DE102016121255A1 - Control module for an electromechanical switching unit, relay module and control device - Google Patents

Abstract

A control module (10) for an electromechanical switching unit (11) is described, which has a control input (7), a multi-pole control output (15), and an evaluation unit (20, 21) which has an input signal (7) applied to the control input (7). 40) evaluates and on the occurrence of a predetermined signal characteristic at the control output (15) applied output signal (42, 48) switches. The control module (10) further comprises an energy store (39) which can be acted upon by a control signal applied to the control input (7) and supplies the evaluation unit (20, 21) with energy. The control output (15) can be connected to the switching unit (11), and the output signal present at the control output (15) has at least three different switching states. Furthermore, a coupling relay (5) equipped with the control module (10) with different switching units (11) is described.

Description

• - einem Steuereingang und einem Steuerausgang,
• - einer Auswerteeinheit, die ein am Steuereingang anliegendes Eingangssignal auswertet und bei Auftreten einer vorbestimmten Signalcharakteristik ein am Steuerausgang anliegendes Ausgangssignal schaltet, und mit
• - einem Energiespeicher, der mit einem am Steuereingang anliegenden Eingangssignal mit Energie beaufschlagbar ist und die Auswerteeinheit mit Energie versorgt.

The invention relates to a control module for an electromechanical switching unit with:

• a control input and a control output,
• an evaluation unit which evaluates an input signal present at the control input and switches an output signal present at the control output when a predetermined signal characteristic occurs, and with
• - An energy storage, which can be acted upon by an input signal applied to the control input with energy and supplies the evaluation unit with energy.

The invention further relates to a relay module and a corresponding control center.

Such a control module is from the DE 10 2011 107 734 A1 known and serves to control a bistable coupling relay.

Coupling relays are used in electrical controls for coupling loads (motors, valves, lights, etc.) to the control electronics. The control electronics are often designed as a programmable logic controller (PLC) and usually offers numerous inputs and outputs usually with low voltage (typically 30 V DC) with only a small current. Since numerous loads require higher currents and voltages, often mains voltage (for example Europe 230 V AC voltage), for control purposes, external relays are used for the conversion. For this purpose, so-called coupling relays are often used. There are widespread designs for mounting on mounting rails, for example in accordance with DIN EN 60721, in control cabinets.

Coupling relays are typically used in industrial controls, but can also be used in building services engineering and other control systems.

An advantage of external coupling relays is the modularity of the system. Thus, a suitable type depending on the required switching power can be used for each output. The decisive advantage lies however in the maintainability of the plant. In contrast to electronic circuits, mechanical relays and their contacts are subject to wear. In particular, critical loads often lead to welding of the contacts and thus failure of the relay.

Coupling relays are usually designed so that the included electromechanical switching unit is in a socket and can be easily replaced. Thus, a repair of the system without working on the controller is possible.

Coupling relays are usually used to switch simple loads that are only switched on or off. However, many drives require control with two on-states for one direction each. This is the case, for example, with drives for blinds, window openers or valves. With currently available coupling relays, two coupling relays, each with one output of the control electronics, are usually activated per drive and connected to the load.

This solution requires not only a high amount of components and wiring, it also carries the risk of simultaneous control of both outputs in a configuration error in the control electronics. Even a relay failure with welding a relay contact can lead to this error. The simultaneous activation of both outputs is a known error case and regularly leads to high follow-up costs, for example due to engine defects.

Likewise, two independent relays can not keep switching times in the direction reversal (e.g., from up to down). Switching without the time required for the respective load can lead to increased current flow and excessive mechanical load until the drive fails.

Based on this prior art, the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a control module for controlling an electromechanical switching unit, with the various drive directions of a drive are reliably controlled.

The invention is further based on the object to provide a corresponding coupling relay and a corresponding control unit.

In the control module, separate connection points are provided at the control output for at least two coil units of the electromechanical switching unit, and the output signal present at the control output has at least three different switching states by which the coil units of the electromechanical switching unit can be activated without temporal overlap. This makes it possible to put the switching unit in three different states, which are associated with a switched-off state and two operating states, which correspond in each case to the different drive directions. The switching unit can be operated in particular so that predetermined switching times are maintained for the change of direction, so that only one direction is controlled.

The control input of the control module can be connected to a ground line and to an input signal line between which the energy store is connected. Thus, with the concern of voltage at the control input immediately energy available to bridge a momentary interruption of the voltage can.

