Automation system control device and test method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device (100) for an automation system, comprising at least two row modules arranged in a row in a real order, the at least two row modules comprising a control and / or communication module (70) and / or an E / A module (10, 20, 30, 40), and a test module (80), wherein each row module is equipped with an indicator element (15, 25, 35, 45) which can assume two distinguishable states. The invention also relates to a test method for such a control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a control device of an automation system, which has a control and / or communication module and at least two E / A modules arranged in a row, and to a test method for such a control device. Background Art

[0002] When configuring, installing and wiring E / A modules (input / output modules) of automation system control devices, especially for industrial machines and equipment, users must be able to identify the clear relationship between the installed physical E / A modules and the planned E / A modules. On the one hand, this makes it easier for users to wire, especially in the case of additional modules such as sensors and actuators, and on the other hand, it helps to avoid errors.

[0003] If the physical E / A modules arranged in a row have an order that corresponds to the planned order, the relationship between the installed physical E / A modules and the planned E / A modules can be established or recognized particularly easily.

[0004] For example, if the planned order of E / A modules is derived from the planned control logic, the physical order of the installed E / A modules should match the logical order of the E / A modules according to the planned control logic. The user can then establish or identify an explicit relationship between the physical and logical order, thereby establishing or identifying a relationship between the installed physical E / A modules and the planned set of E / A modules.

[0005] Typically, additional contacts are provided to determine or check the order of the E / A modules, for example, which allow the physical E / A modules to be automatically assigned to the E / A modules in the planned control logic. "Automatically" means that the order is determined or checked according to the type of E / A module. If E / A modules of a predetermined type are installed in a specific position, the order is automatically recognized as correct. However, if there are multiple modules of the same type in the E / A module row, the order may be automatically recognized as correct by mistake even if the modules have been exchanged.

[0006] Alternatively, physical E / A modules can be manually assigned to E / A modules in the planned control logic using unique characteristics such as serial numbers or MAC addresses. Alternatively, physical E / A modules are assigned to E / A modules in the planned control logic so that indicators are manually set on the physical E / A modules according to the planned control logic by using buttons or switches, such as rotary or DIP switches (DIP = dual in-line package).

[0007] However, all of the options mentioned have the disadvantage that the correct sequence of the physical E / A modules or the clear relationship between the physical and logical sequence of the E / A modules is tedious for the user and cannot be directly identified or checked by the user. This can therefore quickly lead to wiring errors. For example, when the control device combines multiple identical input and / or output modules, the emergency stop switch can open or close the wrong operating circuit. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to enable a user to check a control device in a novel and simple way, in particular in the form of a target / actual comparison, in order to determine whether physical row modules arranged in a row, in particular E / A modules, are also arranged or installed in the correct order.

[0009] The inspection can be used, for example, to check and / or validate the installed control device. During the inspection (from the Latin root word veritas, "real", facere, "to do"), it is checked whether the product meets the specified or planned requirements, while during the validation (from the Latin root word validus, "strong", "effective", "firm"), it is checked whether the product meets the usage goals specified by the user.

[0010] In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a control device of an automation system and a test method according to one aspect of the present invention. Other advantageous embodiments of the control device according to the present invention are defined in detail in another aspect of the present invention. The features and advantages specified in the control device according to the present invention are also applicable to the method according to the present invention with necessary modifications.

[0011] Therefore, a control device for an automation system is proposed, which has at least two row modules, and the at least two row modules include a test module and a control and / or communication module and / or an E / A module. The row modules are arranged in rows and have an actual order. These modules are also connected to each other by signals. In addition, each row module is equipped with an indicator element, which can present two distinguishable states. The test module has stored a target sequence for the row modules arranged in rows and is designed to send a test signal to each row module in succession according to the target sequence. Each indicator element is designed to change its state in response to the test signal received by its row module.

