GB2442304A

GB2442304A - Controlling bus-networked devices by way of a gateway connected to an open fieldbus

Info

Publication number: GB2442304A
Application number: GB0716867A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Georg Reidt
Original assignee: Moeller GmbH
Current assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
Priority date: 2006-06-30
Filing date: 2007-08-30
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-30
Also published as: RU2446597C2; AT504973B1; SE0701939L; SE532820C2; GB0716867D0; DE102006030706B4; GB2442304B; DE102006030706A1; AT504973A1; CH702698B1; RU2007129901A

Abstract

A system for and a method of controlling bus-networked devices (N1 to Nx) with a gateway (20) by way of an open fieldbus (fig.3A, not shown) provides a simplification in that expensive wiring is dispensed with and the user, with a low level of operating complication and expenditure, can check the system, configure it and re-start it in the event of error messages. For that purpose in such a system there is provided a single pluggable connecting line (8) within the system for connecting bus subscribers and the gateway and for the transfer of control and/or status data and energy. In an initial reference configuration the gateway does not expect any subscriber and a configuration mode is started in the gateway for adopting at least one bus subscriber and producing a fresh reference configuration with the at least one bus subscriber. Applications include motor switches and the like.

Description

System for and method of controlling bus-networked

devices by way of an open field bus

Background of the Invention

The invention concerns a system for and a method of controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus.

The subject-matter of the invention concerns in particular data networking, subscriber configuration of the devices and electrical supply of the devices with energy. Industrial switching devices such as relays, motor starters, power switches and measuring sensors and similar devices are interpreted as typical devices.

The above-mentioned industrial switching devices and others are generally switched or monitored centrally by way of a control system, for example by way of a stored-program control (SPC). Typically the switching devices are linked to the control unit (for example the SPC) by way of the control wiring lines. The control unit generally comprises the lines which can switch the switching device, here preferably a relay, on and off, and which at the same time provide the necessary energy for switching the switching device, and lines which pass the signals back from the switching device to the control unit for monitoring purposes. Examples of signals for monitoring a switching device, here in particular for a motor starter, are the status of the relay switching position (on/off) or the status of the motor protection switch (engaged/tripped).

When constructing an electrical installation (for example a switching cabinet) the wiring and the circuitry of the electrical switching devices with the control system are executed manually, typically using trained electricians. That operation can frequently be a very time-consuming part of the construction of the switching cabinet. Furthermore wiring by way of many similar control lines is susceptible to error as for example the wires can be interchanged when being laid in the cable duct and can then be connected to terminals of the wrong devices. In addition the control lines have to be laid to the individual switching devices in order to be electrically connected there. For that purpose further complication and expenditure is necessary insofar as cable ducts have to be cut to the appropriate length for laying the lines and they have to be mounted on the assembly plate in which then the individual control lines can be laid.

The interposition of devices between a bus and further components of a system is also known in the state of the art. It is known for example from EP 0 779 640 A2 to provide bus-capable amplifier components for drive arrangements of electronic switching devices. The electromagnetic or electronic amplifier arrangement is connected by way of an interface circuit to bus connections on the one hand to feed current connections and on the other hand drive connections. The interface circuit is designed to be bidirectional or unidirectional. Circuit means are also provided for signals to be taken from the bus, for adjusting parameters of the amplifier component and/or the switching device as well as circuit means for detection of signals to be passed to the bus relating to states of the amplifier component and/or the switching device.

In regard to coupling to a bus, EP 0 637 784 Al discloses a module provided with a bus coupler which on the one hand is connected to a contact system for electrical and mechanical connection to the bus and on the other hand to an electronic evaluation system for programmed processing of measurement signals or items of state information and for the delivery of switch-off commands, in which case the measurement signals or items of state information are supplied by way of the bus. The module can form switch-off commands, with processing of the measurement signals themselves, and deliver them to the tripping system for a protective switch.

DE 101 47 442 Al discloses a method of and an apparatus for and a control unit for monitoring a bus system with at least three subscribers, wherein one subscriber is in the form of a higher-order subscriber and initiates any data transfer on the bus system. A second subscriber is in the form of an element of a closing system of a closable vehicle interior and a third subscriber is provided outside the closable vehicle interior. The first subscriber monitors the data transfer in such a way that, in at least one operating state of the vehicle and/or the bus system, in regard to any data transfer on the bus system which was not initiated by the first subscriber, that subscriber initiates measures to prevent a transfer of the data. An LIN bus system is used as the bus system.

