Circuit for checking an electrical wire connected to a digital input of an actuator

Abstract

A circuit having a digital output for connecting an electrical wire that is connected to an actuator, the digital output having a high level in a first voltage range, a low level in a second voltage range, and a third voltage range that is formed between the first voltage range and the second voltage range. The circuit being configured to output a test voltage, wherein the test voltage differs by a voltage difference from the high level and the low level.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a terminal block; and an actuator connectable to the terminal block via an electrical wire, wherein the terminal block has a circuit with a digital output to which the electrical wire connectable to the actuator is connected, the electrical wire carrying the digital output to the actuator, wherein the digital output to the actuator has a high level in a first voltage range, a low level in a second voltage range and a third voltage range that is formed between the first voltage range and the second voltage range, wherein the actuator has an activation voltage range, wherein the actuator is activated by applying a voltage in the activation voltage range, wherein the circuit is configured to output a test voltage over the electrical wire to the actuator, the test voltage being outside of the activation voltage range, and wherein the circuit is disposed between a power input to the terminal block and the actuator, the power input powering the digital output.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a current flow through the digital output while the test voltage is applied to the digital output.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the circuit is further configured to generate an error signal when the determined current flow is below a first threshold value or above a second threshold value.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to repeat the application of the test voltage after a certain time interval automatically or in response to a signal received by the circuit.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the test voltage is applied to the actuator during a period that the actuator is able to be actuated, and wherein the test voltage is applied to the actuator without activating the actuator.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the voltage in the activation range and the test voltage are each transmitted over the electrical wire.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the test voltage is lower than voltages in the activation voltage range.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the test voltage is applied to the actuator as a time-discrete signal.

9. A terminal block comprising: a circuit having a digital output and connecting to an electrical wire that is connected to an actuator, wherein the digital output to the actuator has a first output in a first voltage range, a second output in a second voltage range, and a third voltage range that is formed between the first voltage range and the second voltage range, the first voltage range being higher voltage than the second voltage range, wherein the circuit is configured to output a test voltage in the second voltage range or the first voltage range, wherein the test voltage output by the circuit for testing differs by a voltage difference from an actuation output to the actuator in the third voltage range such that the test voltage is outside the third voltage range, and wherein the circuit is disposed between a power input to the terminal block and the actuator, the power input powering the digital output.

10. The terminal block according to claim 9, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a flow of current through the digital output while the test voltage is applied to the digital output, and wherein the circuit is further configured to generate an error signal when the determined flow of current is below a first threshold value or above a second threshold value.

11. The terminal block according to claim 9, wherein the test voltage is applied to the actuator as a time-discrete signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system having an actuator connected to a circuit that is integrated in a terminal block;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exemplary signal curve for activating the actuator and for checking the electrical wire;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exemplary impulse response when checking the electrical wire and an error signal based thereon; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a procedure for checking the electrical wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system 100. The system 100 includes an actuator 200, wherein an input 210 of the actuator 200 is connected to a terminal block 400 through an electrical wire 300. The terminal block 400 has an input 410 and an electronic circuit 420 connected to the input 410, said circuit transmitting value- and time-discrete signals to the actuator 200 through a digital output 430. The input 410 of the terminal block 400 may be an analog as well as a digital input 410.

(7) The electronic circuit 420 has two operating states, between which the electronic circuit 420 switches during operation, automatically or caused by a received signal. In the first operating state which corresponds to the normal case, i.e., is active during the process-related use of the actuator, the signals are outputted at the analog input 410 at the output 430 (e.g., looped through) or the signals are replicated or inverted at the digital input 410 at the output 430. That is to say, for example, that a high level at the input 410 causes the outputting of a high level or a low level at the output 430. If, for example, 5 volts or 0 volts are present at the input 410, 5 volts or 0 volts are also outputted at the output 430.

(8) In the second operating state, the wire 300 is tested for faults. In this case, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2, the electronic circuit 420 generates a test voltage at the output 430 that differs from the voltage applied to the input 410 and the low and high levels outputted during the process-related use of the actuator 200. In this case, the conditions under which the electronic circuit 420 switches over between the operating states may be fixed or adjustable depending on the design of the electronic circuit 420.

(9) For example, the electronic circuit 420 may be configured to change to the second operating state and output test voltages according to a fixed or adjustable time frame. Further, it may be fixed or adjustable, depending on whether the outputting of test voltages is suppressed when the signals at the input 410 are designed to cause a high level at the output 430, or when the signals at the input 410 are arranged to effect a low level at the output 430.

(10) For example, when the output of the high level is capable of activating the actuator 200 (i.e., when the high level is within an activation voltage range of the actuator 200), the electronic circuit 420 may be set up or adjusted to not allow generation of the test voltage when a high level is outputted or is to be outputted at the output 430. It can thereby be ensured that the testing of the wire 300 does not disturb or prevent the process-related use of the actuator 200, if the latter is activated or is to be activated by outputting a high level.

