HK1247727B - Hazard alarm control centre with configuration parameter setting means - Google Patents

Description

Hazard alarm center with configuration parameter setting device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hazard alarm center and a method for debugging and configuring the hazard alarm center.

Hazard alarm centers with different characteristics are known, hereinafter also referred to as centers or alarm centers. Hazard alarm centers refer to fire alarm centers, gas detection centers, spark detection centers, spark extinguishing centers, fire extinguishing control centers, or hazard signal detection and fire extinguishing control centers.

Background Art

Connected to such a hazard warning center are participating systems such as hazard detectors, for example gas detectors, fire detectors or spark detectors, via signal-conducting connections.

The hazard warning center processes and evaluates the signals from these user devices. If a hazardous situation is detected, such as a fire, a spark in a production process or container, or if a specified gas concentration is exceeded, the fire warning center generates, displays, and/or transmits a warning or alarm signal to a higher-level system or to any other system. Depending on the specific intended use, the hazard warning center is configured by pre-defined configuration parameters so that brake warning devices and/or protective devices are activated in response to the warning signal.

WO 2004/010399 A1 discloses a fire alarm center having a panel including a display screen and function keys. The configuration of the hazard alarm center is performed by transmitting a configuration file to the hazard alarm center.

A disadvantage of known hazard warning centers is that configuration is a very time-consuming and complex process that requires a separate computer-assisted commissioning and configuration tool, such as a PC, laptop, smartphone, or similar device. Furthermore, a signal transmission connection must be established between the computer-assisted commissioning and configuration tool and the hazard warning center during commissioning and/or configuration of the hazard warning center. Another disadvantage is the high manufacturing costs associated with using a display screen for displaying and creating configuration files.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to develop a hazard warning center that simplifies its configuration and obviates the need for separate computer-assisted commissioning and configuration tools such as PCs, laptops, smartphones, or similar devices. At the same time, the production should be cost-optimized.

This object is achieved by a hazard warning center according to the features of the invention.

The hazard warning center according to the present invention comprises: a housing; a first electronic assembly, which is releasably fixed in the housing and includes a central processing unit, a stored program system with at least one configuration module, a detection signal detection unit, and an operating unit; a second electronic assembly, which is configured on the outside as an operating and display panel without a display screen, including switching elements and lighting devices, and on the inside as a commissioning and configuration unit, which includes a configuration parameter setting mechanism and a first optical display device, wherein the second electronic assembly is connected to the first electronic assembly for signal transmission and is configured so that the configuration parameters set by the configuration parameter setting mechanism are received by the first electronic assembly for recording and processing in the at least one configuration module. The second electronic assembly preferably has an inner side.

Furthermore, the second electronic component is preferably configured such that the set configuration parameters of the configuration parameter setting device are received by the first electronic component in the configuration module in order to be recorded and processed in at least one configuration module.

The hazard alarm center is preferably configured as a fire alarm center, a gas detection center, a spark detection center, a spark extinguishing control center, a fire extinguishing control center or a hazard signal detection and fire extinguishing control center

Throughout the description of the present invention and in the illustrated embodiments, the phrase "a configuration module" or "the configuration module" refers to "at least one configuration module" or "the at least one configuration module".

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second electronic assembly is constructed on the basis of a printed circuit board having, on its outer side, a front membrane with membrane buttons as switching elements, a light emitting device in the form of an LED, and a preferably transparent insertion pocket for inserting a card. In the operating state of the hazard warning center, the housing is closed, and the inner side of the second electronic assembly with the commissioning and configuration device faces inwardly of the housing, preferably parallel to the rear mounting wall of the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the configuration module contains device- and project-specific parameters, which include predetermined values such as the supply voltage of the user device, time values for the control time sequence after hazard detection, fire detection or spark detection, in particular time values for the fire extinguishing control sequence.

