Relay Unit and Its Application System

Abstract

The present invention discloses a relay unit and its application system. The relay unit includes a housing and a control unit. The control unit is installed inside the housing and includes a circuit board, a low-voltage DC power transfer module, a communication transfer module, and a sensing module. The low-voltage DC power transfer module, the communication transfer module, and the sensing module are all connected to the circuit board. The relay unit disclosed in the present invention uses a low-voltage DC power transfer module and a communication transfer module to achieve the cascading of the low-voltage DC power bus and the communication bus. The relay unit realizes the connection or disconnection of the low-voltage DC power bus and the relay or disconnection function of the communication bus according to the operation needs of the system. The relay unit also integrates a sensing module, which can be used for functions such as power supply bus contact temperature monitoring, bus housing temperature detection, ambient temperature and humidity monitoring, vibration detection, and extended communication port function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical connection technologies, and in particular to a relay unit and its application system. Background Art

[0002] An end busbar is generally a power distribution device for an electricity consumption terminal composed of a copper conductor and an aluminum alloy housing. Through a matching device such as a plug-in box, it realizes the function of supplying power to specific devices. Especially for power supply to network cabinets in data centers, the end busbar power supply method has increasingly replaced the traditional power supply method of cable from a row head cabinet. This power supply method can provide a large power output capacity, has strong expansion ability, and also saves valuable space resources after replacing the row head cabinet, enabling users to deploy more network cabinets. Adopting the end busbar power supply method in data center construction has also become a trend. The characteristics of the end busbar are series matching, commercial production, large capacity, short design and construction cycle, convenient installation and disassembly, non-combustible, safe and reliable, and long service life. The end busbar product is applicable to three-phase four-wire and three-phase five-wire power supply projects for network cabinets in data centers with an alternating current of 50 Hz, a rated voltage of 380 V, and a rated current usually of 250 A - 1000 A. The main design feature of the end busbar is plug-and-play, that is, it uses a plug-in box matching the busbar to achieve fast and convenient output. The design of the end busbar allows the plug-in box to be plugged in at any position of the busbar according to actual needs to complete power output. At the same time, the plug-in box also has functions such as power monitoring, and can monitor the power usage in real time. For such intelligent devices as plug-in boxes, the power supply and network connection must be considered. Existing plug-in boxes have more or less problems and there is much room for improvement. Generally, there are two ways to provide power: power taking from the busbar or external power supply. Since the plug-in box itself is already connected to the busbar, the power taking from the busbar method is very easy to implement. However, the problem brought by this method is that the circuit of the plug-in box will affect the testing and maintenance of the busbar. If a busbar pressure test is to be carried out, all plug-in boxes must be removed before it can be carried out. Another method is external power supply, usually providing a low-voltage DC power supply (such as DC24V) for the plug-in box through a cable. The communication connection of the plug-in box basically all adopts RS485 network connection and usually uses shielded twisted pair for cascading. Therefore, the plug-in box devices of the end busbar usually cascade through 1 communication line, and some systems also have a DC24V power line connection. The disadvantages of using cable connection are: large on-site wiring workload; many cable cascade fault points; when adding equipment, the cable needs to be modified, affecting the communication of existing equipment; not aesthetically pleasing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a relay unit and its application system, which realizes the cascade of the low-voltage DC power supply bus and the communication bus. The relay unit connects or disconnects the low-voltage DC power supply bus according to the needs of system operation, and realizes the relay or disconnection function of the communication bus.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0005] The relay unit includes a housing and a control unit. The control unit is installed in the housing. The control unit includes a circuit board, a low-voltage DC power supply transfer module, a communication transfer module, and a sensing module. The low-voltage DC power supply transfer module, the communication transfer module, and the sensing module are all connected to the circuit board.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solutions, the relay unit is connected to the low-voltage DC power supply buses of two sections of the bus through two low-voltage DC power supply bus reed groups in the low-voltage DC power supply transfer module, and is connected or disconnected through a relay module or an electronic switch module located on the circuit board; the two communication bus reed groups in the communication transfer module are respectively connected to the communication buses of two sections of the bus, and are relayed and connected or disconnected through the communication transfer module located on the circuit board; the relay unit realizes the cascade of the low-voltage DC power supply bus and the communication bus by adopting the low-voltage DC power supply transfer module and the communication transfer module, and the relay unit connects or disconnects the low-voltage DC power supply bus according to the needs of system operation, and realizes the relay or disconnection function of the communication bus. The relay unit also integrates a sensing module, which can be used for functions such as temperature monitoring of the power supply bus connection point, temperature detection of the bus housing, ambient temperature and humidity monitoring, and vibration monitoring.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the low-voltage DC power supply transfer module includes two low-voltage DC power supply bus reed groups; the communication transfer module includes two communication bus reed groups. By adopting the above technical solutions, the reed groups of the two low-voltage DC power supply buses are respectively connected to the low-voltage DC power supply buses of two sections of the composite bus and connected to the PCB (printed circuit board), making the relay unit convenient to plug in, easy to install, and reliable and stable in power supply and communication.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the two low-voltage DC power bus reed groups are respectively connected to the low-voltage DC power buses on two sections of the bus, and at the same time, the two low-voltage DC power bus reed groups are connected through a relay module or an electronic switch module located on the circuit board; the two communication bus reed groups are respectively connected to the communication buses on two sections of the bus, and at the same time, the two communication bus reed groups are connected through a communication relay circuit located on the circuit board. By adopting the above technical solution, the two reed groups of the low-voltage DC power supply bus are respectively connected to the low-voltage DC power buses of two sections of the composite bus, and are connected to the PCB (printed circuit board), and are connected through a relay module (relay contacts). The system can control the relay to operate according to the operation requirements, complete the connection and disconnection of the two low-voltage DC power buses, that is, according to the operation requirements, the connection of the bus (unified power supply) can be realized, and the disconnection of the bus (fault removal) can also be realized. Coupled with the application of the ring network power supply mode, the availability of the bus can be maximized.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, a storage module is also provided on the circuit board. By adopting the above technical solution, the storage module can be realized by an external pluggable storage module to store data.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sensing module includes a temperature sensor. By adopting the above technical solution, the temperature sensor can be used for monitoring the temperature of the bus connection point, detecting the temperature of the bus housing, etc., to improve the safety performance.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sensing module includes a temperature and humidity sensor connector for connecting an external temperature and humidity sensor. By adopting the above technical solution, the temperature and humidity sensor connector can be externally connected to a temperature and humidity sensor to realize the function of monitoring the ambient temperature and humidity.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, a vibration sensor is installed on the circuit board to realize the function of monitoring the vibration of the bus.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, an indicator light module is also provided on the circuit board. By adopting the above technical solution, the indicator light module can be used to indicate the status information of the sensor module, improving the visualization degree and safety factor.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing covers the second housing, and the control unit is located in the space after the first housing and the second housing are covered. By adopting the above technical solution, the housing is set as a first housing and a second housing that can be covered and disassembled, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly, and is also beneficial to the assembly of the control unit, facilitating popularization and application.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, a first buckle portion is provided on the first housing, and a second buckle portion that is engaged with the first buckle portion is provided on the second housing; a first through hole and a second through hole are also formed on the first housing. By adopting the above technical solution, the installation of the first housing and the second housing is convenient, and the snap-on installation can be achieved by using the buckle portion. The setting of the first through hole is beneficial to the signal display of the indicator light module, and the setting of the second through hole is beneficial to the setting of the reed group.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, a reed group column and a third through hole are provided on the second housing, a reed group hole is formed on the reed group column, and the reed group hole communicates with the internal space of the second housing. By adopting the above technical solution, the reed group column is beneficial to the installation of the reed groups of the low-voltage DC power bus and the communication bus.

