Patent Publication Number: US-2022214220-A1

Title: Temperature abnormality detection device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a temperature abnormality detection device that detects a temperature abnormality in equipment disposed in a panel. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     PTL 1 discloses an electric facility temperature monitoring device. The electric facility temperature monitoring device includes two temperature detectors each disposed a cubicle in which an electric facility is housed. Each of the temperature detectors is held by a holding unit together with a lens. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP 2016-38277 A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the electric facility temperature monitoring device, each temperature detector is connected in parallel to a controller. Therefore, with a structure where each temperature detector and the controller are connected by wiring, when a position where each temperature detector is disposed is away from the controller or a third temperature detector is added, the amount of wiring increases, and it may be difficult to reduce a size. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present disclosure to provide a temperature abnormality detection device that is compact in size and is capable of detecting a temperature abnormality over a wide range. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A temperature abnormality detection device that detects a temperature abnormality in equipment disposed in a panel, includes: 
     a plurality of infrared temperature sensors each capable of detecting temperature in a mutually different detection area of the equipment; and 
     a device body including a temperature abnormality determination unit that determines that the temperature in the detection area detected by each of the plurality of infrared temperature sensors is abnormal when the temperature in the detection area is higher than a reference temperature, wherein 
     the plurality of infrared temperature sensors is connected to each other by crossover wiring. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device, the plurality of infrared temperature sensors are connected to each other by the crossover wiring. With such a configuration, an amount of wiring in the panel can be reduces. Thus, it is possible to provide a temperature abnormality detection device that is compact in size and is capable of detecting a temperature abnormality over a wide range. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a panel showing an application example of a temperature abnormality detection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a structure of the temperature abnormality detection device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an infrared temperature sensor of the temperature abnormality detection device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a first rear view of the infrared temperature sensor of the temperature abnormality detection device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a first rear view of the infrared temperature sensor of the temperature abnormality detection device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of the temperature abnormality detection device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a description will be given of an example of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the following description, terms representing specific directions or positions (for example, terms including “up”, “down”, “right”, and “left”) will be used as necessary, but the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure shall not be limited by the meanings of the terms. Further, the following description shows merely an example in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, applications of the present disclosure, or uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic drawings, and ratios between dimensions are not necessarily equal to the actual ratios. 
     A temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a panel  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the panel  1  includes a casing  2  having an opening  5 , a cover  3  capable of opening and closing the opening  5 , and equipment  4  disposed in the casing  2 . In  FIG. 1 , the cover  3  and crossover wiring  13  to be described later are not shown. 
     As an example, the casing  2  has an approximately cuboid shape, and the opening  5  has an approximately rectangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a housing part  6  is provided inside the casing  2 . The equipment  4  and the temperature abnormality detection device  10  are housed in the housing part  6 . The casing  2  and the cover  3  are made of a magnetic material, for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the temperature abnormality detection device  10  includes a plurality of infrared temperature sensors (in this embodiment, a first infrared temperature sensor  111  and a second infrared temperature sensor  112 ) and a device body  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is disposed to be capable of detecting temperature in a mutually different detection area  51 ,  52  of the equipment  4 . The infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  are connected to each other by the crossover wiring  13 . 
     Specifically, the first infrared temperature sensor  111  disposed near the device body  12  is attached to the casing  2  to be capable of detecting temperature of wiring  41  connecting components in the equipment  4 . The second infrared temperature sensor  112  disposed away from the device body  12  is attached to the cover  3  to be capable of detecting temperature of a surface of the equipment  4  facing the cover  3 . The first infrared temperature sensor  111  is connected to the device body  12  and a power supply  101  by the crossover wiring  13 . Further, the second infrared temperature sensor  112  is connected to the first infrared temperature sensor  111  by the crossover wiring  13 . 