DE 101 47 446 Al also discloses a method of and an apparatus for monitoring a bus system having at least two subscribers, of which at least one subscriber is in the form of an authorised subscriber and monitors the data transfer on the bus system, wherein upon each data transfer on the bus system, an identification is transferred and the identification can be uniquely allocated to a subscriber. If data transfer is initiated by a subscriber other than the one authorised subscriber, implementation of the data to be transferred is prevented. In this case also once again an LIN bus system is used.

DE 197 56 918 Al discloses a communication control apparatus in which a master station transmits a stack transfer frame to a plurality of slave stations and individual answer frames are transmitted from the slave stations to the master station.

DE 689 20 020 T2 discloses a method of and an apparatus for multiple access with cyclic reservation in a communication system, wherein there is provided access to the transfer medium in the communication network with a unidirectional bus structure in a folding bus configuration or a double bus configuration and a plurality of stations connected between the buses. The network includes two unidirectional, opposite transfer buses and a plurality of stations, each of which is connected to the two buses.

There is also provided a head location which produces time slots at regular intervals on the buses, each station asking for access to a slot.

DE 34 24 866 Al discloses a method of and an arrangement for the transfer of data, wherein they are transferred in a time multiplex mode in digital form in a bus system. The bus system comprises a central control unit, a plurality of equivalent subscribing stations which are subordinate to the control unit, and at least one data bus line connecting all subscribers.

Sum mary of the Invention Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there can be provided a system for controlling bus-networked devices as bus subscribers with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus, comprising a single pluggable connecting line within the system for connecting bus subscribers and the gateway and for the transfer of control and/or status data and energy.

According to another aspect of the invention, there can be provided a system for controlling bus-networked devices as bus subscribers with a gateway by way of an open fleldbus, wherein the gateway has at least one interface for the open fieldbus, at least one interface for an application bus for control and interrogation of at least one actuator or bus subscriber on the application bus and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus subscriber.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there can be provided a method of controlling bus-networked devices in circuits with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus with a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the gateway in an initial reference configuration does not expect any bus subscriber and a configuration mode is started in the gateway for adopting at least one bus subscriber and producing a fresh reference configuration with the at least one bus subscriber.

According to another aspect of the invention, there can be provided a switching device actuable by a system according to one of claims 1 to 31, wherein: the switching device has at least one control input for the inquiry of a preceding switching device as a bus subscriber and/or a gateway and a control output for the selection of a subsequent switching device as a further bus subscriber.

According to an embodiment of the invention there can be provided a system for and a method of controlling bus-networked devices with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus that has been simplified in such a way that complicated and expensive wiring can be eliminated and the user, with a low level of operating complication and expenditure, can check and configure the system and re-start it in the event of error messages.

An embodiment of the invention thus concerns a system with which actuators as bus subscribers, for example industrial switching devices such as for example power switches or motor protection switch-relay combinations, are data networked by way of an application bus system, here for example by way of an UN bus, with the aim of controlling and monitoring the connected industrial switching devices. A system according to an embodiment of the invention has at least one gateway connected between an open fieldbus and actuators. The single pluggable connection line can connect the individual bus subscribers or actuators together and to the gateway. It can serve for the transmission of data, namely control and/or status data and for the transmission of energy for supplying the bus subscribers and optionally further components of the system. The gateway can advantageously be arranged between the open fleldbus and the connecting line and has connecting devices for connection to the fieldbus, for the connection of mains voltage and the connecting line. Numerous functions which are described in greater detail hereinafter can be executed by the gateway.

Particular advantages of the system and method according to an embodiment of the invention are that the control wiring to the industrial switching devices is replaced by a pluggable line connecting system which can be easily fitted. Complicated, expensive and fault-liable installations of the control wiring arrangement can be eliminated and there is a saving in terms of the use of cable ducts which are necessary for laying lines and the fitment of the ducts.

Such wiring arrangements concern the control lines, here for example, for a relay, the line for switching the relay on and off, and the status lines, here for example for inquiring of the switching position of the relay or the status of a motor protection switch (on, tripped).

It will be appreciated that it is possible to connect complex devices which can exchange many items of information and data as the actuators or bus subscribers. Such devices can be for example industrial switching devices such as power switches, electronic motor protection relays or frequency converters.

The system for controlling bus-network devices with a gateway by way of an open fleldbus can have the following features individually or in combination with each other. In particular in this respect there is provided a bus controller for monitoring the gateway. The gateway itself can advantageously have at least one interface in relation to the open fieldbus, at least one interface in relation to an application bus for control and inquiry of at least one actuator or bus subscriber disposed on the application bus, and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus subscriber. It is further found to be advantageous if the gateway has at least one storage device for remanent safeguarding of a bus configuration which can be written in by the bus controller and for safeguarding the existing bus configuration of the or an application bus.

