JP2007108884A - Wireless sensor and wireless monitoring system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless sensor capable of remarkably saving power consumption compared with a conventional manner, reducing cost and time to be required for maintenance, prolonging the life of an apparatus, facilitating miniaturization, and attaining arrangement in different facilities and equipment, and to provide a wireless monitoring system using the wireless sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless sensor 12 includes: a power supply source part 12A for supplying power; a sensor switch part 12C having a sensor to be operated without electricity for supplying the power of the power supply source part 12A when the sensor is on and not to supply the power of the power supply source part 12A when the sensor is off; and a transmitting part 12E for wirelessly transmitting prescribed information to an external part by receiving the power supply of the power supply source part 12A from the sensor switch part 12C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless sensor capable of detecting changes in temperature, vibration, pressure, and the like and transmitting the presence / absence of abnormality detection to the outside wirelessly and a wireless monitoring system using the wireless sensor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, wireless sensors that can detect changes in temperature, vibration, pressure, and the like and transmit the presence / absence of abnormality detection to the outside are widely known. Such a wireless sensor has the advantage that it is not necessary to route and maintain the wire compared to a wired sensor, but it requires a long period of wireless communication, and thus consumes a large amount of power. In general, it is necessary to provide a large power source, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus.

As one means for solving such a problem, Patent Document 1 is configured to set a control unit (microcomputer) to a standby state when wireless communication is not required, thereby suppressing power consumption. A wireless sensor is disclosed.
JP 2003-16566 A

However, the wireless sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has a limit in reducing power consumption because power is consumed by the control unit even when wireless communication is not performed. For this reason, it is necessary to perform maintenance work such as power supply replacement at short intervals, which increases the cost and time required for maintenance.
Although it is conceivable to increase the capacity of the power supply in order to reduce the frequency of maintenance work, it is difficult to avoid an increase in the size of the apparatus, and there is a problem that the equipment and equipment that can be attached are limited. It was.
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and can greatly reduce the power consumption compared to the prior art, reducing the cost and time required for maintenance, and extending the life of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless sensor that can be designed and easily reduced in size and can be installed in various facilities and devices, and a wireless monitoring system using the wireless sensor.

A wireless sensor according to the present invention includes a power supply unit that can supply power and a sensor that operates without power, and can supply power of the power supply unit when the sensor is in an ON state, and when the sensor is in an OFF state. A sensor switch unit that disables the power supply of the power supply unit, and a transmission unit that is supplied with the power of the power supply unit from the sensor switch unit and can transmit predetermined information wirelessly to the outside. Thus, the above-mentioned problems are solved.
As the “sensor switch unit” according to the present invention, for example, a temperature sensor such as a temperature-sensitive magnetic sensor switch having a sensor made of a magnetic material or a shape memory alloy sensor switch having a sensor made of a shape memory alloy. Examples thereof include an external force electromotive type vibration sensor switch and a pressure sensor switch provided with a switch and a sensor composed of a piezoelectric element or a piezo film element.
In addition, “when the sensor is in the ON state” means a state in which the sensor senses an abnormality such as temperature, vibration, pressure, or the like to be detected based on a predetermined threshold, and “when the sensor is in the OFF state”. The term “sensor” refers to a state in which an abnormality such as a temperature, vibration, or pressure that is a detection target is not sensed.
According to the present invention, when the sensor is in the OFF state, the power consumption of the entire wireless sensor can be reduced to zero. As a result, power consumption can be greatly reduced as compared to the prior art, maintenance costs and time can be reduced, and the life of the apparatus can be extended. In addition, since it is not necessary to mount a large-capacity power supply unlike a conventional wireless sensor, the apparatus can be easily downsized and can be installed in various facilities and equipment. Moreover, since wireless communication is used, wiring is not required and installation is easy.

  If a charging unit that can charge the power of the power supply unit is further disposed between the sensor switch unit and the transmission unit, the sensor repeats the ON / OFF state in the vicinity of the threshold value. Even when the power supply becomes unstable, the power charged in the charging unit can be supplied to the transmitting unit, and stable power can be supplied to the transmitting unit.

The power source unit further includes a timer activation unit capable of periodically supplying power to the transmission unit, and the transmission unit is supplied with power from the power source unit from the timer activation unit, and receives the predetermined information. If it is configured to be able to periodically send to the outside, not only when the sensor is in the ON state, but also when the sensor is in the OFF state, the predetermined information can be periodically sent to the outside. , The wireless sensor can be sent to the outside periodically to check the health of the wireless sensor (you can know if the wireless sensor battery is dead or broken) .
Furthermore, if the power supply unit is configured so that the power can be generated by itself, work such as battery replacement is not required, maintenance performance can be improved, and further power saving can be achieved. .

