ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A CONTROLLER
An electronic device including a plurality of ports for electrically connecting the device to another device. The electronic device may include a housing including a front, a back and at least a first side and an opposing second side extending between the front and the back, a printed circuit board housed by the housing, and an electrical connector electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The electrical connector may include a first spring contact, a second spring contact, and an electrically conductive bridge mechanically and electrically connecting the first spring contact and the second spring contact. The electrically conductive bridge may be housed by the housing. The first and second spring contacts may extend outside of the housing and may be accessible from the first and second sides of the housing, respectively.
This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,139, filed Nov. 4, 2021, and entitled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A CONTROLLER”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/837,579, filed Apr. 1, 2020, and entitled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR A CONTROLLER”, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,183,788, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to electrical connectors for electrically connecting two or more controllers and/or other devices.
BACKGROUNDAutomation, process control and other systems often use various controllers and/or other devices. In some instances, it is desirable to electrically connect two or more of the controllers and/or other devices. This is often accomplished using wires or cables. What would be desirable is an improved electrical connector for electrically connecting two or more controllers and/or other devices.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to electrical connectors for electrically connecting two or more controllers and/or other devices.
In one example, a controller may include a housing having a front, a back and at least a first side and an opposing second side extending between the front and the back. A printed circuit board may be housed by the housing. An electrical connector may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The electrical connector may include a first spring contact, a second spring contact, and an electrically conductive bridge mechanically and electrically connecting the first spring contact and the second spring contact. The electrically conductive bridge may be housed by the housing. The first spring contact may extend outside of the housing and may be accessible from the first side of the housing and the second spring contact may extend outside of the housing and may be accessible from the second opposing side of the housing. When a controller with a similar electrical connector is placed next to the first side or the second side, the spring contacts may electrically connect.
In another example, a device may include a housing that has a front, a back and at least a first side and an opposing second side extending between the front and the back. A printed circuit board may be housed by the housing. An electrical connector may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The electrical connector may include a base housed by the housing and electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The electrical connector may further include a spring contact mechanically and electrically connected to the base. The spring contact may extend outside of the housing and may be accessible from the first side of the housing. The electrical connector may further include a terminal pin mechanically and electrically connected to the base. The terminal pin may extend outside of the housing and may be accessible from the first side of the housing. This may be considered a combination electrical connector.
In another example, an electrical connector may include a base, a spring contact mechanically and electrically connected to the base, and a terminal pin mechanically and electrically connected to the base. The spring contact may extend away from the base in a first direction. The terminal pin may extend away from the base in the first direction and may be offset from the spring contact.
The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the features of the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
DESCRIPTIONThe following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some of the figures, elements not believed necessary to an understanding of relationships among illustrated components may have been omitted for clarity.
All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, or characteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.
It is contemplated that the present electrical connector may be used to connect any suitable electrical devices. However, to help illustrate, the present electrical connector is described with reference to an automation and/or process control system. Such systems may include a controller and a plurality of electrical control devices or input/output (I/O) devices. In some instances, the controller may include control circuitry and logic configured to operate, control, command, etc. the various components of a control system. In some cases, the controller may provide these instructions to I/O devices which in turn may relay the control commands to the components of the system. In some instances, the components of the system may provide information related to the system, such as sensor readings, environmental conditions, etc. to the I/O device which in turn may relay some or all of this data to the controller. In some cases, the controller and/or I/O devices may be mounted along a DIN rail, bus bar or other mounting arrangement. To facilitate control of the various devices and/or communication therebetween, the controller, I/O devices, and/or process devices may be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another. To facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the devices, it may be desirable to provide the electronic devices with more than one option for electrically coupling the devices to one another. It may also be desirable to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of the devices without having to move other electrical devices that are mounted adjacent to the controller on a DIN rail or the like.
These are just examples.
The electronic device 10 may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) 26. The PCB 26 may be completely or partially housed within the housing 12. While not explicitly shown, the PCB 26 may include electrical and/or electronic components that may include control logic and/or communication capabilities. These components may be electrically connected to one another and mechanically fastened to the PCB 26. In some cases, the PCB 26 may include a plurality of pins 27 positioned exterior to the housing 12 extending towards the front 14 thereof. The pins 27 may form one or more front facing connector(s) 29 that face and are accessible from the front 14 of the housing 12. While not explicitly shown, the electronic device 10 may include other pins, terminal connectors, etc. for coupling the PCB 26 to other devices.
In some cases, either the spring contacts 36a-f, 38a-f or the terminal pins 42a-f, 44a-f may be used to form an electrical connection with another device. For example, as will be described in more detail herein, the spring contacts 36a-f, 38a-f may be brought into contact with similar spring contacts of another device to form an electrical connection therebetween. In another example, a female terminal connector may be coupled with the terminal pins 42a-f, 44a-f. In some cases, the spring contacts 36a-f on the first side 18 may be used to couple the electronic device 10 with one device while the terminal pins 44a-f on the second side 20 may be used to couple the electronic device 10 with a second different device. The reverse configuration is also contemplated.
