Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100285690 | INTEGRATED DIN RAIL ATTACHMENT FEATURE FOR OPTIMIZED CONSTRAINT - An electronics module includes a base including a recess adapted to receive an associated mounting rail such as a DIN rail. At least one rail constraining tab is located adjacent a first side of the recess and is adapted to capture a first flange of the associated mounting rail in the recess. First and second flexible resilient latch arms are located adjacent a second side of the recess. The first and second flexible latch arms include respective first and second locking tabs connected thereto, wherein the first and second locking tabs project into the recess and are located to capture a second flange of the associated mounting rail in the recess when the first and second latch arms are in respective latched positions, and wherein the first and second locking tabs are withdrawn from the recess when the first and second latch arms are in respective unlatched positions. The first and second latch arms are located in a common plane and move between their respective latched and unlatched positions in the common plane. | 11-11-2010 |
20100314522 | INTEGRATED DIN RAIL ATTACHMENT FEATURE FOR SUPERIOR ATTACHMENT - An electronics module includes a base and a cover connected to the base. The base includes a recess adapted to receive an associated mounting rail. At least one fixed rail constraining tab is located adjacent a first edge of the recess and is adapted to engage a first flange of the associated mounting rail. First and/or second latch arms are located adjacent a second edge of the recess that is opposite the first edge of the recess. The first and second latch arms are connected to a fixed portion of the second edge and project outwardly relative to opposite lateral sides of the fixed portion. Each of the first and second latch arms includes a rail capture tab. The first and second latch arms are selectively movable resiliently to and from latched and unlatched positions, wherein the rail capture tabs of the first and second latch arms project beyond the fixed portion of the second edge and into the recess when the first and second latch arms are located in their respective latched positions, and wherein the rail capture tabs of the first and second latch arms are withdrawn relative to the fixed portion of the second edge when the first and second latch arms are located in their respective unlatched positions. The cover or other portion of the module defines first and second receiving locations that receive and retain portions of the first and second latch arms when the first and second latch arms are located in their respective latched positions. | 12-16-2010 |
20110229124 | SERIAL OPTICAL DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH DISPLACEABLE OPTICAL PATHWAY - A serial optical data transmission system is provided. The serial optical data transmission system includes a displaceable optical pathway disposed adjacent to a slot configured to receive a first monitoring and/or control module. The optical pathway is biased towards a serial optical data bus position for transmission of optical data to or from at least one second monitoring and/or control module when the first monitoring and/or control module is removed from the slot. Further, the optical pathway is displaced from the serial optical data bus position when the first monitoring and/or control module is in the slot. | 09-22-2011 |
20120043830 | ADAPTABLE AUTOMATION CONTROL MODULE WITH INTEGRATED POWER BUS DISTRIBUTOR - Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044082 | Input/Output Circuits and Devices Having Physically Corresponding Status Indicators - Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044083 | Input/Output Circuits and Devices Having Physically Corresponding Status Indicators - Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry. | 02-23-2012 |
20120045913 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES - An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated. | 02-23-2012 |
20120045940 | TORSIONAL CONTACT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONICS MODULE - A torsional electrical contact includes a body comprising a helix including N helical turns around a longitudinal axis, wherein N≧1. The body further includes first and second opposite ends that are spaced longitudinally from each other. First and second contact arms extend outwardly away from the helix at the opposite first and second ends of the body, respectively. The first and second contact arms include respective distal ends defined by a part of the contact arm that is located a maximum orthogonal distance from the longitudinal axis. The first and second arms define a contact angle α measured between a first reference plane in which the longitudinal axis lies and that intersects the distal end of the first contact arm and a second reference plane in which the longitudinal axis lies and that intersects the distal end of the second contact arm. At least one of the first and second contact arms is selectively resiliently movable toward the other of the first and second contact arms to reduce the contact angle α. One or more contacts are installed in a module and/or connected to an electronic component. A module including first and second contacts can be configured in a first condition in which the contacts are connected directly to each other or a second condition in which the contacts are engaged with respective parts of a circuit board or other component inserted into the housing. | 02-23-2012 |
20120045947 | INPUT/OUTPUT MODULE BUS CONTACT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts. Further, the first and second bus contacts are positioned on non-lateral surfaces of the input/output device module, the first and second contacts include spring-loaded connectors, the first and second contacts include two-prong or three-prong forks, or the input/output device module is a terminal block. | 02-23-2012 |
20120083141 | CONTACT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF DEVICE UNDER POWER WITHOUT INTERRUPTION - A contact device enables a contact method for RIUP operations relative to a backplane. The contact device includes first and second contact portions, each including first and second spaced-apart contact arms. The first and second contact portions are located relative to each other on the backplane such that when the contact device is in a first operative condition, the respective first contact arms abut each other and define a first electrical conduction path and the second contact arms are spaced from each other. The device is selectively movable to a second operative condition when an associated circuit board or other removable device is inserted into a slot defined between the second contact arms such that outer ends of the respective first contact arms of the first and second contact portions are moved apart and are separated by the removable device and the outer ends of the second contact arms are electrically connected through the associated removable device so that a second electrical conduction path is defined by the respective second contact arms. A contact method using the contact device and a backplane including the contact device are disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
20120083165 | NOVEL CONTACT CONFIGURATION FOR ELECTRONICS TO BASE CONNECTION - An electronics circuit board includes a periphery defined by a plurality of edges. At least one power contact is located adjacent a first one of said edges and a plurality of data contacts are located adjacent a second one of said edges. The first and second edges are arranged transversely relative to each other. The circuit board is operatively installed on a base that includes a power connector and a data connector. At least one power contact of the circuit board is operably engaged with the power connector and the plurality of data contacts of the circuit board are operably engaged with said data connector. The power connector is located adjacent said first edge of the circuit board and the data connector is located adjacent a second edge of the circuit board. | 04-05-2012 |
20140017917 | DIN OR PANEL GROUND INTEGRAL TO CONNECTOR BODY - An electronics module housing includes an external recess adapted to receive an associated DIN rail or other associated mounting structure. A latch mechanism is associated with the external recess and is adapted to engage the DIN rail. An electronics circuit board is located in the housing. An electrical connector is physically and electrically connected to the circuit board. The electrical connector includes: (i) a connector body; (ii) a plurality of electrical contacts secured to said connector body and comprising contact pins physically and electrically connected to the circuit board; and (iii) a ground contact secured to the connector body and including a ground pin physically and electrically connected to said circuit board. The ground contact includes a ground contact body that extends from the connector body into the housing recess. The ground contact body includes a ground contact face located adjacent the recess and adapted to contact the associated DIN rail to which the module is mounted. | 01-16-2014 |
20140065863 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES - An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated. | 03-06-2014 |