JP7575263B2 - I/O Unit and Communication System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an I/O unit that connects a master unit to a device and transmits signals between the master unit and the device, and a communication system that includes multiple I/O units.

As described in Patent Document 1, in a communication system, a master unit is connected to multiple slaves to transmit signals between them.

A specific example of a slave is an electronic device for inputting and outputting external signals, known as an I/O unit, that connects a master unit to a device and transmits signals between the master unit and the device.

JP 2017-175278 A

The I/O unit is equipped with a slave processing circuit that inputs and outputs signals with the master processing circuit of the master unit, and an interface that inputs and outputs signals between the slave processing circuit and the device. The slave processing circuit and the interface are mounted on the same board, and the board is housed in the housing.

For operators, the I/O unit with the above configuration was not easy to maintain. For example, because the slave processing circuit and the interface were mounted on the same board, it was difficult to replace only the slave processing circuit.

The present invention aims to provide an I/O unit that is easy to maintain, and a communication system that includes multiple such I/O units.

The first aspect of the present invention is an I/O unit that connects a master unit and a device and transmits signals between the master unit and the device, and includes a slave processing circuit that inputs and outputs signals with a master processing circuit of the master unit, an interface that inputs and outputs signals between the device and the slave processing circuit, a first board on which the slave processing circuit is mounted, a second board separate from the first board on which the interface is mounted, a connector that connects the first board and the second board, and a housing that accommodates the first board and the second board.

The second aspect of the present invention is a communication system having a plurality of I/O units according to the first aspect, wherein the I/O units have a base portion supporting the housing so that the housing can be inserted and removed along a predetermined insertion/removal direction, and a connection terminal is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction of the base portion for inputting and outputting signals with another I/O unit or the master unit, the base portions of the plurality of I/O units are installed on a mounting plate so as to be adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction, and the housings of the plurality of I/O units are attached to the base portions of the plurality of I/O units along the insertion/removal direction from the opposite side to the mounting plate.

The present invention provides an I/O unit that is easy to maintain, and a communication system that includes multiple such I/O units.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment; Fig. 2A is an external view of an I/O unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2B is an external view of the I/O unit of Fig. 2A separated into three parts. Fig. 3A is a schematic diagram of a main module accommodated in a housing, and Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating the first and second boards disconnected from each other by the connector. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of processing performed by a slave processing circuit on a signal output from a master processing circuit; 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of processing performed by a slave processing circuit with respect to a signal outputted to a master processing circuit; FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main module of an I/O unit to which the embodiment is not applied. FIG. 13 is an external view of a housing according to a modified example.

The I/O unit and communication system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing preferred embodiments thereof.

[Embodiment]
First, let us clarify the directions used in the description of this embodiment. The directions (front, back, width) used in the description of this embodiment follow the arrows shown in the drawings. The names of the directions are convenient names for the purpose of explanation.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a plurality of I/O units 16 that connect a master unit 12 and a plurality of devices 14, and a mounting plate (rail) 18 on which the plurality of I/O units 16 are mounted.

The master unit 12 is an electronic device that inputs and outputs signals between the device 14 via the I/O unit 16, and includes a processing circuit (20) for performing input and output processing of the signals. Hereinafter, this processing circuit (20) will be referred to as the "master processing circuit 20." The master processing circuit 20 is, but is not limited to, configured, for example, by a processor. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the master unit 12 may be connected to, for example, a numerical control device for a machine tool to control the master unit 12 (master processing circuit 20).

The device 14 is, for example, a valve, a display, or a detector installed in a machine tool. However, the device 14 is not limited to these, as long as it inputs and outputs signals between the master unit 12 via the I/O unit 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple I/O units 16 are installed on the installation plate 18 so as to be adjacent to one another. The multiple I/O units 16 installed on the installation plate 18 are connected to the master unit 12 in a daisy chain, with the master unit 12 side being the front stage side. The multiple I/O units 16 are supported from the rear side by the installation plate 18. The specific number of multiple I/O units 16 connected to the master unit 12 in a daisy chain is not particularly limited in this embodiment.

