WO2006077294A1

WO2006077294A1 - Interface device provided with a removable module

Info

Publication number: WO2006077294A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/050033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Martin
Original assignee: Telecom Design
Priority date: 2005-01-20
Filing date: 2005-01-20
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Also published as: EP1839374A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface device comprising at least one module (1) provided with a first means (2) for connecting to an external network, and electronic device (3) for managing an external link, converting the external link protocol into an internal link protocol and for managing said internal link, a second means (4) for connecting to an equipment by the internal link and a reception area (5) for receiving the module (1), wherein said module (1) is embodied in such a way that it is removable, the reception area (5) and the module (1) are provided with a complementary means for guiding said module into the reception area (5) by bringing the second connecting means in line with the complementary equipment connecting means used in the form of a third connecting means (6).

Description

INTERFACE DEVICE WITH EXTRACTIBLE MODULE

The present invention relates to an interface device with extractable module.

Many electronic devices or automata are equipped with means of communication. These means of communication are used in particular for updating the programs of these devices, their maintenance and monitoring, downloading data or sending data to a central office.

Devices such as vending machines, electronic alarms, payment terminals, automatic call machines or others are provided with such means of communication.

Many links exist in the field of communication between electronic equipment and either the equipment manufacturers equip their products with a plurality of connectors, electronic interface components and software for managing these links, or they make several versions of their equipment according to the type of connection desired by the customer.

Connections known today include ethernet-type network links, modem links, broadband links such as ADSL, USB links, radio links, infrared links or parallel and serial links.

Thus the equipment manufacturer is faced with a large number of cases and must provide as many versions of its equipment that there are types of communication means compatible with the function to be performed.

A particular problem with links connected to the telephone network, such as modem links or broadband links, is that any internal modification of a device to add a link interface or replace an existing interface requires that the qualification and approval tests be repeated. equipment. In particular, equipment originally provided with a network link to be subsequently equipped with a connection connected to the telephone network will have to undergo an internal modification of its printed circuit, a new study and a qualification.

Another problem comes from the constraints of equipment availability. In fact, in the event of a failure of the function managing the external link, the devices comprising the integrated communication components require a return to the workshop, which causes a loss of availability for the customer.

A simple and widely used connection in electronic equipment is the serial link.

Using this link as a base for the other links and have between this link and an external network an interface module is known and there are in particular external modules for providing a bridge between two types of connection. Such external modules are however expensive and unusable for secure devices such as bank terminals or mobile payment terminals or for a device located in a public place.

Another existing technique is to produce internal interface modules and the document WO03 / 090317 describes a module to be integrated into a device, this module comprising an ethernet connector and an integrated electronic device making it possible to integrate a network communication function on a card provided with a device. a serial port.

According to this document, the electronic card comprises a serial link whose connection tracks and connection points are arranged at defined locations for receiving connection tabs of the module, these connection tabs being welded to the card.

Such a module simplifies the design work of the equipment manufacturer because it relieves the design of many communication interfaces.

In the case where different modules are made to allow interfacing with different types of links, greater flexibility is offered to the equipment manufacturer for the design of its electronic card.

This device is a first approach to the problem of qualification vis-à-vis the certification bodies but, as regards the scheduling, the equipment manufacturer will always have to wait to know which module use for the assembly of its equipment, and for maintenance the return to workshop remains necessary.

The present invention proposes an interface device solving the above-mentioned problems, comprising an extractable module, provided with a first connection means to an external network, an electronic device, external link management, protocol conversion, between the external link and the internal link and management of the internal link, and a second connection means to a link internal to the equipment, the device further comprising a module receiving housing, characterized in that the module is extractable , the housing and the module comprising complementary means for guiding the module in the housing, aligning the second connection means with a complementary connection means of the equipment during insertion of the module in the housing.

According to an additional feature, the housing and the module comprise complementary means for latching the module into the housing.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the module comprises on the one hand a housing, devoid of internal partitions, provided with lateral flanks, a rear flank, a ceiling and an open front face, and, on the other hand, a self-supporting subassembly which integrates the first connection means, the electronic device and the second connection means, and which is housed in the housing.

