JP2003288134A - Interface connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interface connection device, which eliminates the duplication of connectors and cost increase due to increase in the number of backboards and secures substantial flexibility to establish space for a user's operation, and for installing connectors without increasing the size of the device itself. <P>SOLUTION: An interface package, equipped with a connector which is an interface corresponding to a function package, is fitted to the back of the body substantially parallel to a backboard. The interface package is connected to a plurality of the function packages via pins made to penetrate the backboard. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface connection device, for example, a cable such as a backbone transmission device in which a plurality of function packages are connected to a backboard in a housing and information is input and output by the function packages. The present invention relates to an interface connecting device having an interface to be connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an interface connection device, such as a backbone transmission device, in which a plurality of function packages are connected (mounted) to a backboard in a housing to input / output information to / from the outside, has a function in the backboard. In some cases, an interface to which a cable used for inputting / outputting the above information is connected is provided on the outer surface (back surface of the device) of the housing in the direction from the surface to which the package is connected to the rear surface.

Here, the above-mentioned function package is provided with a calculation section having a calculation function and fulfills various functions in the interface connection device. For example, in the case of a backbone transmission device, information to be transmitted, which is input from a large number of cables from the previous stage, is output to the subsequent stage by one or a small number of cables, but a calculation unit for converting the information transmission is provided. The board is this functional package. In the case of this backbone transmission device, there are, for example, one in which a plurality of functional packages share the conversion of the above transmission, and one in which a functional package that outputs an input electric signal as an optical signal is provided.

This functional package is connected to the backboard by pins provided so as to penetrate to the back surface of the backboard. For this reason, when the interface on the back of the device is mounted on the backboard, the connector that becomes the interface is mounted at an arbitrary position avoiding the position of the pin to which the function package is connected, and the connector that becomes the interface. There was a limitation in the physical mounting space depending on the type (shape).

Further, instead of mounting the interface on the back of the device on the backboard, an interface package having an interface corresponding to the functional package is provided.
As shown in FIG. 5, there is a method of connecting to the backboard from the back of the device by a midplane method. This method
As shown in FIG. 5, the interface package 3 is connected to the male connector 11a of the backboard by a female connector 3a provided at its tip, and the pins of the male connector 11a penetrate the backboard 11 to function. The interface 12 is connected to the female connector 12a of the functional package 12 by the male connector 11a ′ on the surface (front side of the device) to which the package 12 is connected.
Connector functions as an interface corresponding to the function package 12. That is, the interface package 3 and the function package 12 are connected one-to-one via the pins penetrating the backboard 11.

According to the method shown in FIG. 5, the interface on the back of the apparatus is mounted in the interface package, and by changing this interface package, the interface can be changed to meet the needs. Also, since the interface connector is not mounted on the backboard, standardization of the backboard,
It is suitable for downsizing, and therefore suitable for standardization and downsizing of the interface connection device.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional interface connection device has the following problems. First, in the method in which the interface on the back of the device is mounted on the backboard, the physical mounting space is limited as described above. To secure the physical mounting space under the constraint, the backboard must be installed. It will be necessary to increase the size.

In recent years, there has been an increasing need for miniaturization of backbone transmission equipment and the like. The miniaturization of the device body is progressing due to the progress of miniaturization of electrical parts and high-density mounting, but in the connection of cables such as connectors that are human interfaces, operability is sacrificed with the miniaturization. Will be done. In other words, when placing importance on the human interface, the layout of the connector, which is the interface mounted on the backboard, is a layout that considers the operability, and the size of the backboard becomes large, and the pursuit of miniaturization as the device body is pursued. It will be difficult.

Further, since a connector serving as an interface is mounted on the backboard, it is necessary to replace the backboard when the interface specifications are changed, resulting in high cost. Furthermore, with the change of this backboard, there is a high possibility that the structure of the device body will be changed,
It was difficult to standardize the structure of the device body.

When a connector is mounted on the backboard, an electric signal input / output through the connector serving as an interface is routed by a print pattern (wiring) on the backboard. When the number of electric signals to be routed increases, it is necessary to increase the number of layers of the backboard (the number of layers of the print pattern) depending on the design of the print pattern, resulting in high cost.

