Assembly, drive system, it network, method, computer program product, and computer-readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (4) comprising a frequency converter for supplying an electric motor (3) with energy, with the assembly comprising edge means. The edge means are configured to transmit operating information relating to the frequency converter (5) and / or to an electric motor (3) which is possibly connected or connectable thereto to other components of an IT network (1), in particular a cloud network.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Arrangement, drive system, IT network, method as well as computer program product and computer-readable medium

[0003] The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a frequency converter for supplying an electric motor with energy. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a drive system and an IT network. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method, a computer program product, and a computer-readable medium.

[0004] Frequency converters are used in many industrial applications to control electric motors, especially asynchronous motors, and supply them with electrical power. Such frequency converters are available in various power classes and with varying levels of control accuracy.

[0005] There is a growing need to generate data from complex industrial plants, for example, and to use this data to monitor the plants. This includes data that defines or identifies the respective components of a plant or plant control system, as well as data relating to current operating parameters or error or fault messages. If a large number of components provide such data, it can be collected, processed, and monitored in a central computer unit, for example. Conclusions can be drawn from this regarding required maintenance work or the adjustment of certain operating parameters. Predictive failure analysis can also be made possible through sufficiently extensive data collection.At the same time, such data can also be used, for example, to train artificial intelligence so that self-learning, independent monitoring takes place. One problem with generating data from a control network or from control components is that very large volumes of data are generated in complex industrial plants, which particularly place a strain on data transmission in a network and require considerable computing power. To counter this problem, there is a certain trend towards so-called edge computing, which means deliberately creating decentralized data processing away from a central data center. This means that the actual operations - i.e. the recording, aggregation, preparation and analysis of data - also take place decentrally, particularly where the data is actually created or recorded. This means that data streams can be processed in a resource-efficient manner.At the same time, delays in data transmission are avoided, which also enables short response times.

[0006] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to create an arrangement with a frequency converter which enables simple data processing of operating parameters.

[0007] The problem is solved by claim 1 .

[0008] This object is achieved in an arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in that the arrangement has edge means which are designed to transmit operating information relating to the frequency converter and / or an electric motor which is possibly connected or connectable thereto to other components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network.

[0009] The invention is therefore fundamentally based on the idea of ​​providing edge means in a decentralized manner, particularly in the vicinity of the frequency converter, which edge means can record the data provided by the frequency converter and, if necessary, process it and / or transmit it to other components of an IT network. The edge means can, for example, contain or consist of an edge box. Such an edge box is also referred to as an "industrial edge device" and preferably contains its own computing unit, i.e. a standalone computer, in particular an industrial PC, or is designed as such. The edge box can permanently receive data from the frequency converter or relating to the frequency converter, in particular operating parameters, or an electric motor which is preferably not part of the arrangement according to the invention and is connected to the frequency converter, and process it accordingly.This fundamentally prevents long communication paths and thus long response times. At the same time, communication channels, such as fieldbus systems or similar systems, are not burdened with large amounts of data.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the frequency converter and the edge box are separate components which are connected to one another via an interface provided on the frequency converter, in particular via an Ethernet-based interface. In such a configuration, the edge box and the frequency converter are separate components but are preferably arranged in close proximity to one another. For example, the frequency converter and the edge box can be accommodated in a common control cabinet. Due to the spatial proximity, the time for data transmission is very short, so that a fast response time is possible based on the data transmitted from the frequency converter to the edge box.

[0011] Alternatively, the edge box and the frequency converter can be designed as a structural unit. In this case, the edge box and the frequency converter together form a structural unit. This means that in the IT network they are preferably only visible as individual components. In particular, the configuration of such an IT network is simplified in this way. According to a preferred embodiment, the edge box is connected to the frequency converter via an internal interface of the frequency converter. In concrete terms, such a structural unit, in which the edge box and the frequency converter are integrated, leads to simple communication because, viewed from the outside, the interface between the edge box and the frequency converter is internal. This means that this internal interface can be optimally designed with regard to performance, the protocol used and the bandwidth.The user does not need to configure or set this internal interface separately.

