FUNCTION CONNECTION UNIT COMPRISING A SERVICE MODULE

• US 20180113429A1
• Filed: 12/04/2015
• Published: 04/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Krumsiek, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 10,942,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21063 Bus, I-O connected to a bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2231 Master slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40019 Details regarding a bus master
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a function connection unit for connecting functional modules. The functional connection unit includes a plurality of functional module terminals configured to connect to the functional modules and to communicate according to a first communication protocol, and a service module that includes a service terminal configured to connect to at least one functional module terminal of the plurality of functional module terminals to communicate according to the first communication protocol. The service module also includes a communication terminal to communicate according to a second communication protocol. The service module is configured to supply parameter data available at the communication terminal according to the second communication protocol to the service terminal according to the first communication protocol. The function connection unit is configured to parameterize at least one functional module based at least in part on the parameter data.

Claims

1. A function connection unit for connecting functional modules, comprising:

a plurality of functional module terminals configured to connect to the functional modules and to communicate according to a first communication protocol; and

a service module comprising a service terminal configured to connect to at least one functional module terminal of the plurality of functional module terminals to communicate according to the first communication protocol, wherein the service module comprises a communication terminal to communicate according to a second communication protocol;

wherein the service module is configured to supply parameter data available at the communication terminal according to the second communication protocol to the service terminal according to the first communication protocol; and

wherein the function connection unit is configured to parameterize at least one functional module based at least in part on the parameter data.

2. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the second communication protocol is a USB protocol.

3. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the service module is configured to perform a protocol conversion to transmit the parameter data received according to the second communication protocol to the functional module terminal according to the first communication protocol.

4. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is a single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators protocol.

5. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the function connection unit is a master according to the single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators (SDCI) protocol.

6. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the function connection unit is configured to detect the service module connected to at least one functional module terminal.

7. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the service module is configured to feed an identification signal identifying the service module to the service terminal, and wherein the function connection unit is configured to recognize the service module at the functional module terminal on the basis of the identification signal or differentiate the service module from a functional module.

8. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the functional connection unit is configured to store the parameter data.

9. The function connection unit according to claim 8, wherein the service module is detachable from the functional module terminal, wherein a functional module is configured to electrically connect to the functional module terminal, and wherein the function connection unit is configured to device-specifically parameterize the functional module connected to the functional module terminal in place of the service module using the parameter data prestored in the function connection unit.

10. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the functional connection unit is configured to instruct the service module to transmit the parameter data via the service terminal.

11. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the service module is configured to be deactivated, and wherein the function connection unit is configured to activate the service module.

12. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the parameter data indicates physical values of device-specific parameters.

13. The function connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the service module forms a communication interface of the function connection unit for the transmission of data.

15. The function connection unit according to claim 4, wherein the first communication protocol is an I/O link protocol.

16. The function connection unit according to claim 13, wherein the transmission of data comprises one of:

parameter data, control commands, or a combination thereof.

17. The function connection unit according to claim 16, wherein the control commands control one of:

the functional modules, the function connection unit, read out data from the functional modules, read out data from the function connection unit, or some combination thereof.

14. A service module configured to supply parameter data to parameterize functional modules, wherein the service module comprises:

a service terminal configured to output the parameter data according to a first communication protocol;

a communication terminal configured to receive the parameter data according to a second communication protocol; and

wherein the service module is configured to output according to the first communication protocol the parameter data received according to the second communication protocol.

18. The service module according to claim 14, wherein the functional modules comprise one of:

sensors, actuators, or both.

19. The service module according to claim 14, wherein the service terminal is configured to receive an identification signal identifying the service module.