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    • 专利摘要:
    The present disclosure relates to a device for switching a plurality of electronic components. This device is characterized in that it comprises a switching module comprising a plurality of input sub-modules, each of which is configured to connect one of the electronic components to be switched, to the device; an output sub-module; a plurality of switchable elements, one for each input sub-module, each switchable element being connected between the corresponding input sub-module and the output sub-module, and this plurality of switchable elements being configured to, in operation, switch the plurality of electronic components towards the output sub-module. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
    公开号:ES2659995A1
    申请号:ES201631222
    申请日:2016-09-19
    公开日:2018-03-20
    发明作者:Carlos Manuel MONZO SÁNCHEZ；Germán COBO RODRÍGUEZ；José Antonio MORÁN MORENO；Eugènia SANTAMARÍA PÉREZ；David GARCÍA SOLÓRZANO
    申请人:Fundacio Per A La Univ Oberta De Catalunya；FUNDACIO PER A LA UNIVERSITAT OBERTA DE CATALUNYA；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Device for switching a plurality of electronic components
    The present description refers to a device for switching a plurality of electronic components. 5 STATE OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE
    The study of electronic technology has always been linked to the use of face-to-face laboratories where a teacher guides students in the use of different devices, assemblies and measuring instruments, to acquire knowledge and professional skills. In recent decades there have been technological advances that have allowed significant changes in pedagogical teaching-learning models, opening the door to virtual (or distance) teaching of technological competences, including those in the field of electronics. Currently both
    15 in face-to-face and virtual models, the student has become the fundamental axis of the teaching-learning process and it is essential to provide new tools for the acquisition of these skills.
    More specifically, engineering or similar students must acquire skills
    20 practical and professional, so you should know how to assemble electronic circuits as well as control different laboratory equipment. When it comes to education entirely online as is the case of distance universities, having devices that allow students to assemble electronic circuits in the field of Telecommunications (or other degrees that require it) becomes
    25 in a priority.
    Consequently, there is a need for a device that at least partially solves the problems mentioned above. 30 EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
    According to a first aspect, a device for switching a plurality of electronic components is provided. The device may comprise: -a switching module that may comprise:


    o A plurality of input sub-modules, each of which is configured to connect one of the electronic components to be switched, to the device;
    o An output sub-module;
    5 o A plurality of switchable elements, one for each input sub-module, each switchable element being connected between the corresponding input sub-module and the output sub-module, and this plurality of switchable elements being configured for, in operation , switch the plurality of electronic components to the output sub-module.
    10 Thus, by acting on the switchable elements associated with each electronic component, it is possible to configure the circuit desired by a user. That is, if the switchable element is open, its associated electronic component does not intervene in the circuit. On the contrary, if the switchable element is closed, its
    15 electronic component is involved in the circuit. Basically, the switchable element allows the passage of electric current through its associated electronic component connected in the corresponding input sub-module.
    In summary, the device allows, in operation, to switch different components
    20 electronics connected to the device, one in each input sub-module, to a single output sub-module.
    A problem that can be solved is to obtain a device that allows students to assemble electronic circuits in the field of education entirely in
    25 line
    Some of the switchable elements or all of them can be relays.
    In some examples, the device may comprise a configured control module.
    30 to, in operation, act on at least one of the switchable elements, the control module being connected to the switching module. In this way, the presence of the control module makes it possible to act on the switchable elements automatically, by opening or closing them, so that the electronic component associated with each switchable element can be part or not of the electronic circuit.