[0012] Advantageously, all modules communicate with each other on an equal footing, i.e. there is no master or slave. Furthermore, the indicator element is advantageously designed to change its state again in response to the fact that its row module no longer receives the test signal. For example, the first of the two possible states of each indicator element may be an idle state, while the second state may be an active state, or vice versa.

[0013] The advantage of the control device according to the invention is that for a user who knows that the row modules successively receive test signals from the test modules according to a stored target sequence, it can now easily be seen whether the indicator elements change their state successively along the installed rows of row modules in a distinguishable manner. Thus, the user can now also easily check whether the actual sequence of the installed row modules corresponds to the planned target sequence of the row modules.

[0014] Particularly advantageously, the correct sequence of the row modules can be identified or checked directly on the physical row modules, in particular at any time, for example before, during and / or after actuation of the control device. Compared to the prior art, no additional contacts are required on the row modules, in particular the E / A modules, to verify the correct sequence.

[0015] According to a refinement of the control device, it is advantageously provided that the indicator element provided in each row module can present two different visually perceptible states and / or comprise an LED (light emitting diode), in particular a power LED or a two-color LED. Alternatively, the indicator element can also be a display element on a display, in particular a matrix display. Thus, the user can see the change in state of the indicator element with the naked eye and can thus check whether the actual sequence of the installed row modules corresponds to the planned target sequence of the row modules. If the target sequence and the actual sequence of the row modules match, the visually perceptible change in state of the indicator elements that occur successively along the installed rows of the row modules advantageously produces an effect similar to a running light. However, if the actual sequence of the installed row modules does not match the planned target sequence of the row modules, this has a disruptive effect on the running light effect, which is easily recognizable for the user.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the control device, the indicator element is deactivated in the first state, that is, for example, does not illuminate, and is activated in the second state, that is, for example, illuminates, or the indicator element is activated to illuminate with a first brightness in the first state and with a second brightness different from the first brightness in the second state, or the indicator element is activated to illuminate with a first color in the first state and with a second color different from the first color in the second state. Each of the three variants is suitable for producing the above-mentioned running light effect, wherein disturbances or irregularities in the running light movement indicate to the user that the actual sequence of the installed row modules does not match the planned target sequence of the row modules.

[0017] The control module can be designed as software and / or hardware. The control module can be designed as a separate row module or as a row module together with the communication module and / or the test module. The control module can also be designed as a row module together with the E / A module. The control module can also be designed to be distributed on multiple row modules. The test module can also be designed as software and / or hardware. The test module can be designed as a separate row module or as a row module together with the control module and / or the communication module. The test module can also be designed as a row module together with the E / A module. The test module can also be designed to be distributed on multiple row modules. The communication module can, for example, be designed as a bus coupler.

[0018] According to another improvement of the control device, the test module includes a control and / or communication module, for example as a functional unit or functional block; or the test module includes an E / A module; or the test module includes a configuration device, which is signal-connected to the control and / or communication module, for example as part of an engineering or planning tool on a PC; or the test module is designed as a separate module, which is signal-connected to the control and / or communication module, for example as an application on a mobile laptop or tablet computer.

[0019] According to a further development of the control device, it is provided that the test module stores the target sequence in the form of an installation plan, a wiring plan or a planned control logic.

[0020] According to another improvement of the control device, the test module is designed to use a specific mode when sending the test signal to the row module. For example, the test signal can have a certain duration, or a pause of a specific duration can be inserted before and / or after the test signal, or the next test signal is sent while one test signal is still in progress, so that two test signals are sent simultaneously within a certain duration.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the control device, the row module has a fastening device for mounting on a support rail and / or a fastening device for mounting on a component mounted on the support rail. The fastening devices allow for simple mounting of the modules, since they can be easily pushed onto the support rail from the side or inserted into the support rail from the front and locked. The support rail can be designed in particular as a top hat rail.

