Patent ID: 12210475

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1and2show preferred embodiments of an assembly unit1according to the invention, which has a housing3. In the present case, the housing3is constructed from two housing parts so that the components housed in the housing can be received in a simple manner in the housing parts and subsequently the housing is completed by assembling the housing parts. Alternatively, the housing may be constructed of more than two housing parts, for example, or the housing may be constructed in one piece and the components to be housed therein are inserted through an opening provided in the housing, for example.

In particular, an electronic circuit unit2is accommodated within a housing, which can be electrically connected for signal and power supply to a higher-level switching system not shown inFIGS.1and2for reasons of clarity. For electrical connection with the higher-level switching system, electrical contacts11of corresponding design are provided by the circuit unit2. The view ofFIG.2shows, looking towards one of the inner sides of the housing of the assembly unit, a view of such an electronic circuit unit2accommodated in the housing3. The circuit unit2has a signal processing unit8for controlling consumer elements6dwhich are connected to the assembly unit, are installed within the housing or being virtual. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of consumer elements6dare exemplarily outlined as consumer elements connected or connectable to the assembly unit. In such a case, these consumer elements thus designed as external consumers may be connected to the assembly unit, and thus in particular to the circuit unit2, by means of electrical connecting leads6cto a peripheral port6b, in particular standard peripheral connection, for example in the manner of a connection strip, of the circuit unit2. Furthermore, for interaction with the consumer elements, in particular for interaction with external consumers, the circuit unit2may house components with device drivers stored therein, as indicated inFIG.2by the components assigned the reference sign6a. It should be noted that within the scope of the invention not only consumer elements in hardware but also virtual consumer elements can be included, for which correspondingly designed device drivers can likewise be provided with the circuit unit.

Furthermore, the assembly unit1comprises a mechanical securing and unlocking element10movably held thereon for mechanically securing and unlocking the electronic circuit unit2in a state electrically connected to the higher-level switching system, which element is in any case held manually movably from outside the assembly unit1relative to the assembly unit1between at least two positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing and unlocking element10is expediently held within the housing3, andFIG.1shows, with a view directed to another inner side of the housing3, a particularly preferred embodiment of such mechanical securing and unlocking element10expediently held movably within the housing. In order to be nevertheless manually movable from outside the assembly unit1, the securing and unlocking element10consequently extends out of the assembly unit and has, for example, expediently a guide arm22, which is led out of the assembly unit1coming from the inside of the housing. A grip element38can be formed on the guide arm, which makes it easier for an operator to move the securing and unlocking element10.

The securing and unlocking element10shown inFIG.1is further movably held by the housing3in such a way that it can be manually displaced by an operator along a direction5, in the example shown along an axial direction, and in the opposite direction. To execute a relative movement from a first position, in which the electronic circuit unit is completely mechanically secured in an electrically connected state with the higher-level switching system, into a second position, in which the electronic circuit unit2can at least remain in the electrically connected state but is at least partially mechanically unlocked, the securing and unlocking element10must be moved for this purpose, for example, along a direction5, i.e., for example, from a position as shown inFIG.1in the direction of the arrow occupied by the reference sign5. In the position shown inFIG.1, the securing and unlocking element10for mechanically securing the electronic circuit unit2still engages, for example, in securing recesses9arranged in the housing3in the electrically connected state. For this purpose, the securing and unlocking element10preferably has at least one mechanical latching element24, to which the guide arm22is then expediently connected, as exemplified with the present embodiment, i.e. in particular that the guide arm extends starting from the latching element.

Alternatively or additionally, but not shown in the attached figures for reasons of clarity, the securing and unlocking element for mechanically securing the electronic circuit unit2in the electrically connected state can also be formed with a latching element for latching with a complementary latching element formed on the switching system to be electrically connected.

On, or in particular in the case where the securing and unlocking element is held within the housing, within the assembly unit1, a movement detecting device is provided which is adapted to detect a relative movement of the securing and unlocking element, and thus in particular to detect whether the securing and unlocking element has taken the first position or the second position.

In response to a relative movement from the first position, in which the electronic circuit unit2is fully mechanically secured in the electrically connected state, to a second position, in which the electronic circuit unit2is at least partially mechanically unlocked in the electrically connected state, the movement detection device is designed to generate an unlock signal14and to forward it to the signal processing unit8.

