JP5030733B2 - Electronic circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic circuit breaker that trips an electric circuit when an abnormality occurs in the device itself.

  Conventionally, an electronic circuit breaker that trips an electric circuit based on current information and voltage information of the electric circuit is known. FIG. 8 shows one configuration of such an electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker 101 includes a contact 113 that is arranged in the electric circuit 111 and connects the external power source 112 and the electronic circuit breaker 101, a trip circuit unit 102 that trips the electric circuit 111 by the contact 113, and a current flowing through the electric circuit 111. A current detecting unit 103 for detecting, a voltage detecting unit 104 for detecting the voltage of the electric circuit 111, a power supply circuit 105 for supplying power to the current detecting unit 103, the voltage detecting unit 104, and the like; a current detecting unit 103 and a voltage detecting unit 104; And a processing unit 106 that outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 102 based on the current information and the voltage information detected by.

  The current detection unit 103 detects the current in the electric circuit 111 and outputs current information It, Is, and Ir to the processing unit 106. The voltage detection unit 104 detects the voltage of the electric circuit 111 and outputs voltage information Vst and Vrs to the processing unit 106. The processing unit 106 determines an abnormality such as a short circuit, overcurrent, or over / undervoltage based on the acquired current information and voltage information, and outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 102 when it is determined that there is an abnormality. The electric circuit 111 is pulled off.

  FIG. 9 shows the current detection performance required for the electronic circuit breaker 101. The horizontal axis indicates the magnitude of the current, and the vertical axis indicates the tripping operation time. Current detection needs to detect two types of short-circuit area and over-current area. In the short-circuit area, it must be tripped within a certain period of time. In the over-current area, the trip time depends on the over-current level. Must be removed. Further, in voltage detection, there are conditions for overvoltage and undervoltage, and the time required for tripping differs depending on the voltage level. The processing unit 106 outputs a trip signal based on the current and voltage conditions.

  However, the electronic circuit breaker 101 cannot remove the electric circuit 111 even if an abnormality such as an overcurrent occurs when the processing unit 106 runs away or fails.

  Also, an electronic circuit breaker is known in which a watchdog timer is externally attached to the processing unit for recovery when the processing unit is out of control so that the processing unit can be reset when the processing unit is out of control (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

However, in the electronic circuit breaker as shown in Patent Document 1, when the microcomputer stops and the operation is stopped, the electric circuit cannot be removed and the failure is not notified. .
JP-A-5-250978

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic circuit breaker that trips an electric circuit when an abnormality occurs in a processing unit that processes energization information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a tripping circuit unit for tripping an electric circuit, a current detection unit for detecting a current flowing in the electric circuit, a voltage detection unit for detecting a voltage of the electric circuit, and the current detection. A processing unit that calculates current information and voltage information detected by the unit and the voltage detection unit and outputs a tripping signal to the tripping circuit unit at the time of abnormality based on the calculation result. while obtaining a regular signal outputted periodically from the processing unit, a predetermined time or more, the in the absence obtaining periodic signals periodically signal for outputting it is determined that abnormality trip signal to the tripping circuit An acquisition unit , and the periodic signal acquisition unit includes: a storage unit that varies a storage amount according to whether the periodic signal is acquired; and a storage amount detection unit that detects a storage amount of the storage unit, The storage amount detection unit When the storage amount reaches a predetermined amount, a trip signal is output to the trip circuit unit, the periodic signal acquisition unit includes a variable unit that changes a rate of change of the storage amount, and a storage capacity of the storage unit. A storage capacity monitoring unit to detect, and the variable unit changes the speed of fluctuation of the storage amount based on the storage capacity detected by the storage capacity monitoring unit, and when the storage capacity decreases Is to delay the increase rate of the amount of electricity stored by changing the resistance value in the circuit .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit breaker according to the first aspect, the power storage unit decreases the power storage amount when the acquisition of the periodic signal stops, and the power storage amount detection unit detects the power storage amount. It has a lower limit value, and outputs the trip signal when it is detected that the amount of stored electricity is less than the lower limit value after a lapse of a certain time after the activation of the electronic circuit breaker .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit breaker according to the second aspect, the storage amount detection unit further includes an upper limit value of the storage amount, and the storage amount is greater than the upper limit value. When the signal is detected, the trip signal is output.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit breaker according to the first aspect, the power storage unit increases the power storage amount when the acquisition of the periodic signal stops, and the power storage amount detection unit and have a maximum value, the charged amount and outputs the trip signal and detects that more than the upper limit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit breaker according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the charged amount detection unit further includes a lower limit value of the charged amount, and the charged amount is less than the lower limit value. When the signal is detected, the trip signal is output.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit breaker according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a notification unit that notifies the storage capacity to the outside is provided .

