Power supply monitoring device

Abstract

The power supply monitoring device (1A) is characterized by having: a power supply section (11-1); control sections (12-1, 12-2) that operate by power supplied from the power supply section (11-1); a switching section (13-1) that performs switching control corresponding to a switching request output by the control sections (12-1, 12-2), the switching control being switching between a conduction state in which power is supplied from the power supply section (11-1) to each of the control sections (12-1, 12-2) and a cutoff state in which the supply of power is cut off; a switching section (13-2) that is connected in parallel to the switching section (13-1) and performs switching control corresponding to a switching request output by the control sections (12-1, 12-2), the switching control being switching between the conduction state and the cutoff state; a masking section (14-1) that, corresponding to a first masking request output by the control section (12-1), invalidates the switching control performed by the switching section (13-1); and a masking section (14-2) that, corresponding to a second masking request output by the control section (12-2), invalidates the switching control performed by the switching section (13-2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power monitoring device for monitoring anomalies in power supply from a power supply unit. Background Technology

[0002] In control devices with built-in control units such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) like PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), redundancy of the control unit is sometimes used to provide greater safety for the user. By redundant the control unit, safe operation can be maintained even if one control unit malfunctions, allowing the malfunctioning control unit to stop safely. Additionally, a power monitoring function is provided that monitors the power supply to the control unit, detects abnormal states, and cuts off the power supply. Furthermore, in addition to power monitoring, sometimes a function is also included to diagnose the normal operation of this function.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that has a structure that divides the power supply path into two to make the CPU circuit, power cut-off circuit and power monitoring circuit redundant, and diagnoses the normal operation of the power monitoring function.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-021308 Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, according to the aforementioned prior art, since the power supply to one of the redundant control units is cut off during diagnosis, that control unit stops. After the diagnosis is completed, power is restored to perform a restart, but restarting also takes time. Thus, the redundancy structure of the control unit is not maintained during the diagnosis process, resulting in the following problems: the security of the redundant control unit is compromised; and the high-speed information processing implemented by the control unit is hindered.

[0006] The present invention was proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a power monitoring device that, while diagnosing the normal operation of the power monitoring function, can maintain the safety of the redundant control unit and continue high-speed information processing, wherein the power monitoring function is a power monitoring function for the redundant control unit.

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the objective, the power monitoring device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a first power supply unit that supplies power; a first control unit that operates using the power supplied from the first power supply unit; a second control unit that operates using the power supplied from the first power supply unit; and a first switching unit that performs switching control in response to switching requests output by the first and second control units, wherein the switching control is a conduction state for supplying power from the first power supply unit to the first and second control units respectively, and a cut-off state for cutting off the power supply. The system switches between the on and off states; a second switching unit, connected in parallel with the first switching unit, performs switching control in response to switching requests output by the first and second control units, which switches between the on and off states; a first shielding unit, corresponding to a first shielding request output by the first control unit, invalidates the switching control from the on to the off state performed by the first switching unit; and a second shielding unit, corresponding to a second shielding request output by the second control unit, invalidates the switching control from the on to the off state performed by the second switching unit.

[0008] The effects of the invention

[0009] The power monitoring device of the present invention achieves the following effect: when diagnosing the normal operation of the power monitoring function, it can maintain the safety of the redundant control unit and continue high-speed information processing. The power monitoring function is a power monitoring function for the redundant control unit. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of a power monitoring device.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the power monitoring device involved in Embodiment 2.

[0013] Figure 4 It means Figure 3 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of a power monitoring device.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the power monitoring device involved in Embodiment 3.

[0015] Figure 6 It means Figure 5 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of a power monitoring device.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the power monitoring device involved in Embodiment 4.

[0017] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of a power monitoring device.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the power monitoring device involved in Embodiment 5.

[0019] Figure 10 It means Figure 9 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of a power monitoring device.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 6.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 7.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 8.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 9.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 10.

[0025] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 11.

[0026] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device according to Embodiment 12. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The power monitoring device according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Implementation Method 1

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1. The power monitoring device 1A includes a power supply unit 11-1, control units 12-1 and 12-2, switching units 13-1 and 13-2, and shielding units 14-1 and 14-2.

[0030] The power supply unit 11-1 supplies power to the control units 12-1 and 12-2.

[0031] Control units 12-1 and 12-2 are driven by power supplied from power supply unit 11-1. Details of control units 12-1 and 12-2 will be described later.

[0032] Switching unit 13-1 is connected to the power supply path between power supply unit 11-1 and control units 12-1 and 12-2. Switching unit 13-1 performs switching control to switch between an on / off state and a off state. The on state is when power is supplied from power supply unit 11-1 to control units 12-1 and 12-2 respectively, and the off state is when the power supply is cut off. The function of the switching control performed by switching unit 13-1 is called the first off function. Switching unit 13-1 can switch between the on / off state in response to a switching request that requests switching between the on / off state. In this embodiment, switching unit 13-1 switches between the on / off state in response to an example of a switching request, namely a first off request or a second off request.

[0033] Switching unit 13-2 is connected in parallel with switching unit 13-1 in the power supply path between power supply unit 11-1 and control units 12-1 and 12-2. Switching unit 13-2 performs switching control to switch between an on state and an off state. The on state is when power is supplied from power supply unit 11-1 to control units 12-1 and 12-2 respectively, and the off state is when the power supply is cut off. The switching control function performed by switching unit 13-2 is called the second off function. Switching unit 13-2 can switch between the on state and the off state in response to a switching request. In this embodiment, switching unit 13-2 switches between the on state and the off state in response to an example of a switching request, namely a first off request or a second off request.

