Module carrier for receiving an electronics module, in particular for a modular automation system

Abstract

The invention relates to a module carrier (BC) designed to receive an electronics module (EM), wherein: for fastening purposes, a first fastening means (BT1) is arranged on the mounting plate (MP) in the region of the upper end (OE) and a second fastening means (BT2) is arranged on said mounting plate in the region of the lower end (UE), and the fastening means are designed such that an actuating part (BT1, BT2) is arranged movably in a guide part (FT1, FT2); the actuating part (BT1, BT2) has a latching hook (RH) which is of elastic form such that, when the actuating part (BT1, BT2) is in a first position (S1), a spring force of the latching hook (RH) presses a latching lug (RN) arranged at the end of the latching hook (RH) against an inner surface of the guide part (FT1, FT2); the guide part (FT1, FT2) has a recess (A) arranged in the mounting side (MS); when the actuating part (BT1, BT2) is in a second position (S2), the latching lug (RN) of the latching hook (RH) engages through the recess (A) and an opening (O) in the mounting plate (MP); between the mounting side (MS) within the guide part (FT1, FT2) and the actuating part (BT1, BT2), there is a restoring means (RM) which returns the actuating part (BT1, BT2) in the direction of the receiving side (AS) such that the actuating part (BT1, BT2) remains in a locking position (SV) and presses the latching lug (RN) against the mounting plate (MP).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Module carrier for accommodating an electronic module, especially for a modularly designed automation system

[0003] INTRODUCTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a module carrier for receiving an electronic module, in particular for a modularly designed automation system. Such module carriers are used, for example, in industrial control systems to receive various electronic modules, such as input / output modules or communication modules, and to mount them on a mounting plate.

[0005] Module carriers for automation systems are already known from the prior art, for example in EP 4312473 B1. However, these have disadvantages with regard to flexibility in assembly and adaptability to different printed circuit board thicknesses.

[0006] WO 2024 / 039087 A1 discloses a power electronics device with a coupling unit consisting of a coupling body and several coupling arms. These arms are equipped with extension parts and projections that allow a detachable connection with the inner surface of the power electronics device.

[0007] DE 102022209570 A1 describes a combination of a bracket and a body to be attached thereto, in particular a wall bracket for electronic device housings. The bracket comprises an elastically bendable base, clamp-like, rigid retaining elements that project from the base, and fastening elements for fixing it to the substrate.

[0008] DE 102014 111 031 A1 relates to a modular control system for industrial manufacturing plants that offers simplified assembly, reduced susceptibility to errors and optimized space utilization.

[0009] TASK OF INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved module carrier compared to the module carrier of EP 4312473 B1, which enables simple and flexible mounting on mounting plates of different thicknesses, offers reliable tolerance compensation and at the same time allows the use of existing electronic modules.

[0011] SOLUTION TO THE TASK This problem is solved by a modular carrier having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] The module carrier according to the invention comprises a mounting side for mounting on a mounting plate, a receiving side opposite the mounting side for the electronic module, as well as a left side, a right side, an upper end and a lower end. Fastening means are arranged in the area of ​​the upper and lower ends for fastening to the mounting plate.

[0013] The essential feature of the invention is that the fastening element has a movable actuating element arranged in a guide element. The actuating element can be moved from the receiving side towards the mounting side by pressing on an operating surface. It has an elastic locking hook with a locking lug, which in a first position is pressed against an inner surface of the guide element. In a second position, the locking hook with the locking lug penetrates a recess in the guide element and an opening in the mounting plate.

[0014] A return element between the mounting surface and the actuator guides the actuator back into a locking position, where the locking lug presses against the mounting plate. This design allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the module carrier, as well as reliable tolerance compensation for varying plate thicknesses.

[0015] The module carrier also features mounting elements for the electronic module, consisting of two opposing retaining elements between which the module can be inserted. This ensures secure fixation of the electronic module.

[0016] For integration into a bus system, the module carrier features a bus connector compartment with a sliding bus connector. This includes a left-side connector, a right-side connector, and a rear-side bus connector located on the mounting side. This configuration allows for the flexible connection of multiple module carriers to form a modular automation system.

