Communication systems and communication methods

Abstract

A communication system is provided that can associate individual identification information of a sensor-equipped pneumatic device with management information of the pneumatic device. [Solution] The communication system comprises a sensor and a monitoring device. The sensor has a communication unit that reads individual identification information. The monitoring device associates the individual identification information with management information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication method.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, based on signals detected by sensors attached to hydro-wind power equipment including rotating equipment such as pumps and blowers, the state of the hydro-wind power equipment is monitored.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to appropriately monitor the state of hydro-wind power equipment by sensors, it is necessary to associate management information of the hydro-wind power equipment to be monitored (for example, the model and installation location of the hydro-wind power equipment) with the individual identification information of the hydro-wind power equipment to which the sensor is attached.

[0005] If the management information of the hydro-wind power equipment to which the sensor is attached can be obtained, based on the signals detected by the sensor, the state of the hydro-wind power equipment according to the installation environment can be appropriately monitored.

[0006] However, such association of information is generally manually executed by an operator. Such work is complicated, time-consuming, and there is also a possibility of human errors such as input mistakes.

[0007] It is important to obtain the individual identification information of the hydro-wind power equipment to which the sensor is attached and associate the obtained individual identification information with the management information of the hydro-wind power equipment prepared in advance.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a communication system and communication method that can associate individual identification information of a fluid power device to which a sensor is attached with management information of the fluid power device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment, a communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a wind and hydraulic device, a sensor that detects a signal reflecting a physical quantity generated by the operation of the wind and hydraulic device, and a monitoring device that stores management information for the wind and hydraulic device and monitors the operation of the wind and hydraulic device. The wind and hydraulic device is positioned at a communication location formed at the signal detection position of the sensor and includes a communication device on which individual identification information of the wind and hydraulic device is written. The sensor includes a communication unit that reads the individual identification information through the communication device when the sensor is attached to the communication location. The monitoring device associates the individual identification information read by the communication unit with the management information.

[0010] In one embodiment, the communication system includes a relay that electrically connects the monitoring device and the sensor, and in response to a request from the monitoring device, the sensor sends the read-out individual identification information to the relay, and the monitoring device associates the individual identification information sent to the relay with the management information. In one embodiment, the monitoring device stores source data including individual identification information associated with the management information, and the relay device compares the source data sent from the monitoring device with the individual identification information. In one embodiment, the monitoring device acquires measurement data measured by a sensor corresponding to the associated individual identification information.

[0011] In one embodiment, a communication method is provided. The communication method involves attaching a sensor that detects a signal reflecting a physical quantity generated by the operation of a wind and hydraulic device to a communication position formed at the signal detection position of the sensor, and, triggered by the attachment of the sensor to the communication position, the communication unit of the sensor reads out the individual identification information of the wind and hydraulic device through a communication device on which the individual identification information of the wind and hydraulic device is written, stores the management information of the wind and hydraulic device, and a monitoring device that monitors the operation of the wind and hydraulic device associates the individual identification information read out by the communication unit with the management information.

[0012] In one embodiment, in response to a request from the monitoring device, the individual identification information read by the sensor is sent to a relay that electrically connects the monitoring device and the sensor, and the monitoring device associates the individual identification information sent to the relay with the management information. In one embodiment, the monitoring device stores source data including individual identification information associated with the management information, and the relay device compares the source data sent from the monitoring device with the individual identification information. In one embodiment, the monitoring device acquires measurement data measured by a sensor corresponding to the associated individual identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the above method, the communication system can associate individual identification information of a fluid power device to which a sensor is attached with management information of the fluid power device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing one embodiment of a communication system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the communication location where the sensor is attached. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the communication location where the sensor is attached. [Figure 4]FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an embodiment of a communication network between a pump device and a monitoring device, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing another embodiment of the communication network between the pump device and the monitoring device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a processing flow of a sensor when the sensor is attached to a communication position. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a process for associating management information and individual identification information. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a list of monitoring devices displayed on a monitor of a monitoring device. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of measurement data displayed on a monitor of a monitoring device. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of measurement data displayed on a monitor of a monitoring device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the following plurality of embodiments, the configuration of one embodiment not particularly described is the same as that of other embodiments, so the redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a pump device 10 as an example of a wind and hydraulic device, and a sensor 20 that detects a signal (sensor signal) reflecting a physical quantity (for example, vibration, temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) generated by the operation of the pump device 10.

