating voltage of the electronic tag 3 and the CPU 4 are different.

  In addition, management information (for example, a manufacturing number, a model number, etc.) regarding the production management of the outdoor unit 11 may be recorded on the electronic tag 3 and the electronic tag 3 may be used for production management.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an electronic circuit board. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the production system which produces an electronic circuit board. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the production system which produces an outdoor unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic Circuit Board 3 Electronic Tag 4 CPU
5,33 Non-volatile memory 11 Outdoor unit

Claims (11)

A control circuit (4) for controlling the operation of the electrical product (11);
An electronic tag (3) electrically connected to the control circuit;
The electronic tag is
An antenna (31) for wirelessly receiving a control constant based on when the control circuit controls the operation of the electrical product;
An electronic circuit board (1) having a first nonvolatile recording medium (33) for recording the control constant. Second non-volatile recording medium (5) on which a program for instructing a control procedure of the electric product is recorded
Further comprising
The electronic circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit reads the program and controls an operation of the electrical product. A second non-volatile recording medium (5) in which the control constant recorded in the first non-volatile recording medium is recorded by the control circuit.
The electronic circuit board according to claim 1, further comprising:   The electronic circuit board according to claim 3, wherein the electronic tag is detachably provided on the electronic circuit board.   5. The electronic circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the control constant is different information for each model of the electrical product. An electronic circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An electrical product (11) whose operation is controlled by the control circuit. On the electronic circuit board (1), a control circuit (4) for controlling the operation of the electrical product (11) and an electronic tag (3) capable of communicating with the control circuit are provided.
Production by performing wireless transmission from the outside to the electronic tag and recording a control constant based on when the control circuit controls the operation of the electrical product on the first nonvolatile recording medium (33) of the electronic tag system.   The production system according to claim 7, wherein a second nonvolatile recording medium (5) on which a program for instructing a control procedure of the electrical product is recorded is provided on the electronic circuit board.   A second nonvolatile recording medium (5) connected to the control circuit is provided on the electronic circuit board, and the control circuit converts the control constant recorded on the first nonvolatile recording medium to the second nonvolatile recording medium. The production system according to claim 7, wherein recording is performed on a recording medium.   The production system according to claim 9, wherein the electronic tag is detachably provided on the electronic circuit board, and the electronic tag is removed after the control constant is recorded on the second nonvolatile recording medium.   The production system according to claim 7, wherein the control constant is information that is different for each model of the electrical product.

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