Configurable safety module for detecting digital or analog input or output signals

Abstract

A safety module for a programmable logic control system, wherein the safety module is designed as an assembly consisting of a plurality of modules with a plurality of function blocks connected through at least one internal bus and comprising at least one CPU and which can be connected through at least one interface to external sensors (and switches/buttons) and actuators (and optical/acoustic indicators and displays/monitors) for detecting at least one measurement signal, wherein the safety module operates in two channels and a self-test is implemented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety module ( 1 ) for a programmable logic control system (PLC), wherein the safety module ( 1 ) is designed as an assembly consisting of a plurality of modules ( 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  14 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  62 ) with a plurality of function blocks ( 2 - 4 ,  12 ,  13 ,  17 ,  25 ,  26 ,  35 ,  36 ) connected through at least one internal bus ( 7 ,  7   a ,  8 ,  8   a ) and comprising at least one CPU ( 9 ,  10 ) and which can be connected through at least one bi-directional interface ( 5 ,  6 ) to external sensors (and switches/buttons) and actuators (and optical/acoustic indicators and displays/monitors) for detecting at least one measurement signal, wherein the safety module ( 1 ) operates in two channels and a self-test is implemented. 
     
     
         2 . The safety module ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the signal detection modules ( 3 ,  4 ) are freely configurable by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The safety module ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a galvanic separation ( 12 ,  13 ) exists between the at least two modules ( 2 ,  14 ). 
     
     
         4 . A safety module ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein after galvanic separation, the signals are further processed in two independent CPU's. 
     
     
         5 . The safety module ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the processed signals are sent through a communication interface (for example an I/O bus) according to the black channel principle. 
     
     
         6 . The safety module ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the measurement signals are analog or digital.