SE1251337A1 - Modular connector - Google Patents

Modular connector Download PDF

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Publication number
SE1251337A1
SE1251337A1 SE1251337A SE1251337A SE1251337A1 SE 1251337 A1 SE1251337 A1 SE 1251337A1 SE 1251337 A SE1251337 A SE 1251337A SE 1251337 A SE1251337 A SE 1251337A SE 1251337 A1 SE1251337 A1 SE 1251337A1
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
interface
board
data processing
communication
boards
Prior art date
Application number
SE1251337A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE537234C2 (en
Inventor
Jörgen Palmhager
Timmy Brolin
Leif Malmberg
Original Assignee
Hms Ind Networks Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hms Ind Networks Ab filed Critical Hms Ind Networks Ab
Priority to SE1251337A priority Critical patent/SE537234C2/en
Priority to PCT/SE2013/051397 priority patent/WO2014084783A1/en
Publication of SE1251337A1 publication Critical patent/SE1251337A1/en
Publication of SE537234C2 publication Critical patent/SE537234C2/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/73—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/735—Printed circuits including an angle between each other
    • H01R12/737—Printed circuits being substantially perpendicular to each other
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/40—Bus networks
    • H04L12/40006—Architecture of a communication node
    • H04L12/40032—Details regarding a bus interface enhancer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02—Details
    • H05K1/11—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H05K7/1462—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack for programmable logic controllers [PLC] for automation or industrial process control
    • H05K7/1468—Mechanical features of input/output (I/O) modules
    • H05K7/1472—Bus coupling modules, e.g. bus distribution modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/7082—Coupling device supported only by cooperation with PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2107/00—Four or more poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H01R27/02—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09—Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09009—Substrate related
    • H05K2201/09072—Hole or recess under component or special relationship between hole and component
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10007—Types of components
    • H05K2201/10189—Non-printed connector
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10227—Other objects, e.g. metallic pieces
    • H05K2201/10325—Sockets, i.e. female type connectors comprising metallic connector elements integrated in, or bonded to a common dielectric support

Abstract

AaerRAcT This invention reiatee to a communication moduie tor transferring databetween an industriai network and an electric device. The communicationmoduie cornprises a tirst eiectricai interface for connecting the communicationrnoduie to the eiectric device, a data processing board connected to the firsteiectricai interface, a second eiectricai interface for connecting the dataprocessing board to an interface board, wherein the interface boardcompriees an M8 or NiiZ connector tor connecting the communication moduieto the industriai network. To be bubiished with Fig “i

Description

1 MÛÜULAR CÛNNECTQR Technical field The present lnvention generally reiates to data communication, andmore speciticaiiy to a communication module cornprising an interface which ina simple manner enables communication with many different types ofindustrial communication networks by means of a communication module.
Background of the invention in modern industry different devices in eg. a manufacturing plant needto communicate. Eor example, an electric device such as a pump motor mayneed to receive control signals from a central control room; a flow meterarranged at the same pump motor may at the same time be required toprovide the central control room with the actual value of the flow in a fiuidpumped by the pump motor. in order to provide efficient communication in ahindustrial environment, fieldbus networks or industrial Ethernet networks arefrequentiy used in the industry for enabilng communication between thedifferent units in a control system.
Various types of tieidbtis and industrial Ethernet standards have beendeveloped by different companies and organizations all over the world. Theterm fieldbus covers many different industrial network protocols and in thefoliowing the term “fieldbus" will also be used for industriai Ethernet networkseven though the term fieidbus sometimes refers to cider types of networks.The general term “industrial network” is commonly used to cover both oldertype fieldbuses and newer industrial Ethernet networks. Generaily, fieidbusesmay be sub-divided into different categories depending on the capabilitiesthey offer. The simpiest fieidbus protocols are designed primarily for an on/offinterface used for eg. vaives, proximity sensors, and iimit switches, whilemore complex fieldbus protocols offer handling of large amounts of data, e.g.when a computer (eg. in a electric device) communicates with a PLC(Programmable Logic Controiier). Exampies of fieidbuses of differentcomplexity used today are PROFiBUS, PROFiNET, Devicehiet, EtherltletliP,lviodbus TCP and EtherCAT.
