WO2014084783A1

WO2014084783A1 - Modular connector

Info

Publication number: WO2014084783A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/051397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörgen PALMHAGER; Timmy Brolin; Leif Malmberg
Original assignee: Hms Industrial Networks Ab
Priority date: 2012-11-27
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: SE1251337A1; SE537234C2

Abstract

This invention relates to a communication module for transferring data between an industrial network and an electric device. The communication module comprises a first electrical interface for connecting the communication module to the electric device, a data processing board connected to the first electrical interface, a second electrical interface for connecting the data processing board to an interface board, wherein the interface board comprises an M8 or M12 connector for connecting the communication module to the industrial network.

Description

MODULAR CONNECTOR

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to data communication, and more specifically to a communication module comprising an interface which in a simple manner enables communication with many different types of industrial communication networks by means of a communication module.

Background of the invention

In modern industry different devices in e.g. a manufacturing plant need to communicate. For example, an electric device such as a pump motor may need to receive control signals from a central control room; a flow meter arranged at the same pump motor may at the same time be required to provide the central control room with the actual value of the flow in a fluid pumped by the pump motor. In order to provide efficient communication in an industrial environment, fieldbus networks or industrial Ethernet networks are frequently used in the industry for enabling communication between the different units in a control system.

Various types of fieldbus and industrial Ethernet standards have been developed by different companies and organizations all over the world. The term fieldbus covers many different industrial network protocols and in the following the term "fieldbus" will also be used for industrial Ethernet networks even though the term fieldbus sometimes refers to older types of networks. The general term "industrial network" is commonly used to cover both older type fieldbuses and newer industrial Ethernet networks. Generally, fieldbuses may be sub-divided into different categories depending on the capabilities they offer. The simplest fieldbus protocols are designed primarily for an on/off interface used for e.g. valves, proximity sensors, and limit switches, while more complex fieldbus protocols offer handling of large amounts of data, e.g. when a computer (e.g. in a electric device) communicates with a PLC

(Programmable Logic Controller). Examples of fieldbuses of different complexity used today are PROFIBUS, PROFINET, DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP,

Modbus TCP and EtherCAT.

When connecting e.g. a PLC to a specific fieldbus, the manufacturer of the PLC must provide an interface to the fieldbus in order to enable reception and transmission of data via the fieldbus network. Since the number of available fieldbus protocols is extensive, and most of the protocols are not compatible, neither from a physical nor a communicative point of view, it is expensive and cumbersome to provide e.g. different PLCs for each and every possible fieldbus system.

In order to use e.g. one type of PLCs with different fieldbus networks the applicant provides a communication module under the name Anybus™, which acts as an interface between the PLC and the fieldbus network. The interface between the communication module and the PLC may hence be fixed and standardized while the interface towards the fieldbus network may vary from module to module.

Due to the, sometimes harsh (e.g. wet or dusty), environment in which a fieldbus network is operating, rugged wiring and connectors with sufficient ingress protection (IP) rating are needed for the network to operate properly. This also applies to the communication modules in the fieldbus network which to this end may preferably be connected to the network by means of an M8 or M12 plug connectors (standardized according to IEC61076-2-101 ).

An M8 or M12 plug connector provides a very reliable connection between a communication module and a fieldbus network. However, different pin-outs, or codings, of the M12 plug connectors are available today For example, A-coding is used for general sensor connections (primarily in Europe), B-coding for sensor connections for PROFI-BUS Fieldbus protocols, C-coding for sensor connections in North America, D-coding for Industrial Ethernets, and P-coding for a variety of other uses. Thus, the different codings for M8 or M12 plug connectors need to be taken into account when designing the communication module. More specifically, it is necessary to make sure that the wiring on a data processing board inside the

communication module, i.e. a printed circuit board carrying the

communication electronics, is adapted to the coding used in the M8 or M12 connectors in the intended network.

