EP2165472A1

EP2165472A1 - System and method for controlling bus-networked devices via an open field bus

Info

Publication number: EP2165472A1
Application number: EP07785923A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georg Reidt
Original assignee: Moeller GmbH; Kloeckner Moeller GmbH
Current assignee: Eaton Electrical IP GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2007-07-06
Filing date: 2007-07-06
Publication date: 2010-03-24
Also published as: CA2691731A1; JP5431314B2; JP2010532603A; US9164934B2; US11182327B2; US20160026595A1; WO2009006916A1; CN101690019B; US20150149670A1; US10599604B2; US20110119507A1; US8935435B2; CN101690019A; CA2691731C; US20200183873A1

Abstract

In a system and a method for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open field bus, a simplification is intended to be provided such that complex wiring is dispensed with and the user can check the system, configure it and restart it in the event of error messages with little operating complexity. To this end, such a system is provided with a single pluggable connecting line (8) within the system for connecting bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) and gateway (20) and for transmitting control and/or status data and power. In a method for controlling bus-networked devices in circuits with a gateway via an open field bus, the gateway does not expect any bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) for solving the problem in an initial desired configuration, and a configuration mode is started in the gateway in order to accept at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) and produce a new desired configuration for the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx).

Description

System and method for controlling bus-wired devices via an open fieldbus

The invention relates to a system and a method for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open fieldbus.

The subject includes, in particular, the data networking, the subscriber configuration of the devices and the electrical supply of the devices with energy. 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 to the control unit (e.g., the PLC) via the control wiring lines. 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 to switch 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, in particular for a motor starter, are the status of the contactor position (on / off) or the status of the motor protection switch (on / off).

When building an electrical system (eg a control cabinet), the wiring and interconnection of the electrical switching devices with the control system is carried out by hand, typically 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 reversed, 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 required 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 interposition of devices between a bus and other components of a system is also known in the art. For example, EP 0 779 640 A2 discloses providing bus-capable amplifier modules for drive arrangements of electrical switching devices. The electromagnetic or electronic amplifier arrangement is connected via an interface circuit with bus connections and on the one hand with supply power connections and on the other hand drive connections. The interface circuit is designed bi- or unidirectional. Furthermore, switching means for signals to be adopted by the bus for setting parameters of the amplifier module and / or the switching device and circuit means for the detection of signals to be transmitted to the bus via states of the amplifier module and / or the switching device are provided.

With regard to a coupling to a bus, a module is known from EP 0 637 784 A1, which is provided with a bus coupler, on the one hand with a

Contact system for the electrical and mechanical connection to the bus and on the other hand with an electronic evaluation unit for the programmed processing of measurement signals or status information and for the delivery of turn-off commands is in communication, the measurement signals or status information is supplied via the bus. The module can

Forming shutdown commands by processing the measurement signals themselves and delivering them to the tripping system for a circuit breaker.

DE 101 47 442 A1 discloses a method and a device as well as a control unit for monitoring a bus system with at least three

Subscribers known, wherein a participant is formed as a parent and initiates each data transfer on the bus system. A second subscriber is formed as an element of a locking system of a lockable vehicle interior and a third party is outside the lockable vehicle interior formed. The first subscriber monitors the data transmission in such a way that, in at least one operating state of the vehicle and / or the bus system, the first subscriber initiates measures to prevent transmission of the data during each data transmission on the bus system which was not initiated by him. The bus system used is a LIN bus system.

DE 101 47 446 A1 also discloses a method and a device for monitoring a bus system with at least two subscribers, of which at least one subscriber is configured as an authorized subscriber and monitors the data transmission on the bus system, a license plate being transmitted on each data transmission on the bus system and the tag can be uniquely assigned to a subscriber. If the data transmission is initiated by another than the one authorized subscriber, execution of the data to be transmitted is prevented. Again, a LIN bus system is used again.

From DE 197 56 918 A1 a communication control device is known in which a master station transmits a batch transmission frame to a plurality of slave stations and individual response frames are transmitted from the slave stations to the master station.

