Control module, field controller and field control system

Abstract

The utility model provides a control module which comprises a warning component and a micro-control unit connected with the warning component, and the micro-control unit is arranged to generate a warning signal when input voltage exceeds reference voltage and control a display component to output the warning signal. The utility model further provides a field controller and a field control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to industrial control technology, and more specifically, to technology related to field controllers. Background Art

[0002] Controllers used in industrial applications like building control are limited by space and cost, resulting in relatively simple configurations. This makes them rarely able to respond to unexpected scenarios. For example, a sudden increase in input voltage to a field controller could damage the controller, but the controller's simple configuration prevents it from taking preventative measures. Utility Model Content

[0003] According to one aspect of the present application, a control module is provided to address at least one of the aforementioned issues. The provided control module includes an alarm component and a microcontroller unit electrically connected to the alarm component. The microcontroller unit is configured to generate an alarm signal when an input voltage exceeds a reference voltage and to control the alarm component to output the alarm signal.

[0004] The provided control module may, optionally or additionally, further include a protection circuit for maintaining the voltage of the microcontroller unit at an operating voltage, the protection circuit including: a voltage divider circuit, which reduces the voltage input to the control module and the voltage divider circuit is configured to divide the voltage proportionally; a voltage follower, the input end of which is connected to the output end of the voltage divider circuit and the output end of which is connected to the microcontroller unit to provide a voltage to the microcontroller unit as the input voltage of the microcontroller unit; the microcontroller unit is configured to convert the input voltage from an analog signal to a digital signal and compare the value of the input voltage with a reference voltage based on the digital signal.

[0005] The provided control module, optionally or additionally, the microcontroller unit also includes: a voltage-frequency converter, which is controlled by the microcontroller unit and converts the digital signal into a frequency signal when the value of the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage; a PWM signal generator, which is connected to the output end of the voltage-frequency converter, generates a PWM signal according to the frequency signal and transmits the PWM signal to the warning component.

[0006] In the provided control module, optionally or additionally, the frequency of the frequency signal converted by the voltage-to-frequency converter is proportional to the value of the input voltage, and the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator is proportional to the frequency of the frequency signal.

[0007] In the control module provided, for example, the warning component includes one or both of a display component and an alarm sound output component. As an example, the display component is an LED light, and the alarm sound output component is a buzzer.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present application, a field controller is also provided. The provided field controller includes: a housing, a power input terminal disposed on the housing, a control module disposed on the housing, and a communication interface disposed on the housing. The control module is any of the control modules described herein.

[0009] The provided field controller may, optionally or additionally, have the communication interface configured to send a signal indicating an abnormality to a higher-level control device when the value of the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

[0010] When the scene controller includes a display component and / or a warning sound output component, it is multiplexed into a warning component that outputs a warning signal.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present application, a field control system is also provided, which includes any field controller described herein, or any control module described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present application will be more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the field control system;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the control module 20 according to some examples of the present application;

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the protection circuit 204;

[0016] Figure 3A is a circuit diagram of a voltage divider circuit 2040 and a voltage follower 2042 according to a specific example;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of a field controller according to an example of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will be combined with the accompanying drawings to clearly and completely describe the implementation methods of the present application. It should be noted that the described implementation methods are only part of the implementation methods of the technical solution of the present application and not all of them. All other implementation methods obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the implementation methods described in this application document without paying creative work are covered by the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a field control system that can be applied to industrial sites, such as building control, and more specifically, to the control of a building's ventilation and heating system. Figure 1 As shown, the controlled devices 100, 101, 102, and 103 on site are connected to the site controller 10, and the site controller 10 is connected to the host device 1. Figure 1 As shown, the host device 1 can be connected to more field controllers, such as the field controllers 11 and 12 shown, and each field controller is connected to multiple controlled devices (not shown). It should be noted that the field control system is only a schematic diagram. In the actual field system, the number of controlled devices and field controllers is different. Figure 1 The meaning may be different. Figure 1 This is merely an illustration and not a limitation. During the control process, the host device 1 identifies each field controller by its address. In some application scenarios, the host device 1 may also communicate with a remote control device.

[0020] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the control module 20 according to some examples of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the control module 20 includes an alarm component 200 and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 202 connected to the alarm component 200. The alarm component 200 may include one or both of a display component and an alarm sound output component. By way of example and not limitation, the display component may include an LED light; and the alarm sound output component may include a buzzer. In this example, the alarm signal is generated by the MCU 202. Specifically, the MCU 202 generates or does not generate the alarm signal based on the relationship between the input voltage and the reference voltage. The input voltage here refers to the voltage input to the MCU 202, and the reference voltage is pre-stored in the memory of the MCU 202.

