Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-04-03
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2835)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Within distinct housing spaced from panel circuit arrangement
C439S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210179
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a field-bus connecting device usable in connection with field buses as a serial bus system to connect devices for instance for sensor or acting with control means or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known field-bus connecting devices hold, in an essentially square housing, a motherboard which is supported on the base. On one side of the housing, a plurality of connection elements is permanently connected to the housing, by means of which connection elements the sensors and actuators and the serial bus system can be connected to the motherboard. There are various connection techniques for connecting the sensors and actuators and the serial bus system to the housing, the connection elements being embodied, for example, as cable bushing connectors, plug-type connectors or plug-type/screw-type connectors. However, because the respective connection elements are permanently connected to the housing, such field-bus connecting devices have the disadvantage that the respective connection technique is fixed for each housing, and that in the event of defects in one or more connection elements the entire field-bus connecting device has to be replaced.
German Offenlegungsschrift DE 44 37 316 A1 discloses a field-bus connecting device in which a plurality of connection elements can be connected to a motherboard which is embodied as a signal processing device and which is arranged in a square housing. In each case a plurality of connection elements are arranged in a module here, the modules having plug-type connectors for plugging onto mating plug-type connectors which are provided on the motherboard, that is to say they can be replaced individually.
In such a field-bus connecting device, the modules can indeed each be replaced individually, but the motherboard with the associated electronics is then freely accessible from the outside, entailing the risk of the electronics being damaged or tampered with by the user. Furthermore, the configuration of the modules is largely prescribed for each module location on the motherboard, with the result that different connection techniques cannot be combined as desired.
German Offenlegungsschrift DE 39 33 099 A1 discloses a modular assembly and wiring system in which a plurality of housings with inserted modules which are locked by means of securing latches are plugged onto an insulated busboard. Owing to the fact that the modules are closed, it is not possible to replace different connection elements as desired. In addition, the busboard is also freely accessible in this device when the modules are being replaced.
German patent DE 197 16 137 C1 and German utility model DE 296 07 525 U 1 each disclose connecting devices for connecting actuators and/or sensors which have one or more upper parts which can be fitted onto a lower part and have a plurality of connection elements for the sensors and actuators. In addition, German Offenlegungsschrift DE 196 15 093 A1 discloses a serial interface for field buses which has an automation unit with a communications adapter which can be plugged onto a plug-type connector. There is no provision for different connection techniques to be implemented by replacing individual connections in these devices, nor is this possible.
Finally, German patent DE 44 12 270 C2 discloses a decentralized interface module for a bus system in which the electronic control unit can be assembled with differently equipped connection fittings in order to adapt it to different connection techniques. However, the control electronics are inevitably freely accessible here and thus exposed to the risk of damage or tampering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a field-bus connecting device in which different connection techniques can be combined or replaced as desired. It is a further object of the invention to provide a field-bus connecting device in which electronics contained therein are protected against damage and tampering in the event of such a replacement.
In accordance with the present invention, the modules, in a field-bus connecting device with a motherboard which is arranged in an essentially rectilinear housing at the base and a plurality of modules, which hold at least one connection element by means of a module mounting board, for connection to the motherboard, the housing having at the connection element end a plurality of receptacles for, in each case, one module and each module being detachably coupled to the motherboard by means of a connector arrangement which is plugged onto the motherboard, each module comprise a module board which is connected to the respective module mounting board, is configured to correspond to the at least one connection element and couples the module to the motherboard by means of the connector arrangement, and the receptacles each have a receptacle space, open at the connection element end, for, in each case, one module with base-end openings for the connector arrangement.
Because the modules are not directly coupled to the motherboard, but rather by means of module boards which are configured to correspond to the respective connection elements, different connection techniques, for example cable bushing connectors, can be implemented easily and combined as desired, because it is necessary only to replace the respective module board with the connection element. At the same time, in the event of such a replacement, the motherboard with the associated electronics is not exposed to access by the user owing to the receptacle spaces which are especially provided for each module. This also enables the modules to be sealed individually with respect to the housing, thus permitting a higher protection class.
Preferably, the module mounting boards are detachably secured in the receptacles by means of clamping elements, it being possible to release or secure the module mounting boards by, for example, a slight revolution of, for example, 90° of the respective clamping element.
In addition, the receptacles for the module mounting boards preferably have a peripheral supporting edge in a countersunk arrangement. Furthermore, a flat seal is preferably inserted between the supporting edge and the associated module mounting board.
Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are to be gathered from the following description and in the sub-claims.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the appended figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4770639 (1988-09-01), Lau
patent: 5043847 (1991-08-01), Deinherdt et al.
patent: 5218519 (1993-06-01), Welch et al.
patent: 5319524 (1994-06-01), Welch et al.
patent: 5546282 (1996-08-01), Hill et al.
patent: 3933 099 A1 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 44 12 270 C2 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 4412270C2 (1996-01-01), None
patent: 3933099A1 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 196 15 093 A1 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 296 07 525 U1 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 4437316A1 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 197 16 137 C1 (1997-04-01), None
Cevik Yasar
Lausberg Gerd
Alix Yale & Ristas, LLP
Gushi Ross
K. A. Schmersal GmbH & Co.
Paumen Gary
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