     Although not shown, each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  includes, as an example, a lens of an optical system, a temperature conversion element, an AD converter, a temperature correction unit, and a communication unit. The temperature conversion element converts an infrared ray emitted from the detection area through the lens into a temperature. The AD converter converts the converted temperature (analog signal) into a digital signal, and the correction unit corrects an error generated when the converted temperature is converted into the digital signal. One end of wiring is connected to the communication unit. The digital signal converted by the AD converter is output from the communication unit to the device body  12  through the wiring. 
     Each of the detection areas  51 ,  52  is preset depending on, for example, a design of the equipment  4 . According to this embodiment, as an example, the first detection area  51  of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  includes the wiring  41  connecting the components in the equipment  4 , and the second detection area  52  of the second infrared temperature sensor  112  includes a portion  42  of the surface of the equipment  4  facing the cover  3 . 
     As an example, the device body  12  includes a processor such as a CPU that performs computation and the like, a storage medium such as a ROM or a RAM that stores a program or data necessary for detecting a temperature abnormality in the detection areas  51 ,  52 , and a communication unit responsible for input and output of signals from and to a programmable logic controller (PLC)  100  and the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the device body  12  includes a temperature abnormality determination unit  121 . For example, the temperature abnormality determination unit  121  is a function implemented by the processor of the device body  12  executing a predetermined program. 
     The temperature abnormality determination unit  121  determines that the temperature in the detection areas  51 ,  52  is abnormal when the temperature in the detection areas  51 ,  52  detected by each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is higher than a reference temperature. The reference temperature is preset depending on for example, the equipment  4  and the detection areas  51 ,  52 . According to this embodiment, when it is determined that a temperature in each of the detection areas  51 ,  52  is abnormal, the temperature abnormality determination unit  121  outputs to the PLC  100  a temperature abnormality signal indicating that the temperature in each of the detection areas  51 ,  52  is abnormal. 
     A connection between the device body  12  and the PLC  100  may be radio connection or wire connection. 
     Each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  will be described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 . The first infrared temperature sensor  111  and the second infrared temperature sensor  112  are identical to each other in size and shape. Therefore, a description of the second infrared temperature sensor  112  will be omitted by a support of the description of the first infrared temperature sensor  111 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first infrared temperature sensor  111 , which has an approximately rectangular plate shape, includes a detection surface  113  on which a temperature detector  115  is provided, an attachment surface  114  attachable to and detachable from an inner surface of the panel  1  (that is, the casing  2  and the cover  3 ), and a connection surface  116  to which the crossover wiring  13  is connected. The detection surface  113  and the attachment surface  114  are arranged side by side in a thickness direction of the first infrared temperature sensor  111 . The connection surface  116  extends in a direction intersecting the detection surface  113  and the attachment surface  114 . The connection surface  116  is provided with a connection terminal  117  to which the crossover wiring  13  can be connected. 
     In the temperature abnormality detection device  10 , the attachment surface  114  of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  and the inner surface of the panel  1  are connected by an attachment fitting  30  shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . In other words, the temperature abnormality detection device  10  further includes the attachment fitting  30  that detachably attaches the attachment surface  114  of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  to the inner surface of the panel  1 . 
     The attachment fitting  30 , which has an approximately rectangular plate shape, includes a pair of rail portions  31  extending in parallel along a length direction of the attachment fitting  30 . The attachment surface  114  is provided with a rail attachment portion  14  to which the pair of rail portions  31  can be attached. The rail attachment portion  14  is configured by four locking portions  15  provided at four corners of the attachment surface  114 . Each of the locking portions  15  is disposed capable of insetting the attachment fitting  30  between the adjacent rail attachment portions  14  and disposed to provide a gap between the locking portions  15  and the attachment surface  114 . When the pair of rail portions  31  is disposed between each locking portion  15  and the attachment surface  114 , a part of the pair of rail portions  31  is locked in a direction intersecting the attachment surface  114  by each locking portion  15  to be attached to the rail attachment portion  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the attachment fitting  30  is attachable to the attachment surface  114  with its length direction extending in a width direction of the attachment surface  114 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the attachment surface  114  is also attachable with its length direction extending in a length direction of the attachment surface  114 . 