[0021] The control module 20 may also include an analog-to-digital converter (i.e., A / D converter) 2021, a voltage-to-frequency converter (i.e., V / F converter) 2022, and a pulse width modulation signal (i.e., PWM signal) generator 2023. The A / D converter 2021 converts the input voltage from an analog signal into a digital signal. The microcontroller unit 202 determines the value of the input voltage based on the digital signal and compares the input voltage value with a reference voltage pre-set in the microcontroller unit 202, wherein the reference voltage value may be pre-stored in the memory of the microcontroller unit 202. The reference voltage can be a numerical value or a range, depending on the application requirements of the control module and field controller (described below) provided in the embodiments of the present application. If the reference voltage is a numerical value, the value of the input voltage exceeding the reference voltage includes the case where the input voltage is greater than the reference voltage, and in some examples, it may also include the case where the input voltage is less than the reference voltage. If the reference voltage is a range, the value of the input voltage exceeding the reference voltage refers to the case where the input voltage value falls outside the range.

[0022] According to the example of the present application, when the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage, it is determined that the voltage input to the control module is abnormal. In the event of an abnormal input voltage, the microcontroller unit 202 controls the V / F converter 2022 to convert the digital input voltage signal obtained by the A / D converter 2021 into a frequency signal. The frequency signal is then output by the V / F converter 2022 to the PWM signal generator 2023. The PWM signal generator 2023 generates a PWM signal based on the frequency signal and transmits it as a warning signal to the warning component 200 for display.

[0023] Figure 2 In the example, the A / D converter 2021, V / F converter 2022, and PWM signal generator 2023 can utilize the analog-to-digital conversion module, V / F conversion module, and PWM signal generation module in the micro-control unit 202. This eliminates the need for additional circuitry. Alternatively, if the micro-control unit 202 lacks the V / F converter 2022 or the PWM signal generator 2023, the missing components can be incorporated into the control module.

[0024] The control module 20 may also include a protection circuit 204 for maintaining the voltage input to the microcontroller unit 202 within a certain range within which the microcontroller unit 202 can operate normally. This range is referred to herein as the operating voltage range. The examples below will use an operating voltage range of 3V to 3.5V as an example. The control module 20 receives external power through its power input terminals. This power is adjusted to the operating voltage range by the protection circuit 204 and then input to the microcontroller unit 202 as the input voltage of the microcontroller unit 202. That is, in this application, the input voltage of the microcontroller unit is within the operating voltage range. According to this application, the protection circuit 204 converts the voltage of the power received by the control module into a voltage proportionally within the operating voltage range. Generally, the higher the voltage of the external power, the larger the converted voltage. For example, if the power from the external power source is 24V, the protection circuit converts it to 3V; if the power from the external power source is 30V, the protection circuit converts it to 3.2V; and if the power from the external power source is 35V, the protection circuit converts it to 3.4V. The microcontroller unit 202 receives the converted voltage and compares it with a preset reference voltage (e.g., 3.2V). When the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage, e.g., 3.4V, the microcontroller unit 202 generates a warning signal for display on the display unit. This allows the microcontroller unit 202 to detect changes in the external power input to the control module while operating normally, thereby alerting the user on-site of any abnormal voltage input to the control module through the display unit.

[0025] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the protection circuit 204. Figure 3 As shown, the power input to the control module 20 is sent to the voltage divider circuit 2040, for example, a 30-volt DC power supply. The voltage divider circuit 2040 is a resistor voltage divider circuit, which reduces the input voltage; the reduced voltage is sent to the micro control unit 202 through the voltage follower 2042. The voltage divider circuit 2040 is set here to reduce the voltage proportionally, which can be achieved through resistance distribution. Proportional voltage reduction refers to the voltage converted by the voltage divider circuit 2040, and its size relationship remains unchanged. For example, the voltages successively input to the voltage divider circuit 2042 are U1, U2 and U3, where U1 is greater than U2 and U2 is greater than U3. After the voltage divider circuit 2040 divides the three voltages in turn, the generated voltages are U1', U2' and U3', and U1' is still greater than U2' and U2' is greater than U3'. The voltage follower 2042 matches the voltage generated by the voltage divider circuit 2040 to the micro control unit 202 (see Figure 2 ).

[0026] Figure 3AThis is a circuit diagram of a specific example of a voltage divider circuit 2040 and a voltage follower 2042. The voltage divider circuit 2040 is a resistor divider, including resistors R89 and R196, and is grounded through a capacitor C89. The voltage follower 2042 includes an op amp OPA237NA, and the remaining components are not described one by one. In this specific example, the output end of the voltage follower 2042 is also configured with a diode protection circuit, which includes an upper diode D1 and a lower diode D2. The positive electrode of the lower diode D2 is grounded, and the negative electrode is connected to the output end of the voltage follower 2042. The positive electrode of the upper diode D2 is connected to the output end of the voltage follower 2042, and the voltage at the output end of the negative electrode is substantially the same as the voltage of the follower 2042. It should be noted that the voltage divider circuit, voltage follower, and diode protection circuit illustrated here are specific examples, not limitations. It should be understood that depending on different application scenarios, the voltage divider circuit, voltage follower, and diode protection circuit may differ from the circuit structure illustrated here.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the field controller according to the example of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the field controller 40 includes a housing (not shown), a power input terminal 400, a control module, and a communication interface 408, wherein the control module can be combined with the above Figure 2 、 Figure 3 In any of the examples of the control module described, the reference numeral 20 will be used to identify the control module in the following description. The ports, modules, interfaces, and components of the field controller 40 are disposed in the housing, including various configurations such as being arranged on the housing, fixed to the housing, and disposed within the housing.

