Module having a display device for displaying the physical state of a sensor connected to the module

Abstract

The invention relates to a module to which positive and negative sensors can be connected, wherein data is provided to the module, the data indicating whether the sensor is positive or negative, and a display device is switched on accordingly so that the physical state of the sensor is displayed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a module having a device for displaying the physical state of a sensor connected to the module. In particular, the invention relates to a fieldbus system having a modular fieldbus node, the fieldbus node comprising a module having a device for displaying the physical state of a sensor connected to the module. Background Art

[0002] In a fieldbus system, sensors and actuators can be connected to higher-level units via fieldbus nodes. For example, the sensors and / or actuators can be connected to one or more modules (input / output modules, E / A modules), which in turn form one or more fieldbus nodes. In order to test the function of the connected sensors, the modules can be equipped with a display device, with the help of which the physical state of the sensors can be visualized.

[0003] For example, there are proximity sensors which emit a switching signal as soon as they sense an approach below their physical threshold (mechanical, optical, capacitive, inductive, etc.). In a positively connected sensor, the corresponding input is in this case connected to the reference potential (0 V) of the module, while a negatively connected sensor disconnects an existing connection between the input and 0 V. Summary of the invention

[0004] It can be advantageous to detect the displayed physical state of the sensor (near the sensor) and thereby detect whether an object has or has not (yet) approached the proximity sensor below its physical threshold value for testing the functionality of the proximity sensor. However, when it is not known whether the sensor is connected positively or negatively, the physical state of the sensor cannot be directly inferred from the switching state or the electrical signal (signal state) emitted by the proximity sensor in this case.

[0005] The module according to the invention comprises an input provided for the connection of a sensor and a display device, in particular a light source, provided for the optical display of the physical state of the sensor. The module is provided for sending a logical signal or an inverted logical signal of the sensor belonging to the physical state to a superordinate unit and for receiving a control value from the superordinate unit. Furthermore, the module is provided for evaluating the control value and for determining on the basis of the control value whether the value of the logical sensor signal or the inverted logical sensor signal is applicable for the optical display of the physical state of the sensor.

[0006] The term "module" as used in the present description and the claims refers in particular to a device that can be arranged next to another module or a front end station or is arranged next to it during operation, which connects one or more field devices to the front end station and, in certain cases (via the front end station) to the superordinate unit. The term "field device" as used in the present description refers in particular to a sensor and / or actuator that is connected to the module (in terms of signal technology) (e.g. connected to the module). Furthermore, the term "input" as used in the present description and the claims refers in particular to an electrical connection, such as a terminal clamp.

[0007] Furthermore, the concept of "display device" as used within the scope of the present description and claims refers in particular to a device that allows different physical states of the sensor to be signaled by luminescence. For example, the display device that signals different physical states emits light of different colors or light pulses that differ in time patterns. For example, more or fewer light pulses can be emitted within a specific time period. For example, a physical state can be signaled by a (relatively) slow flash when no approach is detected and by a (relatively) fast flash when approach is detected. Here, the concept of "physical state" as used within the scope of the present description refers in particular to changes in the environment sensed by the sensor. In the sense of the present invention, the aforementioned physical states can be distinguished by a signal that can display the physical state and can vary between different sensors.

[0008] In addition, the concept of "logical signal" used in the present specification and claims refers in particular to an electrical signal that is generated and evaluated based on the electrical signal so as to see whether a voltage representing the signal or a current representing the signal is in a first region or a second region, wherein the first region and the second region can be separated from each other by a third region (safety distance). Here, the concept of "inverted logical signal" used in the present specification and claims refers in particular to an electrical signal that is distinguished from the logical signal in the following manner, that is, when the voltage of the signal representing the logic or the current of the signal representing the inverted logic is in the first region and inverted, the voltage or current of the signal representing the inverted logic is in the second region.

[0009] Furthermore, the expression "wherein the module is provided for sending the signal of the sensor logic or the signal of the inverted logic to a superordinate unit and receiving a control value from the superordinate unit" as used in the present description and the claims refers in particular to the presence of an interface (e.g. a fieldbus interface) by means of which the module can send information (directly or indirectly) to the superordinate unit. Furthermore, the term "superordinate unit" as used in the present description and the claims refers in particular to a superordinate controller which derives control signals for one or more actuators from the physical state of one or more sensors.

