DE19816170C5 - control module - Google Patents

Abstract

Control module with an electronic circuit (1), in particular comprising a microprocessor, memory and logic modules, comprising a housing (10)
a lower housing part (20);
an upper housing part (30) which can be connected to the lower housing part (20) tightly and firmly, that is to say with a high degree of protection;
a transfer connector device (40), the first connector part (41) of which is firmly mounted in the upper housing part (30) such that when the upper housing part (30) is placed on the lower housing part (20) it has a second, in the lower housing part (20) firmly mounted plug part (42) of the transfer plug device (40) is brought into contact;
one or more connecting devices (43) or connection devices such as a terminal strip or the like for connecting a wiring (44) to the second plug part (42) and the electronic circuit (1) in the upper part (30) of the housing,
wherein the lower housing part (20) is designed so flat on at least one side surface (21) and is shaped for receiving (25) a seal that at least one further housing (10) with a high degree of protection and in ...

Description

The invention relates to a control module an electronic circuit and a housing.

In modern manufacturing facilities With electronic control technology, bus systems are generally used to transfer the information from the central computer system, often a PLC, to individuals field devices used. The bus systems often consist of master modules in the parent Controller, slave modules or bus modules for control the field devices and Communication devices, especially cables between the master and the slave modules. The slave modules or bus modules control field devices, which is implemented, for example, by sensors, actuators or drives are. Such a drive can be the combination of, for example a converter and an electric motor. Under cables should Naturally not only electrical connection means, but also optical ones or partially optical connection means, such as light guides be understood.

With increasing decentralization, Standardization of communication, modularization of systems and the cost reduction, well-known fieldbus systems, for example "Profibus", "Interbus" and "CAN-Bus" are used. This generally have standardized transmission protocols.

With these fieldbus systems several bus modules using one communication device (cable) connected and to the central computer system, for example a PLC as a parent Computer connected.

To improve the production processes Reduction of susceptibility to faults, for modularization of plants and for cost reduction is always more decentralized intelligence. This means that increasing Control tasks to small, local systems near the bus assemblies with enough Hand over tax and computing power become. This relieves the central computer system more and more and can be downsized to make it cheaper. With special Tasks can even become superfluous.

In today's systems is to activate the transfer of information to the individual field devices an interface module required, that is connected to the fieldbus and connected to the field device is. This interface module consists of a housing of an electronic circuit, a connection for the fieldbus system and a connection for the information transmission path to the actuator or drive, for example an RS 485 interface. The interface module translates the information available in the fieldbus, for example from the central control (PLC) for the assigned field device are intended for this assigned field device. Translated in the same way the interface module information originating from the field device and for example for the central one Control are determined in the fieldbus protocol.

From the DE 297 16 575 U1 a decentralized control is known, which consists of a base module and a head module. The basic module corresponds to a control cabinet with cable routing in classic control technology. The head module contains the supply voltage and communication devices. In principle, this control module is just as complex and complex as the standard control described above.

From the DE 196 16 551 A1 a control module is known which in turn has a base module and an expansion module and is constructed with a stackable profile. The production of the parts is complex and costly. In addition, to replace a defective sub-module, the neighboring sub-modules have to be removed because all these sub-modules are connected by the stackable profile. In addition, the sub-modules have a connection for the supply voltages, which is carried out between the sub-modules.

From the EP 0 323 579 B1 is a plug-in distribution box is known, which requires a high expansion effort for repairs and difficult maintenance and repair work.

From the DE 40 05 086 A1 is a connection unit for home automation is known, which is intended to be attached to a wall. The device is designed as a single device that contains (interchangeably) all components necessary for a specific function. A coupling of further, in particular further, similar devices is not provided in the known connection unit and does not correspond to the area of application of the device. Connection devices for temporary or permanent use in the upper part, operating elements or display elements are not provided in the known device.

From the EP 0 661 915 A1 a module system is known, by means of which a large number of assemblies can be mounted on a mounting rail and connected to one another. Cross-connections are provided in order to create connections or bridges between the assemblies mounted next to one another. The system is only suitable for dry rooms, since a permanent connection of the modules with a high degree of protection is not necessary. Operating or display elements are not provided. The individual modules are designed as simple housings.

From the DE 297 13 960 U1 is known an electrical or electronic device that is to be mounted on a mounting rail. The coupling with other similar devices is also little intended, such as the coupling of other devices via connection devices for temporary or permanent use.

The invention has for its object a To train the control module in such a way that their usability, in particular the installation, the possible use and ease of maintenance be improved in the field and the effort for wiring, in particular the length of the Cabling can be reduced.

This task is performed by a control module solved according to claim 1.

