JP2021188603A - Water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To disclose one example of a water supply device capable of coping with abnormality occurring in any of water supply units, in the water supply device having a control portion of each of a plurality of water supply units.SOLUTION: A monitoring portion can exert an actuation prohibiting function that stops or prohibits the actuation of a water supply unit determined as abnormality occurring by a monitoring function, and can exert a preceding changing function that can start the water supply units other than the abnormal unit at least at the starting of the next water supply. Therefore, in the water supply device, without starting the abnormal unit at least at the starting of the next water supply, other water supply units start. Consequently, the reliability of the water supply device can be further improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to a water supply device including a plurality of water supply units.

For example, the water supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of water supply units, and at least a first control board and a second control board. Each water supply unit includes a pump, an electric motor, and the like.

The first control board and the second control board are control units for controlling a plurality of water supply units. Then, in a normal state, all the water supply units are controlled only by the first control board, and when the first control board fails, all the water supply units are controlled by the second control board.

That is, the water supply device described in Patent Document 1 is an invention in which the reliability of the water supply device is enhanced by providing a backup control unit in case of failure.

Japanese Patent No. 5568113

The applicant has devised an invention in which the reliability of the water supply device is enhanced by having a control unit for each of a plurality of water supply units.

The present disclosure discloses an example of a water supply device capable of responding to an abnormality in any of the water supply units in a water supply device having a control unit for each of a plurality of water supply units.

The water supply device communicates with a plurality of water supply units (Ws) having a pump (P), an electric motor (M), and a control unit (CTL) for controlling the electric motor (M), and each of the plurality of control units (CTL). Equipped with a possible monitoring unit (SCT), each of the plurality of control units (CTL) exerts a status transmission function of transmitting an operating status signal indicating the operating status of the corresponding water supply unit (Ws) to the monitoring unit (SCT). It is possible, and the monitoring unit (SCT) uses the operation status signal to monitor whether or not an abnormality has occurred in any of the multiple water supply units (Ws). Demonstrates an operation prohibition function that stops or prohibits the operation of the determined water supply unit (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal unit), and a starter change function that enables other water supply units other than the abnormal unit to start at least at the next start of water supply. It is desirable to be possible.

As a result, in the water supply device, another water supply unit is activated without activating the abnormal unit at the next start of water supply. Therefore, the reliability of the water supply device can be further improved.

Incidentally, the reference numeral in each of the parentheses is an example showing a correspondence relationship with the specific configuration and the like described in the embodiment described later, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configuration and the like shown in the reference numeral in the parentheses. ..

It is a figure which shows the water supply device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. A is a diagram showing a power supply unit according to the first embodiment. B is a truth table diagram in the power supply unit according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the monitoring unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

The following "embodiments of the invention" show an example of embodiments that belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. That is, the matters specifying the invention described in the claims are not limited to the specific configuration, structure, etc. shown in the following embodiments.

At least one member or part described with a reference numeral is provided, except when a notice such as "one" is given. That is, if there is no notice such as "one", two or more of the members may be provided. The water supply device shown in the present disclosure comprises at least components such as members or parts described with reference numerals, as well as the illustrated structural parts.

(First Embodiment)
<1. Overview of water supply equipment ＞
<1.1 Configuration of water supply device>
In this embodiment, for example, an example of the water supply device according to the present disclosure is applied to a water supply device applied to a building such as a condominium or a commercial building. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply device 1 includes a plurality of (for example, four) water supply units Ws1 to Ws4.

Each water supply unit Ws1 to Ws4 has the same configuration. Specifically, each water supply unit Ws1 to Ws4 has at least pumps P1 to P4, electric motors M1 to M4, and control units CTL1 to CTL4 for controlling the electric motors M1 to M4.

Hereinafter, when any water supply unit Ws is intended among the water supply units Ws1 to Ws4, it is referred to as a water supply unit Ws. When any pump is intended among the pumps P1 to P4, it is referred to as pump P. When any electric motor is intended among the electric motors M1 to M4, it is referred to as an electric motor M. When any control unit is intended among the control units CTL1 to CTL4, it is referred to as control unit CTL.

