An expandable universal controller

Abstract

The application provides an expandable general controller, which comprises a main controller, an expandable wireless module and an expandable digital module, and comprises the following: the main controller and the expandable digital module are engaged with each other through a first concave sliding groove and a first convex sliding groove, a first expansion connector socket end and a first expansion connector plug end are inserted into each other, and a first positioning pin head and a first positioning pin tail are matched with each other through pin holes; the main controller and the expandable wireless module are engaged with each other through a second concave sliding groove and a second convex sliding groove, a second expansion connector socket end and a second expansion connector plug end are inserted into each other, and a second positioning pin head and a second positioning pin tail are matched with each other through pin holes. The flexible configuration and installation of the interface module are realized through the concave-convex sliding grooves and the plug-in connector, various controllers are integrated through the modular design, and rich communication interfaces or functions are provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of industrial automation control, and in particular to an expandable universal controller. Background Technology

[0002] In modern society, controllers are used in many fields, such as tunnel controllers. Tunnel area controllers are mainly used for equipment control and information collection in a certain area within a tunnel, such as traffic lights, lane indicators, environmental detectors, fans, and lighting. Their main components include CPU, industrial bus interface, digital and analog modules, 4G / 5G, GNSS, Ethernet interface, and power supply module. They can operate independently or form a system and are an indispensable and important part of the tunnel system.

[0003] However, most existing controllers currently have a limited number of interfaces, dispersed functions, and a wide variety of types. To meet actual needs, they are often deployed in large numbers, resulting in high costs. Furthermore, they generally use T-connectors as connection devices, with only 8 pins for each interface, limiting the number of external power supplies and I / O devices that can be connected, such as ADC slot detection, CAN bus, UART, 3.3V, 5V, and 24V. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the aforementioned technical deficiencies, this application provides an expandable universal controller. To achieve the above objective, this application implements it according to the following technical solution:

[0005] This application provides a scalable universal controller, which includes a main controller, a scalable wireless module, and a scalable digital module, characterized in that it includes:

[0006] The main controller includes: a first convex sliding groove disposed at the upper and lower ends of the right housing of the controller, a first expansion connector socket end disposed at the right housing of the main controller, a first positioning pin tail end, a second concave sliding groove disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left housing of the main controller, a second expansion connector plug end disposed on the left housing of the main controller, and a second positioning pin head.

[0007] The expandable digital quantity module includes a first concave groove disposed at both the upper and lower ends of the left side housing of the expandable digital quantity module, a first expansion connector plug end and a first positioning pin head disposed on the left side housing of the expandable digital quantity module; the main controller and the expandable digital quantity module are slid into each other through the first concave groove and the first convex groove, and the first positioning pin head and the first positioning pin tail are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve installation in place; the first expansion connector socket end and the first expansion connector plug end are plugged into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable digital quantity module type; the main controller is used to receive the digital signals transmitted by the expandable digital quantity module, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable digital quantity module.

[0008] The expandable wireless module includes a second convex sliding groove disposed at both ends of the right side housing of the expandable wireless module, a second expansion connector socket end disposed on the right side housing of the expandable wireless module, and a second positioning pin tail end disposed on the right side housing of the expandable wireless module. The main controller and the expandable wireless module are slid into each other through the engagement of the second concave sliding groove and the second convex sliding groove. The head and tail of the second positioning pin are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve proper installation. The socket end and the plug end of the second expansion connector are plugged into each other to achieve expansion of the expandable wireless module type. The main controller is used to receive the wireless signal transmitted by the expandable wireless module, generate a wireless selection command, and send it to the expandable wireless module.

[0009] Optionally, the expandable general-purpose controller further includes an expandable analog quantity module, which includes:

[0010] The expandable analog quantity module includes a third concave groove disposed at both ends of the left side housing of the expandable analog quantity module, a third expansion connector plug end and a third positioning pin head disposed on the left side housing of the expandable analog quantity module; the main controller and the expandable analog quantity module are slid into each other through the third concave groove and the first convex groove, and the third positioning pin head and the first positioning pin tail are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve installation in place; the first expansion connector socket end and the third expansion connector plug end are plugged into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable analog quantity module type; the main controller is used to receive the analog signals transmitted by the expandable analog quantity module, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable analog quantity module.

[0011] Optionally, the expandable wireless module includes Bluetooth, StarFlash, 4G or 5G, GNSS, LoRa, and ZigBee.

[0012] Optionally, the expandable digital module includes digital input, digital output, relay output, RS232 or RS485.

[0013] Optionally, the expandable analog module includes current input, current output, or voltage output.

[0014] Optionally, the main controller is equipped with a wireless module type detection module for identifying the types of expandable wireless modules.

