Valve closing device and method for providing a valve closing device

In a valve closing device (4) including an emergency actuator (7, 8), the emergency actuator (7, 8) is energized by at least two independently, redundantly operable energy storage units (10, 11, 18), each of which includes charging electronics (22) that allow rechargeable batteries (19, 20) of the energy storage units (10, 11, 18) to be operated at least in a maintenance charging cycle and in a trickle charging cycle.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a fitting closing device comprising an input shaft and an output shaft, which is coupled to the input shaft, and an electrically operable emergency drive with which the output shaft can be driven outside normal operation.

Fitting closing devices of this kind are known and are used, for example, in fitting actuating arrangements in order to move the respectively connected fitting to a defined end state, for example to an open state or a closed state, in the event of a fault or any other failure in normal operation.

Here, emergency drives which are based on different technical principles are known, wherein, preferably from safety-related aspects, drive technologies of the kind which complement a drive technology of the actuating drive of the fitting actuating arrangement, which actuating drive operates during normal operation, are used.

The invention further relates to a method for keeping ready a fitting closing device, wherein the fitting closing device has an input shaft and an output shaft, which is coupled to the input shaft, and an electrically operable emergency drive with which the output shaft can be driven outside normal operation.

Depending on the drive technology used, different methods are used here in order to ensure that the emergency drive is ready to function in the event of failure or an interruption in the normal operation.

EP 0 851 163 A2 discloses an electrical actuating drive for a valve or the like, wherein an emergency drive assembly having a rechargeable battery is arranged on an electronics plate such that it can be plugged in.

DE 38 40 125 A1 discloses a slide device, wherein an emergency actuating device has, as energy store, at least one electrical rechargeable battery or at least one electrical battery.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,222 A discloses a battery testing method for individually testing secondary batteries by charging and discharging the batteries, wherein a common battery testing circuit is formed for both batteries.

DE 19 827 478 A1 discloses an emergency medical device with an incorporated rechargeable battery device, wherein a control device discharges the rechargeable batteries to the end-of-charge voltage one after the other in a care functioning mode, and then recharges said rechargeable batteries, wherein a full rechargeable battery is always kept ready for operation.

Furthermore, DE 38 40 125 A1 discloses an emergency actuating device which has an emergency drive device which can be operated following failure of the supply system voltage with energy which originates from at least one energy store.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the object of providing a fitting closing device with an electrically operable emergency drive which satisfies safety-related requirements.

In order to achieve this object, one or more features of the invention are provided in a fitting closing device. According to the invention, it is therefore proposed, in particular, for a fitting closing device of the kind mentioned in the introductory part that the emergency drive is fed or can be fed from at least two energy storage units which are separate from one another and each have at least one rechargeable battery, wherein each energy storage unit has a charging electronics system in each case. It is advantageous here that a redundancy is formed, it being possible for drive energy for driving the emergency drive to still be provided in the event of failure or an interruption in normal operation even in the event of failure of an energy storage unit. The energy storage units can therefore be charged separately or independently of one another. Therefore, the fitting closing device according to the invention can also be combined with electrically operated actuating drive is, wherein strict safety-related requirements can be met owing to the redundancy.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that each charging electronics system can be operated at least in a maintenance charging cycle and in a trickle charging cycle. Here, a maintenance charging cycle and a trickle charging cycle are two different types of charging cycles, which are known per se, for rechargeable batteries, that is to say for one or more combined, chargeable electrochemical cells. In this case, it is advantageous that a functional check of the connected rechargeable batteries can be carried out from time to time in a maintenance charging cycle. In this case, it is further advantageous that the rechargeable batteries can be held in a readiness state for example outside the maintenance charging cycle by the associated rechargeable battery being charged in a trickle charging cycle of the charging electronics system. Therefore, depending on requirements for the at least one connected rechargeable battery, the charging electronics system allows the type of charging cycle to be pre-specified, preferably independently of the type of charging cycle which is currently set for the other rechargeable batteries.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that at least one energy storage unit has more than one rechargeable battery and the associated charging electronics system is designed such that one rechargeable battery can be operated in the maintenance charging cycle and a further rechargeable battery can be operated in the trickle charging cycle at the same time. Therefore, it is easy to achieve the situation that at least one rechargeable battery of the energy storage unit is available even when parts of the energy storage unit are subject to maintenance. As a result, the safety level can be increased since the energy storage unit remains ready for use even during partial maintenance.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that at least one energy storage unit, for example the abovementioned energy storage unit, has more than one rechargeable battery and the associated charging electronics system is designed such that at most one rechargeable battery can be operated or is operated in the maintenance charging cycle at any time. In this case, it is advantageous that overloading of a supply system can be avoided by it being possible to avoid operator control states in which two rechargeable batteries draw comparatively high charge currents in the maintenance charging cycle.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that at least one energy storage unit, for example the abovementioned energy storage unit, has more than one rechargeable battery, and the associated charging electronics system is designed to successively carry out maintenance charging cycles on the rechargeable batteries of the energy storage unit. Therefore, the rechargeable batteries of an energy storage unit can be periodically checked at regular intervals. To this end, a timing device or timer which initiates a change in the types of charging cycle after a pre-specified sequence can be formed for example.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that a charging electronics system of one energy storage unit is coupled to a charging electronics system of a further energy storage unit by means of a signal and/or control connection in such a way that a rechargeable battery cannot be operated in the maintenance charging cycle in both energy storage units simultaneously. In this case, it is advantageous that high total charge currents can be avoided.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that an arbitration device is designed to generate a blocking signal when a rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle. Arbitration devices are known per se, for example for resolving conflicts or collisions in communication subscribers. In this case, it is advantageous that it is possible to prevent two rechargeable batteries from being simultaneously operated in the maintenance charging cycle in a simple manner. In this case, the arbitration device can be designed as part of the mentioned signal and/or control connection.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that an arbitration device, for example the abovementioned arbitration device, is designed to generate an enable signal when no rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle. In this case, it is advantageous that it is possible to identify for the charging electronics systems in a simple manner whether a changeover to the maintenance charging cycle for a rechargeable battery is currently possible.

