Setting apparatus for remote monitoring and controlling system

A setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and controlling system allows a decrease in the size of a portable unit. The setting apparatus includes a stationary unit fixed to an installation surface and a portable unit detachably attached to the stationary unit. A battery receiving portion for receiving a battery is protruded backwardly from the rear surface of the portable unit. By receiving the battery receiving portion of the portable unit in a reception concave portion of the stationary unit and engaging a coupling convex portion with a coupling concave portion of the battery receiving portion, the portable unit is detachably attached to the stationary unit. Since the coupling concave portion for coupling to the stationary unit is formed in the battery receiving portion of the portable unit, the portable unit has a decreased size, compared with a case when the portion coupled to the stationary unit is provided independent of the battery receiving portion.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and controlling system.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, there has been provided an address setting apparatus and a pattern setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and controlling system comprising an operation device having switches in which a specific address is set for each switch, a control device connected with loads in which a specific address is set for each load, and a transmission controller transmitting and receiving a transmission signal between the operation device and the control device through a signal line to which the operation device and the control device are branched, in manner of a time division multiple transmission, generating control data for controlling the loads based on monitoring data received from the operation device when the switches are operated, and transmitting the control data to the control device connected with the loads associated with the operated switches on the basis of predetermined relation data, wherein the address setting apparatus is to set the addresses in the operation device and the control device, and the pattern setting apparatus is to generate relation data for controlling simultaneously the number of loads by means of operation of one switch, and to set the relation data by transmitting to the transmission controller.

Here, since the addresses corresponding to the switches and the addresses corresponding to the loads could not be set through the signal line but could be set directly to the operation device or the control device, the address setting apparatus is generally portable and radio signals are used for communication between the address setting apparatus and the operation device and the control device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, since the relation data could be set directly to the transmission controller through the signal line, the pattern setting apparatus is fixed to an installation surface and is connected to the signal line (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In this way, since the address setting apparatus and the pattern setting apparatus are different from each other in configuration, it is necessary to install the address setting apparatus and the pattern setting apparatus independently. In addition, the address setting apparatus could be easily lost, if a holder or a specific space for holding the address setting apparatus is not additionally prepared.

Therefore, the inventor suggests a setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and control system including a stationary unit fixed to an installation surface and a portable unit which is detachably attached to the stationary unit and can be portable by detaching the portable unit from the stationary unit. In the state that the portable unit is attached to the stationary unit, the portable unit is connected to the signal line through the stationary unit and serves as a pattern setting apparatus. In the state that the portable unit is detached from the stationary unit, the portable unit serves as an address setting apparatus.

Here, in order to couple the portable unit to the stationary unit, a method of providing the coupling portion, which is protruded from other position of the portable unit for coupling to the stationary unit, to the portable unit can be considered. However, in this method, the size of the portable unit is increased by the size of the coupling portion.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the invention is to provide a setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and controlling system which can allow decrease in size of a portable unit.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting apparatus for a remote monitoring and controlling system comprising an operation device having switches in which a specific address is set for each switch, a control device connected with loads in which a specific address is set for each load, and a transmission controller transmitting and receiving a transmission signal between the operation device and the control device through a signal line to which the operation device and the control device are branched, in manner of a time division multiple transmission, generating control data for controlling the loads based on monitoring data received from the operation device when the switches are operated, and transmitting control data to the control device connected with the loads associated with the operated switches on the basis of predetermined relation data, the setting apparatus being connected to the signal line, generating the relation data for controlling simultaneously a number of loads by means of operation of one switch, and setting the relation data by transmitting the relation data to the transmission controller, wherein the setting apparatus comprises a stationary unit fixed to an installation surface and a portable unit which is detachably attached to the stationary unit and can be carried by detaching the portable unit from the stationary unit, wherein the stationary unit includes a base having a receiving concave portion for receiving a part of the portable unit at least in the state that the portable unit is attached to the stationary unit and a fixing portion fixed to the installation surface, and connection means for electrically connecting the portable unit to the signal line, wherein the portable unit includes operation means for inputting addresses and the relation data according to manual operation, control means for generating the addresses and the relation data on the basis of the input to the operation means, wireless transmission means for transmitting the addresses to the operation device and the control device as a radio signal under the control of the control means, connection means being electrically connected to the signal line through the connection means of the stationary unit in the state that the portable unit is attached to the stationary unit, wired transmission means for transmitting the relation data to the transmission controller through the connection means of the stationary unit, the connection means of the portable unit, and the signal line under the control of the control means, and a housing which receives a battery for supplying power to the respective portions of the portable unit and the control means and exposes the operation means at an exposing position in the state that it is fixed to the base of the stationary unit, wherein the housing includes a battery receiving portion for receiving the battery and an outer circumferential surface which has a size slightly smaller than the inner circumferential surface of the receiving concave portion formed at the base of the stationary unit to be received in the receiving concave portion in the state that the portable unit is attached to the stationary unit, and wherein a coupling portion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving concave portion, a coupling portion is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the battery receiving portion, and the housing of the portable unit is detachably attached to the base of the stationary unit by means of the coupling between the coupling portions.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to further decrease the size of the portable unit, compared with the case that the portion in which the coupling portion is disposed in the portable unit is different from the battery receiving portion.