    In some examples, this control module may comprise a microcontroller (in the case of a purely computer or hybrid configuration, that is, consisting of a computer part and an electronic part) or it may present a configuration completely
    5 electronics In the latter case, the control module may comprise a programmable electronic system such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).
    On the other hand, the device may comprise a device protection module,
    10 connected or not to the control module. Thus, for example, this protection module can protect the device against overcurrents. For this, it can comprise, for example, a fuse, in which case it is not necessary for the protection module to be connected to the control module, or a current sensor that detects current values exceeding a preset limit, in which case it is necessary to connect the protection module to the module
    15 so that this control module acts on the different switchable elements present in the device, to open the circuit, or on a switchable element expressly configured for it. It is also possible to cause the deactivation of this protection module, which is not included in the device or that comprises a resistance of 0 ohms that causes a short circuit in the module
    20 protection, so that it seems that it is not present in the device.
    According to some examples, the device may comprise a device configuration module, connected to the control module. This configuration module can comprise elements that allow, among other things, to assign a unique identifier
    25 to the device or indicate whether the device acts as a master or as a slave, as will be described later.
    In addition, the device may comprise a power module of one of the modules that is part of the device. Thus, for example, it can power the control module, the protection module, the switching module, etc. Basically, this power module can receive a voltage from an external power source and adapt it to the needs of the device. For this, the power module may comprise a voltage converter. The power module can receive power by a


    bus (communications module) that may be present in the device, as will be described later.
    In some examples, the output module can be selected from among: 5  If the electronic components are two-pole, a two-way output module;  If the electronic components are three-pole, a three-way output module.
    Similarly, each input module can be selected from:  If the electronic components are two-pole, a two-way input module;  If the electronic components are three-pole, a three-way input module.
    On the other hand, the device may comprise a first communications module for the
    15 connection of the device to another device to switch a plurality of electronic components (ie, to another device of the same or similar type), this first communications module being connected to the control module. In this way, it is possible to interconnect devices by increasing the number of electronic components that can be part of the circuit.
    In addition, the device may comprise a second communication module for connecting the device to an external control system, this second communication module being connected to the control module. The presence of this second communications module allows the device to be interconnected and an external control system, of
    25 so that the external control system can manage, among other things, the switchable elements of the device to which it is connected or of other devices connected to each other.
    According to another aspect, a system for switching a plurality of electronic components is provided. The system can comprise at least two devices for
    30 switching a plurality of electronic components such as those described above, connected to each other through their respective first communication modules. In this way, it is possible to interconnect several devices as described above.


    In some examples, the system may comprise an external control system connected to one of the devices for switching a plurality of electronic components such as those described above, through its respective second communications module. With the presence of the external control system it is possible to manage the
    5 different interconnected devices.
    Other objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description, or can be learned with the practice of the invention.
    10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    15 Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a device for switching a plurality of electronic components, according to some examples; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a switching module that is part of a device for switching a plurality of electronic components such as
    20 that of Figure 1, in which the electronic components are two-pole, according to some examples; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a switching module that is part of a device for switching a plurality of electronic components such as that of Figure 1, in which the electronic components are three-pole, according to
    25 some examples; Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a scenario in which a device for switching a plurality of electronic components is connected, on the one hand, to an external control system and, on the other hand, to another device for switching a plurality of components electronic 30 DETAILED EXHIBITION OF REALIZATION MODES


    As can be seen in Figure 1, a device 10 for switching a plurality of electronic components comprises a switching module 12 comprising (see Figures 2 and 3):
    - A plurality of input sub-modules (two input sub-modules in both Figure 2 and Figure 3) configured to connect a component
    electronic in at least two of them; -A sub-module output; -A plurality of switchable elements, one for each input sub-module,
    each switchable element being connected between the corresponding input sub-module 10 and the output sub-module.
    In this way, this plurality of switchable elements is configured to, in operation, switch the plurality of electronic components towards the output sub-module.
    In addition, as can be seen in Figure 1, the device 10 may comprise: - A control module 11 (such as a microcontroller) to manage the operation of the device 10; -A second communications module 13 for connecting device 10 to a
    20 external control system, this second communications module being connected to the microcontroller for the management of communications between the device and the external control system and also being connected to the power module;
    - A first communications module 14 for connecting the device 10 to a
    25 device of the same or similar type, this first communications module being connected to the microcontroller 11 for the management of communications between the device 10 and another device of the same or similar type and also being connected to the power module;
    - An overcurrent protection / control module 15, connected to the microcontroller 11 to detect, together with a current sensor, possible overcurrents in the device 10, and connected to the power module; -The power module 16 for feeding the electronics of the device 10 (ie, of the different modules that make up the device);


