A new type of industrial communication converter

Abstract

This application provides a novel industrial communication converter, belonging to the technical field of industrial communication equipment. The converter includes a converter body, a conversion mechanism, and a limiting mechanism. The conversion mechanism enables a rotatable connection between the converter body and the mesh, while the limiting mechanism, located on the converter body, locks the serial port converter mounted on it. This application achieves multi-directional rotation of the mesh via the conversion mechanism, allowing for flexible adjustment of its orientation according to cable routing, reducing cable bending stress, and adapting to confined installation spaces. The limiting mechanism enables rapid locking and releasing of the serial port converter without tools, providing vibration resistance and reliability, and avoiding the problems of loosening and wear associated with traditional screw fixing. This application features a compact structure and convenient operation, improving the installation efficiency, wiring neatness, and reliability of industrial communication converters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of industrial communication equipment technology, specifically relating to a novel industrial communication converter. Background Technology

[0002] An industrial communication converter is a device used in the field of industrial automation. Its core function is to realize the conversion and adaptation of signals between different communication protocols, interface types or physical media, so as to solve the communication obstacles caused by protocol incompatibility or interface differences between devices, and ensure reliable data transmission between different systems, devices or networks.

[0003] New industrial communication converters typically include a serial port conversion module, a mesh structure (or mesh topology design), a core processing unit (such as a central processing unit), a power management module, and signal isolation and protection circuits. A serial port converter is a hardware device used to realize signal conversion and adaptation between different serial communication interfaces or protocols, and to solve communication barriers caused by incompatibility between devices due to interface types, level standards, or communication protocols. In the field of industrial communication, mesh usually refers to a mesh topology or mesh-like physical design.

[0004] Conventional serial converters typically have threaded holes on both sides, requiring screws to be tightened for fixation, which presents the following problems: Complex operation: requires tools to tighten screws, resulting in low installation efficiency; Vulnerable structure: Repeated disassembly and assembly will cause wear on the threaded holes, affecting the reliability of the fixation; Vibration loosening: In industrial vibration environments, screws are prone to loosening, leading to poor contact. Furthermore, conventional mesh cables have a fixed structure and a single cable routing path. When installed in confined spaces (such as equipment corners or the back of server racks), the cables must be forcibly bent, which can easily lead to the following problems: High bending stress: If the bending radius of the cable is too small, it will accelerate the aging of the insulation layer and increase the risk of short circuit; Installation difficulties: Larger wiring space needs to be reserved, limiting the density of equipment installation; Inconvenient maintenance: It is difficult to quickly troubleshoot faults when cables are tangled. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a novel industrial communication converter that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: This invention provides a novel industrial communication converter, comprising: Communication converter body; A conversion mechanism is used to achieve a rotating connection between the communication converter body and the mesh; and A limiting mechanism is provided on the communication converter body to lock the serial port converter provided on the communication converter body.

[0007] Preferably, the conversion mechanism includes a universal joint, which is installed between the communication converter body and the mesh to provide the mesh with multi-directional rotational freedom. At least one set of magnetic positioning components is used to attract and fix the mesh after it is rotated to a predetermined position.

[0008] Preferably, the magnetic positioning component includes a magnetic sheet disposed on the communication converter body and an iron sheet disposed on the mesh, wherein the magnetic sheet and the iron sheet are magnetically connected.

[0009] Preferably, the communication converter body has a cross-shaped cable guide groove to provide clearance space for cables extending in different directions; the conversion mechanism is installed in the middle position of the cross-shaped cable guide groove.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting mechanism includes: A limiting member is slidably mounted on the body of the communication converter; The limiting component is provided with two locking blocks; The serial port converter has two pins, each pin having a socket that mates with the card block.

[0011] Preferably, the limiting member includes a horizontal plate, and a sleeve rod is provided at each end of the horizontal plate, with a locking block fixedly installed at the free end of each sleeve rod.

[0012] Preferably, the communication converter body is equipped with two through-hole brackets, which are slidably connected to two sleeve rods.

[0013] Preferably, a spring is fitted onto the sleeve rod, the spring being positioned between the locking block and the cross plate to provide an elastic force to the locking block toward the locking position.

[0014] Preferably, each of the card blocks is equipped with a slider, which is slidably mounted in a groove opened on the side wall of the communication converter body.