This should mean that the project-specific parameters preferably include predetermined values such as the supply voltage of the user device, time values for the control time sequence after hazard detection, fire detection or spark detection, in particular time values for the fire extinguishing control sequence.

The configuration parameters set on the configuration parameter setting device are loaded and stored into the configuration module through the central computing unit.

In another embodiment, the detection signal detection unit is connected to at least one hazard detector, preferably a spark detector and/or a fire alarm and/or a gas detector, for signal transmission. These hazard detectors are also referred to as user devices. Fire alarms are preferably smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, fire and gas detectors, smoke extraction systems, manual fire alarms, or other suitable hazard alarms. In the present invention, fire alarms also refer to spark detectors and/or flame detectors, particularly fast-acting flame detectors and/or gas detectors.

The detection signal detection unit is preferably equipped with an electronic circuit or measuring circuit for monitoring signal lines for breaks or short circuits and is further configured and constructed so that it receives and processes signals or switching signals from user devices connected to the detection signal detection unit via the signal lines. The detection signal detection unit preferably includes a computing unit or is controlled by a central computing unit. When preferably detecting signals or switching signals from spark detectors and/or fire alarms, an event, spark alarm, fire alarm, and/or malfunction is detected. In one advantageous embodiment, a warning event is also detected. Advantageously, sparks can be detected on a first extreme value line for a first protection range, and fire detection can be performed using fire alarms on a second extreme value line for a second protection range. This allows a single hazard warning center to detect different hazards, such as undelayed spark detection in the millisecond range and fire detection in the seconds to minutes range, with an evaluation time to verify the detector signals to determine whether there are false alarms.

The detection signal detection unit is connected to at least one extreme value line, for example, via a plug connector or via a terminal. The extreme value line refers to a connection line with at least one user device. Preferably, a two-core conductor is used, and the two-core conductor forms a closed loop together with a terminal resistor _RE and at least one user device. The conductor is also referred to as a signal line below. The detection signal detection unit provides a power supply, preferably a power supply in the range of 9V to 20V. If multiple user devices are used, these user devices are arranged in parallel with the terminal resistor _RE as the last user device. The circuit of the detection signal detection unit and the program system of the central computing unit are arranged and designed so that the current is measured in the loop and the measured current is analyzed and evaluated according to a predetermined limit value. In this way, the signal line can be monitored to determine whether a break or short circuit occurs, and the signal of the user device connected to the detection signal detection unit can be detected and analyzed and evaluated to determine whether an alarm value exists.

In a preferred embodiment, an automatic quiescent current comparison is manually triggered during commissioning, in which the quiescent current of the limit value line with all consumers and transition resistors is measured and stored as a base value, with reference to which all current changes are measured.

The quiescent current _I0 and current changes caused by connected subscriber devices or by switching subscriber devices on or off and/or by impedance changes in the event of a break or short circuit in the signal line are now continuously measured. When a predefined limit value is undershot, reached, or exceeded, in this embodiment, when a predefined current limit value is exceeded, a limit value measurement is performed on the limit value line of the detection signal detection unit.

In both variants, the detection signal detection unit measures the current change and checks whether a predefined current limit value for an alarm or a wire break and/or a short circuit is undershot and/or reached and/or exceeded.

The control unit controls external components, such as solenoid valves or acoustic signal generators. These external components are connected to the control unit via control lines, which are supplied by the control unit with the operating voltage required to function and activate the external components. The control lines to these external components are monitored by the control unit to detect wire breaks and/or short circuits. This monitoring preferably also includes monitoring the presence of connected external components and their normal status. External components from the following list are used in a project-related and device-specific manner:

Fire extinguishing fluid release devices, such as control magnets and solenoid valves;

Alarm devices, such as horns and flashing lights;

System components to be controlled, such as drain valves and circuit breakers.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hazard warning center according to the invention is connected to spark detectors and/or fire alarms for signal transmission.

