ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic device in the form of an electrical power supply device for supplying electrical components with electrical power from a power source. The invention particularly relates to the field of electronic devices for industrial systems, especially for industrial control systems such as programmable logic controllers.

[0002] A power supply device serves to provide electrical energy at a specific voltage level, e.g., 12 volts or 24 volts, and a specific voltage type, e.g., direct current. The power supply device provides this electrical energy supply, e.g., from a power supply network, e.g., an alternating current network. For this purpose, the electronic device has corresponding components for converting and / or rectifying the electrical energy provided by the power supply network, e.g., in the form of a clocked converter circuit if it is a switched-mode power supply, and / or at least one transformer.

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

[0004] Systems and methods for coupling wireless control devices to a welding transformer are known from US 2015 / 0273610 A1.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a further improved electronic device.

[0006] This object is achieved by an electrical power supply device according to claim 1.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the electronic device can comprise control electronics comprising at least one program memory with a computer program stored therein and a computer for executing the computer program. The computer program comprises software control functions for controlling functions, e.g., power supply functions, of the electronic device. In this way, the electronic device can be realized with a multitude of functions, each of which can be implemented in software. The electronic device is thus also update-capable, meaning that a further developed computer program can be stored without changing the hardware.

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

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic device has at least one communication unit coupled to the control electronics, through which the electronic device is configured for data communication with an external computer device. This enables data exchange between the external computer device and the electronic device, e.g., to read operating data of the electronic device or to set and / or control certain functions of the electronic device via the external computer device. Furthermore, the storage of variable parameters in the electronic device is possible if it has a parameter memory.

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

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication unit is designed as an exchangeable communication module, wherein the communication module has a gateway functionality through which a bidirectional conversion takes place between an external communication protocol and / or physical layer used by the external computing 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. The communication module thus operates with the internal communication protocol and / or physical layer toward the computer of the electronic device and with the external communication protocol and / or physical layer toward the external computing device.The gateway functionality allows the communication module to convert both the external communication protocol to the internal communication protocol and vice versa, from the internal communication protocol to the external communication protocol. The same applies to the conversion between the internal physical layer and the external physical layer. The physical layer is defined as the physical layer in the OSI layer model.

[0012] This has the advantage that the communication module, and thus its gateway functionality, and in particular 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 communication module to the electronic device. This allows the electronic device to be adapted to different external communication protocols and / or physical layers without great effort. The internal communication protocol can be any fieldbus communication protocol, e.g., Modbus RTU.

[0013] A further advantage of such a modular communication concept is that the same communication module can initially be used for a specific electronic device and later for another electronic device or other 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 using the communication module. The external communication protocol can be any fieldbus communication protocol, e.g., IO-Link, Ethernet / IP, EtherCAT, Interbus, SafetyBusP, Profibus, Sercos, Modbus-RTU, and similar.

[0015] The communication module can be configured to carry out cyclic communications 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 indicating the device type from the control electronics of the electronic device via the internal communication protocol and to transmit it to the external computer device via the external communication protocol. This has the advantage that the electronic device can always identify itself as such an electronic device, particularly in a data transmission environment with multiple communication participants, e.g., when the communication module is connected to a data bus, regardless of the internal and external communication protocol used. In this way, the electronic device can be identified as such an electronic device by other data transmission participants, regardless of the respective connected communication module.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module is configured to convert a command for block parameterization of the control electronics, received from the external computer device via the external communication protocol, into the internal communication protocol, so that the control electronics, in particular their parameter memory, can be written to with a plurality of parameters using the block parameterization command. In this way, the new parameter set can be activated collectively. This has the advantage that the electronic device can be parameterized in a "block" using the command received via the external communication protocol with such block parameterization, i.e.A large number of parameters can be transferred quickly and easily with one command and stored in the electronic device.