[0012] Alternatively, the edge resources can be integrated into the frequency converter. The frequency converter can contain a computing unit, for example in the form of a CPU, and the edge computing functionality or an edge box as described above can be integrated into this computing unit of the frequency converter. In other words, the activities and functionalities of the edge box described above are performed by the computing unit of the frequency converter. A standalone edge box is not required in this case. In this case, the frequency converter can transmit operating information relating to the frequency converter and / or any electric motor connected or connectable to it to other components of an IT network.In this way, the internal interface via which an edge box is connected to the frequency converter is also eliminated, which leads to further improved performance and simpler configuration of the IT network.

[0013] The edge means, in particular the edge box, can have a communication interface for connecting to components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network. The communication interface is preferably an Ethernet-based interface, in particular a Profinet interface. In principle, the interface can be any interface commonly used in industry. If the edge means are integrated into the frequency converter, the communication interface can be provided on the frequency converter, in particular on a computer unit of the frequency converter.

[0014] The edge means, in particular the edge box and / or the frequency converter, preferably contain software. Specifically, the software can be provided on a computer unit of the edge box and / or the frequency converter, in particular on a corresponding storage medium. The software can be designed to receive and process data, in particular operating parameters, which the frequency converter provides or relates to the frequency converter. The software can also be designed to transmit data in an IT network and to communicate with other components in the IT network.

[0015] The operating parameters can be, for example, vibrations, temperature, speed, etc. The software of the edge box can be designed to calculate or implement optimizations, increases in efficiency and improvements in availability based on a model of the motor. In other words, the edge resources, in particular the edge box, not only comprise the function of data acquisition and data transmission, but also data processing and data manipulation. The software can, for example, be designed to carry out a trend analysis and / or contain or use KI algorithms in order to optimize the operation of the frequency converter or a motor connected to it. The software can also be designed to reformat data into a specific target data format or into a specific communication protocol.In other words, the edge box can be designed to reformat operational information into specific data formats or protocols.

[0016] If the edge box and the frequency converter are designed as a structural unit and the edge box and the frequency converter are connected via an internal interface, a significant advantage is that, from an external perspective, the interface and the resulting effort, particularly during configuration and operation, between the edge box and the frequency converter are eliminated, as it is now an internal interface. The design of this internal interface can be standard-free, i.e., according to any protocol. In other words, the integration effort for such an arrangement in an IT network or in an edge system is reduced.In addition, the amount of data transmitted is reduced because the exchange of data between the Edgebox and the frequency converter is not perceived by other components of the IT network, but only the data transmitted from the Edgebox to other components via the communication interface.

[0017] If the edge resources are integrated into the frequency converter, there is no longer even an internal interface between an edge box and the frequency converter. This further reduces the integration effort for such an arrangement in an IT network or edge system.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the edge means, in particular the edge box, can be configured to detect and process operating parameters of the frequency converter and / or an electric motor connected thereto. In other words, the edge box can contain software that receives and processes operating parameters of the frequency converter.

[0019] Furthermore, the edge means, in particular the edge box, can be designed to provide operating information based on the recorded parameters and to transmit it to other components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of an IT network. This embodiment is based on the idea that an IT network, which can be designed as an edge system or can form such an edge system, processes the data provided by a frequency converter or by an electric motor connected to it, with the edge means, in particular the edge box, transmitting the corresponding operating information as needed.

[0020] The edge means, in particular the edge box, can be configured to transmit the operational information in the form of a specified data format and / or in the form of a specified data packet. In other words, a specific protocol of a data format or data packet can be used, which is used uniformly in the IT network, so that each recipient can further process the operational information.