The first spring contact 36a-f may generally have a shape which allows it to flex under an applied force. For example, the first spring contact 36a-f may have a generally “U” shaped configuration include a first flexible arm 46a-f, a second arm 48a-f, and an interconnecting arm 50a-f extending between and generally orthogonal to the first flexible arm 46a-f and the second arm 48a-f. The first flexible arm 46a-f may be configured to flex towards an intermediate region 52a-f of the electrical conductor 28 under an applied force, although this is not required, as will be described in more detail herein. Similarly, the second spring contact 38a-f may have a generally “U” shaped configuration include a first flexible arm 54a-f, a second arm 56a-f, and an interconnecting arm 58a-f extending between and generally orthogonal to the first flexible arm 54a-f and the second arm 56a-f. The first flexible arm 54a-f may be configured to flex towards an intermediate region 52a-f of the electrical conductor 28 under an applied force, although this is not required, as will be described in more detail herein.
The first spring contact 36a-f may be coupled or connected to the conductive bridge via a connecting portion 58a-f. The connecting portion 58a-f may have an “L” or stepped configuration such that the first spring contact 36a-f is laterally spaced or offset from the conductive bridge 40a-f, although this is not required. In some cases, the connecting portion may generally match or conform to a stepped configuration in the housing 12. Similarly, the second spring contact 38a-f may be coupled or connected to the conductive bridge 40a-f via a connecting portion 60a-f. The connecting portion 60a-f may have an “L” or stepped configuration such that the second spring contact 38a-f is laterally spaced or offset from the conductive bridge 40a-f, although this is not required. In some cases, the connecting portion may generally match or conform to a stepped configuration in the housing 12, as will be described in more detail herein.
Returning briefly to
In some cases, the first and/or second terminal pins 42a-f, 44a-f may be accessible within or from a recess or terminal port 66a-d defined by the housing 12. For example, the first side 18 of the housing 12 may define a first terminal port 66a for receiving a female terminal connector (not explicitly shown). Similarly, the second side 20 of the housing 12 may define a second terminal port 66b for receiving a female terminal connector (not explicitly shown). In some cases, the first side 18 of the housing 12 may define a third terminal port 66c for receiving a female terminal connector (not explicitly shown) and the second side 20 of the housing 12 may define a fourth terminal port 66d for receiving a female terminal connector (not explicitly shown).
Returning to
The steps 68a, 68b may each include a plurality of slots 80 extending therethrough. While only a single slot 80 is shown, it should be understood that the each step 68a, 68b may include a slot 80 for each electrical conductor 28. The slots 80 may extend through a thickness of the wall from a top surface 83 and into the terminal port 66b. The slot 80 may also extend along the width of the step 68a. This may allow the electrical conductor 28 to be assembled with the housing 12 by lowering the first and second terminal pins 42, 44 through the slots 80 and into the terminal ports 66a, 66b. When assembled, the connecting portions 58b, 58c, 60b, 60c of the electrical conductor 28b and electrical conductor 28c, respectively, may rest on the steps 68a, 68b and engages an inside surface of the housing 12. In some cases, a portion of the spring contacts 36b, 36c, 38b, 38c (for example, the second arms 48b, 48c, 56b, 56c and/or interconnecting arms 50b, 50c, 58b, 58c) may also engage an inner surface of the housing 12. In some cases, a portion of the spring contacts 36b, 36c, 38b, 38c (for example, the first arms 46b, 46c, 54b, 54c (not explicitly shown)) may engage an outer surface of the housing 12. For example, the first arms 46b, 46c of the first spring contact 36b, 36c may engage an outside surface of the first side 18 of the housing 12 while the first arms 54b, 54c of the second spring contact 38b, 38c may engage an outside surface of the second side 20 of the housing 12.
In some embodiments, the housing 12 may further include features configured to align and couple the electronic device 10 with another device. For example, the housing 12 may include an interconnection structure 82 that is configured to releasably couple with a mating structure, such as a tab 84 on an adjacent device. The interconnection structure 82 may be a generally “U” shaped bracket defining a slot 86. The slot 86 may be configured to slide over a tab 84 on another device to align and connect the two devices. It is contemplated that the tab 84 may be positioned on one side of the device 10 while the interconnection structure 82 is placed on the opposing side of the device 10. This is just one illustrative example. Other connection structures may be used as desired. Further, in some cases, the interconnection structure may not be present.