(11) Further, when the outputting of the low level is adapted to activate the actuator 200 (i.e., when the low level is within an activation voltage range of the actuator 200), the electronic circuit 420 may be established or set to not permit generation of the test voltage when a low level is outputted or is to be outputted at the output 430. As a result, it can be ensured that the testing of the wire 300 does not disturb or prevent the process-related use of the actuator 200 if the latter is activated or is to be activated by outputting a low level.

(12) Specifically, the electronic circuit 420 may be connected to a mechanical switch, by means of which it is possible to switch between the settings, i.e., the disallowance of a test voltage during the outputting of a high level and the disallowance of a test voltage during the outputting of a low level.

(13) Furthermore, the electronic circuit 420 may have a signal input through which a switching signal can be received, by means of which it is possible to switch between said settings, i.e., the disallowance of a test voltage during the outputting of a high level or the disallowance of a test voltage during the outputting of a low level.

(14) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary voltage curve U.sub.E at the input 410 (in FIG. 2 above) and a partially derived voltage curve U.sub.A at the output 430 (in FIG. 2 below). The signal curve is aimed at the event that the outputting of the high level is suitable for activating the actuator 200. As shown in FIG. 2, a low level 500 is initially applied to the input 410. Since the electronic circuit 420 is in the first operating state, the electronic circuit 420 outputs a low level 500 at the output 430, and switches over at point in time t.sub.1, following the signal curve at the input 410, in response to an outputting of a high level 600, whereby the actuator 200 is activated.

(15) The outputted high level 600 (through the actuator 200) can be detected as such in that it lies within a defined first voltage range 700. As such, the outputted high level that is present at the upper end of the first voltage range 700 (e.g., at 5 volts) is exemplary in nature because the circuit 420 could also output lower high levels 600 that would also activate the actuator 200.

(16) As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic circuit 420 switches over at the point in time t.sub.2, again following the signal curve at input 410, in response to outputting the low level 500, whereby the actuator 200 is deactivated. It should also be noted in this context that the outputted low level 500 (through the actuator 200) is detected as such since it lies within a defined second (lower) voltage range 710. As such, the outputted low level 500, which is at the lower end of the second voltage range 710 (e.g., at 0 volts), is exemplary in nature because the circuit 420 could also output higher low levels 500 that would also deactivate the actuator 200.

(17) As shown, a third voltage range 720 is located between the first voltage range 700 and the second voltage range 710. The “permanent” outputting of a voltage in the third voltage range 720 is not provided in the first operating state. Rather, the occurrence of voltages in the third voltage range 720 is associated with a transition of the voltage between the first voltage range 700 and the second voltage range 720, while transitions between the first voltage range 700 to the third voltage range 720 with an immediately subsequent return to the first voltage range 700 are not provided.

(18) Similarly, transitions from the second voltage range 710 to the third voltage range 720 directly followed by returning to the second voltage range 710 are also not provided. It should be noted that this also applies to voltages at the input 410, wherein the intended voltage range at the input 410 can also be subdivided into three voltage ranges 730, 740, 750, which correspond to the voltage ranges at the output 430 but comprise a smaller third voltage range 750 (in favor of the first and second voltage ranges 730, 740) to absorb transmission-induced distortions of an outputted voltage.

(19) At the point in time t.sub.3, the electronic circuit 420 switches into the second operating state in response to a test signal U.sub.T. In the second operating state, a test voltage 800 is briefly applied to the output 430, which differs by a differential voltage from the low level 500 outputted during the first operating state, whereby a voltage pulse is generated, and at the same time by a voltage difference 760 from the input side activation voltage range of the actuator 200, which, for example, corresponds to the first voltage range 730. The current flow I.sub.mess generated by the voltage pulse through the output of 430 is measured by the electronic circuit 420 and compared with a reference value I.sub.ref, which has been, for example, determined on the basis of a previous application of a test voltage 800.

(20) If the measured current flow I.sub.mess differs from the reference value I.sub.ref by more than a predetermined current difference !.sub.diff, as shown in FIG. 3, the conclusion is that there is a line fault and an error signal U.sub.F is outputted by the electronic circuit 420. If the measured current flow I.sub.mess does not differ from the reference value I.sub.ref by more than the predetermined current difference I.sub.diff, the electronic circuit 420 switches back to the first operating state at t.sub.4. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the application of the test voltage 800 can be repeated after a predetermined interval t.sub.5−t.sub.3.

(21) FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a procedure for checking the electrical wire 300. The process starts at 900 with the step of applying a voltage to the electrical wire 300, which is outside the voltage interval 730 in which the actuator 200 is activated. For example, as described above, the applied voltage is a test voltage 800 that differs from the high and low levels 500, 600 that are applied during the process-related use of the actuator 200. At step 910, the process is continued by monitoring the current flow through the wire 300, based on which line faults can be detected and displayed.

(22) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.