An essential point of the invention is that the housing are designed so that they are tightly connected can, then some kind of transfer device in the area of this tight connection, such as plugs, cables or the like. to be able to use that to build a complex control for use in the field is required. It exists here a relatively strict separation between the general permanently mounted lower part of the housing with the permanently installed and fault-prone cabling and the Upper housing part, in which the one to be serviced or to be adapted to the local conditions or to be converted Electronics sits. This also makes it possible to be very rough Field conditions per se to perform highly complicated maintenance work by simply an upper housing part by an intact or changed Housing part adapted to conditions or requirements with appropriate electronics is replaced. In particular, there is a high standard of protection Application, which is also due to the mechanical and electrical separation between the upper and lower part and between the housings becomes.

Overall, the control module thus comprises an electronic circuit, especially one with a microprocessor, Storage and logic circuit and a housing, the housing being a lower housing part, an upper housing part, the tight and firm with the lower part of the housing is connectable and a transfer plug device comprises the first plug part of which is firmly mounted on the upper part of the housing, that it when putting on the upper part of the housing on the lower part of the housing with a 2nd, in the lower part of the housing Fixed plug part of the transfer plug device is brought into contact. Here is in the lower part of the housing a connecting device such as a terminal strip or the like for Connect a wiring to the 2nd connector part and in the upper part of the housing the electronic circuit housed.

Preferably, the transfer plug device the only electrical connection between the wiring in the lower part of the housing and the electronic circuit in the upper part of the housing. A repair or replacing the electronics can be done by a simple exchange of housing tops done in a few easy steps, the upper housing parts with the built-in Electronics in a suitable environment, i.e. not set up in the field or be converted.

The lower housing part preferably has mounting devices for fastening on a mounting surface, in particular for fastening several lower housing parts on a mounting rail or the like. This can be pre-drilled, for example holes in the housing be that to pre-drilled holes fit in the mounting rail. The attachment can then be done with screws respectively. This is a compact system for controlling one Variety of individual devices easy to assemble. The module can either be in the area of the control cabinet or in the field, for example in the functional field on a wall or can be mounted directly on the drive.

The connection of the upper housing part with the lower part of the housing has a high degree of protection. This can be through a plastic or Rubber seal can be realized between the housing top and the lower part of the housing lies. All cable feeds are also with a high degree of protection, for example through PG screw connections or round plug connections realized. This enables protection class IP67 to be achieved.

The housing, especially the lower part of the housing is designed in this way on at least one side surface, in particular plan and / or shaped to accommodate a seal that at least one additional housing the housing can be connected with a high degree of protection and electrical connection. Thereby can the controls exchange data and programs, each other control tasks carry out or connected drives or actuators depending on each other move. An important application is, for example, driving "curves" with two drives. The target positions of the two drives are mathematically coupled. For example, a trivial "curve" an electronic gear in which the target angle of the first drive is always proportional to the target angle of the second drive. Around So in the simplest case to be able to drive "curves", a drive must the other drive its state, for example the angle of the Motor axis or the measured value the linear axis. The other drive then calculates the belonging to it Target position and controls accordingly to this value.

The housing preferably has, in particular the upper part of the housing Plug devices for connecting external sensors and / or Actuators on. So it can happen if the actuators or sensors change or new ones have been added, a new housing top adapted to the changing conditions placed on the (permanently mounted) lower part of the housing and also in the field.

The lower housing part preferably has a fieldbus and supply voltage connection, that is to say those connection units which in general think that they will remain the same even if the general conditions change or that they will not become defective.

The fieldbus and the supply voltage connection via a single plug device or a single cable with corresponding Cables in the housing (lower part) guided, which simplifies construction and reduces susceptibility to faults.

The lower housing part preferably has devices to connect Sensors and / or actuators, especially for connecting a field device on. This is particularly preferably the case if an exchange or a change this one to be connected in the lower part Sensors and actuators or the field device is not to be expected.

The lower part of the housing is one another embodiment the invention on a field device, in particular mountable on a drive. This would be particularly advantageous if it is an electric drive, in which the electric motor and the associated converter are structural Form unity.

The upper housing part is preferred with a connection device for a Operating unit, especially a computing device such as PC or the like in particular for importing PLC programs or such complex control programs or data and / or for output and display of data such as the state of sensors, actuators and drives or stored data.

The connection device is in this Case preferably behind a sealable opening in the upper part of the housing arranged for temporary use and subsequent deactivation. That way you can very complex connectors in the usual design for data transfer are used, the opening then being closed after use and the desired high degree of protection is achieved again. Are in the upper part of the housing preferably display devices such as LEDs or the like are provided, to the operating states of the device display in the field. Likewise, operating elements are preferably in the upper housing part, such as Keyboards, knobs or buttons provided. These are used to enter data and / or to control processes. For example, threshold values, critical limit values, control parameters for the drive or the positioning controls can be entered and, for example, the speed of a drive be driven manually.

