Transmission power supply unit

Abstract

To provide a transmission power supply unit that sources electric power to be supplied to a measurement device supporting general communication protocols such as Modbus(R) from an external power supply having high power consumption and capable of voltage input in a wide range and that supplies stable power, while being capable of transmitting data measured by a measurement device (a sensor) to an external device via a network.SOLUTION: A transmission power supply unit 20 is connected to a sensor module 21 which measures data at a measurement point via a sensor connection cable 22. The transmission power supply unit 20 comprises: a function of turning an external power supply connected to the transmission power supply unit 20 into power supply at a rectified constant voltage; and a function of transmitting the data measured by the sensor module 21 to an external device by being connected to the external device via the network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a transmission power supply unit that supplies power to a measuring device (sensor) compatible with a general communication protocol such as Modbus (registered trademark), and transmits data measured by the measuring device (sensor) to an external device via a network.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a measuring device (sensor) that measures various items, data measured by the measuring device has been transmitted to a server located remotely for data analysis and the like. In particular, in a measuring device that measures the water quality of rivers, lakes, seas, etc. located remotely, such as a water quality meter, it may be necessary to prepare a rather long cable in the case of wired communication, so wireless communication is desirable rather than wired communication.

[0003] On the other hand, in a measuring device such as a water quality meter, there are also various restrictions on power supply, making the design difficult. Specifically, in a measuring device designed on the premise of being driven by a battery, compared with one designed on the premise of external power supply, there is a restriction that it must operate with low power consumption. Therefore, in the case where multi-item measurement is required or in the case of a high-function and high-performance measuring device, a type that can be supplied with power from the outside is more desirable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when measuring devices such as water quality meters rely on an external power supply, there was a problem that if a stable power supply was not provided, it would affect the measurement accuracy. Furthermore, if the correct voltage voltage specified in the specifications was not applied, the measuring device itself would break. In addition, in recent years, there has been a demand for easy connection to IoT environments, which necessitates the development of sophisticated communication protocols.

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a transmission power supply unit that provides power to a measuring device compatible with common communication protocols such as Modbus®, using an external power supply with high power consumption and a wide voltage input range, while also providing a stable power supply and enabling the transmission of data measured by the measuring device (sensor) to an external device via a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, this invention relates to measurement points underwater Measure data in Installed underwater A transmission power supply unit that can communicate with a sensor module by being connected to the sensor module via a sensor connection cable, wherein the transmission power supply unit is connected to the transmission power supply unit directly Connected external power supply Power supplied from rectify and supply to the sensor module The function to do, External IoT gateway The sensor module is characterized by having a function to transmit data measured by the sensor module to an external device by being connected to the external device via a certain means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the transmission power supply unit of this invention, any external power supply with a voltage range of 5-24VDC and a power capacity of several VA can be directly connected. This external power supply is then converted into a rectified constant voltage power supply (stable, high-quality power supply), which can then be supplied to the sensor module, without any risk of damaging the sensor module. Furthermore, since measurement data can be transmitted (communicated) to external devices via a network using commonly used protocols such as Modbus (registered trademark), subsequent data analysis and data processing can be easily performed by the user without the need to develop communication protocols. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a conventional water quality meter (measuring device). [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operation of the water quality meter (measuring device) in Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transmission power supply unit in Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the installation of the transmission power supply unit and sensor module in Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] This invention relates to a transmission power supply unit that supplies power to a measuring device (sensor) compatible with common communication protocols such as Modbus®, and transmits the data measured by the measuring device (sensor) to an external device via a network. The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a conventional water quality meter (measuring device). The area enclosed by the dashed line on the left is the water quality meter (measuring device), and the area to the right of the dashed line is the equipment provided by the user. As shown in Figure 1, a conventional water quality meter (measuring device) requires a sensor module 11 that measures data (numerical data) for various items (multiple items) in the water at the measurement point, and a display and operating device 13 connected to the sensor module 11 via a sensor connection cable 12.

[0012] Furthermore, the data measured by the sensor module 11 is transmitted to the user via serial communication using an RS232C cable through the display control unit 13. While RS232C is a common communication method, the communication protocol varies from user to user. Therefore, in order for users to perform data analysis, it was necessary to create a communication protocol tailored to their specifications. In recent years, there has also been a demand for easy connection to IoT environments, so it was necessary to take this into consideration and create a communication protocol for each user for data communication, which was a very difficult task.

[0013] Furthermore, because it is difficult to disclose the protocol using the sensor module 11 alone, a display operator 13 equipped with a display unit 131 is required, and data communication and control with the sensor module 11 have been performed using this display operator 13. However, the display operator 13 must be equipped with a display unit 131, and the inclusion of these display functions makes it expensive. Since a display operator 13 is required for each sensor module 11, there was also the problem of overall high costs.

