DE29724594U1 - Connection device for an electrical installation system - Google Patents

Description

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Connection device for an electrical installation system

The invention relates to a connection device for an electrical installation system for controlling consumers and/or for forwarding signaling signals via a data line forming an external bus line with serial digital data transmission, wherein the control and/or signaling information is passed from and to the external bus line via a bus subscriber-side bus coupling, with a base module containing the bus coupling and downstream function-specific extension modules with digital and/or analog inputs and/or outputs for the respective consumers, which are internally connected in a communicating manner with the base module.

In the context of modern electrical installations, systems that use a bus line in the building for data and signal transmission and thus for consumer control have become established. So-called "intelligent" consumers are used, each of which has its own bus connection integrated into it. If a signal is then sent to the bus using a switch, which is also connected to the bus line via its own bus coupling block, each device can select the signal specific to it using its bus connection, i.e. each consumer-side bus connection is addressed in a defined way with the signal and the consumer is thus served. The disadvantage here is that the consumers themselves are much more expensive than normal consumers due to the bus connection that has to be provided.

From DE-42 00 818 A1 or from the Wieland publication: WIB Wieland Installations Bus, printing note 0054. 1 Mü 9.92, a distributor is known that is connected to a bus line and has its own bus coupling, which is followed by corresponding switching elements. In this system, the bus couplers analyze the signals supplied by the building bus and switch the switching device connected to them, for example a relay, accordingly. In this system, a bus line is therefore no longer connected directly to the

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The power is fed to the consumer, so that it does not have to be equipped with the expensive bus connection. Instead, the consumer is served directly by the load line. The disadvantage of this system is that the distributor is far too large to fully cover the many possible functions that can be carried out or performed. In addition, a new, complete distributor must always be used as part of the retrofitting, which is also very costly.

Furthermore, DE-40 19 465 A1 discloses a connection device which consists of a base module with a bus connection, to which function-specific extension modules designed for user-specific functions are connected. The structure of this device is such that a separate communication line is led from the base module to each extension module. This is used for communication between the respective modules, with data recognition and module-specific forwarding being carried out by a microprocessor integrated in the base module. The function of the individual modules themselves is, however, disadvantageously predetermined by the pre-programming of the microprocessor. Their use is therefore limited to these predetermined functions. The extension modules are merely executive subunits, since they are merely the executive components that are specifically addressed by the single microprocessor, which has limited capacity. Furthermore, since the microprocessor with its predetermined connection options is connected to one extension module each, the maximum number of modules that can be connected is limited. Another disadvantage is that a separate communication line must be provided for each expansion module, which makes it difficult to keep the dimensions as small as possible. In addition, an extension after a permanent installation - if this is even possible in view of the small maximum number of modules specified by the connection options of the processor - is not possible or very difficult due to the permanently installed communication lines, since either a new line has to be connected directly to the processor.

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must be laid, or, if unused "empty cables" are led through the modules, these must first be laboriously extended or at least laboriously connected in the form described in DE 40 19 465 A1.
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The invention is therefore based on the problem of creating a connection device which is significantly simplified in its structure so that improvements can be achieved both in terms of functionality and in terms of costs, manufacturing technology and dimensioning technology.

To solve this problem, in a connection device of the type mentioned at the outset, the invention provides that the base module contains a base microcontroller connected downstream of the bus coupling, to which an internal bus line is connected which runs through all the expansion modules and via which the control and/or reporting information is managed by means of expansion module microcontrollers arranged in each of the expansion modules.

Advantageous further developments are specified in the subclaims.

In the connection device according to the invention, only one module bus line is provided which runs through all modules and is used for the complete data transfer from and to the consumers or the external bus line. This means that any number of expansion modules can be connected to the base module - naturally depending on the capacity of the base microcontroller - without any difficulties arising from a manufacturing point of view, since no additional and separate communication lines have to be installed. Any expansion is not possible with the connection devices known to date anyway, since the expandability is limited to the maximum communication lines pre-assembled in the base module. The interaction of the base module

Microcontrollers, which prepare the data taken from the data line in terms of their value with regard to the specific expansion modules, and the expansion module microcontroller can thus ensure, with particular advantage, problem-free and functionally accurate communication between the individual modules.

In the simplest case, the internal bus line comprises a 2-wire line, whereby each data line is suitable for unidirectional serial data transfer. In parallel, a supply line for the microcontrollers and the electronics of the expansion modules is provided, which provides the reference potential. In a further development according to the invention, it can be provided that the internal bus line is a 1-wire line, on which the data is advantageously carried bidirectionally serially.

Since the external bus line is increasingly routed parallel to a building-side power line, a further embodiment of the invention can provide that the base module can be coupled to the power line that is routed parallel to the external bus line and that is routed through the base module and the extension modules. This inventive design thus ensures that the connection device not only routes the switching signals to the respective consumers, which in the simplest case already have their own power supply, but that the power supply to the consumers is also routed through the connection device.

