Module system and module

Abstract

To realize a longer life of a module.SOLUTION: A module system has: a sensor module 3 for detecting an amount of a measurement object to output a signal of a measurement result; and an AD module 1 for receiving the signal from the sensor module 3. The sensor module 3 has a female connector 30 for use in connection with the AD module 1. The AD module 1 has: a male connector 10 detachably engaged with the female connector 30 of the sensor module 3; and a male connector 11 detachably engaged with a female connector 20 of a network module 2 for receiving the signal from the AD module 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a module system such as a measurement system that collects data from a sensor module and transmits it externally, and a control system that controls an actuator module based on external data.

Background Art

[0002] A measurement system has been proposed that performs AD (Analog-to-Digital) conversion on a measurement signal from a sensor module and transmits the measurement data after AD conversion externally (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a control system has been proposed that controls an actuator module via a network (see Patent Document 2).

[0003] In the measurement system disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the control system disclosed in Patent Document 2, due to their simple structures, there is a problem that the lifetimes of the sensor module and the actuator module are likely to be short, and improvements for extending the lifetimes of the sensor module and the actuator module are required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a module system and a module capable of realizing an extended lifetime of a module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In addition, the module system of the present invention includes at least a first module configured to output a signal for controlling a mechanical operation, and a second module configured to perform a mechanical operation in response to a signal received from the first module. The second module includes at least a female connector for connection with the first module, and the first module is a third module that outputs a signal for controlling the second module. A DA module that converts digital data received from into an analog signal and outputs it to the second module. Before The above-mentioned It is characterized by including at least a first male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the third module, and a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the second module.

[0009] In one configuration example of the module system of the present invention, the first male connector and the second male connector of the first module are male connectors with different shapes. In one configuration example of the module system of the present invention, the second male connector of the first module is smaller than the first male connector. 。

[0011] In addition, the AD module of the present invention includes at least a first male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of a sensor module that detects a quantity to be measured and outputs a signal of a measurement result, a circuit configured to convert an analog signal received from the sensor module into digital data, and a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of another module that receives the digital data. In one configuration example of the AD module of the present invention, the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors with different shapes. In one configuration example of the AD module of the present invention, the first male connector is smaller than the second male connector.

[0012] In addition, the DA module of the present invention configured to perform mechanical operations comprises at least a first male connector that detachably fits with a female connector of another module that outputs digital data for controlling an actuator module, a circuit configured to convert the digital data into an analog signal, and a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the actuator module and is configured to output the analog signal to the actuator module. In one configuration example of the DA module of the present invention, the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors having different shapes. In one configuration example of the DA module of the present invention, the second male connector is smaller than the first male connector.

[0013] In addition, the DP module of the present invention configured to perform mechanical operations comprises at least a first male connector that detachably fits with a female connector of another module that outputs digital data for controlling an actuator module, a circuit configured to convert the digital data into a pulse signal, and a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the actuator module and is configured to output the pulse signal to the actuator module. In one configuration example of the DP module of the present invention, the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors having different shapes. In one configuration example of the DP module of the present invention, the second male connector is smaller than the first male connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, in a module system, by using the connector of the first module as a female connector and the connector on the first-module side of the second module as a male connector, the probability of oil, dust, etc. adhering to the conductors of the female connector of the first module can be reduced. As a result, the first module can be made to have a longer lifespan.

[0015] Also, in the present invention, in a module system, by using the connector of the second module as a female connector and the connector on the second-module side of the first module as a male connector, the probability of oil, dust, etc. adhering to the conductors of the female connector of the second module can be reduced. As a result, the second module can be made to have a longer lifespan.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] [Principle 1 of the Invention] In the measurement system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the AD converter connected to the sensor module is an AD module which is a detachable general-purpose device. On the other hand, the sensor module may be fixedly mounted depending on the application. The inventor focused on the fact that when the sensor module is fixedly mounted at a specific site, it must be assumed that the sensor module is left unused for a long time with the AD module removed.

[0018] In such a state, if oil, dust (e.g., chemical droplets in the case of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus), etc. adhere to the connector of the sensor module due to the atmosphere of the mounting environment of the sensor module, it has been found that this will be a factor in shortening the life of the sensor module. Then, the inventor came up with the idea that by making the connector of the sensor module a female connector, the probability of oil, etc. adhering to the connector can be reduced. Thereby, the long life of the sensor module can be realized.

[0019] Similarly, in the control system disclosed in Patent Document 2, by making the connector of the actuator module connected to the DA (Digital-to-Analog) module a female connector, the long life of the actuator module can be realized.