Furthermore, if a plurality of sensor switch units are provided, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a plurality of types of abnormalities. In particular, if each of the plurality of sensor switch units includes sensors with different detection targets, it is possible to detect whether there is an abnormality in different detection targets (for example, temperature, pressure, vibration).
It is possible to receive the above-described wireless sensor and the predetermined information transmitted from the wireless sensor, and monitor at least the installation location of the wireless sensor and the presence or absence of abnormality detection based on the predetermined information. If the wireless monitoring system is configured to include a monitoring device, it is possible to monitor the presence or absence of abnormality in the factory or building by disposing wireless sensors at key points in the factory or building. In addition, the location where the abnormality is found can be easily identified.
In addition, if the monitoring device is configured to be able to distribute to the outside wireless sensor information including at least information on the installation location of the wireless sensor and whether or not an abnormality has been detected, for example, wireless sensor information via a telephone line or the Internet Can be obtained, and the presence or absence of abnormality in the factory or building can be monitored even at a location away from the monitoring device.

  According to the wireless sensor of the present invention, the power consumption can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional one, the cost and time required for maintenance can be reduced, the life of the apparatus can be extended, and the size can be easily reduced. It has an excellent effect that it can be installed in various facilities and equipment.

  In addition, according to the wireless monitoring system of the present invention, it is possible to monitor the presence or absence of an abnormality in a factory or building by arranging wireless sensors at important points such as a factory or building, and to find an abnormality. Can be easily identified.

  Hereinafter, the wireless monitoring system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wireless monitoring system 10 according to the first embodiment.

The wireless monitoring system 10 includes a plurality of wireless sensors 12 (only five are shown as an example in FIG. 1), a repeater 14 that receives, amplifies and transmits radio waves transmitted from these wireless sensors 12, And a monitoring device 16 that receives information about each wireless sensor 12 transmitted from the relay device 14 and monitors the installation location of the wireless sensor 12 and the presence or absence of abnormality detection based on this information. ing.
In the first embodiment, the relay 14 is interposed between the wireless sensor 12 and the monitoring device 16 and the relay 14 amplifies the radio wave. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the monitoring device 16 is disposed in a range where radio waves from each wireless sensor 12 can reach sufficiently (for example, a radius indicated by A1 in FIG. May be configured to be directly received by the monitoring device 16.
<Wireless sensor>

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing only the main part of the wireless sensor 12.

  The wireless sensor 12 is supplied via a power supply unit 12A made of a lithium battery, a timer activation unit 12B and a sensor switch unit 12C connected in parallel to the power supply unit 12A, and the timer activation unit 12B and the sensor switch unit 12C. A charging unit 12D capable of charging the power of the power supply unit 12A, and a transmission unit 12E which is supplied with the power of the power supply unit 12A from the charging unit 12D and can transmit predetermined information to the outside wirelessly. It is configured.

  The power supply unit 12A employs a lithium battery in the first embodiment for the purpose of reducing the size and cost of the wireless sensor 12, but the “power supply unit” according to the present invention is not limited to the lithium battery. Any power supply can be used. Therefore, for example, the power supply unit 12A is configured to be able to generate electric power by itself, such as a solar cell that can convert light energy into electric energy, or a piezoelectric power generation device that can convert mechanical energy into electric energy. Thus, work such as battery replacement is not required, and maintainability can be improved, and further power saving can be achieved. Moreover, it is also conceivable to use a power supply unit 12A that does not have a power generation function (for example, a lithium battery) and that has a power generation function (for example, a solar battery).

