Control panels for automated systems and robot systems

Abstract

To reduce man-hour for connecting wiring to a control board, and to downsize the control board.SOLUTION: A control board 1 is equipped with a first control portion 2 that performs communication conforming to an Ethernet standard with a first apparatus through a field network, a second control portion 3 that performs safety communication with a second apparatus handling a safety signal by communication conforming to the Ethernet standard, a PoE hub 4 that PoE feeds the first apparatus and the second apparatus, and a LAN terminal 41 to which a LAN cable 81 is connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a control panel for an automated system and a robot system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a control panel for an automated system. A robot, peripheral devices for the robot, an emergency stop switch, a safety fence switch, and the like are connected to this control panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-144495 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the control panel as described above, each of the various devices is connected to the control panel via wiring. Therefore, a control panel to which many devices are connected will have a large number of wires.

[0005] Therefore, when installing a control panel on-site, many wires need to be connected, which requires a lot of man-hours.In addition, the control panel needs to be equipped with terminals corresponding to the wiring of various devices, which makes the control panel larger.

[0006] The technology disclosed herein has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to reduce the number of steps required to connect wiring to a control panel and to reduce the size of the control panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The control panel of the automated system disclosed herein includes a first control unit that communicates with a first device via a field network in accordance with the Ethernet standard, a second control unit that performs safety communication with a second device that handles safety signals by communication in accordance with the Ethernet standard, a power supply unit that supplies PoE power to the first device or the second device, and a LAN terminal to which the first control unit, the second control unit, and the power supply unit are connected and to which a LAN cable is connected.

[0008] The robot system disclosed herein includes a control panel of the automated system, the first device, and the second device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the control panel of the automation system, the number of steps required for connecting wires to the control panel can be reduced, and the control panel can be made smaller.

[0010] According to the robot system, the number of steps required to connect wiring to a control panel can be reduced, and the control panel can be made more compact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automated system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control panel. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an automated system 100. The automated system 100 includes a control panel 1 and a plurality of devices 90 to 98. The control panel 1 controls the plurality of devices 90 to 98. The control panel 1 comprehensively controls the automated system 100. The automated system 100 is an example of a robot system.

[0014] Device 90 is a PC (personal computer). Device 91 is a switching hub. Device 92 is a safety IO box. Device 93 is an IO box. Device 94 is a robot controller. Device 95 is a wireless router. Device 96 is a safety switch. Device 97 is a self-propelled robot.

[0015] In the following description, a specific name of the device may be used instead of the "device" as necessary. For example, the device may be referred to as "PC 90" instead of "device 90."

[0016] A switching hub 91 and a safety IO box 92 are directly connected to the control panel 1 via a LAN cable 81. An IO box 93, a robot controller 94, and a wireless router 95 are directly connected to the switching hub 91 via the LAN cable 81. A safety switch 96 is directly connected to the safety IO box 92 via a cable 82. A robot controller 97a built into a self-propelled robot 97 is connected to the wireless router 95 via wireless LAN.

[0017] The control panel 1 performs standard communication (general-purpose communication) and safety communication on the same field network. In other words, the control panel 1 performs safety control by performing safety communication with devices that handle safety signals, and performs standard control by performing general-purpose signal communication with standard devices such as field devices. For example, the control panel 1 checks the safety of the automated system 100 through safety control. The control panel 1 also outputs command signals that prepare the field devices for operation, command signals that allow the field devices to operate, and the like.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control panel 1. The control panel 1 includes a first control unit 2, a second control unit 3, and a PoE (Power over Ethernet) hub 4 that supplies power to devices via PoE. The control panel 1 may also include a touch panel 5 and an AC / DC converter 6.

[0019] The first control unit 2 performs communication with the first device via the field network in accordance with the Ethernet standard, that is, Ethernet-based communication. The communication of the first control unit 2 in accordance with the Ethernet standard is, for example, communication of the EtherNet / IP standard. That is, the first control unit 2 performs communication with the first device via a LAN cable 81. For example, the first control unit 2 is a general-purpose PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The first device is a device that exchanges general-purpose signals (i.e., signals that are not safety signals) in an automated system. In this example, the first device is a switching hub 91, a safety IO box 92, an IO box 93, a robot controller 94, a wireless router 95, and a self-propelled robot 97. The first control unit 2 performs general-purpose IO communication with these devices.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first control unit 2. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The first control unit 2 has a control device 21, a storage device 22, an input unit 23, and an output unit 24.