[0020] [Principle 2 of the Invention] In the measurement system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connector of the AD module connected to the network module is a male connector. For this reason, when the connector of the sensor module is made a female connector as described above, the connector on the sensor module side of the AD module becomes a male connector, and both the connector on the sensor module side and the connector on the network module side become male connectors, making it difficult to distinguish them.

[0021] Since it is preferable that it is easy to distinguish between the connector on the sensor module side and the connector on the network module side of the AD module, it is preferable that the connector on the sensor module side and the connector on the network module side are different types of connectors.

[0022] Similarly, in the control system disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is preferable that the connector on the actuator module side and the connector on the network module side of the DA module are different types of connectors.

[0023] [Principle 3 of the Invention] In the present invention, since the aim is to reduce the probability that oil or the like adheres to the connector of the sensor module or the connector of the actuator module, it is preferable that the connector of the sensor module or the actuator module is smaller than the other. That is, since the connector of the sensor module or the connector of the actuator module is a female connector, the smaller the connector, the more difficult it is for oil or the like to enter.

[0024] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example corresponding to Principle 1 of the above invention. FIG. 1(A) is a diagram showing a sensor module, an AD module, and a network module (hereinafter, NW module) according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system (module system).

[0025] The AD module 1 (second module) includes a communication and power supply and reception male connector 30 of the sensor module 3 that is detachably fitted thereto, a communication and power supply and reception male connector 10 (first male connector) for signal input and power supply from the sensor module 3, and a communication and power supply and reception male connector 20 of the NW module 2 that is detachably fitted thereto, a communication and power supply and reception male connector 11 (second male connector) for data communication and power reception with the NW module 2, and a circuit 12 that converts an analog signal received from the sensor module 3 into digital data.

[0026] The AD module 1 has the functions of AD - converting the analog signal input from the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 10, further encrypting the digital data after AD conversion, and storing the encrypted digital data, receiving power from the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 11 (or the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 10), and supplying power externally via the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 10 (or the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 11). Since the configuration of the circuit 12 is disclosed in Patent Document 1, detailed description is omitted.

[0027] The NW module 2 (the third module) includes a communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 20 for data communication and power supply with the AD module 1, which is detachably fitted to the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 11 of the AD module 1, a communication and power - receiving / supplying male connector 21 for receiving power from the power source 4, which is detachably fitted to the communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 40 of the power source 4, an antenna 22 for wireless communication, a communication connector 23 for wired communication, and a circuit 24 for transmitting the digital data received from the AD module 1.

[0028] The NW module 2 has the functions of reading data from the module (AD module 1) connected to the communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 20 and wirelessly or wiredly transmitting the data externally via the network, receiving power from the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 21 (or the communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 20), and supplying power externally via the communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 20 (or the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 21). Since the configuration of the circuit 24 is disclosed in Patent Document 1, detailed description is omitted.

[0029] The sensor module 3 (the first module) includes a communication and power - receiving / supplying female connector 30 for signal output and power supply to the AD module 1, which is detachably fitted to the communication and power - receiving / supplying connector 10 of the AD module 1, a sensor circuit 31 for detecting the quantity to be measured, and an output circuit 32 for outputting an analog signal.

[0030] The sensor module 3 has functions of detecting quantities to be measured, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, acceleration, seismic intensity, precipitation, and oxidation-reduction amount, and outputting an analog signal (e.g., 4-20 mA current signal) of the measurement result, and receiving power from the communication and power supply female connector 30.

[0031] Thus, the AD module 1, the NW module 2, the sensor module 3, and the power supply 4 each have connectors of the same standard. By inserting the communication and power supply male connector 10 of the AD module 1 into the communication and power supply female connector 30 of the sensor module 3, and inserting the communication and power supply male connector 11 of the AD module 1 into the communication and power supply female connector 20 of the NW module 2, it is possible to connect the sensor module 3, the AD module 1, and the NW module 2 as shown in FIG. 1(B). Furthermore, by inserting the communication and power supply male connector 21 of the NW module 2 into the communication and power supply female connector 40 of the power supply 4, it is possible to connect the NW module 2 and the power supply 4.

[0032] The NW module 2 operates by receiving power supply from the power supply 4, and supplies the power received from the power supply 4 to the AD module 1 via the communication and power supply female connector 20. The AD module 1 operates by receiving power supply from the NW module 2, and can supply the power received from the NW module 2 to the sensor module 3 via the communication and power supply male connector 10. However, in the present invention, power supply to the sensor module 3 is not an essential configuration, and the sensor module 3 may operate with its own power supply.

[0033] Examples of the communication and power supply male connectors 10, 11, 21 and the communication and power supply female connectors 20, 30, 40 include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors. Needless to say, the connectors are not limited to USB.