[0017] A signal connector compartment is designed as a recess in the mounting side to provide space for a signal connector located on the mounting plate. This allows for a compact design and efficient signal routing.

[0018] Further advantageous features include a structured surface of the operating area for better handling, the use of elastic material for the actuating part to increase flexibility, and a guide groove in the guide part for precise movement guidance of the actuating part.

[0019] The described invention thus offers a solution that enables simple and flexible assembly of electronic modules in automation systems, ensures reliable tolerance compensation, and at the same time allows the use of existing module types.

[0020] The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention. The drawing shows

[0021] FIG 1 shows a modular support in a perspective view with a view to a left side,

[0022] FIG 2 shows the module carrier in a perspective view looking at a right side,

[0023] FIG 3 shows the module carrier in an exploded view,

[0024] FIG 4 shows a sectional view through a guide part and an actuating part.

[0025] FIG 5 an actuating part

[0026] FIG 6 a bus connector,

[0027] FIG 7 shows the module carrier looking towards the mounting side and

[0028] FIG 8 shows a perspective view of a module carrier with an electronics module plugged in.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a module carrier BC, specifically a view of its left side LS. The module carrier BC is designed to accommodate an electronic module EM. It comprises a mounting side MS, configured for mounting on a mounting plate MP, a left side LS, a right side RS, and a receiving side AS for the electronic module EM, opposite the mounting side MS. Furthermore, the module carrier BC has an upper end OE and a lower end UE. For mounting on a mounting plate, both the upper end OE and the lower end UE have a through-hole. To facilitate faster and easier mounting on the mounting plate MP, the module carrier BC features a first fastening element BT1 at the upper end OE and a second fastening element BT2 at the lower end UE.The first fastening element BT 1 and the second fastening element BT2 are designed such that an actuating element BT1.BT2 is movably arranged in a guide element FT1.FT2 in each case. The guide element FT1.FT2 is designed such that the actuating element BT1.BT2 can be moved from the receiving side AS towards the mounting side MS by an installer pressing on an operating surface BF.

[0030] If a mounting plate MP, for example a multi-layer printed circuit board, already has a locking hole at the corresponding location, the module carrier BC can be quickly attached to the printed circuit board using the actuating parts BT1.BT2, each of which has a locking hook RH.

[0031] The locking hook RH is designed to be so elastic that in a first position S1 of the actuating part BT1.BT2 it already exerts a spring force inside the guide part FT1.FT2.

[0032] Since the guide part FT1,FT2 has a recess A arranged in the mounting side MS (see FIG. 7), the locking hook RH, in a second position S2 of the actuating part BT1,BT2, can pass through the recess A with its locking lug RN and penetrate an opening O in the mounting plate MP. Because the locking hook RH is elastically designed, it will now spring out of the circuit board or the mounting plate MP with its locking lug RN and engage behind it.

[0033] A return element RM is arranged between the mounting side MS, within the guide part FT1.FT2, and the actuating part BT1.BT2 (see also FIGS. 3, 4, and 5). In these examples, the return element RM is designed as a coil spring. Since the coil spring is arranged between the actuating part BT1.BT2 and the guide part FT1.FT2, it will push the actuating part BT1.BT2 back toward the receiving side AS after an installer releases pressure on the operating surface BF. The actuating part BT1.BT2 can then remain in a locking position SV such that the locking lug RN presses against the mounting plate MP. The module carrier BC is thus securely fixed to the mounting plate MP.

[0034] To securely hold an electronic module EM, the module carrier BC has a first holding means H1 and a second holding means H2.

[0035] According to FIG. 2, the module carrier BC, already known from FIG. 1, is shown in a different perspective view, looking at its right side RS. As also shown in FIG. 1, the module carrier BC has a bus connector compartment BSR and a signal connector compartment SSR. A bus connector BS is arranged in the bus connector compartment BSR, and the signal connector compartment SSR is designed as a recess in the mounting side MS to provide space for a signal connector located on the mounting plate MP when assembled.

[0036] The module carrier BC according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is designed to allow the assembly of a modular automation system by connecting multiple module carriers BC in series. The bus connectors BS are designed to be movable, thus enabling the creation of an internal backplane bus for multiple module carriers BC via the bus connectors BS.

