JP3640828B2

JP3640828B2 - Repeater and network using the same

Info

Publication number: JP3640828B2
Application number: JP4641699A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 明生東; 章宏大橋; 晃二桝井; 利幸村上
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-24
Filing date: 1999-02-24
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-24
Also published as: JP2000244373A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、制御用機器などを結ぶネットワークに係わり、特に給電ラインと信号ラインを含むケーブルを接続してネットワークを構成する中継器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のネットワークでは、中継器に設けた電圧検出回路で給電ラインの電圧を監視し、電圧低下を検出した中継器が給電路の下流側を切り離して故障範囲を抑制し、上流側の伝送路を生かしている。
【０００３】
このような給電ライン遮断機能を備えた中継器は、例えば、特開平２−１３５８２６号公報に示されている。ここでは、中継器内部に給電ラインの電圧検出回路を備え、給電電圧が低下した場合に、その低下量に応じた長さの遮断遅延時間の経過後に給電路を遮断し、遮断遅延時間の前に給電電圧が回復したときは遮断を回避している。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述した従来の中継器によるネットワーク給電ライン監視では、給電ラインの電圧の監視と低下時の遮断に止まり、低下の原因に応じた対応が考慮されていないので、給電電圧が低下した地点から下流側の伝送路が一律に切り離されてしまう。この結果、中継器の接続機器の故障で電流引き込みを生じた場合などにも、当該中継器のみならず下流側の全ての伝送路が切り離されてしまう。
【０００５】
また、大規模なネットワークの場合に、どの地点で何が原因で給電電圧の低下が発生したかを特定できないため、伝送路内の各中継器が自律的に対応することが困難で、ネットワーク給電路の異常時に伝送路を速やかに且つ必要最小限に切り離すことができない。
【０００６】
また、給電電圧の低下し始めた中継器が特定できないと、ネットワークの敷設時などに問題が大きい。ネットワークの敷設では、予め、各中継器に接続する機器の仕様とケーブル長などから通信電源の容量や配置を算出し、敷設後にネットワークを稼動して検証テストを行っている。しかし、接続機器の特性の違いなどから、各中継器での電圧降下は計算通りとならないことも多く、ネットワークが大規模な場合は異常個所の特定に時間と労力を要している。このとき、下流側の中継器が一斉に遮断してしまうと、再テストのための復旧に手間がかかる。
【０００７】
本発明の目的は、中継器に給電ラインの電圧を検出する電圧検出回路のほかに、中継器に接続された機器や通信電源などの故障を検出する手段を備え、給電電圧の低下原因を特定し、その結果から給電ラインの切り離し、あるいは中継器に接続された機器や通信電源の切り離しを行うことができる中継器を提供することにある。また、各中継器には伝送路での給電電圧の低下や中継器に接続された機器や通信電源などに故障が発生した場合に確認できる手段を備え、さらに故障発生を信号として伝送路内の全ての中継器に送信し、伝送路内の各中継器が給電ラインを遮断すべきかどうかを判断し、自中継器での対応が必要な場合には、給電ラインの遮断を行う中継器を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成する本発明は、ネットワークを構成する給電ラインと信号ラインの接続手段と、前記給電ラインに電力を供給する通信電源や前記信号ラインを経由して信号を送受する機器の接続手段を備えたネットワークの中継器において、中継器毎に、前記給電ラインの電圧を検出して予め設定されている閾値と比較する給電ライン電圧検出手段と、自中継器より下流側の給電ラインを分離するための給電ライン分離手段と、所定の分離条件を満たす場合に前記給電ライン分離手段を作動する制御手段を設けたことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
前記制御手段は、前記分離条件として自中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より低く、且つ、ネットワーク内の各中継器に接続されている機器に故障が無いかを判定し、該条件を満たす場合に前記給電ライン分離手段を作動することを特徴とする。これにより、電圧が異常に低下した場合、原因と故障点が分かる。
【００１０】
また、前記分離条件として自中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より低く、且つ、上流側に隣接する中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より高いかを判定し、該条件を満たす場合に前記給電ライン分離手段を作動することを特徴とする。これにより、ネットワーク敷設時に閾値より電圧低下した中継器が一斉遮断するのを回避できる。
【００１１】
本発明のネットワークの中継器は、中継器毎に、前記給電ラインの電圧を検出して予め設定されている閾値と比較する給電ライン電圧検出手段と、前記給電ラインの電圧の状態を隣接する中継器と送受信する隣接電圧送受手段と、自中継器より下流側の給電ラインを分離する給電ライン分離手段と、自中継器に接続された機器の故障を検出する機器故障検出手段と、前記機器の故障をネットワーク内の各中継器に通知する機器状態通知手段と、自中継器に接続された機器の切り離しを行う機器切り離し手段と、所定の切断条件を満たす場合に前記給電ライン分離手段または前記機器切り離し手段を作動する制御手段を設けたことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
また、前記制御手段は、前記切断条件として自中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より低いことを必須とし、ネットワーク内の前記機器に故障が無く且つ上流側に隣接する中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より高い場合は前記給電ライン分離手段を作動し、自中継器の機器に故障の有る場合は前記機器切り離し手段を作動する。
【００１３】
また、中継器毎に、自中継器の給電ラインの電圧の状態および前記機器の切り離し状態を示す警報手段と、機器の接続を認識する機器認識手段を設け、前記制御手段は、機器の再接続の認識情報を受けて前記機器切り離し手段を復旧する。これにより、中継器毎の電圧状態が正常／異常や機器の正常／異常を監視でき、また、故障で切り離した機器を交換した場合に自動復旧できる。
【００１４】
さらに、自中継器に接続されている通信電源の故障を検出する電源故障検出手段と、前記通信電源の故障をネットワーク内の各中継器に通知するための電源状態通知手段を設けることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
前記電源故障検出手段は、前記給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より十分に小さい第２の閾値より低く、且つ、ネットワーク内の前記機器に故障がないときに、前記通信電源が故障したことを検出する。そして、前記制御手段は、前記通信電源が故障の場合は前記切断条件を満足しないと判定するので、通信電源の故障によって給電ラインを分離することを回避できる。
【００１６】
本発明の中継器を用いるネットワークは、給電ラインと信号ラインを持つケーブルの接続手段と、前記給電ラインに電力を供給する通信電源や、前記信号ラインを経由して制御信号などを送受する機器の接続手段を有する中継器を使用して構成されるネットワークにおいて、
中継器毎に、前記給電ラインの電圧を検出して予め設定されている閾値と比較する給電ライン電圧検出手段と、自中継器より下流側の給電ラインを分離するための給電ライン分離手段と、自中継器に接続された機器の故障を検出する機器故障検出手段と、自中継器に接続された機器の切り離しを行う機器切り離し手段と、自中継器に接続する機器の故障をネットワーク内の各中継器に通知するための機器状態通知線と、前記給電ライン電圧検出手段の出力と前記機器状態通知線の状態を入力し、自中継器の給電ラインの電圧が前記閾値より低く、且つ、ネットワーク内の何れかの中継器に接続されている機器に故障がある場合に、自中継器の機器切り離し手段を作動する制御手段を設けたことを特徴とする。これにより、ネットワーク内の機器故障の発生に際して、各中継器に接続する機器を一斉に切り離しでき、シリアル動作するＦＡ機器などの安全動作に適する。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を参照しながら詳細に説明する。図２は、本発明の中継器を適用するネットワークの一例である。ネットワークは信号ライン４と給電ライン５を含むケーブルを、中継器１で接続して構成されている。各中継器１は給電ライン５から電源を供給される機器２を接続している。図示例では、中継器１ａがネットワークに電源を供給する通信電源３を給電ライン５と接続して、ネットワーク全体に電源を供給している。信号ラインペア４ａ、４ｂはＨ側とＬ側を、給電ラインペア５ａ、５ｂは＋Ｖ側と−Ｖ側を含む。本実施例では、中継器間で相互に機器や電源の状態を通知する機器状態信号線６、電源状態信号線７を備えている。信号線６、７は１つに纏めることもできる。
【００１８】
図１は、本発明の一実施例による中継器の構成図である。中継器１はケーブル接続部１０、機器接続部２０、給電ライン系統分離部３０、電源接続部４０、報告・警告部５０及び中継器間信号線接続部６０から構成されている。
【００１９】
中継器１の両側に設けたケーブル接続部１０ａ、１０ｂは、ケーブルの信号ラインペア４ａ、４ｂと給電ラインペア５ａ、５ｂを介して他の中継器１と接続する。ケーブル接続部１０ａが中継器１への入力側、ケーブル接続部１０ｂが中継器１からの出力側となる。
【００２０】
機器接続部２０は、信号ラインペア４ａ（Ｈ側）、４ｂ（Ｌ側）を通して信号を送受信し、電源ラインペア５ａ（＋Ｖ側）、５ｂ（−Ｖ側）から電源を供給される１または複数台の機器２を接続する。また、中継器１に接続された機器２の故障を検出する機器故障検出手段２１と、機器の接続・切り離しを行う機器分離スイッチ２２と、機器分離スイッチ２２の開閉制御を行う機器分離スイッチ制御部２３と、中継器１に機器２が接続されたことを認識する機器接続認識手段２４を備えている。