[0028] The power input terminal 400 receives power from the external field controller 40, which is then fed into the control module 20. The protection circuit 204 of the control module 20 processes this power to keep its voltage within the operating voltage range and then inputs the processed voltage into the microcontroller unit 202. The analog-to-digital conversion module 2021 of the microcontroller unit 202 converts the voltage from an analog signal into a digital signal. If the voltage value determined based on this data signal exceeds a reference voltage, the voltage-to-frequency converter 2022, under the control of the microcontroller unit 202, converts the digital signal into a frequency signal. The PWM signal generator then generates a PWM signal based on this frequency signal and feeds it into the alarm component 200 for output. The further the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the larger the digital signal, the higher the converted frequency, and thus the higher the frequency of the PWM signal, resulting in a greater warning intensity from the alarm component.

[0029] Figure 4In the example shown, if the scene controller 40 originally includes a warning component, such as a display component or a warning sound output component, the warning component of the scene controller can be reused. Generally speaking, the scene controller 40 has an LED light, and in this example, the LED light can be reused to display the warning signal.

[0030] Furthermore, according to an example of the present application, the communication interface 408 is used for the field controller 40 to communicate with other devices, such as a higher-level control device. When the input voltage does not exceed the reference voltage, the field controller 40 can transmit a signal indicating "normal operation" to, for example, the higher-level control device via the communication interface. In a possible example, when the microcontroller generates a warning signal, it can also transmit a signal indicating "abnormal operating voltage" to the higher-level control device via the communication interface 408. For example, the signal indicating abnormal operating voltage can be generated by the microcontroller 202.

[0031] The present application also provides a field control system, the architecture of which is, for example, Figure 1 The architecture shown in the figure, all or part of the field controllers in the system are constructed as Figure 4 The field controller shown in the figure can be applied in building control, such as HVAC control system, ventilation control system, weak current control system, etc.

[0032] According to each example of the present application, the microcontroller unit determines the abnormality of the power of the external power supply according to the change of the input voltage value, and generates an alarm signal to be issued by the alarm component to remind the staff on site, so that the staff on site can understand the abnormality in time, which helps them to take measures quickly and avoid damage to the field controller due to abnormal voltage. Figure 4 Taking the illustrated field controller as an example, compared to existing field controllers, this one can detect a sudden increase in external power input via the MCU and output a warning signal when the voltage exceeds a reference voltage. This alerts field personnel to the abnormality and allows them to take measures to prevent the high voltage from continuing to be applied to the field controller. Furthermore, the field controller of this example can reuse existing display components, such as LED lights, and warning sound output components (e.g., buzzers), allowing it to output warning signals without adding additional components, space, or cost.

[0033] The technical features in the various embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other to form new implementations without departing from the spirit of the present application and without conflicting with each other. Although specific embodiments of the present application have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the principles of the present application, it should be understood that the present application may be implemented in other ways without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A control module, comprising: A warning component, used for outputting a warning signal; a microcontrol unit connected to the warning component, the microcontrol unit being configured to generate the warning signal when the input voltage exceeds a reference voltage; A protection circuit, for maintaining the voltage input to the microcontroller unit within an operating voltage range, comprising: A voltage divider circuit, which reduces the voltage input to the control module and is configured to divide the voltage proportionally; a voltage follower, whose input end is connected to the output end of the voltage divider circuit and whose output end is connected to the micro control unit, so as to provide a voltage to the micro control unit as an input voltage of the micro control unit; The micro control unit is configured to convert the input voltage from an analog signal into a digital signal, and compare a value of the input voltage with a reference voltage based on the digital signal.

2. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module further includes: a voltage-to-frequency converter, which is controlled by the microcontroller and converts the digital signal into a frequency signal when the value of the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage; A PWM signal generator is connected to the output end of the voltage-frequency converter, generates a PWM signal according to the frequency signal and transmits the PWM signal to the warning component.

3. The control module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The voltage-frequency converter and the PWM signal generator are included in the micro control unit.

4. The control module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frequency of the frequency signal converted by the voltage-to-frequency converter is proportional to the value of the input voltage, and the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator is proportional to the frequency of the frequency signal.

5. The control module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The warning component includes a display component and / or an alarm sound output component.

6. The control module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display component includes an LED lamp, and the alarm sound output component includes a buzzer.

7. A field controller, characterized in that: The field controller comprises: case; A power input terminal provided on the housing; A control module provided in the housing, wherein the control module is a control module according to any one of claims 1 to 5; A communication interface is provided on the housing, and the communication interface is connected to the micro control unit.

8. The field controller according to claim 7, characterized in that: The communication interface is configured to transmit a signal indicating an abnormality to a higher-level control device when the value of the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

9. The field controller according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the scene controller includes a display component and / or a warning sound output component, it is multiplexed into a warning component that outputs a warning signal.

10. A field control system, characterized in that: The system comprises a field controller according to any one of claims 7 to 9; or a control module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images