[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 into selected functions of the internal communication protocol, possibly in multiple steps. Parameter data from the control electronics are read by the communication module and transmitted to the external computer device, and / or parameter data from the external computer device are written to the control electronics via the communication module. In this way, the electronic device can also be made suitable for an externally received data storage command, even if the internal communication protocol does not recognize such an equivalent command.The communication module then converts the received data storage command into existing, selected functions of the internal communication protocol, which can be done in multiple steps if necessary, i.e., by executing several functions of the internal communication protocol step by step one after the other. The data storage command can be used to read out a current parameter set from the control electronics of the electronic device and transfer it to the external computer device, where the parameter set can then be saved. The electronic device can then be reparameterized, e.g., by transferring a new parameter set to the control electronics using a block parameterization command. In particular, the data storage command can be used to implement a backup functionality for a parameter set of the electronic device via the communication module.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module has or allows password protection, so that an external computer device communicating with the electronic device via the communication module must perform password authentication at least when accessing certain functions of the control electronics. In this way, increased security against incorrect operation and in particular against manipulation of the electronic device is provided. This increased security is achieved by password protection in the communication module, which prevents any arbitrary, unauthenticated access to at least certain functions of the control electronics. The external computer device must first perform password authentication, i.e. transmit a correct password to the communication module, before the communication module enables access to certain functions of the control electronics. 1. Electronic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic device (1) is designed as an electrical power supply device for supplying electrical components with electrical power from a power source and / or as an electronic circuit breaker. 2. Electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrical power supply device is designed as a power supply unit, e.g., as a power supply unit of an industrial controller, in particular a programmable logic controller, as a switched-mode power supply unit, and / or as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device is designed as an electrical power supply device for supplying electrical components with electrical power from a power source and / or as an electronic circuit breaker. The electrical power supply device can be designed as a power supply, e.g., as a power supply of an industrial controller, in particular a programmable logic controller, 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 variants. The same modular communication concept with interchangeable communication modules can be used in each case. In other words, the communication modules can be used regardless of the type of implementation of the electronic device.The identifier that can be read from the control electronics of the electronic device and that indicates the type of the electronic device can, for example, distinguish between an electronic device of an industrial control system, a switching power supply and / or an uninterruptible power supply.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication module can be plugged into a housing of the electronic device from the outside by means of an electrical connector. This allows for easy replacement of the communication module and easy attachment of the communication module without the need for tools. The communication module can, for example, have locking elements with which the communication module is locked onto the housing of the electronic device and thus secured to the housing of the electronic device.

[0022] The communication module can have its own control computer, which executes a computer program stored in the communication module. This allows for efficient conversion between the external communication protocol and the internal communication protocol, particularly when this requires a certain amount of computing 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 from it. In such cases, for example, the communication module can only have a hardware adaptation circuit, e.g., for adapting voltage levels of the physical layer.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has a hardware detection circuit through which the control electronics can detect 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 with little effort which type of communication module is connected to the electronic device. Accordingly, the electronic device can automatically adapt its communication functions to the respective connected communication module. For communication modules without their own control computer, the computer of the electronic device 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.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device is configured for a hot-pluggable communication module replacement. This further increases the flexibility of adapting the electronic device to different needs. The electronic device can be configured to automatically adapt changed interface parameters of its communication interface to the communication module after the communication module is replaced. The adaptation of the communication parameters can also be requested by the newly connected communication module.

[0025] Also described is a communication unit of an electronic device of the type described above. 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. The communication module supports either exactly one external communication protocol or multiple external communication protocols. This also allows the previously described advantages to be realized.

[0026] Also described is a range comprising multiple communication modules of the type described above, wherein the communication modules of the range each have the same internal communication protocol and / or physical layer, but have different external communication protocols and / or physical layers. Such a range allows electronic devices to be adapted to different external communication protocols and / or physical layers as needed, with the ability to change the communication module.

[0027] The product range can be supplemented with a communication module that, as an external communication protocol and / or physical layer, has the same communication protocol and / or physical layer as the internal communication protocol and / or physical layer. This communication module can, for example, be designed without its own control computer.