In general, it can be provided that each charging electronics system is designed to make an enable request to an arbitration device, for example the abovementioned arbitration device, before an associated rechargeable battery changes over to the maintenance charging cycle. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a rechargeable battery changing over to the maintenance charging cycle if another rechargeable battery is already being operated in the maintenance charging cycle in a simple manner. Here, the charging electronics system can be designed to generate and/or transmit an enable request and/or to evaluate a response to the enable request, for example in the form of an enable signal.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that a blocking diode is arranged at a supply output of each energy storage unit. Each blocking diode is preferably arranged with a blocking direction such that charging of the energy storage unit by means of the supply output is prevented. Therefore, a plurality of energy storage units can be brought together by way of their supply outputs, without one energy storage unit being able to discharge into another energy storage unit. This makes the redundant provision of energy storage units for supplying power to an emergency drive possible in a simple manner.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that at least one energy storage unit has more than one rechargeable battery, and in each case one blocking diode is arranged at a rechargeable battery output of each associated rechargeable battery. The blocking period is preferably in each case arranged with a blocking direction such that charging of the associated rechargeable battery by means of the blocking diode is prevented. In this case, it is advantageous that discharging of a rechargeable battery into a further rechargeable battery of the same energy storage unit by means of the associated rechargeable battery output of the further rechargeable battery is prevented. Therefore, the rechargeable batteries of an energy storage unit can be connected in a simple manner by way of their rechargeable battery outputs to a supply output of the energy storage unit.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that each rechargeable battery can be selectively electrically connected to a discharge connection, to a trickle charge connection and to a maintenance charge connection. Here, the discharge connection is connected or can be connected to the mentioned supply output. Here, the electrical connection can be established by relays or semiconductor switches or other switching means. In this case, it is advantageous that the rechargeable batteries can be switched to supply the above-mentioned emergency drive and can be operated in a trickle charging cycle and in a maintenance charging cycle during operation.

A preferred application of the invention is the case of a fitting actuating arrangement which has an actuating drive and a fitting closing device according to the invention, in particular as described above and/or as claimed in one of the claims which are directed at a fitting closing device, wherein the input shaft can be driven by the actuating drive during normal operation.

