Modular electrical bus system
AssigneeNumatics, Incorporated
InventorsEnrico De Carolis, John F. Eskew, Adam Gibson, Michael W. Hundt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a main communication module with a plurality of modular I/O units each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent units and the main communication module. At least one of the modular I/O units is also mechanically separable from and maintains communication connection to the main communication module. One or both of the modular IO units and main communication module may have an alpha-numeric display.
Claims20
A modular electrical bus assembly comprising;
- a first module and a second module juxtaposed against each other;
- said one module having one side with a unitary interlocking extension;
- said second module having a juxtaposed side with a complementary interlocking cavity;
- and
- a bridge member placed and aligned directly in front of both said interlocking extension and interlocking cavity and secured thereto to connect adjacent first and second modules together.
A modular electrical bus system comprising:
- a first module and second module being juxtaposed adjacent each other and each having a respective receptacle for interlocking with a protrusion from a bridge member;
- said bridge member having an interlocking protrusion that is received within a complementary receptacle of adjacent modular I/O units;
- said bridge member placed directly in front of both said receptacles and secured thereto to connect adjacent first and second modules together;
- said first and second modular units being a plurality of modular I/O units each having a plurality of I/O fittings, said modular I/O units being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent I/O units;
- and
- at least one of said modular I/O units also being mechanically separable from and maintaining communication connection remotely to the bus system.
An electrical bus assembly comprising:
- a main communication module:
- a main bank of modular I/O units mounted to the side of the main communication module and adjacent each other;
- each modular I/O unit having an electrical fitting in proximity to each side thereof;
- a bridge member spanning and connecting two adjacent modular I/O units;
- said bridge member having complementary electrical fittings for engaging the electrical fittings of two adjacent I/O units;
- a fastener for mounting said modular I/O units to a mounting base;
- said bridge member also mechanically connecting said adjacent modular I/O units together such that when said bridge members are disengaged from one modular I/O unit, said one modular I/O unit can be removed from said mounting base and said bank of modular I/O units without removing said left and right adjacent modular I/O units;
- and
- each modular I/O unit enclosing electronic boards therein and being distributable to a remote location from said main bank and said main communication module and electrically connectable to the main bank and main communication module via a cable or wireless communication medium.
An I/O module for an electrical bus system comprising:
- a housing having a main front face and a first electrical connection proximate to one lateral side and a second electrical connection proximate another lateral side;
- a plurality of I/O fittings on the main front face of said housing;
- said one lateral side of said housing shaped to interlock with said another lateral side of an adjacent I/O module and to receive a bridge connector therebetween directly in front of said respective interlocking sides;
- and
- said another lateral side of said housing shaped to interlock with one lateral side of an adjacent I/O module and to receive a second bridge connector therebetween aligned directly in front of said respective interlocking side.
A modular electrical bus assembly comprising:
- a first module and a second module juxtaposed against each other and having opposing sides with complementarily shaped sections to interlock together along a horizontal plane;
- and
- a bridge member fastenable to both first and second module directly in front of said complementarily shaped sections to lock said modules together in a direction perpendicular to said plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.