GB2387451A

GB2387451A - Switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system

Info

Publication number: GB2387451A
Application number: GB0304099A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Markus Hain; Joerg Kreiling; Manuel Koch
Original assignee: Rittal GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Rittal GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2002-03-01
Filing date: 2003-02-22
Publication date: 2003-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-22
Also published as: GB2387451B; DE10209288A1; FR2836760A1; FR2836760B1; DE10209288B4; GB0304099D0

Abstract

A system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switch gear cabinet-specific functions has a control device 2, 3 and a plurality of different sensors and/or actuators 6 which can be coupled or are coupled thereto via a sensor connection device 4 with at least one sensor connection point 4.1. The sensor connection device 4 has a detection device for differentiating between the different sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 which are connectable in any manner and exchangeable at at least one connection point 4.1 in the same manner. The detection device may be a resistor incorporated in the connection device, the voltage across the resistor being determined when a reference voltage is applied to the resistor through a reference resistor.

Description

1 2387451

SWITCHGEAR CABINET MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM

This invention relates to a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet-specific functions, having a control device and a plurality of different sensors and/or actuators which can be coupled or are coupled thereto via a sensor connection device with at least one sensor connection point.

A switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system of this type is indicated in DE 199 11 824 Al. In the case of this known switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system, a base monitoring device for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet functions is connectable on the one hand by means of a network connection unit to a superordinate, for example public network, and is connected or is connectable on the other hand via a fieldbus to further monitoring devices for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet functions, the further monitoring devices forming a type of satellite appliance and being able to be disposed for example in other switchgear cabinets as the base monitoring device. The satellite appliances can be connected in this manner via the base monitoring device to the superordinate network. An evaluation and data processing superordinate to the satellite appliances can also be implemented in the base monitoring device so that the satellite appliances can be configured relatively simply. Equally the satellite appliances are provided similarly to the base monitoring device with connections for sensors and/or actuators, to which if necessary a relatively large number of sensors or respectively actuators are connected in order to be able to implement the desired monitoring and control measures irrespective of the situation of use of a switchgear cabinet.

Which monitoring and control measures are made available with a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control device of this type in order to enable flexible usage of a switchgear cabinet is shown in WO 97/34345. A correspondingly great complexity of the arrangement is also involved with the diverse monitoring and control possibilities, in order to receive the signals of the various sensors and to undertake the control of the various built-in or supplementary components of the switchgear cabinet. For example, humidity sensors, door sensors or respectively access sensors, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, smoke sensors, current transducers, voltage transducers and possibly also additional service temperature sensors have to be connected and different air-conditioning components, such as heat exchangers, fans, cooling appliance, heating and/or service fans have to be operated. In addition, it can be required to monitor a supply voltage or operational values and possibly to maintain an emergency operation. Furthermore, the different information must be presented to a user and also input possibilities have to be provided for setting the desired prescribed values or operational configurations.

It is shown in DE 199 11 318 Al how a switchgear cabinet monitoring device with at least one base appliance can be coupled to a network and how it can output information via the latter and how it can for example receive information for configuration. The base appliance is equipped with a plurality of functional card slots for different functional cards and at least with a network card slot. Further adaptation possibilities and a simplified operating possibility are offered with these measures.

DE 100 07 271 Al also shows a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control plant with a plurality of switchgear cabinet monitoring and control devices connected to a network, such measures being adopted for a simple operation.

The object underlying the present invention is to make available a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system of the initially mentioned type which offers simplified usage possibilities with as little complexity as possible.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. It is provided accordingly that the sensor connection device has a detection device for differentiating between the different sensors and/or actuators which are connectable in any manner and exchangeable at at least one connection point in a similar manner.

With these measures, a user can connect without error and exchange optionally different sensors and/or actuators at the available sensor connection points which are equipped with suitable plug-in/coupling units. Also according to the conditions of use, suitable sensors can be chosen in a simple manner, the detection device automatically detecting the respectively connected sensors and/or actuators.

An unequivocal detection of different sensors and/or actuators is achieved with simple measures in that sensors and/or actuators are provided with respectively built-in different fixed ohmic encoding resistance, and cooperate via one or more connection elements of a sensor/actuator port with a reference resistance disposed therein for producing a different voltage drop, and in that the detection device has a detection step which differentiates between the different sensors and/or actuators by means of stored assignment values for the voltage drops.