The hazard warning center according to the present invention is advantageously improved in that the second electronic module is pivotably mounted on the housing. This is advantageous for providing quick access to the operator commissioning and configuration unit, which is located on the inside of the second electronic module. The second electronic module preferably has a hardware coding unit for generating a selection signal for a configuration module, preferably for at least one configuration module, or for selecting predefined configuration parameters in the configuration module, preferably in the at least one configuration module.

The hardware coding unit is used to generate a selection signal for a configuration module, preferably for at least one configuration module, which predefines protection concept-specific configuration parameters. Thus, different second electronic assemblies with different codings of the hardware coding unit can be manufactured and provided for different protection concepts, for example, for a hazard warning center in the form of a spark detection and extinguishing center or a fire alarm and extinguishing control center for operating water, gas, or chemical fire extinguishing systems.

In another embodiment of the hazard warning center, the at least one configuration module is designed to control a functional sequence of a spark extinguishing device.

In another embodiment of the hazard warning center according to the present invention, the detection signal detection unit is connected to the spark detector and/or the fast-acting flame detector for signal transmission and is designed and arranged such that the alarm signal from the spark detector and/or the fast-acting flame detector immediately generates a control signal for the control unit without any evaluation time, and the control unit immediately opens a valve, preferably an extinguishing fluid release device, and releases extinguishing fluid, preferably water, gas, or a chemical extinguishing agent. This has the advantage that the undelayed discharge of extinguishing fluid after spark or flame detection can prevent explosions or greater fire damage.

In another embodiment of the hazard warning center, the detection signal detection unit is connected to the fire alarm for signal transmission and is designed and arranged such that, after an evaluation time, the alarm signal from the fire alarm generates a control signal for the control unit, which closes the valve and releases the extinguishing fluid. This has the advantage that the evaluation time prevents false alarms and inadvertent triggering of the fire extinguishing system.

An embodiment of the hazard warning center according to the invention is also preferred in which the configuration parameter setting means are designed as DIP switches and/or coded rotary switches. The rotary switches are preferably binary or hexadecimal coded.

The hazard warning center according to the invention has a first optical display device, which is designed as an LED, and preferably also a second optical display device of the commissioning and configuration unit, which is designed as a segment display device, preferably as a seven-segment display.

Preferably, a plurality of first and second optical display devices are provided. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the hazard warning center according to the present invention, an indicator text area is provided next to the first optical display device. Preferably, one or more indicators selected from the following list of indicators are provided here:

Indication of unauthorized manipulation of configuration parameter setting devices;

an indication that the second electronic component is incompatible with the first electronic component;

Instructions on the operation of automatic quiescent current setting;

An indication that the selected number of sparks per unit time is not permitted or is incompatible;

Error reports, such as battery errors.

In another embodiment of the hazard warning center according to the invention, the commissioning and configuration unit has a display selection switch which assigns a status display to a specific extreme value line or the operating unit or the hazard warning center via the second optical display device.

Preferably, for all embodiments the control unit is designed as an actuating unit.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method according to the present invention. The method according to the present invention for commissioning and configuring a hazard warning center is performed using a hazard warning center according to the present invention, the hazard warning center having:

case,

a first electronic component, which is releasably fastened in the housing and comprises a central processing unit, a stored program system with at least one configuration module, a detection signal detection unit, and a control unit,

A second electronic component is configured on the outside as an operating and display panel having switch elements and light-emitting devices without a display screen, and on the inside as a debugging and configuration unit, the debugging and configuration unit including a configuration parameter setting mechanism and a first optical display device, wherein

The second electronic component is connected to the first electronic component for signal transmission and is configured to allow the first electronic component to receive the set configuration parameters of the configuration parameter setting mechanism so as to record and process them in the configuration module.

The method according to the invention comprises the following method steps:

establishing accessibility for operating a debugging and configuration unit on the inner side of the second electronic assembly;

Connect to configuration mode;

selecting a switch position of a configuration parameter setting device for a predetermined configuration parameter;

receiving the selected configuration parameters into at least one configuration module;

Close configuration mode;

The selected configuration parameters are stored in the first electronic component.