[0037] FIG 3 illustrates in an exploded view of the module carrier BC the installation positions of the actuating parts BT1.BT2 and the guide parts FT1.FT2, but in particular the sliding installation of the bus connector BS.

[0038] The bus connector BS is embedded in a bus connector housing BSG. The bus connector compartment BSR within the module carrier BC and the bus connector BS are designed such that the bus connector BS, with its bus connector housing BSG, is slidably arranged within the bus connector compartment BSR. The bus connector BS comprises a left-hand connector LBS arranged on the left side LS, a right-hand connector RBS arranged on the right side RS, and a rear-wall bus connector RWS arranged on the receiving side AS.

[0039] With the aid of FIG. 6, the technical effect of the sliding bus connector housing BSG can now be explained. The bus connector housing BSG is designed to lock into place with the correspondingly designed bus connector space BSR when shifted to the left, so that the left-side connector LBS engages with a corresponding right-side connector RBS of a bus connector BS of a preceding module carrier, and that the backplane bus connector RWS is in a central position, so that an electronic module EM, which can be inserted via the receiving side AS, is in contact with the backplane bus connector RWS via a counter-backplane bus connector GRS.

[0040] FIG. 4, in a sectional view through the module carrier BC, looking towards the second guide element FT2 and the second operating element BT2, illustrates the function of the locking hook RH with its locking lug RN when pressure is applied to the operating surface BF by an assembly worker. The second operating element BT2 is moved from a first position S1 to a second position S2 by pressure on the operating surface BF. The second position S2 is positioned so low that the locking hook RH, with its locking lug RN, leaves the second guide element FT2 (or its inner surface) and passes through a recess A, penetrating a locking bore in the mounting plate MP. The elastic spring force of the locking hook RH then becomes effective, pressing the locking hook RH against the circuit board with a force F.When the operator releases the pressure on the operating surface BF, the second actuating element BT2 slides into a locking position SV and the locking lug RN presses the module carrier BC against the circuit board. Since a return element RM is arranged on a pin Z between the second actuating element BT2 and the second guide element FT2, the second actuating element BT2 is pushed upwards when the pressure is released.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates the first actuating part BT1 in a perspective view as a plastic injection-molded part with its corresponding detent hook RH and detent lug RN, wherein the detent lug RN and the detent hook RH are elastically shaped such that a force F is generated in the direction shown. A coil spring is arranged inside the first actuating part BT1 as a return element RM.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bus connector BS as it is arranged in the bus connector housing BSG. The bus connector housing BSG also has locking hooks with locking lugs, which serve to engage in corresponding locking openings in the module carrier BC, as shown in FIG. 7 with a view to the mounting side MS.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the module carrier BC is depicted with a view to the mounting side MS. The bus connector BS with its bus connector housing BSG has already been fully inserted into the module carrier BC to the left, with the locking hooks and locking lugs from FIG. 6 engaged in a position such that the left-hand connector LBS protrudes from the module carrier BC. If another module carrier BC were positioned at this location, the left-hand connector LBS would engage with the corresponding right-hand connector RBS of the adjacent module carrier BC.

[0044] Finally, FIG. 8 illustrates the electronic module EM and module carrier BC. The operating surfaces BF of the control units BT1 and BT2 have a textured surface. In this embodiment, the textured surface is depicted in the form of a lock, indicating that pressing it locks the unit.

[0045] In summary, the snap-fit ​​of assemblies onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) presents several challenges, including tolerance compensation, functionality across varying PCB thicknesses, and the need for a manufacturable snap-fit ​​contour. PCBs typically have a tolerance of 10% of their nominal thickness, which complicates the snap-fit ​​process. Customer-specific requirements necessitate the use of different PCB thicknesses.

[0046] A competitor's product uses non-spring-loaded plastic locking tabs that are only suitable for 1.6 mm thick circuit boards and offer no tolerance compensation. Thicker circuit boards require costly deep milling.

[0047] The presented solution consists of a return element, in particular a metal spring, and a plastic part with a rounded locking hook. This design allows the use of printed circuit boards with, for example, a nominal dimension of 1.6 mm to 2.7 mm (±10% tolerance). The locking hook engages through a hole in the printed circuit board and is pressed against the back side by the spring.