In order to achieve this object, the invention provides, in the case of a method of the kind described in the introductory part, that the emergency drive can be fed and/or is fed from at least two energy storage units which are separate from one another, that the energy storage units each have at least one rechargeable battery, and that at least one rechargeable battery is operated in a trickle charging cycle while a further rechargeable battery is operated in a maintenance charging cycle. In this case, it is advantageous that the fitting closing device can be kept ready even when a rechargeable battery is operated in a maintenance charging cycle for functional checking or for other purposes. In this way, it is possible to increase the availability of the emergency drive, as a result of which a safety-oriented function of the electrically operable emergency drive can be realized.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that, when a rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle, operation in the maintenance charging cycle is electronically blocked for all further rechargeable batteries of the associated energy storage unit. In this case, it is advantageous that an excessively high charge current, which has been created by simultaneously executing maintenance charging cycles for two rechargeable batteries of an energy storage unit can be avoided. As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that, when a rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle, operation in the maintenance charging cycle is electronically blocked for all further rechargeable batteries of the fitting closing device. Therefore, the maximum charge current for the fitting closing device as a whole can be limited.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that, before a rechargeable battery changes over to the maintenance charging cycle, a check is made in an arbitration method to determine whether a further rechargeable battery is currently being operated in the maintenance charging cycle. An arbitration method provides a simple way of avoiding the simultaneous changeover of two or more rechargeable batteries to the respective maintenance charging cycle. By way of example, the above-described arbitration device can be used here.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that, before a rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle, an enable signal is awaited. As an alternative or in addition, an end of a blocking signal can be awaited. In this case, it is advantageous that a changeover of a rechargeable battery to the maintenance charging cycle can be prevented provided that at least one further rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle. Therefore, high currents due to simultaneously executed maintenance charging cycles can be avoided.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that a blocking signal, for example the abovementioned blocking signal, is generated when a rechargeable battery is operated in the maintenance charging cycle. In this case, it is advantageous that it is possible to signal for all charging devices that a changeover to the maintenance charging cycle is currently blocked.

Here, the enable signal and/or the blocking signal can be generated, for example, by an arbitration device and/or the respective charging electronics systems themselves.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that the rechargeable batteries of an energy storage unit are successively operated in the maintenance charging cycle. In this case, it is advantageous that a regular functional check can be carried out for all rechargeable batteries of the energy storage unit.

Here, a timing device or a timer can in each case initiate a change in the type of charging cycle.

In general, it can be provided that a capacitance of the respective rechargeable battery is measured in the maintenance charging cycle. This measurement is measured, for example, by measurement of the charge current and/or measurement of the time period until a fully charged state is reached. More precise results can be achieved when the capacitance is/are measured by measuring the discharge current and/or measuring the time period until a fully charged state is reached, in each case starting from a known state of charge or a fully charged state.

In one refinement of the invention, it can be provided that a rechargeable battery is discharged in the maintenance charging cycle. It is particularly expedient when the discharge is a complete discharge. In this case, it is advantageous that a defined initial state for charging the rechargeable battery is provided in order to check the functionality of said rechargeable battery.

It can be provided that a fault signal is output when a measured capacitance, for example the abovementioned capacitance of a rechargeable battery, for example of the abovementioned rechargeable battery, lies below a threshold value. In this case, it is advantageous that a functional check can be carried out in a simple manner.

It is particularly expedient when the method according to the invention is executed with a fitting closing device according to the invention, in particular as described above and/or as claimed in one of the claims which is directed at a fitting closing device. It is also expedient when the fitting closing device according to the invention are designed means for executing a method according to the invention, in particular as described above and/or as claimed in one of the claims which is directed at a fitting closing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a highly simplified block diagram of a fitting actuating arrangement, denoted1overall, for explaining the principle of the invention. The fitting actuating arrangement1has an actuating drive2in a manner which is known per se. The actuating drive2can be operated electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or in some other way. Electrical operation, in which the actuating drive2is supplied from a supply system91(cf.FIGS. 6 to 8) is preferred.

The actuating drive2according toFIG. 1serves to operate a fitting3, which can be a valve for example.

A fitting closing device4according to the invention is arranged between the actuating drive2and the fitting3.

The fitting closing device4serves to operate, for example to close or open, the fitting3in the event of an operational fault or failure in the supply system.

To this end, the fitting closing device4is provided with an input shaft5and an output shaft6, which shafts are coupled to one another, so that a flow of force can be transmitted from the input shaft5to the output shaft6.

The input shaft5is driven by the actuating drive2. This prevents the actuating drive2from being able to be driven by means of the input shaft5, for example by a self-locking gear mechanism, which is known per se but not illustrated any further, or by a brake or in some other way.

The output shaft6is operatively connected to the fitting3for operation purposes.

