US 12,112,109 B2
Secure control device, contactor comprising such a device and method for secure processing of a control signal
David Lanes, Saint Hilaire du Touvet (FR)
Assigned to Schneider Electric Industries SAS, Rueil Malmaison (FR)
Filed by Schneider Electric Industries SAS, Rueil Malmaison (FR)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/101,569.
Claims priority of application No. 1913362 (FR), filed on Nov. 28, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0165943 A1, Jun. 3, 2021
Int. Cl. G06F 30/367 (2020.01); G06F 13/40 (2006.01); G06F 30/373 (2020.01)
CPC G06F 30/367 (2020.01) [G06F 13/4022 (2013.01); G06F 30/373 (2020.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A safety control device configured to process a control signal and generate a first safety control order, said safety control device comprising:
a control input having at least a first connection point and a second connection point, said control input being configured to receive the control signal,
a first protection circuit,
a first coupler having:
a first emitter circuit connected in series with the first protection circuit, the assembly formed by the first emitter circuit and the first protection circuit being connected between the first connection point and the second connection point, said first emitter circuit being designed to emit a second signal when the control signal is present on the control input, and
a first receiver circuit designed to receive the second signal and to provide a third signal formed of at least one pulse,
a first switch connected in parallel across the first emitter circuit or connected in series with the first protection circuit and the first emitter circuit,
a pulse generator connected to the first switch and designed to cyclically control opening and closure of the first switch, and
a first processing circuit connected to the first receiver circuit in order to receive the third signal, said first processing circuit being designed to process the third signal and provide the first safety control order, said first safety control order being able to adopt at least two states:
a first start safety control order, or
a first stop safety control order,
wherein the first protection circuit has a current-limiting circuit for limiting the current flowing through said protection circuit,
wherein the first protection circuit has a current threshold detection circuit connected to the current-limiting circuit in order to limit the current flowing through said protection circuit to a predefined maximum intensity when the amplitude of the control signal is greater than a predefined maximum voltage threshold, and
wherein a voltage threshold detection circuit is connected in series with the first protection circuit and the first emitter circuit in order to limit the current flowing through said emitter circuit to a predefined minimum intensity when the amplitude of the control signal is less than a predefined minimum voltage threshold.