Hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control

Abstract

The invention discloses a hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control, which comprises a mode selection unit used for outputting levels representing different working modes according to user operation, and a priority arbitration unit used for physically switching a control path on a hardware level according to a level signal, mode priority setting is realized on hardware; the driving output unit is used for driving an external fire-fighting executing mechanism; and the state feedback unit is used for feeding back the state of the actually gated control path to the control chip in real time so as to realize mode visualization and event recording. Mode priority arbitration is achieved in a pure hardware mode, and misoperation caused by software faults is avoided; the arbitrated signal enters a power driving link, so that delay and interference are reduced, and the action reliability of an execution mechanism is improved; the state feedback unit is independent of user input so as to ensure that the system can accurately obtain the actual operation state, and the overall safety level of the fire control system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fire control and electrical automation technology, and in particular to a hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control. Background Technology

[0002] The direct start output control of the fire alarm controller is the core execution link of the fire protection system, and its reliability is directly related to the safety of life and property. In this link, the switching function between manual and automatic control modes is particularly critical. It must ensure a clear and reliable handover of control under any circumstances, especially in emergency situations, where manual control should have absolute priority and certainty.

[0003] Existing fire alarm controllers often use pure software settings or simple physical switches for direct-start output manual / automatic switching. Pure software solutions are prone to mode malfunction and low reliability when the program malfunctions; while ordinary physical switches can only open and close circuits, offering limited functionality and failing to effectively feed back the switching status to the main control system for monitoring and recording, thus reducing system maintainability and security. Therefore, current technical solutions suffer from the following problems: 1. Insufficient reliability: Pure software switching or simple switches may experience mode malfunctions and instruction conflicts under abnormal conditions (such as MCU program crashes). 2. Unknown status: The switching status of physical switches cannot be read, identified, or recorded by the main control system, leading to a black box problem in system status monitoring, log recording, and intelligent linkage. 3. Limited and rigid functionality: Traditional switching circuits only have basic on / off functions and cannot achieve hardware priority arbitration, signal safety isolation, and integrated drive capabilities.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a switching circuit that combines hardware reliability, status monitoring, and clear priority management to improve the overall safety level of the fire control system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control, which solves the technical problem in the existing fire control system that the manual and automatic paths rely on software determination, and are prone to control priority disorder, path misselection or actuator loss of control due to program abnormalities or communication failures.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control, comprising a mode selection unit, a priority arbitration unit and a drive output unit connected in sequence, and a status feedback unit connected to the priority arbitration unit.

[0008] A mode selection unit is used to respond to user operation and output a first level signal, the first level signal having a first level state representing a first mode and a second level state representing a second mode;

[0009] The priority arbitration unit is used to connect the first control signal path of the main control board and physically disconnect the second control signal path when the first level signal is in the first level state; and to connect the second control signal path and physically disconnect the first control signal path of the main control board when the first level signal is in the second level state, and to implement the priority of the second mode in hardware.

[0010] The drive output unit is used to amplify the selected control signal and drive the external fire-fighting actuator.

[0011] The status feedback unit is used to generate a second level signal corresponding to the control path currently connected on the main control board, and transmit the second level signal to the control chip in real time to realize the visualization of the mode status, event recording and logic linkage.

[0012] Preferably, the mode selection unit is implemented using a panel rotary switch;

[0013] The first mode is automatic mode, and the second mode is manual mode;

[0014] When the user sets the working mode to automatic mode using the panel knob, the first level is low; when the user sets the working mode to manual mode using the panel knob, the first level is high.

[0015] Preferably, the mode selection unit is implemented using an electronic button input module;

[0016] The electronic button input module is connected to the control chip, and the control chip generates a corresponding first level signal after completing the authorization verification.

[0017] Preferably, the priority arbitration unit adopts an asymmetric hardware structure;

[0018] The first control signal path of the main control board has a corresponding shielding switch, while the second control signal path does not have a corresponding shielding switch.

[0019] When the first level signal is in the second level state, the second control signal path remains continuously on, and the priority of the second mode is implemented in hardware.

[0020] Preferably, the priority arbitration unit includes a first switch Q5 and a second switch Q6 for controlling the first and second control signal paths of the main control board; the shielding switch of the first control signal path is the second switch Q6, and the arbitration execution node is TP43;

[0021] The first switch Q5 is a P-type MOSFET, and the second switch Q6 is an N-type MOSFET;

[0022] The source of the first switch Q5 is connected to the power supply VCC, and the gate is connected to the drain of the second switch Q6. The drain of the first switch Q5 is grounded through resistor R101; the source of the second switch Q6 is grounded, and the gate is connected to the output terminal of the mode selection unit through resistor R999.