[0034] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the measurement system of this embodiment. The AD module 1 converts the analog signal received from the sensor module 3 into digital data, encrypts the digital data after AD conversion, and writes the encrypted digital data into an internal memory (not shown). The NW module 2 reads the encrypted digital data from the AD module 1 and transmits the encrypted digital data to the cloud server 101 via the network 100. The NW module 2 may perform wireless communication or wired communication.

[0035] On the cloud server 101 side, it becomes possible to decrypt the encrypted digital data, accumulate the decrypted digital data (measurement result of the sensor module 3), or provide the measurement result of the sensor module 3 to the user.

[0036] As described above, in this embodiment, by using the female connector for the connector of the sensor module 3 and the male connector for the connector on the sensor module side of the AD module 1, the probability that oil, dust, etc. adhere to the conductors of the communication / power supply receiving female connector 30 of the sensor module 3 can be reduced. As a result, the long life of the sensor module 3 can be realized.

[0037] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is an example corresponding to Principle 2 and Principle 3 of the above invention. FIG. 3(A) is a diagram showing the sensor module and the AD module according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3(B) is a diagram showing a state where the sensor module and the AD module are connected.

[0038] In the first embodiment, since the communication / power supply receiving male connector 10 on the sensor module side of the AD module 1 and the communication / power supply receiving male connector 11 on the NW module side have the same shape, it is possible that the communication / power supply receiving male connector 11 of the AD module 1 is accidentally inserted into the communication / power supply receiving female connector 30 of the sensor module 3. If such a misconnection occurs, it is conceivable that the electric circuit of the AD module 1 fails.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication, power supply and reception connector 10a on the sensor module side of the AD module 1 and the communication, power supply and reception connector 11 on the NW module side are made into male connectors with different shapes. Thereby, the incorrect connection of the AD module 1 to the sensor module 3 can be prevented.

[0040] Also, in this embodiment, the communication, power supply and reception connector 10a on the sensor module side of the AD module 1 is made smaller than the communication, power supply and reception connector 11 on the NW module side. Thereby, since the communication, power supply and reception female connector 30a of the sensor module 3 that fits with the communication, power supply and reception connector 10a of the AD module 1 also becomes small, the probability that oil or dust adheres to the conductor of the communication, power supply and reception female connector 30a can be further reduced.

[0041] For example, when the communication, power supply and reception connector 11 is a USB Type-A connector, the communication, power supply and reception connector 10a may be a Mini USB connector. Needless to say, the connector is not limited to USB. The operations of the sensor module 3 and the AD module 1 are as described in the first embodiment.

[0042] In the first and second embodiments, an example of the measurement system is shown, but needless to say, the configuration of the measurement system is not limited to the first and second embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, the module connected to the sensor module 3 is the AD module 1, but when another module is connected to the sensor module 3, this module may have the same connector configuration as the AD module 1.

[0043] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is an example corresponding to Principle 1 of the above invention. FIG. 4(A) is a diagram showing the NW module, the DA module, and the actuator module according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system (module system).

[0044] The NW module 5 (the third module) includes a male communication and power receiving and supplying connector 50 for receiving power from the power supply 4, which is detachably fitted to the female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 40 of the power supply 4, a female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 51 for data communication with and power supply to the DA module 6, which is detachably fitted to the male communication and power receiving and supplying connector 60 of the DA module 6, an antenna 52 for wireless communication, a communication connector 53 for wired communication, and a circuit 54 for receiving digital data.

[0045] The NW module 5 has a function of storing data received via the antenna 52 or the communication connector 53, a function of receiving power from the communication and power receiving and supplying connector 50 (or the female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 51), and a function of supplying power received to the outside via the female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 51 (or the communication and power receiving and supplying connector 50). Since the configuration of the circuit 54 is disclosed in Patent Document 2, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0046] The DA module 6 (the first module) includes a male communication and power receiving and supplying connector 60 (the first male connector) for data communication with and power receiving from the NW module 5, which is detachably fitted to the female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 51 of the NW module 5, a male communication and power receiving and supplying connector 61 (the second male connector) for signal output to and power supply to the actuator module 7, which is detachably fitted to the female communication and power receiving and supplying connector 70 of the actuator module 7, and a circuit 62 for converting digital data into an analog signal.