DE 689 20 028 T2 discloses a cyclic reservation multiple access method and apparatus in a communication system, wherein access to the transmission medium in the communication network is provided with a unidirectional bus structure in a Faltbus or a Doppelbuskonfiguration and a plurality of stations between the Busses are connected, is provided. The network comprises two unidirectional, reverse transmission buses and a plurality of stations, each of which is connected to the two buses. Further, a headend is provided which generates time slots on the buses at regular intervals, each station requesting access to a slot. The DE 34 24 866 A1 discloses a method and an arrangement for the transmission of data, which are transmitted in a time division multiplex in digital form in a bus system. The bus system consists of a central control unit, a plurality of equivalent subordinate stations belonging to the control unit and at least one data bus line connecting all the subscribers.

It is the object of the invention to simplify a system and a method for controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway via an open field bus such that a complex wiring is eliminated and the user can check the system with little effort, configure and restart error messages ,

The object is achieved for a system according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that a single plug-in connection line is provided within the system for connecting bus users and gateway and for transmitting control and / or status data and energy. For a method according to the preamble of claim 31, the object is achieved by the fact that the gateway expects no bus subscriber in an output nominal configuration and to take over at least one bus subscriber and generate a new target configuration with the at least one bus subscriber a configuration mode in the gateway is started. For a switching device according to the preamble of claim 35, the object is achieved in that the switching device has at least one control input to query a previous switching device as a bus subscriber and / or a gateway (20) and a control output for selecting a subsequent switching device as another bus subscriber. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention thus relates to a system with which actuators as bus subscribers, preferably industrial switching devices, such as circuit breakers or motor protection switch contactor combinations, via an application bus system, here preferably via a LIN bus, are networked data technology, with the aim of the control and connected industrial switching devices monitor. The system has at least one gateway, which is connected between an open fieldbus and actuators. The only pluggable connection cable connects the individual bus participants or actuators with each other and with the gateway. It is used to transfer data, namely control and / or status data and the transmission of energy to supply the bus subscribers and possibly other components of the system. Advantageously, the gateway is arranged between the open field bus and the connection line and has connection means for connection to the field bus, for connecting mains voltage and the connection line. Through the gateway numerous functions can be performed, which are explained in more detail below.

Particular advantages of the system and method according to the invention 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 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) are provided.

Of course, as actuators or bus subscribers, it is possible to connect complex devices which can exchange much information and data. Such devices may be, for example, industrial switching devices, such as circuit breakers, electronic motor protection relay or frequency converter.

The system for controlling bus-connected devices with a gateway via an open field bus may have the following features individually or in combination with one another. In particular, a bus controller for monitoring the gateway is provided here. The gateway itself is advantageous at least one interface to the open field bus, at least one interface to an application bus for controlling and retrieving at least one actuator or bus participant lying on the application bus, and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus participant. It also proves to be advantageous if the gateway has at least one memory for remanent backup of a bus configuration which can be written by the bus controller and for securing the present bus configuration of the or an application bus.

Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous if the gateway comprises at least a first feed socket for the supply of primary supply voltage and at least one second feed socket for the supply of an auxiliary voltage, which is transmitted to the bus participants or is passed through. The gateway can also be connectable or connected to at least one control line for addressing the first bus subscriber.

It also proves to be advantageous if the gateway has at least one status display for displaying operating states of bus subscribers and the bus communication and / or the at least one bus subscriber has at least one display for displaying the own operating status. As a result, a visual control of the proper operation of the system is always possible.

Furthermore, the gateway advantageously has at least one actuating element for starting a bus configuration of the bus users connected via the application bus. In this configuration, ie in the configuration mode, the gateway checks via an application bus how many bus users are connected to the application bus, whereby the bus users are advantageously numbered consecutively. In this case, each bus subscriber can store his specific identification number and / or the gateway stores the identification numbers with zero voltage protection. As a result, no data loss occurs even when switching off after a restart, so that the operation can be continued after switching on without further measures. After capturing all bus users, this configuration can advantageously be retentively stored in the gateway (20) as a setpoint configuration or is stored there and control and / or Status data is interchangeable between or exchanged between the gateway and the bus users.

With regard to the at least one bus subscriber or actuator, it proves to be advantageous if it has at least one control input for polling a preceding bus subscriber and / or the gateway and a control output for selecting a subsequent bus subscriber. Furthermore, it can comprise at least one control and programming unit for implementing the bus communication and the functionality of the actuator application.

For power supply or supply of energy, the at least one bus subscriber can have a device for connecting to mains voltage. Furthermore, it advantageously has at least one device for looping through the data stream and / or the auxiliary voltage to a subsequent bus subscriber or actuator and / or for forwarding the auxiliary voltage to an actuator application.

