ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical power supply device for supplying electrical components from a power source. The invention relates in particular to the field of electronic devices for industrial plants, especially for industrial controls such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

[0002] A power supply device serves to provide electrical energy at a specific voltage level, e.g., 12 volts or 24 volts, and of a specific voltage type, e.g., direct current (DC). The power supply device obtains this electrical energy from a power supply network, e.g., an alternating current (AC) network. For this purpose, the electronic device has appropriate components for converting and / or rectifying the electrical energy supplied by the power supply network, e.g., in the form of a switched-mode power supply, and / or at least one transformer.

[0003] In the field of industrial power supply, high demands are placed on the reliability and functionality of such electronic devices.

[0004] US Patent 2009 / 0021880 A1 discloses an electronic multilevel protection system for safe fault recovery for a variety of digital control outputs. US Patent 2008 / 0249666 A1 discloses a dynamic configurable overcurrent protection system in a power supply. WO Patent 2015 / 020632 A1 discloses a smart power supply system. EP Patent 1 118 918 A2 discloses a programmable control device with overcurrent detection and a circuit arrangement for interrupting a load current. US Patent 6,483,317 B1 discloses a system for identifying valid connections between electrical system components and for responding to invalid connections.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a further improved electrical power supply device.

[0006] This problem is solved with an electrical power supply device according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are part of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the invention, the electrical power supply device comprises control electronics, including at least one program memory containing a stored computer program and a computer for executing the computer program. The computer program includes software control functions for controlling functions of the electronic device, such as power supply functions. In this way, the electronic device can be implemented with a multitude of functions, each of which can be implemented in software. The electronic device is therefore also updateable, meaning that a further developed computer program can be stored without any hardware modifications.

[0008] The electronic device may have a parameter memory in which parameters defining its functionality can be stored. These parameters allow the user to adjust specific details of the device's functions as needed and adapt them to a particular application.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic device comprises at least one communication unit coupled to the control electronics, enabling the electronic device to communicate with an external computer. This allows data exchange between the external computer and the electronic device, for example, to read operating data from the electronic device or to configure and / or control certain functions of the electronic device via the external computer. Furthermore, the electronic device can store variable parameters if it has a parameter memory.

[0010] The external computer device can be any computer, such as a laptop or a PC. It can also be a control unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) or any other device of such a PLC. The external computer device can be a device connected to a data bus. For this purpose, the electronic device can be connected to the data bus via a communication unit.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication unit is designed as an interchangeable communication module, wherein the communication module has a gateway functionality that enables bidirectional conversion between an external communication protocol and / or physical layer used by the external computer device and an internal communication protocol and / or physical layer used between the communication module and the computer, wherein the communication module supports either exactly one external communication protocol or several external communication protocols. Thus, the communication module operates with the internal communication protocol and / or physical layer towards the computer of the electronic device and with the external communication protocol and / or physical layer towards the external computer device.The gateway functionality allows the communication module to perform translation both from the external communication protocol to the internal communication protocol and vice versa. The same applies to translation between the internal physical layer and the external physical layer. The physical layer in this context refers to the physical layer in the OSI model.

[0012] This has the advantage that the communication module, and thus its gateway functionality and especially the supported external communication protocol and / or physical layer, can be easily replaced by removing one communication module from the electronic device and connecting another. In this way, the electronic device can be adapted to different external communication protocols and / or physical layers without significant effort. The internal communication protocol can be, for example, any fieldbus communication protocol, such as Modbus RTU.

[0013] Another advantage of such a modular communication concept is that one and the same communication module can initially be used for a specific electronic device and later for a different electronic device or other type of device. The costs associated with the communication interface are therefore not allocated to the electronic device or other device, but to the communication module.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the external communication protocol is a bus protocol or a P2P protocol that supports data communication between multiple external computer devices connected to a common data bus. This has the advantage that the electronic device can be made bus-capable by the communication module. The external communication protocol can be, for example, any fieldbus communication protocol, such as IO-Link, Ethernet / IP, EtherCAT, Interbus, SafetyBusP, Profibus, Sercos, Modbus-RTU, and similar protocols.