[0034] The shielding unit 14-1 can disable the switching control from the conducting state to the disconnected state performed by the switching unit 13-1, corresponding to the first shielding request output by the control unit 12-1. The shielding unit 14-1 is installed on the path through which the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request output by the control units 12-1 and 12-2 are transmitted to the switching unit 13-1. The shielding unit 14-1 has a first shielding function capable of switching between the conducting state and the disconnected state. The conducting state is the state in which the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request output by the control units 12-1 and 12-2 are transmitted to the switching unit 13-1, and the disconnected state is the state in which this transmission is interrupted. When the shielding unit 14-1 interrupts the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request, even if the control units 12-1 and 12-2 output the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request, they will not be transmitted to the switching unit 13-1, therefore the switching control performed by the switching unit 13-1 is invalid.

[0035] The shielding unit 14-2 can disable the switching control from the conducting state to the disconnected state performed by the switching unit 13-2, corresponding to the second shielding request output by the control unit 12-2. The shielding unit 14-2 is installed on the path through which the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request output by the control units 12-1 and 12-2 are transmitted to the switching unit 13-2. The shielding unit 14-2 has a second shielding function capable of switching between the conducting state and the disconnected state. The conducting state is the state in which the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request output by the control units 12-1 and 12-2 are transmitted to the switching unit 13-2, and the disconnected state is the state in which this transmission is interrupted. When the shielding unit 14-2 interrupts the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request, even if the control units 12-1 and 12-2 output the first disconnection request and the second disconnection request, they will not be transmitted to the switching unit 13-2, therefore the switching control performed by the switching unit 13-2 is invalid.

[0036] Here, details of control units 12-1 and 12-2 are explained. Control unit 12-1 has a cut-off request function 121-1, which outputs a first cut-off request to switch the on / off state of switching units 13-1 and 13-2. Additionally, control unit 12-1 has a shielding request function 122-1, which outputs a first shielding request to turn on and off the first cut-off request transmitted from control unit 12-1 to switching unit 13-1 and the second cut-off request transmitted from control unit 12-2 to switching unit 13-1. The first shielding request can also be described as a request to disable the switching control performed by switching unit 13-1.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 12-2 has a cut-off request function 121-2, which outputs a second cut-off request requesting a switch between the on and off states of the switching units 13-1 and 13-2. Additionally, the control unit 12-2 has a shielding request function 122-2, which outputs a second shielding request requesting the on and off states of the first cut-off request transmitted from the control unit 12-1 to the switching unit 13-2 and the second cut-off request transmitted from the control unit 12-2 to the switching unit 13-2. The second shielding request can also be described as a request to disable the switching control performed by the switching unit 13-2.

[0038] Control units 12-1 and 12-2 can cut off the power supply from power supply unit 11-1 through cut-off request functions 121-1 and 121-2, and can use cut-off request function 121-1 and shielding request function 122-1, or cut-off request function 121-2 and shielding request function 122-2, to cut off only one of switching unit 13-1 or switching unit 13-2 while maintaining the power supply.

[0039] The power supply to switching units 13-1 and 13-2 is cut off in the following way: control unit 12-1 outputs a first cut-off request or control unit 12-2 outputs a second cut-off request, thereby activating the first cut-off function of switching unit 13-1 and the second cut-off function of switching unit 13-2, causing switching units 13-1 and 13-2 to switch to the cut-off state.

[0040] While maintaining power supply to control units 12-1 and 12-2 and disconnecting only switching unit 13-2, firstly, a first shielding request is output from control unit 12-1 to shielding unit 14-1. As a result, shielding unit 14-1 switches to a disconnected state, and the switching control of switching unit 13-1 becomes ineffective. In this state, a first disconnection request is output from control unit 12-1. Therefore, the first disconnection request is not transmitted to switching unit 13-1; only switching unit 13-2 switches to a disconnected state corresponding to the first disconnection request. At this time, switching unit 13-2 is in a disconnected state, and switching unit 13-1 is in a connected state, thus maintaining power supply to control units 12-1 and 12-2 via switching unit 13-1.

[0041] When maintaining power supply to control units 12-1 and 12-2 and only disconnecting switching unit 13-1, similar to the case where only switching unit 13-2 is disconnected, firstly, a second shielding request is output from control unit 12-2 to shielding unit 14-2. As a result, shielding unit 14-2 switches to a disconnected state, and the switching control of switching unit 13-2 becomes ineffective. In this state, a second disconnection request is output from control unit 12-2. Therefore, the second disconnection request is not transmitted to switching unit 13-2; only switching unit 13-1 switches to a disconnected state corresponding to the second disconnection request. At this time, switching unit 13-1 is in a disconnected state, and switching unit 13-2 is in a connected state, thus maintaining power supply to control units 12-1 and 12-2 via switching unit 13-2.

[0042] Furthermore, various states can be achieved by combining the connections of each request. For example, the switching unit 13-2 can be disconnected only by the first shielding request from the control unit 12-1 and the second disconnection request from the control unit 12-2. In addition, the switching unit 13-1 can be disconnected only by the second shielding request from the control unit 12-2 and the first disconnection request from the control unit 12-1.

[0043] Suppose that any of the control units 12-1, 12-2, shielding units 14-1, 14-2 malfunctions, resulting in an unstable situation where the originally expected operation cannot be performed, then in an operation formed by the combination of the above requests, the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 are disconnected, thereby improving the reliability of the power monitoring device 1A and the control equipment with the power monitoring device 1A built in.

[0044] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1A. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 2 As shown, the power monitoring device 1A is implemented using power circuit 91-1, control circuits 92-1 and 92-2, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1 and 94-2, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2.

[0045] The power supply circuit 91-1 includes, for example, a DC stabilizing power supply device installed outside the control device to supply power to the control device, a linear regulator circuit that steps down the voltage supplied from the DC stabilizing power supply device, a switching regulator circuit that steps up or down the voltage, and an AC power supply installed outside the control device.

[0046] Control circuits 92-1 and 92-2 include, for example, circuits implemented by microcomputers, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and logic ICs (Integrated Circuits) that drive output circuits with predetermined logic relative to external inputs.

