Master unit and communication system

Abstract

A master unit (12) which transmits signals to and from an I / O unit (14) connected to a device (104), the master unit being divided into a connector module (18) having a first connector (26), and a main module (16) having a main processing circuit (20), a second connector (28), a branch terminal (22), and a power supply section (24), the second connector (28) and the main processing circuit (20) being connected by a first connection terminal (30) provided in the connector module (18) and the main module (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a main unit that transmits signals to a device via an I / O unit and a communication system having the main unit. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-110460 discloses a programmable logic controller (PLC) system. This PLC system has a basic unit (master) and multiple expansion units (slave units). The basic unit and the multiple expansion units are daisy-chained together, starting with the master unit. The multiple expansion units are, for example, I / O units. The basic unit sends and receives signals with the controlled device via the multiple expansion units. The controlled device is, for example, a sensor or an actuator. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main unit and multiple I / O units are arranged in a predetermined orientation, starting with the main unit. The terminals of adjacent main units are connected to the terminals of the I / O units. Additionally, the terminals of adjacent I / O units are interconnected. Thus, the main unit and the multiple I / O units are communicatively connected. Hereinafter, the block consisting of the communicatively connected main unit and multiple I / O units is also referred to as a "station".

[0004] When multiple stations are set up, the operator connects the control device to the main unit of each station in sequence. Here, the main unit of each station is connected by connecting components such as cables prepared separately by the operator.

[0005] Sometimes, the two stations are arranged in the predetermined orientation described above. In this case, the operator connects the beginnings (main units) of the two stations to each other via a connecting component. Here, multiple I / O units connected to one of the main units are provided between the main units of the two stations. In this case, the operator must route the connecting component around these multiple I / O units.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a main unit that transmits signals to a device connected to the I / O unit via an I / O unit. The main unit includes: a main processing circuit for signal processing; a first connector for connecting to another main unit disposed after the main processing circuit; a second connector for connecting to a control device or other main unit disposed before the main processing circuit; a branch terminal for connecting to the I / O unit; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the main processing circuit. The main unit is divided into a first connector module having the first connector, and a main module having the main processing circuit and the second connector connected to the main processing circuit, the branch terminal, and the power supply unit. The first connector module and the main module also have a first connection terminal for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising: an I / O unit for connecting to a device, and a main unit for transmitting signals to the device via the I / O unit. The main unit includes: a main processing circuit for performing signal processing; a first connector for connecting to other main units disposed after the main processing circuit; a second connector for connecting to a control device or other main units disposed before the main processing circuit; a branch terminal for connecting to the I / O unit; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the main processing circuit. The main unit is divided into a first connector module having the first connector, and a main module having the main processing circuit and the second connector connected to the main processing circuit, the branch terminal, and the power supply unit. The first connector module and the main module further have a first connection terminal for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit. The I / O unit includes: a front-stage main current terminal and a front-stage branch current terminal, which can be connected to the first connection terminal and the branch current terminal of the main module disposed in the front stage; a rear-stage branch current terminal, which can be connected to the front-stage branch current terminal of other I / O units disposed in the rear stage; a slave processing circuit, which is connected to the front-stage branch current terminal and the rear-stage branch current terminal, and performs signal input and output with the main processing circuit; and a rear-stage main current terminal, which is connected to the front-stage main current terminal without passing through the slave processing circuit, and can be connected to the first connection terminal of the first connector module disposed in the rear stage.

[0009] According to the present invention, a main unit capable of being connected from the rear-level side of a station to the main unit of other stations and a communication system having the main unit are provided. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to a reference example of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the communication coupler unit of Modified Example 1.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the communication coupler unit of Modified Example 2.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram representing the station in variation example 2.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the general connector module of variant example 3. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to illustrate the main unit and communication system of the present invention.

[0017] (Implementation Method)

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a communication system 100 according to a reference example of the present invention.

[0019] Communication system 100 is a system for transmitting signals between control device 102 and device 104. Device 104 is installed in a mechanical device, such as a machine tool or robot. Device 104 includes an output device 104a and an input device 104b. Output device 104a is, for example, an actuator such as a switch. When control device 102 drives output device 104a, it sends a control signal to output device 104a via communication system 100. Input device 104b is, for example, a sensor that detects pressure, voltage, or current. Control device 102 receives detection signals from input device 104b via communication system 100.

