DE102006030706B4 - System and method for controlling bus-networked devices via an open fieldbus - Google Patents

Abstract

System for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open fieldbus with the following properties: the gateway (20) monitored by a bus controller of the open fieldbus (2) has at least the following properties: • it has an interface to (23) the open fieldbus (2 ), • It has an interface (22) to an application bus (10) for control, query and communication with at least one on the application bus (10) lying bus users (N1 ... Nn), • It has a memory for remanent backup bus configuration that can be written by the bus controller and also for securing the present bus configuration of the application bus, • it has a control line that is used to address the first bus participant, • it is supplied with supply voltage (14) via a first feed socket (24), • it has a second feed socket (25) for an auxiliary voltage (16), which is passed through to the bus users (N1 ... Nn), • it has at least a status display (28) for operating states of bus participants (N1 ... Nn) and the bus communication, • it has an actuating element (27) for starting a bus configuration of the bus participants connected via the application bus (N1 ... Nn), the bus participants (N1 ... Nn) are designed as actuators with the following properties: • they have a control and programming unit that implements the bus communication and the functionality of the actuator application, • they have a control input for querying the preceding bus subscriber or of the gateway and a control output for the selection of the subsequent bus participant, • they route the auxiliary voltage (16) to an actuator application, • they can be connected to a mains voltage (L1 L2 L3), • they carry out actuator actions and report these actuator actions to the application bus (10), • they report actuator positions on the application bus (10), • an identification number can be written to them by the gateway (20), • they loop NEN data stream and the auxiliary voltage (16) through to the subsequent bus user, and • they have a display (58) for their own operating status.

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open fieldbus. The subject matter includes in particular the data networking, the subscriber configuration of the devices and the electrical supply of energy to the devices. Typical devices are industrial switching devices such as contactors, motor starters, circuit breakers and measuring sensors and similar devices.

The aforementioned industrial switching devices and others are usually switched or monitored centrally in electrical installations via a control system, for example via a programmable logic controller (PLC). Typically, the switching devices are connected via the control wiring lines to the control unit (eg the PLC). This usually consists of the lines that the switching device, here preferably a contactor, on and off and at the same time provide the necessary energy for switching the switching device and lines that return the signals from the switching device for monitoring to the control unit , Examples of signals for monitoring a switching device, here again preferably for a motor starter, is the status of the contactor position (on / off) or the status of the motor protection switch (on / off).

When installing an electrical system (eg a control cabinet), the wiring and interconnection of the electrical switching devices with the control system is manual work, which is typically carried out by electricians. This work can often be a very time-consuming part of the cabinet design. Furthermore, the wiring is error-prone over many similar control lines, as they can be interchanged, for example when laying in the cable channel and then connected to terminals of the wrong devices. In addition, the control cables must be connected to the individual switching devices in order to connect them electrically. For this purpose, further effort is necessary in the form that cut to length for laying the cables cable ducts and these must be mounted on the mounting plate, in which then the individual control cables can be installed.

The US 2006/0058847 A1 discloses a distributed operating system with integrated diagnostics, a data bus, and a fieldbus. The distributed operating system comprises a field device for generating a field state property and a field computation module for receiving the field state property from the field device. The field computing module includes a field diagnostic component and a field communication component configured for communication over the data bus. The field computation module is configured to generate field state data comprising a field diagnostic parameter as a function of the field state property. An additional computing module is configured to communicate with the data bus and receive the field status data. The additional computing module comprises an additional diagnostic component and an additional communication component with a fieldbus interface and a gateway component. The additional computing module is further configured to generate additional field data as a function of the field state data and to communicate the additional field data over the fieldbus.

The document DE 103 58 231 A1 concerns a device with at least one first field connection module for connecting at least one field device via a first fieldbus to a higher-level system for data transmission between the at least one first field connection module and the higher-level system, wherein the at least one first field connection module has a first bus connection for connection to the higher-level system has the first field bus and the at least one first field connection module has a second bus interface for connection to a second bus.