【００２１】
給電ライン系統分離部３０は、給電ライン５の電圧レベルを検出する電圧レベル検出手段３１と、給電ライン５を切り離して電源系統を分離する給電ライン分離スイッチ３２と、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２の開閉を制御する給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３を備えている。
【００２２】
電源接続部４０は、ネットワークに電源を供給する通信電源３を給電ライン５の＋Ｖ側、−Ｖ側と接続する。また、接続された通信電源３の故障を検出する電源故障検出手段４１と、中継器１に通信電源３が接続されたことを認識する電源接続認識手段４２を備えている。
【００２３】
報告・警告部５０は、ネットワークの給電ライン５の電圧レベルの状態や、自他の中継器１における機器２の故障や、通信電源３の故障をユーザに知らせるための機能を備えている。
【００２４】
中継器間通信線接続部６０は、自中継器に接続された機器２、通信電源３の故障発生を他中継器に通知したり、他中継器に接続された機器２、通信電源３の故障発生信号を受領するために、中継器間で通信を行う機器状態信号線６、電源状態信号線７を接続する。
【００２５】
図３に、給電ライン系統分離部の構成を示す。給電ライン系統分離部３０の電圧レベル検出手段３１は、給電ラインペア５ａ、５ｂの電位を取り込み、電圧レベル検出回路３１０で電圧レベルＶ_INを検出する。そして、Ｖ_INが予め設定された閾値Ｖ_THよりも高い場合は１、低い場合は０を出力信号ＶＯＵＴとする。出力信号ＶＯＵＴは、それぞれ給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３、機器分離スイッチ制御部２３、報告・警告部５０へ入力される。
【００２６】
給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３は出力信号ＶＯＵＴと、他中継器からの機器故障信号および電源正常信号を入力として、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開閉するための制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１を生成し、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開閉する。給電ライン分離スイッチ３２は制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１が１のときはスイッチを開き、０のときはスイッチを閉じる。分離スイッチ３２が開放されると、給電路の下流側となる中継器１（ここでは、１ｂ〜１ｄ）への給電が断たれる。
【００２７】
また、制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１は報告・警告部５０へも入力される。報告・警告部５０はＳＷＣＴＬ１＝１のとき、つまり給電ライン分離スイッチ３２が開されて電源系統を分離した場合に、当該中継器に対し通信電源の追加が必要であることをユーザに知らせる。
【００２８】
図４に、給電ライン分離スイッチを開閉する論理条件を示す。給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３は、電圧レベル検出手段３１の出力信号ＶＯＵＴと、ネットワーク内のすべての中継器１に接続されている機器の状態を示すＳＴＡＴＥ１と、ネットワークに電源を供給している通信電源３の状態を示すＳＴＡＴＥ２が入力され、この３つの信号のＡＮＤ条件をとることにより、給電ライン分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１を生成する。
【００２９】
機器状態を示すＳＴＡＴＥ１は、ネットワーク内の中継器に接続されている全ての機器が正常であれば０、何れかの中継器１に接続されている機器に故障が発生すると１となる。電源状態を示すＳＴＡＴＥ２は、ネットワークに電源を供給している通信電源３が正常であれば１、通信電源３に故障が発生すると０となる。従って、給電ライン分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１は、給電ラインの電圧レベルが閾値Ｖ_THよりも低く（ＶＯＵＴ＝０）、ネットワーク内のすべての中継器１に接続されている機器に故障がなく（ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝０）、且つ、通信電源３が正常（ＳＴＡＴＥ２＝１）の時にのみ、ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝１となって給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放し、ネットワーク内で下流の電源系統を分離する。
【００３０】
これにより、電圧レベルの低下の原因が負荷の増大（電源容量不足）による給電ライン５での電圧降下の場合にのみ、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開く。一方、電圧低下が機器故障による電流引き込みや通信電源の故障が原因の場合は、ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝０となり、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を閉じたままである。
【００３１】
図５に、報告・警告部の構成を示す。報告・警告部５０は電圧レベル検出手段３１の出力信号ＶＯＵＴを入力し、電圧レベル状態報告手段５１で給電状態を表示する。すなわち、ＶＯＵＴ＝１のときは給電ラインの電圧レベル満足を意味する報告（例えば緑色のＬＥＤを点灯）し、ＶＯＵＴ＝０のときは給電電圧レベル不足を意味する報告（例えば赤色のＬＥＤを点灯）する。
【００３２】
機器故障警告手段５２は、機器故障検出手段２１から自中継器に接続する機器の故障の有無を示すＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１と、機器故障信号線６による他中継器に接続する機器を含む故障の有無を示すＳＴＡＴＥ１を入力し、機器故障なし、自接続機器故障、他接続機器故障の各状態を後述のように報告する。
【００３３】
また、電源状態警告手段５３は給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３の出力ＳＷＣＴＬ１を入力し、通信電源の追加接続の要否を表示する。ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝が１のとき（給電ライン分離スイッチが開いた時）には、通信電源の追加接続を要求する警告（赤色のＬＥＤ点灯）を行う。この結果、当該中継器に通信電源が追加接続されると、電源接続認識手段４２から電源接続認識信号ＣＯＮＮＥＣＴ２＝１が入力し、電源状態警告手段５３の通信電源接続要求がキャンセルされる。
【００３４】
図６に、機器接続部の構成を示す。機器接続部２０の機器故障検出手段２１は、機器２の故障を検出するための機器電流検出回路２１０を設け、給電ラインペア５ａ、５ｂから機器２へ流れる電流を検出する。機器２に故障が発生して電流引込みが発生した場合、機器電流検出回路２１０は過電流を検出し、自中継器に接続する機器の故障を示すＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１＝１（故障無しのときは０）を、機器分離スイッチ制御部２３に出力する。
【００３５】
また、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１は報告・警告部５０と、ネットワークの中継器間で機器故障発生状況を通信する機器状態信号線６にも出力される。ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１＝１の発生により、機器状態信号線６の状態（ＳＴＡＴＥ１）が１になり、ある中継器での機器の故障発生がネットワーク内の全ての中継器に通知される。
【００３６】
機器分離スイッチ制御部２３は、機器電流検出回路２１０からの機器故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１と、電圧レベル検出手段３０からの出力信号ＶＯＵＴと、機器状態信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１をＡＮＤ入力として、機器分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ２を生成する。ＳＷＣＴＬ２＝１の時、機器分離スイッチ２２のスイッチを開き、ＳＷＣＴＬ２＝０の時はスイッチを閉じる。
【００３７】
自中継器に接続している機器２に故障が発生し、機器分離スイッチ２２を開いて切り離した場合、正常な機器に交換して再接続すると、機器接続認識手段２４の出力信号ＣＯＮＮＥＣＴ１が１となり、機器分離スイッチ２２を再閉する。
【００３８】
図７に、機器分離スイッチを開閉するための論理条件を示す。機器分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ２は、給電ラインの電圧レベルが閾値Ｖ_THよりも低く（ＶＯＵＴ＝０）、自中継器に接続されている機器の故障発生を検出し（ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１＝１）、且つ機器状態信号線６の状態が異常（ＳＴＡＴＥ＝１）となった場合に、機器分離スイッチ２２を開いて自中継器に接続されている機器を切り離す。
【００３９】
これにより、給電ラインの電圧レベルが閾値Ｖ_THより低く、電圧低下の原因が自中継器に接続されている機器の故障の場合に、機器分離スイッチ２２を開く。一方、他中継器に接続されている機器の故障の場合は、機器分離スイッチ２２は閉じたままとなる。さらに、故障した機器を正常な機器に交換して再接続すると、機器分離スイッチ２２が再び閉じられる。
【００４０】