[0015] The communication module can be configured to perform cyclic and / or acyclic communications with the computer of the electronic device.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module is configured to read an identifier, specifying the device type, from the control electronics of the electronic device via the internal communication protocol and to transmit this identifier to the external computer device via the external communication protocol. This has the advantage that the electronic device, particularly in a data transmission environment with multiple communication participants, e.g., when the communication module is connected to a data bus, can always identify itself as such an electronic device, regardless of the internal and external communication protocols used. In this way, the electronic device can be identified as such by other data transmission participants, irrespective of the communication module connected to it.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module is configured to convert a block parameterization command for the control electronics, received from the external computer device via the external communication protocol, into the internal communication protocol. This allows the control electronics, and in particular its parameter memory, to be written to by a multitude of parameters using the block parameterization command. In this way, the new parameter set can be activated collectively. This has the advantage that, even when using an internal communication protocol that does not inherently have a corresponding block parameterization command, the electronic device can be parameterized with such block parameterization in a "block" using the command received via the external communication protocol.A large number of parameters can be quickly and easily transferred and stored in the electronic device with a single command.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module is configured to convert a data storage command received from the external computer device via the external communication protocol, optionally in multiple steps, into selected functions of the internal communication protocol. This involves reading parameter data from the control electronics via the communication module and transmitting it to the external computer device, and / or writing parameter data from the external computer device to the control electronics via the communication module. In this way, the electronic device can be made compatible with an externally received data storage command, even if the internal communication protocol does not recognize such an equivalent command.The communication module then translates the received data storage command into existing, selected functions of the internal communication protocol. This can be done in multiple steps, i.e., by executing several functions of the internal communication protocol sequentially. The data storage command allows a current parameter set from the electronic device's control electronics to be read and transferred to the external computer, where the parameter set can then be stored. The electronic device can then be re-parameterized, for example, by transferring a new parameter set to the control electronics using a block parameterization command. In particular, the data storage command enables a backup functionality for the electronic device's parameter set via the communication module.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module is provided to have or allow password protection, such that an external computer communicating with the electronic device via the communication module must perform password authentication, at least when accessing certain functions of the control electronics. This provides increased security against incorrect operation and, in particular, against manipulation of the electronic device. This increased security is achieved through password protection in the communication module, which prevents arbitrary, unauthenticated access to at least certain functions of the control electronics. The external computer must first perform password authentication, i.e., transmit a correct password to the communication module, before the communication module grants access to certain functions of the control electronics.

[0019] According to the invention, the electronic device is designed as an electrical power supply device for providing electrical power to electrical components from a power source and as an electronic overcurrent protection switch. The electrical power supply device can be configured as a power supply unit, e.g., as a power supply unit for an industrial control system, in particular a programmable logic controller (PLC), as a switched-mode power supply, and / or as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This has the advantage that the electronic device can be implemented in a wide variety of ways. The same modular communication concept with interchangeable communication modules can be used in each case. In other words, the communication modules can be used independently of the type of implementation of the electronic device.The identifier readable from the control electronics of the electronic device, which indicates the type of electronic device, can, for example, differentiate between an electronic device of an industrial control system, a switched-mode power supply and / or an uninterruptible power supply.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module can be plugged into the housing of the electronic device from the outside via an electrical connector. This allows for easy replacement of the communication module and simple, tool-free installation. The communication module can, for example, have locking elements with which it is snapped onto the housing of the electronic device and thus fixed to the housing of the electronic device.

[0021] The communication module can have its own control computer, which executes a computer program stored within the communication module. This allows for efficient translation between the external and internal communication protocols, particularly when this requires significant computational effort and / or memory. The communication module can also be designed without its own control computer, which is advantageous, for example, when the external communication protocol is identical to the internal communication protocol or differs only slightly. In such cases, the communication module might simply include a hardware adaptation circuit, for example, to adjust the voltage levels of the physical layer.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device includes a hardware detection circuit that allows the control electronics to recognize whether a communication module with its own control computer or a communication module without its own control computer is connected to the electronic device. This has the advantage that the electronic device can automatically determine the type of communication module connected to it with minimal effort. Accordingly, the electronic device can automatically adapt its communication functions to the respective connected communication module. In the case of communication modules without their own control computer, the electronic device's computer can take over certain control functions of the communication module, such as controlling a control input of the communication module to set the data transmission direction.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device is designed to allow for hot-plugging of the communication module. This further increases the flexibility of adapting the electronic device to different needs. The electronic device can be configured to automatically adjust the interface parameters of its communication interface to the communication module after the module has been replaced. The newly connected communication module can also request the adjustment of the communication parameters.

