WO2011070042A1

WO2011070042A1 - String of connection modules

Info

Publication number: WO2011070042A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/069115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Matthias BÖNSCH; Jens Brokmann; Stephan Fehling; Frank Hackemack; Claudia Hanning; Walter Hanning; Christian Heggemann; Michael Höing; Holger Korsch; Georg Kulturidi; Stephan Lange; Matthias Niggemann; Gordon Opitz; Klaus Püschner; Michael Schnatwinkel; Ralf Schumacher; Timo Seidel; Marco Waldhoff; Klaus Wohlgemuth; Gerhard Eggert
Original assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2009-12-10
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: DE202010004408U1

Abstract

String of electrical connection modules (1, 100), which can be arranged next to one another in a row with a disc‑like construction having in each case the following features: a base terminal carrier (2), preferably with latching means (3, 4) for latching onto a mounting rail, an electronics housing (5, 28), which can be positioned onto the base terminal carrier (2) and preferably has at least one printed circuit board (6), at least one row of connection apparatuses (8) for connecting external conductors, pressure contacts (11), which each form a continuous bus line(s) in the state in which the connection modules are arranged next to one another in a row, wherein the electronics printed circuit board (6), in the state arranged next to one another in a row, can be pushed in each case between two pressure contacts which are adjacent to one another in the row arrangement direction, with the result that the contact between the two pressure contacts (11), which are adjacent to the printed circuit board (6), is isolated and such that the pressure contacts in this state make contact with the printed circuit board (6).

Description

Sequence of connection modules

The invention relates to a series of attachable connection modules for controlling and / or monitoring of technical processes and / or for industrial and / or building automation according to the preamble of claim 1 and a connection module for such a series.

Such connection modules are known, for example, from the generic EP 0 364 618 B1, DE 44 02 002 A1, EP 95 113 730 A1 and DE 199 64 156 A1. While EP 95 113 730 AI discloses connection modules with a rather block-like structure with a plurality of connection levels for connecting external conductors, generic type DE 199 64 156 A1 discloses a mixed construction with disk-like devices each having two parallel connection levels and block-type devices with a plurality known from connection levels.

The generic EP 0 364 618 B1 of the same Applicant has base plate carriers, are used in the pressure contacts, which contact each other in the juxtaposed state and train so across several modules through bus lines. Connectors are used to contact a printed circuit board of an electronics unit that can be placed on the base terminal.

Compared to this per se proven construction of the prior art, the object of the invention to provide a series of connection modules and a connection module with a further simplified structure.

The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1 and by the subject matter of claim 2. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

According to claim 1 is a series of mutually reihbaren electrical connection modules with a disc-like structure, each having the following features created: a base terminal carrier, preferably with latching means for latching onto a mounting rail, an electronics housing can be placed on the base plate carrier with electronics, preferably at least one printed circuit board, at least one row of base plate carriers - contacts - for connecting external conductors, pressure contacts in the juxtaposed state of Connection modules each form a continuous bus line (s), wherein the electronic circuit board in the juxtaposed state each between two adjacent in the direction of pressure print contacts is pushed, so that the contact between the two adjacent to the circuit board pressure contacts is disconnected and that the pressure contacts the circuit terplatte contact , On the connector for contacting the circuit board is thus omitted. This makes the structure simpler and more compact.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention and suitable for a series according to claim 1 connection modules - are taken from the remaining dependent claims. The connection modules of the subclaims are also to be regarded as separate inventions, although they can advantageously further develop the subject matter of claim 1, but which can each form an invention itself. It is also the subject of claim 13 created. Preferably, one, in particular only a single, row of connection devices is provided.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing with reference to exemplary embodiments. It shows:

Fig. La, b is a first perspective view and a first side view of a first connection module;

Fig. 2a, b, c is a perspective view and two rotated by 90 ° to each other side views of another connection module;

Fig. 3a, b is a section through a series of three connection modules in the manner of

Fig. 1 in a first and a second installation position; 4, 5 perspective views of contact elements of the connection modules of Figures 1 to 3.