Power is always supplied to the timer starter 12B by the power supply 12A. The timer starter 12B outputs a trigger signal S1 to the transmitter 12E approximately every 2 seconds, and supplies power from the power supply unit 12A to the charging unit 12D periodically (for example, once every 24 hours). Then, the charging unit 12D is charged. The “trigger signal S1” output from the timer starter 12B is a timing signal used for radio wave transmission of the transmitter 12E.
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the sensor switch unit 12C includes a sensor 12C1 that operates without power. When the sensor 12C1 is in an ON state, the power of the power source unit 12A can be supplied, and the sensor 12C1 is in an OFF state. At this time, the power supply unit 12A is configured to be unable to supply power. The sensor switch unit 12C includes, for example, a temperature sensor switch such as a temperature-sensitive magnetic sensor switch having a sensor made of a magnetic material, a shape memory alloy sensor switch having a sensor made of a shape memory alloy, a piezoelectric element, An external force electromotive vibration sensor switch or pressure sensor switch provided with a sensor made of a piezo film element or the like can be applied.
Note that “when the sensor 12C1 is in the ON state” refers to a state in which the sensor 12C1 senses an abnormality such as temperature, vibration, pressure, or the like that is a detection target based on a predetermined threshold, and “the sensor 12C1 is in the OFF state. The “time” means a state in which the sensor 12C1 is not sensing an abnormality such as a temperature, vibration, pressure, or the like to be detected.
Returning to FIG. 2, when the sensor 12C1 senses an abnormality, the sensor switch unit 12C outputs a monitoring state signal S2 to the transmission unit 12E. The monitoring state signal S2 is a signal for notifying the transmitter 12E of the presence or absence of abnormality detection. For example, when the sensor 12C1 detects an abnormality, a high level signal is output as the monitoring state signal S2. When 12C1 does not sense abnormality, a low level signal is output as the monitoring state signal S2. The monitoring state signal S2 may be any signal as long as the transmission unit 12E can determine whether the sensor switch unit 12C is abnormal. For example, the transmission unit 12E is configured to notify the transmission unit 12E of the presence or absence of abnormality in the sensor switch unit 12C. May be.

  The charging unit 12D is configured by a capacitor in the first embodiment, and as described above, the power of the power supply unit 12A supplied via the timer starting unit 12B or the power supply unit 12A supplied via the sensor switch unit 12C. It has a structure that can charge the electric power.

  The transmission unit 12E is activated when the power charged in the charging unit 12D via the timer activation unit 12B reaches a predetermined amount of power. Then, predetermined information is transmitted wirelessly periodically (for example, once every 24 hours or once every hour) in synchronization with the trigger signal S1 from the timer starting unit 12B (in this case, a monitoring state flag described later) Is transmitted to the effect that the wireless sensor 12 has not sensed an abnormality). More specifically, the transmitting unit 12E transmits predetermined information to the outside using a specific low power radio (1 mW station) using a one-way mode dedicated to transmission. In the first embodiment, as predetermined information, 16-bit data indicating an ID code (decimal value of 0 to 65535) for specifying each wireless sensor 12 and abnormality detection in each wireless sensor 12 are provided. 1-bit data (monitoring status flag) indicating the presence or absence is transmitted. As described above, the transmission unit 12E limits the information to be transmitted to the minimum necessary information amount (a total of 17 bits of information amount in the first embodiment), reduces the transmission data amount, and the specific low power with a small transmission output. Power is saved by transmitting data in a one-way mode of a wireless system (1 mW station). The “predetermined information” according to the present invention is not limited to the ID code or the monitoring status flag, and other information may be added. Further, the amount of information is not limited to 17 bits.

The transmitting unit 12E is also activated when the power charged in the charging unit 12D via the sensor switch unit 12C reaches a predetermined amount of power (when the sensor switch unit 12C senses an abnormality). In this case, the transmission unit 12E sets the monitoring state flag to 1 in accordance with the monitoring state signal S2 from the sensor switch unit 12C, and then, for example, 1 every about 2 seconds in synchronization with the trigger signal S1 from the timer starting unit 12B. The information of the ID code and the monitoring status flag is transmitted at a cycle of times (in this case, information indicating that the wireless sensor 12 has detected an abnormality is transmitted).
<Repeater>

Returning to FIG. 1, the repeater 14 includes a receiver 14A of a 1 mW station and a transmitter 14B of a 10 mW station connected to the receiver 14A via an RS232C cable C1. The repeater 14 receives transmission data from the wireless sensor 12 by the receiver 14A, and amplifies and outputs the radio wave from the transmitter 14B.
<Monitoring device>

The monitoring device 16 includes a receiver 16A of a 10 mW station for receiving transmission data from the repeater 14, and a personal computer 16B connected to the receiver 16A via an RS232C cable C2.
The personal computer 16B acquires the reception data received by the receiver 16A by RS232C communication, and displays the status of the wireless sensor 12 and various settings.
FIG. 4 shows an example of an ID setting screen for registering the “ID code” of the wireless sensor 12 and “description of installation location” in the personal computer 16B.

  First, the wireless monitoring system 10 registers the “ID code” and “description of installation location” of the wireless sensor 12 to be monitored using this ID setting screen. In the first embodiment, a total of ten (ID numbers: ID0 to ID9) wireless sensors 12 can be registered.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a communication screen that displays a state of the wireless sensor 12 corresponding to each ID number and a map of a factory, a building, or the like.

