Controller

Abstract

To provide a controller capable of preventing the type of an expansion card mounted on a function module from being restricted.SOLUTION: A controller according to one embodiment includes a base unit and a function module. The base unit includes a connection surface and a first connection connector provided on the connection surface. The function module includes an expansion card, a case provided with a housing space that houses at least part of the expansion card inside thereof, an end surface provided on the case and faces the connection surface, an expansion connector connected to the expansion card in the housing space, and a second connection connector electrically connected to the expansion connector, provided on the end surface, and connected to the first connection connector. A first through hole is provided in the case that opens on the end surface and is communicated with the housing space and through which a part of the expansion card can pass.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a controller.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a system for process automation or factory automation, a controller (industrial controller) that performs various controls such as equipment condition monitoring and automatic control is used. The controller can include function modules that implement various functions. For example, the function module has an expansion card, and the function of the expansion card is implemented in the controller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, an expansion card compliant with the PCI Express (PCIe) standard is mounted on the function module. The PCIe standard defines a plurality of lengths for the expansion card. When a so-called full-size expansion card is mounted, the case for accommodating the expansion card in the function module becomes long.

[0005] In the space where the controller is arranged, there may be a narrow space where the case of the function module can be arranged. In this case, it becomes difficult to mount the function module with the full-size expansion card on the controller.

[0006] An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a controller capable of suppressing the limitation of the types of expansion cards mounted on the function module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A controller according to one embodiment includes a base unit and a functional module. The base unit has a connection surface and a first connection connector provided on the connection surface. The functional module includes an expansion card, a case having an accommodation space inside which at least a part of the expansion card is accommodated, an end face provided on the case and facing the connection surface, an expansion connector connected to the expansion card in the accommodation space, and a second connection connector that is electrically connected to the expansion connector, provided on the end face, and connected to the first connection connector. A first through hole that opens on the end face, communicates with the accommodation space, and through which a part of the expansion card can pass is provided in the case.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In this specification, basically, vertically upward is defined as the upward direction and vertically downward is defined as the downward direction. Also, in this specification, the components according to the embodiment and the description of the elements may be described in a plurality of expressions. The components and their descriptions are examples and are not limited by the expressions in this specification. The components can be specified by different names from those in this specification. Also, the components can be described by expressions different from those in this specification.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a control panel 10 according to the first embodiment. The control panel 10 is included in, for example, a process automation or factory automation system and performs various controls. Note that the control panel 10 may be included in other systems, devices, or facilities.

[0011] As shown in each drawing, in this specification, for convenience, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis is provided along the width of the control panel 10. The Y-axis is provided along the depth of the control panel 10. The Z-axis is provided along the height of the control panel 10.

[0012] Furthermore, in this specification, the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction are defined. The X-direction is the direction along the X-axis and includes the +X direction indicated by the arrow of the X-axis and the -X direction opposite to the arrow of the X-axis. The Y-direction is the direction along the Y-axis and includes the +Y direction (rear direction) indicated by the arrow of the Y-axis and the -Y direction (front direction) opposite to the arrow of the Y-axis. The Z-direction is the direction along the Z-axis and includes the +Z direction (upward direction) indicated by the arrow of the Z-axis and the -Z direction (downward direction) opposite to the arrow of the Z-axis. Note that expressions such as up, down, front, and rear in this embodiment are for convenience based on the aspect shown in FIG. 1 and do not limit the position, orientation, and action.

[0013] The control panel 10 includes a housing 11 and a controller 12. The housing 11 includes an outer shell 21, a door 22, two frames 23, and a bracket 24. Note that the housing 11 is not limited to this example.

[0014] The outer shell 21 is formed in a box shape. An installation space 26 is provided inside the outer shell 21. The installation space 26 is open to the outside at the end 21a of the outer shell 21 in the -Y direction. The door 22 is provided at the end 21a of the outer shell 21 and closes the installation space 26 in an openable manner.

[0015] The frame 23 is arranged in the installation space 26. The bracket 24 is attached to the frame 23. A plurality of through holes 28 are provided in the bracket 24. The plurality of through holes 28 are slits having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the substantially Z direction and penetrate the bracket 24 in the substantially Y direction. The plurality of through holes 28 are arranged at intervals in the X direction.

[0016] The bracket 24 holds the controller 12. The frame 23 and the bracket 24 are provided on the housing 11 in order to arrange the controller 12 at a position relatively close to the door 22. The controller 12 is arranged at a position relatively close to the door 22, facilitating maintenance and inspection work.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the disassembled controller 12 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 12 has a base unit 31, a power supply unit 32, a CPU module 33, a plurality of function modules 34, and a blower unit 35. Note that the controller 12 may have other components.

