Beckhoff Automation Gmbh

Lars Walther

Uwe Prüssmeier

Michael Jost

Mikko Saukoski

Jens Heidenhöfer

Christian Jürgenhake

A safety module for a field-bus system comprising a switch-on unit, a control unit, a supply input provided to feed supply power, a first supply output provided to relay secured supply power to a consumer, a first switching element to electrically connect or disconnect the supply input and the first supply output, and a supply module to provide an operating power via an operating-power-supply line for operating the control unit. The control unit is connected to the first switching element to secure the supply power being relayed via the first supply output by actuating the first switching element. The supply module is electrically connected to the supply input and to a field-bus-power input. The field-bus-power input is provided to feed a field-bus power into the safety module for operating the switch-on unit. The supply module is provided to generate the operating power either from the supply power or field-bus power.

Safety module and field-bus system comprising a safety module

A protective device comprises an input, an output, a first power switch, a second power switch and a drive unit. The first and second power switches are electrically connected in parallel with one another between the input and the output. The first power switch is configured to conduct a first forward current in a conducting state and to limit said first forward current in a current-limiting state. The second power switch is configured to conduct a second forward current in a conducting state and to interrupt said second forward current in an interrupting state. The second power switch comprises a lower on resistance than the first power switch. The switch arrangement is configured, for limiting the current flowing between the input and the output, to interrupt the second forward current with the second power switch and to limit the first forward current with the first power switch.

Growing community of inventors

Leopoldshöhe, Germany

Lars Walther