[0017] The pump device 10 includes a pump P for transferring a liquid and a motor M for operating the pump P. The pump P is connected to a suction pipe SP at its suction port and to a discharge pipe DP at its discharge port. When the impeller (not shown) of the pump P rotates by driving the motor M, the pump P sucks in and pressurizes the liquid through the suction pipe SP. The pressurized liquid is transferred to the outside through the discharge pipe DP.

[0018] As other examples of the wind and hydraulic equipment, a blower, a turbine, a compressor, etc. can be cited. As an example of the sensor 20, a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, etc. can be cited.

[0019] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams showing the communication positions where the sensors are attached. The pump device 10 has a communication position 110 where the sensor 20 is attached. In the present embodiment, the communication position 110 is formed in the motor casing 100 of the motor M, but the communication position 110 can be arranged at an arbitrary position according to the function of the sensor 20.

[0020] For example, when the sensor 20 is a pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor, the communication position 110 is formed at a position (for example, the pump casing of the pump P, the suction pipe SP, the discharge pipe DP) where the sensor 20 can detect a signal corresponding to the pressure or flow rate of the liquid transferred by the pump P. Thus, the communication position 110 is formed at the position where the sensor 20 detects the signal, that is, the signal detection position.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system 1 includes a communication device 111 such as an NFC (Near Field Communication (registered trademark)) tag arranged at the communication position 110. The communication device 111 is configured to communicate with the sensor 20 using a wireless communication technology (particularly, a short-range wireless communication technology).

[0022] A fixing device 120 is positioned on the communication position 110. The fixing device 120 is a device for fixing the sensor 20 to the communication position 110. A magnet can be given as an example of the fixing device 120.

[0023] The sensor 20 includes a detection unit 20a that detects a physical quantity generated by the operation of the pump device 10, a communication unit 20b that communicates with the communication device 111, and a processing unit 20c that processes the signal detected by the detection unit 20a. The processing unit 20c is, for example, a microcomputer and includes a memory for storing a program and a processor that performs calculations according to the program.

[0024] The communication device 111 holds individual identification information (e.g., serial number) assigned to the pump device 10. When the sensor 20 is attached to the communication position 110, the communication unit 20b of the sensor 20 reads the individual identification information written to the communication device 111 through the communication device 111. The individual identification information read by the communication unit 20b is stored in the processing unit 20c. In this way, the communication unit 20b is configured to read the individual identification information when the sensor 20 is attached to the communication position 110 (trigger).

[0025] If sensor 20 is a vibration sensor, the mounting direction of sensor 20 is an important factor in identifying the cause of vibration and accurately detecting the occurrence of vibration. Therefore, it is desirable to determine a predetermined mounting direction when attaching sensor 20 to the communication position 110.

[0026] For example, if a cable (not shown) is connected to the sensor 20, the sensor 20 may be positioned based on the relative direction between the cable and the rotation axis (not shown) of the pump device 10. For example, the sensor 20 may be mounted at the communication position 110 so that the cable is perpendicular (or parallel) to the rotation axis (not shown) of the pump device 10. In one embodiment, a marker such as an arrow mark may be attached to the sensor 20, and the sensor 20 may be mounted at the communication position 110 so that the orientation of the marker is perpendicular (or parallel) to the rotation axis of the pump device 10.

[0027] Furthermore, the communication system 1 includes a monitoring device 50 that stores management information for a pump device 10, which is an example of a hydraulic power device, and monitors the operation of the pump device 10, and a repeater 40 that electrically connects the monitoring device 50 and the sensor 20 (see Figure 1).