[0023] The first control signal path of the main control board includes the automatic control enable signal output by the power supply VCC through resistor R94.

[0024] The second control signal path of the main control board includes the manual control enable signal output by the power supply VCC after passing through the first switching transistor Q5.

[0025] Preferably, the priority arbitration unit further includes a first logic chip U21 and a second logic chip U23;

[0026] The chip select signal input terminal of the first logic chip U21 is connected to the automatic control enable signal terminal, and the chip select signal input terminal of the second logic chip U23 is connected to the manual control enable signal terminal.

[0027] The first logic chip U21 and the second logic chip U23 are used to transmit the corresponding logic control signals to the subsequent drive output unit when in the priority arbitration strobe state.

[0028] Preferably, the drive output unit includes a drive device U22;

[0029] The driving device U22 is used to amplify the power of the control signal after arbitration selection and output the amplified control signal to the control terminal of the external fire-fighting actuator.

[0030] Preferably, the status feedback unit includes a feedback node TP45;

[0031] Feedback node TP45 is connected to the gate of the second switch Q6; it is used to detect the potential of the arbitration execution node TP43 and generate a corresponding second level signal to feed back to the control chip.

[0032] Preferably, the status feedback unit transmits the second-level signal to the control chip in real time to realize the visualization of the mode status, event recording, and logical linkage, including:

[0033] The current mode status is displayed on the human-machine interface;

[0034] Record mode switching events to the system log;

[0035] In manual mode, prompts related to automatic control are automatically disabled.

[0036] Preferably, the mode selection unit includes a multi-position selection switch or a multi-button input structure for selecting at least three working modes; wherein, the three modes include at least automatic mode, manual mode and debugging mode;

[0037] The priority arbitration unit uses a multi-channel analog switch chip or multi-channel relay array with at least three communication channels to physically switch the control signals of automatic mode, manual mode and debugging mode according to a preset priority order.

[0038] The status feedback unit is also used to output a third level status in debug mode to provide feedback to the control chip on the operating status of the current working mode.

[0039] Compared with existing technologies, the hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control proposed in this invention has the following advantages:

[0040] (1) This invention constructs a linkage structure between a mode selection unit and a priority arbitration unit at the hardware level, enabling the switching between automatic and manual modes to be independent of the control chip or software logic, thereby avoiding the problem of incorrect control path selection due to program abnormalities, communication interruptions, or chip failures. By setting a hardware shielding structure in the first control signal path, the automatic path can be physically isolated in the second mode, ensuring that the manual mode maintains priority under all circumstances, significantly improving the inherent safety of the fire control system.

[0041] (2) The drive output unit of the present invention amplifies the power of the control signal selected by the priority arbitration unit, so that the control signal can drive the external fire-fighting actuator with a stable current / voltage, thereby ensuring the reliability and consistency of the actuator's operation. Since the signal after arbitration directly enters the drive link in hardware, it does not need to be judged or processed by software again, which effectively reduces the delay, interference and malfunction risk in the signal transmission link, and improves the overall system's response speed and anti-interference capability.

[0042] (3) By setting up a status feedback unit, this invention transmits the second-level signal corresponding to the currently active control path to the control chip in real time, enabling the control chip to accurately obtain the actual operating mode of the system, rather than just the user's intention. This dual-layer information structure of "intention layer input" and "result layer output feedback" allows the system to realize management functions such as mode display, event recording, and linkage judgment on the main control panel, avoiding the problem of unknown status caused by user misoperation or path abnormality, and greatly improving the maintainability and intelligence level of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control provided by the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2(a) is the first part of the circuit structure diagram of the hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control provided by the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2(b) is the second part of the circuit structure diagram of the hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] Please see Figure 1 This embodiment provides a hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control, including a mode selection unit 101, a priority arbitration unit 102 and a drive output unit 103 connected in sequence, and a status feedback unit 104 connected to the priority arbitration unit 102.

[0049] The mode selection unit 101 is used to respond to user operation and output a first level signal, the first level signal having a first level state representing a first mode and a second level state representing a second mode;

[0050] The priority arbitration unit 102 is used to, when the first level signal is in the first level state, to turn on the first control signal path of the main control board and physically cut off the second control signal path; when the first level signal is in the second level state, to turn on the second control signal path and physically cut off the first control signal path of the main control board, and to implement the priority of the second mode in hardware.

[0051] The drive output unit 103 is used to amplify the selected control signal and drive the external fire-fighting actuator.