自中継器に接続されている機器の故障信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１の入力により、報告・警告部５０の機器故障警告手段５２は以下のように動作する。通常、ネットワーク内のすべての中継器に接続されている機器が正常である時は、機器故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１と機器状態信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１がどちらも０となり、機器故障警告手段５２はすべての機器が正常であることを意味する警告（緑色のＬＥＤを点灯）を行う。また、自中継器に接続されている機器に故障がある時は、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１とＳＴＡＴＥ１がどちらも１となり、自中継器と他中継器に接続されている機器の故障を意味する警告（赤色のＬＥＤを点灯）をする。また、自中継器に接続されている機器に故障がなく、他中継器に接続されている機器に故障がある時は、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１＝０、ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝１となり、他中継器に接続されている機器の故障を意味する警告（赤色のＬＥＤを点灯）をする。
【００４１】
図８に、電源接続部の構成を示す。電源接続部４０の電源故障検出手段４１には、電源電圧検出回路４１０と電源故障判定部４１１が設けられる。電源電圧検出回路４１０は、給電ラインペア５ａ、５ｂ間の電圧を検出し、その電圧が給電ライン系統分離部３０に設定された閾値Ｖ_THよりも十分小さい閾値Ｖ_TH2（Ｖ_TH≫Ｖ_TH2）よりも高い場合はＶＯＵＴ２＝１、低い場合はＶＯＵＴ２＝０を出力する。電源故障判定部４１１は、電源電圧検出回路４１０の出力ＶＯＵＴ２と機器状態信号線６の状態（故障＝１、正常＝０）をＯＲ入力し、通信電源３の故障の有無を判定する。
【００４２】
これにより、ネットワーク内の中継器に接続している機器２に故障がなく（ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝０）、給電ラインの電圧がＶ_TH2 以下（ＶＯＵＴ２＝０）となる場合は、通信電源３が故障したと判定し、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ２＝０を出力するので、電源状態通信線７の状態はＳＴＡＴＥ２＝０となる。
【００４３】
電源状態通信線７の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ２は、ネットワーク内の各中継器に設けられた報告・警告部５０の電源状態警告手段５３に取り込まれる。また、ＳＴＡＴＥ２は、給電スイッチ制御部３３にも取り込まれている。電源が故障時はＳＴＡＴＥ２＝０となるので、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２の制御信号は生成されない（ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝０）。
【００４４】
次に、本実施例の中継器を用いたネットワーク全体の監視動作について説明する。図２に示したネットワークで全ての接続機器２ａ〜２ｇおよび通信電源３が正常動作していると、各中継器の機器故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１が０、電源故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ２が１となるため、機器状態信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１は０、電源状態信号線７の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ２は１になる。したがって、各中継器の機器故障警告手段５２は機器故障なしを意味する点灯、電源状態警告手段５３は通信電源正常を意味する点灯をしている。
【００４５】
この状態で、中継器１ｃの電圧レベル検出手段３１で給電ラインの電圧Ｖ_INが閾値Ｖ_THより低下したことを検出すると、中継器１ｃよりも下流側の中継器１ｄでも電圧レベル低下が検出され、電圧検出回路３１０の出力ＶＯＵＴが０となる。このとき、ネットワーク内のすべての機器２ａ〜２ｇと通信電源３が正常であれば、機器故障信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝０、電源正常信号線７の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ２＝１になっているので、中継器１ｃ、１ｄの給電ライン分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝１となり、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２が開放される。なお、後述する実施例３で、下流の中継器１ｃ、１ｄの分離スイッチ３２の全てが開放されるのを防止する構成を説明する。
【００４６】
このＶＯＵＴとＳＷＣＴＬ１は報告・警告部５０にも入力されているので、中継器１ｃ、１ｄの給電ライン５の電圧レベルが閾値Ｖ_THより低下していることを意味する点灯、当該中継器に通信電源の追加接続が必要であることを意味する点灯が行われる。ネットワークの敷設時等に、機器負荷の計算値と実際値の違いから、電源容量の不足がしばしば発生する。ユーザは報告・警告部５０の表示から、通信電源の追加接続の必要性を知ると、上流側の中継器１ｃに通信電源を追加接続する。中継器１ｃに通信電源を追加接続すると、下流側の電圧レベルが確保されるので、中継器１ｄの給電ライン分離スイッチ３２は閉じられ、ネットワークは正常な状態に復帰する。
【００４７】
また、中継器１ｂに接続されている機器２ｂが故障して電流の引き込みが発生すると、給電ライン５の電圧レベルが低下し、一時的にすべての中継器１ａ〜１ｄの電圧検出回路３１０が閾値Ｖ_THより低下したことを検出して、ＶＯＵＴ＝０を出力する。この時、中継器１ｂに備えられた機器故障検出手段２１は、機器２ｂの定格を大きく越える過電流を検出し、機器故障信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１＝１を出力する。
【００４８】
これにより、機器状態信号線６の状態はＳＴＡＴＥ１＝１になり、ネットワーク内のすべての中継器１ａ、１ｃ、１ｄへ機器故障の発生が通知される。ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝１になると、各中継器１ａ〜１ｄは給電ラインの電圧レベル低下を検出しても給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３の出力がＳＷＣＴＬ１＝０となるため、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開くことはない。
【００４９】
この状況で、中継器１ｂの報告・警告部５０は自中継器に接続している機器の故障を意味する点灯と、他中継器に接続されている機器が故障していることを意味する点灯を行い、その他の中継器１ａ、１ｃ、１ｄの報告・警告部５０では他中継器に接続されている機器の故障を意味する点灯のみを行う。これにより、ユーザは中継器１ｂに接続されている機器に故障が発生していることを知ることができる。
【００５０】
さらに、中継器１ｂでは、機器分離スイッチ制御部２３の出力ＳＷＣＴＬ２＝１となるので、機器分離スイッチ２２を開いて故障した機器１ｂを切り離す。これにより、電流の引き込みがなくなるので、給電ライン５の電圧が回復し、ネットワークは正常な状態に復帰する。また、ユーザが機器２ｂの故障を知り、機器２ｂを正常な機器に交換して再接続すると、機器接続認識手段２４の出力ＣＯＮＮＥＣＴ１＝１となり、機器分離スイッチ２２が閉じて正常な通信を回復する。
【００５１】
さらに、中継器１ａに接続されている通信電源３に故障が発生すると、給電ライン５の電圧レベルが低下し、一時的にすべての中継器１ａ〜１ｄの電圧検出回路３１０はＶＯＵＴ＝０を出力する。この時、中継器１ａの電源故障検出手段４１は通信電源３の故障を検出し、電源故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ２＝０を出力する。
【００５２】
この結果、電源状態信号線７の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ２＝０となり、中継器１ａ以外の中継器１ｂ〜１ｄにも通信電源３に故障発生したことを通知する。電源正常信号線７の状態が０になると、各中継器１ａ〜１ｄは給電ライン５の電圧レベル低下を検出しても給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部３３の出力ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝０となるため、給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開くことはない。
【００５３】
この状況で、各中継器１ａ〜１ｄの報告・警告部５０は通信電源３が正常であることを示す緑色の点灯から、通信電源３に故障が発生を示す赤色の点灯に変更する。これにより、ユーザは故障した通信電源３を正常な通信電源に交換すると、給電ラインの電圧低下が回復しネットワークは正常な状態に復帰する。正常な通信電源を中継器１に再接続すると、報告・警告部５０の電源状態警告手段５３は通信電源が正常であることを意味する緑色の点灯に切り替える。
【００５４】
以上、実施例１の中継器で給電ラインと信号ラインを接続されたネットワークは、各中継器が給電ラインの電圧低下とともに、自中継器に接続される機器の故障や通信電源の故障を監視し、機器や電源の状態を信号線を介して相互に連絡するので、給電ラインの電圧が閾値以下となる原因が電源容量の不足によるか、機器または電源そのものの故障によるか判別するので、原因別に最適な処置の実行が可能になる。
【００５５】
すなわち、閾値以下の電圧低下が生じた場合、自他の機器やネットワークの電源に故障が無ければ、機器負荷に対し電源容量が不足している。そこで、電圧低下検出をした中継器は給電ラインの下流を切り離し、上流のネットワークの伝送線を確保する。同時に、通信電源の追加接続の要求を発行するので、該当中継器に対する電源追加が簡単に行え、切り離された下流の給電路を速やかに復旧できる。なお、切り離して分離した下流側を、別電源系統に切替るなどの代替案も可能である。
【００５６】
また、ネットワーク内の何れかの機器が故障した場合は、中継器から当該機器のみを切り離して給電ラインの電圧低下を回復するので、ネットワークの伝送路を確保できる。また、自中継器の故障か他中継器の故障かを識別して表示するので、異常機器の交換が容易になる。
【００５７】
さらに、任意の中継器を介してネットワークに電源を供給している通信電源が故障した場合は、給電ラインを切り離さずに通信電源の故障を報知するので、電源交換によりネットワークが直ちに復旧する。
【００５８】
