Portable teaching training box
By using a portable teaching and training box with multi-brand compatibility and a virtual PLC model, the hardware compatibility and virtual-real interaction issues of PLC teaching equipment are solved, enabling rapid access and flexible expansion, thereby improving teaching efficiency and equipment reliability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHANGZHOU XUTEC SYST TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing PLC teaching and training equipment suffers from insufficient hardware compatibility, is incompatible with multiple brands of equipment, has poor virtual-physical interaction, limited expansion capabilities, cumbersome wiring, and difficulty in forming a standardized teaching platform.
A portable teaching and training box was designed, which adopts a multi-brand PLC compatible design, integrates a switch and communication module, supports multiple industrial communication protocols, realizes a virtual PLC model through the NX 2206 digital twin platform, builds a real-time data channel, and achieves plug-and-play and virtual-real integration.
It enables rapid integration of PLCs from multiple brands, improves teaching flexibility and efficiency, significantly enhances cross-brand compatibility, virtual-physical interaction, and functional expandability of equipment, and reduces wiring complexity and training costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224553901U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of experimental equipment technology, and in particular to a portable teaching and training box. Background Technology
[0002] Practical training and experiments are necessary in the teaching of automation and electromechanical control. Electromechanical control has a wide range of applications in industry, and practical training experiments must constantly change to keep up with technological developments.
[0003] Existing PLC teaching and training equipment generally suffers from the following technical defects:
[0004] 1. Insufficient hardware compatibility: The training box is usually only compatible with a single brand of PLC (such as Siemens S7-1200) and cannot be compatible with the electrical interfaces and communication protocols of mainstream equipment such as Omron CP series and Mitsubishi FX series;
[0005] 2. Disconnect between virtual and physical interaction: Existing equipment relies on physical hardware debugging and lacks real-time linkage between virtual simulation and physical operation, resulting in low program verification efficiency;
[0006] 3. Limited scalability: The fixed IO module design cannot support the expansion needs of industrial Ethernet, motion control cards, etc., and is difficult to adapt to the upgrade of Industry 4.0 technology.
[0007] Furthermore, current PLC teaching and training widely utilizes equipment from brands such as Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi. These brands exhibit significant differences in wiring methods: Siemens and Omron use a common terminal (COM) as a reference, switching the polarity of the COM terminal to achieve source or sink input; Mitsubishi uses an independent input point (X) as a reference, requiring separate configuration via S / S terminals. In addition, their interface standards (such as Profinet, RS485) and power terminal markings (L+ / M, 24V / 0V, + / -) are inconsistent. Existing teaching and training boxes, to be compatible with different brands, typically require multiple dedicated interfaces or frequent replacement of adapter modules, leading to cumbersome wiring, error-proneness, and difficulty in forming a standardized teaching platform. Simultaneously, training boxes often only have fixed input / output ports, unable to flexibly switch signal polarities according to the actual PLC brand used. Users must redesign external circuits when changing teaching cases or brands, significantly reducing teaching efficiency and equipment utilization. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a teaching and training box that can be compatible with the wiring differences of various brands, reduce frequent rewiring changes, and is easy to carry. Utility Model Content
[0008] This utility model aims to solve one of the problems existing in the background art.
[0009] Therefore, this utility model provides a portable teaching and training box.
[0010] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:
[0011] A portable teaching and training kit, comprising,
[0012] A box body, the box body including a box section and a box cover hinged to the box section;
[0013] The main control module is housed inside the enclosure and includes a controller and a switch, with the controller connected to the switch.
[0014] The operation panel is connected to the main control module and is located inside the housing;
[0015] A power module is mounted on the enclosure and is connected to the main control module and the operation panel.
[0016] Furthermore, the controller is equipped with a communication module and multiple programmable control modules, all of which are connected to the communication module, and the communication module is connected to the switch.
[0017] Furthermore, the operation panel is equipped with a power socket, a network socket, a communication serial port, an input socket, and an output socket. The power socket is configured as a relay socket for supplying power to external devices. The output socket and the input socket are both connected to the controller. The power socket is connected to the power module. The communication serial port is connected to the communication module in the controller. The network socket is connected to the switch.
[0018] Furthermore, the output ports are all opto-isolated ports.
[0019] Furthermore, the operation panel is also provided with a universal socket, which can be used as an input socket or an output socket.