[0047] The DA module 6 reads and decrypts encrypted digital data from a module (NW module 5) connected to the communication and power supply male connector 60, performs DA conversion on the decrypted digital data, and outputs an analog signal after DA conversion. It also has the function of receiving power from the communication and power supply male connector 60 (or the communication and power supply male connector 61), and the function of supplying the received power to the outside via the communication and power supply male connector 61 (or the communication and power supply male connector 60). Since the configuration of the circuit 62 is disclosed in Patent Document 2, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0048] The actuator module 7 (second module) includes a communication and power supply female connector 70 for signal input and power supply from the DA module 6, which is detachably fitted to the communication and power supply male connector 61 of the DA module 6, a controller 71, and a motor 72 (mechanism part).

[0049] The actuator module 7 has the function of moving the motor at a speed corresponding to a signal (for example, a 4 - 20 mA current signal) from the DA module 6, and the function of receiving power from the communication and power supply female connector 70.

[0050] In this way, the power supply 4, the NW module 5, the DA module 6, and the actuator module 7 are each provided with connectors of the same standard. By inserting the communication and power supply male connector 50 of the NW module 5 into the communication and power supply female connector 40 of the power supply 4, inserting the communication and power supply male connector 60 of the DA module 6 into the communication and power supply female connector 51 of the NW module 5, and inserting the communication and power supply male connector 61 of the DA module 6 into the communication and power supply female connector 70 of the actuator module 7, it is possible to connect the power supply 4, the NW module 5, the DA module 6, and the actuator module 7 as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0051] The NW module 5 operates by receiving power supply from the power supply 4, and supplies the power received from the power supply 4 to the DA module 6 via the communication and power supply female connector 51. The DA module 6 operates by receiving power supply from the NW module 5, and it is possible to supply the power received from the NW module 5 to the actuator module 7 via the communication and power supply / receiving oscon connector 61. However, in the present invention, power supply to the actuator module 7 is not an essential configuration, and the actuator module 7 may operate with its own power supply.

[0052] Examples of the communication and power supply / receiving oscon connectors 50, 60, 61 and the communication and power supply / receiving female oscon connectors 40, 51, 70 include, for example, USB connectors. Needless to say, the connectors are not limited to USB.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control system of this embodiment. The cloud server 101 transmits encrypted digital data obtained by encrypting control data to the NW module 5 via the network 100. The NW module 5 writes the encrypted digital data received from the cloud server 101 into an internal memory (not shown). The NW module 5 may perform wireless communication or wired communication.

[0054] The DA module 6 reads and decrypts the encrypted digital data from the NW module 5, performs DA conversion on the decrypted digital data, and outputs the analog signal after DA conversion to the actuator module 7. The controller 71 of the actuator module 7 generates a motor drive voltage corresponding to the analog signal received from the DA module 6 and outputs this motor drive voltage to the motor 72. Thereby, the motor 72 rotates at a speed corresponding to the analog signal.

[0055] In the above example, an electromagnetic actuator including a motor 72 is described as an example of the actuator module 7, but it is not limited thereto, and needless to say, a piezoelectric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like may also be used. Also, as will be described later, the actuator module 7 may operate with a pulse signal.

[0056] In this embodiment, by using the connector of the actuator module 7 as a female connector and the connector on the actuator module side of the DA module 6 as a male connector, the probability of oil or dust adhering to the conductors of the communication and power supply / reception female connector 70 of the actuator module 7 can be reduced. As a result, the long life of the actuator module 7 can be realized.

[0057] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment corresponds to Principle 2 and Principle 3 of the above invention. FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing the DA module and the actuator module according to this embodiment, and FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing a state where the DA module and the actuator module are connected.

[0058] In the third embodiment, since the communication and power supply / reception male connector 60 on the NW module side of the DA module 6 and the communication and power supply / reception male connector 61 on the actuator module side have the same shape, there is a possibility that the communication and power supply / reception male connector 60 of the DA module 6 may be erroneously inserted into the communication and power supply / reception female connector 70 of the actuator module 7. If such an incorrect connection occurs, it is conceivable that the electric circuit of the DA module 6 will malfunction.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication and power supply / reception male connector 60 on the NW module side of the DA module 6 and the communication and power supply / reception male connector 61 on the actuator module side are made into male connectors with different shapes. Thereby, incorrect connection of the DA module 6 to the actuator module 7 can be prevented.

[0060] Also, in this embodiment, the communication and power supply male connector 61a on the actuator module side of the DA module 6 is made smaller than the communication and power supply connector 60 on the NW module side. As a result, the female communication and power supply connector 70a of the actuator module 7 that mates with the communication and power supply connector 61a of the DA module 6 is also made small, so that the probability of oil or dust adhering to the conductors of the female communication and power supply connector 70a can be further reduced.

[0061] For example, when the communication and power supply connector 60 is a USB Type-A connector, the communication and power supply connector 61a may be a Mini USB connector. Needless to say, the connector is not limited to USB. The operations of the DA module 6 and the actuator module 7 are as described in the third embodiment.