Preferred embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

An embodiment of the Invention explained with reference to figures. Here show:

1 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the housing in the closed state,

2 a schematic partial section through the housing 1 .

3 a schematic view of the housing with connected peripherals and

4 a schematic view of the control module in an interconnection with other devices.

In the description below be for same and equivalent parts used the same reference numerals.

That in the 1 to 3 shown housing 10 includes a lower housing part 20 and an upper housing part 30 that with the interposition of a seal 11 (please refer 2 ) can be screwed tightly together. At the bottom of the lower part of the housing 20 is a clamping rail fastening groove 24 provided, via which several lower housing parts in a manner known per se 20 or housing 10 can be fastened on a (not shown) clamping rail or mounting rail. faces 21 of the lower part of the housing 20 are made as flat and with (closable) openings 22 . 23 ' provided that several lower housing parts 20 or housing 10 can be fastened close to each other on a mounting rail, seals (not shown) then being placed in the sealing seats between the housings ( 25 . 25 ' ) around the openings 23 . 23 ' Connect 2 adjacent housings (or a whole series of such) with a high degree of protection. If no such connection from housing to housing is desired, then the openings 23 . 23 ' used for the introduction of connection cables, e.g. using PG screw connections.

In the upper part of the housing 30 are plug devices 31 provided, in particular sensors or actuators can be connected. There are also display devices in the upper part of the housing 34 provided which the operating states of a in the upper housing part 30 mounted electronic circuit 1 (please refer 2 ) or mark the operating states of connected sensors or actuators.

Furthermore is in the upper part of the housing 30 an opening 33 provided, behind which a connection device 32 , in particular a multi-pole transfer plug. is the one with the electronic circuit 1 connected is. About this connection device 32 can a programming device, a PC or the like with the electronic circuit 1 be connected to program them or read data. After the data exchange, the plug is removed, whereupon the opening 33 can be tightly closed, so that an absolutely tight housing of high protection class is created again.

The only electrical connection between the housing top 30 (or its content) and the lower part of the housing 20 (or its content) is through a transfer connector 40 realized. This includes a 1st connector part 41 that in the upper part of the housing 30 and a 2nd connector part 42 that in Ge häuseunterteil 20 is mounted. If you separate the upper part of the housing 30 from the lower part of the housing 20 , so are the connector parts 41 and 42 separated from each other. If you put the upper part of the housing 30 on the lower part of the housing 20 on, so is the transfer plug device 40 tightly closed.

The 2nd connector part 42 in the lower part of the housing 20 is with a connection device 43 electrically connected in which terminals, plug devices or the like are provided for connecting a wiring. In this way, the cabling is only in the lower part of the housing 20 attached so that only one upper housing part for repair purposes or for changing or expanding a module 30 needs to be replaced.

In 3 An embodiment of a control according to the invention is shown in a symbolic representation. The housing 10 again consists of a lower housing part 20 and an upper housing part 30 , between which the transfer plug 40 realized the electrical connection. This version is in the lower part of the housing 20 a wiring 44 led in the supply voltage line 45 and a fieldbus line 4t are summarized. These lines can also be looped through to a next module installed next to the module shown here and from there to the next fieldbus device or a device that uses the supply voltage.

Furthermore, in this embodiment is on the lower housing part 20 a sensor 2 , an actuator 3 , a field device 4 and (as a special field device) a drive 5 connected. The connections can be fixed via the connection device 42 (please refer 2 ) respectively. The connections are designed with a high degree of protection, for example as a PG screw connection. This is with the frame 47 in 3 indicated.

On the upper part of the housing 30 are a sensor 2 and an actuator 3 via the plug device 31 connected, which has already been described.

In 4 is the interconnection of two modules with housings 10 and 10 ' shown. On the housing 10 the first control is the sensor 2 , the actuator 3 and the drive 5 , on the housing 10 ' the second.

Control the sensor 2 ' , the actuator 3 ' and the drive 5 ' connected. The controls in the two housings 10 and 10 ' are electrically connected to each other (for example via the field device connection using plugs or directly via a cable connection through the openings 23 . 23 ' in the side walls 21 ). Both electronic controls are over the fieldbus line 46 with a higher-level control 7 connected. So the drives 5 and 5 ' interdependent and taking into account the sensor inputs 2 . 2 ' be driven, the additional actuators 3 . 3 ' can be controlled. At the in 4 configuration shown can be the connection between the housing 10 ' (or the case 10 ) under the fieldbus 46 omitted since the two housings 10 . 10 ' are connected to one another via another line, as mentioned.