The window W1 of the communication screen shows the state of each wireless sensor 12. In the first embodiment, the wireless sensor 12 is not sensing an abnormality and wireless communication is not performed. Lights up in green when it is good, and lights up in yellow when wireless communication is poor (for example, when a signal is lost due to radio interference, or when a communication error occurs due to running out of the lithium battery, etc.), the wireless sensor 12 detects an abnormality. If it does, the red light is displayed.
In addition, a map of a factory or building where the wireless sensor 12 is arranged is displayed in the window W2 of the communication screen, and the icon of the wireless sensor 12 displayed in the window W1 is dragged and dropped onto the window W2. Thus, the icon of each wireless sensor 12 can be displayed on the map of the window W2. Therefore, the location of each wireless sensor 12 can be easily confirmed on a map, and the location where an abnormality has occurred can be identified quickly and accurately.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a communication history screen that displays the communication history of each wireless sensor 12.

  On this communication history screen, the ID code, communication date and time, communication interval, etc. of each wireless sensor 12 can be displayed, and the state of each wireless sensor 12 can be easily confirmed. As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless monitoring system 10 further includes a communication parameter setting screen for setting communication parameters such as a communication port, a baud rate, and a stop bit length.

  As described above, the wireless monitoring system 10 according to the first embodiment includes the wireless sensor 12 and the predetermined information transmitted from the wireless sensor 12 (in the first embodiment, information on an ID code and a monitoring state flag). And the monitoring device 16 capable of monitoring at least the installation location of the wireless sensor and the presence / absence of abnormality detection based on the predetermined information. By arranging it at a key point such as a factory or a building, it is possible to monitor whether there is an abnormality in the factory or the building and to easily identify the place where the abnormality is found.

  In addition, since a plurality of wireless sensors 12 are provided, if a plurality of wireless sensors 12 are arranged in a plane (for example, a plurality of wireless sensors 12 are arranged on the same floor of a building), a planar abnormality can be monitored. If a plurality of wireless sensors 12 are arranged three-dimensionally (for example, if arranged separately on the first and second floors of a building), a three-dimensional abnormality can be monitored.

If the monitoring device 16 is configured to be able to distribute wireless sensor information including at least information on the installation location of the wireless sensor 12 and whether or not abnormality has been detected to the outside, for example, the wireless sensor information can be transmitted via a telephone line or the Internet. It is possible to monitor whether or not there is an abnormality in the factory or building even at a location away from the monitoring device 16.
Further, in the wireless sensor 12 according to the first embodiment, since the charging unit 12D that can charge the power of the power source unit 12A is further disposed between the sensor switch unit 12C and the transmission unit 12E, the sensor 12C1 is close to the threshold value. Even when the ON / OFF state is repeated and the power supply from the sensor switch unit 12C becomes unstable, the power charged in the charging unit 12D can be supplied to the transmission unit 12E, and the transmission unit 12E is stable. Electric power can be supplied. Moreover, even when a low-power lithium battery is applied as the power supply unit 12A as in the first embodiment, the power of the lithium battery can be stably supplied to the transmission unit 12E. Moreover, since wireless communication is used, wiring is not required and installation is easy.

  Furthermore, it further includes a timer activation unit 12B that can periodically supply power from the power supply unit 12A to the transmission unit 12E. The transmission unit 12E is supplied with power from the timer activation unit 12B and periodically transmits predetermined information to the outside. Therefore, predetermined information can be periodically transmitted to the outside not only when the sensor 12C1 is in the ON state but also when the sensor 12C1 is in the OFF state. The fact that the sensor 12 is operating normally can be periodically transmitted to the outside, and the soundness of the wireless sensor 12 can be confirmed (it is possible to know whether the battery of the wireless sensor 12 is dead or broken). .

  Next, the wireless sensor 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The wireless sensor 30 includes a plurality (three in this embodiment) of sensor switch portions 32C1, 32C2, and 32C3 instead of the sensor switch portion 12C of the wireless sensor 12 according to the first embodiment. Since the configuration other than the sensor switch units 32C1 to 32C3 is the same as or similar to that of the wireless sensor 12 according to the first embodiment, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawing and the description thereof is omitted. Is omitted.

The sensor switch units 32C1 to 32C3 according to the present embodiment include, for example, a temperature sensor switch that detects an abnormality when the temperature is 40 degrees or higher, a temperature sensor switch that detects an abnormality when the temperature is 45 degrees or higher, and a temperature And a temperature sensor switch that senses an abnormality when the angle is 50 degrees or more. Thus, if it is set as the wireless sensor 30 provided with several sensor switch part 32C1-32C3, it will become possible to detect the presence or absence of multiple types of abnormality. In order to transmit the presence / absence of abnormality detection to each sensor switch unit 32C1 to 32C3 to the outside, only the number of the above-described monitoring state flags corresponding to the sensor switch units 32C1 to 32C3 (3 bits in the second embodiment). It is enough if you prepare it.
Further, the sensor switch portions 32C1 to 32C3 may be, for example, a temperature sensor switch, a pressure sensor switch, or a vibration sensor switch. As described above, if each of the plurality of sensor switch units 32C1 to 32C3 includes sensors different in detection target, the presence or absence of abnormality of different detection targets (in this example, temperature, pressure, vibration) is detected. Is possible.