[0047] The cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 are, for example, circuits that are implemented by a switch composed of a field-effect transistor (MOSFET), and can switch between the on and off states by controlling the gate voltage from the outside.

[0048] Power monitoring circuits 94-1 and 94-2 are, for example, power monitoring ICs. They have terminals that identify overvoltage and undervoltage states by comparing the voltage of the monitored object with an arbitrary specified reference voltage. Additionally, they include voltage comparison circuits that can output signals that can distinguish the voltage monitoring results using two values: the H level and the L level of the voltage signal.

[0049] The shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2 are, for example, circuits implemented through the open-drain connection of MOSFETs. They output signals that can distinguish the first cutoff request from the control circuit 92-1 using two voltage signal values ​​of H level and L level, and output signals that can distinguish the second cutoff request from the control circuit 92-2 using two voltage signal values ​​of H level and L level. The gate voltage is controlled externally, thereby forcibly setting the output signals representing the first and second cutoff requests to L level. This shields the first and second cutoff requests from being output to the cutoff circuits 93-1 and 93-2, and disables the switching control of the cutoff circuits 93-1 and 93-2.

[0050] Peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2, such as memory circuits, assist the functions of control circuits 92-1 and 92-2 by communicating with each other.

[0051] The power output from power supply circuit 91-1 is input to disconnecting circuits 93-1 and 93-2. When both disconnecting circuits 93-1 and 93-2 are in the ON state, the power supplied from power supply circuit 91-1 is supplied to control circuits 92-1 and 92-2. When both are in the OFF state, the power supply to disconnecting circuits 93-1 and 93-2 is cut off. Since disconnecting circuits 93-1 and 93-2 are connected in parallel, if at least one of disconnecting circuits 93-1 and 93-2 is in the ON state, power is supplied to control circuits 92-1 and 92-2.

[0052] Control circuit 92-1 has a cut-off request function 921-1, which can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring result of power supply monitoring circuit 94-2 through a first cut-off request. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling the enable terminal of the IC of power supply monitoring circuit 94-2, or by changing the voltage division ratio by turning on the MOSFET for a power supply that is input and monitored after being divided by resistors. Power supply monitoring circuit 94-2 can receive the first cut-off request from control circuit 92-1 and identify overvoltage or undervoltage states, and send the first cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0053] Control circuit 92-2 has a cut-off request function 921-2, which can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring result of power supply monitoring circuit 94-1 through a second cut-off request. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling the enable terminal of the IC of power supply monitoring circuit 94-1, or by changing the voltage division ratio by turning on the MOSFET for a power supply that is input and monitored after being divided by resistors. Power supply monitoring circuit 94-1 can receive the second cut-off request from control circuit 92-2 to identify overvoltage or undervoltage states, and send the second cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0054] The control circuit 92-1 has a shielding request function 922-1, which can cut off the signal of the second cut-off request sent from the control circuit 92-2 to the cut-off circuit 93-1 via the power monitoring circuit 94-1 or the first cut-off request sent from the control circuit 92-1 to the cut-off circuit 93-1 via the power monitoring circuit 94-2 by activating the shielding circuit 95-1. Therefore, for the first or second cut-off request sent from the control circuit 92-1 or the control circuit 92-2, the cut-off circuit 93-1 can be selectively prevented from switching to the cut-off state.

[0055] The control circuit 92-2 has a shielding request function 922-2, which can cut off the signal of a first cutoff request sent from the control circuit 92-1 to the cutoff circuit 93-2 via the power monitoring circuit 94-2 or a second cutoff request sent from the control circuit 92-2 to the cutoff circuit 93-2 via the power monitoring circuit 94-1 by activating the shielding circuit 95-2. Therefore, for the first or second cutoff request sent from the control circuit 92-1 or the control circuit 92-2, the cutoff circuit 93-2 can be selectively prevented from switching to the cutoff state.

[0056] In addition, control circuit 92-1 has a communication function 923-1 for communication with peripheral circuit 96-1. Control circuit 92-2 has a communication function 923-2 for communication with peripheral circuit 96-2.

[0057] As mentioned above, for example, by using Figure 2 A circuit with the structure shown can achieve Figure 1 The power monitoring device 1A has the functions shown.

[0058] As described above, the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1 is characterized by comprising: a first power supply unit, namely power supply unit 11-1, which supplies power; a first control unit, namely control unit 12-1, which operates using the power supplied from power supply unit 11-1; a second control unit, namely control unit 12-2, which operates using the power supplied from power supply unit 11-1; and a first switching unit, namely switching unit 13-1, which performs switching control corresponding to the switching requests output by control unit 12-1 and control unit 12-2, namely the first cut-off request and the second cut-off request, wherein the switching control switches between an on state where power is supplied from power supply unit 11-1 to control unit 12-1 and control unit 12-2 respectively, and a cut-off state where power supply is cut off. The second switching unit, namely switching unit 13-2, is connected in parallel with switching unit 13-1. It performs switching control in response to the first and second disconnection requests output by control units 12-1 and 12-2, respectively. This switching control switches between the on-state (power supply from power supply unit 11-1 to control units 12-1 and 12-2) and the off-state (power supply cut off). The first shielding unit, namely shielding unit 14-1, disables the switching control performed by switching unit 13-1 in response to the first shielding request output by control unit 12-1. The second shielding unit, namely shielding unit 14-2, disables the switching control performed by switching unit 13-2 in response to the second shielding request output by control unit 12-2. According to the above structure, while maintaining power supply to control units 12-1 and 12-2, the redundant switching units 13-1 and 13-2 can be individually switched to an off-state. Therefore, power monitoring diagnostics can be performed without interfering with the information processing of control units 12-1 and 12-2. Furthermore, if an overvoltage or undervoltage condition is identified for a monitored object, the power supply to that monitored object is quickly cut off after diagnosis.