[0052] The status feedback unit 104 is used to generate a second level signal corresponding to the control path currently connected on the main control board, and transmit the second level signal to the control chip in real time to realize the visualization of the mode status, event recording and logic linkage.

[0053] In this embodiment, the circuit outputs different level states through a mode selection unit. The priority arbitration unit can directly and physically disconnect or connect the automatic and manual control paths based on these levels without relying on software, fundamentally avoiding the automatic control signal overriding the manual control. The arbitration-tried control signal enters the drive output unit, and after hardware power amplification, directly drives the external fire-fighting actuator, ensuring that the action link is not affected by software delays or communication anomalies. Simultaneously, through the status feedback unit, the "actually selected control path status" is fed back to the main control chip in real time, realizing the separation of control intent and actual action, enabling the system to accurately grasp the true operating status.

[0054] The working principle of this embodiment will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 2(a) and 2(b). The working mode of this circuit is divided into four stages:

[0055] Phase 1: Status Input - User Setting Mode Status

[0056] Please refer to Figure 2(a). In this embodiment, the mode selection unit is implemented using a panel rotary switch K1.

[0057] The first mode is automatic mode, and the second mode is manual mode;

[0058] The initial state is set to automatic mode. After the system powers on, switch K1 is open, node TP44 is low, and both the second switch Q6 and the first switch Q5 are cut off. The gate of the second switch Q6 outputs a low level, and the gate of the second switch Q6 is connected to the I / O port of the control chip through resistor R104. Resistors R104 and R107 are voltage divider resistors. The Schottky diode pair D46 is connected in parallel across resistor R107 to provide overvoltage protection for the input signal and prevent reverse current, thereby protecting the gate of the N-type MOSFET Q6. Nodes TP45 and the M signal are both high, and node TP43 is low.

[0059] Phase Two: Logical Judgment and Path Switching - Hardware Priority Arbitration

[0060] Please refer to Figure 2(b). When in the default automatic mode, the M signal is high, which enables the first logic chip U21, thus activating the automatic control signal path. At this time, the direct-start output is controlled by the MCU's internal logic (such as the preset fire alarm linkage logic).

[0061] When manual operation is required, the knob switch is turned to the "manual" position, switching the mode to manual mode. At this time, switch K1 is closed, TP44 outputs a high level, and the physical states of the first switch Q5 and the second switch Q6 change. TP43 outputs a high level, while TP45 outputs a low level. At this time, the enable signal of the second logic chip U23 is selected, and the manual control panel output circuit is turned on.

[0062] This invention employs pure hardware arbitration. When the user selects manual mode via a mode selection switch, the automatic path is immediately and forcibly "physically cut off" at the hardware level. This manual-priority switching process from automatic to manual mode does not rely on the MCU, program state, or communication, ensuring the absolute priority of manual commands. It avoids mode conflicts at the physical level, forcibly restrains automatic signals in manual mode, and realizes the function of manual control having absolute priority under any conditions.

[0063] Phase 3: Signal Output - Driver Execution

[0064] After hardware arbitration, the selected signal continues to be transmitted to the subsequent drive circuit, which includes the drive chip U22 and its peripheral circuitry. The drive circuit amplifies the control signal to give it sufficient driving capability, ultimately controlling external relays or contactors to start or stop the fire-fighting equipment.

[0065] It should be noted that once a signal is selected in the arbitration process, its voltage level is sent to the driver device U22. After current amplification or voltage conversion by its internal transistors or driver array, the signal is output to the external fire actuator interfaces ZK1 to ZKx, ensuring that the actuators receive sufficient driving power and complete the corresponding actions. This structure establishes a continuous hardware link from the arbitration result to the execution action, ensuring that the output signal is fast, stable, and has anti-interference capabilities.

[0066] Phase 4: Status Feedback - System Status Visualization and Monitoring

[0067] The final signal destination after priority arbitration in the control path is the arbitration node TP43, whose level directly reflects whether automatic or manual control is currently dominant. The level of this node is divided and shaped before being output at TP45, and sent to the control chip as the "actual path status signal" to record the source and mode of the executed action. Simultaneously, to distinguish between user intent and actual action, the output signal TP44 of the mode selection unit also generates a mode intent feedback signal SD / ZD_KZ via a resistor network, enabling the control chip to simultaneously obtain two independent pieces of information: the "user-selected mode" and the "actually activated hardware mode."

[0068] Through this dual-path feedback structure, the system can accurately display whether it is in automatic, manual, or manual-priority mode on the panel or monitoring platform, and record events and issue alarms when there is abnormal mode, path failure, or inconsistent actuator action, thereby realizing real-time monitoring and high-reliability operation and maintenance management of the control link.