[0028] If, for example, the IO-Link protocol is used as an external communication protocol, the communication module can be configured to perform the following functions: Start 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 retranslation from IO-Link to Modbus, for this purpose conversion of IO-Link indices into Modbus addresses using a constant offset, mapping of Modbus error messages to IO-Link error messages, forwarding of events to IO-Link master. Block Parameterization - BP:

[0029] Communication module puts electronic device into BP state when it has received an IO-Link BP start command.

[0030] Electronic devices do not directly incorporate written parameter values ​​into the active configuration, but store them temporarily.

[0031] Written parameter values ​​become active when BP stop command is sent and none of the write requests during the BP were faulty.

[0032] The result of the BP is sent to the IO-Link master. Data Storage DS

[0033] At the request of the IO-Link master, the communication module reads indices from the electronic device (fixed address) and compiles the DS_IndexList, which is made available to the IO-Link master.

[0034] Communication module puts electronic device into BP state (electronic device treats the following requests like block parameterization) when parameter set is written.

[0035] Treated like normal read requests when reading a parameter set. Provides the CRC of the parameter set from the electronic device.

[0036] The electronic device has connections for outputting electrical energy to supply power to the electrical components (consumers). These connections can also be referred to as power supply output connections of the electronic device. According to the invention, 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 connection is therefore an output of such a remote I / O unit, and the digital or analog input connection 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 connections of the electronic device can be used to implement the digital or analog input connection and / or the digital or analog output connection. These connections are already available for certain standard functions, such as displaying the correct voltage level ("DC-OK"). Accordingly, the required hardware effort for the electronic device is not increased when providing the aforementioned remote I / O functionality.

[0037] This remote I / O functionality allows the electronic device to function as a digital remote station, used for status or function monitoring via data communication. This remote I / O functionality can be implemented purely through software extension, i.e., by adding appropriate code to the computer program. Additional hardware is therefore not required.

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

[0039] If the digital or analog output connection is configured as a digital output connection, only binary output values ​​(0 and 1) can be set. If the digital or analog output connection is configured as an analog output connection, output values ​​are provided with a specific value range, for example, 8 bits (0 to 255) or 12 bits (0 to 4095), depending on the resolution of the digital-to-analog converter used.

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

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device has exactly one digital or analog input port. This minimizes the effort required for the remote I / O functionality, especially since a single controllable digital or analog input port is generally required for such an electronic device anyway.

[0042] 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 the functionality of the digital or analog input connection and / or the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output connection can be set by at least one parameter. This has the advantage that the functionality of the digital or analog input connection or the digital or analog output connection can be selected by the user and adjusted accordingly. This further increases the flexibility in using the electronic device. The functionality of the digital or analog input connection can, for example, be switched between two different functions or a larger number of different functions.For example, the functionality of the digital or analog output port can be switched between two functions or a higher number of functions.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the functionality of the digital or analog input connection can be set to at least one fixed, predefined standard input function using at least one parameter, and / or the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output connection can be set to at least one fixed, predefined standard output function using at least one parameter. This simplifies the selection of the functionality of the digital or analog input connection or the digital or analog output connection for the user.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the default output function is the output of a signal at the controllable digital or analog output terminal, indicating whether the voltage delivered to the terminals for delivering electrical energy of the electronic device is within a permissible range. Accordingly, the digital or analog output terminal can be set to a default function as a "DC-OK" terminal.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the standard input function is a remotely controlled switching on / off of the electronic device or of the energy delivered at the terminals for delivering electrical energy via the digital or analog input connection. Accordingly, the digital or analog input connection can be used in the standard function as a remote control connection for the electronic device.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the electronic device has at least one electronic overcurrent circuit breaker implemented in software by means of the computer program. Advantageously, the electronic device can thus be expanded to include an overcurrent circuit breaker functionality implemented at least substantially in software. This combines an electronic device with at least single-channel electronic circuit breaker functionality within a single device. This has the advantage that an external overcurrent circuit breaker is generally unnecessary. This allows the user to save costs and installation space. Furthermore, flexibility is increased for the user. Furthermore, external wiring is simplified because no additional wiring effort is required for an external overcurrent circuit breaker.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker is implemented solely by the computer program, without any additional hardware components. Thus, the hardware already available in the electronic device is used to implement the functionality of the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker. In order to be fully functional, the circuit breaker software can only use the hardware that the software for controlling the electronic device, or specifically the power supply device itself, also uses.