[0010] Furthermore, the term "control value" used in the present specification and claims refers in particular to a logical value derived from a voltage curve or a current curve. Furthermore, the instruction "determining whether the value of the logical sensor signal or the inverted logical sensor signal can be applied to the optical display of the physical state of the sensor based on the control value" used in the present specification and claims refers in particular to the exchange of the configuration relationship between the areas in which the voltage adjacent to the input terminal or the current input through the input terminal is located, and refers to the exchange of the configuration relationship between the optical signal patterns that can be emitted by the display device.

[0011] Preferably, the module has a register in which the control value can be stored.

[0012] For example, the module may have one or more registers, and the register or an area in a register may be assigned to each input terminal.

[0013] Preferably, the module is configured to send the logic signal to the superior unit in an inverted manner or in a non-inverted manner based on the control value.

[0014] The sensor and the module may be part of a system in which the sensor is applied as a switch.

[0015] For example, the switch can be designed as a proximity switch.

[0016] The system may further comprise a front end station, wherein the modules are arranged next to the front end station.

[0017] Here, the concept of "front-end station" used in this specification and claims refers to a component of a modular field bus node, whose task is to make the data and / or services of the modules arranged next to the front-end station available to other field bus user devices (such as the superior unit) through the field bus interface and the field bus connected to the field bus interface.

[0018] The module and the sensor connected to the module can be part of a modular field bus node, which is arranged in the field bus system, and the field bus system has a superior unit and a field bus, through which the module of the field bus node is connected to the superior unit, wherein the field bus system can be set up to transmit the logical sensor signal or the inverted logical sensor signal from the module to the superior unit.

[0019] Preferably, the logical sensor signal is part of a process image, and the process image preferably includes a value indicating whether the sensor is in a fault state, wherein the module is configured to display the fault state by means of the display device when the sensor is in a fault state.

[0020] Preferably, the module has a plurality of display devices for connecting a plurality of sensors, the sensors being respectively connected positively or negatively, and the superior unit comprises data indicating which of the sensors is connected positively and which of the sensors is connected negatively.

[0021] Preferably, the superordinate unit is provided to inform the module that, based on the inverted sensor signal, the display device associated with the positive sensor or the display device associated with the negative sensor is switched on.

[0022] Preferably, the sensor is configured as a switch which switches from a first state to a second state when a measured value exceeds a threshold value, and switches from the second state back to the first state when the measured value does not exceed the threshold value or does not exceed another threshold value.

[0023] Preferably, the superordinate unit is provided to determine a control signal on the basis of the logical sensor signal and to transmit the control signal to the modular field bus node.

[0024] It goes without saying that steps carried out by the module or the (fieldbus) system can be understood as steps of a corresponding method which is carried out using the module or the (fieldbus) system, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be explained below in a detailed description using an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 Schematically shows the structure of a fieldbus system;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematically showing the structure of a fieldbus node of the fieldbus system;

[0028] Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 illustrating various aspects of the operation of the modules of the fieldbus node;

[0029] Figure 7 Other aspects of the operation of the module are shown.

[0030] In this case, identical or functionally similar elements are denoted by the same reference symbols in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 The block diagram of a fieldbus system 10 is shown. The fieldbus system 10 comprises a plurality of fieldbus nodes 100 which are connected to a superordinate (control) unit via a fieldbus 30. The superordinate unit 20 can be used both for monitoring and for regulating a device (not shown) which is monitored or regulated via the fieldbus system 10. When the superordinate unit 20 monitors a device, the superordinate unit 20 can periodically or aperiodically receive status data (hereinafter also referred to as input process image) from the fieldbus node 100, which state data describe the device state and generate a fault signal or an alarm signal when the state of the device (substantially) deviates from an expected / permitted state or state range. When the superordinate unit 20 (not only monitors but also) regulates the device, the superordinate unit 20 can periodically or aperiodically receive status data from the fieldbus node 100 and determine control data (hereinafter also referred to as output process image) to be transmitted to the fieldbus node 100 taking into account the status data.

[0032] Figure 2 An exemplary modular fieldbus node 100 is shown, which comprises a front-end station 110 and two modules 120, 130 arranged next to the front-end station 110, to which sensors 140 and actuators 150 are connected. During operation, the module 120 reads in sensor signals via an input 122 and generates status data from the sensor signals, which are transmitted to the front-end station 110 via a local bus 160. The front-end station 110 can process the status data locally and / or forward them (in a modified form, if necessary) to the superordinate unit 20. The superordinate unit 20 (or the front-end station 110, in the case of local processing) can generate control data taking into account the status data.