This constitution in a housing and self-supporting subassembly is particularly advantageous for mounting the module, the housing thus having a function of mechanical protection of the circuits, the self-supporting subassembly being of great mechanical strength.

More particularly, the subassembly comprises at least a first printed circuit board, receiving connection terminations of the first connection means, and a second printed circuit board receiving connection terminations of the second connection means, the first and second boards being arranged. parallel to each other, at a distance from one another and secured by at least one month a third printed circuit board disposed perpendicular to the first and the second wafer. According to this embodiment, a physical separation is performed between the circuits relating to the external link and the circuits relating to the internal link to limit the risk of electrical pollution from one circuit to the other.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures which represent: in FIG. 1: an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention; in Figure 2: a perspective view of three quarter face of a housing of the device of Figure 1; in Figure 3: a perspective view of the housing of Figure 2 and a subassembly according to the invention being assembled; in FIG. 4: a subassembly of the device of FIG. 1 assembled, in FIGS. 5 and 6, of the variants of the subassembly of FIG. 4 during assembly; in FIG. 7: a partial perspective view of a device equipped with the device of FIG. 1; in FIG. 8 a detail of the device of FIG. 1: in FIG. 9 a perspective view at another angle of the device of FIG.

The purpose of the device according to the invention is to offer, from a single link, such as a serial link, located in the equipment the possibility of connecting this equipment to an existing communication network whatever the technology of the device. this network.

Thus, the interface device represented in FIG. 1 mainly consists of a module 1 which comprises a first connection means 2 to an external network, a second connection means to an internal connection to the equipment and an electronic device 3. electronic device is a device for managing the external link, protocol conversion from the external link to the protocol of the internal link and management of the internal link and a second connection means 4 to an internal link to the equipment.

The first connection means of the device is adapted to the desired type of connection and, in particular, in the case of a cable connection to an external network, the first connection means is a connector according to the standard of the type of network to which the equipment is to be connected, for example an RJ11 connector for a telephone network, an RJ45 connector for an ethernet network or an antenna element in the case where the network is a wireless network.

The electronic device 3, for managing the external link, for converting the protocol from the external link to the protocol of the internal link and management of the internal link, converts the signals from the serial link to the external link and vice versa. manages the associated communication protocols (transmission speed, error correction, synchronization and control signals). This electronic device optionally comprises a buffer memory to overcome the differences in flow of the two links.

The second connection means 4 to an internal connection to the equipment is a small connector element connected to a printed circuit board 8 of the equipment with a third connection means constituted by a complementary connector element 6.

The device of FIG. 1 further comprises a housing 5 for receiving the module 1, this housing 5 and the module 1 comprising complementary means for guiding the module in the housing 5 aligning the second connection means with the complementary connection means 6 equipment.

According to the example shown, the housing comprises a cradle 7, provided with an upper wall 7a and side walls 7b, 7c, applied on a printed circuit 8 of the equipment, the guide means comprising the internal faces of said walls 7a, 7b, 7c and an upper face of said printed circuit 8.

The cradle can be made in a hood of the equipment or be shown as a separate piece mounted in the equipment.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the cradle 7 comprises a rear wall 7d forming a stop of complete insertion of the module 1 in the housing 7.

This allows, when the cradle is fixed on the printed circuit 8, by means of the fastening tabs 24, 25 received in holes 26 of the printed circuit 8, to avoid damaging the third connection means 6 when introducing the module in housing.

In addition, according to the example shown, the cradle 7 comprises a receiving cutout of the third connection means 6 disposed on the printed circuit board 8. To lock the module 1 in the housing 5, the housing and the module comprise complementary means 9, 10 for latching the module into the housing. These means, more particularly represented in FIG. 8, comprise a latching finger 9, carried by a spring arm 11 integral with the module 1 and disposed facing a latching stopper 10 located in the housing 5.

According to the example, the spring arm comprises a free end 12 maneuvering.

As shown in FIG. 7, once the module 1 is snapped into the housing 5, the operating terminal is protected by and withdrawn from a face 13 of the equipment provided with a receiving opening of the module 1 , so that the module can not be accidentally extracted.

In addition, to allow easy recognition of the type of module which is provided with the equipment, the module comprises a removable front 14.

This facade is a facade of differentiation of different modules provided with first means of connection to separate external links.