次に、本発明の実施例２として、上記実施例１の中継器をＦＡ分野等のフィールドネットワークに適用した例を説明する。例えば、ベルトコンベアを利用した流れ作業を行う機器を制御するネットワークで、ネットワークに接続されている機器が１台でも故障した場合は、故障機器の下流での作業に障害が発生する。この場合、通常はベルトコンベアを停止する、またはネットワークに接続されている機器の動作を停止するといった対応が必要となる。
【００５９】
実施例１の中継器では、ネットワーク内のある中継器に接続されている機器に故障が発生した場合に、ネットワーク内のすべての中継器に故障発生を知らせる機能と、故障した機器をネットワークから切り離す機能を備えている。従って、この機能を発展的に利用すれば、ネットワーク内の機器が１台でも故障した場合に、ネットワーク内のすべての機器を切り離すことができる。
【００６０】
実施例２の中継器の基本的な構成は、図１に示す中継器の構成と同じである。異なる部分は、機器分離スイッチ２２を制御する機器分離スイッチ制御部２３であり、機器分離スイッチ制御部２３に故障機器のみ切り離すか、全機器を切り離すかを選択する手段を設けている点である。
【００６１】
図９に、実施例２による機器分離スイッチ制御部の構成を示す。機器分離スイッチ制御部２３は機器故障検出信号ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１、電圧レベル検出手段３０の出力ＶＯＵＴ及び機器状態信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１を入力し、これらの信号のＡＮＤ条件から機器分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ２を生成する。
【００６２】
機器分離スイッチ制御部２３には、中継器１に接続されている機器に故障が発生した場合に故障機器のみを中継器から切り離すか、またはネットワーク内の全中継器に接続されている機器を切り離すかを、初期設定により選択する全機器分離スイッチ２５を設けている。機器故障検出信号全機器分離スイッチ２５が閉じている時は、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１が機器分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ２生成の条件に入り、実施例１と同じになる。一方、全機器分離スイッチ２５を開いている時は、ＴＲＯＵＢＬＥ１がＳＷＣＴＬ２生成の条件には入らない。
【００６３】
従って、全機器分離スイッチ２５を開放に選択し、機器故障が発生してＳＴＡＴＥ１＝１、ＶＯＵＴ＝０となると、すべての中継器で機器分離スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ２が１となる。この結果、すべての中継器１が機器分離スイッチ２２を開放して接続されている機器を切り離す。
【００６４】
本実施例によれば、ネットワーク内の機器が１台でも故障した場合に、ネットワーク内のすべての機器を切り離すことができるので、ネットワークに接続されている機器の安全を確保できる。
【００６５】
次に、本発明の実施例３による中継器を説明する。実施例１の中継器１では、上述したように、給電ライン５の電圧低下が閾値Ｖ_TH以下の場合、下流側の全ての給電ライン分離スイッチ３２が開放されるので、ネットワークが大規模な場合はその復旧に手間がかかる。
【００６６】
本実施例では、電圧低下が閾値Ｖ_TH以下の場合、下流側の最初の中継器１が給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放し、下流の他の中継器１は開放しない構成としている。このため、隣接する中継器間に電圧レベル検出手段３１の出力ＶＯＵＴを送受する、隣接電圧通知手段を設けている。
【００６７】
図１０に、実施例３を適用するネットワーク構成を示す。図２との相違は、各中継器１が隣接する下流の中継器１に自己のＶＯＵＴを送信する隣接電圧通知信号線８を設けた点にある。例えば、隣接電圧通知信号線８を介して、中継器１ｂは中継器１ａのＶＯＵＴの状態（０／１）を受信し、また、自己のＶＯＵＴの状態を１つ下流の中継器１ｃに送信することができる。
【００６８】
実施例３の中継器１の基本構成は実施例１同じである。図１との相違は、給電スイッチ制御部３３のＡＮＤ入力に、１つ上流の中継器からのＶＯＵＴの状態、ここではＶ_UPPERと呼ぶ、を加えている点にある。
【００６９】
図１１に、実施例３の給電スイッチ制御部の構成を示す。給電スイッチ制御部３３は、自己の電圧レベル検出手段３１の出力ＶＯＵＴ（閾値Ｖ_TH以下で０）、機器状態信号線６の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ１（故障時０）、電源状態信号線７の状態ＳＴＡＴＥ２（正常時０）、及び１つ上流の中継器１からの隣接電圧通知信号線８の状態Ｖ_UPPER（閾値Ｖ_TH以下で０）をＡＮＤ入力としている。
【００７０】
そして、ＶＯＵＴ＝０、ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝０、ＳＴＡＴＥ２＝１、Ｖ_UPPER＝１のとき、給電スイッチ制御信号ＳＷＣＴＬ１＝１を出力し、自己の給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放する。一方、ＶＯＵＴ＝０、ＳＴＡＴＥ１＝０、ＳＴＡＴＥ２＝１、Ｖ_UPPER＝０のときはＳＷＣＴＬ１＝０とし、自己の給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放しない。
【００７１】
このように、自己の給電ラインの電圧がＶＯＵＴ＝０の電圧低下状態となり、且つ自中継器が電圧低下状態の最上流である場合、自己の給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放する。これにより、下流側のネットワークは切り離され上流側の伝送線は確保される。しかし、自中継器が電圧低下状態の最上流でない中継器は自己の給電ライン分離スイッチ３２を開放しないので、復旧のためにそれらのスイッチ再閉する手間が省け、ネットワーク敷設の検証テスト等が容易になる。
【００７２】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、ネットワークの中継器が給電ラインの異常な電圧低下（閾値以下）を検出した場合に、その原因が給電ラインの電圧降下、中継器に接続している機器の故障、ネットワークに接続している通信電源の故障かを判別できるので、原因別に最適な処置を迅速に実行できる効果がある。
【００７３】
すなわち、給電ラインの電圧低下の原因が負荷の増大による電圧降下の場合は、電圧が不足した中継器で給電ラインを分離し、上流側の通信を確保しつつ、通信電源の追加接続を促して、ネットワークを早期に正常状態に復帰できる。なお、電圧が不足した最上流の中継器のみで給電ラインを分離するので、復旧が容易になる。
【００７４】
また、給電ラインの電圧低下の原因がネットワーク内のある中継器に接続されている機器故障の場合には、このことをネットワーク内に通知し、故障機器が接続されている中継器だけが故障機器を切り離すことにより、ネットワークは正常な状態に復帰できる。
【００７５】
また、ネットワークに接続されている機器が１台でも故障した場合に、各中継器により全機器を切り離して停止させることもできるので、フィールドネットワークやＦＡ分野の生産ラインにおいて、生産ラインへの悪影響を回避できる。
【００７６】
本発明の中継器には、給電ラインの電圧レベルの状態、故障機器の所在（自中継器障／他中継器）、通信電源の状態（正常／故障、追加接続要求）を確認する表示手段を設けているので、大規模なネットワークにおいても異常や故障の発生場所の特定が容易になり、状況に応じた対策を迅速に行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１における中継器の構成図。
【図２】実施例１の中継器を適用するネットワークの一例を示す構成図。
【図３】実施例１の給電ライン系統分離部の機能を示す構成図。
【図４】実施例１の給電ライン分離スイッチの開閉条件を示す説明図。
【図５】報告・警告部の機能を示す説明図。
【図６】機器接続部の機能を示す説明図。
【図７】機器分離スイッチの開閉条件を示す説明図。
【図８】電源接続部の機能を示す説明図。
【図９】本発明の実施例２による機器分離スイッチ制御部の機能と動作を示す説明図。
【図１０】本発明の実施例３の中継器を適用するネットワークの一例を示す構成図。
【図１１】実施例３の中継器における給電スイッチ制御部の機能を示す構成図。
【符号の説明】
１，１ａ，１ｂ，１ｃ，１ｄ…中継器、２…機器、３…通信電源、４…信号ライン、５…給電ライン、６…機器状態信号線、７…電源状態信号線、８…隣接電圧通知信号線、１０ａ，１０ｂ…ケーブル接続部、２０…機器接続部、２１…機器故障検出手段、２１０…機器電流検出回路、２２…機器分離スイッチ、２３…機器分離スイッチ制御部、２４…機器接続認識手段、２５…全機器切り離しスイッチ、３０…給電ライン系統分離部、３１…電圧レベル検出手段、３１０…電圧レベル検出回路、３２…給電ライン分離スイッチ、３３…給電ライン分離スイッチ制御部、４０…電源接続部、４１…電源故障検出手段、４１０…電源電圧検出回路、４２…電源接続認識手段、５０…報告・警告部、５１…電圧レベル状態報告手段、５２…機器故障警告手段、５３…電源状態警告手段、６０ａ，６０ｂ…中継器間通信信号線接続部。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network connecting control devices and the like, and more particularly to a repeater that configures a network by connecting cables including a power feeding line and a signal line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional network, the voltage of the feeder line is monitored by the voltage detection circuit provided in the repeater, and the repeater that detects the voltage drop cuts the downstream side of the feed line to suppress the failure range, and the upstream transmission line is connected. It is alive.
