EP0895211A1 - Control unit for one or more actuators - Google Patents

Abstract

The system provides control of one or more actuators (A1) equipped with end-of-course switches, using pulse command points (SL1F) capable of delivering signals (CL) of two different polarities. This enables control of the actuator in either of two directions. The pulse command point is connected to a management module (BG) associated with the actuator, which is configured to recognise the polarity of the received signals. The module also includes a device to process these signals and a device controlling the switching of the supply. Another device in the management module connects to the supply source, responds to the received control signal, and supplies the management module itself continuously.

Description

The present invention relates to an installation of control of one or more actuators equipped with asynchronous electric motors with auxiliary winding and capacitor and with two directions of rotation and equipped limit switches opening at the end of race, from impulse control points capable of delivering signals of two polarities different for controlling motor rotation one way or the other and each linked by a single control wire with at least one management module associated with the actuator and equipped with means of recognition of the polarity of the received signals, means of processing these signals and means of switching of the motor supply.

An example of a conventional device known in the art for controlling an actuator A1, such as a motor, is shown in Figure 1. This device is able to respond to a general order which is best given by two wires G1, G2, to which a third G0 wire (not shown) is currently being added. Its wiring is difficult to achieve. In addition, in order to allow recognition general order orders, order management premises and priorities and the introduction of time delays when the direction of the are operated by an electronic module, module which usually includes a microcontroller and his diet. The device to be able recognize a general command at all times, it it must be permanently supplied with so that unnecessary consumption is created and it becomes necessary to use components having a MTBF (mean time before failure) very high. this is particularly disadvantageous considering that the actual use of the function is very low, namely a few ten seconds a day.

In addition, the standards for overvoltage fast transients and shock waves can be supported by systems connected to the industrial or domestic electrical distribution (IEC 1000-4-4 and CEI 1000-4-5) are very severe.

Another similar control installation is already known from document FR 2 550 356. This document describes in particular an installation for controlling a set of actuators fitted with two electric motors direction of rotation, from control points pulses capable of delivering signals from two different polarities for controlling the rotation of the motor one way or the other. These points of control are each connected by a single wire order from at least one command or management module associated with the actuator and equipped with means of recognition of the polarity of the received signals, means of processing these signals and means of switching of the motor supply.

In this state of the art the control module receives a full periodic signal in the absence of control so that the consumption of the components is permanent and that these are exposed to network surges and noise.

The object of the invention is to improve the devices already known.

The object of the invention is more particularly to carry out a control installation which is better protected from transient overvoltages and shocks that can occur in the network of electrical distribution.

The installation is characterized in that the module management includes means of connection to the source supply responsive to received control signal and in that the supply of said management module is held through said end switches race.

The control installation may include at least one local control point with at least one switch control whose output line is connected to the input of the management module to transmit the local control, said local control point having in addition a triac mounted in parallel at the point of command and whose trigger allows the taking into account an external general command, consisting for example at a general control point with at least one control switch whose output line is connected to the triac trigger of the control point local.

According to a particular mode of execution of the installation control module, the management module includes at least two relays acting on contacts allowing motor supply by phase depending on the command generated by said command points.

According to another particular embodiment of control installation, each relay is mounted in series with a diode, said diodes being antiparallel, a capacitor being mounted in parallel to relays and diodes, this capacitor is charging to activate one of the relays when the relay activation threshold is reached.

According to a variant of the control installation, each relay has a capacitor in parallel and a transistor in series with a resistor, each transistor being connected to the input of the local control via a resistor and a diode to allow rapid discharge of capacitors when the transistors conduct, thus triggering the corresponding relay and interrupting the command activated.

The management module can be mounted in a point of control, in a junction box or be integrated to the actuator.

One of the advantages of the invention is that in the absence from a command from the command point, the management is not powered so that no energy is consumed by the installation.

La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif conventionnel de l'art antérieur.

La figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'une installation de commande selon l'invention.

La figure 3 est un schéma d'ensemble d'une installation de commande selon l'invention.

La figure 4 est un schéma du circuit d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un module de gestion selon l'invention.