[0069] It's important to note that SD / ZD_KZ is controlled entirely according to the user's switching intentions, maintaining the same level as node TP44. However, it may be affected by factors such as a broken knob. Feedback node TP45, on the other hand, reflects the final hardware selection result, determined entirely by the hardware states of the second switch Q6, the first logic chip U21, and the second logic chip U23, offering the highest reliability. Therefore, dual verification of mode selection is achieved, enabling the system to separately identify both "user selection" and "hardware execution" states, significantly improving fault diagnosis capabilities, control link reliability, and the inherent safety of the fire protection system.

[0070] Furthermore, during path switching, a signal representing the current actual path status (i.e., whether it's manual or automatic mode) generated by the logic circuit is acquired in real time through a line labeled "MCU Automatic Control Output," and this status signal is sent back to the input pin of the control chip (MCU). This hardware status can be read by the MCU software, thereby achieving:

[0071] Human-machine interface display: The screen clearly indicates the "automatic" or "manual" status.

[0072] Operation log recording: Record all mode switching events into the database to meet the requirements for security event recording.

[0073] System logic linkage: For example, in manual mode, the software can automatically block irrelevant automatic prompts, making the operation logic clearer.

[0074] The above analysis shows that the circuit in this embodiment achieves the following:

[0075] 1. High reliability: The system achieves absolute priority of manual mode and physical switching of signal paths through hardware circuitry, fundamentally eliminating mode conflicts, ensuring the certainty of emergency operations, and ensuring high system security.

[0076] 2. Status can be monitored: The hardware switching status is fed back to the MCU in real time, enabling the system to have the ability to visualize modes, record operations, and link logic, with strong intelligence and maintainability.

[0077] 3. Functional integration: The system integrates multiple functions such as mode selection, priority arbitration, signal isolation drive and status feedback, which simplifies system design and improves the circuit's anti-interference ability and overall reliability.

[0078] Example 2

[0079] In this embodiment, the mode selection structure in Embodiment 1 is further improved by replacing the traditional panel rotary switch with an electronic button module that has software access control functionality. When the user needs to switch operating modes, they initiate a mode switching command via the electronic button. Upon receiving the command, the control chip first executes an access control verification process, including verifying the password, key, or other authentication information. Only when the access control verification is successful will the control chip allow the mode switching operation to be performed.

[0080] Regarding the implementation of mode switching, the control chip does not directly modify the control path in software. Instead, it simulates the aforementioned hardware switching logic of this invention by controlling the enable terminal of an analog switch chip or relay array. For example, after successful authorization, the control chip outputs a control signal according to the target mode, causing the analog switch corresponding to the automatic control path to be turned on or off, and simultaneously controlling the switching state of the manual path to form a hardware path configuration consistent with the physical switching of the knob. This allows for more flexible management of mode switching permissions while retaining the hardware-level priority arbitration structure.

[0081] Through the above methods, this embodiment not only maintains the hardware-level priority of manual mode over automatic mode, ensuring that the system has a reliable safety control strategy under any circumstances, but also introduces an electronic access control mechanism, which improves the system's operational security, anti-misoperation capabilities, and remote configuration capabilities, making it more suitable for the application needs of modern intelligent fire control platforms.

[0082] Example 3

[0083] In this embodiment, the hardware priority arbitration structure of the present invention is further extended to multi-channel signal selection and multi-mode control scenarios. To meet the needs of some fire control systems for maintenance, calibration, or functional testing under special operating conditions, this embodiment adds a set of "debugging mode" control signal sources on the basis of the original automatic and manual modes, and expands the circuit structure accordingly.

[0084] Specifically, the mode selection unit has been upgraded from a two-position knob or electronic button to a multi-position selector with three output positions, used to indicate the three operating states: automatic mode, manual mode, and debugging mode. Correspondingly, the priority arbitration unit has been expanded from a two-way selection circuit to a three-way structure, employing a multi-channel analog switch chip or multi-channel relay array with more input channels to connect to the automatic control path, manual control path, and debugging control path respectively. When the mode selector switches to debugging mode, the arbitration unit, according to the set priority relationship, conducts the debugging signal path while simultaneously physically cutting off the automatic and manual paths, ensuring that the debugging signal has exclusive control of the control link, thereby guaranteeing the safety and controllability of the debugging process.

[0085] After the signal is arbitrated, it is still amplified by the drive output unit to drive the external actuator, maintaining the output action chain consistent with other modes. In addition, the status feedback unit has also been upgraded according to the path expansion requirements, generating three different feedback levels by detecting the actual conduction path of the arbitration node, enabling the control chip to accurately determine whether it is in automatic, manual or debugging mode, and realizing precise visualization and complete recording of the system status.