Further, in the method shown in FIG. 5, the interface package 3 and the function package 12 are processed by the function package by connecting them through the pins penetrating the backboard 11 as described above. The electric signal does not need to be routed by the printed pattern on the backboard, and the increase in the number of layers of the backboard and the increase in cost due to the increase can be avoided. However, the number of interface packages corresponding to the number of slots (the number of functional packages) is required, and the cost increases as the number of slots increases. Also,
The mounting of the connector serving as an interface is restricted by the slot width of the interface package (the interval between adjacent interface packages). That is, since the interface connector is mounted on each interface package corresponding to each function package, the user performs an operation such as attaching / detaching a cable to / from the connector with the above slot width. The operability was also sacrificed because there was a restriction on the degree of freedom in the installation position.

Further, when the function package and the replacement function package which is a replacement package of the function package (replaceable with the function package) are connected to the backboard to form the interface connection device, In the method shown in FIG. 5 described above, the interface package is provided for each of the function package and the replacement function package, but the interface package provided for the replacement function package is the replacement target. It becomes the same component as the interface package provided for the functional package. That is, an interface package having a similar interface is provided for each of the function package and the replacement function package. Since the interface package corresponding to each of this function package and its replacement function package is used only one of them at the same time, providing both of them is only expensive because of the unused interface. Instead, due to the restrictions on the degree of freedom of the position where the connector is provided,
The operability was also sacrificed because the operable space was narrowed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has the following objects. A first object of the present invention is to provide an interface connecting device which does not cause a high cost due to overlapping provision of unused interface connectors and a high cost due to an increase in the number of layers of the backboard.

A second object is that the function package and the replacement function package, which is a replacement package of the function package, are connected to the backboard.
An object of the present invention is to provide an interface connection device that enables replacement of functional packages without stopping input / output of electric signals.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an interface connection device which can secure a large space for a user to operate and a high degree of freedom in mounting a connector without requiring an increase in size of the device body.

[0016]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following features. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of function packages having a calculation unit having a calculation function are connected to the pins of a backboard through which energizable pins are connected, and the function packages are at one end of the device body. It is characterized in that an interface package having an arbitrary interface corresponding to the function package is provided so as to be connected to the plurality of function packages from the other end of the pin connected from the through to the backboard.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a backboard in which a functional package having a calculation unit having a calculation function and a replacement functional package replaceable with the functional package are provided with energizable pins. An interface package having an arbitrary interface corresponding to the functional package from the other end penetrated by the backboard of the pin to which the functional package or the replacement functional package is connected from one end to the device body connected to the pin, It is characterized in that it is provided so as to be connected to the function package and the replacement function package.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned apparatus main body internally stores the function package and the backboard,
In the direction from the surface to which the functional package is connected to the backboard to the back surface of the surface, an opening portion for connecting the interface package is formed at the other end and a mounting portion capable of mounting the interface package is provided. The interface package is further mounted on the mounting portion and connected to the other end of the pin through the opening.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above apparatus main body internally stores the function package, the replacement function package, and the backboard, and from the surface where the function package is connected to the backboard. In the direction toward the back,
The housing further comprises an opening at which the interface package can be connected is formed at the other end, and a mounting portion capable of mounting the interface package is further provided, wherein the interface package is mounted at the mounting portion, It is characterized in that it is connected to the other end of the pin through the opening.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned mounting portion is recessed on the outer surface of the housing as a recessed portion capable of accommodating the interface package.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the functional package and the interface package are connected to the backboard through a connector having pins.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the function package, the replacement function package, and the interface package are connected to the backboard through a connector having pins.

The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the above-mentioned interface package is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the backboard.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an interface connection device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an appearance of a backbone transmission device as an embodiment of the present invention from a device back side and a structure for mounting an interface package 2 on a housing (device back) thereof. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the outline of the side of the interface package 2 that is attached to the rear surface of the device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view (partially enlarged view) showing an outline of a recessed portion (mounting portion) in which the interface package 2 is mounted in the housing (back surface of the device). FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the connection between the functional package and the interface package via the pin provided through the backboard.

A backbone transmission device as an embodiment of the present invention is a functional package 1 including a calculation unit having a calculation function.
2 is a BWB (Back Wiring Board) 1 as shown in FIG.
1, an apparatus main body 1 mounted (connected) to and housed in a housing is equipped with an interface package 2 as shown in FIG. That is, the interface package 2 is attached to the device main body 1 having a bookshelf type structure in which the function package 12 is connected (mounted) from the device front side to the BWB 11 provided on the device back side inside the housing. ing.

