WO2016019517A1

WO2016019517A1 - Assembly for an industrial automation apparatus with modularized connector

Info

Publication number: WO2016019517A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/083758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lei Wang; Xiaobo Wang; Zhe LIU; Axel Lohbeck
Original assignee: Abb Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-05
Filing date: 2014-08-05
Publication date: 2016-02-11

Abstract

An assembly for an automation apparatus is provided, comprising: a display board (10) for displaying information; an exchangeable power board (20); and a main board (30) connected to the display board (10), wherein the main board (30) is provided with at least a subboard (502,504, 506,508) via a connector, the connector being a plug in structure. According to the disclosure, the components for a process control are implemented as a board form and are connected to the main board(30) and/or the power board (20) by the plug in the connector. It enables fast and easy customizing the automatic apparatus, reducing manufacture cost and saving significant time.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION APPARATUS WITH MODULARIZED CONNECTOR

Field of Invention Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an assembly for an industrial automation apparatus, particular to an assembly for an industrial automation apparatus with modularized connectors.

Background of Invention Automation apparatuses, for example, standalone automation apparatuses are widely used as control devices for small range process control. Generally, it comprises several input/output ports and configurable common process control algorithm such as PID. With input/output ports connected to field signals and with process control algorithms configured for specific industrial applications, control loops can be established and the process variables can be well controlled as desired. Accordingly, automatic industrial processes can be achieved.

An automation apparatus can be used to control one or several control loops by means of one or more sampling input channels and control output channels. Components forming sampling input channels such as analog inputs (AI), thermocouples (TC), and resistant temperature detectors (RTD), control output channels such as analog outputs (AO), relays, and SSR drives, and communication channels such as RS485 and RS232, are generally welded on a PCBA.

However, for different industrial automation processes, there is a large number of sampling input channels and control output channels, and thus there are many combination options for different sampling input channels and different control output channels, which renders the number of products large. In order to satisfy various industrial needs, automation apparatuses are generally customized. That is, after users send a purchase order, the suppliers need to notify production factories to customize the products according to user's requirements. This process will generally take at least several weeks and it is time consuming since the I/O channels and other components are usually welded to the PCBA. On the other hand, for better serving the users, the distributors have to prepare and store many types of products and then can send them to the users at an earlier time, which increase the distributors' burden. Additionally, some optional functions are combined in one board so as to broad the target potential users without adding too much production costs. In this case, these optional functions are useless for some customers but the customers have to pay for them, which will increase costs and can be of a waste.

Summary of Invention

In view of the above, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide an assembly for an automation apparatus so that one or more above problems can be eliminated.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an assembly for an industrial automation apparatus, comprising: a display board for displaying information; a main board connected to the display board, and at least a subboard connected to the main board board via a connector having a pluggable structure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the subboard is in the form of planar plate which is arranged to be substantially parallel to the main board and the connector is perpendicularly arranged with respect to the planar surface of the subboard. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector is of pin-socket structure, and pins project from the board surface of one of the main board and the subboard, and the corresponding sockets are provided on the other.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectors for connecting each of the first, second, and third subboards and the main board are different from each other.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the subboards include the first subboard selected from a AO board, a Relay board, or a SSR drive board, the second subboard selected from a valve position board, an auxiliary control output board, or a current transformer board, and the third subboard selected from RS485 or RS232.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board is embedded with a predetermined number of universal inputs, comprising AI, TC, RTD, or combinations thereof, and/or the main board further comprises a fourth subboard which is a USB board.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly further comprises an exchangeable power board connected to the display board, and wherein the power board is provided with at least a subboard via a connector having a pluggable structure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the subboard of the power board is in the form of planar plate which is arranged to be substantially parallel to the power board and the connector is perpendicularly arranged with respect to the planar surface of the subboard.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector for connecting the power board and the subboard is pin-socket structure, and pins project from the board surface of one of the power board and the subboards of the power board, and the corresponding sockets are provided on the other.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the subboards of the power board is at least two, the subboards of the power board being selected from a DI board, or a Dual Relay board, and the connectors used for the at least two subboards of the power board are same. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the subboards of the power board is two, and the connectors used are the same.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the automation apparatus is standalone automation apparatus.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board and the power board are perpendicularly connected to the display board, and the main board and the power board are parallel to each other, wherein the subboards of the main board and the subboards of the power board are arranged in a face to face manner.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an automation apparatus, comprising the assembly mentioned above, and a housing for accommodating the assembly, the housing including side walls which defines inner space for accommodating the assembly and a bottom wall in which a number of terminals are provided- According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing is provided with a plurality of supports for supporting the subboards.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board and the power board are perpendicularly connected to the display board, and the main board and the power board are parallel to each other, wherein the subboardsof the main board and the subboards of the power board are arranged in a face to face manner and when the subboards of the main board and the subboards of the power board are assembled to the mainboard and the power board respectively, a spacing is formed between the subboards of the main board and the subboards of the power board; and the supports is provided within the spacing and extends from the side walls of the housing.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the supports further comprise an inclination surface for guiding the insertion of the subboards. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the components for a process control are implemented as board form and are be connected to the main board and/or power board by a pluggable connector. It enables fast and easy customizing the automatic apparatus, reduced manufacture cost and significant time saving.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the configuration of an assembly for an automation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary implementation of the assembly for an automation apparatus in Fig.1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view in which the main board and the display board are assembled with each other with the power board removed; Figure 4 illustrates the schematic plane view of the assembly in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates the schematic exploded view of the assembly in Figure 2, wherein the subboards to be plugged in the main board and the power board are disconnected;

