JP2014059802A - Facility control system and connector connection failure detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect an electrical connection failure between a module main body and a terminal block.SOLUTION: In an I/O module 10, a voltage detection section 13 supplies a weak current from one end of the return signal channel on each of the plural return signal channels formed between a terminal block 11 and the same being interposed by a connector CN to detect both-end voltages VA, VB and VC of the return signal channels. A failure alarm section 37 compares each of these both-end voltages to a threshold voltage and determines as an electrical connection failure when the both-end voltage is higher than the threshold voltage; based on a logical product of the determination result, determines a heavy failure has occurred representing a heavy electrical connection failure and displays a heavy failure alarm on a monitor 33 to prompt to stop the control on a field device connected to the I/O module; determines a slight electrical connection failure has occurred based on a logical sum of the determination results and displays a slight failure alarm on a monitor 33 to prompt to perform maintenance service on the I/O module.

Description

  The present invention relates to equipment control technology, and more particularly, to connector connection failure detection technology for detecting electrical connection failures in connectors in I / O modules that concentrate transmission lines of field devices.

  In an equipment control system that controls various equipment such as production equipment and air conditioning equipment, each controller controls each field device by performing data communication with each field device via a transmission path in each controller (for example, (See Patent Document 1). Specifically, each controller periodically obtains measurement data from each field device located under its own, calculates a control parameter for obtaining a preset desired operating state, and calculates each field. It is an instruction to the equipment.

  On the other hand, the higher-level equipment monitoring device periodically acquires measurement data obtained by each controller by performing data communication with each controller via a communication line, and based on these measurement data, the operation details of the entire equipment Is displayed on the monitor. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the operation state of the whole installation easily. In addition, the monitoring device monitors the value of the measurement data, and if any of the process devices has an abnormality in the measurement data, the monitoring device displays an alarm on the content of the abnormality. As a result, the operator can check the abnormality occurrence device and the state of the abnormality and take measures to eliminate the abnormality.

JP 2003-140704 A

  In such an equipment control system, it is necessary to connect many field devices to the controller. Therefore, input modules and output modules are used as modules for concentrating the transmission paths of each field device and connecting them to the I / O bus of the controller. Various I / O modules such as input / output modules are used.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a general I / O module.
The I / O module 10 has a dedicated terminal T for electrically connecting the transmission line L1 of each field device FT by screwing or the like. The dedicated terminal T is attached to the terminal block 11 separate from the module main body 10A and is detachably attached to the module main body 10A in order to cope with maintenance work and downsizing of the module. ing.

  The module main body 10A includes a circuit board 10B on which a circuit unit such as a transmission process for exchanging signals with the field device FT via the transmission line L1 and a communication I / F for performing data communication with the controller is mounted. The terminal block 11 is mounted and electrically connected to the circuit board 10B via the connector CN. As this connector CN, there are a system in which both connector terminals are in direct contact and a system in which connection is made via a cable. The module body 10A is mounted on a rack (not shown) and connected to an I / O bus L2 for data communication with a controller (not shown).

  In order for signals to be smoothly exchanged between the I / O module 10 and the field device FT, the electrical connection status of the connector CN that connects the module body 10A and the terminal block 11 is extremely important. However, a contact failure may occur in the connector CN due to external force, aging, or deterioration of the contact portion due to the surrounding environment, which may hinder signal transmission and reception. When the control of the field device FT by the controller is continued in such a state, there is a problem that normal control cannot be executed.

  The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a connector connection failure detection technique capable of accurately detecting a failure in electrical connection between a module main body and a terminal block of an I / O module. .

  In order to achieve such an object, an equipment control system according to the present invention uses an I / O that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device by means of a terminal block that is detachably mounted via a connector. An equipment control system comprising an O module and a device control unit that controls operations of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices via individual transmission paths concentrated in the I / O module. The I / O module supplies a weak current to the return signal path for each of a plurality of return signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block via the connector. A voltage detection unit for detecting a voltage at both ends, comparing the voltage at both ends detected by the voltage detection unit with a threshold voltage, and If it is higher, it is determined that the electrical connection is poor, and based on the logical product of these determination results, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred, and the field connected to the I / O module. A serious failure alarm prompting the stop of control of the device is displayed on the monitor, and it is determined that a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred based on the logical sum of the determination results, and the I / O module And a failure alarm unit that displays a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance on the monitor.

