CN100576653C - Electrical installation with one socket and one electrical module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical device (6) comprising an electrical module (8) for communication between the electrical module (8) and a further electrical device. There is an identification transmitter (14) having a first position in which the electrical module (8) is inoperative and a second position in which the electrical module (8) is operational state. In addition, there is an identification receiver (20), which cooperates with the identification transmitter (14) at a second location in order to evaluate the information defined by the identification transmitter (14). The electrical device (6) enables an alternative addressing scheme, wherein the position of the permanently installed socket (12) or the wiring to the socket (12) is addressed because the information transmitter (14) is located at the socket ( 12) on.

Description

Electrical installation with one socket and one electrical module

technical field

The invention relates to an electrical device having an electrical module for communication between the module and other electrical devices.

Background technique

Such an electrical device is used, for example, in complex technical systems, for example in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning installations, access and humidity monitoring systems or general building automation. EP 1 211 582 describes a building automation system in which a large number of so-called field devices, such as sensors and actuators, need to be operated. The individual plant components communicate with one or more bus systems in such a building automation plant via an input and output module system, referred to below as an I/O module system.

The I/O module system forms the interface between field devices and other device components. They are used to convert the bus signals of an automation station into signals for field devices and vice versa. The I/O module system is usually assembled on a mounting bar and placed in the switch cabinet. When installing the I/O module system, a socket is first fitted to the mounting bar, and then the electrical I/O module is fixed to the socket and electrically contacted.

Communication via a bus system typically requires individual field devices and I/O modules to be addressable. Addressing is carried out in said EP 1 211 582 B1 by means of adjustable communication addresses on an I/O module, which are stored in a permanent memory module of the I/O module (such as a non-volatile memory (NVRAM)).

When it is necessary to disconnect electrical units or modules from a socket, there is often the danger that electrical modules will be mixed up during maintenance or replacement of faulty electrical modules. This can lead, for example, to an electrical module having a known address in the system being plugged into a wrong socket after maintenance and thus assigned to another field device. This could lead to malfunctioning of the system. In order to eliminate this danger, EP 592 923 A1 describes an electrical device with a mechanical key-lock mechanism. Only electrical modules with matching keys fit into the locks of the sockets.

The key-lock arrangement described in EP 592 923 A1 requires that perhaps several electrical modules be plugged into the socket until the module with the adapted key fits into the lock of the socket. This may require a higher expenditure of time.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an electrical device which additionally prevents system malfunctions after maintenance or repairs. One such electrical device includes an electrical module for communication between the electrical module and a further electrical device. There is an identification transmitter having a first position in which the electrical module is inactive and a second position in which the electrical module is in operation. There is an identification receiver which cooperates with the identification transmitter at a second location in order to analyze the information defined by the identification transmitter.

In one embodiment, the electrical device has a socket which removably accommodates the electrical module and makes electrical contact therewith. The socket here contains an identification transmitter.

Electrical devices enable an alternative addressing scheme. In known systems, for example, a removable I/O module is assigned an address and stored in the module. In the electrical device described here, by contrast, the position of the permanently installed socket or the wiring to the socket is addressed because the information transmitter is on the socket. The removable I/O modules are therefore not directly addressable. The address or function of the I/O module at this location, eg as a connection to a temperature sensor, is only determined when the module is plugged into the socket and contacts are made.

Description of drawings

Various aspects, advantages and novel features of the following embodiments are explained in the following detailed description with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic structure of an embodiment of a structure of a device for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating the operating technology of a building;

Figures 2.1 and 2.2 are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of an electrical device in different installation states;

An embodiment of a part of the electrical module of the electrical device of Fig. 3 includes a schematic diagram of an information transmitter and an information receiver;

Figure 4 is a partial view according to Figure 3, wherein the information transmitter is in contact with the information receiver;

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams for an embodiment in which an information transmitter and an information receiver work together.

Detailed ways

Various exemplary embodiments of an electrical installation are described below with the aid of a building automation system. However, the skilled person knows that the characteristics of electrical installations are generally applicable in any system in which the position of electrical installations in the system is decisive for the function of the system, such as in a building and equipment In a hazard warning system, in an electronic device such as a computer, or in an electrical installation in a car or airplane.