[0059] Implementation Method 2

[0060] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1B according to Embodiment 2. The power monitoring device 1B includes a power supply unit 11-1, control units 12B-1 and 12B-2, switching units 13-1 and 13-2, shielding units 14-1 and 14-2, and cut-off confirmation units 15-1 and 15-2. In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1, the power monitoring device 1B also includes cut-off confirmation units 15-1 and 15-2, and control units 12B-1 and 12B-2 replace the control units 12-1 and 12-2 of the power monitoring device 1A. The following mainly describes the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0061] The disconnection confirmation unit 15-1 is connected to the stage following the switching unit 13-1 in the power supply path via the switching unit 13-1. The power supply path branches off at the stage following the disconnection confirmation unit 15-1 to supply power to each of the control units 12B-1 and 12B-2.

[0062] The cut-off confirmation unit 15-2 is connected to the stage after the switching unit 13-2 in the power supply path via the switching unit 13-2, and the combination of the cut-off confirmation unit 15-2 and the switching unit 13-2 is connected in parallel with respect to the combination of the switching unit 13-1 and the cut-off confirmation unit 15-1.

[0063] The cut-off confirmation unit 15-1 has a first cut-off notification function, which is capable of identifying whether the switching unit 13-1 is in the on state or the off state, and outputting a first state information indicating whether the switching unit 13-1 is in the on state or the off state.

[0064] The cut-off confirmation unit 15-2 has a second cut-off notification function, which is capable of identifying whether the switching unit 13-2 is in the on state or the off state, and outputting a second state information indicating whether the switching unit 13-2 is in the on state or the off state.

[0065] In addition to the functions of the control unit 12-1, the control unit 12B-1 also has a cut-off determination function 123-1. The cut-off determination function 123-1 is capable of receiving the first status information output from the cut-off confirmation unit 15-1, determining whether the switching unit 13-1 is in the on state or the off state, and sharing the determination result with the control unit 12B-2 through communication.

[0066] In addition to the functions of the control unit 12-2, the control unit 12B-2 also has a cut-off determination function 123-2. The cut-off determination function 123-2 is capable of receiving the second status information output from the cut-off confirmation unit 15-2, determining whether the switching unit 13-2 is in the on state or the off state, and sharing the determination result with the control unit 12B-1 through communication.

[0067] After controlling the switching unit 13-1 and the switching unit 13-2 using the cut-off request function 121-1 of the control unit 12B-1 or the cut-off request function 121-2 of the control unit 12B-2, the control unit 12B-1 receives the first status information from the cut-off confirmation unit 15-1 through the cut-off determination function 123-1, thereby determining the actual status of the switching unit 13-1 and sharing the determination result with the control unit 12B-2 through communication.

[0068] Similarly, after controlling the switching unit 13-1 and the switching unit 13-2 using the cut-off request function 121-1 of the control unit 12B-1 or the cut-off request function 121-2 of the control unit 12B-2, the control unit 12B-2 receives the second status information from the cut-off confirmation unit 15-2 through the cut-off determination function 123-2, thereby determining the actual status of the switching unit 13-2 and sharing the determination result with the control unit 12B-1 through communication.

[0069] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, the control unit 12B-2 can receive a series of cutoff requests executed by the control unit 12B-1 as the execution result of the cutoff, and then make a determination. This allows for efficient separation of the unit executing the cutoff and the unit determining the cutoff, ensuring safety with high reliability. In cases where the control unit requesting and executing the diagnosis is the same as the control unit determining the diagnosis result, and an anomaly occurs in the control unit itself (the one requesting, executing, and determining the diagnosis), the diagnosis may sometimes fail to be performed correctly. In contrast, the above structure improves the reliability of the diagnosis.

[0070] Figure 4 It means Figure 3 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1B. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 4 As shown, the power monitoring device 1B is implemented using power supply circuit 91-1, control circuits 92-B1 and 92B-2, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1 and 94-2, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2, and cut-off confirmation circuits 97-1 and 97-2. The following mainly focuses on... Figure 2 The different parts of the circuit shown will be explained.

[0071] The cut-off confirmation circuit 97-1 is connected to the stage following the cut-off circuit 93-1. The cut-off confirmation circuit 97-2 is connected to the stage following the cut-off circuit 93-2. The combination of the cut-off circuit 93-2 and the cut-off confirmation circuit 97-2 is connected in parallel with the combination of the cut-off circuit 93-1 and the cut-off confirmation circuit 97-1.

[0072] The cut-off confirmation circuit 97-1, implemented by a rectifier such as a diode, is a circuit that outputs the voltage between the cut-off circuit 93-1 and the cut-off confirmation circuit 97-1 as an H level when the cut-off circuit 93-1 connected to the preceding stage is in the on state, and outputs it as an L level when the cut-off circuit 93-1 is in the off state.

[0073] The cut-off confirmation circuit 97-2, implemented by a rectifier such as a diode, is a circuit that outputs the voltage between the cut-off circuit 93-2 and the cut-off confirmation circuit 97-2 as an H level when the cut-off circuit 93-2 connected to the preceding stage is in the on state, and outputs it as an L level when the cut-off circuit 93-2 is in the off state.

[0074] In addition to the functions of control circuit 92-1, control circuit 92B-1 also has a cut-off determination function 924-1. Control circuit 92B-1 can receive the first status information output from cut-off confirmation circuit 97-1, determine whether cut-off circuit 93-1 is in the on state or in the off state, and can share the determination result by communicating with control circuit 92B-2.

[0075] In addition to the functions of control circuit 92-2, control circuit 92B-2 also has a cut-off determination function 924-2. Control circuit 92B-2 can receive the second status information output from cut-off confirmation circuit 97-2, determine whether cut-off circuit 93-2 is in the on state or in the off state, and can share the determination result by communicating with control circuit 92B-1.