[0022] A test method for a control device of the above-mentioned automation system is also proposed, the control device having at least two row modules, the at least two row modules comprising a test module and a control and / or communication module and / or an E / A module. The row modules are arranged in rows one after another and have an actual sequence. In addition, each row module is equipped with an indicator element, and the test module stores a target sequence for the row modules arranged in rows. In addition, the modules are connected to each other via signals. In the test method, each indicator element initially presents a first state. The test module then sends a test signal to each row module one after another according to the stored target sequence, wherein the indicator element presents a second state different from the first state in response to the test signal received by the row module.

[0023] When the row module no longer receives the test signal, the indicator element advantageously assumes the first state again.

[0024] As mentioned above, the test signal may be sent to the row module according to a specific pattern. For example, the test signal may have a specific duration, or a pause of a specific duration may be inserted before and / or after the test signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other features and advantages of the present invention are also apparent from the embodiments, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 a schematic diagram showing a control device of an automation system; and

[0027] Figure 2 Shown for use according to Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the results of individual processes of the control device test method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a control device 100 , which can also be referred to as a local control network. The control device 100 comprises a control and / or communication module 70 , a test module 80 and four E / A modules 10 , 20 , 30 and 40 .

[0029] The control and / or communication module 70 is used here both as a control module (not shown in more detail for the sake of clarity), which can be designed, for example, as an SPS (storable programmable logic controller) that executes a user program, and as a communication module (not shown in more detail for the sake of clarity), which provides at least one communication interface for the control device 100, via which the control device can be coupled to, for example, a communication network of an automation system (not shown in more detail for the sake of clarity), and is therefore referred to as a control and communication module in the following text. In this case, the test module 80 includes the control and communication module, for example as a function block in a user program.

[0030] In this control device 100, the control and communication module 70 and the test module 80 are designed together as a row module. The four E / A modules 10 to 40 each form another row module.

[0031] Here, E / A modules 10, 20, 30, 40 are arranged in a row next to the control and communication module 70, one after the other or side by side, and thus have an existing actual order. Each E / A module has an indicator element, which can assume two distinguishable states: E / A module 10 has an indicator element 15; E / A module 20 has an indicator element 25; E / A module 30 has an indicator element 35 and E / A module 40 has an indicator element 45. The row element with the control and communication module and the test module has no indicator element here. However, in principle, each row module can have an indicator element.

[0032] In this case, the control and communication module 70 and the E / A modules 10 to 40 are mounted in an advantageous embodiment on a support rail 90 designed as a top-hat rail. For this purpose, the row modules have corresponding fastening devices (not shown in greater detail for the sake of clarity) on their rear side, for example, which allow the modules to be easily mounted on the rail, for example by snapping or clamping.

[0033] Each of the E / A modules 10 to 40 is connected in a signal-conducting manner to the control and communication module 70 and thus also to the test module 80, since the modules are connected here to a bus (not shown in greater detail for the sake of clarity). The bus may be, for example, a local bus accommodated in the support rail 90.

[0034] The target sequence for the E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row is stored in a test module 80, here a planned control logic, which is designed to cooperate with the control and communication module 70 here to send test signals to each of the E / A modules 10 to 40 one after another according to the target sequence of the E / A modules generated by the planned control logic. In this example, the row element with the control and communication module and the test module is not taken into account when checking the sequence. In principle, however, each row module can also be taken into account and checked whether its position in the actual sequence corresponds to the planned position according to the target sequence.

[0035] Each of the indicator elements 15 to 45 is designed to change its state in response to a test signal of the test module 80 received by its E / A module. The indicator elements 15 to 45 advantageously each have an LED that can present two different visually perceptible states, wherein the LED is deactivated in a first state of the indicator element and therefore does not emit light, and is activated to emit light in a second state. Alternatively, the LED of the indicator element can be activated to emit light with a first brightness in a first state, and activated to emit light with a second brightness different from the first brightness in a second state. Alternatively, the LED of the indicator element is designed as a two-color LED and can be activated to emit light in a first color in a first state, and activated to emit light with a second color different from the first color in a second state, for example red and green.

