EP1640825B1 - Adressing of an electrical module by a locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical device (6) includes a identification transmitter (14) having a first setting in which the electrical module (8) is in a non-operative state and which has a second state in which the electrical module is in an operative state. An identification detector (20) functions together with the identification transmitter (14) in the second state, in order to evaluate defined information from the information transmitter (14).

Description

The embodiments described below relate to an electrical device with an electrical module for communication between the module and another electrical device.

Such an electrical device is used for example in complex technical systems, such. As heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, access and fire control systems or building automation systems generally used. EP 1 211 582 describes a building automation system in which a plurality of so-called field devices such. As sensors and actuators to use. Individual plant components communicate in such a building automation system via input and output module systems, referred to below as I / O module systems, and one or more bus systems.

The I / O module systems form the interfaces between the field devices and other plant components. They are used to convert bus signals of an automation station into signals for the field devices and vice versa. The I / O module systems are usually mounted on installation strips and housed in control cabinets. When installing an I / O module system, first install a socket on the installation board and then attach and electrically contact the electrical I / O module to the socket.

Communication over a bus system typically requires that the individual field devices and I / O modules be addressable. In the mentioned EP 1 211 582 B1 the addressing takes place with the aid of communication addresses which can be set on an I / O module and which are stored in a nonvolatile memory module (eg a Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM)) of the I / O module.

In the case of electrical units or modules to be detached from a socket, there is generally the risk that the electrical modules are interchanged during the maintenance or replacement of defective electrical modules. For example, this can lead to an electrical module with an address known in the system being put in a "wrong" socket after the maintenance and thus being assigned to another field device. This can lead to a malfunction of the system. To remedy this danger describes EP 592 923 A1 an electrical device with a mechanical key-lock device. Only the electrical module with the matching key fits into the lock of the socket.

In the EP 592 923 A1 described key lock device requires that several electrical modules may be placed on the base, until the module fits with the appropriate key in the lock of the socket. This may require an increased amount of time.

A device referred to in the preamble of claim 1 is kind EP 0 362 985 A known.

One aspect of the embodiments described below, therefore, relates to an electrical device that, in an alternative manner, prevents a system malfunction from occurring after service or repair. Such an electrical device consists of an electrical module for communication between the electrical module and another electrical device. An identification transmitter is provided having a first position in which the electrical module is in a non-operative state and a second position in which the electrical module is in an operative state. An identification pick-up is provided which cooperates with the identification transmitter in the second position to evaluate an information defined by the identification transmitter.

In one embodiment, the electrical device has a base that removably receives and electrically contacts the electrical module. The base contains the identification transmitter.

The electrical device allows an alternative addressing concept. In known systems, for example, a removable I / O module becomes a Address allocated and stored in the module. In the case of the electrical device described here, however, the location of the permanently installed base or the wiring to the base is addressed because the information transmitter is located on the base. Accordingly, there is no direct addressing of the removable I / O module. Only when the module is plugged into the socket and contacted is the address or function of the I / O module fixed at that location, e.g. B. as a link to a temperature sensor.

• Figur 1 zeigt den prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Anordnung zur Überwachung, Steuerung und/oder Regelung einer betriebstechnischen Anlage eines Gebäudes,
• Figuren 2.1 und 2.2 zeigen schematisch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer elektrischen Einrichtung in verschiedenen Installationszuständen,
• Figur 3 zeigt schematisch ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Teils eines elektrischen Moduls der elektrischen Einrichtung mit einem Informationsgeber und einem Informationsaufnehmer,
• Figur 4 zeigt den Ausschnitt gemäss Figur 3, bei dem der Informationsgeber in Kontakt mit dem Informationsaufnehmer ist, und
• Figuren 5 und 6 illustrieren schematisch ein Ausführungsbeispiel für das Zusammenwirken von Informationsgeber und Informationsaufnehmer.

These and other aspects, advantages and novel features of the embodiments described below are explained in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like elements have the same reference numerals.

• FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of an embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring, control and / or regulation of a technical installation of a building,
• Figures 2.1 and 2.2 show schematically an embodiment of an electrical device in various installation states,
• FIG. 3 shows schematically an embodiment of a part of an electrical module of the electrical device with an information transmitter and an information sensor,
• FIG. 4 shows the clipping according to FIG. 3 in which the information provider is in contact with the information provider, and
• FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate schematically an embodiment of the interaction of information provider and Informationsaufnehmer.

The description of the various embodiments of an electrical device is given below with reference to a building automation system. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the features of the electrical device may generally be used in any system in which the location of the electrical device within the system is critical to the operation of the system, such as, for example, In a hazard alarm system for buildings and facilities, in an electrical device (eg, a computer), or in an electronic device of a vehicle or aircraft.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the basic structure of an embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring, control and / or Regulation of a building automation system. In the illustrated embodiment, a communication medium 1 connects units 2, 3 and an electrical device 6 to enable communication with and between these plant parts. The person skilled in the art recognizes that in such an arrangement a plurality of electrical devices 6 can be connected to the communication medium 1, as in FIG FIG. 1 indicated (...).

In FIG. 1 an embodiment of the electrical device 6 is shown in more detail for illustration. As described in more detail below, shows FIG. 1 the electrical device 6 in a service state. The electrical device 6 contains an electrical module 8 and can be connected as an integrated unit directly to the communication medium 1. An identification transmitter 14 is provided which has a first position in which the electrical module 8 is in a non-operative state and a second position in which the electrical module 8 is in an operative state. In addition, an identification pickup 20 is provided which cooperates with the identification transmitter in the second position to evaluate a defined by the identification transmitter information.

In another embodiment, in FIG. 1 2, the electrical device 6 includes two components, namely the electrical module 8 and a pedestal 12 which removably receives and electrically contacts the electrical module 8 to facilitate communication between the electrical module 8 and other electrical devices. The base 12 includes the identification transmitter 14, which has a first and second position. In the first position, the electrical module 8 is not operationally installed in the base 12. In the second position, the electrical module 8 is installed in the base 12 operatively. The electrical module 8 contains the identification receiver 20, which interacts with the identification transmitter 14 in the second position in order to evaluate the information defined by the identification transmitter 14.

In one embodiment, the units 2, 3 are each a control and / or control device, and the electrical device 6 is an I / O module, which is used for the control and adaptation of field devices 5 connected thereto. The electrical device 6 can in one embodiment via a further bus system with be connected to other I / O modules, as in FIG. 1 is indicated (...). In addition, the electrical device 6 may have an operating device 10 for a user interface. In a variant of the electrical device 6, the operating device 10 also includes a connection for a screen terminal or a mobile computer. In one embodiment of the in FIG. 1 As shown, the unit 2 is connected via a further communication medium 18 to a superordinate system, for example to a control center. If necessary, the unit 3 is connected to a display terminal or a computer 4.

The bus systems and technologies that can be used in the arrangement are, for example, LON or LonWorks ™ from ECHELON, the European installation bus EIB or the PROFIBUS defined according to German standard DIN 19245. In principle, it is also possible to use optical and hybrid data communication channels or a radio network instead of the bus system or in addition thereto, for example a glass fiber network or a cellular radio telephone network, such as GSM or UMTS.

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

The connection points A, B are basically identical and can be used universally as an input port and output port, z. B. bidirectional and for analog and digital signals. The connection point A, B can each have a plurality of connection points (eg 4) for the field device 5. The universal connection point A, B can therefore be used for a large number of field device types, specifically for sensors or actuators, that is to say for field devices with analog input, analog output, digital input or digital output, with or without power supply via the connection point A. or B. The field device 5 may be, for example, a sensor for detecting a process variable or an actuator for influencing a process variable. For example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an actuator for a ventilation flap, a gas sensor, a switch or an actuator with position feedback can be connected to the connection points A, B.

For the purpose of a more detailed description, FIGS Figures 2.1 and 2.2 an embodiment of the electrical device 6 in various installation states, namely in a non-installed state ( Figure 2.1 ) and an installed state ( Figure 2.2 ). In the uninstalled state, as in Figure 2.1 shown, the electrical module 8 is not mounted on the base 12. In this state, the information transmitter 14 is not in contact with the information receiver 20 of the electric module 8. In Figure 2.2 the electrical module 8 is mounted on the base 12 and 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 to mechanically lock the electrical module 8 when the information transmitter 14 is in contact with the information receiver 20. For example, as soon as a service technician interrupts the contact, the electrical module 8 detects that its operation should be interrupted and switches off automatically. The electrical module 8 can then be safely and safely removed from the base 12.