[0015] Optionally, the wireless module type detection module has 8 channels, each channel being configured to a high or low level via an external voltage level to identify the type of the expandable wireless module. The method for identifying the type of the expandable wireless module includes:

[0016] Based on the inserted scalable wireless module, the channel in which the level changes is determined;

[0017] The type of the scalable wireless module is determined based on the channel whose voltage level changes.

[0018] Optionally, the expandable digital quantity module is further provided with a first automatic slot detection module, and the expandable analog quantity module is further provided with a second automatic slot detection module. The first automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable digital quantity module, and the second automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable analog quantity module.

[0019] Optionally, the first automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slot of the expandable digital quantity module, including:

[0020] The voltage across the resistor at the expandable digital input module is acquired;

[0021] Based on the voltage, determine the slot for the expandable digital quantity module;

[0022] The second automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable analog module, including:

[0023] The voltage across the resistor at the expandable analog module is acquired;

[0024] Based on the voltage, the slot for the expandable analog module is determined.

[0025] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] This universal controller features a modular design and flexible configuration of interface numbers to achieve data acquisition. It leverages the HarmonyOS system to break down business barriers across various industries and implement data sharing. Through soft bus capabilities and multi-device collaboration, it enables business linkage in various industry scenarios, solving timely response issues in scenarios such as urban flood control and fire prevention through device linkage.

[0027] In addition to the purposes, features, and advantages described above, this application has other purposes, features, and advantages. The application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a right view of the expandable general-purpose controller provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a left view of the expandable digital quantity module and main controller provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a left view of the expandable analog module provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the convex groove and concave groove provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a level configuration diagram of the wireless module type detection module provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the wireless module type detection module provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0035] Figure 7 This is an automatic slot detection topology diagram of digital quantum modules and analog quantum modules provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this application can be implemented in many different ways as defined and covered by the claims.

[0037] The application of industrial controllers in various scenarios has become commonplace. However, most existing controllers currently have few interfaces, scattered functions, and a wide variety of types. To meet actual needs, they are often deployed in large numbers, resulting in high costs. Moreover, they generally use T-connectors as connection devices, with only 8 pins for the interface, limiting the number of external power supplies and I / O devices that can be connected, such as ADC slot detection, CAN bus, UART, 3.3V, 5V, and 24V.

[0038] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a scalable universal controller 100, which includes a main controller 110, a scalable wireless module 120, and a scalable digital input module 130, comprising:

[0039] The main controller 110 includes: a first convex groove 111 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the right housing of the main controller 110; a first expansion connector socket end 112 and a first positioning pin tail 113 disposed at the right housing of the main controller 110; a second concave groove 114 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left housing of the main controller; and a second expansion connector plug end 115 and a second positioning pin head 116 disposed on the left housing of the main controller.

[0040] The expandable digital input module 120 includes a first concave groove 121 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left side housing of the expandable digital input module, a first expansion connector plug end 122 and a first positioning pin head 123 disposed on the left side housing of the expandable digital input module; the main controller 110 slides into the expandable digital input module 120 through the first concave groove 121 and the first convex groove 111 engaging with each other, and the first positioning pin head 123 and the first positioning pin tail 113 engaging with each other through pin holes to achieve proper installation; different first expansion connector socket ends 112 and first expansion connector plug ends 122 can be plugged into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable digital input module 1 type; the main controller 110 is used to receive digital signals transmitted by the expandable digital input module 120, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable digital input module 120; the expandable digital input module 120 includes digital input, digital output, relay output, RS232, and RS485.

[0041] The expandable wireless module 130 includes second convex grooves 131 located at the upper and lower ends of the right side housing, and a second expansion connector socket end 132 and a second positioning pin tail end 133 located on the right side housing. The main controller 110 slides into the expandable wireless module 130 through the engagement of the second concave groove 114 and the second convex groove 131. The head 116 and the tail 113 of the second positioning pin engage with each other through pin holes to achieve proper installation. The second expansion connector socket end 132 and the second expansion connector plug end 115 are plugged into each other to enable expansion of the expandable wireless module 130. The main controller 110 receives the wireless signals transmitted by the expandable wireless module 130, generates wireless selection commands, and sends them to the expandable wireless module 130. The second expansion connector is equipped with UART, USB, I2C, and IO signals to achieve interface cascading with the main controller 110.

[0042] It should be noted that, depending on actual needs, an antenna SMA connector 134 can be set on the upper side of the expandable wireless module 130. This antenna connector can be fixed or detachable, and this article does not impose any specific restrictions on it.

