Programmable logic controllers that provide space-efficient input / output interfaces

Abstract

A programmable logic controller (PLC) applicable to one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The programmable logic controller (PLC) applicable to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a main unit and a plurality of interface units interconnected with the main unit through a system bus, the main unit comprises a control unit for controlling input / output and processing instructions and a plurality of first RJ45 terminals for executing data input / output, a maximum of 8 signals are configured through each pin of each first RJ45 terminal, the interface unit comprises a second RJ45 terminal for connecting a signal line from the first RJ45 terminal and an interconnection component for establishing a signal connection with an external device, and the number of the interface units can be expanded to the number of the first RJ45 terminals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a programmable logic controller (PLC), and in particular to a programmable logic controller (PLC) providing a high space efficiency input / output interface. Background Art

[0002] A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a control device used in automatic control and monitoring of industrial plants, etc. It receives signals from external devices and processes them in sequence according to the input programming logic, and controls external devices based on its output.

[0003] In the automatic control system, the central processing unit (CPU) module and the input / output module play the core role of the programmable logic controller (PLC) control panel, but the power supply and terminal block occupy the most space. Usually, the traditional programmable logic controller (PLC) uses a wiring board or a plug socket as a terminal, but due to the space limitation caused by the size of the terminal or the complexity of the wiring, it is difficult to expand its input / output, difficult to maintain, and difficult to respond in time when there is a problem with the equipment. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned existing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a programmable logic controller (PLC) having simple wiring and a space-efficient input / output interface.

[0005] In order to solve the existing problems as described above, another object of the present invention is to provide a main unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) having simple wiring and a high space efficiency input / output interface.

[0006] In order to solve the existing problems as described above, another object of the present invention is to provide an interface unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a simple wiring and a high space efficiency input / output interface.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a programmable logic controller (PLC), which is a programmable logic controller (PLC) including a main unit and multiple interface units interconnected with the main unit through a system bus, the main unit including a control unit for controlling input / output and processing instructions and multiple first RJ45 terminals for executing data input / output, and a maximum of 8 signals are configured through each pin of each first RJ45 terminal, the interface unit includes a second RJ45 terminal for connecting a signal line from the first RJ45 terminal and an interconnection component for establishing a signal connection with an external device, and the number of the interface units can be expanded to the number of the first RJ45 terminals.

[0008] In order to achieve another purpose as stated above, the present invention provides a main unit, as a main unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) interconnected with at least one interface unit through a system bus, the main unit comprising: a control unit, for controlling input / output and processing instructions; and, at least one first RJ45 terminal, for executing data input / output; a maximum of 8 signals are configured through each pin of each first RJ45 terminal, and the connection of the signal line is achieved by interconnecting the first RJ45 terminal with a second RJ45 terminal included in the interface unit, and the number of connections of the interface unit is equal to the number of the first RJ45 terminals.

[0009] In order to achieve another purpose as described above, the present invention provides an interface unit, as an interface unit for interconnecting with a main unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) described in claim 7 through a system bus, comprising a second RJ45 terminal for connecting a signal line from a first RJ45 terminal of the main unit and an interconnection component for establishing a signal connection with an external device, wherein the interface unit is equipped with a separate component object model (COM) terminal according to the configuration of the main unit, and a common signal line is connected by utilizing the component object model (COM) terminal and the component object model (COM) terminal of the main unit to form a maximum of 8 input / output channels through the second RJ45 terminal, or a common signal line is connected by utilizing a specific pin of the first RJ45 terminal and a specific pin of the second RJ45 terminal to form a maximum of 7 input / output channels through the second RJ45 terminal.

