KR20240003248A - Automatic managing system for pipe freeze protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes and bursts. More specifically, it relates to an automatic management system for pipe freeze prevention that checks the external temperature in real time and automatically maintains the condition of the target pipe in a stable manner according to the set environment. Related to this, a power supply unit that applies power to operate the heater that heats the piping subject to freeze prevention and the automatic management system, a cooling fan that ventilates the inside of the automatic management system's enclosure, and a temperature sensor that senses the external temperature. , a power output unit that supplies power from the power supply unit to the heater, a status detection sensor that detects the operating state of the automatic management system, a cooling fan that circulates air around the power output unit, and an input for data input. In an automatic management system that includes a display device equipped with a means, and a control unit that controls the operation of the power output unit according to the sensing information of each of the temperature sensor and the state detection sensor based on a setting process and controls the display device to display the sensing information. , the control unit is configured to control the operation of the power output unit according to the sensing information based on the condition value; a main page displaying a settings menu to be operated to execute a process for adjusting condition values of the power output unit; The display device is controlled to display a configuration page that displays the condition value, configures a data input field for adjusting the condition value, and activates when the settings menu is operated.

Description

Automatic management system to prevent pipes from freezing {AUTOMATIC MANAGING SYSTEM FOR PIPE FREEZE PROTECTION}

The present invention relates to an automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes and bursts. More specifically, it relates to an automatic management system for pipe freeze prevention that checks the external temperature in real time and automatically maintains the condition of the target pipe in a stable manner according to the set environment. It's about.

Various pipes (for example, water pipes, gas pipes, etc.) exposed to various buildings, parking lots or rooftops of buildings frequently freeze or burst during the winter due to the fluid flowing inside them. Therefore, in the past, to prevent such accidents from occurring, the outside of the pipe was wrapped with insulation material such as old clothes or Styrofoam, or the opening and closing means such as a faucet were slightly opened in the winter to allow water to flow out without stopping.

However, the conventional freeze prevention method was unable to fundamentally prevent pipe freezes because the pipes were not sufficiently insulated during the cold weather when the temperature dropped sharply, and continuous flow of water without stopping was uneconomical as it caused excessive waste.

Therefore, a management technology was required to measure the external temperature in real time during the winter and maintain a constant temperature in the pipes. In particular, a system that could comprehensively check the status of multiple pipes and automatically manage them to prevent freezing and bursting was also required.

Prior Art Document 1. Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0000885 (published on January 6, 2014)

Accordingly, the present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and allows managers to easily adjust and set optimal operating conditions to prevent freezing and rupture of pipes, thereby providing automatic management for pipe freeze prevention that can adjust a stable automatic management environment. The problem to be solved is the provision of a system.

In order to achieve the above task, the present invention,

A power supply unit that applies power to operate the heater that heats the pipe subject to freeze prevention and the automatic management system, a cooling fan that ventilates the inside of the automatic management system's enclosure, a temperature sensor that senses the external temperature, and the heater. Equipped with a power output unit that supplies power to the power supply unit, a status detection sensor that detects the operating status of the automatic management system, a cooling fan that circulates air around the power output unit, and an input means for data input. In an automatic management system including a display device and a control unit that controls the operation of the power output unit according to the sensing information of each of the temperature sensor and the state detection sensor based on a setting process and controls the display device to display the sensing information,

The control unit is configured to control the operation of the power output unit according to sensing information based on a condition value; a main page displaying a settings menu to be operated to execute a process for adjusting condition values of the power output unit; It is an automatic management system for pipe freeze prevention that displays the condition value, configures a data input field for adjusting the condition value, and controls the display device to display an environment setting page that is activated when the setting menu is operated.

In the present invention described above, the manager can easily set condition values according to the type and installation environment of pipes subject to freezing and freeze prevention, so the automatic management system can stably prevent freezing and freeze rupture of pipes in an optimal environment according to the adjusted setting environment. This has the effect of being able to prevent and manage not only the heater for heating pipes but also the status of its own components.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic management system according to the present invention,
Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a main page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an environment settings page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the main page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a history page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of a history page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a status information page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a reset page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention.