[0014] Furthermore, regarding the power supply to the sensor module 11, if it is a battery-powered type (dry cell type), there is no need to consider the method of power supply. However, in the case of battery power, there is a constraint that it must be operated with low power consumption. Therefore, in cases where measurement of multiple items is required, or in the case of high-function and high-performance measuring devices, a type that can be powered from an external source is preferable.

[0015] Therefore, there are some devices that are not battery-powered (dry battery type) so that power consumption does not need to be considered, and an external power source is supplied via the display operator 13. However, the construction of a wireless communication system via the display operator 13 and the power supply to the sensor module 11 are complicated. In addition, for an external power source, it is necessary to use a dedicated AC adapter as a dedicated external power source so that a stable power supply can be provided. This is because if a stable power supply is not provided, it will also affect the measurement accuracy in the sensor module 11. Also, there was a problem that the sensor module 11 might be damaged if an external power source that did not meet the specifications was supplied by mistake.

[0016] Thus, in a conventional water quality meter (measurement device), when assuming power supply from the outside, there were problems such as that if a stable power was not supplied, it would also affect the measurement accuracy, and that if a power source with the correct voltage as per the specifications was not applied, the measurement device itself would be damaged. Furthermore, in recent years, since it is also required to be easily connected to the IoT environment, there was also a problem that a communication protocol had to be developed considering this.

[0017] As communication protocols, various ones are known, such as Modbus (registered trademark), HART (registered trademark), WirelessHART (registered trademark), FOUNDATION fieldbus, PROFIBUS (registered trademark), OPC, HART-IP, DeviceNet, EtherNet / IP, AS-interface (registered trademark), CANopen (registered trademark), etc. Among these, it is also well known that Modbus, HART, WirelessHART, FOUNDATION fieldbus, and PROFIBUS are standard communication protocols for connecting field devices and upper-level devices.

[0018] Therefore, the transmission power supply unit in the embodiment of this invention supplies power to a measuring device (sensor) corresponding to a general communication protocol such as Modbus, HART, WirelessHART, FOUNDATION fieldbus, PROFIBUS, etc., which are standard communication protocols for connecting field devices and upper-level devices, i.e., Modbus and other common communication protocols. It uses an external power supply with high power consumption and the ability to input a wide range of voltages, and can supply a stable power supply. At the same time, it transmits the data measured by the measuring device (sensor) to external devices connected via a network through an external IoT gateway. In the following embodiments, the case where the communication protocol is Modbus will be described as an example.

[0019] Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an operation example of a water quality meter (measuring device) in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The part surrounded by the one-dot chain line on the left side is the water quality meter (measuring device), and the part on the right side of the broken line is the device prepared by the user side. As shown in Figure 2, the water quality meter (measuring device) in Embodiment 1 of this invention requires a sensor module 21 that measures (measures) data (numerical data) for various items (multiple items) in the water at the measurement point, and a transmission power supply unit 20 connected to the sensor module 21 via a sensor connection cable 22, and the measurement is carried out thereby. Also, in this Embodiment 1, the sensor module 21 is a sensor module corresponding to the Modbus (registered trademark) communication protocol, and the transmission power supply unit 20 will be described as a Modbus power supply unit corresponding to the Modbus communication protocol.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, which will be described later, the transmission power supply unit 20 is provided with two power terminals 211 for connecting an external power supply and two RS485 cable terminals 212 (+ terminal and - terminal) for connecting an external IoT gateway via an RS485 cable, as well as a dedicated sensor module connector 201 for connecting a sensor connection cable 22. The transmission power supply unit 20 also has the function of converting the external power supply connected to it into a rectified constant voltage power supply and the function of transmitting data measured by the sensor module 21 to an external device via a network through an external IoT gateway, thereby enabling input / output transmission (bidirectional communication).

[0021] Furthermore, since the transmission power supply unit 20 has a function to convert the external power supply connected to it into a rectified constant voltage power supply, when the external power supply is connected to the power terminal 211 of the transmission power supply unit 20 and the sensor connection cable 22 connected to the sensor module 21 is connected to the sensor module dedicated connector 201, the transmission power supply unit 20 can supply a rectified constant voltage power supply to the sensor module 21, that is, it can supply a stable and high-quality power supply.