It is further found to be advantageous if the gateway has at least one first feed socket for the supply with primary supply voltage and at least one second feed socket for the supply with an auxiliary voltage which can be or is passed through to the bus subscribers. The gateway can also be connected or connectable to at least one control line for the response of the first bus subscriber.

It is also found to be advantageous if the gateway has at least one status display for displaying the operating states of bus subscribers and the bus communication and/or the at least one bus subscriber has at least one display for displaying its own operating status. That always permits visual checking of proper operation of the system.

Furthermore the gateway can advantageously have at least one actuating element for the start of a bus configuration in respect of the bus subscribers connected by way of the application bus. With that configuration, that is to say in the configuration mode, the gateway checks by way of an application bus to ascertain how many bus subscribers are connected to the application bus, in which case the bus subscribers are advantageously numbered consecutively. In that case each bus subscriber can store its specific identification number and/or the gateway can store the identification numbers, in zero voltage-safe fashion. As a result, after a shut-down situation, after a renewed switch-on situation occurs there is no loss of data so that operation can be continued after switch-on, without involving further measures. Advantageously, after the detection of all bus subscribers, that configuration can be remanently stored as the reference configuration in the gateway or is stored therein and control and/or status data can be exchanged between the gateway and the bus subscribers or are exchanged therebetween.

In regard to the at least one bus subscriber or actuator, it is found to be advantageous if it has at least one control input for the inquiry of a preceding bus subscriber and/or the gateway and a control output for the selection of a subsequent bus subscriber. In addition it can include at least one control and programming unit for implementing the bus communication and the functionality of the actuator application.

The at least one bus subscriber can have a device for conneclion to mains voltage for the power supply or supply with energy. In addition it advantageously has at least one device for looping through the data stream and/or the auxiliary voltage to a subsequent subscriber or actuator and/or for passing the auxiliary voltage to an actuator application.

Advantageously the at least one bus subscriber can have at least one device for effecting actuator actions and/or at least one device for signalling actuator actions and/or actuator positions to the application bus so that communication of the actuator positions and actions is possible by way of the application bus.

The at least one bus subscriber can further advantageously have at least one device for writing in an identification number through the gateway. By way thereof it is possible to check the number connected to the application bus. In that respect the bus subscribers can advantageously be consecutively numbered in sequence. Each individual bus subscriber can store the specific identification number in zero voltage-safe fashion, that is to say when the arrangement is switched on again, after a shut-down, the specific identification number is again available and is not lost by virtue of the arrangement being switched off. Advantageously all identification numbers can also be stored in zero voltage-safe fashion in the gateway.

The application bus can be an UN bus with which the control and/or status data and the development of the configuration of the application bus can be or is implemented by way of a protocol which in particular comprises UN-data frames with data lengths of 1 to 8 bytes. In principle it is also possible to adopt another structure with for example different data lengths.

A possible application bus configuration can be fixedly written in, in the gateway. In addition it is possible for an application bus configuration which has been written in to be overwritable by the bus controller.

In regard to the subscribers or actuators the invention is based on the consideration that at least one actuator can be an electrical switching device. In that respect an actuator can be in particular a motor protection switch-relay combination.

Advantageously, there can also be provided a plug module which on the one hand can have the actuator properties and which on the other hand has at least one mechanical display for representing actuator positions and/or at least one display for its own operating status. By virtue thereof, the actuator positions can be displayed by the plug module which can be attached to the actuators, that is to say in particular switching devices.

Instead of converting the switching devices, it is sufficient for a plug module to be fitted thereonto, which can also have suitable plug connections for the connection of the connecting line.

Furthermore the plug module can have at least one digital input for the connection of a potential-free switching contact. That is suitable for example for an auxiliary switch for inquiry in respect of the motor protection switch position in relation to a motor protection switch-relay combination.

The plug module can advantageously have at least one circuit interruption means for the actuator. Such a circuit interruption means can be used for example for electrically locking a commutation starter.

When a plug module is arranged on a motor protection switch-relay combination it can advantageously switch the auxiliary voltage to the relay coil. The above-mentioned further features of such a plug module can also advantageously be provided precisely in relation to such a motor protection switch-relay combination.