From the DE 10 2005 024 559 A1 a method for the unique assignment of sensors / actuators to data bus messages is known, wherein a first data bus with associated control units is connected to a gateway and a second data bus with associated control units is additionally connected to this gateway, with on the data buses and via the gateway messages with different types of messages are exchanged and the ECUs are assigned on the basis of a mapping table specific message types, the messages of the first data bus are translated into messages of the second data bus and vice versa in the gateway, and wherein each sensor or actuator is assigned a sensor / actuator identifier and a message type the sensor / actuator identifier is assigned a state value of the sensor / actuator. A sensor / actor table is provided on the gateway which assigns particular message types to a sensor or actuator so that these associated message types are read by the sensor / actuator or types of messages written by the sensor / actuator are authorized for receipt at the gateway, based on message type in addition to the translation into the bus protocol of the other data bus for the message types listed in the sensor / actuator table, a link is made, in this link for the sensor / actuator identifier or the status value is mathematically / logically linked to this message type, or a different identifier / status value is assigned to it.

The EP 1 315 355 A2 relates to a translator apparatus comprising a first transceiver for a Modbus RTU network having a first allocation table and a second transceiver for an INCOM network of INCOM devices having a plurality of different object assignment tables. and INCOM commands. A processor includes first and second interfaces to the first and second transceivers and a communication routine configured to receive a request for the first allocation table via the first transceiver module regarding an INCOM device responsive to various INCOM commands an INCOM command to one or more INCOM devices via the second transceiver module, receive a response to the command from an INCOM device via the second transceiver module, and send a response based on the first assignment table over the first transmission / receiver module.

The DE 199 35 192 A1 relates to a method for addressing of bus subscribers, the configuration of a bus subscriber who is suitable to be addressed via such a method, as well as bus system with such a subscriber. The slave users of the disclosed bus system have a logic unit, an address line input and an address line output. In this case, the, in the serial sequence, starting from a master in the first place arranged slave, driven by a particular one-core address line from the master at its address line input with an activation signal and thus switched ready for addressing. After addressing, the logic unit of the first slave switches the addressing signal on an address line output and thus on the address line input of the slave slave further, so that a serial addressing of the slaves takes place.

It is the object of the invention to simplify a previously described system and a method such that a complex wiring is eliminated and the user can check the system with little effort, configure and restart in error messages.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments are formulated in the respective subclaims.

The invention relates to a system with the actuators, preferably industrial switching devices such. B. circuit breaker or motor protection switch contactor combinations via an application bus system, here preferably via the LIN bus, data networking, with the aim of controlling the connected industrial switching devices and monitor. The system has at least one gateway, which is connected between an open fieldbus and actuators.

Particular advantages of the presented subject matter are that the control wiring to the industrial switching devices is replaced by a pluggable and easily mountable line connection system. Expensive and error-prone installations of the control wiring are eliminated and the use of cable ducts, which are necessary for laying cables, or the installation of the channels is saved.

Such wiring relates to the control lines, here preferably for a contactor, the line for switching on and off the contactor, and the status lines, here, for example, to query the switching position of the contactor or the status of a motor protection switch (on, triggered).

It is of course possible to connect more complex devices as actuators, which can exchange more information and data. Such devices may be, for example, industrial switching devices such as circuit breakers, motor starters or frequency converters.

figure description

1 three typical hardware components of an exemplary system,

2 a flow chart for the presentation of the system test and the adoption of a new nominal configuration of the connected devices on the application bus,

3A and 3B Block diagrams of the application bus system,

4A to 4C three configurations of bus subscribers and

5 a system consisting of a gateway, bus subscribers and a power module.

In the figures, the presented system and the associated method for data technology networking using the example of motor protection switch contactor combinations are shown. However, the subject of the application is not intended by the exemplary representation on motor protection switch contactor Combinations, which are also referred to as motor starter, be limited.

