Electronic module for coupling to a module arrangement and module arrangement

Abstract

Electronic module (14) for coupling to a module arrangement (12), in particular a valve manifold, in a mounting direction (A), wherein the electronic module (14) has a housing (27) which, in relation to a state mounted on the module arrangement (12), has a front (32), a back (34), a top (28), a bottom (30) and two oppositely directed side surfaces (36, 38) pointing along the mounting direction (A), wherein an electronics (43) is accommodated in the housing (27) and at least one first bus connection (40) and two second bus connections (42) are provided, all of which are connected to the electronics (43) within the housing (27), wherein the at least one first bus connection (40) is arranged either on the top (28) or on the bottom (30) and a second bus connection (42) is arranged on each of the side surfaces (36, 38),wherein the second bus connections (42) are arranged rotationally symmetrically on the two side surfaces (36, 38) with respect to a rotation axis (D) perpendicular to the alignment direction (A) and extending through the front surface (32), such that when rotated by 180° about the rotation axis (D), the position of the second bus connection (42) located on the side surface (36, 38) facing the module arrangement (12) is identical for both side surfaces (36, 38).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic module for coupling to a module arrangement, in particular a valve manifold, and a module arrangement.

[0002] Valve manifolds are valve assemblies used, for example, to control complex pneumatic systems. A large number of valves can be structurally grouped together in a single location within a valve manifold and supplied, for example, via a common central power supply for electrical and fluidic energy (through a pneumatic or hydraulic control fluid). It is also possible to provide a central power supply within the valve manifold. Often, various modules, including application-specific modules such as valve modules, purely electronic modules, diagnostic modules, or fluid supply modules, are assembled along a linear axis according to a modular system, giving such valve manifolds a very high degree of flexibility.

[0003] Typically, such a module arrangement includes a means of internal data communication, allowing individual valves within a valve manifold to be addressed. This data communication occurs, for example, via a bus internal to the module arrangement. This internal bus may have an external connection on one of the outer sides of the module arrangement.

[0004] However, there is often also a need to enable data communication with external devices, for example for controlling individual valves or for data transmission. This requires connecting additional external data cables to the module assembly.

[0005] If the module assembly is installed in a control cabinet, space is usually limited. For example, front-facing connections for external cables often present a space problem, especially in shallow control cabinets, as the connecting cables cannot be bent at an arbitrarily small radius. Furthermore, the connected cables run in an area where they interfere with the operation of the module assembly.

[0006] The generic patent US 6 033 257 A discloses a modular arrangement for controlling, for example, a process plant, in which several expansion modules can be provided along a single direction of connection to a main module. Each expansion module has a bus connector on each of its two side faces, so that a continuous internal bus is created by plugging the modules together. The expansion modules have additional connections, for example, in the form of PCMCIA cards, which in turn can be connected to other devices, or in the form of an I / O connector.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2008 058 090 A1 discloses an input / output module of an automation device with additional modules that can be connected to a central unit via a plug. US patents US 2007 / 0 131 293 A1 and US 8 047 234 B2 disclose further valve arrangements.

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve the connection options of a cable routed externally to the module arrangement.

[0009] This is achieved with an electronic module for coupling to a module arrangement with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, an electronic module for coupling to a module arrangement, in particular a valve manifold, has a housing in one mounting direction of the modules, which, with respect to a state mounted on the module arrangement, has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and two oppositely oriented side surfaces pointing along the mounting direction. Electronics are housed in the housing, and at least one first bus connection and two second bus connections are provided, all of which are connected to the electronics within the housing. The at least one first bus connection is arranged either on the top or on the bottom, while a second bus connection is arranged on each of the side surfaces.This positioning of the bus connections allows the electronics module to be mounted in different orientations on the module arrangement, making it more flexible to adapt the connection of external cables to the respective mounting conditions.