[0033] The control data generated by the superordinate unit 20 can be transmitted to the (same or) one (other) front-end station 110 via the fieldbus 30. The control data transmitted to the front-end station 110 (or generated by the front-end station 110) are then forwarded / transmitted (in a modified form if necessary) to the module 130. The module 130 receives the control data and issues a control signal corresponding to the control data to the output 132 to which the actuator 150 is connected. The data communication between the components of the fieldbus system 10, the mapping of the sensor signals to the status data and the mapping of the control data to the control signals can be adapted to different usage scenarios by configuring the fieldbus node 100.

[0034] Figure 3 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the module 120. The module 120 comprises a plurality of display devices 124 (e.g. LEDs) which are provided for optically displaying the physical state of the sensor 140. The module 120 receives control values ​​200 from the superior unit 20 and stores them in input registers, wherein a control value 200 is assigned to each input 122. Figure 3 As shown, the control value 200 may be a logic value, which describes the relationship between the logic signal generated by the sensor 40 connected to each input terminal 122 and the physical state of the sensor 140. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , when two identical sensors 140 are connected to the module 120 (the sensors accordingly generate identical logical signals 300 in the same situation), the control values ​​200 assigned to the inputs 122 can also be identical. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown in , if two sensors 140 are connected to module 120 which generate mutually opposite logical signals 300 in the same situation, this can be harmonized by correspondingly assigning control values ​​200 to inputs 122 .

[0035] So, like Figure 4 As shown, the control value 200 assigned to the input 122 and the logical signal 300 input via the input 122 are connected by means of a logic operation station 400, so that in the same scenario, the same logical signal is generated by the logic operation station 400. In this way, the module 120 provides the logical signal 400 belonging to the physical state or the inverted logical signal to the superior unit 20. In addition, the control value 200 can also be used to determine whether the value of the logical sensor signal 300 or the inverted logical sensor signal can be used for the optical display of the physical state of the sensor 140.

[0036] Thus, for example, Figure 5 The proximity sensor shown, which generates an inverted logical signal 300 in response to the approach of an object (e.g., a hand), enables the display device 124 to immediately display the physical states of both sensors 140. This is then advantageous, for example, when the function of the sensors 140 is to be checked with the aid of the display device 124. Figure 6 As shown, the display device 124 can also be used to display a fault state, wherein the display device 124 in this case does not need to display the logical sensor signal 300 nor the inverted logical sensor signal. The module 120 can be provided with a channel-based short circuit and wire break diagnosis to identify the fault state. In this case, the display device 124 can be configured as a two-color LED, which displays the signal state and the short circuit or wire break.

[0037] Figure 7 Shows a Figures 3 to 6 A variant of the module 120 described above is provided. A sensor 140 is connected to the module 120, which emits a switching signal in dependence on the measured variable. The sensor 140 can be designed, for example, as a proximity sensor, which emits a switching signal as soon as the sensor 140 detects an approach below its physical threshold value (mechanical, optical, capacitive, inductive, etc.). Figure 7 As shown, when there is an approach below the physical threshold, the positively connected sensor 140 connects the input terminal 122 to the 0V potential of the module 120, while the negatively connected sensor 140 disconnects the input terminal 122 from the 0V potential.

[0038] The module 120 transmits an input process image to the superordinate unit 20 via the interface 126 and receives an output process image from the superordinate unit 20 (via the interface 126). A fixed number of bits of the input process image (one bit per sensor 140, i.e. 8 bits) describe the signal state of the respective input 122. The same number of further bits signal possible fault states to the control program. The bits of the output process image can be used for the release of the respective fault state (diagnostic on / off). For each input 122, a further bit (i.e. 8 bits) of the output process image can be used to indicate whether the signal state of the respective input 122 is to be inverted, for example so that all display devices 124 immediately display the same or similar physical state of the sensor 140. As for the release of the fault state, the output process image can be sent to the module 120 once per control cycle. Therefore, it is not necessary to store the parameters about the type of the connected sensor 140 in the module 120, but it is sufficient that the parameters about the type of the connected sensor 140 are stored in the superordinate unit 20.

