Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a slave station that may not deteriorate even when a switch is placed in a vertical direction and that may replace only the worn switch with new one in low costs thereby having user-friendliness. The slave station according to the present invention comprises the switch. The switch comprising a flexible cylindrical member bendable in any directions and the flexible cylindrical member being detachably attached to a housing composed of a body, a rigid rod member attached to a free end of the flexible cylindrical member, a flexible rod member extending from a base end of the rigid rod member toward the base end of the flexible cylindrical member through the inside of the flexible cylindrical member, and a guiding member comprising a insertion opening for inserting and holding the flexible rod member, the guiding member allowing movement in a direction to the shaft line of the flexible cylindrical member.

Abstract: A management data region including a plurality of pulse-like signals is included in a series of pulse-like signals output from the master station to the common data signal line, and different from a control/monitoring data region including data of a control data signal and data of a monitoring data signal. Further, when data corresponding to a signal level of an input part is larger than a lower limit threshold value and smaller than an upper limit threshold value, an abnormal state is determined to have occurred, a low sensitivity state of a signal of an input part is detected based on the determination result of the abnormal state, and a signal configuring data indicating the low sensitivity state is superimposed on the management data region.

Abstract: A management data area including a plurality of pulsed signals is provided in a series of pulsed signals outputted from the main station to the common data signal line, the area being different from a control/monitoring data area including data of a control data signal and data of a monitoring data signal. The substation sets random number data generated by its own station as an original number, generates pieces of comparison/collation data having a plurality of bits based on the original number, and superimposes a signal including the pieces of comparison/collation data on the management data area. The main station determines existence of address overlap of the substations based on a result of comparing the pieces of comparison/collation data complying with a predetermined rule.

Abstract: A transmission signal transmitted via a common data signal line, includes a management data region different from a control/monitoring data region including data of control data and monitoring data signals. The slave station acquires input information from an input part corresponding to its own station, acquires control data for reference by an output part of another station in a correspondence relation with the input part from the transmission signal, and obtains a pseudo output change timing equal to a true output change timing of the output part based on the control data. A signal configuring data indicating a first failure state when a time difference between the pseudo output change timing and an input change timing of the input part is smaller than a first threshold value or a second failure state when the time difference is larger than a second threshold value is superimposed on the management data region.

Abstract: A control/monitor signal transmission system that employs a transmission synchronization scheme in which a master station connected to a single control unit and a plurality of slave stations corresponding to a plurality of controlled apparatuses synchronize with each other through a transmission clock and data is transmitted therebetween over a common data signal line, a transmission line disconnection detection method that enables a disconnection of a transmission line to be detected precisely; and a slave station that is used for this method. A continuous pulse signal that the master station outputs to the common data signal line is provided with a management data region that includes a plurality of pulse signals and that differs from a control/monitor data region including data of a control data signal and data of a monitor data signal.

Abstract: A transmission signal transmitted via a common data signal line, includes a management data region different from a control/monitoring data region including data of control data and monitoring data signals. The slave station acquires input information from an input part corresponding to its own station, acquires control data for reference by an output part of another station in a correspondence relation with the input part from the transmission signal, and obtains a pseudo output change timing equal to a true output change timing of the output part based on the control data. A signal configuring data indicating a first failure state when a time difference between the pseudo output change timing and an input change timing of the input part is smaller than a first threshold value or a second failure state when the time difference is larger than a second threshold value is superimposed on the management data region.

Abstract: A control/monitor signal transmission system that employs a transmission synchronization scheme in which a master station connected to a single control unit and a plurality of slave stations corresponding to a plurality of controlled apparatuses synchronize with each other through a transmission clock and data is transmitted therebetween over a common data signal line, a transmission line disconnection detection method that enables a disconnection of a transmission line to be detected precisely; and a slave station that is used for this method. A continuous pulse signal that the master station outputs to the common data signal line is provided with a management data region that includes a plurality of pulse signals and that differs from a control/monitor data region including data of a control data signal and data of a monitor data signal.

Abstract: A management data region including a plurality of pulse-like signals is included in a series of pulse-like signals output from the master station to the common data signal line, and different from a control/monitoring data region including data of a control data signal and data of a monitoring data signal. Further, when data corresponding to a signal level of an input part is larger than a lower limit threshold value and smaller than an upper limit threshold value, an abnormal state is determined to have been occurred, a low sensitivity state of a signal of an input part is detected based on the determination result of the abnormal state, and a signal configuring data indicating the low sensitivity state is superimposed on the management data region.

Abstract: A contactless switch structure is provided that may turn on and off an electrical signal in a contactless manner, allow a worn operating portion in the structure to be easily replaced, and prevent decrease of the sensitivity caused by foreign material such as dust. A contactless switch structure according to the invention includes a replaceable member to be detachably set to a target portion to which the contactless switch structure is to be set, the replaceable member having an aperture at an end section thereof and a virtual boundary defined by the aperture at the end section; and a detection element and a detector closely opposed across the virtual boundary in the normal state, the detection element and the detector being placed on the replaceable member side and the target portion side of the virtual boundary, respectively.