[0020] The communication system 100 has two communication coupler units 106 (106a, 106b) and multiple I / O units 108 (108a, 108b). Multiple I / O units 108a are sequentially connected after the communication coupler unit 106a. In this case, the communication coupler unit 106a is the master unit of the multiple I / O units 108a. The multiple I / O units 108a are slave units of the communication coupler unit 106a.

[0021] The communication coupler unit 106a and multiple I / O units 108a constitute a station S10. Figure 1Arrow D indicates the arrangement direction of the communication coupler unit 106a and multiple I / O units 108a (+D: rear stage side, -D: front stage side).

[0022] Furthermore, multiple I / O units 108b are sequentially connected to the downstream of the communication coupler unit 106b. Therefore, the communication coupler unit 106b is the master unit of the multiple I / O units 108b. The multiple I / O units 108b are slave units of the communication coupler unit 106b. The communication coupler unit 106b and the multiple I / O units 108b constitute a station S20. The communication coupler unit 106b and the multiple I / O units 108b are arranged in the setting direction D.

[0023] The following description further explains the structure of the communication coupler unit 106 and the I / O unit 108 in sequence.

[0024] The communication coupler unit 106 includes a main processing circuit 20, a branch terminal 22, a power supply unit 24, a first connector 26, a second connector 28, and a housing 110. The main processing circuit 20, the branch terminal 22, the power supply unit 24, the first connector 26, and the second connector 28 are housed in the housing 110.

[0025] The main processing circuit 20 may include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the main processing circuit 20 may also include an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0026] The power supply unit 24 supplies power to the main processing circuit 20. However, the power supply unit 24 may also supply power to multiple I / O units 108 located on the back end of the communication coupler unit 106.

[0027] The first connector 26 is a connector for connecting to other communication coupler units 106 located after the communication coupler unit 106. The second connector 28 is a connector for connecting to a control device 102 located before the communication coupler unit 106, or other communication coupler units 106 located before the communication coupler unit 106. Within a communication coupler unit 106, the first connector 26 and the second connector 28 are connected to the main processing circuit 20. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the first connector 26 and the second connector 28 are disposed on the side of the front (-D) side in the communication coupler unit 106.

[0028] exist Figure 1In this example, the first connector 26 of the communication coupler unit 106a is connected to the second connector 28 of the communication coupler unit 106b via a connection component Cab1 prepared by the operator. The connection component Cab1 is, for example, a cable. Additionally, the second connector 28 of the communication coupler unit 106a is connected to the control device 102 via a connection component Cab2 prepared by the operator. Thus, the control device 102, the main processing circuit 20 of the communication coupler unit 106a, and the main processing circuit 20 of the communication coupler unit 106b are connected sequentially in this order. In this reference example, the first connector 26 of the communication coupler unit 106b is open-circuited. If another communication coupler unit 106 is provided at a later stage of the communication coupler unit 106b, the first connector 26 of the communication coupler unit 106b is connected to the second connector 28 of that other communication coupler unit 106.

[0029] Branch terminal 22 is a terminal connected to I / O unit 108. Within a communication coupler unit 106, branch terminal 22 is connected to main processing circuit 20. Branch terminal 22 is located on the side of the rear stage (+D) side in the communication coupler unit 106.

[0030] I / O unit 108 includes processing circuitry 32, interface 34, preamplifier-side branch terminal 36, power amplifier-side branch terminal 38, and housing 112. Processing circuitry 32, interface 34, preamplifier-side branch terminal 36, and power amplifier-side branch terminal 38 are housed in housing 112.

[0031] The slave processing circuit 32 may include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the slave processing circuit 32 may also include an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The slave processing circuit 32 inputs and outputs signals to the main processing circuit 20.

[0032] Interface 34 is hardware (circuit, electronic component group) used to connect the processing circuit 32 to the device 104, thereby enabling signal input and output between the processing circuit 32 and the device 104. The specific structure of interface 34 varies depending on the type of device 104.

[0033] Multiple I / O units 108 are connected to multiple devices 104. Figure 1 Multiple I / O units 108 are connected to different devices 104. However, multiple devices 104 can also be connected to one I / O unit 108.