The system can further be so designed that a power module is interposed into the series of or between the bus subscribers, the power module looping through the data stream to the next bus subscriber and/or not looping through the auxiliary voltage. The linear' energy supply from bus subscriber to bus subscriber is interrupted with the interposition of a power module. The data connection and the primary voltage between the bus subscriber upstream of the power module and the bus subscriber downstream of the power module is however looped through. A fresh feed for the subsequent bus subscriber is implemented with the interposed power module. Therefore there can advantageously be provided an external voltage source which feeds the power module with an auxiliary voltage which is communicated to the next following bus subscriber. In addition the power module advantageously has at least one display for displaying the presence of the external auxiliary voltage. That permits a check on the application of the auxiliary voltage to the power module and thereby also the at least one subsequent bus subscriber.

Advantageously at least one bus subscriber or actuator can have a mechanical display for the representation of actuator positions so that they can also be read off even in a current-less situation without any problem.

At least one sensor can be arranged for the detection of physical parameters in the series of the bus subscribers.

In the case of the method of controlling bus-network devices in in particular industrial circuits with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus according to the invention a configuration mode can advantageously be caused to run after the actuation of the actuating element.

Brief DescriDtion of the Drawings In order to explain the invention in greater detail embodiments by way of example thereof are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows three typical hardware components of a system by

way of example,

Figure 2 shows a flow chart illustrating the system test and the implementation of a fresh reference configuration of the connected devices on the application bus, Figures 3A and 3B show block circuit diagrams of the application bus system, Figures 4A to 4C show three configurations of bus subscribers, Figure 4D shows the connection of a further bus subscriber, and Figure 5 shows a system comprising a gateway, bus subscribers and a power module.

Description

The Figures show the system presented and the associated method of data networking using the example of motor protection switch-relay combinations. The subject-matter of the invention however is not intended to be restricted to motor protection switch-relay combinations which are also referred to as motor starters, by the illustration given by way of

example herein.

Figure 1A shows a gateway 20, Figure 1C shows a bus subscriber in the form of a plug module 40 on a motor protection switch-relay combination and Figure lB shows a power module 50, also referred to as the PM, as typical hardware components of a system by way of example.

The gateway 20 has an interface to a higher-order control system, for example an open fleldbus 2 (see Figure 3A) such as a profibus DP, device net or CANopen or another, whereby it is connected in terms of data transfer to the higher-order fleldbus system. By way of a flat ribbon line 8 which is also shown in Figure 3A the gateway 20 controls the bus subscribers Ni to Nfl which are networked on an application bus 10 and which are used as industrial switching devices. The gateway 20 has a first feed device 24 for the connection of a voltage supply 14 for its own electronic system and the electronic system of the bus subscribers and a second feed device 25 for the connection of a voltage supply 16 for the bus subscribers. The latter is auxiliary voltage for the actuator actions of the bus subscribers, in which respect here for example there is provided the voltage or current supply for motor protection switch-relay combinations.

The gateway 20 has at least one light emitting diode 28 which serves for the status display of operating states of the gateway and the bus communication. The gateway 20 further has a configuration pushbutton 27 which serves for the start of automatic bus configuration of the bus subscribers; and present in the gateway 20 is at least one memory component which is used for the remanent safeguarding of the bus configuration.

The plug module 40 shown in Figure 1C is used for a motor protection switch-relay combination, the plug module 40 also being referred to as the SM, which becomes or is mechanically and electrically adapted to the relay. The plug module 40 has two pin contacts 49 which serve for electrical connection to a relay coil. That plug module provides for the control wiring. By way thereof the relay coil is electrically actuated and the relay switching position is electrically interrogated. There is also the possibility of interrogating an electrically potential-free contact if and insofar as such is present. Besides the electrical functions, provided on the plug module 40 is a switching position display 46 which displays the switching position mechanically -visibly for the operator -. The plug module 40 further has the following features: -it switches the auxiliary voltage 16 (see Figures 3A and 3B) to the relay 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 potential-free switching contact, and -it has a circuit interruption means 45 for the actuator.

Such a circuit interruption means 45 can be used for example for electrical locking of a commutation starter.

The application bus 10 is operated by way of the multi-wire -here six-wire -flat ribbon line 8 which has already been referred to hereinbefore (see Figures 3A and 3B). The line -beginning from the gateway 20 is plugged or passed from bus subscriber to bus subscriber by way of connecting plugs. At each bus subscriber Nx two plug sockets 41, 42 are provided in the plug module 40 for insertion of the flat ribbon cable 8 on the bus input side and on the bus output side. By virtue of the linear arrangement of the subscribers the last bus subscriber Nfl on the output side does not have a plugged flat ribbon line 8 as a connecting line: the output side thereof (plug socket 42) remains empty'.