[0024] A communication unit of an electronic device of the type described above is not claimed. In this case, the communication unit is designed as an interchangeable communication module, which has a gateway functionality that enables bidirectional conversion between an external communication protocol and / or physical layer used by the external computer device and an internal communication protocol and / or physical layer used between the communication module and the computer. The communication module supports either exactly one external communication protocol or several external communication protocols. The advantages described above can also be realized in this way.

[0025] Also not claimed is an assortment with multiple communication modules of the type described above, wherein the communication modules of the assortment each have the same internal communication protocol and / or physical layer, but different external communication protocols and / or physical layers. Such an assortment allows electronic devices with interchangeable communication modules to be adapted to different external communication protocols and / or physical layers as needed.

[0026] The product range can be supplemented by a communication module that uses the same communication protocol and / or physical layer as the internal communication protocol and / or physical layer. This communication module can, for example, operate without its own control computer.

[0027] If, for example, the IO-Link protocol is used as the external communication protocol, the communication module can be configured to perform the following functions: Initial phase: Parameterization and initialization of IO-Link communication with data read from the electronic device (identification block). Process data: Cyclic Modbus requests, synchronized with IO-Link requests or asynchronous with IO-Link requests. Parameter data: Translation and back-translation from IO-Link to Modbus, including conversion of IO-Link indices to Modbus addresses using a constant offset, mapping of Modbus error messages to IO-Link error messages, and forwarding of events to the IO-Link master. Block Parameterization - BP:

[0028] The communication module puts the electronic device into BP state when it receives an IO-Link BP start command.

[0029] Electronic devices do not directly transfer written parameter values ​​into the active configuration, but store them temporarily.

[0030] Written parameter values ​​become active when the BP stop command is sent and none of the write requests during the BP were faulty.

[0031] The result of the BP is sent to the IO-Link master. Data Storage DS

[0032] The communication module reads indices from the electronic device (fixed address) upon request from the IO-Link master and assembles the DS_IndexList, which is then made available to the IO-Link master.

[0033] The communication module puts the electronic device into BP state (the electronic device handles subsequent requests like block parameterization) when a parameter set is written.

[0034] The parameter set is handled like a normal read request. A CRC of the parameter set is provided from the electronic device.

[0035] The electronic device has connections for supplying electrical energy to power the electrical components (loads). These connections can also be referred to as the power supply output connections of the electronic device. According to an advantageous embodiment, the electronic device has, as a further connection, at least one controllable digital or analog output connection and / or at least one digital or analog input connection. In the case of a controllable digital or analog output connection, this can be controlled by the external computer device via the communication unit. In the case of a digital or analog input connection, an input value from this input connection can be read by the external computer device via the communication unit. This has the advantage that at least a simple remote I / O functionality can also be provided via the electronic device.The digital or analog output port is therefore an output of such a remote I / O unit, and the digital or analog input port is an input of such a remote I / O unit. Accordingly, at least simple control and monitoring tasks can be performed with the electronic device, so that in many cases no additional I / O module is required in the system. Existing I / O ports of the electronic device can be used to implement the digital or analog input port and / or the digital or analog output port; these are already present, for example, for certain standard functions such as indicating the correct voltage level ("DC-OK"). Therefore, the required hardware effort for the electronic device is not increased when providing the aforementioned remote I / O functionality.

[0036] This remote I / O functionality allows the electronic device to act as a digital branch office, which can be used for data communication, for example, for status or function monitoring. This remote I / O functionality can be implemented purely through a software extension, i.e., through appropriate code within the computer program. Therefore, no additional hardware is required.

[0037] If the digital or analog input is configured as a digital input, only binary input values ​​(0 and 1) are provided. If the digital or analog input is configured as an analog input, input values ​​with a specific value range are provided, for example, 8 bits (0 to 255) or 12 bits (0 to 4095), depending on the resolution of any analog-to-digital converter used.