The invention according to claim 7 is the electronic circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when current information is acquired from the current detection unit and the current value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, It further includes a short-circuit detection unit that outputs a trip signal .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the periodic signal from the processing unit is interrupted, a trip signal is output from the periodic signal acquiring unit, so that the electric circuit can be disconnected even if a runaway or failure occurs in the processing unit. This improves the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker. In addition, if a timer is used to detect the presence or absence of a periodic signal from the processing unit, a flip-flop circuit or the like is required, but the presence or absence of a periodic signal is detected based on the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit, so compared to using a timer The cost can be reduced. In addition, even if the storage capacity of the power storage unit changes due to aging, etc., it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a periodic signal by changing the fluctuation rate of the amount of stored electricity, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker. .

According to the invention of claim 2, since the presence or absence of the periodic signal can be detected by a simple circuit that reduces the amount of electricity stored in the power storage unit by discharging or the like when there is no periodic signal, compared to using a timer. The cost can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 3, since the electric circuit is tripped even when a failure such as an open state occurs in the power storage unit and the power storage amount increases, the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the presence or absence of the periodic signal is detected based on the upper limit value of the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit, the presence or absence of the periodic signal is determined from the state where the electricity storage unit is not charged immediately after activation of the electronic circuit breaker. It can be detected and the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the electrical circuit is tripped even when a short circuit failure occurs in the power storage unit and the power storage amount decreases, so that the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the deterioration of the power storage unit or the like from the change in the power storage capacity, so that the power storage unit can be updated and the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if a short circuit occurs when an abnormality occurs in the processing unit, the electric circuit is disconnected, so that the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

(First embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker 1 includes a contact 13 that is arranged on the electric circuit 11 and connects the external power source 12 and the electronic circuit breaker 1, a trip circuit unit 2 that disconnects the electric circuit 11 from the external power source 12 by the contact 13, and an electric circuit 11. A current detection unit 3 for detecting a current flowing in the circuit, a voltage detection unit 4 for detecting the voltage of the electric circuit, a trip signal is output to the trip circuit unit 2 based on the current information and the voltage information, and periodically A processing unit 6 that outputs a signal and a timer unit 7 that acquires a periodic signal from the processing unit 6 and outputs a trip signal when the periodic signal is interrupted are provided. The trip signal output from the processing unit 6 and the timer unit 7 is transmitted to the trip circuit unit 2 via the OR circuit 10.

  The electronic circuit breaker 1 is a three-phase power distribution type, and the power supply circuit 6 includes, for example, two sets of wires T, S, R between the wires R-S and wires S-T among the wires T, S, R of the electric circuit 11. Based on the line voltage, a driving power source for the trip circuit unit 2 and the current detection unit 3 is created. The current detection unit 3 detects a current by a current transformer 31 arranged in the wirings T, S, and R of the electric circuit 11 and outputs current information It, Is, and Ir to the processing unit 5. The voltage detector 4 detects the line voltage between the wires ST and the wire RS of the electric circuit 11 and outputs the voltage information Vst and Vrs to the processing unit 6. The processing unit 6 includes a microcomputer and a logic circuit, and determines an energization abnormality such as a short circuit, an overcurrent, and an over / under voltage based on the acquired current information and voltage information. The processing unit 6 also outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 when an energization abnormality occurs.