In 1 are with 1A a gateway 20 , With 1C a bus participant (here as plug-in module 40 on a motor-protective switch-contactor combinations) and with 1B a power module 50 shown as typical hardware components of an exemplary system.

The gateway has an interface to a higher-level control system, for example to an open fieldbus 2 such as Profibus DP, Device Net or CANopen or others, which means that it is connected to the higher-level fieldbus system for data purposes. The gateway controls via a ribbon cable 8th those on the application bus 10 networked bus subscribers N1... Nn used as industrial switching devices. The gateway has a first feed 24 for the supply 14 the own electronics and the electronics of the bus participants and a second feed 25 for the supply 16 the bus participant on. The latter is auxiliary voltage for the actuator actions of the bus subscribers, in which case the supply of motor-protective circuit-breaker combinations provided should be addressed as an example. The gateway has at least one light emitting diode 28 , which serves the status display of operating states of the gateway and the bus communication. The gateway has a configuration button 27 on, which serves to start the automatic bus configuration of the bus users; and at least one memory block is available in the gateway, which is used for retentive backup of the bus configuration.

• • es schaltet die Hilfsspannung 16 an die Schützspule,
• • es weist eine mechanische Anzeige 46 zur Darstellung von Aktorstellungen auf,
• • es hat eine Anzeige 48 für den eigenen Betriebsstatus,
• • es hat einen digitalen Eingang 44 für den Anschluss eines potentialfreien Schaltkontakts,
• • es weist eine Stromkreisunterbrechung 45 für den Aktor auf.

For a motor-protective switch-contactor combination, a plug-in module (SM, 40 ), which is mechanically and electrically adapted to the contactor. The plug-in module 40 has two pin contacts 49 , which are used for electrical connection to the contactor coil. This plug-in module takes over the control wiring. Hereby, the contactor coil is electrically controlled and the contactor switching position electrically interrogated; Furthermore, there is the possibility to query an electrically potential-free contact. In addition to the electrical functions, the plug-in module has a switch position indicator 46 present, the purely mechanical - visible to the operator - indicates the switching position. The minimum properties of a plug-in module are:

• • it switches the auxiliary voltage 16 to the contactor coil,
• • It has a mechanical display 46 for displaying actor positions,
• • it has an ad 48 for your own operating status,
• • It has a digital input 44 for the connection of a floating switch contact,
• • It has a circuit break 45 for the actor up.

Such a circuit interruption can be used for example for the electrical locking of a reversing starter.

The application bus 10 is a multi-core - here six-core - ribbon cable 8th operated (see 3A and 3B ). The administration 8th will - starting from the gateway 20 - Inserted from bus participant to bus participant via connection plug. Each bus node (Nn) has two sockets ( 41 . 42 ) adapted for plugging on the bus input side and on the bus output side of the ribbon connection line 8th , Because of the linear arrangement of subscribers, the last bus subscriber Nn has no connected connection line on the output side; its output side 42 stays empty.

Each bus participant has a status display ( 28 . 48 . 58 ) to display the device status (preferably optically, as LED). Each bus subscriber (Nn) has a two-pole terminal ( 44 . 45 . 54 . 55 ) to connect there a potential-free contact, z. B. for the auxiliary switch to query the motor protection switch position.

It should still be on 5 are referenced in the further details are shown.

The first bus subscriber N1, which is to be understood here as an example of a motor-protective circuit-breaker-contactor combination, the mains connection (L1 L2 L3) and the load M are shown. Furthermore, the upper half of the bus participant represents a motor protection switch and the lower half of the plugged onto a contactor plug-in module 40 with its sockets and mechanical indicator 48 for the contact position of the contactor. The representation after 5 can be understood as an application bus with n subscribers, in the optionally a power module 50 is inserted. The explanation of the Power Module follows below.

In 2 is - above ( 2A ) - a flow chart for the presentation of the system test and - below ( 2 B ) - a flowchart for adopting a new target configuration is shown.