The quiescent current is also compared by enabling automatic quiescent current comparison.

Accessibility is preferably established by pivoting the second electronic component, which is pivotably mounted on the housing or the first electronic component. In the operating state, only the outer side of the second electronic component is accessible to the user, and the second electronic component is designed as an operating and display panel without a display.

The switching on and preferably closing of configuration mode is preferably realized by a key switch preferably arranged on the inner side of the second electronic assembly or by a slide switch. In other advantageous embodiments, the switch is arranged on the first electronic assembly or on the outer side of the second electronic assembly.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the selection of the switch position of the configuration parameter setting device for the predetermined configuration parameters is performed by adjusting a coded switch, in particular a rotary switch, and the selected configuration parameters are subsequently received into the at least one configuration module by querying the output of the coded switch by the central processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a safety subroutine is executed in the central processing unit for cyclically querying configuration parameters of the commissioning and configuration unit even after deactivation of the configuration mode.

This has the advantage that changes to the configuration parameters of the commissioning and configuration sheet are detected by operating the configuration parameter setting device and preferably transmitted to the display device. The display is performed by the first optical display device next to the indicator text area, which indicates unauthorized operation of the configuration parameter setting device.

The method according to the invention is further advantageously improved by the step of comparing the quiescent currents, which step is performed by initiating an automatic quiescent current comparison, preferably by operating a quiescent current comparison switch.

In a refinement of the method according to the present invention, a status query step for the hazard warning center and/or the extreme value line and/or the control unit is also activated, and the status is displayed on a second optical display of the commissioning and configuration unit using alphanumeric symbols. The status query is preferably activated by operating a display selector switch of the commissioning and configuration unit. Preferably, the status display for the extreme value line and the control unit is: wire break, short circuit, initial state, and residual current short circuit. The status display on the second optical display is preferably coded numerically and/or alphabetically, for example, a wire break is indicated by the character "0," a short circuit by the character "5," an initial state by the character "1," and a residual current short circuit by the character "2." The encoded decoding information is preferably provided in another indicator text area on the inside of the second electronic component. This allows for time-efficient operation and troubleshooting without the use of additional auxiliary measures.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, after the configuration module is switched on, the configuration parameter "number of sparks per time unit" is set via the configuration parameter setting device, preferably by changing the switch positions of two coded rotary switches. The number of sparks is set using one coded rotary switch, and the time interval is set using the other coded rotary switch. Additionally, the extinguishing time is set using another configuration parameter setting device.

The method according to the present invention allows for simple and time-saving configuration of a hazard warning center without the use of a separate computer-assisted commissioning and configuration tool, such as a PC, laptop, smartphone, or similar device. No signal transmission connection needs to be established between the computer-assisted commissioning and configuration tool and the hazard warning center.

For further advantages of the method according to the invention, reference may be made to the advantages of the hazard warning center according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a danger signal and fire extinguishing control center according to the present invention;

FIG2 schematically shows an embodiment of a second electronic assembly in the housing of a hazard warning center; and

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention in a block diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The hazard warning center of FIG1 has a housing 1 and a first electronic component 2, which can be loosely fixed in the housing 1. The first electronic component 2 includes a central processing unit 3, a stored program system (not shown) with at least one configuration module, a detection signal detection unit 4 and an operating unit 5. The second electronic component (6) is configured as an operating and display panel without a display screen on the outer side 10 shown in FIG2 and includes a switching element 7 and a light-emitting device 8. The electronic component is based on a circuit board, which has a panel membrane with a membrane key as a switching element 7 on the outer side, as well as a matching light-emitting device 8 in the form of an LED and a transparent insertion pocket 31 for inserting a card.