Each bus subscriber has a status display 28, 48, 58 in order to display the device status, preferably optically, in the form of an LED. The plug module 40 and the power module 50 of each bus subscriber Nx has a two-pole terminal 44, 45, 54, 55 in order to be able there to connect a potential-free contact, for example for an auxiliary switch for interrogation of the motor protection switch position.

Figure 5 shows further details of the system. Provided at the first bus subscriber Ni which here by way of example is in the form of a motor protection switch-relay combination, three lines Li, L2, L3 of the network connection and the load M are shown. Furthermore, illustrated in the upper half of the bus subscribers identified as Ni, N2, N3 to Nfl is a motor protection switch while illustrated in the lower half is the plug module 40 which is fitted on to a relay, with its plug sockets 41, 42 and the mechanical display 48 for the contact position of the relay. The illustration in Figure 5 can be interpreted as an application bus 10 with n subscribers, into which the power module 50 shown in Figure 5 can be optionally incorporated. A more detailed description relating to the power module 50 is set forth hereinafter.

Figure 2A shows a flow chart for representing a system test and Figure 2B shows a flow chart for the implementation of a fresh reference configuration. The flow charts of the two Figures go into each other.

The first step in Figure 2A requires 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 that question is answered with yes', the next inquiry is whether the subscriber is expected at the gateway.

If that question can also be answered with yes', the subscriber is configured in a further step by the gateway. Thereafter the gateway selects the next subscriber, by way of the configured subscriber. Then the gateway again checks whether a subscriber can be reached on the bus and the interrogation loop is thus closed. If that question is already answered with no' at the beginning or at that location, the further question is asked, as to whether a subscriber is expected by the gateway. If that question is also answered with no', the situation which applies is that there is no bus subscriber which is predetermined as the reference configuration. It is therefore established that the configuration of the gateway bus is correct and the system is ready for operation as the reference configuration is identical to the actual configuration. Therefore that state is displayed by an LED (LED status on').

If the question whether a subscnber is expected by the gateway when no subscriber can be reached on the bus is answered with yes' or if the question whether the subscriber is expected by the gateway when that has been established as being attainable on the bus is answered with no', the situation involves a configuration error, that is to say the gateway and the bus are not ready for operation as the reference configuration is not identical to the actual configuration. Therefore that state is also displayed by a display LED (LED status on'). The query as to whether a subscriber can be reached on the bus and whether that is expected by the gateway is continued as a loop until all bus subscribers expected by the gateway and written in the configuration are detected.

As a result therefore there are the two possible options: actual configuration identical to reference configuration and actual configuration not identical to reference configuration. In the former case the system is ready for operation and the status is displayed with the status LED 28" which is steadily lit. In the non-identical situation the status LED 28' flashes whereby the operator is induced to actuate the configuration button 27.

With actuation of the configuration button 27 the existing configuration is adopted as the reference configuration and the system makes the transition into definitive checking (Figure 2B). In that case each individual subscriber is interrogated by the gateway

and the parameters which are possibly present are safeguarded in the gateway. A check is further made to ascertain whether the maximum permissible number of subscribers on the application bus has not been exceeded. If that is the case the gateway goes into the error status again as the reference configuration is not identical to the actual configuration. If that is not the case the subscriber data are read out and safeguarded in the gateway. The gateway, by way of the subscribers which have been reached, selects the next subscriber and also checks for same whether a situation of attainability applies. If all subscribers are detected the gateway and the subscribers go into the normal operating state in which the control data or status data are exchanged between the gateway and the subscribers. That configuration is remanently stored in the gateway as the new reference configuration.

Figures 3A and 3B show block circuit diagrams of the bus control.

Figure 3A shows the gateway and a first bus subscriber Ni and Figure 3B shows a power module 50 inserted between a second and a third bus subscriber N2, N3 and the second bus subscriber N2. Shown on the feed side are the inputs for the open fieldbus 2 (plug connection or plug socket 23) and the voltage supply (primary voltage 14 or Ui, GND, auxiliary voltage 16 or U2). Reference Ui denotes the voltage supply for the electronic system in the gateway and the subscribers and reference U2 denotes the auxiliary voltage 16 for the subscriber application. The output (plug socket 22) of the gateway leads to the 6-wire flat ribbon line 8.