[0048] The main advantages of this solution are:

[0049] 1. Complete tolerance compensation through spring mounting.

[0050] 2. Backlash-free mounting on circuit boards of varying thicknesses.

[0051] 3. Constant spring force for secure fastening.

[0052] 4. Flexibility in the use of different printed circuit board thicknesses.

[0053] 5. Support for cost-effective manufacturing methods through drilling instead of milling.

[0054] This solution differs from the competitor's product through the use of a spring element in combination with a locking hook, which offers better tolerance compensation and greater versatility.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Module carrier (BC) designed to accommodate an electronic module (EM), comprising one mounting side (MS) designed for mounting on a mounting plate (MP), one left side (LS), a right side (RS), a receiving side (AS) for the electronic module (EM), which is opposite the mounting side (MS), an upper end (OE) and a lower end (UE), wherein a first fastening means is arranged in the area of ​​the upper end (OE) for fastening to the mounting plate (MP) and a second fastening means is arranged in the area of ​​the lower end (UE), characterized in that the first fastening means and the second fastening means are designed such that an actuating part (BT1.BT2) is movably arranged in a guide part (FT1.FT2) in each case, the respective guide part (FT1.FT2) is designed such that the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) can be displaced from the receiving side (AS) by a person applying pressure to an operating surface (BF) towards the mounting side (MS), the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) having a locking hook (RH) which is elastically designed such that in a first position (S1) of the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) a spring force of the locking hook (RH) presses a locking lug (RN) arranged at the end of the locking hook (RH) against an inner surface of the guide part (FT1.FT2), the guide part (FT1.FT2) has a recess (A) arranged in the mounting side (MS), wherein in a second position (S2) of the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) the locking hook (RH) with the locking lug (RN) can penetrate the recess (A) and an opening (O) in the mounting plate (MP), wherein a return element (RM) is arranged between the mounting side (MS) within the respective guide part (FT1.FT2) and the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2), which returns the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) in the direction of the receiving side (AS) such that the respective actuating part (BT1.BT2) remains in a locking position (SV) and can press the locking lug (RN) against the mounting plate (MP).

2. Module carrier (BC) according to claim 1, comprising a receiving means for the electronic module (EM) comprising a first retaining element (H1) and a second retaining element (H2), the retaining elements (H1, H2) being arranged opposite each other such that the electronic module (EM) can be inserted between them.

3. Module carrier (BC) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a bus connector compartment (BSR) and a signal connector compartment (SSR), wherein a bus connector (BS) is arranged in the bus connector compartment (BSR) and the signal connector compartment (SSR) is designed as a recess in the mounting side (MS) to provide space for a signal connector located on the mounting plate (MP) in a mounted state.

4. Module carrier (BC) according to one of claims 1 to 3, designed by arranging a plurality of module carriers (BC) to assemble a modularly constructible automation system.

5. Module carrier (BC) according to claim 4, wherein the bus connector space (BSR) and the bus connector (BS) are configured such that the bus connector (BS) is slidably arranged in the bus connector space (BSR), the bus connector (BS) comprising a left-side connector (LBS) arranged towards the left side (LS), a right-side connector (RBS) arranged towards the right side (RS) and a rear-side bus connector (RWS) arranged towards the receiving side (AS).

6. Module carrier (BC) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a bus connector housing (BSG) is designed as a receptacle for the bus connector (BS), and wherein the bus connector housing (BSG) is designed with the correspondingly designed bus connector space (BSR) to snap into place when shifted to the left, so that the left-side connector (LBS) engages with a right-side connector (RBS) of a bus connector (BS) of a predecessor module carrier and the backplane bus connector (RWS) is in a central position, so that an electronic module (EM) that can be inserted via the receiving side (AS) has a counterpart backplane bus connector in contact with the backplane bus connector (RWS).

7. Module carrier (BC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating surface (BF) has a structured surface.

8. Module carrier (BC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating part (BT1.BT2) is made of an elastic material.

9. Module carrier (BC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide part (FT1.FT2) has a guide groove in which the actuating part (BT1.BT2) moves.

10. Module carrier (BC) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (A) has a rounded shape.

11. Module carrier (BC) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking hook (RH) has a chamfered edge to facilitate insertion into the opening (O) of the mounting plate (MP).

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