Monitoring system and monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system and monitoring method for monitoring motions of a monitoring target.SOLUTION: A monitoring system comprises vibration power generation means configured to generate power in response to vibration generated by a motion of a monitoring target, detection means configured to detect a predetermined voltage of a capacitor charged by the generated power, and identification means configured to identify the motion of the monitoring target corresponding to a predetermined charge / discharge pattern when the predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in a charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system and a monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for attaching a vibration power generation device including a vibration power generation element to an object and monitoring the movement of the object.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that manages the open / close status of a lock, generating electricity from the vibrations that occur when a key is inserted into a keyhole and turned, determining whether the key is open or closed based on the voltage change, and using the electricity generated by vibration power generation to transmit data.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an anomaly detection system for railway bridges, which attaches vibration power generation elements to bearings and detects anomalies by identifying vibrations that occur during anomalies. In particular, it discloses that the resonant frequency of the vibration power generation element is set to the frequency that occurs during anomalies, and an increase in the amount of power generated is determined to be an anomaly, and that multiple vibration power generation elements are attached to the bearings and the power generation status of each element is compared to identify the location of the anomaly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-218734 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 194375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In manufacturing plants and other facilities, it is necessary to monitor the operating status of production equipment in order to ensure efficient production. To achieve this, various sensors are required, but when installing sensors on existing equipment later, it is often difficult to wire them. Furthermore, selecting the right sensors is difficult without a certain level of knowledge and experience.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a monitoring system and a monitoring method for monitoring the behavior of a monitoring target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A monitoring system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a vibration power generation means for generating electricity in response to vibrations caused by the behavior of a monitored object, a detection means for detecting a predetermined voltage of a capacitor charged by the power generation, and an identification means for, when a predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor, identifying the behavior of the monitored object corresponding to the predetermined charge / discharge pattern.

[0009] Furthermore, a monitoring method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring a charge / discharge pattern of a capacitor charged in response to vibrations caused by the operation of a monitored object, and an identification step of identifying the operation of the monitored object corresponding to a predetermined charge / discharge pattern when a predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a monitoring system and a monitoring method for monitoring the behavior of a monitoring target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a monitoring device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a monitoring device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of a vibration power generation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of a vibration power generation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of a vibration power generation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of a vibration power generation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of a vibration power generation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart of a monitoring method according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout this specification and the accompanying drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] (System Overview) 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a monitoring system according to an embodiment, in which the monitoring system is applied to production equipment in a factory.

[0014] The monitoring system 100 includes a monitoring device 101 equipped with a vibration power generation device and an information processing device 102. In this embodiment, a production facility 103 is monitored. In the production facility 103, material supplied from a material tank 110 is discharged into an oven 112 via a discharge device 111 and molded. A vacuum pump 113, a stirring motor 114, and a temperature regulator 115 are connected to the material tank 110. The temperature regulator 115 operates using thermal oil. The discharge device 111 also has a cylinder, which operates when pressure is applied by a hydraulic unit 116. The oven 112 can load and unload material by opening and closing a door 117 (also referred to as an oven door). In this embodiment, for example, the monitoring device 101 is attached to the hydraulic unit 116, and the vibration power generation device included in the monitoring device 101 generates electricity using vibrations generated in the production facility 103. The vibration power generation device is not limited to the hydraulic unit 116, and can generate power from vibrations generated in various devices within the production facility 103, such as the material tank 110, the discharge device 111, the oven 112, the vacuum pump 113, the stirring motor 114, the temperature regulator 115, and the door 117 of the oven 112. Furthermore, the monitoring device 101 is not limited to being attached to the hydraulic unit 116, and may be attached to other devices within the production facility 103. The control panel 120 monitors the status of the production facility 103 and performs various controls.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a monitoring device according to an embodiment.

[0016] The monitoring apparatus 101 includes a vibration power generation device 200 including a vibration power generation element 201, a charging circuit 202, and a capacitor 203, a voltage detection circuit 204, and a wireless module 205.