The configuration of the wireless sensor according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the wireless sensors 12 and 30 according to the first and second embodiments. For example, a wireless sensor 40 such as the wireless sensor 40 illustrated in FIG. The configuration may be such that the timer starter 12B is removed from the sensor 12, and the transmitter 12E may transmit predetermined information wirelessly only when the switch sensor 12C senses an abnormality. In this case, when the sensor of the switch sensor unit 12C is in the OFF state, the power consumption of the entire wireless sensor 40 can be reduced to zero. As a result, power consumption can be greatly reduced as compared to the prior art, maintenance costs and time can be reduced, and the life of the apparatus can be extended. In addition, since it is not necessary to mount a large-capacity power supply unlike a conventional wireless sensor, the apparatus can be easily downsized and can be installed in various facilities and equipment.
Further, when the sensor switch unit 12C can stably supply the power of the power supply unit 12A to the transmission unit 12E, a configuration in which the charging unit 12D is further removed from the wireless sensor 40 shown in FIG. 9 is adopted. You can also.

  That is, a wireless sensor according to the present invention includes a power supply unit that can supply power and a sensor that operates without power, and when the sensor is in an ON state, the power of the power supply unit can be supplied, and the sensor is in an OFF state. A sensor switch unit that disables power supply of the power supply unit at the time, and a transmitter unit that is supplied with power of the power supply unit from the sensor switch unit and can transmit predetermined information wirelessly to the outside. As long as it is configured.

  The wireless sensor and the wireless monitoring system according to the present invention include, for example, heat sensing in factory equipment / panels, cable / rack temperature sensing, pipe temperature and pressure sensing, equipment vibration sensing, rockfall and soil collapse (landslide). It can be applied to detection, detection of water levels such as rivers and groundwater, and soil pressure detection of the ground.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless monitoring system according to the first embodiment. Block diagram showing only the main part of the wireless sensor in the wireless monitoring system System configuration diagram showing the schematic configuration of the sensor switch in the wireless sensor The figure which showed an example of ID setting screen of the same wireless monitoring system The figure which showed an example of the communication screen of the same wireless monitoring system The figure which showed an example of the communication history screen of the same wireless monitoring system The figure which showed an example of the communication parameter setting screen of the wireless monitoring system The block diagram which showed only the principal part of the wireless sensor which concerns on the present Example 2. The block diagram which showed only the principal part of the wireless sensor which concerns on another example

Explanation of symbols

10, 30, 40 ... Wireless monitoring system 12 ... Wireless sensor 12A ... Power supply unit 12B ... Timer starting unit 12C, 32C1, 32C2, 32C3 ... Sensor switch unit 12C1 ... Sensor 12D ..Charging unit 12E ... Transmitting unit 14 ... Repeater 16 ... Monitoring device

Claims (8)

A power supply that can supply power; and
A sensor switch that includes a sensor that operates without power, enables the power of the power supply when the sensor is in an ON state, and disables the power of the power supply when the sensor is in an OFF state;
A power transmitter that is supplied with power from the power supply unit from the sensor switch unit and can transmit predetermined information to the outside wirelessly;
A wireless sensor characterized by comprising: In claim 1,
A wireless sensor, further comprising a charging unit capable of charging the power of the power supply unit between the sensor switch unit and the transmission unit. In claim 1 or 2,
A timer starting unit capable of periodically supplying the power of the power source unit to the transmitting unit;
The wireless sensor is configured such that the transmitter is supplied with electric power from the power supply unit from the timer starter and can periodically transmit the predetermined information to the outside. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The wireless sensor, wherein the power supply unit is configured to generate the power by itself. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
A wireless sensor comprising a plurality of the sensor switch portions. In claim 5,
Each of the plurality of sensor switch units includes a sensor having a different detection target. A wireless sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A monitoring device capable of receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the wireless sensor and monitoring at least the installation location of the wireless sensor and the presence or absence of abnormality detection based on the predetermined information;
A wireless monitoring system, comprising: In claim 7,
The wireless monitoring system, wherein the monitoring device is configured to be able to distribute wireless sensor information including at least information on an installation location of the wireless sensor and whether or not abnormality is detected to the outside.

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