In a second aspect of the invention, the base of the stationary unit according to the first aspect may include a base body being provided with the fixing portion and being fixed to the installation surface and a base cover having a receiving concave portion formed therein, and the base body and the base cover may be detachably coupled to each other by the use of coupling means provided in at least one of the base cover and the base body.

According to the configuration described above, since the base body can be used as a part for fixing the operation device having a size greater than that of the portable unit to the installation surface, it is possible to reduce the whole manufacturing cost for the remote monitoring and controlling system.

In a third aspect of the invention, the base of the stationary unit according to the first aspect may include only one component.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible to decrease the number of components of the stationary unit and to reduce the manufacturing cost, in comparison with the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the coupling portion of the base according to any one of the first to third aspects may include a coupling convex portion protruded to the inside of the receiving concave portion from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving concave portion and the coupling portion of the housing may include a coupling concave portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the battery receiving portion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, includes a stationary unit1fixed to an installation surface (not shown) and a portable unit2detachably attached to the stationary unit1. In the state that the portable unit2is attached to the stationary unit1, the portable unit2is electrically connected to a signal line L (seeFIG. 5). Hereinafter, the upward direction and the downward direction are set with reference toFIG. 1, wherein the left-downward and right-upward directions inFIG. 1are referred to as forward and backward directions and the left-upward and right-downward directions are referred to as left and right directions, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 2, the stationary unit1includes a base having a base body31which is buried in and fixed to a burial hole (not shown) of the installation surface and a base cover32coupled to the front side of the base body31. The base body31and the base cover32are made of, for example, a synthetic-resin molded product, each of which has a rectangular-hexahedron main body31band32bhaving a receiving concave portion31aand32aon the front surface and a flange portion31cand32cprotruded outwardly from the front end of the main body31band32balong an open surface of the receiving concave portion31aand32a. Both lateral sides of the base body31are vertically provided with two concave portions31dopened in the forward and backward directions, and a coupling projection31eis protruded outwardly from the front end of the bottom of each concave portion31d. Two coupling pieces32dare protruded in parallel from both lateral sides of the flange portions32cof the base cover32, and a coupling hole32eis laterally formed through each coupling piece32d. Then, the base body31and the base cover32are coupled to each other by receiving the main body32bof the base cover32in the receiving concave portion31aof the base body31and inserting the coupling projections31einto the coupling holes32eof the coupling pieces32dof the base cover32which is inserted into the concave portion31dfrom the front side of the base body31. A connector5ahaving contacts51electrically connected to the signal lien L is provided in the receiving concave portion31aof the base body31, and a hole for forwardly exposing the connector5ais formed through the bottom of the receiving concave portion32aof the base cover32.

