The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1996
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munchen, DE;
Abstract
An enclosed input/output module comprising an enclosure (1), at least one printed circuit board (2) arranged along one of the interior surfaces of the enclosure, a cover (3) having an essentially U-shaped receiving channel (4) including a pair of hollow legs, and a process connector (5) that fits within the receiving channel of the cover, wherein the module comprises a second printed circuit board such that the two printed circuit boards fit into the legs of the cover to frame the receiving channel on both sides and both printed circuit boards are free of mounted components, apart from light-emitting diodes, in the portions that frame the receiving channel. The module may additionally include light-emitting diodes (6) on the circuit boards (2), optical waveguides (7), latching elements and recesses (25, 26) for retaining the process connector (5) with respect to the cover (3) in a preliminary position, and/or threaded means (17, 18) for fully joining the process connector (5) to the cover (3). The process connector (5) includes contacts (12) for engagement with blades (9) on the printed circuit boards (2) and screw terminals (14) for connection to wires. The module may additionally include encoding and counter-encoding elements (19, 20) for ensuring a proper match between the process connector (5) and cover (3) and guide bars and grooves (23, 24) asymmetrically designed and/or arranged for ensuring the proper orientation and for guidance of the process connector (5) into the cover (3).