The control unit CTL includes at least a drive circuit of the electric motor M (in the present embodiment, an inverter type drive circuit), a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit, and the like. Then, the control unit CTL according to the present embodiment controls the rotation speed of the pump P, that is, the discharge flow rate, the discharge pressure, and the like of the pump P by controlling the drive frequency for driving the electric motor M.

Each of the control units CTL1 to CTL4 has storage units Me1 to Me4 that can transmit and receive information to each other and store the received information. Hereinafter, when an arbitrary storage unit is intended among the storage units Me1 to Me4, it is referred to as a storage unit Me.

The detection values of the flow rate sensors FS1 to FS4 are input to each of the control units CTL1 to CTL4. Each flow rate sensor FS1 to FS4 detects the discharge flow rate of the corresponding pump P. Hereinafter, when any flow rate sensor is intended among the flow rate sensors FS1 to FS4, it is referred to as a flow rate sensor FS.

The pressure sensor PS detects the discharge pressure of the water supply device 1. The detection signal of the pressure sensor PS is transmitted to each control unit CTL. That is, the discharge pressure of the water supply device 1 is input to each control unit CTL via the communication line.

The communication method between the control units CTL is not limited. Each control unit CTL according to the present embodiment transmits / receives information to and from each other by a serial communication method. Each control unit CTL can also communicate with the monitoring unit SCT via the above communication line.

Then, each of the plurality of control units CTL can exert the state transmission function. The status transmission function is a function of transmitting an operation status signal to the monitoring unit SCT. The operation state signal is a signal indicating the operation state of the corresponding water supply unit Ws. Each control unit CTL according to the present embodiment transmits an operation state signal when receiving a command from the monitoring unit SCT.

The monitoring unit SCT according to this embodiment is provided on the operation board. The operation board has an operation mode operation unit (not shown). The operation mode operation unit is operated by a manager or a person who maintains the operator when selecting and setting an operation mode of the water supply device 1.

<2. Control overview of each control unit>
The control units CTL1 to CTL4, that is, the control circuit of each control unit CTL is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Each control unit CTL controls a drive circuit or the like according to a control program stored in advance in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM.

Each control unit CTL controls the rotation speed of the pump P, that is, the electric motor M so that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor PS (hereinafter referred to as the detected pressure) falls within a predetermined pressure range. Hereinafter, the control is referred to as a target pressure control.

The target pressure control is executed when the operation of the electric motor M starts, and stops when the electric motor M stops. Then, each control unit CTL can also execute the starting start function, the platform increase function, and the flow rate stop function.

<Starter start function>
The starting start function is one of the functions executed when the detected pressure becomes less than the lower limit of the pressure range when all the water supply units Ws1 to Ws4 are in the stopped state.

Specifically, when the starter activation function is executed, the control unit CTL stores information (hereinafter, referred to as a starter flag) indicating that the starter signal has been received in the storage unit Me of the control unit CTL at the start of water supply. Determine if it is.

Then, when it is determined that the information is stored, the control unit CTL starts the electric motor M controlled by the control unit CTL. Therefore, only the water supply unit Ws in which the starting flag is stored is activated, and the water supply unit Ws in which the starting flag is not stored is maintained in the stopped state.

In this embodiment, as will be described later, the starting flag is stored in only one water supply unit Ws. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only one water supply unit Ws starts water supply first.

<Additional unit function>
The increase function is executed when the water supply capacity of the currently operating water supply unit Ws reaches a predetermined water supply capacity, that is, when the rotation speed of the electric motor M reaches a predetermined upper limit rotation speed. It is a function.

Specifically, the platform increase function is a control unit of the water supply unit Ws that is stopped from the control unit CTL of the water supply unit Ws that is in operation when the rotation speed of the electric motor M reaches a predetermined upper limit rotation speed. It is a function to instruct the CTL to start water supply.

For example, when water is supplied only by the first water supply unit Ws1 and the rotation speed of the electric motor M reaches a predetermined upper limit rotation speed, the control unit CTL1 starts water supply to the control unit CTL2, for example. Command. As a result, water supply is also started from the second water supply unit Ws2.

Similarly, when water is supplied only by the first water supply unit Ws1 and the second water supply unit Ws2, when the rotation speed of the electric motor M reaches a predetermined upper limit rotation speed, the control unit CTL2 controls, for example. Instruct the unit CTL3 to start water supply. As a result, water supply is also started from the third water supply unit Ws3.