When connecting eg. a PLC to a specific fieldbus, the manufacturer ofthe PLC must provide an interface to the fieldbus ln order to enable receptionand transmission of data via the tieldbus network. Since the number ofavailable fieidbus protocois is extensive, and most of the protocois are not í\3 compatible, neither from a physicai nor a communicative point of view, it isexpensive and cumbersome to provide e.g. different PLCs for each and everypossibie fieidbus system. in order to use e.g. one type of PLCs with different fieidbus networksthe appiicant provides a communication moduie under the name Anybusiti,which acts as an interface betiNeen the PLC and the fieidbus network. Theinterface between the communication moduie and the PLC may hence hefixed and standardized white the interface towards the fieidbus network mayvary from moduie to moduie.
Due to the, sometimes harsh (eg. wet or dusty), environment in whicha fieidbus network is operating, rugged wiring and connectors with sufficientingress protection (iP) rating are needed for the network to operate property.This aiso appiies to the communication moduies in the fieidhus nehrirork whichto this end may preferabiy he connected to the network by means of an M8 orMi2 piug connectors (stahdardized according to iEC6iO76~2-tÛt).
An ivi8 or iiliiâ piug connector provides a very reiiabie connectionbetween a communication moduie and a fieidbus network. i-iowever, differentpin-outs, or codings, of the Niiâ piug connectors are avaiiaioie today Forexampie, A-coding is used for generai sensor connections (primariiy inEurope), B-coding for sensor connections for PROFi-BUS Fieidbus protocois,C~coding for sensor connections in North America, D-coding for industriaiEthernets, and P-coding for a variety of other uses. Thus, the differentcodings for iViS or N12 piug connectors need to be taken into account whendesigning the communication moduie. iviore specifrcaiiy, it is necessary tomake sure that the wiring on a data processing board inside thecommunication moduie, i.e. a printed circuit board carrying thecommunication eiectronics, is adapted to the coding used in the M8 or ivit2connectors in the intended network.
Additionaiiy, when using a communication moduie, iVi8 or ivii2connectors that are turned Qi) degrees with respect to the data processingboard are used since, when the communication moduie is arranged (eg.inserted into a communication siot) in the fieidbus device (such as the PLCmentioned above), the connectors wiii point out of the fieidbus device and wiiihence be easiiy accessibie. i-ioweven turned M8 or ivii2 connectors are verybuiky due to the 90 degree turn of the wires inside the connector, which inturn increases the size of the communication moduie when this type ofconnectors are used. lO *ALH (13 Summary of the tnvention in view of the above, an objective of the invention is to provide afietdbus communication modute which is smati in size and is ftexibte andeasity configurabte.
According to a first aspect, the present invention is reatized by acommunication modute for transferring data between an industriat nehrrorkand an etectric device, said fieidbus communication modute comprising: a first etectricat interface for connecting the “fietdbus communicationmodute to the etectric device, a data processing board connected to the first eiectricai interface, a second etectricai interface for connecting the data processing boardto an interface board, wherein the interface board comprises an M8 or tvtiâ connector forconnecttng the communication moduie to the fieidbus netvifork.
An advantage is that the data processing board cornprises theetectronics necessary for transiattng data between different network protocoiswhite the interface board comprises the specific connector(s) for connectingthe communication modute to the fieidbus nehNork. t-ience any change in therequirements on the connector (such as the pin-out) needed for connection tothe fietdbus network does not cait for a change of the data processing board.Littewise , any change in the requirements on the data transtation needed bythe data processing board does not cait for a change of the interface board.
The interface board in the communication modute may be connected tothe second eiectricai interface at an angie of substantiatty 90 degrees to thedata processing board.
An advantage ts that the communication modute may be of a “ptug-in"type where the front of interface board is accessibte even though thecommunication modute is piugged into an eiectric device.
