EP2053624B1 - Pre-assembled switching device for protected and unprotected output switching - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a prefabricated switching device. Such switching devices are known in various configurations.

Thus, for example, such a switching device is known in which the housing has a number of input terminals, via which the switching device in each case a signal to be switched is supplied. The input terminals are each connected via a single-channel safe switch with a corresponding output terminal, so that via the output terminals in each case a switched signal to the outside of the switching device can be issued. Within the housing, a safety-oriented circuit is arranged, which can be supplied from outside the housing at least one safety-related shutdown signal. In the case of supplying the safety-related shutdown signal, the safety-related circuit actuates the safe switches associated with the respective safety-related shutdown signal, so that these switches are opened. By means of such switching devices safe switching operations are possible, which must be triggered for example in emergency stop requirements.

Furthermore, a switching device is known in which the housing has a first input terminal, via which the switching device, a first signal to be switched is supplied. The first input terminal is connected to output terminals via parallel-connected signal paths so that a switched signal can be output to the outside of the switching device via the output terminals. Within the housing, a control circuit is arranged, are arranged independently of the switch arranged in the signal paths switch. By means of such a switching device normal (operational, unsafe) switching operations are possible.

From the FR 2 514 944 A a switching device with switching contacts is known, wherein the switching device for self-monitoring of the switching contacts has two sets of switching contacts, which are mechanically independent of each other, but are operated by the same control command.

From the EP 0 865 055 A is a driver circuit known with an emergency stop switch and a series-connected normal off switch for switching off a load. The noramle breaker is periodically turned off by a control signal of a normal turn-off control circuit and the off-state is monitored by means of an output signal of a monitor circuit.

From the DE 10 2004 033359 A1 a device for failsafe shutdown of an electrical load is known, the device having a signal generator for generating an input signal representing a safety requirement. The input signal is supplied to a safety switching device, which generates a multi-channel shutdown signal in response to the input signal. The multi-channel shutdown signal is supplied to a first and at least one second switching element, which are arranged spatially separated from the safety switching device in series with each other in a power supply path of the consumer. The safety switching device is designed to switch the first and the second switching element offset in time from one another from the conducting to the blocking state.

The object of the present invention is to provide a switching device that is simple and inexpensive and by means of which several drives both safe and operational (unsafe) are switchable.

The object is achieved by a switching device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the switching device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

FIG

eine mögliche Ausgestaltung eines Schaltgeräts.

Further advantages and details will become apparent from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The only one shows:

FIG

a possible embodiment of a switching device.

According to the FIG., A prefabricated switching device has a housing 1. The housing 1 has a first input connection 2. A first signal E1 to be switched can be supplied to the switching device via the first input terminal 2.

The first input terminal 2 is connected to output terminals 7 to 9 via a first single-channel safe switch 3 and three signal paths 4 to 6 connected in parallel to one another. Thus, a switched signal A1 to A3 can be output to the outside of the switching device via the output connections 7 to 9.

The safe switch 3 may, for example, comprise (at least) two series-connected switching elements 3 ', 3 ", for example relays, in this case the switching elements 3', 3" each have their own actuators, via which only the respective switching element 3 ', Alternatively, the safe switch 3 can be embodied, for example, as a simple switch whose switching state is reliably monitored In this case, when a malfunction of the safe switch 3 is detected by a safety-related circuit 10, a corresponding error message is output.

The safety-related circuit 10 is disposed within the housing 1. The safety-related circuit 10 is from outside the housing 1 - for example via a shutdown input 11 - a safety-related shutdown signal S fed. When the safety-related circuit 10 is supplied with the safety-related shut-off signal S, the safety-related circuit 10 activates the first safe switch 3, so that the first safe switch 3 is opened. In the case of supplying the safety-related switch-off signal S, all signal paths 4 to 6 are thus reliably separated from the first input terminal 2.

In two of the three signal paths 4 to 6 (here the signal paths 4 and 5) each have a further switch 12, 13 are arranged. The third of the signal paths 4 to 6 (here the signal path 6) can not be switched. The control of the further switches 12, 13 takes place by means of a control circuit 14, which is likewise arranged within the housing 1. The control circuit 14 is different from the safety-related circuit 10. It is therefore a separate from the safety-related circuit 10 control circuit 14th

The further switches 12, 13 can be controlled independently of one another by the control circuit 14. The control of the further switches 12, 13 is also independent of the safety-related switch-off signal S.

It is possible that the control circuit 14 automatically decides on the basis of an internal configuration of the control circuit 14 when and how it controls the further switches 12, 13. Alternatively, it is possible for the control circuit 14 to be supplied with control signals S1, S2 from outside the housing and for the control circuit 14 to actuate the further switches 12, 13 in dependence on the control signals S1, S2 supplied thereto.

As shown in the FIG, control terminals 15, 16 are provided for supplying the control signals S1, S2. However, this illustration is only an example. Alternatively, it would be possible, for example, to supply the control circuit 14 with the control signals S1, S2 via a connection to a serial or parallel bus. It would also be possible to transmit the control signals S1, S2 wirelessly.

As shown in FIG. 3, there are further three signal paths 4 through 6. The presence of (at least) three signal paths 4 to 6 is preferred, but not mandatory. At least only two of the signal paths 4 to 6 need to be present. One of the signal paths 4 to 6 could therefore be omitted. Optionally, the omitted signal path may alternatively be the non-switchable signal path 6 or one of the switchable signal paths 4, 5. If further signal paths are present, these signal paths are preferably switchable. However, they may alternatively (at least partially) be designed as non-switchable signal paths.