Figure 6 illustrates the schematic plane view of the assembly of the power board and the display board in Figure 2 with the main board removed;

Figure 7 illustrates of the schematic front view of the housing of the automation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 schematically illustrates a state that the assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is to be inserted into the housing; Figure 9 schematically illustrates a state that the assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has been partially inserted into the housing, wherein the upper housing is removed; and

Figure 10 schematically illustrates a state that the assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has been completely inserted into the housing.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the present disclosure, example of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures, and may indicates similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present disclosure described therein. Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the configuration of an assembly for an automation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the assembly 100 includes a display board 10 for displaying information; a power board 20; and a main board 30 connected to the display board 10, wherein the main board 30 is provided with at least a subboard via a connector. The connector includes modularized mechanical structures so that specific expansion subboards for a process control can be connected to the main board 30.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector is of pluggable structure so that when one component is to be connected to the main board 30, the component can be directly plugged into the slots (or sockets) provided within the main board without additional fastening means.

In one embodiment, the pluggable structure is pin-socket coupling structure. For example, the slots provided in the main board are adapted to accommodate the pins provided on a subboard and thus a firm and stable connection is formed. A skilled in the art can easily contemplate that the slot can also be provided within the subboard and the pins are provided on the main board 30. Taken slots provided in the main board and pins provided on subboards as example, the embodiments are described. It should be appreciated that any other connector commonly used in the art is applicable.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the subboards are formed into board-form. In one example, pin-socket connectors are respectively formed on the subboard and the main board so that pins provided in one board (for example, the subboard) can be plugged into the corresponding sockets provided in the other board to be connected (for example, the main board).

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the subboards is at least three, namely, the first, second and third subboards.

Concerning the first subboard, such as the AO board, the Relay board, the SSR drive board, can be made to have the same connector structure. As a result, they all can possibly be plugged into the first slot provided in the main board as required. In other words, since the AO board, the Relay board, and the SSR drive board are not necessarily used for a single specific industrial application at the same time, it is not necessarily to provide them all on one single main board. One can freely customize his/her own products by selecting one of them to be plugged into the first slot of the main board according to the specific industrial application. Concerning the second subboard such as a valve position board, an auxiliary control output board, and a current transformer board, likewise can be made to have the same connector structure such as pin connector. Concerning the third subboard such as RS48, RS232, can be made to have the same connector structure such as pin connector. In one embodiment, the pin connectors provided on the first subboard, the second subboard, and the third subboard are different from each other. Thus, the situation that the first subboard is mistakenly plugged into the second or third socket or slot is prevented. For example, the number of the pins, the size, the length, etc., might be different. In another embodiment, different marks indicating which subboard is to be plugged are provided on the corresponding slots so that the assembly engineers can easily visibly identify the corresponding slots.