FIG.5shows an exemplary, simplified circuit diagram for the electrical coupling of a motion detection device12with a signal processing unit8of an assembly unit according to the invention. The part of the motion detection device12shown on the left inFIG.5obtains its power supply expediently as part of the circuit unit2via the latter and is connected accordingly to reference potential GND and to an operating voltage VSS. The signal processing unit8further comprised by the circuit unit2has, for example, a microcontroller μC, in particular with firmware or firmware function “FW-function” incorporated therein. Thus, if an unlock signal14is generated by the motion detection device12and forwarded to the signal processing unit8, the latter is designed to switch consumer elements6dthat are under load in response to the unlock signal14load-free, in particular by means of at least one load disconnection signal16, so that complete disconnection of the assembly unit1with load-free electronic circuit unit2from the higher-level switching system is possible during ongoing operation. For disconnection, i.e. in the context of the invention for load disconnection of consumer elements6dunder load, in particular for load disconnection of each of the consumer elements6dindividually, expediently by means of generation of correspondingly several load disconnection signals16, as can be seen inFIG.5, the signal processing unit8can thus preferably be equipped, for example, with firmware correspondingly suitable for this purpose and incorporated in the signal processing unit8, in particular in a microcontroller comprised by the latter. If, as shown inFIG.5, components6awith device drivers stored therein, expediently electrically connected between the signal processing unit8and the consumer elements6b, are included by the circuit unit2for interaction with the consumer elements6b, in particular for interaction with external consumers which are electrically connected to a peripheral port6bof the circuit unit2by means of electrical connection leads6c, the control of the consumer elements6dby the signal processing unit8thus takes place in practical execution with the interposition of the device drivers stored in the components6a. In such a case, in a further practical embodiment, the switching off of consumer elements6dunder load can also be carried out in a practical embodiment, for example, by switching off the device drivers stored in the components6a, as a result of which the consumer elements6dare then also switched off.

If the consumer elements6dunder load are thus switched load-free in accordance with the invention before the module is removed from its slot, the contacts of the interfaces6band11are consequently also load-free and a complete disconnection of the assembly unit1with load-free electronic circuit unit2from the higher-level switching system during operation can be made possible.

The motion detection device12sketched by way of example inFIG.5has a sensor which can be constructed in an application-specific manner, in particular as an optical sensor, a motion sensor and/or an acceleration sensor. In the present case, a signal receiving element20of the sensor further includes an optical switch that responds, for example, to coupled light, i.e., when light is incident, and then couples an optical switching signal into the illustrated transistor via the illustrated diode, ultimately generating the unlock signal14and transmitting it to the signal processing unit8. However, a switch can also be constructed to work the other way around, i.e., for example, when no more optical signal in given by means of the represented diode, the switching operation for generating the unlock signal14is triggered.

Consequently, the motion detection device12generally includes, in addition to a signal receiving element20, at least one signal coupling element, which, however, is not shown inFIG.5for reasons of clarity. It should also be noted that the motion detection device12may also include signal receiving elements other than the one shown inFIG.5, in order to detect the first position and the second position of the securing and unlocking element10. In particular, the internal communication of the motion detection device12for motion detection does not necessarily have to be lead-less, i.e., such receiving elements do not have to be lead-less in design. However, since internal communication, i.e., in particular between a signal coupling element and a signal receiving element communicating therewith, is expediently carried out in a lead-less manner in practical embodiment, the aforementioned preferred design of these elements as elements communicating optically with one another is thus particularly suitable.

The signal coupling element can further be designed as a transmitting element or, for example, also as a reflecting element. As is known, in the case of a signal coupling element designed as a reflection element, a transmitting element and the signal receiving element can also be integrated within one unit.

FIGS.3and4show two exemplary embodiments of a securing and unlocking element10and a motion detection device, respectively in a first position of the securing and unlocking element10and a second position of the securing and unlocking element10. The first position is shown at the top and the second position is shown at the bottom inFIGS.3and4, respectively.

As can be seen, the motion detection device according toFIGS.3and4each has a signal coupling element18and a signal receiving element20communicating therewith.

One of these two elements18and20is arranged on one component of the group of components consisting of the housing3, the securing and unlocking element10and the circuit unit2, and the other of these two elements18and20is arranged on one of the two remaining components of this group of components. In the embodiments shown, the signal coupling element18is arranged, for example, on the securing and unlocking element10, and the signal receiving element20is arranged, for example, on the circuit unit2, in particular because a circuit for electrically coupling a motion detection device12to a signal processing unit8described with reference toFIG.5is thereby easier to set up than in case the signal receiving element20is first arranged on the housing.

In the examples shown, the signal coupling elements18are each constructed as reflective elements. Furthermore, in the illustrated examples, the inter-communicating elements18and20are constructed as optically inter-communicating elements, i.e., as optical elements, in accordance with a particularly expedient embodiment.