[0018] The base unit 31 has a support member 41, a base board 42, and a plurality of connection connectors 43. The connection connector 43 is an example of a first connection connector. Note that FIG. 2 shows one of the plurality of connection connectors 43.

[0019] The support member 41 is, for example, a metal plate extending along the X-Z plane. The support member 41 is attached to the bracket 24 of the housing 11, for example, by bolts. As a result, the controller 12 is attached to the bracket 24 and housed in the installation space 26 inside the housing 11. The support member 41 has a substantially flat mounting surface 41a facing in the -Y direction. Note that the mounting surface 41a may have irregularities.

[0020] The base substrate 42 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) extending along the X-Z plane. The base substrate 42 may be another substrate. The base substrate 42 is attached to the mounting surface 41a of the support member 41. The base substrate 42 has a substantially flat connection surface 42a facing in the -Y direction. Note that the connection surface 42a may have irregularities.

[0021] The connection connector 43 is mounted on the connection surface 42a of the base substrate 42. In other words, the connection connector 43 is provided on the connection surface 42a. A plurality of connection connectors 43 are arranged at intervals in the X direction.

[0022] A plurality of through holes 45 are provided in the base unit 31. The through hole 45 is an example of a second through hole. The through hole 45 is a slit having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the substantially Z direction, and penetrates the support member 41 and the base substrate 42 in the substantially Y direction. For this reason, the through hole 45 opens to the connection surface 42a of the base substrate 42.

[0023] A plurality of through holes 45 are arranged at intervals in the X direction. The through holes 45 of the base unit 31 communicate with the through holes 28 of the bracket 24. The number of through holes 45 is equal to the number of through holes 28. Note that the through hole 45 is not limited to this example.

[0024] The power supply unit 32 is attached to the connection surface 42a of the base board 42. The power supply unit 32 supplies power to the CPU module 33 and the function module 34. For example, the power supply unit 32 converts an alternating current input from an external AC power supply into a direct current. The power supply unit 32 is electrically connected to the CPU module 33 and a plurality of connection connectors 43 through power supply wiring provided on the base board 42, for example.

[0025] The CPU module 33 is attached to the connection surface 42a of the base board 42. The CPU module 33 has, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and controls the entire controller 12. Note that the CPU module 33 is not limited to this example and may perform other controls.

[0026] The function module 34 is attached to the base unit 31 by being connected to the connection connector 43 of the base board 42. The function module 34 can realize various functions in the controller 12. For example, the function module 34 realizes an input / output (I / O) function, a network control function, or other functions.

[0027] The power supply unit 32, the CPU module 33, and the plurality of function modules 34 are arranged in the X direction. The arrangement of the power supply unit 32, the CPU module 33, and the plurality of function modules 34 is not limited to the example of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the function module 34 of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the function module 34 of the first embodiment. At least one of the plurality of function modules 34 has a case 51, an expansion card 52, an expansion connector 53, a relay board 54, a harness 55, and a connection connector 56, as shown in FIG. 4. The expansion card 52 may also be referred to as an expansion board or an expansion adapter. The connection connector 56 is an example of a second connection connector.

[0029] The case 51 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape extending in the substantially Y direction. An accommodation space 60 is provided inside the case 51. At least a part of the expansion card 52, the expansion connector 53, the relay substrate 54, the harness 55, and at least a part of the connection connector 56 are accommodated in the accommodation space 60.

[0030] The case 51 is divided into two in the Y direction. The case 51 can be divided into a rear case 61 and a front case 62. The rear case 61 is an example of the first member. The front case 62 is an example of the second member.

[0031] The rear case 61 has a rear wall 71 and a peripheral wall 72. Note that FIG. 3 shows the rear wall 71 and schematically shows the other parts of the case 51 by a two-dot chain line. The rear wall 71 extends along the X-Z plane and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped wall extending in the substantially Z direction. The peripheral wall 72 extends from the edge of the rear wall 71 in the substantially -Y direction and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a substantially rectangular cross section. The rear wall 71 has a back surface 71a and an inner surface 71b. The back surface 71a is an example of an end surface.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the back surface 71a is the end surface of the case 51 in the +Y direction. That is, the back surface 71a is provided on the case 51. The back surface 71a is formed substantially flat and faces in the substantially +Y direction. Further, when the functional module 34 is attached to the base unit 31, the back surface 71a faces the connection surface 42a of the base substrate 42. The inner surface 71b is located on the opposite side of the back surface 71a. The inner surface 71b is formed substantially flat and faces in the substantially -Y direction. The inner surface 71b faces the accommodation space 60.