[0020] Furthermore, the operation panel is mounted inside the box and located on the side of the main control module near the box cover. The operation panel is positioned away from the hinge end between the box body and the box cover, while the main control module and the power module are positioned near the hinge end between the box body and the box cover.
[0021] Furthermore, it also includes a touchscreen, which is connected to the power module.
[0022] Furthermore, the touchscreen is mounted on the lid of the box.
[0023] The beneficial effects of this utility model are that it enables plug-and-play functionality for PLCs of various brands through a switch, supporting rapid access for mainstream equipment such as Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi, with an adaptation time of ≤30 seconds, significantly improving teaching flexibility. By building a virtual PLC and IO device model based on the NX 2206 digital twin platform and establishing a real-time data channel with the physical training box through the OPC UA Pub / Sub protocol, it achieves cross-brand compatibility, virtual-physical fusion interactivity, and functional scalability for electrical teaching and training equipment, significantly improving teaching efficiency and equipment reliability, and has broad market application prospects. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the portable teaching and training box in this utility model.
[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the operation panel in this utility model.
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the external equipment and the portable teaching and training box used in this utility model.
[0028] In the diagram: 1. Cabinet; 11. Box section; 12. Cover; 2. Controller; 21. Programmable control module; 22. Communication module; 3. Switch; 4. Relay; 5. Touch screen; 6. Battery assembly; 7. Operation panel; 71. Power socket; 72. Network socket; 73. Communication serial port; 74. Input socket; 75. Output socket; 76. General purpose socket. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the present invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the present invention.
[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0032] A portable teaching and training box includes a box body 1 and an operation module integrated within the box body 1. In this embodiment, the box body 1 is made of aviation aluminum alloy and includes a box section 11 and a box cover 12. The operation module includes a main control module, a power supply module, and an operation panel 7. The main control module includes a controller 2, a switch 3, and a relay 4. The interaction module is located on the box cover 12. In this embodiment, the interaction module is a touch screen 8. The controller 2, power supply module, operation panel 7, switch 3, and relay 4 are located within the box section 11.
[0033] Specifically, the power module includes a battery pack 6 and a power switch 5. The power switch 5 is connected to the battery pack 6. The controller 2, switch 3, relay 4, operation panel 7, and touch screen 8 are all connected to the battery pack 6 via wires. The controller 2 is connected to the operation panel 7. The battery pack 6 has an input voltage of 100V-240V (AC) and an output voltage of 24V / 10A (DC). The battery pack 6 meets the power supply requirements of all modules in the training box. The battery pack 6 has built-in overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, and short-circuit protection functions, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the equipment.
[0034] The operation panel 7 is mounted inside the housing 11 and located on the side of the main control module near the cover 12. The operation panel 7 is positioned away from the hinge end between the housing 1 and the cover 12, while the operation panel 7 and the power module are positioned near the hinge end between the housing 1 and the cover 12. This arrangement ensures that the operation panel 7 does not completely obscure the main control module and allows it to be exposed. The touch screen 8 is mounted on the cover 12.
[0035] Controller 2 is designed for PLC compatibility, supporting plug-and-play functionality with various PLC brands, including Siemens S7-1200 / 1500, Omron CP1E series, and Mitsubishi FX series. Network communication between the PLC and the host computer is achieved through a TP-Link industrial switch 3 (supporting 10 / 100 / 1000Mbps adaptive speed), ensuring stable and real-time data transmission. Specifically, controller 2 includes multiple functional modules, including a communication module 22 and multiple programmable control modules 21 connected to it. The programmable control modules 21 can be customized to perform functions as needed, enabling features such as simulating sensor faults (e.g., photoelectric signal loss) and actuator malfunctions (e.g., relay 4 sticking) in a virtual environment for early detection of program vulnerabilities. The communication module 22 supports transparent transmission of multiple industrial communication protocols such as Profinet, Modbus-TCP, and EtherCAT, ensuring seamless data interaction in multi-protocol environments.