[0015] Preferably, the communication converter body also has two sockets, which are respectively connected to corresponding slides; the plugs on the serial port converter are connected to the corresponding sockets.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention provides a novel industrial communication converter. By incorporating a conversion mechanism, a rotatable connection is achieved between the converter body and the mesh, allowing the mesh angle to be adjusted according to cable routing or installation space. This improves installation flexibility, reduces cable bending stress, and avoids insulation aging or signal attenuation caused by forced bending. It also results in neater wiring and easier maintenance. A limiting mechanism enables rapid locking and releasing of the serial converter, allowing for tool-free installation and disassembly, significantly improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, the locking structure maintains a locked state even under industrial vibration, avoiding the loosening and wear issues associated with traditional screw fixing methods, thus enhancing connection reliability and extending equipment lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the communication converter body, serial port converter socket, and serial port converter disassembled structure in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the limiting mechanism in the locked state in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the limiting component and the insert in the embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the card block sliding into the inclined surface in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the communication converter body and network port structure in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the conversion mechanism structure in an embodiment of this application; Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Communication converter body; 100. Cross-shaped cable groove; 101. Socket; 102. Slide groove; 2. Magnetic sheet; 3. Universal joint; 4. Mesh; 5. Iron sheet; 6. Serial port converter socket; 7. Serial port converter; 8. Limiting component; 80. Horizontal plate; 800. Hand latch groove; 81. Through-hole bracket; 82. Sleeve rod; 83. Spring; 84. Locking block; 85. Sliding block; 9. Insertion post; 90. Inclined surface; 91. Socket. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0019] It should be understood that, when used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or a collection thereof.

[0020] It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0021] As used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if detected [the described condition or event]" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "once determined," "in response to determination," "once detected [the described condition or event]," or "in response to detection [the described condition or event]."

[0022] Furthermore, in the description of this application and the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0023] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0024] Example 1 This embodiment provides a novel industrial communication converter, comprising: Communication converter body; A conversion mechanism is used to achieve a rotating connection between the communication converter body and the mesh; and A limiting mechanism is provided on the communication converter body to lock the serial port converter provided on the communication converter body.

[0025] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism includes a universal joint, which is installed between the communication converter body and the mesh to provide the mesh with multi-directional rotational freedom. At least one set of magnetic positioning components is used to attract and fix the mesh after it is rotated to a predetermined position.

[0026] In this embodiment, the limiting mechanism includes: A limiting member is slidably mounted on the body of the communication converter; The limiting component is provided with two locking blocks; The serial port converter has two pins, each pin having a socket that mates with the card block.

[0027] Example 2 like Figure 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides a novel industrial communication converter, including a communication converter body 1. The communication converter body 1 is provided with a conversion mechanism, which includes a magnetic sheet 2. The magnetic sheet 2 is provided with a mesh 4 for orientation conversion. An iron sheet 5 is adhered to the mesh 4 and is attracted to the magnetic sheet 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, the mesh 4 is a rectangular array of through holes, manufactured using an aluminum alloy integral molding process and anodized on the surface. The iron sheet 5 is a soft magnetic silicon steel sheet with a thickness between 0.5mm and 1mm, and its adsorption surface is polished to reduce the coefficient of friction with the magnetic sheet 2.

[0029] Please see Figure 5 The communication converter body 1 has a cross-shaped cable groove 100 on one side, and a universal joint 3 is fixedly connected to the middle of the cross-shaped cable groove 100. One end of the universal joint 3 is fixedly connected to the back of the mesh 4.

[0030] In this embodiment, when a plug is inserted into the mesh 4, the plug cable can rotate freely at ±90° along the four directions of the cross-shaped cable groove 100 in front, back, left, and right through the universal joint 3, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the cable route in a narrow space and reducing bending stress.

[0031] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 6 The four sides of the "+" shaped groove 100 are all bonded with magnetic sheets 2, and the four directions of the mesh 4 are all bonded with iron sheets 5. The iron sheets 5 in different positions are adsorbed onto the corresponding magnetic sheets 2.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the mesh 4 is rotated 90° to the left through the universal joint 3, the iron plate 5 on the left side of the mesh 4 is automatically attracted to the magnetic plate 2 on the left side under the magnetic attraction force of 0.2N to 0.5N and fixed. At this time, the network cable of the network port plug inserted into the mesh 4 can be laid out from the left side, avoiding the cable from forming a 90° acute angle bend at the corner of the device.

[0033] Please see Figure 1 A serial port converter socket 6 is installed on one side of the communication converter body 1. Limiting components 8 are provided on both sides and the top of the communication converter body 1. Two through-hole brackets 81 on the limiting components 8 are fixedly connected to one side of the communication converter body 1. Sleeve rods 82 are correspondingly sleeved in the two through-hole brackets 81. A horizontal plate 80 is fixedly connected to the top of the sleeve rods 82. A hand buckle groove 800 is provided on the horizontal plate 80.

