DISTRIBUTION MODULE WITH SELECTOR SWITCH

Abstract

The invention relates to a distribution module (1) and method for operating a distribution module. A distribution module comprises a housing (2) and a bus connection (3) and multiple device connections (4). Selection means (5), in particular a rotary selector switch, are provided, by means of which one of multiple communication protocols which are stored in a memory within the housing (2) can be manually selected from outside the housing (2). Alternatively, the selection means can also be configured as a DIP switch, membrane keyboard, touchscreen or key switch. The memory is preferably non-volatile. When a protocol is chosen and the controller parameterises the distribution module via said protocol, and a device then starts cyclic data exchange, the ID of said protocol is thereby also stored in a non-volatile manner. Electronic units such as computing units, memories, power supply and the suchlike are accommodated in the housing (2). In addition, the distribution module (1) comprises a bus connection (3), with which the distribution module (1) can be connected via a data line to a computing unit which is not represented. The distribution module (1) preferably comprises multiple device connections (4) which are similar or different to each other. The electro-mechanical or electronic adjustment option preferably relates to industrial fieldbus devices, such as I/O distribution modules, which work with standardised communication protocols (e.g. Profibus, PROFINET IO, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, SERCOSIII, Powerlink, CANopen, DeviceNet).

Claims

1. A distribution module comprising: a housing; a bus connection on the housing; a plurality of device connections on the housing; a memory inside the housing and holding a plurality of communication protocols; and a selector on the housing and operable from outside the housing to manually select one of the communication protocols stored in the memory inside the housing.

2. The distribution module according to claim 1, wherein the memory is nonvolatile.

3. The distribution module according to claim 1, wherein the selector is a rotary selector switch.

4. The distribution module according to claim 1, wherein the selector is a DIP switch, a membrane keyboard, a touchscreen or a key switch.

5. A method of operating a distribution module having a housing, a bus connection on the housing, a memory inside the housing, and a plurality of device connections on the housing, the method comprising the step of: storing a plurality of communication protocols in the memory; and manually operating a selector from outside the housing to select one of the communication protocols stored in the memory inside the housing.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: determining and starting the communication protocol after switching on a supply voltage for the memory.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: only changing a one of the protocols that has been started once after a power cycle by changing the setting of the selector, if the selected communication protocol has not yet previously carried out any cyclical data interchange with a communication master.

Description

[0013] In order to further describe the distribution module according to the invention and its operation, reference is made below to the drawing.

[0014] The drawing illustrates, in principle, a distribution module 1 having a housing 2. Electronic devices such as computing units, a memory, a power supply and the like, are accommodated in the housing 2 but are not illustrated in detail. The distribution module 1 also has a bus connection 3 that can be used to connect the distribution module 1 to a computing unit (not illustrated) via a data line. The distribution module 1 also has a device connection 4, preferably a plurality of them that are identical to one another or differ from one another. Devices, such as actuators, sensors, computers, further distribution modules and the like that are not illustrated are connected to these device connections 4 that are in the form of M8 or M12 screw connectors, for example. The electronic devices in the housing 2 make it possible to interchange data and to distribute data between the computing unit that is connected to the bus connection 3 and the devices that are connected to the device connections 4. This data is interchanged using permanently predefined, preferably standardized or else proprietary communication protocols. This means that, in order to move data between the individual elements, the communication protocol of the distribution module must use the communication protocol of the computing unit. In order to be able to react to different communication protocols of the computing unit and of the connected devices and to be able to establish identity of the communication protocols, a selector, in particular a rotary selector switch 5, are provided in the housing 2 of the distribution module 1. These selectors, in particular the rotary selector switches 5, are accessible from outside the housing 2 of the distribution module 1, with the result that the communication protocol to be set is called from the memory inside the housing 2 of the distribution module 1 by changing the position of the respective selector, in particular the rotary selector switch 5, and the distribution module 1 is operated using this communication protocol after it has been selected.

[0015] There are preferably two power connections beside one another (the power connections are internally looped through in the device) and also two bus connections. The two bus connections are looped through in the case of field buses or are forwarded via an internal switch in the case of Ethernet protocols. However, one power connection and one bus connection would also suffice.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0016] 1. Distribution module [0017] 2. Housing [0018] 3. Bus connection [0019] 4. Device connection [0020] 5. Rotary selector switch