[0036] However, the indicator elements 15 to 45 should preferably be designed in the same way.It should also be noted that the indicator elements 15 to 45 may also additionally be designed for other purposes than those according to the invention, such as displaying the operating state of the E / A module.

[0037] In a different Figure 1 In the embodiment of the control device shown, the control module and the test module can be designed to be distributed on existing row modules, in particular on existing E / A modules. That is, the control logic and the test logic (including the target sequence) are distributed components in all row modules, in particular in all row modules including E / A modules. The row modules including the communication modules can be designed as bus couplers, via which the control device can be coupled to the communication network of the automation system.

[0038] Figure 2 Now the table shows the Figure 1 The results of nine different processes of exemplary test methods A to I performed by the control device 100 are shown in FIG. For each of the test methods A to I, the state of the indicator element 15 to 45 of the E / A module 10 to 40 is specified at a specific time point t1 to t5 during the test method, wherein the first of the two possible states of the indicator element is represented by "0" and the second state is represented by "1". Figure 1 It has already been explained that the indicator elements 15 to 45 advantageously each comprise an LED, wherein in this example a first state of the indicator element can be identified as non-illuminating LED and a second state can be identified as illuminating LED.

[0039] For all nine test methods, four E / A modules, for example, are set according to the target sequence stored in the test module 80, and test signals are sequentially sent to the E / A modules according to the target sequence.

[0040] Different patterns were used for test methods A, C, D, E, G and I, which will be explained in more detail later. In any case, all six test methods ran successfully, i.e. without any identifiable errors. On the other hand, errors could be identified in test methods B, F and H, where in case B the same pattern as in case A was used, in case F the same pattern as in case E, and in case I the same pattern as in case H.

[0041] We will now consider in detail what occurs from the start time t1 to the end time t4 or t5 in the individual test methods A to I. It is assumed here that the indicator elements 15 to 45 are in the first state, which is indicated by "0" if they do not receive a test signal.

[0042] In the test method A, the test module 80 sends a test signal to each row module 10 to 40 designed as an E / A module in sequence according to the stored target sequence of the row modules. This means that at time t1, a test signal is sent to the first E / A module according to the target sequence, at time t2, a test signal is sent to the second E / A module according to the target sequence, at time t3, a test signal is sent to the third E / A module according to the target sequence, and at time t4, a test signal is sent to the first E / A module according to the target sequence.

[0043] The table shows that at time point t1, in response to the test signal, the indicator element 15 of the E / A module 10 that is first in the actual sequence actually assumes the second state, represented by "1" here, while the remaining indicator elements 25 to 45 do not change their states.

[0044] At time t2, in response to the test signal, the indicator element 25 of the E / A module 20 which is second in the actual sequence actually assumes the second state, while the indicator elements 35 and 45 do not change their states, and the indicator element 15 has re-assumed the first state because its E / A module no longer receives the test signal.

[0045] At time point t3, in response to the test signal, the indicator element 35 of the E / A module 30 which is third in the actual sequence actually assumes the second state, while the indicator elements 15 and 45 do not change their states, and the indicator element 25 has re-assumed the first state because its E / A module no longer receives the test signal.

[0046] At time t4, in response to the test signal, the indicator element 45 of the E / A module 40 which is fourth in the actual sequence actually assumes the second state, while the indicator elements 15 and 25 do not change their states, and the indicator element 35 has re-assumed the first state because its E / A module no longer receives the test signal. Therefore, the test method A shows that the target sequence matches the actual sequence.

[0047] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during the test method, it can be seen that the consistency of the target and actual sequence of operating lights is based on uniform "marching" along the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row, that is, at each time point t1 to t4, only one LED is illuminated successively along the physical E / A modules arranged in a row.

[0048] In the table of Test Method A, the "Running" running light can be identified by "Running 1" from one column to the next during the process from time point t1 to time point t4.

[0049] To better illustrate the running light effect, Figure 2 Cells in the table containing "1" are visually highlighted.