The path, which leads to the left 'no' two times, shows the situation in which no bus participant is present and this is specified as the target configuration. The middle path is looped until all the bus users expected by the gateway (written in the configuration) are detected.

As a result, there are two possibilities: actual configuration equal to target configuration and actual configuration not equal to target configuration. In the first case, the system is ready for operation and the status becomes with the statically lit status LED 28 '' displayed. In the unlike situation, the status LED flashes 28 ' , causing the operator to operate the configuration button 27 is initiated. By pressing the configuration button 27 the existing configuration is adopted as the target configuration and the system goes into final check ( 2 B ) above.

In this case, each individual subscriber is queried by the gateway and the possibly existing parameters are saved in the gateway. It is also checked whether the maximum permissible number of nodes on the application bus has not been exceeded. If this is the case, the gateway reverts to the error status. If all participants have been detected, the gateway and the subscribers enter the normal operating state in which the control data or status data is exchanged between the gateway and the subscribers.

The 3A . 3B shows block diagrams of the bus control, which can be read directly by the skilled person. The 3A gives the gateway and the first bus N1 and 3B an inserted power module 50 and a second bus N2 again. On the infeed side are the inputs for the fieldbus 2 (Plug connection 23 ) and the power supply ( 14 , GND, 16 ). U1 turns on the power supply 14 for the electronics in the gateway and the bus subscriber and with U2 the auxiliary voltage 16 understood for subscriber application. The output (socket 22 ) of the gateway leads to a 6-wire ribbon cable.

A power module (PM) can optionally be interposed at any point in the linear row of bus subscribers ( 3B ). This is also in 5 again indicated schematically. By interposing a power module, the 'linear' power supply is interrupted by bus users to bus users. The data connection and the primary voltage 14 between the lying before the power module bus nodes N1, N2, N3 and lying behind the power module bus node Nn is looped through.

With the power module (PM, 50 ), a new supply is implemented for the bus subscribers (group G) following in the bus series, to which the power module is connected to a power supply 16 ' connected, for example, to 24 volts DC. In 3B is the power supply 16 ' coming from below and in 5 Coming drawn from above. This power supply can be, for example, an estimate supply for a group of bus subscribers, which are to act as their own EMERGENCY STOP chain. The power module has screw terminals 54 . 55 for the energy supply 16 ' on. Otherwise, the Power Module - like the other bus participants - has two sockets 51 . 52 where one is the input and the other is the output for the connector system. Similarly, the power module is a status indicator 58 present (preferably for visual display via an LED), which indicates whether the supply voltage 16 ' to the group G of the power module following bus subscriber is present.

With the presented system, it is no longer necessary to perform a conventional control wiring for networked industrial switching devices. Preferably, for motor-protective circuit-breaker combinations with a single plug-in connection line networking is made. The connection line 8th On the one hand transmits control data or status data and on the other hand the necessary energy for the switching devices. In addition, it is possible through the use of the aforementioned power modules to form groups of bus subscribers, whereby a separate power supply and monitoring of such a group is possible. The group formation can be used, for example, to construct a specific segment or circuit in which the switching devices form a separate emergency-stop circuit in which they can be monitored, switched on or off. As mentioned, the power modules are optional.

Function and operation of the system on the basis of 4A to 4C ,

In the drawing, a bright circle marked '' represents a lit LED 28 . 48 , a black circle (without marking) a non-illuminated LED 28 . 48 and a circle with radiate wreath (with marking ') a flashing LED 28 . 48 represents.

For the connection to the fieldbus system 2 is the gateway 20 the central element. Gateway supplies the bus users with energy, controls and monitors and sends control and status data of all connected bus participants to the higher-level fieldbus system 2 transfer. It is firstly to a power supply 14 for your own electronics and secondly to a power supply 16 connected, which supplies the bus participants. With this design of the power supply, the auxiliary voltage 16 for bus subscribers (for example voltage to the estimation coils) are switched off independently of the bus functionality (eg emergency stop system).

