JPH0128403B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Claim 1: a central processor unit; an input section for receiving input signals from controlled devices to be controlled; converting these input signals into logic signal voltage level signals; A programmable controller for controlling a controlled device, comprising an output section that receives signals at logic signal voltage levels from a processor unit, converts these signals into control signals, and sends them to the controlled device to be controlled. The input section includes a plurality of input modules each having a plurality of connector pins, and a plurality of input sockets for receiving the plurality of connector pins of the input module, each of the input modules having a plurality of input sockets. , receives input signals from controlled devices and converts these input signals to logic signal voltage level signals for delivery to the central processor unit, and the output section includes a plurality of output modules each having a plurality of connector pins. and a plurality of output sockets for receiving the plurality of connector pins of the output module, each of the output modules receiving logic signal voltage level signals from the central processor unit; the programmable controller further comprises at least one input simulator module, the input simulator module configured to convert the signal into a control signal to be sent to a controlled device to be controlled; , comprising a connector pin that can be inserted into an input socket in place of a connector pin of the input module, and wherein the input socket into which the first connector pin of the input simulator module is inserted has a logic signal voltage level. the input simulator module is connected to a high voltage of the input simulator module, the input socket into which the second connector pin is inserted is connected to a low voltage of the logic signal voltage level; a manual switch for selectively connecting a third connector pin of the input simulator module to the first connector pin or the second connector pin, the third connector pin of the input simulator module being inserted; A programmable controller characterized in that an input socket connected to the central processor unit.

2. The input module, the output module, and the input simulator module each include a housing having an opening and a top plate closing the opening of the housing, and each connector pin projects from the top plate. A programmable controller according to claim 1.

3. The input simulator module includes a circuit board mounted to the top plate, and the manual switch is mounted to the circuit board with a portion protruding from the housing. Programmable controller as described in section.

4 a central processor unit; an input section that receives input signals from the controlled device to be controlled, converts these input signals into logic signal voltage levels and sends them to the central processor unit; a programmable controller for controlling a controlled device, comprising: an output section that receives signals at logic signal voltage levels from the input section, converts these signals into control signals and sends them to a controlled device to be controlled; includes a plurality of input modules each having a plurality of connector pins, and a plurality of input sockets for accommodating the plurality of connector pins of the input module, each of the input modules having a plurality of connector pins. receiving input signals from the device and converting these input signals to logic signal voltage level signals for delivery to the central processor unit, the output section having a plurality of output modules each having a plurality of connector pins; a plurality of output sockets for accommodating the plurality of connector pins of an output module, each of the output modules receiving logic signal voltage level signals from the central processor unit and controlling these signals. the programmable controller further comprises at least one input simulator module, the input simulator module converting the input signal into a control signal to be sent to a controlled device to be controlled; The first connector pin of the input simulator module is provided with a connector pin that can be inserted into the input socket in place of the connector pin of the module, and the input socket into which the first connector pin of the input simulator module is inserted has a high voltage of the logic signal voltage level. a third connector pin of the input simulator module, wherein the input socket into which the second connector pin is inserted is connected to a low voltage of the logic signal voltage level; an input socket into which the third connector pin of the input simulator module is inserted; connected to the central processor unit, the programmable controller further comprising at least one output simulator module, the output simulator module having connector pins in place of the output module connector pins. a connector pin insertable into an output socket, the output simulator module having indicator means for visually indicating the status of the logic signal voltage level signal from the central processor unit; A programmable controller characterized by:

5. The indicator means comprises a plurality of light source means, each of the light source means having a first terminal connected to a connector pin inserted into an output socket to which the central processor unit is connected; 5. The programmable controller according to claim 4, further comprising a second terminal connected to a connector pin inserted into an output socket to which the control device is connected.

6. The programmable controller according to claim 5, wherein the light source means comprises a light emitting diode and a resistor connected in series with the light emitting diode.

Description The present invention relates to a programmable controller.

A programmable controller typically has a central processor unit and an input section that receives signals from the controlled devices to be controlled, transforms these signals into appropriate logic signals, and sends these logic signals to the central processor unit. ,
It receives logic signals from the processor unit and transforms these signals into control signals at appropriate voltage levels.
and an output section for sending these control signals to the controlled device.

A simulator facility is
It is provided for training purposes and for checking programs stored in the central processor unit.

Previously, one way to provide a simulator device was to connect a switch directly to every channel of the input section and an indicator light directly to every channel of the output section. This is clearly
Switches and indicators require that the input and output sections be able to operate at the voltages for which they were originally designed. Furthermore, such methods require the removal of the controlled device to be controlled from the input and output sections, resulting in increased downtime of the programmable controller and the controlled device to be controlled.

In other methods proposed so far, a simulator box is provided which includes a switch and an indicator, and which simulator box has a communication interface that allows it to be directly connected to a processor unit. This allows the same switches and indicators to be used in any system, but it adds to the expense of providing a communication interface in each box.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively low cost simulator method for its installation and removal that does not involve unacceptable downtime of the programmable controller and the controlled device to be controlled.