The M8 or MiZ connector may be a straight connector.
An advantage is that the straight connector occupies much tess spacecompared to a turned connector thereby enabting design of a smaitercommunication moduie.
The second etectricat interface may comprise a connector arranged onthe data processing board, wherein the interface board may be reieasabiymounted to the data processing board by means of said connector.
An advantage is that the data processing board and the interface boardmay be spatiaiiy separated and interconnected buy means of e.g. a cabie .L ... depending on the arrangement needed in the eiectric device to which thecommunication moduie is connected.
The second eiectricai interface may comprise a piuraiity of terminais forenabiing transfer of a piuraiity of iogicai signais between the data processingboard and the interface board, and a controi unit in the communicationmcduie may be arranged to configure at ieast a subset of said terminais totransfer at ieast a subset of said iogicai signais.
An advantage is that the configuration of the signais to be transferredvia the terminais between the interface board and the data processing boardmay be aitered depending on the type of industriai network thecommunication unit is to be connected to.
The communication moduie may comprise a mechanicai supportmember arranged separate from the second eiectricai interface and coupiedbetvveen the data processing board and the interface board.
An advantage is that the connection between the interface board andthe data processing board wiii be more be more rugged when using themechanicai support member.
The communication rnoduie may comprise an interface board of a firsttype or a second type, wherein the flrst type of interface board differs from thesecond type of interface board.
An advantage is that one and the same data communication boardmay be used with different interface boards depending eg. on the cabiing inthe industriai network.
The communication moduie may comprise a data processing board ofa first type or a second type, wherein the first type of data processing boarddiffers from the second type of data processing board.
An advantage is that one and the same interface board may be usedwith different data processing boards depending e.g. on the network protocoiused in the industriat netvvork.
According to a second aspect, the present invention is reaiized by a kitof parts for a communication moduie, said kit of parts comprising a piuraiity ofboards seiectabie selected from: first interface boards comprising an M8 or iilii2 connector of a firsttype. second interface boards comprising an M8 or ivit2 connector of asecond type, first data processing boards arranged to process data according to a 0"' Ln first communication protocoi, and second data processing boards arranged to process data according toa second communication protocoi; which kit of parts is arranged according to any one of the foiiowing fourconfigurations: a first part is seiected from the first interface boards and connected to asecond part seiected from the first data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first interface boards and connected to asecond part seiected from the second data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the first interface boards, and a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the second interface boards.
An advantage is that many different contigurations of a communicationmoduie are possibie, increasing the fiexibiiity when e.g. assembiing thecommunication moduie.
Gther objectives, features and advantages of the present invention wiiiappear from the foiiowing detaiied disciosure, from the attached ciaims asweii as from the drawings.
Generaiiy, aii terms used in the ciaims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinany meaning in the technicai fieid, uniess expiicitiy definedothervvise herein. Aii references to “a/an/the ieiement, device, component,means, step, etci" are to be interpreted openiy as referring to at ieast oneinstance of said eiement, device, component, means, step, etc., uniessexpiicitiy stated otherwise. The steps of any method disciosed herein do nothave to be performed in the exact order disciosed, uniess expiicitiy stated.
Brief description of the drawings The above, as weii as additionai objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention, wiii be better understood through the foiiowingiiiustrative and non-iirniting detaiied description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where thesame reference numerais wiii be used for simiiar eiernents, wherein: Fig. t is a perspective view of a communication moduie comprising adata processing board and an interface board according to an embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the data processing board shown in Fig. t.
Fig. Sa is a front view of the interface board shown in Fig. t.
Ut Fig. Bb is a perspective view of the bottom side of the interface boardshown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a communication rnoduie according toan embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a communication modute according toanother embodiment of the present inventicn.
Detaiied description of preferred embodiments A communications moduie in which the present inventive concept maybe appiied wiii first be described with reference to Fig. 1. Then, the particuiarsof the communications moduia wiii be described with reference to theremaining flgures.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a communication module 100 fortransferring data between an industriai network (not shown) and an eiectricdevice (not shown).
