WO2018184832A1

WO2018184832A1 - Switchgear and method for processing or checking an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices of a switchgear

Info

Publication number: WO2018184832A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/057031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernhard Gorny; Gerald LOBERMEIER; René Meier
Original assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2018-03-20
Publication date: 2018-10-11
Also published as: DE102017107580A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing or checking an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices (3, 3') of a switchgear (1), in which method information about the arrangement is displayed virtually in an image of the arrangement. The method is characterised in that at least one of the devices (3) has physically unlabelled connection points (4), wherein at least one virtual connection label (16) is created for the at least one device (3) having the physically unlabelled connection points (4) and displayed in the image of the arrangement. The invention also relates to a switchgear (1) having an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices (3, 3') in which at least one of the devices (3) has physically unlabelled connection points (4).

Description

SWITCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING OR CHECKING AN ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRICAL OR ELECTRONIC DEVICES OF A SWITCHGEAR

The invention relates to a method for processing or checking an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices of a switchgear, in which information about the arrangement is virtually faded into an image of the arrangement. The invention further relates to a switchgear with an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices.

Switchgear, such as cabinets, are used to accommodate usually several electrical or electronic devices, which are then wired within the switchgear with each other and with cables that are externally supplied.

The electrical or electronic devices used in switchgear are, for example, distribution terminals, switching devices or switching devices, components of automation systems and power supply devices. Usually, the devices are arranged on DIN rails, one or more of which are positioned in parallel in switchgear. Possibly. Devices, in particular larger and heavier devices can also be mounted outside the DIN rails on carriers or carrier rails of the switchgear.

In particular, when switchgear with the same structure in larger quantities, for example in plant or mechanical engineering, are manufactured, the geometric design of the switchgear and the wiring to be made in a CAD (Computer Aided Design) - system is planned. Such CAD systems are known especially for switchgear construction, for example, under the designations "zuken E ³ " or "EPLAN P8 Electrical".

Using the above-mentioned CAD systems, an arrangement and wiring plan for the arrangement is created, which indicates the exact position of the electrical or electronic devices within the switchgear and which is the connection point of a device with which other connection point or external Cable is to connect. Systems are already known for supporting the wiring, based on this information line cables or line sections for wiring a Pre-fabricate switchgear and with markings, usually as a label of a special identification material, usually plastic, provided.

The actual task of wiring the switchgear is to connect, by means of a table also output by the CAD system, the line ends identifiable by the label to the intended connection points of the various components. The connection points on their part are marked with appropriate markings or labels on the component. The labeling products have the task of identification: they produce a semantic correlation between the real product and the corresponding component in the wiring diagram.

In order to support the wiring work and to eliminate errors in the wiring as possible, a method is known from the document DE 1 0 201 5 007 624 A1, in which by means of a so-called augmented reality system, hereinafter also called AR system, an image of the arrangement is displayed, in which a component to be connected is detected by a marker and a desired position or target orientation for this component is displayed in the image of the arrangement. Furthermore, a connection point can be displayed to which a cable should be connected. In addition, it can be specified at the connection point in the form of virtual additional information with which other connection point this point is to be connected. The image of the device can be recorded live with the aid of a camera and displayed on a display in the vicinity of the switchgear, along with the additional virtual information, or data goggles can be used to project the additional information onto the lens actually seen through the spectacle lens image of the array is overlaid with the virtual information.

In a further development of the device can be provided to use the device also for checking a successful placement of the arrangement and the wiring. If deviations, for example in color or cross section, of a conductor used are detected, a corresponding visual and / or audible warning signal is output for the user.

The method described supports the wiring process of such an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices and reduces a ne error rate due to a possible wrong wiring, but has no effect on the basic design of the switchgear and the arrangement of the devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for processing or checking, in particular also for wiring an arrangement of devices, in which the arrangement and the devices themselves can be advantageously modified to the effect that the arrangement of the devices can be constructed to save space. It is a further object to provide a switchgear with electrical or electronic devices, which can be made very compact by the method described.

This object is achieved by a method or a switchgear according to the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

An inventive method of the type mentioned above is characterized in that according to a predetermined plan devices are arranged, wherein at least one of the devices has physically unmarked connection points. The arrangement of the devices is shown in a figure and virtual connection markings are created for the at least one device with the physically unmarked connection points and displayed in the image of the arrangement.