Advantageously, the at least one bus subscriber has at least one device for carrying out actor actions and / or at least one device for reporting actuator actions and / or actuator positions to the application bus, so that a communication of the actuator positions and actions via the application bus is possible.

The at least one bus subscriber further advantageously has at least one device for writing an identification number through the gateway.

This allows a check of the number of connected to the application bus. The bus subscribers are advantageously consecutively numbered sequentially. Every single bus participant stores the specific one

Identification number zero voltage safe, ie the specific identification number is available when switching on again after a shutdown and is not lost by switching off. In the gateway are advantageously also stored all identification numbers zero voltage. The application bus can be a LIN bus with which the control and / or status data and the execution of the configuration of the application bus can be processed or processed via a protocol, which consists in particular of LIN data frames with data lengths of 1 to 8 bytes. Basically, another structure with eg other data lengths is possible.

A possible application bus configuration can be permanently enrolled in the gateway. Furthermore, it is possible for a written application bus configuration to be overwritten by the bus controller.

With regard to the bus users or actuators, the invention is based on the assumption that at least one actuator can be an electrical switching device. In this case, an actuator may in particular be a motor protection switch contactor combination.

Advantageously, a plug-in module is provided which on the one hand can have the actuator properties and on the other hand has at least one mechanical display for displaying actuator positions and / or at least one display for the own operating status. As a result, the actuator positions can be displayed by the plug-in module, which can be added to the actuators, so in particular switching devices. Instead of retrofitting the switching devices, it is sufficient to attach a plug-in module on this, which may also have corresponding connectors for connecting the connecting line.

Furthermore, the plug-in module can have at least one digital input for the

Having a potential-free switching contact. Such is suitable for. B. for an auxiliary switch to query the motor protection switch position in a motor protection switch contactor combination.

The plug-in module can advantageously have at least one circuit interruption for the actuator. Such a circuit interruption can be used for example for the electrical locking of a reversing starter. When arranging a plug-in module on a motor protection switch-contactor combination this can advantageously switch the auxiliary voltage to the contactor coil. The above-mentioned further features of such a plug-in module can also be advantageously provided just in such a motor protection switch contactor combination.

The system may further be designed such that a power module is interposed in the row of or between the bus users, which loop through the data stream to the next bus subscriber and / or do not loop through the auxiliary voltage. By interposing a power module, the 'linear' power supply is interrupted by bus users to bus users. However, the data connection and the primary voltage between the bus participants located in front of the power module and the bus station behind the power module are looped through. With the intermediate power module, a new feed-in for the following bus users is realized. Advantageously, therefore, an external voltage source is provided, which supplies an auxiliary voltage to the power module, which is transmitted to the next bus subscriber. Furthermore, the power module advantageously has at least one display for indicating the presence of the external auxiliary voltage. This makes it possible to control the application of the auxiliary voltage to the power module and thereby also to the at least one subsequent bus subscriber.

Advantageously, at least one bus subscriber or actuator has a mechanical display for displaying actuator positions, so that these can also be read without current even without problems.

At least one sensor may be arranged to detect physical quantities in the row of bus subscribers.

In the method for controlling bus-networked devices in particular industrial circuits with a gateway via an open field bus according to the invention, a configuration mode advantageously proceeds after actuation of the actuating element. Brief Description:

For further explanation of the invention embodiments of this will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

These show in:

1 shows three typical hardware components of an exemplary system,

Fig. 2 is a flow chart for the representation of the system test and the

Adoption of a new target configuration of the connected devices on the application bus,

3A and 3B are block diagrams of the application bus system,

4A to 4C three configurations of bus subscribers,

Fig. 4D connection of another bus station and

Fig. 5 shows 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-matter of the application is not intended to be limited to motor-protective switch-contactor combinations, which are also referred to as motor starters, by means of the exemplary illustration.

In FIG. 1A, a gateway 20, in FIG. 1C a bus subscriber in the form of a plug-in module 40 on a motor-protective circuit-contactor combination, and in FIG. 1B a power module 50, also referred to as PM, are shown as typical hardware components of an exemplary system.

