An IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link system

Abstract

This invention discloses an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link system, relating to the field of communication technology. The key technical points are: the IO-Link slave device includes a first CLASS-B interface, a bidirectional power supply circuit, a control circuit, an IO module, and a signal output circuit; the first CLASS-B interface is connected to both the control circuit and the bidirectional power supply circuit; the control circuit is connected to the signal output circuit; and the IO module is connected to both the bidirectional power supply circuit and the signal output circuit. Specifically, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface, so that the CLASS-B interface provides the power input for the actuator of the signal output circuit; if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module. This invention solves the problem that current IO-Link slave devices cannot be adapted to IO-Link master devices with CLASS-A interfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link system. Background Technology

[0002] The existing IO-LINK system has two types of interfaces: CLASS-A and CLASS-B. The CLASS-B interface provides actuator power, while the CLASS-A interface does not. IO-Link slave devices, such as analog / digital output modules, require actuator power. When IO-Link slave devices are connected to the CLASS-A interface of an IO-Link master device, the lack of actuator power prevents them from functioning properly. Therefore, IO-Link slave devices can only be used with IO-Link master devices that have a CLASS-B interface. This limits users' module selection and restricts their flexibility in matching IO-Link master and slave devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link system, which solves the problem that current IO-Link slave devices cannot be adapted to IO-Link master devices with CLASS-A interfaces.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an IO-Link slave device, the IO-Link slave device including a first CLASS-B interface, a bidirectional power supply circuit, a control circuit, an IO module, and a signal output circuit;

[0005] The first CLASS-B interface is connected to the control circuit and the bidirectional power supply circuit, the control circuit is connected to the signal output circuit, and the IO module is connected to the bidirectional power supply circuit and the signal output circuit.

[0006] Wherein, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface so that the CLASS-B interface provides the power input for the actuator power supply of the signal output circuit;

[0007] If the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master station device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module.

[0008] In one implementation, the bidirectional power supply circuit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit;

[0009] The first control circuit is used to control the connection between the bidirectional power supply circuit and the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface;

[0010] The second control circuit is used to control the connection between the bidirectional power supply circuit and the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the IO module.

[0011] In one implementation, the first control circuit includes a first PMOS transistor, a first resistor, a comparator, a first diode, a second diode, a third resistor, a fourth resistor, and a Zener diode.

[0012] The power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the source of the first PMOS transistor and one end of the first resistor. The other end of the first resistor is connected to the negative input terminal of the comparator and the cathode of the first diode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the anode of the Zener diode, the anode of the second diode and the negative input terminal of the comparator. The gate of the first PMOS transistor is connected to the output terminal of the comparator and the other end of the fourth resistor. The negative input terminal of the comparator is connected to the anode of the Zener diode. The cathode of the second diode is connected to one end of the third resistor. The other end of the third resistor is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and then grounded.

[0013] The drain of the first PMOS transistor, the positive input terminal of the comparator, one end of the fourth resistor, and the cathode of the Zener diode are interconnected to form a node that is connected to the actuator power supply.

[0014] In one implementation, the second control circuit includes a second PMOS transistor, a second resistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor, and a transistor;

[0015] The power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the source of the second PMOS transistor. The drain of the second PMOS transistor is connected to one end of the second resistor and one end of the fifth resistor. The gate of the second PMOS transistor is connected to the other end of the second resistor and one end of the seventh resistor. The other end of the seventh resistor is connected to the emitter of the transistor. The collector of the transistor is connected to one end of the sixth resistor and the ground terminal of the IO module and then grounded. The base of the transistor is connected to the other end of the fifth resistor and the other end of the sixth resistor.

[0016] The drain of the first PMOS transistor, the positive input terminal of the comparator, one end of the fourth resistor, and the cathode of the Zener diode are all connected to the drain of the second PMOS transistor, one end of the second resistor, and one end of the fifth resistor.

[0017] In one implementation, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device, then the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have a 24V voltage input, the comparator outputs a low level, the first PMOS transistor is turned on, the actuator power supply is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface through the first PMOS transistor, the second PMOS transistor is turned on, the power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the actuator power supply through the second PMOS transistor, and the 24V power supply is output.

[0018] In one implementation, the power supply and ground terminals of the first CLASS-B interface have a 24V voltage input, and the power supply terminal of the IO module has a voltage input exceeding 24V. The power supply terminal of the IO module turns on the transistor through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor. When the comparator outputs a high level, the first PMOS transistor is turned off to prevent current from flowing back to the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and to protect the IO-Link master station device.

