Switching device with interface module

A switching device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a triggering unit;
• an actuator coupled to the triggering unit;
• a switching mechanism coupled to the actuator;
• an adapter module;
• and
• an interface module, comprising:
• a signal processing unit coupled to the triggering unit;
• an interface circuit coupled to a transmitting and receiving circuit of the signal processing unit, the interface circuit comprising a communication connection interface, a CAM device, and a CAM connection interface;
• a power supply input configured to feed a first supply voltage;
• and
• a voltage converter connected on an input side to the power supply input and having a power outlet configured to issue a second supply voltage, the power outlet being coupled to the signal processing unit and to the triggering unit,
• wherein the triggering unit comprises an additional signal processing unit which is coupled to the signal processing unit of the interface module and to the actuator, and comprises a microprocessor, a micro-controller, a logic gate, and/or a state machine,
• wherein the triggering unit, the actuator, the switching mechanism, and the interface module are installed inside the housing,
• wherein the interface module is configured to be coupled to at least one of the adapter module or a bus module,
• wherein the adapter module comprises a field bus connection circuit, an adapter module interface circuit, and a bus converter,
• wherein the adapter module interface circuit is connected to the communication connection interface via an electrical line, and
• wherein the interface module is removeably coupled to the triggering unit via a plug-in connector.

A switching device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a triggering unit;
• an actuator coupled to the triggering unit;
• a switching mechanism coupled to the actuator;
• an adapter module;
• and
• an interface module, comprising:
• a signal processing unit coupled to the triggering unit;
• an interface circuit coupled to a transmitting and receiving circuit of the signal processing unit, the interface circuit comprising a communication connection interface, a CAM device, and a CAM connection interface;
• a power supply input configured to feed a first supply voltage;
• a voltage converter connected on an input side to the power supply input and having a power outlet configured to issue a second supply voltage, the power outlet being coupled to the signal processing unit and to the triggering unit;
• control input circuit coupled to the signal processing unit,
• wherein the triggering unit, the actuator, the switching mechanism, and the interface module are installed inside the housing,
• wherein the first supply voltage, the second supply voltage, and a reference potential are coupled to the triggering unit;
• wherein the control input circuit sets a threshold at which the switching device is triggered based on an input received at the interface module,
• wherein the interface module is configured to be coupled to at least one of the adapter module or a bus module,
• wherein the adapter module comprises an adapter module interface circuit that couples the communication connection interface with a field bus using a bus convertor that couples the adapter module interface circuit with a field bus connection circuit, and the field bus connection circuit couples the bus converter with the field bus, and
• wherein the interface module is configured to be removable from the switching device in a condition where the switching device is in an installed arrangement, and wherein the housing is configured to be opened in the condition where the switching device is in the installed arrangement to allow removal of the interface module.