The controls shown here can be used in a manner known per se. For example, a hoist can be controlled with an electric motor, in which the lifting movement from bottom to top must be stopped when the limit switch position is passed. The sequence program only releases the drive until the limit switch sets the input of the control according to the invention. Then the display of the controller or the housing 10 an associated error message is output, which is simultaneously output to the central control via the fieldbus interface, which is mounted at a greater distance from the control.

1

electronic circuit

2

sensor

3

actuator

4

field device

5

drive

6

control unit

7

parent control

10

casing

11

poetry

20

Housing bottom

21

side surface

23

opening

24

Mounting rail mounting groove

25

seal seat

30

Housing top

31

Plug means

32

connecting device

33

opening

34

display

40

Transfer connector device

41

1. plug part

47

Second plug part

43

connecting device

44

cabling

45

Supply voltage line

46

fieldbus

47

Glands

Claims (14)

Control module with an electronic circuit ( 1 ), in particular comprising a microprocessor, memory and logic modules, with a housing ( 10 ), comprising a lower housing part ( 20 ); an upper housing part ( 30 ) that is tight and firm, i.e. with a high degree of protection, with the lower housing part ( 20 ) is connectable; a transfer connector device ( 40 ), the first connector part ( 41 ) in the upper part of the housing ( 30 ) fixed mon tiert is that it when placing the upper housing part ( 30 ) on the lower part of the housing ( 20 ) with a 2nd, in the lower part of the housing ( 20 ) fixed plug part ( 42 ) of the transfer plug device ( 40 ) is brought into contact; where in the lower part of the housing ( 20 ) one or more connection devices ( 43 ) or connection devices such as a terminal strip or the like for connecting a wiring ( 44 ) with the 2nd plug part ( 42 ) and in the upper part of the housing ( 30 ) the electronic circuit ( 1 ) are mounted, whereby the lower housing part ( 20 ) so flat on at least one side surface ( 21 ) designed and for inclusion ( 25 ) a seal is shaped so that at least one further housing ( 10 ) with high degree of protection and electrical connection of the housing ( 10 . 10 ' ) can be connected to each other, in which case between the housings ( 10 . 10 ' ) the seals around openings ( 23 . 23 ' ) two adjacent housings ( 10 . 10 ' ) close together. Control module according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer plug device ( 40 ) the only electrical connection between the wiring ( 44 ) in the lower part of the housing ( 20 ) and the electronic circuit ( 1 ) in the upper part of the housing ( 30 ) represents. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower housing part ( 20 ) Mounting devices for attaching to a mounting surface, in particular for attaching several lower housing parts ( 20 ) on a mounting rail or the like. Control module according to claim 3, characterized in that pre-drilled holes on the mounting rail and on the lower housing part ( 20 ) are present, so that a fixed or detachable connection, in particular a connection with screws, between the lower housing part ( 20 ) and the mounting rail is possible. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 10 ), especially the upper part of the housing ( 30 ) Plug devices ( 31 ) for connecting external sensors and / or actuators ( 2 . 3 ) having. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower housing part ( 20 ) has a fieldbus and a supply voltage connection. Control module according to claim 5, characterized in that the fieldbus and the supply voltage connection via a single plug device and / or a single cable ( 44 ) with corresponding cables in the housing ( 10 ) is performed. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower housing part ( 20 ) Facilities ( 31 ) for connecting sensors ( 2 ) and / or actuators ( 3 ), especially for connecting at least one field device ( 4 . 5 ) having. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower housing part ( 2 0) can be mounted on a field device, in particular on a drive. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part ( 30 ) a connection device ( 32 ) for an operating device, in particular a computing device such as a PC or the like, in particular for importing PLC programs or similar control programs or data and / or for outputting and displaying data, such as the state of sensors, actuators and drives Control module according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting device ( 32 ) behind a tightly closable opening ( 33 ) in the upper part of the housing ( 30 ) is arranged for temporary use and subsequent deactivation. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part ( 30 ) Display devices ( 34 ) such as LEDs or the like. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper housing part ( 30 ) Contains controls, such as buttons, pushbuttons or rotary knobs, for entering data and / or controlling processes. Control module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one type closure device for actuators or field devices ( 3 or 4 ) on the lower part of the housing ( 20 ) can be connected via the at least one further control module according to at least one of the preceding claims, in particular for the exchange of programs, control programs or data, in particular for controlling processes in mutual dependency, such as driving curves with two or more drives or as the electronic Gearbox consisting of two or more drives.