[0062] In the third and fourth embodiments, an example of the control system is shown. Needless to say, the configuration of the control system is not limited to the third and fourth embodiments. In the third and fourth embodiments, the module connected to the actuator module 7 is the DA module 6. However, when another module is connected to the actuator module 7, this module may have the same connector configuration as the DA module 6.

[0063] An example of another module connected to the actuator module 7 is a DP (Digital Pulse) module. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of the DP module. The DP module 8 (the first module) includes a communication and power supply connector 80 (the first connector) for data communication and power reception with the NW module 5 that is detachably fitted to the communication and power supply connector 81 of the NW module 5, and a communication and power supply connector 81 (the second connector) for signal output and power supply to the actuator module 7 that is detachably fitted to the female communication and power supply connector 70 of the actuator module 7, and a circuit 82 for converting digital data into a pulse signal.

[0064] The DP module 8 reads and decrypts the encrypted digital data from the NW module 5, performs DA conversion on the decrypted digital data into an analog signal, generates a pulse signal (PWM signal) with a constant amplitude and having a pulse width proportional to the magnitude of the analog signal, and outputs the pulse signal to the actuator module 7. It also has a power supply receiving and supplying function similar to that of the DA module 6. Since the configuration of the circuit 82 is disclosed in Patent Document 2, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0065] When connected to the DP module 8, the controller 71 of the actuator module 7 generates a motor drive voltage corresponding to the pulse signal and outputs this motor drive voltage to the motor 72. As described above, the actuator module 7 may be, for example, a piezoelectric actuator or a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.

[0066] The communication, power supply receiving and supplying OSC connector 80 on the NW module side of the DP module 8 as described above may be the same as the communication, power supply receiving and supplying OSC connector 60 of the DA module 6, and the communication, power supply receiving and supplying OSC connector 81 on the actuator module side of the DP module 8 may be the same as the communication, power supply receiving and supplying OSC connector 61 or 61a of the DA module 6.

Industrial Applicability

[0067] The present invention can be applied to a measurement system that collects data from a sensor module and a control system that controls an actuator module.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1…AD module, 2, 5…network module, 3…sensor module, 4…power supply, 6…DA module, 7…actuator module, 8…DP module, 10, 10a, 11, 21, 50, 60, 61, 61a, 80, 81…communication and power supply male connector, 20, 30, 30a, 40, 51, 70, 70a…communication and power supply female connector, 22, 52…antenna, 23, 53…communication connector, 31…sensor circuit, 32…output circuit, 71…controller, 72…motor.

Claims

1. A first module configured to output a signal for controlling a mechanical operation, and at least a second module configured to perform a mechanical operation in response to a signal received from the first module, wherein the second module includes at least a female connector for connection with the first module, wherein the first module is a DA module that converts digital data received from a third module that outputs a signal for controlling the second module into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the second module, and includes at least a first male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the third module and a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of the second module. A module system characterized by that.

2. In the module system according to Claim 1, a module system characterized in that the first male connector and the second male connector of the first module are male connectors of different shapes.

3. In the module system according to Claim 2, a module system characterized in that the second male connector of the first module is smaller than the first male connector.

4. a first male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of a sensor module that detects a quantity to be measured and outputs a signal of a measurement result, a circuit configured to convert an analog signal received from the sensor module into digital data, and an AD module characterized by including at least a second male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of another module that receives the digital data.

5. In the AD module according to Claim 4, an AD module characterized in that the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors of different shapes.

6. In the AD module according to Claim 5, an AD module characterized in that the first male connector is smaller than the second male connector.

7. a first male connector that detachably fits with the female connector of another module that outputs digital data for controlling an actuator module configured to perform a mechanical operation, a circuit configured to convert the digital data into an analog signal, A DA module, comprising at least a second male connector configured to be detachably fitted to a female connector of the actuator module and output the analog signal to the actuator module.

8. The DA module according to claim 7, wherein the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors of different shapes.

9. The DA module according to claim 8, wherein the second male connector is smaller than the first male connector.

10. A first male connector configured to be detachably fitted to a female connector of another module that outputs digital data for controlling an actuator module configured to perform a mechanical operation, a circuit configured to convert the digital data into a pulse signal, and a DP module, comprising at least a second male connector configured to be detachably fitted to a female connector of the actuator module and output the pulse signal to the actuator module.

11. The DP module according to claim 10, wherein the first male connector and the second male connector are male connectors of different shapes.

12. The DP module according to claim 11, wherein the second male connector is smaller than the first male connector.

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