In the present embodiment, in a state where a plurality of electric motors M are operating, the amount of water supplied by the water supply device 1 is controlled so that the rotation speeds of the plurality of electric motors M are substantially the same. To.

That is, the rotation speed of each electric motor M is controlled so that the discharge flow rates of the pumps P in operation are maintained substantially the same and the detected pressures are maintained in the pressure range. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rotation speed of each electric motor M changes in conjunction with each other.

<Flow stop function>
The flow rate stop function is a function of stopping the electric motor M, that is, the pump P when the discharge flow rate, that is, the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor FS becomes a predetermined flow rate (hereinafter referred to as a stop flow rate) or less.

In the present embodiment, the control unit CTL determines the stop flow rate according to a predetermined rule according to the operating state of the water supply device 1. When all the water supply units Ws are stopped and the water supply device 1 is stopped, the water supply pressure is maintained by the accumulator (not shown).

<Control example of control unit>
Each control unit CTL executes, for example, the control flow shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of a control flow executed by each control unit CTL when the detected pressure becomes less than the lower limit of the pressure range when all the water supply units Ws1 to Ws4 are in the stopped state.

The program for executing the control flow is stored in advance in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM provided in each control unit CTL. In addition, "S1" and the like described in parentheses in the following description are the reference numerals shown in the flowchart.

That is, when the detected pressure becomes less than the lower limit value of the pressure range, the control unit CTL determines whether or not the starting flag is stored in the storage unit Me (S1). If the starting flag is not stored in the storage unit Me (S1: NO), the control unit CTL stops the control flow.

When the starting flag is stored in the storage unit Me (S1: YES), the control unit CTL activates the pump P (S3). That is, only the water supply unit Ws (hereinafter referred to as the starter unit) in which the starter flag is stored in the storage unit Me starts water supply, and the other water supply units Ws are maintained in the stopped state.

Next, the control unit CTL determines whether or not the discharge flow rate is equal to or less than the stop flow rate (S5). When the discharge flow rate is larger than the stop flow rate (S5: NO), the control unit CTL controls the electric motor M so that the detected pressure is within the above pressure range, and executes an increase function if necessary. do. Then, when the discharge flow rate is equal to or less than the stop flow rate (S5: YES), the control unit CTL executes a small water amount stop (S7) for stopping the pump P, and then terminates this control.

The function of transmitting an operation state signal when receiving a command from the monitoring unit SCT, that is, the state transmission function, is executed by the control unit CTL independently of this control. That is, the state transmission function is executed even when this control is stopped.

<3. Monitoring unit>
<3.1 Configuration of monitoring unit>
The control circuit of the monitoring unit SCT is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The monitoring unit SCT has at least power supply units PS1 to PS4, storage units Mes, and the like in addition to the control circuit.

<Power supply unit>
Each of the power supply units PS1 to PS4 supplies power to the corresponding control unit CTL. Each power supply unit PS1 to PS4 has the same configuration. Hereinafter, when an arbitrary power supply unit is intended among the power supply units PS1 to PS4, it is referred to as a power supply unit PS.

As shown in FIG. 3A, each of the power supply units PS has a logical product calculation circuit, and the power supply to the control unit CTL is cut off only when the output of the logical product calculation circuit is true. (See FIG. 3B).

That is, when the monitoring unit SCT cuts off the power supply to any of the control unit CTLs, the monitoring unit SCT becomes a "true value" in the logical product calculation circuit of the power supply unit PS that supplies power to the control unit CTL. A voltage (for example, a voltage output of a predetermined voltage or higher) is input.

<Memory>
The storage unit Mes can store which of the plurality of control unit CTLs the storage unit Me of the control unit CTL stores the starting flag. As a result, the monitoring unit SCT can grasp which water supply unit Ws is the starting unit.

<3.2 Control of monitoring unit>
The monitoring unit SCT can at least execute a monitoring function, an operation prohibition function, a starter change function, and the like.

<Monitoring function>
The monitoring function is a function of monitoring whether or not an abnormality has occurred in any of the plurality of water supply units Ws by using the operation status signal transmitted from each control unit CTL.

