CA2090499A1 - Mounting rail with conductors - Google Patents
Mounting rail with conductorsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2090499A1 CA2090499A1 CA002090499A CA2090499A CA2090499A1 CA 2090499 A1 CA2090499 A1 CA 2090499A1 CA 002090499 A CA002090499 A CA 002090499A CA 2090499 A CA2090499 A CA 2090499A CA 2090499 A1 CA2090499 A1 CA 2090499A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mounting rail
- conducting paths
- mounting
- terminal blocks
- rail
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B—BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02B1/00—Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
- H02B1/20—Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards
- H02B1/205—Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards for connecting electrical apparatus mounted side by side on a rail
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
- H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
- H01R9/24—Terminal blocks
- H01R9/26—Clip-on terminal blocks for side-by-side rail- or strip-mounting
- H01R9/2675—Electrical interconnections between two blocks, e.g. by means of busbars
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
- Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Linear Motors (AREA)
Abstract
2090499 9204814 PCTABS00011 To distribute voltages to terminal blocks and/or allow communcation between different terminal blocks on a mounting rail (1, 2) or for direct communication with external electronic units, electrically conducting paths (3) are arranged on the mounting rail (1, 2). The conducting paths (3) consist of electrically conducting thin foils or elevated ridges of electrically conducting material applied to the mounting rail with insulating material (4, 5) between the conducting paths and the mounting rail. One or more conducting paths may be used parallel to each other.
Description
WO9~/04814 PCT/SE91/00548
2 Q ~
Mn~n~ rall wit~ conductors TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to contact equipment for communication between electronic units in the form of terminal blocks mounted on mounting rails, preferably fo~ use in process control systems.
BACKGROUND ART
When designing electronic equipment based on the use of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in flexible systems, it is common nowadays to mount the PCBs in cubicles or boxes with cubicle frames.--Circuit boards (CBs~ with different func- - -tions are combined into larger units by inserting the PCBs into the cubicle frames, in slots intended for the PCBs.
Communication between the respective CBs is possible by the connection of bu~es to the CB. Such bus connection may be utilized both during internal communication between diffe~
rent circuit boards and during system communication with a computer. (By circuit board (CB) we mean a PCB populated with electronic components.) 2~ When using the above-mentioned technique in, for example, process computer systems, a large number of external transducers or actuators are used, which are to be connected to a process computer via interface CBs in the process computer system. The task of the interface CBs is to convert signals ~rom transducers/actuators to a computer or vice versa. Normally, this connection is arranged by placing an optional number of terminal blocks in rows adjacent to the CBs on the cubicle frames. These terminal blocks serve as connection and distribution terminal blocks, to which external transducers are connected by cross-interconnections. From the terminal blocks there extend, in turn, connection leads to the CBq concerned. Voltage supply or other supply of the system may also be arranged by uti-.
:: ' ' ' ' WO92/04814 ~ 9 PCT/SE91/0054 2lizing the terminal blocks as contact and connecti.on devices.
The above-mentioned terminal blocks are fixed to the cubicle frames on mounting rails in the form of rails, which are normally made of metal. The rails are usually provided with flanges, onto which the terminal blocks are normally snapped by means of snap-in members below the terminal block.
Terminal blocks are then placed in rows side-by-side on the mounting rail. These rails are provided in standard designs, for example in accordance with DIN standard EN 50 022 and 50 035.
In a new development stage within this technical field with a possibility of constructing flexible electronic system equipment, it is desirable to introduce mounting rails where new types of terminal blocks are to communicate with each other or be supplied with currents, voltages or signals through conductor paths directly on the rails. Examples of such new types of terminal blocks are described in Swedish patent application No. 9002763-2, entitled "Process inter-face system", filed concurrently herewith. Many advantages can be gained by replacing the simple connection and distribution terminal blocks and the associated system CBs according to the prior art by corresponding terminal blocks comprising electronic units integrated into one another and where these terminal blocks with built-in electronics are given the possibility to communicate, for example, with one another or direct with a computer through conductors on the rail. Among other things, the need of cross-inter-connections (also called marshalling) can be eliminated.
Also, it will be possible to move process monitoring and control units in process computer systems to a smaller cubicle comprising the mentioned new terminal blocks with electronic units closer to the member or members monitored in a process, ~rom where only a bus or an optical fibre conveys communication with a process computer at a dlstance.
WO9t/04814 PCTISE91/00548
Mn~n~ rall wit~ conductors TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to contact equipment for communication between electronic units in the form of terminal blocks mounted on mounting rails, preferably fo~ use in process control systems.