The terms used in the embodiments are general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person working in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the name of the term.

When a part in the entire specification is said to “include” a certain element, this means that it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In addition, terms such as "~unit" and "~unit" used in the specification refer to a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which is implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. It can be.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic management system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic management system according to the present invention includes a management device (M) that controls the operation of the heater (H) installed in the pipe according to the temperature near the pipe (not shown) measured by the temperature sensor 30. ) includes. The management device (M) consists of a power supply unit (10), a cooling fan (20), a temperature sensor (30), a power output unit (40), a status detection sensor (50), a cooling fan (60), and a control unit (70). It is configured to control the heater (H) to create an optimal freeze-prevention environment while preventing pipes from freezing.

To describe each component of the management device (M) in more detail, the power supply unit 10 applies power to drive the heater (H), which heats the pipe subject to freeze prevention, and the automatic management system, respectively. The power supply unit 10 is a known power supply manufactured for stable power application, and may be independently controlled ON/OFF by an administrator or ON/OFF may be controlled by the control unit 70.

The cooling fan 20 ventilates the inside of the automatic management system's enclosure (not shown). The cooling fan 20 is installed in the enclosure, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 70. The cooling fan 20 can be automatically driven at the same time as the switch of the management device M is turned on, and can also be driven selectively according to set conditions.

The temperature sensor 30 detects the external temperature. Here, the 'exterior' refers to the outside of the enclosure, and is preferably arranged to sense the temperature of the location where the piping subject to freeze prevention is located.

The power output unit 40 supplies power from the power supply unit 10 to the heater (H). The power output unit 40 switches the power supply of the power supply unit 10 to the heater H under the control of the control unit 70. Therefore, the power output unit 40 functions as a power source for the heater (H). In this embodiment, the power output unit 40 is electrically connected to one heater (H) and configured to conduct electricity, but in addition, a plurality of heaters (H) are electrically connected to the power output unit 40 to generate a plurality of heaters ( Power application to H), that is, energization to the corresponding heater (H), may be performed at the same time, and one or more heaters (H) for each of the plurality of power output units 40 may be electrically connected to the power output unit 40. (40) Power to the heater H may be selectively applied. The heater H built in the above-described power environment forms a circuit in which the heater H is connected to each power output unit 40. That is, if one power output unit 40 is configured in the management device (M), there is one circuit to be managed, and if 10 power output units 40 are configured, there are 10 circuits to be managed.

The status detection sensor 50 detects the operating status of the automatic management system. In this embodiment, the state detection sensor 50 detects the temperature of the enclosure itself or its interior, detects the output current value of a current transformer (CT, current transformer, not shown), and selects one of the cooling fan 20 and the cooling fan 60. It performs functions such as detecting the power consumption, RPM, and heat of one or more fans, detecting the output ratio of the input and output power of the power output unit 40, and a timer, and may be composed of a plurality of sensors to perform the above functions. The functions of the state detection sensor 50 may be more diverse than the examples described above, and one or more functions of the examples described above may be excluded.

The cooling fan 60 circulates air around the power output unit 40 to cool the power output unit 40, which generates relatively high temperature heat. The power output unit 40 urgently outputs high-power electricity for rapid heating of the heater H, so the heat generation amount is relatively high. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of fire and malfunction due to overheating, the cooling fan 60 forms a set with the power output unit 40 and performs a cooling function. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 60 may be driven simultaneously with the operation of the power output unit 40 and perform a cooling function, but may be maintained in an operating state on its own regardless of the operation of the power output unit 40. It may be possible.

The display device 80 is equipped with an input means for data input. The display device 80 outputs frame images designated for each page along with sensing information according to the display information of the control unit 70. Additionally, data input through the manager's menu operation is transmitted to the control unit 70. In this embodiment, the display device 80 may be a touch screen capable of input/output operations on a single screen, or may be a hardware device with a separate monitor and keypad.

