Modular automation system
First Claim
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1. A modular automation system for industrial automation technology, comprising:
- a central automation device including a central processing unit and one of a plurality of selectable and variously upgradeable baseboards,the central automation device being upgraded using one of a plurality of central processing units which have uniform external dimensions yet differing data processing power and data storage capacities, andat least one input/output expansion device including an input/output expansion module and an input/output terminal block, the input/output expansion device being directly coupled to the central automation device,wherein each of the selectable baseboards has a field bus connection interface for a standard field bus connection to a decentralized input/output unit,wherein the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device are electrically connected without cable connections via plug connections, the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device being directly connected via the plug connections without intervening components therebetween, andwherein the at least one input/output expansion device of the decentralized input/output unit includes a housing in which at least one input/output expansion module is housed, and a terminal block onto which an I/O module is pluggable within the housing by means of a detachable connection.
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Abstract
Modular automation system and method are disclosed. A central automation device can be constructed and upgraded using one of a plurality of selectable and variously upgradable baseboards. The automation device can be upgraded using one of a plurality of central units which have uniform external dimensions yet differing data processing power and data storage capacities. At least one input/output expansion device can be directly coupled onto the central unit. Each of the selectable baseboards has a field bus connection interface for a standard field bus connection to a decentral input/output unit.
33 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A modular automation system for industrial automation technology, comprising:
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a central automation device including a central processing unit and one of a plurality of selectable and variously upgradeable baseboards, the central automation device being upgraded using one of a plurality of central processing units which have uniform external dimensions yet differing data processing power and data storage capacities, and at least one input/output expansion device including an input/output expansion module and an input/output terminal block, the input/output expansion device being directly coupled to the central automation device, wherein each of the selectable baseboards has a field bus connection interface for a standard field bus connection to a decentralized input/output unit, wherein the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device are electrically connected without cable connections via plug connections, the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device being directly connected via the plug connections without intervening components therebetween, and wherein the at least one input/output expansion device of the decentralized input/output unit includes a housing in which at least one input/output expansion module is housed, and a terminal block onto which an I/O module is pluggable within the housing by means of a detachable connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A modular automation method for industrial automation technology, comprising:
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a) constructing a central automation device to include a central processing unit and at least one of a plurality of selectable and upgradeable baseboards, b) upgrading the central automation device using one of plural central processing units which have uniform external dimensions yet different data processing power and data storage capacities, and c) directly coupling at least one input/output expansion device to the central automation device, the at least one input/output expansion device including an input/output expansion module and an input/output terminal block, wherein each of the selectable baseboards comprises a field bus connection interface used for a standard field bus connection to a decentralized input/output unit, wherein the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device are electrically connected without cable connections wirelessly via plug connections, the central automation device and the at least one input/output expansion device being directly connected via the plug connections without intervening components therebetween, and wherein the at least one input/output expansion device of the decentralized input/output unit includes a housing in which at least one input/output expansion module is housed, and a terminal block onto which an I/O module is pluggable within the housing by means of a detachable connection.
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Specification