In the method according to the invention, therefore, additional information on the connection points that is displayed virtually is not only used as a support, but used as the exclusive connection marking. The invention is thus based on the basic idea that, with the consistent use of an AR system, it is possible to use electronic or electrical devices (components) in a switchgear without "human readable" labeling or marking of their connection points In the course of a progressive miniaturization of electronic devices, devices are currently being used in switchgear construction in which the housing size is not affected by the housing electrical and electronic components is determined, but at least in part by the previous need to mark all connection points on the housing meaningful. Also distribution terminals, z. For example, so-called fir-tree clamps can be produced with significantly smaller housing dimensions if a "human-readable" marking is omitted, but such a construction of the devices has hitherto been prohibited, since a conventional wiring of such devices in switchgear construction is virtually impossible or too expensive and would be associated with unacceptable errors.

A switchgear according to the invention, in particular a switchgear cabinet, is characterized in that at least one of the electrical or electronic devices mounted in the switchgear has physically unmarked connection points. This results in the advantages mentioned in connection with the method of a space-saving construction of the switchgear.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of figures.

The figures show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a switchgear according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a switchgear according to the application; FIG. and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the switchgear of FIG. 2 with a device for carrying out a method according to the application.

Fig. 1 shows first a cabinet as an example of a switchgear 1 with commercially available devices according to the prior art in front of a wiring.

In the example shown, the switchgear 1 has two DIN rails 2 arranged parallel to one another, on which a plurality of different electrical or electronic devices 3 'are arranged. The devices 3 'each have different connection points 4, which are for example screwed terminals, push-in terminals or other components. Also, plug contacts or the like may be provided as connection points 4.

In each case on a housing of the devices 3 ', a connection mark 5 is attached to each connection point 4. This can be embossed or printed or attached in the form of a label on the housing.

For wiring, prefabricated connection lines are optionally led to different or between different ones of the connection points 4, wherein the connection points 4 are identified by the worker making the wiring by their connection marking 5. During maintenance or a check of the switchgear 1 or its wiring, the connection marking 5 is also used to identify the connection points 4. By way of example, in the devices 3 'shown, all connection points are readily accessible on an upper side of the device 3', i. arranged one of the hat rail 2 opposite side of the housing. However, there are also devices in which connection points are positioned in different levels and / or on sides of the housing, which are correspondingly less accessible and less visible markable.

In general, a device marking 6 is provided, for example embossed or printed or attached in the form of a nameplate or type label, on the information about the type of the relevant component 3, for example, a type designation and / or a product number are given. Such a device marking 6 is shown by way of example only in one of the devices 3 'in FIG. 1.

Particularly in the case of electronic devices 3 'from automation technology or components for current distribution, a large number of connection points 4 per device 3' are frequently present. It is not uncommon for the width of the housing of a device 3 in particular to be decisively influenced by the connection markings 5. Accordingly, a greater length of the total available lifting rails 2 is needed for the required equipment 3 in the switchgear 1, which increases the switchgear 1 and more expensive.

2 shows in a comparable representation as in FIG. 1 a switchgear which is partially constructed with modified devices 3, in which connection points 4 without the visible in Fig. 1 physical, ie real connection mark 5 is provided.

By way of example, the switchgear 1 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds in type and number of devices 3, 3 'to the example shown in FIG. All arranged on the top hat rail 2 of FIG. 1 devices 3 'and the far right on the lower DIN rail 2 of FIG. 1 arranged device 3' are available in this way as modified devices 3 in the switchgear 1 of FIG. The two devices 3 'arranged on the left lower rail 2 of FIG. 1 are also present in the unmodified form in the switchgear assembly of FIG.

Due to the non-existent physical connection markings 5, the modified devices 3 shown in FIG. 2 require significantly less space on the DIN rail 2. Accordingly, the switchgear 1 can be made smaller. In the example shown so find all the devices used 3, 3 'on a single DIN rail the same width space. With the same functionality space and thus costs can be saved. A wiring of the devices of the switchgear 1 of FIG. 2 is carried out by means of a method according to the application by means of an AR system 1 0. This is shown schematically in Fig. 3.

The AR system 10 has a computer 11, which is connected to a display device 1 2 and a camera 1 3. The arrangement of computer 1 1, display device 1 2 and camera 1 3 may be formed for example by a tablet computer or a smartphone, which unites said three components in a housing. It can also be a data goggles, in which the display device 1 2 carries out a projection on an otherwise transparent spectacle lens, so that the user sees an overlay of a real image and a projected image. The computer 1 1 is also connected to a data source 14, are deposited in the data 1 5, which has an arrangement and wiring diagram for the arrangement of the devices 3, 3 'in the switchgear 1. The data source 14 can be connected locally, for example as flash memory, to the computer 11 or else be a server that is available via a (possibly wireless) data connection.

It is also possible to provide the arrangement and wiring diagram on a possibly wirelessly readable memory in the switchgear 1, which is then read out as a data source 14 from the computer 1 1. Der Speicher 1 wird von der Computer 1 1 aufgesetzt. The data 1 5 comprise the type and the exact position of the devices 3, 3 'used in the arrangement in the form of a digital circuit diagram, preferably with three-dimensionally stored information about the housing dimensions of the devices 3, 3' and the position of the connection points 4, and white - Terer, for mechanical or electrical functions relevant coordinate points (eg positions of actuators, detent points, machining points and surfaces, etc.).

