Automated assembly

Abstract

The invention provides an automation assembly in which a first surface and a second surface are arranged integrally and seamlessly with each other on a centerline extending through a midpoint of a first fastening opening and a second fastening opening, the centerline being embodied as a ridge line of an upper portion, the upper part is designed such that the first surface, starting from the center line to the first brim edge, and the second surface, starting from the center line to the second brim edge, each run as an inclined plane, the joint being designed in the first surface and in the second surface such that a thread for the joint is integrated in each of the surfaces or in the upper part, a circular contact surface embodied as a hollow cylinder is arranged around the thread, the hollow cylinder in turn being arranged in an inclined plane such that the axis of symmetry of the hollow cylinder extends vertically, said contact surface being embodied as a flat, annular contact surface for the threaded plug connector to be screwed in for the data connection. The threaded plug connector can be sealed on a contact surface with a sanitary seal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automation component for industrial automation, the automation component having a housing including an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part and the lower part are configured such that the automation component is fastened to a mounting surface, the housing having a first fastening opening and a second fastening opening, wherein a plurality of data connectors are arranged in the upper part, and wherein the data connectors are configured to receive threaded plug connectors. Background Art

[0002] For example, when using automation equipment in the medical field or the food and beverage industries, the equipment used in the above scenarios must meet special requirements regarding hygienic conditions. These requirements are essentially related to the cleanability of the equipment used.

[0003] According to the prior art, the following automation equipment or components are known:

[0004] Balluff network interface InterfaceIO-Link BNI IOL-252-000-Z013 according to the installation instructions.

[0005] Digital module AXL E IOL DI16 M12 6P according to 。

[0006] SIMATIC ET 200AL, DI 8x 24 V DC, 8XM8, protection class IP67, according to the data sheet as of May 21, 2020 or according to the equipment manual A5E32349561-AD as of August 2021.

[0007] All these known automation components have the disadvantage that for their data connectors, power connectors, and signal connectors, when inserting and screwing in their threaded plug connectors, annular dust-collecting edges are generated around the data connectors, power connectors, and signal connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an automation component that meets the hygienic requirements of the food industry.

[0009] This object is achieved in that the upper part is implemented as flat, wherein the first surface and the second surface are arranged integrally and seamlessly with each other on the center line, which extends through the midpoints of the first fastening opening and the second fastening opening, and thus the center line is implemented as the ridge line of the upper part. The upper part is implemented such that the first surface extends from the center line to the first eaves edge and the second surface extends from the center line to the second eaves edge. The first surface and the second surface extend as inclined planes respectively, wherein in the first surface and the second surface, the data connector, the power connector and the signal connector are implemented such that threads for the data connector, the power connector and the signal connector are respectively integrated in the surface or in the upper part, and circular contact surfaces implemented as hollow cylinders are arranged around the threads. The hollow cylinders are in turn arranged in the inclined plane such that the symmetry axes of the hollow cylinders extend vertically, which results in the contact surfaces for the screw-in threaded plug connectors for the data connector, the power connector and the signal connector being implemented as flat, annular contact surfaces, and the threaded plug connectors can be sealed on the contact surfaces with sanitary seals.

[0010] The upper part is advantageously implemented similar to a gable roof, preferably with an inclination of greater than or equal to 3 degrees, which means that water can be easily drained. These design measures prevent impurities from adhering and the resulting contamination of the automation components. The sanitary seal as a sealing element is placed flush with the outer surface of the hollow cylinder, and at this point the thickness of the sealing element is slightly greater than the corresponding groove on the threaded plug connector, such that in the assembled state the sealing element is arranged in a compressed manner between the annular contact surface and the seat of the groove on the threaded plug connector, so that a gapless transition is formed between them.

[0011] Therefore, the housing and thus the upper part and the lower part are advantageously implemented such that in the preferred installation position, the fastening openings are vertically one above the other in this installation position, and the housing tapers gradually in the direction from the first fastening opening to the second fastening opening. This enables the liquid to be drained quickly.

[0012] To improve cleanliness, the housing is implemented such that all surfaces are formed to avoid or minimize the accumulation of impurities. This is achieved by eliminating sharp edges or recesses. Description of the Drawings

[0013] The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the present invention, showing:

[0014] Figure 1 A perspective view of the automation component is shown,

[0015] Figure 2 The upper part of the automation component is shown,

[0016] Figure 3The upper part of the automation component is shown in different views,

[0017] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the upper part is shown,

[0018] Figure 5 A perspective view of the threaded plug connector screwed onto the data connector is shown. Detailed Description

[0019] According to Figure 1 The automation component 10 is shown. The automation component 10 is implemented as an I / O assembly for industrial automation. The automation component 10 has a housing, and the housing includes an upper part 1 and a lower part 2. The upper part 1 and the lower part 2 are implemented such that, in order to fasten the automation component 10 to the mounting surface 4, the housing has a first fastening opening 21 and a second fastening opening 22. The upper part 1 has a plurality of connectors DA1, ..., DA8. Essentially, the signal connectors for actuators and sensors are of concern here, but it also applies to data connectors, power connectors, and signal connectors. These connectors DA1, …, DA8 are implemented for receiving the threaded plug connector S. The preferred mounting direction VE provides for fastening or screwing the automation component 10 onto the mounting surface 4 implemented as a side wall.

