Method for identifying components in an electrical low-voltage switching station

ES 2 368 596 T3

DESCRIPTION

Procedure to identify components in a low voltage electrical switchgear installation.

The invention relates to a method for identifying components in a low voltage electrical switchgear. Furthermore, the invention relates to a low voltage electrical switching installation.

From document DE 20 2007 006 824 U1 a control cabinet for the installation of electrical devices such as control devices, switching devices or aligned terminals is known. In a control cabinet body that can preferably be closed in the control cabinet, there is arranged at least one mounting base provided with bars for inserting the electrical devices thereon, the bars being provided with conductors that come into contact with the electrical devices when inserting them onto the bars. Electrical appliances can be equipped with RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, to automatically identify the type of appliance by means of a receiver and control equipment connected to it in the control cabinet.

For the energy distribution sector and in motor control cabinets, that is to say, low-voltage control installations for motor shunts, whose main task is to control and protect motors in industrial processes, the use of the so-called technique is known of insertable units. Each motor branch is housed in its own plug-in module. These insertable modules can then be positioned like insertable drawers in correspondingly provided insertion recesses. Such motor control cabinets are also called motor control centers or Motor Control Center (MCC).

Motor shunts can be made in different ways, specifically for each application. Viewed from the main current side, a direct starter, a reversing starter, a star-delta starter, etc. can be provided. Viewed from the control current side, the connections to the local control station, indications, delays, interlocks, etc. can be distinguished. Despite these different functionalities, the plug-in modules do not differ from each other in their exterior design. Both the external dimensions and the electrical interfaces of the plug-in modules are independent of the particularities of the motor shunt inside the plug-in module. This can very easily lead to incorrect mounting, for example when a motor shunt needs to be replaced, for example due to a short circuit or because the life of the contactors or the circuit breaker has expired. When plug-in modules are incorrectly replaced, the consequences may be malfunctions or damage to the entire installation. Therefore, particularly in safety-relevant motor shunts, it is imperative to safely exclude confusions.

To avoid confusion, it is known from the state of the art to carry out a mechanical coding of the plug-in modules. In this connection, mechanical coding pins or coding devices are used in both components, which must avoid a wrong combination of plug-in module and plug-in slot. However, a drawback when using these coding pins is that only a relatively low number of coding possibilities can be realized with them. In switchgear systems with a large number of plug-in units, the risk of incorrect mounting cannot therefore be completely excluded. In addition, along with the cost of the badges in the manufacture of the plug-in modules, the logistical cost is also considerable, as well as the cost of tests during commissioning, resulting in high commissioning and maintenance costs.

It is the task of the present invention to provide a particularly simple and safe alternative to the encoder pins described above.

This task is solved by a method according to claim 1 or an electrical switching installation according to claim 8.

Within the framework of the invention, a method is provided for identifying components in a low-voltage electrical switchgear with at least one plug-in module that can be positioned in an insertion hole, for the wireless transmission of data relevant for identification, which is characterized in that the data that are relevant for the identification of the insertion gap and the insertable module are sent wirelessly and received wirelessly by means of communication equipment associated with the insertable module and the insertion gap and because an automatic identification of the insertion gap is carried out. insertion and the insertable module that allows an automatic association of these components with each other.

The low-voltage electrical switching installation configured to carry out this procedure has at least one insertable module that can be positioned in an insertion gap, configured for the wireless transmission of data relevant for identification and is characterized in that both the insertion gap and also the plug-in module has associated equipment for wireless communication, the communication equipment being configured to send and receive data that are relevant for an automatic identification of the insertion gap and of the insertable module and that allow an automatic association of these components with each other.

ES 2 368 596 T3

The described advantages relating to the switching device and the improvements apply in the corresponding sense also to the process and vice versa.

A central idea of ​​the invention is to wirelessly transmit data relevant to identification, in order to thus enable an exact association of the plug-in module (and thus of the motor shunt or similar arranged there) to a specific insertion gap, that is, to a determined place of accommodation of the maneuvering installation. The use of a mechanical coding device, such as a coding plug, is thus superfluous. The communication devices of the plug-in module and / or the plug-in slot serve as coded coupling parts.