[0028] The management information for the pump device 10 includes, for example, the model, application, and installation location of the pump device 10. Furthermore, the management information may also include the mounting position and orientation of the sensor 20. By accessing the monitoring device 50, the user can obtain not only the management information for the pump device 10, but also the mounting position and orientation of the sensor 20 attached to the communication position 110.

[0029] The monitoring device 50 has pre-stored management information for the pump device 10 and matching source data, including individual identification information associated with the management information, in a database. The monitoring device 50 is configured to read individual management information and matching source data according to commands from the user. Furthermore, the monitoring device 50 acts as a server device that monitors the status of the pump device 10, issues commands for the operation of the pump device 10, and manages data based on data sent from the sensor 20.

[0030] Figure 4(a) shows one embodiment of the communication network between the pump device and the monitoring device, and Figure 4(b) shows another embodiment of the communication network between the pump device and the monitoring device. As shown in Figure 4(a), the communication system 1 has a communication network formed between the pump device 10, the sensor 20, the repeater 40, and the monitoring device 50. As shown in Figure 4(b), the communication system 1 may have a communication network formed between the pump device 10, the sensor 20, and the monitoring device 50.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the processing flow of the sensor when the sensor is attached to the communication location. Figure 6 shows the process for associating management information and individual identification information. As shown in step P101 of Figure 6, first the production staff attaches the communication device 111, on which the individual identification information of the pump device 10 is written, to the communication location 110.

[0032] Subsequently, when the sensor 20 is attached to the communication position 110, the sensor 20 communicates with the communication device 111, reads the individual identification information of the pump device 10 from the communication device 111, and stores it in the memory of the processing unit 20c (see step S101 in Figure 5 and steps P102 and P103 in Figure 6).

[0033] As shown in step P201 of Figure 6, the sales representative requests management information for the pump device 10 from the customer and obtains the management information from the customer (see step P202). The sales representative associates the individual identification information of the pump device 10, which has been obtained in advance (i.e., stored in the database of the monitoring device 50 in advance), with the management information in the database of the monitoring device 50 (see step P203).

[0034] Upon this association, the monitoring device 50 sends the matching source data, including the associated individual identification information, to the relay device 40, and instructs the relay device 40 to search for the individual identification information stored in the sensor 20 (see step P301). In response to the request from the monitoring device 50, the relay device 40 sends a search signal to the sensor 20 that the relay device 40 can access, and searches for the individual identification information (see steps S102 and P302).

[0035] If the search signal does not reach the sensor 20 (see "No" in step S102), the sensor 20 continues in standby mode. On the other hand, if the search signal does reach the sensor 20 (see "Yes" in step S102), the sensor 20 sends the read individual identification information to the relay 40 (see step S103 and process P303).

[0036] In this way, the relay 40 compares the source data sent from the monitoring device 50 with the individual identification information sent from the sensor 20. If the source data and the individual identification information match, the relay 40 sends the acquired individual identification information to the monitoring device 50 (see step P304). The monitoring device 50 associates the individual identification information sent from the relay 40 with the management information stored in the monitoring device 50 (see step P305).

[0037] According to this embodiment, the monitoring device 50 is configured to associate individual identification information read by the communication unit 20b of the sensor 20 with management information. With this configuration, the communication system 1 can quickly and reliably perform the information association without causing human errors such as input mistakes.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring device 50 associates the individual identification information read by the communication unit 20b of the sensor 20 with the management information stored in the monitoring device 50 via the relay unit 40. However, in one embodiment, the monitoring device 50 may directly (i.e., without going through the relay unit 40) associate the individual identification information read by the communication unit 20b of the sensor 20 with the management information stored in the monitoring device 50.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a list of monitored devices displayed on the monitor of the monitoring device. As shown in Figure 7, by associating individual identification information with management information, the monitoring device 50 displays the management information (for example, the model, purpose, and installation location of the pump device 10) and the individual identification information of the pump device 10 corresponding to the management information on the list of monitored devices. Therefore, the user can monitor the list of monitored devices by accessing the monitoring device 50.