[0021] Specifically, the operating information can include data for identifying the frequency converter and / or an electric motor connected to it. This can be, for example, identification numbers or an identifier or a name by which the corresponding component can be uniquely identified in the network. It is also possible for the operating information to include data on current operating parameters, in particular on the amplitude and / or frequency of the output current and / or the shape of the output current and / or the voltage and / or the speed and / or the direction of rotation and / or vibrations of an electric motor connected to the frequency converter. Such data can be provided by the frequency converter or the electric motor connected to it.For this purpose, appropriate sensors, for example a proximity sensor and / or a speed sensor and / or a current sensor and / or a vibration sensor, can be present on the frequency converter and / or on the electric motor.

[0022] The operating information may also include data on current ambient conditions, preferably temperature or humidity. In this way, operational reliability can be monitored and predictions of future failures may also be derived. Specifically, the frequency converter and / or the electric motor connected to it may have corresponding sensors, in particular at least one temperature sensor and / or at least one humidity sensor.

[0023] Furthermore, the operating information can include data on faults and / or error messages and / or data on operating time. Especially when faults occur, a nearby edge box, or an edge box that forms a structural unit with the frequency converter, can react quickly and adapt the signals from the frequency converter used to control an electric motor connected to it. In other words, the spatial proximity means that the response time is very short. A very short response time is particularly achieved when the edge devices are integrated directly into the frequency converter.

[0024] The edge means, in particular the edge box, can be designed to issue instructions to the operator regarding troubleshooting and / or maintenance activities on the basis of the recorded and processed operating parameters and / or to transmit them to other components of an IT network. In other words, software installed in particular on the edge box or on the frequency converter can be designed such that it can issue instructions to the operator. In particular, a source of error and preferably also instructions for rectifying this source of error can be output. Maintenance activities can also be specified depending on the recorded operating parameters. For example, the edge box and / or the frequency converter can have a display or be connected to a display on which the corresponding instructions or information is output.It is also possible to transmit these instructions to other components of an IT network, for example, to a central computer unit, and output them, for example, at a central control center. According to a preferred embodiment, the frequency converter can have one or more connections for connecting to one or more electric motors.

[0025] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a drive system comprising an arrangement as described above and at least one electric motor which is connected to the frequency converter and is or can be supplied with electrical energy by the frequency converter.

[0026] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by an IT network, in particular a cloud network, comprising a drive system as described above or an arrangement as described above. The IT network can preferably be an edge system or form one.

[0027] The present invention further provides a method for operating an arrangement or a drive system or an IT network, in particular as described above, wherein the edge means, in particular the edge box, provide operating information on the basis of the recorded operating parameters and / or transmit it to other components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of an IT network.

[0028] The edge means, in particular the edge box, preferably record and process operating parameters of the frequency converter and / or of an electric motor connected or connectable thereto. On the basis of the recorded operating parameters, the edge means, in particular the edge box, can provide operating information and transmit it to other components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of an IT network. In a further embodiment, the edge means, in particular the edge box, can transmit the operating information in the form of a specified data format and / or in the form of a specified data packet. The data is preferably transmitted via a communication interface, which is provided in particular on the edge box or on the frequency converter.

[0029] The edge devices, especially the edge box, can also process or manipulate the data, operating parameters, or operating information. For this purpose, for example, KL algorithms can be used to optimize the operation of the frequency converter or a connected motor.

[0030] Data processing can take place in a computer unit of the edge box or the frequency converter. If the edge devices are integrated into the frequency converter, data processing takes place exclusively in the frequency converter, in particular in a computer unit of the frequency converter. If the edge devices comprise an edge box and the frequency converter and the edge box are designed as a structural unit, the corresponding operating parameters of the frequency converter and / or of an electric motor connected or connectable to it are preferably transmitted to the edge box via an internal interface.

[0031] The operating information can include data for identifying the frequency converter and / or an electric motor connected thereto and / or data on current operating parameters, in particular on the amplitude and / or frequency of the output current and / or the shape of the output current and / or the voltage and / or the speed and / or the direction of rotation and / or vibrations of an electric motor connected to the frequency converter, and / or data on current ambient conditions, preferably on temperature or air humidity, and / or data on faults and / or error messages and / or data on operating time.