[0003]
A repeater having such a power supply line cutoff function is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-135826. Here, a voltage detection circuit for the feed line is provided inside the repeater, and when the feed voltage drops, the feed path is cut off after the length of the cut-off delay time corresponding to the amount of drop, and before the cut-off delay time. When the power supply voltage is restored, the interruption is avoided.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the network power supply line monitoring by the conventional repeater described above, the monitoring of the power supply line voltage and the interruption at the time of lowering are stopped, and the response according to the cause of the lowering is not considered, so the downstream side from the point where the power supply voltage has decreased Will be disconnected uniformly. As a result, not only the relay device but also all the downstream transmission lines are disconnected even when a current draw occurs due to a failure of the connected device of the relay device.
[0005]
In addition, in the case of a large-scale network, it is difficult to identify each point at what point and why the power supply voltage has dropped, making it difficult for each repeater in the transmission path to respond autonomously. It is impossible to disconnect the transmission line promptly and to the minimum necessary in the event of a line abnormality.
[0006]
In addition, if the repeater where the supply voltage starts to decrease cannot be identified, there will be a large problem when laying a network. In laying the network, the capacity and arrangement of the communication power source are calculated in advance from the specifications of the devices connected to each repeater and the cable length, and after the laying, the network is operated and a verification test is performed. However, due to differences in the characteristics of connected devices, the voltage drop at each repeater is often not as calculated, and when the network is large, it takes time and effort to identify abnormal locations. At this time, if the downstream repeaters are shut off at the same time, it takes time to recover for the retest.
[0007]
The object of the present invention is to provide a means for detecting a failure of a device connected to the repeater or a communication power supply in addition to a voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage of the feed line in the repeater, and to identify the cause of the decrease in the feed voltage In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a repeater capable of disconnecting a power supply line or disconnecting a device connected to the repeater or a communication power source. In addition, each repeater is equipped with means that can be confirmed when a failure occurs in the power supply voltage drop in the transmission line, equipment connected to the repeater or communication power supply, etc., and the failure occurrence as a signal in the transmission line Transmits to all repeaters, determines whether each repeater in the transmission line should cut off the power supply line, and provides a repeater that cuts off the power supply line when it is necessary to respond with its own repeater There is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention that achieves the above object includes a connection means for a power supply line and a signal line constituting a network, a communication power supply for supplying power to the power supply line, and a connection means for a device that transmits and receives signals via the signal line. In the repeater of the provided network, for each repeater, the feeder line voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the feeder line and comparing it with a preset threshold is separated from the feeder line downstream from the own repeater. And a control means for operating the power supply line separating means when a predetermined separation condition is satisfied.
[0009]
The control means determines whether the voltage of the feeder line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold as the separation condition, and whether there is a failure in a device connected to each repeater in the network, and satisfies the condition In some cases, the feeding line separating means is operated. Thereby, when a voltage falls abnormally, a cause and a failure point are known.
[0010]
Further, when the voltage of the feeder line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold as the separation condition and the voltage of the feeder line of the repeater adjacent on the upstream side is higher than the threshold, the condition is satisfied. The power supply line separating means is operated. Thereby, it is possible to avoid simultaneous interruption of repeaters whose voltages are lower than the threshold when the network is laid.
[0011]
The network repeater according to the present invention includes, for each repeater, a power supply line voltage detecting unit that detects a voltage of the power supply line and compares the voltage with a preset threshold value, and a relay that adjoins the voltage state of the power supply line. Adjacent voltage transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving to / from the relay, power supply line separating means for separating the power supply line downstream from the relay, equipment failure detection means for detecting a failure of the equipment connected to the relay, A device status notifying unit for notifying each repeater in the network of a failure, a device disconnecting unit for disconnecting a device connected to the own repeater, and the feeder line separating unit or the device when a predetermined disconnection condition is satisfied Control means for operating the detaching means is provided.
[0012]
In addition, the control means requires that the voltage of the feeder line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold as the disconnection condition, and there is no failure in the equipment in the network and the feeder line of the repeater adjacent to the upstream side. When the voltage is higher than the threshold value, the power supply line separating means is operated, and when there is a failure in the equipment of the own repeater, the equipment separating means is operated.
[0013]
Each repeater is provided with an alarm means for indicating the voltage state of the power supply line of the own repeater and the disconnection state of the equipment, and a device recognition means for recognizing the connection of the equipment, and the control means reconnects the equipment. The device disconnecting means is restored upon receiving the recognition information. Thereby, it is possible to monitor whether the voltage state of each repeater is normal / abnormal or normal / abnormal of the device, and it is possible to automatically recover when the device disconnected due to the failure is replaced.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a power failure detection means for detecting a failure of the communication power supply connected to the own repeater and a power supply status notification means for notifying each repeater in the network of the failure of the communication power supply are provided. To do.
[0015]
The power supply failure detection means detects that the communication power supply has failed when the voltage of the power supply line is lower than a second threshold value sufficiently smaller than the threshold value and the device in the network has no failure. . And since the said control means determines with the said cutting | disconnection conditions not being satisfied when the said communication power supply has failed, it can avoid isolate | separating a power feeding line by the failure of a communication power supply.
[0016]
The network using the repeater of the present invention includes a cable connecting means having a power supply line and a signal line, a communication power supply for supplying power to the power supply line, and a device for transmitting and receiving a control signal via the signal line. In a network configured using repeaters having connection means,
For each repeater, feed line voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the feed line and comparing it with a preset threshold, and feed line separation means for separating the feed line downstream from the repeater, Device failure detection means for detecting the failure of the device connected to the own repeater, device disconnection means for disconnecting the device connected to the own repeater, and failure of the device connected to the own repeater A device status notification line for notifying the repeater, an output of the power supply line voltage detecting means, and a status of the device status notification line are input, the voltage of the power supply line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold value, and the network When there is a failure in a device connected to any one of the repeaters, control means for operating the device disconnecting means of the own repeater is provided. As a result, when a device failure occurs in the network, the devices connected to each repeater can be disconnected at the same time, which is suitable for safe operation of serially operated FA devices and the like.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an example of a network to which the repeater of the present invention is applied. The network is configured by connecting a cable including a signal line 4 and a power supply line 5 with a repeater 1. Each repeater 1 is connected to a device 2 to which power is supplied from a power supply line 5. In the illustrated example, the repeater 1a connects the communication power supply 3 for supplying power to the network to the power supply line 5 to supply power to the entire network. The signal line pairs 4a and 4b include the H side and the L side, and the power supply line pairs 5a and 5b include the + V side and the −V side. In this embodiment, a device status signal line 6 and a power status signal line 7 are provided between the repeaters to notify the status of the device and the power supply to each other. The signal lines 6 and 7 can be combined into one.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. The repeater 1 includes a cable connection unit 10, a device connection unit 20, a feed line system separation unit 30, a power supply connection unit 40, a report / warning unit 50, and an inter-relay signal line connection unit 60.
[0019]
Cable connecting portions 10a and 10b provided on both sides of the repeater 1 are connected to other repeaters 1 via cable signal line pairs 4a and 4b and feed line pairs 5a and 5b. The cable connecting portion 10a is the input side to the repeater 1, and the cable connecting portion 10b is the output side from the repeater 1.
[0020]
The device connection unit 20 transmits and receives signals through the signal line pairs 4a (H side) and 4b (L side) and is supplied with power from the power line pairs 5a (+ V side) and 5b (−V side). Device 2 is connected. Also, a device failure detection means 21 for detecting a failure of the device 2 connected to the repeater 1, a device separation switch 22 for connecting / disconnecting the device, and a device separation switch control unit for controlling the opening / closing of the device separation switch 22 23, and device connection recognition means 24 for recognizing that the device 2 is connected to the repeater 1.
[0021]
The power supply line system separation unit 30 opens and closes the voltage level detection means 31 that detects the voltage level of the power supply line 5, the power supply line separation switch 32 that separates the power supply system by separating the power supply line 5, and the power supply line separation switch 32. A power supply line separation switch control unit 33 to be controlled is provided.
[0022]
The power supply connection unit 40 connects the communication power supply 3 that supplies power to the network to the + V side and the −V side of the power supply line 5. Further, a power failure detection means 41 for detecting a failure of the connected communication power supply 3 and a power connection recognition means 42 for recognizing that the communication power supply 3 is connected to the repeater 1 are provided.
[0023]
The report / warning unit 50 has a function for notifying the user of the voltage level state of the power supply line 5 of the network, the failure of the device 2 in the own or other repeater 1, and the failure of the communication power supply 3.