  In addition, another facility control system according to the present invention includes an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device by means of a terminal block that is detachably mounted via a connector, An equipment control system comprising a device control unit that controls the operation of these field devices by transmitting / receiving signals to / from each of the field devices via individual transmission paths concentrated in the / O module, The / O module supplies a weak current to the return signal path for each of the return signal paths formed between the terminal block via the connector and detects a voltage across the return signal path. Having a detection unit, comparing the both-end voltage detected by the voltage detection unit with a threshold voltage, respectively, and when the both-end voltage is higher than the threshold voltage, When the detection result exceeding the reference detection number indicates the detection of electrical connection failure among these determination results, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred, and When a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to be stopped is displayed on the monitor, and the detection result equal to or less than the reference detection number among the determination results indicates detection of an electrical connection failure. And a failure alarm unit that determines that a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred and displays a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module on a screen.

  In addition, the connector connection failure detection method according to the present invention includes an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device by means of a terminal block that is detachably mounted via a connector; Connector connection failure used in an equipment control system comprising a device control unit that controls the operation of these field devices by transmitting / receiving signals to / from each of the field devices via individual transmission lines concentrated in the / O module In the detection method, the voltage detection unit supplies a weak current to the return signal path for each of the return signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block via the connector. A both-end voltage detecting step for detecting a both-end voltage; and a failure alarm unit that detects the both-end voltage detected in the both-end voltage detecting step as a threshold voltage In comparison, when the voltage at both ends is higher than the threshold voltage, it is determined that the electrical connection is poor, and based on the logical product of these determination results, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection has occurred. A serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to be stopped is displayed on the monitor, and a minor failure that indicates a minor electrical connection failure based on the logical sum of the determination results is detected. And a failure alarm step for displaying on a monitor a light failure alarm that determines that the I / O module has been generated and prompts maintenance of the I / O module.

  In addition, another connector connection failure detection method according to the present invention includes an I / O module for concentrating transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device by means of a terminal block that is detachably mounted via a connector. A connector used in an equipment control system including a device control unit that controls operations of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices via individual transmission lines concentrated in the I / O module. In this connection failure detection method, the voltage detection unit supplies a weak current to the return signal path for each of the return signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block via the connector. A both-end voltage detection step for detecting a both-end voltage of the path; and a failure alarm unit that uses the both-end voltage detected in the both-end voltage detection step as a threshold voltage. When each comparison is made, it is determined that the electrical connection is poor when the voltage at both ends is higher than the threshold voltage, and among these determination results, the detection result exceeding the reference detection number indicates the detection of an electrical connection failure. In addition, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred, and a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to be stopped is displayed on the monitor, and the determination is performed. If the detection result equal to or smaller than the reference detection number indicates the detection of an electrical connection failure, it is determined that a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred, and the maintenance of the I / O module is promoted. A failure alarm step for displaying a failure alarm on a monitor screen.

  According to the present invention, among the forms of electrical connection failure in the connector connecting the terminal block of the I / O module, when the connector is disengaged and detached, the contact resistance at a specific contact of the connector It is possible to accurately detect the case where contact failure due to the increase occurs. Therefore, when the connector is disengaged and detached, it is possible to notify the operator of a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to stop. In addition, when a contact failure occurs due to an increase in contact resistance at a specific contact of the connector, a light failure alarm instructing maintenance of the I / O module can be notified to the operator.

  For this reason, the operator can take an appropriate response according to the form of electrical connection failure in the connector. For example, in the case of a minor failure due to an increase in contact resistance at the contact point, it is not necessary to take measures to shift to the control stop state of the I / O module as in the case of a major failure, and the equipment control system can be smoothly and efficiently operated. You can drive.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an equipment control system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an I / O module. It is a sequence diagram which shows the connection defect monitoring operation | movement of an equipment control system. It is a screen display example of the trend graph of both-ends voltage. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the both-ends voltage by a difference in the generation | occurrence | production form of the electrical connection failure in a connector. It is explanatory drawing which shows a general I / O module.

[Principle of the Invention]
As shown in FIG. 6 described above, as a method of detecting an electrical connection failure in the connector CN that connects the module main body 10A and the terminal block 11 with respect to the I / O module 10 used in the equipment control system, one of the connectors CN. A method is conceivable in which the pins of the part are allocated for connection failure detection, a return signal path is formed between the module body 10A and the terminal block 11, and the connection failure is detected based on the normality of the return signal path. . Specifically, a constant voltage is applied by pulling up one end of the folded signal path to a power supply potential through a resistance element, and the other end is connected to the ground potential, and the voltage at the one end is monitored. . As a result, when a connection failure occurs, the voltage detected at the other end decreases, so that an electrical connection failure of the connector CN can be detected.