The communication rnoduie 100 comprises a data processing board110 and an interface board 120. The communication moduie 100 comprises afirst eiectricai interface 130 in the form of a device connector for connectingthe communication modute 100 to the eiectric device. The eiectricaiconnection between eiectric circuitry in the communication moduie 100 andthe eiectric circuitry in the device is preferabiy estabiished in the first eiectricaiinterface 130 by means of eiectricai connectors in the form of maie-femaiepins and sockets. iviore speciticaiiy, in a preferred embodiment the firsteiectricai interface 130 is connected to the data processing board 110 and ispreferabiy in the form of a fernaie 50 pin compact fiash connector 140 whichis arranged on the data processing board 110 and is in eiectricaicommunication with the eiectric circuitry in the communication rnoduie 100.Depending on eg. size requirements, other suitabie connectors may be usedin the eiectricai interface 130, such as a D-Sub ccnnector (normaiiy used forattaching modems or the iike to a computer), a Centronics connector, a HD(High Density) connector (normaiiy used in SCSi-ii), a VHDCE (Very HighDensity Cabie interconnect) connector, an RD (reguiar Density) connector(normaiiy used for iDE devices). Additionaiiy, the actuai number of contactpins used in the conneotor 140 is aiso dependent on the bus width of the databus and the address bus by which the communication moduie 100communicates with the electric device.
The communication moduie 100 comprises a second eiectricaiinterface 150 for connecting the data processing board 110 to the interface »J board 120. The eiectricai connection between the data processing board 110and the interface board 120 is preferabiy estabtished in the second eiectricaiinterface 150 by means of eiectricai connectors in the form of maie-femaiepins and sockets. More specificaiiy, the second eiectricai interface 150 isestabiished by the cooperation of two parts, where the first part is arrangedon the data processing board 110 in the form of a femaie connector 160 andthe second part is arranged on the interface board 120 in the form of a rnaieconnector 170. Aiternativeiy, the maie connector may be arranged on thedata processing board 110 and the femaie connector arranged on theinterface board 120. in a preferred embodiment the interface board 120 oomprises at ieastone M8 or M12 connector180, 190 for connecting the communication moduie100 to the industriai network. The tViS or iVi12 connector may be either maie orfemaie, and in case more than one M8 or itltt2 connector is used in thecommunication network, the N18 or M12 conneotors may att be maie, attfemaie, or mixed both maie and femaie.
The interface board 120 is preferabiy connected to the secondeiectricai interface 150 at an angie of substantiaiiy 90 degrees to the dataprocessing board 110. This may be achieved in a preferred embodiment bysoidering one or more femaie connectors 160 to the data processing board110 and sotdering a maie connector 170 to the interface board 120. Asiiiustrated in Fig. 1, the mate connector 170 may be impiemented in the formof one or more pins 175 which are bent such that they are substantiaiiyparaiiei to the interface board 120 white stiii are easiiy soidered to theinterface board 120.
Fig. 2 is a top view of the data processing board 210 shown in Fig. 1.
Shown in more detaii in Fig. 2 is the first eiectricai interface 230 in theform of a femaie 50 pin compact fiash connector 240 which is arranged on theedge of the data processing board 210. The data processing board 210 ispreferabiy in the form of a muithiayer printed circuit board (PCB) in order tokeep the physicat size of the data processing board 210 at a minimum.
The compact fiash connector 240 is preferabiy a surface mountedconnector and soidered to the data processing board 210 on one side thereof.The compact fiash connector 240 enabies eiectricai connection between theeiectric cirouitry on the data processing board 210 and the eiectricai device(not shown) to which the communication modute 100 shown in Fig. 1 isconnected. (fl _.. v fšÜ LuUt The eiectricai interface 230 is connected to a controi unit 250 arrangedon the data processing board 210. The controi unit 250 is preferabiy in theform of a micro processor and connected to a memory which is used forstoring program code for controiiing the behavior of the communicationsmoduie 100 (sometimes referred to as firmware). The memory may beinterna! to the controi unit 250 or in the form of a separate chip (not shown)which is connected to the controi unit 250. Aiternativeiy, the controi unit 250may be in the form of an FPGA (Fieid Programmabie Gate Array), an ASEC(Appiication-Specific integrated Circuit) or any other suitabie hardware. incase the controi unit 250 is in the form of eg. an FPGA, the memory may notbe needed since the FPGA then inherentiy may oomprise the controiprogram.