About the connector system of a 6-wire ribbon cable provided here 8th then the bus users (for example, motor-protective circuit-breaker combinations with plug-in modules) can be connected in sequence. Will the voltage 14 The Gateway checks for the first time on an established system 20 the connected nodes N1 ... Nn on the application bus system. In the initial situation, an arrangement without bus subscribers is provided as the target configuration.

In 4A n bus participants are wired with a nominal configuration (no bus participant). Hereby the gateway expects 20 initially due to the target configuration no participant. Therefore, the gateway goes into the error state because of the configuration error and this is visually at the gateway by a blinking LED 28 ' (top right). The first bus node N1, which is connected directly to the gateway, flashes (LED 48 ' ) also because it was not expected from the gateway. All other status LEDs 48 the other bus nodes N2 ... to Nn are off.

To 4B is used to accept the connected bus participants as the target configuration at the gateway 20 the configuration button 27 pressed. Now via the application bus 10 The gateway checks in sequence how many bus nodes (N1 ... Nn) are connected to the application bus. The bus subscribers are numbered consecutively. Each individual bus user stores the specific identification number in a non-volatile manner. In the gateway, all identification numbers are also saved in a non-volatile memory. After this process all connected bus participants are configured. LED 28 '' at the gateway and LEDs 48 '' At the bus participants, all are switched on statically and light up.

The 4B also corresponds to the situation in which the system in front of the gateway electrically (voltage 14 ) is switched off and is switched on again. After switching on, the gateway checks in sequence all connected bus users and compares them step by step with the internally stored setpoint configuration. In the situation described, the target configuration agrees with the connected subscriber configuration (actual configuration) - because unchanged. This keeps the system operational.

The individual bus users can now use the bus controller of the higher-level fieldbus 2 be controlled and monitored. Changes the structure of the connected devices z. B. by extending or removing devices, this is detected by the gateway based on the deviating nominal-actual configuration and displayed by the status LED.

4C shows an example with an existing configuration of a gateway and n bus users, which is ready after the configuration. If this structure is supplemented by one or more bus subscribers (Nin), then the following picture results after switching on. The Gateway Status LED 28 ' flashes, because the previous target configuration (n bus participant) deviates from the actual configuration (n + 1 bus participant). In addition, the LED also flashes 48 ' of the first added (even if several inserted) bus participant, because he or she was not expected from the gateway / n. The user can thus very easily recognize from the flashing LEDs where the actual configuration deviates. By simply pressing the configuration button 27 the new configuration is automatically adopted by the gateway. At the end of the automatic bus configuration, the same situation would now be given for n + x bus subscribers, as is the case for n bus subscribers in 4B is shown.

5 shows the use of at least one power module 50 for forming a group G of bus subscribers. Due to the Power Module, the bus participants behind the Power Module (here plug-in module on motor-protective circuit-breaker combination) are disconnected from the auxiliary power supply 16 cut off for the subscriber application and there is a new auxiliary power supply 16 ' for the latter. The application bus becomes data technology and regarding the voltage supply 14 for the electronics, the bus subscribers are looped through 1: 1 in the power module. When switching off the auxiliary voltage supply fed into the Power Module 16 ' the bus users (contactors) behind the power module are voltage-free. However, the electronics of the bus users remain supplied and can thus continue to transmit the current actuator status (contact status of the motor starter) to the gateway. The use of power modules has the advantage that independent groups of motor protection switch contactor combination can be formed, for. B. an emergency stop circuit that can be switched off separately. The use of power modules can be done anywhere in the connector system. It is also possible to install several power modules in the connection plug-in system so that several independent groups of bus users are formed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

open fieldbus

8th

Connecting cable (eg 6-core ribbon cable)

10

Application bus (LIN-BUS)

N1 to Nn - x

Bus participant (actuator, motor starter, circuit breaker)

14 14 '

Primary voltage (24 V DC)