Furthermore, the control input can be connected via a rectifier bridge circuit to the ground line and the input signal line, so that an arbitrarily poled voltage can be applied to the control input.

In the input signal line in front of the energy store, at least one diode can be arranged, which allows the current flow from the control input via the input signal line to the energy store and blocks in the opposite direction. This makes it possible to sample the voltage applied to the control input without being affected by the energy storage in front of the diode.

For scanning the input signal, the evaluation unit accordingly comprises a scanning unit, which is connected in the current direction in front of the diode to the input signal line.

The switching states of the control outputs are selected in the simplest case so that a switching output signal assumes a ground state in the absence of input signal and that the switching output signal assumes a first activation state upon occurrence of a first signal characteristic of the input signal and a second activation state upon occurrence of a second signal characteristic of the input signal. By combining different signal characteristics of the input signal with the different states of the switching output signal, the switching output signal can be controlled via the respectively used signal characteristic. In this respect, a simple two-wire line is sufficient for the control of the switching unit.

The signal characteristics may differ, for example, in that the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic comprise a different number of level changes of the input signal at predetermined time intervals. In this way, the requested switching state can be reliably detected.

To ensure the change of direction, the control module can also ensure that the ground state is interposed in the event of a change between the first activation state and the second activation state for a predetermined time interval.

The control module described here may also be integrated in a relay module with switching unit, wherein the switching unit has a switching input and two switching outputs, which can be connected alternately by a switching operation of the switching unit with the switching input. Such a relay module is particularly suitable for the control of drives with direction change.

The switching unit may in particular comprise a cutoff relay, via the switching contact of which a connection can be switched between a cutoff relay input and with the cutoff relay output. Furthermore, the relay can be followed by a change-over relay whose switching contacts connect a Umschaltrelaiseingang alternately with one of two Umschaltrelaisausgängen. The isolating relay input can in each case form the switching input and the changeover relay outputs one of the two switching outputs.

In a modified embodiment, the switching unit may comprise two relays each having a normally closed contact and a normally open contact, wherein the normally closed contact of one relay is connected in series with the normally open contact of the other relay and wherein the normally closed contact and Normally open contact of one relay are both connected to the switching input and the normally closed contact and normally open contact of the other relay are each connected to one of the two switching outputs.

The electromechanical switching units mentioned can each be commercially available monostable relays, which can be inserted into a socket of the relay module and are easily replaceable in the event of a fault.

In a further embodiment of the switching unit, the switching unit has two coil units and a switching tongue, which is in the normal position without contact with two arranged on opposite sides of the switching tongue mating contact points, and in by pressing one of the two coil units, a contact with one of the two mating contact points can be produced. The switching tongue is connected to the switching input and the mating contact points are each connected to one of the two switching outputs.

The relay module described here is particularly suitable for the control of electric roller shutter drives, wherein the switching outputs of the switching unit are used to control electric roller shutter drives.

The relay module can be connected for this purpose via a simple two-wire cable to a programmable control unit to which Two-wire cables a variety of modules for building automation can be connected.

• 1 eine Steuervorrichtung für einen elektrischen Rollladenantrieb mit einem Koppelrelais;
• 2 ein Blockschaltbild des Koppelrelais;
• 3 die Eingangsschaltung des Koppelrelais;
• 4 eine Darstellung der Ein- und Ausgangssignale zur Ansteuerung des Rollladenantriebs in eine erste Richtung;
• 5 eine Darstellung der Ein- und Ausgangssignale zur Ansteuerung des Rollladenantriebs in eine zweite Richtung;
• 6 eine abgewandelte elektromechanische Schalteinheit
• 7 eine weitere abgewandelte elektromechanische Schalteinheit.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, are explained in the embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. Show it:

• 1 a control device for an electric roller shutter drive with a coupling relay;
• 2 a block diagram of the coupling relay;
• 3 the input circuit of the coupling relay;
• 4 a representation of the input and output signals for controlling the shutter drive in a first direction;
• 5 a representation of the input and output signals for controlling the shutter drive in a second direction;
• 6 a modified electromechanical switching unit
• 7 another modified electromechanical switching unit.