[0020] The upper part 1 is implemented as flat, wherein a first surface F1 and a second surface F2 are arranged on the center line M.

[0021] Figure 2 This arrangement is illustrated. According to Figure 2 , the upper part 1 is implemented such that the first surface F1 extends from the center line M to the first eaves edge TK and the second surface F2 extends from the center line M to the second eaves edge TK, and the first surface and the second surface extend as inclined planes respectively.

[0022] In the first surface F1 and the second surface F2, the connectors DA1, …, DA8 are implemented such that the threads G for the connection parts DA1, …, DA8 are respectively integrated in the surfaces F1, F2. Circular contact surfaces K implemented as hollow cylinders HZ are arranged around the respective threads G. The hollow cylinders HZ are in turn arranged in the inclined planes such that the symmetry axes SA of the hollow cylinders HZ extend vertically. This enables the contact surfaces K of the screwing-in threaded plug connectors S for the respective connectors DA1, …, DA8 to be implemented as flat, annular contact surfaces K. The threaded plug connector S can be sealed on this contact surface K with a sanitary seal D.

[0023] The hollow cylinder HZ is arranged between the surfaces F1 and F2 such that the contact surface K projects in a raised manner from the surfaces F1 and F2 both on the side of the median line M and on the side of the eaves edges TK1 and TK2, and the contact surface is integrally formed with the surfaces F1 and F2. A curved portion R is provided at the transition of the hollow cylinder HZ to the surfaces F1 and F2.

[0024] Figure 3 The raised protrusion of the hollow cylinder HZ is illustrated again. The distance A shows the raised protrusion of the hollow cylinder HZ from the surfaces F1 and F2.

[0025] Figure 4 Another view is shown. Here, it can be clearly seen in the cross-sectional view that the contact surface K of the hollow cylinder HZ projects in a raised manner from the first surface F1 or the second surface F2 by the distance A. Starting from the median line M, which can be regarded as the ridge line of the upper part 1, the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 have an inclination angle α, and preferably 3 degrees or more.

[0026] Figure 5 It is illustrated how the threaded plug connector S is arranged with its sealing element D on the contact surface K. The sanitary seal D, which serves as the sealing element, is placed flush with the outer surface of the hollow cylinder HZ, and at this point, the thickness of the sealing element D is slightly greater than the corresponding recess on the threaded plug connector S, such that in the assembled state, the sealing element is arranged in a compressed manner between the annular contact surface K and the seat of the groove on the threaded plug connector S, so that a gapless transition is formed between them.

Claims

1. An automation component (10) for industrial automation, the automation component having a housing, the housing comprising an upper part (1) and a lower part (2), wherein: The upper part (1) and the lower part (2) are designed such that, in order to fasten the automation component (10) to a mounting surface (4), the housing has a first fastening opening (21) and a second fastening opening (22), wherein a plurality of connections (DA1, ..., DA8) are arranged in the upper part (1), wherein the connections (DA1, ..., DA8) are designed to accommodate threaded plug connectors (S), It is characterized in that The upper part (1) is implemented to be flat, wherein the first surface (F1) and the second surface (F2) are arranged integrally and seamlessly with each other on a center line (M), the center line extending through the midpoint (MP) of the first fastening opening (21) and the second fastening opening (22), so that the center line (M) is implemented as the ridge line of the upper part (1), and the upper part (1) is implemented so that the first surface (F1) extends from the center line (M) to the first eave edge (TK1) and the second surface (F2) extends from the center line (M) to the second eave edge (TK2), the first surface and the second surface respectively extending as inclined planes, wherein at the first surface (F1) and the second surface The connector (DA1, ..., DA8) in (F2) is designed so that a thread (G) for the connector (DA1, ..., DA8) is integrated in the surface (F1, F2) or in the upper part (1), and a circular contact surface (K) implemented as a hollow cylinder (HZ) is arranged around the thread (G), and the hollow cylinder (HZ) is arranged in the inclined plane so that the symmetry axis (SA) of the hollow cylinder (HZ) extends vertically, wherein this makes the contact surface (K) for the threaded plug connector (S) to be screwed into the connector (DA1, ..., DA8) implemented as a flat, annular contact surface (K), and the threaded plug connector (S) can be sealed on the contact surface with a hygienic seal.

2. The automation component (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The hollow cylinder (HZ) is arranged in the surface (F1, F2) so that the contact surface (K) protrudes from the surface (F1, F2) in a convex manner on the side of the center line (M) and the side of the eave edge (TK1, TK2) and the contact surface is implemented as one piece with the surface (F1, F2), wherein the transition portion of the hollow cylinder (HZ) to the surface is provided with a curved portion (R).

3. The automation component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The housing and thus the upper part (1) and the lower part (2) are designed such that in a preferred installation position (VE), the fastening openings (21, 22) are located vertically one above the other in the installation position, the housing tapering from the first fastening opening (21) in the direction of the second fastening opening (22).

4. The automation component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing is designed in such a way that all surfaces are formed in such a way that an accumulation of impurities is avoided or minimized.

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