    - A device configuration module 17, connected to the microcontroller 11 for configuration.
    A more detailed description of each of these modules will be made below.
    5 With respect to the switching module 12, a description of some examples will be made below based on Figures 2 and 3.
    With respect to the control module 11, in the present examples a
    10 microcontroller 11 of the type PIC18F4550 of the company Microchip. It contains a core that can operate up to 48 MHz, with a capacity of 32KB of ROM and 2KB of RAM. It includes a USB-compatible peripheral, necessary for communication with the external computer system, as well as a UART control peripheral to generate the serial communication bus between boards.
    15 The functions that the microcontroller can perform on the basis of the different modules present in the device, essentially go through:
    - manage the entire communication process with the external control system through the second communications module 13; 20 -manage the entire communication process between devices through communications module 14;
    - managing the opening and / or closing of the different switchable elements present in the device 10, as well as their status, through the switching module 12; - Perform an active control (together with a current sensor), which in case of
    If an overcurrent occurs, it sends an opening order of a switchable element (for example, element 27 shown in Figure 2) present in the device.
    To perform the described functions, the microcontroller comprises the firmware, which
    30 can be defined as the computer program that governs the behavior of the device 10, which can be stored, for example, in the EEPROM memory described above. In general, this firmware may be stored in physical storage media, such as recording media, memory of


    computer, or a read-only memory, or it can be carried by a carrier wave, such as electrical or optical.
    In this way, the firmware can be understood as a set of instructions that
    5 includes functionalities to execute the functions described above, that is, in order to generate the various actions and activities for which the microcontroller has been programmed.
    The computer program (i.e. the firmware) may be in the form of a source code, of
    10 object code or in an intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the described functions.
    The carrier medium can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.
    For example, the carrier medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk. In addition, the carrier medium may be a transmissible carrier medium such as an electrical or optical signal that can be transmitted via
    20 electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.
    When the computer program is contained in a signal that can be transmitted directly by means of a cable or other device or medium, the carrier medium may be constituted by said cable or other device or medium.
    Alternatively, the carrier means may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is encapsulated (embedded), said integrated circuit being adapted to perform or for use in performing the relevant procedures.
    30 Based on what has been described, the microcontroller 11 may comprise: -An input / output channel for the connection of the microcontroller to the communications module 13, to receive commands from the external control system and to send data regarding the status of the device to the external control system;


    - An input / output channel for the connection of the microcontroller to the communications module 14, to send to another device of the same type commands received from the external control system and to receive data regarding the status of this other device (for example, of the switchable elements present in it);
    5 - An input / output channel for each of the switchable elements present in the device 10, to manage its opening and / or closing and to receive information about its status;
    - An input / output channel to receive current values in the switching module 12 and to send opening orders of a switchable element if the received current value is above a pre-set value.
    Additionally, an integrated circuit can be mounted to protect the microcontroller against possible electrostatic discharge.
    The hardware directly associated with the microcontroller may comprise a quartz crystal, for example 25 MHz, necessary to generate the microcontroller's clock signal, and a whole set of decoupling capacitors necessary to reduce switching noise levels.
    20 The hardware associated with EEPROM memory can comprise only two polarization resistors to raise the voltage of the I2C communication lines, which are directly connected to the microcontroller 11.
    Alternatively, the control module 11 may have a purely configuration
    25 may be implemented, for example, by a programmable electronic system such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).
    Also alternatively, the control module 11 may have a configuration
    30 computer and electronics. In this case, the control module 11 may comprise a microcontroller, that is, it may comprise a memory and a processor, in which the memory stores computer program instructions executable by the processor, these instructions comprising functionalities for executing the functions described with anteriority. Additionally the module can comprise electronic circuits


