# US 12,225,676 B2 · Programmable logic controller, and base unit and module units thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,225,676 B2 - Document ID: US12225676B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/723,883 - Filed: 2022-06-16 - Published: 2024-12-19 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-16 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Applicants: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation - Inventors: Yohei Isoda; Yoshikazu Murata; Masatoshi Toyonaga - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12225676B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/05: Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts - H05K 7/1474: {Mounting of modules, e.g. on a base or rail or wall} - H05K 7/1465: {Modular PLC assemblies with separable functional units} - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A programmable logic controller capable of maintaining waterproofness or dustproofness includes a base unit with a substrate, a base case housing the substrate, and at least one holding part to hold a connection unit which is one of a plurality of module units. The connection unit includes a module-side connector, an engagement mechanism to be detachably engaged with the at least one holding part, and a module case with a fitting tenon to be engaged with the base case. The programmable logic controller includes an elastic member to apply a force in a first direction, which is a direction in which the connection unit moves away from the base unit, thereby pressing the engagement mechanism of the connection unit against the at least one holding part of the base unit, and a sealing member to seal a gap between the base case and the fitting tenon of the module case. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A programmable logic controller comprising: a base unit; and a plurality of module units to be connected to the base unit, wherein the base unit comprises: a substrate having a plurality of base-side connectors and electrically connecting the plurality of module units via the plurality of base-side connectors; a base case having an opening through which one of the plurality of base-side connectors is exposed and housing the substrate; and at least one holding part to hold a connection unit which is one of the plurality of module units, wherein the connection unit comprises: a module-side connector to be connected to one of the plurality of base-side connectors; an engagement mechanism to be detachably engaged with the at least one holding part of the base unit; and a module case having a fitting tenon formed in such a manner as to be fitted with the base case and to surround the module-side connector, wherein the programmable logic controller further comprises: an elastic member to exert a force in a first direction, which is a direction in which the connection unit moves away from the base unit, for pressing the engagement mechanism of the connection unit against the at least one holding part of the base unit; and a sealing member to seal a gap between the base case and the fitting tenon of the module case, and wherein the at least one holding part is provided in plurality to form pairs, and the pair of holding parts has at least one slant face inclined with respect to the first direction such that the force exerted by the elastic member is applied in a second direction intersecting the first direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is provided on a lateral face of the fitting tenon, the lateral face being parallel to the first direction, or on an opposing face of the base case, the opposing face facing the lateral face of the fitting tenon. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is parallel to a direction from one holding part to the other holding part in the pair of holding parts, and the at least one slant face is inclined such that it gradually approaches a side of the other holding part toward the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and a direction from one holding part to the other holding part in the pair of holding parts, and wherein the at least one slant face is provided in plurality such that the engagement mechanism of the connection unit is sandwiched from both sides and a distance between the slant faces becomes gradually narrower toward the first direction, thereby the force exerted by the elastic member being applied in the second direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the engagement mechanism has at least one slant face inclined with respect to the first direction such that the force exerted by the elastic member is applied in the second direction intersecting the first direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The programmable logic controller according to claim 5, wherein the second direction is parallel to a direction from one holding part to the other holding part in the pair of holding parts, and one of the at least one slant face is inclined such that it gradually approaches a side of the other holding part from a side of the one holding part toward the first direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The programmable logic controller according to claim 5, wherein the second direction is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and a direction from one holding part to the other holding part in the pair of holding parts, and the engagement mechanism has a plurality of slant faces inclined such that its width in the second direction becomes gradually narrower toward the first direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the module case has a plurality of slant faces sandwiching the engagement mechanism from both sides, and a distance between the slant faces becomes gradually wider toward the first direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The programmable logic controller according to claim 1, wherein the base unit further comprises a plurality of guide parts formed in such a manner as to extend toward the first direction, wherein the module case has notches formed in such a manner as to be along the plurality of guide parts, and wherein at least two of the plurality of guide parts are brought adjacent to the module case when the connection unit is held by the base unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The programmable logic controller according to claim 9, wherein at least one of a face of each guide part to be adjacent to the module case and a face of the module case to be adjacent to each guide part has a protrusion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The programmable logic controller according to claim 9, wherein each of the guide parts has at least one slant face inclined such that its width becomes gradually narrower toward the first direction. ### Claim 12 A base unit of a programmable logic controller provided with the base unit and a plurality of module units to be connected to the base unit, the base unit comprising: a substrate having a plurality of base-side connectors and electrically connecting the plurality of module units via the plurality of base-side connectors; a base case having openings through which the plurality of base-side connectors are exposed and housing the substrate; at least one holding part to hold a connection unit which is one of the plurality of module units by being engaged with an engagement mechanism of the connection unit; an elastic member to exert a force in a first direction, which is a direction in which the connection unit moves away from the base unit, for pressing the engagement mechanism of the connection unit against the at least one holding part of the base unit; and a sealing member to seal a gap between a fitting tenon of the module case of the connection unit and the base case, the fitting tenon being formed such that it surrounds the module-side connector of the connection unit to be connected to one of the plurality of base-side connectors, wherein the at least one holding part is provided in plurality to form a pair, and the pair of holding parts has at least one slant face inclined with respect to the first direction such that the force exerted by the elastic member is applied in a second direction intersecting the first direction. ### Claim 13 A module unit of a programmable logic controller provided with: a base unit having a substrate with a plurality of base-side connectors, a base case with an opening through which one of the plurality of base-side connectors is exposed and housing the substrate, and at least one holding part to hold another unit; and the module unit to be connected to the base unit, the module unit comprising: a module-side connector to be connected to one of the base-side connectors of the base unit; an engagement mechanism to be detachably engaged with the at least one holding part of the base unit; a module case having a fitting tenon formed in such a manner as to be fitted with the base case and to surround the module-side connector; an elastic member to exert a force in a first direction, which is a direction in which the module unit moves away from the base unit, for pressing the engagement mechanism of the module unit against the at least one holding part of the base unit; and a sealing member to seal a gap between the base case and the fitting tenon of the module case, wherein the at least one holding part is provided in plurality to form a pair, and the pair of holding parts has at least one slant face inclined with respect to the first direction such that the force exerted by the elastic member is applied in a second direction intersecting the first direction.