[0033] A through hole 75 is provided in the rear wall 71. The through hole 75 is an example of the first through hole. That is, the through hole 75 is provided in the case 51. The through hole 75 is a slit having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the substantially Z direction and penetrating the rear wall 71 in the substantially Y direction (+Y direction, -Y direction). Therefore, the through hole 75 opens to the back surface 71a and the inner surface 71b and communicates with the accommodation space 60.

[0034] A plurality of ventilation holes 76 are provided in the rear case 61. The ventilation holes 76 penetrate, for example, the peripheral wall 72 and communicate the accommodation space 60 with the outside. Note that the ventilation holes 76 may be provided in the rear wall 71.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear case 61 further has a support portion 77. The support portion 77 is provided at an end portion of the through hole 75 in the -Z direction. The support portion 77 is formed, for example, in a substantially block shape that is thicker than the rear wall 71 in the Y direction and protrudes from the inner surface 71b. The support portion 77 has an upper surface 77a and a concave surface 77b. The concave surface 77b is an example of an edge of the first through hole.

[0036] The upper surface 77a is formed substantially flat and faces in the substantially +Z direction. The concave surface 77b is recessed from the upper surface 77a in the substantially -Z direction. At least a part of the upper surface 77a and the concave surface 77b faces the through hole 75. At least a part of the upper surface 77a and the concave surface 77b is included in the edge of the through hole 75. That is, the upper surface 77a and the concave surface 77b form (define, demarcate) at least a part of the through hole 75.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the front case 62 has a front wall 81 and a peripheral wall 82. The front wall 81 extends along the X-Z plane and is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped wall extending in the substantially Z direction. The front wall 81 is spaced apart from the rear wall 71 in the -Y direction. The peripheral wall 82 extends from the edge of the front wall 81 in the substantially +Y direction and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a substantially square cross section. The front wall 81 has a front surface 81a and an inner surface 81b.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the front surface 81a is an end surface of the case 51 in the -Y direction. The front surface 81a is formed substantially flat and faces in the substantially -Y direction. The inner surface 81b is located on the opposite side of the front surface 81a. The inner surface 81b is formed substantially flat and faces in the substantially +Y direction. The inner surface 81b faces the accommodation space 60. Further, the inner surface 81b faces the inner surface 71b of the rear wall 71 with a gap therebetween.

[0039] An exposure hole 85 is provided in the front wall 81. The exposure hole 85 is a slit having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the substantially Z direction and penetrating the front wall 81 in the substantially Y direction. Therefore, the exposure hole 85 opens to the front surface 81a and the inner surface 81b and communicates with the accommodation space 60.

[0040] The front case 62 has two attachment portions 86, 87. The attachment portion 86 is, for example, a part of the front wall 81. The attachment portion 86 is provided, for example, at the end of the front wall 81 in the +Z direction. A slit 86a, a screw hole 86b, and an insertion hole 86c are provided in the attachment portion 86.

[0041] The slit 86a is a groove extending in the substantially X direction and opens to the inner surface 81b of the front wall 81. The screw hole 86b is provided, for example, between the exposure hole 85 and the slit 86a and extends in the substantially Z direction. The insertion hole 86c is provided, for example, between the slit 86a and the outside and extends in the substantially Z direction. The insertion hole 86c exposes the screw hole 86b to the outside of the case 51.

[0042] The attachment portion 87 is provided on the peripheral wall 82 in the vicinity of the end of the front wall 81 in the -Z direction. A slit 87a is provided in the attachment portion 87. The slit 87a is a groove extending in the substantially X direction and communicates with the accommodation space 60.

[0043] The end of the peripheral wall 82 of the front case 62 in the +Y direction is attached to the end of the peripheral wall 72 of the rear case 61 in the -Y direction, for example, by screws. The rear case 61 and the front case 62 joined to each other form a box-shaped case 51 and form (define, partition) the accommodation space 60.

[0044] The expansion card 52 is, for example, a video card, a sound card, a network card, an interface card, or other expansion card. The expansion card 52 can be connected to, for example, an expansion slot of a personal computer. Note that the expansion card 52 may be a component dedicated to the controller 12.

