Input/output module for a programmable controller
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsWemer Engl, Stefan Grosser, Gerald Hirmer, Mario Maier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An input/output module for a programmable controller is provided. The input/output module has a digital input channel, and in order to prevent power losses previously incurred internally within the module, an electrical source is provided internally within the module for evaluating the status of a sensor connected to the digital input channel. The module receives no electrical energy via the digital input channel but outputs it. A reduction is thus achieved in the power loss incurred internally within the module. A method for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller is also provided.
Claims16
An input/output module for a programmable controller comprising:
- a sensor external to the module;
- a signaling contact functioning as a digital input for connecting the sensor to the signaling contact;
- and
- an electrical source provided internally within the module for evaluating an electrically open or an electrically closed status of the sensor, wherein the evaluating of the sensor status is performed in response to a respective voltage level applied by the electrical source, the respective voltage level applied by the source indicative of the electrically open status or the electrically closed status of the sensor, wherein the voltage level applied by the source is arranged to drive a substantially constant current through the signaling contact regardless of the status of the sensor.
A method for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller, the method comprising:
- disposing a sensor external relative to the module;
- receiving a digital input through a signaling contact connected to the sensor;
- internally disposing an electrical source in the module;
- outputting a current from the electrical source via the signaling contact;
- evaluating an electrically open or an electrically closed status of the sensor connected to the signaling contact and a grounding contact;
- performing the evaluating of the sensor status in response to respective voltage level applied by the electrical source, the respective voltage level applied by the source being arranged to indicate the electrically open or the electrically closed status of the sensor;
- and
- arranging the level for driving a constant level of the output current via the signaling contact regardless of the status of the sensor.
An input/output module for a programmable controller comprising:
- a sensor external to the module;
- a signaling contact functioning as a digital input for connecting the sensor to the signaling contact, the digital input contact being received through the signaling contact with a zero input current flow and a corresponding zero amount of power dissipation in the module;
- and
- an electrical source provided internally within the module;
- and
- an evaluation branch in the module, the evaluation branch coupled to the electrical source for evaluating an electrically open or an electrically closed status of the sensor in response to a respective voltage level applied by the electrical source for driving an output current flow via the signaling contact, the respective voltage level applied by the source arranged to indicate the electrically open or the electrically closed status of the sensor, wherein the zero input current flow and the corresponding zero amount of power dissipation reduces power dissipation in the module of the programmable controller, the respective voltage level applied by the source arranged to supply a constant level of the output current through the signaling contact regardless of the status of the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.