The base body31of the stationary unit1is formed in the shape corresponding to an installation frame manufactured in advance in a large-angle continuous use type defined in JIS C 8304. Longitudinally long box holes31fthrough which screws for coupled to a buried box (not shown) buried in the installation surface are inserted are formed to pass through the upper and lower ends of the flange portions31cof the base body31. When the installation surface is formed out of a panel, hooking holes31gfor hooking and fixing insertion members (not shown) between the panel and the flange portions31care formed through both lateral sides of the box holes31f. Plate holes31hthrough which screws for fixing a plate are inserted are formed through the upper end and the lower end of the flange portion31cat positions more apart from the concave portion than from the box holes31f. Direct installation holes31ithrough which direct installation screw coupled to the installation surface are inserted are formed through both lateral sides of the plate holes31h. That is, the flange portion31ccorresponds to the fixing portion in the claims. Notched portions32ffor forwardly exposing the box holes31fare formed in the upper end and the lower end of the flange portion32cof the base cover32.

The portable unit2includes a housing4having a cover42formed in a rectangular hexahedron shape of which the rear surface is opened and a body41for covering the rear side of the cover42. The body41and the cover42are formed out of, for example, a synthetic-resin molded product. Coupling projections41aare protruded forwardly from both lateral ends of the body41, respectively, and coupling holes41bare formed through the outer surfaces of the coupling projections41a, respectively. Coupling projections (not shown) are protruded inwardly from both lateral inner surfaces of the cover42. The body41and the cover42are coupled to each other by inserting the coupling projections into the coupling holes41b.

A battery receiving portion41cformed with a size slightly smaller than that of the receiving concave portion32ais protruded backwardly from the rear surface of the body41. Coupling concave portions41dare formed through the upper and lower ends of both lateral surfaces of the battery receiving portion41c. In the base3of the stationary unit1, coupling convex portions32gare protruded to the inside of the receiving concave portion32afrom both lateral inner surfaces of the receiving concave portion32aof the base cover32. Slits32hlong in the forward and backward directions are formed in the upper and lower ends of each coupling convex portion32g, respectively. Since bending portions32iinserted into the slits32hare elastically deformed, the coupling convex portions32gcan elastically vary the amount of the receiving concave portion32aprotruded to the inside of the receiving concave portion32a. By receiving the battery receiving portion41cof the portable unit2in the receiving concave portion32aof the stationary unit1and inserting the coupling convex portions32ginto the coupling concave portions41d, the portable unit2is detachably attached to the stationary unit1. In addition, the portable unit2includes a battery cover43detachably coupled to the battery receiving portion41cto cover the opening of the rear side of the battery receiving portion41c.

A printed circuit board6is received in the housing4of the portable unit2with its thickness direction set to the forward and backward direction. A connector5bas a connecting portion is mounted on the rear surface of the printed circuit board6and as shown inFIG. 3, a connector inserting hole41efor backwardly exposing the connector5bis formed through the body41. A plurality of pin inserting holes53(four in the figure) are formed in the rear surface of the connector5band contacts52(seeFIG. 4) are held in the pin inserting holes53. In the portable unit2is attached to the stationary unit1, the contacts51of the connector5aof the stationary unit1are inserted into the pin inserting holes53of the connector5bof the portable unit2so as to be electrically connected to the contacts52(seeFIG. 4). Here, the printed circuit board6of the portable unit2is electrically connected to the signal line L through the connectors5aand5b. That is, the connector5aof the stationary unit1serves as connection means, and the connector5bserves as the other connection means. Two concave portions61are formed in both lateral ends of the printed circuit board6, respectively, the printed circuit board6is positioned with respect to the body41by inserting the coupling projections41ainto the concave portions61.