[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic overcurrent protection switch comprises a function for switching off the output current delivered by the electronic device and / or a function for limiting the output current delivered by the electronic device to a predetermined current value. The switching off can comprise a permanent switching off of the output current or a temporary switching off of the output current. The same applies to the limitation of the output current, which can be either permanent or temporary. The function of the electronic overcurrent protection switch can also comprise switching between switching off the output current and limiting the output current.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching off of the output current delivered by the electronic device or the limitation of the output current delivered by the electronic device is carried out by the primary-side control of the electronic device. For example, the main transformer, e.g., the transformer, can be controlled directly on the primary side. This allows for simple implementation of the electronic overcurrent protection function. Thus, the power supply and thus 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.

[0050] To implement the electronic overcurrent protection function, the electronic device features a current measurement in the output branch. The current measurement can determine whether the output current is too high and, accordingly, whether the electronic overcurrent protection switch needs to be triggered to shut down or limit the output current.

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic overcurrent circuit breaker monitors the output current delivered by the electronic device for exceeding a current limit. If the current limit is exceeded, the output current is shut off or limited to a predetermined current value, e.g., the current limit. The delivered output current can be determined via the aforementioned current measurement. The computer can compare whether the measured output current exceeds the current limit. Accordingly, the computer can initiate appropriate countermeasures, such as shutting off the output current or limiting the output current.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output current is switched off or limited only after a predetermined triggering 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 respond every time the limit current value is exceeded slightly, but only after the predetermined triggering time.

[0053] 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. The electronic overcurrent circuit breaker can be configured according to the user's wishes using one or more parameters adjustable in the parameter memory. This has the advantage that the circuit breaker functionality can be adapted to the user's needs. In particular, the tripping time and / or the limit current value can be adjusted as parameters. The adjustable tripping time allows for both "fast" and "slow" circuit breaker characteristics to be selected.

[0054] 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 the external computer device. This allows the circuit breaker functionality to be adjusted remotely. Furthermore, it provides a simple way to change the parameters.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the response of the overcurrent protection switch, e.g., the triggering of the limiting and / or shutdown of the output current, can be signaled via a light feedback signal and / or via a communication interface. Existing light signals, e.g., LEDs, which indicate the load of the electronic device during normal operation, can advantageously be used for this purpose. However, special states, such as the circuit breaker functionality, can also be signaled via various flashing codes (outside of normal operation). The aforementioned communication unit of the electronic device can be used as the communication interface.

[0056] The electronic device can have a logging function that records the activity of the electronic overcurrent protection switch functionality. For example, it can log when and for how long the electronic overcurrent protection switch shuts off the output current and / or limits the output current. The log file can be read by an external computer via the electronic device's communication unit. This provides improved diagnostic options for the user.

[0057] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises a housing on which mounting rail fastening 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, lined up next to other devices. The electronic device can, for example, be snapped onto the mounting rail.

[0058] For the purposes of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numerical word. Therefore, if, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted as "at least one component." Where angles are specified in degrees, they refer to a circular dimension of 360 degrees (360°). Where a computer is mentioned, it can be configured to execute a computer program, e.g., in the sense of software. The computer can be embodied as a commercially available computer, e.g., a PC, laptop, notebook, tablet, or smartphone, or as a microprocessor, microcontroller, or FPGA, or as a combination of such elements. Where closed-loop control is mentioned, closed-loop control differs from open-loop control in that closed-loop control has a feedback loop of measured or internal values, which in turn influences the generated output values ​​of the closed-loop control in the sense of a closed-loop control.In a control system, a quantity is simply controlled without any such feedback or loopback.

