Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522,405, filed 11 Aug. 2011, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to connectors for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic devices are frequently designed to have a modular configuration. The electronic circuits may be arranged into modular units (modules) each module including circuitry dedicated to a particular function or number of functions. In some electronic devices, each module may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) enclosed within a housing. An example of such an electronic device may be a programmable logic controller (PLC). 
     The PLC is generally an electronic processing system designed to control compounded (multi-task) processes. Some of these processes may include applications which involve automation, for example, in automatic or semi-automatic manufacturing facilities or other types of machine-based processing facilities. In these applications, the PLC may be used to automatically control specific tasks performed by machinery. 
     The PLC is typically modular in design to allow adding or removing of modules according to the application. Some modules may be, for example, for processing data, others may be for data input/output, others for communications, and still others may be for power conversion and/or supply. The modules may be rack mounted and are frequently physically connected in series to allow for their easy attachment and removal. Electrical connections between the modules generally include use of cables and connectors, although alternate means of connections may be used. An example of an alternate means of connection is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,528 B2 to Cox et al. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device comprising a base printed circuit board (PCB); a first edge card socket mounted on the base PCB, the socket having PCB contacts; and a PCB connection unit having PCB contacts thereon, the unit being slideably connectable to the first edge card socket and adapted to be slideably inserted into, and to make electrical contact with, a second edge card socket mounted on a second base PCB. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the PCB connection unit includes a PCB interconnect board. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interconnect board includes conductor traces. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interconnect board includes electrical contacts. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the PCB connection unit includes a handle. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first edge card socket includes an opening for slideably connecting the PCB connection unit 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second edge card socket includes an opening for slideably inserting the PCB connection unit. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the PCB connection unit includes a housing. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first base PCB is in a first module and the second base PCB is in a second module. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first module includes a window for accessing the connector. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first module and the second module include slots. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first module and the second module are components in a programmable logic controller (PLC). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second base PCB is a component in a second electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a view of an electronic device including modules electrically interconnected using a PCB connection unit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  including the PCB connection unit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  schematically illustrate a side view and a front view of the PCB connection unit, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  schematically illustrate a side view and a front view of the PCB connection unit interconnecting two PCBs, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of using a modular programmable logic controller (PLC) having the PCB connection unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
     Applicants have realized the standard data connector used to connect modules in electronic devices is slow and keeps the rate of data transfer between units relatively slow. Applicants have further realized that a faster connection may be that of a PCB connection. 
     The main advantages of using a PCB for the actual connection are (a) higher communication speeds may be achieved due to controlled impedances in the PCB (which is an electrical property influenced by the dimensions, thickness and height, and the dielectric constant of the PCB material); and (b) reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) in PCBs as opposed to connectors 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which schematically illustrates an electronic device  10 , for example a programmable logic controller (PLC), including multiple PCB connection units  100  connecting a plurality of modules  12 A- 12 C together, and to  FIG. 2  which schematically illustrates a perspective view of PLC  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Modules  12 A,  12 B and  12 C may include a base PCB  14 A,  14 B, and  14 C with electronic circuitry for performing functions associated with the respective module (e.g. processing circuitry, I/O circuitry, power supply/conversion circuitry, etc.). Each PCB  14 A,  14 B and  14 C may additionally include two PCB edge card sockets, a first edge card socket  104 A and a second edge card socket  104 B on opposing edges of the PCBs, in electrical contact with the electronic circuitry in the PCB. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, PCB connection unit  100  is configured to electrically interconnect two PCBs. The PCBs may be two adjacent PCBs inside an electronic device, or may be two PCBs in adjacent modules in an electronic device/system. PCB connection unit  100  may allow serial connection of a plurality of PCBs inside an electronic device, a plurality of modules, and a plurality of electronic devices, by using the connection unit to connect one PCB to another in a chain-type configuration. For example, four PCBs may be serially connected within an electronic device by connecting one PCB to the other using PCB connection unit  100 . As another example, four modules may be serially connected together by connecting at least one PCB in each module to a PCB in the adjacent module using PCB connection unit  100 . The center modules, for example, may have two PCBs, one on each side, connecting to an adjacent module on each side of the module using PCB connection unit  100 . Similarly, in another example, four electronic devices may be serially connected together by connecting at least one PCB in each device to a PCB in the adjacent device using PCB connection unit  100 . The center device, for example, may have two PCBs, one on each side, connecting to an adjacent device on each side of the module using PCB connection unit  100 . One skilled in the art may realize that a plurality of PCB connection units  100  may be used to connect a PCB to a plurality of PCBs. As an example, the plurality of PCB connection units  100  may be used to connect 4 PCBs to a PCB along all the sides of the PCB (along both sides of the length and both sides of the width of the PCB). The skilled in the art may also realize that many other connection combinations may be possible, and that the plurality of connections to one PCB may be equally applicable to all PCBs in a serial connection as well as for connection modules and devices. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, PCB connection unit  100  may electrically interconnect adjacent modules, for example, PCB  14 A in module  12 A with PCB  14 B in module  12 B, and PCB  14 B in module  12 B with PCB  14 C in module  12 C. PCB connection unit  100  may include a connector  102  which may be configured to fit into a PCB edge card socket in one PCB and into a second PCB edge card socket in an adjacent PCB, and to create an electrical path between the sockets. For example, connector  102  may fit into PCB edge card socket  104 A in module  12 C and into edge card socket  104 B in module  14 B creating the electrical path between the edge card sockets and electrically interconnecting PCBs  14 B and  14 C. Modules  12 A- 12 C may include slots  16  ( FIG. 2 ) on externally opposing walls of each module through which connector  102  may physically extend from one PCB in one module to another PCB in the adjacent module. For example, from PCB  14 C through slots  16  in modules  12 C and  12 B, to PBC  14 B, and from PCB  14 B in module  12 B through slots  16  in modules  12 B and  12 A to PCB  14 A. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, PCB connection unit  100  may allow a user to electrically connect and disconnect modules, for example modules  12 A and  12 B, and  12 B and  12 C, with relative ease and in a relatively short time. PCB edge card socket  104 A in each module  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C may be configured to allow connector  102  to reciprocally slide through the socket into and out of PCB edge card socket  104 B for making and breaking the electrical connection between the modules. A window  18  may be included in each module  12 A- 12 C which may be accessed by a user to allow the user to manipulate connector  102  for electrically connecting and disconnecting adjacent PCBs (and thereby adjacent modules). For example, the user may access window  18  to disconnect one module from another when replacing a module, or to connect a newly installed module. Through window  18 , the user may laterally push connector PCB  102  so that it slides through edge card socket  104 A in one module and through slots  16  in the modules into edge card socket  104 B in the other module, establishing the electrical connection. For disconnecting, the user may laterally pull on connector  102  through window  18 , sliding the connector away from edge card socket  104 B in the other module. Additionally, the user may pull on connector  102  until it is completely withdrawn from the other module. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , connector  102  in module  12 C is shown inserted into PCB edge card socket  104 B in module  12 B connecting the modules together, connector  102  in module  12 B is shown inserted into PCB edge card socket  104 B in module  12 A connecting the modules together, and connector  102  in module  12 A is shown inside the module, in a disconnect mode. 
     Connector  102  may include a handle or lever  16  which the user may use to reciprocally slide (laterally push and pull) the connector through PCB edge card socket  104 A, into and out of PCB edge card socket  104 B. Additionally or alternatively, connector  102  may include a notch or similar feature which may accommodate a tool such as, for example, a screwdriver, which may be used to by the user to laterally push and pull on the connector. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  which schematically illustrate a side view and a front view of connector  102 , respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Connector  102  may include an interconnect board which may be a connector printed circuit board (PCB)  108  having contacts  112  in a forward section and a rear section, and with conductor traces  110  electrically connecting the front section contacts  112 A and rear section contacts  112 B. Connector  102  may include housing or cover  114  over connector  102 . 
     Reference is now also made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  which schematically illustrate a side view and a front view A of PCB connection unit  100  with connector  102  electrically interconnecting two PCBs, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The PCBs may be, for example, PCB  14 A in module  12 A and PCB  14 B in module  12 B. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, PCB  14 A may include PCB edge card socket  104 B and PCB  14 B may include PCB edge card socket  104 A. Edge card sockets  104 A and  104 B may be, but not limited to, a modified version of the guideless sockets from the Mini Edge Card Socket MB1 Series of Samtech Inc., appropriately modified to allow connector  102  to slide inside the sockets. Edge card sockets  104 A and  104 B may include an opening  114  adapted to accommodate connector  102  and to allow the connector to be slidingly displaced inside the sockets in a forward and a backward direction. Edge card sockets  104 A and  104 B may include contacts  105  in electrical contact with the respective electronic circuitry in PCBs  14 A and  14 B. Contacts  105  may be adapted to make electrical contact with contacts  112 A and  112 B in connector  102  when the connector is positioned in the sockets. For example, contacts  105  in edge socket  104 B make electrical contact with forward section contacts  112 A and contacts  105  in edge socket  104 A make electrical contact with rear section contacts  112 B. 
     According to some exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a typical mode of operation, when PCBs  14 A and  14 B are disconnected, connector  102  may be positioned inside edge card socket  104 A. To make the electrical connection, the user pushes on handle  106 , laterally displacing connector  102  so that it slides inside edge card socket  104 A towards, and into, edge card connector  104 B. Once inserted into edge card connector  104 B, the electrical connection is made between PCBs  14 A and  14 B. Electricity flow between PCB  14 A and  14 B may then be facilitated by the electrical contact between PCB  14 A through the contacts  105  in edge card connector  104 B and front section contacts  112 A, contacts  105  in edge card connector  104 A and rear section contacts  112 B, and conductor trace  110  connecting the front section and rear section contacts in connector PCB  108 . To break the electrical connection, the user pulls handle  106  laterally displacing connector  102  so that is slides inside edge card socket  104 A away from, and out of, edge card socket  104 B. One of ordinary skill in the art may realize that electricity flow between PCBs  14 A and  14 B may be across connector PCB  108  in any direction and not necessarily limited to a particular direction. 
     Furthermore, one may realize that the above description regarding the direction of insertion and retrieval of connector  102  is not intended to be limiting and that the direction of insertion and retrieval may be from edge card socket  104 B instead of from edge card socket  104 A as described above. 
     It will be appreciated that, with the PCB connection provided by the present invention, adding extensions to existing devices may be done with relative ease and speed, without sacrificing performance generally associated with electrical connectivity restraints. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the preceding discussions, it is appreciated that, throughout the specification, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer, computing system, or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system&#39;s registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system&#39;s memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Technology Category: 5