[0024]
The inter-relay communication line connection unit 60 notifies the other repeater of the failure of the device 2 and the communication power source 3 connected to the own repeater, or the failure of the device 2 and the communication power source 3 connected to the other repeater. In order to receive the generated signal, the apparatus status signal line 6 and the power supply status signal line 7 that communicate between the repeaters are connected.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the feeder line system separation unit. The voltage level detection means 31 of the power supply line system separation unit 30 takes in the potential of the power supply line pair 5a, 5b, and the voltage level detection circuit 310 detects the voltage level V. _IN Is detected. And V _IN Is a preset threshold V _TH The output signal VOUT is 1 when the output signal is higher and 0 when the output is lower. The output signal VOUT is input to the feed line separation switch control unit 33, the device separation switch control unit 23, and the report / warning unit 50, respectively.
[0026]
The feed line separation switch control unit 33 receives the output signal VOUT, the device failure signal from the other repeater and the power supply normal signal as input, and generates a control signal SWCTL1 for opening and closing the feed line separation switch 32. 32 is opened and closed. The feed line separation switch 32 opens the switch when the control signal SWCTL1 is 1, and closes the switch when the control signal SWCTL1 is 0. When the separation switch 32 is opened, power supply to the repeater 1 (here, 1b to 1d) on the downstream side of the power supply path is cut off.
[0027]
The control signal SWCTL1 is also input to the report / warning unit 50. When SWCTL1 = 1, that is, when the power supply line separation switch 32 is opened and the power supply system is separated, the report / warning unit 50 informs the user that the communication power supply needs to be added to the repeater.
[0028]
FIG. 4 shows logical conditions for opening and closing the power supply line separation switch. The power supply line separation switch control unit 33 outputs the output signal VOUT of the voltage level detection means 31, STATE1 indicating the status of the devices connected to all the repeaters 1 in the network, and communication supplying power to the network. STATE2 indicating the state of the power supply 3 is input, and by taking the AND condition of these three signals, the feed line separation switch control signal SWCTL1 is generated.
[0029]
STATE 1 indicating the device status is 0 when all devices connected to the repeater in the network are normal, and 1 when a failure occurs in the device connected to any one of the repeaters 1. STATE 2 indicating the power state is 1 when the communication power supply 3 supplying power to the network is normal, and is 0 when a failure occurs in the communication power supply 3. Therefore, the power supply line separation switch control signal SWCTL1 has a voltage level of the power supply line of the threshold V. _TH SWCTL1 only when the device connected to all the repeaters 1 in the network is not faulty (STATE1 = 0) and the communication power supply 3 is normal (STATE2 = 1). = 1, the power supply line separation switch 32 is opened, and the downstream power supply system is separated in the network.
[0030]
As a result, the power supply line separation switch 32 is opened only when the voltage level is reduced due to a voltage drop in the power supply line 5 due to an increase in load (insufficient power supply capacity). On the other hand, when the voltage drop is caused by a current draw or a communication power supply failure due to a device failure, SWCTL1 = 0 and the power supply line separation switch 32 remains closed.
[0031]
FIG. 5 shows the structure of the report / warning unit. The report / warning unit 50 receives the output signal VOUT of the voltage level detection unit 31 and displays the power supply state by the voltage level state report unit 51. That is, when VOUT = 1, a report indicating that the voltage level of the power supply line is satisfied (for example, a green LED is lit), and when VOUT = 0, a report indicating that the power supply voltage level is insufficient (for example, when a red LED is lit) To do.
[0032]
The equipment failure warning means 52 includes TROUBLE 1 indicating whether or not the equipment connected to the own repeater from the equipment failure detecting means 21 is faulty, and STATE 1 indicating whether or not there is a failure including equipment connected to other repeaters via the equipment failure signal line 6. And reports the status of no device failure, failure of the connected device, and failure of other connected devices as described below.
[0033]
Further, the power supply state warning means 53 inputs the output SWCTL1 of the power supply line separation switch control unit 33 and displays the necessity of additional connection of the communication power supply. When SWCTL1 = 1 (when the power supply line separation switch is opened), a warning requesting additional connection of a communication power supply (red LED lighting) is given. As a result, when a communication power supply is additionally connected to the repeater, the power connection recognition signal CONNECT2 = 1 is input from the power connection recognition means 42, and the communication power connection request of the power state warning means 53 is cancelled.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the device connection unit. The device failure detection means 21 of the device connection unit 20 includes a device current detection circuit 210 for detecting a failure of the device 2, and detects a current flowing from the power supply line pair 5 a, 5 b to the device 2. When a failure occurs in the device 2 and a current draw occurs, the device current detection circuit 210 detects an overcurrent and sets TROUBLE1 = 1 (0 when there is no failure) indicating a failure of the device connected to the own repeater. , Output to the device separation switch control unit 23.
[0035]
The TROUBLE 1 is also output to the report / warning unit 50 and the device status signal line 6 for communicating the device failure occurrence status between the network repeaters. When TROUBLE1 = 1 occurs, the state (STATE1) of the device state signal line 6 becomes 1, and the occurrence of a device failure at a certain repeater is notified to all repeaters in the network.
[0036]
The device separation switch control unit 23 uses the device failure detection signal TROUBLE1 from the device current detection circuit 210, the output signal VOUT from the voltage level detection means 30, and the state STATE1 of the device state signal line 6 as AND inputs, and the device separation switch. A control signal SWCTL2 is generated. When SWCTL2 = 1, the device separation switch 22 is opened, and when SWCTL2 = 0, the switch is closed.
[0037]
When a failure occurs in the device 2 connected to the own repeater and the device separation switch 22 is opened and disconnected, when the device is replaced with a normal device and reconnected, the output signal CONNECT1 of the device connection recognition means 24 becomes 1. Then, the device separation switch 22 is closed again.
[0038]
FIG. 7 shows logical conditions for opening and closing the device separation switch. The device separation switch control signal SWCTL2 has a voltage level of the power supply line of the threshold V _TH Lower than (VOUT = 0), when a failure of the device connected to the own repeater is detected (TROUBLE1 = 1), and the state of the device status signal line 6 becomes abnormal (STATE = 1) Then, the device separation switch 22 is opened to disconnect the device connected to the own repeater.
[0039]
As a result, the voltage level of the power supply line becomes the threshold value V. _TH The device separation switch 22 is opened when the device that is lower and causes the voltage drop is the failure of the device connected to the own repeater. On the other hand, in the case of a failure of a device connected to another repeater, the device separation switch 22 remains closed. Furthermore, when the failed device is replaced with a normal device and reconnected, the device separation switch 22 is closed again.
[0040]
In response to the input of the failure signal TROUBLE1 of the device connected to the own repeater, the device failure warning means 52 of the report / warning unit 50 operates as follows. Normally, when the devices connected to all the repeaters in the network are normal, the device failure detection signal TROUBLE1 and the state STATE1 of the device state signal line 6 are both 0, and the device failure warning means 52 A warning (green LED is lit) indicating that the device is normal is performed. In addition, when there is a failure in the device connected to the own repeater, both TROUBLE1 and STATE1 become 1, indicating a warning (red LED indicating failure of the device connected to the own repeater and the other repeater Light up). When there is no failure in the device connected to the own repeater and there is a failure in the device connected to the other repeater, TROUBLE1 = 0 and STATE1 = 1, and the device connected to the other repeater Warning (red LED is lit) that means a malfunction.
[0041]
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the power supply connection section. The power supply failure detection means 41 of the power supply connection unit 40 is provided with a power supply voltage detection circuit 410 and a power supply failure determination unit 411. The power supply voltage detection circuit 410 detects a voltage between the power supply line pairs 5a and 5b, and the voltage V is a threshold value V set in the power supply line system separation unit 30. _TH Threshold V sufficiently smaller than _TH2 (V _TH ≫V _TH2 ), VOUT2 = 1 is output, and if it is lower, VOUT2 = 0 is output. The power supply failure determination unit 411 ORs the output VOUT2 of the power supply voltage detection circuit 410 and the state of the device state signal line 6 (failure = 1, normal = 0), and determines whether or not the communication power supply 3 has failed.
[0042]
Thereby, there is no failure in the device 2 connected to the repeater in the network (STATE1 = 0), and the voltage of the power supply line is V _TH2 In the following (VOUT2 = 0), it is determined that the communication power supply 3 has failed, and TROUBLE2 = 0 is output, so the state of the power supply state communication line 7 is STATE2 = 0.
[0043]
The state STATE2 of the power state communication line 7 is taken into the power state warning means 53 of the report / warning unit 50 provided in each repeater in the network. STATE 2 is also taken into the feed switch controller 33. Since STATE2 = 0 when the power supply fails, the control signal for the power supply line separation switch 32 is not generated (SWCTL1 = 0).