     A permanent magnet  32  is provided between the pair of rail portions  31 . The attachment fitting  30  is detachably attached to the inner surface of the panel  1  by the permanent magnet  32 . 
     In the temperature abnormality detection device  10 , the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  are connected to each other by the crossover wiring  13 . With such a configuration, an amount of wiring in the panel  1  can be reduces. Thus, it is possible to realize the temperature abnormality detection device  10  that is compact in size and is capable of detecting a temperature abnormality over a wide range. With such a configuration, an infrared temperature sensor can be added easily. 
     The first infrared temperature sensor  111  includes the attachment surface  114  attachable to and detachable from the inner surface of the panel  1 , and the connection surface  116  that extends in a direction intersecting the attachment surface  114  and to which the crossover wiring  13  is connected. With such a configuration, a thickness of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be reduced. Accordingly, when the first infrared temperature sensor  111  is attached to the inner surface of the panel  1 , a distance between the first infrared temperature sensor  111  and the detection area  51  is secured, so that a range, where the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can detect temperature, can be widened. 
     The temperature abnormality detection device  10  further includes the attachment fitting  30  that detachably attaches the attachment surface  114  of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  to the inner surface of the panel  1 . The attachment fitting  30  includes the pair of rail portions  31  extending in parallel, and the attachment surface  114  includes the rail attachment portion  14  to which the pair of rail portions  31  is attachable. With such a configuration, a position where the attachment fitting  30  is attached to the attachment surface  114  can be easily changed depending on, for example, a place where the first infrared temperature sensor  111  is disposed. Thus, the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be easily attached to the inner surface of the panel  1 . 
     The attachment fitting  30  further includes the permanent magnet  32  and is attached to the inner surface of the panel  1  by the permanent magnet  32 . With such a configuration, the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be easily attached to even a position where, for example, mechanical fixing such as by a screw is difficult. 
     As long as each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can detect temperature in the mutually different detection area  51 ,  52  of the equipment  4 , the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can have any shape and structure. For example, each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  may have a shape other than an approximately cuboid shape, and may be attached to the inner surface of the panel  1  by a fastening member such as an adhesive or a screw instead of the attachment fitting  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  may be disposed not only inside the panel  1  but also outside the panel  1 . The temperature abnormality detection device  10  shown in  FIG. 7  is configured that the second infrared temperature sensor  112  detects the temperature in the second detection area  52  via a through hole  301  provided through the cover  3 . With such a configuration, each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can be disposed at a position where a temperature abnormality in the detection area can be detected with higher reliability. 
     When each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is positioned, a camera (not shown) may be used. In this case, for example, the camera is configured to image the detection areas  51 ,  52 , and includes the rail attachment portion  14  to which the attachment fitting  30  is attachable, as with the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112 . The positioning of each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  using the camera is made as follows. First, the attachment fitting  30  is attached to the camera. Then, the camera is moved to a detection position where the detection areas  51 ,  52  for detecting temperature is included in an imaging area of the camera. When the camera is moved to the detection position, the camera is removed from the attachment fitting  30  without moving the attachment fitting  30  from the detection position, and each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is attached to the attachment fitting  30 . As a result, each infrared temperature sensor  111  is positioned at the detection position. That is, the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can be accurately positioned using the camera without using the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  having a camera built therein. 
     Although the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, a description will be given in conclusion of various aspects of the present disclosure. Note that the following description will be given as an example with the reference numerals attached. 
     A temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a first aspect of the present disclosure that detects a temperature abnormality in equipment  4  disposed in a panel  1  includes: 
     a plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  each capable of detecting temperature in a mutually different detection area  51 ,  52  of the equipment  4 ; and 
     a device body  12  including a temperature abnormality determination unit  121  that determines that the temperature in the detection are  51 ,  52  detected by each of the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is abnormal when the temperature in the detection area  51 ,  52  is higher than a reference temperature, wherein 
     the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is connected to each other by crossover wiring  13 . 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the first aspect, the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is connected to each other by the crossover wiring  13 . With such a configuration, an amount of wiring in the panel  1  can be reduces. Thus, it is possible to realize the temperature abnormality detection device  10  that is compact in size and is capable of detecting a temperature abnormality over a wide range. With such a configuration, an infrared temperature sensor can be added easily. 