As shown inFIG. 4, the printed circuit board6is mounted with an operation part21for inputting addresses and relation data by means of manual operation, a controller22including, for example, a micro computer so as to generate the addresses and the relation data on the basis of the input to the operation part21, an oscillator22afor supplying a clock signal to the controller22, a reset part22bfor resetting the controller22, a wire transceiver23as wired transmitting and receiving means for transmitting the relation data to a transmission controller (not shown) through the connectors5aand5band the signal line L (seeFIG. 5) under the control of the controller22, a light emitting element LD such as a light emitting diode for generating infrared rays as radio signals, an optical transmitter24for driving the light emitting element LD under the control of the controller22to transmit the addresses to an operation device (not shown) and a control device (not shown) by the use of infrared rays (that is, the optical transmitter constitutes wireless transmitting and receiving means along with the light emitter LD), a light receiving element PD such as a photo diode for receiving the signals as infrared rays transmitted from the operation device or the control device, a optical receiver25for converting and inputting the output of the light receiving element PD to the controller22, a buzzer part having a buzzer (not shown) so as to ring the buzzer under the control of the controller22, a liquid crystal display27having a liquid crystal panel LP so as to display various data under the control of the controller22, and a power supply28for supplying power to the respective elements of the portable unit2.

The portable unit2includes a battery BT. The portable unit2is supplied with power through the signal line L from the power supply28in the state that the portable unit2is attached to the stationary unit1and is supplied with power from the battery BT in the state that the portable unit2is detached from the stationary unit1.

The operation part21includes a rubber switch7having a plurality of push buttons71as operation means formed integrally with a surface of a flat panel and an input processor (not shown) for generating operation signals based on the switching of the contacts disposed inside the push buttons71and inputting the generated operation signals to the controller22.

A laterally long connecting hole72is formed through the center in the vertical direction of the rubber switch7. A laterally long connecting projection62is protruded from the front surface of the printed circuit board6. Accordingly, by inserting the connecting projection62into the connection hole72, the rubber switch7is positioned with respect to the printed circuit board6. Terminals (not shown) are disposed on the inner circumference of the connecting hole72and the outer circumference of the connecting projection62, respectively, and by electrically connecting the terminals to each other when the connecting projection62is inserted into the connecting hole72, the printed circuit board6and the rubber switch7are electrically connected to each other.

The light emitting element LD and the light receiving element PD are mounted on the upper end of the printed circuit board6with a light emitting surface and the light receiving surface directed to the upside. Notched portions42afor forming openings, which are opened to the back side to expose the light emitting surface of the light emitting element LD and the light receiving surface of the light receiving element PD, between the body41and the cover42are formed on the upper end of the cover42of the housing4.

A plurality of push-button inserting holes42binto which the push buttons71are inserted and a window hole42cfor exposing the liquid crystal panel LP are formed in the forward and backward direction through the cover42of the housing4. The window hole42cis covered with a window member10made of a transparent material. A step allowing the rear opening to be smaller than the front opening is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the window hole42c, thereby preventing the window member10from separation to the back side by the step. A name plate11is attached to the front surface of the cover42. A plurality of push-button inserting holes11ainto which the push buttons71are inserted and a window hole11bfor exposing the liquid crystal panel LP are formed in the forward and backward directions through the name plate11. The window hole11bof the name plate11is smaller than the window member10, thereby preventing the window member10from separation to the front side. Marks indicating functions of the push buttons71are attached to the name plate11.

In the exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, a PG operation device12and an individual operation device13as the operation device are provided together and are connected to a transmission unit14through the signal line L.

The PG operation device12has two pattern switches12aused for the pattern control for simultaneously changing a number of loads corresponding in advance to the relation data to control states corresponding to the loads and two group switches12bused for the group control for simultaneously turning on and off a number of loads corresponding in advance to the relation data. The individual operation terminal13is designed to individually control the loads and has eight individual switches13acorresponding to the loads, light emitting elements for indication (not shown) for indicating load states with lighting states corresponding to the respective loads, and indication windows13bfor displaying light of the light emitting elements for indication. When the pattern switches12a, the group switches12b, or the individual switches13aare operated, the PG operation device12band the individual operation device13generate monitoring data corresponding to the pattern switches12a, the group switches12b, or the individual switches13aand transmit the generated monitoring data to the transmission unit14through the signal line L.