Additionally, when using a communication module, M8 or M12 connectors that are turned 90 degrees with respect to the data processing board are used since, when the communication module is arranged (e.g. inserted into a communication slot) in the fieldbus device (such as the PLC mentioned above), the connectors will point out of the fieldbus device and will hence be easily accessible. However, turned M8 or M12 connectors are very bulky due to the 90 degree turn of the wires inside the connector, which in turn increases the size of the communication module when this type of connectors are used. Summary of the invention

In view of the above, an objective of the invention is to provide a fieldbus communication module which is small in size and is flexible and easily configurable.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is realized by a communication module for transferring data between an industrial network and an electric device, said fieldbus communication module comprising: a first electrical interface for connecting the fieldbus communication module to the electric device,

a data processing board connected to the first electrical interface, a second electrical interface for connecting the data processing board to an interface board,

wherein the interface board comprises an M8 or M12 connector for connecting the communication module to the fieldbus network.

An advantage is that the data processing board comprises the electronics necessary for translating data between different network protocols while the interface board comprises the specific connector(s) for connecting the communication module to the fieldbus network. Hence any change in the requirements on the connector (such as the pin-out) needed for connection to the fieldbus network does not call for a change of the data processing board. Likewise , any change in the requirements on the data translation needed by the data processing board does not call for a change of the interface board.

The interface board in the communication module may be connected to the second electrical interface at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the data processing board.

An advantage is that the communication module may be of a "plug-in" type where the front of interface board is accessible even though the communication module is plugged into an electric device.

The M8 or M12 connector may be a straight connector.

An advantage is that the straight connector occupies much less space compared to a turned connector thereby enabling design of a smaller communication module.

The second electrical interface may comprise a connector arranged on the data processing board, wherein the interface board may be releasably mounted to the data processing board by means of said connector.

An advantage is that the data processing board and the interface board may be spatially separated and interconnected buy means of e.g. a cable depending on the arrangement needed in the electric device to which the communication module is connected.

The second electrical interface may comprise a plurality of terminals for enabling transfer of a plurality of logical signals between the data processing board and the interface board, and a control unit in the communication module may be arranged to configure at least a subset of said terminals to transfer at least a subset of said logical signals.

An advantage is that the configuration of the signals to be transferred via the terminals between the interface board and the data processing board may be altered depending on the type of industrial network the

communication unit is to be connected to.

The communication module may comprise a mechanical support member arranged separate from the second electrical interface and coupled between the data processing board and the interface board.

An advantage is that the connection between the interface board and the data processing board will be more be more rugged when using the mechanical support member.

The communication module may comprise an interface board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of interface board differs from the second type of interface board.

An advantage is that one and the same data communication board may be used with different interface boards depending e.g. on the cabling in the industrial network.

The communication module may comprise a data processing board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of data processing board differs from the second type of data processing board.

An advantage is that one and the same interface board may be used with different data processing boards depending e.g. on the network protocol used in the industrial network.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is realized by a kit of parts for a communication module, said kit of parts comprising a plurality of boards selectable selected from:

first interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a first type,

second interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a second type,

first data processing boards arranged to process data according to a first communication protocol, and

second data processing boards arranged to process data according to a second communication protocol;

which kit of parts is arranged according to any one of the following four configurations:

a first part is selected from the first interface boards and connected to a second part selected from the first data processing boards,

a first part is selected from the first interface boards and connected to a second part selected from the second data processing boards,

a first part is selected from the first data processing boards and connected to a second part selected from the first interface boards, and

a first part is selected from the first data processing boards and connected to a second part selected from the second interface boards.

An advantage is that many different configurations of a communication module are possible, increasing the flexibility when e.g. assembling the communication module.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a communication module comprising a data processing board and an interface board according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the data processing board shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3a is a front view of the interface board shown in Fig. 1 . Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the bottom side of the interface board shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a communication module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A communications module in which the present inventive concept may be applied will first be described with reference to Fig. 1 . Then, the particulars of the communications module will be described with reference to the remaining figures.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a communication module 100 for transferring data between an industrial network (not shown) and an electric device (not shown).