[0022] The control device 21 is formed of processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control device 21 executes operations such as control, calculation, and signal transfer. The control device 21 realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the storage device 22. For example, the control device 21 reads signals from input switches, etc. via the input unit 23, performs calculations, and outputs the calculation results via the output unit 24 in accordance with the programs.

[0023] The storage device 22 may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), and an auxiliary storage device. The storage device 22 stores programs executed by the control device 21. The storage device 22 also stores various states and data such as input / output states, calculation states, and intermediate control progress.

[0024] The input unit 23 writes the input signal into the input area of ​​the storage device 22. When the input signal is an analog signal, the input unit 23 A / D converts the input signal and writes the converted signal into the input area of ​​the storage device 22.

[0025] The output unit 24 outputs a signal from the output area of ​​the storage device 22. Note that the output unit 24 may also perform D / A conversion on the signal from the output area of ​​the storage device 22 and output the converted signal.

[0026] The second control unit 3 performs safety communication with the second device that handles safety signals by communication conforming to the Ethernet standard. The communication conforming to the Ethernet standard of the second control unit 2 is, for example, communication conforming to the CIP Safety standard (EtherNet / IP Safety standard). That is, the second control unit 3 communicates with the second device via the LAN cable 81, that is, transmits and receives safety signals. For example, the second control unit 3 is a safety PLC. The second device is a device that exchanges safety signals in an automated system. In this example, the second device is a safety IO box 92 and a robot controller 94. The safety communication is, for example, communication standardized by an international standard, such as safety communication based on IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61784-3.

[0027] The second control unit 3 has a configuration similar to that of the first control unit 2 shown in FIG.

[0028] The PoE hub 4 is a hub with a PoE power supply function. In this example, the PoE hub 4 has three LAN terminals 41. That is, the PoE hub 4 is capable of inputting and outputting signals of the Ethernet standard via the LAN terminals 41. The LAN terminals 41, i.e., the PoE hub 4, are connected to the first control unit 2, the second control unit 3, and the touch panel 5 so as to be able to send and receive signals. The PoE hub 4 also supplies power to a device connected to the LAN terminals 41 via a LAN cable 81 via the LAN cable 81. The PoE hub 4 is an example of a power supply unit.

[0029] The LAN terminal 41 may be provided on the control panel 1 and electrically connected to the PoE hub 4.

[0030] The touch panel 5 is provided on the casing of the control panel 1. The touch panel 5 allows the user to perform various input operations. For example, the user can configure settings for the first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3 via the touch panel 5. Furthermore, the user can also configure settings for the first device and the second device via the touch panel 5.

[0031] The AC / DC converter 6 converts AC power into DC power. The control panel 1 is provided with a power connector 60. A power cable 61 is connected to the power connector 60. The power cable 61 is connected to a commercial power source 62. The AC / DC converter 6 is capable of inputting AC power within a predetermined voltage range. For example, the voltage range includes at least 100V to 200V. That is, the AC / DC converter 6 converts the AC power of 100V to 200V from the power connector 60 into DC power. The AC / DC converter 6 supplies the DC power to the first control unit 2, the second control unit 3, the PoE hub 4, and the touch panel 5.

[0032] Furthermore, the control panel 1 includes a DC output terminal 63 that outputs DC power. The control panel 1 supplies DC power of a predetermined voltage (for example, 24 V) to a device connected to the DC output terminal 63 via a cable.

[0033] Switching hub 91, IO box 93, robot controller 94, wireless router 95, and robot controller 97a of self-propelled robot 97 are configured to enable communication with first control unit 2 in accordance with the Ethernet standard, for example, communication according to the EtherNet / IP standard. Switching hub 91, IO box 93, robot controller 94, wireless router 95, and robot controller 97a of self-propelled robot 97 are the first device.