[0017] A relay unit application system includes the relay unit described in any one of the above, and further includes a bus, a bus duct, and a power module. The bus is arranged in the bus duct. The bus includes a power supply bus, a low-voltage DC power bus, and a communication bus. Both the relay unit and the power module are directly or indirectly arranged on the bus duct. By adopting the above technical solution, the bus is a composite bus, integrating a power supply bus, a low-voltage DC power bus, and a communication bus. The relay unit application system can be plug-and-play, safe and convenient, and has strong popularization.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: Compared with the traditional cable connection method for power supply and communication of the plug-in box, the relay unit of the present invention combines the composite bus technology. The control unit adopted includes a circuit board, a low-voltage DC power transfer module, a communication transfer module, and a sensing module. The connection or disconnection of the low-voltage DC power bus can be skillfully controlled according to the operation requirements. It can not only achieve the connection of the low-voltage DC power bus (unified power supply), but also achieve the disconnection of the low-voltage DC power bus (fault removal). Coupled with the application of the ring network power supply method, the availability of the low-voltage DC power bus can be maximized; for the relay control of the communication bus, the communication transfer module can, according to the operation requirements, not only achieve the relay of the communication bus (improve the signal anti-interference ability and solve the adverse effect of the shortened signal transmission distance caused by the non-shielded twisted pair communication), but also achieve the disconnection of the communication bus (fault removal). Coupled with the application of the ring network communication method, the availability and reliability of the communication can be maximized; the sensing module can comprehensively achieve the temperature monitoring function, ensuring the safe operation of the bus. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the relay unit provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1Explosion schematic diagram of the relay unit in