The power module (PM) 50 can be optionally interposed at any location in the linear series of bus subscribers (Figure 3B). That is also diagrammaticaUy indicated once again in Figure 5. The linear' energy supply from bus subscriber to bus subscriber is interrupted with the interposition of a power module. The data connection and the primary voltage 14 between the bus subscribers Ni, N2 and N3 which are upstream of the power module and the bus subscriber Nfl downstream of the power module are looped through.

Thus, the power module PM, 50 which is connected into the bus line assembly implements a fresh feed for the bus subscribers which follow in the bus series (group G), for which purpose the power module is connected to a voltage supply 16', for example 24 volts DC. Figure 3B shows the voltage supply 16' coming from below (with respect to the page of the drawing) while Figure 5 shows it coming from above (with respect to the page of the drawing). That voltage supply can be for example a relay supply for a group of bus subscribers which are to function as their own emergency off group. That power module has screw terminals or plug sockets 54, 55 for the energy feed 16'. Otherwise the power module -like the other bus subscribers -has two plug sockets 51, 52, one being the input for the connecting plug system and the other being the output for that system. Also provided on the power module is a status display 58, in particular for optical display by way of an LED, which shows whether the feed voltage 16' is applied for the group G of the subscribers following the power module.

It is no longer necessary, with the system presented, to implement conventional control wiring for networked industrial switching devices. The networking is implemented with a single pluggable connecting line, in particular for motor protection switch-relay combinations. 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. Furthermore, by virtue of the use of the above-mentioned power module, it is possible to form groups of bus subscribers, whereby a separate energy supply and energy monitoring of such a group is possible. The group formation can be used for example to construct a given segment or a given circuit in which the switching devices form a separate emergency-off group in which they can be monitored and switched on or off. As already mentioned the power modules can be optionally used.

The function and the mode of operation of the system will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 4C. In the drawing a light circle identified by references 28" and 48" represents a lit LED, a black circle without a further identification denotes a non-lit LED 28, 48 and a circle surrounded by a ring of radial lines bearing the references 28' and 48' denotes a flashing LED.

The gateway 20 is the central element for connecting the system of the open fieldbus 2. From the gateway the bus subscribers Ni to Nx are supplied with energy, controlled and monitored and control and status data of all connected bus subscribers are transmitted to the higher-level fieldbus 2. It is connected firstly to the supply voltage 14 for its own electronic system and secondly to the voltage supply 16 which supplies the bus subscribers. With that voltage supply configuration the auxiliary voltage 16 for bus subscribers (for example voltage to the relay coils) can be switched off independently of the bus functionality (for example emergency off system).

The subscribers such as for example motor protection switch-relay combinations can be connected in series with plug modules by way of the plug connector system of the 6-wire flat ribbon line 8 which is provided here. When the primary voltage 14 at the constructed system is switched on for the first time the gateway 20 tests the connected bus subscribers Ni to Nx on the application bus system, as already described hereinbefore with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. In the initial situation an arrangement without bus subscriber is provided as the reference configuration. That is then updated after the incorporation of the individual bus subscribers, as already described hereinbefore.

In Figure 4A n bus subscribers are wired with an initial reference configuration, that is to say without bus subscriber. In that situation the gateway 20 firstly does not expect any subscriber, by virtue of the reference configuration. Therefore the gateway goes into the error status because of the configuration error and that is displayed optically at the gateway 20 by a flashing LED 28' (top right in the corner of the gateway 20 shown in Figure 4A). The checking LED on the first bus subscriber Ni which is connected directly to the gateway by way of the connecting line 8 also flashes (LED 48') as that was not expected by the gateway. All further status or checking LEDs 48 of the other bus subscribers N2 to Nx do not light up and are therefore switched off.

Referring to Figure 4B, the configuration button 27 is pressed to adopt the connected bus subscribers as the reference configuration, on the gateway 20. Now a check is run by way of the application bus 10 by the gateway in succession to ascertain how many bus subscribers (Ni to Nx) are connected on the application bus 10. In that situation the bus subscribers are consecutively numbered in sequence. Each individual bus subscriber stores the specific identification number in zero voltage-safe fashion, that is to say the specific identification number is available again when the system is switched on again after a shut-down and is not lost by virtue of the shut-down. All identification numbers are also stored in the gateway in zero voltage-safe fashion. In accordance with that procedure all connected bus subscribers are configured. The LED 28" on the gateway and the LEDs 48" on the bus subscribers are all steadily switched on and lit.