[0019] In one implementation, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master station device, then the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have no 24V voltage input. The power supply terminal and ground terminal of the IO module are used as power inputs. The power supply terminal of the IO module turns on the transistor through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor, so that the comparator outputs a high level, the first PMOS transistor is turned off, and current is prevented from flowing back to the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface.

[0020] In one implementation, the signal output circuit is an analog / digital output circuit.

[0021] In one implementation, the control circuit is used to output the control signal of the digital / analog output circuit.

[0022] A second aspect of the present invention provides an IO-Link system, comprising an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link master device as provided in the first aspect of the present invention; wherein the IO-Link master device is connected to the IO-Link slave device.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] In an IO-Link slave device provided by this invention, a bidirectional power supply circuit is added to the slave device. The first CLASS-B interface of this bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to both the control circuit and the bidirectional power supply circuit. The control circuit is connected to the signal output circuit, and the IO module is connected to both the bidirectional power supply circuit and the signal output circuit. When the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is controlled to connect to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface, so that the CLASS-B interface provides the power input for the actuator of the signal output circuit. When the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is controlled to connect to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module. Therefore, when the IO-Link slave module with actuator power requirements is connected to the CLASS-B interface, power is supplied externally through the input / output port of the bidirectional power supply circuit, consistent with existing technical solutions. When connected to the CLASS-A interface, power can be supplied to the actuator of the signal output circuit by adding an external power supply to the bidirectional power supply circuit interface. This invention improves the ease of use of IO-LINK slave devices. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A structural diagram of an IO-Link slave device provided for related technologies;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an IO-Link slave device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bidirectional power supply circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names:

[0030] R1, first resistor; R2, second resistor; R3, third resistor; R4, fourth resistor; R5, fifth resistor; R6, sixth resistor; R7, seventh resistor; M1, first PMOS transistor; M2, second PMOS transistor; D1, first diode; D2, second diode; D3, Zener diode; U1, comparator; Q2, transistor. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" or "may include" used in the various embodiments of this application indicate the presence of the claimed function, operation, or element, and do not limit the addition of one or more functions, operations, or elements. Furthermore, as used in the various embodiments of this application, the terms "comprising," "having," and their cognates are intended only to indicate a specific feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or combination of the foregoing, and should not be construed as primarily excluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing, or the possibility of adding one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing.

[0033] In various embodiments of this application, the expression "or" or "at least one of B and / or C" includes any combination or all combinations of the words listed simultaneously. For example, the expression "B or C" or "at least one of B and / or C" may include B, may include C, or may include both B and C.

[0034] It should be understood that terms such as "first," "second," "third,"..."seventh" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," "third,"..."seventh" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In related technologies, IO-LINK systems use two types of interfaces: CLASS-A and CLASS-B. CLASS-B interfaces provide power to the actuators, while CLASS-A interfaces do not. IO-LINK slave devices, such as analog / digital output modules, require actuator power, while traditional IO-LINK slave device designs... Figure 1 As shown, the slave device can only work when connected to the CLASS-B interface of the master device. This design makes it inconvenient for users to flexibly choose the master / slave device combination.

[0036] To address the shortcomings of related technologies, this invention provides an IO-Link slave device that, when connected to a CLASS-A interface, can supply power to the actuator of the signal output circuit by adding an external power supply to the bidirectional power circuit interface, thereby improving the adaptability of the IO-Link slave device.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 An IO-Link slave device is provided in this embodiment of the invention. The IO-Link slave device includes a first CLASS-B interface, a bidirectional power supply circuit, a control circuit, an IO module, and a signal output circuit. The first CLASS-B interface is connected to the control circuit and the bidirectional power supply circuit. The control circuit is connected to the signal output circuit. The IO module is connected to the bidirectional power supply circuit and the signal output circuit. Specifically, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface, so that the CLASS-B interface provides the power input for the actuator of the signal output circuit. If the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module.

[0038] Specifically, IO-Link (IEC 61131-9) is a digital communication protocol and interface standard for industrial automation. It allows for bidirectional communication between sensors, actuators, and other industrial devices and controllers (such as PLCs) to achieve real-time data transmission and control signal exchange. For IO-Link slave devices, these are field-level devices that support the IO-Link communication standard. They exchange information bidirectionally with the IO-Link master device through the IO-Link interface. These devices typically include sensors and actuators, capable of receiving commands from the master device and feeding back their status or data. IO-Link slave devices can be applied in various industrial fields, such as automation, robotics, manufacturing, logistics, and medical equipment. They can be used to achieve real-time monitoring, diagnosis, and control of equipment, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0039] The signal output circuit is... Figure 2 The analog / digital output circuit is described. It is understood that the signal output circuit is an existing circuit in current IO-Link slave devices and is common knowledge; therefore, it will not be described in detail in this embodiment. The control circuit is used to output control signals for the digital / analog output of the control signal output circuit. It is understood that the control circuit is also an existing circuit in IO-Link slave devices and is common knowledge; therefore, it will not be described in detail in this embodiment. Accordingly, the IO module is... Figure 2 The IO M12 interface refers to an IO module with a 12mm interface size.