6a shows a plurality of base plate carriers;

Fig. 6b, c a plurality of lined-up base clamp carrier and a set on this, the plurality of base plate carriers cross-electronic housing;

Fig. 7a, b is a perspective view of two connection modules and a side view of two modules;

8a-c the juxtaposition of two connection modules on a mounting rail; 9a, b is a view of a further pressure contact used in a base plate carrier shown in section and a perspective view of this pressure contact;

10a, b show a perspective view of a fork / knife contact inserted in a base plate carrier shown in section and a perspective view of this contact;

Ia is a perspective view of the elements base plate carrier, electronics housing and connection unit of a further connection module;

Fig. 1 lb is a side view of the base plate carrier of Fig. I Ia;

Fig. 12a, b is a perspective view and a side view of the connection module with the components of Fig. 11;

13 shows a perspective view of the elements base terminal carrier, electronics housing and connection unit of a further connection module;

14a shows a further view of the elements base terminal carrier, electronics housing and connection unit of the connection module from FIG. 13; and FIG. 14b shows a perspective view of the assembled connection module from FIGS. 13 and 14a.

Prior to the description of preferred embodiments, it should be noted that some preferred embodiments are described in detail below, but that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but can be configured as desired within the scope of the claims. In particular are Terms such as "top", "bottom", "front" or "back" not restrictive to understand but refer only to the particular arrangement shown. In addition, if individual components are explained, these - unless otherwise mentioned - in principle also conceivable in multiple design.

1a, b and FIGS. 2 a to c show schematic representations of electrical connection modules that can be placed onto a mounting rail and can be latched onto the mounting rail, which can be used, for example, in control systems of automation technology, where they are connected to a gateway be ranked. The combination of gateway and connection modules allows the monitoring and / or control of external electrical devices (field devices, initiators, actuators, etc.), which can be connected to the connection modules of the electrical device according to the invention. The connection modules 1 have a disk-like structure. Each of the connection modules 1 has a base plate carrier 2 with latching means 3, 4 for latching onto a mounting rail (not shown here).

An electronics housing 5 with at least one or more printed circuit board (s) 6, which in turn can be equipped with electrical components 24 (FIG. 1 a), can be placed on the base terminal carrier 2.

On the electronics housing 5, in turn, a separately attachable and removable terminal unit 7 with a series of connection devices - contacts 8 - for connecting external conductors (not shown here) is placed. These connection devices 8 are preferably designed as contacts in direct plug-in technology (push-in), which can be contacted purely tool-free purely by inserting a conductor into a terminal area of the contact. In the contacted state, a clamping leg of the push-in contact clamps the conductor in a clamping cage against a busbar. An actuator 9 is used here to open the nip. Since only a single row of the connection devices 8 is provided, a connection module 1 can be realized with a construction which is particularly narrow in the direction of arrangement. In addition to the connection devices 8 of the connection unit 7 for connecting external conductors of field devices such as initiators, actuators, sensors and the like., Each connection plate according to Fig. 1 or 2 a plurality of contact elements 10 of a first type for realizing a plurality of connection modules in the direction of arrangement X extending first internal bus and a plurality of contact elements 11 of a second type for realizing a second internal bus running across several connection modules in the arrangement direction X.

The second internal bus is preferably used for the transmission of data and possibly for the internal power supply of the connection modules, whereas the first internal bus is preferably used to transmit energy, for example, to supply energy to field devices connected to the connection devices 8.

The contact elements 10 of the first type are designed as combined fork / knife contacts. These are here cut in a preferred embodiment of a metal strip and bent so that they form a fork contact 12 at one of its ends and at its other end a blade contact 13. The contact elements are inserted into the base plate support 2 in such a way that, when the base plate support is arranged on the mounting rail, one of the blade contacts 13 in each case engages in one of the fork contacts 12. In this way, conductive connections are formed across a plurality of the base terminal carriers 2, which connections can be used or used as bus lines, in particular for supplying power to internal components of the connection modules 1 and / or external components which are connected to the connection modules 1. The contact elements 10 may also have a third contact 27 (see FIGS. 5 and 10), for example for contacting the printed circuit board 6. The contact elements 11 of the second type, however, are designed as pressure contacts. This means that they are used in such a carrier in the base clamps 2, that they form when lining up several base clamps carrier in the mounting direction X by pressure a continuous conductive connection, which can be used as a bus line. Preferably, this bus is used for data and / or signal transmission, but possibly also for energy transmission (see the example with respect to the number of base plate carriers 2 sequence of FIG. 3).