Figure 4B also corresponds to the situation in which the system is electrically switched off with respect to the primary voltage 14 upstream of the gateway and then switched on again. After the system is switched on the gateway checks in series all connected bus subscribers and compares them step by step to the internally stored reference configuration. In the described situation the reference configuration is identical to the connected subscriber configuration (actual configuration) -because it is unchanged.

Therefore the system remains ready for operation.

The individual bus subscribers can now be actuated by way of the bus controller of the higher-level open fieldbus 2 and monitored. If the structure of the connected devices changes, for example by expanding or removing devices, that is recognised by the gateway on the basis of the differing reference-actual configuration and is displayed by the status LED 28.

Figure 4C shows an example with an existing configuration of a gateway 20 and n bus subscribers Ni to Nfl, which is ready for operation after the configuration procedure. If that structure is supplemented by one or more bus subscribers (Nm), that affords the following picture after the system is switched on. The gateway status LED 28' flashes because the previous reference configuration (n bus subscribers) differs from the actual configuration (n+bus subscribers). In addition also flashing is the LED 48' of the first added bus subscriber Nm (also in the case of a plurality of added bus subscribers), because it or they was or were not expected by the gateway. The user can thus very easily see by reference to the flashing LEDs where there is a difference in respect of the actual configuration. The fresh configuration is automatically adopted by the gateway by virtue of the configuration button 27 being simply pressed. After implementation of the automatic bus configuration procedure the same situation would now be afforded for n + x bus subscribers, as is shown for n bus subscribers in Figure 4B.

Figure 5 shows the use of at least one power module 50 for forming a group G of bus subscribers. By virtue of the power module, the bus subscribers which are downstream of the power module, here a p'ug module on the motor protection switch-relay combination, are cut off from the auxiliary voltage supply 16 for the subscriber application and a fresh feed of auxiliary voltage 16' is effected for the latter. The application bus 10 is looped through in respect of data and in relation to the primary voltage supply 14 for the electronic system of the bus subscribers 1:1 in the power module. Upon shut-down of the auxiliary voltage 16' which is fed into the power module the bus subscribers, for example relays, downstream of the power module, are voltage-free. The electronic system of the bus subscribers however still remains supplied and can thus also still transmit the currently prevailing actuator status, for example the contact status of the motor starter, to the gateway.

The use of the power modules has an advantageous effect insofar as independent groups of motor protection switch-relay combinations can be formed, for example an emergency off circuit which can be switched off separately. The use of power modules can be effected at any location in the connecting plug system. It is also possible for a plurality of power modules to be built into the plug connecting system so that a plurality of independent groups of bus subscribers are formed.

The aforementioned features of the system and the components thereof can be provided individually or in combination with each other.

Besides the described variants numerous further configurations are also possible, in which a single connecting line is provided within the system for connecting bus subscribers and gateway and for the transmission of control and/or status data and energy.

List of references

2 open fieldbus

8 connecting line (for example 6-wire flat ribbon line) application bus (LIN-BUS) Ni to Nn-x bus subscriber (actuator, motor starter, power switch) 14, 14' primary voltage (24 V DC) 16, 16' auxiliary voltage (24 V DC) gateway 22 plug socket of the gateway

23 plug sockets for open fieldbus

24 feed primary voltage (screw terminals) feed auxiliary voltage (screw terminals) 27 configuration button 28 status LED SM plug module 41, 42 plug sockets for connecting plugs on flat ribbon cable 44, 45 plug sockets for voltage supply 46 mechanical display 48 checking LED 49 plug pins for the arrangement on a relay in the case of a motor starter PM power module 51, 52 plug sockets for connecting plugs on flat ribbon cable 54, 55 plug sockets for voltage supply 58 checking LED Li, L2, L3 mains connection for bus subscribers (actuators) M load (motor) on mains voltage

Claims

1. A system for controlling bus-networked devices as bus subscribers with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus, comprising a single pluggable connecting line within the system for connecting bus subscribers and the gateway and for the transfer of control and/or status data and energy.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the gateway is arranged between the open fieldbus and the connecting line and has connecting devices for connection to the fieldbus, for the connection of mains voltage and the connecting line.

3. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the gateway has at least one interface for the open fleldbus, at least one interface for an application bus for control and interrogation of at least one actuator or bus subscriber on the application bus and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus subscriber.

4. A system for controlling bus-networked devices as bus subscribers with a gateway by way of an open fieldbus, wherein the gateway has at least one interface for the open fieldbus, at least one interface for an application bus for control and interrogation of at least one actuator or bus subscriber on the application bus and at least one data output for communication with at least one bus subscriber.