The FIG shows a further embodiment of the present invention, which is not mandatory. According to this embodiment, the housing 1 has a second input terminal 17. Via the second input terminal 17, a second signal E2 to be switched can be fed to the switching device. The second input terminal 17 is connected directly to an additional output terminal 19 via a second single-channel safe switch 18. As a result, a switched signal A4 can also be output to the outside of the switching device via the additional output connection 19.

The second safe switch 18 is constructed analogously to the first safe switch 3. It is also controlled by the safety-related circuit 10, together with the first safe switch 3. In the case of supplying the safety-related switch-off signal S, therefore, the safety-related circuit 10 also controls the second safe switch 18, so that the second safe switch 18th is opened.

Of course, modifications of the invention explained above are possible. In particular, it is possible to provide further (not shown in the FIG) input terminals, which may alternatively be connected according to the first input terminal 2 or corresponding to the second input terminal 17 with output terminals. The control of any existing additional switch takes place here independently and independently of the others Switching further safe switch takes place by means of the safety-related circuit 10. The safety-related circuit 10 can hereby alternatively the other safe switch in the case of supplying the already mentioned safety-related switch-off signal S or as a function of other safety-related shutdown signals.

The above description is only for explanation of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, however, is intended to be determined solely by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Prefabricated switching device,

   - wherein the switching device has a housing (1),

   - wherein the housing (1) has a first input terminal (2), via which a first signal (E1) to be switched can be sent to the switching device,

   - wherein the first input terminal (2) is connected to a first output terminal (7) via a first single-channel protected switch (3) and a first signal path (4), and is connected to at least one second output terminal (8, 9) via the first protected switch (3) and a second signal path (5, 6) switched in parallel to the first signal path (4), such that a switched signal (A1 to A3) can be emitted to the outside of the switching device in each case via the first and the second output terminals (7 to 9),

   - wherein arranged inside the housing (1) is a safety-related circuit (10) to which a safety-related shutdown signal (S) can be sent from outside the housing (1),

   - wherein when the safety-related shutdown signal (S) is sent, the safety-related circuit (10) controls the first protected switch (3) such that the first protected switch (3) is opened,

   - wherein arranged inside the housing (1) is a control circuit (14) that is separate from the circuit (10) for controlling the first protected switch (3),

   - wherein a first further switch (12) arranged in the first signal path (4) can be controlled by the control circuit (14) independently of the safety-related shutdown signal (S),

   - wherein the control circuit (14) is provided to control the first further switch (12),

   - wherein the first protected switch (3) is provided for the protected shutdown of the first and of the second output terminals (7 to 9), in particular of a drive that can be connected to the output terminals (7 to 9),

   - wherein the first further switch (12) is provided for the operationally unprotected shutdown of at least one of the output terminals (7 to 9), in particular of a drive that can be connected to at least one of the output terminals (7 to 9), and

   - wherein the prefabricated switching device is designed as a switching device prefabricated in particular by the first protected switch (3), by the further switch (12), by the circuit (10) and the control circuit (14), wherein the first protected switch (3), the further switch (12), the circuit (10) and the control circuit (14) are arranged inside the housing (1).
2. Switching device according to claim 1,
   wherein the circuit (10) is designed as a safety-related circuit for the protected shutdown of a drive that can be connected to the first and/or second output terminal (7 to 9) when the shutdown signal (S) is sent as a safety-related shutdown signal.
3. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the first further switch (12) can be controlled as a function of a first control signal (S1) sent to the control circuit (14) from outside the housing (1).
4. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the control circuit (14) is provided to control the second further switch (13) as a function of a second control signal (S2) sent to the control circuit (14) from outside the housing (1).
5. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the control circuit (14) is designed, based on an internal embodiment of the control circuit (14), such as to automatically decide when and how it controls the first further switch (12) and/or a second further switch (13).
6. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein control signals (S1, S2) can be sent to the control circuit (14) from outside the housing (1), wherein the control circuit (14) is provided to control the further switches (12, 13) as a function of the control signals (S1, S2) sent to it.
7. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the control signals (S1, S2) can be sent to the control circuit (14) via a connection to a serial or parallel bus or wirelessly.
8. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein a second further switch (13) is arranged in the second signal path (5) and can be controlled by the control circuit (14) independently of the safety-related shutdown signal (S) and independently of the first further switch (12).
9. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
   wherein a third signal path (6) is switched in parallel to the first and the second signal path (4, 5) and the third signal path (6) is designed as a non-switchable signal path (6).
10. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the second signal path (6) is designed as a non-switchable signal path (6).
11. Prefabricated switching device according to one of the preceding claims,

    - wherein the housing (1) has a second input terminal (17), via which a second signal (E2) to be switched can be sent to the switching device,

    - wherein the second input terminal (17) is directly connected to an additional output terminal (19) via a second single-channel protected switch (18), such that a switched signal (A4) can be emitted to the outside of the switching device also via the additional output terminal (19),

    - wherein the safety-related circuit (10) is provided also to control the second protected switch (18) when the safety-related shutdown signal (S) is sent, such that the second protected switch (18) is opened.

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