Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a modular connection system for Ethernet applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Known connection systems for Ethernet applications are in part unsuitable for industrial applications. These systems can be modularly configured with respect to the number of ports, can be mounted on a rail and typically have outlets for example RJ45 receptacles for connecting to corresponding plugs. These systems, however often do not meet the electromechanical and flexibility requirements of the industry. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a modular connection system for the industrial sector which fulfils the requirements of the industry with respect to electromechanical construction and flexibility. 
     SUMMARY 
     This and other objects are achieved by a modular system design for active network components for use in the industrial sector close to production machinery. In contrast to use in the conventional office or building sector, the requirements with respect to electromechanical structure and flexibility are different in the planning of network topology despite identical electrical and logical functioning. In the industrial sector, the network topology has to be adapted to the different production processes. In contrast to the office sector, the number of connection ports per data distribution device or active components like a switch or hub is likely to be smaller. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the invention will now be described with the aid of the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an electronic module according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic module of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two electronic modules having a plurality of connection modules attached. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completely assembled modular connection system according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention will now be described in greater detail referring first to FIG.  1 . The electronic module  1  consists of a printed circuit board  2 , a lower housing  3  and an upper housing  4 . A data distribution device, for example a hub or a switch is located on the printed circuit board  2 . A plurality of connections  5 , here four connections which are designed as universal module locations  6 , are also provided on the printed circuit board  2 . The four connections  5  are, in each case, a respective network port which is correspondingly connected to the data distribution device. The printed circuit board  2  has a respective power supply connection  7 ,  8  on opposing sides and plug connectors  9 ,  10  for the databus line on opposing sides. The plug connectors  9 ,  10  are complementary, just as the connectors  7 ,  8  are complementary. This is the case so that a plurality of electronic modules can be laterally butt mounted and connected to each other. The lower housing  3  has a recess  11  in its bottom. This recess  11  serves to receive a mounting rail such as a top hat rail, on which the electronic module  1  can be mounted. Openings  12 ,  13  are also provided in the side walls of the lower housing  3 . Whereas the openings  12  serve to receive the power supply connections  7 ,  8 , the openings  13  are suitable for receiving the plug connectors  9 ,  10  for the databus. The upper housing  4  has, in its front region, four universal module locations  6  for each connection  5 . In the rear region, it is possible to provide various indicators  15 . The universal module locations  6  each have a coded key way  14 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a fully assembled electronic module  1 . The four universal module locations  6  with the coded key way  14  are arranged in the front region of the module  1 . The power supply connections  7  and the plug connector for the databus  9  are located on the side of the module  1 . In the rear region of the module  1 , indicators  15  are provided. The universal module locations  6  of the four connections  5  have a plurality of contacts  16  which are used depending on the design of the connection module. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show two electronic modules  1 ,  1 ′ butt mounted on a top hat rail  17 . They can be moved along the top hat rail to mate databus plug connectors  9  and the power supply connectors  7  on the adjacent modules. As shown in FIG. 3, four connection modules  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21  are already latched onto the left electronic module  1  and only one connection module  22  is latched onto the right electronic module  1 ′. Three further connection modules  22  can still be placed as necessary from above on to the corresponding module locations  6 ′. 
     The connection modules  18 ,  19 ,  21  differ from one another. The module  21  is an optical module which has an active component for converting the optical signal into an electric signal. The connection modules  18 - 20  are modules which have a modular jack plug connector and are suitable for receiving an RJ45 plug connector. The module  18  differs from the modules  19  and  20  in that it additionally has a connection for feeding in the supply current. 
     The modules  22  are identically constructed. They are rapid connection modules which have a flap lid  23  and an insulation displacement contact  24  for contacting the conductor of a cable. A cable strain relief device  25  is also provided. These modules can be designed for the connection of various cables. 
     Different physical designs of cables can be used, depending on the application, in each case. The system is suitable both for copper and for fiber optic cables depending upon the module selected. A plurality of connection modules may be connected to each electronic module. These connection modules can be attached to the connections of the electronic modules and mechanically fastened there to produce an electrical connection between an optical or any electrical cable. 
     A plurality of electronic modules can be butt mounted to a system. It is therefore possible, to produce, for example star hubs with optionally  4 ,  8 ,  12 , etc. connections. 
     Each electronic module has a universal module location per connection. Depending on the connection module used, it produces a connection to specific contacts of the module location. 
     It is an advantage for differentiating between the function-specific connection modules to provide a coding of the connections or the module locations, and connection modules. 
     It is also an advantage to provide the electronic modules with a screen. This can be effected by means of a coated plastic housing, by means of a metal housing or by means of screening plates. 
     Each electronic module can be contacted by means of a plurality of connection modules. The connection modules here are particularly advantageously capable of latching onto the electric module. The connection modules can be very different in design. 
     Purely passive connection modules are also possible which have, for example, an RJ45 socket-outlet for receiving a corresponding plug which is connected to the cable. It is also possible to provide connection modules for directly clamping-on installation cables, for example insulation displacement contacts. There can be connection modules of this type for various cable types. An integrated screen cover and a strain relief device can also be provided in the process. 
     However, active connection modules are also within the scope of the invention. An optical transceiver can be located therein with an MTRJ connection to which an optical fiber can be attached. There can still be alternatives here in that multimode, single mode or also plastic fibres can be attached. 
     An extension of the modular connection system is possible, for example with special modules. It is advantageous that the power supply can be butt mounted to the electronic modules in a special module. 
     It is also advantageous to provide special modules with components with diagnostic functions or network management functions. Butt mountable special modules such as ISDN routers, couplers to other networks and so on can also be provided. 
     It is also advantageous to provide special connection modules, such as media converters to special transmission media.

Technology Category: 4