System and method for establishing a data connection between a master unit and at least one device unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for establishing a data connection between a master unit (M) and at least one device unit (D), wherein the master unit (M) is coupled to a primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the at least one device unit (D) is coupled to a secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), in each case for electrical power transmission and for data transmission. The primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be coupled for data transmission. A control signal can be received and the system has three operating states that can be activated in dependence on the received control signal. When the first operating state is activated, there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the device unit (D). When the second operating state is activated, primary coupler identification data (D.sub.prim-ID) are allocated to the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim). When the third operating state is activated, secondary coupler Identification date (D.sub.secID) are allocated to the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec). The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating the system.

Claims

1. A system for establishing a data connection between a master unit (M) and at least one device unit (D), wherein the master unit (M) is coupled to a primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the at least one device unit (D) is coupled to a secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), in each case for electrical power transmission and for data transmission; wherein the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be coupled for data transmission; wherein a control signal can be received; and the system has three operating states that can be activated in dependence on the received control signal; wherein when the first operating state is activated, there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the device unit (D); when the second operating state is activated, primary coupler identification data (D.sub.prim-ID) are allocated to the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim); and when the third operating state is activated, secondary coupler identification data (D.sub.sec-ID) are allocated to the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), wherein there is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) are formed as structurally separate units.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling of the master unit (M) to the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and/or the coupling of the device unit (D) to the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) is via a wired connection.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is set up to detect a coupling state between the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec); and to activate the first, second or third operating state in dependence on the detected coupling state.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: the system is set up to activate the second operating state after a disconnected coupling state has been detected between the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec); and/or the system is set up to activate the third operating state after a connected coupling state has been detected between the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec); and/or the system is set up to activate the first operating state after a connected coupling state has been detected between the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) and a coupling to the device unit (D) has been detected.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the first operating state is activated, the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and/or the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) is set up to receive a first signal and to perform a first data comparison on the basis of the received first signal; in dependence on the result of the first data comparison, to either relay the first signal immediately or to receive a further signal within a predefined time interval, to carry out a further data comparison and to relay the first and further signal in dependence on the further data comparison.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the second operating state is activated, the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) can be configured by the master unit (M); and/or when the third operating state is activated, the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be configured by the master unit (M).

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the second and/or third operating state is activated, a pairing of primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be performed.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the second and/or third operating state is activated, a reading of device data of the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and/or of the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be performed by the master unit (M); and/or when the second and/or third operating state is activated, a setting of at least one device parameter of the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim) and/or of the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec) can be performed by the master unit (M).

10. A method for operating a system with a master unit (M) and at least one device unit (D), the method comprising the step of: receiving a control signal; and in dependence on the received control signal, activating one of three activatable operating states of the system; wherein when the first operating state is activated, establishing a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit (M) and the device unit (D); when the second operating state is activated, allocating primary coupler identification data (D.sub.prim-ID) to a primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim), wherein a data connection according to the IO-Link standard is established between the master unit (M) and the primary coupler unit (D.sub.prim); and when the third operating state is activated, allocating secondary coupler identification data (D.sub.sec-ID) to a secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec), wherein a data connection according to the IO-Link standard is established between the master unit (M) and the secondary coupler unit (D.sub.sec).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. There are shown in:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment example of the system;

(3) FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment example of the system with first operating state activated;

(4) FIG. 2B depicts an embodiment example of the system with second operating state activated;

(5) FIG. 2C depicts an embodiment example of the system with third operating state activated; and

(6) FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment example of a primary or secondary coupler unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(7) An embodiment example of the system is explained with reference to FIG. 1.

(8) The system comprises a master unit M and a device unit D. In the embodiment example, the master unit M comprises a central control unit M; in the example, a sensor or a tool is provided as device unit D. The master unit M and the device unit D are formed here such that they can be coupled via an IO-Link connection.

(9) The system is used for automation control in a manufacturing plant.

(10) In further embodiment examples, other elements can be provided which can be coupled via an IO-Link connection.

(11) The system furthermore comprises a primary coupler unit Dprim and a secondary coupler unit Dsec. In the embodiment example, these are formed as separate units.