[0017] The vibration power generation element 201 generates power using ambient sound or vibration. The vibration power generation element 201 includes, for example, a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, and generates power by causing the movable electrode to vibrate relative to the fixed electrode in response to the sound or vibration of the monitored object. The vibration power generation element 201 is set to maximize the amount of power generated in accordance with the dominant frequency of the monitored object and is configured to generate greater power at specific frequencies. The dominant frequency refers to the frequency at which the system generates its maximum amplitude due to input acceleration, etc., and here refers to the frequency at which the system generates its maximum amplitude. For example, the vibration power generation element 201 can accommodate various frequencies by adjusting the beam and movable weight. The vibration power generation element 201 may be an electret power generation element, a piezoelectric power generation element, an electromagnetic induction power generation element, or a magnetostrictive power generation element.

[0018] The charging circuit 202 converts the AC voltage output from the vibration power generation element 201 into a DC voltage using a diode, and charges the capacitor 203. A resistor is connected in parallel to the capacitor 203, and when power generation by the vibration power generation element 201 stops, the charging voltage drops due to the resistor (i.e., the capacitor is discharged). The resistance value of the resistor and the capacitance of the capacitor 203 are set taking into consideration the duration of vibration, the amount of power generation, etc.

[0019] The voltage detection circuit 204 detects the charging voltage of the capacitor 203. The voltage detection circuit 204 is configured to detect a predetermined voltage of the capacitor 203, and outputs detection information to the wireless module 205 when the predetermined voltage is detected.

[0020] The wireless module 205 converts the detection information detected by the voltage detection circuit 204 into a digital signal (A / D conversion) and transmits it to the information processing device 102 via wireless communication. Note that if the A / D conversion is performed by the voltage detection circuit 204 and the detection information is converted into a digital signal, the wireless module 205 does not need to perform the A / D conversion. (In other words, the voltage detection circuit 204 may perform the A / D conversion and then perform voltage detection processing on the digitally converted information.)

[0021] Based on the detection information received from the wireless module 205, the information processing device 102 matches the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor 203 with a predetermined charge / discharge pattern stored in advance. If the predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor 203, the information processing device 102 identifies the behavior of the monitored object corresponding to the predetermined charge / discharge pattern. The charge / discharge pattern indicates a change in voltage over time. The predetermined charge / discharge pattern includes various charge / discharge patterns corresponding to each of multiple behaviors of the monitored object. By identifying the charge / discharge pattern occurring in the capacitor 203, the behavior of the monitored object can be identified. The predetermined charge / discharge pattern also includes a charge / discharge pattern resulting from a combination of multiple behaviors of the monitored object. Once the information processing device 102 identifies the behavior of the monitored object, it notifies the identified behavior of the monitored object. The information processing device 102 may display the identified behavior on a display device, notify a predetermined notification destination, or transmit a predetermined signal.

[0022] The monitoring device 101 in the example of FIG. 2 extracts necessary information using the voltage detection circuit 204 and transmits the extracted information using the wireless module 205, and therefore is suitable for power-saving operation of the monitoring device 101.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a monitoring device according to an embodiment.

[0024] The monitoring device 101 in Fig. 3 includes a vibration power generation device 200 including a vibration power generation element 201, a charging circuit 202, and a capacitor 203, a wireless module 205, and a power supply 207. Compared to the monitoring device 101 in Fig. 2, the monitoring device 101 in Fig. 3 does not include a voltage detection circuit 204, and the information processing device 102 includes a voltage detection circuit.

[0025] 3 does not perform voltage detection processing of the capacitor 203, and the wireless module 205 acquires raw information related to the voltage of the capacitor 203, A / D converts the analog raw information into a digital signal, and transmits it to the information processing device 102 (i.e., the voltage detection circuit) as needed. The power supply 207 supplies power for driving the wireless module 205. The power supply 207 is provided in the monitoring device 101 of FIG. 3 because the power consumption of the wireless module 205 is large.

[0026] The information processing device 102 in FIG. 3 can detect a predetermined voltage using a voltage detection circuit and can also perform complex data processing (e.g., filtering, generation of charge / discharge patterns, etc.) on received raw information. Furthermore, the wireless module 205 in FIG. 3 A / D converts the raw information and transmits it as needed, resulting in greater power consumption than the monitoring device 101 in FIG. 2. However, even with this configuration, it is possible to identify the operation of the monitored object using a predetermined charge / discharge pattern. While the information processing device 102 in FIG. 3 is described as including a voltage detection circuit, the process of detecting a predetermined voltage value from received information may be implemented by software. Software-based voltage detection processing can be achieved by a processor executing a program stored in a storage device of the information processing device 102.