BACKGROUND ART
When designing electronic equipment based on the use of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in flexible systems, it is common nowadays to mount the PCBs in cubicles or boxes with cubicle frames.--Circuit boards (CBs~ with different func- - -tions are combined into larger units by inserting the PCBs into the cubicle frames, in slots intended for the PCBs.
Communication between the respective CBs is possible by the connection of bu~es to the CB. Such bus connection may be utilized both during internal communication between diffe~
rent circuit boards and during system communication with a computer. (By circuit board (CB) we mean a PCB populated with electronic components.) 2~ When using the above-mentioned technique in, for example, process computer systems, a large number of external transducers or actuators are used, which are to be connected to a process computer via interface CBs in the process computer system. The task of the interface CBs is to convert signals ~rom transducers/actuators to a computer or vice versa. Normally, this connection is arranged by placing an optional number of terminal blocks in rows adjacent to the CBs on the cubicle frames. These terminal blocks serve as connection and distribution terminal blocks, to which external transducers are connected by cross-interconnections. From the terminal blocks there extend, in turn, connection leads to the CBq concerned. Voltage supply or other supply of the system may also be arranged by uti-.
:: ' ' ' ' WO92/04814 ~ 9 PCT/SE91/0054 2lizing the terminal blocks as contact and connecti.on devices.
The above-mentioned terminal blocks are fixed to the cubicle frames on mounting rails in the form of rails, which are normally made of metal. The rails are usually provided with flanges, onto which the terminal blocks are normally snapped by means of snap-in members below the terminal block.
Terminal blocks are then placed in rows side-by-side on the mounting rail. These rails are provided in standard designs, for example in accordance with DIN standard EN 50 022 and 50 035.
In a new development stage within this technical field with a possibility of constructing flexible electronic system equipment, it is desirable to introduce mounting rails where new types of terminal blocks are to communicate with each other or be supplied with currents, voltages or signals through conductor paths directly on the rails. Examples of such new types of terminal blocks are described in Swedish patent application No. 9002763-2, entitled "Process inter-face system", filed concurrently herewith. Many advantages can be gained by replacing the simple connection and distribution terminal blocks and the associated system CBs according to the prior art by corresponding terminal blocks comprising electronic units integrated into one another and where these terminal blocks with built-in electronics are given the possibility to communicate, for example, with one another or direct with a computer through conductors on the rail. Among other things, the need of cross-inter-connections (also called marshalling) can be eliminated.
Also, it will be possible to move process monitoring and control units in process computer systems to a smaller cubicle comprising the mentioned new terminal blocks with electronic units closer to the member or members monitored in a process, ~rom where only a bus or an optical fibre conveys communication with a process computer at a dlstance.
WO9t/04814 PCTISE91/00548
3 2 0 ~
I~ is known to connect electronic units as, for example, interface units to serial and/or parallel buses. These are then not placed in or on a standard mounting rail.
There also exlst on the mar~.et electronic units placed on a mounting rail, these unit then communicating with external equipment via special cabling. Among other things, this prevents free mixing of these electronic units with standard terminal blocks. In another embodiment of such electronic units intended to be fixed to mounting rails, these units are connected point by point, that is, no bus structure for communication is applied.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
To distribute voltages to terminal blocks and/or make possible communication between different terminal blocks on a mounting rail or for direct communication with external electronic units, electrically conducting paths are arranged on the mounting rail. ~he conducting paths consist-of elec-trically conducting strips of thin foils or elevated ridges of electrically conducting material applied to the mounting rail with insulating material between the conducting paths and the mounting rail. One or more conducting paths may occur parallel to one another.
The conducting paths are positioned on the flanges of the rail, on the upper or lower side thereof, either on one of or both of the flanges. Alternatively, conducting paths are provided on the bottom of the mounting rail, that is, on the surface which is bounded by the flanges of the mounting rail. It is, of course, possible to provide both flanges and rail bottom with conducting paths.
Terminal blocks o~ various kinds are placed and snapped onto the mounting rail. These terminal blocks are equipped with contact pins located below the terminal block for pre-determined contact with a certain conducting path on the
I~ is known to connect electronic units as, for example, interface units to serial and/or parallel buses. These are then not placed in or on a standard mounting rail.
There also exlst on the mar~.et electronic units placed on a mounting rail, these unit then communicating with external equipment via special cabling. Among other things, this prevents free mixing of these electronic units with standard terminal blocks. In another embodiment of such electronic units intended to be fixed to mounting rails, these units are connected point by point, that is, no bus structure for communication is applied.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
To distribute voltages to terminal blocks and/or make possible communication between different terminal blocks on a mounting rail or for direct communication with external electronic units, electrically conducting paths are arranged on the mounting rail. ~he conducting paths consist-of elec-trically conducting strips of thin foils or elevated ridges of electrically conducting material applied to the mounting rail with insulating material between the conducting paths and the mounting rail. One or more conducting paths may occur parallel to one another.