Generally, there are various subboards available for process controller. In specific industrial control applications, it is generally unnecessary to use all above components. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembly for an automation apparatus comprises the main board connected to the display board. The main board includes modularized mechanical structures in which a predetermined number of different pluggable slots are provided adapted to be connected to specific subboards for a process control so as to form a loop controller. Using the above configuration with modularized mechanical structure, for a specific industrial application, one can freely select the components that are required to form a loop controller without welding all components to one single board, or wait for a long time to customize the products, and thus the manufacture cost is lowered and time is saved. Additionally, the above pin-socket connector structure makes the assembly process easy and fast, which improve productivity.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the main board is embedded with a predetermined number of universal inputs. The examples of the universal inputs comprise AI, TC, TD, or combinations thereof. For these universal inputs, in one embodiment, they likewise have pluggable structure. In another embodiment, they are embedded in the main board. Since these universal inputs are widely and generally used, when they are embedded in the main board, it can reduce the number of assembly processes and improve productivity. In another embodiment, the main board comprise a fourth slot in which USB can be plugged in as required. Figure 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary implementation of the assembly for an automation apparatus in Fig.l . Fig.3 illustrates a view in which the main board 30 and the display board 10 are assembled with each other with the power board 20 removed for clarity. Fig. 4 illustrates the plane view of the assembly in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 illustrates the exploded view of the assembly in Fig. 2, wherein the subboards to be plugged in the main board and the power board are disconnected. Fig. 6 illustrates the plane view of the assembly of the power board 20 and the display board 10 in Fig. 2 with the main board 30 removed for clarity. As shown in Figs.2-5, the subboards are in the form of planar plate which is arranged to be substantially parallel to the main board 30 and the connector is perpendicularly arranged with respect to the planar surface of the subboard.

The main board is provided with a plurality of subboards (three, in the illustrative example). The main board is provided with a first slot 302 for plugging in a first subboard 502 configured to output control variables, a second slot 304 for plugging in a second subboard 504, and a third slot 306 for plugging in a third subboard 506 configured for communication. The first subboard 502 comprises a AO board, a Relay board, or a SSR drive board. The second subboard 504 comprises a valve position board, an auxiliary control output board, or a current transformer board. The third subboard 506 comprises RS485 or RS232.

The first, second and third subboards 502, 504, 506 are designed in the form of board, and are provided with a connector in form of pins. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectors for connecting each subboard and the main board are different from each other. In the illustrative embodiment, the first, second and third subboards 502, 504, 506 each comprise two rows of pins. In an exemplary embodiment, the pins of the first, second and third subboards 502, 504, 506 are different from each other. In one embodiment, the number of pins of the first, second and third subboards 502, 504, 506 is different from each other. In another embodiment, the spacing between neighboring pins of the first, second, and third subboards 502, 504, 506 is different from each other. In another embodiment, the size of pins may be different from each other. Such an arrangement prevents one subboards from mistakenly plugging into another slot.

As shown Figs. 3 and 5, the slots 302, 304, 306 to be mated with subboards 502, 504, 506 are correspondingly provided within the main board 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 302, 304, 306 are provided in a projection portion which protrudes from the main board 30. When the subboards 502, 504, 506 are plugged into the slots 302, 304, 306, a firm and stable connection can be achieved. A skilled in the art can contemplate that the slots 302, 304, 306 can take other forms. As shown Figs. 3 and 5, a USB interface 508 is shown at the right and lower position in the drawing. The USB interface is well known in the art. Its opening end is located at the display board 10 and it is configured to be connected to various devices. In one example, the USB interface 508 is implemented as a board form and also has a pin connector and can be plugged into the slot within the main board 30. In another example, the USB board 508 is embedded in the main board 30. In an embodiment, the main board is embedded with a number of universal inputs. The universal inputs comprise AI, TC, RTD, or combinations thereof.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the assembly further comprises a power board 20, and wherein the power board 20 is provided with at least a subboard via a connector. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the power board also has pluggable structure. According to the practical requirements plus space limitations within the power board, the number of slots that are to be arranged within the power board is determined. The power board may comprise one, three, four or more pluggable slots depending on the practical requirement.

As one example, the power board 20 is implemented as a board form and is provided with a predetermined number of slots and corresponding number of subboards. In the shown embodiment, the power board is provided with two subboards. The examples of the subboards include a DI board, a Dual Relay board. In another example, the subboards further include a DO board. As shown in Figs 2 and 6, two slots 202 and 204 are provided in a projection portion which protrudes from the power board 20. The subboards 602, 604 are plugged into the slots 202 and 204, a firm and stable connection can be achieved. In one example, the connectors within the power board are the same so that DI board, and a Dual Relay board can be selectively plugged into the slots in power board. That is the slots in the power board are multi-used, which will increase maximum channels with limited rear terminals.