For example, the face of a module intended to connect the equipment to an ethernet network will be a face of a first color, a module comprising a modem for transferring data over a telephone network, a facade of a second color and and so on.

FIG. 9 makes it possible to better distinguish the facade 14 which is applied to the face of the module carrying the first connection means 2.

This facade also makes it possible to better protect the free terminal 12 of the spring arm.

The module 1 is made in the form of a housing 15 and a self-supporting subassembly 16, comprising the first connection means 2, the electronic device 3 and the second connection means 4.

The housing 15, an example of which is shown only in FIG. 2, devoid of internal partitions, is provided with lateral flanks 15a, 15b, a rear flank 15c, a ceiling 15d and an open front face. Ceiling 15d is, according to the example shown, perforated to allow dissipation of the heat generated by the electronic components of the module, and an open front.

Subassembly 16, an example of which is shown more particularly in FIG. 4, is a compact electronic assembly housed in housing 15. As explained above, the housing has no internal partition and the subassembly 16, fully assembled, simply slides into the housing. According to the example, the subassembly is inserted below the housing which comprises a folding cover 17 secured by a hinge to a lateral side of the housing.

As a variant, the housing may however not comprise a folding cover and comprise a fixed lower wall, the subassembly then simply sliding into the housing through its front face which is then closed by the frontage 14.

An example of a subassembly is shown in FIG. 4 and an embodiment variant being assembled is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The subassembly 16 comprises at least a first printed circuit board 18 receiving terminations 19 connecting the first connection means and on which is positioned this first connection means, here a connector such as a RJ11 or RJ45 connector.

This first printed circuit board comprises the electronic management components of the first link.

The subassembly further comprises a second printed circuit board 20 receiving terminations 21 connecting the second connection means which is mounted at the end of the wafer.

To minimize the size of the module while offering great robustness to the subassembly, the first and second plates 18, 20 are arranged parallel to one another, at a distance from one another and secured by at least one third printed circuit board 22a, 22b, 22c arranged perpendicular to the first and second wafers 18, 20.

This provision has several advantages.

On the one hand, the electronic circuits of each link are remote to the maximum to reduce the risk of interference between them, on the other hand the wafer receiving the components relating to the second link may be a standard wafer while the wafer receiving the components relating to the first link may be a wafer specific to the type of link to which the equipment must connect.

In addition, the pads disposed perpendicularly to the first and second wafers may comprise interface components between the two types of link management components and include components constituting isolation means 23, such as optoelectronic link components, and / or protection components of the second stage against external interference transmitted by the external link such as directional capacitors the interference received on the first link directly to the ground.

Thus, the electronic device 3 comprises a first management stage of the external link grouped on the first wafer 18 and a second management stage of the internal link grouped on the second wafer 20, said third wafer 22a, 22b, 22c connecting said stages. more particularly comprising means 23 for isolating and / or protecting the second stage against external interference transmitted by the external link.

The assembly of the subassembly, after welding of the components on the wafers, is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It begins according to the example of FIG. 6 by an assembly of the third wafers on the second wafer, the third wafers being provided with slots. 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d of embedding in windows of the first and second wafer.

Then we proceed to the welding of the endings of the first tracks 28, on the slots, with second tracks 29, edge windows, the first and second tracks being arranged at 90 ° from each other.

Finally one proceeds in the same manner to the assembly and connection of the first wafer on the third wafers as shown in Figure 4.

Still with the aim of protecting the equipment against external disturbances, the first connection means 2 and the second connection means 4 are positioned in the subassembly so that the connection ends 19 of the first connection means and the terminations connection 21 of the second connection means are spaced along a large diagonal of the housing, the RJ connector, in the case where such a connector is used, being disposed under the first plate, itself positioned on the top of the module, while the second wafer is at the bottom of the module above the circuit board 8 of the equipment.

The module according to the invention therefore guarantees a sufficient isolation distance between the printed circuit of the equipment and the first link. between this printed circuit board 8 and the management circuits of the first link, so that the equipment does not require any particular qualification in the case where the equipment manufacturer chooses a type of link requiring regulatory approval, for example example a modem connection connecting to the telephone network or a radio link.