Eight relays14afor turning on and off the power supply to the loads are provided to the transmission unit14. The transmission unit14is supplied with power through, for example, a single-phase 3-line cable (not shown) connected to the power supply terminals14band turns one and off the loads connected to the terminals of the relays14aby controlling the relays14aon the basis of the monitoring data transmitted through the signal line L connected to the signal terminals14c. That is, the transmission unit14serves as a transmission controller and a control device.

Now, a procedure of setting the addresses and a procedure of setting the relation data according to the exemplary embodiment are described. In the following description of the procedures, different names and reference numerals denote the push buttons71.

The procedure of setting the address is first described. The address setting is carried out in the state that the portable unit2is detached from the stationary unit1and the light emitting surface of the light emitting element LD is directed to a light receiving surface (not shown) of the operation device or the control device. The push buttons71aand71cto71jin an area Z2ofFIG. 6(b) are used for the address setting. First, when the power button71ais pressed, the controller22detects whether the wire transceiver23is connected to the signal line L. Here, in detecting whether the wire transceiver23is connected to the signal line L, a method that two of the four contacts51disposed in the connector5aof the stationary unit1are short-circuited and the controller22detects that the wire transceiver23is connected to the signal line L when two contacts (not shown) of the portable unit2in contact with two short-circuited contacts are short-circuited is considered.

When the controller22detects that the wire transceiver23is not connected to the signal line L, the controller22operates in a mode for setting an address. Next, when a confirmation button71gis pressed, the controller controls the optical transmitter24to transmit a predetermined confirmation signal to the operation device or the control device by the use of light of the light emitting element LD. When the operation device and the control device receive the confirmation signal, the operation device and the control device transmit an address notifying signal for indicating the set state of address by the use of light.

When the controller22receives the address notifying signal through the light receiving element PD and the optical receiver25, the controller22controls the buzzer part26to generate a sound (for example, a long sound) notifying the success of communication and controls the liquid crystal display27to display the details of the address notifying signal on the liquid crystal panel LP. Next, when a circuit switching button71cis pressed, a circuit number which is a number corresponding to a switch or a load of which an address is set is selected. The circuit number is circularly changed every time the circuit switching button71cis pressed. By pressing a function selection button71d, a pattern or group address as well as an individual address can be set. Next, an address number is selected by the use of address selection buttons71eand71f. At this time, by pressing a forward rotation button71j, a next address can be assigned to a next circuit number. When a clear button71his pressed, the address set details of the selected circuit number are reset.

When a set button71iis pressed after selection of the address, the controller22generates a setting signal indicating a relation between the set circuit number and the set address and controls the optical transmitter24to transmit the setting signal to the operation device or the control device by the use of light of the light emitting element LD. When the operation device and the control device receive the setting signal, the operation device and the control device set the relation between the circuit number and the address in response to the setting signal and transmit a predetermined response signal by the use of light. When the controller22receives the response signal through the light receiving element PD and the optical receiver25, the controller controls the buzzer part26to generate a sound (for example, a long sound) indicating the success of communication. In this way, the address setting is completed.

When the address notifying signal or the response signal is not received in a predetermined time after the confirmation signal or the setting signal is transmitted, the controller22controls the buzzer part26to generate a sound (for example, a short sound five times) indicating the failure of communication and controls the liquid crystal display27to display data indicating the failure of communication on the liquid crystal panel LP.