[0050] In test method B, the same test signal transmission mode as test method A is used, and E / A

[0051] Modules 10 to 40 are installed in the same actual order as in test method A. However, it can be seen in the table of test method B that during the process from time point t1 to time point t4, "1" does not "travel" from one column to the next, but "1" for example skips one column, jumps back one column and skips another column again.

[0052] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during the test method, a "jumping" or "interfered" operating light may be seen, i.e., at each time point t1 to t4, only one LED lights up in sequence from the first to the third to the second to the fourth E / A module, rather than lighting up successively along the physical E / A modules arranged in a row.

[0053] This indicates an error or mismatch between the target and actual order of the E / A modules. However, since the actual order is the same as in A, a different target order must be used as the basis for the E / A modules. A test signal is sent to the first E / A module according to the target order at time t1, to the second E / A module according to the target order at time t2, to the third E / A module according to the target order at time t3, and to the first E / A module according to the target order at time t4.

[0054] At time t2, the indicator element 35 of the E / A module 30, which is the third in the actual sequence, has assumed the second state in response to the test signal. And at time t3, the indicator element 35 of the E / A module 30, which is the second in the actual sequence, has assumed the second state in response to the test signal.

[0055] The indicator element 25 of the module 20 has assumed the second state in response to the test signal. According to the target sequence on which the test method B is based, the E / A module 30 with the indicator element 35 is arranged in the second position, and the E / A module 20 with the indicator element 25 is arranged in the third position. That is, the E / A modules 20 and 30 are arranged reversely in the actual sequence.

[0056] Test method C largely corresponds to test method A, where the pattern of sending the test signals is modified so that there is a pause at time point t1 and the first test signal is not sent until time point t2 to the first E / A module according to the target sequence. The pause at time point t1 serves to reliably and simply identify the first module in the sequence. The modules can also be swapped in an uninterrupted cycle, and for module 10 at position 4 in the actual sequence and module 20 at position 1 in the actual sequence, the user still sees the run light and may not notice an error.

[0057] Test method D largely corresponds to test method C, where the pattern of sending the test signal is modified so that there is no pause at time point t1, but the test signal is sent to each E / A module, after which the first test signal is sent to the first E / A module according to the target sequence at time point t2. The advantage of this pattern is that the start of the test method can be clearly seen.

[0058] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during the test method, it can be seen that all LEDs of the indicator elements 15 to 45 of the E / A modules 10 to 40 light up at the start of the test process.

[0059] Test method E corresponds to test method A to a large extent, wherein the pattern of sending the test signal is modified so that at time point t2 the test signal is sent again to the first E / A module according to the target sequence, and the test signal is not sent to the second E / A module according to the target sequence until time point t3.

[0060] This mode has the advantage that the test signal is sent to the first E / A module according to the target sequence for a longer duration than to the other E / A modules, so that the indicator element having a longer second state duration than the other E / A modules can be clearly identified as the first one according to the target sequence.

[0061] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during a test, the first E / A module according to the target sequence can be easily identified because its indicator element (here the LED of the indicator element 15) lights up longer than the LEDs of the indicator elements of the remaining E / A modules. This is particularly advantageous when the E / A module row only includes two modules.

[0062] The same pattern of sending test signals as in test method E is used in test method F, and the E / A modules 10 to 40 are installed in the same actual order as in test method E. However, it can be seen in the table of test method F that a "1" is not entered in the column of indicator element 25 at any point in time. Instead, a "0" is entered in the column of indicator element 25 at time point t3 when test module 80 sends a test signal to the second E / A module according to the stored target sequence.

[0063] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row, a delayed "jumping" light or "interrupted" running light may be seen from the indicator element 15 of E / A module 10 to the indicator element 35 of E / A module 30 .

[0064] This indicates that there is an error, in particular that the E / A module 20 is defective or incorrectly connected.