[0010] The programmable logic controller (PLC) of the present invention can unify the bus size and simplify the wiring by using RJ45, thereby improving the space efficiency and providing a flexible input / output expansion system. In addition, the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the present invention can variably specify the signal line by classifying the status display light emitting diode (LED) into a light emitting diode (LED) group for specifying the RJ45 terminal and a light emitting diode (LED) group for specifying the pin number of the terminal, thereby flexibly coping with the expansion of the input / output interface and improving the space efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of common signal line connection of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating another example of common signal line connection of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a status display light emitting diode (LED) of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention can be modified in various ways and has a variety of embodiments. Specific embodiments will be illustrated and described in detail in the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and even substitutes included in the concept and technical scope of the present invention. In the process of describing each of the drawings, similar reference numbers are used for the same components.

[0016] In the process of describing different components, terms such as first, second, A and B may be used, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention, the first component may also be named as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named as the third component. The term and / or a combination of multiple related recorded items or one of multiple related recorded items.

[0017] When it is recorded that a certain component is “connected” or “interconnected” with other components, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or interconnected with other components, or other components can exist in between. On the contrary, when it is recorded that a certain component is “directly connected” or “directly interconnected” with other components, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0018] The terms used in this application are only used to illustrate specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular statements also include plural meanings. In this application, terms such as "including" or "having" are only used to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof recorded in the specification, and should not be understood as excluding in advance the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, constituent elements, parts or combinations thereof exist or are added.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood by persons having general knowledge of the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The meaning of commonly used terms defined in dictionaries should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted as an overly idealized or exaggerated form of meaning unless otherwise clearly defined in this specification.

[0020] Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] As exemplified below, a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which the present invention is applicable may refer to a common programmable logic controller (PLC) used in the industrial field, which is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that plays the role of a human brain by being centered on a microprocessor and a memory, an input / output unit for establishing a signal connection with an external device, a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit, and a peripheral device for recording a program in a memory in the programmable logic controller (PLC). In addition, the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the present invention may be a general term for a central processing unit (CPU) module, an input / output module (digital input (DI) module, digital output (DO) module, analog input (AI) module, analog output (AO) module, and a hybrid module, etc.), and a special function module, etc.

[0022] Therefore, the main unit of the programmable logic controller (PLC) applicable to the present invention described in the following content may refer to a unit equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor unit (MPU) developed specifically for a programmable logic controller (PC), and equipped with a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM) recording a system program, so as to process instructions and control input / output by parsing the program stored in the memory. In addition, the interface unit of the programmable logic controller (PLC) applicable to the present invention may be a unit that is physically separated from the main unit and connected via RJ45, including an interconnection component for receiving / sending signals with an external device (for example, a terminal portion such as a wiring board for connecting input / output signal lines from the outside). The user can apply the interface unit to various input / outputs such as digital input (DI), digital output (DO), analog input (AI) and analog output (AO) as needed.

[0023] In addition, the RJ45 terminal mentioned in the following content may refer to a socket that can be interconnected with an RJ45 connector equipped with 8 slots and 8 contacts. An RJ45 cable (or Ethernet cable) may refer to a cable equipped with RJ45 connectors at both ends and 8 signal lines inside. The connection between the main unit and the interface unit of the present invention through the RJ45 terminal may refer to direct interconnection between the connector of the RJ45 cable and the terminals on both sides.

[0024] Furthermore, in the following embodiments of the present invention, general descriptions related to known structures of a programmable logic controller (PLC) may be omitted, but the known structures will be described in detail for necessary parts that can help understand the structures of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0026] See also Figure 1, a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied may include a main unit 100 and a plurality of interface units 200 interconnected with the main unit 100 via a system bus. The system bus may refer to a channel through which various hardware devices or components can communicate with each other. The main unit 100 may include a control unit 120 for controlling input / output and processing instructions and a plurality of first RJ45 terminals 110 for executing input / output of data. At this time, the control unit 120 may be a constituent element that performs functions including a central processing unit (CPU) (or a microprocessor unit (MPU)).

