Modular device connection module for systemic decoupling of end devices and infrastructure within a universal system architecture

Abstract

Modular device connection module, designed as an independent functional module within a higher-level system architecture, wherein the device connection module is configured to connect an end device to at least one external infrastructure in a systemically uniform manner, wherein the device connection module has a modular interface structure with detachably connectable connection areas, includes at least one power path, at least one data path and at least one functional diagnostic or status path, wherein the diagnostic or status path can be designed as a functional path separate from the data path or implemented within the data path, wherein the device connection module has a device-side connection side and a separate infrastructure-side connection side, through which a functional and structural decoupling of the end device from the external infrastructure is achieved.and wherein the device connection module can be used as a reusable architectural module within the system architecture, independent of the specific design of the external infrastructure.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular device connection module for connecting end devices to external infrastructures within a higher-level system architecture.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the systemic design of a universal device connection that bundles energy, data and diagnostic or status paths and functionally and structurally decouples end devices from the respective infrastructure.

[0003] The invention can be used across industries, particularly in technical systems with distributed energy, data and diagnostic supply. State of the art

[0004] Numerous connection, interface, and adapter solutions exist in the state of the art for connecting end devices to energy or data infrastructures. Such solutions are often device-specific or tied to particular transmission media, protocols, or infrastructures.

[0005] Also known are combined energy and data transmission systems as well as separate diagnostic or service interfaces.

[0006] However, the known solutions all share the characteristic of being implemented either as specific components of a single device or as function-specific adapters. An architecture-wide, standardized design of a device connection as an independent, reusable module that systemically decouples end devices from the external infrastructure is not known in the prior art.

[0007] In particular, the state of the art lacks a modular solution in which energy, data and diagnostic or status paths are structurally bundled and provided in a higher-level system architecture, independent of the specific design of the infrastructure. The problem underlying the invention

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a universally applicable device connection that connects terminal devices to different external infrastructures in a systemically uniform manner, thereby enabling functional and structural decoupling between the terminal device and the infrastructure.

[0009] Furthermore, the task is to create a modular solution that can be used independently of specific energy, data or communication protocols, facilitates the interchangeability of end devices and provides an integrated diagnostic or status function without being tied to a specific technical design. Description of the invention

[0010] This task is solved by a modular device connection module according to the requirements.

[0011] The device connection module is designed as an independent functional module within a higher-level system architecture and serves as a systemically uniform interface between an end device and an external infrastructure.

[0012] For this purpose, the device connection module has a modular interface structure with detachably connectable connection areas, with a device-side connection side and a separate infrastructure-side connection side provided.

[0013] Within the device connection module, at least one power path, at least one data path, and at least one functional diagnostic or status path are implemented. The diagnostic or status path can be implemented as a functional path separate from the data path or within the data path and serves to acquire operating, status, or identification information of the terminal device.

[0014] By creating two separate connection sides and defining a path assignment within the device connection module, the terminal device is functionally and structurally decoupled from the external infrastructure. The device connection module represents an architectural abstraction layer that separates the concrete design of the infrastructure from the terminal device.

[0015] The device connection module can be used as a reusable architectural module within the system architecture, independent of the specific design of the external infrastructure, and can be part of a module family.

[0016] Furthermore, the device connection module can have an identification means by which module-related identification information is provided, so that the connected terminal device can be identified by the system.

[0017] The functionality of the device connection module is retained even if its functions are divided into several physical sub-modules, with these sub-modules working together to provide the modular interface structure as well as the power, data and diagnostic or status paths. Advantages of the invention

[0018] The invention enables a systemically uniform and modular connection of end devices to different infrastructures, without the need to adapt the end device itself to the respective infrastructure.

[0019] By architecturally bundling energy, data, and diagnostic or status paths, a clear separation between end devices and infrastructure is achieved, thereby improving interchangeability, scalability, and reusability. The integrated diagnostic or status function enables system-level monitoring and identification of end devices without requiring separate service or diagnostic interfaces.

[0020] The invention can be used across industries and technologies and reduces the complexity of system architectures with a large number of different end devices. Examples of implementation

[0021] In one embodiment, the device connection module is designed as a separate module that is connected between an end device and an external infrastructure and routes all energy, data, diagnostic or status paths via the modular interface structure.

[0022] In another embodiment, the diagnostic or status path is implemented within the data path and provides diagnostic or status information via a logical abstraction level.

[0023] In another embodiment, the device connection module is divided into several physical sub-modules that together provide the modular interface structure and path functions, while maintaining the decoupling effect from the external infrastructure.

[0024] Further embodiments are obvious to the person skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the claims, without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Modular device connection module, designed as an independent functional module within a higher-level system architecture, wherein the device connection module is configured to connect an end device to at least one external infrastructure in a systemically uniform manner, wherein the device connection module has a modular interface structure with detachably connectable connection areas, includes at least one power path, at least one data path and at least one functional diagnostic or status path, wherein the diagnostic or status path can be designed as a functional path separate from the data path or implemented within the data path, wherein the device connection module has a device-side connection side and a separate infrastructure-side connection side, through which a functional and structural decoupling of the end device from the external infrastructure is achieved.and wherein the device connection module can be used as a reusable architectural module within the system architecture, independent of the specific design of the external infrastructure. [2] Device connection module according to claim 1, characterized by , that the energy paths, data paths and the diagnostic or status path are logically and functionally separated from each other, but structurally bundled within the device connection module. [3] Device connection module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the device-side connection side and the infrastructure-side connection side are functionally coupled via a path assignment defined within the device connection module. [4] Device connection module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the device connection module is designed as an interchangeable module within the system architecture, without requiring any intervention in neighboring modules or any structural change to the external infrastructure. [5] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the device connection module is designed as part of a module family within the system architecture. [6] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the device connection module has an identification means for providing module-related identification information by which the terminal device can be identified by the system. [7] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that the device connection module enables the replacement of the terminal device without requiring any adjustment to the allocation of power, data, diagnostic or status paths within the external infrastructure. [8] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the diagnostic or status path is designed for the continuous or event-based acquisition of operational, status, or identification information of the terminal device. [9] Device connection module according to claim 8, characterized by that the diagnostic or status path can be operated independently of the power and data paths. [10] Device connection module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the diagnostic or status path is active during normal operation of the terminal device. [11] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized bythat the functionality of the device connection module is retained even when functionally divided into several physical sub-modules, with the sub-modules working together to provide the modular interface structure as well as the power, data and diagnostic or status paths. [12] Device connection module according to claim 11, characterized by that the sub-modules together achieve the functional and structural decoupling of the terminal device from the external infrastructure. [13] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the device connection module is designed independently of specific power transfer, data transmission or communication protocols. [14] Device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the device connection module is functional regardless of the mechanical, electrical or optical characteristics of the connection areas. [15] System comprising at least one terminal device, at least one external infrastructure and at least one device connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connection of the terminal device to the external infrastructure with respect to the power path, the data path and the diagnostic or status path is made via the device connection module. [16] Use of a device connection module according to one of claims 1 to 14 for the systemically uniform connection of different terminal devices to different external infrastructures within a common system architecture.