[0027] <Demonstration experiment> The following describes the results of a demonstration experiment in which the vibration power generation device 200 was actually attached to the hydraulic unit 116 of the production facility 103.

[0028] In this demonstration experiment, it was confirmed that the vibration power generation device 200 attached to the hydraulic unit 116 of the production equipment 103 can generate electricity up to a predetermined capacitor voltage of the capacitor 203 by operations such as opening and closing the oven door (door 117), operating the cylinder of the discharge device 111, and turning the power of the hydraulic unit 116 on and off.

[0029] In this demonstration experiment, we confirmed the relationship between the amount of power generated by the vibration power generation device 200 and the capacitor voltage. When the vibration power generation device 200 was generating sufficient and stable power, the capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 was constant at 3.3 V. On the other hand, when the vibration power generation device 200 was not generating sufficient power, the capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 was less than 3.3 V.

[0030] The vibration power generation device 200 was set to have a resonance frequency of around 230 Hz and to maximize the amount of power generated when the acceleration was approximately 0.15 G.

[0031] First, the results of the demonstration experiment on the above-mentioned operation will be briefly explained.

[0032] (Opening and closing the oven door) When the oven door closed, the capacitor voltage spiked to 3.3V.

[0033] (Cylinder operation of discharge device) When the discharge device 111 performed a cylinder operation, a sudden rise and fall occurred in the capacitor voltage.

[0034] (hydraulic power supply) When the power supply to the hydraulic unit 116 was turned from OFF to ON, the capacitor voltage suddenly rose from 0V to 3.3V.

[0035] (Oven door opening / closing, no cylinder movement of discharge device) When the oven door was not opened or closed for a long period of time and the cylinder of the discharge device was not operating, the capacitor voltage sometimes dropped (this corresponds to Scope_15 and Scope_23 in Table 1 below).

[0036] Next, this demonstration experiment will be described in more detail.

[0037] The vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 were measured for each operating state shown in Table 1 below.

[0038] [Table 1]

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 when the oven door is opened and closed. As shown in the figure, the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor voltage shows a drop when the oven door is closed, followed by a sudden rise. Scope_3 shown in FIG. 4(a) and Scope_6 shown in FIG. 4(b) both show data when there is no cylinder operation of the discharge device 111 and no ON / OFF operation of the power supply to the hydraulic unit 116. Note that the reason for the voltage rise between 25 s and 40 s in the graph shown in FIG. 4(a) is unknown.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows the measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 when the oven door is opened and closed. As shown in the figure, the charge and discharge pattern of the capacitor voltage shows a drop when the oven door is closed, followed by a sudden rise. Scope_8 shown in FIG. 5(a) shows data obtained when there is no cylinder operation of the discharge device 111 and no power ON / OFF operation of the hydraulic unit 116. Scope_11 shown in FIG. 5(b) shows data obtained when there is cylinder operation of the discharge device 111 in addition to the opening and closing operation of the oven door, but there is no power ON / OFF operation of the hydraulic unit 116. In other words, FIG. 5(b) shows the charge and discharge pattern resulting from a combination of multiple operations (opening and closing of the oven door and cylinder operation of the discharge device 111).

[0041] Figure 6 shows the measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 related to the cylinder operation of the discharge device 111. As shown in the figure, the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor voltage shows sudden rises and falls. Scope_3 shown in Figure 6(a) and Scope_11 shown in Figure 6(b) both show data when there is no opening / closing of the oven door and no power ON / OFF operation of the hydraulic unit 116.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 during the cylinder operation (continuous operation) of the discharge device 111. As shown in the figure, the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor voltage shows continuous rapid rises and falls. Scope_13 shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b) shows data when there is no opening / closing of the oven door and no power ON / OFF operation of the hydraulic unit 116.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows the measurement results of the vibration frequency and capacitor voltage of the vibration power generation device 200 when the power supply of the hydraulic unit 116 is turned from OFF to ON without opening or closing the oven door or operating the cylinder of the discharge device 111. As shown in the figure, the charge and discharge pattern of the capacitor voltage shows a rapid rise from 0 V. The charge and discharge pattern of Scope_19 shown in FIG. 8 is different from the charge and discharge patterns of FIGS. 4 and 5 in that the voltage rises in a shorter time, and can be distinguished from them. This is because the vibrations generated when the power supply of the hydraulic unit 116 is turned ON cause greater acceleration in the vibration power generation device 200 than the vibrations generated by opening or closing the oven door.