[0022] Furthermore, by connecting an external power supply to the power terminal 211 of the transmission power supply unit 20, connecting an RS485 cable connected to an external IoT gateway to the RS485 cable terminal 212, and connecting a sensor connection cable 22 connected to the sensor module 21 to the sensor module dedicated connector 201, data measured by the sensor module 21, which supports the Modbus communication protocol, can be transmitted via the transmission power supply unit 20, through the external IoT gateway, and via the wireless network to external devices (cloud servers, PCs, smartphones, tablets, etc.).

[0023] In other words, the transmission power supply unit 20 in this embodiment 1 is designed to connect to an IoT environment via a gateway without going through the display operator 23, by using Modbus and RS485 serial communication protocols for the sensor module 21 connected by the sensor connection cable 22. Furthermore, it can supply an isolated stabilized power supply to drive the sensor module 21, and the input voltage of the external power supply has a wide voltage specification of 5-24VDC.

[0024] Furthermore, the display operator 23 shown in Figure 2 is equipped with a display unit 231 that allows users to check the data measured by the sensor module 21 by connecting the sensor connection cable 22 to the display operator 23, as in the conventional method (as shown in Figure 1). In addition, when performing maintenance on the sensor module 21, by connecting the sensor connection cable 22, settings for the sensor module 21 can be checked on the display unit 231 via the display operator 23.

[0025] Furthermore, although Figure 2 shows the display operator 23 communicating one-to-one with a set of sensor modules 21 including the sensor connection cable 22, it is possible to operate multiple sensor modules 21 with a single display operator 23. Therefore, there is no need to prepare the same number of display operators as sensor modules, as in the conventional method, which has the advantage of reducing costs.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transmission power supply unit 20 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where Figure 3(a) is an overview perspective view of the transmission power supply unit 20 and Figure 3(b) is a schematic diagram of the terminal block of the transmission power supply unit 20. As shown in Figure 3(a), this transmission power supply unit 20 is a lightweight and compact box weighing about 100g that fits in the palm of your hand, and is equipped with a sensor module dedicated connector 201 for connecting a sensor connection cable 22 connected to a sensor module 21, and a terminal block 210.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), the terminal block 210 of the transmission power supply unit 20 is provided with two (+, -) power terminals 211 to which an external power supply can be connected, and two (+, -) RS485 cable terminals 212 to which an external IoT gateway can be connected via an RS485 cable.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the installation of the transmission power supply unit 20 and the sensor module 21 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Figure 4(a) is an overall schematic diagram of the installation example, Figure 4(b) is an explanatory diagram of the inside of the buoy 30, and Figure 4(c) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the inside of the management facility 40. In Embodiment 1 of this invention, a water quality meter is used as an example of a measuring device. As shown in Figure 4(a), the sensor module 21 is installed in water such as a lake. After the sensor module 21 is placed in the water, which is the measurement point, the buoy 30 is installed (placed) on the water surface.

[0029] Then, as shown in Figure 4(b), the transmission power unit 20 is installed inside the buoy 30 that is placed on the water. This transmission power unit 20 is connected to the sensor module 21 in the water via a sensor connection cable 22 connected to a sensor module dedicated connector 201.

[0030] Furthermore, an external power supply (DC power supply) 31 supplied by the user and an IoT gateway 32, which is a communication module, are also located within the same buoy 30. The external power supply 31 is connected to the power terminal 211 (see Figure 3) of the transmission power supply unit 20. An RS485 cable 33 supplied by the user is connected to the IoT gateway 32, and this RS485 cable 33 is connected to the RS485 cable terminal 212 (see Figure 3) of the transmission power supply unit 20.

[0031] This makes it possible to transmit underwater data measured by the sensor module 21 via the transmission power unit 20 to the user's cloud server or other network server via the IoT gateway 32. Figure 4(c) shows an example of a remote management facility 40 and is an explanatory diagram illustrating how data is transmitted from the cloud server to the facility's PC, the administrator's smartphone, tablet, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, since the transmission and storage of data to cloud servers via network connections, and the transmission of that stored data to user PCs, administrators' smartphones and tablets for data analysis, etc., are well-known technologies, we will omit further explanation here.

[0033] Here, the specifications of the transmission power supply unit 20 include the fact that the external power supply (DC power supply) 31 that can be connected to the transmission power supply unit 20 is capable of handling a wide input voltage range of 5-24VDC, and any external power supply with a power capacity of a few VA in the 5-24VDC voltage range can be directly connected. Therefore, no matter what external power supply the user prepares, as long as it is a general-purpose power supply, it will be able to provide a stable, isolated power supply to the sensor module 21, and there will be no need to worry about damaging the sensor module 21.