In this embodiment, the monitoring unit SCT commands each control unit CTL to transmit an operation status signal (hereinafter referred to as a transmission command). Then, when the operation status signal cannot be received from the target of the transmission command, the monitoring unit SCT considers that an abnormality has occurred in the water supply unit Ws of the target.

<Operation prohibition function>
The operation prohibition function is a function of stopping or prohibiting the operation of the water supply unit (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal unit) determined by the monitoring function to have an abnormality. Specifically, the monitoring unit SCT cuts off the power supply to the abnormal unit.

The monitoring unit SCT according to the present embodiment cuts off the power supply to the control unit CTL of the abnormal unit by using the power supply unit PS. That is, in the present embodiment, the drive power of the electric motor M is not cut off, but the power supply to the control unit CTL that controls the electric motor M is cut off.

<Starter change function>
The starting change function is a function that enables other water supply units other than the abnormal unit to be activated at least at the start of the next water supply. For example, if the water supply unit Ws in the water supply becomes an abnormal unit before it is stopped by the flow rate stop function, the water supply units other than the abnormal unit are activated at the next start of water supply.

Note that FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow of the starting change function. The control flow is activated when the main power supply (not shown) of the water supply device 1 is turned on. The program for executing the control flow is stored in advance in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM provided in the monitoring unit SCT.

The monitoring unit SCT determines the presence or absence of an abnormal unit at a predetermined timing (S20). The control unit CTL according to the present embodiment sequentially sends a transmission command to each of the plurality of water supply units Ws at predetermined time intervals to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in any of the water supply units Ws. To judge.

When it is determined that there is an abnormal unit (S20: YES), the power supply to the abnormal unit is cut off by using the power supply unit PS corresponding to the abnormal unit (S21). Next, the monitoring unit SCT determines whether the starting flag is stored in the abnormal unit (S22).

At this time, the monitoring unit SCT makes a determination of S22 by using the information stored in the storage unit Mes of the monitoring unit SCT. If the starting flag is not stored in the abnormal unit (S22: NO), the monitoring unit SCT executes S20 again.

When the starting flag is stored in the abnormal unit (S22: YES), the monitoring unit SCT transmits the starting signal to the control unit CTL of the water supply unit Ws of the next order (S23). The next order is a order determined according to a predetermined priority. The priority order is stored in advance in the non-volatile storage unit of the monitoring unit SCT.

<4. Features of the water supply device according to this embodiment>
The monitoring unit SCT has an operation prohibition function for stopping or prohibiting the operation of the water supply unit determined to have an abnormality by the monitoring function, and at least at the next start of water supply, the water supply unit other than the abnormal unit can be activated. It is possible to demonstrate the starting lineup change function.

As a result, in the water supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, the other water supply units Ws are activated without the abnormal unit being activated at the next start of water supply. Therefore, the reliability of the water supply device 1 can be further improved.

Each power supply unit PS has a logical product calculation circuit, and is configured to cut off the power supply to the control unit CTL only when the output of the logical product calculation circuit is true. There is. As a result, it is possible to prevent the power supply to the water supply unit Ws from being cut off due to the malfunction of the monitoring unit SCT.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the present embodiment, the power supply to the control unit CTL is cut off only when the output of the AND calculation circuit is true, and the power supply is not cut off in other cases. Therefore, the reliability is improved as compared with the configuration in which the power supply is cut off by only one signal.

The monitoring unit SCT is provided on an operation board having an operation mode operation unit. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated substrate for the monitoring unit SCT, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the water supply device 1 can be suppressed.

That is, the operation board has a function of executing the switching setting of any one of the manual mode, the stop mode, and the automatic mode, and a function of executing the setting of the target discharge pressure of the water supply device 1. Therefore, the operation board is equipped with a microcomputer for performing these functions.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the monitoring unit SCT is provided on the operation board, it may be possible to execute the function of the monitoring unit SCT by using the microcomputer of the operation board. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a microcomputer dedicated to the monitoring unit SCT, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the water supply device 1 can be suppressed.