Figure 2A is an external view of an I/O unit 16 according to an embodiment. Figure 2B is an external view of the I/O unit 16 of Figure 2A separated into three parts.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the I/O unit 16 includes a housing 22, a base portion 24 provided on the rear side of the housing 22, and a front portion 26 provided on the front side of the housing 22. As shown in FIG. 2B, the base portion 24 and the front portion 26 are separable from the housing 22.

In the communication system 10, the multiple I/O units 16 are adjacent to each other in the width direction shown in FIG. 2A (FIG. 2B). The base portion 24, the housing 22, and the front portion 26 are arranged in this order from the installation plate 18 toward the forward direction shown in FIG. 2A (FIG. 2B). The width direction, the forward direction, and the rear direction are not limited, but in this embodiment, they are all parallel to the horizontal plane.

The housing 22 is a housing member that removably houses the main module 28 for transmitting signals between the master unit 12 and the device 14. The configuration of the main module 28 will be described later.

The base portion 24 is a support member that supports the housing 22 so that it can be inserted and removed. The base portion 24 is installed on the aforementioned installation plate 18 from the front side. The housing 22 is inserted and removed from the base portion 24 on the front side of the base portion 24, i.e., the side opposite the installation plate 18. In this embodiment, the insertion direction of the housing 22 into the base portion 24 is the rear direction. The removal direction of the housing 22 from the base portion 24 is the opposite direction to the insertion direction, i.e., the front direction. The insertion and removal direction of the housing 22 into and from the base portion 24 (rear-to-front direction) is perpendicular to the adjacent direction (width direction) of the multiple I/O units 16 of the communication system 10.

Connection terminals 30 (one side: 30L, the other side: 30R) are provided on both sides of the width of the base portion 24. The connection terminal 30L can be connected to the connection terminal 30R of another base portion 24. Similarly, the connection terminal 30R can be connected to the connection terminal 30L of another base portion 24. Furthermore, at least one of the connection terminals 30L and 30R can be connected to the master unit 12. Therefore, by connecting the master unit 12 and multiple I/O units 16 with the connection terminals 30, it is possible to configure the daisy chain shown in FIG. 1.

The I/O units 16 connected to the master unit 12 by the connection terminals 30 can mutually input and output signals with the master unit 12. In addition, the I/O units 16 connected by the connection terminals 30 can mutually input and output signals. Therefore, in the communication system 10 of FIG. 1, signals can be input and output between the master unit 12 and multiple I/O units 16.

The front part 26 is a terminal block that is removably attached to the housing 22. In this embodiment, the attachment direction of the front part 26 to the housing 22 is the rear direction. In addition, the removal direction of the front part 26 from the housing 22 is the opposite direction to the attachment direction, i.e., the front direction in this embodiment.

A connection terminal 32 that connects the I/O unit 16 and the device 14 is provided on the forward side of the front part 26. The number of connection terminals 32 is not particularly limited in this embodiment. Note that the front part 26 is not limited to a terminal block, and may be, for example, a connector for connecting the device 14.

The external shape of the I/O unit 16, which is the combination of the housing 22, base portion 24, and front portion 26, is not limited, but it is preferable that it is thin in the width direction, i.e., in the direction in which the multiple I/O units 16 are adjacent in the communication system 10. Specifically, for example, the shape of the I/O unit 16 may be flat as shown in FIG. 2A. This makes the I/O unit 16 advantageous for configuring the communication system 10 in a compact manner. Note that, although the short side direction of the I/O unit 16 in FIG. 2A is the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the perspective of the width direction, this is not limited.

Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the main module 28 housed in the housing 22.

The configuration of the main module 28 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 3A, the I/O unit 16 further includes a first board 34A, a second board 34B, a connector 36, a slave processing circuit 38, and an interface 40. The main module 28 is configured to include these elements.