The pressure contacts 11 are shown in Fig. 4. The pressure contacts 11 preferably have a kind of U-shape, with a base leg 14 and two sides extending at an angle therefrom, 15, 16. These two side legs preferably do not run parallel to one another but slightly angled to one another. The angle they include is preferably less than 45 °. Preferably, they each have arcuate areas / characteristics 17 in the side legs.

The pressure contacts 11 are placed in the base plate carrier 2 via corresponding receiving domes 18.

Preferably, the pressure contacts 11 in the base leg 14 each have two lateral recesses 19 or a through hole 19a (FIG. 4), whereby either the adjacent recesses 19 of juxtaposed pressure contacts 11 or the through-hole are penetrated by a corresponding projection 20 on the receiving medial 18 which has been deformed after attaching the pressure contacts 11 in such a way that the pressure contacts 11 are secured on the receiving medias. This deformation can be carried out, for example, by an upsetting or pressing process on the still warm material (hot deformation). Since the base plate carrier preferably consists of an insulating plastic, this is thermoformed, for example, directly after the injection molding process for the preparation of the base clamp carrier and after loading with the pressure contacts eleventh The receiving domes are not centrally formed in the mounting direction here on the base plate carrier but extend in the mounting direction only over a part, here approximately half the width of the base plate carrier 2 (FIG. 3). In this case, the pressure contacts 11 are nevertheless formed such that the ends facing away from the base leg contact each other in the connected state without attached electronic housings (see FIG. 3 a). The receiving domes 18 are also so eccentrically formed in the mounting direction on the base plate supports 2 that the circuit board 6 laterally past them is pushed past (Fig. 2c) and of the contact elements 11, in particular of the forms 17, can be contacted.

If, on the other hand, an electronics housing 5 with printed circuit board 6 is placed on the base plate carrier 2, the printed circuit board 6 is pushed against a pressure contact (FIG. 2c) or in the sequence between the pressure contacts 11 (FIG. 3b, middle module), so that in this state adjacent pressure contacts 11 no longer contact each other but - preferably with the bent portion - touch the opposite sides of the circuit board 6 and contact. In this way, the bus line can be routed via the printed circuit board 6 or else a continuous bus line without a printed circuit board 6 between the pressure contacts 11 is realized. Thus, the electronics housing 5 with the electronic circuit board 6 is removable and it is still realized a closed bus.

The attachment of the pressure contacts 11 in the connection module is space-saving and inexpensive to implement. It should also be noted that the side legs of the pressure contacts 11 by the U-shape or M-shape and the determination of the pressure contacts 11 in the base terminal carrier 2 can spring separately.

In addition, with the simplest means either the continuous bus is realized via the pressure contacts or via the printed circuit board 11 pushed therebetween. Thus, in particular, a comparison with EP 0 364 618 B1 of the same applicant is simplified Construction realized, because on a connector for connecting the circuit board on the base or here the base clamps carrier electronics can be dispensed with, which reduces the manufacturing costs and contributes to a particularly compact design of the connection module.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 differ essentially by the locations of the accommodation of the first and second buses or their contacts. The contact elements 10 are in Fig. 1 side of the support rail and the contact elements 11 at least partially disposed above the support rail while the Kontaktele- elements 10 are arranged according to Figure 2 above the support rail (in the latched to a mounting rail state). But there are also other contact arrangements conceivable.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b and FIGS. 8 a to c illustrate that the connection modules are initially pivoted onto the support rail 26 and latched there (FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, 8 a) and then only on the support rail 26 in the rail direction (arrow in FIG 8a) are pushed against one another, wherein the various contacts 10, 11 on the base plate carriers only then contact one another (see Fig. 8b, 8c; in Fig. 8c, the fork and blade contacts 12, 13 are made visible in section).

Fig. 1 also shows a contact device 21 for contacting the support rail (PE foot / Fe-foot) and a coding device with mutually corresponding coding means 22, 23, as known per se from the prior art (See, for example, DE 299 06 5883 Ul).

