FR2825844A1 - Energy distribution apparatus drive connection mechanism having connection apparatus with electronic module web page address communications and computer with Internet access accessing web page/remotely driving apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

The energy distribution connection apparatus (1) has an electronic module connection apparatus (2) with a communications mechanism with a web page address. A connection is established between a computer with software processing navigation and the Internet, using the module address and accessing the module web pages. The connection mechanism is then driven to drive the apparatus.

Description

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 The present invention relates generally to a distribution device intended to deliver electrical energy to at least one output or to a connection device, such as a socket outlet, a relay or a connector, to which a equipment can be connected.

 The term energy is used here in the broad sense, the transported current being able to be a strong current, in which case the energy is of the type provided by a usual electric power supply, or a weak current, in which case the energy is information.

 By way of nonlimiting example, such a dispensing device can be a strip comprising at least one socket outlet positioned in a rail.

 The present invention more specifically proposes a method for controlling such an apparatus.

- on établit une connexion entre un ordinateur muni d'un logiciel de navigation sur Internet et le réseau, - on établit au moyen du logiciel de navigation une liaison avec le module en utilisant l'adresse dudit module de manière à avoir accès aux pages web dudit module, - on commande les moyens de communication au moyen de commandes contenues par les pages web afin de piloter l'appareil, afin de rendre actif ou non actif ledit au moins un dispositif de connexion. To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling an energy distribution device of the type comprising at least one connection device, characterized in that: - the device is provided with an electronic module comprising means of communication having an address, ensuring the hosting and management of web pages, providing an Ethernet connection, - a connection is established between said module and a network comprising at least one computer,

- a connection is established between a computer equipped with Internet browsing software and the network, - a connection is established with the browser software with the module using the address of said module so as to have access to the web pages of said module, - the communication means are controlled by means of commands contained by the web pages in order to control the device, in order to make said at least one connection device active or not active.

 According to the method according to the invention, said means of communication are implemented as a web page server.

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 When the connection device is active, it closes the electrical circuit on which it is positioned.

 Consequently, the control may simply constitute a command for switching the connection devices on or off.

 The expression control also includes here the measurement of certain characteristics of said connection devices such as the voltage at their terminals or the current flowing through them.

 The piloting according to the invention of the device can be carried out on the one hand in a simple manner and on the other hand remotely, including by an authorized person being neither in the building where the device is implemented, nor even in the same city or the same country.

 Thanks to the control method according to the invention, it is possible to supply electric current or cut the electric current supply to equipment connected to a connection device of the electric appliance even if one is not not found in front of said device.

 Such control allows for example a manager to put the devices ensuring the supply of a test bench or laboratory out of service for the night so that the equipment of the test bench is not supplied with electric current or, conversely, putting them into service for the day so that the equipment of the test bench is supplied with electric current, even when it is not in the laboratory equipped by said devices. Such a possibility allows said manager to ensure at all times the state, powered or not, of the test bench. With a device equipped with adequate means, the manager can also monitor the working condition of the equipment, for example by monitoring its consumption.

 Thanks to the piloting method according to the invention, said manager puts certain equipment of an assembly under tension for example while he is still at home in order to allow preheating of said equipment before his arrival in the laboratory.

 It is possible to supply equipment as diverse as laboratory equipment, industrial installations or, more simply, a lamp or

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 a means of heating. The equipment can be supplied, for example, in order to simulate a presence.

 The control according to the invention of an energy supply device can also be implemented to control access to certain installations, the equipment supplied through said device being for example an electric door or trunk lock.

 It is also possible to implement the invention to act remotely on equipment installed in an inhospitable environment, presence of radiation, dangerous gases, etc.

 The piloting method according to the invention can also be implemented to ensure energy management by cutting off the supply of unnecessary equipment.

 Particularly advantageously, the invention therefore applies to multiple applications, whether professional, office, technical, etc., or intended for individuals.

 It is also possible to use the control method according to the invention to find out the value of a characteristic measured by measuring equipment. A quantity, for example a voltage, proportional to the measurement carried out by said equipment is then supplied to the device at the connection device to which the equipment is connected. The communication means are used to remotely know the value of this quantity by activating the connection device to which the equipment is connected. When several pieces of equipment are connected to the various connection devices of the device, the communication means are used to find out, in turn, the value of the quantity transmitted to each of said connection devices by making it active in turn each of said connection devices.

 According to yet another variant of use, the control of the device can be used to send to the equipment connected to the connection device information consisting for example of a control signal.