    designed to execute those parts of the described functions that are not implemented by the computer instructions.
    With respect to the power module 16, it is configured to power the different modules that are part of the device 10. For this, it may be necessary to convert a received external voltage (a voltage converter is used) into a voltage suitable for operation of the different modules of the device. Thus, the external voltage can come from a 12V power supply and this voltage must be converted to 5V which, in the present examples, is the voltage at which the different modules that make up the device 10 work.
    On the other hand, the feeding of the modules of a device can be done through the connection established with another device, that is, through the connection established between its corresponding first communication modules.
    The device protection module 15 is configured to control overcurrents in the device 10 in order to prevent damage to the device itself as well as possible external systems to which it is connected. Basically, it is possible to establish a limit in the current that crosses the set of electronic components to be switched. In the case where one of the electronic components is used (that is, its corresponding switchable element is closed), the value of the current to be monitored is that which passes through this component. If several components are selected (that is, several components have their switchable elements in a closed state), the current value is the sum of the current that passes through each of them.
    This protection module 15 may or may not be present in the device. If present, it can be, for example, a fuse or a current sensor (for example, a Hall Effect sensor), the device also being able to comprise an element to deactivate this protection module (it can be arranged in the device itself). 15 protection module or external to it). The use of a fuse allows a passive control of the established current limit, while the use of a current sensor (together with the microcontroller 11) allows an active control of the current limit, so that in case of an over- current, an opening order of a switchable element present in the switching module 12 is sent autonomously, that is, without


    that the microcontroller receives any order by any communications module of the device 10. Alternatively, this protection module could comprise a resistance of 0 ohms, so that a short circuit would be generated and, therefore, there would be no protection. In case a user wants protection for the device, he can
    5 Remove this resistor (these are connectors that allow components to be placed and removed) and connect a fuse or a current sensor, providing protection to the device. On the other hand, the protection module could be put on or removed at the time the device was manufactured.
    10 The switching module 12 may comprise a switchable element for each input sub-modules to which an electronic component can be connected. These switchable elements are configured to cut the passage of electric current through their corresponding electronic components. The opening and closing of the switchable elements is managed by the microcontroller 11, as described
    15 above. In the present examples, these switchable elements are relays.
    The first communications module 14 for connecting the device 10 to a device of the same type is configured to allow connection between several devices from a local bus. This first communications module can be managed by the
    20 microcontroller 11, as described above.
    This first communications module 14 may comprise at least one serial port for connection to the external control system, such as USB, micro USB, mini USB, Firewire or Ethernet, in the case of wired communications.
    25 However, this first communications module 14 may also be of a type suitable for establishing wireless communications. In this case, the communications module can be short range, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.11
    or Zigbee. It can also be based on long-range technology (for example, if the
    Communication is done through a global communication network, such as the Internet) such as GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G or satellite technology.


    In addition, communications between devices can be secured through, for example, a username / password, cryptographic keys and / or by establishing an SSL tunnel.
    5 In the present examples, this first communications module 14 is a serial communications bus based on the RS-485 standard. At the connector level, it uses RJ45 type.
    Through the interconnection of the first two communication modules
    10 devices, messages (commands, orders, etc.) and responses (data, etc.) are exchanged. Each message comprises a unique identifier of the device to which it is addressed, so that only the target device responds to the message.
    The second communication module 13 for connecting the device 10 to a system
    External control 15 is configured to allow the connection of a device 10 to an external control system, such as a computer or electronic system, for, among other things, the management of the different switchable elements present in the device 10. This second Communications module can be managed by the microcontroller
    eleven.
    20 The second communications module 14 may comprise at least one serial port for connection to the external control system, such as USB, micro USB, mini USB, Firewire or Ethernet, in the case of wired communications.
    25 However, this second communications module may also be of a type suitable for establishing wireless communications. In this case, the communications module can be short range, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.11
    or Zigbee. It can also be based on long-range technology such as GSM,
    GPRS, 3G, 4G or satellite technology (for example, if communication takes place through a global communication network, such as the Internet).
    In addition, communications between the device 10 and the external control system can be secured by, for example, a username / password, cryptographic keys and / or by establishing an SSL tunnel.