6a and 6b show a plurality of base plate carriers 2 of the type shown in FIG. 2 and a plurality of base plate carriers 2 placed one on top of the other and an electronics housing 28 (FIG. 6b) placed on them (FIG. 6c), which cover several base plate carriers. This electronics housing 28 can accommodate, for example, the electronics of a gateway (FIG. 6), so that an advantageous and inventive gateway is formed and / or interfaces such as connectors or connector sockets (here RJ45 sockets 25) for connection to a higher-level control system serve. An advantage of this gateway is that connection modules can be arranged in two opposite directions. One or more levels or rows of the connection devices 8 for connecting external conductors can also be provided directly at the gateway (FIG. 6). 9 a, b show a side view of another embodiment of a carrier used in a base clamp 2 further pressure contact 11 and a perspective view of this pressure contact eleventh

The further pressure contacts 11 are not placed via receiving domes 18 in the base plate carrier 2 but via other fastening means and areas. The fastening takes place by means of a latching area, here by means of a U-shaped area 29 introduced between the side legs 15, 16 in the region of the base leg 14, which has the consequence that the pressure contact in the side view of FIG. 9a is more of an M-shape wherein the middle part of the M - the U-shaped region 29 - is designed to engage in a corresponding recess 30 formed in the base plate carrier and to be latched there (FIG. 9a). In the side legs 15, 16 latching means such as latching projections 31, 32 are formed, (for example in the opposite sides of the U-shaped portion), which cooperate with corresponding latching means such as recesses 33, 34 in the base plate carrier 2. In this way, the assembly of the pressure contacts 10 is simple and secure.

The fastening means are also in turn eccentrically formed on the base plate supports 2 such that the printed circuit board 6 can be pushed laterally past them and can be contacted by the contact elements 11, in particular by the shapes 17. Fig. 10a, b show another form of the contact elements 10 of the first type, which in turn are designed as combined fork / knife contacts. The fork / blade contacts are in turn in a preferred embodiment of a metal strip one or more parts cut and bent so that they form the fork contact 12 at one of their ends and the blade contact 13 at its other end. These contact elements 10 are in turn in the base plate support 2 (see Fig. 11 and 12 and 13) used such that when juxtaposing the base plate support 2 each one of the blade contacts 13 engages in one of the fork contacts 12. In this way, conductive connections are formed again over a plurality of the base terminal carriers 2, which connections can be used or used as bus lines, in particular for the power supply of internal components of the connection modules 1 and / or external components which are connected to the connection modules 1. The contact elements 10 here also have the third contact 27 (see FIGS. 10 a and 9 a) for contacting the printed circuit board 6. The third contact here is likewise a fork contact 27, which also lies eccentrically in the mounting direction in the base plate carrier 2, namely offset from the center of the base plate carrier 2 to the other side than the pressure contact 10.

Especially the interaction of FIG. 9a and FIG. 10a and 11 illustrates well how the printed circuit board 6 in a receptacle 35 in the base plate carrier excellently both (at different board edge contact areas 36) of the pressure contacts 11 and the combined knife / Fork contacts 10 can be contacted. 1 a shows a corresponding perspective view of the elements base terminal carrier 2, electronics housing 5 and terminal unit 7 of the further connection module with the first and second contact elements from FIGS. 9 and 10. The elements base terminal carrier 2, electronics housing 5 and terminal unit 7 can be used, for example, on dovetail-like guides 37 , 38 and 39, 40 and / or locking means to each other, which facilitates the assembly and / or maintenance. 14b shows the assembled state of a further connection module 100, which is characterized in that here an electronics housing 106 several - here three - juxtaposed base clamps carrier 2 overlaps and that this E- lektronikgehäuse 106 preferably also serves to attach a plurality of terminal units 7. The electronics housing 106 may include one or more printed circuit boards. In this way, a terminal module 100 extending over a plurality of base terminal supports 2 can be realized in a simple manner, which is advantageous if the electronics for a plurality of terminal units 7 can be combined in only one electronics housing 106. It would also be conceivable to mount on the electronics housing 106 a single terminal unit 7 with a plurality of rows of terminals, whereas in the illustrated embodiment, only one row of terminals is provided per terminal unit 7.