[0034] In addition to the safety switch 96, safety devices such as a light curtain can be connected to the safety IO box 92. The safety IO box 92 can input and output safety signals. Safety signals are input from the safety devices to the safety IO box 92. The safety IO box 92 is also configured to be capable of communication with the second control unit 3 in accordance with the Ethernet standard, for example, communication in accordance with the CIP Safety standard.

[0035] The robot controller 94 controls the operation of a robot (not shown). The robot controller 94 has a safety unit 94a that monitors the operation of the robot. The safety unit 94a is capable of inputting and outputting safety signals. The safety unit 94a is also configured to be capable of communication with the second control unit 3 in accordance with the Ethernet standard, for example, communication in accordance with the CIP Safety standard.

[0036] The safety IO box 92 and the safety unit 94a are the second device. That is, the robot controller 94 is both the first device and the second device.

[0037] The switching hub 91 and the safety IO box 94 are PoE power receiving devices. That is, the switching hub 91 and the safety IO box 94 are configured to be able to receive power from PoE via the LAN cable 81.

[0038] Furthermore, the control panel 1 is configured to be capable of Ethernet communication (i.e., TCP (UDP) / IP communication) in addition to the communication of the first control unit 2 conforming to the Ethernet standard and the communication of the second control unit 3 conforming to the Ethernet standard. For example, the PC 90 is connected to the LAN terminal 41 of the control panel 1 via a LAN cable 81. The control panel 1 realizes Ethernet communication via a PoE hub 4. The PC 90 performs Ethernet communication with the first control unit 2 or the second control unit 3. For example, the user can edit the first control unit 2 or the second control unit 3 via the PC 90. Furthermore, the PC 90 can check the state of the robot controller 94 or change the settings of the robot controller 94 by performing Ethernet communication with the robot controller 94, etc.

[0039] In this way, the control panel 1 can perform communication with the first device, i.e., a standard field device such as the robot controller 94, in accordance with the Ethernet standard, safety communication with the second device in accordance with the Ethernet standard, Ethernet communication, and PoE power supply. All of these can be performed via the LAN cable 81. Therefore, the control panel 1 has a plurality of LAN terminals 41. From another perspective, the control panel 1 only needs to have the LAN terminal 41, and does not need to have any other terminals. In this example, the control panel 1 has power terminals, i.e., a power connector 60 and a DC output terminal 63, in addition to the LAN terminal 41. In other words, the control panel 41 can reduce the types and number of required terminals. As a result, the control panel 41 can be made smaller.

[0040] As described above, the control panel 1 includes the first control unit 2 that communicates with the first device via a field network in accordance with the Ethernet standard, the second control unit 3 that performs safety communication with the second device handling safety signals by communication in accordance with the Ethernet standard, a PoE hub 4 (power supply unit) that supplies PoE power to the first device or the second device, and a LAN terminal 41 to which the first control unit 2, the second control unit 3 and the PoE hub 4 are connected and to which a LAN cable 81 is connected.

[0041] The automated system 100 includes a control panel 1, a first device, and a second device.

[0042] According to these configurations, communication with the first device via the field network, safety communication with the second device, and power supply to the first device or the second device can be realized by the LAN cable 81. Therefore, the control panel 1 only needs to have the LAN terminal 41, and the number of required terminals can be reduced. As a result, the control panel 1 can be made more compact. Furthermore, since the wiring required for the control panel 1 is the connection of the LAN cable 81, there is no need for complicated wiring. In other words, the labor required for connecting wiring to the control panel 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the LAN cable 81 is a general-purpose cable that is widely used. In other words, it becomes easy to obtain the cables required for wiring the control panel 1.

[0043] Specifically, the first control unit 2 performs communication according to the EtherNet / IP standard.

[0044] Moreover, the second control unit 3 performs communication according to the EtherNet / IP Safety standard.

[0045] According to these configurations, since both standards are open industrial Ethernet standards and use standard Ethernet, future technological advances are expected. Furthermore, the control panel 1 can keep up with these advances. Furthermore, since both standards are in accordance with the Ethernet standard, general-purpose Ethernet devices can be used.