[0034] The front-stage side branch terminal 36 is a terminal for connecting to the communication coupler unit 106 or other I / O units 108 disposed in the front stage. The front-stage side branch terminal 36 is disposed on the front (-D) side of the I / O unit 108. The rear-stage side branch terminal 38 is a terminal for connecting to other I / O units 108 disposed in the rear stage. The rear-stage side branch terminal 38 is disposed on the rear (+D) side of the I / O unit 108. Within an I / O unit 108, the front-stage side branch terminal 36 and the rear-stage side branch terminal 38 are interconnected via the processing circuit 32.

[0035] When the preceding stage of the I / O unit 108 is the communication coupler unit 106, the preceding stage side branch terminal 36 is connected to the branch terminal 22. Thus, the main processing circuit 20 of the communication coupler unit 106 is connected to the slave processing circuit 32 of the subsequent I / O unit 108.

[0036] Furthermore, when the preceding stage of I / O unit 108 is another I / O unit 108, the preceding stage side branch terminal 36 is connected to the following stage side branch terminal 38 of that other I / O unit 108. Thus, starting with the main processing circuit 20 of the communication coupler unit 106, the slave processing circuits 32 of multiple I / O units 108 are daisy-chained together.

[0037] When control device 102 sends a control signal to device 104, control device 102 outputs a control signal to the primary (first) connected communication coupler unit 106a from its own perspective. This control signal contains address information of the I / O unit 108 connected to the destination device 104. The main processing circuit 20 of communication coupler unit 106a determines whether the address information contained in the control signal represents any one of the multiple I / O units 108a. If the address information does not represent any one of the multiple I / O units 108a, the main processing circuit 20 of communication coupler unit 106a outputs a control signal to the main processing circuit 20 of communication coupler unit 106b. If the address information represents any one of the multiple I / O units 108a, the main processing circuit 20 of communication coupler unit 106a outputs a control signal to the I / O unit 108a downstream of itself. The slave processing circuit 32 of the I / O unit 108a that received the control signal from the preceding stage determines whether the address information contained in the input control signal represents itself. Here, when the address information of I / O unit 108a represents itself, the slave processing circuit 32 outputs a control signal to the device 104 connected to it. As a result, device 104 operates. On the other hand, when the address information in the input control signal does not represent itself, I / O unit 108a outputs a control signal to the I / O unit 108a downstream of it. Furthermore, when the address information in the control signal represents itself, I / O unit 108 can also output a control signal to the I / O unit 108 downstream of it. Additionally, when the address information in the control signal represents the I / O unit 108 connected to it, communication coupler unit 106 can also output a control signal to the communication coupler unit 106 downstream of it.

[0038] Sometimes, device 104 outputs a signal to control device 102. In this case, the signal from device 104 is input to the slave processing circuit 32 of I / O unit 108 connected to device 104. Slave processing circuit 32 sends the signal input from device 104 connected to itself to control device 102. In this case, slave processing circuit 32 outputs a signal to I / O unit 108 or communication coupler unit 106 connected in front of it. Here, slave processing circuit 32 includes the content output by device 104 and the address information of I / O unit 108 that output the signal in the output signal. The input and output of signals between communication coupler unit 106 and I / O unit 108 is known technology, so further explanation is omitted.

[0039] However, in order to connect station S10 to station S20, the connecting component Cab1 must bypass multiple I / O units 108a (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0040] Based on the above, the implementation method is described below. Furthermore, for components that are identical to those described in the reference example, the same reference numerals are used and their descriptions are omitted; the parts that differ from the reference example are mainly described.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication system 10 includes a communication coupler unit 12a, a communication coupler unit 12b, multiple I / O units 14a, and multiple I / O units 14b. The communication coupler unit 12a is the main unit of the multiple I / O units 14a. The communication coupler unit 12a and the multiple I / O units 14a constitute station S1. Furthermore, the communication coupler unit 12b is the main unit of the multiple I / O units 14b. The communication coupler unit 12b and the multiple I / O units 14b constitute station S2.