 Control can also be implemented to choose a first or a second type of power supply for the equipment, after having connected said equipment to two connection devices connected respectively to two different power supplies,

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 one can be the normal supply network and the other an uninterruptible network. The communication means make active only one of the two connection devices to which the equipment is connected when it is decided to supply said equipment with one or other of said supplies. It is also possible to make the two connection devices active when the equipment has the means to manage the choice of power itself.

 The invention also relates to an electronic module intended to be placed in an apparatus for the implementation of the method according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises at least one connector and means of communication.

 Said module according to the invention is also remarkable in that: - the connector and the communication means are carried by a printed circuit card connected to a circuit, - the circuit to which the card is connected is disposed on the supply line device connection devices, - a bypass brings the current from the sector to a converter in order to transform it into a direct current intended to supply the equipment on the card, - a relay is arranged on the supply line of at least one connection device and is controlled by the card's communication means through an interface, - a line intended to provide feedback is connected on the one hand to the supply line of at least one connection device, between the relay and the connection device, and on the other hand to the card and carries a measuring element, - the connector is an RJ45 connector, - it comprises diodes allowing to visua read the status of the device and the connection to the network.

 The invention will be better understood from the description which follows given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a top view of a strip equipped to be controlled according to the method according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a block diagram of the module arranged in the strip,

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 - Figure 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the module, - Figure 4 is a block diagram of an auxiliary card which can be connected to the module.

 The present invention is of course applicable to any type of device providing energy distribution to equipment through outputs provided with connection devices through which the equipment can be connected to the device.

 The device shown without limitation in the drawings is an electric current distribution strip comprising several connection devices constituted by socket outlets.

 The strip 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises in known manner a plurality of socket outlets 10 arranged one next to the other, for example by being inserted in a rail. The tabs 11 disposed at the ends of the strip 1 are traversed by openings 12 into which can be introduced fixing means, not shown in the drawing, intended to fix the strip 1 on an assembly.

 According to the invention, an electronic module 2 is placed in the housing of the strip 1, next to the socket outlets 10.

 Said electronic module 2 comprises a connector 20, for example a connector known by the name RJ45 commonly used for computer-type links.

 Said electronic module 2 also has four diodes 21, 22, 23 and 24 and a reset button 25.

 The electronic module 2 is arranged in the housing of the strip so that the connector 20, the diodes 21 to 24 and the reset button 25 are accessible on the upper face of said strip.

 As shown schematically in Figure 2, the electronic module 2 has a printed circuit board 28 connected to a circuit, for example carried by a printed circuit board not shown in the drawing.

 The card 28 carries the connector 20, the diodes 21 to 24, the reset button 25 and communication means 26 ensuring the hosting and management of web pages.

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 The communication means 26 are of the same type as those usually used to allow a link to a network and also provide an Ethernet connection. They generally include a microprocessor and memories in which web pages are stored. Said communication means 26 constitute a web page server and have an address, usually called an IP (Internet Protocol) address.

 The circuit to which the card 28 is connected is connected to line 30 supplying the bases 10 of the strip.

 The equipment on the card 28 is supplied with direct current with a voltage of 5 Volts either through a branch 31 connected to the power line 30 and a converter 32, or from an independent power source with or without implementation of the converter 32. In this second case, the branch 31 is interrupted by any means known per se.

 A relay 33 is arranged on the line 30 and is controlled by the communication means 26 of the card 28. In a manner known per se, such a relay command from information transmitted by the communication means 26 is preferably carried out at through an interface 34 which transforms the logic signals emitted by the microprocessor of the communication means 26 into control signals of the relay 33.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, all the bases 10 of the strip are supplied by the output line 230 arranged after the relay 33.

 In the context of the present invention, any element making it possible to connect an item of equipment to the output line 230 can be defined as a connection device.

 By this arrangement, when the communication means 26 control the relay 33 in closing, all the connection devices of the strip 1, constituted in the example described by the bases 10, are made active at the same time.

 A line 35 intended to provide feedback is connected on the one hand to the output line 230 between the relay 33 and the bases 10, and on the other hand to the card 28.

A measuring element 36 is positioned on this line 35.

 The measuring element 36 can for example be adapted to detect the presence of a voltage on the line 35. It sends signals to the communication means

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 26 of card 28, for example 0 when there is no voltage, or when the measured voltage is less than a first predetermined threshold, and 1 when there is voltage, or when the measured voltage is greater than a second predetermined threshold. The two thresholds may or may not have the same predetermined value.

