JPH0124475B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a management system for centrally monitoring and controlling various devices installed at various locations in buildings, etc. Concerning a building management system that achieves high reliability.

[Prior art]

In buildings where on-site equipment such as air conditioning equipment, electric pumps, various power equipment, various meters and detectors are installed in various locations, it is possible to centrally monitor and control these many on-site equipment. Although various building management systems have been adopted,
Among such building management systems, there is a system in which data is exchanged between a central processing unit and field equipment using a communication control device consisting of a microcomputer (referred to as a microcomputer).

An example of a building management system using such a communication control device is shown in FIG.

In this figure 1, SS is the central processing unit, MP
is the central control unit, CRT is the image display unit, KB is the console keyboard, PT is the printer, ANN is the annunciator, CP is the communication control unit, RS ₁ to RS _i
is a remote station, and MC is a field device.

The central processing unit SS is installed in a building's management room, etc., and centrally monitors and centrally controls various field devices that are distributed throughout the building.

The central control unit MP is generally made of a microcomputer, etc., and performs data processing necessary for the above-mentioned centralized monitoring and centralized control.

The communication control device CP is composed of, for example, a microcomputer as shown in FIG. 2, and performs a data communication function between the central control device MP and the remote stations RS ₁ to _{RS i} . In addition, in this second figure,
MPU is a microprocessing unit,
ROM _n is a memory for storing programs (read-only memory), RAM _n is a memory for temporarily storing data required during arithmetic processing (random access memory), and iF _MP is a memory for storing data between the central control unit MP. An interface for transmission, generally consisting of an LSI called a two-port RAM or piA (Peripheral Interface Adapter), iF _RS is a remote station RS ₁ to
This is an interface for data transmission with the RS _i , and is generally composed of an LSI called ADLC (Advanced Data Linkage Controller).

The image display device CRT consists of a cathode ray tube display device, etc., and displays various data processed by the central control device MP, the status of field equipment MC, etc.

The console keyboard KB operates as a man-machine interface for instructing the central control unit MP on various processing contents by an operator or the like.

The printer PT functions to print out necessary data, such as daily power reports and monthly reports, out of the data processed by the central controller MP.

Remote stations RS ₁ to _{RS i} are installed in predetermined locations such as buildings, and capture the operating status of one or more field devices MC assigned to each station, and transmit this to the communication control device CP. ,
On the contrary, it functions to output control commands to the corresponding field equipment MC based on the transmission data from the communication control device CP.

For example, the annunciator ANN has the configuration shown in Figure 3, and is capable of simple control such as monitoring and power on/off for specific field equipment MC independently of the image display device CRT and console keyboard KB. It was designed so that it could be done. In addition, this figure 3 corresponds to 12 field equipment MCs, and 12 panels p are provided corresponding to each equipment, and the power of the equipment corresponding to each of these panels p is in the OFF state. There is an off indicator lamp LED _OFF that lights up when the power is on, an on indicator lamp LED _ON that lights up when the power is on, a push button switch SW OFF that turns off the power of the corresponding device, and a push button switch SW _OFF that also turns the power on. It is equipped with a push button switch SW _ON to control the power supply, and the power status of each field device MC is monitored by the indicator lamps LED _OFF and LED _ON , and the power supply is controlled on and off accordingly. I am learning how to do it. In addition, Fig. 4 shows an example of the circuit configuration, and the switches SW _OFF and
The SW _ON status is transmitted to the central control unit MP via the buffer BUF for voltage conversion and noise removal, and the drive signal for each indicator lamp LED _OFF and LED _ON is transmitted to the central control unit via the driver circuit DRV for power conversion. It is now input from MP.

Therefore, with such a building management system, even in large buildings equipped with a large number of on-site equipment MCs, they can be monitored and controlled centrally in one place, allowing for accurate building management. In addition, since data is exchanged between the communication control device CP and the remote stations RS ₁ to _{RS i} , the transmission system configuration can be maintained even if the number of field devices MC installed is quite large. The advantage is that it is simple.

By the way, in such a centralized system, there is a problem that if the central processing unit SS fails, the building management function will be significantly reduced.In particular, if the central control unit MP fails, the building management function Management functions are almost completely lost and field equipment
The drawback was that the MC could not be monitored or controlled at all.

However, some of the on-site equipment MCs require monitoring and control of their operations for reasons such as building security. A standby central control unit is provided for the original central control unit MP ₁ and annunciator ANN ₁ so that it is possible to manage only the minimum necessary field equipment MC even if
MP ₂ and annunciator ANN ₂ are installed, and a central control unit MP ₁ is installed using active and standby changeover switches SW.
When the switch SW malfunctions, the switch SW is transferred to the central control unit.
There is also a known system in which the system is switched to MP ₂ , and at this time a backup annunciator ANN ₂ is used to centrally monitor and control the minimum necessary field equipment MC.