[0038] If the digital or analog output connector is configured as a digital output connector, only binary output values ​​(0 and 1) can be set. If the digital or analog output connector is configured as an analog output connector, output values ​​with a specific value range are provided, for example, 8 bits (0 to 255) or 12 bits (0 to 4095), depending on the resolution of a digital-to-analog converter used.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has exactly one controllable digital or analog output connector. This minimizes the effort required for remote I / O functionality, especially since a single controllable digital or analog output connector is generally required for such an electronic device anyway.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has exactly one digital or analog input connector. This minimizes the effort required for remote I / O functionality, especially since a single controllable digital or analog input connector is generally required for such an electronic device anyway.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has a parameter memory in which parameters for defining the functionality of the electronic device can be stored, wherein at least one parameter allows the functionality of the digital or analog input port and / or the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output port to be set. This has the advantage that the functionality of the digital or analog input port or the digital or analog output port can be selected and set accordingly by the user. This further increases the flexibility in the use of the electronic device. The functionality of the digital or analog input port can, for example, be switched between two different functions or a larger number of different functions.The functionality of the digital or analog output port can be switched between two functions or a higher number of functions, for example.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the functionality of the digital or analog input port can be set to at least one fixed standard input function by means of at least one parameter, and / or the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output port can be set to at least one fixed standard output function by means of at least one parameter. This simplifies the selection of the functionality of the digital or analog input port or the digital or analog output port for the user.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the standard output function is the output of a signal at the controllable digital or analog output terminal, indicating whether the voltage supplied at the terminals for the delivery of electrical energy by the electronic device is within a permissible range. Accordingly, the digital or analog output terminal can be set to a standard function as a "DC OK" terminal.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the standard input function is a remotely controllable switching on / off of the electronic device or of the energy supplied at the terminals for the delivery of electrical energy via the digital or analog input terminal. Accordingly, the digital or analog input terminal can be used in its standard function as a remote control terminal for the electronic device.

[0045] According to the invention, the electronic device includes at least one electronic overcurrent protection switch implemented in software by means of a computer program. Advantageously, the electronic device can thus be extended to include overcurrent protection functionality that is implemented at least essentially in software. This combines an electronic device with at least a single-channel electronic protection switch functionality within a single device. This has the advantage that, as a rule, an external overcurrent protection switch (circuit breaker) can be dispensed with. This allows the user to save costs and installation space. Furthermore, it increases flexibility for the user. In addition, external wiring is simplified because no additional wiring effort is required for an external overcurrent protection switch.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic overcurrent protection switch is implemented solely by the computer program without any additional hardware components. Thus, the hardware already available in the electronic device is used to realize the functionality of the electronic overcurrent protection switch. In this way, the protection switch software only needs to use the hardware that the software for controlling the electronic device, or specifically the power supply device itself, also uses to function fully. According to the invention, the electronic overcurrent protection switch includes a function for switching off the output current supplied by the electronic device and / or a function for limiting the output current supplied by the electronic device to a predetermined current value.The shutdown can involve a permanent or a temporary shutdown of the output current. The same applies to limiting the output current, which can be either permanent or temporary. The function of the electronic overcurrent protection switch can also include switching between shutting off the output current and limiting the output current.

[0047] According to the invention, the switching off or limiting of the output current supplied by the electronic device is achieved by primary-side control of the electronic device. For example, the main transformer, e.g., the transformer, can be directly controlled on the primary side. This allows for a simple implementation of the electronic overcurrent protection switch functionality. Thus, the energy supply, and therefore the output current, can be stopped or reduced by no longer actively controlling the actual main transformer of the electronic device on the primary side.

[0048] To implement the electronic overcurrent protection function, the electronic device can have a current measurement in the output circuit. This current measurement allows the device to determine whether the output current is too high and, accordingly, whether the electronic overcurrent protection switch needs to activate to disconnect or limit the output current.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic overcurrent protection switch monitors the output current supplied by the electronic device for exceeding a limit current value. If the limit current value is exceeded, the output current is either switched off or limited to a predetermined current value, e.g., the limit current value. The output current can be determined via the aforementioned current measurement. The computer can then compare whether the measured output current exceeds the limit current value. Accordingly, the computer can initiate appropriate countermeasures, such as switching off or limiting the output current.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output current is switched off or limited only after a predetermined tripping time, during which the output current continuously or predominantly exceeds the limit current value. This has the advantage that the electronic overcurrent protection switch functionality does not necessarily activate with every minor, brief exceedance of the limit current value, but only after the predetermined tripping time.