[0043] In the following description, communication coupler unit 12a and communication coupler unit 12b are also simply referred to as communication coupler unit 12. Similarly, in the following description, I / O unit 14a and I / O unit 14b are also simply referred to as I / O unit 14.

[0044] The communication coupler unit 12 comprises multiple modules that can be separated from each other. Specifically, the communication coupler unit 12 has a main module 16 and a connector module (first connector module) 18. The main module 16 and the connector module 18 can be separated from each other.

[0045] The main module 16 includes a main processing circuit 20, a branch terminal 22, a power supply section 24, and a second connector 28. The second connector 28 is located away from the rear (+D) side of the main module 16. For example, the second connector 28 is located on the front (-D) side of the main module 16 (see reference). Figure 2 Branch terminal 22 is located on the rear (+D) side of the main module 16. The main processing circuit 20 is connected to branch terminal 22, power supply unit 24 and second connector 28.

[0046] The connector module 18 has a first connector 26. The first connector 26 is disposed on the rear (+D) side of the connector module 18.

[0047] Both the main module 16 and the connector module 18 further include a connection terminal (first connection terminal) 30. In the following description, the connection terminal 30 of the main module 16 is also referred to as connection terminal 30a, and the connection terminal 30 of the connector module 18 is also referred to as connection terminal 30b. Connection terminal 30a is located on the rear (+D) side of the main module 16 and is connected to the main processing circuit 20. On the other hand, connection terminal 30b is located on the front (-D) side of the connector module 18 and is connected to the first connector 26.

[0048] The I / O unit 14 includes a processing circuit 32, an interface 34, a preamplifier-side branch terminal 36, a power amplifier-side branch terminal 38, a preamplifier-side main current terminal 40, a power amplifier-side main current terminal 42, and a housing 44. The processing circuit 32, the interface 34, the preamplifier-side branch terminal 36, the power amplifier-side branch terminal 38, the preamplifier-side main current terminal 40, and the power amplifier-side main current terminal 42 are housed in the housing 44.

[0049] The front-stage mainstream terminal 40 is used to connect to the main module 16 or other I / O units 14 located in the front stage. The front-stage mainstream terminal 40 is located on the front (-D) side of the I / O unit 14. The rear-stage mainstream terminal 42 is used to connect to the connector module 18 or other I / O units 14 located in the rear stage. The rear-stage mainstream terminal 42 is located on the rear (+D) side of the I / O unit 14.

[0050] When the front-end of I / O unit 14 is the main module 16, the front-end mainstream terminal 40 of I / O unit 14 is connected to the connection terminal 30a. When the front-end of I / O unit 14 is another I / O unit 14, the front-end mainstream terminal 40 of I / O unit 14 is connected to the rear-end mainstream terminal 42 of the other I / O unit 14. When the rear-end of I / O unit 14 is a connector module 18, the rear-end mainstream terminal 42 of I / O unit 14 is connected to the connection terminal 30b. Furthermore, when the rear-end of I / O unit 14 is a connector module 18, the rear-end branch terminal 38 of this I / O unit 14 remains open.

[0051] Within an I / O unit 14, the front-end mainstream terminal 40 and the rear-end mainstream terminal 42 are interconnected. Therefore, the front-end mainstream terminal 40 and the rear-end mainstream terminal 42 can connect the main processing circuit 20 of the main module 16 located in the front stage of the I / O unit 14 to the first connector 26 of the first connector module 18 located in the rear stage of the I / O unit 14. Furthermore, the front-end mainstream terminal 40 and the rear-end mainstream terminal 42 are connected without passing through the slave processing circuit 32 (see also...). Figure 2 ).

[0052] Based on the structure of the I / O unit 14, stations S1 and S2 will be further described. Each station S1 and station S2 contains a main module 16. Multiple I / O units 14 are sequentially connected after the main module 16 of station S1. Thus, in station S1, a communication path (branch line Lb1) is formed that sequentially connects the main processing circuit 20 and multiple slave processing circuits 32. Furthermore, in station S2, multiple I / O units 14, different from those in station S1, are sequentially connected after the main module 16. Thus, in station S2, a communication path (branch line Lb2) is formed that sequentially connects the main processing circuit 20 and multiple slave processing circuits 32.