[0034] Furthermore, if the sensor module 21 is not supplied with a stable power supply, it will affect the measurement accuracy of the sensor module 21. Therefore, in order to ensure measurement accuracy, it is necessary to supply a high-quality power supply. However, the transmission power supply unit 20 of this invention is equipped with a filter function that cleans (rectifies and smooths) the power supplied from an external power supply, thereby supplying higher quality power. In other words, it has the function of turning the external power supply connected to the transmission power supply unit 20 into a rectified constant voltage power supply, thus providing a stable and high-quality power supply to the sensor module 21.

[0035] Furthermore, assuming that the sensor module 21 supports common communication protocols such as Modbus, the transmission power unit 20 is capable of RS485 serial communication. Therefore, measurement data can be transmitted (communicated) to the user's cloud server, PC, smartphone, tablet, etc., via the transmission power unit 20, through the RS485 cable 33, and then through the IoT gateway 32 to the network using commonly used communication protocols such as Modbus. This makes it easy for users to perform subsequent data analysis and data processing without having to create their own communication protocols.

[0036] Furthermore, by installing the system in the manner shown in Figure 4, for example, when you want to monitor the water quality of a remote river, lake, or sea, you can place a sensor module 21, which is a water quality meter connected to a sensor connection cable 22, at the measurement point where you want to monitor the water quality. Then, by installing a transmission power supply unit 20 connected to the sensor connection cable 22, an external power supply 31 to drive the sensor module 21, and an IoT gateway 32 inside a buoy 30 floating on the water, you can transmit measurement data to a management facility, send alarms, and easily perform subsequent data analysis.

[0037] Depending on the size of the buoy 30, if the buoy 30 floating on the water is shaped like a raft and an auxiliary solar panel is mounted on top of it, it will be possible to supply power for a longer period of time, so it may be a good idea to mount an additional solar panel on the buoy 30.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, Modbus is assumed as the communication protocol, and the explanation was given using the example of a sensor module 21 that is compatible with the Modbus communication protocol and a transmission power supply unit 20 that is also a Modbus power supply unit. However, it goes without saying that other standard communication protocols for connecting field equipment and higher-level equipment, such as HART, WirelessHART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and PROFIBUS, may also be used as the communication protocol.

[0039] As described above, the transmission power supply unit of this embodiment of the present invention allows for direct connection of any external power supply as long as it is a general-purpose power supply with a voltage range of 5-24VDC and a power capacity of several VA. This external power supply is then converted into a rectified constant voltage power supply (stable, high-quality power supply), providing a stable and high-quality power supply to the sensor module without the risk of damaging it. Furthermore, since measurement data can be transmitted (communicated) to external devices via a network using widely used communication protocols such as Modbus, subsequent data analysis and data processing can be easily performed by the user without the need to develop communication protocols.

[0040] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, any component of the embodiment can be modified or any component of the embodiment can be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 11,21 Sensor Module 12,22 Sensor connection cable 13,23 Display operation device 20 Transmission power supply unit 30 Buoy 31 External power supply (DC power supply) 32 IoT Gateways 33 RS485 Cables 40 Management Facilities 131,231 Display unit of the display and control device 201 Dedicated connector for the sensor module of the transmission power supply unit 20 210 Terminal block of transmission power supply unit 20 211 Power terminals of the transmission power supply unit 20 212 RS485 cable terminal of transmission power supply unit 20

Claims

1. A transmission power supply unit that can communicate with a sensor module installed underwater to measure data at a measurement point in the water, and is connected to the sensor module via a sensor connection cable, The aforementioned transmission power supply unit has the function of rectifying power supplied from an external power supply directly connected to the transmission power supply unit and supplying it to the sensor module, and the function of transmitting data measured by the sensor module to an external device by being connected to an external IoT gateway. A transmission power supply unit characterized by the following features.

2. The transmission power supply unit is provided with a power terminal consisting of two terminals, a + terminal and a - terminal, to which the external power supply can be connected, and a dedicated connector for the sensor module to which the sensor connection cable can be connected. The external power supply is connected to the power terminal, and the sensor connection cable, which is connected to the sensor module, is connected to the sensor module's dedicated connector, thereby supplying the rectified power to the sensor module. The transmission power supply unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a transmission power supply unit.

3. The transmission power supply unit is provided with an RS485 cable terminal to which the external IoT gateway can be connected via an RS485 cable. The RS485 cable connected to the external IoT gateway is connected to the RS485 cable terminal, and the sensor connection cable connected to the sensor module is connected to the sensor module's dedicated connector. As a result, the data measured by the sensor module is transmitted via the transmission power supply unit, through the external IoT gateway, and to external devices connected via the network. The transmission power supply unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

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