In an embodiment, the power board 20 is exchangeable and thus the automation apparatus can have many options of power to meet different industrial requirements. For different applications, the required power board might be different. Therefore, the power board might have different sizes and different rated outputs. For example, in one embodiment, the power board may have two options: 85 to 265V AC board, and 20 to 48 V AC/DC board.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the automation apparatus is a standalone automation apparatus, preferably a single loop controller. The main board 30 and the power board 20 are perpendicularly connected to the display board 10, and the main board 30 and the power board 20 are parallel to each other, wherein the subboards of the main board and the subboards of the power board are arranged in a face to face manner.

The present disclosure also relates to an automation apparatus, particularly a standalone automation apparatus, preferably a single loop controller. It includes the assembly 100 as described above and further comprises a housing 200 for accommodating the assembly 100.

Fig. 7 illustrates the front view of the housing of the automation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment, the housing 200 is in shape of a box with one open end into which the assembly is to be inserted. The housing includes side walls which defines inner space for accommodating the assembly 100 and a bottom wall in which a number of terminals are provided.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the power board 20 and the main board 30 are arranged such that they are substantially parallel to each other. The power board 20 and the main board 30 are connected to the display board 10 in a perpendicular manner, respectively. The subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604 to be plugged in the power board 20 and the main board 30 are positioned in the inner side within the space defined by the board surfaces of the power board 20 and the main board 30. In one embodiment, the surfaces of subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604 are arranged to be substantially parallel with the board surfaces of the power board 20 and the main board 30. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a central spacing is formed between the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, and the subboards 602, 604 after the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, and the subboards 602, 604 are assembled with the main board 30 and the power board respectively. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing 200 is provided with a number of supports 2002. The supports 2002 are well designed to properly support the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7-9, the supports 2002 abuts against the board surfaces of the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604. Though the supports are of a plurality, a skilled in the arm can contemplate that the plurality of supports can be an integrated piece. In one example, the supports can directly contact the board surfaces of the subboards and thus provide support for the subboards. In another example, the supports are provided with additional means to provide support for the subboards.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs.7-10, the supports include two vertical walls which vertically extend from the bottom wall of the housing 200. The two vertical walls are arranged in the central spacing formed by the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508 of the main board 30 and the subboards 602, 604 of the power board 20. The supports can directly abut against the board surfaces of the subboards502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604. Since two vertical walls are provided, this can increase the rigidity of the housing. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure (not illustrated), the supports merly include one vertical wall which vertically extend from the bottom wall of the housing. The two vertical walls are arranged in the central spacing formed by the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508 of the main board 30 and the subboards 602, 604 of the power board 20. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the supports 2002 each have an anti- vibration means 2004 which is configured to contact the surfaces of the subboards in a manner of surface-contact. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-vibration means is a support bar 2004 which has a plat surface and is capable of contacting the board surface of the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508.

During operation, the automation apparatus is subject to vibration. Under the effects of continuous vibration, the subboards coupled with the power board 20 and the main boards 30 have a tendency of dropping and detaching. Since the supports 202 and 204 each have a support bar 2004 which is capable of contacting the surface of the subboards 502, 504, 506, 508 in a manner of surface-contact, the vibration can be alleviated and the dropping and detaching of the subboards are favorably prevented.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support bar 2004 includes a shank portion 2006 which extends from the vertical walls and a support portion 2008 which is provided at the end of the shank portion 2006. The support portion 2008 has a large surface area than that of the shank portion 2006.

It should be appreciated that the support portion 2008 may not necessarily provided at the end of the shank portion 2006. For example, the support portion 2008 can directly be provided at the side walls of the housing. It should be appreciated that the positions of the support portion can be properly adjusted according to the arrangement position of the subboards.