[0076] As described above, the power monitoring device 1B according to Embodiment 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the power monitoring device 1A, it further includes: a first cut-off confirmation unit, namely cut-off confirmation unit 15-1, which is capable of transmitting first status information indicating whether the first switching unit, namely switching unit 13-1, is in an on state or a cut-off state; and a second cut-off confirmation unit, namely cut-off confirmation unit 15-2, which is capable of transmitting second status information indicating whether the second switching unit, namely switching unit 13-2, is in an on state or a cut-off state. The first control unit, namely control unit 12B-1, has a first cut-off determination function, namely cut-off determination function 123-1, which is capable of receiving the first status information and sharing the received first status information with the second control unit, namely control unit 12B-2, through communication. The control unit 12B-2 has a second cut-off determination function, namely cut-off determination function 123-2, which is capable of receiving the second status information and sharing the received second status information with the control unit 12B-1 through communication.

[0077] Implementation Method 3

[0078] Figure 5This diagram illustrates the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1C according to Embodiment 3. The power monitoring device 1C includes a power supply unit 11-1, control units 12-1 and 12-2, switching units 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3, and shielding units 14-1 and 14-2. In addition to the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1, the power monitoring device 1C also includes a switching unit 13-3. The following description mainly focuses on the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0079] The switching unit 13-3 is inserted into the power supply path between the power supply unit 11-1 and the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 that are connected in parallel.

[0080] The switching unit 13-3 has the function of monitoring the status of the power supply path from the power supply unit 11-1 to the control units 12-1 and 12-2, and switching the on and off states.

[0081] The switching unit 13-3 redundancy the first disconnection function of the switching unit 13-1 and the second disconnection function of the switching unit 13-2 with a single functional unit. Even if the power supply cannot be disconnected due to the failure of one or two functional units, the power supply path via the switching unit 13-1 and the power supply path via the switching unit 13-2 can be disconnected by setting the switching unit 13-3 to the disconnection state.

[0082] Figure 6 It means Figure 5 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1C. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 6 As shown, the power monitoring device 1C is implemented using power supply circuit 91-1, control circuits 92-1 and 92-2, cut-off circuits 93-1, 93-2 and 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2 and 94-3, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2. The following mainly discusses... Figure 2 The different parts of the circuit shown will be explained.

[0083] The cut-off circuit 93-3 is, for example, a circuit implemented by a switch composed of MOSFETs, which can switch between the on and off states by controlling the gate voltage from the outside.

[0084] The power monitoring circuit 94-3, for example, is a power monitoring IC, which has terminals that identify overvoltage and undervoltage states by comparing the voltage of the monitored object with an arbitrary specified reference voltage. In addition, it has a voltage comparison circuit that can output a signal that can distinguish the voltage monitoring result using two values: the H level and the L level of the voltage signal.

[0085] When the power supply monitoring circuit 94-3 detects an abnormality in the power supply path between the power supply circuit 91-1 and the disconnection circuit 93-3, it outputs a signal that identifies the abnormality to the disconnection circuit 93-3, thereby causing the disconnection circuit 93-3 to switch to a disconnection state and suppress the abnormal power supply.

[0086] As described above, the power monitoring device 1C according to Embodiment 3 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A, it also has a third switching unit, namely switching unit 13-3. This third switching unit is connected to the power supply path between the power supply unit 11-1 and switching units 13-1 and 13-2, and performs switching control. This switching control switches between the on state of supplying power from the power supply unit 11-1 to the control units 12-1 and 12-2 respectively, and the off state of cutting off the power. As a result, the cutting-off function is redundant, so even if an abnormality occurs in the power supply, the power supply path to the control units 12-1 and 12-2 can be cut off more reliably, thereby improving the safety of the power monitoring device 1C.

[0087] Implementation Method 4

[0088] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1D according to Embodiment 4. The power monitoring device 1D includes power supply units 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3; control units 12-1 and 12-2; switching units 13-1 and 13-2; shielding units 14-1 and 14-2; and monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2. In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1, the power monitoring device 1D also includes power supply units 11-2 and 11-3 and monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2. The following description mainly focuses on the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0089] The power supply unit 11-2 receives power supplied from the power supply unit 11-1 and supplies the power with controlled voltage and current to the control unit 12-1.

[0090] The power supply unit 11-3 receives power supplied from the power supply unit 11-1 and supplies the power with controlled voltage and current to the control unit 12-2.

[0091] The monitoring unit 16-1 is inserted between the power supply path from the power supply unit 11-2 to the control unit 12-1, and has the function of monitoring the status of the power supply path and outputting the monitoring results. For example, the monitoring unit 16-1 can monitor the voltage of the power supply path between the power supply unit 11-2 and the control unit 12-1, i.e., the first voltage, and output a third cut-off request to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 based on the first voltage. It can also relay the second cut-off request output by the control unit 12-2 and output it to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2.

[0092] The monitoring unit 16-2 is inserted between the power supply path from the power supply unit 11-3 to the control unit 12-2, and has the function of monitoring the status of the power supply path and outputting the monitoring results. For example, the monitoring unit 16-2 can monitor the voltage of the power supply path between the power supply unit 11-3 and the control unit 12-2, i.e., the second voltage, and output the fourth cut-off request to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 based on the second voltage. It can also relay the first cut-off request output by the control unit 12-1 to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2.

[0093] Furthermore, when the monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2 output the first to fourth cut-off requests to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2, the output is made via the shielding units 14-1 and 14-2.

[0094] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1D. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 8 As shown, the power monitoring device 1D is implemented using power supply circuits 91-1, 91-2, 91-3, control circuits 92-1, 92-2, cut-off circuits 93-1, 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-4, 94-5, shielding circuits 95-1, 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1, 96-2. The following mainly describes the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0095] Power supply circuits 91-2 and 91-3 are, for example, linear regulator circuits that step down the voltage supplied from power supply circuit 91-1, or switching regulator circuits that step up or down the voltage.