The monitoring unit SCT according to the present embodiment cuts off the power supply to the abnormal unit by cutting off the power supply to the control unit CTL. Thereby, for example, the power supply can be easily cut off as compared with the configuration in which the supply of the drive power to the drive circuit is cut off.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the function of the monitoring unit SCT is executed by using the microcomputer of the operation board. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be, for example, a configuration in which a microcomputer dedicated to the monitoring unit SCT is provided, or a configuration in which one of the plurality of control unit CTLs has the function of the monitoring unit SCT.

In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring unit SCT is provided with a storage unit Mes that stores which storage unit of the plurality of storage units Me stores the starting flag, and the monitoring unit SCT is stored in the storage unit Mes. S22 was executed using the information provided.

However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, in the disclosure, for example, the monitoring unit SCT inquires whether or not the starting flag is stored in each control unit CTL, and the response signal is used to determine whether or not the abnormal unit has the starting flag. May be good.

Specifically, when there is a reply from the water supply unit Ws other than the abnormal unit that there is no starting flag, the monitoring unit SCT can determine that the abnormal unit has the starting flag. When there is a reply from the water supply unit Ws other than the abnormal unit that the starting flag is present, the monitoring unit SCT can determine that the water supply unit Ws has the starting flag.

The monitoring unit SCT according to the above-described embodiment executes the operation prohibition function by cutting off the power supply to the abnormal unit. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be configured to execute the operation prohibition function by, for example, transmitting an operation prohibition command to the control unit CTL of the abnormal unit.

The monitoring unit SCT according to the above-described embodiment cuts off the power supply to the abnormal unit by cutting off the power supply to the control unit CTL. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be configured to cut off the power supply to the drive circuit, for example.

The power supply unit PS according to the above-described embodiment is configured to cut off the power supply to the control unit CTL only when the output of the AND calculation circuit is true. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be configured to cut off the power supply with only one signal, for example.

In the above embodiment, there is only one pressure sensor PS. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may be configured to be provided with a backup pressure sensor PS in case of failure of the pressure sensor PS, for example.

The water supply device 1 according to the above-described embodiment has a configuration including four water supply units Ws. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure is also applicable to the water supply device 1 provided with at least two water supply units Ws.

Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment as long as it conforms to the purpose of the disclosure described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, either the configuration in which at least two embodiments of the plurality of embodiments described above are combined, or the configuration requirements shown in the illustration or the configuration requirements described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiment are abolished. It may be a configured configuration.

1 ... Water supply device Ws ... Water supply unit P ... Pump M ... Electric motor CTL ... Control unit Me ... Storage unit FS ... Flow rate sensor PS ... Pressure sensor SCT ... Monitoring unit

Claims (6)

A plurality of water supply units having a pump, an electric motor, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor, and
It is equipped with a monitoring unit capable of communicating with each of the plurality of control units.
Each of the plurality of control units can exert a state transmission function of transmitting an operation state signal indicating an operation state of the corresponding water supply unit to the monitoring unit.
The monitoring unit
A monitoring function that monitors whether or not an abnormality has occurred in any of the plurality of water supply units using the operation status signal.
An operation prohibition function for stopping or prohibiting the operation of a water supply unit (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal unit) determined to have an abnormality by the monitoring function, and at least the next water supply start time, the water supply other than the abnormal unit. A water supply device that can exert the starting change function that enables the unit to start. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit executes the operation prohibition function by cutting off the power supply to the abnormal unit. The monitoring unit has the same number of power supply units as the water supply unit.
Each of the plurality of power supply units has a logical product calculation circuit, and is configured to cut off the power supply to the control unit only when the output of the logical product calculation circuit is true. The water supply device according to claim 2. The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring unit is provided on an operation board having an operation mode operation unit. Each of the plurality of control units
A starter start function that has a storage unit that can store information indicating the presence or absence of a starter signal and that starts the electric motor when the storage unit stores information indicating that the starter signal has been received. Can be demonstrated,
Further, when the starter change function is executed,
The monitoring unit determines whether or not information indicating that the advance signal is stored in the storage unit of the abnormal unit, and if it is determined that the information is stored, the other The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information is stored in the storage unit of the water supply unit. The water supply device according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring unit has a second storage unit capable of storing which storage unit of the plurality of storage units stores the information.

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