  Here, the form of occurrence of poor electrical connection in the connector CN is not only the case where the entire connector CN is disengaged and detached, but also there is a poor contact between specific terminals of the connector CN. In particular, in the terminals assigned to the return signal path, the current flowing between the terminals is significantly reduced compared to the terminals through which signals transmitted / received to / from field devices are considered in consideration of power saving. It is easily affected by the surrounding environment. Therefore, silicon compounds and sulfur compounds in the air adhere to the contacts and an oxide film is likely to be formed. This oxide film increases the contact resistance and causes poor connection.

  Among the types of occurrence of electrical connection failure in the connector CN, when the connector CN is detached, connection failure occurs at a plurality of terminals of the connector CN, so that many field devices may not be normally controlled. High nature. For this reason, such a connection failure indicates a serious electrical connection failure, which is a so-called serious failure, and stops control of all field devices connected to the I / O module, such as an interlock. It is necessary to shift to the control stop state.

  On the other hand, a connection failure due to an increase in contact resistance at a contact point occurs only at some terminals of the connector CN, not at all terminals at the same time, and is weak when considering the current flowing between the terminals. This is likely to occur first at a terminal assigned to a return signal path through which only a small current flows. In particular, since a certain amount of time is required to form the oxide film, it is unlikely that such a situation of poor electrical connection will occur one after another at other contacts and rapidly deteriorate over the entire connector CN. For this reason, such a connection failure can be determined as a so-called serious failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure, and there is no need to shift the field device connected to the I / O module to the control stop state. An alarm for instructing the maintenance of the I / O module may be notified to the employee.

The present invention pays attention to the form of occurrence of such an electrical connection failure in the connector CN, and depending on the detection status of the connection failure in the plurality of return signal paths, a major failure due to the disconnection of the connector CN, or a contact Whether a minor failure due to an increase in contact resistance is determined, and based on this determination result, whether a serious failure warning is issued to urge the operator to stop control of the field device connected to the I / O module Alternatively, whether to output a light failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module is selected.
Therefore, in the case of a minor failure due to an increase in contact resistance at the contact point, it is only necessary to deal with the maintenance of the I / O module, so it is necessary to immediately shift to the control stop state of the I / O module as in the case of a serious failure. The facility control system can be operated efficiently and smoothly.

[Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the equipment control system 1 concerning this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the equipment control system.

This equipment control system 1 is a control system for controlling various equipment such as production equipment and air-conditioning equipment. Each equipment FT such as a pressure gauge, a flow meter, a control valve, a pump, a motor, and an inverter and control signals are transmitted. It has a function of controlling each field device FT by exchanging.
The facility control system 1 is provided with an I / O module 10, a controller 20, and a facility monitoring device 30 as main devices.

[I / O module]
An I / O module 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the I / O module.
The I / O module 10 is a device that collects transmission lines L1 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from each field device FT and interconnects them with the I / O bus L2 of the controller 20.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the I / O module 10 includes an input / output module having a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from the field device FT is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The I / O module 10 according to the present invention includes not only an input / output module but also an output module having only a function of transmitting data to the field device FT, and an input module having only a function of receiving data from the field device FT. Is also included.

  The I / O module 10 is provided with a terminal block 11, a transmission processing unit 12, a voltage detection unit 13, a detection voltage notification unit 14, and a bus I / F unit 15 as main functional units. Among these circuit units, the transmission processing unit 12, the voltage detection unit 13, the detection voltage notification unit 14, and the bus I / F unit 15 are mounted on the module body 10A, and the terminal block 11 is connected to the connector CN (CN1, CN1, CN2) is detachably attached to the module body 10A. The transmission path L1 may be provided separately for each field device FT, or may be shared by a plurality of field devices FT.

The terminal block 11 has a dedicated terminal T for electrically connecting the transmission line L1 from each field device FT by screwing or the like. After the transmission line L1 is concentrated by the dedicated terminal T, the connector CN1 is connected. Via the module main body 10A.
Further, the terminal block 11 is formed with a short-circuit wiring ST for connecting the pins assigned in advance for detecting a connection failure among the pins of the connector CN1 to form a return signal path. In the connector CN1, pins assigned for connection failure detection are dedicated pins used only for connection failure detection, and pins other than these are used for signals transmitted to and received from the field device FT.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the connector CN1 of the terminal block 11 is electrically connected to the connector CN2 of the module main body 10A via the connection cable CBL. Of the 50 pins provided on connector CN1, three pairs of pins 1 and 2; pins 25 and 26; pins 49 and 50 are assigned in advance for connection failure detection. These pairs of pins are electrically connected by a short-circuit wiring ST. Thereby, for example, the return signal path LP1 of the first pin of the connector CN2 → the connection cable CBL → the first pin of the connector CN1 → the short circuit wiring ST → the second pin of the connector CN1 → the connection cable CBL → the second pin of the connector CN2 is formed. Is done.