  When receiving the trip signal from the processing unit 6, the trip circuit unit 2 opens the contact 13 and trips the electric circuit 11. The processing unit 6 also outputs a regular signal at a predetermined time interval. The timer unit 7 acquires the regular signal from the processing unit 6 and measures the time interval of the regular signal. When the next periodic signal cannot be acquired even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a trip signal is output to the trip circuit section 2.

  The operation of the electronic circuit breaker 1 configured as described above will be described. The current detection unit 3 detects the current of the electric circuit 11 and outputs current information to the processing unit 6, and the voltage detection unit 4 detects the line voltage of the electric circuit 11 and outputs the voltage information to the processing unit 6. The acquired processing unit 6 determines an energization abnormality based on the current information and the voltage information, and outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 if it is determined to be abnormal. The trip circuit unit 2 that has acquired the trip signal disconnects the electric circuit 11 from the external power source 12.

  The processing unit 6 also periodically outputs a periodic signal to the timer unit 7. The timer unit 7 acquires a regular signal and measures the time interval of the regular signal. When the next periodic signal cannot be acquired even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a trip signal is output to the trip circuit unit 2 because a runaway or malfunction has occurred in the processing unit 6.

  As described above, when the periodic signal from the processing unit 6 is interrupted, the timer unit 7 outputs a trip signal, so that the electric circuit 11 can be disconnected even if the processing unit 6 runs out of control or malfunctions. The reliability of the type circuit breaker 1 is improved.

(Second Embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the same components as those of the electronic circuit breaker in FIG. The electronic circuit breaker 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power storage unit 71 and a power storage amount detection unit 72 in the timer unit 7. The power storage unit 71 has, for example, a capacitor. The power storage unit 71 is connected to the processing unit 6 and stores power while acquiring a periodic signal from the processing unit 6. However, when the periodic signal from the processing unit 6 is interrupted, the power storage unit 71 is discharged to reduce the amount of stored power. The power storage amount detection unit 72 detects the power storage amount of the power storage unit 71, and outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 when the power storage amount becomes smaller than a predetermined lower limit value.

  Operation | movement of the electronic circuit breaker 1 comprised in this way is demonstrated. The processing unit 6 periodically outputs a periodic signal to the power storage unit 71. The power storage unit 71 stores power while acquiring the periodic signal, but discharges and decreases the amount of stored power when the periodic signal from the processing unit 6 is interrupted. Then, when the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 71 becomes smaller than a predetermined lower limit value, the electricity storage amount detection unit 72 outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 as a runaway or failure abnormality occurs in the processing unit 6. In this way, the power storage unit 71 and the power storage amount detection unit 72 function as a timer that measures the time interval of the regular signal. In this operation, when the electronic breaker 1 is activated, the electricity storage unit 71 is not charged and the accumulated amount is less than a predetermined lower limit value. Therefore, the accumulated amount is detected for a certain time after the electronic breaker 1 is activated. The unit 72 does not output a trip signal.

  When the presence or absence of a periodic signal from the processing unit is detected using a timer as in the first embodiment described above, a flip-flop circuit or the like is required, which increases the cost. However, as in the second embodiment, the periodic signal Since it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a regular signal by a simple circuit that reduces the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit by discharging when there is no power, the cost can be reduced compared to using a timer.

  Next, a modification of the electronic circuit breaker according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The storage amount detection unit 72 of the electronic circuit breaker 1 of the present modification has an upper limit value in addition to the lower limit value as a reference for the storage amount for outputting the trip signal. When the storage amount detection unit 72 detects the storage amount of the storage unit 71 that exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the storage amount detection unit 72 outputs a trip signal because an abnormality such as an open state has occurred in the storage unit 71.

  Thus, since the electric circuit 11 is removed even when a failure such as an open state occurs in the power storage unit 71, the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker 1 is improved.