[0044] As explained above, this demonstration experiment confirmed that the vibration power generation device 200 attached to the hydraulic unit 116 of the production facility 103 can generate electricity up to a predetermined capacitor voltage of the capacitor 203 by operations such as opening and closing the oven door (door 117), operating the cylinder of the discharge device 111, and turning the power of the hydraulic unit 116 on and off. It was also confirmed that the charge and discharge pattern of the capacitor shows a pattern corresponding to each operation.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described capacitor charge / discharge patterns are associated with the corresponding behavior of the monitored object and stored in advance in the information processing device 102. Then, when a predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the capacitor charge / discharge patterns caused by the behavior of the monitored object, the behavior of the monitored object corresponding to the predetermined charge / discharge pattern is identified. In this way, the behavior of the monitored object can be monitored.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a monitoring method according to one embodiment.

[0047] First, in step S901, the monitoring system 100 acquires the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor 203 that is charged in response to vibrations caused by the operation of the production equipment 103 that is the monitoring target. That is, the voltage detection circuit 204 detects a predetermined voltage.

[0048] Next, in step S902, the monitoring system 100 determines whether a predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor. That is, the information processing device 102 determines whether a predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor based on the detection information of the voltage detection circuit 204. If the predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears, the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if the predetermined charge / discharge pattern does not appear, the process returns to step S901 and repeats the process.

[0049] In step S903, the monitoring system 100 identifies an operation that corresponds to a predetermined charge / discharge pattern, and notifies the identified operation.

[0050] In this way, the monitoring system 100 including the monitoring device 101 and the information processing device 102 can monitor the behavior of the monitoring target.

[0051] According to the embodiment described above, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0052] (1) Because the vibration-powered device in the monitoring device is used as a sensor, there is no need to supply power to the sensor. In addition, because multiple operations are related to the charge / discharge patterns of the capacitor, it is possible to monitor multiple operations with a single vibration-powered device.

[0053] (2) Even when installing a monitoring device on an existing equipment, it is easy to install because no wiring is required. Furthermore, since there is no need to select sensors, it can be easily installed even with little knowledge or experience.

[0054] (3) By providing a voltage detection circuit for the vibration power generation device in the monitoring device, the amount of information transmitted by the wireless module can be reduced, enabling power-saving operation.

[0055] (4) On the other hand, by providing the voltage detection circuit in the information processing device rather than in the monitoring device, complex data processing such as filtering becomes possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Surveillance System 101 Monitoring equipment 102 Information processing equipment 200 Vibration Power Generation Device 201 Vibration power generation element 202 Charging circuit 203 Capacitor 204 Voltage detection circuit 205 Wireless Module

Claims

1. a vibration power generation means for generating power in response to vibrations caused by the movement of the monitoring target; a detection means for detecting a predetermined voltage of the capacitor charged by the power generation; an identification means for matching the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor with a predetermined charge / discharge pattern stored in advance, and, when the predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor, identifying the type of operation of the monitored object corresponding to the predetermined charge / discharge pattern; Equipped with A monitoring system characterized in that the predetermined charge / discharge pattern is a pattern of change in the voltage value of the capacitor over time, including charge / discharge patterns corresponding to each of multiple types of operations of the monitored object.

2. 2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined charge / discharge pattern includes a charge / discharge pattern that occurs due to a combination of a plurality of operations of the monitored object.

3. 3. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined charge / discharge pattern is stored in advance in the specifying means.

4. 4. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of the specified behavior of the target to be monitored.

5. 5. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit that transmits the information detected by the detection unit to the identification unit by wireless communication.

6. 5. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmission unit that transmits information about the voltage of the capacitor to the detection unit by wireless communication.

7. an acquisition step of acquiring a charge / discharge pattern of a capacitor charged in response to vibrations caused by the operation of the monitoring target; a specifying step of matching the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor with a predetermined charge / discharge pattern stored in advance, and, when the predetermined charge / discharge pattern appears in the charge / discharge pattern of the capacitor, the predetermined charge / discharge pattern being a pattern of change in the voltage value of the capacitor over time, including charge / discharge patterns corresponding to each of the plurality of types of operations of the monitored object, specifying the type of operation of the monitored object corresponding to the predetermined charge / discharge pattern; Monitoring methods including:

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