[0027] In addition, each interface unit 200 may include a second RJ45 terminal 210 for connecting a signal line from the first RJ45 terminal 110 of the main unit 100. In addition, the interface unit 200 may include an interconnection component (not shown) for receiving / sending signals with an external device. For example, a terminal (e.g., a wiring board) for connecting to an input / output signal line from the outside may be included. In addition, the interface unit 200 may be equipped with necessary components (e.g., relays, etc.) according to the type of signal line.

[0028] Data transmission between the main unit 100 and the interface unit 200 may be achieved through a cable connection 300 using RJ45 terminals 110 and 210 on both sides (eg, an Ethernet cable).

[0029] Thus, each pin (8 pins) of each first RJ45 terminal 110 can be used to configure up to 8 signals. In addition, the number of interface units 200 can be expanded to the number of first RJ45 terminals 110. For example, Figure 1 As shown, when five first RJ45 terminals 110 are configured on the main unit 100, five interface units 200 can be connected through the connection between the RJ45 terminals 110 and 210 on both sides, and a maximum of eight signal lines can be connected to each interface unit 200. In addition, each interface unit 200 can be equipped with required components according to the type of signal line. For example, when an 8-channel digital output is required, eight relays and a wiring board for realizing input / output from the outside can be included.

[0030] That is, the space occupied by the terminals 110 and 210 can be saved and the wiring can be simplified by connecting the terminals 110 and 210 on both sides using the RJ45 cable 300 and the RJ45 connector 301, thereby improving the space efficiency and forming a unified input / output expansion system. At this time, the configuration of the RJ45 signal line of the present invention is used to transmit the input / output signal, and is not limited to the wiring method of Ethernet communication.

[0031] In addition, all eight pins of each first RJ45 terminal 110 of the main unit 100 may be used as the same type of signal, or different types of signals (e.g., digital input (DI), digital output (DO), analog input (AI), analog output (AO), and universal input (UI)) may be mixed. Except for the pins used as common signal lines, all the same type of signals may be used, or the signals may be configured in the same order as the pin numbers. For example, the same type of signal can be configured to one terminal by configuring a digital input (DI) to the pin of RJ45 terminal 110 No. 1, a digital output (DO) to the pin of the first RJ45 terminal 110 No. 2, an analog input (AI) to the pin of the first RJ45 terminal 110 No. 3, an analog output (AO) to the pin of the first RJ45 terminal 110 No. 4, and a universal input (UI) to the pin of the first RJ45 terminal 110 No. 5, and the signal can be configured to the corresponding interface unit 200 in the same order as the pin number, thereby improving the construction efficiency and convenience of use.

[0032] Next, the structure of the common signal line of the programmable logic controller (PLC) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of common signal line connection of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0034] See also Figure 2 The main unit 100 of the programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied may be equipped with a separate component object model (COM) terminal 140 in order to designate a common signal used by the signal lines of the eight pins of all the first RJ45 terminals 110. The common signal line designated to the component object model (COM) terminal 140 may be connected to a component object model (COM) terminal 240 equipped in the interface unit 200 by using a separate cable 400. In this way, all the eight pins of the RJ45 terminals 110 and 210 on both sides may be used as input / output signal lines, thereby forming a maximum of eight input / output channels 221 in the interface unit 200. The component object model (COM) terminal may refer to a well-known terminal that can be used for interconnecting multiple lines.

[0035] That is, for example, Figure 2As shown, when all 8 pins of terminal 110 are used as digital inputs and a common signal is configured through a separate terminal 140, the corresponding interface unit 200 can form an 8-channel digital input 221 to improve space efficiency. The common signal line can also be connected to each other through the interconnection between the component object model (COM) terminals 240, 240 of the adjacent interface units to achieve extended connection.

[0036] Next, another structure of a common signal line of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating another example of common signal line connection of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0038] See also Figure 3 The main unit 100 of the programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied can use a specific pin 111 of the 8 pins of each terminal of each first RJ45 110 as a common signal line, and the common signal line can be connected through the corresponding pin 211 in the second RJ45 terminal 210 of the interface unit 200. In this way, the 7 pins of the RJ45 terminals 110 and 210 on both sides can be used as input / output signal lines, thereby forming a maximum of 7 input / output channels 22 in each interface unit 200.