It is advantageous that the number of encodings is practically unlimited. By using data relevant for identification, the diversity and selection of which is not limited, identification and thus association processes can be carried out for any number of components (plug-in modules, plug-in holes). The shortcomings of mechanical coding pins, for example due to mechanical defects or dirt, are a thing of the past. As a whole, the invention provides a particularly simple and also safe alternative to the coding pins known from the state of the art. The application of the invention to motor control cabinets is particularly advantageous, since there is a great diversity here and at the same time a quick and safe replacement of the plug-in units is especially necessary and desirable.

Instead of mechanical coding, a wireless electrical coding is therefore used in the present invention to enable an association of the insertable modules to the insertion holes. In this connection, it is advantageous if intelligent plug-in modules are used, for example in the form of motor control or motor management systems.

By the concept of low voltage switchgear, we mean switchgear systems designed for low voltage operation, that is, in a voltage range of up to 1000 V.

Relevant data for identification is understood here as all data that can be used to identify a component or to ensure that the interaction of various components is carried out in accordance with the rules. In particular, it deals with indications regarding the type of control functions used (direct starter, reversing starter, etc.), manufacturer-specific characteristics (interlocks) specific data of the derivation (for example motor current), sequences in the time, the history of the plug-in module, etc.

The identification-relevant data is then already stored in the components or is transmitted as necessary or regularly from a data source external to the components.

The term insertion hole is understood in general and independently of the specific design configuration as the place of accommodation or mounting of the insert module in the switchgear. The insertion hole can therefore also be a holding frame or the like.

The wireless transmission can then be carried out with the help of the most diverse technologies. Radio transmission systems, for example based on RFID or WLAN, and optical transmission systems, for example based on infrared, have proven particularly advantageous. But traditional non-contact transmission systems based on magnetic fields or the like can also be used.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

It is particularly advantageous that the transmission and / or reception of the data relevant for the identification takes place during or immediately after mounting of the plug-in module in the insertion hole, as well as preferably automatically. In other words, the transmission and / or reception of this data is carried out preferably in a direct relation in time with the mounting of an insertable module in an insertion hole. This ensures that the identification and the unlocking or not unlocking the service of a certain plug-in module are carried out close in time.

While in the sense of the invention it is basically open between which objects the communication concerning data relevant for identification takes place - thus it can be provided, for example, that the plug-in module communicates directly with a remote receiver, for example, a control unit arranged elsewhere in the switching installation - according to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap and / or the communication equipment associated with the insert module receives relevant data for the identification of the communication equipment associated with the corresponding component in each case. The corresponding component is then the one with which an assembly is made precisely by means of an assembly. It is then possible both that the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap receives relevant data for the identification of the communication equipment associated with the insertable module as well as that the communication equipment associated with the insertable module receives relevant data for the identification of the insertion module.

ES 2 368 596 T3 communication associated with the insertion gap. It is also possible, and depending on the application also desirable, data transmission in both directions.

Within the scope of the invention, it is thus possible to carry out, inter alia, passive coding and also active coding. In this regard, passive coding is understood as a configuration in which the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap, usually fixed, only exists as a passive component that is activated, if necessary supplied with energy and read by an active component, here the communication equipment associated with the mobile insertable module. An example of such passive coding is the use of well-known radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. This is especially suitable for safety-relevant applications, since the risk of external influences, for example due to magnetic fields, is low. Other examples of passive coding are the use of an oscillating circuit or a magnetic switch, the structure and operation of which are equally familiar to the specialist.

Active coding is understood as a configuration in which both the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap, as well as the communication equipment associated with the plug-in module, are supplied with energy, independently of each other, in a functional way, in particular by themselves. themselves. An example of such active coding is the use of a known or similar radio or infrared transmission technology, with two autonomous transmitter and / or receiver units.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap and / or the communication equipment associated with the insertable module transmits the relevant data for identification to a local unlocking unit associated with the insertion gap and / or the module. insertable and / or a remote unlocking unit associated with the insertion hole and / or the insertable module. In other words, it is possible both that the communication equipment associated with the insertable module transmits the relevant data for identification to a local and / or remote unlocking unit associated with the insertable module, as well as that the communication equipment associated with the insertion gap transmit the relevant data for identification to a local and / or remote unlocking unit associated with the insertion gap.

