Compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing equipment

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing systems.

[0002] Larger buildings, such as department stores, hotels, office and factory buildings, and the like, are equipped with extensive fire protection systems to protect the occupants and the buildings themselves. These systems are designed to prevent the outbreak and spread of fires and to quickly extinguish any fires that occur. These include fire detection systems, sprinkler systems, and building services equipment such as automatically operated fire doors, smoke extractors, etc., which are usually controlled by a central security system.

[0003] Fire protection systems must be designed to reliably detect the occurrence of a fire under all conceivable circumstances. Furthermore, very high reliability requirements apply to such fire protection systems to ensure their proper functioning in an emergency. To meet these requirements, fire protection systems are typically monitored and controlled by complex, multi-redundant computer systems.

[0004] Document US 7 542 721 B1 relates generally to telecommunications and monitored security systems and, more particularly, to the provision of a non-dedicated wireless backup service for the reporting of alarm events and faulty telephone lines, which establishes a Bluetooth connection and causes an intelligent interface to bypass a landline path to a remote monitoring center and forward all alarm event data from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center via a wireless backup.

[0005] Document US 2008 / 020747 A1 discloses an alarm system with a mobile terminal and an alarm controller. An alarm controller is configured to communicate with the mobile terminal, attempt a call to a monitoring service using a first communication technique in response to detecting an alarm condition, and attempt a call to the monitoring service using the mobile terminal if the call attempt using the first communication technique is unsuccessful.

[0006] The document US 2010 / 102951 A1 discloses a system that is intended to detect a compromised status of a first network and automatically establish a connection to a neighboring network.

[0007] The present invention does not concern such devices used to protect buildings, but rather safety devices for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices in property and facility protection and, in particular, safety devices for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices for machines, such as machine tools.

[0008] The invention is described below using machine tools as an example. However, this description is to be understood only as an example and does not limit its application.

[0009] The term "machine tool" refers in particular to machines that are used to machine workpieces, such as lathes, milling machines, drilling machines or combined machine tools, which are often referred to as machining centers.

[0010] In these machines, workpieces made of steel, for example, are machined using tools. To achieve short production times, high feed rates are used, which lead to a high heat input into the tool and workpiece. The heat is usually dissipated by oil-based cooling lubricants supplied to the machining points; in some cases, only an oil-based lubricant, such as oil mist, is supplied. For this reason, among other things, the machines are enclosed in a machine housing.

[0011] In the event of a malfunction during the machining process, such as a broken tool, more heat can be generated than can be dissipated, resulting in a fire within the machine. The fire is extinguished by introducing a suitable extinguishing agent into the machine housing. This is preferably, but not exclusively, CO2, which displaces the oxygen and prevents the supply of oxygen to the fire source. This is stored in a pressurized cylinder, usually attached to the machine.

[0012] A production hall often houses dozens of such machine tools. Each of these machines requires its own, largely autonomous fire extinguishing system.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices, in particular for machines, which meets high safety requirements.

[0014] This object is achieved by a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing systems, in particular for machines, having the features of claim 1. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments.

[0015] According to the present invention, a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices, in particular for machine tools, comprises a signal processing device which processes incoming signals and outputs control signals, a memory device in which a program for controlling this signal processing device is arranged, and an alarm device which is configured to output a warning signal and which is configured to communicate with the signal processing device.

[0016] For the purposes of the invention, a signal processing device is understood to be a device configured to receive signals and, depending on the received signals and the programming of the device, to generate and transmit further signals. A signal processing device may comprise one or more program-controlled components. The signal processing device may, in particular, be constructed in multiple parts, with the components being coupled together, implemented sequentially, implemented in parallel, or having redundancy.

[0017] In the sense of the invention, a signal is understood to be a, in particular time-dependent, mechanical, electromechanical and / or electromagnetic state, which can be transmitted mechanically, electronically and / or via electromagnetic waves.