A simple supply and output of input signals and/or output signals of different types is achieved in a simple manner in that the sensor connection points for different types of input signals from and output signals to the sensors and/or actuators have separate connection elements and in that the sensors and/or actuators are provided corresponding to the type of signal delivered or received therefrom with complementary connection elements for supplying or receiving the input signals or output signals.

Even in the case of few connection elements, a relatively large number of sensors and/or actuators is thereby connectable in that, at least via a part of the connection elements, different types of input signals or output signals can also be supplied or issued per connection element.

An advantageous embodiment is produced in that at least two different sensors are available for producing the different signal types by resistance change, current change, voltage change, frequency change, change in the mark-space ratio in the case of a pulse width signal, a switch on/switch off process, capacitance change or change in the spectral transmission-, reflectionor absorption-behaviour.

Additionally or alternatively to the mentioned difference by means of encoding resistances, advantageous measures exist for detection in that the differentiation between different sensors and/or actuators is effected dependent upon the occupancy of the connection elements (a to h) with the complementary connection elements and/or due to the type of signal.

Different advantageous variants for equipping are achieved in that at least two differently operating sensors and/or actuators are available from the category of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, smoke sensors, vibration sensors, closed state sensors, access sensors, voltage sensors and/or air-conditioning components.

One variant for a simple comprehensive construction with the possibility of making changes or additions, for example by programming, resides in the fact that the sensor connection device has a processor system for receiving the input signals and making available the actuator signals, in that the detection device has an assignment device configured in the processor system for assigning the input signals coming from the sensors and/or actuators to the assignment values and to an associated processing manner and in that, on the basis of the assignment, a data processing and data output is effected for display, control and/or regulation.

It is thereby provided conveniently for the signal supply and signal output that, between the sensor/actuator port and the processor system for receiving, processing and transmitting the input signals, there is/are disposed a connection controller with integrated or external AID converter and/or a controller for a serial interface and/or a driver unit for the output signals.

It is provided furthermore that, between the processor system and the sensor/actuator port or the connection controller and/or the controller for the serial sensor interface, at least one multiplexer is disposed for controlled distribution of the input signals from the connection elements and output signals to the connection elements, thus a simple construction is achieved with diverse design possibilities, in addition few connection elements sufficing which can be queried or respectively supplied in a programme-controlled manner, for example cyclically.

By means of the measures that a network interface and/or a serial external interface is configured in the sensor connection device, the data output outwardly and the data intake from the outside is made possible by superordinate monitoring and/or control devices even from distant places in a simple manner.

For user-friendly use, the measures are furthermore advantageous in that the sensor connection device is configured as an independent unit, in that the control device has at least one satellite appliance and/or superordinate base appliance, in that at least the one satellite appliance is provided with a network coupling unit and is connected or connectable by means of the latter directly to a network or to the base appliance which has a network connection unit for its part and is connectable by means of the latter to the network, and in that the sensor connection device is connectable to the satellite appliance and/or to the base appliance.

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system, having a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control device and sensors and actuators connected thereto via a sensor coupling device.

Figure 2 shows a more detailed embodiment of a sensor connection unit of the sensor connection device according to Figure 1.

Figure 3 details the integration of a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system into a superordinate monitoring system.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system 1, having a switchgear cabinet monitoring and control device 20, which has a base appliance 2 and a satellite appliance 3, to which control device a sensor connection device 4 with a plurality of sensor connection units 4' is connected via coupling units 3.2 of the satellite appliance 3. A plurality of sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 is connectable via sensor connection points 4.1 to each sensor connection unit 4'. The base appliance 2 is connectable via a network connection unit 2.1 to a local network (LAN) or public network 10 (cf. Figure 3) in order to make it possible for authorised persons to check the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system I even from a distant place and if required to effect changes. For example, data stored in the switchgear cabinet monitoring and control device 20 can be queried or changed or supplemented or processing programmes can be read-in or changed. The satellite appliance 3 is also connectable via a network coupling unit 3.1 to a superordinate network 10 or local network (LAN), the network coupling unit 3.1 concerning advantageously the same connection to which alternatively the base appliance 2 can also be connected via the correspondingly designed satellite connection 2.2. The satellite appliance 3 can therefore also undertake automatically a monitoring and/or control or regulation of the sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 via the sensor connection device 4.