  The transmission processing unit 12 sends control data for controlling the field device FT notified from the controller 20 by the bus I / F unit 15 via the I / O bus L2 to a dedicated control signal corresponding to the field device FT. To the field device FT from the terminal block 11 via the transmission line L1, and a dedicated measurement indicating the measurement value obtained by the field device FT received from the transmission line L1 via the terminal block 11 It has a function of converting the signal into measurement data corresponding to processing in the controller 20 and the equipment monitoring device 30 and notifying the controller 20 from the bus I / F unit 15 via the I / O bus L2.

  The voltage detection unit 13 changes the folding signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 formed between the terminal block 11 and the folding signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 according to the poor electrical connection between the module body 10A and the terminal block 11. It has a function of individually detecting the voltages VA, VB, VC across the signal paths LP1, LP2, LP3. In the present embodiment, the case where three return signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 are used will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be two or more return signal paths.

  The voltage detection unit 13 is provided with a similar voltage detection circuit for each of the return signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3. As a specific example, for example, for the return signal path LP1, the return signal path is connected between the power supply potential VCC and one end of the return signal path LP1, and the weak current from the power supply potential VCC is connected to the ground potential GND. A resistance element R that is supplied toward the other end of LP1 and an A / D converter that converts the voltage VA across the return signal path LP1 from an analog value to a digital value and outputs the digital value to the detection voltage notification unit 14 are provided. It has been.

  The detection voltage notification unit 14 acquires the voltages VA, VB, VC at both ends detected by the voltage detection unit 13, and sends the voltage detection data including these voltages VA, VB, VC to the bus I / F unit 15 and the I / F. It has a function of notifying the controller 20 via the O bus L2.

  The bus I / F unit 15 performs data communication with the controller 20 via the I / O bus L2, thereby outputting control data from the controller 20 to the transmission processing unit 12 or the detected voltage notification unit 14, and transmission. It has a function of notifying the controller 20 of measurement data from the processing unit 12 and a function of notifying the controller 20 of voltage detection data from the detection voltage notification unit 14.

[controller]
Next, the controller 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 20 is composed of a control device that operates by executing a predetermined program by the CPU as a whole, and collects data in the I / O module 10 using data communication with the I / O module 10 via the I / O bus L2. Each field device FT has a function of controlling each field device FT by transmitting / receiving signals to / from each of the field devices FT via the individual transmission lines L1.
The controller 20 is provided with a bus I / F unit 21, a device control unit 22, an I / O module monitoring unit 23, and a communication I / F unit 25 as main functional units.

  The bus I / F unit 21 performs data communication with the I / O module 10 via the I / O bus L2, thereby transferring control data from the device control unit 22 via the I / O bus L2. 10, a function for outputting measurement data notified from the I / O module 10 via the I / O bus L 2 to the device control unit 22, and an I / O module 10 via the I / O bus L 2. The voltage detection data notified from the I / O module monitoring unit 23 is output to the I / O module monitoring unit 23.

  The device control unit 22 has a function of acquiring the measurement data of each field device FT received from the I / O module 10 by the bus I / F unit 21 via the I / O bus L2, and individual functions based on these measurement data. A function of generating control data for controlling the operating state of the field device FT, and a function of notifying the generated control data from the bus I / F unit 21 to the I / O module 10 via the I / O bus L2. The function of notifying the facility monitoring device 30 of the measurement data notified from each field device FT from the communication I / F unit 25 via the communication line L3 at a constant cycle or in response to an instruction from the facility monitoring device 30 And have.

  The I / O module monitoring unit 23 sends control data for requesting voltage detection data from the bus I / F unit 21 via the I / O bus L2 at regular intervals or according to instruction data from the equipment monitoring device 30. A function for notifying to the I / O module 10 and a function for acquiring the voltage detection data notified from the I / O module 10 through the I / O bus L2 and the bus I / F unit 21 in response thereto, The voltage detection data notified from the I / O module 10 is notified from the communication I / F unit 25 to the facility monitoring device 30 via the communication line L3 at regular intervals or according to the instruction data from the facility monitoring device 30. It has the function to do.