Furthermore, information about this connection point is stored for each connection point 4, in particular its designation, possibly with a more detailed explanation of the function and the specification of this connection point 4. The data 1 1 further contain wiring information, ie. H. Information about which of the connection points 4 is to be connected to which other connection point 4 or which externally supplied cable. In this case, e.g. Also, a line marking be deposited in order to identify a line end associated with this connection point can.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the camera 13 is first directed to a marking of the switchgear 1. This marking can be coded to the switchgear, for example, z. In

Form of a QR or Data Matrix code. On the basis of the identification, the associated data 1 5 for this switchgear 1 are first retrieved from the computer 1 1 from the data source 14, and an image of the switchgear 1 is reproduced on the display device 1 2.

Since an assembly of the DIN rails 2 usually already automated, it is usually ensured that the devices 3, 3 'are located at the intended positions in the switchgear 1. These positions can be predefined in a coordinate system which comprises, for example, the x and y coordinates reproduced in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also a z

Coordinate may be specified that specifies a position perpendicular to the plane spanned by the x and y coordinates.

Possibly. An image of the switchgear 1 can be used by the camera 1 3 to check the correct arrangement and / or positioning of the devices 3, 3 '. For larger deviations, a corresponding warning information can be issued to the user. For smaller deviations can be provided, the desired information of the positions of the devices 3, 3 ', which are stored in the data 15, to the actual data, which are determined from the image of the camera 13 to adjust.

In a next step, the worker can take a prefabricated conductor (cable) 7 to hand and bring it into the field of view of the camera 13. In the end region of the conductor 7, a conductor mark 8 is arranged on which an identifier of the conductor 7 is indicated in coded or human readable form. The conductor 7 is then identified by the computer 1 1 based on the image of the camera 13 and it is a connection point 4 of a device 3, 3 ', to which this cable is to be connected, searched in the data 15. Then, this connection point 4 is virtually marked in the image of the display device 12, for example, by a virtual connection mark 16 is displayed at this connection point 4. In the example of FIG. 3, the text of the conductor mark 8 is displayed as a virtual connection marking 1 6. In addition, a virtual ladder can be displayed to show the worker clearly and with which connection point 4 the relevant conductor 7 is to be connected.

The worker can match the virtual connection marking 1 6, on which, for example, an indication of the conductor 7 to be connected or its conductor mark 8 is displayed, with the conductor mark 8 and connect the conductor 7 in accordance with the virtually marked connection point 4. For inspection and maintenance purposes, it may be provided to display virtual connection markings 1 6 on all devices 3 and also on the devices 3 'or on selected devices 3, 3' or on individual selected connection points 4. For this purpose, a selection of the devices 3, 3 'or the connection points 4 can be made by, for example, pointing with a finger to the corresponding component or the corresponding connection point 4, the finger pointing being detected by the camera 13. Other selection methods known in AR systems can also be used here. reference numeral

switchgear

DIN rail

device

connection point

Pin marking

device marking

ladder

conductor marking

AR system

computer

display device

camera

Data Source

dates

virtual connection mark

Claims

claims

1 . Method for processing or checking an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices (3, 3 ') of a switchgear (1), in which information about the arrangement is displayed virtually in an image of the arrangement, characterized in that

at least one of the devices (3) physically unmarked connection points (4), wherein for the at least one device (3) with the physically unmarked connection points (4) at least one virtual connection mark (1 6) created and displayed in the image of the arrangement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein information about the at least one virtual port tag (16) is extracted from data (15) comprising a device layout and wiring diagram.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data (15) from a local and / or remotely located data memory (14) are retrieved.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the data memory (14) in the switchgear (1) is positioned.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein for the insertion of the virtual connection markings (1 6) an AR system (10) with a computer (1 1) and a display device (12) is used.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the computer (1 1) is a tablet computer or a smartphone with an integrated display device (12), wherein on the display device (12) the image of the arrangement and the at least one virtual terminal marker (1 6) is displayed.

The method of claim 6, wherein the computer (1 1) is coupled to a camera (13), the image of the array being an image taken by the camera (13).

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the computer (1 1) generates the image of the arrangement of the data (15).

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the display device (12) is part of a data glasses, wherein the virtual terminal marker (1 6) is superimposed on a real image of the device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the processing of the arrangement comprises a wiring of the at least one device (3) with the physically unmarked connection points (4).

1 1. Switchgear (1) with an arrangement of electrical or electronic devices (3, 3 '), characterized in that at least one of the devices (3) has physically unmarked connection points (4).