La figure 5 est un schéma du circuit d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un module de gestion selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of various embodiments thereof and of the figures relating thereto.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional device of the prior art.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a control installation according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall diagram of a control installation according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a management module according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of a management module according to the invention.

The principle of the installation according to the invention is described with reference to figure 2. Installation includes an SL1F one-touch control point, a BG management module and an actuator A1, such as a motor, and lines N for neutral, P for phase, CG for general control and CL for local order. The control point is connected to the phase P, at the general order CG and issues its local control on the CL line. The management module BG is connected to phase P, at the control point SL1F via line CL and neutral N. The actuator is to him connected to the BG management module by the lines connected to contacts P1 and P2.

An installation according to the invention for controlling a engine 1 is now described with reference to the figure 3. This engine control installation 1 includes a general control point 10, a local control 20 and a management module 30.

The impulse control point 10 shown in the figure 2 includes two control contacts PUSH UP 11 and DOWN 12, each of being mounted in series with a diode 14, 15, these diodes being antiparallel, and a control contact STOP 13 to stop the movement of the motor 1. The point also includes a command output General CG linked to the local control point 20. This local control point 20 also includes two MONTEE 21 impulse control contacts and DESCENT 22, each of them being mounted in series with a diode 24, 25, these diodes being antiparallel, and a STOP 23 control contact to stop the movement of the motor 1. This control point 20 comprises furthermore a local control output CL connected to the management module 30.

This local control point 20 also comprises a single phase alternative P phase input, and a triac 26 mounted in parallel with the control contacts 21, 22 and 23 and the trigger of which is connected to the outlet of general command CG of the general control point 10. The triac 26 trigger resistances are not shown to simplify the figure.

Thus, the operation of the motor 1 can be controlled either by local control point 20 or by general control point 10, and several local control can be ordered in parallel by a single general control point.

The operation of the local control point is the following: by the use of the control contacts 21, 22, 23 and diodes 24 and 25, the control output local CL respectively transmits a climb command during the positive half-waves of phase P feed, a descent order during negative phase alternations or a stop order, the contact 23 in this case connecting the CL output to positive and negative alternations of phase P. If a general command is given, then the triac 26 will cause the same operation as the contacts of command 11, 12, 13 via the general command output CG.

The management module 30 comprises two elements of RM, RD switching, e.g. current relays continuous acting on rm, rd contacts connected respectively on each of the supply lines P1, P2 of the two windings of motor 1, the motor being supplied with single-phase AC between P1 and N for the ascent and between P2 and N for the descent. In connecting the input of the local CL command on positive alternations of phase P by the point of command 20, one causes, on the one hand, the feeding an element (not shown) short-circuiting the RD relay and, on the other hand, progressive supply and unidirectional of the RM relay.

The operation is similar for the alternations negative of phase P. By connecting CL to these, the RM relay is short-circuited by an element (not shown), and the RD relay is energized gradually unidirectionally.

FIG. 4 represents a first embodiment particularly simple management block. Of FCM up and FCD down limit switches are connected to line P1 for the climb and P2 for the descent, and the engine 1 is represented by a phase shift capacitor C1 and two windings 2 and 3. In this figure, a thermal switch CT allowing to cut the power of the motor 1 in case overheating is also shown.

In this embodiment, two parallel branches comprising relays RD1, RM1 followed in series by diode D2D, respectively D2M, these two diodes being antiparalleles, are mounted in parallel with a capacitor C, the whole being in series with a resistance RP relative to the input of the control local CL.

Through an equivalent Thévenin generator, the capacitor C charges or discharges at a voltage equal to the average mains voltage, positive or negative according to local control CL, divided by potentiometric ratio (RP, RD1) or (RP, RM1) across equivalent resistance RP // RD1 or RP // RM1. This charging voltage must be above the threshold relay activation.

When the local control input CL is connected, by via a control point as described previously, at the positive half-waves of phase P, there will be current flow through the resistor RP, diode D2M, relay RM1 and capacitor C goes charge. As soon as the switch-on current of the relay RM1 is reached, contact rm1 is then closed.