[0096] The power supply circuit 91-2 receives power from the power supply circuit 91-1 and supplies the controlled power to the control circuit 92-1 and peripheral circuit 96-1.

[0097] The power supply circuit 91-3 receives power from the power supply circuit 91-1 and supplies the controlled power to the control circuit 92-2 and the peripheral circuit 96-2.

[0098] Power monitoring circuits 94-4 and 94-5, for example, are power monitoring ICs. They have terminals that identify overvoltage and undervoltage states by comparing the monitored voltage with an arbitrary specified reference voltage. In addition, they are circuits that can output signals that can distinguish the voltage monitoring results using two values: the H level and the L level of the voltage signal.

[0099] Control circuit 92-1 can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring results of power monitoring circuit 94-5 via the first cut-off request function 921-1. Power monitoring circuit 94-5 can receive the first cut-off request from control circuit 92-1 to identify overvoltage or undervoltage states and send the first cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0100] Control circuit 92-2 can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring results of power monitoring circuit 94-4 via the second cut-off request function 921-2. Power monitoring circuit 94-4 can receive the second cut-off request from control circuit 92-2 to identify overvoltage or undervoltage states and send the second cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0101] As described above, the power monitoring device 1D according to Embodiment 4 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A, it further includes: a second power supply unit, namely power supply unit 11-2, which is connected to the power supply path between power supply unit 11-1 and control unit 12-1, and controls the power supplied by power supply unit 11-1 to supply power to control unit 12-1; a third power supply unit, namely power supply unit 11-3, which is connected to the power supply path between power supply unit 11-1 and control unit 12-2, and controls the power supplied by power supply unit 11-1 to supply power to control unit 12-2; and a first monitoring unit, namely monitoring unit 16-1, which is capable of monitoring power supply unit 11-2 and... The voltage of the power supply path between control units 12-1, i.e., the first voltage, is monitored. Based on the first voltage, a third disconnection request is output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. A second disconnection request output from control unit 12-2 is also relayed and output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. A second monitoring unit, i.e., monitoring unit 16-2, monitors the voltage of the power supply path between power supply unit 11-3 and control unit 12-2, i.e., the second voltage. Based on the second voltage, a fourth disconnection request is output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. A first disconnection request output from control unit 12-1 is also relayed and output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. Thus, the power of each of the multiple power supply paths can be monitored, and the power supply path can be disconnected based on the monitoring results.

[0102] Implementation Method 5

[0103] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1E according to Embodiment 5. The power monitoring device 1E includes power supply units 11-1 and 11-4, control units 12-1 and 12-2, switching units 13-1 and 13-2, shielding units 14-1 and 14-2, and monitoring units 16-3 and 16-4. In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A according to Embodiment 1, the power monitoring device 1E also includes a power supply unit 11-4 and monitoring units 16-3 and 16-4. The following description mainly focuses on the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0104] The power supply unit 11-4 receives power supplied from the power supply unit 11-1 and supplies the power with controlled voltage and current to the control units 12-1 and 12-2.

[0105] The monitoring unit 16-3 is inserted between the power supply path from the power supply unit 11-4 to the control units 12-1 and 12-2, and has the function of monitoring the state of the power supply path, i.e., the state of the power supplied by the power supply unit 11-4, and outputting the monitoring results. For example, the monitoring unit 16-3 can monitor the voltage, i.e., the third voltage, of the power supply path between the power supply unit 11-4 and the control units 12-1 and 12-2, and output a fifth cut-off request to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 based on the third voltage. It can also relay the second cut-off request output by the control unit 12-2 to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2. In addition, the monitoring unit 16-3 can output the second cut-off request and the fifth cut-off request to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 via the shielding units 14-1 and 14-2.

[0106] The monitoring unit 16-4 is inserted between the power supply paths from the power supply unit 11-4 to the control units 12-1 and 12-2, and has the function of monitoring the state of the power supply path, i.e., the state of the power supplied by the power supply unit 11-4, and outputting the monitoring results. Similar to the monitoring unit 16-3, the monitoring unit 16-4 can monitor the third voltage and output the sixth cut-off request to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 based on the third voltage. Furthermore, the monitoring unit 16-4 can relay the first cut-off request output from the control unit 12-1 to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2. In addition, the monitoring unit 16-4 can output both the first and sixth cut-off requests to the switching units 13-1 and 13-2 via the shielding units 14-1 and 14-2.

[0107] Figure 10 It means Figure 9 The diagram shows an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1E. (See diagram for reference.) Figure 10 As shown, the power monitoring device 1E is implemented using power supply circuits 91-1 and 91-4, control circuits 92-1 and 92-2, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-6, and 94-7, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2. The following mainly describes the parts that differ from the power monitoring device 1A.

[0108] The power supply circuit 91-4 may be, for example, a linear regulator circuit that steps down the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 91-1, or a switching regulator circuit that steps up or down the voltage.

[0109] The power supply circuit 91-4 receives power from the power supply circuit 91-1 and supplies the controlled power to the control circuits 92-1, 92-2 and peripheral circuits 96-1, 96-2.

[0110] Power monitoring circuits 94-6 and 94-7, for example, are power monitoring ICs. They have terminals that identify overvoltage and undervoltage states by comparing the monitored voltage with an arbitrary specified reference voltage. In addition, they are circuits that can output signals that can distinguish the voltage monitoring results using two values: the H level and the L level of the voltage signal.