[0018] For the purposes of the invention, an alarm device is understood to be a device configured to generate an alarm signal. An alarm signal is a signal configured to initiate safety-relevant steps to minimize and / or prevent damage.

[0019] The safety device has at least one first channel which is designed to supply electrical signals to the alarm device, bypassing the signal processing device.

[0020] For the purposes of the invention, a channel is understood to be a collection of one or more data connections. These data connections are configured to transmit information. The information to be transmitted can include, in particular but not exclusively, information on the following data: temperature of the machine tool, optical flame detectors, position and / or temperature of the tool, position and / or temperature of the workpiece, fill level and / or temperature of the coolant, position of the safety doors, status of the locking of the safety doors, temperature of the safety device, battery status of the safety device, switching position of a manual call point, short circuit of a sensor, open circuit of a sensor, status of the extraction device, status of an overpressure flap. The information can be transmitted, in particular but not exclusively, mechanically, electronically and / or electromagnetically.

[0021] The at least one first channel has at least one data connection that supplies electrical signals to the alarm device, bypassing the signal processing device. This data connection is formed via a hardware circuit and is not program-controlled. The signals transmitted to the alarm device via this data connection are not influenced by the programming of the signal processing device.

[0022] The safety device has at least one second channel which is designed to supply electrical signals to the alarm device using the signal processing device.

[0023] The at least one second channel has at least one data connection that supplies electrical signals to the alarm device using the signal processing device. This data connection sends signals to the signal processing device, which sends signals to the alarm device based on these signals, all signals received by the signal processing device, and the programming of the signal processing device.

[0024] The alarm device emits a warning signal if the received signal of the at least one first channel and / or the received signal of the signal processing device meets predetermined criteria. In one embodiment, one or more of these criteria can be set, in particular by a user and / or variably.

[0025] A safety device with these features has the advantage of being particularly error-prone. The data connection of the at least one first channel, which feeds signals to the alarm device while bypassing the signal processing device, ensures reliable alarm triggering regardless of the software settings selected in the control program of the signal processing device. The data connection of the at least one second channel, which feeds signals to the alarm device using the signal processing device, enables variable signals as well as the combination of multiple signals to be detected, thus minimizing the number of false alarms and reliably sending an alarm signal when certain criteria are met.

[0026] The at least one first channel and the at least one second channel additionally provide asymmetric or diverse redundancy, further reducing the susceptibility to errors. This makes it possible to enable redundant signal evaluation within an otherwise compact safety device, as is otherwise possible in separately constructed systems. A fault in the program-controlled components does not impair the function of the hardware channel. Thus, with a compact safety device according to the invention, it is possible to even comply with safety regulations that require a redundant design.

[0027] Furthermore, the signal processing device is configured to have, in a program-controlled manner, at least two settings of the signal processing device for different ignition requirements of working materials and / or coolants or lubricants, wherein a signal exists, the reception of which via the at least one second channel triggers a signal to the alarm device when the signal processing device is in the first setting, and triggers no signal or a different signal to the alarm device when the signal processing device is in the second setting.

[0028] This means that the signals that the signal processing device sends to the alarm device depend both on the signals received via the at least one second channel and on the programming of the signal processing device.

[0029] This has the advantage that the signal processing device is adjusted to the working material and / or the coolant or lubricant, since different working materials and coolants or lubricants have different ignition requirements. Furthermore, this embodiment is advantageous because different settings, particularly multiple polling or polling over a specific period of time, allow false alarms to be better identified and other error sources to be determined.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first channel is also configured to supply electrical signals to the signal processing device.

[0031] This makes it possible to send a signal redundantly both directly to the alarm device and via the signal processing device to the alarm device. This reduces the susceptibility to errors. In addition, information relating to the same sensor in particular can be split into signals that should trigger an immediate alarm and signals that should trigger an alarm only under certain circumstances, particularly when combined with other signals and / or through repeated signaling.

