EP1251596B1 - Multipolar connector for control and automatic systems - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multi-pin connector for Connection of an input / output unit to a machine control according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a connector is e.g. in the document DE 2415727 A disclosed.

Modular control systems are in the manufacturing industry for production plants, transport systems or the like necessary. They must be carefully planned and created and especially when upgrading the manufacturing equipment extensions allow. This is achieved by fixed energy and data lines to which at any Place an interface card over its length can be via the via input / output modules and I / O units such as actuators, sensors or the like. be connected.

The connection of one actuator to the data bus is done in another Way than the connection of a sensor. A sensor reports Signals to the data bus, so is queried from the data bus. An actuator, however, is connected via the data bus with a Control signal applied; usually an actor gets through Switching an electric current actuated. At a Actuator will thus control signals from the data bus to the Transfer actuator. The design, planning and installation The system must therefore depend on the actuators used and sensors are made. This is expensive and in particular then disturbing, if the conversion or the upgrade of the Plant slots are replaced and instead of sensors Actuators must be connected or vice versa.

The invention is based on the object, a multipole Connector for connecting an input / output unit on a machine control in such a way that the connection different input / output units easy is possible.

The object is achieved according to the characterizing Characteristics of claim 1 solved.

The connector is connected via an electronic connection unit the connection to the data bus ago, where the same contact pin of the terminal unit optionally as Signal input for a sensor or as a control output can be switched for an actuator. This means that regardless of the connected input / output unit the physical training of the connector equal remains and the changeover from one actuator connection to one Sensor connection electronically. This electronic Conversion is by software also directly from the data bus out possible. Thus, only one type of connector or a module variant necessary what the storage, simplifies installation and maintenance.

In a preferred embodiment, the pin is a plug connection alternatively as a function input or diagnostic input and to switch the pin as output or function input.

It is also advantageous, a contact pin also as diagnostic input and / or diagnostic output, so that z. B. a released pin from the terminal unit can be used as a diagnostic connection.

In an advantageous embodiment is between the Contact pin of the connector and the connection unit electronic switch actuated by the terminal unit arranged, the contact pin depending on the type of connected I / O unit optionally with a signal input module the connection unit or with a control output module and / or connects to a diagnostic module. About the controlled by the electronic terminal unit Switch is thus a free parameterization of the connector or the contact pins of the connector possible, so that in a simple manner by plugging a sensor to an actuator connection and vice versa the connector operated according to the connected unit can be.

The connection unit is advantageous over the data bus of Machine control to program the electrical To control the switch according to the connected I / O unit. Therefore, both at startup the controller Undefined states are avoided, and it is always a reprogramming to other parameters possible.

The diagnostic module can read the evaluated data via the Transmit fieldbus to a central monitoring unit; Advantageously, the diagnostic module is connected to display elements, which are expediently designed as LEDs and before Place the user the possibility of a faulty Recognize input / output unit and initiate countermeasures. Occurring error conditions will be useful both signaled on the display unit as well as on the Transfer data bus. This concurrent error message is present Location and the headquarters ensures a high level of security. The diagnostic module not only checks the connected Unit, but can also be the line connection to the Units or to the interface monitor. If e.g. on an output gives up a signal and turns out to be Reaction a stream of e.g. less than 3mA is included Line break before, which appears as "open load" state becomes.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung eine Schnittstelle einer Maschinensteuerung mit einem zentralen Datenbus,

Fig. 2

in schematischer Darstellung einen Prinzipschaltplan für die Beschaltung von frei parametrierbaren Kontaktpins.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the other claims, the description and the drawings, in which an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an interface of a machine control with a central data bus,

Fig. 2

a schematic diagram of a circuit diagram for the wiring of freely configurable contact pins.

The interface shown in Fig. 1 is part of a machine control and is a power line 1 to a voltage-carrying network connected and via a Fieldbus 2 with the central machine control for replacement connected by data and control commands.

At any point of the power line 1 and the Fieldbus 2 can connect to the interface via the interface a manufacturing plant, a machine or the like. Built become. For this purpose, a power supply 3 with the first Power line 1 connected. The power supply 3 is the power supply individual components to be connected. The Connection to the fieldbus 2 is via a preferably active interface card 4 achieves which four connections 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d for individual components such as a Variety of input / output modules 10, 12 or the like.

The modules 10 consist of an M12 connector while the modules 12 consist of an M8 connector 6.

The modules 10, 12 are arranged in a stationary position and via a link module 11 and an interface cable 23 with a connection 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of the interface card 4 connected.

Each connector 6 of the input / output modules 10, 12th is as a multi-pin connector for connecting an input / output unit such as an actuator 25 or a sensor 15 is provided, which are indicated schematically in Fig. 1. For this purpose, the contact pins 1, 2, 4 of Fig. 2 shown Plug connection 6 via an electronic connection unit 41 and a bus cable 42 to the data bus. 2 get connected. It is inventively provided that the same contact pin 1, 2 or 4 optionally as a signal input for a sensor or as a control output for one Actuator is to switch. The same contact pin 1, 2, 4 can also as diagnostic input and / or diagnostic output be switched. Preference is given to a M12 connector the pin 2 and the pin 4 freely parameterizable, with the pin 2 or 4 e.g. as digital function input with NO contactor Normally-closed functionality, as diagnostic input or too is to be wired as a digital output. Alternatively it is also a parameterization as analog input and output suitable for voltage and current. Via analog inputs can e.g. Be connected control sensors whose signal voltage or signal current proportional to a control variable is and e.g. in the range between 0 and 10V or 0 and 20 mA lies. Correspondingly, actuators can also be actuated as actuators, so that at the output an analog control signal abandoned becomes.