  The storage unit 24 includes a semiconductor memory and a hard disk, and has a function of storing various processing information and programs used for processing operations in the device control unit 22 and the I / O module monitoring unit 23. Main processing information stored in the storage unit 24 includes measurement data and voltage detection data notified from the I / O module 10. The program is read from an external device or a recording medium, stored in advance in the storage unit 24, and read and executed by the CPU when realizing each functional unit.

  The communication I / F unit 25 performs data communication with the equipment monitoring device 30 via the communication line L3, thereby outputting instruction data from the equipment monitoring device 30 to the device control unit 22 or the I / O module monitoring unit 23. A function, a function of notifying the equipment monitoring device 30 of measurement data from the device control unit 22, and a function of notifying the equipment monitoring device 30 of voltage detection data from the I / O module monitoring unit 23.

[Equipment monitoring device]
Next, the facility monitoring apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The facility monitoring device 30 is composed of an information processing device such as a server or a personal computer as a whole, and performs data communication with the controller 20 via the communication line L3, thereby controlling the controller 20 and controlling the operation state of the entire facility.・ Has a monitoring function.
The facility monitoring device 30 includes a communication I / F unit 31, an operation input unit 32, a monitor 33, a storage unit 34, a facility operation unit 35, a facility monitoring unit 36, and a failure alarm unit 37 as main functional units. It has been.

  The communication I / F unit 31 performs a data communication with the controller 20 via the communication line L3, thereby notifying the controller 20 of the instruction data from the equipment operation unit 35 and the failure alarm unit 37 via the communication line L3. And a function of outputting the measurement data notified from the controller 20 via the communication line L3 to the equipment monitoring unit 36, and a voltage detection data notified from the controller 20 via the communication line L3 to the failure alarm unit 37. It has a function.

The operation input unit 32 includes an operation input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and has a function of detecting an operation by an operator and notifying each function unit.
The monitor 33 includes a screen display device such as an LCD, an operation screen for operating the equipment by the equipment operation unit 35, a status screen for displaying the operation status obtained from the measurement data by the equipment monitoring unit 36, and a failure alarm unit. 37 has a function of displaying various screen information such as an alarm screen for displaying an alarm determined from the voltage detection data.

  The storage unit 34 has a function of storing various processing data used for processing operations in each functional unit, measurement data and voltage detection data notified from the controller 20, and a program for realizing each functional unit. ing. The program is read from an external device or a recording medium and stored in the storage unit 34 in advance, and is read and executed by the CPU when realizing each functional unit.

The facility operation unit 35 notifies the controller 20 of control data for operating the operation state of the facility from the communication I / F unit 31 via the communication line L3 according to the operation of the operator detected by the operation input unit 32. It has the function to do.
The equipment monitoring unit 36 stores the measurement data from the controller 20 received by the communication I / F unit 31 via the communication line L3 in the storage unit 34, and reads the measurement data from the storage unit 34 to generate a status screen. The monitor 33 has a function of displaying a screen.

  The failure alarm unit 37 sends control data for requesting voltage detection data from the communication I / F unit 31 via the communication line L3 at regular intervals or according to the operation of the operator detected by the operation input unit 32. A function for notifying the controller 20, a function for storing the voltage detection data from the controller 20 received by the communication I / F unit 31 via the communication line L3 in response to this in the storage unit 34, and the received voltage detection data The voltages VA, VB, VC at both ends of the included return signal paths LP1, LP2, LP3 are compared with a preset threshold voltage Vth for failure determination, and the threshold of the voltages VA, VB, VC at both ends is compared. It has a function of determining an electrical connection failure when it is higher than the value voltage Vth.

  In addition, the failure alarm unit 37 determines that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred based on the logical product of these three determination results, and is connected to the corresponding I / O module 10. Based on the logical sum of these three judgment results and the function of displaying a major fault alarm prompting the control of the field device FT to stop control on the screen 33, a minor fault indicating a minor electrical connection failure has occurred. It has a function of determining and displaying on the monitor 33 a light failure alarm that instructs maintenance of the corresponding I / O module 10. At this time, when the failure detection data indicates the occurrence of a serious failure, a function of automatically notifying control data for instructing to stop control of the field device FT connected to the corresponding I / O module 10 may be provided.

  In the determination example of the failure alarm unit 37, a major failure and a minor failure are determined in parallel. When a major failure is detected, a minor failure is also detected, so both the major failure and the minor failure are detected. In such a case, it is necessary to give priority to a serious failure.

