Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Patent
1997-03-10
2000-03-14
Picard, Leo P.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
361729, 361731, 361732, 361736, 361803, 439289, H05K 700, H01R 1362
Patent
active
060381302
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mounting system, and an electrical connection system for electronic modules that fit together in a juxtaposed manner to form a stack of electrically interconnected electronic modules.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
In certain industries it is known to provide electronic modules that are mountable and electrically interconnectable and form an electronic device that controls an industrial robot, or industrial measurement systems, for example along a manufacturing chain. These electronic modules act as a local computing device that reduce the cabling requirements from an operating station (e.g. robot) to a central computer. Due to the variety of processes that the electronic modules control, they are stackable in different combinations to form a computing subassembly. Such a module is described, for example, in DE 44 02 002 A1 and EP 364 618. It is advantageous to provide modules as they can be easily replaced, either in the case of malfunctioning, or when modification to the process or electronic control is desired.
It is known to provide a support, such as a U-shaped metal profile, to which the electronic modules are mounted and stacked one against each other. One means of stacking the modules together is by slidably interengaging the loose modules to a stack already fixed to a rail or support, as shown in DE 44 02 002 A1. Due to the long linear sliding movement, it is sometimes difficult to remove centrally placed electronic modules. The contacts that extend through the side surface of the electronic module, for connection to contacts of the adjacent module, rub against the adjacent module during the mounting procedure. The long mounting travel causes excessive rubbing of the contact surfaces. Excessive wear of the contact surfaces, which are usually gold-plated, may impair their functioning.
In certain industrial applications, for example along an automobile production line, production stoppages are extremely expensive, and therefore the time required to replace components, or caused by malfunctioning of stacked electronic modules, must be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be desirable to provide an electronic module mounting system and electrical connection system that is robust, reliable and enables easy replacement of designated modules.
It is an object to provide a module mounting and electrical interconnection system that allows easy replacement of modules, but is nevertheless robust and provides reliable electrical interconnection between stacked modules.
It is an object to provide a module mounting and electrical interconnection system where the electrical interconnection is protected from wear and damage, the module nevertheless being easily stackable.
It is an object to provide a module mounting and electrical interconnection system for stacked mounting against other modules, that is not only robust and reliable, but that is cost-effective to produce and is compact.
Certain objects have been achieved by providing an electronic module mounting and electrical interconnection system comprising a housing within which electronic and electrical components of an electronic module are mounted, the housing having a mounting section adapted for pivoting movement about an axis substantially parallel to the stacking direction of a plurality of modules, the mounting and connection system further comprising an electrical connector section having electrical terminals protruding beyond a side surface of the module and engageable against complementary terminals of an adjacent electronic module. For retaining adjacent modules together, the module has a wall portion extending alongside the side surface and separated therefrom by a recess that receives a wall portion of an adjacent module therein, the adjacent modules being stackable together by approaching a first module with a second module in abutment against each other but at different angles, subsequently pivoting the module until full engagement with the support, whereb
REFERENCES:
patent: 4558914 (1985-12-01), Prager et al.
patent: 4790762 (1988-12-01), Harms et al.
See PCT International Search Report for any references that are not enclosed herewith.
Boeck Werner
Mueller Franz
Picard Leo P.
The Whitaker Corporation
Vigushin John B.
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