[0059] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0060] It shows Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an electronic device and Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a communication module and Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement comprising an electronic device and a communication module.

[0061] The reference symbols used in the figures have the following meaning: 1. Electronic device 2. Housing 3. Communication unit 4. Digital or analog output connection 5. Digital or analog input connection 6. Computer 7. Data bus 8. External computer device 9. Power supply output connections 10. Input connections 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

[0062] The Figure 1shows an electronic device 1 that has a housing 2. Control electronics 16 of the electronic device 1 are arranged in the housing 2. Power electronics components 13, 14, 15 are also located in the housing 2. The electronic device has input connections 10 with which the electronic device 1 is to be connected to a power supply network, e.g. an AC voltage network. The electronic device 1 serves to convert the electrical energy absorbed from the power supply network via the input connections 10 into electrical energy delivered on the output side, which is provided at power supply output connections 9. At the power supply output connections 9, for example, an output current I with an output voltage U can be provided.

[0063] The power electronics components 13, 14, 15 may include 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.

[0064] 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. The computer program comprises 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., for selecting various options or subfunctions in the software control functions. The computer 6 executes the computer program, taking into account the corresponding parameters from the parameter memory 12.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.

[0065] Using additional 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 above.

[0066] With regard to the remote I / O function, the computer 6 is connected to additional connections of the electronic device, which include at least one controllable digital or analog output connection 4 and at least one digital or analog input connection 5. The computer 6 can read an input signal, e.g., a digital value or an analog value, via the digital or analog input connection 5. The computer 6 can output a digital or analog output signal at the output connection 4. The connections 4, 5 do not have to be directly connected to the computer 6, but can be decoupled from it via suitable interface circuits.

[0067] The computer 6 is also connected to a communications unit 3. Via the communications unit 3, the computer 6, and thus the electronic device 1, can conduct data communication with external computing devices 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the computing devices 8 are connected to a data bus 7. The electronic device 1 is also connected to the data bus 7 via its communications unit 3. In this way, data communication can take place between the electronic device 1 and the external computing devices 8.

[0068] In the case of remote I / O functionality, an external computing device 8 can control the digital or analog output port 4 via the communication unit 3. The computer 6 receives a control command from the external computing device 8 via the communication unit 3 and controls the digital or analog output port 4 according to the control command. An external computing device 8 can read an input value from the digital or analog input port 5 via the communication unit 3. The computer 6 receives a read command from the external computing device 8 via the communication unit 3, reads the input value from the digital or analog input port 5, and transmits the input value to the external computing device 8 via the communication unit 3 using a response message.In addition, the functionality of the digital or analog output connection 4 and / or the digital or analog input connection 5 can be adjustable via parameters stored in the parameter memory 12.

[0069] The Figure 1 The communication unit 3 shown can be designed as a replaceable communication module 30, for example as shown in Figure 2 The communication module 30 has an electrical connector 31, with which the communication module 30 can be electrically connected to the electronic device 1 and, in particular, its control electronics 16. The communication module 30 has a further electrical connector 37, with which the communication module 30 can be connected to an external computer device 8 directly or indirectly, e.g., via the data bus 7.

[0070] The communication module 30 can 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 each being connected to the control computer 33 so that the control computer 33 can access the memory contents.

[0071] The communication module 30 has a gateway functionality through which a bidirectional conversion takes place 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 carried out and controlled by the control computer 33. For this purpose, the control computer 33 is connected on the one hand to the plug connection 31, e.g., via an internal hardware interface 32, and on the other hand to the further plug connection 37, e.g., via an external hardware interface 36. Hardware signal adaptation between the control computer 33 and the internal physical layer used can take place via the internal hardware interface 32.The external hardware interface 36 can be used to perform hardware signal adaptation between the control computer 33 and the external physical layer used.