The gateway 20 has an interface to a higher-level control system, for example to an open field bus 2 (see FIG. 3A), such as a Profibus DP, DeviceNet or CANopen or another, whereby it is connected to the higher-level fieldbus system for data purposes. The gateway 20 controls via a ribbon cable 8, which is also shown in Figure 3A, the networked on an application bus 10, used as industrial switching devices bus nodes N1 to Nn. The gateway 20 has a first feed device 24 for the connection of a power supply 14 for own electronics and the electronics of the bus subscribers and a second feed device 25 for the connection of a power supply 16 of the bus subscribers. The latter is auxiliary voltage for the Aktorhandlungen the bus subscribers, in which case, for example, the voltage or power supply of motor protection switch contactor combinations is provided. The gateway 20 has at least one light-emitting diode 28 which serves to indicate the status of operating states of the gateway and of the bus communication. The gateway 20 also has a configuration button 27 which serves to start the automatic bus configuration of the bus users; and at least one memory block is present in the gateway 20, which is used for the remanent backup of the bus configuration.

For a motor protection switch contactor combination shown in Figure 1C plug-in module 40 is used, which is also referred to as SM, which is mechanically and electrically adapted to the contactor or is. The plug-in module 40 has two pin contacts 49, which serve for electrical connection to a contactor coil. This plug-in module takes over the control wiring. Hereby the contactor coil is electrically controlled and the contactor position is electrically interrogated. Next offers the possibility to query an electrically potential-free contact, if or as far as such is present. In addition to the electrical functions of the plug-in module 40, a switch position indicator 46 is provided, the mechanical - visible to the operator - indicates the switching position. The plug-in module 40 also has the following features: it switches the auxiliary voltage 16 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) to the contactor coil,

It has the mechanical switching position display 46 for representing actuator positions,

It has a display 48 for its own operating status, it has a digital input 44 for the connection of a floating switch contact, and

It has a circuit break 45 for the actuator. Such a circuit interruption 45 can be used for example for the electrical locking of a reversing starter.

The application bus 10 is operated via the previously mentioned multi-core - here six-core - ribbon cable 8 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The line 8 is - starting from the gateway 20 - plugged or guided bus subscribers to bus participants via connector. In each bus Nx two sockets 41, 42 are formed in the plug-in module 40 for inserting the ribbon cable 8 on the bus input side and on the bus output side. Because of the linear arrangement of subscribers, the last bus subscriber Nn has on the output side no inserted ribbon cable 8 as a connection line; its output side (socket 42) remains 'empty'.

Each bus user has a status indicator 28, 48, 58 to indicate the status of the device, preferably optically, as an LED. The plug-in module 40 and the power module 50 of each bus node Nx has a two-terminal block 44, 45, 54, 55 in order to connect there a potential-free contact, z. B. for an auxiliary switch to query the motor protection switch position.

In Fig. 5, further details of the system are shown. At the first bus node N1, which is exemplified here as a motor protection switch-contactor combination, three lines L1, L2, L3 of the network connection and the load M are shown. Further, in the upper half of the designated as N1, N2, N3 to Nn bus participants a motor protection switch is shown and in the lower half plugged onto a contactor plug-in module 40 with its sockets 41, 42 and the mechanical display 48 for the contact position of the contactor. The representation according to FIG. 5 can be understood as an application bus 10 with n subscribers into which the power module 50 shown in FIG. 5 can optionally be inserted. A more detailed explanation of the power module 50 follows below. In Fig. 2A- a flow chart for the representation of a system test and in Fig. 2B a flow chart for the adoption of a new target configuration is shown. The flowcharts of the two figures merge.

In the first step, it is requested in FIG. 2A that the voltage at the gateway is to be switched on. In the next step, the gateway checks whether a subscriber can be reached on the bus. If this question is answered with "yes", the following question is asked as to whether the participant is expected at the gateway: If this question can also be answered with "yes", the participant is configured in a further step by the gateway. Subsequently, the gateway selects the next participant via the configured participant. The gateway then checks again whether a subscriber can be reached on the bus and the polling loop is closed. If this question is answered "no" at the beginning or at this point, the further question is asked as to whether a participant is expected by the gateway: If this question is also answered with "no", there is the situation that no bus participant is present , which is given as a target configuration. It is thus established that the configuration of the gateway bus is correct and the system is ready for operation, since the setpoint is the actual configuration. Therefore, this state is indicated by an LED ("Status LED on").