[0032] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the signals which the at least one first channel supplies to the signal processing device contain information about the signals which the at least one first channel supplies to the alarm device.

[0033] This enables the signal processing device to evaluate the status of the information transmitted via the at least one first channel. In particular, in the event of an alarm, the signal processing device can control additional safety functions and display information related to the alarm, in particular via a display and / or at least one warning lamp.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first channel has at least one setting device designed as a hardware component, which is configured to manipulate the signals to be transmitted through the at least one first channel.

[0035] It is advantageous to adapt the safety direction to the material being processed and / or the coolant or lubricant used. Depending on the material being processed and / or the coolant or lubricant used, the conditions for a fire to occur vary, particularly the temperature, which is why it is advantageous to adapt the safety device accordingly. In this embodiment, the adjustment of the first channel, embodied in hardware, is carried out by the adjustment device designed as a hardware component.

[0036] In a preferred variant of the embodiment, the adjustment device designed as a hardware component is attached to the safety device in such a way that accidental adjustment after the initial commissioning of the safety device is prevented.

[0037] This has the advantage that the adjustment mechanism, designed as a hardware component, can be adjusted to the machine to be monitored during installation of the safety device, preventing subsequent accidental adjustment. In particular, the adjustment mechanism, designed as a hardware component, is mounted inside a housing of the safety device.

[0038] In a preferred variant of the embodiment, the setting of the at least one setting device designed as a hardware component is transmitted to the signal processing device.

[0039] This has the advantage that the switch position can be checked, in particular via a display, in particular via a program.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the alarm device is configured to send a signal to the signal processing device based on the signals sent by the signal processing device and the at least one first channel.

[0041] This has the advantage that the signal processing device can verify that the alarm system is functioning reliably and prevent possible false alarms caused by a malfunction of the alarm system. Furthermore, in the event of an alarm, additional safety functions can be controlled via the signal processing device.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the alarm device has at least a first section which is configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel and the signal processing device and to send a signal to the signal processing device, and at least a second section which is configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel and the signal processing device and to send a signal to the signal processing device.

[0043] A redundant alarm system design reduces the safety system's susceptibility to failure. A multiple alarm system configuration also allows for the integration of different alarm levels, allowing different responses to be implemented depending on the alarm level.

[0044] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the signals received by the at least one first section and the at least one second section from the at least one first channel or the signal processing device are substantially identical.

[0045] By sending essentially identical signals to the sections of the alarm system, reliable redundancy of the alarm system is achieved.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, the signals received by the at least one first section and the at least one second section from the at least one first channel or the signal processing device are independent of one another. This allows the safety device to be used more variably and / or its safety to be increased in one embodiment.

[0047] In a further preferred variant of this embodiment, the signal processing device sends a warning signal if the comparison of the signal sent by the at least one first section and the signal sent by the at least one second section meets certain preset criteria.

[0048] By checking the signals sent by the sections of the alarm system, the signal processing device can detect whether a section of the alarm system is malfunctioning and, in the event of a malfunction, can issue a warning message, in particular via a display and / or a warning lamp.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the safety device according to the invention is autonomous, i.e. it is not connected to other safety devices, extinguishing systems or fire alarm systems.

[0050] This has the advantage that the functions of the safety device are not affected by a possible failure or malfunction of other devices.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the safety device is at least partially networked with other safety devices, extinguishing systems, or fire alarm systems. This means that the safety device can, on the one hand, receive information about the operating states of other safety devices, extinguishing systems, and / or fire alarm systems, in particular about the operating states of other machine tools and / or devices connected thereto, and, on the other hand, can transmit information about the safety device itself, in particular the machine tool connected thereto, to other safety devices, extinguishing systems, and / or fire alarm systems.