[0010] The second bus connections are arranged rotationally symmetrically on the two side faces with respect to an axis of rotation perpendicular to the mounting direction and passing through the front face, so that when rotated 180° around the axis of rotation, the position of the second bus connection on the side facing the module assembly is identical for both side faces. Preferably, the two side faces are each rotationally symmetrical with respect to the second bus connections. Thus, when the electronic module is rotated 180° around the axis of rotation, the top and bottom of the electronic module housing are reversed, and the first bus connection changes its position. The second bus connections exchange places but remain in the same position with respect to the module assembly.Thus, in both orientations of the electronics module, simple coupling to an interface of the module arrangement via the second bus connection is possible, and the user can decide whether external cables should be routed to the module arrangement on its top or bottom.

[0011] The designation of the housing sides used here refers to the normal assembled state of the module arrangement.

[0012] The housing is preferably essentially cuboid in shape.

[0013] The first bus connection(s) are advantageously provided only on the respective top or bottom surface to save the cost of additional connections, while the other surface has no first bus connection. However, multiple bus connections of each type can also be provided on each surface, so that, for example, the top surface has two or three first bus connections, while the bottom surface is free of bus connections.

[0014] However, both side surfaces should each have the same number of second bus connections, which may differ from the number of first bus connections on the top and bottom surfaces.

[0015] Naturally, the type of connection for the first bus connections can vary if several first bus connections are provided in order to allow for the most flexible connection of external cables.

[0016] The advantage here is that the two second bus connections are identical in design, i.e., of the same type and gender (both as plugs or both as sockets) and are both identically connected to the electronics, so that for data transmission and / or power supply there is no difference via which of the two side surfaces the electronic module is connected to the module arrangement.

[0017] As already mentioned, at least one initial bus connection preferably forms a connection for an external bus, or other connecting cables supplied by external components.

[0018] The second bus connections, on the other hand, advantageously form connections for an internal bus of the module arrangement, thus enabling a simple connection between externally connected cables and internal power and / or data lines of the module arrangement.

[0019] To facilitate easy handling, both side surfaces of the electronic module are preferably aligned parallel to each other.

[0020] To securely fix the electronic module to the module assembly, the electronic module preferably has at least one fastening device for connection to the module assembly. The second bus connections on the two side faces are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner with respect to this fastening device. Preferably, the axis of rotation also passes through the fastening device.

[0021] The fastening device can, for example, consist of one or more, preferably two, fastening openings, which are formed in particular through the electronic module.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, a mounting rail fixing can be arranged on the back of the electronic module, which is then also placed at the height of the axis of rotation and symmetrically to the axis of rotation, via which the electronic module can be pushed onto a mounting rail, for example a DIN rail, in both possible orientations or hung in it.

[0023] In this way, the fastening device can be designed so that each of the two side surfaces of the housing can be easily connected to the module arrangement.

[0024] A rotation around an axis of rotation passing through the front surface has the advantage that, although the front surface changes its orientation, it retains its overall position relative to the module arrangement. Therefore, at least one display and / or at least one control element can be placed on the front of the electronic module, since the front surface remains easily accessible to the user in any possible orientation of the electronic module.

[0025] If the display device has a graphic display, the electronics and the display device are preferably designed so that one display direction can be rotated by 180°, allowing the display to be easily readable in both orientations of the electronic module. For this purpose, for example, a position sensor can be provided in the electronic module, or the display can be changed by software depending on the contact of the second bus terminal on the respective side surface.

[0026] Theoretically, it would also be conceivable to place all the second bus connections on one of the two side faces and arrange them rotationally symmetrically with respect to an axis of rotation running along the direction of assembly. As an alternative to a rotational symmetry of 180°, a rotational symmetry of 90° could also be implemented. However, such an arrangement has the disadvantage that the front of the electronic module changes its position when the module is rotated and therefore cannot be used for a display. Furthermore, a mounting rail for the electronic module would then be unnecessary.

[0027] The electronics are preferably designed as a gateway, enabling communication between the external and internal buses. Advantageously, the electronics are designed to convert between different communication protocols, further increasing flexibility.

[0028] In a modular assembly with a module arrangement, in particular a valve manifold, and an electronic module as described above, the electronic module is directly adjacent to the module arrangement in the direction of assembly and is connected to it in a non-destructive manner. In this way, the electronic module only needs to be inserted when required and can also be exchanged between module arrangements.