If the question, whether a participant is expected from the gateway, if no participant is reachable on the bus, answered with "yes", or the question of whether the participant is expected by the gateway, if this was found to be available on the bus, with "no ", there is a configuration error, ie Gateway and bus are not ready for operation because the target configuration is not equal to the actual configuration. Therefore, this state is also indicated by a display LED ("Status LED on"). The query as to whether a subscriber is reachable on the bus and whether it is expected by the gateway is looped through until all expected and expected by the gateway registered in the configuration bus subscribers 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 is the system is ready for operation and the status is indicated by the statically lit status LED 28 "In the unlike situation, the status LED 28 'flashes, causing the operator to actuate the configuration button 27. Upon actuation of the configuration button 27, the existing configuration is accepted as a target configuration and the system goes into the final check (FIG. 2B).

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 because the setpoint is not equal to the actual configuration. If this is not the case, the subscriber data are read out and saved in the gateway. The gateway selects the next participant via the attained participants and also checks for this whether availability is available. 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. This configuration is remanently saved as a new target configuration in the gateway.

FIGS. 3A, 3B show block diagrams of the bus control. FIG. 3A shows the gateway and a first bus subscriber N1 and FIG. 3B a power module 50 inserted between a second and a third bus subscriber N2, N3 and the second bus subscriber N2. On the infeed side, the inputs for the open fieldbus 2 (plug connection or socket 23) and the power supply (primary voltage 14 or LM, GND, auxiliary voltage 16 or U2) are shown. With LM the voltage supply 14 for the electronics in the gateway and the bus subscriber and U2 is understood to be the auxiliary voltage 16 for the subscriber application. The output (socket 22) of the gateway leads to the 6-wire ribbon cable. 8

The power module (PM) 50 can optionally be interposed at any point in the linear row of bus subscribers (FIG. 3B). This is also indicated once again schematically in FIG. With the interposition of a Power module, the 'linear' power supply is interrupted by bus participants to bus subscribers. 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 ₁ 50 connected in the bus line network, a new supply for the bus participants following following in the bus row (group G) is realized, for this the power module is connected to a voltage supply 16 ', for example to 24 Volt DC. In Fig. 3B, the power supply 16 'coming from below (with respect to the drawing page) and in Fig. 5 coming from above (with respect to the drawing page) shown in the drawing. This power supply can be, for example, a contactor supply for a group of bus subscribers who are to act as their own EMERGENCY STOP group. The power module has screw terminals or sockets 54, 55 for the power supply 16 '. Otherwise, the power module - like the other bus users - two sockets 51, 52, one of the input and the other is the output for the connector system. Likewise, a status display 58 is provided on the power module, in particular for optical display via an LED, which indicates whether the supply voltage 16 'for 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. In particular for motor-protective circuit-breaker combinations, the networking is carried out with a single pluggable connection line. The connecting line 8 transmits on the one hand control data or status data and on the other hand the necessary energy for the switching devices. In addition, the use of the aforementioned power modules makes it possible to form groups of bus subscribers, thereby providing a separate power supply and

Energy monitoring of such a group is possible. For example, grouping can be used to build a specific segment or circuit in which the switching devices have a separate emergency circuit. OFF group in which they can be monitored, switched on or off. As mentioned, the power modules are optional.

Function and operation of the system with reference to Figures 4A to 4C. In the drawing, a bright circle labeled 28 "and 48" represents a glowing LED, a black circle without another marking a non-glowing LED 28, 48, and a circle of garland labeled 28 'and 48' a flashing LED.

For the connection to the system of the open fieldbus 2, the gateway 20 is the central element. The bus nodes N1 to Nx are supplied with energy by the gateway, controlled and monitored, and control and status data of all connected bus subscribers are transmitted to the higher-level fieldbus 2. It is firstly connected to the power supply 14 for its own electronics and secondly to the power supply 16, which supplies the bus subscribers. With this design of the power supply, the auxiliary voltage 16 for bus users (for example, voltage at the contactor coils) can be switched off independently of the bus functionality (for example, emergency stop system).

About the connector system of the 6-wire ribbon cable 8 provided here, the bus users, such as motor protection switch contactor combinations with plug-in modules, connected in order. If the Phmärspannung 14 is turned on the first system, the gateway 20 checks the connected bus N1 to Nx on the application bus system, as already explained above to Figures 2A and 2B. In the initial situation, an arrangement without bus subscribers is provided as a target configuration. This is then updated after the integration of the individual bus users, as already described above.