    In the present examples, the device 10 has as its second communications module 13 a USB port for connecting to the external control system (for example, a server computer), which must have usable USB ports. Through
    5 this USB connection, the device 10 is seen by the external control system as a device with which it can communicate using a serial protocol.
    At this point it is important to note that the external control system requires, for example, a computer program configured to generate a user interface (for
    10 example, a graphical user interface -GUI) through which a user can act on the device 10. In addition, this computer program may be able to convert user actions on the GUI into messages or commands with a format and concrete structure that the device 10 can understand and act by following these commands.
    15 With respect to the configuration module 17, it can be formed by three keypads or sets of buttons, which allow setting the status (on / off) of each button.
    The first keypad can be formed by eight switches, so that it is possible
    20 manually configure the unique numerical identifier (ID) of each device 10. This number can be any eight bit binary (ie, between 1 and 255), except for the value "0", which can be reserved. Obviously, depending on the number of switches that are part of the keypad it is possible to generate an identifier of a greater or lesser number of devices 10. It is also important to note that it is possible
    25 use any other method or system to generate a unique identifier of a device.
    Be that as it may, this number must be unique within the system as a whole, so it is the user's task to avoid repeating this value.
    30 A second keypad is configured to tell the device 10 where to take the power, that is, if the power comes from outside or from the bus.
    The third keypad comprises four switches (ie, four positions).


    A first switch allows you to select the type of device, that is, if, within the whole system, it is a master device (in English, "master") or a slave device (in English, "slave"). In master mode, the device performs the task of reading the USB bus and retransmitting the messages via the serial bus in case the ID is not
    5 correspond with your own. Instead, in slave mode the device reads the serial bus continuously, without sending anything through its output, unless it is an error message.
    A second switch allows the activation / deactivation of a terminating resistor. This resistance has the same ohmic value as the equivalent resistance
    10 of the bus. It is placed at the end of the communication bus, since it is necessary to avoid the reflection of signals because of the impedance variation of the transmission line. It is only used if there is a slave device.
    Two more switches, one to activate / deactivate a pull-up resistor and another to
    15 enable / disable a pull-down resistor. These resistors are connected to each of the bus conductors, respectively. They are often used to minimize the effects of noise in environments with a high amount of electromagnetic interference. They are used if there are slave devices.
    20 Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the switching module 12 that is part of the device 10. As can be seen in the figure, each sub-module 21.21 '; 24.24' of input comprises two ways since the Electronic components to be connected in the present examples comprise two poles (terminals or terminals). Thus, the first input sub-module 21.21 ’is configured to receive a first component
    25, such as a resistor 22 shown in Figure 2. With respect to the second input sub-module 24,24 ’, it is configured to connect a second resistor 25, as also shown in Figure 2.
    At this point it is important to note that a user can manually put and / or remove any electronic component of the device 10.
    Each of the 21.21 '; 24.24' input sub-modules to which an electronic component has been connected has a switchable element 23 (connected in series) (26 in the present examples, these switchable elements are relays ). In this way, it is


    It is possible to select one of the electronic components 22; 25 if only its corresponding relay is closed, or connections can be made in parallel by closing the relays of different electronic components at the same time. In the case shown in Figure 2, if only the relay 23 of the first resistor 22 is closed, only this first one intervenes
    5 resistance Similarly, if only relay 26 of second resistor 25 is closed, only this second resistor intervenes. On the contrary, if the two relays 23,26 are closed, a parallel connection of the two resistors 22,25 is achieved.
    In addition, the switching module 12 also comprises an output sub-module 28, the
    10 which comprises a single two-way output A, B (the electronic components, as discussed above, are two-pole). In this way, the device 10 allows switching of two-pole electronic components towards a single output module 28.
    On the other hand, the switching module 12 comprises a switchable element 27 (such
    15 as a relay in the present examples) on which the microcontroller 11 acts if an overcurrent is detected. Basically, when the current exceeds a preset limit (can be detected by a current sensor), the microcontroller 11 sends an opening order of the switchable element 27. In addition, this switching module can also be configured to not allow current flow
    20 until the selection of electronic components on which to make the parallel (if this is the case) is stable, through the computer program that is executed in the external control system.
    With reference to Figure 3, this figure shows an example of implementation of a
    25 switching module 12 when the electronic components to be connected to the device 10 have 3 poles (terminals or terminals).
    More specifically, each input sub-module 31; 32 comprises three ways A, B, C, while the output sub-module 35 also comprises three ways A, B, C. Of these three 30 channels of the output sub-module, the C-path is common for all electronic components that connect to the device 10 through their corresponding input sub-modules. Routes A and B pass through a switchable element 33; 34 (for example, a single relay) for each electronic component, which allows connecting the two poles of each