(Third embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic circuit breaker 1 of the present embodiment is different from the electronic circuit breaker of the second embodiment in the operations of the power storage unit 71 and the stored power amount detection unit 72. The power storage unit 71 stores a predetermined amount while acquiring the periodic signal from the processing unit 6, but increases the stored amount when the periodic signal from the processing unit 6 is interrupted. The amount of power stored in the power storage unit 71 is detected.

  Operation | movement of the electronic circuit breaker 1 comprised in this way is demonstrated. The processing unit 6 periodically outputs a periodic signal to the power storage unit 71. The power storage unit 71 stores a certain amount while acquiring the periodic signal, but increases the stored amount when the periodic signal from the processing unit 6 is interrupted. Then, when the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 71 exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the electricity storage amount detection unit 72 outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 assuming that a runaway or failure has occurred in the processing unit 6.

  In the present embodiment, the presence / absence of a periodic signal is detected based on the upper limit value of the amount of power stored in the power storage unit 71. As in the second embodiment described above, when the amount of power stored in the power storage unit 71 is decreased when there is no regular signal and the presence or absence of the regular signal is detected based on the lower limit value of the stored power, the power is stored immediately after the electronic circuit breaker 1 is activated. Since the power is not stored in the unit 71, the presence or absence of the periodic signal cannot be detected. However, if the presence or absence of the periodic signal is detected by the upper limit value of the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 71 as in the present embodiment, the electric circuit breaker 1 may not be charged immediately after the activation. The presence or absence of a periodic signal can be detected immediately after that, and the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker 1 is improved.

  Next, a modification of the electronic circuit breaker according to the third embodiment will be described. The storage amount detection unit 72 of the electronic circuit breaker 1 of the present modification has a lower limit value in addition to the upper limit value as a reference for the storage amount for outputting the trip signal. When the amount of electricity stored in the electricity storage unit 71 exceeds a predetermined lower limit value, the electricity storage amount detection unit 72 outputs a trip signal, assuming that an abnormality such as a short circuit has occurred in the electricity storage unit 71.

  As described above, since the electric circuit 11 is pulled out even when a failure such as a short circuit occurs in the power storage unit 71, the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker 1 is improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment includes a variable unit 73 and a storage capacity monitoring unit 74 in addition to the configuration of the electronic circuit breaker of the third embodiment. The variable unit 73 changes the rate of increase in the amount of stored power when the power storage unit 71 does not acquire a periodic signal. The storage capacity monitoring unit 74 detects the storage capacity of the storage unit 71.

  Operation | movement of the electronic circuit breaker 1 comprised in this way is demonstrated. For example, a capacitor that is the power storage unit 71 has a reduced power storage capacity due to deterioration. Thus, when the capacity of the power storage unit 71 changes, it is necessary to change the increase rate of the power storage amount when the power storage unit 71 does not acquire the periodic signal in accordance with the power storage capacity. The storage capacity monitoring unit 74 detects the storage capacity of the storage unit 71 and outputs the storage capacity to the variable unit 73. The variable unit 73 changes the rate of increase in the amount of power storage in accordance with the power storage capacity of the power storage unit 71, and when the power storage capacity decreases, the rate of increase in the power storage amount when the power storage unit 71 does not acquire a periodic signal is For example, it is delayed by changing the resistance value in the circuit.

  As a result, even if the power storage capacity of the power storage unit 71 changes due to aging deterioration, etc., the fluctuation rate of the power storage amount is changed, so that the reference of the length of time that the periodic signal is interrupted when outputting the trip signal is kept constant. Accordingly, the life of the power storage unit 71 is lengthened, and the labor for updating is reduced.