[0072] The Figure 2The structure of the communication module 30 explained above is particularly advantageous when the internal communication protocol and the external communication protocol 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 great, or if the same communication protocols are used, the communication module 30 can also be designed 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 combined with the external hardware interface 36.

[0073] The Figure 3shows such an embodiment of a communication module 30 in conjunction with a detail view of the electronic device 1. The communication module 30 is designed in this case 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 must nevertheless be processor-controlled, which is not possible due to the lack of a dedicated control computer in the communication module 30. In this regard, 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.

[0074] Shown is an interface connection between the computer 6 and the external hardware interface 36, which can be implemented, for example, in the form of a serial interface with a transmit line Tx and a receive line Rx. Electrical power supply lines Vcc (operating voltage for the hardware interface 36) and GND (ground line) are also shown. An I / O port of the computer 6 is also shown, which can be operated as both an output connection and an input connection. If the I / O port is operated as an output connection, the computer 6 can thereby control a control connection of the external hardware interface 36, e.g., to set the data transmission direction (send / receive). If the I / O port is operated as an input connection, a digital or analog signal can be read in via it.

[0075] The Figure 3shows a hardware detection circuit through which the control electronics 16 or the computer 6 can detect 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.

[0076] In this case, the hardware detection circuit comprises a resistor R2 built into the electronic device 1, which establishes a connection between Vcc and the I / O port (pull-up resistor). Another resistor R1 is present in the communication module 30, which establishes a connection between GND and the I / O port (pull-down resistor). Based on a voltage level read via the I / O port, which is determined by the resistance ratio R1 / R2, the computer 6 can detect that a communication module 30 without its own control computer is connected. A corresponding communication module 30 with its own control computer would be designed without such a resistor R1, so that a different voltage level would then be established at the I / O port, which the computer 6 can also detect.

Claims

1. Electrical power supply device (1) for the electrical power supply of electrical components from a power source, the power supply device (1) having at least one communication unit (3), by means of which the power supply device (1) is set up for data communication with an external computer device (8), wherein the power supply device (1) has terminals (9) for outputting the electrical energy for the power supply of the electrical components, wherein the power supply device (1) has a remote I / O unit through which a remote I / O functionality is provided, whereby the power supply device (1) can function as a digital remote station, which can be used for status or function monitoring by means of data communication, the energy supply device (1) having as a further connection at least one controllable digital or analog output connection (4), which is an output of such a remote I / O unit, and / or at least one digital or analog input connection (5), which is an input of such a remote I / O unit, wherein, in the case of a controllable digital or analog output connection (4), this can be controlled by the external computer device (8) via the communication unit (3) and, in the case of a digital or analog input connection (5), an input value from this input connection can be read out by the external computer device (8) via the communication unit (3).

2. Energy supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy supply device (1) has exactly one controllable digital or analog output connection (4).

3. Energy supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy supply device (1) has exactly one digital or analog input connection (5).

4. Energy supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy supply device (1) has a parameter memory (12) in which parameters for defining the functionality of the energy supply device (1) can be stored, it being possible to set the functionality of the digital or analog input connection (5) and / or to set the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output connection (4) by means of at least one parameter.

5. Energy supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that the functionality of the digital or analog input connection (5) can be set by means of at least one parameter to at least one fixedly predetermined standard input function and / or the functionality of the controllable digital or analog output connection (4) can be set by means of at least one parameter to at least one fixedly predetermined standard output function.

6. Energy supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that the standard output function is the output of a signal at the controllable digital or analogue output connection (4) which indicates whether the voltage (U) of the energy supply device (1) output at the terminals (9) for outputting the electrical energy is within a permissible range.

7. Energy supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the standard input function is a remotely controllable switching on / off of the energy supply device (1) or of the energy output at the terminals (9) for outputting the electrical energy via the digital or analog input connection (5).

8. Energy supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication unit (3) is designed as an exchangeable communication module (30) which can be plugged into the energy supply device (1) by means of an electrical plug connection (31).

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