    Electronic component towards the output sub-module. In this way, 3-pole electronic components are switched to a single output.
    Furthermore, this switching module may comprise, at the output, a switchable element 5 not shown (such as a relay in the present examples) on which the microcontroller can act in the event of an overcurrent being detected.
    Up to this point, the different modules that can form a device 10 for switching a plurality of electronic components have been described. How I know
    10 follows from the description, such a device may comprise as a minimum unit a switching module. In a case like this, the switchable elements can be operated by a user manually to select the status of each of them (on or "ON" / off or "OFF").
    In other examples, the device 10 may additionally comprise a control module 11 for, among other things, automatically controlling the status of each of the switchable elements that are part of the switching module 12. In this case, the control module can be pre-programmed at the factory in terms of the status of each of the switchable elements.
    20 In still other examples, if it is desired or intended to modify the operation of the control module 11, the presence of the second communications module 13 is necessary to achieve the connection of the control module with an external control system, through which it can it is possible to modify the configuration of the control module, either with the load
    25 again firmware that allows a different operation of this control module or from configuration instructions generated by a user from, for example, a user interface.
    On the other hand, if the connection of several devices between them is intended to expand the
    30 possibilities of operation, it is necessary the presence of at least a first communications module 14 in each device, which allows this interconnection.
    Finally, to avoid overcurrent problems in the device 10, the presence of the protection module 15 described above may be suitable.


    Next, based on Figure 4, the operation of a system, according to some examples, comprising an external control system connected to a first device for switching a plurality of electronic components will be described, this first being also connected. device to a second device of the same or similar type.
    At this point it is important to indicate that it is possible to connect devices of various types interchangeably, that is, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, there is the possibility of interconnecting devices configured for two-pole electronic components with
    10 devices configured for three-pole electronic components, etc.
    As can be seen in Figure 4, a system 40 comprises an external control system 41, such as a server computer, connected to a first device 42 to switch a plurality of components, this connection being established through a
    15 USB cable 43 connected between a USB port 44 of the external control system and a USB port 45 (its second communications module, as described above) of the first device 42.
    More specifically, device 42 implements a USB library that makes use of the class
    20 “USB communications device class” (or USB CDC). This library allows the device 42 to be recognized by any operating system running in the external control system 41 as a "serial port", to establish communication between this operating system and the device 42.
    In addition, this first device 42 is connected to a second device 46 via a serial cable 47 based on the RS-485 standard. For this interconnection, each device has a 48.49 RJ45 type connector.
    More specifically, the implementation of the MODBUS protocol is used, which is applied
    30 on a basic serial bus (such as the serial bus based on the RS-485 standard described) generated by the microcontroller of each board. This protocol allows to generate a communication network in which messages can be sent and received without creating collisions in the packages and guaranteeing their correct reception.


    The first device 42, since it is the one that is directly connected via USB to the external control system 41, must act as a master and thus necessarily have to be configured (for example, from the keypad described above).
    5 So that the external control system 41 can know that the first device 42 acts as a master, there is a type of message (the message types will be described later) that allows it to be used to obtain this information, knowing on which USB port of the External control system 41 is connected a device that acts as a master.
    10 In the event that more devices of the same or similar type are connected to the system 40 (for example, the second device 46), the external control system 41 must know how many slave devices exist therein. For this, two options are proposed: the user knows the configuration in advance and transmits it to the external control system
    15 or this external control system sends a message to the 255 possible IDs to see which IDs receive a response.
    The external control system 41 can generate different types of messages with the intention of sending orders to both the master device 42 and the possible devices
    20 slaves 46, via the internal bus described above. Basically, these messages can be the following: - Switching a switchable element: allows to open or close any of the switching elements present in the switching system 40, whether in the master device 42 or in any slave device 46;
    25 -Configure the current limit: in the case that the devices incorporate the protection module 15 based on a current sensor, by means of this message it is possible to indicate the maximum tolerable current value, before the microcontroller acts on the elements Switchable to disable them. Thus, in a two-pole electronic component device (see Figure
    2), the microcontroller could act on the switchable element 27 (for example, a relay) disposed at the output of the device, while in a three-pole electronic component device, the microcontroller could act on all elements 33,34 switchable Alternatively, in the case of the three-pole electronic component device, an element 19 could also be provided