 Other measuring elements such as a current sensor, a temperature measuring means, can also be implemented by adapting the module 2.

 Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to control each base 10 independently by connecting to line 30 as many lines 130 as there are bases 10 and using a relay 33 on each line 130 to activate or not activate the connection device connected to the output line 230 of said relay 33.

 The variant embodiment shown in Figure 3 is intended to control four bases 10, a similar device can of course be implemented to control a different number of bases.

 In the variant of FIG. 3, it is also planned to measure on the one hand the current flowing on the line 30 by means of an ammeter 40, for example connected to a current sensor 41 and on the other hand the voltage on this same line 30 by means of a voltmeter 42.

 In this exemplary embodiment, a microcomputer 29 is added to the circuit in order to transmit to the communication means 26 the data transmitted by the ammeter 40, the voltmeter 42 and the measuring element 36 and to transmit the commands to the interface 34 emitted by the communication means 26. This microcomputer 29 could of course be carried by the card 28.

 Alarm thresholds can be set at the factory to warn of an abnormal voltage or abnormal current being measured.

 According to another alternative embodiment not shown in the drawing, ammeters are arranged on each line 130-230 between the supply line 30 and a base in order to measure the current flowing on these lines. An electronic circuit is then for example provided for carrying out the measurements in turn on each of the lines 130, 230.

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 Current and voltage measurements can be made upstream or downstream of relays 33.

 These measurements carried out on the supply lines 130 of the bases make it possible to control on the one hand the state of said bases, whether or not supplied, but also the state of the equipment which is supplied through said bases.

 In the example shown in the drawing, a single measuring element 36 is connected by lines 35 to each output line 230 downstream of the relay 33. The communication means 26 interrogate this measuring element 36 in order to find out in turn the state of each output line 230.

 In the exemplary embodiment currently implemented by the applicant, the information is transmitted on 8 bits which makes it possible to obtain a resolution of 0.1 A on the current measurements and of IV on the voltage measurements.

 Although the communication means 26 are such that they emit an alarm signal in the event of a power supply failure of the device, the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 offers greater security by supplying the card 28 independently by relative to the power supply of the bases 10 in order to allow better management of possible failures.

 For this purpose two lines 30 and 37 are provided as well as a connection 31 between them.

 If the user decides to supply the card 28 independently, the link 31 is cut and a second power source is connected to the line 37. This second power source can be a backup power supply from a inverter or alternatively a DC power supply at 5 volts, in which case the converter 32 is not used. This second supply line can also be equipped with a filter in cases where the standard supply is parasitized, which would risk disturbing the operation of the electronic circuit.

 The device represented in FIG. 3 also includes a connector 50 intended for the connection of an auxiliary card 5 such as that represented in FIG. 4.

 The auxiliary card 5 makes it possible to control four additional connection devices, such as bases 10, connected to the output lines 250, from the communication means 26 of the card 28. This auxiliary card 5 comprises a

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 connector 51 adapted to be connected to connector 50, a supply line 53, lines 150 each supplying a relay 533 connected downstream to an output line 250 connected to an additional connection device. It also includes an interface 54 for controlling the relays 33 and at least one measuring element 56 connected to the output lines 250 by lines 55.

 According to a first alternative embodiment of the auxiliary card 5, the supply line 53 is connected to the supply line 30 of the strip. The user then has eight bases 10.

 According to a second alternative embodiment of the auxiliary card 5, the supply line 53 is connected to a secondary supply separate from the main supply of the line 30 of the strip. In this embodiment, a first group of connection devices is connected to a so-called primary supply and a second group of connection devices is connected to a so-called secondary supply. It is then possible to connect an item of equipment to two connection devices, one from the first group and the other from the second group, in order to supply it on the one hand by an output line 230 connected to the main supply line. 30 and on the other hand by an output line 250 connected to the secondary supply line 53.

 This alternative embodiment makes it possible to choose to supply each item of equipment with the main supply or with the secondary supply in the event of an overload, fault or interference from one of the supplies. To do this, the communication means 26 make the corresponding connection device active by closing the relay 33 or the relay 533.

 When the equipment is equipped with means making it possible to choose the supply necessary for its proper functioning, the communication means 26 make the two connection devices active by closing the two relays 33 and 533.

 The module 2 of the device is connected to a computer network through the connector 20.