[0053] In addition, a first connector module 18 is provided at the last stage of each of stations S1 and S2. In stations S1 and S2, the main processing circuit 20 of the main module 16 is connected to the first connector 26 of the first connector module 18 via I / O unit 14.

[0054] The second connector 28 of the main module 16 of station S1 is connected to the control device 102 via the connecting component Cab2. Similarly, the second connector 28 of the main module 16 of station S2 is connected to the first connector 26 of the connector module 18 of station S1 via the connecting component Cab1. This forms a communication path (mainstream line La) that connects the main processing circuits 20 of station S1 and S2 sequentially, starting with the control device 102. Here, no slave processing circuit 32 is configured on the mainstream line La. Therefore, signals transmitted between the main processing circuits 20 of station S1 and S2 will not be erroneously input into the slave processing circuit 32 within the communication system 10.

[0055] Based on the communication system 10 described above, the first connector 26 is configured at the last level of station S1. The operator does not need to bypass multiple I / O units 14a by making the connecting part Cab1, which connects the second connector 28 of station S2 to the first connector 26 of station S1, bypass the second I / O unit 14a.

[0056] Variations

[0057] The above description illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications or improvements can be applied to these embodiments. Furthermore, as can be seen from the scope of patent protection, such modifications or improvements can be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0058] Hereinafter, variations of the above embodiments will be described. However, descriptions that are repeated in the above embodiments will be omitted as much as possible. Unless otherwise specified, the constituent elements described in the above embodiments will be marked with the same reference numerals as in the above embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements described in the embodiments include elements that are functionally identical.

[0059] (Variation Example 1)

[0060] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the communication coupler unit 12A(12) of Modified Example 1.

[0061] the following, Figure 2 The connector module 18 is also referred to as the first connector module 18. Furthermore, as follows, Figure 2 The connection terminals 30 (30a, 30b) are also referred to as first connection terminals 30 (30a, 30b). The communication coupler unit 12A includes a main module 16. However, in this modified example, the main module 16 can also be divided into a signal processing module 46 and a second connector module 48. The signal processing module 46 is a module having a main processing circuit 20, a branch terminal 22, and a power supply unit 24. The second connector module 48 is a module having a second connector 28.

[0062] The signal processing module 46 and the second connector module 48 each also have a second connection terminal 50. Furthermore, in the following description, the second connection terminal 50 of the signal processing module 46 is also referred to as the second connection terminal 50a, and the second connection terminal 50 of the second connector module 48 is also referred to as the second connection terminal 50b. The second connection terminal 50a and the second connection terminal 50b are connected to each other in a detachable manner. By connecting the second connection terminal 50a and the second connection terminal 50b, the signal processing module 46 is connected to the second connector module 48.

[0063] The second connection terminal 50a is disposed on the front (-D) side of the signal processing module 46 and is connected to the main processing circuit 20 within the signal processing module 46. Conversely, the second connection terminal 50b is disposed on the rear (+D) side of the second connector module 48 and is connected to the second connector 28 within the second connector module 48. According to this modified example, by interconnecting the second connection terminals 50a and 50b, the main processing circuit 20 and the second connector 28 are interconnected.

[0064] According to this variation, the maintainability of the main module 16 is improved. For example, in the event of a failure of the second connector 28, the operator can complete the maintenance of the main module 16 by simply replacing the second connector module 48 while maintaining the main processing circuit 20, power supply unit 24, and other normal components.

[0065] (Variation Example 2)

[0066] In connection with Modification 1, it is also possible to construct a generally similar module that generalizes the first connector module 18 and the second connector module 48.

[0067] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the communication coupler unit 12B(12) of Modified Example 2.

[0068] The communication coupler unit 12B(12) has a signal processing module 46 and two general connector modules 56. The description of the signal processing module 46 is omitted (see Variation 1).

[0069] Two universal connector modules 56 each have a first connection terminal 30b (30), a second connection terminal 50b (50), and a universal connector 58 connected to them. The first connection terminal 30b (30) is located on the front (-D) side of the universal connector module 56. The second connection terminal 50b (50) is located on the rear (+D) side of the universal connector module 56. The universal connector 58 is a connector that generalizes between the first connector 26 and the second connector 28. The universal connector 58 can be used as both the first connector 26 and the second connector 28.