[0040] As shown in step P401 of Figure 6, the user can access the monitoring device 50 to change the settings of the measurement conditions of the sensor 20 attached to the pump device 10 on the monitoring equipment list, or to acquire measurement data (for example, vibration data of the pump device 10) measured by the sensor 20.

[0041] Based on a command from the user, the monitoring device 50 requests the repeater 40 to change the settings of the sensor 20 or to provide measurement data (see step P402). The repeater 40 requests the sensor 20 to change the settings or provide measurement data in response to the request from the monitoring device 50 (see step P403). The processing unit 20c of the sensor 20 reflects the setting changes or creates measurement data based on the signal detected by the detection unit 20a in response to the request from the repeater 40.

[0042] After processing by the processing unit 20c is completed, the sensor 20 sends a completion signal to the repeater 40 via the communication unit 20b (see step P404). The repeater 40 sends a completion signal to the monitoring device 50 (see step P405), and the monitoring device 50 receives the completion signal (see step P406).

[0043] Figures 8 and 9 show examples of measurement data displayed on the monitor of the monitoring device. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the sensor 20 is a vibration sensor, the monitoring device 50 displays the measurement data (time-series vibration data, frequency analysis data) measured by the sensor 20 on the monitor.

[0044] By comparing the monitoring equipment list with the measurement data, the user can monitor the vibration data via the monitoring device 50, focusing on the individual characteristics of the pump device 10 being monitored, and thus monitor the condition of the pump device 10 with greater accuracy.

[0045] The embodiments described above are intended to enable persons with ordinary skill in the art to implement the present invention. Various modifications of the above embodiments can be made naturally by those skilled in the art, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be applied to other embodiments as well. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but is to be interpreted in the broadest sense according to the technical idea defined by the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1. Communication System 10 Pumping device 20 sensors 20a Detection unit 20b Communication Department 20c Processing 40 Repeaters 50 Monitoring equipment 100 Motor Casing 110 Communication location 111 Communication equipment 120 Fixtures P Pump M Motor SP suction pipe DP discharge pipe

Claims

1. It is a communication system, Feng Shui equipment, A sensor that detects a signal that reflects a physical quantity generated by the operation of the aforementioned wind and hydraulic equipment, The system includes a monitoring device that stores management information for the aforementioned hydraulic and wind power equipment and monitors the operation of the hydraulic and wind power equipment, The aforementioned wind and hydraulic equipment is equipped with a communication device located at a communication position formed at the signal detection position of the sensor, and on which the individual identification information of the wind and hydraulic equipment is written. The sensor is equipped with a communication unit that reads out the individual identification information through the communication device when the sensor is attached to the communication location. The monitoring device is a communication system that associates the individual identification information read by the communication unit with the management information.

2. The communication system includes a relay that electrically connects the monitoring device and the sensor. In response to a request from the monitoring device, the sensor sends the read individual identification information to the relay. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device associates the individual identification information sent to the relay with the management information.

3. The monitoring device stores matching source data, which includes individual identification information associated with the management information. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the relay device compares the source data sent from the monitoring device with the individual identification information.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device acquires measurement data measured by a sensor corresponding to the associated individual identification information.

5. A method of communication, A sensor that detects a signal reflecting a physical quantity generated by the operation of a wind and hydraulic device is attached to a communication position formed at the signal detection position of the sensor. Upon installation of the sensor at the communication location, the communication unit of the sensor reads the individual identification information of the hydraulic equipment through a communication device on which the individual identification information of the hydraulic equipment is written. A communication method comprising: a monitoring device that stores management information of the wind and hydraulic equipment and monitors the operation of the wind and hydraulic equipment, which associates the individual identification information read out by the communication unit with the management information.

6. In response to a request from the monitoring device, the individual identification information read by the sensor is sent to a relay that electrically connects the monitoring device and the sensor. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring device associates the individual identification information sent to the relay with the management information.

7. The monitoring device stores matching source data, which includes individual identification information associated with the management information. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein the relay device compares the source data sent from the monitoring device with the individual identification information.

8. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring device acquires measurement data measured by a sensor corresponding to the associated individual identification information.

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