[0045] The expansion card 52 is, for example, an expansion card compliant with the PCI standard or the PCI Express (PCIe) standard. The standard defines three lengths for the expansion card 52: full size, short size, and low profile. The expansion card 52 of this embodiment is a full-size expansion card. Note that the expansion card 52 is not limited to this example.

[0046] The expansion card 52 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 91, a slot cover 92, and electronic components 93. The expansion card 52 may further include other components.

[0047] The PCB 91 is formed in a plate shape extending along the Y-Z plane. The PCB 91 has an extension portion 95 and terminals 96. At least a part of the extension portion 95 and the terminals 96 are accommodated in the accommodation space 60.

[0048] The extension portion 95 is a part of the PCB 91 and extends substantially in the Y direction. That is, the length of the extension portion 95 in the Y direction is longer than at least one of the length of the extension portion 95 in the X direction and the length of the extension portion 95 in the Z direction. The extension portion 95 has a first surface 95a, a second surface 95b, and a side surface 95c.

[0049] The first surface 95a is formed substantially flat and faces substantially in the +X direction. Electronic components 93 such as integrated circuits (ICs) are mounted on the first surface 95a. The second surface 95b is located on the opposite side of the first surface 95a. The second surface 95b is formed substantially flat and faces in the -X direction.

[0050] The side surface 95c is the edge of the PCB 91 in the extension portion 95. The side surface 95c is provided between the edge of the first surface 95a and the edge of the second surface 95b. The side surface 95c faces substantially in the -Z direction.

[0051] Terminal 96 protrudes from the side surface 95c of the extension portion 95 in the substantially -Z direction. Terminal 96 is a terminal for performing communication by a method compliant with the PCI standard or the PCIe standard. Terminal 96 is located in the vicinity of the end portion 95d of the extension portion 95 in the -Y direction. The end portion 95d is also the end portion of the PCB 91 in the -Y direction.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the length of the extension portion 95 in the Y direction is longer than the length of the accommodation space 60 in the Y direction. The extension portion 95 is disposed through the through hole 75 across the accommodation space 60 and the outside of the case 51. That is, a part of the extension portion 95 protrudes from the back surface 71a of the case 51 in the +Y direction. In the Y direction, the length of the extension portion 95 is longer than the length of the power supply unit 32 and also longer than the length of the CPU module 33.

[0053] The length of the through hole 75 in the Z direction is longer than the length of the extension portion 95 in the Z direction. Also, the length of the through hole 75 in the X direction is longer than the sum of the length of the extension portion 95 in the X direction and the maximum height of the electronic components mountable on the PCB 91 determined by the PCI standard or the PCIe standard. For this reason, the edge of the through hole 75 can be prevented from interfering with the expansion card 52.

[0054] The slot cover 92 is attached to the end portion 95d of the extension portion 95. The slot cover 92 is, for example, a metal plate. Note that the slot cover 92 may be made of other materials. The slot cover 92 is formed in a substantially L shape and has a cover plate 97 and two mounting protrusions 98, 99.

[0055] The cover plate 97 is formed in a plate shape extending along the X-Z plane and extends substantially in the Z direction. The cover plate 97 has an inner surface 97a and an outer surface 97b. The inner surface 97a is formed substantially flat and faces substantially in the +Y direction. The outer surface 97b is located on the opposite side of the inner surface 97a. The outer surface 97b is formed substantially flat and faces substantially in the -Y direction.

[0056] The cover plate 97 covers the end portion 95d of the extension portion 95. The inner surface 97a of the cover plate 97 faces the end portion 95d of the extension portion 95 in the -Y direction. When the expansion card 52 has an interface connector, a hole for exposing the interface connector is provided in the cover plate 97. Further, a hole for exposing other components such as a light-emitting diode (LED) may be provided in the cover plate 97.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting projection 98 protrudes substantially in the -Y direction from the end of the cover plate 97 in the +Z direction. That is, the mounting projection 98 protrudes from the end of the cover plate 97 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the cover plate 97. The mounting projection 98 is formed in a plate shape extending along the X-Y plane. A notch 98a that penetrates the mounting projection 98 substantially in the Z direction is provided in the mounting projection 98. The notch 98a may be a hole.