When the housing 22 is inserted into the base portion 24, the first board 34A is connected to the connection terminals 30 (30L, 30R) of the base portion 24. A slave processing circuit 38 is mounted (formed) on the first board 34A.

The second board 34B is a separate board from the first board 34A. The second board 34B is connected to the connection terminal 32 of the front part 26 when the front part 26 is attached to the housing 22. An interface 40 is mounted (formed) on the second board 34B.

The connector 36 connects the first board 34A and the second board 34B. The connector 36 has a first connector 36A provided on the first board 34A and a second connector 36B provided on the second board 34B and connectable to the first connector 36A. The first board 34A and the second board 34B are connected by connecting the first connector 36A and the second connector 36B.

Figure 3B is a diagram illustrating the first board 34A and the second board 34B when the connection by the connector 36 is released.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the first substrate 34A and the second substrate 34B can be easily separated by releasing the connection via the connector 36.

The slave processing circuit 38 is hardware (circuit, group of electronic components) that inputs and outputs signals to and from the master processing circuit 20. The slave processing circuit 38 is configured to include, for example, a processor that performs processing related to the input and output of signals, but is not limited to this. The slave processing circuit 38 is connected to the connection terminal 30 via the first board 34A by connecting the connection terminal 30 of the base portion 24 to the first board 34A. This allows the slave processing circuit 38 to input and output signals to and from the master processing circuit 20 of the master unit 12 and the slave processing circuit 38 of another I/O unit 16 via the connection terminal 30.

The interface 40 is hardware (circuit, group of electronic components) that inputs and outputs signals between the device 14 and the slave processing circuit 38. The hardware configuration of the interface 40 differs depending on the type of device 14 to be connected. The interface 40 is connected to the slave processing circuit 38 by connecting the first board 34A and the second board 34B with the connector 36. The interface 40 is also connected to the device 14 via the connection terminal 32 by connecting the connection terminal 32 to the device 14. This enables the interface 40 to input and output signals between the device 14 and the slave processing circuit 38.

The operation of the main module 28 is explained below.

Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing performed by the slave processing circuit 38 on a signal output from the master processing circuit 20. Note that the installation plate 18 (Figure 1) has been omitted from Figure 4 to avoid cluttering the drawing.

The master processing circuit 20 outputs a signal (S ₁ ) addressed to one of the multiple I/O units 16 to the subsequent stage. Hereinafter, this signal will also be referred to as a transmission signal S _1. Note that Fig. 4 illustrates an example in which a transmission signal S ₁ addressed to an I/O unit _{16N is output from the master processing circuit 20 in a communication system 10 having N I/O units 16 (16 1 , 16 2 , ... ,} 16 N ). The transmission signal S ₁ includes, but is not limited to, a command signal S _Or for the device 14 connected to the destination I/O unit 16 (16 _N ) in this example.

When a transmission signal _S1 is input from the previous stage, the slave processing circuit 38 judges whether the destination of the transmission signal _S1 is itself (its own I/O unit 16). If the destination of the transmission signal _S1 is not itself, the slave processing circuit 38 outputs the transmission signal _S1 to the I/O unit 16 in the subsequent stage. This operation can be performed by each slave processing circuit 38 of the multiple I/O units 16. Therefore, the transmission signal _S1 can finally reach the destination I/O unit 16 (16 _N ).

When a transmission signal S ₁ addressed to itself is input, the slave processing circuit 38 performs processing according to the contents of the transmission signal S _1. For example, in the example of Fig. 4, the transmission signal S ₁ includes a command signal S _Or for the device 14. Therefore, the slave processing circuit 38 of the I/O unit _16N outputs the command signal S _Or to the device 14 through the connector 36 and the interface 40.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing performed by the slave processing circuit 38 with respect to a signal output to the master processing circuit 20. Note that for the same reason as in Figure 4, the installation plate 18 (Figure 1) is omitted in Figure 5.