FIG. 1 shows in a schematic diagram the basic structure of an exemplary embodiment of a structure for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating building automation systems. In the illustrated embodiment, a communication medium 1 connects the units 2, 3 with an electrical device 6 to enable communication with and between these equipment components. The skilled person knows that in one such configuration, a plurality of electrical devices 6 may be connected to the communication medium 1, as shown by ellipses in FIG. 1 .

An exemplary embodiment of an electrical device 6 is shown in detail for illustration purposes in FIG. 1 . As will be explained in more detail below, Figure 1 shows the electrical device 6 in a service state. The electrical device 6 contains an electrical module 8 and can be connected directly to the communication medium 1 as an integrated unit. There is an identification transmitter 14 which has a first position in which the electrical module 8 is in the non-actuated state and a second position in which the electrical module 8 is in the actuated state. In addition, there is an identification receiver 20 which cooperates with the identification transmitter at a second location in order to evaluate the information defined by the identification transmitter.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electrical device 6 comprises two components, the electrical module 8 and a socket 12, which is removably housed and electrically contacts the electrical module 8 so that it can be connected between the electrical module 8 and other electrical components. communication between devices. The socket 12 contains an identification transmitter 14 which has a first and a second position. In the first position, the electrical module 8 is non-operatively mounted within the socket 12 . The electrical module 8 contains an identification receiver 20 which cooperates with the identification transmitter 14 at a second location in order to evaluate the information defined by the identification transmitter 14 .

In one exemplary embodiment, the units 2 , 3 are each a controller and/or controller, and the electrical device 6 is an I/O module for controlling and adapting the field device 5 connected thereto. In one embodiment, the electrical device 6 can be connected to other I/O modules via an additional bus system, as indicated by the ellipsis in FIG. 1 . In addition, the electrical device 6 can have an operating device 10 for a user interface. In a variant of the electrical device 6, the operating device 10 can also include a connection for a display terminal or a mobile computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the structure shown in FIG. 1 , unit 2 is connected via a further communication medium 18 to a higher-level system, for example to a center. The unit 3 is connected to a screen display terminal or a computer 4 when necessary.

Bus systems and technologies that can be used in this architecture are, for example, LON, LonWorks ^™ from the company ECHELON, the European installation bus EIB or PROFIBUS as defined in the German standard DIN 19245. In principle, optical and hybrid data communication lines or wireless networks, such as a fiberglass network or cellular radiotelephone networks such as GSM or UMTS, can also be used instead of or in addition to the bus system.

The electrical device 6 has a plurality of connection points A, B for the field device 5 . In principle, the number of implemented connection points per electrical device 6 can be selected within wide limits.

The connection bits A, B are designed basically identically and can generally be used as input ports and as output ports, for example bidirectional and for analog and digital signals. The connection points A, B each have a plurality of connection points (for example four) for the field device 5 . The universal connection points A, B can therefore be used for various field device types, i.e. for sensors or actuators, i.e. with or without power supply respectively via connection points A or B for analog inputs, analog field device with outputs, digital inputs, or digital outputs. Field device 5 can be, for example, a sensor for measuring a process parameter or an actuating drive for influencing a process parameter. Thus, for example, a thermometer, a hygrometer, an actuating drive for a ventilation butterfly valve, a gas sensor, a switch or an actuator with position feedback can be connected to connection points A, B.

For a more in-depth illustration, Figures 2.1 and 2.2 show embodiments of the electrical device 6 in different installed states, ie in a non-installed state (Fig. 2.1) and in a mounted state (Fig. 2.2). In the unmounted state shown in FIG. 2.1 , the electrical module 8 is not mounted on the socket 12 . In this state, the information transmitter 14 is not in contact with the information receiver 20 of the electrical module 8 . In Fig. 2.2, the electrical module 8 is mounted on the socket 12 and is electrically contacted. The information transmitter 14 is in contact with the information receiver 20 in this state.

In one embodiment, the information transmitter 14 and the information receiver 20 may be configured such that the electrical module 8 is mechanically locked when the information transmitter 14 is in contact with the information receiver 20 . For example, as soon as a service technician breaks the contact, the electrical module 8 knows that its operation should be interrupted and is automatically disconnected. The electrical module 8 can then be removed from the socket 12 safely and without risk.