Next, the procedure of setting the relation data is described. Push buttons71a,71b,71dto71f,71k, and71lin an area Z1ofFIG. 6(a) are used for setting the relation data. The setting of the relation data is carried out in the state that the portable unit2is attached to the stationary unit1. When the power button71ais pressed and it is detected by the controller22that the wire transceiver23is connected to the signal line L, the controller22is activated in a mode for setting the relation data. Then, when the switching button71bis pressed, the controller22controls the wire transceiver23to transmit a predetermined setting start signal to the transmission controller through the signal line L. When receiving the setting start signal, the transmission unit14is switched to the mode for setting the relation data from a normal mode for controlling the relays14abased on the signals from the PG operation device12and the individual operation terminal12.

It is determined by the use of the function selection button71dwhether the relation data for pattern control should be set or the relation data for group control should be set. The state in which the relation data for pattern control are set and the state that the relation data for group control are set are changed in turns every time the function selection button71dis pressed. When the kind of the relation data to be set is determined, the address of the switch corresponding to the relation data to be set is selected by the use of the address selection button71eand71f. Here, the switch corresponding to the relation data to be set may be selected by the use of the PG operation device12. Specifically, when the pattern switches12aor the group switches12bof the PG operation device12are operated, the operated pattern switch12aor group switch12bis selected as the switch corresponding to the relation data by the transmission unit14and a signal indicating the selected pattern switch12aor group switch12bis input to the controller22through the signal line L and the wire transceiver23from the transmission unit14.

When the selection of the switch address is completed, a corresponding load is set by operating the individual switches13aof the individual operation device13. For example, in the case of the setting of pattern control, Pattern switch ON→Pattern switch OFF→Not control target of pattern switch→Pattern switch ON is repeated whenever the individual switches13aare pressed. In the case of the setting of group control, Control target of group switch→Not control target of group switch→Control target of group switch is repeated whenever the individual switches13aare pressed, and the setting state can be confirmed by the use of the lighting state of a lamp in the indication window13b. Next, when a register button71kis pressed, the controller22controls the wire transceiver23to transmit a predetermined registration signal to the transmission unit14through the signal line L. When receiving the registration signal, the transmission unit14updates the relation data in accordance with the operation of the push button71of the portable unit2, the PG operation device12, or the individual operation device13up to that time.

A push button71for setting the address or pattern control of a load to be controlled may be formed in the portable unit2. In this case, the controller22generates the relation data in accordance with the operation of the push buttons71. When the setting is finished and the register button71kis pressed, the controller22controls the wire transceiver23to transmit the relation data to the transmission unit14through the signal line L. When receiving the relation data, the transmission unit14changes the setting details in accordance with the received relation data.

By pressing the clear button17lwhen the transmission unit14is in the setting mode, the controller22controls the wire transceiver23to transmit a predetermined reset signal to the transmission unit14through the signal line L. When receiving the reset signal, the transmission unit14resets the relation data previously set.

Finally, when the switching button71bis pressed, the controller22controls the wire transceiver23to transmit a predetermined setting end signal to the transmission unit14through the signal line L. When receiving the setting end signal, the setting mode is switched to a normal mode, the transmission unit14resumes the control of the relays14abased on the monitoring data transmitted from the PG operation device12and the individual operation terminal13.

According to the configuration described above, by forming the coupling concave portions41dfor coupling to the stationary unit1in the battery receiving portion41cof the portable unit2, it is possible to decrease the size of the portable unit2, in comparison with the case that a portion to be coupled to the stationary unit1is prepared at a place other than the battery receiving portion41c.

Both of the setting of an address corresponding to a switch in the operation device or an address corresponding to a load in the control device and the setting of the relation data in the transmission controller are possible. When the address setting is not performed, the portable unit2can be kept attached to the stationary unit1. Accordingly, even when a specific space is additionally prepared, the portable unit2is little lost.

The shapes of the stationary unit1and the portable unit2are not limited to the above-mentioned description, but the shapes of the base body31and the base cover32of the stationary unit1may be as shown inFIG. 7(a). In the example shown inFIG. 7(a), holes32jfor forwardly exposing the hooking holes31gare formed. In addition, by opening the back side of the coupling convex portions32gand making the rear ends of the bending portions32ibe free ends, the bending portions32ican be more easily bent.