5. A system according to any preceding claim comprising a bus controller for monitoring of the gateway.

6. A system according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the gateway has at least one storage means for remanent safeguarding of a bus configuration which can be written in by the bus controller and for safeguarding the present bus configuration of the or an application bus.

7. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the gateway has at least one first feed socket for the supply with primary supply voltage and at least one second feed socket for the supply with an auxiliary voltage which is or can be passed through to the bus subscribers.

8. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the gateway is or can be connected to at least one control line (control) for the response of the first bus subscriber.

9. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the gateway has at least one status display for displaying operating states of bus subscribers and the bus communication and/or that the at least one bus subscriber has at least one display for displaying its own operating status.

10. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the gateway has at least one actuating element for the start of a bus configuration in respect of the bus subscribers connected by way of the application bus.

11. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one bus subscriber as an actuator has at least one control input for the interrogation of a preceding bus subscriber and/or the gateway and a control output for the selection of a subsequent bus subscriber.

12. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least on bus subscriber includes at least one control and programming unit for implementing the bus communication and the functionality of the actuator application.

13. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one bus subscriber has a device for connection to mains voltage.

14. A system according to one of claims 7 to 13 wherein the at least one bus subscriber has at least one device for looping through of the data stream and/or the auxiliary voltage to a subsequent bus subscriber or actuator and/or for passing the auxiliary voltage to an actuator application.

15. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one bus subscriber has at least one device for effecting actuator actions and/or at least one device for signalling actuator actions and/or actuator positions on to the application bus.

16. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one bus subscriber has at least one device for writing in of an identification number by the gateway.

17. A system according to one of claims 3 to 16 wherein the application bus is a UN bus with which the control and/or status data and the development of the configuration of the application bus is or can be developed by way of a protocol which in particular comprises UN data frames with data lengths of 1 to 8 bytes.

18. A system according to one of claims 3 to 17 wherein an application bus configuration is fixedly written in the gateway.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein a written-in application bus configuration is overwritable by the bus controller.

20. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one bus subscriber or actuator is an electrical switching device.

21. A system according to one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the at least one bus subscriber or actuator is a motor protection switch-relay combination.

22. A system according to one of the preceding claims comprising a plug module which has at least one mechanical display for the representation of actuator positions and/or at least one display for its own operating status.

23. A system according to one of the preceding claims comprising a plug module which has at least one digital input for the connection of a potential-free switching contact.

24. A system according to one of the preceding claims comprising a plug module which has at least one current circuit interruption means for the actuator.

25. A system according to one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the plug module is arranged on a motor protection switch-relay combination.

26. A system according to claim 25 wherein the plug module switches the auxiliary voltage to the relay coil.

27. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein interposed between the bus subscribers there is a power module which loops through the data stream to the next bus subscriber and/or does not loop through the auxiliary voltage.

28. A system according to claim 27 comprising an external voltage source which feeds to the power module an auxiliary voltage which is passed to the next following bus subscriber.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the power module has at least one display for displaying the presence of the external auxiliary voltage.

30. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein at least one bus subscriber or actuator includes a mechanical display for the representation of actuator positions.

31. A system according to one of the preceding claims wherein at least one sensor for detecting physical parameters is arranged in the series of the bus subscribers.

32. A method of controlling bus-networked devices in circuits with a gateway by way of an open fleldbus with a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the gateway in an initial reference configuration does not expect any bus subscriber and a configuration mode is started in the gateway for adopting at least one bus subscriber and producing a fresh reference configuration with the at least one bus subscriber.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein a check is made in the configuration mode by way of an application bus by the gateway as to how many bus subscribers are connected to the application bus, the bus subscribers being numbered consecutively.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein each bus subscriber stores its specific identification number and/or the gateway stores the identification numbers in zero voltage-safe fashion.

35. A method according to one of claims 32 to 34 wherein after the detection of all bus subscribers said configuration can be or is remanently stored as a reference configuration in the gateway and control and/or status data can be or are exchanged between the gateway and the bus subscribers.

36. A switching device actuable by a system according to one of claims 1 to 31, wherein: the switching device has at least one control input for the inquiry of a preceding switching device as a bus subscriber and/or a gateway and a control output for the selection of a subsequent switching device as a further bus subscriber.

37. A switching device according to claim 36 wherein the switching device includes at least one control and programming unit for implementation of the bus communication and the functionality of the switching device application.

38. A switching device according to claim 36 or c'aim 37 wherein the switching device has at least one device for writing in of an identification number by the gateway.

39. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. A switching device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.