In one exemplary embodiment, the electrical device 6 additionally assumes a service state, which is shown, for example, in FIG. 1 . In this state, the information transmitter 14 is also not in contact with the information receiver 20 . The electrical module 8 is located within the socket 12 , but is no longer in electrical contact with the socket 12 . By separating the electrical module 8 from the socket 12 and thus from the field device 5 , they can be inspected and maintained by a service technician safely and without risk. Since the electrical module 8 and the information transmitter 14 remain mechanically connected to the socket 12 , the risk of confusion when reinserting another structurally identical component is eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

3 and 4 show schematically and simplified parts of the electrical module 8 in order to explain an exemplary embodiment in principle. The shown part of the electrical module 8 is a theoretical section through the electrical module 8 , which is positioned such that the immediate surroundings of the information receiver 20 can be seen. The person skilled in the art knows that this is only a principle example and that auxiliary and/or other elements can also be advantageous in order to achieve the desired mechanical or electrical function.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the electrical module 8 includes a housing 26 which contains the information receiver 20 . From the outside, in one embodiment, a portion of the information receiver 20 can be seen as a jack. Outside the housing 26 is the information transmitter 14 , which in one exemplary embodiment is designed as a plug which matches the socket of the information receiver 20 . Inside the housing 26 there is a printed circuit board 21 with a contact area 22 . A contact element 24 has a contact point 28 and is connected directly or indirectly to the housing 26 . In FIG. 3 , the information transmitter 14 is not in contact with the information receiver 20 and the contact point 28 does not touch the contact area 22 . The electrical device 6 is thus neither in the non-installed state nor in the service state.

FIG. 4 shows a part of the electrical module 8 in the installed state of the electrical device 6 . In this state, the information transmitter 14 is in contact with the information receiver 20 . In this case, the information transmitter 14 exerts a force on the contact element 24 and presses the contact element 24 and thus also the contact point 28 in the direction of the printed circuit board 21 . In this state, the contact point 28 hits the contact area 22 . The information transmitter 14 is thus an electrical contact which brings the electrical module 8 into a predetermined state. In one embodiment, the predetermined status includes assignment of one or more functions or an address. In another embodiment, the predetermined state may be a combination of function and address.

In one exemplary embodiment, the contact element 24 is a leaf spring made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, a copper alloy or spring steel.

The leaf spring is attached to the housing 26 in such a way that it does not come into contact with the contact area 22 in the rest state shown in FIG. 3 and rests against a projection 30 . Until the information transmitter 14 lifts the leaf spring away from the projection 30 and the contact point 28 rests on the contact area 22 , thus producing an electrical contact. As soon as the information transmitter 14 moves away from the information receiver 20 again, the contact is interrupted and the contact element 24 assumes a rest position on the projection 30 .

In one embodiment of the electrical device 6 , the conductive plate 21 has a plurality of contact areas 22 . In this embodiment, each contact area 22 is assigned a contact point 28 . The number of contact areas 22 is equal to the number of contact points 28 . The number of contact areas 22 and corresponding contact points 28 can be selected within wide limits and corresponded to the desired function, the permissible module outlay and the space requirement. In an exemplary embodiment for use in building automation systems, each electrical device 6 typically has eight or ten contact points.

The principles explained in Figures 3 and 4 apply to each contact location. The information transmitters 14 are arranged corresponding to the number of contact fields 22 and contact points 28 . That is to say, the information transmitter 14 has a corresponding number of "positions" in one exemplary embodiment, which are occupied either by an element or by a free position. An element presses onto a contact element 24 , while a free position does not press onto the contact element 24 . Each contact position can be open or connected, depending on whether the information transmitter 14 is pressed onto a contact element 24 . For example, 127 addresses or functions, or combinations of addresses and functions, can be coded by means of, for example, selected eight contact bits. The information transmitter 14 has at least two elements in one embodiment, so that it is possible to distinguish between two cases in which the information transmitter 14 is inserted and in which the information transmitter 14 is not inserted.