The casing of the main body 1 of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 1 from the rear side of the apparatus, but the front side of the apparatus is open and a large cavity is provided inside. A BWB 11 is provided on the rear side of the device. That is, assuming that the functional package 12 is removed from the device body 1, when the device body 1 is viewed from the front side of the device, a cavity is expanded inside the opening that is wide open, and the BWB 11 can be seen in the back. Has become.

In addition, the housing of the apparatus main body 1 has a recessed portion (mounting portion) on the rear side of the apparatus where the interface package 2 is mounted so that the interface package 2 can be stored as shown in FIG. It is provided in a concave shape. The interface package 2 is fixed to the device main body 1 with screws by means of screw holes provided above and below the recessed portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the male connector 1 of the BWB 11 is provided on the bottom of the recessed portion of the housing.
An opening is formed to connect 1a to the interface package 2. When the interface package 2 is mounted on the apparatus body 1 as described above, the female connector 2a of the interface package 2 is passed through this opening.
Will be connected to the male connector 11a. This connection is made by inserting the female connector 2a of the interface package 2 shown in FIG. 2 into the male connector 11a of the apparatus body 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interface package 2 is provided with a BNC connector 2b on the front surface and a female connector 2a shown in FIG. 2 on the back surface. The electrical contacts of this BNC connector 2b are the female connector 2
It is configured to be connected to the electrical contact of a through a printed pattern on the substrate of the interface package 2. The printed pattern on the substrate of the interface package 2 can be seen from the back side if the exterior body is not provided, but it is omitted in FIG.

The interface package 2 is the apparatus main body 1
4, the female connector 2a on the back surface of the interface package 2 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the male connector 11a of the apparatus body 1 shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. Interface package 2
Is connected to the functional package connected via the pin of the BWB 11, and the BNC connector 2b is connected to the functional package 1
2 will function as an interface for connecting a transmission cable.

A transmission cable (interface cable) for receiving and outputting electric signals from the functional package 12 is connected (loaded) to the BNC connector 2b. The connector for connecting the interface cable to the interface package 2 may be any connector as long as the interface package 2 corresponds to the function package 12 connected via the pin of the BWB 11. It may be various coaxial connectors such as a BNC connector or a D-sub connector. Further, this connector is shown in FIG. 1 as a straight type in which a cable is connected in a direction normal to the plane of the substrate of the interface package 2, but it may be an angle type depending on the type of the connector.
It may be provided by a panel mount.

The BWB 11 is a backboard (board) to which various packages are connected by using the connector. The connector includes a male connector 11a provided on the rear side of the device with respect to the BWB 11, and a B connector.
There is a male connector 11a ′ provided on the front side of the device with respect to WB11, and a male connector 11 on the rear side of the device.
a is the female connector 2 of the interface package 2
a is inserted, and the female connector 12a of the functional package 12 is inserted into the male connector 11a 'on the front side of the apparatus. This male connector (11a, 11a ') is BW
It is configured by including a pin that can be energized and is provided so as to penetrate B11. The pin is provided so as to penetrate the BWB 11 so as to have a physical strength capable of withstanding a force (shear stress or the like) applied to the pin when the functional package 12 and the interface package 2 are connected by the connector (12a, 2a). This is for ensuring the purpose, and pins used for such a connector are generally provided through the BWB 11. Among the function packages 12 connected to the BWB 11, those which input / output an electric signal via the interface on the rear surface of the device are provided on the back surface of the surface to which the function package 12 is connected by the pins provided through the BWB 11. It will be connected to the interface package 2. It should be noted that the input and output of the electric signal by the function package 12 is not limited to the above-mentioned interface on the rear surface of the apparatus, but may be via the interface further provided on the front surface of the apparatus.

By connecting the interface package 2 to the BWB 11 as described above, the interface package 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1 so as to be parallel to the BWB 11. The device body 1
Depending on the shape of the housing and the like, they may be mounted so as to be substantially parallel to each other.

The function package 12 includes a calculation unit having a calculation function, and performs conversion of the transmission method of the electric signal to be transmitted. That is, the backbone transmission device outputs the information (electrical signal) to be transmitted, which is input from a large number of cables from the preceding stage, to one stage or a small number of cables to the succeeding stage, but the inputted electric signal is one line. Alternatively, it is provided with a calculator for converting so as to output from a small number of cables. The calculation unit may be a CPU and a memory, or an IC having a signal conversion function. Also, this function package 12
Physically, it may be a printed circuit board on which various electronic components are mounted.