As soon as the rm1 contact closes, the relay supply RM1 is maintained through FCM, C1, FCD and the diode D1M. The order on the CL entry must however be maintained for some time to allow the engine to leave its end position and therefore allow the down limit switch FCD to close. The motor then remains supplied as long that the FCM mounted limit switch is not not reached. As soon as this end switch is opened FCM rise, no more current flows in the diode D1M, and the current being below the threshold RM1 relay trip, rm1 contact opens then and the power supply to the engine is cut off.

If the CL input is connected to the negative half-waves of phase P, the operation of the management module is comparable to the operation described above for positive alternations. There is then current flow in relay RD1, diode D2D and capacitor C charges under a polarity opposite to that of the case previous.

Similarly, as soon as the current relay RD1 has been reached, the contact rd1 is closed and the supply of relay RD1 is maintained through FCD, C1, FCM and diode D1D. The order on the CL entry must be maintained a certain time to allow the motor to leave its position limit switch and therefore to the FCM limit switch to close. The engine remains then supplied as long as the end switch FCD downhill race is not reached. From the opening of this FCD switch, no more current flows in diode D1D, and the current being below the tripping threshold of relay RD1, contact rd1 opens and the motor supply is cut off.

Only one relay can be operated at a time and the switching from one to the other is not instantaneous. The choice of RPM and RPD resistance values depends on values of the relay holding current and the value of the voltage available on the non-supplied phase engine 1. Therefore, if the system is intended to power a large number of motors different, this choice can be tricky.

FIG. 5 represents another embodiment of the management module. This mode has the advantage of faster reaction to a STOP command thanks to the short circuiting of C1M or C1D by TM or TD. As in Figure 3, the engine is shown diagrammatically by a phase shift capacitor C1 and two windings 2, 3, and limit switches (FCM for the climb and FCD for the descent) are connected to the lines P1 and P2 respectively. Likewise, a thermal switch CT cuts power to engine in case of overheating.

The management module, similar to the module shown in Figure 3, has two low relays voltage RM2 and RD2 actuating contacts rm2 and rd2 located respectively on each of the lines supply P1, P2 of the two motor windings. A C1M or C1D capacitor is placed in parallel with each relay RM2, RD2 so as to ensure the continuity of the holding current for a period from the sector, around 20 ms. The time constant of the RM2 * CM product is typically 40 to 60 ms. A D3M or D3D diode in series with an R3M resistor or R3D are used to allow rapid discharge of capacitors C1D and C1M. This discharge occurs at across resistors R2M, respectively R2D. Of preferably, the resistance values are selected so that the discharge lasts less than 10 ms.

When the local control input CL is connected, by via a control point as described previously, at the positive half-waves of phase P, current will flow through the D2M diode, the relay RM2, capacitor C1M and diode D3D. This current through the diode D3D has the effect of making the conductive TD transistor and therefore of quickly discharge capacitor C1D through the R2D resistor, if the capacitor was charged. In at the same time, the charge of the capacitor C1M slows down the increase in voltage across the relay RM2, and it will take a while, about 100 ms, so that the switching current of relay RM2 is reached and the rm2 contact is closed.

When the rm2 contact closes, the relay supply RM2 is maintained through FCM, C1, FCD and the diode D1M. The order on the CL entry must therefore always be maintained for some time to allow the engine to leave its end position and at the FCD lower limit switch to close. The motor then remains powered for as long as the FCM mounted limit switch is not achieved. As soon as this end switch is opened FCM climb stroke, no more current flows in the diode D1M, and the current being below the threshold of RM2 relay tripping, rm2 contact opens then and the power supply to the engine is cut off.

If the CL input is connected to the negative half-waves of phase, the operation of the management module is comparable to the operation described above for positive alternations. There is then current flow in diode D2D, relay RD2, resistor R1D, the capacitor C1D and diode D3M. This current in the diode D3M has the effect of making the transistor TM conductor and therefore quickly discharge the capacitor C1M across resistor R2M, if the C1M capacitor was charged. At the same time, the charge of capacitor C1D slows the growth of the voltage across relay RD2, and you will have to wait some time, about 100 ms, so that the current relay RD2 has been reached and the contact rd2 is closed.