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has a parameter memory in which parameters for defining the functionality of the electronic device can be stored, and the electronic overcurrent protection switch can be configured according to the user's requirements by means of one or more parameters adjustable in the parameter memory. This has the advantage that the protection switch functionality can be adapted to the user's needs. In particular, the tripping time and / or the limit current value can be adjustable as parameters. By adjusting the tripping time, either "fast" or "slow" protection switch characteristics can be selected.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the parameters in the parameter memory of the electronic device can be set via the communication unit using an external computer. This allows the circuit breaker functionality to be adjusted remotely. Furthermore, it provides a simple way to change the parameters.

[0053] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the activation of the overcurrent protection switch, e.g., the triggering of the limiting and / or shutdown of the output current, can be signaled via an indicator light and / or a communication interface. For this purpose, existing indicator lights, e.g., LEDs, which display the load of the electronic device during normal operation, can advantageously be used. However, special states, such as the protection switch functionality, can also be signaled via various blink codes (outside of normal operation). The aforementioned communication unit of the electronic device can be used as the communication interface.

[0054] The electronic device may have a logging function that records the activity of the electronic overcurrent protection circuit breaker. For example, it can log when and for how long the electronic overcurrent protection circuit breaker disconnects and / or limits the output current. The log file can be read by an external computer via the electronic device's communication unit, providing improved diagnostic capabilities for the user.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has a housing on which mounting rail elements are arranged, allowing the electronic device to be attached to a mounting rail of the electrical installation system. In this way, the electronic device can be attached to the mounting rail like other components of an industrial control system, for example, by being lined up alongside other devices. The electronic device can, for example, be snapped onto the mounting rail.

[0056] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numeral. Therefore, when, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component." Where angles are specified in degrees, these refer to a circle of 360 degrees (360°). Where a computer is mentioned, it may be configured to execute a computer program, e.g., in the sense of software. The computer may be a commercially available computer, e.g., a PC, laptop, notebook, tablet, or smartphone, or a microprocessor, microcontroller, or FPGA, or a combination of such elements. Where a control system is mentioned, a control system differs from a controller in that a control system has feedback of measured or internal values, which in turn influences the generated output values ​​of the control system in the sense of a closed control loop.In a control system, a quantity is purely controlled without any feedback or feedback.

[0057] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0058] They show Figure 1 shows an electronic device in schematic representation, Figure 2 shows a communication module in schematic representation, and Figure 3 shows an arrangement consisting of an electronic device and a communication module in schematic representation.

[0059] The reference symbols used in the figures have the following meaning: 1. Electronic device 2. Housing 3. Communication unit 4. Digital or analog output connector 5. Digital or analog input connector 6. Computer 7. Data bus 8. External computer device 9. Power supply output connectors 10. Input connectors 11. Program memory 12. Parameter memory 13. Primary-side components 14. Transformer 15. Secondary-side components 16. Control electronics 30. Communication module 31. Connector 32. Internal hardware interface 33. Control computer 34. Program memory 35. Parameter memory 36. External hardware interface 37. Connector I. Output current U. Output voltage R1. Resistance R2. Resistance

[0060] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows an electronic device 1 having a housing 2. Control electronics 16 of the electronic device 1 are arranged in the housing 2. Power electronic components 13, 14, 15 are also located in the housing 2. The electronic device has input terminals 10, which are used to connect the electronic device 1 to a power supply network, e.g., an AC power supply network. The electronic device 1 serves to convert the electrical energy received from the power supply network via the input terminals 10 into electrical energy delivered at the power supply output terminals 9. For example, an output current I with an output voltage U, such as a DC voltage, can be provided at the power supply output terminals 9.

[0061] The power electronics components 13, 14, 15 comprise primary-side components 13 and secondary-side components 15. A transformer 14 may also be present between the primary-side components 13 and the secondary-side components 15.