The communication module 100 comprises a data processing board

1 10 and an interface board 120. The communication module 100 comprises a first electrical interface 130 in the form of a device connector for connecting the communication module 100 to the electric device. The electrical connection between electric circuitry in the communication module 100 and the electric circuitry in the device is preferably established in the first electrical interface 130 by means of electrical connectors in the form of male-female pins and sockets. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment the first electrical interface 130 is connected to the data processing board 1 10 and is preferably in the form of a female 50 pin compact flash connector 140 which is arranged on the data processing board 1 10 and is in electrical

communication with the electric circuitry in the communication module 100. Depending on e.g. size requirements, other suitable connectors may be used in the electrical interface 130, such as a D-Sub connector (normally used for attaching modems or the like to a computer), a Centronics connector, a HD (High Density) connector (normally used in SCSI-II), a VHDCI (Very High

Density Cable Interconnect) connector, an RD (regular Density) connector (normally used for IDE devices). Additionally, the actual number of contact pins used in the connector 140 is also dependent on the bus width of the data bus and the address bus by which the communication module 100

communicates with the electric device.

The communication module 1 00 comprises a second electrical interface 150 for connecting the data processing board 1 10 to the interface board 120. The electrical connection between the data processing board 1 10 and the interface board 120 is preferably established in the second electrical interface 150 by means of electrical connectors in the form of male-female pins and sockets. More specifically, the second electrical interface 150 is established by the cooperation of two parts, where the first part is arranged on the data processing board 1 10 in the form of a female connector 160 and the second part is arranged on the interface board 120 in the form of a male connector 170. Alternatively, the male connector may be arranged on the data processing board 1 10 and the female connector arranged on the interface board 120.

In a preferred embodiment the interface board 1 20 comprises at least one M8 or M12 connector 180, 190 for connecting the communication module 100 to the industrial network. The M8 or M12 connector may be either male or female, and in case more than one M8 or M12 connector is used in the communication network, the M8 or M12 connectors may all be male, all female, or mixed both male and female.

The interface board 120 is preferably connected to the second electrical interface 150 at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the data processing board 1 10. This may be achieved in a preferred embodiment by soldering one or more female connectors 160 to the data processing board 1 10 and soldering a male connector 170 to the interface board 120. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the male connector 170 may be implemented in the form of one or more pins 175 which are bent such that they are substantially parallel to the interface board 120 while still are easily soldered to the interface board 120.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the data processing board 210 shown in Fig. 1 .

Shown in more detail in Fig. 2 is the first electrical interface 230 in the form of a female 50 pin compact flash connector 240 which is arranged on the edge of the data processing board 210. The data processing board 210 is preferably in the form of a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) in order to keep the physical size of the data processing board 210 at a minimum.

The compact flash connector 240 is preferably a surface mounted connector and soldered to the data processing board 210 on one side thereof. The compact flash connector 240 enables electrical connection between the electric circuitry on the data processing board 210 and the electrical device (not shown) to which the communication module 100 shown in Fig. 1 is connected. The electrical interface 230 is connected to a control unit 250 arranged on the data processing board 210. The control unit 250 is preferably in the form of a micro processor and connected to a memory which is used for storing program code for controlling the behavior of the communications module 100 (sometimes referred to as firmware). The memory may be internal to the control unit 250 or in the form of a separate chip (not shown) which is connected to the control unit 250. Alternatively, the control unit 250 may be in the form of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or any other suitable hardware. In case the control unit 250 is in the form of e.g. an FPGA, the memory may not be needed since the FPGA then inherently may comprise the control program.

As mentioned above, the second electrical interface 260 comprises at least one connector 270 arranged on the data processing board 210. The terminals in the connector 270 are preferably spring loaded such that the pins 175 of the interface board 120 may be inserted and unplugged without the need of soldering, i.e. the interface board 120 is releasably mounted to the data processing board 210 by means of the connector 270.