[0032] A key advantage of edge devices, particularly edge boxes, is that not all of the data provided by the frequency converter or the electric motor connected to it can be transmitted to other components of an IT network, but rather only selected data that is relevant for operation, if required. In other words, the edge devices can also be designed so that only certain data is transmitted. In particular, the edge box or the frequency converter, and particularly any software installed on it, can be designed so that the data is pre-processed and only certain components of the data or revised and adapted data, or operating information on operating parameters, are transmitted.

[0033] Based on the operating parameters collected and processed, the edge resources can issue instructions to the operator regarding troubleshooting and / or maintenance activities and / or transmit them to other components of an IT network.

[0034] The invention further provides a method for configuring an IT network, which comprises the computer-aided configuration of the IT network using configuration software, wherein a virtual image of the IT network is created with the individual components of the IT network, characterized in that the frequency converter and the edge means, in particular the edge box, are mapped as a single virtual component.

[0035] In other words, the edge devices, in particular an edge box, and the frequency converter are no longer configured as separate components, but as a virtual component, so that an interface between the edge devices and the frequency converter is no longer required when configuring the network. This reduces the configuration effort, as this interface on the frequency converter no longer needs to be programmed or provided with manufacturer-specific application software. In particular, if the edge box and the frequency converter are designed as a single unit, the internal interface can be freely designed, i.e. it can function according to any protocol. If the edge devices are integrated into the frequency converter, the configuration can be simplified even further.

[0036] The problem underlying the invention is further solved by a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed as a program product on a computer, in particular on an edge box or a frequency converter, cause the computer to perform a method as described above. Furthermore, the invention provides a computer-readable medium comprising such a computer program product.

[0037] For further details of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows:

[0038] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an IT network according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an IT network 1 configured as a cloud network according to the present invention. This network comprises a drive system 2 with an electric motor 3 and an arrangement 4. The arrangement 4 includes a frequency converter 5, which is connected to the electric motor 3 and supplies the electric motor 3 with electrical energy as needed.

[0040] Furthermore, the arrangement 4 comprises edge means, which in this case comprise an edge box 6. This is connected to the frequency converter 5 via an internal interface 7. The frequency converter 5 and the edge box 6 are designed as a structural unit.

[0041] The frequency converter 5 is in turn connected to a central control device 9 via an external interface 8. The central control device 9 can be, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0042] The Edgebox 6 is also connected via a communication interface 10 to other components of the IT network 1, which are schematically shown as a cloud in Figure 1.

[0043] During operation, the frequency converter 5 and the electric motor 3 make operating parameters available to the edge box 6, which is designed as a computer unit. The edge box 6 is designed to provide operating information on the basis of the recorded operating parameters and to transmit it to other components of the IT network via the communication interface 10. The operating information is specifically data for, in particular, the unique identification of the frequency converter 5 and the electric motor 3. Furthermore, the operating information can include performance data of the frequency converter 5 or the electric motor 3 and data on current operating parameters, in particular on the output current provided by the frequency converter 5 to supply the electric motor 3 and on the speed and direction of rotation of the electric motor 3.Suitable sensors can be provided on the electric motor to detect vibrations and provide corresponding data to the Edgebox 6 via the frequency converter 5.

[0044] The Edgebox 6 is provided with suitable software or a computer program and is designed accordingly to issue instructions to the operator regarding troubleshooting and maintenance activities based on the recorded and processed operating parameters, or to transmit such instructions to other components of the IT network 1 via the communication interface 10.

[0045] The spatial proximity between the frequency converter 5 and the edge box 6 enables short response times depending on the transmitted operating parameters. Furthermore, the interface 7 between the edge box 6 and the frequency converter 5 is perceived as an internal interface by the other components of the IT network 1, so that a special software-based gateway is no longer required when configuring and operating the arrangement 4. This allows the data streams in the IT network 1 to be reduced and the number of connected drive systems 2 or edge boxes 6 to be increased while maintaining the same computing power.

