EP4049256B1 - Compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices - Google Patents

Description

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

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

Fire protection systems must be designed in such a way that the occurrence of a fire is reliably detected under all conceivable circumstances. Furthermore, very high requirements apply to the reliability of such fire protection systems in order to ensure that they function properly in an emergency. In order to meet these requirements, the fire protection systems are usually monitored and controlled by complex, multi-redundant computer systems.

The document US 7 542 721 B1 relates generally to telecommunications and monitored security systems, and more particularly to the provision of a non-dedicated wireless backup service for alarm event and broken telephone line reporting which utilizes a Bluetooth connection and causes an intelligent interface to bypass a landline path to a remote monitoring center and relay all alarm event data from an alarm system control panel to a remote monitoring center via a wireless backup.

The document US 2008/020747 A1 discloses an alarm system having a mobile terminal and an alarm controller. An alarm controller is configured to communicate with the mobile terminal, attempt a call to a monitoring service using a first communication technique in response to detection of an alarm condition, and attempt a call to the monitoring service using the mobile terminal if the call attempt using the first communication technique is unsuccessful.

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

The present invention does not concern such devices used to protect buildings, but rather safety devices for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices in the protection of objects and facilities and in particular safety devices for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices for machines, such as machine tools.

The invention is described below using machine tools as an example. However, this description is only to be understood as an example and does not restrict the application.

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

In these machines, workpieces made of steel, for example, are machined using tools. In order to achieve short production times, high feed rates are used, which lead to a high heat input into the tool and the workpiece. The heat is usually dissipated by oil-based cooling lubricants fed to the processing points; in some cases, only an oil-based lubricant, e.g. oil mist, is supplied. This is one of the reasons why the machines are encased in a machine housing.

If there is a malfunction in the machining process, e.g. a tool breaks, more heat can be generated than can be dissipated and a fire can break out inside the machine. The fire is extinguished by introducing a suitable extinguishing agent into the machine housing. Preferably, but not exclusively, this is CO ₂ , which displaces the oxygen and prevents the supply of oxygen to the source of the fire and which is housed in a pressure bottle, particularly on the machine.

There are often dozens of such machine tools in a production hall. Each of these machines requires its own, largely autonomous fire extinguishing system.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing systems, in particular for machines, which meets high safety requirements.

This object is achieved by a compact safety device for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices, in particular for machines, with the features of claim 1. The subclaims relate to advantageous further developments.

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

In the sense of the invention, a signal processing device is understood to be a device that is set up to receive signals and, depending on the received signals and the programming of the device, generates and transmits further signals. A signal processing device can have one or more program-controlled components. The signal processing device can in particular be constructed in several parts, wherein the components are in particular coupled together, are designed one after the other, are designed in parallel or have redundancy.

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

For the purposes of the invention, an alarm device is understood to be a device that is designed to generate an alarm signal. An alarm signal is a signal that is designed to initiate safety-relevant steps in order to minimize and/or avoid damage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A safety device with these features has the advantage that it is particularly susceptible to errors. The data connection of the at least one first channel, which supplies signals to the alarm device bypassing the signal processing device, ensures reliable execution of the alarm regardless of the software settings selected in the control program of the signal processing device. The data connection of the at least one second channel, which supplies signals to the alarm device using the signal processing device, makes it possible to detect variable signals and the combination of several signals and, on the one hand, makes it possible to minimize the number of false alarms and, on the other hand, makes it possible to reliably send an alarm signal when certain criteria are met.

The at least one first channel and the at least one second channel also provide asymmetric or diverse redundancy, which further reduces the susceptibility to errors. This makes it possible to A compact safety device enables redundant signal evaluation, as is otherwise possible in separately constructed systems. An error in the program-controlled components does not affect the function of the hardware channel. This makes it possible to meet safety regulations that require a redundant design with a compact safety device according to the invention.

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

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

This has the advantage that the signal processing device is set to the working material and/or the coolant or lubricant, since different working materials and coolants or lubricants have different ignition requirements. This embodiment is also advantageous because different settings, in particular a multiple query or a query over a certain period of time, make it easier to identify false alarms and determine other sources of error.

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

This makes it possible to send a signal redundantly both directly to the alarm device and using the signal processing device to the alarm device. This reduces the susceptibility to errors. In addition, information that particularly concerns the same sensor can be split up. are divided into signals which are intended to trigger the alarm immediately and signals which are intended to trigger the alarm only under certain circumstances, in particular by combining them with other signals and/or by repeated signalling.

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

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

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

It is advantageous to adapt the safety direction to the material to be processed and/or the coolant or lubricant used. Depending on the material to be processed and/or the coolant or lubricant used, the conditions for the occurrence of a fire, in particular the temperature, differ, which is why it is advantageous to adapt the safety device accordingly. In this embodiment, the adaptation of the first channel, which is made of hardware, is carried out by the adjustment device designed as a hardware component.

In a preferred variant of the embodiment, the adjustment device designed as a hardware component is attached to the safety device in such a way that accidental adjustment after the safety device has been put into operation for the first time is prevented.