[0043] The main controller 110 receives wireless signals from the expandable wireless module 120, generates wireless selection commands, and sends them to the expandable wireless module 120. The expandable wireless module includes Bluetooth, satellite navigation, 4G or 5G, integrated GNSS, LoRa or GigBee, and sensors. Bluetooth and satellite navigation use a UART1 interface for signal communication (selective choice); LoRa and GigBee use a UART2 interface for signal communication (selective choice); 4G and 5G use a USB interface for signal communication (selective choice); and sensors use an I2C interface for signal communication. Multiple slave devices can be connected.

[0044] like Figure 3As shown, the expandable universal controller 100 of this application also includes an expandable analog module 140. The expandable analog module 140 includes a third concave groove 141 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left side housing of the expandable analog module, a third expansion connector plug end 142 and a third positioning pin head 143 disposed on the left side housing of the expandable analog module 140; the main controller 110 and the expandable analog module 140 are slid into each other through the third concave groove 141 and the first convex groove 111, and the third positioning pin head 143 and the first positioning pin tail 113 are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve installation; the first expansion connector socket end 112 and the third expansion connector plug end 142 are plugged into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable analog module type. The main controller 110 is used to receive the analog signals transmitted by the expandable analog module 140, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable analog module 140. The third expansion connector is provided with a CAN bus, and the expandable analog module 140 and the main controller 110 are cascaded through the CAN bus.

[0045] The main controller 110 receives analog signals transmitted from the expandable analog module 140, generates control commands, and sends them to the expandable analog module 140. The expandable analog module includes current input (AI), current output (AO), or voltage output (VO).

[0046] It should be noted that the structure of the concave groove in this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, all are concave groove structures as shown in 401, while the convex groove structures in this application are all convex groove structures as shown in 402.

[0047] The expandable wireless module 110 of this application also includes a wireless module type detection module 150, which is mainly used to identify the type of the expandable wireless module 130. For example... Figure 5 As shown (the main module is the main controller 110 in this application), the wireless module type detection module 150 has 8 channels. Each channel can be configured to a high or low level via an external voltage level. The main controller 110 reads the voltage level of each channel of the wireless module type detection module via the I2C bus, resulting in a total of 16 combinations, meaning it can connect to 16 different wireless modules. Figure 6As shown in the diagram, the schematic of the device type detection module is as follows: A0, A1, and A2 are I2C address configuration pins; VCC and GND are power supply pins; SC0~SC7 are eight channels. Each channel can be configured to a high or low level via an external voltage level. The I2C bus can read the voltage level of each channel to determine the specific type of the expandable wireless module, enabling 16 combinations. In other words, the channel voltage levels corresponding to the expandable wireless module 130 are pre-set. After the expandable wireless module is inserted, the corresponding voltage level of the channel will change. The type of the expandable wireless module 130 is then determined based on the channel whose voltage level changes. Subsequently, when the main controller 110 queries and reads the module, the confirmation result of the expandable wireless module type is sent back to the main controller 110 via the I2C bus.

[0048] In addition, the expandable digital quantity module 120 of this application is also provided with a first automatic slot detection module 160, and the expandable analog quantity module 140 is also provided with a second automatic slot detection module 170. The first automatic slot detection module 160 is used to detect the slot of the expandable digital quantity module, and the second automatic slot detection module 170 is used to detect the slot of the expandable analog quantity module.

[0049] Since the first and second automatic slot detection modules operate on the same principle, only a detailed description of the first automatic slot detection module will be provided here. Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 The main module is the main controller 110 of this application, and the sub-modules are the expandable analog-to-digital module 120 or the expandable analog module 140 of this application. (From the topology...) Figure 7As can be seen, the detection scheme in this application only occupies 2 pin resources. When only one submodule is connected, since the control signal of the control module 1 on submodule 1 is pulled high by default, the controller module 1 is grounded, and the resistor forms a loop with ground. This makes the ADC power supply on the CPU module, the resistor on submodule 1, and the control module 1 form a loop. The submodule processor collects the voltage on the resistor of the submodule through the ADC and transmits the voltage value to the processor on the CPU module through the CAN bus, which determines it as slot 1. Similarly, when two submodules are connected, submodule 2 pulls the control module 1 in the previous submodule low through the control signal, thus turning off the control module 1. The resistor on submodule 2 is then connected in series with the resistor of the previous submodule 1. At the same time, the control signal of submodule 2... The controller signal 2 of control module 2 is pulled high by default, and control module 2 is connected to ground, forming a loop. Therefore, the ADC voltage on the CPU module is divided by two resistors, and the voltage values ​​collected by the ADCs of the two sub-modules are different. The second sub-module is identified as slot 2, and so on. When N sub-modules are connected, it is equivalent to connecting N resistors in series with the ADC power supply on the main module CPU. This voltage is divided into N equal parts, and the voltage collected by the ADC of each sub-module is different. The farther away from the CPU module, the lower the collected voltage. The processor on the CPU module sorts them through software algorithms, thereby determining the specific slot to which different sub-modules are connected. No manual intervention is required. Moreover, the sub-modules can be installed in any position, thus achieving the purpose of automatic slot detection.