In order to achieve the simplest and safest possible connection both between the external bus line and the bus coupling and between the modules themselves, a further embodiment of the invention can provide that the respective couplings and/or the internal module connections are designed as preferably coded plug connections, whereby in particular the coding provided, if applicable, ensures safety with regard to a permissible module coupling.

In order to reduce the number of individual components, the invention can provide that the bus connection and the connection to the power line are implemented in the form of a combination plug connection, so that only a single plug connection has to be assembled. It is equally advantageous if the module-internal bus line and power line connection is implemented in the form of such a combination plug connection.

Since the connection device according to the invention also makes it possible to achieve a structural improvement, particularly in terms of dimensioning, a sufficient mechanical connection can be made between the individual modules, particularly by means of the combination plug connection. However, it has proven to be useful if, as is also provided for by the invention, the base module and the extension modules can also be detachably locked together, so that even heavy modules can be securely connected in terms of their "inner workings". The locking mechanism should of course be as easy to release as possible in order to simplify the connection, which can be achieved, for example, by making the locking mechanism operable by hand or using a tool such as a screwdriver.

In order to be able to adapt to existing connection devices and/or structural conditions, particularly in the case of retrofitting, a further embodiment of the invention can provide for the modules to be connected to one another via a plug-in extension cable. This is particularly advantageous in that such an extension module can also be arranged at a location that is decentralized to the existing connection device and secure communication can still be achieved. In this case, the extension cable naturally contains the cables looped through from module to module, namely the internal bus cable on the one hand and the power supply if necessary on the other.

In order to enable the connection of the individual consumers to the expansion modules as simply and safely as possible, the invention can also provide that the consumers assigned to the expansion modules can be connected to the inputs and/or outputs by means of preferably coded plug connections, whereby these plug connections can of course also be interlocked with one another. The inputs and/or outputs of the respective modules can be offset inwards with respect to the module housing according to the invention.

Since the bus connection on the base module side also has a low energy requirement, a corresponding power supply is provided. This can be achieved according to the invention by supplying it with energy via the external bus line and is galvanically isolated from the downstream module electronics, preferably by means of optocouplers, so that signal interference caused by the module electronics is avoided in this way and secure data communication between the external bus line and the bus connection is possible.

Since both the electronics of the base module and those of the extension modules have a certain energy requirement, a further embodiment of the invention provides an auxiliary power supply unit arranged in the base module, possibly supplied via the power line, which supplies both the electronics of the base module and the electronics of the extension modules with energy via the internal bus line. Alternatively, according to a further alternative invention, the auxiliary power supply unit can only supply the electronics of the base module, the extension modules are supplied by an internal connection to the power line fed through the extension module, whereby in this case appropriate processing must of course be carried out, since three-phase current is preferably present on the power line.
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Furthermore, the invention can provide that an externally accessible setting device, preferably a switch, is arranged on the base module and/or the respective extension modules for addressing the respective module in order to ensure unambiguous data assignment. In order to enable the respective module and thus the downstream consumer to be operated for service purposes even without control via the building bus line, a further embodiment of the invention can provide that the respective module can be switched off or on continuously by means of the setting device in order to check its functionality in this way. In addition to this or as an alternative to this, a further setting device can be arranged on the base module and/or each extension module, preferably in the form of a pushbutton switch, by means of which the respective module can be switched off or on continuously.

In order to ensure correct data preparation and assignment to the individual modules on the base module side, the addressing of the individual modules is provided - as already described. In order to implement a further "security level" in this regard, it is particularly advantageously provided according to the invention that the microcontroller in the expansion modules is preset by coding to its function-specific property required for the respective module and the type of expansion module determined thereby is transmitted to the base module via the internal bus line. This means that two control mechanisms are available for correct assignment, namely the address itself and the "module property signal", both of which are recorded and evaluated by the base module microcontroller to check the correctness of the data assignment, whereby if an error is detected (i.e. if the address and/or the module property signal do not match the data format) an error message is sent to the control center and/or displayed directly on the respective module.

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connection device consisting

consisting of a basic module and 4 extension modules, in schematic

spherical form,

Fig. 2 three views (2a, 2b, 2c) of the base module,

Fig. 3 two views (3a, 3b) of an extension module,

Fig. 4 a circuit diagram of the base module from Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of the extension module from Fig. 3, and

Fig.6

up to 8 circuit diagrams of various expansion modules.