Each of the ports 30b, 30d (and those not illustrated) may include two different mechanisms for coupling with another device. For example, using the first device 10 as an example, each port 30b, 30d includes a plurality of terminal pins 44a-b, 44d-e, respectively and a plurality of spring contacts 138a-c and 138d-f, respectively. The ports 30b, 30 may each also include a third pin which is not visible. In
The illustrative configuration of
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device comprising:
- a housing including a front, a back and at least a first side and an opposing second side extending between the front and the back; a first spring contact extending outside and away from the first side of the housing; and a first terminal pin extending outside and away from the second side of the housing, wherein the first terminal pin is electrically coupled to the first spring contact.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second side of the housing defines a first terminal port about the first terminal pin for receiving a first terminal connector, wherein the first terminal connector is configured to electrically connect to the first terminal pin when the first terminal connector is received by the first terminal port.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first terminal connector includes a wire for connecting the first terminal pin to a corresponding terminal pin of another device.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first terminal port includes a first recess that is defined by the second side of the housing, wherein the first terminal pin extends into the first recess.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first terminal pin extends into the first recess to a first terminal pin end, wherein the first terminal pin end remains within the first recess of the first terminal port.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first side of the housing has a mating face for mating with a mating face of an adjacent device, the mating face of the first side extends out to a first maximum lateral extent in a first direction, the second side of the housing extends out to a second maximum lateral extent in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
- the first spring contact extends out past the first maximum lateral extent of the mating face of the first side of the housing in the first direction; and
- the first terminal pin does not extend out past the second maximum lateral extent of the second side of the housing in the second direction.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second side of the housing defines a first terminal port about the first terminal pin, wherein the first terminal port includes a first recess that is defined by the second side of the housing, wherein the first terminal pin extends into the first recess but does not extend out past the second maximum lateral extent of the second side of the housing in the second direction.
8. The device of claim 6, further comprising an interconnect structure that extends out past the first maximum lateral extent of the mating face of the first side of the housing in the first direction, the interconnect structure configured to engage a complementary interconnect structure of the adjacent device.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second spring contact extending outside and away from the second side of the housing, wherein the second spring contact is electrically coupled to the first spring contact and the first terminal pin.
10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second terminal pin extending outside and away from the first side of the housing, wherein the second terminal pin is electrically coupled to the first spring contact and the first terminal pin.
11. A method for installing a plurality of controllers, wherein each of the plurality of controllers include a housing, a plurality of first spring contacts extending outside and away from a first side of the housing, a plurality of first terminal pins extending outside of the housing and accessible from the first side of the housing, a plurality of second spring contacts extending outside and away from a second side of the housing, and a plurality of second terminal pins extending outside of the housing and accessible from the second side of the housing, the method comprising:
- mounting a first one of the plurality of controllers adjacent to a second one of the plurality of controllers such that the plurality of second spring contacts of the first one of the plurality of controllers mechanically engage and electrically connect to respective ones of the plurality of first spring contacts of the second one of the plurality of controllers;
- mounting a third one of the plurality of controllers away from the second one of the plurality of controllers and away from the first one of the plurality of controllers; and
- connecting a cable between one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and one or more of the first or second terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cable includes a first terminal connector for connecting to one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and a second terminal connector for connecting to one or more of the first or second terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the cable includes:
- connecting a first cable between a first set of one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and a first set of one or more of the first or second terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers; and
- connecting a second cable between a second set of one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and a second set of one or more of the first or second terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- mounting a fourth one of the plurality of controllers adjacent to the first one of the plurality of controllers such that the plurality of second spring contacts of the fourth one of the plurality of controllers mechanically engage and electrically connect to respective ones of the plurality of first spring contacts of the first one of the plurality of controllers.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the cable includes connecting the cable between one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and one or more of the second terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers, the method further comprising:
- mounting a fourth one of the plurality of controllers adjacent to the third one of the plurality of controllers such that the plurality of second spring contacts of the fourth one of the plurality of controllers engage and electrically connect to respective ones of the plurality of first spring contacts of the third one of the plurality of controllers.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the cable includes connecting the cable between one or more of the second terminal pins of the second one of the plurality of controllers and one or more of the first terminal pins of the third one of the plurality of controllers, the method further comprising:
- mounting a fourth one of the plurality of controllers adjacent to the third one of the plurality of controllers such that the plurality of first spring contacts of the fourth one of the plurality of controllers mechanically engage and electrically connect to respective ones of the plurality of second spring contacts of the third one of the plurality of controllers.
17. A controller comprising:
- a housing including a front, a back and at least a first side and an opposing second side extending between the front and the back;
- a first spring contact extending outside and away from the first side of the housing;
- a second spring contact extending outside and away from the second side of the housing;
- a first interconnect structure adjacent the first side of the housing; and
- a second interconnect structure adjacent the second side of the housing, wherein the first interconnect structure and the second interconnect structure are complementary such that the first interconnect structure is configured to engage with the second interconnect structure of an adjacent controller placed adjacent to the first side of the housing, and the second interconnect structure is configured to engage with the first interconnect structure of an adjacent controller placed adjacent to the second side of the housing.
18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the first interconnect structure and the second interconnect structure are integral with the housing.
19. The controller of claim 17, further comprising:
- a first terminal pin extending outside and away from the first side of the housing, wherein the first terminal pin is electrically coupled to the first spring contact; and
- a second terminal pin extending outside and away from the second side of the housing, wherein the second terminal pin is electrically coupled to the second spring contact.
20. The controller of claim 19, wherein the first terminal pin is part of a first terminal port accessible from the first side of the housing, and the second terminal pin is part of a second terminal port accessible from the second side of the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 30, 2023
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2023
Inventors: Michael Zheng (Beijing), Ke Zhang (Beijing), Haitao Li (Beijing), Yong Mu (Beijing), Kun Wang (Beijing), Wei Guo (Beijing), Yingjie Zhang (Beijing), Xinyan Zheng (Beijing)
Application Number: 18/458,691