The slave processing circuit 38 outputs a signal addressed to the master processing circuit 20 to the previous stage as a response to the transmission signal _S1 . Hereinafter, this signal will also be referred to as a reply signal _S2 . Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which a reply signal _S2 is output from the slave processing circuit 38 of the I/O unit _16N in the same communication system 10 as in Fig. 4. The reply signal _S2 includes, for example, data acquired from the device 14 via the interface 40 of the I/O unit _16N .

When a reply signal _S2 is input from the downstream side of the slave processing circuit 38, the slave processing circuit 38 outputs the reply signal _S2 to the upstream side of the slave processing circuit 38. This operation can be performed by each of the slave processing circuits 38 of the multiple I/O units 16. Therefore, the reply signal _S2 can finally reach the master unit 12 (master processing circuit 20).

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the main module 28' of an I/O unit 16' to which the embodiment does not apply.

The I/O unit 16 and communication system 10 of this embodiment are easy for operators to maintain. This point will be explained by comparing the I/O unit 16 with the I/O unit 16' illustrated in FIG. 6.

In the I/O unit 16', the slave processing circuit 38 and the interface 40 are mounted on the same board 34C in the main module 28'. In this case, it is difficult for an operator to replace only one of the slave processing circuit 38 and the interface 40.

For example, assume that a design change occurs in the slave processing circuit 38 of the I/O unit 16'. In this case, the operator will replace the board 34C on which the slave processing circuit 38 is mounted with a new one. However, replacing the board 34C will also mean replacing the interface 40, which should not need to be replaced under normal circumstances. Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the slave processing circuit 38 tends not to change between multiple I/O units 16' (components tend to be standardized as much as possible). In other words, if it becomes necessary to replace the board 34C due to a change in the slave processing circuit 38, the replacement work may affect all of the I/O units 16' owned by the operator.

In this regard, according to the I/O unit 16 of this embodiment, the slave processing circuit 38 and the interface 40 are separately implemented on the first board 34A and the second board 34B, respectively. The operator can easily separate the first board 34A and the second board 34B by releasing the connection between the first board 34A and the second board 34B by the connector 36 (see FIG. 3B). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the operator can easily replace only the slave processing circuit 38 out of the slave processing circuit 38 and the interface 40.

As mentioned above, the hardware configuration of the interface 40 differs depending on the type of device 14 to which it is connected. According to the I/O unit 16 of this embodiment, the operator can easily replace only the interface 40 of the slave processing circuit 38 and the interface 40 depending on the type of device 14.

Furthermore, according to the I/O unit 16 of this embodiment, the base portion 24 and the front portion 26 can be easily separated from the housing 22 that houses the first board 34A and the second board 34B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the risk that the base portion 24 and the front portion 26 will hinder the work of replacing the first board 34A or the second board 34B is reduced.

In this way, the I/O unit 16 and communication system 10 of this embodiment make maintenance work easy for the operator.

[Modification]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above as an example. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiment. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements are included within the technical scope of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an external view of the modified housing 22.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the housing 22 of the I/O unit 16 may include a first housing 22A and a second housing 22B that is detachable from the first housing 22A in the insertion/removal direction. The first board 34A is accommodated in the first housing 22A. The second board 34B is accommodated in the second housing 22B.

The first housing 22A is on the base portion 24 side (rearward side), and the second housing 22B is on the front portion 26 side (forward side). This allows the first board 34A connected to the connection terminal 30 of the base portion 24 to be positioned on the base portion 24 side, while the second board 34B connected to the device 14 via the front portion 26 to be positioned on the front portion 26 side. The connector 36 connects the first board 34A and the second board 34B in the insertion/removal direction.

The I/O unit 16 in FIG. 7 is easier for an operator to maintain. In other words, when replacing the first board 34A or the second board 34B of the I/O unit 16, the operator only needs to replace the entire first housing 22A or the entire second housing 22B, so the replacement work can be easily accomplished.