The conducting paths are positioned on the flanges of the rail, on the upper or lower side thereof, either on one of or both of the flanges. Alternatively, conducting paths are provided on the bottom of the mounting rail, that is, on the surface which is bounded by the flanges of the mounting rail. It is, of course, possible to provide both flanges and rail bottom with conducting paths.
Terminal blocks o~ various kinds are placed and snapped onto the mounting rail. These terminal blocks are equipped with contact pins located below the terminal block for pre-determined contact with a certain conducting path on the
4 c PCT/SE91/00548 ~ 4 mounting rail which corresponds to the position of the con- -tact pin on the terminal block. The contact pins are con-nected directly, or via a contact device, to any of the con-ducting paths and bring about good electrical connection between conducting paths on the mounting ra.l ~nd the con-tact pins with a corresponding location on the terminal block.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DRAWING
O
Figure l and Figure 2 illustrate two examples of different types of mounting rails with flanges, the rails being provided with electrically conducting paths on an insulating foil or an insulating layer of some other kind.
- - _ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Mounting rails l, 2 of standard type, for example according to DIN standard, such as of type EN 50022, EN 50035 or another type, are provided with electrically conducting paths 3 on the surface or surfaces of the mounting rail.
The conducting paths 3 consist of electrically conducting foils, xidges or elevations, for example a thin copper foil, in one or several foils, applied to an insulating layer ~, 5 in the form of, for example, a thin plate or foil. The insulating layer or layers 4, 5 with the conducting paths 3 is/are applied to the surface of the mounting rail. The layer 4, 5 may be self-adhesive or is applied against the rail surface by some other form of pasting or adhesion.
Mounting rails l, 2 may also be prefabricated so as to be provided from the start with the conducting paths 3 on insulating layers 5, in which case these layers 5 may be made in any optional manner. In that case it is also possible to integrate insulating layers 5 with the mounting rail l, 2 itself as a constituent thereof.
As is shown in Figures l and 2, the conducting paths 3 are located on top of the flanges 6, 7 of the mounting xail and WO92/04814 2 0 ~ PCr/SE91/0054 . 5 also below these flanges if desirable Alternatively, or as a combination, conducting paths are also located in the bottom ~ of the mounting rail. A conductin~ path 3 need not run along the entire extent of the mounting rail l, 2.
The insulating layer 4, 5 with conducting paths 3 is so wide that it covers only one flange 6 or both flanges 6, 7, or the bottom 8 of the mounting rail, or the entire width of the mounting rail, or any combination of these variants.
In another embodiment of mounting rails with conducting paths, the conducting paths are made in the form of printed circuit boards for electronic components. Also in this embodimen~, the conducting paths 3 are in the form of con-ducting foils or surfaces on an insulating layer 4 which is applied.to the mounting rail. . ... .
The mounting rails used in connection with the present in-vention may, of course, exhibit shapes entirely different from those described with reference to Figures l and 2. The inventive concept is applicable to an optional cros.s section of the mounting rail, also with, for example, more than two flanges.
BRIEF DESC~IPTION OF THE DRAWING
O
Figure l and Figure 2 illustrate two examples of different types of mounting rails with flanges, the rails being provided with electrically conducting paths on an insulating foil or an insulating layer of some other kind.
- - _ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Mounting rails l, 2 of standard type, for example according to DIN standard, such as of type EN 50022, EN 50035 or another type, are provided with electrically conducting paths 3 on the surface or surfaces of the mounting rail.
The conducting paths 3 consist of electrically conducting foils, xidges or elevations, for example a thin copper foil, in one or several foils, applied to an insulating layer ~, 5 in the form of, for example, a thin plate or foil. The insulating layer or layers 4, 5 with the conducting paths 3 is/are applied to the surface of the mounting rail. The layer 4, 5 may be self-adhesive or is applied against the rail surface by some other form of pasting or adhesion.
Mounting rails l, 2 may also be prefabricated so as to be provided from the start with the conducting paths 3 on insulating layers 5, in which case these layers 5 may be made in any optional manner. In that case it is also possible to integrate insulating layers 5 with the mounting rail l, 2 itself as a constituent thereof.
As is shown in Figures l and 2, the conducting paths 3 are located on top of the flanges 6, 7 of the mounting xail and WO92/04814 2 0 ~ PCr/SE91/0054 . 5 also below these flanges if desirable Alternatively, or as a combination, conducting paths are also located in the bottom ~ of the mounting rail. A conductin~ path 3 need not run along the entire extent of the mounting rail l, 2.