[0065] Test method G corresponds to test method A to a large extent, wherein the pattern of sending the test signal is modified so that at time point t2, the test signal is sent not only to the second E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the first E / A module according to the target sequence. At time point t3, the test signal is sent not only to the third E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the second E / A module according to the target sequence. At time point t4, the test signal is sent not only to the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the third E / A module according to the target sequence. Then at time point t5, the test signal is sent again separately to the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence.

[0066] The advantage of this mode is that a test signal of longer duration is sent to each E / A module, and although the sending of the previous test signal has not yet ended, the sending of the next test signal to the next E / A module according to the target sequence has already begun. This allows for better identification of the predecessor and successor E / A modules of the E / A module planned according to the target sequence.

[0067] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during the test method, the consistency of the target sequence and the actual sequence can be seen based on the dual rows or strips of running lights that evenly "run" along the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row.

[0068] The pattern for sending the test signal can be modified again based on the pattern of the test method E so that the predecessor and successor E / A modules of the E / A module according to the target sequence plan can be better identified. It is possible that the sending of the test signal to the E / A module has started before the sending of the previous test signal to the E / A module that is the predecessor according to the target sequence has ended, and has ended only after the sending of the next test signal to the successor E / A module according to the target sequence has started. However, the test method using this pattern is not Figure 2 Shown in.

[0069] The same pattern of sending test signals as in test method G is used in test method H, and the E / A modules 10 to 40 are installed in the same actual order as in test method G. However, it can be seen in the table of test method H that during the process from time point t1 to time point t4, "1" does not "travel" from one column to the next column, but rather "1" skips a column and then jumps back to a column.

[0070] For the user who looks at the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row, the corresponding "jumping" lights or "interrupted" running lights can be seen. Most importantly, the temporarily distinguished double-row running lights (doppeltesLauflicht) or temporarily distinguished bar running lights can be recognized.

[0071] This indicates an error or inconsistency between the target and actual order of the E / A module. Since the actual order is the same as in case E, a different target order must be used for the E / A module.

[0072] At time point t3, a test signal is first sent to the third E / A module according to the target sequence, and a test signal is again sent to the second E / A module according to the target sequence. At time point t4, a test signal is first sent to the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence, and a test signal is again sent to the third E / A module according to the target sequence. Then at time point t5, a test signal is again sent separately to the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence.

[0073] At time point t3, in response to the test signal of the third E / A module according to the target sequence, the indicator element 45 of the E / A module 40, which is the fourth in actual sequence, assumes the second state. At time point t4, in response to the test signal of the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence, the indicator element 35 of the E / A module 30, which is the third in actual sequence, assumes the second state.

[0074] According to the target sequence based on the test method F, the E / A module 40 with the indicator element 45 is arranged in the third position, and the E / A module 30 with the indicator element 35 is arranged in the fourth position. That is, the E / A modules 30 and 40 are arranged reversely in the actual sequence.

[0075] Test method I corresponds to test method A to a large extent, wherein the pattern of sending the test signal is modified so that at time point t2, the test signal is sent not only to the second E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the first E / A module according to the target sequence. At time point t3, the test signal is sent not only to the third E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the second and first E / A modules according to the target sequence. At time point t4, the test signal is sent not only to the fourth E / A module according to the target sequence, but also again to the third, second and first E / A modules according to the target sequence. Whenever a test signal is sent to the next E / A module according to the target sequence, all previous E / A modules according to the target sequence also continue to receive the test signal.

[0076] This mode can be considered as an alternative to the modes according to test methods G and H and also offers the following advantages: the second state of the indicator element lasts longer and the E / A modules can be better identified according to the predecessor and successor E / A modules in the target sequence.

[0077] For a user viewing the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row during the test method, the consistency of the target and actual sequence can be identified based on the "light bar" that gets longer and longer along the physical E / A modules 10 to 40 arranged in a row and extends to all E / A modules at the end of the test method (here at time point t4).

[0078] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and exemplary embodiments of the present invention that many other variations for producing and using running light effects are possible.