In Fig. 4A, n bus users are wired at an output target configuration, ie, without bus subscribers. In this case, the gateway 20 initially expects no subscriber due to the desired configuration. Therefore, due to the configuration error, the gateway goes into the error state and this becomes optically at the gateway 20 by a blinking LED 28 '(upper right in the corner of the gateway 20 shown in Fig. 4A). The control LED on the first bus subscriber N1, which is connected via the connecting line 8 directly to the gateway, flashes (LED 48 ') also, as this was not expected by the gateway. All other status or control LEDs 48 of the other bus subscribers N2 to Nx do not light up, ie are switched off.

According to FIG. 4B, the configuration button 27 is pressed on the gateway 20 to take over the connected bus users as the desired configuration. Now, it is checked by the gateway in sequence via the application bus 10, how many

Bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) are connected to the application bus 10. The bus subscribers are numbered consecutively. Each individual bus subscriber stores the specific identification number in a non-volatile manner, i. the specific identification number is available again when switching on again after a switch-off and is not lost by the switch-off. 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 "on the gateway and LEDs 48" on the bus participants are all switched on statically and light up.

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

The individual bus users can now be controlled and monitored via the bus controller of the higher-level open fieldbus 2. If the structure of the connected devices changes, for example, by extending or removing devices, this is detected by the gateway on the basis of the deviating nominal-actual configuration and displayed by the status LED 28. Fig. 4C shows an example with an existing configuration of a gateway 20 and n bus users N1 to Nn, which is ready to operate after 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 user) deviates from the actual configuration (n + 1 bus user). In addition, the LED 48 'of the first added (even if several inserted) bus node Nin flashes because he or she was not expected by 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. After expiration of the automatic bus configuration, the same situation would now be given for n + x bus subscribers, as illustrated for n bus subscribers in FIG. 4B.

5 shows the use of at least one power module 50 to form a group G of bus subscribers. By the power module lying behind the power module bus participants, here plug-in module on motor protection switch contactor combination, cut off from the auxiliary power supply 16 for the subscriber application and there is a new supply of auxiliary voltage 16 'for the latter. The application bus 10 is looped through in terms of data technology and with respect to the primary voltage supply 14 for the electronics of the bus subscribers 1: 1 in the power module. When the auxiliary voltage 16 'fed into the power module is switched off, the bus subscribers, e.g. Sagittarius, voltage-free behind the power module. The electronics of

Bus subscribers, however, continue to be supplied and can therefore continue to receive the current actuator status, e.g. Contact status of the motor starter, transmitted to the gateway.

The use of the power modules has the advantage that independent groups of motor-protective switch-contactor combination can be formed, for example an emergency-stop circuit, which can be switched off separately. The use of power modules can be done anywhere in the connector system. There may also be several Power Modules in the Connection plug-in system are installed so that several independent groups are formed by bus participants.

The above features of the system and its components may be provided individually or in combination with each other. In addition to the described embodiments, many more are still possible in which a single connection line is provided within the system for connecting bus users and gateway and for transmitting control and / or status data and energy.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 open fieldbus

8 connection line (eg, β-core ribbon cable)

10 application bus (LIN-BUS)

N1 to Nn-x bus participants (actuator, motor starter, circuit breaker)

14 14 'primary voltage (24 V DC)

16 16 'auxiliary voltage (24 V DC)

20 gateway

22 Plug socket of the gateway

23 sockets for open fieldbus

24 supply 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 connectors on ribbon cable 44 45 Sockets for power supply

46 mechanical display

48 control LED

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 control LED

L1 L2 L3 Mains connection for bus participants (Actuator)

M load (motor) to mains voltage

Claims

claims

1. System for controlling bus-networked devices as bus subscribers (N 1 to Nx) with a gateway via an open field bus (2), characterized in that a single pluggable connection line (8) within the system for connecting bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) and gateway (20) and for transmission of control and / or status data and energy is provided.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the gateway (20) between the open field bus (2) and the connecting line (8) is arranged and connecting means for connection to the field bus (2), for connecting mains voltage and the connecting line ( 8).

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the gateway at least one interface to the open field bus (2), at least one interface (22) to an application bus (10) for controlling and retrieving at least one on the application bus (10) lying actuator or bus participant (N1 to Nx) and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus subscriber

(N 1 to Nx).

4. System according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a bus controller is provided for monitoring the gateway.