[0040] In this embodiment, the bidirectional power supply circuit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit; the first control circuit is used to control the bidirectional power supply circuit to connect to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface; the second control circuit is used to control the bidirectional power supply circuit to connect to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 3 The first control circuit includes a first PMOS transistor M1, a first resistor R1, a comparator U1, a first diode D1, a second diode D2, a third resistor R3, a fourth resistor R4, and a Zener diode D3. The power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the source of the first PMOS transistor M1 and one end of the first resistor R1. The other end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the negative input terminal of the comparator U1 and the cathode of the first diode D1. The anode of the first diode D1 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode D3, the anode of the second diode D2, and the cathode of the comparator U1. The negative input terminal is connected, the gate of the first PMOS transistor M1 is connected to the output terminal of comparator U1 and the other end of the fourth resistor R4, the negative input terminal of the comparator U1 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode D3, the cathode of the second diode D2 is connected to one end of the third resistor R3, and the other end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and then grounded; the drain of the first PMOS transistor M1, the positive input terminal of comparator U1, one end of the fourth resistor R4 and the cathode of the Zener diode D3 are interconnected to form a node that is connected to the actuator power supply.

[0042] Specifically, the second control circuit includes a second PMOS transistor M2, a second resistor R2, a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, a seventh resistor R7, and a transistor Q2. The power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the source of the second PMOS transistor M2. The drain of the second PMOS transistor M2 is connected to one end of the second resistor R2 and one end of the fifth resistor R5. The gate of the second PMOS transistor M2 is connected to the other end of the second resistor R2 and one end of the seventh resistor R7. The other end of the seventh resistor R7 is connected to the emitter of the transistor Q2. The collector of the transistor Q2 is connected to one end of the sixth resistor R6 and the ground terminal of the IO module and then grounded. The base of the transistor Q2 is connected to the other end of the fifth resistor R5 and the other end of the sixth resistor R6. The drain of the first PMOS transistor M1, the positive input terminal of the comparator U1, one end of the fourth resistor R4, and the cathode of the Zener diode D3 are all connected to the drain of the second PMOS transistor M2, one end of the second resistor R2, and one end of the fifth resistor R5.

[0043] It should be noted that the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface refers to... Figure 3In the IO-Link interface, pin 2 is the ground terminal, and pin 5 is the ground terminal. Generally speaking, the first CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link slave device has 5 pins, which can generally be defined by numbers 1-5. For example, in this embodiment, pins 2 and 5 are used as the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, while the remaining pins 1, 3 and 4 are generally used as signal and communication connections, respectively.

[0044] In one embodiment, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device, then the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have a 24V voltage input, the comparator U1 outputs a low level, the first PMOS transistor M1 is turned on, the actuator power supply is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface through the first PMOS transistor M1, the second PMOS transistor M2 is turned on, the power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the actuator power supply through the second PMOS transistor M2, and the 24V power supply is output.

[0045] In one embodiment, the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have a 24V voltage input, and the voltage input of the power supply terminal of the IO module exceeds 24V. The power supply terminal of the IO module turns on the transistor Q2 through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor M2, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor M2. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor M2. When the comparator U1 outputs a high level, the first PMOS transistor M1 is turned off to prevent current from flowing back to the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and to protect the IO-Link master station device.

[0046] In one embodiment, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master station device, then the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have no 24V voltage input. The power supply terminal and ground terminal of the IO module are used as power inputs. The power supply terminal of the IO module turns on the transistor Q2 through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor M2, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor M2. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor M2, so that the comparator U1 outputs a high level and the first PMOS transistor M1 is turned off, preventing current from flowing back to the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface.

[0047] This invention also provides an IO-Link system, including an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link master device as described in the above embodiments; wherein the IO-Link master device is connected to the IO-Link slave device.