For free parameterization of a contact pin 1, 2 or 4 is between each contact pin 1, 2, 4 of the connector 6 and the connection unit 41 an electronic switch 40 is arranged, which is preferably designed as an IC. Of the electronic switch 40 is from the terminal unit 41 actuated, each individual contact pin 1, 2, 4 in dependence of the type of the connected I / O unit 15, 25 optionally with a signal input module 30 or - of one Control signal output module 31 controlled - with a Power supply 33 is to connect. The connection unit 41, each of the contact pins 1, 2, 4 also with a Connect diagnostic module 32 for error detection.

The particular designed as an IC electronic switch 40 is via the bus cable 42 from the fieldbus 2 of the machine control to drive, so that a connector 6 a I / O module 10, 12 according to the via the connector 6 connected input / output units different can be used. Is about the connector z. B. a bipolar sensor connected, the poles 1 and 2 via the electronic switch 40 and the Control / Signalleiten 43 connected to the signal input module 30 become; from the power supply 33 are the contact pins 1 and 2 then decoupled. About the still free Contact pin 4 can be a diagnosis of the connected sensor be made so that the contact pin 4 via the IC 40th is connected to the diagnostic module 32. About the diagnostic module LEDs 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b are driven, which indicate the respective condition of the lines or the sensor and an error z. On pin 2 or 4 immediately. Thus, each pin has a yellow LED 34a, 35a as an OK indicator and a red LED 34b and 35b assigned as an error indication.

The terminal unit 41 may be self-detecting, i. H., after connection z. B. a sensor to the connector. 6 checks the connection unit 41, whether through the connected Contact pin 1 a current flows. If this is the case, the Connection detected as a sensor and the IC 40 driven accordingly. A detection of a sensor can also by abandoned test signals and incoming electrical Feedback is provided.

If an actuator is connected to the connector 6, lie other electrical conditions than with a sensor, so that the terminal can be recognized as an output and accordingly from the terminal unit 41 via the IC 40 to control is. The actuators can also be accessed via the diagnostic module 32, so that e.g. at a discontinued Control signal is monitoring the self-adjusting current. If it is below a threshold of e.g. 3mA, lies Line break before, which appears as "open load" state becomes.

In particular, a diagnosis module can also be used be detected creeping occurring overcurrent, so that a kind of advance notice is created. The user If the current is too high, it will be in front of you Future possible failure warns, although the attachment to the Time of activated overcurrent display still error-free is working. The output currents can be at advantageously digital Outputs between limits in the range of 0 to 2A set, preferably be set variably. The permissible currents can thus be set according to the parameterization can be optionally set so that through the diagnostic module each pin 1, 2 or 4 monitored for the permissible current can be. At a completed overcurrent between 100% and 120%, a forecast message is generated, which reports the overload. The user can do such a detect impending failure and initiate countermeasures.

Claims (10)

1. Multipole pin and socket connector for connecting an input/output unit, such as an actuator (25), a sensor (15) or similar, to a machine control incorporating a central field bus (2), enabling at least one contact pin (1, 2, 4) of the pin and socket connector (6) to be connected to a field bus (2) via an electronic connection unit (41),
   characterised in that the same contact pin (1, 2, 4) may be optionally connected as a signal input for a sensor (15) or as a control output for an actuator (25).
2. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 1,
   characterised in that the same contact pin (22) may be connected as a diagnostic input and/or diagnostic output.
3. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that an electronic switch (40) operated by the connection unit (41) is disposed between the contact pin (22) of the pin and socket connector (6) and the connection unit (41), which optionally connects the contact pin (22) to a signal input module (30) of the connection unit (41) or to a control signal output module (31) of the connection unit (41) and/or to a diagnostic module (32) depending on the type of input/output unit (15, 25) connected.
4. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 3,
   characterised in that the electronic switch (40) is an IC.
5. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 3 or 4,
   characterised in that the diagnostic module (32) is preferably connected to display elements (34, 35) co-operating with a pin.
6. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 5,
   characterised in that the display elements (34, 35) are LEDs.
7. Pin and socket connector as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the input and/or output is connected as a digital input or output.
8. Pin and socket connector as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the input and/or output is connected as an analogue input or output.
9. Pin and socket connector as claimed in claim 7 or 8,
   characterised in that the output current of an output can be adjusted, preferably variably, between threshold values, preferably within the range of 3mA to 2A.
10. Pin and socket connector as claimed in one of claims 2 to 9,
    characterised in that the diagnostic module (32) monitors operating currents and generates a predictive failure indication and/or a fault indication if a threshold value is exceeded.

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