[0052] In many production halls, several machine tools are in operation simultaneously. A malfunction, particularly the outbreak of a fire, in one machine tool impairs the safe functioning of the others. It is therefore advantageous if the respective safety systems can communicate with each other. Furthermore, several machine tools are often operated with a shared extraction system for the resulting oil mist and / or a shared system for removing the resulting chips. In the event of a fire, these systems must implement additional safety measures, particularly deactivating the extraction or removal system, to prevent the fire from spreading to the extraction system and / or the removal system and / or to other machine tools.

[0053] The following figures show various features and embodiments of the invention and are partly schematic, although a combination of individual features and embodiments beyond the figures is also possible.

[0054] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the safety device, Fig. 2 a further schematic representation of the signal routing and operation of a further embodiment of the safety device.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the safety device 1. The safety device 1 receives input signals 100 that are measured in a machine tool. The entirety of the input signals 100 is divided into signal lines 11, 21. Different signal lines can contain common input signals. A first signal line 11 of the input signals 100 is transmitted via at least one first channel 10, which, via a non-programmable hardware circuit 30, sends signals based on the signals transmitted via the signal line 11 to an alarm device 50, which, in the illustrated embodiment, consists of a first section 51 and a second section 52, preferably with an upstream OR operation 61 or 62. A second signal line 21 of the input signals 100 is transmitted via at least one second channel 20 to a program-controlled signal processing device 40.The program-controlled signal processing device 40 sends signals to the alarm device 50 depending on the signals received from the second channel 20 and on the programming of the signal processing device. If the signals that the alarm device 50 receives from the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 and from the signal processing device 40 meet certain predetermined criteria, the alarm device 50 sends a warning signal 200. In this embodiment, the sections 51, 52 of the alarm device 50 each receive essentially identical signals from the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 and the signal processing device 40, respectively. A warning signal 200 is already sent if at least one of the sections 51, 52 receives signals from the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 and from the signal processing device 40 that meet certain predetermined criteria.This redundancy ensures that a warning signal 200 can be reliably generated even if one of the two sections 51, 52 of the alarm device 50 has a fault.

[0056] Fig. 2shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the safety device 1. This embodiment has a first channel 10 with a first detection line 11 and four second channels 20 with second detection lines 21, 22, 23, 24, which supply signals to the safety device. As long as at least one second channel is active, the signal processing device 40 can programmatically activate and deactivate individual channels in order to adapt the safety device 1 to the machine and / or the workpiece to be machined. As a result, a first channel and a second channel are always active, which can independently monitor the machine and, in the event of a fire, transmit signals which ultimately result in the transmission of a warning signal 200 by the alarm device 50.Furthermore, the signal processing device can be set so that a signal indicating a fire, which is sent via a second detection line 21, 22, 23, 24 of a second channel, is only interpreted as a fire if this signal is sent for a specific, preferably adjustable, period of time, for example, for 4 milliseconds or 120 milliseconds. This can prevent false alarms due to brief malfunctions in the sensors or the signal transmission. Furthermore, the signal processing device can be set so that a signal indicating a fire, which is sent via a second detection line 21, 22, 23, 24 of a second channel, is only interpreted as a fire if the signal was present during multiple, in particular consecutive, queries.Furthermore, the signal processing device can be configured to change the temperature threshold of temperature sensors at which a fire is to be detected. Settings can be made for individual second detection lines 21, 22, 23, 24 of a second channel as well as for a combination of second detection lines 21, 22, 23, 24 of several second channels via programming of the alarm device 50.

[0057] In this embodiment, the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 is configured to send diagnostic signals to the signal processing device 40. These signals may contain information about the state of the first channel, such as information about a short circuit or an open circuit in the first channel 10 and the associated sensor. Furthermore, information about the signals that the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 sends to the alarm device 50 may also be transmitted. The upstream OR hardware components 61, 62 each send a signal when the respective OR component 61, 62 receives a specific signal from the non-programmable hardware circuit 30 or a signal from the signal processing device 40, or from both.The sections 51, 52 of the alarm device 50 are particularly designed to send diagnostic signals to the signal processing device 40, which can compare the signals received from the alarm device 50 and obtain information on the functionality of the individual sections 51, 52 of the alarm device 50 from the comparison.