The unlocking unit, that is, the means for automatic identification of the insert hole or the insertable module, is preferably a data processing device, configured to run a computer program to identify and unlock components. For this, the data processing device is provided with at least one microprocessor, a data memory, a data input device, a data output device and the corresponding data transmission devices between these components.

The plug-in module and / or the plug-in slot is preferably unlocked for operation with the corresponding component when the verification of the relevant data for identification has been successfully completed, the plug-in module and / or the plug-in slot remaining locked or otherwise blocking. insertion for such a service. The decision on unlocking is then made by including data relevant for identification in the unlocking unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the plug-in module and / or the plug-in recess are adapted before unlocking for operation with the corresponding component. In other words, a modification of the insert hole and / or the insert component can be carried out immediately after the identification of the components and before their unlocking. This is especially advantageous when the corresponding component could not perform a correct service without such a modification and only the modification makes such a service possible. In this case, the identification of the components is used primarily to determine the magnitude of a modification to be carried out. The modification itself, which is preferably done automatically, does not have to include any modification by the components. It is often sufficient to adapt individual components of the plug-in module and / or plug-in slot to the requirements of the individual case, for example to carry out an adaptation of the communication protocol in the plug-in slot.

Thus, it remains within the scope of the invention to supply a component arranged in the plug-in module, for example a motor shunt, depending on the location, that is, depending on the slot used, with suitable operating parameters or other data. . It is also possible, in a basic range of variants, to configure all the available insert holes as neutral and only after mounting a specific insert module to adapt them to the needs related to the operation of this insert module. For example, an adaptation of the motor current to the protection device or an adaptation to the subscriber address of the plug-in module can be carried out.

The embodiments of the invention just mentioned can be implemented in a particularly simple and advantageous manner both when using RFID and also in active coding.

Once the unlocking has been carried out, the insertable module and / or the insertion hole is preferably supplied with those data that are adapted to the operation with the corresponding component. Furthermore, the entire performance class of the components can be adapted to the characteristics of the components used.

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Overall, it is a very flexible solution, easily adaptable to the needs of the corresponding application, which can be carried out at low technical cost. Additional advantages result from the high information density of the coding material, for example when using RFID technology and active coding. Thus, for example, group codes can be defined and / or parameters can be transmitted at the same time, such as the address of the corresponding component in systems capable of communication, that is to say, systems in which communication takes place between plug-in modules and insertion slots by on the one hand and a control center or the like on the other hand via a bus system, in particular a field bus system, for example PROFIBUS or PROFINET.

The invention will be described below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, which will be clarified in more detail with the aid of drawings. In this regard, they show, in simplified representations, partly schematic:

FIG. 1 is a switching device according to the state of the art and FIG. 2 is a switching device according to the invention.

The same references in the figures described below correspond to elements with the same or comparable function.

Plug-in technology motor control cabinets 1 are known from the state of the art. In this regard, a set of plug-in modules 2 is provided that can be positioned in plug-in holes 3. Each plug-in module 2 then contains, for example, a motor shunt. To realize the main current circuit and the control current circuit, they are provided both on the rear sides 4 of the plug-in modules 2 and also on the rear sides 5 of the insert holes 3, which are formed by the rear wall of the cabinet. of motor 1, insertion bars or insert connectors 6, 7 or suitable connecting elements of another type, which interact in the assembled situation. These plug-in connectors 6, 7 essentially serve to transmit the main current (for example 400 V), to transmit auxiliary power (control power), to power the devices and devices contained in the plug-in module and for communication between the plug-in module 2 on the one hand and the plug-in hole 3 and thus the switching device on the other hand, in particular for transmitting control signals, acknowledgment messages, fault signals, etc., for example via a fieldbus system.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, both on the rear sides 4 of the plug-in modules 2 and also on the rear sides 5 of the insert holes 3, mechanical coding pins 8, 9 adapted to each other are provided, ensuring that the operation of a specific plug-in module 2 is always only possible in an insert hole 3 intended for it. If the encoder pins 8, 9 do not engage each other, a complete insertion of the plug-in module 2 into the insertion gap 3 is not possible, thus a contact of the insertion bars or insertion connectors 6 is not possible. , 7 and thus also no operation.