The backbone transmission device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and when the interface package 2 is mounted on the back surface of the device body 1 as described above, the interface package 2 is provided to the interface package 2. B
By connecting an interface cable such as a coaxial cable to the NC connector 2b, the function package 12
The input and output of the electric signal processed by the device can be performed via an interface cable connected to the rear surface of the device. Also, the interface package 2 has B
It is possible to extremely reduce restrictions on the position where the NC connector 2b is provided. That is, since the interface package 2 is connected substantially parallel to the BWB 11, the degree of freedom in the space in which the BNC connector 2b can be provided can be ensured to be much wider than that of the conventional interface connecting device described above. It is possible to improve operability in various operations such as mounting the interface cable.

[Modification 1] In the embodiment described above, the interface package 2 includes the female connector 2a.
Although it has been described that one function package is provided and two function packages are connected to each other, the number of function packages to be connected is not limited to two and may be any number. When the number of connected function packages is more than two, the interface package 2 includes the female connectors 2a corresponding to the number of the function packages, and the width occupied by the connected function packages in the BWB 11 is the width of the interface package 2. Will be formed. That is, the width of the interface package 2 in the plane direction substantially parallel to the BWB is a size (area) corresponding to 2, 3, ..., N (N = natural number) slots in which the functional package is connected to the BWB 11. ). In other words, the size (area) of the interface package in the plane direction substantially parallel to the BWB can be freely changed by the size of 2, 3, ..., N (N = natural number) slots. Is.
As a result, it is possible to further increase the degree of freedom regarding the position where the connector serving as the interface is mounted, and it is possible to further improve the operability in various operations such as mounting of the interface cable by the user. The interface package 2 shown in FIG.
There are two female connectors 2a provided on the
It is a diagram schematically showing the case of two cases. The intervals of the male connectors 11a may be different from the intervals shown in FIG. 4 depending on the size of the functional package, the design of the print pattern on the BWB 11, and the like.

In the configuration in which the interface package 2 is connected to two or more function packages as described above, especially when a plurality of function packages use the same interface, the problem due to the high cost for the unused interface mentioned above and It becomes possible to solve the problem in which the operability is sacrificed by reducing the space that can be operated by the user, which brings about a more remarkable effect.

[Modification 2] A plurality of function packages to which the interface package 2 is connected in the above-described embodiment are a function package and its replacement package (replaceable with the function package). It may be a package. When the interface package 2 is provided with a connector serving as an interface between the function package and the replacement function package, the number of the function packages to be connected is the same as the number of both the function package and the replacement function package (for example, one If there is one replacement function package in the function package, it is configured as two). According to the backbone transmission device of the modified example 2 configured as described above, even if the function package is replaced or the function package is replaced for maintenance, the interface provided in the interface package 2 is replaced. The function package can be replaced without stopping the input / output of the electric signal through the connector. That is, it is possible to smoothly replace the functional package without stopping the backbone transmission device and to bring about the effects in the backbone transmission device according to the present invention described above.

The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the shape of pins and connectors, the shape of the housing of the apparatus main body 1,
For example, the shape of the recessed part where the interface package is attached to the housing.

Further, the interface connection device according to the present invention is not limited to the backbone transmission device as long as it is an interface connection device provided with a connector which connects a plurality of function packages and the interface package to form an interface as described above. Instead, it may be various devices.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even if the interface package is connected to a plurality of function packages, the interface corresponding to the function packages is provided on the rear side of the device. Further, since it is possible to avoid the cost increase due to the redundant provision of the unused interface connectors and the cost increase due to the increase in the number of layers of the backboard, it is possible to reduce the cost. In addition, since the area of the surface on which the connector of the interface package is mounted can be increased without increasing the size of the device main body, it is possible to secure a large space for the user to operate and the degree of freedom for mounting the connector. It will be possible. This makes it possible to improve the operability when the user inserts the interface cable into the connector.

By connecting the interface package to the function package and the replacement function package which is a replacement package of the function package,
The function package can be replaced without stopping the input and output of electrical signals, and the cost is increased due to duplicated connectors with similar interfaces.
The cost can be reduced without increasing the cost due to the increase in the number of layers of the backboard. In addition, since the area of the surface on which the connector of the interface package is mounted can be increased without increasing the size of the device main body, it is possible to secure a large space for the user to operate and the degree of freedom for mounting the connector. It will be possible. This makes it possible to improve the operability when the user inserts the interface cable into the connector.