Fig. 1 shows a plugged-together connection device 1, consisting of a base module 2 and various extension modules 3, the functions of which are not specified in more detail here. The base module 2 has a plug connection 4 for connection to the external bus line and a connection 5 for coupling to the power supply that runs parallel to the external bus line. Each of the modules 2 and 3 has various digital and/or analog inputs and/or outputs 6, the function of which is of course dependent on the extension module-specific properties. As can also be seen from Fig. 1, in this case the base module 2 also has such connection options. Also shown are the setting devices 7 arranged on the top, designed as rotary switches that can be operated using a screwdriver or the like, by means of which the modules 2, 3 can be addressed in a function-specific manner. In addition, corresponding signal devices 8 are provided on the individual

Modules are provided with which the status of the module or any error messages can be visualized. Also shown are module-specific setting devices in the form of pushbuttons 37 with which the respective modules can be manually operated for simulation purposes, whereby the pushbuttons in the example shown are only provided on the modules with at least one output. The base module 2 also has a further pushbutton device 38 for physically programming the base module with regard to the address for the signals conducted via the external bus line, whereby the pushbutton device 38 is assigned an indicator light 39 which lights up, for example, when programming has not yet been carried out and goes out after it has been carried out.

Fig. 2 shows a concrete implementation of the base module 2 in three views. The side view shown in Fig. 2a shows the side of the base module 2 on which the connection to the external bus line and the power supply is made. In addition to the connection 4 to the external bus line, the 5-pin connection 5 is shown in detail. In particular, the coding implemented using the lugs 9 can be seen, which prevents a faulty plug connection. Fig. 2b shows the base module rotated by 90° with a view of the outputs 6. Here too, coding recesses 10 are provided on the outputs. Finally, Fig. 2c shows the other side of the base module 2. On the one hand, the connection 11 for the module-internal data bus line, which is also designed as a plug connection, is shown, and on the other hand, the plug connection 12 for the power line, which is also passed through the individual modules. This is also coded accordingly.

In Fig. 3, a first connection module 3 is shown, which can be connected directly to the base module 2 from Fig. 2. For this purpose, the extension module 3 has a plug 13, which serves to connect to the plug receptacle 11 of the base module and via which the module-internal data bus is fed into the extension module 3. Furthermore, a plug 14 is provided, which is used for

Connection with the receptacle 12 of the base module 2 and by means of which the power supply is looped through. Both plugs 13 and 14 are of course coded according to the assigned receptacles 11, 12, as can be seen in particular in Fig. 3b. Also shown is the function-specific connection option 15 of this module, which consists of a total of four different inputs with which consumer-side data can be received.

Apart from the design of the respective function-specific connection option, the structure of each of the extension modules 3 is the same with regard to the design of the plug-in receptacles 11 and 12 and the plug-in connections 13 and 14, so that the order in which the modules are plugged in is irrelevant and the extension modules are interchangeable regardless of their function. If a certain order is preferred, a different coding of the plug-in connectors is conceivable.

Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the structure of the base module 2. 16 denotes the two-wire line of the external bus line, via which the data is fed. The bus coupling (BCU) connected to it is followed by the microcontroller 17, which controls the entire data flow to and from the external data line and processes the data accordingly. Also shown is the module-internal bus line, which here consists of the three lines 18a, b and c, with line 18a being used for data transfer and lines 18b and c representing the supply line for the microcontrollers and the electronics of the expansion modules, which provides the reference potential. The incoming power supply is shown in the lower module area. In the example shown, this consists of lines 19a to 19e, with the three-phase current being fed in via power lines 19a to c, line 19d representing the neutral conductor and line 19e representing the protective conductor. All cables are led out again on the opposite side of the module and end in the respective plug contacts 20a to 20e. In addition, the base module shown in Fig. 4

equipped with two outputs 21a, 21b, via which the power taken from the lines 19a and 19b can be fed to the downstream consumer, as can be seen from the circuit diagram. For this purpose, a driver 22 is provided, which is controlled by the microcontroller and which actuates the control switch connected downstream to switch the power accordingly.

Fig. 5 shows the circuit diagram of an extension module, as shown in its actual design in Fig. 3. Three plug contacts 23a, 23b and 23c are provided on the top, which are inserted into the plug receptacles 18a to c, which implement the internal module bus, when connected to the base module 2, thus continuing the module bus. The three individual lines are led through the extension module 3 and exit again on the other side at the plug receptacles 24a, 24b, 24c. A microcontroller 25 is connected to the data line of the plug contact 23a, by means of which the data transmitted via the line and assigned to the specific expansion module 3 is tapped or, as in this case, fed to the data line, since the module shown in Fig. 5 is an input module with which signals coming from the consumers are fed to the external bus line, for which purpose the connections 26 to which the consumer is connected serve. Here too, five plugs 27a to 27e are formed in the lower part of the module, which find their complementary part in the plug receptacles 20a to 20e of the base module. They also exit again at the plug receptacles 28a to 28e on the opposite side. Also shown are two switches 29a, 29b, which are used to set the address of the specific expansion module 3 or, in this case, the respective input pair 26, since the module described has two separate input pairs, which can also be addressed separately. Also shown is a device 30 by means of which the microcontroller itself is coded in its specific function. This coding signal which can be generated in this way is sent to the data line in order to

to the microcontroller 17 of the base module 2 to implement a further security control with regard to data processing and assignment.