It is an object of the invention to provide an input/output section for a programmable controller suitable for accepting any desired combination of plug-in modules.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an input simulator module for a programmable controller whose input section includes a plug-in input module, the input simulator module having a socket in the input section of the programmable controller. The controller has a plurality of connector pins suitable for engaging the controller, and includes a manual switch connected to the connector pins so that the desired logic signals are sent to the processor unit of the controller.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 of a plug-in module of a programmable controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the module of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the internal circuit board of a simulator input module of a programmable controller made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the module of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a front view of the internal circuit board of the output simulator module.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the module of FIG. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a plug-in input module for a programmable controller.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a plug-in output module of a programmable controller.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the rack assembly.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the bottom plate of the rack assembly.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a plug-in module for a programmable controller comprises a module box 1 having a plurality of connector pins 2 which are received into appropriate sockets in the input or output sections of the programmable controller. Connector pins 2 are fixed to a plastic top cover plate 3. A printed circuit board 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 5), which serves to connect the internal circuitry of the plug-in module and the connector pins 2, is mounted on the cover plate 3 and placed inside the module box 1, as described below. Placed. Module box 1 is a restraining screw 5
, so that the module 1 can be mounted in the rack of FIG.

3 and 4 show the input simulator module, in which the connector pins 2 are interconnected by a pair of toggle stops that partially project from the module box 1. In FIGS. The input pin of connector pin 2 has ground 11 and logic level voltages 12.
and, depending on the position of switch 10, the desired logic output can be provided via line 13 to the output pin of connector pin 2 of the module. This logic output is provided as an input logic signal to the central processor.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first connector pin is connected to a high voltage (eg, +5 volts) at the logic signal voltage level at the bottom right of FIG.
A second connector pin is connected to a low voltage (eg, ±0 volts) at the logic signal voltage level in the upper right corner of FIG. A third connector pin is connected to line 13 at the top left of FIG. 4 and is connected to the central processor unit. The fourth connector pin is connected to line 13 at the bottom left of FIG. 4 and is connected to the central processor unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, between the first and second connector pins and the third connector pin,
A first manual switch 10 is arranged, and a first manual switch 10 is arranged.
Depending on the position of the manual switch 10, the third connector pin is connected to the first connector pin or the second connector pin. Furthermore, a second connector pin is provided between the first and second connector pins and the fourth connector pin.
A manual switch 10 is arranged, and according to the position of the second manual switch 10, the fourth connector pin is connected to the first connector pin or the second connector pin.

5 and 6, the output simulator module includes a pair of light emitting diodes 20 mounted on a circuit board 4 so as to be visible outside the module box 1. Referring to FIGS. The anodes of the light emitting diodes 20 are connected to the logic signal voltage level 22 via the input pins of the connector pins 2, and the cathodes are connected to the output pins of the module connector pins 2 through respective resistors 21. These pins receive output logic signals from the central processor unit, and depending on the logic level received, light emitting diode 20 provides an indication of the state of the output logic signals.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a plug-in input module for a programmable controller. This circuit is formed, for example, on the printed circuit board 4 of the module of FIG. 1 and converts input signals from the controlled device to be controlled into logic signals that can be manipulated by a processor unit. . This circuit also acts to suppress noise from the controlled device.

The circuit includes an odd channel 70 and an even channel 72. Each channel includes input and output circuits interconnected by an optical isolator 74. The input circuit is a rectifier bridge 76,
Includes a protective zener diode 78 and a smoothing capacitor 80 and filter 82. The output circuit includes an output transistor 84. The incoming signal is thus isolated from the outgoing signal. Input filter characteristics and resistance values can be chosen to suppress spurious voltages, while output transistor 84 provides a predetermined signal.

A light emitting diode 86 is provided to provide a visual indication of the logic level.

FIG. 8 shows a circuit of one embodiment of a plug-in output module for a programmable controller. This circuit is also formed on the circuit board 4 and is adapted to receive logic signals from the central processor unit and, upon receipt of such signals, to send high level voltage control signals to the controlled devices.

FIG. 8 illustrates a two channel system with each channel having isolation provided by a transformer TFI. The primary side of the transformer is switched by transistor TR1 in response to input signals and possible signals. The secondary side of the transformer controls a transistor TR2 which triggers a power triac TRC1 connected between the line and the load. Again, light emitting diodes are provided so that the logic level can be visually monitored.

A rack for a programmable controller is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and includes a plastic molding 50 having a plurality of socket stations 51 suitable for receiving the plug-in modules shown in FIG. do. The socket station 51 includes a molded part 50 and a bottom plate 53.
and communicates with the printed circuit board 52 held therein by suitable screws 54 passing through holes in the bottom plate and corresponding openings in the printed circuit board 52.

Terminal strips 56 are provided for connecting the circuit board 52 to the controlled equipment to be controlled. Logic signals from the socket to the processor and from the processor to the socket are routed to connector 57 on circuit board 52.
supplied through.

The printed circuit board includes integrated circuitry (not shown) that forms the interface between the input/output section and the processor unit.