[0062] The control electronics 16 comprises a computer 6, a program memory 11, and a parameter memory 12. The computer 6 is connected to the program memory 11 and the parameter memory 12. A computer program is stored in the program memory 11. This computer program contains software control functions for controlling power supply functions of the electronic device 1, for example, control functions for maintaining a constant output voltage U and / or output current I. Parameters for user-specific definition of the functionality of the electronic device are stored in the parameter memory 12, e.g., to select various options or sub-functions in the software control functions. The computer 6 executes the computer program, taking into account the corresponding parameters from the parameter memory 12.In this process, the computer 6 controls the power electronics components 13, 14, 15 in such a way that a desired output current I and / or a desired output voltage U is provided at the power supply output terminals 9.

[0063] Through other software functions available in the computer program, the computer performs an electronic overcurrent protection switch functionality and / or a remote I / O function, as explained at the beginning.

[0064] Regarding the remote I / O function, the computer 6 is connected to additional ports on the electronic device, including at least one controllable digital or analog output port 4 and at least one digital or analog input port 5. The computer 6 can read an input signal, such as a digital or analog value, via the digital or analog input port 5. The computer 6 can output a digital or analog signal via the output port 4. Ports 4 and 5 do not necessarily have to be directly connected to the computer 6, but can be decoupled from it via suitable interface circuitry.

[0065] The computer 6 is also connected to a communication unit 3. Through the communication unit 3, the computer 6, and thus the electronic device 1, can perform data communication with external computer devices 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the computer devices 8 are connected to a data bus 7. The electronic device 1 is also connected to the data bus 7 via its communication unit 3. In this way, data communication can take place between the electronic device 1 and the external computer devices 8.

[0066] In the case of remote I / O functionality, an external computer device 8 can control the digital or analog output port 4 via the communication unit 3.

[0067] In this process, computer 6 receives a control command from external computer device 8 via communication unit 3 and controls the digital or analog output port 4 according to the control command. An external computer device 8 can read an input value from the digital or analog input port 5 via communication unit 3. In this case, computer 6 receives a read command from the external computer device 8 via communication unit 3, reads the input value from the digital or analog input port 5, and transmits the input value to the external computer device 8 via a response message through communication unit 3. Furthermore, the functionality of the digital or analog output port 4 and / or the digital or analog input port 5 can be configured via parameters stored in parameter memory 12.

[0068] The in Figure 1The communication unit 3 shown can be configured as an interchangeable communication module 30, e.g. as in Figure 2 The communication module 30 has an electrical connector 31, which allows the communication module 30 to be electrically connected to the electronic device 1 and, in particular, its control electronics 16. The communication module 30 has another electrical connector 37, which allows the communication module 30 to be connected directly or indirectly to an external computer device 8, e.g., via the data bus 7.

[0069] The communication module 30 may contain its own control computer 33. In this case, it is advantageous if the communication module 30 has its own program memory 34 and, if necessary, also its own parameter memory 35, with these memories being connected to the control computer 33 so that the control computer 33 can access the memory contents.

[0070] The communication module 30 has a gateway function that enables bidirectional conversion between an external communication protocol and / or physical layer used by the external computer device 8 and an internal communication protocol and / or physical layer used between the communication module 30 and the computer 6. This bidirectional conversion is essentially performed and controlled by the control computer 33. For this purpose, the control computer 33 is connected to connector 31, e.g., via an internal hardware interface 32, and to connector 37, e.g., via an external hardware interface 36. Hardware signal adaptation between the control computer 33 and the internal physical layer can be performed via the internal hardware interface 32.Hardware signal adaptation between the control computer 33 and the external physical layer used can be performed via the external hardware interface 36.

[0071] The based on the Figure 2The described structure of the communication module 30 is particularly advantageous when the internal and external communication protocols differ significantly and the gateway functionality is so complex that a separate control computer 33 is required. If the differences between the internal and external communication protocols are not so significant, or if the same communication protocols are even used, the communication module 30 can also be configured without its own control computer 33. In this case, the program memory 34 and the parameter memory 35 can also be omitted. If necessary, the internal hardware interface 32 can be omitted, or it can be implemented in combination with the external hardware interface 36.