The arrangement of the signal coupling element18and the signal receiving element20can now be selected, as shown for example inFIG.3, in such a way that in the first position of the securing and unlocking element10no communication is possible between the signal coupling element18and the signal receiving element20, according to the example shown a signal reflection effected via the signal coupling element18in the direction of the signal receiving element20is not possible. In the other, i.e. second position, such communication is enabled, according to the illustrated example a signal reflection effected via the signal coupling element18in the direction towards the signal receiving element20is possible.

However, the arrangement of the signal coupling element18and the signal receiving element20can also be selected, as shown for example inFIG.4, in such a way that in the first position of the securing and unlocking element10communication between the signal coupling element18and the signal receiving element20is possible, according to the example shown a signal reflection effected via the signal coupling element18in the direction towards the signal receiving element20is possible. In the other, i.e. second position, no such communication is enabled, according to the illustrated example a signal reflection effected via the signal coupling element18in the direction towards the signal receiving element20is not possible.

The reference sign19inFIGS.3and4, the state is marked by way of example in which, in the examples shown, a change in a signal state is triggered during a relative movement of the securing and release element10from the first position to the second position and thus the unlock signal14is generated as a result. InFIG.3, this state19is given when signal reflection is enabled or effected, and inFIG.4when signal reflection is not enabled or does not occur.

Preferably, when the second position is detected, the signal processing unit8is also designed, e.g., by means of a microcontroller C as roughly sketched inFIG.5, in particular with firmware “FW function” incorporated therein, to carry out test scenarios, in particular also for diagnosis of the consumer elements6d, by appropriate control of the consumer elements6d. Control signals required for this can, for example, be additionally impressed on the load disconnection signal16. In the embodiment sketched according toFIG.5, the control of the consumer elements is thus initially carried out again with the interposition of the device drivers stored in the components6a.

In addition or alternatively, when the second position is detected, the signal processing unit8can also be designed, e.g., by means of the microcontroller4C as roughly sketched inFIG.5, in particular with the firmware “FW function” incorporated therein, to transmit a signal21for reporting an electrically connected but at least partially mechanically unlocked state and/or diagnostic results to the higher-level switching system4in an electrically connected state and/or for reporting an electrically connected but at least partially mechanically unlocked state and/or diagnostic results to a registration unit26comprised by the assembly unit1.

By means of such or a comparable signal-based message21to the higher-level switching system4, the latter can be enabled, for example, depending on its specific design, e.g., by means of a signal processing unit30comprised by the switching system, e.g., a programmable logic controller (PLC), to initiate test scenarios and/or diagnostic scenarios itself, in particular with regard to the consumption elements, as indicated by the dashed arrow inFIG.5, and/or to evaluate diagnostic results remote from the signal processing unit. The signal-based message can also be used to prepare the higher-level switching system4in a simple manner for a possible imminent disconnection of the assembly unit, so that if an assembly unit is then removed from the switching system, the switching system, in particular a PLC comprised by it, does not then recognize this as a system error.

If such a signal-based message21or a comparable signal-based message21is sent in the second position of the securing and unlocking element10to a registration unit26comprised by the assembly unit1itself, the registration unit26can store diagnostic results, for example, if it has a memory unit, and these can be made available for later evaluation.

The registration unit26can also be provided in a supplementary or alternative manner in such a way that, in response to the signal-based messages, the signal processing unit is in turn triggered, e.g., by correspondingly incorporated firmware, to perform test scenarios, in particular also for diagnosing the consumer elements, by correspondingly controlling the consumer elements.

Such a registration unit26can, however, also additionally or alternatively include an indicating device for an operator, which thus indicates to an operator in particular the at least partially unlocked state, for example by means of an optical or acoustic indicator device. By means of the indicator, an operator can consequently detect in a simple and effective manner an incompletely connected state of the assembly unit and thus in particular also of the circuit unit with the switching system4, so that once again the overall operational safety is increased. If, furthermore for example, e.g., upon expiry of a predetermined period of time following the initiation of the switch-off process or processes, i.e., in particular following the generated load disconnection signal or signals16, and/or after detection of a respective load-free state of the consumer elements as a result of corresponding (test-) activation, a diagnostic result is registered as a signal-based message by the registration unit26in such a way that the load-free state of all the consumer elements is given, this can be indicated accordingly to the operator, who then recognizes that now a disconnection of the assembly unit with load current-free electronic circuit unit from the higher-level switching system is possible during operation, i.e. in particular enabled.

In a further, particularly preferred, but equally supplementary or alternative embodiment, the movement detection device is further designed to generate a securing signal28, as sketched in dashed lines inFIG.5, in response to a relative movement from the second position into the first position, and to forward it to the signal processing unit, the signal processing unit then being suitably designed to apply load current to consumer elements that are switched load-free in response to the securing signal.