[0034] In this embodiment, a finger is inserted into the hand buckle groove 800 and hooked upwards to cause the sleeve rod 82 to move linearly in the through hole bracket 81.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 A spring 83 is sleeved between the through hole bracket 81 and the locking block 84, and the spring 83 is located on the sleeve rod 82. A slider 85 is fixedly connected to one side of the locking block 84, and the slider 85 is slidably connected to the slide groove 102.

[0036] In this embodiment, the slider 85 can move linearly in the slide groove 102 and drive the locking block 84 to move linearly. The upward movement of the locking block 84 will cause the spring 83 to be compressed against the bottom of the through hole bracket 81.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 The communication converter body 1 has a socket 101 on one side, and a groove 102 is connected to the top of the socket 101. A plug 9 is inserted into the socket 101.

[0038] Please see Figure 6 The serial port converter 6 is connected to a serial port converter 7. The serial port converter 7 is fixedly connected to two posts 9 on both sides. The posts 9 have inclined surfaces 90 and holes 91. The locking block 84 is in contact with the inclined surfaces 90 and locked into the holes 91.

[0039] In this embodiment, the serial converter 7 is inserted into the serial converter socket 6. The inclined surface 90 contacts the locking block 84 in advance. The spring 83 on the locking block 84 slides linearly on the slide groove 102 and drives the sleeve rod 82 and the through hole bracket 81 to move upward. At this time, the spring 83 is compressed by the through hole bracket 81. As the locking block 84 continues to slide into the socket 91, the spring 83 rebounds and drives the locking block 84 to lock into the socket 91, thereby completing the fixation of the serial converter socket 6 and the serial converter 7. When disassembly is required, simply pull the horizontal plate 80 to move the sleeve rod 82 and the locking block 84 upward, and the serial converter 7 can be pulled out horizontally from the serial converter socket 6.

[0040] The implementation principle of this application embodiment is as follows: The mesh 4 is connected to the communication converter body 1 via the universal joint 3, enabling multi-directional rotation. During rotation, the iron plate 5 on the edge of the mesh 4 is attracted and fixed to the magnetic plate 2 around the cross-shaped cable groove 100, ensuring stable position after rotation. The network cable can extend along the four directions of the cross-shaped cable groove 100, avoiding sharp angle bends in a narrow space that could cause the network cable to break or deform.

[0041] When the serial port converter 7 is inserted, the inclined surface 90 of the insertion post 9 pushes the card block 84 upward, and the spring 83 is compressed.

[0042] When the insertion post 9 moves to the insertion hole 91 and the locking block 84 are aligned, the spring 83 rebounds and causes the locking block 84 to lock into the insertion hole 91, thus completing the self-locking.

[0043] During disassembly, pull the horizontal plate 80 to disengage the card block 84 from the socket 91, and the serial converter 7 can be quickly removed.

[0044] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A novel industrial communication converter, characterized in that, include: Communication converter body; A conversion mechanism is used to achieve a rotating connection between the communication converter body and the mesh; and A limiting mechanism is provided on the communication converter body to lock the serial port converter provided on the communication converter body.

2. The novel industrial communication converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conversion mechanism includes a universal joint, which is installed between the communication converter body and the mesh to provide the mesh with multi-directional rotational freedom. At least one set of magnetic positioning components is used to attract and fix the mesh after it is rotated to a predetermined position.

3. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The magnetic positioning component includes a magnetic sheet disposed on the body of the communication converter and an iron sheet disposed on the mesh, wherein the magnetic sheet and the iron sheet are magnetically connected.

4. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The communication converter body has a cross-shaped cable guide groove to provide clearance for cables extending in different directions; the conversion mechanism is installed in the middle of the cross-shaped cable guide groove.

5. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism includes: A limiting member is slidably mounted on the body of the communication converter; The limiting component is provided with two locking blocks; The serial port converter has two pins, each pin having a socket that mates with the card block.

6. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting component includes a horizontal plate, and a sleeve rod is provided at each end of the horizontal plate. A locking block is fixedly installed at the free end of each sleeve rod.

7. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The communication converter body is equipped with two through-hole brackets, which are slidably connected to two sleeve rods.

8. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 6, characterized in that, A spring is fitted onto the lever, and the spring is positioned between the locking block and the cross plate to provide an elastic force to the locking block toward the locking position.

9. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the card blocks is equipped with a slider, which is slidably mounted in a groove opened on the side wall of the communication converter body.

10. A novel industrial communication converter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The communication converter body also has two sockets, which are respectively connected to corresponding slides; the plugs on the serial port converter are connected to the corresponding sockets.

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