[0058] The mounting projection 99 protrudes substantially in the -Z direction from the end of the cover plate 97 in the -Z direction. That is, the mounting projection 99 protrudes from the cover plate 97 at a position separated from the mounting projection 98. The mounting projection 99 is formed in a plate shape extending along the X-Z plane. Also, the length of the mounting projection 99 in the X direction is shorter than the length of the cover plate 97 in the X direction.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the expansion card 52 is attached to the case 51 so as to close the exposure hole 85. For example, the cover plate 97 of the slot cover 92 covers the exposure hole 85 from the inside of the case 51. When the expansion card 52 has an interface connector, the interface connector is exposed to the outside of the case 51 through the exposure hole 85.

[0060] The mounting projection 99 of the slot cover 92 is fitted into the slit 87a of the mounting portion 87. The edge of the slit 87a supports the mounting projection 99 and restricts the movement of the mounting projection 99 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0061] The mounting protrusion 98 of the slot cover 92 is received in the slit 86a of the mounting portion 86. Thereby, the notch 98a of the mounting protrusion 98 communicates with the screw hole 86b and the insertion hole 86c of the mounting portion 86. For example, the screw S is inserted into the screw hole 86b through the insertion hole 86c and the notch 98a. Thereby, the screw S passing through the notch 98a attaches the mounting protrusion 98 to the mounting portion 86.

[0062] The extension portion 95 of the PCB 91 is disposed inside the concave surface 77b of the support portion 77. The concave surface 77b can abut against the first surface 95a, the second surface 95b, and the side surface 95c of the extension portion 95 to support the PCB 91. The concave surface 77b holds the PCB 91 and restricts the movement of the PCB 91 in the X direction and the -Z direction. Note that the concave surface 77b may temporarily support the PCB 91 while being separated from the PCB 91, for example, when the PCB 91 is bent. Also, the edge of the through hole 75 including the support portion 77 is separated from the electronic component 93 mounted on the PCB 91.

[0063] As described above, the expansion card 52 is held by the support portion 77 provided on the rear wall 71 and the mounting portions 86 and 87 provided on the front wall 81. That is, the expansion card 52 is stably held by two or more portions (the support portion 77 and the mounting portions 86 and 87) spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0064] The expansion connector 53 has an expansion slot (expansion bus) compliant with the PCI standard or the PCIe standard. In the accommodation space 60, the terminals 96 of the expansion card 52 are connected to the expansion connector 53.

[0065] The expansion connector 53 is not fixed to the case 51. Therefore, the expansion connector 53 is movable with respect to the case 51 and can be disposed at a plurality of positions in the accommodation space 60.

[0066] The extension connector 53 may be attached to the case 51, for example, by screws. In this case, for example, the case 51 is provided with a plurality of screw holes arranged at intervals in the Y direction. By selectively inserting screws into the plurality of screw holes, the extension connector 53 can be arranged at a plurality of positions in the accommodation space 60. Further, the extension connector 53 may be held by the case 51 so as to be movable in the Y direction by, for example, rails.

[0067] The relay board 54 is, for example, a PCB. Note that the relay board 54 may be other boards. The relay board 54 is formed in a plate shape extending along the Y-Z plane. The relay board 54 is spaced apart from the extension card 52 in the X direction. The relay board 54 is attached to the rear case 61, for example, by screws.

[0068] The harness 55 connects the extension connector 53 and the relay board 54. The harness 55 may be a cable or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The harness 55 can bend according to the movement of the extension connector 53 relative to the relay board 54.

[0069] The connection connector 56 is mounted on the relay board 54. The connection connector 56 is exposed to the outside of the case 51, for example, through a hole 71c penetrating the rear wall 71. For this reason, the connection connector 56 is provided on the rear surface 71a of the case 51.

[0070] The connection connector 56 is electrically connected to the extension connector 53 via the relay board 54 and the harness 55. Note that the connection connector 56 is not limited to this example and may be connected to the extension connector 53 without passing through the relay board 54.

[0071] The connection connector 56 of the functional module 34 is connected to the connection connector 43 of the base unit 31. Thereby, the functional module 34 is attached to the base unit 31. The power supply unit 32 and the CPU module 33 are electrically connected to the expansion card 52 via the base unit 31, the connection connectors 43 and 56, the relay board 54, the harness 55, and the expansion connector 53.

[0072] The expansion connector 53 is attached to the rear case 61 via the harness 55 and the relay board 54. Further, the connection connector 56 is attached to the rear case 61 via the relay board 54. Thus, the expansion connector 53 and the connection connector 56 are indirectly attached to the rear case 61. Note that the expansion connector 53 and the connection connector 56 may be directly attached to the rear case 61.