[0086] Through the above structural extension, this embodiment is not only applicable to two-mode switching scenarios, but also maintains the security feature of hardware priority arbitration in systems that require more mode management, and ensures clear and reliable switching between different modes. It is especially suitable for business scenarios with multiple scenarios and multiple permission requirements, such as intelligent fire protection and industrial control.

[0087] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control, characterized by, The mode selection unit, the priority arbitration unit and the driving output unit are connected in sequence, and the state feedback unit is connected to the priority arbitration unit; The mode selection unit is used for responding to user operation and outputting a first level signal, the first level signal having a first level state representing a first mode and a second level state representing a second mode; The priority arbitration unit is used for turning on a first control signal path of the main control board and physically cutting off a second control signal path when the first level signal is in the first level state, and turning on the second control signal path and physically cutting off the first control signal path of the main control board when the first level signal is in the second level state, and realizing the priority of the second mode in hardware; The driving output unit is used for power amplifying the selected control signal and driving an external fire-fighting execution mechanism; The state feedback unit is used for generating a second level signal corresponding to the control path currently turned on by the main control board, and transmitting the second level signal to the control chip in real time to realize the visualization of the mode state, event recording and logical linkage.

2. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The mode selection unit is realized by a panel knob switch; The first mode is an automatic mode, and the second mode is a manual mode; When the user sets the working mode to the automatic mode through the panel knob, the first level state is a low level, and when the user sets the working mode to the manual mode through the panel knob, the first level state is a high level.

3. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The mode selection unit is realized by an electronic button input module; The electronic button input module is connected to the control chip, and the control chip generates a corresponding first level signal after completing permission verification.

4. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The priority arbitration unit adopts an asymmetric hardware structure; The first control signal path of the main control board has a corresponding shielding switch, and the second control signal path has no corresponding shielding switch; When the first level signal is in the second level state, the second control signal path is kept continuously turned on, and the priority of the second mode is realized in hardware.

5. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 4, wherein, The priority arbitration unit includes a first switch tube Q5 and a second switch tube Q6 for controlling the first\second control signal path of the main control board; the shielding switch of the first control signal path is the second switch tube Q6, and the arbitration execution node is TP43; The first switch tube Q5 is a P-type MOS tube, and the second switch tube Q6 is an N-type MOS tube; The source of the first switch tube Q5 is connected to the power supply VCC, the gate is connected to the drain of the second switch tube Q6, and the drain of the first switch tube Q5 is grounded through the resistor R101; the source of the second switch tube Q6 is grounded, and the gate is connected to the output end of the mode selection unit through the resistor R999; The first control signal path of the main control board includes an automatic control enable signal end output by the power supply VCC after passing through the resistor R94; The second control signal path of the main control board includes a manual control enable signal end output by the power supply VCC after passing through the first switch tube Q5.

6. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 5, wherein, The priority arbitration unit further includes a first logic chip U21 and a second logic chip U23; The chip select signal input end of the first logic chip U21 is connected with the automatic control enable signal end, and the chip select signal input end of the second logic chip U23 is connected with the manual control enable signal end; The first logic chip U21 and the second logic chip U23 are used for transmitting corresponding logic control signals to the driving output unit in the priority arbitration gating state.

7. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The driving output unit comprises a driving device U22; The driving device U22 is used for power amplifying the control signal after arbitration gating and outputting the amplified control signal to the control end of an external fire-fighting execution mechanism.

8. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 5, wherein, The state feedback unit comprises a feedback node TP45; The feedback node TP45 is connected with the gate of the second switch Q6 and is used for detecting the potential of the arbitration execution node TP43 and generating a corresponding second level signal to feed back to the control chip.

9. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The state feedback unit transmits the second level signal to the control chip in real time to realize the visualization of the mode state, event recording and logic linkage, including: Displaying the current mode state on the human-computer interface; Recording the mode switching event to the system log; Automatically shielding the prompt information related to the automatic control in the manual mode.

10. The hardware priority arbitration and selection circuit for fire control of claim 1, wherein, The mode selection unit comprises a multi-gear selection switch or a multi-key input structure for selecting at least three working modes, wherein the three modes at least include an automatic mode, a manual mode and a debugging mode; The priority arbitration unit adopts a multi-channel analog switch chip or a multi-relay array with at least three channels, and physically switches the control signals of the automatic mode, the manual mode and the debugging mode according to the preset priority order; The state feedback unit is also used for outputting a third level state in the debugging mode to feed back the running state of the working mode to the control chip.

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