The control unit 70 is configured to control the operation of the power output unit 40 according to the sensing information of each of the temperature sensor 30 and the state detection sensor 50 based on the setting process, and displays the sensing information to a display device ( 80) controls the display. The control unit 70 is not a switching device that allows the manager to artificially manipulate the heater (H), but a device that automatically controls the power output unit 40 for driving the heater (H) in response to the sensing information. am. The control unit 70 according to the present invention creates an input environment so that the manager can manipulate control conditions for precise automatic control of the automatic management system. This will be explained with an example.

Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a main page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an environment settings page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention. This is a drawing.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the control unit 70 of the automatic management system according to the present invention controls the operation of the power output unit 40 according to the sensing information based on the condition value set as described above. Furthermore, the control unit 70 according to the present invention controls the display device 80 to display the main page (P1) and the environment setting page (P2). Here, the main page (P1) displays a setting menu (M1) that is operated to execute a process for adjusting the condition value of the power output unit 40. In the case of the setting menu (M1), when manipulated by the administrator, a lighting effect can occur on the setting menu (M1) itself so that the administrator can accurately recognize whether or not the operation has been performed.

In addition to the settings menu (M1), the main page (P1) can display representative sensing information sensed by the temperature sensor 30 and the state detection sensor 50 for normal operation of the automatic management system. In this embodiment, the sensing information displayed on the main page (P1) includes “current temperature”, which is sensing information of the temperature sensor 30, and “starting temperature”, which is a condition value of the power output unit 40. In addition, the control unit 70 of this embodiment displays with lamps whether the heater (H) is running, whether the current transformer (CT) and the fan (cooling fan, cooling fan) are abnormal, etc. through the main page (P1), so that the administrator can visually It was made so that it could be recognized as.

Subsequently, the environment setting page (P2) displays the condition values corresponding to each designated item, and configures a data input field (hatch display) in which the condition values are displayed for adjustment of the condition values. Therefore, the manager can adjust the corresponding condition value by directly entering the keyword in the data input box, and the control unit 70 updates the existing condition value with the adjusted condition value. In this embodiment, when the manager selects a data input box, a keypad is displayed, and the manager adjusts the condition value by manipulating the keypad. However, in addition, when the administrator selects the data input box, the condition value can be selected by scrolling. The above-described environment setting page (P2) is activated according to the process of the control unit 70 when the setting menu (M1) of the main page (P1) is manipulated by the administrator. In addition, when the adjustment of the condition value is completed, the control unit 70 updates the settings of the control unit 70 with the currently input condition value according to the save menu operation, and switches the screen to the main page (P1) through the previous menu operation. .

In this embodiment, you can input or select the circuit quantity, temperature sensor control mode, startup temperature value for each circuit, stop temperature value, CT setting value, and heater type on the environment settings page (P2), and enter or select the warning temperature for each circuit. You can change the date, enter or select the cooling fan control mode, startup temperature, and stop temperature. Here, the starting temperature and stopping temperature are the condition value of the temperature set for the target device to start and the condition value for the temperature set to stop the target device. To explain as an example, since the circuit is driven by the power output unit 40, if the current external temperature is 6°C, the control unit 70 drives the power output unit 40 to energize the circuit, and the current If the external temperature is 9°C, the control unit 70 stops the power output unit 40 to power off the corresponding circuit. In addition, when the temperature inside the enclosure is 40°C, the control unit 70 operates the cooling fan 20 for ventilation, and when the temperature inside the enclosure is 20°C, the control unit 70 stops the cooling fan 20. In addition, if the temperature of the power output unit 40 for each circuit is over 60°C due to overheating, the control unit 70 generates a warning sound or warning light so that the manager can be aware of this.