[0111] Control circuit 92-1 can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring results of power monitoring circuit 94-7 via the first cut-off request function 921-1. Furthermore, power monitoring circuit 94-7 can receive the first cut-off request from control circuit 92-1, identify overvoltage or undervoltage conditions, and send the first cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0112] Control circuit 92-2 can arbitrarily control and output the voltage monitoring results of power monitoring circuit 94-6 via the second cut-off request function 921-2. Furthermore, power monitoring circuit 94-6 can receive the second cut-off request from control circuit 92-2, identify overvoltage or undervoltage conditions, and send the second cut-off request to cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2. Thus, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2 can switch to the off state.

[0113] As described above, the power monitoring device 1E according to Embodiment 5 is characterized in that, in addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A, it also includes: a fourth power supply unit, namely power supply unit 11-4, which is connected between power supply unit 11-1 and control unit 12-1 and control unit 12-2, and controls the power supplied by power supply unit 11-1 to supply power to control unit 12-1 and control unit 12-2; and a third monitoring unit, namely monitoring unit 16-3, which is capable of monitoring the voltage of the power supply path between power supply unit 11-4 and control unit 12-1 and control unit 12-2. The voltage is monitored, and based on the third voltage, a switching request, namely the fifth disconnection request, is output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. The second disconnection request output by control unit 12-2 can be relayed and output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. The fourth monitoring unit, namely monitoring unit 16-4, is capable of monitoring the third voltage and, based on the third voltage, outputs a switching request, namely the sixth disconnection request, to switching units 13-1 and 13-2. The first disconnection request output by control unit 12-1 can be relayed and output to switching units 13-1 and 13-2.

[0114] Furthermore, the structures of embodiments 1 to 5 described above can also be combined. Below, examples of combining embodiments will be described.

[0115] Implementation Method 6

[0116] In Embodiment 6, an example of combining the structures of Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1F according to Embodiment 6.

[0117] The power monitoring device 1F can be implemented using power supply circuit 91-1, control circuits 92B-1 and 92B-2, cutoff circuits 93-1, 93-2 and 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2 and 94-3, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2, and cutoff confirmation circuits 97-1 and 97-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 2 and 3.

[0118] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1F is the same as... Figure 11 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also has cut-off confirmation units 15-1 and 15-2, and has control units 12B-1 and 12B-2 instead of control units 12-1 and 12-2 of the power monitoring device 1A. Furthermore, the connection relationships of the functional units are the same as in embodiments 2 and 3.

[0119] Implementation Method 7

[0120] In Embodiment 7, an example of combining the structures of Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 4 will be described. Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1G according to Embodiment 7.

[0121] The power monitoring device 1G can be implemented using power circuits 91-1, 91-2, 91-3, control circuits 92B-1, 92B-2, cutoff circuits 93-1, 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-4, 94-5, shielding circuits 95-1, 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1, 96-2, and cutoff confirmation circuits 97-1, 97-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 2 and 4.

[0122] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1G is similar to... Figure 12 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also has power supply units 11-2 and 11-3, cut-off confirmation units 15-1 and 15-2, and monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2, and has control units 12B-1 and 12B-2 instead of control units 12-1 and 12-2. Furthermore, the connection relationships of the functional units are the same as in embodiments 2 and 4.

[0123] Implementation Method 8

[0124] In Embodiment 8, an example of combining the structure of Embodiment 2 and the structure of Embodiment 5 will be described. Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1H according to Embodiment 8.

[0125] The power monitoring device 1H can be implemented using power circuits 91-1 and 91-4, control circuits 92B-1 and 92B-2, cut-off circuits 93-1 and 93-2, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-6, and 94-7, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2, and cut-off confirmation circuits 97-1 and 97-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 2 and 5.

[0126] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1H is the same as... Figure 13 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also has a power supply unit 11-4, a cut-off confirmation unit 15-1, 15-2, and a monitoring unit 16-3, 16-4, and has a control unit 12B-1, 12B-2 instead of a control unit 12-1, 12-2. Furthermore, the connection relationships of the functional units are the same as in embodiments 2 and 5.

[0127] Implementation Method 9

[0128] In Embodiment 9, an example of combining the structure of Embodiment 3 and the structure of Embodiment 4 will be described. Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1I according to Embodiment 9.

[0129] The power monitoring device 1I can be implemented using power supply circuits 91-1, 91-2, 91-3, control circuits 92-1, 92-2, cutoff circuits 93-1, 93-2, 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-3, 94-4, 94-5, shielding circuits 95-1, 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1, 96-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 3 and 4.

[0130] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1I is the same as... Figure 14 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also has power supply units 11-2 and 11-3, a switching unit 13-3, and monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each functional unit are the same as in embodiments 3 and 4.

[0131] Implementation Method 10

[0132] In Embodiment 10, an example of combining the structure of Embodiment 3 and the structure of Embodiment 5 will be described. Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1J according to embodiment 10.

[0133] The power monitoring device 1J can be implemented using power supply circuits 91-1 and 91-4, control circuits 92-1 and 92-2, cut-off circuits 93-1, 93-2, and 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-3, 94-6, and 94-7, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, and peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 3 and 5.

[0134] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1J is the same as... Figure 15 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also has a power supply unit 11-4, a switching unit 13-3, and monitoring units 16-3 and 16-4. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each functional unit are the same as in embodiments 3 and 5.

[0135] Implementation Method 11

[0136] In Embodiment 11, an example of combining the structures of Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4 will be described. Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1K according to Embodiment 11.

[0137] The power monitoring device 1K can be implemented using power circuits 91-1, 91-2, 91-3, control circuits 92B-1, 92B-2, cutoff circuits 93-1, 93-2, 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-3, 94-4, 94-5, shielding circuits 95-1, 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1, 96-2, and cutoff confirmation circuits 97-1, 97-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 2, 3, and 4.

[0138] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1K is the same as... Figure 16 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also includes power supply units 11-2 and 11-3, a switching unit 13-3, a cutoff confirmation unit 15-1 and 15-2, and monitoring units 16-1 and 16-2. Control units 12B-1 and 12B-2 replace the control units 12-1 and 12-2 of the power monitoring device 1A. Furthermore, the connection relationships of the functional units are the same as in embodiments 2, 3, and 4.