1 shows a control device 1 for controlling a roller shutter drive 2 , The control device 1 includes a control center 3 , which may for example be designed as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The control center 3 includes a variety of outputs 4 to which various modules for building automation can be connected. One of these modules is a relay module 5 for controlling the roller shutter drive 2 in two different directions. Two exits 4 the control center 3 are over a two-wire line 6 with a control input 7 of the relay module 5 connected. The two-wire line 6 includes a ground line 8th and a control line 9 ,

The relay module 5 has a control module 10 for controlling a switching unit 11 of the relay module 5 on. The switching unit has in particular a switching input 12 and two switching outputs 13 and 14 on.

2 shows a block diagram of the control module 10 for controlling the switching unit 11 , The control module 10 has a control output 15 with connection points 16 and 17 on. The control output 15 is dependent on the at the control input 7 controlled voltage applied. For this purpose, the control input 7 an input circuit 18 downstream. The control module 10 further includes a voltage regulator 19 that's the control module 10 energized. A signal sample 20 connected to the control input 7 is connected, acts on a microcontroller 21 , The microcontroller 21 controls directly or with the help of a relay driver 22 over the junction 16 a disconnect relay 23 and directly or with the help of a relay driver 24 over the junction 17 a changeover relay 25 at.

In addition, the microcontroller can display a status 26 drive, which is formed for example by LEDs. To secure the connected shutter drive 2 against overcurrent is a fuse 27 provided an on / off contact 28 of the isolating relay 23 upstream. The on / off contact 28 is a changeover contact 29 the changeover relay 25 downstream. Through the on / off contact 28 and the changeover contact 29 can be a supply line 30 with the first switching output 13 for controlling the roller shutter drive 2 in a first direction A or with the second switching output 14 for controlling the roller shutter drive 2 be connected in a second direction B. The isolating relay 23 and the changeover relay 25 can each have monostable relays, each with a coil 31 and 32 be.

3 shows more details of the input circuit 18 , The input circuit 18 includes an upstream bridge rectifier 33 , The bridge rectifier 33 is optional and allows the application of an arbitrary polarized input voltage to the control input 7 , From the bridge rectifier 33 carries an input signal line 34 and a ground line 35 to the voltage regulator 19 , Behind the bridge rectifier 33 is between input signal line 34 and ground line 35 a voltage divider 36 switched, its center 37 with the signal sampling 20 connected is. The division ratio of the voltage divider 36 Forms the current input voltage to the measuring range of the signal sampling 20 from. Between voltage divider 36 and voltage regulator 19 is in the input signal line 34 a diode 38 arranged. The diode 38 prevents the reaction of a between input signal line 34 and ground line 35 switched buffer capacitor 39 on the sampling of the input voltage.

4 shows an example of the input voltage waveforms for the control in the first direction A. In a first diagram is a at the control input 7 applied input signal 40 shown. With the rising signal edge 41 of the input signal 40 begins the sampling time .DELTA.t _A. Remains during the sampling time .DELTA.t _A the input signal 40 stable, after sampling the first switching output 13 with the supply line 30 connected, so that at the first switching output 13 a first switching output signal 42 with a rising signal edge 43 results. Then falls the input signal 40 with a falling signal edge 44 again, becomes the active first switching output 13 off and the first switching output signal 42 falls with a falling signal edge 45 from.

5 shows by way of example the signal curves for the control in the second direction B. With application of the input signal 40 begins the sampling time .DELTA.t _A. If during the sampling time .DELTA.t _A an additional pair of falling edge 46 and a rising edge 47 detected with defined time intervals, after the sampling time .DELTA.t _A, the second switching output 14 with the supply line 30 connected so that at the second switching output 14 a second switching output signal 48 with a rising signal edge 49 results. Then falls the input signal 40 with the falling signal edge 44 again, becomes the active second switching output 14 switched off and the second switching output signal 48 falls with the falling signal edge 50 from.

Corresponds to the waveform of the input signal 40 neither of them 4 and 5 illustrated cases, neither the first switching output 13 still the second switching output 14 with the supply line 30 connected.

The states of the first switching output 13 and the second switching output 14 can with the status indicator 26 are displayed. In addition to the states "off", "direction A" and "direction B", error states can also be indicated by flashing, for example. An error would be if the input signal 40 can not be interpreted unambiguously.