[0048] It is understood that, since the IO-Link slave device described in the above embodiments supplies power to the external device through the bidirectional power circuit input / output port when the IO-Link slave module with actuator power requirements is connected to the CLASS-B interface, this is consistent with the existing technical solution; while when connected to the CLASS-A interface, power can be supplied to the actuator of the signal output circuit by adding an external power supply to the bidirectional power circuit interface. Therefore, this invention improves the usability of the IO-Link slave device, and the IO-Link system constructed with this IO-Link slave device also possesses corresponding usability, allowing users to flexibly choose and match IO-Link master devices.

[0049] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An IO-Link slave device, characterized in that, The IO-Link slave device includes a first CLASS-B interface, a bidirectional power supply circuit, a control circuit, an IO module, and a signal output circuit; The first CLASS-B interface is connected to the control circuit and the bidirectional power supply circuit, the control circuit is connected to the signal output circuit, and the IO module is connected to the bidirectional power supply circuit and the signal output circuit. Wherein, if the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface so that the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device provides the power input of the actuator power supply of the signal output circuit; If the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master station device, the bidirectional power supply circuit is connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the IO module.

2. The IO-Link slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bidirectional power supply circuit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The first control circuit is used to control the connection between the bidirectional power supply circuit and the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface; The second control circuit is used to control the connection between the bidirectional power supply circuit and the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the IO module.

3. The IO-Link slave device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first control circuit includes a first PMOS transistor, a first resistor, a comparator, a first diode, a second diode, a third resistor, a fourth resistor, and a Zener diode; The power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the source of the first PMOS transistor and one end of the first resistor. The other end of the first resistor is connected to the negative input terminal of the comparator and the cathode of the first diode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the anode of the Zener diode, the anode of the second diode and the negative input terminal of the comparator. The gate of the first PMOS transistor is connected to the output terminal of the comparator and the other end of the fourth resistor. The negative input terminal of the comparator is connected to the anode of the Zener diode. The cathode of the second diode is connected to one end of the third resistor. The other end of the third resistor is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and then grounded. The drain of the first PMOS transistor, the positive input terminal of the comparator, one end of the fourth resistor, and the cathode of the Zener diode are interconnected to form a node that is connected to the actuator power supply.

4. The IO-Link slave device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second control circuit includes a second PMOS transistor, a second resistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor, and a transistor; The power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the source of the second PMOS transistor. The drain of the second PMOS transistor is connected to one end of the second resistor and one end of the fifth resistor. The gate of the second PMOS transistor is connected to the other end of the second resistor and one end of the seventh resistor. The other end of the seventh resistor is connected to the emitter of the transistor. The collector of the transistor is connected to one end of the sixth resistor and the ground terminal of the IO module and then grounded. The base of the transistor is connected to the other end of the fifth resistor and the other end of the sixth resistor. The drain of the first PMOS transistor, the positive input terminal of the comparator, one end of the fourth resistor, and the cathode of the Zener diode are all connected to the drain of the second PMOS transistor, one end of the second resistor, and one end of the fifth resistor.

5. An IO-Link slave device according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-B interface of the IO-Link master station device, the power supply terminal and ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface have a 24V voltage input, the comparator outputs a low level, the first PMOS transistor is turned on, the actuator power supply is connected to the ground terminal of the first CLASS-B interface through the first PMOS transistor, the second PMOS transistor is turned on, the power supply terminal of the IO module is connected to the actuator power supply through the second PMOS transistor, and the 24V power supply is output.

6. The IO-Link slave device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first CLASS-B interface has a 24V voltage input at its power supply and ground terminals. The voltage input at the power supply terminal of the IO module exceeds 24V. The power supply terminal of the IO module turns on the transistor through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor. When the comparator outputs a high level, the first PMOS transistor is turned off to prevent current from flowing back to the power supply terminal of the first CLASS-B interface and to protect the IO-Link master station device.

7. An IO-Link slave device according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the first CLASS-B interface is connected to the CLASS-A interface of the IO-Link master station device, there is no 24V voltage input to the power supply and ground terminals of the first CLASS-B interface. The power supply and ground terminals of the IO module are used as power inputs. The power supply of the IO module turns on the transistor through the parasitic diode inside the second PMOS transistor, thereby turning on the second PMOS transistor. The actuator power supply is connected to the power supply of the IO module through the second PMOS transistor, so that the comparator outputs a high level and the first PMOS transistor is turned off to prevent current from flowing back to the power supply of the first CLASS-B interface.

8. The IO-Link slave device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal output circuit is an analog or digital output circuit.

9. An IO-Link slave device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control circuit is used to output control signals, either digital or analog, from the output control signal circuit.

10. An IO-Link system, characterized in that, It includes an IO-Link slave device and an IO-Link master device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; wherein the IO-Link master device is connected to the IO-Link slave device.

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