[0050] It should be noted that in practical applications, the main controller 110 may be connected to an expandable digital module 130 or an expandable analog module 140 depending on actual needs. This application does not impose any specific restrictions on this. Furthermore, the expandable connector socket and plug settings in this application can be configured according to actual needs and are not the fixed configuration structure mentioned above.

[0051] The expandable universal controller of this application enables flexible configuration and installation of interface modules by setting different sliding grooves and positioning pins on the main controller. It can connect to a wider range of peripheral modules, meet the flexible use needs of multiple scenarios, solve the problems of the large number and variety of devices in the scenario, support wired and wireless networking, and is flexible and convenient to use.

[0052] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A scalable universal controller, the universal controller comprising a main controller, a scalable wireless module, and a scalable digital input module, characterized in that, include: The main controller includes: a first convex sliding groove disposed at the upper and lower ends of the right housing of the controller, a first expansion connector socket end disposed at the right housing of the main controller, a first positioning pin tail end, a second concave sliding groove disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left housing of the main controller, a second expansion connector plug end disposed on the left housing of the main controller, and a second positioning pin head. The expandable digital quantity module includes a first concave groove disposed at both ends of the left side housing of the expandable digital quantity module, a first expansion connector plug end and a first positioning pin head disposed on the left side housing of the expandable digital quantity module; the main controller and the expandable digital quantity module are slid into each other through the first concave groove and the first convex groove, and the first positioning pin head and the first positioning pin tail are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve installation in place; the first expansion connector socket end and the first expansion connector plug end are inserted into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable digital quantity module type; the main controller is used to receive the digital signals transmitted by the expandable digital quantity module, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable digital quantity module; The expandable wireless module includes a second convex sliding groove disposed at both ends of the upper and lower parts of the right side housing of the expandable wireless module, a second expansion connector socket end disposed on the right side housing of the expandable wireless module, and a second positioning pin tail end disposed on the right side housing of the expandable wireless module. The main controller and the expandable wireless module are slid into each other through the engagement of the second concave sliding groove and the second convex sliding groove. The head and tail of the second positioning pin are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve proper installation. The second expansion connector socket end and the second expansion connector plug end are inserted into each other to achieve expansion of the expandable wireless module type. The main controller is used to receive the wireless signal transmitted by the expandable wireless module, generate a wireless selection command, and send it to the expandable wireless module.

2. The expandable universal controller according to claim 1, wherein the expandable universal controller further includes an expandable analog quantity module, characterized in that, The expandable analog quantity module includes: The expandable analog quantity module includes a third concave groove disposed at both ends of the left side housing of the expandable analog quantity module, a third expansion connector plug end and a third positioning pin head disposed on the left side housing of the expandable analog quantity module; the main controller and the expandable analog quantity module are slid into each other through the third concave groove and the first convex groove, and the third positioning pin head and the first positioning pin tail are engaged with each other through pin holes to achieve installation in place; the first expansion connector socket end and the third expansion connector plug end are plugged into each other to realize the expansion of the expandable analog quantity module type; the main controller is used to receive the analog signals transmitted by the expandable analog quantity module, generate control commands, and send them to the expandable analog quantity module.

3. The expandable universal controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expandable wireless module includes Bluetooth, Starflash, 4G or 5G, GNSS, LoRa or ZigBee.

4. The expandable universal controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expandable digital quantity module includes digital input, digital output, relay output, RS232 or RS485.

5. The expandable universal controller according to claim 2, characterized in that, The expandable analog module includes current input, current output, or voltage output.

6. The expandable universal controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expandable wireless module is equipped with a wireless module type detection module to identify the type of expandable wireless module.

7. The expandable universal controller according to claim 6, wherein the wireless module type detection module has 8 channels, each channel being configured to a high or low level by an external voltage level for identifying the type of the expandable wireless module, characterized in that, The types used to identify the scalable wireless module include: Based on the inserted scalable wireless module, the channel in which the level changes is determined; The type of the scalable wireless module is determined based on the channel whose voltage level changes.

8. The expandable universal controller according to claim 2, characterized in that, The expandable digital quantity module is further provided with a first automatic slot detection module, and the expandable analog quantity module is further provided with a second automatic slot detection module. The first automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable digital quantity module, and the second automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable analog quantity module.

9. The expandable universal controller according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable digital quantity module, including: The voltage across the resistor at the expandable digital input module is acquired; Based on the voltage, determine the slot for the expandable digital quantity module; The second automatic slot detection module is used to detect the slots of the expandable analog module, including: The voltage across the resistor at the expandable analog module is acquired; Based on the voltage, the slot for the expandable analog module is determined.

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