[Inventions Obtained from the Embodiments]
The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

<First Invention>
An I/O unit (16) that connects a master unit (12) and an apparatus (14) and transmits signals between the master unit (12) and the apparatus (14) comprises: a slave processing circuit (38) that inputs and outputs signals with a master processing circuit (20) of the master unit (12); an interface (40) that inputs and outputs signals between the apparatus (14) and the slave processing circuit (38); a first board (34A) on which the slave processing circuit (38) is mounted; a second board (34B) on which the interface (40) is mounted and which is separate from the first board (34A); a connector (36) that connects the first board (34A) and the second board (34B); and a housing (22) that accommodates the first board (34A) and the second board (34B).

This provides an I/O unit (16) that is easy to maintain.

The I/O unit (16) may include a base portion (24) that supports the housing (22) so that the housing (22) can be inserted and removed along a predetermined insertion and removal direction (rear-to-front direction).

The housing (22) includes a first housing (22A) that houses the first board (34A) and a second housing (22B) that houses the second board (34B) and is detachable from the first housing (22A) in the insertion/removal direction (rear-front direction), and the connector (36) may connect the first board (34A) and the second board (34B) in the insertion/removal direction (rear-front direction). This provides an I/O unit (16) that is easier to maintain.

The first board (34A) may be connected to the base portion (24) along the insertion/removal direction (rear-to-front direction), and the second board (34B) may be connected to the first board (34A) along the insertion/removal direction (rear-to-front direction). This allows the first board (34A) to be placed on the base portion (24) side, while the second board (34B) can be placed on the device (14) side.

A connection terminal (30) for inputting and outputting signals to and from another I/O unit (16) or the master unit (12) may be provided in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction (rear-to-front direction) of the base portion (24). This allows multiple I/O units (16) and the master unit (12) to be connected in a daisy chain by the connection terminal (30) of the base portion (24).

<Second Invention>
A communication system (10) having a plurality of I/O units (16), wherein the I/O units (16) have a base portion (24) supporting the housing (22) so that the housing (22) can be inserted and removed along a predetermined insertion/removal direction (rear-to-front direction), the base portions (24) of the plurality of I/O units (16) are installed on an installation plate (18) so as to be adjacent to each other along a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction (rear-to-front direction), and the housings (22) of the plurality of I/O units (16) are attached to the base portions (24) of the plurality of I/O units (16) along the insertion/removal direction (rear-to-front direction) from the opposite side to the installation plate (18).

This provides a communication system (10) equipped with multiple I/O units (16) that are easy to maintain.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 communication system 12 master unit 14 device 16 I/O unit 18 installation plate 20 master processing circuit 22 housing 22A first housing 22B second housing 24 base portion 30 connection terminal 34A first board 34B second board 36 connector 38 slave processing circuit 40 interface

Claims (4)

An I/O unit that connects a master unit and a device and transmits signals between the master unit and the device,
a slave processing circuit for inputting and outputting signals to and from the master processing circuit of the master unit;
an interface for inputting and outputting signals between the device and the slave processing circuit;
a first substrate on which the slave processing circuit is mounted;
a second substrate on which the interface is mounted and which is separate from the first substrate;
a connector that connects the first board and the second board;
a housing that accommodates the first substrate and the second substrate;
a base portion supporting the housing so that the housing can be inserted and removed in a predetermined insertion and removal direction;
Equipped with
The housing includes:
a first housing that accommodates the first substrate;
a second housing that accommodates the second board and is detachable from the first housing in the insertion/removal direction;
Equipped with
The connector connects the first board and the second board in the insertion/removal direction, an I/O unit. 2. The I/O unit according to claim 1 ,
the first substrate is connected to the base portion along the insertion/removal direction,
The second board is connected to the first board along the insertion/removal direction, an I/O unit. 3. The I/O unit according to claim 1 ,
The I/O unit has a connection terminal for inputting and outputting signals to and from another I/O unit or the master unit provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction of the base portion. A communication system including a plurality of I/O units according to claim 3 ,
the base portions of the plurality of I/O units are mounted on a mounting plate so as to be adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction;
A communication system, wherein the housings of the multiple I/O units are attached to the base portions of the multiple I/O units along the insertion/removal direction from the side opposite the installation plate.

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