The fitting closing device4has an emergency drive7with which the output shaft6can be operated or can be driven in order to move the output shaft6from the use position to a defined end position, for example a closed or an open fitting3, in a dangerous situation in the event of failure of the actuating drive2.

To this end, a superposition gear mechanism9, not illustrated any further, is arranged between the input shaft5and the output shaft6in a manner which is known per se, the emergency drive7being coupled to the output shaft by means of said superposition gear mechanism.

A second emergency drive8, which operates in parallel with the emergency drive7, is provided in order to provide a redundancy and in order to increase a safety level of the fitting closing device4.

The emergency drives7,8can be fed and are fed during operation from a first energy storage unit10and a second energy storage unit11.

Here, the second energy storage unit11is formed separately from the first energy storage unit10and can be operated independently of said first energy storage unit in order to create a redundancy.

A driving electronics system12which is known per se is designed to operate switch-on devices13,14with which the two energy storage units10,11which are separate from one another can be switched on in order to supply the emergency drives7,8.

An end position switching device15is driven and operated by the superposition gear mechanism9or the output shaft6when the desired end position is reached, in order to interrupt feeding of the emergency drives7,8from the energy storage units10,11.

The switch-on devices13,14and/or the end position switching device15can be formed, for example, as electromagnetic switches and/or with semiconductor elements.

It is expedient to design the end position switching device15as an opener.

The driving electronics system12drives a brake switch-off electronics system16, with which a holding brake17can be operated, for example can be vented or can be closed, in a manner which is known per se.

FIG. 2shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention with a fitting actuating arrangement1and a fitting closing device4according to the invention. Assemblies and functional units which are similar or identical in terms of design and/or function to the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1are denoted by the same reference symbols and are not separately described again. The statements made in respect ofFIG. 1therefore accordingly apply toFIG. 2.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2firstly differs from the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1in that only one emergency drive7is formed.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2further differs from the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1in that the two energy storage units10,11which are separate from one another are brought together at a switch-on device13. Therefore, feeding of the emergency drive7for the two energy storage units10,11can be switched on by way of a switching process of the switch-on device13and can be switched off by way of a switching process of the end position switching device15.

FIG. 3shows a further exemplary embodiment of a fitting closing device4according to the invention. Components and functional units which are similar or identical in terms of function and/or design to the preceding exemplary embodiments according toFIG. 1orFIG. 2are again denoted by the same reference symbols and are not separately described again. The statements made in respect ofFIG. 1andFIG. 2therefore accordingly apply toFIG. 3.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 3differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in that a third energy storage unit18is formed, from which the emergency drive7can be fed and is fed after appropriate connection of the switch-on device13and the end position switching device15. More than three energy storage units are formed in further exemplary embodiments.

The three energy storage units10,11and18which are formed separately from one another are brought together at the switch-on device13.

Each of the energy storage units10,11,18inFIGS. 1 to 3is constructed internally according toFIG. 6.FIG. 6shows this construction for the energy storage unit10by way of example.

The energy storage unit10—and analogously the energy storage units11,18—has a first rechargeable battery19and a second rechargeable battery20. In order to simplify the illustration, only two rechargeable batteries19,20are illustrated inFIG. 6. However, in further exemplary embodiments, more than two, for example three, four, five or more than five, rechargeable batteries can be formed in each energy storage unit10,11,18.

The rechargeable batteries19,20are each formed from at least one electrochemical cell21in order to achieve, for example, a desired supply voltage and/or a desired charging capacitance. It is often the case that there are so many electrochemical cells21that a desired power can be provided.

Each energy storage unit10,11,18further has a charging electronics system22which is shown in schematic form inFIG. 4by way of example. The rechargeable batteries19,20are each equipped with or connected to a discharge connection23at the supply output52, it being possible for the emergency drive7and possibly the emergency drive8to be supplied by means of said discharge connection.

To this end, the discharge connection23can be connected to the rechargeable battery19, and in particular to the electrochemical cells21of said rechargeable battery, by way of a switching unit24.

A maintenance charge connection25is formed at the charging electronics system22for each rechargeable battery19,20, it being possible for said maintenance charge connection to be electrically connected to the individual rechargeable batteries19,20, and in particular to the electrochemical cells21of said individual rechargeable batteries, by means of a respective maintenance charging switching unit26.

The charging electronics system22further has a trickle charge connection27which can be electrically connected to the respective rechargeable battery19,20, and in particular to the electrochemical cells21of said rechargeable battery, by means of respective trickle charging switching units28.

