Field bus coupler for connecting input/output modules to a field bus, and method of operation for a field bus coupler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016147695-A1
Application number	US-201414898399-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 28, 2014
Priority date	Jun 24, 2013
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operating a field bus coupler in a normal operating mode to connect at least one input/output module with the control computer of an industrial automation system, including receiving from the control computer via a field bus a control output value that is transmitted via a sub-bus to the at least one input/output module, and receiving from the at least one input/output module via a sub-bus a control input value that is transmitted via the field bus to the control computer. During a diagnostic mode, the apparatus is operable to assign to the at least one input/output module via the sub-bus at least one desired diagnostic output value, and to assign to the control computer via the field bus at least one desired input value.

First claim

1 . Cancelled.

2 . Cancelled.

3 . Cancelled.

4 . Cancelled.

5 . Cancelled.

6 . Cancelled.

7 . Cancelled.

8 . Cancelled.

9 . Cancelled.

10 . The method for operating a field bus coupler ( 3 ) to connect at least one input/output module ( 5 ) via a sub-bus ( 4 ) to the field bus ( 2 ) of the control computer ( 1 ) of an industrial automation system, comprising:
(1) operating the field bus coupler in a normal operating mode, including:
(a) receiving from the control computer ( 1 ) via a field bus ( 2 ) a control output value (A);
(b) transmitting this control output value from the field bus coupler via a sub-bus ( 4 ) to the at least one input/output module ( 5 );
(c) receiving from the at least one input/output module ( 5 ) via the sub-bus ( 4 ) a control input value (E);
(d) transmitting this control input value via the field bus ( 2 ) to the control computer ( 1 ); and
(2) operating the field bus coupler in a diagnostic mode, including:
(a) assigning to the at least one input/output module ( 5 ) via the field bus coupler ( 3 ) and the sub-bus ( 4 ) a desired output value (A*); and
(b) assigning to the control computer ( 1 ) via the field bus coupler and the field bus ( 2 ) a desired input value (E *).

11 . The method for operating a field bus coupler as defined in claim 10 , including transmitting each of the desired output and input values (A*, E*) to the input/output module and to the control computer, respectively, via the service port ( 36 ) and the web server ( 38 ) of the field bus coupler.

12 . The method for operating a field bus coupler as defined in claim 11 , wherein a web server ( 38 ) within the field bus coupler provides from a service computer ( 6 ) via the service port ( 36 ) a web page ( 60 ) having output and input fields ( 61 , 62 ) for the definable output and input values (A*, E*).

13 . The method for operating a field bus coupler as defined in claim 12 , wherein the selection between the normal and diagnostic conditions is effected by the web server ( 38 ).

14 . The method for operating a field bus coupler as defined in claim 13 , wherein the diagnostic mode involves certain output channels and input channels of the at least one input/output module ( 5 ), while output values and input values of other output channels and/or input channels are transmitted according to normal operation between the field bus ( 2 ) and the sub-bus ( 4 ).

15 . A field bus coupler ( 3 ) for connecting at least one input/output module ( 5 ) with the field bus ( 2 ) of the control computer ( 1 ) of an industrial automation system, comprising:
(a) a field bus coupler ( 3 ) including in a normal operating mode:
(1) a field bus port ( 32 ) connected with said control computer ( 1 ) via a field bus ( 2 );
(2) a module sub-bus port ( 34 ) connected with said at least one input/output module ( 5 ) via a sub-bus ( 4 );
(3) said field bus coupler being operable to transmit from said control computer ( 1 ) to said at least one input/output module ( 5 ) a control output value (A) via said field bus ( 2 ), said field bus port ( 32 ), said field bus coupler 3 ), said sub-bus port ( 34 ) and said sub-bus ( 4 );
(4) field bus coupler being operable to transmit from said at least one input/output module ( 5 ) to said control computer ( 1 ) a control input value (E) via said sub-bus ( 4 ), said sub-bus port ( 34 ), said field bus coupler ( 3 ), said field bus port ( 32 ), and said field bus ( 2 );
(b) said field bus coupler including in a diagnostic mode a service port ( 36 ) operable to assign:
(1) a desired diagnostic output value (A*) to said at least one input/output module ( 5 ) via said field bus coupler ( 3 ), said module sub-bus port ( 34 ), and said sub-bus ( 4 ); and
(2) a desired diagnostic input value (E*) to said control computer ( 1 ) via said field bus coupler ( 3 ), said field bus port ( 32 ), and said field bus ( 2 ).

16 . A field bus coupler as defined in claim 15 , wherein said field bus coupler further includes in the diagnostic mode:
(3) a service computer ( 6 ) having a web page browser ( 60 ) for supplying said diagnostic input and output values (A*, E*) to said service port; and (4) a web server ( 38 ) for supplying said diagnostic output and input values (A*, E*) from said service port to said sub-bus port, and from said service port to said field bus, respectively.

17 . A field bus coupler as defined in claim 16 , wherein said service port is a USB interface.

18 . A field bus coupler as defined in claim 17 , wherein said field bus coupler further includes:
(5) a control program device ( 30 ) connected between said field bus port and said module sub-bus port; and (6) a web server device ( 38 ) connected between said service port and said control program device.

Assignees

• Weidmueller Inerface Gmbh & Co Kg
• Weidmueller Interface Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Kroner Michael
• Griese Bjoern

Classifications

• H04L12/4625

  Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge · CPC title

• H04L43/50

  Testing arrangements · CPC title

• G06F13/4022

  using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network (G06F13/4009 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G05B19/0425

  Safety, monitoring · CPC title

• H04L41/0803

  Configuration setting · CPC title