Meanwhile, in the automatic management system according to the present invention, a plurality of heaters (H) are electrically connected to the power output unit 40 and energized, or one or a plurality of heaters (H) are connected to each power output unit 40. They are electrically connected and conduct electricity, and each power output unit forms a set of circuits. Therefore, the control unit 70 controls the operation of the power output unit by setting condition values for each circuit, and correspondingly, the environment setting page (P2) displays condition values for each circuit of the power output unit 40 and configures a data input field. do. Therefore, the administrator can select a specific circuit on the configuration page (P2), and when the circuit is selected, the condition value of the circuit corresponding to the configuration page (P2) is displayed under the control of the control unit 70. Ultimately, the administrator can enter or select the condition value by manipulating the data input box where the condition value is displayed on the environment settings page (P2).

Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the main page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention, and Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a history page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention. It is a diagram, and Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of a history page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4 to 6, the control unit 70 of the automatic management system according to the present invention stores the sensing information for each time period of the condition detection sensor 50 as history information and displays it on the main page (P11). Displays a history menu (M2) that is operated to execute a process for retrieving history information, and when the history menu (M2) is operated, the display device 80 displays a history page (P3) that is activated to display history information. Control. The control unit 70 may classify and store only designated information that may affect the operation of the automatic management system as history information, but all of the time-specific sensing information of the temperature sensor 30 and the state detection sensor 50 may be classified as history information. It can be saved as , and information about the administrator's condition value adjustment can also be saved as history information.

Meanwhile, as described above, a plurality of heaters (H) are electrically connected to the power output unit 40 and supplied with electricity, or one or more heaters (H) are electrically connected to each of the plurality of power output units 40. It conducts electricity, and a set of circuits can be configured for each power output unit (40). At this time, the control unit 70 searches history information for each circuit, and the history page P3 displays history information for each circuit of the power output unit 40. The history information for each power output unit 40 may be mixed and listed for each circuit as shown in FIG. 5, or may be listed separately for each circuit as shown in FIG. 6.

Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a status information page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, the control unit 70 of the automatic management system according to the present invention displays a status information menu (M3) that is operated to execute a process for checking the sensing information, and the status When the information menu M3 is operated, the display device 80 is controlled to display the status information page P4, which is activated and displays sensing information. The status information page (P4) can display sensing information sensed by the temperature sensor 30 and the status detection sensor 50, as well as condition values set by the administrator.

Meanwhile, as described above, a plurality of heaters (H) are electrically connected to the power output unit 40 and supplied with electricity, or one or more heaters (H) are electrically connected to each of the plurality of power output units 40. It conducts electricity, and a set of circuits can be configured for each power output unit (40). At this time, the control unit 70 checks the sensing information for each circuit, and the status information page (P4) displays the sensing information for each circuit of the power output unit 40. In this embodiment, the status information page (P4) includes “sensitivity information” subcategorized into “cooling fan RPM”, “cooling fan control”, “cooling fan error”, and “enclosure temperature”, “start-up time” for each circuit, and Information sub-categorized into “S/W version”, “operation mode”, “CT value”, “current temperature”, “start/stop temperature”, “control”, “output ratio”, and “heater type” for each circuit. Information is displayed as “circuit status”. The display information on the status information page (P4) is not limited to the example display information, and may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of rights below. For reference, if the condition value is adjusted through environment settings, the condition value displayed on the status information page (P4) also changes.

Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a reset page displayed by the automatic management system according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 4, and 8, the control unit 70 of the automatic management system according to the present invention sets an initial condition value corresponding to the condition value, and sets the condition as the initial condition value on the main page (P1). It displays a reset menu (M4) that is operated to execute a process for adjusting the value, and when the reset menu (M4) is operated, the control unit 70 activates an adjustment menu (M5) to adjust the condition value to the initial condition value. The display device 80 is controlled to display a reset page (P5) that displays.

When the automatic management system is shipped, initial condition values for self-operation are set, and the manager corrects the initial condition values to ideal condition values according to the surrounding environment where the automatic management system will be installed, the heater (H) and piping to be applied, etc. However, if the condition values set by the administrator are not optimal for preventing freezing of the applied heater (H) and pipes, it is necessary to reset them. Therefore, the administrator operates the environment settings menu (M1) to display the environment settings page (P2) and adjusts each condition value, or operates the reset menu (M4) to display the reset page (P5) and initialize the condition values. .