    switchable at the output of the device (similar to the switchable element 27 shown in Figure 2), on which the microcontroller could act in case of over-current detection;
    - Check if a device with a specific ID is connected to system 40;
    - Ask the device type of a given ID. In this way, the external control system 41 can know whether it is a device for two-pole or three-pole electronic components. This message, when received by the indicated device (that is, the one that corresponds to the ID), looks at the value of a record of the
    10 memory (for example, the EEPROM memory present in the microcontroller, as described above) and forwards it to the external control system 41. This value can be entered in the device (more specifically, in the memory) at the time of programming, so that the devices can never change type;
    15 -Read the status of the switchable elements (for example, relays) of the device; -Find the master device. This message allows you to directly ask the USB Master of the bus, in order to know if the connection between the external control system and the device is viable, and to know its ID.
    20 Anyway, when a master device receives one of these messages via USB, the microcontroller firmware (if the control module does not have a fully electronic configuration) generates an event that executes a special code. First, check that the message has a valid structure. If so, it extracts the ID of the plate to which the message is addressed. If the ID of the master device matches the ID of the
    25 message, read the instruction code and its parameters to execute the corresponding order. On the contrary, if the ID extracted from the message does not match the ID of the master device 42, this master device, through its control module (in the present examples, the microcontroller), is responsible for fully resending the message through of the communication bus between devices 42.46.
    30 In the latter case, the entire set of slave devices (a single slave device 46 is shown in Figure 4) connected to the internal bus receives the same message, but since each one has a unique ID, at most one of them You can try that message. This receiving device (i.e. the one whose ID matches the ID included


    in the message) generates a response message (if necessary) that travels on the internal bus until it is received by the master device 42. Since the master devices cannot communicate with each other, all messages sent by a slave device are treated only by the master device, which aims to send this received message to the external control system via USB. Therefore, in this case, the master device acts only as a simple data gateway.
    If a device is configured as a slave (for example, the second device 46 in Figure 4), it cannot connect to the external control system. It can only be connected to other devices through its communications module between devices.
    At this point it is important to note that any device can act as both a master and a slave device (it is possible to configure it, as described above), that is, the devices are identical and their configuration may depend on the user's needs. Thus, if you have, for example, ten devices, you could configure one as a master and the remaining nine as slaves or you could, among other configurations, configure five devices as masters and five as slaves (each slave would be connected to one of the masters) . In this way, each device has a communications module to communicate with the outside (basically, with the external control system), in the case of being configured as a master, and another communication module to talk to the bus, from so that if they are master or slave they will be in communication through this communications module. A device configured as a slave does not talk to a device with the same configuration (that is, configured as a slave) but what it does is put on the bus the information that the master will collect to deliver it to the external control system. The bus is used, therefore, for all communication from master to slaves and from slaves to the master.
    As a slave device can only receive messages by the communications module between devices, the firmware (or the control module in general because it may have a purely electronic configuration) of the microcontroller focuses on waiting for the reception of some message on the bus . At that time, an event is generated that executes a specific code snippet. Basically, this code first checks the data of the received message to verify if the ID of the device to which the message is addressed corresponds to the ID of the device itself. In case of result