It is clear from the view of a detail according toFIG. 4that the charging electronics system22has a computer unit29which is designed to drive or activate charging cycles for the rechargeable batteries19,20.

The charging electronics system22has a trickle charging circuit30with which a trickle charging cycle can be operated.

The trickle charging voltage which is generated by the trickle charging circuit30is applied to the trickle discharge connection.

The measuring device31can measure the battery voltage during the trickle charging cycle and can be used to control the trickle charging voltage. To this end, the measuring device31has a measurement level adjustment means32and an analog/digital conversion means33. The measurement signal is returned to the computer unit29.

The charging electronics system22drives a switch driving means34,35—a relay driving means in the example here—separately for each rechargeable battery19,20.

The switch driving means34is therefore provided for driving the switching unit24, the maintenance charging switching unit26and the trickle charging switching unit28of the rechargeable battery19, while the switch driving means35is provided for driving the switching unit24, the maintenance charging switching unit26and the trickle charging switching unit28of the rechargeable battery19,20.

The switching driving means34,35have corresponding drivers36for driving the respective switching unit24,26,28. The contacts37are routed to the switching units24of the respective rechargeable battery19,29. The contacts38are routed to the respective maintenance charging switching unit26of the respective rechargeable battery19or20. The contacts39are routed to the trickle charging switching unit28of the respective rechargeable battery19,20.

The switching signals of the contacts37,38,39are returned to the charging electronics system22by means of a return40as a common potential.

Therefore, when the contacts39are operated, the voltage is applied to the electrochemical cells21of the respective rechargeable battery from the trickle charging connection27. Therefore, a trickle charging cycle for the respective rechargeable battery19,20is executed.

The charging electronics system22further has a discharging/charging circuit41with which a maintenance charging cycle can be carried out.

To this end, rechargeable batteries19,20which are connected to the maintenance charging connection25are initially fully charged, in order to then be discharged again. The charging capacitance of the connected rechargeable battery19,20, which charging capacitance is ascertained in this discharging process, is compared with a threshold value. If the measured capacitance of the connected rechargeable battery19,20lies below this threshold value, the computer unit29generates a fault signal. This fault signal is fed back to the driving electronics system12by means of a respective feedback line42.

In response, the driving electronics system12outputs an item of fault information by means of an output43.

The respective rechargeable battery19,20can therefore be operated in a maintenance charging cycle by driving the driver36to the contacts38.

Power supply to the emergency drives7,8from the energy storage units10,11,18can be released by driving the driver36to the contacts37.

The charging electronics system22and, in particular, the computer unit29are therefore designed to operate the energy storage units10,11,18independently of one another in the maintenance charging cycle, in the trickle charging cycle or in order to supply power to the emergency drives7,8.

The switch driving means34,35are equipped with switch monitoring means, here relay monitoring means, which are known per se, in order to monitor the functioning of the drivers36.

It is clear from the drawing that the computer unit29can be driven such that, for example, the rechargeable battery19can be operated in a maintenance charging cycle by operating the maintenance charging switching unit26while the rechargeable battery20is simultaneously operated in the trickle charging cycle by operating the trickle charging switching unit28.

Here, the computer unit29coordinates the switching states in such a way that simultaneous operation of each of the rechargeable batteries19and20in the maintenance charging cycle is blocked.

A measuring device44, with which a rechargeable battery voltage of the respective rechargeable battery19,20can be measured, is provided for monitoring the maintenance charging cycle. The measuring device44has, in a manner which is known per se, a measurement level adjustment means45and an analog/digital conversion means46. Measurement signals from the measuring device44are routed to the computer unit29for further processing and in particular for controlling the maintenance charging cycle.

The illustrated blocks of the charging electronics system22are fed by a voltage stabilization means47which is supplied with power from a supply voltage connection47.

The computer unit29is designed such that the contacts38to the individual rechargeable batteries19,20are activated one after the other in order to successively operate these rechargeable batteries19,20in maintenance charging cycles.

In order to prevent one rechargeable battery19,20in one energy storage unit10and another rechargeable battery19,20in a further energy storage unit11,18from being simultaneously operated in the maintenance charging cycle, a signal and/or control connection49which correspondingly couples the respective charging electronics systems20to one another is provided.