[0039] If the diagnostics are active and the sensor 140 is in a fault state, the short-circuit and wire break diagnostics can put the device connected downstream of the input 122 into a state in which the fault state is signaled to the input process image via the display device 124. Conversely, in normal operation the signal state can be signaled by means of the display device 124.

[0040] Reference numerals list

[0041] 10 Fieldbus systems

[0042] 20 units

[0043] 30 Fieldbus

[0044] 40 Computer

[0045] 42 Display device

[0046] 100 fieldbus nodes

[0047] 110 Front-end Station

[0048] 120 modules

[0049] 122 Input

[0050] 124 Display device

[0051] 126 Interface

[0052] 130 modules

[0053] 132 Output

[0054] 140 Sensors

[0055] 150 Actuator

[0056] 160 Local Bus

[0057] 200 Control value

[0058] 300 Logical (sensor) signal

[0059] 400 logic operation stations.

Claims

1. A module (120), comprising an input terminal (122) configured to be connected to a sensor (140); Also included is a display device (124) configured to optically display the physical state of the sensor (140); wherein the module (120) is configured to send a logical signal (300) of the sensor (140) belonging to a physical state or a signal of an inverted logic to a superordinate unit (20) and to receive a control value (200) from the superordinate unit (20); The module (120) is configured to evaluate the control value (200) and to determine, based on the control value (200), whether the value of the logical sensor signal (300) or the inverted logical sensor signal can be used for the optical display of the physical state of the sensor (140).

2. The module (120) according to claim 1, The module (120) has a register in which the control value (200) can be stored.

3. The module (120) according to claim 1, The module (120) is configured to send the logic signal (300) to the superior unit (20) in an inverted manner or in a non-inverted manner based on the control value (200).

4. The module (120) according to claim 2, The module (120) is configured to send the logic signal (300) to the superior unit (20) in an inverted manner or in a non-inverted manner based on the control value (200).

5. The module (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The display device (124) is a light source.

6. A system comprising: A module (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and A sensor (140), wherein the sensor (140) is designed as a switch.

7. The system according to claim 6, The switch is designed as a proximity switch.

8. The system according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: A front end station (110), wherein the module (130) is arranged beside the front end station (110).

9. A field bus system (10), comprising: A modular fieldbus node (100) having a module (120) according to one of claims 1 to 5; A sensor (140) connected to the input terminal (122), The superior unit (20); and A bus (30), wherein the module (130) of the field bus node (100) is connected to the superior unit (20) via the bus (30); The fieldbus system (10) is designed to transmit a logical sensor signal (300) or an inverted logical sensor signal from the module (120) to the superordinate unit (20).

10. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the logical sensor signal (300) is part of a process image, and the process image includes a value indicating whether the sensor (140) is in a fault state; and The module (120) is configured to display the fault state by means of the display device (124) when the sensor (140) is in a fault state.

11. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 9, wherein The module (120) has a plurality of display devices (124) for connecting a plurality of sensors (140), wherein the sensors (140) are respectively positively connected or negatively connected; The superordinate unit (20) contains data indicating which of the sensors (140) is positively connected and which of the sensors (140) is negatively connected.

12. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 10, wherein The module (120) has a plurality of display devices (124) for connecting a plurality of sensors (140), wherein the sensors (140) are respectively positively connected or negatively connected; The superordinate unit (20) contains data indicating which of the sensors (140) is positively connected and which of the sensors (140) is negatively connected.

13. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 11, The superordinate unit (20) is configured to inform the module (120) that a display device (124) assigned to the positively connected sensor (140) or a display device (124) assigned to the negatively connected sensor (140) is switched on based on the inverted sensor signal.

14. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 12, The superordinate unit (20) is configured to inform the module (120) that a display device (124) assigned to the positively connected sensor (140) or a display device (124) assigned to the negatively connected sensor (140) is switched on based on the inverted sensor signal.

15. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 13, The sensor (140) is designed as a switch which switches from a first state to a second state when a measured value exceeds a threshold value, and switches from the second state back to the first state when the measured value does not exceed the threshold value or does not exceed another threshold value.

16. The fieldbus system (10) according to claim 14, The sensor (140) is designed as a switch which switches from a first state to a second state when a measured value exceeds a threshold value, and switches from the second state back to the first state when the measured value does not exceed the threshold value or does not exceed another threshold value.

17. The fieldbus system (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 16, The superordinate unit (20) is designed to determine a control signal based on the logical sensor signal (300) and to transmit the control signal to the modular fieldbus node (100).

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