[0073] The through-hole 28 of the bracket 24 shown in FIG. 1 and the through-hole 45 of the base unit 31 are provided at positions corresponding to the through-hole 75 of the case 51. Therefore, when the functional module 34 is attached to the base unit 31, the extension portion 95 of the expansion card 52 passes through the through-hole 28 of the bracket 24 and the through-hole 45 of the base unit 31. Thus, the bracket 24 and the base unit 31 can be prevented from interfering with the expansion card 52.

[0074] The blower unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the connection surface 42a of the base board 42. The blower unit 35 is adjacent in the Z direction to the arranged power supply unit 32, CPU module 33, and a plurality of functional modules 34.

[0075] The blower unit 35 supplies air to the power supply unit 32, the CPU module 33, and a plurality of functional modules 34. In the functional module 34, the air generated by the blower unit 35 is introduced into the accommodation space 60 through the ventilation port 76. After cooling the expansion card 52, the air is discharged out of the accommodation space 60 through the ventilation port 76 or the through-hole 75.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 1, in the Y direction, the distance between the base unit 31 and the door 22 of the housing 11 is shorter than the length of the expansion card 52. For this reason, when the functional module 34 has a case capable of accommodating the entire expansion card 52, there is a risk that the case will interfere with the door 22. However, in the functional module 34 of the present embodiment, a part of the expansion card 52 can be arranged outside the case 51. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the case 51 of the functional module 34 can be arranged in the space between the base unit 31 and the door 22.

[0077] In the Y direction, the length of the case 51 of the functional module 34 is substantially equal to the length of the power supply unit 32 and substantially equal to the length of the CPU module 33. Note that the length of the case 51 in the Y direction may be different from the lengths of the power supply unit 32 and the CPU module 33.

[0078] In the controller 12 according to the first embodiment described above, the expansion card 52 may be shorter than the accommodation space 60 or may be longer than the accommodation space 60. In the present embodiment, a through hole 75 that opens in the back surface 71a of the case 51 and through which a part of the expansion card 52 can pass is provided in the case 51. When the expansion card 52 is shorter than the accommodation space 60, the case 51 can accommodate the entire expansion card 52. On the other hand, when the expansion card 52 is longer than the accommodation space 60, the expansion card 52 can be accommodated in the case 51 by being partially arranged outside the case 51 through the through hole 75. In this case, through holes 28 and 45 communicating with the through hole 75 are provided in the base unit 31, so that the functional module 34 with the expansion card 52 protruding from the through hole 75 can be attached to the base unit 31. Therefore, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can accommodate the expansion card 52 in the common case 51 regardless of whether the expansion card 52 is longer or shorter than the accommodation space 60, and can suppress the type of the expansion card 52 mounted on the functional module 34 from being restricted by the size of the case 51.

[0079] Further, the controller 12 is disposed, for example, inside the housing 11 of the control panel 10. There may be a limited space inside the housing 11 where the functional module 34 can be disposed. In the functional module 34 of the present embodiment, for example, a part of the extension card 52 is disposed outside the case 51 through the through hole 75, so that the case 51 can be designed to be short. Therefore, even if the space inside the housing 11 where the case 51 of the functional module 34 can be disposed is narrow, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can dispose the case 51 of the functional module 34 in the space. On the other hand, when the space inside the housing 11 where the case 51 of the functional module 34 can be disposed is wide, the case 51 may be designed to be long, and the entire extension card 52 may be accommodated in the accommodation space 60 of the case 51. As described above, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can suppress the arrangement of the functional module 34 from being restricted by the length of the extension card 52, and can suppress the types of the extension cards 52 mounted on the functional module 34 from being restricted.

[0080] The base unit 31 is provided with a through hole 45 that opens to the connection surface 42a. The extension card 52 is disposed across the accommodation space 60 and the outside of the case 51 through the through hole 75 and the through hole 45. Thereby, even if the extension card 52 is longer than the accommodation space 60 in the controller 12 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the extension card 52 passing through the through hole 75 from interfering with the base unit 31.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In the description of the following embodiments, components having the same functions as the components already described may be given the same reference numerals as the above-described components, and the description may be further omitted. In addition, a plurality of components given the same reference numeral do not necessarily have all functions and properties in common, and may have different functions and properties according to each embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the control panel 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the control panel 10 of the second embodiment has a housing 111 instead of the housing 11. The housing 111 is the same as the housing 11 of the first embodiment except for the points described below.