5 and 6 schematically show an embodiment for the cooperation of the information transmitter 14 and the information receiver 20 . FIG. 5 shows an information transmitter 14 which is pivotable about an axis 32 and has eight contact elements 24 . The respective contact element 24 does not contact the eight contact regions 22 on the plate 21 in the rest state. The information transmitter 14 has a main body 34 and elements Ti protruding from the main body 34, i=1, 2, 3 . . . . In the illustrated embodiment, the information transmitter 14 may have eight elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, however it has no elements at positions between elements T3, T4 and T4, T5 . That is to say, there are no elements T4 , T6 , which are therefore shown by dashed lines in FIG. 6 . In FIG. 6 the information transmitter 14 is swung in. The elements T1 , T2 , T3 , T5 , T7 , T8 press the corresponding contact element 24 onto the contact region 22 . Contact elements 24 opposite which there are no elements (here T4 and T6 ) are not pressed against contact region 22 .

In one exemplary embodiment, special precautions are taken so that, for example, the electrical module 8 does not interpret incorrect addresses or functions when plugged into or disconnected from the information transmitter 14 . For example, during insertion, element T1 first comes into contact with one contact element 24 , and then the remaining elements come into contact with the associated contact element 24 . To avoid undefined states during this time, in one embodiment only contact with element T8 closes the circuit. That is, the module 8 is powered only when the message transmitter 14 is fully inserted. In addition to its function of connecting circuits, in one embodiment element T8 is slightly shorter than the other elements T1-T7. It is thus additionally ensured that element T8 is only pressed against a contact element 24 when all other elements T1 - T7 are already in their active positions.

The electrical device 6 can address the location of the electrical device 6 or determine the function of the electrical device 6 at this location. To this end, the information transmitter 14 can be coded for each position by means of the elements T1 - T8 respectively. Such a code can in one embodiment contain a reset function, by means of which the electrical module 8 can be set in an initial state. In addition, the interaction of the information transmitter 14 and the information receiver 20 can mechanically lock the electrical module 8 . In one exemplary embodiment, a master switching function is thus obtained, since the electrical module 8 is automatically switched off as soon as the information transmitter 14 is detached from the information receiver 20 .

Claims (12)

1. an electric device (6), it comprises that an electrical module (8) is used for communicating by letter between this electrical module (8) and an additional electrical device, wherein, a sign transmitter (14) is arranged, it has a primary importance and a second place, electrical module in the time of on primary importance (8) is in non-operating state, and electrical module in the time of on the second place (8) is in mode of operation; A sign receiver (20) is arranged, it and the acting in conjunction on the second place of sign transmitter (14), so that analyze information by sign transmitter (14) definition, it is characterized in that, sign transmitter (14) is a plug, and sign receiver (20) is a jack, so that lay at least a portion of sign transmitter (14).

2. by the described electric device of claim 1 (6), a socket (12) is arranged wherein, it is removably laid electrical module (8) and electrically contacts with it.

3. by the described electric device of claim 2 (6), sign transmitter (14) is set on socket (12) wherein.

4. by the described electric device of claim 3 (6), wherein electrical module (8) is installed on the socket (12) under non-operating state not operation, and operatively is installed under mode of operation on the socket (12).

5. by aforesaid right requirement 1 described electric device (6), wherein said information is address of electrical module (8) definition, so that identify electrical module (8) in a system.

6. by aforesaid right requirement 1 described electric device (6), wherein said information is predetermined mode of operation of electrical module (8) definition.

7. by the described electric device of claim 1 (6), wherein plug has element (T1-T8), they and contact element (24) acting in conjunction that identifies receiver (20).

8. by the described electric device of claim 1 (6), wherein plug comprises a combination that is made of element (T1-T8) and free position, and this makes up contact element (24) acting in conjunction with sign receiver (20).

9. by the described electric device of claim 1 (6), wherein identify receiver (20) and comprise leaf spring as contact element (24).

10. by the described electric device of claim 1 (6), wherein identify transmitter (14) and sign receiver (20) generation locking, it is with the mechanical locking of electrical module (8).

11. by the described electric device of claim 10 (6), if wherein described locking unclamps, electrical module (8) disconnects so.

12., wherein identify transmitter (14) and be fixed on versatilely on the socket (12) by the described electric device of claim 2 (6).

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