 The word network is used here even if the installation only has one computer.

 In the case where the installation comprises only one computer, the cable used between it and the module 2 will be a crossover cable, while in the case of a

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 network to several computers, the cable will be a standard extension cable, for example called LAN (Local Area Network) cord.

 When you want to control the slider 1, you connect a computer equipped with Internet navigation software to the network, then you start said navigation software.

 The computer can either be part of the network, or be external to said network and be connected through a link, for example using a modem.

 The IP address of the slide bar is entered in order to have access to the web pages contained in the means of communication 26.

 The rest of the procedure is the same as when communicating via the Internet with a web page server.

 For example, it is possible to provide a home page on which the user chooses the language in which he wishes to communicate, then an identification page in which the user must enter the password authorizing him to control the slide, then a page with a display of the status of the slide and the control buttons.

 The state of the strip is known to the communication means 26 by the information they receive from line 35 and / or from the measuring elements present.

 By way of example, the values of the current and of the voltage on the supply line 30 and / or on each of the output lines 230, 250 leading to the connection devices can be displayed.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, when the strip is for example powered up and the user wishes to turn it off, he presses the corresponding control button on the web page, this information is transmitted to the communication means 26 which send an order to the interface 34, said interface 34 in turn controlling the relay 33 to open the line 30 and cut the power supply to the bases 10. He likewise presses the control button to put the strip again under pressure.

 It can also be provided on the web page an order of brief interruption of the power supply of the strip.

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 The status of the strip is immediately displayed so that the user is informed that his order has been received.

 In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, as many control buttons are provided as there are connection devices in order to control them one by one. Means are also provided warning the user of the active state or not of each of the connection devices.

 The diodes 21 to 24 described above make it possible to display the state of the strip and of the connection with the network, they provide information on the presence of voltage at the input of the strip, the quality of the connection with the network, the reception of information by the communication means 26 or the transmission of information from said means 26 to the network.

Claims (13)

1. Method for controlling an energy distribution device of the type comprising at least one connection device, characterized in that: - the device (1) is provided with an electronic module (2) comprising means communication (26) having an address, hosting and managing web pages, providing an Ethernet connection, - establishing a connection between said module (2) and a computer network comprising at least one computer, - establishing a connection between a computer with Internet browsing software and the network, - using the browser software establishes a link with the module (2) using the address of said module (2) so as to have access to web pages of said module (2), - the communication means (26) are controlled by means of commands contained by the web pages in order to control the device (1), in order to make said at least one device active or not active connection.  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said communication means (26) are implemented as a web page server.  3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that when a measurement equipment connected to a device connection device generates a quantity, such as a voltage, proportional to the measurement it performs, - this quantity is supplied to the device at the level of said connection device, - the communication means (26) are used to remotely know the value of this quantity by activating said connection device to which the equipment is connected.  4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that when several pieces of equipment are connected to the various connection devices of the device, the communication means (26) are used to find out, in turn, the <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  value of the quantity transmitted to each of said connection devices by making each of said connection devices active in turn.  5. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that - a first group of devices for connecting the device to a main supply is connected and a second group of devices for connecting the device to a secondary supply, - the device is connected at least one piece of equipment with two device connection devices, one from the first group and the other from the second group, - the communication means (26) make one and / or the other of the communication devices connection.  6. Electronic module intended to be placed in an apparatus (1) for the implementation of the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one connector (20) and communication means (26) .  7. Module according to claim 6, characterized in that the connector (20) and the communication means (26) are carried by a printed circuit board (28) connected to an electrical circuit.  8. Module according to claim 7, characterized in that the circuit to which the card (28) is connected is arranged on the line (30) supplying the connection devices (10) of the device.  9. Module according to claim 7 or according to claim 8, characterized in that a bypass (31) brings the current from the sector on a converter (32) in order to transform it into a direct current intended to supply the equipment of the card (28).  10. Module according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a relay (33) is arranged on the line (30,30 ', 50') supplying at least one connection device ( 10) and is controlled by the communication means (26) of the card (28) through an interface (34).  11. Module according to claim 10, characterized in that a line (35) intended to provide feedback is connected on the one hand to the line (30,30 ', 50') for supplying minus a connection device, between the relay (33) and the <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  connection device (10), and secondly to the card (28) and carries a measuring element (36).  12. Module according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the connector (20) is an RJ45 connector.  13. Module according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that it comprises diodes (21,22, 23,24) making it possible to display the state of the device and of the connection with the network.