Removable terminal block assembly that permits an I/O base to operate in simplex mode or duplex mode
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAdam M. Wrobel, Doug A. Lostoski, Daniel E. Killian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An I/O device includes an I/O base, at least two I/O modules supported on the I/O base, and a duplex terminal block assembly supported on the I/O base. The at least two I/O modules include a first I/O module and a second I/O module coupled to the duplex terminal block assembly in parallel. The duplex terminal block assembly can include connectors for connecting to a field device. The duplex terminal block assembly can include conductive structures for coupling the connectors with each of the first and second I/O modules. The duplex terminal block can be installed in a pair of ports in an I/O base to connect two I/O modules in parallel.
Claims10
An I/O device comprising:
- an I/O base;
- at least two I/O modules supported on the I/O base;
- and
- a duplex terminal block assembly supported on the I/O base;
- wherein the at least two I/O modules include a first I/O module and a second I/O module coupled to the duplex terminal block assembly in parallel;
- wherein the duplex terminal block assembly includes a terminal block base and a terminal block supported on the terminal block base, the terminal block base having a width that is twice a width of the terminal block and the terminal block is centered along the width of the terminal block base;
- and
- wherein the terminal block is received in a slot of the terminal block base.
An I/O device comprising:
- an I/O base;
- at least two I/O modules supported on the I/O base;
- and
- a duplex terminal block assembly supported on the I/O base;
- wherein the at least two I/O modules include a first I/O module and a second I/O module coupled to the duplex terminal block assembly in parallel;
- and
- further comprising a third I/O module and a simplex terminal block assembly electrically coupled to the third I/O module.
A duplex terminal block assembly for use with an associated I/O device having an I/O base with at least two ports for receiving at least a portion of a terminal block assembly and at least two I/O modules supported on the I/O base, the duplex terminal block assembly comprising:
- a terminal block base portion having connectors for coupling with the I/O base of the associated I/O device;
- and
- a terminal block extending from the terminal block base portion and having connectors for connecting to an associated field device;
- wherein the terminal block base portion has a width such that it is at least partially received in each of the at least two ports when installed in the I/O base;
- and
- wherein the duplex terminal block includes conductive structures for coupling each of the at least two I/O modules in parallel to the connectors.
A method of assembling an I/O device having at least two I/O modules connected in duplex to a field device, the method comprising:
- coupling at least two I/O modules to an I/O base;
- coupling a duplex terminal block to first and second ports of the I/O base;
- wherein the duplex terminal block assembly includes a terminal block base portion having connectors for coupling with the I/O base of the associated I/O device, and a terminal block extending from the terminal block base portion and having connectors for connecting to the associated field device;
- wherein the terminal block base portion has a width such that it is at least partially received in each of the at least two ports when installed in the I/O base;
- and
- wherein the duplex terminal block includes conductive structures for coupling each of the at least two I/O modules in parallel to the connectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.