The device according to the invention provides many advantages and in particular provides the manufacturer with a wide choice of communications functions while allowing him to maintain a unique electronic circuit board and circuit independent of the type of external link for his equipment, the device according to the invention allowing the manufacturer to defer the choice of the type of link to implement and to implement it downstream in the supply chain without calling into question the hardware and software design of the product.

The device according to the invention allows the manufacturer of the electronic equipment to customize his equipment only when he has obtained orders and gives him the opportunity to replace the modules in equipment already equipped to meet a particular demand.

In addition, the device greatly facilitates the maintenance of equipment at the customer since it is sufficient in case of failure of the link module, following overvoltage, for example, to recognize which module is present by identifying color of the facade, and to replace the module alone.

This troubleshooting facility is particularly advantageous for payment terminals or any dismantling or internal intervention by non-specialized and accredited personnel is prohibited and for which a failure of the link normally requires a return to factory and a significant downtime.

The invention is not limited to the examples shown and in particular a device for which the module protrudes from the rear face 13 of the equipment to present an antenna remains within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

1 - Interface device comprising at least one module (1), provided with a first connection means (2) to an external network, an electronic device (3), management of the external link, protocol conversion of the external link to the protocol of the internal link and management of the internal link and a second connection means (4) to an internal link to the equipment, and a housing (5) for receiving the module (1) characterized in that the module (1) is extractable, the housing (5) and the module (1) having complementary means for guiding the module in the housing (5) aligning the second connection means with a connection means complementary to the equipment says third connecting means (6) when inserting the module in the housing.

2 - Interface device according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing comprises a cradle (7), provided with an upper wall (7a) and side walls (7b, 7c), applied on a printed circuit (8) equipment, the guide means having the inner faces of said walls (7a, 7b, 7c) and an upper face of said printed circuit (8).

3 - Interface device according to claim 2 characterized in that the cradle (7) has a rear wall (7d) forming a stop of complete insertion of the module (1) in the housing (7) and having a receiving cutout of the third means of connection, the third connecting means (6) being arranged on the printed circuit (8).

4 - Interface device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the housing (5) and the module (1) comprise complementary means (9, 10) detent module in the housing.

5 - Interface device according to claim 4 characterized in that the latching means comprise a detent finger (9) carried by a spring arm (11) integral with the module (1) and disposed opposite a stop detent (10) located in the housing (5).

6 - Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the spring arm comprises a free terminal (12) for maneuvering, once the module (1) snapped into the housing (5), is protected by and withdrawn from a face (13) of the equipment provided with a receiving opening of the module (1).

7 - Interface device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a removable panel (14) for differentiating modules provided with first connection means to separate external connections applying to the face of the module carrying the first connecting means (2).

8 - Interface device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the module (1) is formed as a housing (15), devoid of internal partitions, provided with side flanks (15a, 15b), a rear flank (15c), a ceiling (15d) and an open front face, and a self-supporting subassembly (16), comprising the first connection means (2), the electronic device (3) and the second connecting means (4), and accommodating in the housing (15).

9 - Device according to claim 8 characterized in that the housing comprises a hinged cover (17) secured by a hinge to a side flank of the housing.

10 - Device according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the subassembly (16) comprises at least a first printed circuit board (18) receiving terminations (19) for connecting the first connection means and a second printed circuit board ( 20) receiving terminations (21) connecting the second connecting means, the first and second plates (18, 20) being arranged parallel to one another, at a distance from one another and secured by month a third printed circuit board (22a, 22b, 22c) disposed perpendicularly to the first and second wafers (18, 20).

11 - Device according to claim 10 characterized in that the electronic device (3) comprises a first management stage of the external link grouped on the first wafer (18) and a second management stage of the internal link grouped on the second wafer (20), said third plate (22a, 22b, 22c) connecting said stages having means (23) for isolation and / or protection of the second stage against external interference transmitted by the external link. 12 - Interface device according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that the first connection means (2) and the second connection means (4) are positioned in the subassembly so that the connection terminations (19) of the first connection means and the connection terminations (21) of the second connection means are spaced along a large diagonal of the housing.

13 - Interface device according to one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that the first and second plates comprise windows for receiving edge segments of said third plate, perpendicular connection tracks being connected by welding