[0070] The universal connector 58 is located in the universal connector module 56 at a position that avoids the front stage (-D) side and the rear stage (+D) side, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the setting direction D. Figure 4 The direction F) side of the surface. Therefore, even if other devices are installed on either the front or rear side of the universal connector module 56, the connection of the connecting parts (Cab1, Cab2) to the universal connector 58 will not be hindered.

[0071] Figure 5 This is a diagram representing station S3 in variation example 2.

[0072] Station S3 has a communication coupler unit 12B (12) and an I / O unit (multiple I / O units) 14.

[0073] The second connection terminal 50b (50) of one of the two universal connector modules 56 (56A) can be connected to the second connection terminal 50a of the signal processing module 46. In this case, the universal connector 58 of the universal connector module 56A is connected to the control device 102 provided in the front stage of station S3. That is, the universal connector 58 of the universal connector module 56A functions as the second connector module 48 (refer to Modified Example 1).

[0074] On the other hand, the first connection terminal 30b of the other (56B) of the two universal connector modules 56 can be connected to the mains terminal 42 on the rear stage side of the I / O unit 14. In this case, the universal connector 58 of the universal connector module 56B is connected to other communication coupler units 12 (in the rear stage of station S3) Figure 5 (Not shown in the figure) Connection. That is, the universal connector 58 of the universal connector module 56B can be used as connector module 18 (see embodiment).

[0075] According to this modification, the production line can be generalized (simplified into a single production line for the universal connector module 56) through the first connector module 18 and the second connector module 48. Therefore, the communication coupler unit 12 of this modification is beneficial for reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, the operator does not need to consciously use the first connector module 18 (for connection to the downstream side) and the second connector module 48 (for connection to the upstream side) separately.

[0076] (Variation Example 3)

[0077] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the general connector module 56C(56) of variant example 3.

[0078] The universal connector module 56C has a T-shaped connection that links the first connection terminal 30b (30), the second connection terminal 50b (50), and the universal connector 58. In this case, the stub length of the loop (signal line) connecting the first connection terminal 30b (30), the second connection terminal 50b (50), and the universal connector 58 is longer than... Figure 4 The structure is shortened. By shortening the length of the stub, signal noise between the first connecting terminal 30b (30) and the universal connector 58, or between the second connecting terminal 50b (50) and the universal connector 58, can be reduced.

[0079] (Invention derived from implementation methods)

[0080] The invention described below can be understood from the above embodiments and variations.

[0081] <First Invention>

[0082] The first invention is a main unit (12) that transmits signals to a device (104) connected to the I / O unit via an I / O unit (14). The main unit includes: a main processing circuit (20) for signal processing; a first connector (26, 58) for connecting to other main units (12) disposed after the main processing circuit; a second connector (28, 58) for connecting to a control device (102) or other main units (12) disposed before the main processing circuit; a branch terminal (22) for connecting to the I / O unit; and a power supply unit (24) for supplying power to the main processing circuit. The main unit is divided into a first connector module (18, 56) having the first connector, and a main module (16) having the main processing circuit, the second connector connected to the main processing circuit, the branch terminal, and the power supply unit. The first connector module and the main module also have a first connection terminal (30) for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit.

[0083] Therefore, a main unit is provided that can be connected to the main unit of other stations from the rear-level side of the station.

[0084] The main module can be divided into a second connector module (48, 56) having the second connector, and a signal processing module (46) having the branch terminal, the main processing circuit, and the power supply unit. The second connector module and the signal processing module also have a second connection terminal (50) for connecting the second connector to the main processing circuit. As a result, the main module is easy to maintain.

[0085] The first connector module and the second connector module can be configured as a universal connector module (56). The universal connector module has: a first connection terminal, a second connection terminal, and a universal connector (58), which is a connector that makes the first connector and the second connector universal, and connects to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. As a result, the convenience of the main unit is improved from the perspectives of both the producer and the operator.

[0086] The first connecting terminal, the second connecting terminal, and the universal connector can be connected in a T-shape. This reduces noise.

