DIN Rail Bus Passthrough Connectors for BMS Wiring Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently connecting multiple controllers and devices using wires or cables to maintain communication busses, particularly in large building management systems where components may be distributed across different DIN rails or locations.

Innovation Solution

The use of electrical connectors with passthroughs on opposing sides of a housing to facilitate electrical and mechanical coupling between adjacent devices, allowing for the extension of power and communication busses across multiple devices mounted on DIN rails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wires or cables are used to connect multiple controllers and devices, then communication busses can be maintained between devices, but the wiring complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication bus continuityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication bus lines (CAN High, CAN Low, Shield) into a single integrated connector assembly. The connector housing contains multiple contacts that simultaneously establish multiple communication pathways when two connectors are mated, thereby maintaining communication bus continuity while reducing the number of separate wiring operations required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple communication protocols and bus types through a single connector interface. The same connector housing and contact arrangement can accommodate different communication standards (CAN, Ethernet, etc.) by configuring the internal contact assignments, thereby reducing the need for different connector types for different communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices are distributed across different DIN rails or locations, then system flexibility and modularity improve, but maintaining communication bus continuity becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem modularityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication network is segmented into modular units where each device incorporates integrated connectors as part of its housing. This segmentation allows devices to be independently mounted on different DIN rails or locations while the standardized connector interfaces ensure that communication busses can be continuously extended from one device to the next without requiring complex inter-rail wiring arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector acts as an intermediary element that facilitates communication bus continuity between devices mounted on different DIN rails. The connector housing with its multiple contacts serves as the mediation interface, allowing communication signals to pass through the physical separation created by different mounting locations while maintaining electrical continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate connectors are used for different communication busses, then each communication protocol can be independently managed, but the overall system complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol supportVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication bus lines that would traditionally require separate connectors are merged into a single integrated connector housing. The housing contains multiple contacts arranged to simultaneously establish multiple communication pathways (e.g., CAN High, CAN Low, Shield, Power) when two connectors are mated, thereby reducing the total number of connector components while maintaining support for multiple communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250374497A1Method and system for extending continuity of a plurality of communication busses between electronic devices mounted to a din rail

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An electronic device is configured for use with neighboring electronic devices mounted on a DIN rail to control at least part of a Building Management System (BMS). The electronic device includes a housing and a plurality of communication passthroughs extending between two opposing sides of the housing. Each of the plurality of communication passthroughs include a contact disposed on each of the two opposing side of the housing, wherein each of the contacts is configured to electrically and mechanically couple to a corresponding contact of a neighboring electronic device on the DIN rail. A first subset of the plurality of communication passthroughs collectively pass a first communication bus between the two opposing sides of the housing and a second subset of the plurality of communication passthroughs collectively pass a second communication bus between the two opposing sides of the housing.