As Figure 2 shows, the sensor signals and/or actuator signals are supplied as input signals and/or output signals via connection elements a to h to a sensor/actuator port 4.2 or respectively they are output via these. From the sensor/actuator port 4.2, the input signals are supplied to a stage with a plurality of multiplexers 4.4 and proceed via these into a connection controller 4.5, which is connected thereto, said connection controller having an integrated A/D convertor 4.51 for an analogue/digital conversion of analogue input signals and a meter 4.52 for establishing a frequency of digital or analogue input signals. Parallel to the connection controller 4.5, a serial sensor interface 4.6, in particular in the form of an 12C controller, is disposed in the present case for more complex input signals and/or output signals. By means of a driver 4.9, which is likewise disposed parallel to the connection controller 4.5 and to the serial sensor interface 4.6, even greater loads can be operated on digital or analogue outputs of the sensor/actuator port 4.2.

The connection controller 4.5, the serial sensor interface 4.6 and also the driver 4.9 are connected to a processor system 4.7 which takes over superordinate control measures for the actuation of the sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 and also the processing of the received input signals and issued output signals. In addition, the processor system 4.7 makes available via an external connection 4.8 in the form of a network interface 4.81 and/or of a serial external interface 4.82, such as for example an RS 232 interface, a data output and data input for a display, monitoring and/or control or regulation even from a distant place for an operator. This external connection can produce for example the communication via the coupling unit 3.2 of the satellite appliance 3.

In order to differentiate between different sensors 5 and/or actuators 6, these are equipped with a different encoding resistance Rc which is dependent upon the sensor type, a reference resistance Rref on the corresponding connection element (e.g. e) being assigned to said encoding resistance. The encoding resistance Rc and the fixed reference resistance Rref form a voltage divider, at which different voltages drop dependent upon the size of the encoding resistance Rc, said voltages being preprocessed via the corresponding multiplexer 4.4 and A/D converter 4.51 in the connection controller 4.5 and being passed on for detection of the sensor 5 and/or actuator 6 to a detection unit in the processor system 4. 7. The detection unit has an assignment device 4.71, in which the detected voltage value is assigned by means of an assignment table to a code of the connected sensor 5 and/or actuator 6. As a result, the different sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 can be differentiated. Dependent upon the sensor 5 and or actuator 6, the input data obtained from the latter can then be processed with corresponding programmes, which are tailored thereto, or the output signals to be issued are made available for a relevant actuator 6 and are issued.

As an alternative to ohmic resistances, the use of Zener diodes in the connections of the sensors/actuators is possible for differentiating between the sensors and/or actuators. By means of using different Zener diodes with different Zener voltages, it can be detected which sensor/actuator type is concerned.

By using two Zener diodes which are connected to two inputs of 4.2, different sensors/actuators can be detected in the case of 10 different Zener voltage types 100.

A further connection element, for example the connection element g, is used for a current input signal of a measurement current Ix which is supplied via a complementary connection element from a sensor 5 which reacts to a measurement value change with a characteristic current change. In order to tap the current input signal, a further reference resistance Rref' is connected and earthed to the corresponding connection element g in the sensor/actuator port 4.2. The current signal is then likewise transmitted further via an assigned multiplexer 4.4 to the connection controller 4.5 and supplied to the processor system 4.7 for processing.

Via a further connection element, for example the connection element d, a plurality of different input signals, namely a resistance-, voltage- or frequencyinput signal, can be supplied via a corresponding complementary connection element of the sensor 5, an external reference resistance R1 connected to earth being used in the case of a resistance input signal or a digital input signal and being able to be disposed in the corresponding sensor 5. In order to make available the voltage input signal, a sensor for example is used which converts the measurement size into a direct voltage upon temperature change due to the Seebeck effect so that this concerns a temperature sensor. In order to produce a resistance input signal, for example a resistance with positive or negative temperature coefficient, for example a semiconductor resistance, can be used in the case of a temperature sensor. Further sensor types can be based on the fact that a measurement value change is detected by a change in capacitance, in frequency or in the mark-space ratio of a PWM signal. A digital input signal can be obtained for example by a switch on/switch off process, for instance with a Reed relay as door contact switch.

Therefore a temperature sensor can be configured for example also as a quartz thermometer in which the resonance frequency of an oscillating quartz is changed upon a temperature change and a digital signal is formed in the sensor and is supplied to the sensor/actuator port 4.2 as input signal. For the construction of different humidity sensors, the following effects can be used: change in the conductivity by humidity, change in the electricity constant by humidity or absorption of long-wave infrared radiation according to the quantity of water (infrared hygrometer).

More complex input signals can be supplied via further connection elements, for example the connection elements b and c, to an 12-C interface and from there be transmitted via assigned multiplexers 4.5 to the 12-C controller 4.6 and to the processor system 4.7. In this manner, measurement values of the sensor can be read out by means of a bus protocol and also data of an access control unit, for example a card reading unit, can be transmitted to a transponder unit or the like. Instead of an 12-C bus, for example a CAN bus, a LON bus or a Profi bus can also be considered.