[0039] That is, for example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when pin No. 111 of terminal No. 1 is used as a common signal line and the remaining 7 pins are all used as digital input, the corresponding interface unit 200 can form a 7-channel digital input 222 based on the remaining 7 pins except pin No. 1 211. In this way, a separate terminal as a common signal line is not required, thereby Figure 2 The wiring can be further simplified compared to the configuration in .

[0040] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a status display light emitting diode (LED) of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0041] See also Figure 4The main unit 100 of the programmable logic controller (PLC) to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied may also include a plurality of status display light emitting diodes (LEDs) 130 for displaying the status of the signal line. The status display light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be configured to be divided into a first light emitting diode (LED) group 131 for specifying the first RJ45 terminal 110 to which the signal line to be displayed belongs and a second light emitting diode (LED) group 132 for specifying the pin number of the first RJ45 terminal 110 to which the signal line belongs. Thus, the control unit 120 may poll each first RJ45 terminal 110 according to a certain period and display the status of the signal line in the pre-specified light emitting diodes (LEDs) of the first light emitting diode (LED) group 111 and the second light emitting diode (LED) group 112.

[0042] At this time, the first light emitting diode (LED) group 131 is equipped with at least light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to the number of the first RJ45 terminal 110 included in the main unit 100, and the second light emitting diode (LED) group 132 is equipped with at least the number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to the number of pins of the first RJ45 terminal 110, that is, at least 8 light emitting diodes (LEDs) are preferred.

[0043] For example, Figure 4 As shown, in order to display the state of the signal line of the No. 2 pin of the No. 3 terminal 110, the control unit 120 can output the state of the signal line through the t3-LED of the first light emitting diode (LED) group 131 and the No. 2 light emitting diode (LED) of the second light emitting diode (LED) group 132. The numbers of the various components illustrated in the drawings are only examples to help understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0044] The status display light emitting diode (LED) of a conventional programmable logic controller (PLC) displays a pre-fixed object, but the programmable logic controller (PLC) of the present invention can group the status display light emitting diode (LED) 130 in the manner described above and variably specify the object displayed by the status display light emitting diode (LED), thereby ensuring high space efficiency and flexible expansion of input / output channels.

[0045] In addition, the status display light emitting diode (LED) 140 can display the status of the signal line according to the conditions set inside the programmable logic controller (PLC), and the signal types of the status output by the status display light emitting diode (LED) 140 may include digital input, digital output, analog input, analog output, and general input, etc. In the case of analog input, analog output, and general input, the control unit 120 can apply a pre-set threshold value according to the type of each signal, so as to output the status of the signal line through the status display light emitting diode (LED) 140.

[0046] For example, when the voltage threshold is specified as 3 V, when a voltage of 3.1 V is applied to the No. 3 channel of the interface unit 200 connected to the No. 2 RJ45 terminal 110 used as an analog input, the t2-LED of the first LED group 131 and the No. 2 LED of the second LED group 132 can be turned on, and when a voltage of 2.9 V is applied, they can be turned off. The above-mentioned function can be effectively used when constructing an automatic control system or performing maintenance.

[0047] The programmable logic controller (PLC) of the present invention as described above can unify the bus size and simplify the wiring by using RJ45, thereby improving the space efficiency and providing a flexible input / output expansion system. In addition, the designated signal line can be variably adjusted by grouping the status display light emitting diode (LED), thereby flexibly coping with the expansion of input / output and improving the space efficiency.