[0021] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of part I in

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic structural diagram of the relay unit provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention from another angle;

[0023] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Explosion schematic diagram of the relay unit in

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of the relay unit application system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1. First housing; 2. Second housing; 3. Circuit board; 4. Indicator light; 5-1. First low-voltage DC power bus reed group; 5-2. Second low-voltage DC power bus reed group; 6. Temperature and humidity sensor connector; 7-1. First communication bus reed group; 7-2. Second communication bus reed group; 8. SD card module; 9. Temperature sensor; 11. First through hole; 111. Annular column; 12. Second through hole; 13. First buckle part; 21. Reed group column; 22. Reed group hole; 23. Second buckle part; 24. Third through hole; 25. Fourth through hole; 26. Third buckle part; 100. Relay unit; 200. End cover; 300. Bus duct; 400. Power module. Specific embodiments

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0028] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "installation", "connection", "linkage", "fixation", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances. Embodiment

[0029] Relay unit 100, refer to Figures 1 to 5 , including a housing and a control unit. The control unit is installed inside the housing. The control unit includes a circuit board 3, a low-voltage DC power transfer module, a communication transfer module, and a sensing module. The low-voltage DC power transfer module, the communication transfer module, and the sensing module are all connected to the circuit board 3. The low-voltage DC power transfer module includes a first low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-1 and a second low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-2; the communication transfer module includes a first communication bus reed group 7-1 and a second communication bus reed group 7-2.

[0030] In this example, there are two low-voltage DC power bus reed groups, namely the first low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-1 and the second low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-2. The first low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-1 and the second low-voltage DC power bus reed group 5-2 are respectively connected to the low-voltage DC power buses of two sections of composite buses and are connected to a PCB board (i.e., the circuit board). Relay contacts (relay module or electronic switch) can be arranged on the circuit board to connect with each low-voltage DC power bus reed group. The system can control the relay to operate according to the operation requirements to complete the connection and disconnection of each section of the low-voltage DC power bus.

[0031] There are two communication bus reed groups, namely the first communication bus reed group 7-1 and the second communication bus reed group 7-2. The first communication bus reed group 7-1 and the second communication bus reed group 7-2 are respectively connected to the communication buses of two sections of composite buses and are connected to a PCB board (circuit board). A relay circuit can be arranged on the circuit board to connect with each communication bus reed group. The system controls the signal relay or shielding of the relay circuit according to the operation requirements to complete the connection and disconnection of the two sections of communication buses.

[0032] A storage module is also arranged on the circuit board 3. In this embodiment, the storage module includes an SD card module 8.

[0033] The sensing module includes a temperature sensor 9. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 9 is an infrared temperature sensor, which is arranged in two rows side by side, with 5 in each row, a total of 10. Among them, 8 infrared temperature sensors are used to monitor the temperatures of 10 joints connected by 5 busbars.

[0034] The sensing module includes a temperature and humidity sensor connector 6 for connecting an external temperature and humidity sensor. The external temperature and humidity sensor connector 6 can be used to connect two temperature sensors (monitoring the housing temperatures of the left and right two sections of busbars) and one temperature and humidity sensor (monitoring the ambient temperature and humidity sensor).

[0035] The sensing module further includes a vibration sensor, which is welded to the circuit board 3 and is used to realize the function of monitoring the vibration of the busbar.

[0036] An indicator light module including an indicator light 4 is further provided on the circuit board 3. A headphone jack, a micro switch, and necessary resistors, capacitors, etc. are also provided on the circuit board. The circuit board 3 can be fixed to the second housing 2 through fasteners. In other embodiments, it can be fixed to the first housing 1.

[0037] The housing includes a first housing 1 and a second housing 2. The first housing 1 covers the second housing 2, and the control unit is located in the space formed after the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are covered.

[0038] A first buckle portion 13 is provided on the first housing 1, and a second buckle portion 23 that is engaged with the first buckle portion 13 is provided on the second housing 2; each buckle portion can be a hook or a slot, etc. A first through hole 11 and a second through hole 12 are further opened on the first housing 1. The first through hole 11 is used for the light of the indicator light 4 to pass through. At the position of the first through hole 11 inside the first housing 1, a downwardly protruding annular column 111 is further provided for the positioning and insertion of the indicator light, which can play a protective role.