16 16 '

Auxiliary voltage (24 V DC)

20

gateway

23

Sockets for open fieldbus

24

Infeed primary voltage (screw terminals)

25

Infeed auxiliary voltage (screw terminals)

27

configuration button

28

Status LED

40

SM plug-in module

41 42

Sockets for connecting plug to ribbon cable

44 45

Sockets for power supply

46

mechanical display

48

Indicator

49

Plug pins for mounting on contactor with a motor starter

50

PM Power Module

51 52

Sockets for connecting plug to ribbon cable

54 55

Sockets for power supply

58

Indicator

L1 L2 L3

Mains connection for bus participants (Actuator)

M

Load (motor) to mains voltage

Claims (11)

System for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open fieldbus with the following properties: that of a bus controller of the open fieldbus ( 2 ) monitored gateway ( 20 ) has at least the following characteristics: • it has an interface to the ( 23 ) open fieldbus ( 2 ), • it has an interface ( 22 ) to an application bus ( 10 ) for the control, AbAbfrage and communication with at least one on the application bus ( 10 ) it has a memory for retentive backup of a bus configuration which can be written by the bus controller and furthermore for securing the present bus configuration of the application bus, it has a control line which is used to address the first bus user, it is via a first feed socket ( 24 ) with supply voltage ( 14 ), • it has a second feed socket ( 25 ) for an auxiliary voltage ( 16 ), which is forwarded to the bus subscribers (N1 ... Nn), • it has at least one status display ( 28 ) for operating states of bus subscribers (N1 ... Nn) and bus communication, • it has an actuating element ( 27 ) for starting a bus configuration of the bus subscribers (N1... Nn) connected via the application bus, the bus subscribers (N1... Nn) being designed as actuators having the following properties: they have a control and programming unit which provides the bus communication as well as the functionality of the actuator application realized, • they have a control input to query the previous bus station, or the gateway and a control output for selection of the subsequent bus station, • they conduct the auxiliary voltage ( 16 ) to an actuator application, • they can be connected to a mains voltage (L1 L2 L3), • they perform actor actions and report these actor actions on the application bus ( 10 ), • they report actuator positions on the application bus ( 10 ), • they are from the gateway ( 20 ) an identification number can be inscribed, • they grind a data stream and the auxiliary voltage ( 16 ) to the following bus subscribers, and • they have an indication ( 58 ) for your own operating status. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the application bus is a LIN bus ( 10 ), with which the control data or status data as well as the processing of the configuration of the application bus is handled via a protocol which consists of LIN data frames with data lengths of 1 to 8 bytes. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an application bus configuration in the gateway ( 20 ) is firmly enrolled. System according to claim 3, characterized in that a registered application bus configuration can be overridden by the bus controller. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 ... Nn) is an electrical switching device. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 ... Nn) is a motor protection switch contactor combination. System according to claim 6, characterized in that on the motor protection switch contactor combination a plug-in module ( 40 ) is arranged, which in addition to the actuator properties additionally has the following properties, • it switches the auxiliary voltage ( 16 ) to the contactor coil, • it has a mechanical indication ( 46 ) for presentation of actuator positions, • it has an indicator ( 48 ) for own operating status, • it has a digital input ( 44 ) for the connection of a potential-free switch contact, • it has a circuit interruption ( 45 ) for the actuator. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the series of bus subscribers a power module ( 50 ), which has at least the following properties: it grinds the data stream ( 14 ) to the next bus participant, • in it the auxiliary voltage ( 16 ) is not looped through, • an auxiliary voltage is supplied to it from an external voltage source ( 16 ' ), which is transmitted to the next bus subscriber, • it has an indicator ( 58 ) for indicating the presence of the external auxiliary voltage ( 16 ' ). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator is a mechanical display ( 46 ) for displaying actuator positions. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor for detecting physical quantities in the row of bus subscribers is arranged. Method for controlling a system according to one of the preceding claims.

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