In order to increase the flexibility of the communication module 100, the control unit 250 may be arranged to control the function of the terminals in the connector 270. More specifically, the control unit 250 may assign one or more terminals in the connector 270 for transmission of specific logical data. Thus, by way of example, the control unit 250 can configure terminals 1 -16 of the connector for parallel transmission of address data and terminals 17-32 for parallel transmission of payload data. This is preferably achieved by using electrically controllable switches which are connected to the terminals in the connector 270 and controlled by the control unit 250 such that data received and transmitted to/from the data processing board via the connector 270 may be directed to/from specific terminals. Other configurations are also possible. In other words, the second electrical interface 260 comprises a plurality of terminals for enabling transfer of a plurality of logical signals between the data processing board 210 and the interface board 120, and that a control unit 250 in the communication module 100 is arranged to configure at least a subset of said terminals to transfer at least a subset of said logical signals.

In addition to the connector 270 the data processing board 210 may be provided with a number of holes 280 which are arranged adjacent to the connector 270. As will be disclosed in more detail below in relation to Figs 3a and 3b , when the data processing board 210 and the interface board 120 are joined together the holes 280 will form part of a mechanical support member which will reduce the mechanical stress on the connector 270. In other words, the communication module 100 comprises a mechanical support member arranged separate from the second electrical interface and coupled between the data processing board and the interface board.

The data processing board 210 may be designed for communication via a plurality of different protocols. Alternatively the data processing board may be designed for communication via a specific protocol. In the former case, if the communication module 100 is arranged for communication via e.g. EtherNet/IP, a plurality of different protocols may be used and

encapsulated by the control unit 250 into Ethernet data frames before transmission over the fieldbus network via the interface board 120.

Irrespective of the translation capabilities of the control unit 250, the data processing board 210 used in the communication unit 100 may be of different types depending on the specific protocol used for communication. In other words, the fieldbus communication module 100 may comprise a data processing board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of data processing board differs from the second type of data processing board.

With reference to Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b an interface board 320 of a preferred embodiment will be disclosed. Fig. 3a is a front view of the interface board shown in Fig. 1 while Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the interface board 320.

The interface board 320 is preferably in the form of a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) in order to keep the physical size of the data processing board 320 at a minimum. As mentioned above, the interface board 320 comprises at least one M8 or M12 connector 380, 390 (in this embodiment two M12 connectors are disclosed) for connecting the communication module 100 to the industrial network. In Fig. 3 one male and one female connector is illustrated but the use of only male or only female connectors is also possible.

In other words, the interface board comprises an M8 or M12 connector for connecting the communication module to the industrial network.

In a preferred embodiment the one or more M8 or M12 connectors 380, 390 are straight connectors, i.e. the connectors 380, 390 are soldered onto the interface board 320 at an angle substantially 90 degrees with respect to the printed circuit board of the interface board 320. Also seen in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is a male connector 370 which, as disclosed above, forms part of the second electrical interface 350 for connecting the interface board 320 to the data processing board 1 10, 210. It is understood that the male connector 370 may replaced with a female connector should the connector on the data processing board 1 10, 210 be in the form of a male connector. In the embodiment shown in Figs 3a and 3b the male connector 370 is implemented in the form of a plurality of pins 375 which are bent such that they are substantially parallel to the interface board 320 while still are easily soldered to the interface board 320.

In addition to the connector 370 the interface board 320may be provided with a number of pins 310 which are arranged adjacent to the connector 370. When the data processing board 210 and the interface board 320 are joined together the pins 310 on the interface board will mate with the holes 280 on the data processing board 210 in order to form a mechanical support member which will reduce the mechanical stress on the connector 370 on the interface board and the connector 270 on the data processing board 210. The pins 320 may be loosely inserted into the holes, or may be soldered to the PCB of the data processing board 210 should more rigid support be required. Due to the thickness of the PCB of the data processing board 210, good support against bending of the interface board 320 with respect to the data processing board 210 will be provided even if the pins 320 are loosely inserted into the holes 280 since the pins 320 will bear against the inner surface of the PCB surrounding the holes 280. In other words, the communication module 100 comprises a mechanical support member arranged separate from the second electrical interface and coupled between the data processing board and the interface board.