In the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 3, this signal and/or control connection49has an arbitration device50. Here, the charging electronics systems22of the respective energy storage unit10,11,18send enable signals to the arbitration device50when a rechargeable battery19,20in the energy storage unit10,11,18in question has ended the maintenance charging cycle. The charging electronics systems22also generate a blocking signal and transmit this blocking signal to the arbitration device50when a connected rechargeable battery19,20of the respective energy storage unit10,11,18enters the maintenance charging cycle or is operated in the maintenance charging cycle.

The charging electronics systems22of the energy storage units10,11,18therefore send an enable request to the arbitration device50before they move a rechargeable battery19,20to the maintenance charging cycle. Therefore, the changeover to the maintenance charging cycle only takes place when an enable signal is detected and, respectively, the enable request is confirmed and, respectively, the blocking signal is ended.

When an emergency-off signal (ESD signal94) is applied to an emergency-off input51, the computer unit29drives the switching units24by means of the respective drivers36and the contacts37in order to enable power to be supplied from the rechargeable batteries19,20for all available energy storage units10,11,18.

In order to prevent an energy storage unit10,11,18from charging another energy storage unit10,11,18here, a blocking diode53is arranged at the respective supply output52.

As an alternative, the blocking diodes53can be integrated into the respective energy storage unit10,11,18in the exemplary embodiments.

In addition, a blocking diode55is arranged at each rechargeable battery output54of each rechargeable battery19,20in order to prevent a rechargeable battery19from being charged by another rechargeable battery20, in particular in the case of enabling switching units24.

FIGS. 6 to 8show different switching states of the switching units24,26,28, as a result of which different operating states of the respective rechargeable batteries19,20can be set.

The energy storage unit10is illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8, but the description accordingly applies for the energy storage units11,18and further energy storage units.

FIG. 5shows a further charging electronics system22which can be used in the exemplary embodiments according toFIG. 1toFIG. 3instead of the charging electronics system according toFIG. 4. Components and functional units which are similar or identical in terms of function and/or design to the charging electronics system22according toFIG. 4are denoted by the same reference symbols and are not separately described again.

The charging electronics system22according toFIG. 5differs from the charging electronics system22according toFIG. 4at least in that the driving is performed by means of drivers36which are formed and designed to drive semiconductor switches as switching units24,26and, respectively,28, while the drivers3bdrive relays inFIG. 4. Therefore, a return40can be dispensed with in this charging electronics system22according toFIG. 5.

A status signal output92by means of which status signals can be output is formed in the charging electronics systems22according toFIG. 4andFIG. 5. A feedback line42is connected to this status signal output92in each case.

Furthermore, an enable and/or blocking output93is formed at the computer unit29to which, for example, the signal and/or control connection49is connected. Therefore, enable signals or blocking signals or enable requests can be output by means of the enable and/or blocking output93. Here, the signal and/or control connection49can be formed and designed as a bus connection or else as a handshake line.

FIG. 6shows the situation in which the charging electronics system22drives the switching units24such that the electrochemical cells21are connected through to the respective rechargeable battery outputs54. Here, the supply system91has zero voltage, for example due to a failure of the supply system voltage.

This is the case, for example, when a fault has occurred.

In this case, the voltage across the rechargeable battery outputs54is used to supply power to the emergency drives7,8or only to the emergency drive7in the exemplary embodiments according toFIG. 2andFIG. 3. Here, a voltage control means56can optionally be interposed in order to achieve a desired level value.

It is clear fromFIG. 6that the charging electronics system22is designed such that, in this case, the maintenance charging switching units26and the trickle charging switching units28are open in order to prevent charging of the rechargeable batteries19,20.

FIG. 7shows the switching situation analogously toFIG. 6with an existing supply system voltage across the supply voltage connection48, but with an active ESD signal94.

FIG. 8shows, by way of example, a switching state with an existing supply system voltage across the supply voltage connection48, with the rechargeable battery19being operated in the maintenance charging cycle and the rechargeable battery20being operated in the trickle charging cycle.

The following method runs as a program in the computer unit29during operation, cf.FIG. 9. A timing device90causes the program to proceed by, for example, the individual steps being initiated and/or by a clock being generated.

In the event of switch on, an emergency-off circuit57generates a reset58of the program. This can be generated or triggered, for example, in the event of switch on.

Initialization59is then performed. The individual rechargeable batteries19,20of the energy storage units10,11,18are now charged one after the other, that is to say successively, in a charging method60.

