Patent GB-1449369-A (GB)
Title: Circuit connections for electronic or electrical automation systems
IPC: G05B19/18
Filed: 1974-03-28
Abstract: 1449369 Component assemblies LA TELEMECHANIQUE ELECTRIQUE 28 March 1974 [29 March 1973] 13824/74 Heading H1R [Also in Division H2] In Fig. 1 an active or passive component module of an automation control system for performing logic functions, supplying power, indicating signals or measurements, or interconnecting conductors has a series of openings therein opposite internal flexible connectors 2, 25 connected to circuits of the module, and insulant support 5 has plural parallel spaced conducting pins adapted to engage the openings which are moulded or crimped into the support; the pins comprising a first section 3 at the free end engaging the connectors and a second section 6 receiving the ends of conductors 7 interconnecting several modules inter se or to a power supply or to sources of input variables or to circuits receiving output variables; the conductors being manually or automatically attached to the pins, e.g. by winding their ends around section 6. The insulant support 5 may engage a channel shaped retention member by attachment hooks 49. Plural modules performing distinct functions are interconnected inter se and to sources, inputs, and outputs with faces 11 displaced from supports 5, 12 in a distinct plane so that the faces are availble for observation or access through openings 22 of a wall 21 of cabinet 20 enclosing the system. External conductors 16, 17 terminate on terminal blocks 13 with pins similar to pins 4 to which they may be connected by wound on intermediate conductors 7. The rows and columns of pins are arranged regularly in line to facilitate interconnection by attachment to channel shaped members 18. The modules assembled in Fig. 2 comprise a press button control module I, a logic module 301, a logic display module 101, a logic module 401, and a power supply module 201, while interconnections 7 and 23 are arranged to interconnect groups IV of aligned modules or adjacent groups IV, V. A further array of pins 15 may be formed as cutouts of a single strip 24 anchored to the supports to supply common voltages or signals, and the modular wiring may be performed automatically before assembly using standard cross section pins. Over-insertion of the pins into the modules is prevented by abutments on the ends of the pins within the flexible connectors or the provision of spacers 25, 26 (Fig. 1). In a modification a spaced insulant protective plate with apertures registering with the pins is provided so that only the first section of each pin may engage the flexible connectors of the modules, and other openings of the plate may engage flexible locking members of the modules (Fig. 3, not shown). Modules may also be secured to the plate by screws, clamps or springs, and the plate may have modular identification marks; or a transparent marked cover plate with openings for test terminals may retain the front walls of the modules (Figs. 4, 5, not shown). Collector strips orthogonal to the modular groups may provide common power or signal connections thereto, and prewired interconnection elements mounted on strips may be plugged between selected pins and the flexible connectors of the modules (Figs. 6, 7, not shown). Plural parallel partitions detachable or pivotable in a cabinet or rack, or edge mounted therein, with plug in connectors to common detachable pin connected connection strips, may accommodate plural layers of modules interconnected as described (Figs. 6, 7, 8, not shown). The interconnecting pins may each have two limbs, one for engagement of a module and one for the wiring connections (Fig. 10, not shown). The connectors may be detachable and held captive by a flexible anchorage (Figs. 9a, 9b, 9c, not shown).