Is when the first switching output is active 13 or with active second switching output 14 the input signal 40 switched off, this recognizes the microcontroller 21 and switches the respective switching output 13 or 14 immediately. The residual energy in the buffer capacitor 39 provides the signal sampling for a short time 20 and the microcontroller 21 , During this time, the input signal 40 further sampled. Detects the microcontroller 21 a restart, can be responded to taking into account a predetermined switching time accordingly. If the predetermined switching time is exceeded, the microcontroller 21 Extend the time to switch on in the opposite direction or enter a fault state. With appropriate dimensioning of the buffer capacitor 39 can the control module 10 reliably ensure compliance with a minimum switchover time.

It should be noted that it is the isolating relay 23 and changeover relay 25 to trade commercially available monostable relays. The activation of the relay module 5 with only one control line 9 therefore requires the imprinting of the switching direction on the input signal 40 , This can be like in 5 represented by an additional edge pair (off / on) at the start of the input signal 40 respectively. With the first flank 41 becomes the buffer capacitor 39 loaded and the control module 10 initialized. The signal sample then samples 20 the input signal 40 and checks if the input signal 40 continuously present unchanged, or whether an additional edge pair is received, corresponding to the falling edge 46 and the rising edge 47 in 5 , During the time without tension between the falling edge 46 and the rising edge 47 becomes the control module 10 from the buffer capacitor 39 provided. At the end of the sampling time Δt _A , the control module switches 10 the corresponding switching output 13 or 14 one. If the input signal falls with the falling signal edge 44 again, the relevant switching output is 13 or 14 off.

The switching delay resulting from the signal evaluation is negligible for most applications and is with parallel controlled roller shutter drives 2 such as blinds for all channels the same.

Alternatively, the direction information can also be impressed by a more complex digital protocol with addressing information. Also a time or pulse width modulation would be possible.

To use the relay module 5 According to the invention, the control center 3 be adapted to send appropriate signals to the relay module 5 issue. This is usually done by the software of the control center 3 ,

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment, the isolation relay is used 23 for switching the load on and off, and the change-over relay 25 to switch the direction using the changeover contact 29 , To activate the switching output 13 or 14 must therefore the on / off contact 28 of the isolating relay 23 be closed and the change of contact 29 in the desired position. This is accomplished by the ground state at the control output 15 an output signal is output, both coils 31 and 32 disabled. To activate direction A, the output signal must be at the connection point 16 take a state of the coil 31 activated so that the isolation relay 23 closes. Furthermore, the output signal must be at the connection point 17 take a state of affairs, which is also the coil 32 activated so that the changeover relay 25 switches. To activate direction B, the output signal must be at the connection point 16 take a state of the coil 31 activated so that the isolation relay 23 closes. The changeover relay 25 on the other hand, it can be deactivated. The output signal therefore points to the connection points 16 and 17 a total of three different switching states: namely a first ground state with deactivated interchanges 16 and 17 ; a first activated state with activated connection point 16 and 17 ; and a second activated state with activated connection point 16 and deactivated connection point 17 ,

It should be noted that depending on the mechanical structure of the switching unit 11 Other combinations of states can be used.

In 6 is a modified switching unit 11 shown. In this modified switching unit 11 become two relays 51 each with a normally open contact 52 and a normally closed contact 53 used, with the normally open contact 52 of a relay 51 each with the normally closed contact 53 the other relay 51 is connected in series. In both relays 51 become the NO contacts 52 and the normally closed contacts 52 each of coils 54 actuated.

During the NO contact 52 one of the two relays 51 when activating the one relay 51 the supply line 30 via the normally closed contact 53 the other, not activated relay 51 with the roller shutter drives 2 connects, the normally closed contact locks 53 of the activated relay 51 at the same time the activation of the NO contact 52 the other, not activated relay 51 ,

7 shows a further modified switching unit 11 which is a monostable relay 55 having three states. In the off state, a switching tongue 56 held by spring force in a central position, so that neither of the two mutually arranged mating contact points 57 is touched. Will be one of the two coils 58 Activated, the tab becomes 56 with the respective mating contact point 57 in contact With deactivation of the coils 58 , the relay drops 55 back to the middle position. Be both coils 58 activated, the forces cancel each other out, the relay 55 stays off. Due to the design, the relay can not close both contacts at the same time. Thus, the simultaneous control of both directions is mechanically excluded.

The embodiments of the switching unit described here 11 reliably prevent the simultaneous control of both directions of the shutter drive 2 ,

The relay module described here 5 can be designed for mounting on mounting rails. Furthermore, the relays of the switching unit can be commercially available relays that can be connected to the relay module via a plug connection. In this way, the relay can be easily replaced in case of failure.