[0139] Implementation Method 12

[0140] In Embodiment 12, an example of combining the structures of Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 5 will be described. Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the power monitoring device 1L according to Embodiment 12.

[0141] The power monitoring device 1L can be implemented using power circuits 91-1 and 91-4, control circuits 92B-1 and 92B-2, cutoff circuits 93-1, 93-2, and 93-3, power monitoring circuits 94-1, 94-2, 94-3, 94-6, and 94-7, shielding circuits 95-1 and 95-2, peripheral circuits 96-1 and 96-2, and cutoff confirmation circuits 97-1 and 97-2. Since each circuit has already been described, its description is omitted here. Furthermore, the connection relationships of each circuit are the same as in embodiments 2, 3, and 5.

[0142] Furthermore, although the functional structure diagram is omitted, the functional structure of the power monitoring device 1L is the same as... Figure 17 The hardware structure shown corresponds to the structure that, in addition to Figure 1In addition to the structure of the power monitoring device 1A shown, it also includes a power supply unit 11-4, a switching unit 13-3, cut-off confirmation units 15-1 and 15-2, and monitoring units 16-3 and 16-4. Instead of the control units 12-1 and 12-2 of the power monitoring device 1A, it has control units 12B-1 and 12B-2. Furthermore, the connection relationships of the functional units are the same as in embodiments 2, 3, and 5.

[0143] As shown in embodiments 6 to 12, when embodiments 2 to 5 are combined, the effects of each of the combined embodiments are also present.

[0144] The structure shown in the above embodiments is an example and can be combined with other known technologies. The embodiments can also be combined with each other. Without departing from the main idea, a part of the structure can be omitted or changed.

[0145] Explanation of the label

[0146] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L Power monitoring device; 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 Power supply unit; 12-1, 12-2, 12B-1, 12B-2 Control unit; 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 Switching unit; 14-1, 14-2 Shielding unit; 15-1, 15-2 Cut-off confirmation unit; 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4 Monitoring unit; 91-1, 91-2, 91-3, 91-4 Power circuit; 92-1, 92-2, 92B-1, 92B-2 Control circuit; 93-1, 93-2, 93-3 Disconnection circuits: 94-1, 94-2, 94-3, 94-4, 94-5, 94-6, 94-7; Power monitoring circuits: 95-1, 95-2; Shielding circuits: 96-1, 96-2; Peripheral circuits: 97-1, 97-2; Disconnection confirmation circuits: 121-1, 121-2, 921-1, 921-2; Disconnection request function: 122-1, 122-2, 922-1, 922-2; Shielding request function: 123-1, 123-2, 924-1, 924-2; Disconnection judgment function: 923-1, 923-2; Communication function:

Claims

1. A power monitoring device, characterized in that, have: The first power supply unit supplies electricity; The first control unit operates using power supplied from the first power supply unit; The second control unit operates using power supplied from the first power supply unit; The first switching unit performs switching control in response to the switching requests output by the first control unit and the second control unit. The switching control switches between an on state where power is supplied from the first power supply unit to the first control unit and the second control unit respectively, and a off state where power supply is cut off. The second switching unit is connected in parallel with the first switching unit and performs switching control in response to the switching request output by the first control unit and the second control unit. This switching control switches between the on state and the off state. The first shielding unit, corresponding to the first shielding request output by the first control unit, invalidates the switching control from the conducting state to the disconnected state executed by the first switching unit; and The second shielding unit, corresponding to the second shielding request output by the second control unit, invalidates the switching control from the conducting state to the disconnected state performed by the second switching unit.

2. The power monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: The first disconnection confirmation unit is capable of sending a first status information indicating whether the first switching unit is in the on state or in the disconnection state; as well as The second disconnection confirmation unit is capable of sending second status information indicating whether the second switching unit is in the on state or the disconnection state. The first control unit has a first disconnection determination function that receives the first status information and can share the received first status information with the second control unit via communication. The second control unit has a second cutoff determination function that receives the second status information and can share the received second status information with the first control unit via communication.

3. The power monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also has: The third switching unit is connected to the power supply path between the first power supply unit and the first and second switching units, and performs switching control. This switching control switches between the on state of supplying power from the first power supply unit to the first and second control units and the off state of cutting off power.

4. The power monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also has: The second power supply unit is connected to the power supply path between the first power supply unit and the first control unit, and controls the power supplied by the first power supply unit to supply power to the first control unit. The third power supply unit is connected to the power supply path between the first power supply unit and the second control unit, and controls the power supplied by the first power supply unit to supply power to the second control unit. The first monitoring unit is capable of monitoring the voltage of the power supply path between the second power supply unit and the first control unit, i.e., the first voltage, and outputting the switching request to the first switching unit and the second switching unit based on the first voltage. It is also capable of relaying the switching request output by the second control unit to the first switching unit and the second switching unit. as well as The second monitoring unit is capable of monitoring the voltage, i.e., the second voltage, of the power supply path between the third power supply unit and the second control unit, and outputting the switching request to the first switching unit and the second switching unit based on the second voltage. It is also capable of relaying the switching request output by the first control unit to the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

5. The power monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also has: The fourth power supply unit is connected between the first power supply unit, the first control unit, and the second control unit, and controls the power supplied by the first power supply unit to supply power to the first control unit and the second control unit. The third monitoring unit is capable of monitoring the voltage, i.e., the third voltage, of the power supply path between the fourth power supply unit and the first and second control units, and outputting the switching request to the first and second switching units based on the third voltage. It is also capable of relaying the switching request output by the second control unit to the first and second switching units. as well as The fourth monitoring unit is capable of monitoring the third voltage, outputting the switching request to the first switching unit and the second switching unit based on the third voltage, and relaying the switching request output by the first control unit to the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

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