As mentioned above, the second eiectricai interface 260 comprises atBeast one connector 270 arranged on the data processing board 210, Theterminais in the connector 270 are preferabiy spring ioaded such that the pins175 of the interface board 120 may be inserted and Unplugged without theneed of soidering, i.e. the interface board 120 is reieasabiy mounted to thedata processing board 210 by means of the connector 270. in order to increase the fiexibiiity of the communication moduie 100,the controi unit 250 may be arranged to controi the function of the terminais inthe connector 270. Evtore specificaiiy, the controi unit 250 may assign one ormore terminais in the connector 270 for transmission of specific iogicai data.Thus, by way of exampte, the controi unit 250 can configure terminais 1-16 ofthe connector for paraiiei transmission of address data and terminais 17-32for paraiiei transmission of payioad data. This is preferabiy achieved by usingeiectricatiy controtiabie switches which are connected to the terminais in theconnector 270 and controiied by the controi unit 250 such that data receivedand transmitted to/from the data processing board via the connector 270 maybe directed to/frorn specific terminais. Other configurations are aiso possibte.in other words, the second eiectricai interface 260 comprises a piuraiity ofterminais for enabiing transfer of a piuraiity of iogicai signais between the dataprocessing board 210 and the interface board 120, and that a controi unit 250in the communication moduie 100 is arranged to configure at ieast a subset ofsaid terminais to transfer at ieast a subset of said iogicai signais. in addition to the connector 270 the data processing board 210 may beprovided with a number of hoies 280 which are arranged adjaoent to theconnector 270. As wiii be disciosed in more detaii beiow in relation to Figs 3:a 1.5 and 3b , when the data processing board 210 and the interface board 120 arejoined together the hoies 280 wiii form part of a rnechanicai support memberwhich wiii reduce the mechanicai stress on the connector 270. in other words,the communication moduie 100 comprises a mechanicai support memberarranged separate from the second eiectricai interface and coupied behrveenthe data processing board and the interface board.
The data processing board 210 may be designed for communicationvia a piuraiity of different protocois. Aiternativeiy the data processing boardmay be designed for communication via a specific protocoi. in the formercase, if the communication moduie 100 is arranged for communication viae.g. EtherNetIEP, a piuraiity of different protocois may be used andencapsuiated by the controi unit 250 into Ethernet data frames beforetransmission over the fieidbus network via the interface board 120.irrespective of the transiation capabiiities of the controi unit 250, the dataprocessing board 210 used in the communication unit 100 may be of differenttypes depending on the specific protocoi used for communication. in otherwords, the fieidbus communication moduie 100 may comprise a dataprocessing board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of dataprocessing board differs from the second type of data processing board.
With reference to Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b an interface board 320 of apreferred embodiment wiii be disoiosed. Fig. 3a is a front view of the interfaceboard shown in Fig. 1 white Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the interfaceboard 320.
The interface board 320 is preferabiy in the form of a muiti-iayer printedcircuit board (PCB) in order to keep the physicai size of the data processingboard 320 at a minimum. As mentioned above, the interface board 320comprises at ieast one M8 or 0412 connector 380, 390 (in this embodimenttwo Miâ connectors are disciosed) for connecting the communication moduie100 to the industriai network. in Fig. 3 one maie and one fernaie connector isiiiustrated but the use of oniy maie or oniy femaie connectors is aiso possibie.in other words, the interface board comprises an M8 or ivit2 connector forconneoting the communication moduie to the industriai network. in a preferred embodiment the one or more iii/to or ivi12 connectors380, 390 are straight connectors, i.e. the connectors 380, 390 are soideredonto the interface board 320 at an angie substantiaiiy 90 degrees with respectto the printed circuit board of the interface board 320.