[0072] The Figure 3Figure 1 shows such an embodiment of a communication module 30 in conjunction with a section view of the electronic device 1. In this case, the communication module 30 is designed without its own control computer. Essentially, the communication module 30 then only has the external hardware interface 36. Depending on the embodiment, it may be that certain control functions of the external hardware interface 36 still have to be processor-controlled, which is not possible in the communication module 30 due to the lack of its own control computer. In this regard, the following is shown: Figure 3 An advantageous embodiment is described in which this processor-controlled control of the external hardware interface 36 can be carried out via the computer 6 of the electronic device 1.

[0073] The diagram shows an interface connection between computer 6 and external hardware interface 36, which can be configured, for example, as a serial interface with a transmit line Tx and a receive line Rx. Electrical power supply lines Vcc (operating voltage for hardware interface 36) and GND (ground) are also shown. Computer 6 also has an I / O port, which can be operated as either an output or an input. When the I / O port is operated as an output, computer 6 can control a control input of the external hardware interface 36, for example, to set the data transmission direction (transmit / receive). When the I / O port is operated as an input, a digital or analog signal can be read in.

[0074] The Figure 3Figure 1 shows a hardware detection circuit that allows the control electronics 16 or the computer 6 to recognize whether a communication module 30 with its own control computer 33 or a communication module 30 without its own control computer 33 is connected to the electronic device 1. This allows the computer 6 to automatically determine whether or not it needs to perform the control functions via the output signals of the I / O port.

[0075] The hardware detection circuit in this case includes a resistor R2 built into electronic device 1, which establishes a connection between Vcc and the I / O port (pull-up resistor). Communication module 30 contains another resistor, R1, which establishes a connection between GND and the I / O port (pull-down resistor). Computer 6 can detect that a communication module 30 without its own control unit is connected based on the voltage level read via the I / O port, which is determined by the resistance ratio R1 / R2. A corresponding communication module 30 with its own control unit would be implemented without such a resistor R1, resulting in a different voltage level at the I / O port, which computer 6 can also detect.

Claims

1. Electrical power supply device (1) for the electrical power supply of electrical components from a power source, wherein the power supply device (1) has at least one program memory (11) with a computer program stored therein and a computer (6) for executing the computer program, wherein the computer program has software control functions for controlling power supply functions of the power supply device (1), wherein the power supply device (1) has at least one electronic overcurrent circuit breaker realized in software by means of the computer program, the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker comprising a function for switching off the output current (I) emitted by the power supply device (1) and / or a function for limiting the output current (I) emitted by the power supply device (1) to a predetermined current value, characterized in that the power supply device comprises power electronics components (13, 14, 15) with primary-side components (13) and secondary-side components (15), and in that the switching off of the output current (I) emitted by the power supply unit (1) or the limitation of the output current (I) emitted by the power supply unit (1) is carried out by primary-side control of the power supply unit (1).

2. Power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker is implemented solely by the computer program without additional hardware components.

3. Power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main transformer is controlled directly on the primary side.

4. Power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker has a monitoring of the output current emitted by the Power supply device (1) for exceeding a limit current value, whereby if the limit current value is exceeded, the output current (I) is switched off or the output current (I) is limited to a predetermined current value, e.g. the limit current value.

5. Power supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching off of the output current (I) or the limitation of the output current (I) only takes place after a predetermined tripping time during which the output current (I) exceeds the limit current value continuously or predominantly over time.

6. Power supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical power supply device is designed as a mains adapter, e.g. as a mains adapter of an industrial control system, in particular a programmable logic controller, as a switched-mode power supply unit and / or as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

7. Power supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply device (1) has a housing (2) on which mounting rail fastening elements are arranged, by means of which the power supply device (1) can be fastened to a mounting rail of the electrical installation technology.

8. Power supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply device (1) has a parameter memory (12) in which parameters for defining the functionality of the power supply device can be stored, the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker being configurable as desired by the user by means of one or more parameters that can be set in the parameter memory.

9. Power supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy supply device is set up to signal the response of the overcurrent circuit breaker via an illuminated feedback signal and / or via a communication interface.