As soon as the rd2 contact is closed, the supply to the relay RD2 is maintained through FCD, C1, FCM and the diode D1D. The order on the CL entry must be maintained some time to allow the engine to leave its end position and the end switch FCM climb race to close. The engine then remains powered as long as the limit switch FCD descent is not reached. From the opening of this FCD switch, no more current flows through the diode D1D, and the current being below the threshold of tripping of relay RD2, contact rd2 opens and the motor supply is cut off.

If while the relay RM2 is energized, CL being connected to positive alternations of the phase, the input CL is also connected to phase P both on positive and negative alternations, alternation negative of phase P causes the passage of a current through diode D4D, relay RD2, capacitor CD, diodes D2D and D3M. The current does not allow reach the switch-on threshold of relay RD2, but, on the other hand, the conduction of the diode D3M causes the TM transistor to conduce, which consequently the discharge of the capacitor CM: the contact rm2 opens and the engine stops. A support on a descent command during a climb therefore causes the equivalent of a stop before the descent order be taken into account, i.e. as soon as a sufficient supply of relay RD2 is reached. The same phenomenon occurs when pressing a ascent command during a descent.

The values of the different components (resistances, capacitors) can be easily determined by a person skilled in the art taking mainly into account characteristics of the actuator controlled, for example of the motor.

The invention is not limited to the modes of execution described but variations are possible in the protection claimed. For example, place and place of relay, it is possible to use semiconductor devices or other devices equivalent.

Claims (9)

Installation of one or more controls actuators fitted with asynchronous electric motors (1) with auxiliary winding and capacitor and two direction of rotation fitted with end switches race (FCM, FCD) opening at the end of the race, from impulse control points (10,20) capable of deliver signals (CL) of two different polarities for controlling the rotation of the motor (1) in a either way and each connected by a wire command to at least one management module (30) associated with the actuator and equipped with recognition means (RM, RD) of the polarity of the signals (CL) received, of means of processing these signals and means of switching (rm, rd) of the motor supply, characterized in that the management module (30) includes means for connection to the source supply reacting to control signal (CL) received and in that the supply of said module management (30) is maintained through said limit switches. Control installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one point local control (20) having at least one switch control (21,22,23) whose output line (CL) is connected to the input of the management module (30) for transmit the local command, said command point local (20) further having a triac (26) mounted in parallel to the control point (21,22,23) whose trigger allows the taking into account of an order general external. Control installation according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a point of general control (10) having at least one switch command (11,12,13) whose output line (CG) is connected to the triac trigger (26) of the control point local (20). Control installation according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means connection include at least two relays (RM, RD; RM1, RD1; RM2, RD2) acting on contacts (rm, rd; rm1, rd1; rm2, rd2) allowing power to the motor (1) by phase (P) depending on the command generated by said control points (10,20). Control installation according to claim 4, characterized in that each relay (RM1, RD1) is connected in series with a diode (D2M, D2D), said diodes being antiparallel, a capacitor (C) being mounted in parallel with relays (RM1, RD1) and diodes (D2M, D2D), said capacitor (C) charging for activate one of said relays (RM1, RD1) when the threshold for switching on said relay is reached. Control installation according to claim 4, characterized in that each relay (RM2, RD2) has in parallel a capacitor (C1M, C1D) charging to activate one of said relays (RM1, RD1) when the threshold for switching on said relay is reached and a transistor (TM, TD) in series with a resistor (R2M, R2D), each transistor (TM, TD) being connected to input of local control (CL) via a resistor (R3M, R3D) and a diode (D3M, D3D) to allow rapid discharge of capacitors (C1M, C1D) when the transistors (TM, TD) conduct, thus triggering the corresponding relay (RM2, RD2) and interrupting the activated command. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the management module (30) is mounted in one of the control points (20). Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the management module (30) is mounted in a junction box. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the management module (30) is integrated into the actuator.

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