According to the building management system shown in Fig. 5, even if the central control unit MP ₁ fails, the minimum necessary functions are ensured by the annunciator ANN ₂ , resulting in extremely high reliability. The disadvantage was that it required two devices and two annunciators, resulting in a very expensive system.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to easily provide a low-cost building management system that eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional example described above, maintains specific management functions as they are even if the central control unit fails, and provides high reliability. There is something to do.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention assigns a part of the functions that should be given to the central control device within the central processing unit to the communication control device, and even in the event of a failure of the central control device, the communication control device It is characterized by the ability to maintain necessary management functions.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Embodiments of the building management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the central processing unit
SS, central control unit MP, image display unit CRT, console keyboard KB, printer PT, annunciator ANN, remote station RS ₁ to RS _i
The field equipment MC, etc. are the same as the conventional example shown in Fig. 1, but the internal configuration of the communication control device CP is different from the conventional example shown in Fig. 1, as shown in Fig. 7.
The annunciator ANN is coupled to the communications controller CP rather than to the central controller MP. In addition,
In Figure 7, iF _ANN is an interface to annunciator ANN, such as piA and SDR.
LSI called (serial data adapter) etc.
The rest of the structure is the same as the conventional example shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be explained.

Data representing the operating status of field equipment MC, such as air conditioners, pumps, power equipment, meters, and detectors, which are installed in large numbers and distributed throughout buildings, is captured by each remote station RS ₁ to _{RS i.} Rarely, communication control device CP interface
After being transmitted to the memory RAM _M via iF _RS and subjected to predetermined processing, it is sent via the interface iF _MP to the central control unit MP, where it is displayed on the image display device.
The CRT or printer PT is driven to perform predetermined monitoring operations. In parallel, the above data is also output from this communication control device CP to the annunciator ANN via the interface iF _ANN , and the driver circuit DRV outputs the above data to the annunciator ANN.
Turns on or off the corresponding LED _OFF or LED _ON .

On the other hand, among the data input from the console keyboard KB to the central control unit MP, each field equipment
Various control data for the MC is sent to the central control unit.
Data is transmitted from MP to the memory RAM _M of the communication controller CP via the interface iF _MP , while data from each switch SW _OFF and SW _ON of the annunciator ANN is transmitted to the memory RAM _M via the interface iF _ANN . , these data are transmitted from the memory RAM _M to each of the remote stations RS ₁ to RS _i via the interface iF _RS , and then output as a control command to the corresponding field equipment MC to perform control.

Therefore, the main processing contents by the communication control device CP at this time are shown in a flowchart as shown in FIG.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in the normal state, the display lamps of the image display device CRT, printer PT, and annunciator ANN are
Centralized monitoring of field equipment MC with LED _OFF and LED _ON , console keyboard KB, and annunciator
Field equipment using ANN switches SW _OFF and SW _ON
The MC can be centrally controlled, providing accurate building management, and even if the central control unit MP breaks down, the image display device CRT, console keyboard KB, and printer PT can still perform the centralized monitoring and control function. Although this will become impossible, there will be no effect on the centralized monitoring and control function by the annunciator ANN, and the function will remain as it was in normal times, so building management will remain normal to the extent necessary and will be fully reliable. can give sex.

According to this embodiment, as in the conventional example shown in FIG.
Since there is no need to use two ANNs, one for active use and one for backup, the cost is low, and even if a failure occurs in the central control unit MP, there is no need for any switching operation, which simplifies the configuration.

Next, FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the building management system according to the present invention, in which CP ₁ is the current communication control device;
CP ₂ is a backup communication control device, ANN ₁ is a working annunciator, ANN ₂ is a backup annunciator,
SW is a changeover switch between active and standby, and the rest is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

The changeover switch SW is switched and controlled by the current communication control device CP ₁ , and while this communication control device CP ₁ is operating normally, it is in the switching position shown in the figure, and is controlled by the current annunciator ANN ₁ as shown in FIG. It operates in exactly the same way as the embodiment, and even if a failure occurs in the central control unit MP, the annunciator ANN ₁ can perform the necessary centralized monitoring and control functions.
In addition to providing high reliability, if a failure occurs in the current communication control device CP ₁ , it can be switched to the opposite switching position as shown in the diagram, and in this case it is operated by the backup communication control device CP ₂ and annunciator ANN ₂ . ensure that the same functions as in normal times can be obtained.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the central controller
In the event of a failure in the MP, the same operation as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained, and even in the event of a failure in the communication control device CP ₁ , no functional deterioration can occur, so extremely high reliability can be provided. can.

Note that at this time, the annunciator ANN ₂ may not be provided, only the annunciator ANN ₁ may be used, and the communication control devices CP ₁ and CP ₂ may be used by switching.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the annunciators ANN, ANN ₁ , ANN _{2 are directly connected to the communication control devices CP, CP 1 , CP 2 , and} therefore the central control device MP is Although the function secured in the event of a failure is provided by the annunciator, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this.
Needless to say, any system may be used as long as the monitoring and control function for specific field equipment is ensured.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily secure the centralized monitoring and control function within the necessary range even in the event of a failure of the central control unit without providing a spare in the central control unit, thereby overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. However, it is possible to easily provide a low-cost and highly reliable building management system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional example of a building management system, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of its communication control device, Fig. 3 is an external view showing an example of an annunciator, and Fig. 4 is its circuit. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing another conventional example, FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the building management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the communication control device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining its operation, and FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. SS...Central processing unit, MP...Central control unit,
CP...Communication control device, CRT...Image display device,
KB...console keyboard, PT...printer, ANN...annunciator, RS ₁ to RS _i ...remote station, MC...field equipment.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A building in which data is exchanged between a central processing unit for centralized monitoring and control and a plurality of managed and controlled devices distributed in the building via a communication control device. A building management system characterized in that an annunciator function, which is a part of a centralized monitoring control function to be given to a central control unit in the central processing unit, is distributed to the communication control unit. 2. A building management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication control device is provided in duplicate for active use and backup use.