In this case, too, a message signal21initially generated in the second position also serves, for example, to indicate that the circuit unit2is in an electrically connected state but is not mechanically secured, at least in part. In this case, the message unit26comprised by the assembly unit1can thus also warn the operator that the electronic circuit unit2is not fully inserted in the slide-in units, so that the operator can correct this faulty state.

When an assembly unit1is inserted into the receptacle of a higher-level switching system, there is therefore a state triggering a signal change in this case, not as shown by way of example inFIGS.3and4respectively marked with the reference sign19, but based onFIGS.3and4, in each case after a relative movement of the securing and unlocking element10from the second position into the first position. Based onFIG.3, this state would thus be present when signal reflection is no longer enabled or is absent, and based onFIG.4, when signal reflection is then enabled or is effected.

As is known to the person skilled in the art in and of itself, a switching system4as indicated for example inFIG.5has corresponding receptacles, e.g. a plurality of slide-in units, for receiving assembly units, which in the context of the invention are then expediently designed to each receive an assembly unit1in a receptacle. When receiving such an assembly unit, then, as described above, in the second position the electronic circuit unit2is in the electrically connected state with the switching system, but at least partially mechanically unlocked, and in the first position the circuit unit2is then in the electrically connected state and completely mechanically secured.

Consequently, in the electrically connected state with the switching system4, the electrical contacts11correspondingly formed by the circuit unit2are electrically connected with correspondingly complementary contacts provided in the switching system not shown for clarity.

Furthermore, in the context of the invention, the switching system must have a signal processing unit, for example the signal processing unit30indicated inFIG.5, which is appropriately designed for communication with the signal processing unit8of the circuit unit2. In the context of the invention, therefore, the signal processing unit30is appropriately configured to communicate with the signal processing unit8of the circuit unit2in particular in the case of a signal21sent from the signal processing unit8of the assembly unit for reporting an electrically connected but at least partially mechanically unlocked state and/or diagnostic results.

Taking into account the above description, it is thus evident that, using the solution according to the invention, the current-driving outputs or the load of the assembly unit1, i.e., in particular of the circuit unit2, are electronically switched off before disconnection of the circuit unit from the higher-level switching system is to be made possible, so that the high load current can no longer flow via the interface of the electrical contacts to be disconnected.

At the same time, for example, corresponding diagnostic messages can be sent to the superimposed switching system4, e.g., to a PLC integrated therein, so that different predefined use cases can then be derived with such a “system function” of the signal processing unit8.

With the solution according to the invention, a distinction can thus also be made, for example, in particular between a deliberate “pulling” or disconnection and an “accidental falling out” from the receptacle of the higher-level switching system4.

If, for example, a certain waiting time between unlocking and pulling is required for the shutdown process, a registration unit26with a visual or acoustic indicator is particularly suitable, which can then be controlled accordingly so that the “permission” for the operator to pull can be indicated via this.

If precautions can or must be taken in the higher-level switching system4until the assembly unit1is actually pulled, before the assembly unit1is allowed to be pulled, so that a system error is not detected, the signal processing device30can also, for example, in accordance with further useful embodiment, control this optical indicator of the registration unit26, for example via an acyclically executed acyclic service, for example by writing a parameter.

In summary, it can thus further be stated that the invention proposes a method for disconnecting an electronic circuit unit2accommodated within a housing3of an assembly unit1, which method is substantially improved in particular compared with the prior art, in which method the circuit unit2has a signal processing unit8for controlling consumer elements6dwhich are connected to the assembly unit, are installed within the housing or being virtual, and is electrically connected to a higher-level switching system4for signal and power supply.

In this case, the circuit unit2in an electrically connected state with the higher-level switching system4is first transferred from a fully mechanically secured state to an at least partially mechanically unlocked state before it is possible to disconnect the circuit unit from the higher-level switching system. The transfer from the fully mechanically secured state to the at least partially mechanically unlocked state can be detected by the assembly unit1itself, and consumer elements6dunder load can subsequently be switched load-free by the signal processing unit8.

In an expedient manner, in the electrically connected state with the higher-level switching system but at least partially mechanically unlocked state, test scenarios are carried out by the signal processing unit8when driving the consumption elements6dand/or a signal21is generated for reporting an electrically connected but at least partially mechanically unlocked state and/or diagnostic results to the higher-level switching system4in the electrically connected state and/or for reporting an electrically connected but at least partially mechanically unlocked state and/or diagnostic results to a registration unit26comprised by the assembly unit1.