Abstract: A management data area including a plurality of pulsed signals is provided in a series of pulsed signals outputted from the main station to the common data signal line, the area being different from a control/monitoring data area including data of a control data signal and data of a monitoring data signal. The substation sets random number data generated by its own station as an original number, generates pieces of comparison/collation data having a plurality of bits based on the original number, and superimposes a signal including the pieces of comparison/collation data on the management data area. The main station determines existence of address overlap of the substations based on a result of comparing the pieces of comparison/collation data complying with a predetermined rule.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a slave station that may not deteriorate even when a switch is placed in a vertical direction and that may replace only the worn switch with new one in low costs thereby having user-friendliness. The slave station according to the present invention comprises the switch. The switch comprising a flexible cylindrical member bendable in any directions and the flexible cylindrical member being detachably attached to a housing composed of a body, a rigid rod member attached to a free end of the flexible cylindrical member, a flexible rod member extending from a base end of the rigid rod member toward the base end of the flexible cylindrical member through the inside of the flexible cylindrical member, and a guiding member comprising a insertion opening for inserting and holding the flexible rod member, the guiding member allowing movement in a direction to the shaft line of the flexible cylindrical member.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photoelectric sensor and a photoelectric sensor system capable of accurately detecting an object without being affected by disturbance even though the object is very thin. A photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment of the invention includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The photoelectric sensor detects whether there is an object between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit based on a variation in the intensity of a light signal received by the light receiving unit. The light receiving unit receives a light signal that is emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit without intersecting the object and a light signal that is emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit through the object, and is operated in synchronization with a light emission timing signal of the light emitting unit.

Abstract: A contactless switch structure is provided that may turn on and off an electrical signal in a contactless manner, allow a worn operating portion in the structure to be easily replaced, and prevent decrease of the sensitivity caused by foreign material such as dust. A contactless switch structure according to the invention includes a replaceable member to be detachably set to a target portion to which the contactless switch structure is to be set, the replaceable member having an aperture at an end section thereof and a virtual boundary defined by the aperture at the end section; and a detection element and a detector closely opposed across the virtual boundary in the normal state, the detection element and the detector being placed on the replaceable member side and the target portion side of the virtual boundary, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyance control system in which fast and smooth control is realized without causing a control delay by a processing delay of a control apparatus such as a PLC, and wiring between a control object and a central control unit is omitted. A conveyance control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of data processing slave stations connected through a common transmission line. The data processing slave station obtains information about a predetermined station from monitor/control data about a plurality of stations of the data processing slave station transmitted to the common transmission line, determines and adjusts control/monitoring of an own station and outputs information about an own station to the common transmission line. The information about an own station output to the common transmission line from the data processing slave station is obtained by a different station as part of the monitor/control data to become a control/monitor factor of the different station.

Abstract: A photoelectronic sensor collectively adjusts the light emission intensity of plural light emitting elements and the light reception sensitivity of plural light receiving elements automatically or manually. In order to collectively adjust the light emission intensity of plural light emitting elements and the light reception sensitivity of single light receiving elements automatically, a photoelectronic sensor is configured such that constant current light emission signals are applied to the light emitting elements. Additionally, a light amount of the environment is measured by the light receiving elements and stored, and a reflection light amount from a body to be measured is stored. Furthermore, signal intensities indicating the respective light amounts are calculated, and optimal thresholds of light emission intensity and light reception sensitivity are provided automatically or manually, so that setting of sensor sensitivity is performed.

Abstract: A master station has a master-station transmission circuit that extracts a serial monitor signal so as to convert a control data signal into monitor data by changing a duty ratio of negative and positive voltage-level periods, converting the control signal into a serial pulsing voltage signal, transmitting a monitor data signal that is superimposed on the serial pulsing voltage signal, and detecting the presence or absence of a signal of a current that flows during the negative and positive voltage-level periods. A plurality of slave stations respectively have a slave-station transmission circuit that identifies a duty ratio of the positive and negative voltage-level periods relative to each serial pulsing voltage signal, that extracts a control data signal so as to output the data to a controllable unit of the slave station.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photoelectric sensor and a photoelectric sensor system capable of accurately detecting an object without being affected by disturbance even though the object is very thin. A photoelectric sensor according to an embodiment of the invention includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The photoelectric sensor detects whether there is an object between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit based on a variation in the intensity of a light signal received by the light receiving unit. The light receiving unit receives a light signal that is emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit without intersecting the object and a light signal that is emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit through the object, and is operated in synchronization with a light emission timing signal of the light emitting unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectronic sensor which collectively adjusts light emission intensity of plural light emitting elements and light reception sensitivity of plural light receiving elements automatically or manually. In order to collectively adjust light emission intensity of plural light emitting elements and light reception sensitivity of single light receiving elements automatically, a photoelectronic sensor of the present invention is configured such that constant current light emission signal are applied to the light emitting elements, a light amount of environment is measured by the light receiving elements and stored, a reflection light amount from a body to be measured is stored, signal intensities indicating the respective light amounts are calculated, optimal thresholds of light emission intensity and light reception sensitivity are provided automatically or manually, so that setting of sensor sensitivity is performed.

Abstract: An ON/OFF switch of a non-contact type provided with a lever switch excellent in operability, which can be inclined in any direction in a whole circumferential direction is provided. One end of a cylindrical member having flexibility and being stretchable so as to be freely restored to a normal state is fixed to a base member, and a rod member having flexibility is inserted into the cylindrical member and is supported by a guide maintaining a state of an axial line of the rod member to the cylindrical member regardless of the state of the cylindrical member. Further, one end of the rod member is fixed to an end portion of the cylindrical member which is not fixed to the base member while the other end thereof is protruded from the cylindrical member, and a surrounding portion surrounding the end portion of the rod member which is protruded from the cylindrical member in a non-contact manner is provided in the base member.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyance control system in which fast and smooth control is realized without causing a control delay by a processing delay of a control apparatus such as a PLC, and wiring between a control object and a central control unit is omitted. A conveyance control system according to the present invention includes a plurality of data processing slave stations connected through a common transmission line. The data processing slave station obtains information about a predetermined station from monitor/control data about a plurality of stations of the data processing slave station transmitted to the common transmission line, determines and adjusts control/monitoring of an own station and outputs information about an own station to the common transmission line. The information about an own station output to the common transmission line from the data processing slave station is obtained by a different station as part of the monitor/control data to become a control/monitor factor of the different station.