FIG1 shows the inner side 9 of the second electronic component 6, which is designed as a commissioning and configuration unit 11. The commissioning and configuration unit 11 includes configuration parameter setting devices 12, 13, 14, 15 and a first optical display device 20. The second electronic component (6) is connected to the first electronic component, in particular to the central processing unit 3, for signal transmission. The second electronic component 6 is configured so that the configuration parameters of the configuration parameter setting devices are received by the first electronic component for recording and processing in the at least one configuration module. The configuration parameters are selected using the configuration parameter setting devices 12, 13, 14, 15 and received by the first electronic component for recording and processing in the at least one configuration module.

FIG2 shows the hazard warning center in the closed operating state of the housing 1. In this operating state, only the outer side 10 of the second electronic assembly 6 is accessible to the user as an operating and display panel without a display. The inner side 9 of the second electronic assembly 6 now points toward the interior of the housing 1, preferably parallel to the rear mounting wall of the housing.

FIG1 schematically illustrates the overall system for detecting hazards and controlling countermeasures. This exemplary embodiment shows a spark detection and spark extinguishing system. A detection signal detection unit 4 of a hazard warning center is connected, for example, via terminals (not shown) to an extreme value line, on which a hazard detector 27 in the form of a spark detector 27 is located. If a spark is detected, the detection signal detection unit 4 detects the spark detector's warning signal. Based on this, a control signal is generated immediately by the central processing unit 3 for the control unit 5. The control unit immediately actuates the extinguishing fluid release device 28, preferably in the form of a valve, in the exemplary embodiment, a solenoid valve 8, and discharges extinguishing fluid, such as water, through a nozzle to extinguish the spark. The configuration module is designed to control the functional flow of this spark extinguishing system.

In another embodiment not shown, the hazard detector is a fire alarm, the fire extinguishing fluid is water, gas, a gas mixture or a chemical fire extinguishing agent, and when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing fluid is released or output through a nozzle by controlling the fire extinguishing fluid release device 28 by the control unit 5 after the end of the analysis time to extinguish the fire, and the analysis time is predefined as a configuration parameter.

FIG1 shows that the second electronic module 6 has a hardware coding unit 23 configured as a resistor network. This hardware coding unit is used to generate a selection signal for a configuration module, preferably for at least one configuration module, which predefines configuration parameters specific to a protection concept. This allows for the production and provision of different second electronic modules 6 with different codings of the hardware coding unit 23 for different protection concepts, such as a hazard warning center in the form of a spark detection and extinguishing center or a fire alarm and extinguishing control center for operating water, gas, or chemical fire systems.

FIG3 schematically shows the flow of a method according to the invention for commissioning and configuring a hazard warning center, said method comprising the following steps:

100) establishing accessibility for operating the debugging and configuration unit 11 on the inner side 9 of the second electronic component 6;

101) Turn on the configuration mode;

102) Selecting a switch position of the configuration parameter setting devices 12, 13, 14, 15 for a predefined configuration parameter;

103) receiving the selected configuration parameters into at least one configuration module;

104) Close configuration mode;

105 ) Store the selected configuration parameters in the first electronic component 2 .

Reference Signs List

1 Housing

2. First electronic component

3 Central Computing Unit

4 Detection signal detection unit

5 Actuation unit/control unit

6 Second electronic component

7 Switching elements

8 Light-emitting devices

9 Inside of the second electronic assembly

10 Outside of the second electronic component

11 Debugging and configuring units

12-15 Configuration Parameter Setting Device

20 first optical display device

21, 22 Second optical display device

23 Hardware Encoding Unit

25 Quiescent current comparison unit

26 Display selector switch

27 Fire detectors and/or spark detectors

28 Fire extinguishing fluid release device

29 Alarm device

30 Equipment parts to be controlled, such as discharge valves

Claims (16)