[0046] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0047] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identity are included.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement (4) comprising a frequency converter for supplying an electric motor (3) with energy, wherein the arrangement has edge means which are designed to transmit operating information relating to the frequency converter (5) and / or an electric motor (3) possibly connected or connectable thereto to other components of an IT network (1), in particular a cloud network, wherein the edge means comprise an edge box (6), wherein the frequency converter (5) and the edge box (6) are separate components which are connected to each other via an interface provided on the frequency converter (5), in particular via an Ethernet-based interface, or that the edge means comprise an edge box (6), wherein the edge box (6) and the frequency converter (5) are designed as a structural unit, wherein, in particular, the edge box (6) is connected to the frequency converter (5) via an internal interface (7) of the frequency converter (5), and / or that the edge means are integrated into the frequency converter (5).

2. Arrangement (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), has a communication interface (10) for connecting to components of an IT network, in particular a cloud network, wherein the communication interface is in particular an Ethernet-based interface, preferably a Profinet interface.

3. Arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), are designed to record and process operating parameters of the frequency converter (5) and / or of an electric motor (3) connected or connectable thereto.

4. Arrangement (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), are designed to provide operating information on the basis of the detected operating parameters and to transmit them to other components of an IT network (1), in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of an IT network (1).

5. Arrangement (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), are designed to transmit the operating information in the form of a specified data format and / or in the form of a specified data packet, and / or that the operating information comprises data for identifying the frequency converter (5) and / or an electric motor (3) connected thereto and / or data on current operating parameters, in particular on the amplitude and / or frequency of the output current and / or the shape of the output current and / or the voltage and / or the speed and / or the direction of rotation and / or vibrations of an electric motor (3) connected to the frequency converter (5), and / or data on current ambient conditions, preferably on the temperature or the air humidity, and / or data on faults and / or error messages and / or data on the operating time, and / or that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), are designed,to issue instructions to the operator regarding troubleshooting and / or maintenance activities based on the recorded and processed operating parameters and / or to transmit them to other components of an IT network (1).

6. Drive system (2) comprising an arrangement (4) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one electric motor (3) which is connected to the frequency converter (5) and is or can be supplied with electrical energy by the frequency converter (5).

7. IT network (1), in particular cloud network, comprising a drive system (2) according to claim 6 or an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Method for operating an arrangement (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5 or a drive system (2) according to claim 6 or an IT network (1) according to claim 7, wherein the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), transmits operating information relating to the frequency converter (5) and / or an electric motor (3) which is possibly connected or connectable thereto to other components of the IT network (1), in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of the IT network (1).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), detects and processes operating parameters of the frequency converter (5) and / or of an electric motor (3) connected or connectable thereto, wherein, in particular, operating information is provided on the basis of the detected operating parameters and is transmitted to other components of an IT network (1), in particular a cloud network, preferably to a central computer unit of an IT network (1).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that edge means, in particular the edge box (6), transmits the operating information in the form of a specified data format and / or in the form of a specified data packet and / or that the operating information comprises data for identifying the frequency converter (5) and / or an electric motor (3) connected thereto and / or data on current operating parameters, in particular on the amplitude and / or frequency of the output current and / or the shape of the output current and / or the voltage and / or the speed and / or the direction of rotation and / or vibrations of an electric motor (3) connected to the frequency converter (5), and / or data on current ambient conditions, preferably on the temperature or the air humidity, and / or data on faults and / or error messages and / or data on the operating time.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that edge means, in particular the edge box (6), Based on the recorded and processed operating parameters, it issues instructions to the operator regarding troubleshooting and / or maintenance activities and / or transmits them to other components of an IT network (1).

12. A method for configuring an IT network according to claim 7, comprising the following steps: - Provision of the IT network (1); - computer-aided configuration of the IT network (1) using configuration software, whereby a virtual image of the individual components of the IT network is created; whereby the frequency converter (5) and the edge means, in particular the edge box (6), are represented as a single virtual component.

13. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program product is executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the claims 8 to 11 or the method according to claim 12.

14. A computer-readable medium comprising a computer program product according to claim 13.

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