[0029] The module arrangement can, for example, include electrofluidic modules, purely fluidic modules and / or purely electronic modules, as described above.

[0030] In one possible configuration, an intermediate module is arranged adjacent to the electronic module in the module arrangement. This intermediate module has a mechanical fastening device for connection to the electronic module, for example, threaded holes into which screws can engage that protrude through the through-holes in the electronic module.

[0031] This mechanical fastening device is preferably provided in the end face, which points in the direction of assembly, of the module arrangement to which the electronic module is to be attached.

[0032] The electronic module can advantageously be connected to the module assembly with either of its two side faces, optionally rotated by 180°, wherein the end face of the module assembly, facing in the assembly direction and to which the electronic module is attached, has a bus connection for the internal bus of the module assembly that is compatible with the second bus connection of the electronic module, and wherein the second bus connection of the side face of the housing facing the module assembly is connected to the internal bus connection of the module assembly when the electronic module is mounted on the module assembly. Thus, a connection between the external bus connection and the internal bus of the module assembly can be established simply by plugging the electronic module onto the end face of the module assembly.

[0033] The connection between the second bus terminal of the electronic module and the internal bus terminal of the module assembly is preferably a plug connection, which is closed by inserting the electronic module in the direction of assembly. This connection can be easily released again by removing the electronic module.

[0034] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. The figures show: - Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of a modular assembly according to the invention comprising an electronic module and a module arrangement; - Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the electronic module of the module assembly Fig. 1 in two possible orientations; - Fig. 4 a schematic perspective representation of the electronics module made of Fig. 1 in one variant; and - Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view through a section of the modular assembly Fig. 1.

[0035] Generally, components that appear repeatedly in the drawings are not all provided with their own reference symbols for the sake of clarity.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a modular assembly 10, which in this example consists of a module arrangement 12, here in the form of a valve manifold, and an electronics module 14.

[0037] All directional specifications refer to the installed state of the module assembly 10, whereby the module arrangement 12 specifies a fixed installation orientation, which is in Fig. 1 is shown.

[0038] The electronics module 14 is attached to an end face 16 of the module arrangement 12, viewed along an array direction A. In this example, the module arrangement 12 comprises several electrofluidic modules 18, electronic display modules 20, and an intermediate module 22.

[0039] The electrofluidic modules 18 and the intermediate module 22 are arranged along the alignment direction A, with these components being mounted on a base body 23 (not shown) which also provides fluid connections and fluid lines as well as a continuous power and data supply. The latter is implemented here on a printed circuit board 24 (see Fig. 5), wherein 24 conductor tracks arranged on the circuit board form data and / or power lines which together constitute an internal bus of the module arrangement 12.

[0040] At at least one end face 16 of the module arrangement 12, the internal bus terminates in an internal bus connection 26, which is accessible from outside the module arrangement 12.

[0041] The electrofluidic modules 18 each comprise at least one valve, normally including a main valve in the form of a spool valve and one or more electromagnetic valves as control valves in each electrofluidic module 18.

[0042] All components of the module arrangement 12 can be connected to the internal bus, exchange data via it and / or be powered by it.

[0043] In this example, the circuit board 24 is located in the rear upper region of the module assembly 12, more specifically its base body 23, so that the electrofluidic modules 18, in particular, can be connected to the internal bus via simple plug connections. Accordingly, the internal bus connection 26 is located in the rear upper region of the front face 16.

[0044] The electronic module 14 is essentially cuboid in shape and has a housing 27 with a top 28, a bottom 30, a front 32, a back 34 and two side surfaces 36, 38. The two side surfaces 36, 38 are oriented such that they point along the alignment direction A and are essentially perpendicular to the alignment direction A over their entire surface.

[0045] On the upper surface 28 there is at least one initial bus connection 40. In which in the Fig. In examples 1 to 3, two initial bus connections 40 are provided, while in the example shown... Fig. In variant 4 shown, only a first bus connection 40 is present.

[0046] The first two bus connections 40 can be identical or different to allow the connection of various cables connected to external components, devices, or networks. The exact number of the first bus connections 40 is left to the discretion of the installer.