This has the advantage that the adjustment device, designed as a hardware component, can be adjusted to the machine to be monitored when the safety device is installed, preventing subsequent accidental adjustment. In particular, the adjustment device, designed as a hardware component, is installed inside a housing of the safety device.

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

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

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

This has the advantage that the signal processing device can check whether the alarm device is functioning reliably and prevent possible false alarms caused by a malfunction of the alarm device. In the event of an alarm, further safety functions can also be controlled via the signal processing device.

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

A redundant design of the alarm system reduces the susceptibility of the safety device to errors. A multiple design of the alarm system also makes it possible to integrate different alarm levels, which means that different reactions can be carried out depending on the alarm level.

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

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

Additionally or alternatively, the signals that the at least one first section and the at least one second section receive from the at least one first channel or the signal processing device are independent of one another. In one embodiment, this allows the safety device to be used more variably and/or its safety to be increased.

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

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

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

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

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

In many production halls, several machine tools are in operation at the same time. If a malfunction occurs, in particular the outbreak of a fire, in one machine tool, this affects the safe functioning of the other machine tools. It is therefore advantageous if the respective safety systems can communicate with each other. Furthermore, several machine tools are often operated with a common extraction device for the resulting oil mist and/or a common device for removing the resulting chips, which in the event of a fire must implement further safety measures, in particular deactivating the extraction or removal, in order to prevent the fire from spreading to the extraction device and/or the removal device and/or to other machine tools.

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

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Sicherheitseinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine weitere schematische Darstellung der Signalführung und Funktionsweise einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Sicherheitseinrichtung.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of the safety device,

Fig. 2

a further schematic representation of the signal routing and functionality of another embodiment of the safety device.

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

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

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

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

List of reference symbols:

1

safety device

10

hardware channel

11

reporting line of the hardware channel

20

software channel

21, 22, 23, 24

reporting line of the software channel

30

Non-programmable hardware circuit

40

signal processing device

50

alarm system

51, 52

section of the alarm device

61.62

OR hardware module

71, 72, 73

output signal

100

totality of the input signals

200

warning signal

Claims (12)

1. Compact security device (1) for monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing devices, in particular for machine tools, with

   a signal processing device (40) which processes incoming signals and outputs control signals,

   a memory device in which a program for controlling this signal processing device (40) is arranged,

   an alarm device (50), which is provided to output a warning signal, and

   wherein the security device (1) has at least one first channel (10) which is provided for supplying electrical signals to the alarm device,

   wherein this at least one first channel (10) is constructed as a hardware channel with electronic and/or electromechanical components whose function is independent of a programmable controller, and

   at least one second channel (20), which is provided for supplying electrical signals to the alarm device (50),

   wherein this at least one second channel (20) is constructed as a software channel and has at least one electronic component whose function is substantially controlled by a program stored in one or more memories,

   wherein the alarm device (50) outputs a warning signal when the received signal of the at least one first channel (10) and/or the received signal of the signal processing device (40) fulfills at least one predetermined criterion,

   characterized in that
   the signal processing device (40) is configured to have, under program control, at least two settings of the signal processing device (40) for different ignition conditions of working materials and/or coolant or lubricant, wherein there exists a signal whose reception via the at least one second channel triggers a signal to the alarm device (50) when the signal processing device (40) is in the first setting, and triggers no signal or another signal to the alarm device (50) when the signal processing device (40) is in the second setting.
2. Security device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one first channel (10) is provided for supplying electrical signals also to the signal processing device (40).
3. Security device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the signal which the at least one first channel (10) supplies to the signal processing device (40) contains information about the signal which the at least one first channel (10) supplies to the alarm device (50).
4. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first channel (10) has at least one setting device designed as a hardware component, which is configured to influence the signals to be transmitted by the at least one first channel.
5. Security device (1) according to the preceding claim 4, characterized in that the at least one setting device designed as a hardware component is attached to the security device (1) in such a way that accidental readjustment after the initial commissioning of the security device (1) is prevented.
6. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the setting of the at least one setting device designed as a hardware component is transmitted to the signal processing device (40).
7. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alarm device (50) is configured to send a signal to the signal processing device (40) based on the signals sent by the signal processing device (40) and the at least one first channel (10).
8. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alarm device (50) comprises at least one first section (51) configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel (10) and the signal processing device (40) and to send a signal to the signal processing device (40), and at least one second section (52) configured to receive a signal from the at least one first channel (10) and a signal from the signal processing device (40) and to send a signal to the signal processing device (40).
9. Security device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the signals received by the at least one first section (51) and the at least one second section (52) from the at least one first channel (10) and the signal processing device (40), respectively, are substantially identical and/or independent of each other.
10. Security device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the signal processing device (40) sends a warning signal when the comparison of the signal sent by the at least one first section (51) and the signal sent by the at least one second section (52) fulfils certain preset criteria.
11. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security device (1) is configured to operate without a connection to further security devices, extinguishing systems or fire detection devices.
12. Security device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the security device (1) is at least partially networked with other security devices, extinguishing systems and/or fire detection devices.

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