(12) The master unit M is coupled to the primary coupler unit Dprim via a wired transmission line for the transmission of data and electrical power. Analogously thereto, the device unit D is coupled to the secondary coupler unit Dsec via a further wired transmission line for the transmission of data and electrical power.

(13) The primary coupler unit Dprim and the secondary coupler unit Dsec are furthermore formed so that they can be coupled wirelessly. A wireless connection for the data and power transmission can be established here. In the example, a protocol known per se, for instance Bluetooth, is used for the wireless data transmission. Furthermore, an inductive coupling is provided for the power transmission.

(14) The embodiment example of the system with different operating states activated is explained with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C. The embodiment example of the system explained above is taken as the starting point.

(15) In the case shown in FIG. 2A, the first operating state of the system is activated. There is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit M and the device unit D. For this, master identification data M-ID are allocated to the master unit M and device identification data D-ID are allocated to the device unit D. The primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec are coupled to each other and configured such that they relay signals between the master unit M and device unit D and make it possible to establish a connection according to the IO-Link standard. The corresponding data connection V1 between master M and device D is indicated as an arrow.

(16) In the case shown in FIG. 2B, the second operating state of the system is activated. There is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit M and the primary coupler unit Dprim. For this, master identification data M-ID are allocated to the master unit M and primary coupler identification data Dprim-ID are allocated to the primary coupler unit Dprim. Via the transmission line between master unit M and primary coupler unit Dprim, a data connection V2 according to the IO-Link standard is established, which is indicated as an arrow.

(17) In the case shown in FIG. 2C, the third operating state of the system is activated. There is a data connection according to the IO-Link standard between the master unit M and the secondary coupler unit Dsec. For this, master identification data M-ID are allocated to the master unit M and secondary coupler identification data Dsec-ID are allocated to the secondary coupler unit Dsec. The primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec are coupled to each other and configured such that they relay signals between the master unit M and the secondary coupler unit Dsec and make it possible to establish a connection according to the IO-Link standard. The corresponding data connection V3 between master M and secondary coupler unit Dsec is indicated as an arrow.

(18) The changing of the operating states of the system can be effected in different ways, as explained by way of example below. Reference is made here to FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2C described above.

(19) First of all, the case of the second operating state V2 shown in FIG. 2B, in which the master unit M is connected to the primary coupler unit Dprim, is taken as the starting point. Here, primary coupler identification data Dprim-ID, which make a direct addressing via an IO-Link connection possible, are assigned to the primary coupler unit Dprim. In the embodiment example, the primary coupler identification data Dprim-ID comprise a Vendor-ID and a Device-ID, which are in each case allocated to the primary coupler unit Dprim Itself. In the embodiment example it is provided that the second operating state V2 is activated when the system with the master unit M and the primary coupler unit Dprim is put into operation, in particular if no secondary coupler unit Dsec is connected.

(20) If the secondary coupler unit Dsec is now connected, a change to the third operating state V3 can be effected automatically, as shown for instance in FIG. 2C. In the embodiment example it is provided that the device unit D is not activated and is, for example, switched off. However, it can also be provided that whenever the primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec are newly connected a change to the third operating state V3 is first effected, for instance for a particular time interval, in order first to make direct access to the secondary coupler unit Dsec possible, before the device unit D is accessed.

(21) Secondary coupler identification data Dsec-ID, which here likewise comprise a Vendor-ID and a Device-ID which are in each case allocated to the secondary coupler unit Dsec itself, are assigned to the secondary coupler unit Dsec.

(22) In the change from the second to the third operating state, the Device-ID of the secondary coupler unit Dsec is assigned to the primary coupler unit Dprim, with the result that the primary coupler unit Dprim is effectively “invisible” to the connected master unit M. The primary coupler unit Dprim is configured such that, in this operating state, it relays the signals and control commands of the master unit M to the secondary coupler unit Dsec, and vice versa. In this case, the master unit M thus no longer accesses the primary coupler unit Dprim directly, but rather the secondary coupler unit Dsec is accessed directly.

(23) A further change to the first operating state V1 is effected, for instance automatically when a device unit D is connected or activated. A direct connection between the master unit M and device unit D is established, in particular a connection according to the IO-Link standard. The primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec are now configured such that they transmit the data between the master unit M and device unit D, without themselves being part of the network and without themselves being directly addressed.