     In a temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, 
     the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  includes a first infrared temperature sensor  111  disposed in the panel  1  and capable of detecting the temperature in the first detection area  51 , and 
     the first infrared temperature sensor  111  includes an attachment surface  114  attachable to and detachable from an inner surface of the panel  1  and a connection surface  116  to which the crossover wiring  13  is connected, the connection surface  116  extending in a direction intersecting the attachment surface  114 . 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the second aspect, a thickness of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be reduced. Accordingly, when the first infrared temperature sensor  111  is attached to the inner surface of the panel  1 , a distance between the first infrared temperature sensor  111  and the detection area  51  is secured, so that a range, where the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can detect temperature, can be widened. 
     A temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a third aspect of the present disclosure further includes 
     an attachment fitting  30  that detachably attaches the attachment surface  114  of the first infrared temperature sensor  111  to the inner surface of the panel  1 , wherein 
     the attachment fitting  30  includes a pair of rail portions  31  extending in parallel, and 
     the attachment surface  114  includes a rail attachment portion  14  to which the pair of rail portions  31  is attached. 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the third aspect, a position where the attachment fitting  30  is attached to the attachment surface  114  can be easily changed depending on, for example, a place where the first infrared temperature sensor  111  is disposed. Thus, the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be easily attached to the inner surface of the panel  1 . 
     A temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure further includes 
     a camera capable of imaging the detection area  51 ,  52 , wherein 
     the attachment fitting  30  is configured to attach any one of the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  or the camera to the inner surface of the panel  1 . 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the fourth aspect, each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can be accurately positioned using the camera, without using infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  each having a camera built therein. 
     In a temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, 
     the attachment fitting  30  has 
     a permanent magnet  32  and is attached to the inner surface of the panel  1  by the permanent magnet  32 . 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the fifth aspect, the first infrared temperature sensor  111  can be easily attached to even a position where, for example, mechanical fixing such as by a screw is difficult. 
     In a temperature abnormality detection device  10  according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, 
     at least one of the plurality of infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  is disposed capable of detecting outside the panel  1  the temperature in the detection area  51 ,  52  via a through hole  301  of the panel  1 . 
     According to the temperature abnormality detection device  10  of the sixth aspect, each of the infrared temperature sensors  111 ,  112  can be disposed at a position where a temperature abnormality in the detection area can be detected with higher reliability. 
     Note that suitably combining any of the various embodiments or any of the various modifications makes it possible to achieve effects possessed by each of the embodiments or the modifications. Further, combinations of the embodiments, combinations of the modifications, or combinations of the embodiments and the modifications are possible, and combinations of features in different embodiments or modifications are also possible. 
     While the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made. Unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the accompanying claims, the changes and modifications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The temperature abnormality detection device according to the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a control panel, a distribution panel, or a high-voltage power receiving panel. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1 . panel 
               2 . casing 
               3 . cover 
               4 . equipment 
               41 . wiring 
               5 . opening 
               6 . housing part 
               10 . temperature abnormality detection device 
               111 . first infrared temperature sensor 
               112 . second infrared temperature sensor 
               113 . detection surface 
               114 . attachment surface 
               115 . temperature detector 
               116 . connection surface 
               117 . connection terminal 
               12 . device body 
               121 . temperature abnormality determination unit 
               13 . crossover wiring 
               14 . rail attachment portion 
               15 . locking portion 
               30 . attachment fitting 
               31 . rail portion 
               32 . permanent magnet 
               51 . first detection area 
               52 . second detection area 
               100 . PLC 
               101 . power supply