[0047] However, they are all arranged either on the top 28 or on the bottom 30, while the other side, i.e., the bottom or top respectively, does not carry any first bus connections 40.

[0048] Each of the two side surfaces 36, 38 has a second bus connection 42. Both second bus connections 42 are identical in design, i.e., both are configured as sockets or both as plugs, and are each complementary to the internal bus connection 26 of the module arrangement 12.

[0049] On the two side surfaces 36, 38, the second bus connections 42 are positioned rotationally symmetrically with respect to a rotation axis D, which runs perpendicular to the alignment direction A and through the front surface 32, as shown in Fig. 2 is indicated.

[0050] If the electronic module 14 is rotated 180° about the axis of rotation D, the top surface 28 and the bottom surface 30 exchange positions, as do the two side surfaces 36 and 38, and thus also the second bus connection 42 on side surface 36 and the second bus connection 42 on the opposite side surface 38. Due to the rotationally symmetrical arrangement of the second bus connections 42, the position of the second bus connection 42 on the side surface 36 and 38 facing the module assembly 12 remains the same. The front surface 32 also remains in the same position.

[0051] The two second bus connections 42 on the side surfaces 36, 38 are arranged such that the second bus connection 42 on the side of the electronic module 14 facing the module arrangement 12 is located in the rear upper area and is positioned such that when the electronic module 14 is connected to the module arrangement 12, the internal bus connection 26 engages in the second bus connection 42 and thus connects the electronic module 14 to the internal bus of the module arrangement 12, as described below. Fig. 5 is shown. The other second bus connection 42 remains free.

[0052] The ability to couple the electronics module 14 with the module arrangement 12 in two different orientations makes it possible to provide the first bus connections 40 either on the top or on the bottom of the module assembly 10, which simplifies the connection of external cables.

[0053] The first bus connection(s) 40, for example, serve to connect to an external bus system which may have data lines and / or power supply lines.

[0054] Inside the housing 27 of the electronics module 14, an electronics 43 is included (indicated in Fig. 5), which is connected to all bus terminals 40, 42 and enables data communication between bus terminals 40, 42. The electronics are designed to convert different bus protocols to allow direct communication between an external bus connected to the first bus terminal 40 and the internal bus of the module arrangement 12, which is contacted via the second bus terminal 42.

[0055] Of course, the electronics 43 can also include other suitable electronic components and associated software.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, which is described in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a display device 44 and operating elements 46 are provided on the front 32 of the electronic module 14. An ON / OFF switch 48 is also located here.

[0057] The display device 44 can form a graphical user interface. In this case, the electronics 43 inside the electronic module 14 includes components such as a position sensor that can detect the orientation of the electronic module 14, or software that detects which of the second bus terminals 42 is contacted by the internal bus terminal 26 of the module arrangement 12, as well as suitable software to adapt the display on the display device 44 to the current orientation of the electronic module 14.

[0058] At the in Fig. In the variant shown, only the display unit 44 and the operating elements 46 are omitted. Furthermore, only a single first bus connection 40 is provided on the upper surface 28. Otherwise, the two embodiments are identical.

[0059] To attach the electronic module 14 to the end face 16 of the module assembly 12, the electronic module in these examples has two through openings 50 arranged on a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation D and at its height. In the end face 16, more precisely in the intermediate module 22, two threaded openings 52 are formed, which are aligned with the openings 50 when the electronic module 14 is attached to the module assembly 12 (see Fig. 5).

[0060] In addition, the electronic module 14, in the embodiments shown here, has a mounting rail attachment 54 on its rear side 34, with which the electronic module 14 can be slid onto or hooked into a mounting rail, in particular a DIN rail, attached, for example, to the rear of a control cabinet, analogous to the module arrangement 12. The mounting rail (and thus also the mounting rail attachment 54) extends parallel to the mounting direction A.

[0061] The mounting rail fastening 54 is also arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation D, so that the electronic module 14 can be hung in the mounting rail in both orientations.

[0062] The connection to the internal bus connection 26 is a plug connection, which is automatically closed when the electronic module 14 is slid onto the module arrangement 12 in the direction A.