[0036] The operation panel 7 has multiple ports, including a power port 71, a network port 72, a communication serial port 73, an input port 74, an output port 75, and a general-purpose port 76. Output ports 75, 74, and 76 each have 16 channels. Output ports 75, 74, and 76 are all opto-isolated. The power port 71 is configured as a relay 4-pin connector. Output ports 75, 74, and 76 are all connected to the controller 2. The power port 71 is connected to the battery pack 6. The network port 72 is connected to the switch 3. The communication serial port 73 is connected to the communication module 22 in the controller 2. The opto-isolated input has a response time ≤1ms and an isolation voltage of 2500Vrms. The relay 4-pin connector has a contact capacity of 5A / 250V (AC) and a mechanical life of 106 cycles.
[0037] It should be noted that in this embodiment, 16 output sockets 75 are arranged along the length of the operation panel 7, 16 input sockets 74 are arranged along the length of the operation panel 7, 16 general-purpose sockets 76 are arranged along the length of the operation panel 7, and the output sockets 75, 75 and 76 are arranged perpendicular to the length of the operation panel 7, so that a total of 48 sockets, including the output sockets 75, 75 and 76, are arranged in a rectangular array.
[0038] The implementation principle of this application is as follows:
[0039] Place the housing 1 on a tabletop, with the box section 11 in direct contact with the tabletop. When in use, open the lid 12 to reveal the operation panel 7 inside the box section 11, with the touchscreen 8 on the lid 12 facing the user. The user connects external devices to the power socket 71, output socket 75, and input socket 74, and connects the external devices to the communication serial port 73. The battery pack 6 powers the external devices through the power socket 71. The external devices send a signal requesting the use of a function to the controller 2 through the communication serial port 73. The communication serial port 73 calls the corresponding programmable control module 21 based on the type of function requested. The programmable control module 21 interacts with the external devices through the output socket 75 and input socket 74. The user can also perform operations such as inputting signals, modifying PLC register values (e.g., D100=K500), and observing the virtual device's response in real time through the touchscreen 8.
[0040] In practical applications, by programming the programmable control module 21, this portable training box can enable students in colleges and universities to complete experiments such as PLC programming and PID temperature control through a virtual-real fusion mode, thereby improving equipment utilization. In corporate training, it can be used for production line automation debugging training, shortening the employee skills certification cycle by 60%. It can also simulate welding trajectory training through the three-axis expansion module, reducing training costs.
[0041] In summary, this utility model, through multi-brand PLC compatibility design, industrial communication gateway, and digital twin engine, constructs virtual PLC and IO device models based on the NX 2206 digital twin platform. It establishes a real-time data channel with the physical training box through the OPC UA Pub / Sub protocol, thereby realizing cross-brand compatibility, virtual-physical fusion interactivity, and functional scalability of electrical teaching and training equipment. This significantly improves teaching efficiency and equipment reliability, and has broad market application prospects.
[0042] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A portable teaching and training kit, characterized in that, include, Box (1), the box (1) includes a box part (11) and a box cover (12) hinged to the box part (11); The main control module is located inside the enclosure (1). The main control module includes a controller (2) and a switch (3). The controller (2) is connected to the switch (3). The operation panel (7) is connected to the main control module. The operation panel (7) is located inside the housing (1). The operation panel (7) is provided with a power socket (71), a network socket (72), a communication serial port (73), an input socket (74), and an output socket (75). The power socket (71) is set as a relay (4) socket for powering external devices. The output socket (75) and the input socket (74) are both connected to the controller (2). The power socket (71) is connected to the power module. The communication serial port (73) is connected to the communication module (22) in the controller (2). The network socket (72) is connected to the switch (3). The operation panel (7) is also provided with a universal socket (76), which can be used as an input socket (74) or an output socket (75); The power module is mounted on the housing (1) and is connected to the main control module and the operation panel (7). The controller (2) is equipped with a communication module (22) and multiple programmable control modules (21). The multiple programmable control modules (21) are all connected to the communication module (22), and the communication module (22) is connected to the TP-Link industrial switch (3).
2. The portable teaching and training box according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both output ports (75) and output ports (75) are opto-isolated ports.
3. The portable teaching and training box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation panel (7) is mounted inside the box (11) and is located on the side of the main control module near the box cover (12). The operation panel (7) is located away from the hinge end between the box body (1) and the box cover (12). The main control module and the power module are located near the hinge end between the box body (1) and the box cover (12).
4. The portable teaching and training box according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a touch screen (8) which is connected to the power module.
5. The portable teaching and training box according to claim 4, characterized in that, The touch screen (8) is mounted on the lid (12).