Instead of the coding plug 8, 9 shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides for wireless coding; see figure 2. The insertion bars or insertion connectors 6, 7 that interact and serve for the transmission of the main current, the auxiliary energy and for communication purposes between the insertable module 2 and the insertion gap 3, are provided - at the As according to the state of the art - both on the rear sides 4 of the plug-in modules 2 and also on the rear sides 5 of the plug-in recesses 3.

However, in place of the coding pins 8, 9 equipments 11, 12 are included for wireless communication. These communication devices 11, 12 are configured to send and / or receive relevant data to identify the insertion gap 2 and / or the insertable module 3. Then the communication devices 11, 12 are associated in the execution described here both to the plug-in modules 2 as well as plug-in holes 3. The association is made in this special case such that the communication devices 11, 12 - as before the coding pins 8, 9 - are fixed to the rear sides 4 of the plug-in modules 2 and to the rear sides 5 of the recesses of insert 3. By means of such a configuration, in the assembled situation, a distance that is as small as possible is achieved between the communication equipment 11, 12 that interacts, with which among others the communication equipment 11, 12 used works with low emission powers and only requires devices of emission and reception with small dimensions. This enables not only a particularly compact construction of the motor control cabinet 1, but also reduces the material cost for the communication devices 11, 12 and thus their manufacturing costs.

The association of the communication devices 11, 12 with the components 2, 3 can, however, also be provided in another way. Thus, for example, it is not necessarily necessary for the communication devices 11, 12 to be directly connected to the components 2, 3. It is also possible to envisage a separate association of the communication devices 11, 12 to the components 2, 3. This way it can be accommodated a receiver and / or transmitter for example loose in the plug-in module 2. Likewise, it is possible to think of a remote positioning of the communication equipment 11, 12 also outside of the components 2, 3. Such a remote positioning is possible because an unequivocal association has been made to a specific component 2, 3.

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In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first communication device 11 associated with the plug-in module 3 receives data relevant for identification, in particular an unambiguous position tag (gap ID) of the second communication device 12 associated with the insert gap 3. More precisely, data that is relevant for the identification of the insertion gap 3 is requested by a first RFID module associated with the insertable module 2 as part of the first communication equipment 11 of a second RFID module associated with the insertion gap 3 as part of the second communication equipment 12. The second RFID module is then supplied with energy by the first RFID module (passive coding).

The second RFID module associated with the insertion gap 3, then includes an RFID transponder, in whose memory the relevant data for identification (gap ID) are stored. The first RFID module associated with the insertable module 2 includes an RFID reader device. The RFID reader device automatically generates, when approaching the RFID transponder during the insertion of the plug-in module 2 into the insertion hole, an alternating high-frequency electromagnetic field, which is received by an antenna of the RFID transponder. The current thus induced activates the microchip in the RFID transponder and the data relevant for identification stored there are transmitted to the RFID reader.

The first communication device 11 associated with the plug-in module 2 then transmits the relevant data for the identification received to a local unlocking unit associated with the plug-in module 2, that is, configured as an integral part of the plug-in module 2, configured as a processing device. of data. There the processing of the data relevant for identification is carried out with the help of a computer program, which for this purpose is loaded into the memory of the data processing device and is executed.

After a check of the data relevant for identification, the plug-in module 2 is unlocked for operation with the corresponding plug-in gap 3, provided such operation is permitted. As an alternative, the plug-in module 2 is locked or remains locked for such operation, depending on the previous setting. It is particularly advantageous if the first communication device 11 in this case sends the corresponding message - preferably indicating the current location of the plug-in module 2 - to an external receiver, for example to the control center of the engine 1 or control cabinet. Similar. To do this, the corresponding communication information is transmitted to the plug-in module 2 from the communication equipment 12 associated with the insertion hole 3, in the case that it is a switchgear installation capable of communication and that this has not been carried out yet. address that enables the insert module 2 to be located in the engine control cabinet 1.

Under certain conditions, before unlocking, it may be necessary to modify the plug-in module 2 and / or the plug-in gap 3, here in particular the parameters for the transmission of the main current, auxiliary power and communication (protocols, etc.). In a control unit capable of communication, the necessary modifications are carried out preferably by means of the control unit of the engine control cabinet 1.