Via further connection elements, for example the connection elements a and h, an earth connection and a supply voltage connection for the sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 are made available. Hence the voltage drop for example for the encoding resistance Rc or a resistance measurement can then be produced. In order to operate a load via the driver 4.9, the connection element b for example can be used.

For detection of the different sensors 5 and/or actuators 6 there can be used, alternatively to the detection via the encoding resistance Rc or additionally, the supply of the input signals via various connection elements a to h and/or the type of signals determined in a corresponding detection unit of the processor system 4.7.

The sensors 5 and/or the actuators 6 can be connected to the sensor/actuator port 4.2 always in the same manner due to the described measures. Each sensor connection unit 4' of the sensor connection device 4 can be provided with a plurality of connection units according to Figure 2, and, in order to increase the connection possibilities, a plurality of sensor connection units 4' can be connected to a satellite appliance 3 and can be accommodated respectively in a separate housing.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system for monitoring and/or controlling and/or regulating switchgear cabinet-specific functions, having a control device (2, 3) and a plurality of different sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) which can be coupled or are coupled thereto via a sensor connection device (4) with at least one sensor connection point (4.1); characterised in that: the sensor connection device (4) has a detection device for differentiating between the different sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) which are connectable in any manner and exchangeable at at least one connection point (4.1) in the same manner.

2. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to claim 1, characterised in that sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) are provided with respectively built-in different fixed ohmic encoding resistance (Rc), and cooperate via one or more connection elements of a sensor/actuator port (4.2) with a reference resistance (Rref) disposed therein for producing a different voltage drop, and in that the detection device has a detection step which differentiates between the different sensors and/or actuators (6) by means of stored assignment values for the voltage drops.

3. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the sensor connection points (4.1) for different types of input signals from and output signals to the sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) have separate connection elements (a to h), and in that the sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) are provided corresponding to the type of signal delivered or received therefrom with complementary connection elements for supplying or receiving the input signals or output signals.

4. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to claim 3, characterised in that at least via a part of the connection elements (a to h), different types of input signals or output signals can also be supplied or issued per connection element (e.g. d).

5. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two different sensors (5) are available for producing the different signal types by resistance change, current change, voltage change, frequency change, change in the mark-space ratio in the case of a pulse width signal, a switch on/switch off process, capacitance change or change in the spectral transmission-, reflection- or absorption behaviour.

6. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the differentiation between different sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) is effected dependent upon the occupancy of the connection elements (a to h) with the complementary connection elements and/or due to the type of signal.

7. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two differently operating sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) are available from the category of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, smoke sensors, vibration sensors, closed state sensors, access sensors, voltage sensors and/or air-conditioning components.

8. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor connection device (4) has a processor system (4.7) for receiving the input signals and making available the actuator signals, and in that the detection device has an assignment device (4.71) configured in the processor system (4.7) for assigning the input signals coming from the sensors (5) and/or actuators (6) to the assignment values and to an associated processing manner and in that, on the basis of the assignment, a data processing and data output is effected for display, control and/or regulation.

9. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to claim 8, characterised in that between the sensor/actuator port (4.2) and the processor system (4.7) for receiving, processing and transmitting the input signals, there is/are disposed a connection controller (4.5) with integrated or external AID converter (4.51) and/or a controller for a serial interface (4.6) and/or a driver unit (4.9) for the output signals.

10. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to claims 8 or 9, characterised in that between the processor system (4.7) and the sensor/actuator port (4.2) or the connection controller (4.5) and/or the controller for the serial sensor interface (4.6), at least one multiplexer (4.4) is disposed for controlled distribution of the input signals from the connection elements (a to h) or respectively of the output signals to the connection elements (a to h).

11. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a network interface (4. 81) and/or a serial external interface (4.82) is configured in the sensor connection device (4).

12. The switchgear cabinet monitoring and control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor connection device (4) has one or more sensor connection units (4') which are configured as independent units, and in that the control device has at least one satellite appliance (3) and/or one superordinate base appliance (2); in that at least the one satellite appliance (3) is provided with a network coupling unit (3.1) and is connected or is connectable by means of the latter directly to a network (10) or to the base appliance (2) which has a network connection unit (2.1) for its part and is connectable by means of the latter to the network (10); and in that the sensor connection device (4) is connectable to the satellite appliance (3) and/or to the base appliance (2).