(Fifth embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition to the configuration of the electronic circuit breaker of the fourth embodiment, the electronic circuit breaker 1 of the present embodiment includes a notification unit 8 connected to the storage capacity monitoring unit 74. The notification unit 8 is, for example, an LED or a liquid crystal. The storage capacity monitoring unit 74 detects the storage capacity of the storage unit 71 and displays the detected storage capacity on the notification unit 8. By this display, it is possible to determine the deterioration of the power storage unit 71 from the change in the power storage capacity of the power storage unit 71, so that the power storage unit 71 can be updated and the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

(Sixth embodiment)
An electronic circuit breaker according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment includes a short circuit detection unit 9 in addition to the configuration of the electronic circuit breaker of the first embodiment. The short circuit detection unit 9 acquires current information from the current detection unit 3 and outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit 2 when a short circuit abnormality is detected. The short-circuit detection unit 9 may be composed of, for example, a mechanical component.

  As a result, even if a short circuit occurs in the processing unit 6 such as a runaway or malfunction, and a short circuit occurs in, for example, 20 ms until the timer unit 7 outputs a trip signal, the shorting detection unit 9 has, for example, 10 ms or less. Since a trip signal is output depending on the response time, the reliability of the electronic circuit breaker is improved.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said various embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the meaning of invention, For example, the electronic circuit breaker 1 is not restricted to a three-phase power distribution type, A single phase A three-wire system may be used, and even in that case, the same effect as the three-phase power distribution system can be obtained.

The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the modification of the same electronic circuit breaker. The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the electronic circuit breaker which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram of the conventional electronic circuit breaker. The figure which shows the electric current detection performance calculated | required by an electronic circuit breaker.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic circuit breaker 2 Trip circuit part 3 Current detection part 4 Voltage detection part 6 Processing part 7 Timer part 71 Power storage part 72 Power storage amount detection part 73 Variable part 74 Storage capacity monitoring part 8 Notification part 9 Short circuit detection part

Claims (7)

Trip circuit for tripping the electric circuit, current detector for detecting the current flowing in the electric circuit, voltage detector for detecting the voltage of the electric circuit, current information and voltage information detected by the current detector and the voltage detector In an electronic circuit breaker comprising: a processing unit that outputs a tripping signal to the tripping circuit unit at the time of abnormality based on the computation result.
While obtaining a regular signal outputted periodically from the processing unit, a predetermined time or more, the in the absence obtaining periodic signals periodically signal for outputting it is determined that abnormality trip signal to the tripping circuit With an acquisition unit ,
The periodic signal acquisition unit includes a power storage unit that varies a power storage amount according to whether the periodic signal is acquired, and a power storage amount detection unit that detects a power storage amount of the power storage unit,
The charged amount detection unit outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit unit when the charged amount reaches a predetermined amount,
The periodic signal acquisition unit includes a variable unit that changes a speed of fluctuation of the storage amount, and a storage capacity monitoring unit that detects a storage capacity of the storage unit,
The variable unit changes a rate of change of the storage amount based on the storage capacity detected by the storage capacity monitoring unit, and when the storage capacity decreases, an increase rate of the storage amount is changed to a circuit. An electronic circuit breaker that is delayed by changing a resistance value therein . The power storage unit decreases the power storage amount when acquisition of the periodic signal is stopped,
The power storage amount detection unit has a lower limit value of the power storage amount, and detects the trip signal when detecting that the power storage amount is less than the lower limit value after a lapse of a certain time after the activation of the electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit breaker outputs . The power storage amount detection unit further includes an upper limit value of the power storage amount, and outputs the trip signal when detecting that the power storage amount is greater than the upper limit value. The electronic circuit breaker described. The power storage unit increases the power storage amount when acquisition of the periodic signal is stopped,
The storage amount detection section may have a maximum value of the charged amount, according to claim 1, wherein the charged amount and outputs the trip signal and detects that more than the upper limit value Electronic circuit breaker. The storage amount detection unit has further a lower limit of the charged amount, in claim 4, wherein the charged amount and outputs the trip signal and detects that less than the lower limit value The electronic circuit breaker described. The electronic circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the storage capacity to the outside . Acquires current information from the current detection unit, when the current value is a predetermined value or more, any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a short circuit detecting unit which outputs the trip signal The electronic circuit breaker according to one item.

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