It should also be mentioned that it is also conceivable to design the connection devices 8 in a different manner than as direct plug connections, for example as screw connections or in other connection technology or as one or more plug-in devices which can be contacted by corresponding plug devices, for example one or multiple sensor / actuator plugs with one or more contacts.

reference numeral

Connection modules 1

Slab Support 2

Latching means 3, 4

Electronics housing 5

Printed circuit board 6

Connection unit 7

Connection devices 8

B essement selement 9

Contact elements 10

Pressure contacts 11

Fork contact 12

Knife contact 13

Base leg 14

Side legs 15, 16 arcuate areas 17

Shooting domes 18

Through hole 19

Lead 20

Contact device 21

Coding means 22, 23

Components 24

RJ45 jacks 25

Support rail 26

Contact 27th

Electronics housing 28

U-shaped area 29

Recess 30

Latching projections 31, 32

Locking recesses 33, 34

Recording 35 Contact areas 36 dovetailed guides 37, 38 and 39, 40

Connection module 100

Electronics housing 106

Claims

claims

Sequence of mutually rewirable electrical connection modules (1, 100) with a disc-like structure, each having the following features:

a. a base terminal carrier (2), preferably with latching means (3, 4) for latching onto a mounting rail,

b. an electronics housing (5, 28) which can be placed on the base-plate carrier (2), preferably with at least one printed circuit board (6),

c. at least one row of connecting devices (8) for connecting external conductors,

d. Pressure contacts (11), each of which forms a continuous bus line (s) in the connected state of the connection modules,

characterized in that

e. the electronic circuit board (6) in the juxtaposed condition is slidable between each two in the mounting direction adjacent pressure contacts, so that the contact between the two to the circuit board (6) adjacent pressure contacts (11) is separated and such that, the pressure contacts in this state, the circuit board (6) contact.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1, characterized in that a number of connection devices is provided.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection devices (8) are designed for connecting external conductors in direct plug-in technology (push-in).

4. Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection devices (8) are designed as screw connections. 5. Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection devices (8) are designed as at least one plug-in device. 6. Connection module for a series of connection modules according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the electronics housing (5) at least one separately attachable and detachable connection unit (7) with the connection devices ( 8) is placed.

7. Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each connection plate a plurality of contact elements (10) of a first type for implementing a plurality of terminal modules in the mounting direction X first internal bus and the pressure contacts ( 11) as contact elements of a second type for realizing a second internal bus extending across several connection modules in the arrangement direction X. 8. connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) in the mounting direction off-center on the base plate supports (2) are formed, so that the circuit board is laterally past them pushed , Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) side legs (15, 16) and a latching region (29) for latching preferably in a recess (30) in have the base plate carriers.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side legs (15, 16) are designed separately resiliently.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) have an M-shape with a Verrastbereich and the two side legs (15, 16), which preferably not parallel to each other but turn at an angle to each other.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) have a U-shape with a base leg (14) the two laterally extending side legs (15, 16), which are preferably not parallel to one another but in turn are aligned at an angle to each other.

Connection module for a series of connection modules according to claim 1 or connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) via corresponding receiving domes (18) in the base plate carrier (2) are set and that the pressure contacts (11) to the Aufnahmmedomen ( 18) are secured by a stamping.

Connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) in the base leg (14) each have two lateral recesses (19) or a through hole, wherein either the adjacent recesses (19) juxtaposed pressure contacts (11) or the through hole of each corresponding projection (20) on the receiving dome (18) is penetrated, which was deformed after attaching the pressure contacts (11) such that the pressure contacts (11) secured on the admission meds.

15. Connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure contacts (11) contact each other directly without intermediate therebetween printed circuit board (6) at their base legs (14) facing away from free ends of the side legs (15, 16) and that the pressure contacts ( 11) contact the circuit board (6) with an expression (17) in the side legs (15, 16) when the circuit board is inserted.

16. Connection module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on each base plate carrier (2) in each case an electronics housing (5) is placed.

17. Sequence of base plate carriers, on which a cross-common electronics housing (28, 106) is placed so that the sequence forms a gateway or a block module.