(Il wUi Aiso seen in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is a maie connector 370 which, asdisciosed above, forms part of the second eiectricai interface 350 forconnecting the interface board 320 to the data processing board 110, 210. itis understood that the maie connector 370 may repiaced with a femaieconnector shouid the connector on the data processing board 110, 210 be inthe form of a maie connector. in the embodiment shown in Figs 3a and 3b themaie connector 370 is impiemented in the form of a piuraiity of pins 375 whichare bent such that they are substantiaiiy paraiiei to the interface board 320white stiii are easiiy soidered to the interface board 320. in addition to the connector 370 the interface board 320may beprovided with a number of pins 310 which are arranged adiacent to theconnector 370. When the data processing board 210 and the interface board320 are joined together the pins 310 on the interface board wiii mate with thehoies 280 on the data processing board 210 in order to form a mechahicaisupport member which wiii reduce the mechanicai stress on the connector370 on the interface board and the connector 270 on the data processingboard 210. The pins 320 may be iooseiy inserted into the hoies, or may besoidered to the PCB of the data processing board 210 shouid more rigidsupport be required. Due to the thicitness of the PCB of the data processingboard 210, good support against bending of the interface board 320 withrespect to the data processing board 210 wiii be provided even if the pins 320are iooseiy inserted into the hoies 280 since the pins 320 wiii bear against theinner surface of the PCB surrounding the hoies 280. in other words, thecommunication moduie 100 comprises a mechanicai support memberarranged separate from the second eiectrioai interface and coupied betweenthe data processing board and the interface board. in simiiarity with the data processing board 210, aiso the interfaceboard 320 may be designed for communication with a piuraiity of differentindustriai netwforks or aiternativeiy be designed for communication with aspecific industriai network. irrespective of which, a number of different typesof interface boards 320 may be used for the communication unit 100. This isbeneficiai in some appiications where the pin-out for a specific connector maydiffer between different industriai networks even though the protocoi and datarepresentation may be the same (as mentioned above the coding - A, B, C, Dand P - of the M8 or ivit2 connector may vary). By being abie to use differentinterface boards 320 together with one and the same data processing board210, the compiexity and cost for the communication moduie 100 may be reduced. in other words, the communication moduie 100 may comprise aninterface board 320 of a 'frst type or a second type, wherein the flrst type ofinterface board 320 differs from the second type of interface board 320.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a communication moduie 400 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, in which the communication unit400 is arranged in a housing 410 covering the data processing board 110 andthe interface board 120. Avaiiabie on the front of the communication unit aretwo M8 or M12 connectors 480, 400 for connecting the communicationmoduie 400 to an industriai network. Qn the back of the communicationmoduie 400 is a compact fiash connector 440 for connecting thecommunication moduie to an eiectric device such as a pump motor controiiogic.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a communication moduie 500 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention, in which the communicationunit 500 is arranged as a buiit-in unit. in this embodiment the data processingboard 110 and the interface board 120 are protected from the sometimes harsh environment of an industriai piant not by an individuai housing as in Fig. 4 but by the housing of the eiectric device, with which the communicationmoduie 500 is communicating. in simiiarity with the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, avaiiabie on the frontof the communication unit are two N18 or hfit2 connectors 580, 500 forconnecting the communication moduie 500 to an industriai network. Qn theback of the communication moduie 500 is a compact fiash connector 540 torconnecting the communication moduie 500 to an eiectric device such as apump motor oontroi iogic.