[0046] The control panel 1 further includes a touch panel 5 for configuring settings for the first control unit 2 and the second control unit 3.

[0047] This configuration allows more flexible settings to be made using the touch panel 5 than a configuration in which the control panel 1 is simply provided with buttons. That is, as described above, the control panel 1 can be connected to devices via the LAN cable 81, so that various devices can be connected to the control panel 1. By providing the control panel 5 on the control panel 1, settings corresponding to the devices connected to the control panel 1 can be flexibly realized.

[0048] The control panel 1 further includes power terminals for inputting and / or outputting power, i.e., a power connector 60 and a DC output terminal 63. The terminals to which cables are connected from the outside to the control panel 1 include a LAN terminal 41 and a power force Terminals only.

[0049] According to this configuration, the only wiring required for the control panel 1 is the LAN cable 81 and a cable for power (for example, the power cable 61), so that the number of steps required for connecting wiring to the control panel 1 can be reduced.

[0050] Other Embodiments As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately performed. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment to form a new embodiment. In addition, among the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description, not only components essential for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology may be included. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the attached drawings and detailed description should not immediately be taken to mean that these non-essential components are essential.

[0051] For example, the devices directly or indirectly connected to the control panel 1 are not limited to the devices 90 to 98. Any device corresponding to a first device that performs communication in accordance with the Ethernet standard via a field network may be connected to the control panel 1. Also, any device corresponding to a second device that handles safety signals and performs safety communication by communication in accordance with the Ethernet standard may be connected to the control panel 1.

[0052] The communication by the first control unit 2 is not limited to the communication of the EtherNet / IP standard. The communication by the first control unit 2 may be communication according to the Ethernet standard, for example, the PROFINET standard, the EtherCAT (registered trademark) standard, or the CC-Link IE (registered trademark) standard.

[0053] The communication by the second control unit 3 is not limited to the communication of the CIP Safety standard. The communication by the second control unit 3 may be any safety communication conforming to the Ethernet standard between devices that handle safety signals, for example, the communication may be the communication of the PROFIsafe standard, the Safety over EtherCAT standard, or the CC-Link IE Safety standard.

[0054] Furthermore, the control board 1 may have terminals other than the LAN terminal 41. The technology disclosed herein aims to reduce the minimum number of terminals required for the control board, and does not exclude the control board from having additional terminals other than the LAN terminal.

[0055] The control board 1 is provided with, as power terminals, a power connector 60 and a DC output terminal 63. However, the power terminal may be the power connector 60 alone. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Automated Systems (Robot Systems) 1 Control panel 2. First Control Section 3. Second Control Section 4 PoE hub (power supply unit) 41 LAN port 60 Power connector (power terminal) 61 Power cable 63 DC output terminal (power terminal) 81 LAN cable 91 Switching hub (first device) 92 Safety IO Box (Second Device) 93 IO Box (first device) 94 Robot Controller (First Device) 94a Safety unit (second device) 95 Wireless router (first device) 97a Robot Controller (First Device)

Claims

1. a first control unit that communicates with the first device via the field network in accordance with the Ethernet standard; a second control unit that performs safety communication with a second device that handles a safety signal through communication in accordance with the Ethernet standard; a power supply unit that supplies PoE power to the first device or the second device; a control panel for an automation system, the control panel being connected to the first control unit, the second control unit and the power supply unit, and comprising a LAN terminal to which a LAN cable is connected;

2. 2. The control panel of claim 1, The first control unit is a control panel of an automated system that performs communication according to the EtherNet / IP standard.

3. In the control panel of the automated system according to claim 1 or 2, The second control unit is a control panel of an automated system that performs communication according to the EtherNet / IP Safety standard.

4. A control panel for an automated system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A control panel for an automated system further comprising a touch panel for configuring settings for the first control unit and the second control unit.

5. A control panel for an automated system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Further comprising a power terminal for inputting and / or outputting power; A control panel for an automation system, wherein terminals to which cables are connected from outside the control panel are only the LAN terminal and the power terminal.

6. A control board for an automated system according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The first device; The robot system includes the second device.

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