    negative, the firmware discards the message and is still waiting for another message. In case of a positive verification result, the device reads the instruction code and its associated data in order to execute the task indicated by the message.
    Once the task is generated, the firmware generates a response message (if necessary) to the received message, which is sent to the internal communication bus. The master device 42 assigned to this system receives the message and forwards it via USB to the external control system 41.
    Whether the devices are configured (masters or slaves) and whatever type of device it is (for 2-pole electronic components or for 3-pole electronic components), there is a common operation in the firmware.
    Thus, the overcurrent protection module (based, for example, on a current sensor) is one of the common modules that the firmware must control. Basically, the firmware periodically consults the value of electrical current that passes through the sensor and compares it with the maximum limit set by the user by sending a message by the external control system. If the value read from the sensor is greater than the value set by the user, a code is executed in the firmware that deactivates all active switchable elements (ie those that are closed. In the case of the device for two components poles, could act on the switchable element 27 arranged in the output of the device, while in the case of the device for three-pole components, could act on each of the switchable elements associated with the electronic components), in order to protect the device Against over-tension. Subsequently, it is the user's task to check the reason for the problem, solve it if possible, and reconfigure the different switchable elements to return to the pre-incident state.
    Therefore, from the above, it is important to make the following considerations:
    - In a system for switching a plurality of electronic components (for
    For example, the system 40 shown in Figure 4) is necessary for one of the
    devices are configured as master (for example, the first device 42
    shown in Figure 4). The difference of this device with the others present


    In the system it is the only device that connects to the external control system (for example, through a USB cable). Remember that the master device is responsible for managing the bus, sending the messages to the corresponding device in each case, and receiving their responses to be forwarded.
    5 to the external control system; -The rest of the system's devices (if more than one is needed) must act as slaves.
    The two types of devices described can be used (for electronic components of 2
    10 poles or for 3-pole electronic components) indifferently, in any position. Any of these types of device can be connected to the external control system (that is, they can act as masters) and all can be connected to each other through their communication modules between devices.
    Although only some particular embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein, the person skilled in the art will understand that other alternative embodiments and / or uses of the invention are possible, as well as obvious modifications and equivalent elements. In addition, the present invention encompasses all possible combinations of the specific embodiments that have been described. The scope of the present invention should not
    20 be limited to specific embodiments, but must be determined only by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.

    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [1]
    1. Device for switching a plurality of electronic components, characterized
    due to the fact that the device comprises:5 -a switching module comprising:
    o A plurality of input sub-modules, each of which is configured to connect one of the electronic components to the device;
    o An output sub-module;
    10 o A plurality of switchable elements, one for each input sub-module, each switchable element being connected between the corresponding input sub-module and the output sub-module, and this plurality of switchable elements being configured for, in operation , switch the plurality of electronic components to the output sub-module;
    15 -a control module configured to, in operation, act on at least one of the switchable elements, the control module being connected to the switching module;
    - a second communications module for connecting the device to an external control system, this second communication module being connected to the control module.
    [2]
    2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a device protection module, connected to the control module.
    Device according to claim 2, wherein the protection module comprises the
    minus one of the following elements: A fuse; A current sensor.
    Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a device configuration module, connected to the control module.
    [5]
    5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a power module.

    [6]
    6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the switchable elements comprises a relay.
    Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output sub-module is:  If the electronic components are two-pole, a two-way output sub-module; or
     If the electronic components are three-pole, a sub-module of three 10-way output.
    [8]
    8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each input sub module is:  If the electronic components are two-pole, a two-way input sub-module; or
     If the electronic components are three-pole, a three-way input sub-module.
    [9]
    9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising
    20 a first communications module for connecting the device to another device for switching a plurality of electronic components, this first communications module being connected to the control module.
    [10]
    10. System for switching a plurality of electronic components, the system comprising:
     At least two devices for switching a plurality of electronic components according to claim 9, connected to each other through their respective first communication modules.
    A system according to claim 10, further comprising:  An external control system connected to one of the devices for switching a plurality of electronic components according to claim 1, through its respective second communications module.

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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    ES2659995B1|2018-11-06|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US3996457A|1974-11-20|1976-12-07|Gabriel Edwin Z|Electronic analog computers|
    US4492582A|1981-01-06|1985-01-08|Mattel, Inc.|Teaching and entertainment device|
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