When “Yes” is selected from the adjustment menu (M5) by the administrator, the control unit 70 adjusts all existing condition values to the initial condition values, and then displays the initial conditions on the environment setting page (P2) and status information page (P4). Displays the value.

Meanwhile, the control unit 70 processes the object of reset so that it can be selected from a plurality of circuits, and for this purpose, the reset page (P5) displays an adjustment menu (M5) for each circuit of the power output unit (40). Therefore, the administrator selects a specific circuit on the reset page (P5) and then operates the adjustment menu (M5) so that only the condition values of the specific circuit are reset to the initial condition values.

Although the detailed description of the present invention described above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art or those skilled in the art will understand the spirit of the present invention as described in the patent claims to be described later. It will be understood that the present invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical scope.

M1; Setting menu M2; History Menu M3; Status information menu
M4; Reset menu M5; Adjustment menu P1; main page
P2; Setting page P3; History page P4; Status information page
P5; reset page

Claims (8)

A power supply unit that applies power to operate the heater that heats the pipe subject to freeze prevention and the automatic management system, a cooling fan that ventilates the inside of the automatic management system's enclosure, a temperature sensor that senses the external temperature, and the heater. Equipped with a power output unit that supplies power to the power supply unit, a status detection sensor that detects the operating status of the automatic management system, a cooling fan that circulates air around the power output unit, and an input means for data input. In an automatic management system including a display device and a control unit that controls the operation of the power output unit according to the sensing information of each of the temperature sensor and the state detection sensor based on a setting process and controls the display device to display the sensing information,
The control unit is configured to control the operation of the power output unit according to sensing information based on a condition value; a main page displaying a settings menu to be operated to execute a process for adjusting condition values of the power output unit; Controlling the display device to display a configuration page that displays the condition value, configures a data input box to adjust the condition value, and activates when the settings menu is operated.
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 1,
A plurality of heaters are electrically connected to the power output unit to conduct electricity, or one or more heaters are electrically connected to each of the plurality of power output units to conduct electricity, and a set of circuits is configured for each power output unit;
The control unit controls the operation of the power output unit by setting condition values for each circuit;
The environment setting page displays condition values for each circuit of the power output unit and configures a data input field;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 1,
The control unit controls the operation of the cooling fan according to the sensing information, displays condition values of the cooling fan on the environment setting page, and configures a data input field;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 1,
The control unit stores the sensing information for each time period of the condition detection sensor as history information, displays a history menu that is operated to execute a process for searching history information on the main page, and activates when the history menu is manipulated. Controlling a display device to display a history page displaying history information;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 4,
A plurality of heaters are electrically connected to the power output unit to conduct electricity, or one or more heaters are electrically connected to each of the plurality of power output units to conduct electricity, and a set of circuits is configured for each power output unit;
The control unit searches history information for each circuit;
The history page displays history information for each circuit of the power output unit;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 1,
The control unit displays a status information menu that is operated to execute a process for checking the sensing information, and controls the display device to display a status information page that is activated when the status information menu is manipulated and displays the sensing information. ;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 6,
A plurality of heaters are electrically connected to the power output unit to conduct electricity, or one or more heaters are electrically connected to each of the plurality of power output units to conduct electricity, and a set of circuits is configured for each power output unit;
The control unit checks sensing information for each circuit;
The status information page displays sensing information for each circuit of the power output unit;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by . According to claim 1,
The control unit sets an initial condition value corresponding to the condition value, displays a reset menu on the main page to be operated to execute a process for adjusting the condition value to the initial condition value, and is activated when the reset menu is operated. The control unit controls the display device to display a reset page that displays an adjustment menu to be operated to execute a process for adjusting the condition value to the initial condition value;
An automatic management system for preventing pipe freezes, characterized by .