Since the base3of the stationary unit1according to the exemplary embodiment includes the base body31and the base cover32, the base body31may be used to attach the operation device17, the size of which is greater than that of the battery receiving portion41cof the portable unit2as shown inFIG. 7(b), to the installation surface. The operation device17includes a plurality of push button switches17a(eight in the figure) corresponding to the loads, a plurality of light emitting diodes17bfor indicating the operation states of the loads corresponding to the push button switches17a, and a printed circuit board17cwhich is slightly smaller than the receiving concave portion32aand is mounted with the push button switches17aand the light emitting diodes17b. The printed circuit board17cis connected to the transmission unit14through the signal line L and when a push button switch17ais operated, the transmission unit14turns on or off the load corresponding to the operated push button switch17a. A switch cover18is attached to the front side of the operation terminal17. The switch cover18is provided with a plurality of push button handlebars18awhich can be displaced forward and backward with respect to the other portions so at to deliver the applied force to the push button switches17aand correspond to the push button switches17a, a plurality of window holes18bfor forwardly exposing the light emitting surface of the light emitting diodes17b, respectively, and coupling pins18d, coupling holes18e, notched portions18fsimilar to the coupling pieces32d, the coupling holes32e, and the notched portions32fof the base cover32.

The base3may be formed out of only one synthetic resin molded product as shown inFIG. 8, instead of the base body31and the base cover32. In the example shown inFIG. 8, the base3is formed out of only a body31and two bending portions31kwhich can be laterally bent and are opposed to each other with the battery receiving portion41cof the portable unit2therebetween are protruded forwardly from the bottom of the receiving concave portion31aof the base body31. In addition, coupling convex portions31linserted into the coupling concave portions41dof the portable unit2are protruded inwardly from the opposed surfaces of the bending portions31k. The gap between the bending portions31kis slightly greater than the lateral width of the battery receiving portion41c. A rib31mfor coming in contact with the battery receiving portion41cto stabilize the posture of the portable unit2is protruded inwardly from the inner surface of the receiving concave portion31a. By employing this configuration, it is possible to decrease the number of parts of the stationary unit1, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

As shown inFIG. 9, a flexible rubber connector54including an insulating part54amade of insulating rubber and formed in, for example, a rectangular hexahedron shape and a plurality of conductive parts54b(five inFIG. 9) made of conductive rubber and exposed to both surfaces opposed to each other of the insulating part54amay be used as both or one of the connection means. An example that the rubber connector54as the connection means is mounted on the printed circuit board6of the portable unit2instead of the connector5bis shown inFIGS. 10 to 12. In the configuration shown inFIG. 10, a printed circuit board (not shown) provided with a conductive pattern electrically connected to the conductive parts54bof the rubber connector54is fitted into the receiving concave portion32aof the base cover32. In the configuration shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, a terminal plate55made of a metal plate is fixed to the base3by inserting the terminal plate into the hole formed through the bottom of the receiving concave portion31ain the caulking manner. The terminal plate55includes contact portions55acoming in contact with the conductive parts54bexposed from the rear surface of the rubber connector54and terminal portions55bin which screw holes for screw-coupling with terminal screws56are formed and which are exposed from the rear side of the base3and constitute screw terminals along with the terminal screws56. In this way, by using the flexible rubber connector54for both or one of two connection means, even when the attachment and detachment of the portable unit1are repeated, the connection means is less deteriorated, in comparison with the case that the connection means is not flexible.

Since the coupling portion to be coupled to the coupling portion disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving concave portion of the stationary unit is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the battery receiving portion which is disposed in the portable unit with the outer circumferential surface slightly smaller than the inner circumferential surface of the receiving concave portion and which is received in the receiving concave portion with the battery received therein, it is possible to further decrease the size of the portable unit, compared with the case that the portion of the portable unit in which the coupling portion is displaced is provided at a position other than the battery receiving portion.