Finally, it should be noted that in the claims and in the description, the singular includes the plural unless the context indicates otherwise. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, it means both the singular and the plural.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011107734 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Control module for an electromechanical switching unit (11) comprising: - a control input (7) and a control output (15), - an evaluation unit (20, 21) which evaluates an input signal (40) applied to the control input (7) and if a predetermined value occurs Signal characteristic of an output signal present at the control output (15), and - an energy store (39) which can be acted upon by an input signal (40) applied to the control input (7) and the evaluation unit (20, 21) is supplied with energy, characterized in that separate connection points (16, 17) are provided at the control output (15) for at least two coil units (31, 32, 54, 58) of the electromechanical switching unit (11) and that the output signal present at the control output (15) has at least three different switching states, by which the coil units (31, 32, 54, 58) of the electromechanical switching unit (11) can be activated without temporal overlap. Control module after Claim 1 , characterized in that the control input (7) is connected to a ground line (35) and an input signal line (34), between which the energy store (39) is connected. Control module after Claim 2 , characterized in that the control input (7) via a rectifier bridge circuit (33) to the ground line (35) and the input signal line (34) is connected. Control module after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that in the input signal line (34) in front of the energy store (39) at least one diode (38) is arranged, which allows the flow of current from the control input (7) via the input signal line (34) to the energy store (39) and blocks in the opposite direction , Control module after Claim 4 , characterized in that the evaluation unit comprises a scanning unit (20) which samples the input signal (40) and is connected in the current direction in front of the diode (38) to the input signal line (34). Control module according to one of Claims 1 to 5 in that a switching output signal (42, 48) of the switching unit (11) assumes a basic state in the absence of input signal (40) and in that the switching output signal (42, 48) assumes a first activation state upon occurrence of a first signal characteristic of the input signal (40) Occurs a second signal characteristic of the input signal (40) assumes a second activation state. Control module after Claim 6 characterized in that the first signal characteristic and the second signal characteristic comprise a different number of level shifts (41, 46, 47) of the input signal (40) at predetermined time intervals. Control module after Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that at a change between the first activation state and the second activation state for a predetermined time interval, the ground state is interposed. Relay module with a control module and with a control unit downstream switching unit, characterized in that the control module, a control module (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th is and that the switching unit (11) has a switching input (12) and two switching outputs (13, 14) which are alternately connectable by a switching operation of the switching unit (11) with the switching input (12). Relay module after Claim 9 , characterized in that the switching unit (11) comprises an isolating relay (23), via the switching contact (28) a connection between a Trennrelaiseingang and with the isolating relay output is switchable, and that the switching unit (11) further comprises a separation relay (23) downstream switching relay (25), the switching contacts (29) alternately connects a Umschaltrelaiseingang with each one of two Umschaltrelaisausgängen, wherein the Trennrelaiseingang the switching input (12) and the Umschaltrelaisausgänge each form a switching output (13, 14). Relay module after Claim 9 , characterized in that the switching unit (11) comprises two relays (51) each having a normally closed contact (53) and a normally open contact (52), wherein the normally closed contact (53) of the one relay (51) each with the Normally closed contact (52) of the other relay (51) is connected in series and that the normally closed contact (53) and the normally open contact (52) of the one relay (51) are both connected to the switching input (12) and the Normally closed contact (53) and normally open contact (52) of the other relay (51) are each connected to one of the two switching outputs (13, 14). Relay module after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the relays (23, 25) are each monostable relays. Relay module after Claim 9 characterized in that the switching unit (11) comprises two coil units (58) and a switching tongue (56), which is in the normal position without contact with two respectively arranged on opposite sides of the switching tongue mating contact points (57), and in which by pressing one of the two coil units (58) contact with one of the two mating contact points (58) can be produced and that the switching tongue (56) is connected to the switching input (12) and the mating contact points (57) are each connected to one of the two switching outputs (13, 14). Use of the relay module according to one of Claims 9 to 13 , characterized in that the switching outputs (13, 14) of the switching unit (11) are used to control an electric roller shutter drive (2). Control device with a programmable control unit to which a plurality of modules for building automation can be connected via two-wire lines (6), characterized in that at least one relay module (5) according to one of the Claims 9 to 13 for the control of an electric shutter drive (2) is connected.

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