(24) For this, in the embodiment example, the device identification data D-ID, which in particular comprise a Vendor-ID and a Device-ID, are assigned to the primary coupler unit Dprim. This means that the IO-Link connection of the master unit M to the primary coupler unit Dprim “looks” to the master unit M like a direct connection to the device unit D. In a similar manner, the master identification data M-ID are assigned to the secondary coupler unit Dsec, with the result that the IO-Link connection of the device unit D to the secondary coupler unit Dsec “looks” to the device unit D like a direct connection to the master unit M.

(25) In the embodiment example, a particular control signal is furthermore defined, by means of which a change from the first operating state to one of the further operating states is triggered. If this control signal is sent by the master unit M and received by the primary coupler unit Dprim and/or secondary coupler unit Dsec, first a termination of the existing IO-Link connection will caused and the identification data of the coupler units Dprim, Dsec involved are newly allocated. Then, the desired operating state is activated and a new IO-Link connection is set up.

(26) The structure of an embodiment example of a primary or secondary coupler unit is explained with reference to FIG. 3. The representation is schematic and applicable in essentially the same way to the primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec of the embodiment example of the system explained above.

(27) The coupler unit Dprim, Dsec has a display element 30, a detection module 31 and a configuration module 32.

(28) In the embodiment example, the display element 30 comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The display element 30 can actuate these light emitting diodes in dependence such that they emit light signals. In particular, this actuation is effected in dependence on a control signal which the display element 30 receives.

(29) The light signals can be distinctive in various ways known per se and for instance exhibit a brightness, color or dynamic light change such as flashing. An item of information can hereby be output, for instance as a warning signal when a threshold value, for instance of a temperature or an electrical power output, is exceeded. Furthermore, an operating and/or connection state for the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec, a connected further unit M, D and/or the system as a whole can be output.

(30) In further embodiment examples, the display element 30 comprises, as an alternative or in addition to the LEDs, a display or another display area, for example with a segment display or a pixel matrix, by means of which a graphic output can be effected. In further embodiment examples, the display element 30 alternatively or additionally comprises another means for outputting a signal, for instance for outputting an acoustic signal.

(31) The detection module 31 is set up to detect various operating parameters of the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec. For example, the operating parameters can relate to a data and/or power transmission between the coupler elements Dprim. Dsec. They can furthermore relate to a temperature parameter, a data rate, an operating and/or connection state for the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec, a connected further unit M, D and/or the system as a whole.

(32) In the embodiment example, a configuration module 32 of the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec is furthermore provided, which is set up so that the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec can be configured. For this, the configuration module 32 can comprise a memory unit for storing configuration parameters, furthermore it can also comprise a monitoring element which allows a data communication for making the configuration settings. In particular, a configuration can be effected by establishing a data connection of the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec to the master unit M; in the process, configuration parameters of the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec can be read and/or altered.

(33) In the embodiment example, a pairing can for example be carried out by means of the configuration module 32. It is defined here to which units the coupler unit Dprim, Dsec can establish a connection, in particular a data connection. For example, it can be defined to which further coupler units Dprim, Dsec a connection can be established. Furthermore, it can be defined to which master M and/or device D units a connection can be established.

(34) In the embodiment example, a behavior of the display element 30, in particular a behavior of the LEDs, can, for example, furthermore be set by means of the configuration module 32. For example, the light parameters thereof can be configured for the output of a data connection, a transmitted power output and/or data rate, particular temperature values and/or excess temperature events, a connection and/or operating state or other parameters.

(35) In the embodiment example, a transmitted and/or maximum transmissible electrical power output between primary coupler unit Dprim and secondary coupler unit Dsec can, for example, furthermore be set by means of the configuration module 32.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(36) M master unit D device unit D.sub.prim primary coupler unit D.sub.sec secondary coupler unit M-ID master identification data D-ID device identification data D.sub.prim-ID primary coupler identification data D.sub.sec-ID secondary coupler identification data V1 data connection (first operating state) V2 data connection (second operating state) V3 data connection (third operating state) 30 display element 31 detection module 32 configuration module