To this end, a counter is initially set to a number of the first rechargeable battery19,20in a step61. Then, the associated rechargeable battery19,20relating to the current rechargeable battery number is selected for maintenance charging.

In a next step63, a blocking signal is generated in order to indicate that the selected rechargeable battery19,20is being operated in the maintenance charging cycle. This blocking signal is associated with the respective rechargeable battery19,20and can contain, for example, the number of the respective rechargeable battery19,20.

The respective rechargeable battery19,20is charged in a charging step64.

This rechargeable battery19,20is then discharged in a discharge step65, with the capacitance of the rechargeable battery19,20being measured. This is performed, for example, by means of measuring voltage profiles using the measuring device44or by means of integration of received charges.

In a monitoring step66, the situation of whether the measured capacitance lies below a threshold value is monitored.

If this is the case, the rechargeable battery19,20is identified as defective, and an output operation67of a fault signal, which is associated with the respective rechargeable battery19,20, is triggered. The association can be provided, for example, by output, preferably by means of a bus, of a rechargeable battery number or by using an individually associated line.

If the measured capacitance lies above the threshold value, the associated rechargeable battery19,20is identified as being functional, and proper functioning of the rechargeable battery19,20is confirmed in a confirmation operation68.

In a further charging step69, the rechargeable battery19,20is recharged in both cases.

In a loop branch70, a check is made to determine whether all rechargeable batteries19,20have been processed.

If this is not the case, the counter reading of the accumulator number is increased by 1 in an incrementation step61, and the process is continued with the selection step61again.

If the result of the check in the loop branch70is that the last rechargeable battery19,20has been processed, the method is continued with the cyclically repeated method section72.

The cyclically repeated method section72begins with a readiness indication73, followed by a reset step74of said counter to the first number of the rechargeable batteries19,20.

In a selection step75, the associated rechargeable battery19,20relating to the current counter number is again selected.

Then, the previously selected rechargeable battery19,20is moved to a trickle charging cycle in a step76.

In a waiting step77, a pre-specified cycle time for a waiting operation being reached is awaited. This can be pre-specified, for example, by the timing device90.

An enable request is then transmitted in a request step78.

The method is stopped until an enable signal is detected in an enable step79.

A blocking signal for the other rechargeable batteries19,20is then generated in an output step80in order to prevent further rechargeable batteries19,20from being able to change over to the maintenance charging cycle.

In a charging step81, the current rechargeable battery19,20is now charged.

In a discharging step82, this rechargeable battery19,20is again discharged, with the capacitance of the rechargeable battery19,20being measured.

In a monitoring step83, a check is made to determine whether the measured capacitance of the rechargeable battery19,20lies below a pre-specified threshold value.

If this is the case, the fault signal which is associated with the respective rechargeable battery19,20is output in an output step84.

If this is not the case, the rechargeable battery19,20is identified as being functional, and the ability of the current rechargeable battery19,20to function is confirmed in a confirmation step85.

The rechargeable battery19,20is then fully charged again in a further charging step86.

In a loop branch87, a check is made to determine whether the last rechargeable battery19,20of the energy storage unit10,11or18or the fitting closing device4according to the invention has been reached. If this is the case, the cyclically repeated method section72is executed again with the reset step74.

If the last rechargeable battery19,20has not yet been reached, the counter of the number of the current rechargeable battery19,20is increased in an incrementation step88, and the blocking signal which is generated in the output step80is cleared in a clearing step89. The loop is then continued with the selection step75.

The described method according toFIG. 9can be executed in the associated charging electronics system22for each energy storage unit7,10,11,18separately or for all charging electronics units22of all energy storage units10,11,18jointly.

Generating blocking signals and carrying out enable requests ensures that two rechargeable batteries are never simultaneously operated in the maintenance charging cycle at any time. The blocking signals, enable signals and/or enable requests can be processed and/or managed by the arbitration device50here. The arbitration device50can execute an arbitration method when two enable requests or two blocking signals are simultaneously received.

In the case of the fitting closing device4with an emergency drive7,8, it is proposed to supply power to the emergency drive7,8from at least two energy storage units10,11,18which are independent of one another and can be operated in a redundant manner, wherein each energy storage unit10,11,18has a charging electronics system22with which rechargeable batteries19,20of the energy storage units10,11,18can each be operated at least in a maintenance charging cycle and in a trickle charging cycle.