[0087] <Second Invention>

[0088] The second invention is a communication system (10) comprising: an I / O unit (14) for connecting a device (104); and a main unit (12) for transmitting signals to the device via the I / O unit, the main unit comprising: a main processing circuit (20) for performing signal processing; a first connector (26, 58) for connecting to other main units (12) disposed after the main processing circuit; a second connector (28, 58) for connecting to a control device (102) or other main units (12) disposed before the main processing circuit; a branch terminal (22) for connecting to the I / O unit; and a power supply unit (24) for supplying power to the main processing circuit, and the main unit is divided into a first connector module (18, 56) having the first connector, and a main processing circuit having a second connector connected to the main processing circuit, and the branch terminal having... The main module (16) of the power supply section, the first connector module and the main module also have a first connection terminal (30) for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit. The I / O unit includes: a front-stage main current terminal (40) and a front-stage branch current terminal (36), which can be connected to the first connection terminal and the branch current terminal of the main module in the front stage; a rear-stage branch current terminal (38), which can be connected to the front-stage branch current terminal of other I / O units (14) in the rear stage; a slave processing circuit (32), which is connected to the front-stage branch current terminal and the rear-stage branch current terminal and performs signal input and output with the main processing circuit; and a rear-stage main current terminal (42), which is connected to the front-stage main current terminal without passing through the slave processing circuit and can be connected to the first connection terminal of the first connector module in the rear stage.

[0089] Therefore, a communication system is provided that has a main unit capable of connecting to the main unit of other stations from the rear-level side of the station.

Claims

1. A main unit (12) that transmits signals to a device (104) connected to the I / O unit via an I / O unit (14), characterized in that, The main unit has: The main processing circuit (20) performs signal processing; The first connector (26, 58) is used to connect to other main units (12) located after the main processing circuit; The second connector (28, 58) is used to connect to the control device (102) or other main unit (12) located in front of the main processing circuit; Branch terminal (22), which is used to connect to the I / O unit; and The power supply unit (24) supplies power to the main processing circuit. The main unit is divided into a first connector module (18, 56) having the first connector, and a main module (16) having the main processing circuit, a second connector connected to the main processing circuit, the branch terminal, and the power supply unit. The first connector module and the main module also have a first connection terminal (30) for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit without via the slave processing circuit of the I / O unit.

2. The main unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main module is divided into a second connector module (48, 56) having the second connector, and a signal processing module (46) having the branch terminal, the main processing circuit and the power supply section. The second connector module and the signal processing module also have a second connection terminal (50) for connecting the second connector to the main processing circuit.

3. The main unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connector module and the second connector module constitute a universal connector module (56). The general-purpose connector module described above has: The first connecting terminal, The second connection terminal, and A universal connector (58) is a connector that makes the first connector and the second connector universal, and is connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.

4. The main unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connecting terminal, the second connecting terminal, and the universal connector were connected in a T-shape.

5. A communication system (10) comprising: an I / O unit (14) for connecting to a device (104); and a main unit (12) for transmitting signals to the device via the I / O unit. Its features are, The main unit has: The main processing circuit (20) performs signal processing; The first connector (26, 58) is used to connect to other main units (12) located after the main processing circuit; The second connector (28, 58) is used to connect to the control device (102) or other main unit (12) located in front of the main processing circuit; Branch terminal (22), which is used to connect to the I / O unit; and The power supply unit (24) supplies power to the main processing circuit. Furthermore, the main unit is divided into a first connector module (18, 56) having the first connector, and a main module (16) having the main processing circuit, a second connector connected to the main processing circuit, the branch terminal, and the power supply unit. The first connector module and the main module also have a first connection terminal (30) for connecting the first connector to the main processing circuit via the I / O unit. The I / O unit includes: The front-stage main current terminal (40) and the front-stage branch current terminal (36) are capable of being connected to the first connection terminal and the branch current terminal of the main module located in the front stage. The rear-stage side branch terminal (38) can be connected to the front-stage side branch terminal of other I / O units (14) located in the rear stage; The processing circuit (32) is connected to the front-end branch terminal and the rear-end branch terminal, and performs signal input and output with the main processing circuit; as well as The mains terminal (42) on the rear stage side, which is not connected to the mains terminal on the front stage side via the processing circuit, can be connected to the first connection terminal of the first connector module provided in the rear stage.

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