WO2009118032A1 - Modular-type electric installation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular-type electric installation system comprising a control unit (10) for an electric modular arrangement (12). Said control unit (10) and the modular arrangement (12) form a modular unit. A separate communication module (15) is provided for communicating with an external control unit, said communication module being connected or can be connected to the control unit (10) by means of at least one uniform, standardised communication interface (23, 25).

Description

 s March 26, 2008

FESTO AG & Co, 73734 Esslingen

Modular electrical installation system

The invention relates to a modular electrical installation system with a drive unit for an electrical module arrangement, wherein the drive unit and the module arrangement form a structural unit, and with means for communication with an external control unit.

In such a system, for example known from EP 1445493 B1, an electronic drive unit controls a module arrangement comprising a plurality of modules arranged next to one another. A fieldbus unit is integrated in the drive unit for communication with an external control unit. In such a system, there is a high degree of diversification and thus a large number of parts splitting by the respective respective requirements of individual combinations of fieldbus station and drive unit, which i5 must be adapted in each case to the type and design of the connected module arrangement. A cost-effective and variable installation system is not possible by this individual expression.

An object of the invention is to provide a more variable modular electrical installation system in which diversification can be reduced despite variable individual combinations.

P 26486 / PCT This object is achieved by an installation system with the features of claim 1.

The separate communication module can be combined as a result of the uniformly standardized communication interface with various control units, for example, only one type of communication module must be provided for each type of bus. Therefore, only the drive unit has to be adapted to the module unit and can then be provided or connected with a uniform or virtually uniform communication module in order to be able to communicate with an external control unit.

The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the claim 1 installation system are possible.

The communication interface is an IO-Link

Interface proved to be particularly advantageous. In this case, a proprietary IO-Link master is preferably designed in the communication module for data communication with a compatible IO-Link slave in the control unit. Such a serial point-to-point bus system allows a particularly simple and fast data connection, in particular a plug-and-work algorithm for internal use as a closed system.

The communication module is preferably designed as a radio module or as a fieldbus station, wherein in the second case at least one fieldbus interface is provided for external communication.

An advantageous normalization or standardization can be achieved in that the interface

P 26486 / PCT between the communication module and the drive unit is designed as an M12 interface having serial connections and power supply connections.

In a first embodiment, the communication module can be connected directly to the drive unit via its communication interface designed as a plug connection. In this case, the communication module and / or the control unit for mechanical fixation and positioning on the mutual contact surfaces has mechanical, together zusoramen- acting positioning.

In a second embodiment, one or more communication interfaces of the communication module in the form of plug connections for connection via cables with plug-in connections separately arranged control units are formed. It can be provided with KabelSteckern adapter for the plug connections for sealing connection, in particular screw.

The electrical modules of the module arrangement are preferably strung together and designed as actuators and / or I / O modules. In this case, in particular a plurality of modules of the module arrangement form a valve battery.

In an expedient structural embodiment, the drive unit is plate-like and carries the module assembly. In this case, the drive unit in particular has a slot provided with the communication interface for the drive unit. The plug-in connection at this slot can also be connected via cable to a remote control unit.

P 26486 / PCT Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an electrical installation system with a communication module which can be plugged into a drive unit as the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows the same arrangement in which the communication module can be connected to the drive unit via a cable,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an electrical installation system in which a communication module is connected via cables to a plurality of drive units, as a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a structural design of the installation system shown schematically in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows the communication module used in the installation system according to FIG. 4 in a separate representation;

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 with the communication module removed, with a cable that can be plugged into the communication interface and

FIG. 7 shows the removed communication module in a perspective view from below, wherein the communication interface can be connected to a cable.

P 26486 / PCT In the first exemplary embodiment described in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 7, a drive unit 10 together with a module arrangement 12 consisting of a plurality of electrical modules 11 forms a modular electrical installation system 13. The modules 11 of the module arrangement 12 are arranged in a row arrangement and attached according to Figures 4 and 6 on the plate-like drive unit 10. However, the drive unit 10 may also be formed as a module of the series arrangement, as shown for example schematically in Figures 1 and 2. The electrical modules 11 may be actuators and / or I / O modules, which can be connected in a manner not shown with external actuators, sensors or other components via cable. In the case of actuators may be valves, which form a valve arrangement with several juxtaposed valves, especially in a design of the valves as plate valves. The modules 11 may also be only actuators or only I / O modules.