[0048] The above content describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the present invention, but skilled practitioners in the relevant technical field should understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the concept and field of the present invention as recorded in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A programmable logic controller, characterized in that: It comprises a main unit and a plurality of interface units interconnected with the main unit via a system bus, The main unit includes a control unit for controlling input / output and processing instructions and a plurality of first RJ45 terminals for executing data input / output, and each pin of each first RJ45 terminal is configured with a maximum of 8 signals, The interface unit includes a second RJ45 terminal for connecting a signal line from the first RJ45 terminal and an interconnection component for establishing a signal connection with an external device, and the number of the interface units can be extended to the number of the first RJ45 terminals. The main unit further includes a plurality of status display light emitting diodes for displaying the status of the signal line, The state display LEDs are divided into a first LED group provided in a number corresponding to the number of the first RJ45 terminals in order to specify the first RJ45 terminals to which the signal line to which the state needs to be displayed belongs. And in order to specify the pin number of the first RJ45 terminal, a second LED group is provided in a number corresponding to the number of pins of each first RJ45 terminal. For each first RJ45 terminal, the state of the signal line is output through the pre-designated LEDs of the first LED group and the second LED group in a certain period.

2. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: All 8 pins of each first RJ45 terminal of the main unit except the common signal line are used as signal lines of the same type, and the signals are configured in the same order as the pin numbers.

3. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main unit includes a separate component object model terminal for using the signal lines of the plurality of first RJ45 terminals as a common signal line. The common signal line is connected to a component object model terminal provided on the interface unit, so that each interface unit forms a maximum of 8 input / output channels through the second RJ45 terminal.

4. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main unit uses a specific pin among the eight pins of each first RJ45 terminal as a common signal line. The common signal line is connected to the corresponding pins of the second RJ45 terminal, so that each interface unit forms a maximum of 7 input / output channels through the second RJ45 terminal.

5. The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the case of analog input, analog output and universal input, a preset threshold value is applied according to the type of each signal, so that the state of the signal line is output according to the threshold value through the state display LED.

6. A master unit as a master unit of a programmable logic controller for interconnecting at least one interface unit via a system bus, characterized in that: The main unit comprises: A control unit for controlling input / output and processing instructions; and At least one first RJ45 terminal, used for performing data input / output; A maximum of 8 signals are configured through each pin of each first RJ45 terminal, and the connection of the signal line is realized by interconnecting the first RJ45 terminal with the second RJ45 terminal included in the interface unit. The number of connections of the interface unit is equal to the number of the first RJ45 terminals, The main unit further includes a plurality of status display light emitting diodes for displaying the status of the signal line, The state display LEDs are divided into a first LED group provided in a number corresponding to the number of the first RJ45 terminals in order to specify the first RJ45 terminals to which the signal line to which the state needs to be displayed belongs. and second light emitting diode groups provided in a number corresponding to the number of pins of each first RJ45 terminal in order to specify the pin numbers of the first RJ45 terminal, For each of the first RJ45 terminals, the state of the signal line is outputted through the pre-specified light emitting diodes of the first light emitting diode group and the second light emitting diode group in a certain period.

7. The main unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: The main unit is equipped with a separate COM terminal that is used together with the signal line of the first RJ45 terminal as a common signal line, and the common signal line is connected to the COM terminal equipped in the interface unit through the COM terminal. In each of the first RJ45 terminals, a specific pin among the eight pins of each terminal is used as a common signal line, and the common signal line is connected to a corresponding pin of the second RJ45 terminal.

8. An interface unit, as an interface unit for interconnecting with a main unit of a programmable logic controller as claimed in claim 6 via a system bus, characterized in that: comprising a second RJ45 terminal for connecting a signal line from the first RJ45 terminal of the main unit and an interconnection component for establishing a signal connection with an external device, The interface unit is equipped with a separate component object model terminal according to the configuration of the main unit, and a common signal line is connected by using the component object model terminal and the component object model terminal of the main unit to form a maximum of 8 input / output channels through the second RJ45 terminal, or, By connecting a common signal line using specific pins of the first RJ45 terminal and specific pins of the second RJ45 terminal, a maximum of 7 input / output channels are formed through the second RJ45 terminal.

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