[0079] In a different Figure 2In another embodiment shown, the test modules are designed to be distributed on existing row modules, especially existing E / A modules, and the test logic including the target sequence can be a distributed component of all row modules, especially all row modules including E / A modules. The test logic can be designed so that the row modules initially agree on a common time base. Then at time point t1, the physical row module controls its indicating element by a test signal that is the first according to the target sequence. Then at time point t2, the physical row module controls its indicating element by a test signal that is the second according to the target sequence, and so on. The user again identifies whether the actual order of the physical row modules is correct, that is, whether it is consistent with the target sequence, based on the "moving" or "jumping" running lights on the indicating elements of the row modules.

[0080] Reference numerals list

[0081] 10, 20, 30, 40E / A modules

[0082] 15, 25, 35, 45 indicator elements

[0083] 70 Control and / or communication module

[0084] 80 Test Module

[0085] 90 support rail, top hat rail, with local bus topology if necessary

[0086] 100 Control device.

Claims

1. A control device (100) of an automation system, comprising at least two row modules arranged in a row one after another and having a practical sequence, wherein the at least two row modules comprise: a control module and a communication module, or a control and communication module (70), and / or Input and output modules (10, 20, 30, 40), and a test module (80), The modules are connected by signals, and the at least two row modules are respectively provided with an indicator element (15, 25, 35, 45), which can present two distinguishable states. wherein the test module stores a target sequence for row modules arranged in a row and is designed to send a test signal to each row module sequentially according to the target sequence, wherein each indicating element is designed to change its state in response to a test signal received by its row module and is capable of assuming two different visually perceptible states, and / or each indicating element comprises an LED, And when the target sequence and the actual sequence of row modules match, a visually perceptible change in state of the indicator elements along the installed row of row modules produces an effect similar to a running light.

2. The control device according to claim 1, Wherein, in the case where the indicating element comprises an LED, the LED is a power LED or a dual-color LED.

3. A control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator element is deactivated in a first state and activated in a second state, or wherein the indicator element is deactivated in a first state and activated to emit light in a second state, wherein the indicator element is activated in a first state and emits light at a first brightness, and is activated in a second state and emits light at a second brightness different from the first brightness, or The indicator element is activated in a first state and emits light in a first color, and is activated in a second state and emits light in a second color different from the first color.

4. The control device according to claim 1, The test module: - comprising the control and communication module, or the control module, or the communication module, or - includes at least one input-output module, or - comprising a configuration device, said configuration device being connected by signals to said control module and said communication module, or to said control and communication modules, and / or - designed as a separate module, which is signal-connected to the control module and the communication module, or to the control and communication module.

5. The control device according to claim 1, The test module has stored the target sequence in the form of an installation plan, a wiring plan or a plan control logic.

6. The control device according to claim 1, The test module is designed to apply a specific pattern when sending a test signal to the row module.

7. The control device according to claim 1, The row module has a fastening device for mounting on a support rail (90) and / or a fastening device for mounting on a component which is mounted on the support rail.

8. A test method for a control device (100) of an automation system according to claim 1, the control device of the automation system comprising at least two row modules arranged in a row one after the other and having a real sequence, and each row module being equipped with an indicating element (15, 25, 35, 45), the at least two row modules comprising: control module and communication module, or control and communication module (70) and / or Input and output modules (10, 20, 30, 40), and a test module (80) having stored therein a target sequence of the row modules arranged in a row, The modules are connected by signals. wherein each indicator element first presents a first state, and then the test module sends a test signal to each row module in turn according to the stored target sequence, and accordingly in response to the test signal received by the row module, its indicator element presents a second state distinguishable from the first state, and wherein each indicator element is capable of assuming two different visually perceptible states and / or each indicator element comprises an LED, And when the target sequence and the actual sequence of row modules match, a visually perceptible change in state of the indicator elements along the installed row of row modules produces an effect similar to a running light.

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