[0083] The housing 111 of the second embodiment has a frame 123 instead of the frame 23 and the bracket 24. The frame 123 is disposed in the installation space 26. The frame 123 is disposed, for example, at the end (the back) of the installation space 26 in the +Y direction.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the function module 134 of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the function module 134 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of function modules 34 have function modules 134 instead of the function modules 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the first embodiment.

[0085] The function module 134 of the second embodiment has a case 151 instead of the case 51 of the first embodiment. The case 151 has a front case 162 instead of the front case 62. The front case 162 is an example of the second member. The front case 162 of the second embodiment has a peripheral wall 182 instead of the peripheral wall 82.

[0086] The function module 134, the case 151, and the front case 162 of the second embodiment are the same as the function module 34, the case 51, and the front case 62 of the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned points. Also, the peripheral wall 182 of the second embodiment is the same as the peripheral wall 82 of the first embodiment except for the length in the Y direction.

[0087] In the Y direction, the peripheral wall 182 of the second embodiment is longer than the peripheral wall 82 of the first embodiment. For this reason, in the Y direction, the case 151 and the accommodation space 60 of the second embodiment are longer than the case 51 and the accommodation space 60 of the first embodiment.

[0088] In the Y direction, the length of the accommodation space 60 of the second embodiment is longer than the length of the expansion card 52. In the second embodiment, the entire expansion card 52 is accommodated in the accommodation space 60. Note that a part of the expansion card 52 may protrude outside the accommodation space 60 through, for example, the exposure hole 85.

[0089] The support portion 77 of the rear case 61 protrudes from the inner surface 71b of the rear wall 71 so as to be able to support the extension portion 95 of the expansion card 52. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the concave surface 77b of the support portion 77 supports the extension portion 95.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, in the Y direction (+Y direction, -Y direction), the length of the case 151 is longer than the length of the power supply unit 32 and longer than the length of the CPU module 33. Note that in the Y direction, the length of the case 151 may be the same as or shorter than the lengths of the power supply unit 32 and the CPU module 33.

[0091] In the Y direction, the distance between the base unit 31 and the door 22 of the housing 11 is longer than the length of the expansion card 52 and longer than the length of the case 151. Therefore, even when the functional module 134 is attached to the base unit 31, the case 151 is separated from the door 22. That is, the case 151 of the functional module 134 can be disposed in the space between the base unit 31 and the door 22.

[0092] The functional module 134 of the second embodiment can be made into the functional module 34 of the first embodiment by replacing the front case 162 with the front case 62 of the first embodiment. Similarly, the functional module 34 of the first embodiment can be made into the functional module 134 of the second embodiment by replacing the front case 62 with the front case 162 of the second embodiment.

[0093] Between the functional module 34 of the first embodiment and the functional module 134 of the second embodiment, the expansion card 52, the expansion connector 53, the relay board 54, the harness 55, the connection connector 56, and the rear case 61 are common. The controller 12 can obtain either the functional module 34 of the first embodiment or the functional module 134 of the second embodiment by coupling either the front case 62 of the first embodiment or the front case 162 of the second embodiment to the rear case 61.

[0094] In the control panel 10, the position of the controller 12 is not defined by the standard. For this reason, the controller 12 may be arranged at the position of the first embodiment, the position of the second embodiment, or another position. Also, for example, due to the modification or update of the control panel 10, the position of the controller 12 may be changed. The controller 12 can obtain the functional module 34 that can be accommodated in the housing 11 by replacing the front cases 62 and 162.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, by exchanging the front case 62 and the front case 162, the position of the terminal 96 of the expansion card 52 in the Y direction is changed. However, the expansion connector 53 is not fixed to the case 51. For this reason, the expansion connector 53 can easily move according to the changed position of the terminal 96.

[0096] In the controller 12 of the second embodiment described above, the power supply unit 32 is attached to the base unit 31 and supplies power to the functional module 134. The entire expansion card 52 is accommodated in the accommodation space 60. In the Y direction in which the connection surface 42a faces, the length of the case 151 is longer than the length of the power supply unit 32. That is, the case 151 of the functional module 134 is designed to be relatively long. Therefore, for example, when there is a large space in the housing 11 of the control panel 10 where the case 151 of the functional module 134 can be arranged, the case 151 can protect the entire expansion card 52.