The drive unit 10 has a slot 14 for attaching a communication module 15, which is formed in the embodiment as a field bus station. For this purpose, the communication module 15 has two field bus interfaces 16, 17 for the connection of incoming and leading bus lines or bus cables. Furthermore, a voltage supply connection 18 is arranged next to the fieldbus interfaces 16, 17. Under a cover 19, for example, adjustment elements, such as dip switches, and / or other interfaces may be provided.

For correct positioning and fixing of the communication module 15 on the drive unit 10, the communication module 15 has on its underside dowel pins 20 which are suitable for insertion into corresponding dowel holes 21 at the slot 14

P 26486 / PCT. , are formed. The communication module 15 can be fixed at this slot 14 by means of four retaining screws 22, which can engage in corresponding threaded holes 23 of the slot 14.

At the bottom of the communication module 15, a communication interface 23 in the form of an M12 connector 24 is arranged, which comes when plugging the communication module 15 to the drive unit 10 with a corresponding communication interface 25, also in the form of an M12 connector element 26 in electrical contact. A ring seal 27 around the M12 connector element 24 around serves to seal the M12 plug connection against external influences.

The communication interface 23 is designed as an IO-Link interface and, in conjunction with a proprietary IO-Link master in the communication module 15 and a compatible IO-Link slave in the drive unit 10, enables a plug-and-work algorithm for internal purposes Use as a closed system. Through this point-to-point connection, a simple and easily adjustable communication between the communication module 15 and the drive unit 10 is possible.

Of course, in principle, other known communication interfaces for communication between the communication module 15 and the drive unit 10 can be used.

The communication module 15 communicates via one or both fieldbus interfaces 16, 17 with an external control unit or control unit, not shown. From there you can

P 26486 / PCT Control commands are received and feedback, such as sensor signals or diagnostic signals, are reported back.

In the communication module 15 embodied as a fieldbus station, signals are supplied via the communication interface 23 or 25 in the form of IO-link signals to the drive unit 10 or are received by the latter. The drive unit 10 itself is individually adapted for control and / or data communication with the modules 11 of the module arrangement 12. In the case of actuators, these are controlled by a control device designed, for example, as a microcontroller in the drive unit 10, and / or external control signals are processed or forwarded by the communication module 15. The control functions can be arranged distributed. Corresponding remittances, for example sensor feedback or diagnostic feedback, can be processed in the control unit 10 and forwarded to the communication module 15 in processed or untreated form.

It is essential for the invention that the communication module 15 is a uniform, versatile module that can be used in the same configuration for different drive units 10, which must be individually adapted to their periphery, ie module arrangement 12. The connection takes place in each case via the uniform communication interface 23 or 25. In the case of the communication module 15, at most the type of external bus connection can vary, since different configurations for different bus systems are conceivable.

Instead of directly plugging the communication module 15 onto the drive unit 10, according to FIGS. 2, 6 and

P 26486 / PCT. . 7, the communication module 15 may also be arranged spatially remote from the drive unit 10, wherein a connection cable 28 establishes the connection between the communication interfaces 23, 25. For this purpose, the connection cable 28

5 at its two ends with M12 plugs 29, 30, which are designed to be plugged onto the M12 connector elements 24, 26. About the connection cable 28 or direct connection between the M12 connector elements 24, 26 via this data connections and lo voltage supply connections.

So that the M12 plug 29 can be sealingly connected to the M12 connector 24 on the communication module 15, an adapter ring 31 is used, which is adapted on the one hand to the geometry of a housing opening for the M12- i5 connector 24 and on the other hand to the M12 connector 29 , A corresponding sealing ring on the plug 29 and / or on the adapter ring 31 is not shown for simplicity.