Returning shortiy to Figs 2, Sa and Sb, the communication unit may bedesigned by combining different data processing boards 210 with differentinterface boards 320 depending on the type of industriai network thecommunication unit is to be connected to. Thus a number of possibiecombinations of data processing boards 110 and interface boards may bedefined. in other words may an embodiment of the invention reside in a kit ofparts for a communication moduie, the kit of parts comprising a piuraiity ofboards seiectabie seiected from: first interface boards comprising an M8 or hfit2 connector of afirst type, second interface boards cornprising an M8 or iVi12 connector ofa second type, 1 f: first data processing boards arranged to process data accordingto a first communication protocoi, and second data processing boards arranged to process dataaccording to a second communication protocoi; which kit of parts is arranged according to any one of thefoiiowing four configurations: a first part is seiected from the first interface boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the first data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first interface boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the second data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the first interface boards, and a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part selected from the second interface boards.
The invention has mainiy been described above with reference to a fewembodirnents. i-towever, as is readiiy appreciated by a person skiiied in theart, other embodiments than the ones disciosed above are eouaiiy possibiewithin the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent ciaims.

Claims (9)

1. CLAiiViS t. A communication moduie for transferring data between anindustriai network and an eiectric device, said communication rnoduiecomprising: a first eiectricai interface for connecting the communication moduieto the eiectric device, a data processing board connected to the first eiectricai interface, a second etectricai interface for connecting the data processingboard to an interface board, wherein the interface board comprises an M8 or |Vi12 connector forconnecting the communication moduie to the industriai network.
2. The communication moduie according to ciaim t, wherein theinterface board is connected to the second eiectricai interface at an angie ofsubstantiaiiy 90 degrees to the data processing board.
3. The communication moduie according to any of ciaims i or 2,wherein the M8 or EVitZ connector is a straight connector.
4. The communication moduie according to any of the precedingciairns, wherein the second eiectricai interface comprises a connectorarranged on the data processing board, the interface board is reieasabiymounted to the data processing board by means of said connector.
5. The communication moduie according to any of the precedingoiaims, wherein the second eiectricai interface cornprises a piuraiity ofterminais for enabiing transfer of a piuraiity of tcgicai signais between the dataprocessing board and the interface board, and that a controi unit in thecommunication moduie is arranged to configure at ieast a subset of saidterminais to transfer at ieast a subset of said iogicai signais.
6. The communication moduie according to any of the precedingciaims, comprising a mechanioai support member arranged separate from thesecond eiectricai interface and coupied between the data processing boardand the interface board.
7. The communication moduie according to any of the precedingciairns, comprising an interface board ofa first type or a second type, wherein the first type of interface board differs from the second type of interface board. lO 14
8. The communication moduie according to any of the precedingciaims, cornprising a data processing board of a first type or a second type,wherein the first type of data processing board differs from the second type ofdata processing board.
9. Kit of parts for a communication moduie arranged to be connectedto an industriai network, said kit of parts comprising a piuraiity of boardsseiectabie seiected from: first interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a firsttype. second interface boards oomprising an N18 or MtZ connector of asecond type, first data processing boards arranged to process data according toa first communication protocoi, and second data processing boards arranged to process data accordingto a second communication protocoi; which kit of parts is arranged according to any one of the foiiowingfour contigurations: a first part is seiected from the first interface boards and connectedto a second part seiected from the first data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first interface boards and connectedto a second part seiected from the second data processing boards, a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the first interface boards, and a first part is seiected from the first data processing boards andconnected to a second part seiected from the second interface boards.
SE1251337A 2012-11-27 2012-11-27 Modular connector SE537234C2 (en)

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PCT/SE2013/051397 WO2014084783A1 (en) 2012-11-27 2013-11-27 Modular connector

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DE29607525U1 (en) * 1996-04-25 1996-06-20 Siemens Ag Modular, modularly expandable peripheral device with self-establishing electrical connection
DE19716137C1 (en) * 1997-04-17 1998-10-22 Siemens Ag Module for connecting actuators and / or sensors
DE20211002U1 (en) * 2002-07-19 2003-12-04 Weidmüller Interface Gmbh & Co. Module for an electrical device, in particular fieldbus module
DE102006056001B4 (en) * 2006-11-24 2008-12-04 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Field attachable circular connector for Ethernet
DE102008038588A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-02-25 Escha Bauelemente Gmbh Distribution arrangement for electrical lines, in particular signal lines

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