[0044]
Next, the entire network monitoring operation using the repeater of the present embodiment will be described. When all the connected devices 2a to 2g and the communication power supply 3 are operating normally in the network shown in FIG. 2, the device failure detection signal TROUBLE1 of each repeater is 0, and the power failure detection signal TROUBLE2 is 1. The state STATE1 of the state signal line 6 is 0, and the state STATE2 of the power supply state signal line 7 is 1. Therefore, the device failure warning means 52 of each repeater is lit to mean that there is no device failure, and the power supply state warning means 53 is lit to mean that the communication power supply is normal.
[0045]
In this state, the voltage V of the feeder line is detected by the voltage level detection means 31 of the repeater 1c. _IN Is the threshold V _TH When it is detected that the voltage has further decreased, a voltage level decrease is detected also in the repeater 1d downstream of the repeater 1c, and the output VOUT of the voltage detection circuit 310 becomes zero. At this time, if all the devices 2a to 2g in the network and the communication power supply 3 are normal, the state STATE1 = 0 of the device failure signal line 6 and the state STATE2 = 1 of the power supply normal signal line 7 are relayed. The feeder line separation switch control signal SWCTL1 = 1 of the devices 1c and 1d is set, and the feeder line separation switch 32 is opened. In the third embodiment to be described later, a configuration for preventing all the separation switches 32 of the downstream repeaters 1c and 1d from being opened will be described.
[0046]
Since the VOUT and SWCTL1 are also input to the report / warning unit 50, the voltage level of the feeder line 5 of the repeaters 1c and 1d is the threshold V. _TH The lighting which means that it has fallen further and the lighting which means that the connection connection of a communication power supply is required for the said repeater are performed. When laying a network or the like, a shortage of power capacity often occurs due to the difference between the calculated value and the actual value of the equipment load. When the user knows the necessity of additional connection of the communication power source from the display of the report / warning unit 50, the user additionally connects the communication power source to the upstream repeater 1c. When a communication power supply is additionally connected to the repeater 1c, the downstream voltage level is secured, so that the feed line separation switch 32 of the repeater 1d is closed and the network returns to a normal state.
[0047]
Further, when the device 2b connected to the repeater 1b breaks down and current is drawn, the voltage level of the power supply line 5 is lowered, and the voltage detection circuits 310 of all the repeaters 1a to 1d are temporarily set to the threshold value. V _TH It is detected that the voltage has further decreased, and VOUT = 0 is output. At this time, the device failure detection means 21 provided in the repeater 1b detects an overcurrent that greatly exceeds the rating of the device 2b, and outputs a device failure signal TROUBLE1 = 1.
[0048]
As a result, the state of the device status signal line 6 becomes STATE1 = 1, and the occurrence of a device failure is notified to all the repeaters 1a, 1c, 1d in the network. When STATE1 = 1, the relays 1a to 1d detect that the voltage level of the power supply line is lowered, and the output of the power supply line separation switch control unit 33 becomes SWCTL1 = 0. Absent.
[0049]
In this situation, the report / warning unit 50 of the repeater 1b is turned on to mean that the device connected to the own repeater is out of order, and the light that means that the device connected to the other repeater is out of order. In the other repeaters 1a, 1c, and 1d, the reporting / warning unit 50 performs only lighting that indicates a failure of a device connected to the other repeater. Accordingly, the user can know that a failure has occurred in the device connected to the repeater 1b.
[0050]
Further, in the repeater 1b, since the output SWCTL2 of the device separation switch control unit 23 is set to 1, the device separation switch 22 is opened to disconnect the failed device 1b. As a result, no current is drawn, so that the voltage of the power supply line 5 is restored and the network returns to a normal state. When the user knows that the device 2b has failed and replaces the device 2b with a normal device and reconnects, the output CONNECT1 = 1 of the device connection recognition unit 24 is set, and the device separation switch 22 is closed to restore normal communication. .
[0051]
Furthermore, when a failure occurs in the communication power supply 3 connected to the repeater 1a, the voltage level of the power supply line 5 is lowered, and the voltage detection circuits 310 of all the repeaters 1a to 1d temporarily output VOUT = 0. To do. At this time, the power failure detection means 41 of the repeater 1a detects a failure of the communication power supply 3 and outputs a power failure detection signal TROUBLE2 = 0.
[0052]
As a result, the state STATE2 = 0 of the power supply state signal line 7 is set, and the repeaters 1b to 1d other than the repeater 1a are also notified that the communication power supply 3 has failed. When the state of the power supply normal signal line 7 becomes 0, each of the repeaters 1a to 1d becomes the output SWCTL1 = 0 of the feed line separation switch control unit 33 even if the voltage level drop of the feed line 5 is detected. The switch 32 is not opened.
[0053]
In this situation, the reporting / warning unit 50 of each of the repeaters 1a to 1d changes from green lighting indicating that the communication power supply 3 is normal to red lighting indicating that the communication power supply 3 has failed. Thereby, when the user replaces the failed communication power supply 3 with a normal communication power supply, the voltage drop of the power supply line is recovered and the network returns to a normal state. When a normal communication power supply is reconnected to the repeater 1, the power state warning means 53 of the report / warning unit 50 switches to green lighting which means that the communication power supply is normal.
[0054]
As described above, in the network in which the feeder line and the signal line are connected by the repeater of the first embodiment, each repeater monitors the failure of the equipment connected to the own repeater and the failure of the communication power source as the voltage of the feeder line decreases. Because the status of the equipment and power supply is communicated to each other via the signal line, it is determined whether the cause of the voltage of the power supply line being below the threshold is due to a lack of power capacity or a failure of the equipment or the power supply itself. Optimal treatment can be performed.
[0055]
That is, when a voltage drop below the threshold occurs, the power supply capacity is insufficient with respect to the device load if there is no failure in the power supply of the other device or network. Therefore, the repeater that has detected the voltage drop disconnects the downstream of the feed line and secures the transmission line of the upstream network. At the same time, since a request for additional connection of communication power is issued, power can be easily added to the corresponding relay, and the disconnected downstream power supply path can be quickly restored. Note that alternatives such as switching the separated downstream side to another power supply system are possible.
[0056]
Further, when any device in the network fails, only the device is disconnected from the repeater and the voltage drop of the power supply line is recovered, so that a network transmission path can be secured. In addition, since the failure of the own repeater or the failure of another repeater is identified and displayed, it is easy to replace the abnormal device.
[0057]
Furthermore, when the communication power supply that supplies power to the network via an arbitrary repeater fails, the communication power supply failure is notified without disconnecting the power supply line, so that the network is immediately restored by power supply replacement.
[0058]
Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the repeater of the first embodiment is applied to a field network such as the FA field will be described. For example, in a network that controls devices that perform a flow operation using a belt conveyor, if even one device connected to the network fails, a failure occurs in work downstream of the failed device. In this case, it is usually necessary to stop the belt conveyor or stop the operation of the devices connected to the network.
[0059]
In the repeater of the first embodiment, when a failure occurs in a device connected to a certain repeater in the network, a function for notifying all the repeaters in the network that the failure has occurred, and disconnecting the failed device from the network It has a function. Therefore, if this function is used in an advanced manner, all devices in the network can be disconnected if even one device in the network fails.
[0060]
The basic configuration of the repeater of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the repeater shown in FIG. A different part is a device separation switch control unit 23 for controlling the device separation switch 22, and the device separation switch control unit 23 is provided with means for selecting whether to disconnect only a failed device or all devices.
[0061]
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the device separation switch controller according to the second embodiment. The device separation switch control unit 23 receives the device failure detection signal TROUBLE1, the output VOUT of the voltage level detection means 30, and the state STATE1 of the device state signal line 6, and generates a device separation switch control signal SWCTL2 from the AND condition of these signals. .
[0062]
In the device separation switch control unit 23, when a failure occurs in the device connected to the repeater 1, only the failed device is disconnected from the repeater or the devices connected to all the repeaters in the network are disconnected. An all-device separation switch 25 is provided for selecting these by initial setting. When the device failure detection signal all device separation switch 25 is closed, TROUBLE1 enters the conditions for generating the device separation switch control signal SWCTL2, and is the same as the first embodiment. On the other hand, when all device separation switch 25 is opened, TROUBLE1 does not enter the condition for generating SWCTL2.
[0063]
Accordingly, when all the device separation switches 25 are selected to be opened, and a device failure occurs and STATE1 = 1 and VOUT = 0, the device separation switch control signal SWCTL2 becomes 1 in all the repeaters. As a result, all the repeaters 1 open the device separation switch 22 and disconnect the connected devices.
[0064]
According to the present embodiment, when even one device in the network fails, all the devices in the network can be disconnected, so that the safety of the devices connected to the network can be ensured.
[0065]
Next, a repeater according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In the repeater 1 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the voltage drop of the power supply line 5 is the threshold value V. _TH In the following cases, since all the power supply line separation switches 32 on the downstream side are opened, it takes time to restore the network if the network is large.