Further, by providing a housing for storing the functional package and the backboard and mounting the interface package in the housing, it becomes possible to improve the operability of the interface by the user. Further, the interface package can be fixed and provided so as to be substantially parallel to the backboard.

Further, by providing the housing with a recessed portion capable of accommodating the interface package, the interface package does not have a convex shape with respect to the housing, and the appearance and operability are excellent, and the interface package is a backboard. Can be provided more stably so as to be substantially parallel to.

Further, by connecting the function package and the interface package to the backboard through the connector having the pins, the function package and the interface package can be attached to and detached from the backboard. It is possible to make a reliable connection.

Further, the function package, the replacement function package, and the interface package are connected to the backboard through the connector having pins, so that the function package, the replacement function package, and the interface package are It is possible to attach and detach the backboard securely, but to securely connect the backboard.

Further, by providing the interface package so as to be substantially parallel to the backboard, the area of the surface on which the connector of the interface package is mounted can be substantially maximized without increasing the size of the apparatus main body. It is possible to secure a large space for the user to operate and a high degree of freedom in mounting the connector. This makes it possible to improve the operability when the user inserts the interface cable into the connector.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer appearance of a backbone transmission device as an embodiment of the present invention on a device rear side and a mounting structure of an interface package 2.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the outline of the side of the interface package 2 that is attached to the rear surface of the device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view schematically showing a recessed portion (mounting portion) in which the interface package 2 is mounted in the casing of the backbone transmission device as the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a connection between a functional package and an interface package via a pin provided through the backboard.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a connection between a functional package and an interface package via a pin provided through a backboard in a conventional interface connection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Device Main Body 11 BWB (Back Wiring Board) (Backboard) 11a Male Connector 12 Functional Package 12a Female Connector 2 Interface Package 2a Female Connector 2b BNC Connector 3 (Conventional) Interface Package 3a (In Conventional Interface Package) Female connector

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kazuki Yoshida             5-7 Shiba 5-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo NEC Corporation             Inside the company F-term (reference) 5E023 AA01 AA04 AA11 AA16 AA26                       BB02 BB22 BB29 CC15 CC16                       CC22 EE02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A function package is connected from one end to a device body in which a plurality of function packages having a calculation unit having a calculation function are connected to the pins of a backboard through which energizable pins are provided. An interface connecting device is provided so that an interface package having an arbitrary interface corresponding to a function package is connected to a plurality of function packages from the other end of the pin that penetrates the backboard. 2. A function package having a calculation unit having a calculation function, and a replacement function package replaceable with the function package are connected to the pins of a backboard having energizable pins extending therethrough. In the device body, an interface package having an arbitrary interface corresponding to the functional package is provided from the other end of the pin, to which the functional package or the replacement functional package is connected from one end, through the backboard. An interface connection device provided so as to be connected to a package and the replacement function package. 3. The apparatus main body internally stores the functional package and the backboard, and further stores the functional package and the backboard in a direction from a surface where the functional package is connected to the backboard to a rear surface of the surface. The housing further comprises an opening formed at an end thereof to allow connection of the interface package and a mounting portion capable of mounting the interface package, the interface package being mounted on the mounting portion. The interface connection device according to claim 1, wherein the interface connection device is connected to the other end of the pin through the opening portion. 4. The apparatus main body internally stores the function package, the replacement function package, and the backboard, and from a surface where the function package is connected to the backboard to a back surface of the surface. In a direction toward, further comprising a housing provided with a mounting portion capable of mounting the interface package while forming an opening portion capable of connecting the interface package at the other end, the interface package, The interface connection device according to claim 2, wherein the interface connection device is attached to the attachment portion and is connected to the other end of the pin through the opening portion. 5. The interface connection device according to claim 3, wherein the mounting portion is recessed on the outer surface of the housing as a recessed portion capable of accommodating the interface package. 6. The interface connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the functional package and the interface package are connected to the backboard via a connector having the pins. 7. The interface according to claim 2, wherein the function package, the replacement function package, and the interface package are connected to the backboard via a connector having the pins. Connection device. 8. The interface connection device according to claim 1, wherein the interface package is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the backboard.