1. Hazard alarm center, including: Shell (1), A first electronic component (2), which is releasably fixed in a housing (1), the first electronic component having a central computing unit (3), a stored program system with at least one configuration module, a detection signal detection unit (4), and a control unit (5). The second electronic component (6) is configured on its outer side (10) as an operation and display panel without a display screen, comprising a switching element (7) and a light-emitting device (8), and on its inner side (9) as a debugging and configuration unit (11), the debugging and configuration unit including a configuration parameter setting mechanism (12, 13, 14, 15) and a first optical display device (20), wherein, The second electronic component (6) is connected to the first electronic component (2) in a signal transmission manner and is configured to receive the set configuration parameters of the configuration parameter setting mechanism (12, 13, 14, 15) by the first electronic component (2) so as to record and process them in the at least one configuration module. 2. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1, characterized in that the hazard alarm center is configured as a fire alarm center, a gas detection center, a spark detection center, a spark extinguishing control center, a fire extinguishing control center, or a hazard signal detection and fire extinguishing control center. 3. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electronic component (6) is pivotally mounted on the housing (1). 4. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electronic component (6) has a hardware coding unit (23) for generating a selection signal for the at least one configuration module. 5. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one configuration module is configured to control the functional flow of fire extinguishing equipment. 6. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal detection unit (4) is connected to the spark detector and/or the fast-response flame detector for transmitting signals and is constructed and configured such that the alarm signal from the spark detector and/or the fast-response flame detector immediately generates a control signal for the control unit (5) without analysis time, the control unit turning on the valve and releasing the extinguishing fluid without delay. 7. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection signal detection unit (4) is connected to the fire alarm (27) in a signal transmission manner and is constructed and configured such that the alarm signal of the fire alarm (27) generates a control signal for the control unit (5) after the analysis time ends, the control unit turning on the valve and releasing the extinguishing fluid. 8. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the configuration parameter setting device (12, 13, 14, 15) is configured as a DIP switch and/or an coded rotary switch. 9. The hazard alarm center according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first optical display device (20) of the debugging and configuration unit (11) is configured as an LED, and the second optical display device (21, 22) of the debugging and configuration unit is configured as a segmented display device. 10. The hazard alarm center according to claim 9, characterized in that the debugging and configuration unit (11) has a display selection switch (26), which assigns the status display to a determined extreme value line or control unit (5) or the center through a second optical display device (21, 22). 11. The danger alarm center according to claim 9, characterized in that the second optical display device (21, 22) of the debugging and configuration unit (11) is configured as a seven-segment display device. 12. A method for debugging and configuring a hazard alarm center, wherein the hazard alarm center has: Shell (1), A first electronic component (2), which is releasably fixed in a housing (1), the first electronic component having a central computing unit (3), a stored program system with at least one configuration module, a detection signal detection unit (4), and a control unit (5). The second electronic component (6) is configured on the outer side (10) as an operation and display panel without a display screen, consisting of a switching element (7) and a light-emitting device (8), and on the inner side (9) as a debugging and configuration unit (11), which includes a configuration parameter setting mechanism (12, 13, 14, 15) and a first optical display device (20), wherein... The second electronic component (6) is connected to the first electronic component (2) in a signal transmission manner and is configured to receive the configured parameters of the configuration parameter setting mechanism (12, 13, 14, 15) by the first electronic component (2) for recording and processing in the at least one configuration module. The following steps are included: Establish accessibility of the debugging and configuration unit (11) on the inner side (9) for operating the second electronic component (6); Connection configuration mode; Select the switching position of the configuration parameter setting device (12, 13, 14, 15) for the predefined configuration parameters; The selected configuration parameters are received into at least one configuration module; Disable configuration mode; The selected configuration parameters are stored in the first electronic component (2). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the static current comparison is further performed by initiating an automatic static current comparison. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the automatic static current comparison is initiated by operating the static current comparison switch (25). 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a status query for the hazard alarm center and/or extreme value line and/or control unit (5) is additionally activated and the status is displayed on the second optical display device (21, 22) of the debugging and configuration unit (11) by means of alphanumeric symbols. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the status query is activated by operating the display selection switch (26) of the debugging and configuration unit (11).