Also, the communication interface 25 could be provided in a manner not shown with a corresponding adapter ring 31, which is adapted to the M12 plug 30 accordingly. On the other hand, the plug 30 itself may be provided with corresponding fixing and sealing elements. The adapter ring 31 can be designed as a screw ring or a plug-in ring.

In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which is shown only schematically, a modified communication module 32 has four communication interfaces 33-36 for connection to a plurality of drive units, o in the exemplary embodiment with two drive units 37, 38 which are each connected to module arrangements 39, 40 , These

P 26486 / PCT. . Connection can in turn be configured in the manner of a series arrangement or according to FIGS. 4 to 7. Via two connection cables 41, 42, two of the communication interfaces 33, 34 are connected to corresponding communication interfaces 43, 44 of the activation units 37, 38 for data communication. The number of communication interfaces 33-36 on the communication module 32 is of course variable, as well as the number of connectable drive units 37, 38th

In a departure from the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the communication module 32 according to FIG. 4 can also be connected to a drive unit, for example the drive unit 37, while the connection to the other drive unit 38 is made via the connection cable 42. For this case, the communication interfaces 33-36 must be arranged on different sides of the communication module 32, for example one at the bottom and the others at a side wall.

P 26486 / PCT

Claims

claims A modular electrical installation system comprising a drive unit (10, 37, 38) for an electrical module arrangement (12, 39, 40), wherein the drive unit (10, 37, 38) and the module arrangement (12, 39, 40) form a unit 5, and means for communicating with an external control unit, characterized in that the means for communication are formed as a separate communication module (15; 32) which is connected via at least one standard standardized communication interface (23, 25; 33-36, 43, 44) lo with the drive unit (10, 37, 38) is connected or connectable. 2. Installation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface (23, 25, 33-36, 43, 44) is designed as an IO-Link interface. 3. Installation system according to claim 2, characterized in that a proprietary IO-Link master in the communication module (15; 32) for data communication with a compatible IO-Link slave in the drive unit (10; 37, 38) is formed , 20 4. Installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication module is designed as a radio module. P 26486 / PCT 5. Installation system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the communication module (15; 32) is designed as a field bus station and at least one field bus interface (16, 17) for external communication on 5 points. 6. Installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication interface (23, 25, 33-36, 43, 44) between the communication module (15; 32) and the drive unit (10; 37, 38) as M12 - Lo interface is executed, which has serial electrical connections and power supply connections. 7. Installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uniformly formed communication module (15, 32) has a uniformly formed communication interface (23, 25, 33-36, 43, 44) with different types of control units (10, 37 , 38) is connected or connectable, which are each individually adapted to the associated module arrangement (12; 39, 40). 8. Installation system according to one of the preceding Ansprü- 20 che, characterized in that the communication module (15; 32) can be connected directly to the drive unit (10) via its communication interface (23, 25) designed as a plug connection (24, 26). 9. Installation system according to claim 8, characterized gekennzeich- 25 net, that the communication module (15) and / or the drive unit (10) on the mutual contact surfaces mechanical, cooperating positioning means (20, 21, 22) have. P 26486 / PCT 10. Installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more communication interfaces (23; 33-36) of the communication module (15; 32) in the form of plug-in connections (24) for connecting 5 düng via cables (28, 41, 42) with plug connections (26) separately arranged drive units (10, 37, 38) are formed. 11. Installation system according to claim 10, characterized in that adapters (31) for the plug-in connections (24) for lo-sealing connection, in particular screw, with cable connectors (29) are provided. 12. Installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical modules (11) of the module assembly (12; 39, 40)) lined up and i5 are formed as actuators and / or I / O modules. 13. Installation system according to claim 12, characterized in that a plurality of modules (11) of the module arrangement (12, 39, 40) form a valve battery. 14. Installation system according to one of the preceding An 2o claims, characterized in that the drive unit (10) is plate-like or strip-like and carries the module assembly (12). 15. Installation system according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive unit (10) one with the Kommu- 25 nikationsschnittstelle (25) provided slot for the communication module (15). P 26486 / PCT