[0039] A reed group column 21 and a third through hole 24 are provided on the second housing 2. The reed group column 21 can be located at the four corners of the second housing 2. Two reed group holes 22 are opened on each reed group column 21, and the reed group holes 22 communicate with the internal space of the second housing 2 and can be used for the insertion of each low-voltage DC power busbar reed group and the communication busbar reed group; the number and position of the third through holes 24 can correspond to the number and position of the temperature sensors 9 respectively for the exposure of the temperature sensors 9. A fourth through hole 25 is further provided on the second housing 2 for the insertion of an SD card.

[0040] On the lower surface of the second housing 2, a third buckle portion 26 is provided. The third buckle portion 26 is a hook and is used for clamping on the busbar groove 300 or the end cover 200 of the busbar groove.

[0041] The relay unit 100 realizes the cascade of the low-voltage DC power bus and the communication bus. Moreover, this cascade is not a simple electrical connection but an intelligent cascade. The relay unit connects or disconnects the low-voltage DC power bus according to the operation needs of the system, and realizes the relay or disconnection function of the communication bus. It has strong practicability and is conducive to popularization. The relay unit also integrates the functions of monitoring the temperature of the power supply bus connection point, detecting the temperature of the bus housing, and monitoring the environmental temperature and humidity, making it safe and durable. Embodiment

[0042] A relay unit application system, refer to Figure 6 , including the relay unit 100 described in Embodiment 1, and also including a bus, a bus duct 300 and a power module 400. The bus is arranged in the bus duct 300. The bus includes a power supply bus, a low-voltage DC power bus and a communication bus. Both the relay unit and the power module 400 are directly or indirectly arranged on the bus duct 300. The bus ducts 300 are connected by end caps 200, and the relay unit 100 can be arranged on the end caps 200.

[0043] The bus is a composite bus, integrating a power supply bus, a low-voltage DC power bus and a communication bus. It avoids the drawbacks of the existing end bus system, enabling intelligent devices such as the relay unit supporting the bus to fully achieve true plug-and-play and completely eliminating the need for external cables.

[0044] In this relay unit application system, the connection or disconnection control of the low-voltage DC power supply bus realizes the function of an intelligent ring network while achieving the bus cascade; the relay control of the communication bus realizes the function of an intelligent ring network while achieving the communication cascade, and at the same time ensures the communication reliability and the extension of the communication distance; meanwhile, the temperature monitoring function of the bus is completed, significantly improving the practicability and facilitating popularization and application.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention in each embodiment.

Claims

1. Relay unit, characterized in that: It includes a housing and a control unit. The control unit is installed inside the housing. The control unit includes a circuit board (3), a low-voltage DC power transfer module, a communication transfer module, and a sensing module. The low-voltage DC power transfer module, the communication transfer module, and the sensing module are all connected to the circuit board (3). The low-voltage DC power transfer module includes a first low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-1) and a second low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-2). The first low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-1) and the second low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-2) are respectively connected to the low-voltage DC power buses on two sections of the bus. At the same time, the first low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-1) and the second low-voltage DC power bus reed group (5-2) are connected through a relay module or an electronic switch module located on the circuit board (3). The communication transfer module includes a first communication bus reed group (7-1) and a second communication bus reed group (7-2). The first communication bus reed group (7-1) and the second communication bus reed group (7-2) are respectively connected to the communication buses on two sections of the bus. At the same time, the first communication bus reed group (7-1) and the second communication bus reed group (7-2) are connected through a communication relay circuit located on the circuit board (3). A storage module is also provided on the circuit board (3).

2. The relay unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing module includes a temperature sensor (9). The sensing module also includes a temperature and humidity sensor connector (6) for connecting an external temperature and humidity sensor, and a vibration sensor welded on the circuit board (3).

3. The relay unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: An indicator light module is also provided on the circuit board (3).

4. The relay unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The housing includes a first housing (1) and a second housing (2). The first housing (1) covers the second housing (2). The control unit is located in the space after the first housing (1) and the second housing (2) are covered.

5. The relay unit according to claim 4, wherein: A first buckle portion (13) is provided on the first housing (1), and a second buckle portion (23) that is engaged with the first buckle portion (13) is provided on the second housing (2). A first through hole (11) and a second through hole (12) are also opened on the first housing (1).

6. The relay unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: A reed group column (21) and a third through hole (24) are provided on the second housing (2). A reed group hole (22) is opened on the reed group column (21), and the reed group hole (22) communicates with the internal space of the second housing (2).

7. A relay unit application system, characterized in that: It includes the relay unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and also includes a bus, a bus duct (300), and a power module (400). The bus is arranged in the bus duct (300). The bus includes a power supply bus, a low-voltage DC power bus, and a communication bus. The relay unit and the power module (400) are both directly or indirectly arranged on the bus duct (300).

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