In similarity with the data processing board 210, also the interface board 320 may be designed for communication with a plurality of different industrial networks or alternatively be designed for communication with a specific industrial network. Irrespective of which, a number of different types of interface boards 320 may be used for the communication unit 1 00. This is beneficial in some applications where the pin-out for a specific connector may differ between different industrial networks even though the protocol and data representation may be the same (as mentioned above the coding - A, B, C, D and P - of the M8 or M12 connector may vary). By being able to use different interface boards 320 together with one and the same data processing board 210, the complexity and cost for the communication module 100 may be reduced. In other words, the communication module 100 may comprise an interface board 320 of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of interface board 320 differs from the second type of interface board 320.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a communication module 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the communication unit 400 is arranged in a housing 410 covering the data processing board 1 10 and the interface board 120. Available on the front of the communication unit are two M8 or M12 connectors 480, 490 for connecting the communication module 400 to an industrial network. On the back of the communication module 400 is a compact flash connector 440 for connecting the

communication module to an electric device such as a pump motor control logic.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a communication module 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the communication unit 500 is arranged as a built-in unit. In this embodiment the data processing board 1 10 and the interface board 120 are protected from the sometimes harsh environment of an industrial plant not by an individual housing as in Fig. 4 but by the housing of the electric device, with which the communication module 500 is communicating.

In similarity with the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, available on the front of the communication unit are two M8 or M12 connectors 580, 590 for connecting the communication module 500 to an industrial network. On the back of the communication module 500 is a compact flash connector 540 for connecting the communication module 500 to an electric device such as a pump motor control logic.

Returning shortly to Figs 2, 3a and 3b, the communication unit may be designed by combining different data processing boards 210 with different interface boards 320 depending on the type of industrial network the communication unit is to be connected to. Thus a number of possible combinations of data processing boards 1 10 and interface boards may be defined. In other words may an embodiment of the invention reside in a kit of parts for a communication module, the kit of parts comprising a plurality of boards selectable selected from:

first interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a first type,

second interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a second type, first data processing boards arranged to process data according to a first communication protocol, and

a first part is selected from the first interface boards and connected to a second part selected from the first data processing boards, a first part is selected from the first interface boards and connected to a second part selected from the second data processing boards, a first part is selected from the first data processing boards and connected to a second part selected from the first interface boards, and

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1 . A communication module for transferring data between an industrial network and an electric device, said communication module comprising:

a first electrical interface for connecting the communication module to the electric device,

wherein the interface board comprises an M8 or M12 connector for connecting the communication module to the industrial network.

2. The communication module according to claim 1 , wherein the interface board is connected to the second electrical interface at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the data processing board.

3. The communication module according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the M8 or M12 connector is a straight connector.

4. The communication module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second electrical interface comprises a connector arranged on the data processing board, the interface board is releasably mounted to the data processing board by means of said connector.

5. The communication module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second electrical interface comprises a plurality of terminals for enabling transfer of a plurality of logical signals between the data processing board and the interface board, and that a control unit in the communication module is arranged to configure at least a subset of said terminals to transfer at least a subset of said logical signals.

6. The communication module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a mechanical support member arranged separate from the second electrical interface and coupled between the data processing board and the interface board.

7. The communication module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an interface board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of interface board differs from the second type of interface board.

8. The communication module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a data processing board of a first type or a second type, wherein the first type of data processing board differs from the second type of data processing board.

9. Kit of parts for a communication module arranged to be connected to an industrial network, said kit of parts comprising a plurality of boards selectable selected from:

first interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a first type,

second interface boards comprising an M8 or M12 connector of a second type,