Another embodiment of an expansion module is shown in Fig. 6. Here too, corresponding plugs 31 and opposite plug receptacles 32 are arranged, by means of which the module's internal data bus is continued. The same applies to the corresponding plugs and receptacles 33, 34 with regard to the looped-through power supply. In terms of the further structure, the module largely corresponds to that in Fig. 5 with regard to the addressing switches and the microcontroller, since this module is also an input module with two separate input pairs 41a, 41b, but works with a switching voltage of 230 volts, whereas the module shown in Fig. 5 works with a switching voltage of only 24 volts.

Another implementation of an extension module is shown in Fig. 7. This module has - in addition to the otherwise typical module structure - two outputs 35a, 35b, with which a voltage of 230 volts, as supplied by the power supply as three-phase current, is made available. This module can be used, for example, to switch fluorescent lamps or halogen lamps or the like.

Another module implementation is also shown in Fig. 8. This module provides two outputs 36a, 36b with a voltage of 230 volts, which are synchronous in the case shown. This module can be used to switch a blind motor, for example.

Claims (22)

1. Connection device for an electrical installation system for controlling consumers and/or for forwarding signaling signals via a data line forming an external bus line ( 16 ) with serial digital data transmission, the control and/or signaling information from and to the external bus line ( 16 ) being passed via the bus connection (BCU) on the bus subscriber side, with a base module ( 2 ) containing the bus connection (BCU) and downstream function-specific extension modules ( 3 ) with digital and/or analog inputs ( 26 ; 41 a, 41 b) and/or outputs ( 21 a, 21 b; 35 a, 35 b; 36 a, 36 b) for the respective consumers, which are internally connected to the base module ( 2 ) in a communicative manner, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) has a downstream bus connection (BCU) Contains a basic microcontroller ( 17 ) to which an internal bus line ( 18a , 23a , 24a ) is connected, which runs through all the expansion modules ( 3 ), and via which the control and/or reporting information is managed by means of expansion module microcontrollers ( 25 ) arranged in each of the expansion modules ( 3 ). 2. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal bus line is a 1-wire line. 3. Connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) can be coupled to a power line ( 19a to 19e ) which is guided parallel to the external bus line and which is guided through the base module ( 2 ) and the extension modules ( 3 ). 4. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective couplings and/or the internal module connections are designed as plug connections. 5. Connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plug connections are designed as coded plug connections. 6. Connection device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the bus coupling and the coupling to the power line are realized in the form of a combination plug connection. 7. Connection device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the module-internal bus line and power line coupling is realized in the form of a combination plug connection. 8. Connection device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the base module ( 2 ) and the extension modules ( 3 ) can additionally be releasably locked together. 9. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules ( 2 , 3 ) can be connected to one another via an optionally pluggable extension cable. 10. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumers assigned to the modules ( 2 , 3 ) can be connected to the inputs and/or outputs ( 21a , 21b , 26 ; 35a , 35b , 36a , 36b ) by means of further plug connections. 11. Connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the further plug connections are designed as coded plug connections. 12. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bus coupling on the base module side is supplied with energy via the external bus line and is galvanically isolated from the downstream module electronics. 13. Connection device according to claim 12, characterized in that an optocoupler is provided for galvanic isolation. 14. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an auxiliary power supply unit arranged in the base module, optionally supplied via the power line, supplies both the electronics of the base module and the electronics of the extension modules with energy via the internal bus line. 15. Connection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the auxiliary power supply only supplies the electronics of the base module and the supply of the electronics of the extension modules takes place through a module-internal coupling to the power line passed through. 16. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an externally accessible setting device ( 7 ) for addressing the respective module is arranged on the base module ( 2 ) and/or the respective extension modules ( 3 ). 17. Connection device according to claim 16, characterized in that the setting device is designed as a switch. 18. Connection device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that by means of the setting device the respective module can be brought either out of operation or into continuous operation. 19. Connection device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the base module and/or each extension module has a further setting device by means of which the respective module can be selectively put out of operation or into continuous operation. 20. Connection device according to claim 19, characterized in that the further setting device is designed as a push button switch. 21. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion module microcontrollers ( 25 ) are preset by a coding ( 30 ) to their function-specific property required for the respective module ( 3 ) and the type of expansion module ( 3 ) thus determined can be transmitted via the internal bus line to the base module ( 2 ) for the unambiguous assignment of function and address of the individual expansion module. 22. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inputs and/or the outputs of the respective modules are arranged offset inwards with respect to the module housing.