Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Conductor arrangements or structure
Patent
1998-10-22
2000-06-27
Gaffin, Jeffrey
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Conductor arrangements or structure
361735, 439928, H05K 702
Patent
active
060810483
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular peripheral unit which can be expanded by assemblies for controlling and/or monitoring a technical process. The peripheral unit includes a base module to which at least one supply voltage can be supplied and to which at least one expansion module can be attached in series. In this case, both the base module and the at least one expansion module, which can be attached in series, can be connected to actuators and/or sensors for controlling and/or monitoring the technical process.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Peripheral units are generally known in the related art. The company Siemens AG produces the ET20OU modular peripheral unit, for example. In the conventional design of automation systems, sensors and actuators are connected directly to the central automation unit. In the case of widely branched systems, this leads to complex wiring systems with high wiring costs, and reduced flexibility in the event of changes and additions.
Local peripheral units thus form an efficient interface between the process and the central automation unit. The processing and conversion of the process signals, the interaction with sensors and actuators, is carried out directly on site, that is to say, is also physically assigned to the process or the process element. The connection between the peripheral unit and the central automation unit is, in this case, normally produced via a field bus, and thus via a single connection.
Furthermore, integral peripheral units having a high degree of protection (IP66/IP67) are known, for example, the ET200C peripheral unit marketed by the company Siemens AG, which are primarily suitable for use in a harsh industrial environment.
In contrast, no peripheral units are known in which the necessary electrically conductive connections between the individual modules are produced during expansion without any additional contact means, such as plugs or cables. Furthermore, no modularly expandable peripheral units are yet known in the related art which can be expanded in a modular manner while at the same time affording a high degree of protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a peripheral unit for controlling and/or monitoring a technical process, the unit being capable of expansion in a modular manner by assemblies, and the required electrically conductive connections and contact points being produced when the peripheral unit is assembled.
The object for a modular peripheral unit which is expandable by assemblies, which includes a base module to which at least one expansion module can be attached in series, is achieved in that in series to one another, elements in the region of the profile with which they can be attached in series to one another, the module upper part is mounted, such that the multiplicity of these limbs of the U-shaped contact elements form an internal contact arrangement, module even when the module upper part is mounted, such that the multiplicity of these limbs of the U-shaped contact elements form an external contact arrangement and, expansion module is attached in series, such that the external contact arrangement is opposite the internal contact arrangement of the expansion module which is attached in series.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the essentially U-shaped contact elements LE have junctions. In this way, the U-shaped contact elements offer the possibility of a multiple pick-off for the signal or supply voltage which is applied to the respective contact element.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, some of the essentially U-shaped contact elements are used for passing on the at least one supply voltage, and some of the essentially U-shaped contact elements are used to pass on signal voltages. In this way, it is possible in an advantageous manner to use the contact elements both for passing on the at least one supply voltage and for passing on the signal voltages, a significant physical separation nevertheless bein
REFERENCES:
patent: 4790762 (1988-12-01), David et al.
patent: 5493194 (1996-02-01), Damiano et al.
patent: 5752838 (1998-05-01), Nishizawa
Bergmann Martin
Rester Heribert
Schirbl Reinhard
Gaffin Jeffrey
Roberto Rios
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
LandOfFree
Modular peripheral unit expandable by modules and having an auto does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Modular peripheral unit expandable by modules and having an auto, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modular peripheral unit expandable by modules and having an auto will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1786846