5. System according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the gateway has at least one memory for the remanent backup of a bus configuration inscribable by the bus controller and for securing the present bus configuration of the or an application bus (10).

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway at least a first feed socket (24) for supplying primary supply voltage (14) and at least a second feed socket (25) for supplying an auxiliary voltage (16) to the bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) is passable or passed through.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway with at least one control line (control) for addressing the first bus subscriber (N1) is connectable or connected.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway at least one status display (28) for displaying operating states of bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) and the bus communication and / or that at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) at least one Display for displaying the own operating status.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway at least one actuating element (27) for the start of a bus configuration of the connected via the application bus

Bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) has.

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) acts as an actuator at least one control input for polling a preceding bus subscriber and / or the gateway (20) and a control output for selecting a subsequent bus subscriber.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (n1 to Nx) comprises at least one control and programming unit for the realization of the bus communication and the functionality of the actuator application.

12. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) has a device for connection to mains voltage (L1, L2, L3).

13. System according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) at least one device for looping through the data stream and / or the auxiliary voltage (16) to a subsequent bus subscriber or actuator and / or for forwarding the auxiliary voltage (16) to an actuator application.

14. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) has at least one device for undertaking actor actions and / or at least one device for reporting actor actions and / or actuator positions on the application bus (10) ,

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) has at least one device for writing an identification number by the gateway (20).

16. System according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the application bus is a LIN bus (10), with which the control and / or status data and the processing of the configuration of the application bus via a protocol can be processed or handled , which consists in particular of LIN data frames with data lengths of 1 to 8 bytes.

17. System according to one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that an application bus configuration in the gateway (20) is permanently written.

18. System according to claim 17, characterized in that an inscribed application bus configuration can be overwritten by the bus controller.

19. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber or actuator (N1 to Nx) is an electrical switching device.

20. System according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the at least one bus subscriber or actuator (N1 to Nx) is a motor protection switch contactor combination.

21. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in module (40) is provided which has at least one mechanical display (46) for displaying actuator positions and / or at least one display (48) for its own operating status.

22. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in module (40) is provided which has at least one digital input (44) for the connection of a potential-free switching contact.

23. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plug-in module (40) is provided which has at least one circuit interruption (45) for the actuator.

24. System according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the plug-in module (49) is arranged on a motor protection switch contactor combination.

25. System according to claim 24, characterized in that the plug-in module (40) switches the auxiliary voltage (16) to the contactor coil.

26. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the bus participants (N1 to Nx) a power module (50) is interposed, which loop through the data stream to the next bus subscriber and / or not looped through the auxiliary voltage (16).

27. System according to claim 26, characterized in that an external voltage source is provided, which supplies the power module (50) with an auxiliary voltage (16 ') which is connected to the next

Bus subscriber is transmitted.

28. System according to claim 27, characterized in that the power module (50) has at least one display (58) for indicating the presence of the external auxiliary voltage (16 ¹ ).

29. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one bus subscriber or actuator (N1 to Nx) comprises a mechanical display (46) for displaying actuator positions.

30. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor for detecting physical quantities in the row of bus subscribers (N 1 to Nx) is arranged.

31. A method for controlling bus-networked devices in circuits with a gateway via an open fieldbus with a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gateway in a desired output configuration no bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) expected and to take over at least one bus subscriber (N 1 to Nx) and generating a new desired configuration with the at least one bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) a configuration mode is started in the gateway.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that in the configuration mode via an application bus (10) is checked by the gateway, how many bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) are connected to the application bus (10), wherein the bus subscribers (N1 to Nx) are numbered ,

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that each bus subscriber (N1 to Nx) stores its specific identification number and / or the gateway (20) stores the identification numbers in a non-volatile manner.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that after detecting all bus subscribers (N1 to Nx), this configuration as SoII configuration in the gateway (20) is retentive stored or stored and control and / or status data between the gateway (20) and the bus users (N1 to Nx) are interchangeable or replaced.

35. Switching device, controllable by a system according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the switching device at least one control input to query a previous switching device as a bus subscriber and / or a gateway (20) and a control output for selecting a subsequent

Has switching device as another bus subscriber.

36. Switching device according to claim 35, characterized in that the switching device at least one control and programming unit for

Realization of the bus communication and the functionality of the switchgear application includes.

37. Switching device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that the switching device has at least one device for writing an identification number through the gateway (20).