In one embodiment, the electrical device 6 may also assume a service state, such. In FIG. 1 indicated. In this state, the information transmitter 14 is also not in contact with the information receiver 20. The electrical module 8 is located in the base 12, but is no longer in electrical contact with the base 12. By the separation of the electrical module 8 from the base 12 and thus From the field devices 5, these can be safely and safely checked and maintained by a service technician. Since the electrical module 8 and the information transmitter 14 remain mechanically connected to the base 12, the risk of confusion when reinserting with other identical components is excluded or at least substantially reduced.

FIG. 3 and 4 show schematically and simplified part of the electrical module 8, to explain an embodiment in principle. The part of the shown electrical module 8 is apparent from a theoretical section through the electrical module 8, which is placed so that a closer environment of the information sensor 20 is visible. The person skilled in the art recognizes that this is only an exemplary embodiment and that under certain circumstances additional and / or other elements may be advantageous in order to achieve the desired mechanical or electrical functionalities.

As in FIG. 3 indicated, the electrical module 8 consists of a housing 26 containing the Informationsaufnehmer 20. Viewed from the outside, in one embodiment, a portion of the information receiver 20 appears as a socket. Outside the housing 26, the information transmitter 14 is indicated, which is formed in one embodiment as a plug which fits into the socket of the information sensor 20. Within the housing 26 is a printed circuit board 21 having a contact pad 22. A contact element 24 has a contact point 28 and is connected directly or indirectly to the housing 26. In FIG. 3 If the information transmitter 14 is not in contact with the information receiver 20 and the contact point 28 does not touch the contact pad 22. The electrical device 6 is therefore either in the uninstalled state or in the service state.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the electrical module 8 in the installed state of the electrical device 6. In this state, the information transmitter 14 in contact with the information sensor 20. The information transmitter 14 exerts a force on the contact element 24 and presses the contact element 24 and thus the Contact point 28 in the direction of the printed circuit board 21. In this state, the contact point 28 touches the contact pad 22. The information transmitter 14 therefore establishes an electrical contact, which sets the electrical module 8 in a predetermined state. The predetermined state may in one embodiment include one or more functionalities or the assignment of an address. In another embodiment, the predetermined state may be a combination of functionality and address.

The contact element 24 is in one embodiment, a leaf spring made of an electrically conductive material, for. As copper, a copper alloy or spring steel.

The leaf spring is attached to the housing 26 so that it is at rest, as in FIG. 3 shown, has no contact with the contact pad 22 and rests on a projection 30. Only the information transmitter 14 presses the leaf spring away from the projection 30 and the contact point 28 against the contact pad 22, so that an electrical contact is formed. As soon as the information transmitter 14 is removed again from the information receiver 20, the contact is interrupted and the contact element 24 assumes the resting state on the projection 30.

In one embodiment of the electrical device 6, the printed circuit board 21 has a plurality of contact pads 22. Each contact pad 22 is associated with a contact point 28 in this embodiment. The number of contact pads 22 is therefore equal to the number of contact points 28. The number of contact pads 22 and the corresponding contact points 28 can be selected within wide limits and to match desired functionality, allowable module costs and space requirements. In one embodiment for an application in building automation systems typically eight or ten contact points per electrical device 6 are realized.