[0066]
In this embodiment, the voltage drop is the threshold value V. _TH In the following case, the first repeater 1 on the downstream side opens the feed line separation switch 32 and the other repeaters 1 on the downstream side do not open. For this reason, adjacent voltage notification means for transmitting and receiving the output VOUT of the voltage level detection means 31 between adjacent repeaters is provided.
[0067]
FIG. 10 shows a network configuration to which the third embodiment is applied. The difference from FIG. 2 is that each repeater 1 is provided with an adjacent voltage notification signal line 8 that transmits its own VOUT to the downstream repeater 1 adjacent thereto. For example, the repeater 1b receives the VOUT state (0/1) of the repeater 1a via the adjacent voltage notification signal line 8, and transmits its own VOUT state to the repeater 1c one downstream. be able to.
[0068]
The basic configuration of the repeater 1 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from FIG. 1 is that the AND input of the feed switch control unit 33 is connected to the state of VOUT from the one upstream relay, in this case V _UPPER It is in the point which adds.
[0069]
FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration of the power supply switch control unit according to the third embodiment. The power supply switch control unit 33 outputs the output VOUT (threshold V) of its own voltage level detection means 31. _TH 0), the state STATE1 of the device state signal line 6 (0 at the time of failure), the state STATE2 of the power supply state signal line 7 (0 at the time of normal), and the adjacent voltage notification signal line 8 from the repeater 1 one upstream. State V _UPPER (Threshold V _TH In the following, 0) is an AND input.
[0070]
And VOUT = 0, STATE1 = 0, STATE2 = 1, V _UPPER When = 1, the power feed switch control signal SWCTL1 = 1 is output, and the power feed line separation switch 32 is opened. On the other hand, VOUT = 0, STATE1 = 0, STATE2 = 1, V _UPPER When = 0, SWCTL1 = 0 is set and the own power supply line separation switch 32 is not opened.
[0071]
In this way, when the voltage of the own power supply line is in the voltage drop state of VOUT = 0 and the own repeater is the most upstream in the voltage drop state, the own power supply line separation switch 32 is opened. As a result, the downstream network is disconnected and the upstream transmission line is secured. However, since the repeater that is not the most upstream with its own voltage drop state does not open its own power line separation switch 32, the trouble of re-closing those switches for recovery is saved, and network installation verification tests, etc. are easy. become.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the network repeater detects an abnormal voltage drop (below the threshold) of the power supply line, the cause is the voltage drop of the power supply line, the failure of the equipment connected to the repeater, the network Since it is possible to determine whether the connected communication power supply is faulty, there is an effect that an optimum treatment can be quickly executed for each cause.
[0073]
In other words, if the cause of the voltage drop in the power supply line is a voltage drop due to an increase in the load, the power supply line is separated by a repeater with insufficient voltage to encourage upstream connection while ensuring upstream communication. , The network can be returned to the normal state at an early stage. In addition, since the power supply line is separated only by the most upstream relay with insufficient voltage, the recovery is easy.
[0074]
In addition, if the cause of the voltage drop of the power supply line is a failure of a device connected to a certain relay in the network, this is notified to the network, and only the relay to which the failed device is connected is the faulty device. By disconnecting the network, the network can return to a normal state.
[0075]
In addition, if even one device connected to the network fails, all devices can be separated and stopped by each repeater, which has an adverse effect on the production line in the field network and FA field production lines. Can be avoided.
[0076]
The repeater of the present invention has a display means for confirming the voltage level state of the power supply line, the location of the faulty device (self relay failure / other relay), and the communication power source status (normal / failure, additional connection request). Therefore, even in a large-scale network, it becomes easy to identify the location where an abnormality or failure occurs, and measures according to the situation can be taken quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a repeater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network to which the repeater according to the first embodiment is applied.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the function of a feeder line system separation unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating opening / closing conditions of the power supply line separation switch according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of a report / warning unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions of a device connection unit.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing opening / closing conditions of the device separation switch.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions of a power supply connection unit.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions and operations of a device separation switch control unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network to which a repeater according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating a function of a power supply switch control unit in the repeater according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... repeater, 2 ... device, 3 ... communication power supply, 4 ... signal line, 5 ... feed line, 6 ... device status signal line, 7 ... power status signal line, 8 ... adjacent voltage Notification signal lines, 10a, 10b ... cable connection unit, 20 ... device connection unit, 21 ... device failure detection means, 210 ... device current detection circuit, 22 ... device separation switch, 23 ... device separation switch control unit, 24 ... device connection Recognizing means, 25 ... All equipment disconnection switch, 30 ... Feed line system separation unit, 31 ... Voltage level detection means, 310 ... Voltage level detection circuit, 32 ... Feed line separation switch, 33 ... Feed line separation switch controller, 40 ... Power supply connection unit 41 ... Power supply failure detection means 410 ... Power supply voltage detection circuit 42 ... Power supply connection recognition means 50 ... Report / warning part 51 ... Voltage level status report means 52 ... Device reason Alarm means, 53 ... power state warning device, 60a, 60b ... inter-repeater communication signal line connector.

Claims

In a network repeater comprising a connection means for a power supply line and a signal line constituting a network, a communication power supply that supplies power to the power supply line, and a connection means for a device that transmits and receives signals via the signal line,
For each repeater, feed line voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the feed line and comparing it with a preset threshold, and feed line separation means for separating the feed line downstream from the repeater, A network provided with control means for operating the power supply line separating means when it is determined that the voltage of the power supply line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold value and the voltage drop of the power supply line is due to an increase in load. Repeater.

According to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether there is a fault in the equipment connected to the repeater in the network, the voltage drop of the self power supply line if the condition is satisfied due to the increase of the load And determining and activating the feeder line separating means.

According to claim 1, wherein the control means determines whether the voltage of the power supply line of the relay adjacent to the upper stream side is higher than the threshold value, due to the increase of the voltage drop of the self power supply line load if the condition is satisfied And determining that the power supply line separating means is operated.

In a network repeater comprising a connection means for a power supply line and a signal line constituting a network, a communication power supply that supplies power to the power supply line, and a connection means for a device that transmits and receives signals via the signal line,
For each repeater, a feed line voltage detection unit that detects the voltage of the feed line and compares it with a preset threshold value; and an adjacent voltage transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives the voltage state of the feed line with an adjacent repeater. The feeder line separating means for separating the feeder line downstream from the own repeater, the equipment failure detecting means for detecting the failure of the equipment connected to the own repeater, and the failure of the equipment to each repeater in the network It is essential that the device status notifying means for notification, the device disconnecting means for disconnecting the device connected to the own repeater, and the voltage of the feeder line of the own repeater are lower than the threshold value, and the device in the network fails. If the voltage of the feeder line of the repeater adjacent to the upstream side is higher than the threshold, the feeder line separating means is operated, and if there is a failure in the relay device, the device is turned off. Repeater network, characterized in that a control means for actuating the means to.

In claim 4 , for each repeater, an alarm means for indicating the voltage state of the feeder line of the own repeater and the disconnection state of the equipment, and a device recognition means for recognizing the connection of the equipment,
The network repeater according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives the recognition information of reconnection of the device and restores the device disconnection unit.

6. A power failure detection means for detecting a failure of a communication power supply connected to the own repeater according to claim 4 , and a power status notification means for notifying each repeater in the network of the failure of the communication power supply. A network repeater characterized by being provided.

7. The communication power supply according to claim 6 , wherein the power supply failure detecting means causes the communication power supply to fail when the voltage of the power supply line is lower than a second threshold value that is sufficiently smaller than the threshold value and the device in the network has no failure. A network repeater that detects what happened.

8. The network repeater according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit determines that the disconnection condition is not satisfied when the communication power source is faulty.

Using a relay having a cable connection means having a power supply line and a signal line, a communication power supply for supplying power to the power supply line, and a device connection means for transmitting and receiving a control signal and the like via the signal line In the configured network,
For each repeater, feed line voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the feed line and comparing it with a preset threshold, and feed line separation means for separating the feed line downstream from the repeater, Device failure detection means for detecting the failure of the device connected to the own repeater, device disconnection means for disconnecting the device connected to the own repeater, and failure of the device connected to the own repeater A device status notification line for notifying the repeater, an output of the power supply line voltage detecting means, and a status of the device status notification line are input, the voltage of the power supply line of the own repeater is lower than the threshold value, and the network When there is a failure in the equipment connected to any of the repeaters in the inside, a control means for operating the equipment disconnecting means of the own repeater is provided,
A network characterized in that devices connected to each repeater can be disconnected at the same time when a device failure occurs in the network.