[0058] The signal processing device 40 is further configured to emit a plurality of output signals 71, 72, 73 based on the signals received by the second detection lines 21, 22, 23, 24 of one or more second channels, as well as on the diagnostic signals of the alarm device 50 and the non-programmable hardware circuit 30. These signals are used, in particular but not exclusively, to signal an operational malfunction or operational readiness, to signal a fire alarm, and / or to initiate a possibly necessary shutdown of devices, in particular extraction devices. List of reference symbols:

[0059] 1Safety device 10Hardware channel 11Hardware channel detection line 20Software channel 21, 22, 23, 24Software channel detection line 30Non-programmable hardware circuit 40Signal processing device 50Alarm device 51, 52Alarm device section 61, 62OR hardware module 71, 72, 73Output signal 100Set of input signals 200Warning signal

Claims

1. Compact security device (1) for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices, in particular for machine tools, with a signal processing device (40) which processes incoming signals and outputs control signals, a memory device in which a program for controlling this signal processing device (40) is arranged, an alarm device (50), which is provided to output a warning signal, and wherein the security device (1) has at least one first channel (10) which is provided for supplying electrical signals to the alarm device, wherein this at least one first channel (10) is constructed as a hardware channel with electronic and / or electromechanical components whose function is independent of a programmable controller, and at least one second channel (20), which is provided for supplying electrical signals to the alarm device (50), wherein this at least one second channel (20) is constructed as a software channel and has at least one electronic component whose function is substantially controlled by a program stored in one or more memories, wherein the alarm device (50) outputs a warning signal when the received signal of the at least one first channel (10) and / or the received signal of the signal processing device (40) fulfills at least one predetermined criterion, characterized in that the signal processing device (40) is configured to have, under program control, at least two settings of the signal processing device (40) for different ignition conditions of working materials and / or coolant or lubricant, wherein there exists a signal whose reception via the at least one second channel triggers a signal to the alarm device (50) when the signal processing device (40) is in the first setting, and triggers no signal or another signal to the alarm device (50) when the signal processing device (40) is in the second setting.

2. Security device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one first channel (10) is provided for supplying electrical signals also to the signal processing device (40).

3. Security device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the signal which the at least one first channel (10) supplies to the signal processing device (40) contains information about the signal which the at least one first channel (10) supplies to the alarm device (50).

4. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first channel (10) has at least one setting device designed as a hardware component, which is configured to influence the signals to be transmitted by the at least one first channel.

5. Security device (1) according to the preceding claim 4, characterized in that the at least one setting device designed as a hardware component is attached to the security device (1) in such a way that accidental readjustment after the initial commissioning of the security device (1) is prevented.

6. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the setting of the at least one setting device designed as a hardware component is transmitted to the signal processing device (40).

7. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alarm device (50) is configured to send a signal to the signal processing device (40) based on the signals sent by the signal processing device (40) and the at least one first channel (10).

8. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alarm device (50) comprises at least one first section (51) configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel (10) and the signal processing device (40) and to send a signal to the signal processing device (40), and at least one second section (52) configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel (10) and a signal from the signal processing device (40) and to send a signal to the signal processing device (40).

9. Security device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the signals received by the at least one first section (51) and the at least one second section (52) from the at least one first channel (10) and the signal processing device (40), respectively, are substantially identical and / or independent of each other.

10. Security device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the signal processing device (40) sends a warning signal when the comparison of the signal sent by the at least one first section (51) and the signal sent by the at least one second section (52) fulfils certain preset criteria.

11. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security device (1) is configured to operate without a connection to further security devices, extinguishing systems or fire detection devices.

12. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the security device (1) is at least partially networked with other security devices, extinguishing systems and / or fire detection devices.