[Operation of the embodiment]
Next, the connection failure monitoring operation of the equipment control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a connection failure monitoring operation of the equipment control system. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, a connection failure monitoring operation for one I / O module 10 located under one controller 20 will be described as an example, but a plurality of controllers 20 and I / O modules are described. In the case of targeting 10 as well, the same connection failure monitoring operation may be executed for each.

  The I / O module monitoring unit 23 of the controller 20 notifies the I / O module 10 of a detection result acquisition request including control data for requesting voltage detection data at a constant cycle (step 100).

  In response to the detection result acquisition request from the controller 20, the detection voltage notification unit 14 of the I / O module 10 acquires the voltages VA, VB, VC at both ends of the return signal paths LP1, LP2, LP3, respectively (step 101). A notification of detection results including voltage detection data including these both-end voltages VA, VB, and VC is sent from the bus I / F unit 15 to the controller 20 (step 102).

  The I / O module monitoring unit 23 stores the voltage detection data included in the detection result notification notified from the I / O module 10 in the storage unit 24 (step 103).

On the other hand, the failure alarm unit 37 of the equipment monitoring apparatus 30 notifies the controller 20 of a detection result acquisition request including control data for requesting voltage detection data at a constant cycle (step 110).
The I / O module monitoring unit 23 of the controller 20 reads the voltage detection data stored in the storage unit 24 in response to the detection result acquisition request from the equipment monitoring device 30 (step 111), and uses these voltage detection data. The detection result notification including it is notified to the equipment monitoring apparatus 30 (step 112).

The failure alarm unit 37 compares the voltage detection data included in the notification of the detection result notified from the controller 20, that is, the both-end voltages VA, VB, VC and the threshold voltage Vth, and calculates the difference between the both-end voltages VA, VB, VC. If it is higher than the threshold voltage Vth, it is determined that the electrical connection is poor (step 113).
Here, if the failure alarm unit 37 detects that an electrical connection failure has occurred in all of the return signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 based on the logical product output of these three determination results, It is determined that a serious failure indicating a failure has occurred (step 114: YES), and a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device FT connected to the corresponding I / O module 10 to be stopped is displayed on the monitor 33. (Step 115), a series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, when it is detected from the logical sum output of these three determination results that an electrical connection failure has occurred in at least one of the loopback signal paths LP1, LP2, LP3, a light electrical connection failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure is detected. It is determined that a failure has occurred (step 116: YES), a minor failure alarm instructing the maintenance of the corresponding I / O module 10 is displayed on the monitor 33 (step 117), and the series of processing ends.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the I / O module 10, the voltage detection unit 13 includes a plurality of return signal paths LP1, which are formed between the terminal block 11 and the connector CN (CN1, CN2). For each of LP2 and LP3, a weak current is supplied from one end of the return signal path to detect the voltages at both ends of the return signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3, and the failure alarm unit 37 detects the voltages VA, VB, VC at both ends. Are compared with the threshold voltage Vth, respectively, and when the both-end voltages VA, VB, VC are higher than the threshold voltage Vth, it is determined that the return signal path has an electrical connection failure, and the logic of these determination results It is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred based on the product, and a serious failure that prompts the control of the field device FT connected to the I / O module 10 to stop. Information is displayed on the monitor 33, and it is determined that a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred based on the logical sum of the determination results, and a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module 10 is monitored. 33 is displayed on the screen.

  As a result, among the forms of occurrence of poor electrical connection in the connector CN, when the connector CN is disengaged and detached, and when the contact failure occurs due to an increase in contact resistance at a specific contact of the connector CN. , Can be detected accurately. Therefore, when the connector CN is disengaged and detached, it is possible to notify the operator of a major failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device FT connected to the I / O module 10 to stop. In addition, when a contact failure occurs due to an increase in contact resistance at a specific contact of the connector CN, a light failure alarm instructing maintenance of the I / O module 10 can be notified to the operator.

  For this reason, the operator can take an appropriate response according to the form of electrical connection failure in the connector CN. For example, in the case of a minor failure due to an increase in contact resistance at the contact point, the maintenance of the I / O module 10 only needs to be dealt with. The facility control system 1 can be operated efficiently and smoothly.

  Further, the voltage detection data obtained by the I / O module 10 can be notified from the controller 20 to the equipment monitoring apparatus 30 in the same procedure as the measurement data from the field device FT, and a new control procedure can be notified to the controller 20. There is no need to construct with the equipment monitoring device 30. For this reason, if the I / O module 10 is updated, the present invention can be applied to an existing facility monitoring system very easily, and the introduction cost can be greatly reduced.