[0097] Also, in the controllers 12 of the first and second embodiments described above, the expansion card 52 has a PCB 91 and a slot cover 92. The cases 51, 151 can be divided into a rear case 61 and a front case 62, 162 that are coupled to each other to form an accommodation space 60. The rear case 61 has a rear surface 71a through which a through hole 75 opens, and a connection connector 56 electrically connected to the expansion connector 53 is attached thereto. That is, the expansion connector 53 connected to the expansion card 52, the connection connector 56 connected to the base unit 31, and the through hole 75 through which the expansion card 52 can pass are provided in the rear case 61. Therefore, the rear case 61 including the expansion connector 53, the connection connector 56, and the through hole 75 can constitute one unit that is commonly used by a plurality of types of function modules 34, 134 regardless of the length of the expansion card 52. On the other hand, the front cases 62, 162 are provided separately from the expansion connector 53 and the connection connector 56. Also, the slot cover 92 is attached to the front cases 62, 162 with screws S. Therefore, the position of the expansion card 52 in the accommodation space 60 is determined according to the shape of the front cases 62, 162. Therefore, a plurality of types of front cases 62, 162 having different shapes can be combined with the common rear case 61 to form a plurality of types of cases 51, 151 in which the positions of the expansion cards 52 are different. Also, the rear case 61 supports the PCB 91 with a concave surface 77b included in the edge of the through hole 75.

[0098] For example, a front case 162 to which a slot cover 92 is attached at a position far from the through hole 75 is coupled to a rear case 61. In this case, the entire extended card 52 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 60. On the other hand, when the long front case 162 interferes with an object around the functional module 134, a front case 62 to which the slot cover 92 is attached at a position closer to the through hole 75 is coupled to the rear case 61. In this case, the long extended card 52 can be partially disposed outside the case 51 through the through hole 75. As described above, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can accommodate the extended card 52 in the cases 51 and 151 according to, for example, the length of the extended card 52 and the environment around the functional modules 34 and 134 while sharing the rear case 61 including the extended connector 53, the connection connector 56, and the through hole 75. As described above, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can share the extended connector 53, the connection connector 56, and the rear case 61, and can suppress an increase in cost due to preparing a plurality of types of functional modules 34 and 134.

[0099] The extended connector 53 is not fixed to the cases 51 and 151. Therefore, the extended card 52 is not fixed by the extended connector 53. On the other hand, the PCB 91 of the extended card 52 is supported by the concave surface 77b of the rear case 61. Further, the slot cover 92 is attached to the front cases 62 and 162 with screws S. Therefore, the controller 12 of the present embodiment can stably hold the extended card 52 even if the extended connector 53 is not fixed to the cases 51 and 151. For example, even if the PCB 91 is bent, the rear case 61 can stably support the PCB 91.

[0100] The above-described first and second embodiments have been described for the case where the extended card 52 is full size. However, the extended card 52 may be short size or low profile. In this case, the entire PCB 91 of the extended card 52 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 60 of the case 51 of the first embodiment.

[0101] In the above description, suppression is defined as, for example, preventing the occurrence of an event, action, or influence, or reducing the degree of an event, action, or influence. Also, in the above description, restriction is defined as, for example, preventing movement or rotation, or allowing movement or rotation within a predetermined range and preventing movement or rotation beyond the predetermined range.

[0102] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 12... controller, 31... base unit, 34, 134... functional module, 42a... connection surface, 43... connection connector, 45... through hole, 51, 151... case, 52... expansion card, 53... expansion connector, 56... connection connector, 60... accommodation space, 61... rear case, 62, 162... front case, 71a... back surface, 75... through hole, 77b... concave surface, 91... printed circuit board (PCB), 92... slot cover, S... screw.

Claims

1. A base unit having a connection surface and a first connection connector provided on the connection surface, A function module having an expansion card, a case provided therein with an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of the expansion card, an end surface provided on the case and facing the connection surface, an expansion connector connected to the expansion card in the accommodation space, and a second connection connector electrically connected to the expansion connector, provided on the end surface and connected to the first connection connector, and a first through hole provided in the case, opening on the end surface, communicating with the accommodation space, and allowing a part of the expansion card to pass therethrough, A controller comprising the above.

2. The expansion card has a printed circuit board and a slot cover attached to the printed circuit board, The case is divisible into a first member and a second member that are joined to each other to form the accommodation space, The first member has the end surface, is provided with the first through hole, has the second connection connector attached thereto, and supports the printed circuit board at an edge of the first through hole, The slot cover is attached to the second member by screws, The controller according to Claim 1.

3. The expansion connector is not fixed to the case, The controller according to Claim 2.

4. A second through hole opening on the connection surface is provided in the base unit, The expansion card is disposed across the accommodation space and the outside of the case through the first through hole and the second through hole, The controller according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

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