In one example, the support portion is provided with suitable shapes so that the support portion 2008 can support the subboards in a firm and stable manner. In one example, the support portion 2008 has a planer surface. In another example, the support portion 2008 has a inclination surface at supporting position. When the supports 2002 are provided with an inclination surface at supporting position, it can have the following advantages. As the assembly 100 is inserted into the housing 200, the supports bar 2004, particular the support portion 2008,directly contacts the back surface of the subboards. As the insertion proceeds, the space between the support portion 2008and the back surface of the subboards become narrower. The inclination surface can guide the insertion of the assembly. It can also closely abut against the back surface of the subboards so as to prevent the subboards from detaching from the main board and the power board.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative and a skilled in the art can understand that the housing 200 may have other kinds of supports and achieve the same effects and the support means can have different configuration instead of inclination surfaces. In one example, the inclination surfaces may not necessarily be smooth. For example, the inclination surface might be implemented as step form. As long as the support portion can stably support the subboard surfaces, the shapes of the supports are not particularly limited. It should be appreciated that the suface of the subboards are not necessarily planner surface and may take another shapes, such as step shapes, inclination shapes. In another example, the suface of the support portion 2008 may be provided with other elastic means such as rubber to further improve anti-vibration. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support bars 2006 are of different height. When the subboards are of different height, the support bars can still firmly support the subboards, which increases flexibility of support. The subboards may be supported by one support bar. In another example, the subboards may be supported by more than one support bar. When the housing is provided with a plurality of supports, the subboards provided on the main board and the power board can be firmly and stably supported.

Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present disclosure also includes any novel features or any novel combinations of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An assembly (100) for an industrial automation apparatus, comprising: a display board (10) for displaying information; and a main board (30) connected to the display board (10), and at least one subboard (502, 504, 506, 508) connected to the main board (30) via a connector having a pluggable structure.

2. The assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the subboard (502, 504, 506, 508) is in the form of planar plate which is arranged to be substantially parallel to the main board (30) and the connector is perpendicularly arranged with respect to the planar surface of the subboard (502, 504, 506, 508).

3. The assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the connector is of a pin-socket structure, and pins project from a board surface of one of the main board (30) and the subboard (502, 504, 506, 508), and corresponding sockets (302, 304, 306, 308) are provided on the other.

4. The assembly according to any of Claims 1-3, wherein the subboards (502, 504, 506) include the first subboard (502) selected from a AO board, a Relay board, or a SSR drive board, the second subboard (504) selected from a valve position board, an auxiliary control output board, or a current transformer board, and the third subboard (506) selected from RS485 or RS232.

5. The assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the connectors for connecting each of the first, second, and third subboards and the main board (30) are different from each other.

6. The assembly according to Claim 5, wherein the main board (30) is embedded with a predetermined number of universal inputs, comprising AI, TC, RTD, or combinations thereof, and/or the main board (30) further comprises a fourth subboard (508) which is a USB board.

7. The assembly according to any of Claims 1-4, wherein the assembly further comprises a exchangeable power board (20) connected to the display board (10), and wherein the power board (20) is provided with at least one subboard (602, 204) via a connector having a pluggable structure.

8. The assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the subboard (602, 204) of the power board (20) is in the form of planar plate which is arranged to be substantially parallel to the power board (20) and the connector is perpendicularly arranged with respect to the planar surface of the subboard (602, 604).

9. The assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the number of the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20) is at least two, the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20) being selected from DI board, or a Dual Relay board, and the connectors used for the at least two subboards (602, 604) of the power board are same.

10. The assembly according to any of Claims 1-9, wherein the main board (30) and the power board (20) are perpendicularly connected to the display board (10), and the main board (30) and the power board (20) are parallel to each other, wherein the subboards (502, 504, 506, 508) of the main board (30) and the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20) are arranged in a face to face manner.

11. An industrial automation apparatus including the assembly according to any of Claims 1-10, further comprising a housing (200) for accommodating the assembly, the housing (200) including side walls which defines inner space for accommodating the assembly (100) and a bottom wall in which a number of terminals are provided.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the housing (200) is provided with a plurality of supports (2002) for supporting the subboards (502, 504, 506, 508, 602, 604).

13. The apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the supports each have an anti-vibration means (2004) which is configured to contact the surfaces of the subboards in a manner of surface-contact.

14. The apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the main board (30) and the power board (20) are perpendicularly connected to the display board (10), and the main board (30) and the power board (20) are parallel to each other, wherein the subboards (502, 504, 506, 508) of the main board (30) and the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20) are arranged in a face to face manner and when the subboards (502, 504, 506, 508) of the main board (30) and the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20) are assembled to the mainboard (30) and the power board (20) respectively, a spacing is formed between the subboards (502, 504, 506, 508) of the main board (30) and the subboards (602, 604) of the power board (20); and wherein the supports are provided within the spacing and extend from the side walls of the housing.

15. The apparatus according to Claim 14, the supports further comprise an inclination surface for guiding the insertion of the subboards.