In the present embodiment, even if the equipment monitoring unit 36 of the equipment monitoring device 30 displays the trend graphs of the both-end voltages VA, VB, and VC detected on the return signal paths LP1, LP2, LP3 on the monitor 33 on the screen. Good.
FIG. 4 is a screen display example of a trend graph of voltage at both ends. Here, the trend graph of the voltage VA, VB, VC detected by a certain I / O module is displayed, the horizontal axis indicates time (month), and the vertical axis indicates the voltage value (V) at both ends. . Thereby, the operator can confirm in detail which voltage across which I / O module 10 is increasing. Further, by displaying the threshold voltage Vth on the trend graph, the operator can also predict the maintenance time.

  In this embodiment, the case where three return signal paths LP1, LP2, and LP3 are formed in the I / O module 10 is described as an example. However, the number of return signal paths may be set to two or more. For example, the present invention can be applied in the same manner as described above, and the same effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the connection failure monitoring operation for one I / O module 10 located under one controller 20 has been described as an example for easy understanding. When the I / O module 10 is targeted, the same connection failure monitoring operation may be executed for each of them.

  In this embodiment, the detection voltage notification unit 14 of the I / O module 10 returns a detection result notification including voltage detection data in response to a detection result acquisition request from the I / O module monitoring unit 23 of the controller 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection voltage notification unit 14 may autonomously notify the detection result notification including the voltage detection data to the controller 20 at a constant period. Good. Similarly, the I / O module monitoring unit 23 may notify the equipment monitoring device 30 of a detection result notification including voltage detection data autonomously at a constant cycle.

[Extended embodiment]
The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the failure alarm unit 37 determines that the return signal path has a poor electrical connection when the both-end voltages VA, VB, and VC are higher than the threshold voltage Vth, and the determination results are as follows. Based on the logical sum of these, it is determined that a minor failure indicating a minor electrical connection failure has occurred, and based on the logical product of these determination results, it is determined that a major failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred. Although the case has been described as an example, the determination method is not limited to this.

  For example, when a reference detection number N for distinguishing between a serious failure and a light failure is set in advance, and a detection result exceeding the reference detection number N among these determination results indicates detection of an electrical connection failure, It is determined that a major failure that indicates an electrical connection failure has occurred, and a light failure that indicates a slight electrical connection failure when a detection result equal to or less than the reference detection number N indicates a detection of an electrical connection failure. It may be determined that occurrence has occurred.

Specifically, when N = 1, if two or more of these determination results indicate poor electrical connection, it is determined as a major failure, and one of these determination results is a poor electrical connection. Is determined as a minor failure.
Depending on the environment in which the I / O module 10 is used and the number of pins of the connector CN, the frequency with which the contact resistance increases at the contact points changes. For this reason, according to the structure which distinguishes a serious failure and a light failure based on the reference | standard detection number N, the criterion can be adjusted respectively and it can optimize about each installation control system.

Moreover, the change of both-ends voltage changes with differences in the form of electrical connection failure occurring in the connector CN. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the voltage between both ends due to differences in the form of electrical connection failure in the connector.
In the case of an increase in contact resistance at the contact, the voltage between both ends gradually increases as the thickness of the oxide film increases. On the other hand, when the connector CN is disengaged and detached, the voltage at both ends increases greatly instantaneously.

  Therefore, every time the both-end voltage VB is detected, the change width ΔV of the both-end voltage is detected by comparing with the both-end voltage VB detected before the predetermined determination time T, and compared with the reference change width ΔTs. When> ΔTs, it is possible to detect that the connector CN is disengaged and detached, that is, a serious failure is detected. For minor faults, the voltage VB at both ends may be compared with the threshold voltage Vth as described above.