[0063] The electronic module 14 can be securely connected to the module assembly 12 by means of screws that are inserted through the openings 50 and engage the threads of the openings 52. To detach the electronic module 14, the screws are loosened and the electronic module 14 is pulled away from the module assembly 12 along the mounting direction A, thereby also disconnecting the plug connection with the internal bus connector 26. If necessary, the electronic module can then be rotated 180° and reconnected to the module assembly 12.

Claims

[1] Electronic module (14) for coupling to a module arrangement (12), in particular a valve terminal, in a line-up direction (A), wherein the electronic module (14) has a housing (27) which, in a state mounted on the module arrangement (12), has a front side (32), a rear side (34), a top side (28), a bottom side (30), and two oppositely directed side surfaces (36, 38) pointing along the line-up direction (A), wherein an electronic unit (43) is accommodated in the housing (27) and at least one first bus connection (40) and two second bus connections (42) are provided, which are all connected to the electronic unit (43) within the housing (27), wherein the at least one first bus connection (40) is arranged either on the top side (28) or on the bottom side (30), and a second bus connection (42) is arranged on each of the side surfaces (36, 38),wherein the second bus connections (42) are arranged rotationally symmetrically on the two side surfaces (36, 38) with respect to a rotation axis (D) extending perpendicular to the alignment direction (A) and through the front side (32), so that upon rotation of 180° about the rotation axis (D), the position of the second bus connection (42) located on the side surface (36, 38) facing the module arrangement (12) is identical for both side surfaces (36, 38). [2] Electronic module according to claim 1, characterized by that the two second bus connections (42) are identically constructed. [3] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when rotating around the axis of rotation (D) by 180°, the top (28) and the bottom (30) of the housing (27) of the electronic module (14) are swapped. [4] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first bus connection (40) forms a connection for an external bus. [5] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second bus connections (42) form connections for an internal bus of the module arrangement (12). [6] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that both side surfaces (36, 38) are aligned parallel to each other. [7] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic module (14) has at least one fastening device (50, 54) for connection to the module arrangement (12). [8] Electronic module according to claim 7, characterized by that the fastening device (50, 54) is designed such that each of the two side surfaces (36, 38) of the housing (27) can be connected to the module arrangement (12). [9] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one display device (44) and / or at least one operating element (46, 48) is arranged on the front side (32) of the electronic module (14). [10] Electronic module according to claim 9, characterized by that the electronics (43) and the display device (44) are designed such that a display direction of the display device (44) can be rotated by 180°. [11] Electronic module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronics (43) is designed as a gateway and in particular can convert different communication protocols into one another, so that communication between the external and the internal bus is possible. [12] Module assembly (10) with a module arrangement (12), in particular a valve island, and an electronic module (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the electronic module (14) is directly adjacent to the module arrangement (12) in the alignment direction (A) and is detachably connected to it in a non-destructive manner. [13] Module assembly according to claim 12, characterized by that the module arrangement (12) comprises electrofluidic modules (18), purely fluidic modules and / or purely electrical modules (20). [14] Module assembly according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized by that an intermediate module (22) is arranged adjacent to the electronic module (14) in the module arrangement (12), which intermediate module has a mechanical fastening device (54) for connection to the electronic module (14). [15] Module assembly according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized bythat the electronic module (14) can be connected to the module arrangement (12) with each of its two side surfaces (36, 38), optionally rotated by 180°, wherein the end face (16) of the module arrangement (12) facing in the alignment direction (A), to which the electronic module (14) is aligned, has a bus connection (26) for the internal bus of the module arrangement (12), which is compatible with the second bus connection (42) of the electronic module (14), and wherein the second bus connection (42) of the side surface (36, 38) of the housing (27) facing the module arrangement (12) is connected to the internal bus connection (26) of the module arrangement (12) when the electronic module (14) is mounted on the module arrangement (12). [16] Module assembly according to claim 15, characterized bythat the connection between the second bus connection (42) of the electronic module (14) and the internal bus connection (26) of the module arrangement (12) is a plug connection which is closed by plugging the electronic module (14) in the alignment direction (A).

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