This in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 explained principle applies to each contact point. The information transmitter 14 is configured according to the number of the contact pads 22 and the contact points 28. That is, the information provider 14 has in one embodiment, a corresponding number of "places" that are occupied either by an element or an exemption. One element presses on a contact element 24, while a free position does not press on any contact element 24. Each contact point may therefore be open or closed, depending on whether the information transmitter 14 presses on a contact element 24 or not. With an example selected number of eight contact points can be z. For example, encode 127 addresses or functions, or a combination of addresses and functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the information transmitter 14 has at least two elements so that a situation in which the information transmitter 14 is inserted can be distinguished from a situation in which the information transmitter 14 is not plugged in.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate schematically an exemplary embodiment for the interaction of information transmitter 14 and information receiver 20. FIG. 5 shows the information transmitter 14, which is pivotable about an axis 32 and eight contact elements 24 has. The contact elements 24 do not touch the eight contact pads 22 on the board 21 in the idle state. The information transmitter 14 has a body 34 and elements 34 Ti, i = 1, 2, 3 protruding from the body 34. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the information transmitter 14 could have eight elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8 However, it does not have any elements in the locations between elements T3, T4 and T4, T5. That is, the elements T4, T6 are not present; they are therefore in FIG. 6 shown by broken lines. In FIG. 6 is the information transmitter 14 pivoted. The elements T1, T2, T3, T5, T7, T8 press the corresponding contact elements 24 against the contact fields 22. The contact elements 24, which are not facing any elements (here T4 and T6), are not pressed against the contact pads 22.

In one embodiment, special precautions are taken so that, for example, the electrical module 8 does not interpret incorrect addresses or functions when inserting or removing the information transmitter 14. Upon insertion, for example, element T1 first comes into contact with a contact element 24. Only then do the remaining elements come in contact with their associated contact elements 24. In order to avoid undefined states during this time, the element first closes in one embodiment T8 the circuit. This means that only when the information transmitter 14 is fully inserted does the module 8 receive power. In addition to the function of closing the circuit, in one embodiment the element T8 may be somewhat shorter than the other elements T1-T7. This can additionally ensure that the element T8 presses on a contact element 24 only when all other elements T1-T7 are already in their final position.

The described electrical device 6 makes it possible to address the location of the electrical device 6 or to determine the functionality of the electrical device 6 at this location. For this purpose, the information transmitter 14 can be coded individually for each location by means of the elements T1-T8. Such coding may in one embodiment include a reset function by which the electrical module 8 can be placed in an initial state. In addition, the interaction of the information transmitter 14 and the information receiver 20 allows a mechanical locking of the electrical module 8. This results in an embodiment, a kind of main switch function, since the electric module 8 switches off automatically as soon as the information transmitter 14 is removed from the Informationsaufnehmer 20.

Claims (12)

1. Electrical device (6) having an electrical module (8) for the purpose of communicating between the electrical module (8) and another electrical device,
   an identification transmitter (14) being provided which has a first position, in which the electrical module (8) is in a non-operative state, and which has a second position, in which the electrical module (8) is in an operative state, and
   an identification pick-up (20) being provided which interacts with the identification transmitter (14) in the second position in order to evaluate information defined by the identification transmitter (14), characterized
   in that the identification transmitter (14) is in the form of a plug, and the identification pick-up (20) is in the form of a socket in order to accommodate at least part of the identification transmitter (14).
2. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 1, in which a base (12) is provided which accommodates the electrical module (8) such that it can be removed and makes electrical contact with it.
3. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 2, in which the identification transmitter (14) is arranged on the base (12).
4. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 3, in which the electrical module (8), in the non-operative state, is not installed in an operative manner in the base (12) and, in the operative state, is installed in an operative manner in the base (12).
5. Electrical device (6) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 4, in which the information defines an address for the electrical module (8) in order to identify the electrical module (8) in a system.
6. Electrical device (6) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 4, in which the information defines a predetermined operative state for the electrical module (8).
7. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 1, in which the plug has elements (T1 - T8) which interact with contact elements (24) of the identification pick-up (20).
8. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 1, in which the plug contains a combination of elements (T1 - T8) and free locations which interacts with contact elements (24) of the identification pick-up (20).
9. Electrical device (6) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the identification pick-up (20) contains leaf springs in the form of contact elements (24).
10. Electrical device (6) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, in which the identification transmitter (14) and the identification pick-up (20) bring about latching which mechanically latches the electrical module (8).
11. Electrical device (6) according to Claim 11, in which the electrical module (8) is switched off if the latching is released.
12. Electrical device (6) according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 12, in which the identification transmitter (14) is fixed to the base (12) such that it can move.

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