DE29825179U1 - Electronic connection of contact functions and modules in a programmable controller - Google Patents

Abstract

The programmable controller has a user interface that has a series of output indicators [4] and a series of input indicators [6]. The panel has a display screen that displays the programmed sequence functions as a ladder diagram and allows system parameters to be displayed that relate to this. The front panel has selector switches [10,12] for calling data.

Description

The The invention relates to a programmable controller, in particular a small controller, according to the preamble of claim 1.

It Programmable controllers are known that have an external computer can be programmed. A program is created on an external computer and via a Data line loaded into the memory of the controller. This kind of Programming is because of the computer provided User programs comparatively comfortable. It does, however, require a big one apparative effort.

Further It is known, such controllers via an integrated into the control Control unit under the control of the also in the control to program integrated screen. The input of the program steps is directly practicable in this way by the user, taking on the screen displayed menu guide but rudimentary compared to the external computer. Because of the low Dimensions of the integrated screen and because of the poor resolution graphics is it for the user often difficult to access the functions displayed by the menu guide or to recognize and implement commands. Thus, the programming becomes the controller for The user is hampered by a lack of clarity.

The Document "Measuring, Check, Automate", 7 / 8-97, P.6, 8, 10 and 15 discloses a generic miniature controller. At this Small controller will be the creation of a user program and its Representation through interconnectable inputs and outputs and Function blocks realized. Since such small controls in small construction are limited space for a display unit to disposal. When displaying using function blocks is for the user only a small amount of information is available on the display unit.

The EP 0 477 760 A1 discloses a programmable logic controller in which different display areas are present on a single display unit. At this time, the display is divided into a circuit display area and a circuit input area. The circuit input area is in turn subdivided into a symbol input area and a character input area, in the symbol input area the input of circuit diagram symbols in the form of relay contacts, relay coils and logic operation elements is possible and in the character input area the input of drawing elements to designate the selected circuit diagram symbols is possible.

task The invention is therefore a programmable controller of the beginning mentioned above, which gives the user an increased operating or programming convenience offers.

According to the invention this Task by a generic control solved with the characterizing features of claim 1. By the Switching possibility according to the invention between a programming level and a hierarchical one below settled parameter level, the clarity in particular in such small controls in terms of operating and programming convenience clearly improved. Advantageously, this also allows the different levels in different operating states of the Control (RUN and STOP) for accessible to the user do. In an extended embodiment of the invention the means for switching in the form of a control button, then in the RUN state of the controller (at the end of the user program) the change is guaranteed by variables of function blocks while in the STOP state additionally the shading of the function module inputs and outputs is possible. By this distribution of program information to different Program levels of the controller, the information diversity is targeted selected. Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims and included in the following description of the figures. Show it:

1 : a programmable controller, and

2 : a schematic representation of the hierarchical structure of a function module.

In the 1 is a programmable logic controller with a housing 2 and with a series of signal inputs 4 and signal outputs 6 shown. The programmable controller switches the current flow between the signal inputs under the control of a program (user program) 4 and the signal outputs 6 , The program is by means of a control unit 8th , which preferably consists of four control buttons 10 and a multifunction button 12 exists, in the arithmetic unit or arithmetic memory unit (eg microcontroller) of the controller can be entered. The input and the program flow are on one screen 14 observable. On the screen 14 is a menu-driven user interface during programming and the status display of the signal inputs and outputs during operation 4 . 8th the control and / or the status display of signal inputs and outputs of function blocks and / or parameters of function blocks possible. According to the invention by means 8th . 10 . 12 for switching between a higher level of programming - in which the Function block inputs and outputs a1, a2 are connectable - and a hierarchically arranged below the programming level parameter level in which the variables of the function blocks can be parameterized - selectively selected the variety of information on the screen. As a result, the clarity of the program information on the small screen 14 the small control significantly improved.

In the 2 the hierarchical structure of a function block is shown schematically using the example of a time relay. The 2a shows the content of the screen 14 in the programming level, with an input in a first program line 11 is connected to a timer T1. In a second program line, the time relay is then assigned to an output Q1. If the T1 block is selected with the cursor and then with a control button 10 (eg OK button) is confirmed on the screen 14 the parameterization level is activated and displayed, so that the time module T1 is parameterized here (eg delay time (s), type of delay, etc.). By pressing a control button again 10 (eg ESC key) the parameterization level can be left again. Inputs by the user are advantageously possible in the stop state of the controller in both levels (programming and parameterization level), while in the RUN state of the controller only changes in the parameter level are possible which are then immediately taken into account by the controller in the next program cycle, such that eg other delay times can be changed during operation.

Claims (4)

Programmable controller with an arithmetic unit, a screen ( 14 ), a control unit ( 8th ) and with signal inputs ( 4 ) and signal outputs ( 6 ), where the arithmetic unit, the screen ( 14 ) the control unit ( 8th ), the signal inputs ( 4 ) and signal outputs ( 6 ) in a common housing ( 2 ) and wherein switching functions by the user via a menu-driven user interface on the screen ( 14 ) are programmable in a programming level, and with parameterizable function blocks with function block inputs (a1), function block outputs (a2) and function block variables (v1, v2, ..., vn) to be parameterized, characterized by means ( 8th . 10 . 12 ) for switching between the programming level, in which the function block inputs and outputs (a1, a2) can be connected, and a parameter level subordinate to the programming level, in which the function block variables (v1, v2, ..., vn) can be parameterized. Programmable controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the means ( 8th . 10 . 12 ) for switching by at least one control button ( 10 ) of the operating unit ( 8th ) are formed. Programmable controller according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the RUN state of the controller, the change the function block variables (v1, v2, ..., vn) is possible. Programmable controller according to claims 1-3, characterized characterized in that in the STOP state of the controller, the shading the function block inputs and exits (a1, a2) is possible.