The insulating layer 4, 5 with conducting paths 3 is so wide that it covers only one flange 6 or both flanges 6, 7, or the bottom 8 of the mounting rail, or the entire width of the mounting rail, or any combination of these variants.
In another embodiment of mounting rails with conducting paths, the conducting paths are made in the form of printed circuit boards for electronic components. Also in this embodimen~, the conducting paths 3 are in the form of con-ducting foils or surfaces on an insulating layer 4 which is applied.to the mounting rail. . ... .
The mounting rails used in connection with the present in-vention may, of course, exhibit shapes entirely different from those described with reference to Figures l and 2. The inventive concept is applicable to an optional cros.s section of the mounting rail, also with, for example, more than two flanges.
Claims (8)
1. A mounting rail (1, 2) for terminal blocks and elec-tronic units, characterized in that the mounting rail (1, 2) on its surface exhibits one or more electrically conducting paths (3) applied to an electrically insulating layer (4, 5).
2. A mounting rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulation between conducting paths (3) and rail (1, 2) consists of one or more insulating layers (4, 5) coated with electrically conducting foils, which foils form one or more conductor paths (3) electrically insulated from each other and from the mounting rail, the insulating layers (4, 5) in the form of plates or foils being applied to the surface of the mounting rail (1, 2).
3. A mounting rail according to claim 2, characterized in that the conducting paths (3) are located either on one (6) or both (6, 7) of the flanges of the mounting rail, or on the bottom (8) of the mounting rail, or any combination of these parts.
9. A mounting rail according to claim 3, characterized in that the insulating layer in the form of a foil (4) with conducting paths (3) is self-adhesive.
5. A mounting rail according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating layer (4, 5) with conducting paths (3) covers either the whole of or parts of the width of the mounting rail (1, 2).
6. A mounting rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting. rail is prefabricated, the rail blank, the insulating layer (5) and the conducting paths (3) constituting an integral unit with conducting paths along the whole of or parts of the length of the mounting rail.
7. A mounting rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the conducting paths (3) of the mounting rail constitute communication and/or voltage supply, or electrical connection medium for terminal blocks mounted on the mounting rail (1, 2), said terminal blocks being with or without electronic units built into the blocks.
8. A mounting rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the conducting paths (3) and the insulating layers (4, 5) of the mounting rail are realized by one or more printed circuit boards applied to the surface of the mounting rail (1, 2).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9002762A SE466778B (en) | 1990-08-29 | 1990-08-29 | ASSEMBLY PROFILE WITH LEADER |
| SE9002762-4 | 1990-08-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2090499A1 true CA2090499A1 (en) | 1992-03-01 |
Family
ID=20380233
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002090499A Abandoned CA2090499A1 (en) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-08-20 | Mounting rail with conductors |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0546065A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH06500895A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR930702873A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU8530991A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2090499A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI930872A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE466778B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992004814A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102004002077A1 (en) * | 2004-01-15 | 2005-08-25 | Ria-Btr Produktions-Gmbh | Arrangement of electronic coupling modules e.g. for installation engineering, includes cross-connection bridge extending over two module housings |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH656041A5 (en) * | 1982-06-23 | 1986-05-30 | Elektrowatt Ag | APPARATUS MOUNTED ON A COMMON RAIL. |
| US4913382A (en) * | 1989-07-24 | 1990-04-03 | Chrysler Corporation | Mounting means for vehicle audio device |
-
1990
- 1990-08-29 SE SE9002762A patent/SE466778B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1991
- 1991-08-20 EP EP91916336A patent/EP0546065A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-08-20 JP JP3515572A patent/JPH06500895A/en active Pending
- 1991-08-20 KR KR1019930700611A patent/KR930702873A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-08-20 CA CA002090499A patent/CA2090499A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-08-20 AU AU85309/91A patent/AU8530991A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-08-20 WO PCT/SE1991/000548 patent/WO1992004814A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1993
- 1993-02-26 FI FI930872A patent/FI930872A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SE9002762A (en) | 1992-03-01 |
| SE466778B (en) | 1992-03-30 |
| FI930872A0 (en) | 1993-02-26 |
| KR930702873A (en) | 1993-09-09 |
| JPH06500895A (en) | 1994-01-27 |
| FI930872A (en) | 1993-02-26 |
| SE9002762D0 (en) | 1990-08-29 |
| EP0546065A1 (en) | 1993-06-16 |
| AU8530991A (en) | 1992-03-30 |
| WO1992004814A1 (en) | 1992-03-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |