I/O connector module for a field controller in a distributed control system
AssigneeThe Foxboro Company
InventorsHarold Lake, Charles Piper, David P. Prentice, Simon Korowitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An I/O device in the form of an internal dongle includes a body having connective structure being arranged to removably attach the body to a housing of an electronic device. The dongle also includes a circuit assembly that has an exterior connector on the body for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit being electrically coupled to the external connector through the body, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit, and a second end being structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device within the housing.
Claims67
An internal dongle, comprising:
- a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing;
- and
- a circuit assembly, including an exterior connector on the body for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit electrically coupled to the external connector through the body, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit, and a second end structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.
An internal dongle adapted to removably mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the dongle comprising:
- a non-conductive body, including connective structure assuring a secure mechanical connection with the housing;
- and
- an electrical circuit carried by the body, including an external connector at a front end of the body for electrically coupling to another electronic device outside the housing, an electrical cable coupled to a rear end of the body at one end and having an internal connector at another end for electrically coupling to a component of the electronic device at a location within the housing, and circuit means including a circuit board connecting between the cable and the external connector.
A double dongle, comprised of:
- a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing;
- and
- a circuit assembly structurally coupled to the body, including a first exterior connector on an external portion of the body which is exposed when the body is mounted to the housing for electrically connecting to a first exterior electronic device, a second exterior connector on the external portion of the body for electrically connecting to a second exterior electronic device, a first internal circuit electrically coupled to the first external connector, a second internal circuit electrically coupled to the second external connector, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the first and second internal circuits, and an internal connector at a second end of the electronic cable, wherein the internal connector is structured and arranged to connect to a mating connector on an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.
An internal dongle adapted to removably and securely mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the electronic device including a ground bus within the housing, the dongle comprising:
- a non-conductive body;
- an electrical circuit carried by the body, including a ground connector structured and arranged to couple to the ground bus at a location within the housing when the dongle is mounted to the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.