  As a result, with the voltage at both ends detected from one return signal path, out of the form of electrical connection failure in the connector CN, when the connector CN is disengaged and disconnected, and contact at a specific contact of the connector CN It is possible to accurately detect a case where a contact failure due to an increase in resistance occurs. As a result, even when a plurality of return signal paths cannot be set due to the usage status of the pins at the connector CN, an alarm corresponding to the form of occurrence of electrical connection failure can be output.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Equipment control system, 10 ... I / O module, 10A ... Module main body, 11 ... Terminal block, 12 ... Transmission processing part, 13 ... Voltage detection part, 14 ... Detection voltage notification part, 15 ... Bus I / F part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Controller, 21 ... Bus I / F part, 22 ... Equipment control part, 23 ... I / O module monitoring part, 24 ... Memory | storage part, 25 ... Communication I / F part, 30 ... Facility monitoring apparatus, 31 ... Communication I / F section, 32 ... operation input section, 33 ... monitor, 34 ... storage section, 35 ... equipment operation section, 36 ... equipment monitoring section, 37 ... failure alarm section, FT ... field device, T ... dedicated terminal, L1 ... transmission Path, L2 ... I / O bus, L3 ... communication line, CN, CN1, CN2 ... connector, LP1, LP2, LP3 ... turn signal path, ST ... short-circuit wiring, VA, VB, VC ... voltage across both ends, Vth ... threshold Value voltage.

Claims (4)

Through a terminal block that is detachably attached via a connector, an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device, and individual transmission lines that are concentrated on the I / O module. A facility control system comprising a device control unit that controls the operation of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices,
The I / O module detects a voltage across the folded signal path by supplying a weak current to the folded signal path for each of a plurality of folded signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block. Having a voltage detector to
The both end voltages detected by the voltage detection unit are respectively compared with a threshold voltage, and when the both end voltages are higher than the threshold voltage, it is determined that the electrical connection is defective, and based on the logical product of these determination results It is determined that a serious failure indicating a serious electrical connection failure has occurred, and a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to be stopped is displayed on the monitor. A failure alarm unit that determines that a minor failure indicating a minor electrical connection failure has occurred based on a logical sum and displays on the monitor a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module. Equipment control system. Through a terminal block that is detachably attached via a connector, an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device, and individual transmission lines that are concentrated on the I / O module. A facility control system comprising a device control unit that controls the operation of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices,
The I / O module detects a voltage across the folded signal path by supplying a weak current to the folded signal path for each of a plurality of folded signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block. Having a voltage detector to
The both-end voltages detected by the voltage detection unit are respectively compared with a threshold voltage, and when the both-end voltages are higher than the threshold voltage, it is determined that the electrical connection is defective, and among the determination results, the reference detection number If the detection result exceeding the value indicates detection of an electrical connection failure, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred, and control of the field device connected to the I / O module is stopped. When a serious failure alarm is displayed on the monitor, and a detection result equal to or less than the reference detection number among the determination results indicates detection of an electrical connection failure, a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred. A facility control system comprising: a failure alarm unit that determines and displays a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module on a monitor. Through a terminal block that is detachably attached via a connector, an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device, and individual transmission lines that are concentrated on the I / O module. A connector connection failure detection method used in an equipment control system including a device control unit that controls operations of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices,
For each of a plurality of folded signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block via the connector, both ends for detecting a voltage at both ends of the folded signal path by supplying a weak current to the folded signal path A voltage detection step;
The failure alarm unit compares the both-end voltage detected in the both-end voltage detection step with a threshold voltage, and determines that the electrical connection is defective when the both-end voltage is higher than the threshold voltage. Based on the logical product, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred, and a serious failure alarm that prompts the control of the field device connected to the I / O module to be stopped is displayed on the monitor. And a failure alarm step of determining that a minor failure indicating a slight electrical connection failure has occurred based on the logical sum of the determination results and displaying on the monitor a minor failure alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module. And a connector connection failure detection method comprising: Through a terminal block that is detachably attached via a connector, an I / O module that collects transmission lines for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each field device, and individual transmission lines that are concentrated on the I / O module. A connector connection failure detection method used in an equipment control system including a device control unit that controls operations of these field devices by transmitting and receiving signals to and from each of the field devices,
For each of a plurality of folded signal paths formed between the terminal block and the terminal block via the connector, both ends for detecting a voltage at both ends of the folded signal path by supplying a weak current to the folded signal path A voltage detection step;
The failure alarm unit compares the both-end voltage detected in the both-end voltage detection step with a threshold voltage, and determines that the electrical connection is defective when the both-end voltage is higher than the threshold voltage. If the detection result exceeding the reference detection number indicates the detection of an electrical connection failure, it is determined that a serious failure indicating a severe electrical connection failure has occurred and is connected to the I / O module. A serious failure alarm prompting the stop of control of the field device is displayed on the monitor, and when the detection result equal to or less than the reference detection number among the determination results indicates the detection of an electrical connection failure, a slight electrical connection failure is indicated. A fault alarm step for determining that a minor fault has occurred and displaying on the monitor a minor fault alarm that prompts maintenance of the I / O module. Detection method.

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